Sailing a 22ft Cape Dory from Boston to Southern Florida

[rgranger]

Adding to @dlochner ‘s list of stops…
If you come down the west branch of the dismal swamp ICW you can anchor in several places on the mainland side of the sound. Then it Is a day hop to Roanoke Island. He’ll want to spend a day at Roanoke. There’s an aquarium a couple of marine-based museums and other fun things to do on that island. And it’s a long 30 hour sale to OCRACOKE make sure you have a good weather window. OCRACOKE is great! He’ll want to spend a day or two there as well several cool museums and nature preserve some nice beaches etc. And then it’s about a six or seven hour sale to Oriental and then you could follow the rest of the dlochner’s list. If your friend is not in a hurry Columbia North Carolina is one of my favorite stopovers. Addington is also pretty nice. Alligator Creek marina is a nice place to spend the night before you head south oCRACOKE but there’s nothing to do at that marina. I put a red arrow showing where Alligator Creek Marina is

 

[palcuz]

Hello and thanks for all of the input. My friend leaves tomorrow morning.
Who can tell me where the ICW picks back up when heading South when you exit at Cape May from Manasquan inlet? Do you go offshore for a bit?

 

[palcuz]

September seems like the least favorable month to start a trip like this. If he can wait until November... at the very least he needs to map out several huricane holes along the way and keep a regular eye on the forecast.
View attachment 209141

The good part is that this season has been the least active hurricane season since 2014 I read. Of course that can change quickly but it seams like my friend (Guy) will have at least a 10 day weather window free of an impending hurricane.

 

[palcuz]

We took a 50' power boat from Edgewater MD to Fl. It was February and the boat could cruise at 20 knots. Figure about 80 nm a day -February days are short. About like October. We were unencumbered by other traffic. It would take the Cape Dory around three days for every one of ours. Probably worse because at the choke points, there will be considerable waiting.
My impression of South of Chesapeake VA was one of isolation. I would describe it as wilderness. There were not to my eye a lot of stops. There is Coinjock, Bellhaven and then Beaufort NC. I think these are more than a days travel at 4.5 knots. I didn't see places to fuel, dump waste or provision. We used the canals so maybe a different route would offer more. I understand that in the canals barges operate at night and I don't think non-commercial traffic is allowed. There are poles at the side to tie to. But a night of barge wakes tied to a pole would take the starch out of me. We never had to do that.
South of Beaufort SC we took hops in the ocean. Again speed was our friend. It is usually several miles from a inlet's sea buoy to shelter inside the inlet. You need to subtract at least two hours of travel time every day (At 4.5 kts.) to go East or West (Not South) to enter and leave ports. That assumes there is a good anchorage close to the inlet.
We stopped at. Charleston, Savannah and other ports South of there (We had engine issues). In some we found traveller friendly services and others quite the opposite. In one I was unceremoniously told that I had to get off the dock or pay because it was five o'clock and the dock master wanted to go home. The Capt had gone to Melbourne by Uber to get a filter. Finally I was able to get the Capt on the cell phone and get the CC info. But the dock master was a complete a hole throughout the process. If the OP's friend expects shoreside service to join in on the adventure - he should be prepared for disappointment.
This was my experience. Others my differ.

Thanks for this note. It will be passed on to my friend, Guy.

 

[dlochner]

Hello and thanks for all of the input. My friend leaves tomorrow morning.
Who can tell me where the ICW picks back up when heading South when you exit at Cape May from Manasquan inlet? Do you go offshore for a bit?

From Cape May one heads west on Delaware Bay until the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Then through the canal into the Chespeake.

The ICW that is well marked begins in Norfolk VA.

There is a facebook group, run by Bob423 (link below) that is extremely helpful, especially for new cruisers. I would strongly urge your friend to join the group. While we have made the trip seem easy, there is a lot to learn, the group is very helpful.

As I mentioned earlier AquaMaps on a tablet or M1 MacBook has the best and latest info on the ICW. It is also integrated with Active Captain and Waterway Guide. He would do well have that onboard.

I wish him well and a safe journey.

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[palcuz]

From Cape May one heads west on Delaware Bay until the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Then through the canal into the Chespeake.

The ICW that is well marked begins in Norfolk VA.

There is a facebook group, run by Bob423 (link below) that is extremely helpful, especially for new cruisers. I would strongly urge your friend to join the group. While we have made the trip seem easy, there is a lot to learn, the group is very helpful.

As I mentioned earlier AquaMaps on a tablet or M1 MacBook has the best and latest info on the ICW. It is also integrated with Active Captain and Waterway Guide. He would do well have that onboard.

I wish him well and a safe journey.

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Thanks again! I honestly feel like I'm learning it myself lol. I'm learning a ton if I ever make this journey. I've been looking at the ICW on Navionics on the free trial. Boy does it look a bit complicated near Cape May and into the Chesapeake. It's truly fascinating to learn about.

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

This link to Cruiser Wiki shows the east west passage of the ICW in southern VA and Northern NC.

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki

www.cruiserswiki.org

We have a group that gets together a couple of time an month and does a 1/2 cruise. We had a long discussion about the ICW just south of here in Chesapeake Virginia.There is an east and a west passage.

As a group we decided as a group the west passage, the dismal swamp canal is no longer a viable option it is great for canoeing, kayaking and fishing but everything else is kind of sketchy. I drove along the canal last week going to a race in Elizabeth City NC, and I do not believe I could get my H280 thru there because of logs in the water and trees overhanging the water.

 

[dlochner]

Your friend's boat can take the short cut from the Atlantic to the Delaware Bay by going through the Cape May Canal. There are 2 bridges on the Canal with a ~54' clearance, he can easily make. When I have done the NYC to Cape May route we did it offshore over night, on a 30 or 36' boat with crew. Going inside on the Jersey coast was not an option for us because of depth.

The Skipper Bob's books are helpful. The information is basic, no ads for marinas and such, just good guidance. Between Boston and the Chesapeake there are 3 tidal obstacles, the Cape Cod Canal, the East River in NY, and Delaware Bay and the canal. Timing the tides is important especially in a smaller boat.

Encourage your friend to join the Bob423 group. He will learn a lot.

 

[shemandr]

I'm not expert in this but it seems to me that September is a good month to start - in the Typhoon. You have longer traveling days than in November and the weather is more mild. Yes there's the hurricane threat. The Typhoon could be hauled if caught near a storm for not a ton of money. A trailer could do it. I would almost be as afraid of the November nor'easters as a tropical storm or Hurricane. They are often longer events and more widespread. September gives you more time for a slow trip and you could be South soon enough to not suffer from the cold. Also those Northerly winds are good for traveling South.

 

[dlochner]

This link to Cruiser Wiki shows the east west passage of the ICW in southern VA and Northern NC.

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki

www.cruiserswiki.org

We have a group that gets together a couple of time an month and does a 1/2 cruise. We had a long discussion about the ICW just south of here in Chesapeake Virginia.There is an east and a west passage.

As a group we decided as a group the west passage, the dismal swamp canal is no longer a viable option it is great for canoeing, kayaking and fishing but everything else is kind of sketchy. I drove along the canal last week going to a race in Elizabeth City NC, and I do not believe I could get my H280 thru there because of logs in the water and trees overhanging the water.

We went through the Dismal Canal Last November. It is essential to pay attention. With a 5' draft we never touched bottom or a sunken log. The tree canopy is at about 50' (don't ask how I know) and down the middle of the canal there is no canopy. It is delightful trip and considerably more scenic than the other route through Great Bridge and Coinjock.

Our greatest concern turned out to be getting a pompout. On the GDS route there are no pompout stations between Norfolk and Bellhaven, NC and only 1 fuel stop at Lamb's Marina.

With all that said, I would not do the canal in warm weather. I suspect the bugs would be an issue. On our way back we took the eastern route through Coinjock and Great Bridge.

 

[rgranger]

Ask Guy to post pictures. There are a lot of picture junkies on this forum.

 

[kappykaplan]

There are a lot of picture junkies on this forum.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Boy does it look a bit complicated near Cape May and into the Chesapeake.

I’ve been through that section from Cape May Inlet through the canal and up to the C&D earlier this year. It’s not really hard to follow - just need to see the chart ahead of time to know where the channels go. There are a couple shoals in Delaware Bay in what is otherwise a wide open area, so you just need to be aware of where they are. Delaware Bay is also known for having the potential to be pretty rough, especially if the wind is blowing against the tide, so in that side boat it’s worth waiting for a weather window there.

 

[shemandr]

...Our greatest concern turned out to be getting a pompout. On the GDS route there are no pompout stations between Norfolk and Bellhaven, NC and only 1 fuel stop at Lamb's Marina...

This is kinda what I was trying to convey in an earlier post. NE sailors are used to having facilities at their finger tips. That' s not really the case on the Northern ICW (At least the Eastern branch). A fair amount of it is suited to commercial vessels and, in my observation, relatively few recreational facilities.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Delaware Bay is also known for having the potential to be pretty rough, especially if the wind is blowing against the tide, so in that side boat it’s worth waiting for a weather window there.

I'll echo David ... Guy will certainly want to travel Delaware Bay on a flooding tide (current running north up the bay). I think all sailors avoid traveling against the tide, especially because the ebb tide runs with the river current, which makes it even more difficult to travel against. But the weather is critical, too, especially in a small boat. He won't want to run north with the current if there is any strength in a north wind. Wind opposing tide creates standing waves in the Delaware that will be hell in a 22' boat.

 

[palcuz]

This link to Cruiser Wiki shows the east west passage of the ICW in southern VA and Northern NC.

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki

www.cruiserswiki.org

We have a group that gets together a couple of time an month and does a 1/2 cruise. We had a long discussion about the ICW just south of here in Chesapeake Virginia.There is an east and a west passage.

As a group we decided as a group the west passage, the dismal swamp canal is no longer a viable option it is great for canoeing, kayaking and fishing but everything else is kind of sketchy. I drove along the canal last week going to a race in Elizabeth City NC, and I do not believe I could get my H280 thru there because of logs in the water and trees overhanging the water.

Oh wow. It will be a couple weeks before he gets there but I'll let him know. Is there another option besides the Dismal Swamp?

 

[palcuz]

I'll echo David ... Guy will certainly want to travel Delaware Bay on a flooding tide (current running north up the bay). I think all sailors avoid traveling against the tide, especially because the ebb tide runs with the river current, which makes it even more difficult to travel against. But the weather is critical, too, especially in a small boat. He won't want to run north with the current if there is any strength in a north wind. Wind opposing tide creates standing waves in the Delaware that will be hell in a 22' boat.

Ok very interesting. How are the currents in these rivers etc? Will any of this be doable with a small motor? I'd imagine much of the ICW cannot really be sailed. Is that true? He only has a small motor. 6hp. Can it be done with this? Thoughts?

 

[Davidasailor26]

Ok very interesting. How are the currents in these rivers etc? Will any of this be doable with a small motor? I'd imagine much of the ICW cannot really be sailed. Is that true? He only has a small motor. 6hp. Can it be done with this? Thoughts?

Current in the Delaware and the C&D Canal can be over a knot. Not enough to stop progress but enough to make it a longer day if you’re not timed to have the tide in your favor. When I went earlier this year we left Cape May and had a helping current all the way up the bay, just having to fight against it for about the last hour of our day through the C&D Canal to Chesapeake City. But that was a 31’ boat. In a 22 footer I doubt he could get as far before it switched unless he had good weather for some fast motor sailing. With the shorter days of the fall it might be advisable to find a place to stop for the night outside the C&D.

Once past the C&D canal the Chesapeake is good for sailing. That’ll be a nice part of the trip from a sailing standpoint before lots of motoring in the narrower parts of the ICW below.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Ok very interesting. How are the currents in these rivers etc? Will any of this be doable with a small motor? I'd imagine much of the ICW cannot really be sailed. Is that true? He only has a small motor. 6hp. Can it be done with this? Thoughts?

Ideally, he would have a south or SW wind to sail or motor-sail up the bay with the tide. That would be the best condition. Delaware Bay is wide open outside Cape May but necks down to a river by the time you get to the C-D Canal. But it is plenty wide enough to have sails up the entire length if wind is favorable. He can be fighting against standing waves if the wind is from the north. Leaving Cape May, Delaware Bay is wide open to ccean and can be treacherous for a small boat in the wrong conditions. That is one place where he should be careful to pay attention to wind and current to choose the right time to leave.

BTW, he will be safe to travel from Manasquan Inlet to Absecon Inlet inside the NJICW and that would be a very nice diversion from the ocean. He will have no issues with draft, the channel sections are clearly marked, and Barnegat Bay would offer fine sailing. The one place to be careful is leaving the Manasquan Inlet into the canal that takes you to Barnegat Bay. Choose slack current for best easy-going conditions. He will need bridge openings at Manasquan Inlet, the canal and the upper section of Barnegat Bay, so a VHF to radio the bridges is necessary. He will need VHF for the entire trip obviously!

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

Oh wow. It will be a couple weeks before he gets there but I'll let him know. Is there another option besides the Dismal Swamp?

This was also covered in a follow up post. The map below show the eastern and western routes going south out of VIrginia