Cape May NJ to Lewis DE

Benny17441 · Jan 5, 2017

To Lewes across the mouth of the Bay? Done it by ferry. I would think that in a sailboat the drift due to outgoing or incoming current would be significant. It is a 16nm distance that if done in a straight course would take around 4 hours but with the drift I would budget at least 6+ hrs. I would not attempt it on an outgoing tide as any miscalculation may put you out in the Atlantic. It may require a period of favorable winds combined with an incoming current during daylight hours. We cross the Gulf Stream in a zig-zag pattern as not to fight the current at its strongest point while minimizing drift. Hope someone who has done chimes in with some first hand experience advise.

Ron20324 · Jan 5, 2017

Check for slack tides at both ends, and at both tides. Pick a favorable day if you have a choice.

Gunni · Jan 5, 2017

Typically the current is less on the sides and rips in the middle. The Delaware at the mouth is both a river and a tidal bay. The crossing is a good test of your trip planning, pick a course and time that allows you to ride a flood tide and ebb tide and includes weather planning. I have sailed the Delaware making 5 kts through the water and 2 knots across the bottom. Plan wrong and that kind of thing can put you way off your float plan.

There is a public dock and some slips in Lewes but I never stop there. I Stay anchored behind breakwater at Cape Henelopen on transits in and out of Delaware Bay. Very protected, you just need a dink to get ashore.

thinwater · Jan 5, 2017

Spooled Again said:
Just dreaming of summer and thinking of possible destination. I was wondering if anyone has sailed from Cape May to Lewis. If so I was wondering how bad the crossing is on the Deleware Bay. I'm sure the current gets ripping. I've had plenty of experience on the Del Bay in a power boat but not with my sailboat.

I was also wondering if anyone has any knowledge of marinas in Lewis that would offer transient slips.

Thanks and Happy New Year to all.

Folks have sail smaller boats around the Delmarva. I sail my beach cat across and back once. It's just a matter of watching the weather. There's no reason you can't coast hop considerable distances.
http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2009/09/trip-report-2009-delmarva.html

waterpirate · Jan 6, 2017

Just for the record, it is Lewes. Public dockage is 1 dock at the drawbridge in town. The canal can be treacherous at low tide, as well as the inlet. The bay also sees a lot of commercial traffic. Tanker and cargo, so do not take the shipping lanes lightly.
Eric

Ron20324 · Jan 6, 2017

Going out of the Cape via the ocean or the Canal?

Benny17441 · Jan 6, 2017

I would go out the Canal which will put you in the protected waters of Delaware Bay. I would sail up the Bay on a South westerly course before turning to cross the channel. Watch out for heavy, large and encumbered traffic in the channel. As previously indicated the current will be at its strongest in the center so keep your eye on the speed over bottom and turn to go with the flow and once out on the other side then hug the coast to Lewes. Besides the current there is a need to minimize your time spent on the shipping channel. Look for a weather window where the wind does not oppose the current as the bay is known as "the home of the square wave". The Bay is shallow but you should not have a problem with draft in the 240.

Twidget · Jan 6, 2017

Be very cautious when crossing the channel as the commercial guys are generally coming down on a falling tide and taking the pilot boat along side to remove the bay pilot. they are moving fast and may not see you. And watch out for the Bay Ferry those guys are crazy.

Gunni · Jan 6, 2017

While we are on the subject of Commercial traffic...whether they can see you or not, it is your responsibility to avoid Commercial traffic. We see problems with this ALL THE TIME on the Ches. Bay as boaters wander in to their path and make a nuisance and danger of themselves. If you see Commercial traffic and believe you may be crossing their path get on VHF Ch. 13 and hail the bridge pilot. ID the ship and general location. (Here is a great use for AIS). ID yourself and vessel type.
Ask if they see you, and if you have a proper course to avoid them. Pilots REALLY like this kind of courtesy and you will help make all of us look like the competent boaters we are supposed to be. No need to fear Commercial traffic if you show proper respect, navigation skill, and boater competency.

Twidget · Jan 6, 2017

What Gunni said.. I talk to these guys all the time when I am underway and I have an AIS transponder on board.
For them it is nice to know what the other guy's intentions are. One less thing to worry about.
Take it from me. (Retired USN OOD)

Scott T-Bird · Jan 6, 2017

Is Lewes worth the destination? I'd think it would be a nice trip. Why would it be desirable to take the inner route (from canal to the bayshore) rather than an outer route, which would save distance and time?

thinwater · Jan 6, 2017

In my experience, commercial traffic is predictable, visible long before they arrive, and easy enough to avoid. Don't let these convince it's like playing in the street. You just need to pay attention and monitor 16. You want to avoid following the exact course the ferries take, obviously.

gpd955 · Jan 6, 2017

Spooled Again said:
I would take the outer route. It's approximately 16 miles from the Cape May inlet to Lewis. It's about the same distance from the canal but I don't think I would take that route.

I know the commercial traffic can be heavy and would be a concern.

Hoping for a quickly passing winter.

Let me know when you're taking that trip. Will meet you at Cape May and tag along.

Traffic can be somewhat heavy but nothing that can't be managed with an attentive watch and a plan. Have done Philly to AC, C&D to AC and vice versa numerous times and have not had any issues at all. The bay is nasty during heavy weather but I've had some of the nicest sails on the bay too. Moved from AC to Cape May at the end of last summer so I will probably be spending more time out there and taking more destination trips to mix things up a little.

Mickstr · Jan 7, 2017

I've sailed southbound on the Delaware Bay from the C&D Canal to Cape May 3 times; on a friends 310, once on my O'Day 322, and once on a friends 38 Yawl. I've learned what "square waves" are.. Pick your day, the south end of the Delaware Bay can be brutal.

Ron20324 · Jan 7, 2017

OP, is Lewes your final destination? There is nice Sunset Marina in Ocean City- presently buried in snow.

gpd955 · Jan 8, 2017

[QUOTE="We would probably spend the first night at Utches marina in Cape May. Unless you suggest a better location.[/QUOTE]

Utsch's is a fine place. We considered there when we made the move last summer because it is at the inlet but we have a 13 year old who is starting to venture out so we figured it would be more fun for him to be able to walk to the beach or boardwalk.