Planning a simple/safe trip from Stamford, CT to the Chesapeake.. suggestions?

[CapTim]

Hello all!

I'm looking to close on a new-to-me o'day 37 soon, pending all the various steps associated with buying a new-to-me boat.

If it all works out according to plan, I'll be needing to move the 'ol gal from Stamford, CT to her temporary home in Chesapeake City.

I am not entirely useless on a sailboat, though this will be a modestly larger boat than what I have experience with. The sailing bit isn't the part that is going to be new, though... it's the water I'll be traversing that will really make this little adventure what it is.

So, to that end, anybody have any suggestions from previous experience? I think I'd like to scoot inside the western edge of long island, as it makes for a pretty short trip, but I'm not sure that can be done? I know there is a good marina near Perth Amboy, NJ that I could spend some quality time at before making the trip out around the NJ coast and into the Delaware Bay. And I recall a handy canal at the mouth of the Delaware river that will land me right on top of my destination, so that's pretty useful.

I suppose I anticipate the two most interesting parts of the trip being the section between long island and manhattan, and then moving down the jersey coast. Looks like a lot of thin water there.

Anyway, enough of me rambling. Any help from the sailnet intellect would be most appreciated.

Fair winds!

--Tim

[Minnewaska]

Plenty of water to get down the East River and out of NY harbor. Just be sure you have tide and current tables to time it right. Other than current, floating debris is your only concern there. Maybe a body....

I think the toughest leg is getting out of NY Harbor and to the Delaware Bay. Just pick your weather window and you should be fine.

[CapTim]

Very cool... I'll be looking for the various tide/table resources next. I assume Bowditch covers the area?

[rockDAWG]

Cap Tim, it should be an easy and fun trip. Like others said, watch the current and tides at Hell Gate.

1. Sail down to Sanding Hook drop anchor and rest for the night
2. Head out to Cape May and sail thru the nite, a lot of traffic at nite
3. Drop anchor next to Coast Guard station in Cape May.
4. Watch the current and tides and motor thru Cape may canal.
6. Next morning, you will be in Chesapeake city.

Chesapeake City is my backyard. If you need someone to go along with you, let me know. I may able to join depending your departure and the weather windows.

Good luck

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by CapTim

Very cool... I'll be looking for the various tide/table resources next. I assume Bowditch covers the area?

I have Eldridge's on board, but you can also print the tables from NOAA's Tides Online site.

[CapTim]

Nice.. thanks for the link, Donna. Good to briefly meet you in the chat this afternoon, too.

And Rock.. you threaten me with a good time like that, I might have to take you up on it!

[rockDAWG]

Hahaha..... We just did the Annapolis to Cape May round trip last Friday non stop except one night ( a few hours) in Cape May. Total sailing/motoring time was 34 hrs. In the return leg, we went out around the Cape, the current was on our side. We did 7.5 kn with less than 10 kn wind. It was a magical ride. . But don't ask me about the last 6 nm before hitting the entrance of C&D canal. I thought we were dragging the anchor..... hehehe (what goes up, must come down)

Oh yeah, Chesapeake City dock is free with plenty of water around.

[Tempest]

Tim,

As others have said, this is a pretty straighforward trip; but it requires having a good handle on the Tides and Currents, especially in the East River. If you do a search I'm sure there are several threads on Hell Gate.

If this is a new to you boat, my suggestion besides studying the route, the tides and currents etc. , would be to make sure you have a reliable engine and of course a full tank of fuel.

Also, wait for a good weather window to do the overnight sail on the Jersey Coast.
It's about 24 hours + or - from Sandy Hook. The prevailing wind..is SW, so just about in your face..so don't be surprised if you have to do a fair bit of motor sailing.

If you catch a mild system moving through, you might be able to get some winds with a NW, NE component..

Enjoy the New Boat and have a Great trip!

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Tim,

As others have said, this is a pretty straighforward trip; but it requires having a good handle on the Tides and Currents, especially in the East River. If you do a search I'm sure there are several threads on Hell Gate.

If this is a new to you boat, my suggestion besides studying the route, the tides and currents etc. , would be to make sure you have a reliable engine and of course a full tank of fuel.

Also, wait for a good weather window to do the overnight sail on the Jersey Coast.
It's about 24 hours + or - from Sandy Hook. The prevailing wind..is SW, so just about in your face..so don't be surprised if you have to do a fair bit of motor sailing.

If you catch a mild system moving through, you might be able to get some winds with a NW, NE component..

Enjoy the New Boat and have a Great trip!

I always listen to him.

[CapTim]

heh, thanks Tempest!

If I might demonstrate myself to be a sad, sad little newbie and what not, what are you looking for in a weather window? I'm told by many it is a sea state of no more than 3 to 4 foot swells. Others might suggest wind speeds under, say, 15 knots, and some folks would say the direction is more important than strength.

Granted, all of these things figure into 'good weather', as does temperature, humidity, and availability of rum. But, specific to this time of year and this area, what do you picture in your mind when you picture a good day of weather?

Which is to say, what is the day going to look like when Rock just can't help himself but join me for the trip down?