[chef2sail]

Wow Wilson,.

12.5 hours is an optimal time. You a pushing it and also thats if you are not fighting the tide coming out NY Bay which can slow you down to 4kog speed. Atlantic City is a milk run from Cape May at 30 miles. The the trip up to Sandy Hook becomes 74 or so.

We usually break the trip up the coast with a run from Cape May to Barnegat which is about 62 miles and then from Barnegat to either Sandy Hook (42 miles) or to Liberty Marina (52 miles) (if the tide is ingoing in NY Bay). Liberty marina is right next to the Statue and across from Manhattan.

Denise, your idea of doing Cape May staying a few days, Going up to Atlantic City (30 miles and maybe staying 2 nights then returning to Cape May to get some experience sailing in the ocean is a good idea of building up to a trip along the coast. You will be navigating 2 of the best inlets in New jersey and get the feel of ocean sailing, which is a whole lot easier than being on the river or on the Chesapeake. My wife actually now prefers it. No crabpots, no powerboats except the inlets, steady wind, dolphins, cool breezes, and no shoals once you are out a few miles.

Dave