Planning a transit from Riverside, NJ to Cape May, NJ. Will probably try to run the full 100NM ... but considering splitting the trip into two days. Other than Delaware City, are there any interesting layover points to consider?
Philadelphia-Cape May Layover Suggestions
- Thread starter Monterey385
- Start date
That's pretty much it. You can run further into the canal and hit Chesapeake City but that may not be worth it. You are better off just making the whole run straight through. We do it regularly...not Riverside but AC to C&D Canal and AC to Philly. Did Chesapeake City to AC in 17 hours and AC to Philly in 26. If you need crew, reach out.
The only spot we'd consider is Barnegat inlet. Gotta be careful once you're inside, but it's well marked. There's a nice spot for anchoring just east of the USCG dock + it's a no wake zone. Where you planning to dock in Cape May?
Our standard stop in Cape May has always been Utches. We draw 4'8" and have a 54' mast ... so this time we can't (or at least shouldn't) do the canal and will round the tip as I would need low tide at the bridge and high tide for Utches.
I've considered contacting the Corinthean Yacht Club (my club reciprocates with Corinthean YC) for a mooring but the depths look pretty thin.
Our full transit is Riverside, NJ - Long Branch, NJ and we are contemplating layovers in Cape May and Barnegat. I'm also adding in provisional layovers in Delaware City, Atlantic City, Manasquan, and Shark River to have weather stops provisioned.
We've stayed at Delaware City, Utches, Farley (AC), and anchored in High Bar Harbor (Barnegat) before ... but we're always open to try something new. We are also considering whether to do the full transit in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days ... the 2 day being a round the clock motorsailing push (210 nm), the 7 day being more of a relaxed sail transit up the coast with shorter hops, perhaps even ducking into Manasquan and Shark River.
I have decent local knowledge of Northern Jersey post-Sandy but don't have a really good handle on Southern NJ and Delaware Bay options given our mast and draft.
Figured I'd start with getting feedback on the Philadelphia to Cape May leg and then move on from there.
Suggestions are all welcome.
I've considered contacting the Corinthean Yacht Club (my club reciprocates with Corinthean YC) for a mooring but the depths look pretty thin.
Our full transit is Riverside, NJ - Long Branch, NJ and we are contemplating layovers in Cape May and Barnegat. I'm also adding in provisional layovers in Delaware City, Atlantic City, Manasquan, and Shark River to have weather stops provisioned.
We've stayed at Delaware City, Utches, Farley (AC), and anchored in High Bar Harbor (Barnegat) before ... but we're always open to try something new. We are also considering whether to do the full transit in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days ... the 2 day being a round the clock motorsailing push (210 nm), the 7 day being more of a relaxed sail transit up the coast with shorter hops, perhaps even ducking into Manasquan and Shark River.
I have decent local knowledge of Northern Jersey post-Sandy but don't have a really good handle on Southern NJ and Delaware Bay options given our mast and draft.
Figured I'd start with getting feedback on the Philadelphia to Cape May leg and then move on from there.
Suggestions are all welcome.
Absecon Inlet is safe transit day and night, lots of water, well marked. Easy fuel at Kammerman's and Farley, transient dockage at Farley, Kammerman's and Gardiner's Basin. Protected anchoring in Brigantine Cove and there's plenty of space out by the USCG Station....swift current though so make sure the anchor sets well!Monterey385 said:
Plus the best reason to stop in Absecon Inlet is because WE are there
Not much in terms of changes post-Sandy in Absecon Inlet. Did Cape May via the CM Canal in the summer...no issues. Didn't look at your mast height but I have a Catalina 310 and I push the upper limits for the canal so you'll probably have to "round the cape"!
https://ssca.org/dashboard/#/a=L2Rhc2hib2FyZC9ndWlkZS82MzAyOS98QXRsYW50aWMgQ2l0eSwgTko=
So much of your trip will depend on marine traffic, wind, weather, and current. And there is lots of very shallow water which generate square waves. Time your transit, and layovers to make best use of tidal currents, and fair winds. It is easy to find yourself making 6 knots through the water but 1 knot across the bottom - which complicates well laid travel plans.
Amen Gunni ... that's why I'm taking these dark winter days to plan this out. Downloading the currents and looking for optimal transit timing. At least tide and current are predictable ... the rest ... gotta be prepared.
I really miss an old application that used to come with Nobeltec's offerings ... you attached current markers to waypoints and it would calculate optimal departure times given speed through water. I'm going to try to build something out in Excel this winter using the NOAA tables.
Kev
I really miss an old application that used to come with Nobeltec's offerings ... you attached current markers to waypoints and it would calculate optimal departure times given speed through water. I'm going to try to build something out in Excel this winter using the NOAA tables.
Kev