Can anyone docked in N.B. or who may have traveled from N.B. provide me with info. on traveling to the mouth of the Cape Cod Canal. My hometown is Plymouth, MA and although premature, I'm thinking of sailing to Plymouth at the end of the season, obtaining transient dockage for a week and then having my boat hauled-out for the winter so I can have it in my yard to improve upon for the winter months. I know it's easier to just have it moved via the road however this is my first season back to sailing and I want a final adventure before this beautiful area once again becomes a frozen wasteland! I sail a 25' vintage Hunter and need to know how long it generally takes (I realize current, weather, wind and tide have an effect), ball park figure. I imagine the tide needs to be just starting to go out when I arrive at the canal so a rough estimate may help me in determining when I should start out from N.B. Any pitfalls, anecdotes or advice are appreciated, thank you. Mark
N.B. to the Canal
- Thread starter Before the Bell
- Start date
- Status
Tide must be going IN (flooding)
The tides in the CCC can be brutal if you hit them in the wrong direction. It can stop you in your tracks. (There's a 5' drop between the East and the West ends). Plan your trip to reach the canal on the West end (Onset/Cleveland Ledge) at the beginning of the RISING/FLOODING tide. The tide in the canal travels East with the flood and West with the ebb tide. It will take you about 1-1/2 hours in the canal - 9 miles long. You can make it to Plymouth with a long day. But to make the adventure nice do it in two days. Plan around the tides. Grab a mooring or anchor in Onset (West end) and ride the flood tide thru the canal. Don't plan on sailing thru the canal because regulations require you to motor. (Motor-sailing is permissible. I did and hit 11 kts on the GPS when a puff of wind came along.). Either that or get a slip in Sandwich marina on the East end of the canal (reservation required) from which you can leave in the morning and not as critical on the tide direction. There are a couple of decent restaurants in Sandwich, also. Leave Sandwich Marina on the flood tide or EARLY on the ebb tide. You will have about 1/3 mile to travel before entering Cape Cod Bay. Plymouth is about 15 nm from Sandwich. The approach to Plymouth marinas is about 2-3 miles in, following the channel. And you MUST follow the channel - no shortcuts. It's a great trip. I've done it a couple of times.
The tides in the CCC can be brutal if you hit them in the wrong direction. It can stop you in your tracks. (There's a 5' drop between the East and the West ends). Plan your trip to reach the canal on the West end (Onset/Cleveland Ledge) at the beginning of the RISING/FLOODING tide. The tide in the canal travels East with the flood and West with the ebb tide. It will take you about 1-1/2 hours in the canal - 9 miles long. You can make it to Plymouth with a long day. But to make the adventure nice do it in two days. Plan around the tides. Grab a mooring or anchor in Onset (West end) and ride the flood tide thru the canal. Don't plan on sailing thru the canal because regulations require you to motor. (Motor-sailing is permissible. I did and hit 11 kts on the GPS when a puff of wind came along.). Either that or get a slip in Sandwich marina on the East end of the canal (reservation required) from which you can leave in the morning and not as critical on the tide direction. There are a couple of decent restaurants in Sandwich, also. Leave Sandwich Marina on the flood tide or EARLY on the ebb tide. You will have about 1/3 mile to travel before entering Cape Cod Bay. Plymouth is about 15 nm from Sandwich. The approach to Plymouth marinas is about 2-3 miles in, following the channel. And you MUST follow the channel - no shortcuts. It's a great trip. I've done it a couple of times.
Thanks Paul Alers
Thanks Paul, question for you if you please regarding the terms, "flooding tide" and "ebbing tide". I imagine flooding is when the tide is going out to sea and ebbing is coming back in? Dumb question I know but before July, I haven't sailed since 1986!
Thanks Paul, question for you if you please regarding the terms, "flooding tide" and "ebbing tide". I imagine flooding is when the tide is going out to sea and ebbing is coming back in? Dumb question I know but before July, I haven't sailed since 1986!
My mistake
My mistake, your message was more comprehensive than I first realized however a tide coming in seems detrimental to a boat going out to sea?
My mistake, your message was more comprehensive than I first realized however a tide coming in seems detrimental to a boat going out to sea?
- Status