RI to VA in early March?

[tausap]

What would be the recommended routing in order to avoid going too far offshore in the first part of March?

[SOUNDBOUNDER]

Originally Posted by tausap

What would be the recommended routing in order to avoid going too far offshore in the first part of March?

You wouldn't want to go offshore at all in March.
West through Long Island Sound to New York Harbor, then South to Mannesquan NJ to the ICW and South to Cape May NJ.
Then take Delaware Bay to the C&D Canal, then follow the Chesapeake south.

I hope you are just asking out of curiosity.
It is already the middle of February, and if you are still at the point of asking basic questions, maybe you shouldn't be out there in early March.

[CalebD]

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."

I tend to agree with Mr. SoundBounder's advice but I am not so certain that a Morgan 41' OI would be able to use the NJ 'inside' route. I believe there is/are at least one inoperative bridge along the way as well as lots of shallow spots.
If you could find a day or two of relatively 'lamb-like' weather the trip to Cape May from NY Harbor is a bit less then a day if heading directly there. The trip up the Delaware could be interesting too; or anywhere else at that time of year.

[SOUNDBOUNDER]

Originally Posted by CalebD

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."

I tend to agree with Mr. SoundBounder's advice but I am not so certain that a Morgan 41' OI would be able to use the NJ 'inside' route. I believe there is/are at least one inoperative bridge along the way as well as lots of shallow spots.
If you could find a day or two of relatively 'lamb-like' weather the trip to Cape May from NY Harbor is a bit less then a day if heading directly there. The trip up the Delaware could be interesting too; or anywhere else at that time of year.

I didn't even notice the 41 Morgan info.
You are right about the ICW.


Regardless, a trip in March is a serious venture. It is not something where you can just wing it.

[chef2sail]

March...not a great idea...I lived at the Jersey Shore for 18 years...March is the month of Noreasters.

We take this route to LI and RI every year from the Chesapeake in JULY

Patapsco-----Reedy Island (just 5 miles south on the Deleware after passing through the C&D Canal--------Cape May-------Barnegat Inlet ( great anchorage , but a dangerous and tricky inlet if you are inexperienced or there is a nort east component to the wind)) or Manesquan (no place to really anchor here)------Sandy Hook/ Liberty Marina (by Ellis Island)-----East River following the tides through Hell gate to Northport/ Port Jefferson/ Mt Siani

Do this in reverse.

Feel free to PM me, but understand March is a time when you will put yourself in peril with this trip due to water temps and the Jersey Coast/ Delaware where you cannot just duck in a ride things out.

Dave

[tausap]

Something came up where I may have to move a boat, not my Morgan, with someone, but I figured it was a bad idea to go in March. I wanted to ask to make sure I was not missing some hidden route, but looks like my instincts were right...to not go until mid-May minimum.

The boat will have to wait, will just cost me some extra money, but better than costing a boat or a life!

[CalebD]

"April showers bring May flowers."

Tausap,
This sounds like a delivery mission of a friends boat so yes, there is no reason to risk life, limb and property. The old poem about the months that I have been quoting has not really proven to be true the last few years in recent memory as March has gone out like a lion and the lamb was not even tasted until April. April and May have been known to be rainy and stormy too until summer finally breaks the spell sometimes in June - when hurricane season begins.
It is all kind of a crap shoot but if I were you I would push for preparing to try your trip around mid-April or later. You never know when those 4-5 days of mild weather will come that will get you down to the Chessy via the C&D canal. There are a lot of places to duck in for bad weather in the LI Sound but only a few along the Jersey coast. The Delaware River to the canal is a full daylight (8 hrs +/-) cruise. The Chessy has even more places to hide then nearly anywhere. Once you get to the ICW south of Norfolk you are almost there (if you are going further south).
If you can afford to pick your weather and leave your boat on a mooring for a few days or a week you could start sooner rather then later. I'm still with the crowd that says March is pushing it a bit. If you wait till summer breaks though there may not be much wind and you will be doing a lot of motoring (count on this anyways) so if sailing is your objective pushing the limits a bit may not be such a bad idea if you are ready for it.
Safety is the #1 priority though.
Best of luck.

[BarryL]

Hey,

Also note that most marinas in the North East will be closed until May. So you won't be able to get a slip, service, etc.

Barry

[CalebD]

Note that what BarryL says is true. Most marinas will still be closed in April so they will not there to charge you for tying up at their docks during this time (if their docks are even in the water as some take out their floating docks as well). I have spent a few free and happy nights tied up at facilities that considered themselves 'closed for the season'. Yes, no services on the dock but a secure place to tie up nonetheless and quite cheap.
Prices at north eastern marinas etc. usually get hiked up around Memorial Day so if you can travel before they hike their price or before they open then, well...

[sailingdog]

Be careful of taking this advice, as tying up to the docks at a closed marina can be considered trespassing, and could result in you getting arrested.

Originally Posted by CalebD

Note that what BarryL says is true. Most marinas will still be closed in April so they will not there to charge you for tying up at their docks during this time (if their docks are even in the water as some take out their floating docks as well). I have spent a few free and happy nights tied up at facilities that considered themselves 'closed for the season'. Yes, no services on the dock but a secure place to tie up nonetheless and quite cheap.
Prices at north eastern marinas etc. usually get hiked up around Memorial Day so if you can travel before they hike their price or before they open then, well...