Doug Oliver
Member
Any suggestions for duck-ins along the outside of the Eastern Shore(del-mar-va penn.) and out side NJ. We're bringing a trawler up the coast this May.
Eastern Shore & New Jersey
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High Wire
Guru
For the NJ leg, Cape May, Atlantic City, and Manasquan Inlets are your deepest, and widest choices. The others can be entered with local knowledge.
Doug Oliver
Member
Any opinions on Barnegat Inlet?
jleonard
Guru
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I've been thru Barnegat and it's fine in decent weather. There is an anchorage just inside to the port.
Check it out at Active Capt, there's a lot of info.
psneeld
Guru
Barnegat is not as bad as it's reputation...that was from ancient times ...when I was a kid 
...yes there is a big sand bar between the jetties but like many others along the east coast...if you can read the waves...you'll be fine and if not sure when you get there...call Sea TOw or BoatUS for an update and if still not satisfied and you are a member of either ask for an escort or even from the USCG if it looks dangerous.
Townsends Inlet between Cape May and Atlantic city is actually pretty easy, strong current but reasonably well marked, drawbridge is needed if taller than say 25' (check chart and tides if close)...some breakers but small if strong easterly and outgoing (like many inlets).
Manasquan Inlet also isn't to bad but a maze of bridges once you get in with current so a single engine can pucker you up whle you wait...just have an anchor at the ready.......I wouldn't have any qualms about using it but I wouldn't want to do it every day with heavy boat traffic.
Eastern Shore has Ocean City, MD...good inlet and some OK marinas.
Your biggest challenge is Norfolk to OC, MD. 30 or more miles closer to Norfolk is Chincoteague, VA...tricky but not too bad in the daytime. Once in a pretty nice place to visit. You can go north on the inside if your draft isn't too much..but I would call/check closer (maybe Active Captain) as I haven't been through lately but have considered it.
Indian River, DE is very strong current and not much when you get in there...better to stop short at OC, MD and then press on to Cape May, NJ or Atlantic City.
For trawlers under 4-5 foot draft..the NJ ICW can be done but best only travelled for the 4-6 hours around the high tide...there's definitely 2 spots I know of within 15 miles of Cape May that have less than 3 feet on even an average low tide....but over 6 feet at high and one is mud so no big deal...the one at the southern end of Stone Harbor in packed sand...I go through with the assistance towing vessel at low tide and it can be done without bending a prop but you are churning...
...yes there is a big sand bar between the jetties but like many others along the east coast...if you can read the waves...you'll be fine and if not sure when you get there...call Sea TOw or BoatUS for an update and if still not satisfied and you are a member of either ask for an escort or even from the USCG if it looks dangerous.Townsends Inlet between Cape May and Atlantic city is actually pretty easy, strong current but reasonably well marked, drawbridge is needed if taller than say 25' (check chart and tides if close)...some breakers but small if strong easterly and outgoing (like many inlets).
Manasquan Inlet also isn't to bad but a maze of bridges once you get in with current so a single engine can pucker you up whle you wait...just have an anchor at the ready...
....I wouldn't have any qualms about using it but I wouldn't want to do it every day with heavy boat traffic.Eastern Shore has Ocean City, MD...good inlet and some OK marinas.
Your biggest challenge is Norfolk to OC, MD. 30 or more miles closer to Norfolk is Chincoteague, VA...tricky but not too bad in the daytime. Once in a pretty nice place to visit. You can go north on the inside if your draft isn't too much..but I would call/check closer (maybe Active Captain) as I haven't been through lately but have considered it.
Indian River, DE is very strong current and not much when you get in there...better to stop short at OC, MD and then press on to Cape May, NJ or Atlantic City.
For trawlers under 4-5 foot draft..the NJ ICW can be done but best only travelled for the 4-6 hours around the high tide...there's definitely 2 spots I know of within 15 miles of Cape May that have less than 3 feet on even an average low tide....but over 6 feet at high and one is mud so no big deal...the one at the southern end of Stone Harbor in packed sand...I go through with the assistance towing vessel at low tide and it can be done without bending a prop but you are churning...
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Yes, if you haven't already, go to https://activecaptain.com/ , join, and read about just about any place you can take a boat.
Not only details, but reviews from people who have been there.
Be very careful about any information or advice pre-Sandy (late-October 2012) along the coastline of NJ. Ignore anything, even in ActiveCaptain, that is dated before then - use it as a suggestion at best especially north of Atlantic City.
The safe, deep-water inlets are Cape May, Atlantic City, Manasquan, and Sandy Hook. We've always (our 12th year) been able to skip by Manasquan but keep it as a bail out point. It's a long day between Sandy Hook and Atlantic City but definitely possible for any trawler-type vessel especially as the days get longer (like in May).
If I were going to enter any other inlet along the coast of NJ, I'd want to talk to a local tower to get the latest info about buoy markings and passages. If you wait for good weather, there should be no reason to have to use any other inlet though.
The safe, deep-water inlets are Cape May, Atlantic City, Manasquan, and Sandy Hook. We've always (our 12th year) been able to skip by Manasquan but keep it as a bail out point. It's a long day between Sandy Hook and Atlantic City but definitely possible for any trawler-type vessel especially as the days get longer (like in May).
If I were going to enter any other inlet along the coast of NJ, I'd want to talk to a local tower to get the latest info about buoy markings and passages. If you wait for good weather, there should be no reason to have to use any other inlet though.
twistedtree
Guru
I went in and out of Barnegat this past fall. Conditions were pretty rough at the time, but we made it fine. Watch the bouys carefully. The marked channel is way off to the north right along the breakwater and you will be convinced you are doing it wrong, but you aren't.
psneeld
Guru
Good advice....my stuff is post Sandy and from my tower buddies up north some has changes (the usual stuff) but not a whole lot more.
Townsends Inlet though charted as unmarked is really pretty easy and safe on all but a strong easterly...from the west it's a piece of cake...straight shot in and almost always 10-12 feet as it is dredged often to replenish the beaches of the wealthy towns either side of it.
Not much when you get in...but if the weather is going bad or if the tide is rising with a couple hours to go...you can use the ICW to Cape May or Ocean City, NJ to keep going/ride out a stretch of bad weather.
Doug Oliver
Member
Thanks everyone, this is great info...I am a Maine sailor who has never been South of Block Island. I am helping a friend, who is brand new trawler owner, bring her Bristol 42 from Newbern. This Bristol cruises a 6 knts and I was planning approx. 10 hour days. I'm planning the trip using Garmin Blue charts & Active Captain. The ICW to Willoughby Bay leg should occupy the 1st 3 days. From Willoughby I have planned Chincoteage Inlet-Cape Henlopen-Barnegat works next for distance- then to Great Kills Harbor in NY-to somewhere in Long Island Sound- to Block Island & from there I'm all set. I have NO experience on a trawler and neither does the new owner, so please feel free to offer any opinions or advice. Thanks again.
magicbus
Senior Member
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I live next to the lighthouse on Barnegat Inlet which makes this our home port. The tall tales are a) from the same people who post ActiveCaptain shoaling warnings next to markers that are out of the channel; or b) people who visited Barnegat Inlet before the south jetty was built.
Here is my "local knowledge" guide to visiting Barnegat Light.
Dave
Here is my "local knowledge" guide to visiting Barnegat Light.
Dave
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FF
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IF the boat isnt too deep 4 ft a MAX!! it is possible to stay inside from Cape May to Manasquan.
You will probably touch ,so single screw is preferred.
After seeing NJ on the various boob tube presentations a real look is worth the effort .
Its TRUE,,,, NJ is mostly the wild West in terms of dock and water way deck construction.
Just remember the NJ State Bird is the mosquito!
You will probably touch ,so single screw is preferred.
After seeing NJ on the various boob tube presentations a real look is worth the effort .
Its TRUE,,,, NJ is mostly the wild West in terms of dock and water way deck construction.
Just remember the NJ State Bird is the mosquito!
psneeld
Guru
If you and your friend have never seen Cape May, NJ and are a fan of architecture...Victorian Cape May is usually on a persons short list. Just barely 12 miles or so further than anchoring out and much less further if looking for dockage at Cape Henelopen (Lewes, De).
psneeld
Guru
caltexflanc
Guru
If it is a new trawler owner and a six knot boat, you are better off going up the Chesapeake. It is great cruising for one thing and many many places to head into if something goes wrong. It really doesn't add that much more distance (60-80nm depending on route and detours) in the scheme of things, is safer, and it would be a shame to miss it from a pure cruising perspective. And as others mentioned definitely Cape May instead of Lewes or Indian River regardless of route. I would not go into Chincoteague for the first time, especially in poor conditions, without a local.
capt jerry
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think about bgoing to little creek va and from there to ocean city? its about 110 miles
Sounds like it's time to do some editing or deleting on the website.
psneeld
Guru
NOAA milage - Chesapeake Bay - Norfolk to Delaware City 209 NM
Delaware River - Delaware City to Cape May 51 NM
Total 260 NM
OpenCPN - Cape May to Norfolk 154NM
106 miles is at least another day stop if you are stopping every night so add another 10 miles at least, for me it's a lot more.
My 6.3 knot boat I haven't done it yet but figure coastal is 3 days....stop every night. Chesapeake is at least 5 and most of the time I take 6 because of tidal currents. If you hit the Delaware at the wrong time...you can be fighting a 2+ knot current for a long time. Of course timed right...you get that push. Just don't do the Delaware if it's a screaming tide and opposing wind...very choppy to say the least if the winds are nearing 20 knots or better.
All said...the Chesapeake is a nicer cruise and lot's more options....just longer by several or more days unless you really push and time the tides well.
Delaware River - Delaware City to Cape May 51 NM
Total 260 NM
OpenCPN - Cape May to Norfolk 154NM
106 miles is at least another day stop if you are stopping every night so add another 10 miles at least, for me it's a lot more.
My 6.3 knot boat I haven't done it yet but figure coastal is 3 days....stop every night. Chesapeake is at least 5 and most of the time I take 6 because of tidal currents. If you hit the Delaware at the wrong time...you can be fighting a 2+ knot current for a long time. Of course timed right...you get that push. Just don't do the Delaware if it's a screaming tide and opposing wind...very choppy to say the least if the winds are nearing 20 knots or better.
All said...the Chesapeake is a nicer cruise and lot's more options....just longer by several or more days unless you really push and time the tides well.
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There's a lot of research about crowdsourcing that we follow. It's the wrong thing to remove older comments about an anchorage or hazard. Every one is dated. Having the older info shows a history of what happened so you get a better view of the dynamics of the area.
In a similar way, I think a 1-star anchorage is the most important anchorage type of marker. It's because it let's you know that a place that looks like it should be a good anchorage actually isn't good. That's incredibly valuable especially if that anchorage was one you were relying on as a backup or for other reasons.
The goal isn't 100% accuracy for every piece of data. The goal is to document the history and provide quality decision making capabilities.
psneeld
Guru
Plus...just like the quality and judgement of posters on the internet...the quality and judgement of some of your "reviews " has to be carefully evaluated for it's reference point.
I have been to marinas where a (singular) reviewers has said it's a "difficult approach" and I'll bet it is for 5% of your target audience...or trying to shoot that gap in a hurricane...way short of a big challenge for boaters I know. But that doesn't mean the review is worthless or shouldn't be included.
Just like marinas that some people hate because they aren't 5 star and other's love because they are rustic and the dolphin entertain them every day.
Even the most novice of boaters know sand bars come and go...rocks usually don't...good bars come and go with owners and chefs and bartenders change... yet bridges take years to take down...worrying about things that can obviously be short term transient should not need editing as it should be obvious to your experienced users as you have stated.
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O C Diver
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If you want to stay on the Ocean side of Delmarva, Ocean City is a great stop over point. Good inlet with a straight shot from the sea buoy (2 -3 miles off shore to the NE) to the inlet. 1/2 mile inside the inlet brings you to Sunset Marina's boat basin. Sunset marina is arguably one of the finest mainas on the East coast. 10'+ water depth from the sea buoy to most any slip at Sunset. Have been running charters out of Sunset for 13 years. During the summer there are 2 swimming pools, a fitness center, 2 restaurants, a bar and the nicest staff you would ever want to meet. Hell, they even put up with me. They can accommodate yachts over 100' and have a 88 ton travel lift.
ocsunsetmarina.com
From Ocean City to Cape Charles (bottom of the Delmarva peninsula) is about 80 miles.
Ted
ocsunsetmarina.com
From Ocean City to Cape Charles (bottom of the Delmarva peninsula) is about 80 miles.
Ted
psneeld
Guru
Ocean City is like Chincoteague...it's not the inlet or the marinas that are the issue...it's the people there....you can't have little dogs or children or they are not safe...
O C Diver...you are from Florida...right?????? By the way what does OC stand for....????
O C Diver...you are from Florida...right?????? By the way what does OC stand for....????
O C Diver
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Can't speak for Chincoteague, but Ocean City MD is far safer and than any sea side town in NJ, and locals are far more friendly than the inbred knuckle draggers that run most NJ marinas.Ocean City is like Chincoteague...it's not the inlet or the marinas that are the issue...it's the people there....you can't have little dogs or children or they are not safe...
O C Diver...you are from Florida...right?????? By the way what does OC stand for....????
My charter boat's name is OC Diver, short for Ocean City Diver. Been running charters out of Ocean City MD since 1985. Became a Florida resident in 2010.
Ted
psneeld
Guru
Can't speak for Chincoteague, but Ocean City MD is far safer and than any sea side town in NJ, and locals are far more friendly than the inbred knuckle draggers that run most NJ marinas.
My charter boat's name is OC Diver, short for Ocean City Diver. Been running charters out of Ocean City MD since 1985. Became a Florida resident in 2010.
Ted
Sorry...I was only kidding...OC is a great place...again..sorry as did recommend it as a stopover place...
now about those knuckledraggers..
I'd have to echo what was previously said about going through the Chesapeake too. It might add a day or two but the safety and protected nature of staying inside the Chesapeake Bay instead of going out around the Delmarva peninsula needs to be considered. All you need is a couple of days of easterly winds to stop you from moving outside/offshore. The weather has to get pretty bad to stop you on the Chesapeake. That said, crossing the Potomac River in wind-versus-current conditions also needs to be watched.
caltexflanc
Guru
I take it when you say Delaware City you mean the mouth of the C&D? Any way from the Hampton Tunnel / Willoughby Bay it is 225nm on my core routes (not stopping in anywhere) to Cape May (western entrance to CM Canal. By ocean I also have 155 to CM, 110 to OC and and 127 to Indian River.
Having been on a few fishing trips out of Chincoteague, there are times when it is just not safe; there is a reason the chart shows "breakers" across the entrance. The depths change a lot there too, I never felt confident taking 5 feet of draft in there though certainly it is done every day by the locals. The Corps does dredge it virtually every year, I'm told, so some of that may depend on how recently. I guess what i am trying to say is that with a new-to-you boat looking for a place to duck into in adverse circumstances, I wouldn't count on it.
Yes, if you stop to smell the roses and cruise the Chessie, it will add some extra distance.
psneeld
Guru
I can't make the run offshore because I have a crew and dog that won't make a 30 hr passage....
I leave Jersey in mid December and return mid April. Believe me...planning 5-6 days of easy transit in the Chesapeake is WAY harder than 30 hrs of running up or down the Eastern Shore Coast if I could plan on it.
That said again..if you can't make the leg(s) offshore...the inside route has more options...but if you can make a 30 hr run with boat and crew...the outside is definitely a time saver on many levels...
Big decision but just takes a commitment either way.
I leave Jersey in mid December and return mid April. Believe me...planning 5-6 days of easy transit in the Chesapeake is WAY harder than 30 hrs of running up or down the Eastern Shore Coast if I could plan on it.
That said again..if you can't make the leg(s) offshore...the inside route has more options...but if you can make a 30 hr run with boat and crew...the outside is definitely a time saver on many levels...
Big decision but just takes a commitment either way.
psneeld
Guru
I only know what either NOAA prints or what my chartplottesr say...and I have made both runs numerous times as a delivery captain and helo pilot...just look at the chart...you have to go north and south to get from Annapolis to Cape May which are almost 120NM by water yet almost equal in latitude..give or take a few miles here or there...big deal..it's definitely a day or two longer in a 6 knot boat unless you go round the clock if you take the Chesapeake route.
Chincoteague is a difficult inlet yet plenty of boats run it every day including the USCG...if you plan to run such an inlet..just make sure the winds and tides don't make it worse and call if you need help...that's what the government and private assistance towing networks are for.
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Daddyo
Guru
All really good info but here's my two cents. If you mean to make time than the 24/7 nature of going outside can't be beat. Once you round Cape Charles your next only dependable stop is OC, MD. That said the tide running out can be fierce so you need to time things well in a displacement boat. Next stop if you must is Cape May than Atlantic City than Sandy Hook. But again I stress the value in going outside is you can easily run 24/7. The sea tends to flatten at night as an added benefit.
If you have the time than of course cruise the Chesapeake. If you want to you can run inside 24/7 as well but just make sure to time your arrival at Ready Point with high tide. You will have the tide all the way to Cape May. Skip going back in and run the NJ shore straight through. If you leave pre-dawn out of Cape May (easy to do as the inlet is big) than you will make Sandy Hook before sunset or just at.
If you have the time than of course cruise the Chesapeake. If you want to you can run inside 24/7 as well but just make sure to time your arrival at Ready Point with high tide. You will have the tide all the way to Cape May. Skip going back in and run the NJ shore straight through. If you leave pre-dawn out of Cape May (easy to do as the inlet is big) than you will make Sandy Hook before sunset or just at.
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