I purchased a '79 Hunter 37c this past fall and am getting ready to sail it down the Bay to Hampton around April 1st. This is my first real trip on the Bay (and on this boat) and I would appreciate any advice related to what to expect from the weather, how long to plan for the trip (need to move along quickly to meet work and crew requirements). I'm thinking of staying at marinas and hoping for around 50 mile a day, daylight hours only, but that may be optimistic. Would prefer to sail but will motor as needed. Thanks for any advice, Marc
- Status
Marc, After looking at a map
You should easily make 50 nm a day. Using rough ruler measurements it should take four days. North East to Annapolis - 60 Annapolis to Solomons Island - 50 Solomons to Deltaville - 60 Deltaville to Hampton - 50 Sailing should be great but plan on the motor to maintain 5kts or better. Fronts from the NW should be coming through about every three days as the weather starts transitioning to spring. It could still be cool at night. Have a great trip. Jim S/V Java
You should easily make 50 nm a day. Using rough ruler measurements it should take four days. North East to Annapolis - 60 Annapolis to Solomons Island - 50 Solomons to Deltaville - 60 Deltaville to Hampton - 50 Sailing should be great but plan on the motor to maintain 5kts or better. Fronts from the NW should be coming through about every three days as the weather starts transitioning to spring. It could still be cool at night. Have a great trip. Jim S/V Java
You should have 12 hours of daylight plus
twilight. Be sure to get the charts and a table of tides and currents. Watch the river mouths when the wind and tide are opposed. When you get a little farther along with your plans, ask about alternate safe anchorages. It the weather turns snotty you may want to tuck in safe and wait it out. The weather does as it pleases.
twilight. Be sure to get the charts and a table of tides and currents. Watch the river mouths when the wind and tide are opposed. When you get a little farther along with your plans, ask about alternate safe anchorages. It the weather turns snotty you may want to tuck in safe and wait it out. The weather does as it pleases.
Cheasapeake Bay Cruising Guide
I'd pick up a cruising guide to the Cheasapeake. They do a nice job of identifying which places to duck into under what conditions. For some nice sailing, the further south you get the more you should be able to take longer tacks across the bay. I second the Spring Cove Marina suggestion for your stop over in Solomons. Port Annapolis or Bert Jabins in Back Creek at Annapolis are also favorites. Good luck and enjoy the trip. Mike
I'd pick up a cruising guide to the Cheasapeake. They do a nice job of identifying which places to duck into under what conditions. For some nice sailing, the further south you get the more you should be able to take longer tacks across the bay. I second the Spring Cove Marina suggestion for your stop over in Solomons. Port Annapolis or Bert Jabins in Back Creek at Annapolis are also favorites. Good luck and enjoy the trip. Mike
Ride the tide
Ross and Jim and those of us lucky enough to call the upper Bay our home sailing grounds will all advise riding the tide when combined with the Susquehanna it really helps in the first leg of your trip so time first leg accordingly Iguess this is generally good advice but in the upper bay it really does make a signigicant difference Have a great trip Luv da Bay t
Ross and Jim and those of us lucky enough to call the upper Bay our home sailing grounds will all advise riding the tide when combined with the Susquehanna it really helps in the first leg of your trip so time first leg accordingly Iguess this is generally good advice but in the upper bay it really does make a signigicant difference Have a great trip Luv da Bay t
I can recommend a couple of links.
The first is for the coast pilot and the second is for the the chart viewer for the bay. Depending on your computer they maybe of some help or a lot. http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot3.htm http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/AtlanticCoastViewerTable.htm
The first is for the coast pilot and the second is for the the chart viewer for the bay. Depending on your computer they maybe of some help or a lot. http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot3.htm http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/AtlanticCoastViewerTable.htm
Thanks for all the replys!
I had planned a trip with the same stops Jim mentioned, good to have a sanity check and to know I'm not being unrealistic in how far I can go in a day. My hull number is 007 and she is on the hard at Bay Boat Works in Hance Point, MD. I have this years Cruising Guide, an invaluable resource, thanks for that tip. I did not have the Coast Pilot, thanks for the link. I have Seaclear II on a laptop and the latest NOAA charts, also a PDA with GPS and Memory Map navigator, and a waterproof Chartkit of the Bay. I'm still thinking about a Garmin 540 for the cockpit, anyone have any opinions on that or a better chart plotter alternative. As always, your all a great resource, I'll keep you posted as my plans solidify and let you know how the trip goes. Marc
I had planned a trip with the same stops Jim mentioned, good to have a sanity check and to know I'm not being unrealistic in how far I can go in a day. My hull number is 007 and she is on the hard at Bay Boat Works in Hance Point, MD. I have this years Cruising Guide, an invaluable resource, thanks for that tip. I did not have the Coast Pilot, thanks for the link. I have Seaclear II on a laptop and the latest NOAA charts, also a PDA with GPS and Memory Map navigator, and a waterproof Chartkit of the Bay. I'm still thinking about a Garmin 540 for the cockpit, anyone have any opinions on that or a better chart plotter alternative. As always, your all a great resource, I'll keep you posted as my plans solidify and let you know how the trip goes. Marc
Marc, at bay boatworks look up Dobbs and Suzanne
of Walden Rigging and the sail boat Whimsey. They have a dog named Murphy. They can help with the finer points of this trip. You may tell them I suggested you talk to them.
of Walden Rigging and the sail boat Whimsey. They have a dog named Murphy. They can help with the finer points of this trip. You may tell them I suggested you talk to them.
Garmin was invaluable.
Especially up there in the north bay. Man that is some shallow water from Charlestown down to Worton Creek. Having the charts with tides at the helm was definitely worth the price. I have the older 172C which is essentially the same unit but without the built-in charts.
Especially up there in the north bay. Man that is some shallow water from Charlestown down to Worton Creek. Having the charts with tides at the helm was definitely worth the price. I have the older 172C which is essentially the same unit but without the built-in charts.
I do this trip often .....
If in a rush (but stopping at night) I usually do this in three and a half 'legs' (from Worton Creek). Worton ---> Solomons Is ---> Deltaville ----> Mobjack --> Norfolk. ... 12hrs./12hrs/12hrs/8hrs. I avoid marinas so that I dont waste time getting into and out of the creeks/rivers that usually must be travelled to get to them. Plus it takes time to sign-in, get a slip assignment, screw around with docklines, etc. etc. etc. "Hidey Hole" between Choptank and Solomons: Flag Harbor .... just a small marina that has been 'bored' into the western shore just north of the Calvert Cliffs. This is the only 'hole' between the Choptank and the Patuxant Rivers. Solomons Island - I anchor 'just inside' of Mill Creek in the entrance to Solomons .... just drop the hook on the opposite shore from where the tugs that service the "Gas Plant" off Cove Point are berthed .... good protection in all winds ... just dont anchor on top of the submarine cable that runs through the creek .... its 'marked'/buoyed. Good fuel docks abound just 'inside' Solomons entrance. I usually try to make the Choptank area by 12PM ... if the weather is threatening I'll make for the Little Choptank River to anchor out. Watch out for poorly marked fish traps between Little Cove Pt. and Drum Point on the Pax River. 'hidey hole' between Solomons and Deltaville: Smith Creek on Potomac Deltaville ... Jackson Creek - close/easy in/out to the bay; but, BELIEVE the channel makers getting in and out of Jackson. Once into Jackson and not during the 'busy season on weekends' I just anchor in the middle of the creek. Stay out of "Windmill Point Marina" at the mouth of the Rappahannock if a wind is blowing .... as if there is a strong 'wind-tide' blowing from the N or NW ... you can get trapped in there for DAYS if the water level drops. Fuel docks at the marinas on Jackson. "hidey holes" between Deltaville and Mobjack: Little Wicomico (behind Sand Pt ... anchor CLOSE to western side of the spit as further from shore the bottom is 'loose shells'. Reedville .... but it usually STINKS when the fish factory is in full production. Mobjack .... anchor in East River Caution .... once near/below the Little Wicomico, the Rappahannock & Piankatank Rivers BE SURE to watch carefully for fish traps ... they can be 'miles' from shore out in the bay, are usually very poorly marked at night and are very hard to see in bad visibility conditions .... at night stay in 30 ft. (or more) deep water - all the way down to Norfolk along the western VA shore. Also in early spring the bay may be full of "eel pots" which are usually set in deep water and the floats will be submerged just below the surface during strong tidal flow. Caution .... When going south from the Patuxant R. and its blowing stink, etc. call the "Patuxent Naval Air Test Center" to see if the 'targets' (N38°13', W76°18') are being used. This is a 'prohibited area' when the 'targets' are in use ... and you may have jet aircraft go very close-by and seemingly lower than the top of your mast. When the targets are 'active' there will be 'chase boats' that will 'herd' you 'way out' to the middle of the bay and near to the Hooper Island Lighthouse - almost to the eastern shore. If you can 'time it' ... go through the upper bay & all the 'narrows' (Kent Island & bay bridge), south of the Little Choptank on an outflowing tide. Stay in deep water to ride the flow. Give the mouth of the Potomac / Pt. Lookout PLENTY of wide berth if the wind is blowing contrary to the tide .... as you sometimes will experience humongously high 'standing waves' with VERY short wave periods near/just off Pt. Lookout when the outflow of the Potomac is contrary to the flow of the bay proper. If you must cross the mouth of the Potomac in stink weather stay in deep water. Spring on the Ches. is known for the 'equinoctal gales' that will blow your hair off .... keep the 'hidey holes' in your back pocket. For wind/weather planning: www.passageweather.com/ ---> "North Atlantic" ---> "Newport to Bermuda", then 'animate' the chart for predictions a few days ahead. If a gale is predicted find a hidey hole until the gale begins to decrease and catch the 'decreasing' flow from the NW down the bay .... in a 'nantucket sleigh-ride'. Stay close to the western shore to avoid the fetch/waves. Dont cross the mouth of the Potomac at this time. Leave well before dawn if possible in case you get 'stopped'/slowed by adverse flow. Mostly in spring will have more water going down the bay than up as the snow melts back in the mountains and the land 'thaws out' and drains. For tide flow planning on the upper bay, I use: ://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/data_menu.shtml?stn=8573364%20Tolchester%20Beach,%20MD&type=Tide%20Data .... you can find the links for the 'other' Co-oPs buoys on the bay from this website. The 'good' thing about this site is that it lists 'real time' data ... and you can see if the tide (hence the flow) will be greater or less than 'predicted' hence faster or slower 'flow'. BTW - my wife and I help edit the Ches Guide. Let me know if you find any 'errors'. Its a good trip, enjoy!
If in a rush (but stopping at night) I usually do this in three and a half 'legs' (from Worton Creek). Worton ---> Solomons Is ---> Deltaville ----> Mobjack --> Norfolk. ... 12hrs./12hrs/12hrs/8hrs. I avoid marinas so that I dont waste time getting into and out of the creeks/rivers that usually must be travelled to get to them. Plus it takes time to sign-in, get a slip assignment, screw around with docklines, etc. etc. etc. "Hidey Hole" between Choptank and Solomons: Flag Harbor .... just a small marina that has been 'bored' into the western shore just north of the Calvert Cliffs. This is the only 'hole' between the Choptank and the Patuxant Rivers. Solomons Island - I anchor 'just inside' of Mill Creek in the entrance to Solomons .... just drop the hook on the opposite shore from where the tugs that service the "Gas Plant" off Cove Point are berthed .... good protection in all winds ... just dont anchor on top of the submarine cable that runs through the creek .... its 'marked'/buoyed. Good fuel docks abound just 'inside' Solomons entrance. I usually try to make the Choptank area by 12PM ... if the weather is threatening I'll make for the Little Choptank River to anchor out. Watch out for poorly marked fish traps between Little Cove Pt. and Drum Point on the Pax River. 'hidey hole' between Solomons and Deltaville: Smith Creek on Potomac Deltaville ... Jackson Creek - close/easy in/out to the bay; but, BELIEVE the channel makers getting in and out of Jackson. Once into Jackson and not during the 'busy season on weekends' I just anchor in the middle of the creek. Stay out of "Windmill Point Marina" at the mouth of the Rappahannock if a wind is blowing .... as if there is a strong 'wind-tide' blowing from the N or NW ... you can get trapped in there for DAYS if the water level drops. Fuel docks at the marinas on Jackson. "hidey holes" between Deltaville and Mobjack: Little Wicomico (behind Sand Pt ... anchor CLOSE to western side of the spit as further from shore the bottom is 'loose shells'. Reedville .... but it usually STINKS when the fish factory is in full production. Mobjack .... anchor in East River Caution .... once near/below the Little Wicomico, the Rappahannock & Piankatank Rivers BE SURE to watch carefully for fish traps ... they can be 'miles' from shore out in the bay, are usually very poorly marked at night and are very hard to see in bad visibility conditions .... at night stay in 30 ft. (or more) deep water - all the way down to Norfolk along the western VA shore. Also in early spring the bay may be full of "eel pots" which are usually set in deep water and the floats will be submerged just below the surface during strong tidal flow. Caution .... When going south from the Patuxant R. and its blowing stink, etc. call the "Patuxent Naval Air Test Center" to see if the 'targets' (N38°13', W76°18') are being used. This is a 'prohibited area' when the 'targets' are in use ... and you may have jet aircraft go very close-by and seemingly lower than the top of your mast. When the targets are 'active' there will be 'chase boats' that will 'herd' you 'way out' to the middle of the bay and near to the Hooper Island Lighthouse - almost to the eastern shore. If you can 'time it' ... go through the upper bay & all the 'narrows' (Kent Island & bay bridge), south of the Little Choptank on an outflowing tide. Stay in deep water to ride the flow. Give the mouth of the Potomac / Pt. Lookout PLENTY of wide berth if the wind is blowing contrary to the tide .... as you sometimes will experience humongously high 'standing waves' with VERY short wave periods near/just off Pt. Lookout when the outflow of the Potomac is contrary to the flow of the bay proper. If you must cross the mouth of the Potomac in stink weather stay in deep water. Spring on the Ches. is known for the 'equinoctal gales' that will blow your hair off .... keep the 'hidey holes' in your back pocket. For wind/weather planning: www.passageweather.com/ ---> "North Atlantic" ---> "Newport to Bermuda", then 'animate' the chart for predictions a few days ahead. If a gale is predicted find a hidey hole until the gale begins to decrease and catch the 'decreasing' flow from the NW down the bay .... in a 'nantucket sleigh-ride'. Stay close to the western shore to avoid the fetch/waves. Dont cross the mouth of the Potomac at this time. Leave well before dawn if possible in case you get 'stopped'/slowed by adverse flow. Mostly in spring will have more water going down the bay than up as the snow melts back in the mountains and the land 'thaws out' and drains. For tide flow planning on the upper bay, I use: ://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/data_menu.shtml?stn=8573364%20Tolchester%20Beach,%20MD&type=Tide%20Data .... you can find the links for the 'other' Co-oPs buoys on the bay from this website. The 'good' thing about this site is that it lists 'real time' data ... and you can see if the tide (hence the flow) will be greater or less than 'predicted' hence faster or slower 'flow'. BTW - my wife and I help edit the Ches Guide. Let me know if you find any 'errors'. Its a good trip, enjoy!
Bay Boat Works
Have Don launch you on a rising or full high tide so you have enough water under the (presumed) 5'-2" keel. Wind out of the North can blow water out of the Bay and leave that area pretty shallow. An asymetrical chute could serve you well on the trip down; and everyone has covered some major stops. I wouldn't go into Annapolis as it takes too much time and distance. A stopover in whitehall bay would be a quicker exit in the next AM. Same thing with going into the Solomons, but that is a great area to find a nice restaurant and treat yourself well. Have a great trip.
Have Don launch you on a rising or full high tide so you have enough water under the (presumed) 5'-2" keel. Wind out of the North can blow water out of the Bay and leave that area pretty shallow. An asymetrical chute could serve you well on the trip down; and everyone has covered some major stops. I wouldn't go into Annapolis as it takes too much time and distance. A stopover in whitehall bay would be a quicker exit in the next AM. Same thing with going into the Solomons, but that is a great area to find a nice restaurant and treat yourself well. Have a great trip.
Marc...
If Don at BBW get's Bill's crew to put you in at high tide at BBW, you should have no trouble on getting out of the launch well and with your departure from the North East River. DO NOT go between Red 10 and the shore when you leave past Jackson's--there's rocks in there that could bring you grief. With the deeper draft of the H37, don't stray too far from the channel markers until you get down below Red 4, about half way down to Turkey Point. If less than high tide, be especially careful between Red 8 and Red 6 when going past Green 7. The channel gets very narrow passing Green 7--keep it about 25 yards to starboard. Don't try it at low tide, or especially if a north wind has been blowing as already mentioned. Crossing the mouth of the Susquehanna can get quite lumpy with a quartering sea if the wind is NW to NE. Heed RichH's advice about the rest of the journey. Be sure to catch an outgoing tide through the Plum Point area north of Worton Creek as the current flow is quite strong there at mid tide. Safe trip, warm sun, and fair winds!
If Don at BBW get's Bill's crew to put you in at high tide at BBW, you should have no trouble on getting out of the launch well and with your departure from the North East River. DO NOT go between Red 10 and the shore when you leave past Jackson's--there's rocks in there that could bring you grief. With the deeper draft of the H37, don't stray too far from the channel markers until you get down below Red 4, about half way down to Turkey Point. If less than high tide, be especially careful between Red 8 and Red 6 when going past Green 7. The channel gets very narrow passing Green 7--keep it about 25 yards to starboard. Don't try it at low tide, or especially if a north wind has been blowing as already mentioned. Crossing the mouth of the Susquehanna can get quite lumpy with a quartering sea if the wind is NW to NE. Heed RichH's advice about the rest of the journey. Be sure to catch an outgoing tide through the Plum Point area north of Worton Creek as the current flow is quite strong there at mid tide. Safe trip, warm sun, and fair winds!
I third Spring Cove Marina
Spring Cove Marina is one of my wife and my favorite marinas on the bay. It is VERY nice. I have a Catalina 30 and I think of 50 miles as a long day. I usually like to do 30 miles in a day (gives me time to relax on the hook). April can definately be a challenging time to sail the bay. When I tansported my Catalina 30 from Deltaville up the Potomac River to Colonial Beach I found nasty weather (45 knot winds and 8 foot waves). You are fortunate to be going south because the wind loves to blow out of the North West. You may be riding some stiff wind and surfing some big waves when you head south (the 50 miles would be childsplay to make in those conditions). I have an uncle that keeps a boat in Hampton in the SaltPonds. It is very nice and there is great cruising down there. I plan to visit this summer (I have 21 days to sail around the bay this summer). If you have time, Tangier is a nice place to visit. It is a very unique place and it is worth the stop over. The marina, as of three years ago, costs only $1 a foot. You might want to leave yourself some extra time for bad weather. If you find some rough weather it pays to stay in port for a day instead of beating the crap out of yourself and the boat. If you can, Solomins Island is worth staying at for a few days (especially if you want some fun night life on the weekend).
Spring Cove Marina is one of my wife and my favorite marinas on the bay. It is VERY nice. I have a Catalina 30 and I think of 50 miles as a long day. I usually like to do 30 miles in a day (gives me time to relax on the hook). April can definately be a challenging time to sail the bay. When I tansported my Catalina 30 from Deltaville up the Potomac River to Colonial Beach I found nasty weather (45 knot winds and 8 foot waves). You are fortunate to be going south because the wind loves to blow out of the North West. You may be riding some stiff wind and surfing some big waves when you head south (the 50 miles would be childsplay to make in those conditions). I have an uncle that keeps a boat in Hampton in the SaltPonds. It is very nice and there is great cruising down there. I plan to visit this summer (I have 21 days to sail around the bay this summer). If you have time, Tangier is a nice place to visit. It is a very unique place and it is worth the stop over. The marina, as of three years ago, costs only $1 a foot. You might want to leave yourself some extra time for bad weather. If you find some rough weather it pays to stay in port for a day instead of beating the crap out of yourself and the boat. If you can, Solomins Island is worth staying at for a few days (especially if you want some fun night life on the weekend).
Can't thank you enough!
I've been on many message boards over the years but this one is by far the best. Thanks so much for sharing experiences and giving me such good advice. I usually sail on the St. Lawrence river (Venture 23) and am not used to tides or varying currents. My H37c has the shoal draft, 4', which sounds like a good thing. When I took a test sail last fall we touched bottom a few times near BBW and had to pay close attention sailing down to Turkey Point and back and stay in the channel. Timing current and tides sounds more important than I had thought about. Any other comments on GPS chartplotters. It's been discussed here before but technology changes so fast I could use some advice. Pre-loaded charts in the new Garmins VS cards in the Standard Horizon and others. Under $1K is also a limitation. I also need a new depth finder which I though could be incorporated into the plotter if I went with Garmin 540s. Thanks again, Marc
I've been on many message boards over the years but this one is by far the best. Thanks so much for sharing experiences and giving me such good advice. I usually sail on the St. Lawrence river (Venture 23) and am not used to tides or varying currents. My H37c has the shoal draft, 4', which sounds like a good thing. When I took a test sail last fall we touched bottom a few times near BBW and had to pay close attention sailing down to Turkey Point and back and stay in the channel. Timing current and tides sounds more important than I had thought about. Any other comments on GPS chartplotters. It's been discussed here before but technology changes so fast I could use some advice. Pre-loaded charts in the new Garmins VS cards in the Standard Horizon and others. Under $1K is also a limitation. I also need a new depth finder which I though could be incorporated into the plotter if I went with Garmin 540s. Thanks again, Marc
Spring Cove Marina is a favorite ....
Close to two restaurants (Captains Table & Naughty Gull), and close to a shopping center including a Worst Marine. Interesting fact about Spring Cove ..... its managed by a circumnavigator and some of the 'dockhands' are also circumnavigators. So, if you need any 'extra good advice' Spring Cove is a good place to be. It also has good WiFi access
Close to two restaurants (Captains Table & Naughty Gull), and close to a shopping center including a Worst Marine. Interesting fact about Spring Cove ..... its managed by a circumnavigator and some of the 'dockhands' are also circumnavigators. So, if you need any 'extra good advice' Spring Cove is a good place to be. It also has good WiFi access
Marc, when you consider the tides and currents
look at the charts and note the "pinch points" . When the tide turns on the upper bay the water level changes by about 2 feet. When you look at the charts you can see that all of that water from Northeast to Havre de Grace has to drain out between Specutia Island and Turkey Point. At maximum ebb the current can run 2 knots. You can use that or fight it.
look at the charts and note the "pinch points" . When the tide turns on the upper bay the water level changes by about 2 feet. When you look at the charts you can see that all of that water from Northeast to Havre de Grace has to drain out between Specutia Island and Turkey Point. At maximum ebb the current can run 2 knots. You can use that or fight it.
Ross makes a good point about the 'pinch points'
Also be mindful that a strong S/SE Blow will significantly increase water into the bay (plus push ocean swells way up into the lower bay); and, a N or NW blow will tend to empty the bay .... so sometimes you dont get a low or a high tide, and then you get a lot of adverse current as the bay 'refills' or empties back to 'normal'. Plus, you really have to be aware of heavy rains up in the mountains of central PA or Md/Va which can easily add a LOT of water (even back-filling the Ches from the Delaware bay through the C&D canal); ditto for storms off of Cape Hatteras ..... hence the tidal 'flow' can be quite 'different'. Do check with the "co-ops" buoys (as listed in another post) to see whats 'really' happening instead of simple 'data plots' that predict 'normal'. This should be especially helpful in deciding when to travel or not and simply stay put so you dont have to fight the adverse flow ... which can be a 'problem' in early spring when the equinoctal gales and 'Hattaras storms' are common. Another good 'real time' wind site: http://www.sailflow.com/ so you can see which side of the bay will give you the least 'fetch' and least waves. If you have WiFi aboard this is a plus as its all 'real time'. For 'fast travel' I tend to stay in deeper water, so that my bow/stern waves dont hit the bottom and slow me down .... resulting in an artificially lower 'hull speed'. It may seem to be a great PITA to do all the 'anal-retentive' planning, etc. etc. but on a 12 hr. day if you can save 10% (1.2 hours) or 6-7nMi, it sometimes means entering a port in daylight .... or not.
Also be mindful that a strong S/SE Blow will significantly increase water into the bay (plus push ocean swells way up into the lower bay); and, a N or NW blow will tend to empty the bay .... so sometimes you dont get a low or a high tide, and then you get a lot of adverse current as the bay 'refills' or empties back to 'normal'. Plus, you really have to be aware of heavy rains up in the mountains of central PA or Md/Va which can easily add a LOT of water (even back-filling the Ches from the Delaware bay through the C&D canal); ditto for storms off of Cape Hatteras ..... hence the tidal 'flow' can be quite 'different'. Do check with the "co-ops" buoys (as listed in another post) to see whats 'really' happening instead of simple 'data plots' that predict 'normal'. This should be especially helpful in deciding when to travel or not and simply stay put so you dont have to fight the adverse flow ... which can be a 'problem' in early spring when the equinoctal gales and 'Hattaras storms' are common. Another good 'real time' wind site: http://www.sailflow.com/ so you can see which side of the bay will give you the least 'fetch' and least waves. If you have WiFi aboard this is a plus as its all 'real time'. For 'fast travel' I tend to stay in deeper water, so that my bow/stern waves dont hit the bottom and slow me down .... resulting in an artificially lower 'hull speed'. It may seem to be a great PITA to do all the 'anal-retentive' planning, etc. etc. but on a 12 hr. day if you can save 10% (1.2 hours) or 6-7nMi, it sometimes means entering a port in daylight .... or not.
- Status