I’m thinking of sailing down the east coast from Maine to Virginia this fall and then getting on the ICW to Florida. When is a good time to start? When do you see the most sailboats heading south? Is October too late to start? I’m wondering about fog, sudden storms ie. Changes in weather etc. I figure I’ll be coastal cruising to Virginia so I’ll be able to find a harbor if need be to wait out bad weather. Thanks for your thoughts
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October is just fine.
The major concern is avoiding tropical storms. September is usually the most active month for them, and October is usually 4th, after August and July. However, by starting in October, you're not likely to arrive in southern climes till November, which although still prone to have tropical storms, they tend to be catagory 1 or 2's and weaken considerably before making land-fall. Avoid going seaward of Cape Hatteras. It's not called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for nothing! :^( ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
The major concern is avoiding tropical storms. September is usually the most active month for them, and October is usually 4th, after August and July. However, by starting in October, you're not likely to arrive in southern climes till November, which although still prone to have tropical storms, they tend to be catagory 1 or 2's and weaken considerably before making land-fall. Avoid going seaward of Cape Hatteras. It's not called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for nothing! :^( ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
snow birds
We live in Portsmouth, VA (ICW Milepost 0) and have watched/counted southbound snowbirds for years: August is the start, September twice as many as August; October is most busy {couldn't figure out how to spell busyist). Nighttime weather here is in 60's in early October, 40's by November 1st. Most hotel outside pools are shut down by first of October. The run from Cape May to mouth of Chesapeake Bay will be 'white knuckle time' if you have never sailed the ocean before. I understand that the only decent harbor for sailboats is Ocean City, MD and you would need local knowledge to get in there. Plan on two nights at sea between Cape May and Chesapeake Bay entrance. ...or take the C&D Canal and treat yourself to Annapolis Baltimore and Tangier Island. Hurricane season will be in full swing, so you will need to watch the weather window carefully a week or two in advance of your trek. Come on down!
We live in Portsmouth, VA (ICW Milepost 0) and have watched/counted southbound snowbirds for years: August is the start, September twice as many as August; October is most busy {couldn't figure out how to spell busyist). Nighttime weather here is in 60's in early October, 40's by November 1st. Most hotel outside pools are shut down by first of October. The run from Cape May to mouth of Chesapeake Bay will be 'white knuckle time' if you have never sailed the ocean before. I understand that the only decent harbor for sailboats is Ocean City, MD and you would need local knowledge to get in there. Plan on two nights at sea between Cape May and Chesapeake Bay entrance. ...or take the C&D Canal and treat yourself to Annapolis Baltimore and Tangier Island. Hurricane season will be in full swing, so you will need to watch the weather window carefully a week or two in advance of your trek. Come on down!
and than in the end.....
you can search for a way far overpriced marina that caters (aka rob) to the rich snow birds who do exactly what you will be doing. That is, if you can find a slip or even an anchorage that doesn't require fenders on both sides of your boat so your anchoring neighbors doesn't damage your boat during the tide swings. Its kinda ironic that so many boaters come down to "get away from it all" only to find everybody else is here doing the same thing. I think I'd do the trip backwards, winter in the north and summer in the south, much less tourists, cheaper and certainly more of an adventure.
you can search for a way far overpriced marina that caters (aka rob) to the rich snow birds who do exactly what you will be doing. That is, if you can find a slip or even an anchorage that doesn't require fenders on both sides of your boat so your anchoring neighbors doesn't damage your boat during the tide swings. Its kinda ironic that so many boaters come down to "get away from it all" only to find everybody else is here doing the same thing. I think I'd do the trip backwards, winter in the north and summer in the south, much less tourists, cheaper and certainly more of an adventure.
October in Annapolis
I would start in Maine early enough to be in the Bay by early October. As Ed says, there are lots of yachties taking a break around Annapolis until October, which has a nip in the air but usually is enjoyable sailing during the day. Take in the migrating geese, the fall colors and a little sightseeing. Fog is not common in the Bay, nor are squalls and thunderstorms in October. (Maine in the winter and Fla in the summer sounds like too much adventure for me.)
I would start in Maine early enough to be in the Bay by early October. As Ed says, there are lots of yachties taking a break around Annapolis until October, which has a nip in the air but usually is enjoyable sailing during the day. Take in the migrating geese, the fall colors and a little sightseeing. Fog is not common in the Bay, nor are squalls and thunderstorms in October. (Maine in the winter and Fla in the summer sounds like too much adventure for me.)
Richard, my advice is quite a bit different...
...but I'm basing my advice on the assumption you would like the entire trip to be an enjoyable one. (You OTOH may have posed the question because you can't get away until October...it's hard to tell). IMO, leaving in October (from Maine) is way too late; you'll have to deal with autumnal storms and be forced to consider more day hops in lieu of offshore runs, which in turn will slow you down, which just further compounds the problem. Moreover, another trend you'll be fighting the entire trip is the shortening day - especially significant when you start running exclusively in the Ditch and need the daylight to pilot safely. You have the option of sailing LI Sound but from exiting NY Harbor down to the Virginia Capes you have few all-weather harbors along the way if you stay outside...so a stable wx pattern for a few days will be a big help in making progress if you plan offshore runs then. I don't see tropical storms figuring into your planning at all, as they march up the East Coast well past the time you should have left. You'll just have to deal with the arrival of a tropical storm as does anyone else migrating down the East Coast; fortunately, f'casting occurs well in advance of their arrival and you can be conservative in arranging your routing to be tucked in acceptably before any storm might arrive. If you were headed for Bermuda, it would be a different story... The Chesapeake is a national treasure and a natural wonder and it would IMO be a shame for you to pass it up by sailing offshore in that stretch. In fact, I would suggest your two criteria for scheduling your passage should be: 1) time the route so you have mostly pleasant weather for the entire run...and 2) provide sufficient time on the Bay as you pass thru to at least enjoy a few special locations on both Western & Eastern Shores. Having said all that (and having done the ditch a few times now) I'd recommend departing Norfolk by mid-September. You'll be chased by fewer fronts when initially crossing the large, shallow estuaries in VA and NC, you'll have more daylight to work with when ashore exploring or trying to make miles on the boat, and the temps will range from warm but humid to brisk but refreshing. (Don't forget the bug screens, and be sure they are No-See'um screen material, if you can). There should be no ski hat weather, which is not the case when leaving the Bay in October. Allowing for two weeks of daysailing on the Bay suggests an arrival at the C&D around Labor Day, which has you enjoying warm weather and minimal frontal systems while sailing down the coast in August. How long it takes to reach Florida is a function of how many roses you stop to smell along the way. Of course, everyone has their own view on this and we don't know what kind of boat you have - if it's got an inside steering station, then some (but not all) of my reasoning isn't suitable for your circumstances. But assuming you've got a typical open cockpit, I think both you and the Mate will find things a lot more enjoyable - and less hurried - if you try to keep yourselves in the belt of pleasant autumnal weather that slowly sinks down the eastern seaboard. Jack
...but I'm basing my advice on the assumption you would like the entire trip to be an enjoyable one. (You OTOH may have posed the question because you can't get away until October...it's hard to tell). IMO, leaving in October (from Maine) is way too late; you'll have to deal with autumnal storms and be forced to consider more day hops in lieu of offshore runs, which in turn will slow you down, which just further compounds the problem. Moreover, another trend you'll be fighting the entire trip is the shortening day - especially significant when you start running exclusively in the Ditch and need the daylight to pilot safely. You have the option of sailing LI Sound but from exiting NY Harbor down to the Virginia Capes you have few all-weather harbors along the way if you stay outside...so a stable wx pattern for a few days will be a big help in making progress if you plan offshore runs then. I don't see tropical storms figuring into your planning at all, as they march up the East Coast well past the time you should have left. You'll just have to deal with the arrival of a tropical storm as does anyone else migrating down the East Coast; fortunately, f'casting occurs well in advance of their arrival and you can be conservative in arranging your routing to be tucked in acceptably before any storm might arrive. If you were headed for Bermuda, it would be a different story... The Chesapeake is a national treasure and a natural wonder and it would IMO be a shame for you to pass it up by sailing offshore in that stretch. In fact, I would suggest your two criteria for scheduling your passage should be: 1) time the route so you have mostly pleasant weather for the entire run...and 2) provide sufficient time on the Bay as you pass thru to at least enjoy a few special locations on both Western & Eastern Shores. Having said all that (and having done the ditch a few times now) I'd recommend departing Norfolk by mid-September. You'll be chased by fewer fronts when initially crossing the large, shallow estuaries in VA and NC, you'll have more daylight to work with when ashore exploring or trying to make miles on the boat, and the temps will range from warm but humid to brisk but refreshing. (Don't forget the bug screens, and be sure they are No-See'um screen material, if you can). There should be no ski hat weather, which is not the case when leaving the Bay in October. Allowing for two weeks of daysailing on the Bay suggests an arrival at the C&D around Labor Day, which has you enjoying warm weather and minimal frontal systems while sailing down the coast in August. How long it takes to reach Florida is a function of how many roses you stop to smell along the way. Of course, everyone has their own view on this and we don't know what kind of boat you have - if it's got an inside steering station, then some (but not all) of my reasoning isn't suitable for your circumstances. But assuming you've got a typical open cockpit, I think both you and the Mate will find things a lot more enjoyable - and less hurried - if you try to keep yourselves in the belt of pleasant autumnal weather that slowly sinks down the eastern seaboard. Jack
Crew?
Richard - I don't have advice but I'd love to crew a leg for you if you have room. I live and work in Brunswick. What are you sailing? Justin
Richard - I don't have advice but I'd love to crew a leg for you if you have room. I live and work in Brunswick. What are you sailing? Justin
Aswers for Justin and all
Right now I’m in the planning stage. I have a 1981 Hunter 27 with a draft of 4 ½ feet and a mast height of 36 feet. 7000 lb. Boat 3000 lb. Keel. I’m putting on a Simrad auto pilot and the boat has a new diesel in it. She feels very stable in windy conditions. I’m trying to get a month off from work to make the trip. When I get south I plan to leave the boat at a marina head home and come back down in January and February when work is very slow. Things slow down for me in October but that’s pretty late to get started so I’m thinking maybe about heading out sometime the last of August. My brother would also like to do some of the trip but won’t be able to go the whole way. Justin if your interested in going let me know how long you could go for.
Right now I’m in the planning stage. I have a 1981 Hunter 27 with a draft of 4 ½ feet and a mast height of 36 feet. 7000 lb. Boat 3000 lb. Keel. I’m putting on a Simrad auto pilot and the boat has a new diesel in it. She feels very stable in windy conditions. I’m trying to get a month off from work to make the trip. When I get south I plan to leave the boat at a marina head home and come back down in January and February when work is very slow. Things slow down for me in October but that’s pretty late to get started so I’m thinking maybe about heading out sometime the last of August. My brother would also like to do some of the trip but won’t be able to go the whole way. Justin if your interested in going let me know how long you could go for.
Hi Guys -
Hi Phil, and everybody - I've been good and far too busy. My new career has taken over all my time but I'm starting to fight back. Step one is finding time for the fun things in life - so I'm back on the boards I used to haunt. Next might be to actually go sailing from time to time! Its great to see such a lively discussion around here! And I'm glad to be back in it. Justin
Hi Phil, and everybody - I've been good and far too busy. My new career has taken over all my time but I'm starting to fight back. Step one is finding time for the fun things in life - so I'm back on the boards I used to haunt. Next might be to actually go sailing from time to time! Its great to see such a lively discussion around here! And I'm glad to be back in it. Justin
Richard - Contact me off-list?
Richard - my e-mail address is jandrus@alumni.bates.edu. Drop me a line sometime and we'll talk about doing part of the trip. Justin
Richard - my e-mail address is jandrus@alumni.bates.edu. Drop me a line sometime and we'll talk about doing part of the trip. Justin
I would like to go too
Richard - I too would be interested in talking to you about the trip. My e-mail address is CFDickhut2@cs.com. I sail a h31 out of Buffalo, NY Chuck S/V Kililani
Richard - I too would be interested in talking to you about the trip. My e-mail address is CFDickhut2@cs.com. I sail a h31 out of Buffalo, NY Chuck S/V Kililani
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