I'm thinkin about transiting the full C&D canal on Saturday from Chesapeake to DE bay. I'd like to anchor for the night someplace safe after exiting at Reedy Point. Any ideas?
Delaware Bay Anchorages
- Thread starter bnort3
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Greenwich, NJ
I've been up the Cohansey river to Greenwich and tied up there. Don't know of any anchorages.
I've been up the Cohansey river to Greenwich and tied up there. Don't know of any anchorages.
Not many 'anchorages' on the Del Bay
When weather is calm, I sometimes anchor south of the nuclear plant but near the Delaware shore at the entrance to the Appoquinimink River (Fennimore Landing). The ship channel doglegs to the east (Baker Range Bouy - G1?) .... I just keep going straight to the Del Shore and anchor in 8 ft. of (MLW) water on 2 anchors (Bahamian Moor) due to the tidal/current flow. This anchoring spot is fairly close to the main ship channel and is ON the river, not tucked into a 'safe anchorage'. Ditto all along the Delaware shore.
Other 'close' (somewhat protected) anchorage to the C&D is at Cohansey Cove at entrance to Cohansey River ... or just go into the Cohansey R. and anchor.
Dont forget that Delaware River/Bay has a minimum of 6-8 ft. of tide range when anchoring.
The Cohansey is quite 'do-able' if you leave from the Sassafrass River (anchor on the east side of Ordinary Point - ignore the charts as there is 8+ ft of water on the east side of Ordinary Point, or anchor off of Lloyds Creek on the Mouth of Sass) .... and IF the tides and currents are in your favor. The Bohemia River is closer to the C&D but has shoaled in considerably in the past few years. Others may be able to give up-to-date local knowledge for the Bohemia.
When weather is calm, I sometimes anchor south of the nuclear plant but near the Delaware shore at the entrance to the Appoquinimink River (Fennimore Landing). The ship channel doglegs to the east (Baker Range Bouy - G1?) .... I just keep going straight to the Del Shore and anchor in 8 ft. of (MLW) water on 2 anchors (Bahamian Moor) due to the tidal/current flow. This anchoring spot is fairly close to the main ship channel and is ON the river, not tucked into a 'safe anchorage'. Ditto all along the Delaware shore.
Other 'close' (somewhat protected) anchorage to the C&D is at Cohansey Cove at entrance to Cohansey River ... or just go into the Cohansey R. and anchor.
Dont forget that Delaware River/Bay has a minimum of 6-8 ft. of tide range when anchoring.
The Cohansey is quite 'do-able' if you leave from the Sassafrass River (anchor on the east side of Ordinary Point - ignore the charts as there is 8+ ft of water on the east side of Ordinary Point, or anchor off of Lloyds Creek on the Mouth of Sass) .... and IF the tides and currents are in your favor. The Bohemia River is closer to the C&D but has shoaled in considerably in the past few years. Others may be able to give up-to-date local knowledge for the Bohemia.
I always anchored just north of Reedy Point. Just go out of the canal and turn left along the wall and head for shore. Anchor in about ten feet. It's well out of the way of ship and tug traffic. There's a fetch to the northwest but even when it blows it's safe, good holding.
I have anchored twice behind Reedy Island just South of the Canal. The entrance was marked with two buoys and the holding was good.
Yep, I'm in Lewes and I invite all of you to come down to this nice quaint town. They've just started "big" boat races evevry Wednesday out of the Lewes Yacht club. Some good water (depth) and beautiful scenery with two light houses on an inner and outer wall. You're 2-3 hours from Cape May. I'm probably going to stay here for summer then head back to Rock Hall.
During your stay in Lewes, could you find out and advise about the spreading rumors of supposed impending draconian anchoring restrictions for Cape May, NJ harbor. Thanks
Wow, haven't heard the rumors but I'll put my feelers out. I'm actually going to try and stay in Cape May for a few weeks probably in August. The slip at the Canal Front Park in Lewes was fabulous in terms of depth, location, floating dock, bath facilities,etc. But @ $2/ft per night, its a little pricey to stay for too long. I found a seasonal slip in Lewes but it is a fixed dock with just barely enough depth at low tide and only about 3 feet of width in excess of my beam, no bath facilities, etc. Just no comparison and difficult to board at low tide with dog, etc. So, I may end up having to shell out big cash for transient rates. I'm going to head over to Cape May this weekend to see what the slip/anchorage situation is over there. I'll let you know what I find.
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