New Jersey Coast

[foxglove]

Soon, I am moving my boat from the Erie Canal to The Chesapeake Bay. The most recent Waterway Guide that I have indicates that the water in the New Jersey ICW is too thin and the bridges are frequently too low for us to pass. We need 47''under a bridge and we draw 4 1/2 feet.

So should I expect to sail all of New Jersey on the outside?

[slipacre]

Yes.
Essentially you will have to go from to NY Harbor to Cape May outside. There are two viable stops between - Manisquan and Atlantic city. All other inlets have problems or issues.
You will be able to take the Cape May Canal.
I just did it going the other way and broke trip at Atlantic City. The trip from Atl City to NYC was 14 hours. Nice anchorage in Atlanic City - Cape May not so good - we stayed at Marina 1.75 per foot because it was really blowing and anchorage was exposed.
Pick your weather and expect to get a learning lesson in the inlets (keep away from breakers)
If weather is good the trip can be done as a nice overnight haul total time about 22 hours more or less depending on just about everything.
Recommend Great Kills as starting point but there are others around Sandy hook that I do not know personally.
Have fun,
Todd V
PS for us Delaware Bay was worse than ocean but again pick your weather and go with the flow.