Cape Cod Canal
- Thread starter Tim R.
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Reeds et al
There is a URL at which you can read daily tidal predictions for the Canal. Hopefully someone else knows it or you can google search for it easily enough. Failing that or simply looking in Reeds, you can call the COE office there to get daily info.
There is a URL at which you can read daily tidal predictions for the Canal. Hopefully someone else knows it or you can google search for it easily enough. Failing that or simply looking in Reeds, you can call the COE office there to get daily info.
Definitely go with the tide
Hit the canal on the Buzzard Bay side (west end) near Cleveland Ledge ust at the end of the ebb tide. Thay way you will catch the tide as it begins to flood (heading east). The canal is 9 miles long and you should make it in 1 to 1.5 hours. You cannot, by law, sail in the canal. You can use your main sail, but must also use your engine in the canal at all times. Do not set your jib. From the east end of the canal to Portland Head light it is 119 nm. You may want to stay at the marina at the east end (Sandwich Marina). They will take a reservation. Then after a quiet night (couple of good restaurants there, and showers), head out the next morning with the tide. At that point of the canal you can also leave into the first hour of the opposing tide and make it the 1/4 mile to Cape Cod Bay.
Hit the canal on the Buzzard Bay side (west end) near Cleveland Ledge ust at the end of the ebb tide. Thay way you will catch the tide as it begins to flood (heading east). The canal is 9 miles long and you should make it in 1 to 1.5 hours. You cannot, by law, sail in the canal. You can use your main sail, but must also use your engine in the canal at all times. Do not set your jib. From the east end of the canal to Portland Head light it is 119 nm. You may want to stay at the marina at the east end (Sandwich Marina). They will take a reservation. Then after a quiet night (couple of good restaurants there, and showers), head out the next morning with the tide. At that point of the canal you can also leave into the first hour of the opposing tide and make it the 1/4 mile to Cape Cod Bay.
Tim R. Did you happen to
check that link? There is a coast pilot published for almost everywhere, my experience or anyone else's will be biased. Someone suggested Reed's I would highly recommend that you add it to your library
check that link? There is a coast pilot published for almost everywhere, my experience or anyone else's will be biased. Someone suggested Reed's I would highly recommend that you add it to your library
Geez Ross, take a break
Not to pick a fight, but your posts are becoming more and more acerbic and critical (see above), which is a sure sign of HOW burnout. I've been on this site since it's inception (8-10 years?) and it's happened to me and others. Take a break, go sailing. There's no right or wrong here, we're just here to chat, solicit opnions, shoot the breeze, or whatever. Criticizism and/or sarcasim really spoils the mood. Phil and his crew monitor the site and will set things right when need be.
Not to pick a fight, but your posts are becoming more and more acerbic and critical (see above), which is a sure sign of HOW burnout. I've been on this site since it's inception (8-10 years?) and it's happened to me and others. Take a break, go sailing. There's no right or wrong here, we're just here to chat, solicit opnions, shoot the breeze, or whatever. Criticizism and/or sarcasim really spoils the mood. Phil and his crew monitor the site and will set things right when need be.
Eldridges
Pick up an Eldridges yellow book at West Marine or someplace, as it has current tables for the canal. Slack water is best, but some following current is OK too, but not full flow. Going counter current ishighly inadvisable. There is actually a timelimit for transiting the canal,and if you are going too slowly against the current they might come and get you,I guess. Depending on when you are going through be prepared for lots of traffic and surprisingly rough water. I think that so much water travels so quickly through this sea level canal connecting bodies of water with very different tidal ranges,that turbulance is the culprit. I sure was surprised on how much we rocked and rolled going through in a Catalina 27. It can also be very rough when leaving the canal and going into Cape Cod Bay if there is a NE wind, and conversely going back into Buzzard'sBay if there is the (prevailing) SW wind. Sandwich Municipal Marina is nice,and there are two nice resaturants within walking distance. Have a great transit!
Pick up an Eldridges yellow book at West Marine or someplace, as it has current tables for the canal. Slack water is best, but some following current is OK too, but not full flow. Going counter current ishighly inadvisable. There is actually a timelimit for transiting the canal,and if you are going too slowly against the current they might come and get you,I guess. Depending on when you are going through be prepared for lots of traffic and surprisingly rough water. I think that so much water travels so quickly through this sea level canal connecting bodies of water with very different tidal ranges,that turbulance is the culprit. I sure was surprised on how much we rocked and rolled going through in a Catalina 27. It can also be very rough when leaving the canal and going into Cape Cod Bay if there is a NE wind, and conversely going back into Buzzard'sBay if there is the (prevailing) SW wind. Sandwich Municipal Marina is nice,and there are two nice resaturants within walking distance. Have a great transit!
Thanks Roger
That is exactly the kind of info that I am looking for. I have seen sailors follow tide tables for Woods Hole and have all kinds of troubles. People who have done this before usually add the critical element to making a safe passage. Tim R.
That is exactly the kind of info that I am looking for. I have seen sailors follow tide tables for Woods Hole and have all kinds of troubles. People who have done this before usually add the critical element to making a safe passage. Tim R.
I have transited the canal many times
in the past.. One run on a bristol 24 that was at a stand still at one point going thru.. My father didn't realize that current was so strong. I went thru last year against the current made about 3 knots and that was towing a dingy too. Actually kept up with a bristol 35.5 and he wasn't towing anything. Yes it can get very rough at both ends.
in the past.. One run on a bristol 24 that was at a stand still at one point going thru.. My father didn't realize that current was so strong. I went thru last year against the current made about 3 knots and that was towing a dingy too. Actually kept up with a bristol 35.5 and he wasn't towing anything. Yes it can get very rough at both ends.
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