Trip suggestions for sailing from Groton, Conn to

[Vince]

I am moving my O-Day 34 from Groton, Conn. to Rock Hall, Md. via Long Island Sound and N.Y. harbor. I plan to anchor at night. Any suggestions on making this trip would be appreciated.

 

[DJ Dreyer]

I stayed at marina's but...

you can probably find a place to anchor in Hemstead Harbor behind the breakwater that JP Morgan built (near town of Glen Cove). Time your departure to get the best currents through Hells Gate and NYC (it goes by quick with a 4-5 knot current) and find an anchorage behind Sandy Hook. Then a long trip to Atlantic City and then on to Cape May. You can make the C&D canal if you push but you can anchor in the Cohansey River if you want to take it easy. There is a breakwater next to the Nuclear Power Plant on the north shore further up that was used in its construction (some old barges were sunk to make it). I used it in a storm once in 1984 but they may have it off limits these days. There is a spot to anchor in the C&D canal but the Bohemia River has some better spots and is not much further. Rock Hall is your next stop. Say about 6 days underway if you push. Add time for an easier pace, wx delays and to enjoy the sights and adventure.I'd check in some cruising guides since it has been years since I made that trip. One, "Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholer's Guide" by Willliam H. Shellenberger, is a good resource and has info about coming from NYC through Delaware Bay. Just what you need.

 

[Rob]

How far from Newport RI??

Vince Im considering the same trip...but in reverse...From the Sassafrass river to Newport RI...im allowing 8 days..does that sound about right??

 

[Robert Polk]

Our standard plan

Day 1 - Anchor in Hempstead HarborDay 2 - Plan the tide and get the outgoing tide through the East River and anchor behind the breakwater at Atlantic Highlands NJ - West of Sandy Hook - Great spot and they have moorings available with launch service so you can go into town to eat and restock.Day 3 - Leave very early and head for Atlantic City. Anchoring possible but we go for the $4/ft and go to the Trump Marina (New Jersey State Marina). Lots of fun if your into that sort of thing. Great pool showers etc. Day 4 - Leave early and go into Cape May to anchor.Day 5 - Through the CM Canal to the Delaware to the Cand D canal. If you have a fair tide when you get there, go into the Canal to Chesapeake City and anchor. Don't go into Chesapeake City with more that a 6' draft. If the tide is against you go behind Reedy Island which is 1 mile south of the CandD canal entrance. Day 6 - Rock Hall.

 

[Chris]

What we did

I bought my 30 O'Day in MD on the Chesapeake across from Rock Hall and sailed it to Raritan Bay. Reversing our trip from Raritan (we frequent Atlantic Highlands and strongly reccomend it - good resturants and an "old fashion" movie theater) we anchored overnight at Barnegat light. Barnegat to Cape May - stayed at Utsch marina and walked to a great resturant - Lobster House. There is an anchorage if you don't want to stay at a marina. From Cape May to Western/middle of the C&D Canal in Chesapeake City - was going to anchor but there are several good marinas and we stayed at one across form Schafer's Canal house. My only other advice is watch for fishing nets off shore - we were going to travel at night but decided against it when we saw how many very poorly marked nets were out. Of course this is an issue in the Chesapeake also and if you venture outside the channel in Delaware Bay. Because of the shallow depth of the bay - it has some strong wave action and can be as rought as outside. Good luck and enjoy the trip - we certainly did!