[Wind Rush]

We are planning a trip from the Chesapeake, Annapolis area, to Long Island Sound on our CS36T 5' draft 54' air draft: this year. We are conflicted on when to go. Our plan is to go up the NJ Coast and thru Hells Gate coming and going.

I've heard September is a beautiful month but to expect to lot of light air days and I would hate to be caught away from home waters if a hurricane developed. My home dock is the perfect hurricane hole.

From what I gather many go during the summer, but I cannot tolerate the summer heat below deck anymore. We do have a Wallas diesel heater on board so can better tolerate cool conditions than hot conditions.

So, we are thinking about leaving the Annapolis area in early May and returning in the early June time frame. What kind of conditions can we expect in the Sound that time of year? How prevalent is fog at that time of year, we do not have radar and I dread it. Do NOAA forecast do a good job of predicting it?

If you were making this trip, what time of year would you recommend?

Thanks,
Brian
Wind Rush CS36T

 

[colemj]

Cold, cold, cold. The water doesn't get to a reasonable temp until late June, so the air stays cold. We used to consider summer starting July 1. Don't fear the summer heat up there - it isn't the Chesapeake by any means. We were often in sweat shirts at night in the middle of the summer. Winds are pretty good until late July and August. Fog can be any time of year, but May has a very good chance of it compared to later. I don't know if NOAA predicts it well, because it can be very local and even thin - where it will be no visibility at deck level, but you can see your spreaders basking in sunlight.

All of this is descriptive of the far eastern end of LIS, including Rhode Island, Block Island, and Buzzards Bay (yes, I know those aren't in LIS). If you are planning the Western end, things are probably warmer and less foggy there. But less interesting cruising.

If you want to see the Eastern end, then Cape May to Montauk is just a 24hr sail and avoids the slog through the entire Sound, and timing all the currents.

Mark

 

[SanderO]

Of course weather rules. There are several lovely anchorages/harbors on LIS... Northport, Oyster Bay, Port Jeff, Port Washington, Thimbles... Fishers Island on the far East side. City Island is a fun place to visit too. Watch your currents and try to ride them rather than buck them. On the CT side there is Old Lyme and Essex... Typical wind pattern was light winds in the AM SW builds in the later afternoon. But anything can happen.

 

[DanM1]

In May the NOAA will post cold water warnings, reminding mariners that air temperatures can make it seem like swimming weather but it's not.

 

[tempest]

May can be a very mixed bag. I've delivered a 50 ft sailboat out to East Hampton every May for a number of years now.
You can get gorgeous weather, or it can get really snotty. When it rains hard, it's a chilling rain, and like others have said the water is still cold.

When, I've done my own trips, I would typically go up the 2nd or 3rd week of June. ( leaving from N.J.) The days are longest. I would have liked to have gone in September, but that's when school started.

September is a great time to go! Warm days, cooler nights. winds are not bad either. You should have a good amt. of notice of any hurricanes, or tropical storms, and there are plenty of hidey holes.

If you're comfortable offshore, the trip from Cape May to Montauk or Block is about 34-36 hours. If the SW winds have settled in many prefer to do that and then do the return trip through the East River. Otherwise it could be a long beat into the wind offshore going south.

Fog on the sound can be spotty, and localized. That time of year, ( May) you'll likely to get an early morning fog that will slowly burn off as the day warms up. If you don't have radar, AIS is really helpful. at least for the Ferries, and large craft. There's a lot of fishermen out, Listen for the engines and keep a good eye out for the drifters, or anchored, in the morning fog.

Every year there seems to be fewer and fewer lobster pots on the sound, but there are always a few strings.

 

[Wind Rush]

We are planning a trip from the Chesapeake, Annapolis area, to Long Island Sound on our CS36T 5' draft 54' air draft: this year. We are conflicted on when to go. Our plan is to go up the NJ Coast and thru Hells Gate coming and going.

I've heard September is a beautiful month but to expect to lot of light air days and I would hate to be caught away from home waters if a hurricane developed. My home dock is the perfect hurricane hole.

From what I gather many go during the summer, but I cannot tolerate the summer heat below deck anymore. We do have a Wallas diesel heater on board so can better tolerate cool conditions than hot conditions.

So, we are thinking about leaving the Annapolis area in early May and returning in the early June time frame. What kind of conditions can we expect in the Sound that time of year? How prevalent is fog at that time of year, we do not have radar and I dread it. Do NOAA forecast do a good job of predicting it?

If you were making this trip, what time of year would you recommend?

Thanks,
Brian
Wind Rush CS36T

Thanks for your valuable responses, we are going to reschedule.

 

[tempest]

If you've never done this trip before, there are some waters you have to get through before the LIS.
Delaware Canal and Bay to Cape May, requires good "current" planning.

IF you do head up the NJ. coast, know your safe inlets or do an overnight. Wait, Wait ! for the right weather!

In June, you could probably make it from Atlantic City to Sandy Hook in daylight if you leave early enough.

Check back as you get closer to departure, if you have any questions.

 

[JimsCAL]

June would be my suggestion based on what you say in the first post. Water is still cool so any wind means comfortable temps on the water even if hot inland. And the schools are still open so anchorages are quiet.