Cap may to hampton rd

[WHATABOT]

Hi
What's the best way going South from Cap May

By Ocean ro going up to the chanel

 

[caltexflanc]

South to where?

 

[WHATABOT]

Cap may

South to Hampton rd

 

[psneeld]

Best is relative.


What time of year?


What speed of advance?


What kind/size of boat?


Only 1 good and a couple more half way decent inlets between Cape May and the mouth of the Chesapeake. And it roughly 150 miles from Cape May to Norfolk.

 

[WHATABOT]

Island Gypsy 40 in next Septembre

 

[WHATABOT]

Best is relative.


What time of year?


What speed of advance?


What kind/size of boat?


Only 1 good and a couple more half way decent inlets between Cape May and the mouth of the Chesapeake. And it roughly 150 miles from Cape May to Norfolk.

whay's the only?

 

[psneeld]

The Delaware is a long boring ride and you have to plan the incoming tide if travelling slow as the current can run 2 knots plus.


The Chesapeake is a wonderful trip on it's own...but if trying to make time and willing to do a long passage from Ocean City, Md to Hampton in one shot....then that would certainly be the quickest, easiest route


Ocean City is the easiest, best inlet. Chincoteague is can be done but can be tricky depending on conditions. The rest are all a crap shoot without local knowledge or assistance.

 

[caltexflanc]

psneeld asks all the right questions. Having done this both ways, I will say that I much prefer taking a lazy trip up the Delaware and down the Chesapeake, visiting cool places and anchoring out. There is really only one valid stopover place along the way on the outside, Ocean City Md. I would rate Chincoteague as "emergency only" with virtually no services for the casual yachtsman. Wachapreauge is a local knowledge only situtaion and a ways in.

In all cases, weather is a consideration for a pleasurable cruise as both can be dang nasty in the wrong weather. Even then the advantage goes to the inside, with an intense number of bailout places and services, including emergency services.

And from the counds of it, you've never been there, so why miss one of the great cruising grounds in the world, Chesapeake Bay?

 

[psneeld]

The trip via Ocean City can be done in 2 days if one day is a mega day if you can't make better than 7-8 knots.


The trip via the Chesapeake while more interesting...takes a couple more days just by the nature of longer distances in and out of marinas/anchorages.


Plus...the reality is about weather...the Delaware and Chesapeake can beat you up or delay you just as much....you just have more options to hang out when in the Chesapeake.

 

[WHATABOT]

The trip via Ocean City can be done in 2 days if one day is a mega day if you can't make better than 7-8 knots.


The trip via the Chesapeake while more interesting...takes a couple more days just by the nature of longer distances in and out of marinas/anchorages.


Plus...the reality is about weather...the Delaware and Chesapeake can beat you up or delay you just as much....you just have more options to hang out when in the Chesapeake.

Is there a good Anchorage after Ocean City?
To cut the mega day

 

[O C Diver]

Is there a good Anchorage after Ocean City?
To cut the mega day

You can anchor inside Chincoteague inlet or Wachapreague inlet. My choice would be Wachapreague, an easier inlet.

Ted

 

[psneeld]

Is there a good Anchorage after Ocean City?
To cut the mega day

Well....you can run down inside from Ocean City to Chincoteague...but it is an at your own risk due to shoaling.

Otherwise...no...no real anchorages....

That is why most take the longer bay route if they won't do a mega day or overnighter.

 

[O C Diver]

If you need to know anything about Ocean City, MD, I've run charters out of there for 30 years.

Ted

 

[oscar]

Take the Bay. Plan the tides so they work for you. Delaware Bay and C&D more so than the Chez itself.

Now, the Chez.....

Crabs in Rock Hall, Crisfield just to name two.
An evening of shore leave in Annapolis.....
If you like history (a little out of your way) St. Michaels Maritime museum, with, you guessed it, good crabs next door.
Not so much out of the way, Solomons Island Maritime Musem
A little Urban? Baltimore Inner harbor......

In fact, you may never come out the other end.... that's how cool the Chez is.

Now if you're hardcore and the weather is OK, yeah, do the Dexies Midnight Run outside, in which case I would STAY out. (Done that) Don't risk unknown inlets fatigued without said local knowledge. Stay out, press on make time.

 

[O C Diver]

Take the Bay. Plan the tides so they work for you. Delaware Bay and C&D more so than the Chez itself.

Now, the Chez.....

Crabs in Rock Hall, Crisfield just to name two.
An evening of shore leave in Annapolis.....
If you like history (a little out of your way) St. Michaels Maritime museum, with, you guessed it, good crabs next door.
Not so much out of the way, Solomons Island Maritime Musem
A little Urban? Baltimore Inner harbor......

In fact, you may never come out the other end.... that's how cool the Chez is.

Now if you're hardcore and the weather is OK, yeah, do the Dexies Midnight Run outside, in which case I would STAY out. (Done that) Don't risk unknown inlets fatigued without said local knowledge. Stay out, press on make time.

Weather in September off Ocean City (especially the later part) is unsettled at best. The last couple weeks were horrible this year. The bays Route is substantially longer but better odds in September.

While I wouldn't advocate entering a new to you inlet at night, neither Ocean City nor Wachapreague require local knowledge. Come in during day light hours and you'll be fine. Don't motor up to the town of Wachapreague (5 twisty miles) without local knowledge and high tide. You will be fine coming in the inlet and anchoring behind the sand dunes.

Chez? Oh you're from Pencil-tucky. That explains it. It's "The Bay" or "The Chesapeake" if you're from around here. And No Pencil-tucky doesn't call The Bay home. That's the Delaware river that runs through your state.

Ted

 

[psneeld]

How's Wachapreague marked? Standard and pretty easy to see from seaward? How about in all but the best coditions?


Always wanted to try there...but waterway guides and never getting close enough has left me wondering....


The other inlet that has me guessing is Little River in South Carolina.


Both have lots of traffic...but reading about them gives a shaky image.

 

[O C Diver]

How's Wachapreague marked? Standard and pretty easy to see from seaward? How about in all but the best coditions?


Always wanted to try there...but waterway guides and never getting close enough has left me wondering....


The other inlet that has me guessing is Little River in South Carolina.


Both have lots of traffic...but reading about them gives a shaky image.

It's been a number of years since the last time I went in to Wachapreague. There is a moderate tidal current from all the back waters that drain through the inlet. You approach the Seabouy and it's a relatively straight shot from there in the inlet. When last I was there, there were no channel markers between the Seabouy and the inlet. The channel to the town is to Starboard N/NW. Would expect if you were only anchoring for the night that you would turn South (port) once inside the inlet.

Ted

 

[oscar]

Chez? Oh you're from Pencil-tucky. That explains it. It's "The Bay" or "The Chesapeake" if you're from around here. And No Pencil-tucky doesn't call The Bay home. That's the Delaware river that runs through your state.

Ted

We'll the only place I'm really from is Holland. Made my home in NY, NH, NJ, OH but most of the time in Pensyltucky.

That said i've spent a lot of time on "the Bay" and I love it dearly. No offense intended. Just 'caus I didn't grow up in the Vortex doesn't mean I don't like the place.....

And yes, crappy weather offshore, especially COLD, can be nasty to outright dangerous.

 

[Al]

Wow- I have learned one hell of a lot on this posting!!! The first and foremost is how blessed I am to boat in a location where there are tons of bite,harbors,coves,inlets, and hidy-holes galore!!! Never again and it will be, will I swear at being in an open water with snotty seas knowing that I had options that this fellow asking for suggestions, will be facing. To all of you boaters on the East Coast, my hat off to the lot of you for the described "What ifs" tides, and lack of facility's along this route description.
You are tough boaters for a fact!!
Al-Ketchikan

 

[FF]

The trip outside is really easy , IF the weather is fine , AND you are willing to run a 24 hr style trip.

With 3 or 4 crew its a snap 3 on , 6 or 9 off , like a vacation.

With just 2 folks and an Auto Pilot it would be a grind , but only for a single night .

Ocean City is mostly closed in the fall, tho fuel should be available should you chose all daylight operation..

 

[WHATABOT]

Thank you all for the info
Verry usefull
Planing my trip for late August leaving east Québec (MAGDELEN ISLAND)
You can Watch a small video of our Island
https://vimeo.com/101793373


Do not hesitate to conctact me if you want more info of our place


guslapierre@gmail.com

 

[O C Diver]

Ocean City is mostly closed in the fall, tho fuel should be available should you chose all daylight operation..

FF, it's likely been a long long time since you have been to OC in the fall. There are year round marinas available for transient boaters with normal business hours. Recreational and charter boat fishing usually runs well into December. The commercial fishermen will fish year round weather permitting. Boating supply stores and many non tourist businesses are open through the 1st of the year. Normal businesses such as grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. are open year round with normal business hours. If you need fuel, I would guess it's available between 9am and 5pm year round with extended hours during the Spring, summer and fall. For perspective, Ocean City now has about 8,000 year round residents.

Ted

 

[BandB]

The other inlet that has me guessing is Little River in South Carolina.

I've read the same things you have in various guides and on the web. However, I've found the reality much less daunting. The Little River Inlet, as you said, has a lot of traffic including a large Casino boat, many fishermen and an assortment of every other type boat imaginable. We've gone in or out there at least 10 times in the last three years. There is shoaling but there's also a good usable channel. You do need to pay attention to the markers and not the charts (especially not paper charts) as the markers are moved to reflect any channel shifts. Local knowledge is always helpful. We've never seen less than 10' in the channel. Just stay in the middle of it and understand it takes a bit of a wide sweeping path to your starboard side immediately after entrance, then after that it moves to your port side and the outside of the next section. In general the channel stays to the outside of the bends.

 

[BandB]

Ocean City is an easy run from Cape May and as OC Diver states the area is open and moderately active year round.

Beyond Ocean City, headed South, we haven't chanced any of the inlets between there and the Chesapeake. We do very much like Cape Charles just inside the Chesapeake. However, it doesn't save you much over going on to Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Hampton. It may be a good stop for you if conditions across the Chesapeake are rough, allowing you to delay your crossing. Plus it's just such a nice peaceful little town.

 

[caltexflanc]

It's been a number of years since the last time I went in to Wachapreague. There is a moderate tidal current from all the back waters that drain through the inlet. You approach the Seabouy and it's a relatively straight shot from there in the inlet. When last I was there, there were no channel markers between the Seabouy and the inlet. The channel to the town is to Starboard N/NW. Would expect if you were only anchoring for the night that you would turn South (port) once inside the inlet.

Ted

I was in both Wachapreague and Chincoteague recently. When responding to the OP, granted I was thinking of someone needing to find a port in the storm, so to speak. Also granted, I have only been to either by water via small fishing boats. I suppose you could anchor inside of the W entrance, but I don't see much shelter there. You really need local knowledge. The C inlet is currently very well marked and has good depths due to some maintenance dredging a year or two ago. Thing is there really isn't a good place to take a larger transient rec boat simply as a destination.

The first and foremost is how blessed I am to boat in a location where there are tons of bite,harbors,coves,inlets, and hidy-holes galore!!

That would be Chesapeake Bay in this case. And beyond that of course the entire inside route from there through Florida. Plus you can transit that coast and passage year around.

 

[caltexflanc]

Little River SC is very navigable and well marked, usable by virtually any size boat, including the large casino cruiser and local fishing trawlers. I really like LR because it helps you bypass one of the more boring sections of the ICW from there to the Cape Fear, and the frequent ICW trouble spots at Lockwoods Folly and Shallotte inlets (neither of which I would use from sea unless in a small outboard craft)

 

[FF]

"it's likely been a long long time since you have been to OC in the fall."

You bet , last time was a delivery and the boats rack and pinion steering failed.

Only one store was open with a near replacement part that was wrong , so I had to rent time on a lathe to shorten it to fit.

About 1975 , give or take 5 .

 

[BandB]

"it's likely been a long long time since you have been to OC in the fall."

You bet , last time was a delivery and the boats rack and pinion steering failed.

Only one store was open with a near replacement part that was wrong , so I had to rent time on a lathe to shorten it to fit.

About 1975 , give or take 5 .

Wifey B: 1975? Oops...I wasn't even born. Probably figure most places have changed a bit in my lifetime.