I will be going through the Cape Cod Canal on 7/9/07 which is on Monday and in 5 days with the admiral from Newburyport MA.I purchased the Eldridge tide and pilot book. I will be entering the East side from Sandwich, the chart states East flood starts 11:11am and 11:48pm and West Ebb starts 5:11am and 5:40pm. It looks like I will be going with the Ebb tide to Buzzards bay. AM I looking at the chart correctly and what would be the latest time in the AM that I could go through
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You would need a chart and a compass to walk off
the miles from Sandwich to Buzzard's Ba;y to figure out how much current you might face if the tide turned on you in the CCC. I have heard that the currents in that canal can be pretty extreme so you would definitely want to be travelling with the current instead of against it. I always like to figure that I might average 5 nautical miles per hour (disregarding current for the time being) so how long will it take you to motor from Sandwich to Buzzard's Bay without the current in your favor? That is probably how much time you should allot for that passage even if it goes much quicker becuase of a helpful current. Don't leave much after 6 am when the Western ebb starts otherwise you might find yourself fighting the current on the other side of the CCC. Observe when other sailboats leave in that direction as well. Sounds like fun.
the miles from Sandwich to Buzzard's Ba;y to figure out how much current you might face if the tide turned on you in the CCC. I have heard that the currents in that canal can be pretty extreme so you would definitely want to be travelling with the current instead of against it. I always like to figure that I might average 5 nautical miles per hour (disregarding current for the time being) so how long will it take you to motor from Sandwich to Buzzard's Bay without the current in your favor? That is probably how much time you should allot for that passage even if it goes much quicker becuase of a helpful current. Don't leave much after 6 am when the Western ebb starts otherwise you might find yourself fighting the current on the other side of the CCC. Observe when other sailboats leave in that direction as well. Sounds like fun.
Be carefull of prevailing winds
You do not want to exit the canal at Buzzards bay with a strong headwind and following current. The waves here get very steep and close together. I did the canal a few years ago the opposite direction and I timed it to exit the canal to have the current slightly against me so as to avoid any problems although rare at the Sandwich end. Having a head current also gives you a little more control at the end. Tim R.
You do not want to exit the canal at Buzzards bay with a strong headwind and following current. The waves here get very steep and close together. I did the canal a few years ago the opposite direction and I timed it to exit the canal to have the current slightly against me so as to avoid any problems although rare at the Sandwich end. Having a head current also gives you a little more control at the end. Tim R.
CCC
Bob, you want to be thru the canal by about 11:00 AM. the CCC is approimately 12 nm from the east entrance to the end of the spit, so if you arrive at the east end about 9:30 you'll be in good shape. the west end of the canal can be a bit rough if the winds and currents are opposing, but that usually occurs latter in the afternoon when the winds build. the winds have to be coming virtually directly up Buzzard's Bay for this to occur. (so the winds are from the SW or there about's) the current is predicted at about 4.5 knots for the 9th. so you should see 11-12 knots SOG on your passage through. you can usually pick up a mooring in Onset if the seas are more than you (or the admiral) want to deal with. enjoy the passage. its a real sleigh ride. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Bob, you want to be thru the canal by about 11:00 AM. the CCC is approimately 12 nm from the east entrance to the end of the spit, so if you arrive at the east end about 9:30 you'll be in good shape. the west end of the canal can be a bit rough if the winds and currents are opposing, but that usually occurs latter in the afternoon when the winds build. the winds have to be coming virtually directly up Buzzard's Bay for this to occur. (so the winds are from the SW or there about's) the current is predicted at about 4.5 knots for the 9th. so you should see 11-12 knots SOG on your passage through. you can usually pick up a mooring in Onset if the seas are more than you (or the admiral) want to deal with. enjoy the passage. its a real sleigh ride. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Going through the cape cod canal
Thanks for this great info,this is exactly what I was looking for.Our final preparations are being made, Our departure from Newburyport will be on Fri,with a short stop at Rockport, then to provencetown, and to Sandwich for the night and wait for the tide for the ccc.Most of all as you may know the comfort of the Admiral is if very important, this is our first trip and hopefully her sailing will be good, and she will want to do again. Weather is looking good. Thanks again
Thanks for this great info,this is exactly what I was looking for.Our final preparations are being made, Our departure from Newburyport will be on Fri,with a short stop at Rockport, then to provencetown, and to Sandwich for the night and wait for the tide for the ccc.Most of all as you may know the comfort of the Admiral is if very important, this is our first trip and hopefully her sailing will be good, and she will want to do again. Weather is looking good. Thanks again
CCC
Bob, with the winds predicted to be westerly at 10-15, you might consider a slight change in itinerary. the sea state coming out of P'town Sat. might be significant because of the fetch across Cape Cod Bay. if you stopped at Gloucester and then went to Sandwich, although a bit longer day, you'll be closer to the western shore of CC Bay plus the winds will be more on your beam. the Eastern Point YC is an easy in and out and nearly always has moorings for the night (although a bit rocky in the AM because of the fishing fleet leaving). nice facilities. Bryce have a great trip.
Bob, with the winds predicted to be westerly at 10-15, you might consider a slight change in itinerary. the sea state coming out of P'town Sat. might be significant because of the fetch across Cape Cod Bay. if you stopped at Gloucester and then went to Sandwich, although a bit longer day, you'll be closer to the western shore of CC Bay plus the winds will be more on your beam. the Eastern Point YC is an easy in and out and nearly always has moorings for the night (although a bit rocky in the AM because of the fishing fleet leaving). nice facilities. Bryce have a great trip.
I've Gone From Gloucester to CCC...
...in lousy wind conditions and rain. I motorsailed it and made the trip in around 7 hours with my Legend 37. The enclosure kept as dry and we only used the jib - nice trip, though. Stayed in Sandwich Marina for the night and left the next morning on the tide.
...in lousy wind conditions and rain. I motorsailed it and made the trip in around 7 hours with my Legend 37. The enclosure kept as dry and we only used the jib - nice trip, though. Stayed in Sandwich Marina for the night and left the next morning on the tide.
cc canal
Yes your right, the westerly wind would be against me from P town.Sandwich sounds like it would be best to head there, If I dont make Sandwich, Plymouth may be an option.I,ll also monitor weather and wind conditions. Also i,ll call ahead on the rr bridge. Thanks all
Yes your right, the westerly wind would be against me from P town.Sandwich sounds like it would be best to head there, If I dont make Sandwich, Plymouth may be an option.I,ll also monitor weather and wind conditions. Also i,ll call ahead on the rr bridge. Thanks all
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