My friends and I are planning to sail to Provincetown this late July. We are considering taking the outside route (instead of Cape Cod Canal) since we would be coming from Nantucket for that leg and it looks nearer. I understand CC Canal is the usual way to go but what do we have to look out for should we opt to take the outside route? Would that be a bad choice? Thanks
Route to Provincetown
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Also the Eldridge Tide & Pilot book
has a nice section that talks about using the ebbing tide to help you get out through the Race and catch the flooding current to the east of Newport. You should get this book for this trip if you do not already have it. Tidal info for every port on the east coast and other helpful stuff. Great backup for your laptop if your mouse gets sea-sick!
has a nice section that talks about using the ebbing tide to help you get out through the Race and catch the flooding current to the east of Newport. You should get this book for this trip if you do not already have it. Tidal info for every port on the east coast and other helpful stuff. Great backup for your laptop if your mouse gets sea-sick!
No place to pull in
It's off shore and bumpy at times but no real big deal if you stay in deep water. But, there is no place to pull in anywhere along the way. It's a commitment once you make that choice. Chatham is no place for a deep water sailboat. The canal offers lots of choices along the way and reasonable protection 90 % of the way.
It's off shore and bumpy at times but no real big deal if you stay in deep water. But, there is no place to pull in anywhere along the way. It's a commitment once you make that choice. Chatham is no place for a deep water sailboat. The canal offers lots of choices along the way and reasonable protection 90 % of the way.
The CCC is More Scenic, Safer...
...and protected. It just seems a safer way to go. Just plan to pass thru Wood's Hole at slack tide (please be careful, anyway) and go with the flow of the canal on through (flows East on a rising tide). If the tide is against you (possibly 4+ knots), there's a 9-10 foot tidal drop from the East to West, then DO NOT take the canal, but pull into Onset for the night (anchoring, moorings available) and take the morning tide thru the canal. Sandwich Marina on the East end of the canal is also a good take if the weather/tide/daylight don't cooperate. If from Nantucket, and if you must go by the outside, you might hit a strong head tide all the way to P-town. You don't want to do that. Stay on the inside (CCC) and you will be much safer. P.S. The yellow Eldridge book will be very beneficial in guiding you throughout the region and is available in most marine stores for the same price ($12.95). Pay close attention to the CCC rules for sailboats and you will be golden!
...and protected. It just seems a safer way to go. Just plan to pass thru Wood's Hole at slack tide (please be careful, anyway) and go with the flow of the canal on through (flows East on a rising tide). If the tide is against you (possibly 4+ knots), there's a 9-10 foot tidal drop from the East to West, then DO NOT take the canal, but pull into Onset for the night (anchoring, moorings available) and take the morning tide thru the canal. Sandwich Marina on the East end of the canal is also a good take if the weather/tide/daylight don't cooperate. If from Nantucket, and if you must go by the outside, you might hit a strong head tide all the way to P-town. You don't want to do that. Stay on the inside (CCC) and you will be much safer. P.S. The yellow Eldridge book will be very beneficial in guiding you throughout the region and is available in most marine stores for the same price ($12.95). Pay close attention to the CCC rules for sailboats and you will be golden!
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