SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Help me plan my cruise North!

16938 Views 165 Replies 27 Participants Last post by T37Chef, Oct 20, 2014

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · Jun 16, 2014

We are planning on venturing out of the Chesapeake (for the first time) with the intent to head north, hopefully to Marthas Vineyard, then stop a few places in between on the way back.

We don't have a long time, 16/17 days total leaving July 4th and returning to Rock Creek/Patapsco River by July 19th or 20th.

I am finishing up a few last projects and should be ready to cast off in time.

Any thoughts and suggestions on places to stay(like should I make reservations asap), must see, things to know, etc...

I need/want to get an EPIRB, should I rent a liferaft? The furthest from shore we'll be looks about 50 miles or so during our straight shot from Cape May to the Vineyard...otherwise the rest will be inside LIS or along the Jersey coast on the way back.

Thanks...I look forward to hearing what you experienced folks have to say.

Reactions: 1

141 - 160 of 166 Posts

chef2sail

· #141 · Jul 15, 2014

fallard said:
BTW, Scotch Beach is the ocean beach a short walk from Dinghy Beach, which is on the salt pond.

Two years ago we stayed in Mauntauk...pretty close to Block....we tied set the bulkhead of the Mauntauk fishing center for two days. The first day after sightseeing in town and along the lighthouse and beach we came back to Haleakula and low and behold hanging right next to her were 3 great whites, one over 8 ft, a mako, a 10 foot tiger as well as a few white marlin and swordfish. The fisherman who caught the biggest white was trolling 300 yards off the beach.

You don't know they are there......till they let you know, so not visually sighting them doesn't mean they aren't close by.

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #142 · Jul 15, 2014

We escaped the great whites and enjoyed a swim...probably didn't bother us because we had not showered in a few days. Then again?

We left BI Sunday and got our asses kicked by the sound on our way west. It all started fine as we were riding the current and enjoyed a great ride until the winds kicked up to the high 20s right on the nose as we slowed to a pitiful 2-3 knots. I should have fallen off and headed for a place along the Connecticut shore but was determined to make Port Jefferson...ended up going into Mt Sinai harbor. NOTE: Entering Sinai at night with a strong current and gust to 30 for the first time can make for a surprisingly entertaining time. ;-) All was fine but those are some impressive sand bars in there!

We're in Liberty Landing Marina now and are waiting till Tuesday to head back south as the weather and winds are supposed to turn in our favor.

It's been a great trip so far...we hope to make Cape May by Thursday and spend two days there and head up the Delaware Saturday.

Cheers

See less See more

Reactions: 2

SVAuspicious

· #143 · Jul 15, 2014

T37Chef said:
Entering Sinai at night with a strong current and gust to 30 for the first time can make for a surprisingly entertaining time. ;-) All was fine but those are some impressive sand bars in there!

Sporty!

Reactions: 1

smurphny

· #144 · Jul 15, 2014

T37Chef said:
We escaped the great whites and enjoyed a swim...probably didn't bother us because we had not showered in a few days. Then again?

We left BI Sunday and got our asses kicked by the sound on our way west. It all started fine as we were riding the current and enjoyed a great ride until the winds kicked up to the high 20s right on the nose as we slowed to a pitiful 2-3 knots. I should have fallen off and headed for a place along the Connecticut shore but was determined to make Port Jefferson...ended up going into Mt Sinai harbor. NOTE: Entering Sinai at night with a strong current and gust to 30 for the first time can make for a surprisingly entertaining time. ;-) All was fine but those are some impressive sand bars in there!

We're in Liberty Landing Marina now and are waiting till Tuesday to head back south as the weather and winds are supposed to turn in our favor.

It's been a great trip so far...we hope to make Cape May by Thursday and spend two days there and head up the Delaware Saturday.

Cheers

You did well to get into Mt. Sinai at night. That's where my boat was before I bought her and where I have spent a lot of time in years past. The inlet is pretty narrow and the channel is not at all obvious, running close along the beach on the turn east. Have a good trip the rest of the way.

Reactions: 1

JimsCAL

· #145 · Jul 15, 2014

T37Chef said:
We left BI Sunday and got our asses kicked by the sound on our way west. It all started fine as we were riding the current and enjoyed a great ride until the winds kicked up to the high 20s right on the nose as we slowed to a pitiful 2-3 knots. I should have fallen off and headed for a place along the Connecticut shore but was determined to make Port Jefferson...ended up going into Mt Sinai harbor. NOTE: Entering Sinai at night with a strong current and gust to 30 for the first time can make for a surprisingly entertaining time. ;-) All was fine but those are some impressive sand bars in there!

Cheers

Only been in to Mt Sinai once, many years ago, but in clear weather with light winds. Pt. Jeff is only a few miles away and many more options for mooring and anchoring so that's my usual stop. Sorry the weather didn't cooperate for you. As you said, falling off to a CT harbor would have been the thing to do. Lots of options there, but navigation is critical as there are LOTS of rocks!.

Looks like you've got a couple of good days coming up after the storms today pass through.

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #146 · Jul 15, 2014 (Edited)

No complaints here...we've had great weather for the most part and it looks like the winds are turning in our favor for the trip down.

I wish we had more time, leaves more to see and do next time. It's been a awesome trip, loved everyplace we were able to visit, Block Island being the highlight for me. I could stay there for a week or two.

Even today is fine, moored at Atlantic Highlands waiting for the wether to pass giving us all some down time and be lazy. Btw..Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club (mooring and launch) are a great spot! The town is a short walk from the marina, a nice Italian store with in house made aged and fresh sausage, ricotta, mozzarella and more called Gianni's on 69 & 71 1st Avenue and a decent marine store just down the road a block. The Sea Streak Ferry also leaves from here and can take you into Manhattan quickly

.

Tomorrow we hope to make Atlantic City then Cape May for a day or two. Then the more exciting ride up the Delaware...arg

.

The kids thought it would be fun to play massage therapist...I thought that was a great idea and have enjoyed the benefits of being a pretend customer!

Great sailing up here, we'll be back

Cheers

See less See more

tempest

· #147 · Jul 16, 2014

AC will be a long Day but I think that's a good call. It will give you a shorter sail the next day to Cape May and allow you to spend more time in a great beach town.
The morning might still be a little wet and bumpy though mostly swell. But if the West and NW winds show up as expected you should be able to sail the whole coast over the next few days. We look forward to the Return of SV Windgeist to this neck of the woods.
Have a great trip home.

Reactions: 1

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #148 · Jul 16, 2014

Jim...it was great to meet you and share some good chef stories, impressive resume you have both as a chef and sailor. Thanks for all the local knowledge and helping us get the sail repaired! We look forward to coming back and hope your in the water soon, and next time we'll do a raft up.

Cheers

CalebD

· #149 · Jul 16, 2014

Sorry not to get to meet you this trip T37chef
Im right across the river from LL.
Hope there is a next time around.

Reactions: 1

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #150 · Jul 16, 2014

CalebD said:
Sorry not to get to meet you this trip T37chef
Im right across the river from LL.
Hope there is a next time around.

Same here...I'm thinking next year?

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #151 · Jul 22, 2014

Windgeist is docked in her slip and we are home trying to think what was our favorite part of the trip...we have yet to determine any singular thing because it was all so awesome.

Now back to the weekly grind. Arg

A trip report and photos soon to come...

Already thinking about next year's trip...North again for sure...this time we'll shoot right for MV from Cape May!

Reactions: 4

chef2sail

· #152 · Jul 22, 2014

Glad you had a great time on your first trip north and in the Ocean. Was fun following your excursion on FB and through your AIS signature. Now you know why Donna and I go north every summer. It's a great experience and balance with our home grounds of the Chesapeake. Two weeks is barely enough time to scratch the surface.

We too had to get Martha's Vineyard out of our system too, even more importantly to you as you have friends with a restaurant there. We love so many of the towns/ anchorages and sights on the trip up and back as each port has its own flavor and positive aspects. Glad the kids and Your wife had a good time and enjoyed the memories you'll have for a lifetime. It's something you'll always have to look back and share together. The shark video was the best

Thanks for the thoughtful gift you got us from Block. We have a place picked out for it next to our Memonentos of time there. Can't wait to share your stories and pictures soon and with all your girls

This year we return to Block after a 6 year hiatus. Looking forward to their lobster rolls and Aldo's spectacular Gelatos. We hope we get the spectacular weather and sailing you did . 25 days to go before we cast off for the LI Sound but who is counting.

See less See more

Ajax_MD

· #153 · Jul 22, 2014

Hearing about your trip is inspirational. I've long been planning to cruise north.
I can probably take as much as a month off from work with no fuss from the boss. If you can do it in two weeks, that should give me plenty of time.

Reactions: 1

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #154 · Jul 22, 2014

DO it! A month and you may not come back to the Chesapeake

T37Chef

Discussion Starter · #155 · Jul 22, 2014 (Edited)

20

A few photos not well organized yet...but

Heading up the C&D, very exciting stuff

Visit to the Lobster House in Cape May

NY Harbor

East River, NY

Huntington Harbor Sunset I think?

Sag Harbour - Dinner at some Gastro Pub

Family at Block IS

Fresh from the seafood from the market, what else but Paella

After a few glasses of wine and Paella in the Great Salt Pond, BI

Town of BI and enjoying the beach

Ready for the storm (kinda) heading to Atlantic Highlands/Sandy Hook from NY Harbor

Headed to Atlantic City from Sandy Hook, foogy morning after the storms had passed.

Sleepy morning

Sunset in AC

A few anyway...wifey has tons more.but we haven't transferred them from the camera yet.

See less See more

Reactions: 5

christian.hess

· #156 · Jul 22, 2014

awesome! nice paella man!

Reactions: 1

miatapaul

· #157 · Jul 22, 2014

Wow looks like a great time! your girls are adorable! Lucky you that they sail with you, enjoy it while you can. It does not last long at all before they want to do there own thing and horror of all horrors start having boyfriends! That is when life as you know it is over!

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

HUGOSALT

· #158 · Jul 22, 2014

T37Chef said:
Already thinking about next year's trip...North again for sure...this time we'll shoot right for MV from Cape May!

Very special place,
Cuttyhunk, Elizabeth Islands, SW end of Vineyard Sound/Buzzards Bay
near Gay Head light, MV

Reactions: 1

SVAuspicious

· #159 · Jul 23, 2014

miatapaul said:
your girls are adorable! Lucky you that they sail with you, enjoy it while you can.

I've met those kids. Some of the nicest, best behaved children I have ever known.

Reactions: 2

chef2sail

· #160 · Jul 23, 2014

SVAuspicious said:
I've met those kids. Some of the nicest, best behaved children I have ever known.

Totally agree.Weve known them since they were 3 and 5 and were like the Wallendas. They are inqusitive, mannerly and fun to be with. They also try many different types of food and cusisines. Obviously they take after their mom:laugher:laugher:laugher

YOu guys do a great job as parents.

141 - 160 of 166 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.