NJ Intercoastal

[Frank Williams]

I am looking to buy a Catalina 27 in the Chesapeake and considering sailing it home to Greenport, Eastern Long Island, NY via the C&D Canal, Delaware River, NJ Intercoastal, NY Harbour, East River, Long Island Sound. Current boat is Catalina 22. First time in waters south of NY.Delaware River can be rough I believe. Not sure about the NJ Intercoastal. Have heard that depth might be a problem but the C27 only draws 4 ft. Also a bit anxious about going outside thru Manasquan Inlet to Sandy Hook. Can anyone advise how to best make this trip ??

 

[Don]

See the posting below..

I've been considering a similar trip from Annapolis up to Newport RI. The article below on this web site was helpful as was one of the responses. The author is a regular here and may have more insigt.It sounds like the trip can be kinda tough down the Delaware Bay.

 

[Mike DiMario]

Planning

Frank,We did a trip two years ago in our 376 to NYC from Chesapeake. Last week did a trip from Chesapeake (I actually boarded in Cape May, NJ) to Block Island. This was in a 28 foot boat. We did one leg straight to Block Island at around 240 some nautical miles.You are right about the Delaware Bay and it cost them a day bringing the boat around last week. If your going to do the trip and have little experience, I think information is the key. Weather, routing, tides and currents, planning, etc.I think it is a wonderful trip and can offer much satisfaction. I also think it can be a catastrophe in a hurry if things start going wrong. If your just buying this boat and are not familiar with it, that is a strong consideration. The trip you are proposing can easily be done in a 27-foot boat. It takes planning, information and a lot of patience. I would probably try to find someone who has done it before to assist you on the journey.Hope this helps.Mike D~~~~~ _/) ~~~~~~

 

[J. Tesoriero]

You can make it!

The trip should not be a problem for you. You will have to stay outside from Cape May to Absecon Inlet at Atlantic City, perhaps 25 miles. You can take the ICW inside from Atlantic City all the way to Point Pleasant if you prefer. The channel is shallow in some spots below Little Egg Inlet but if you watch the tide and stay in the channel you should be OK. We have a boat with a four foot draft and have only "touched" bottom a few times.You will have plenty of water through Barnegat Bay. The Pt. Pleasant canal can be tricky, so try it at slack or ebbing tide. There are a few places in Pt. Pleasant or Brielle to stay over while wating for a good weather window. It is just over 20 nm north to Sandy Hook on the outside. There is no place to put into except Shark River if you need it. The prevailing winds are from the S-SW and generally build during the day, so that part of the trip should only take a few hours.Good Voyage!

 

[John K Kudera]

Mike is right,

Plan the trip, Delaware bay is a long day, the best advise is to leave the C&D canal near the end of the high tide, it is easier to motor against the tide when you are fresh, than late in the day, trying to make Cape May in the dark. Plan a full 10 hours for the Delaware Bay portion, 6 from Cape May to Atlantic City, if you want, inside can be done from A/C to Manasquan Inlet. A 4ft keel should be no problem. However it takes more time, there are hundreds of daymarks, as the channel winds and curves through the marshes. Most like the ocean, from A/C figure 7 hours to Barnegat, 5 or 6 more to Manasquan. Leaving Atlantic City on low tide is best, the current will give you a nice 1 or 2 knot boost North, ocean is the only option from Manasquan to Sandy Hook. It is a long trip, but can be very enjoyable. Best of luck!