Miami to the Chesapeake Bay..

Shipislandpirate · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010

Got lucky to find an Owner on Her way North... We will be leaving Coconut Grove sometime this weekend headed for Jacksonville area to pick up additional crew (total of 3) and continue North towards Chesapeake Bay...SV is a 36ft Canadian Sailcraft CS36T..... Looking for info and suggestions "I have never sailed on the East Coast" regarding routes (ICW) w/short outside hops vs (Gulf Stream) outside to Beaufort, NC and Beyond....Anyone doing this trip now as we speak?

Fair Winds,

John

SVAuspicious · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010

Go outside, don't hit Diamond Shoals, sail into Chesapeake Bay.

oceanscapt · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010

Stay offshore of Hatteras; well offshore.

Monitor the weather and be prepared to scoot into safe anchorage if things get bad.

CaptainForce · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010

Plenty of ICW options if the weather is not fair. It may be efficient to cut inside at Frying Pan Shoal and Hatteras. Beaufort, NC to the Chesapeake can be the best choice if weather offshore doesn't offer the best. If your clearance is under 65' and your draft is less than 6' all the ICW options are good. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

Shipislandpirate · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010

Thank You for your responses....Looking forward to the trip and was just looking for different options as weather can change at the drop of a hat...

AuntB · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010

Captain Douglas, when you suggest staying far off shore, what distance do you have in mind?

donradclife · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010

Just came up from Miami this week--2 days to St Augustine, then 4 days to Norfolk. Rounded Hatteras as tight as possible, inside the
Diamond Shoals light.

Running up the Gulf Stream was tempting, but every night north of St Augustine we could see thunderstorms running up the axis of the stream--no thanks.

PBzeer · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010

Depends on how fast you want to get there. If you want a mix, you can try this.

You can overnight hop from Miami to Hilton Head Island, stopping at Fort Pierce, St Augustine (day sail to Jax), Hilton Head (North end). Then a day sail to Charleston. Two nights to Beaufort Inlet, then up through NC to the Chesapeake.

Shipislandpirate · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010

Thanks PB...That is greatly appreciated...Will be leaving on Sunday...

Fair Winds

John

PBzeer · #10 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010

Actually, from Jax you can make Charleston.