Delivery NY to Annapolis Suggestions

[TheDory]

Good morning TF,

I am purchasing a 31 Camano up in West Haverstraw, NY (up the Hudson from NYC) so I will be bringing her down to Annapolis in October. I've started researching the charts but I'm curious if any of you have made this journey and have any recommendations? I can technically take as long as I want but my crew will probably need to complete it in one week. I believe it's around 300 nm (that's an estimate running outside, inside will definitely be more) so 50-60 mile legs per day seem reasonable.

Any suggested anchorages or marinas along the way? It's not a sight seeing trip but if there's any cool little towns that fit in with the overall itinerary, it'd be fun to stop at those.

Thanks

 

[High Wire]

A few questions. Are you planning on anchoring out or marinas? What speed do you cruise? How many hours per day?
Sign up for ActiveCaptain and/or Waterway Guide.
We are a 6.8 knot boat and anchor out often so going south:
Behind Statue of Liberty
Behind Sandy Hook or Pt Pleasant
Outside of NJ to: Atlantic City/Absecon inlet
Cape May
Chesapeake City/Bohemia River/Veasy Cove
Baltimore Inner Harbor or straight on to
Annapolis

 

[Bacchus]

I've only done it once in reverse... Chesapeake to LI sound for a delivery. We did it in 4 days off shore but did run some overnights. A week should be very doable with some longer days. Agree with Archie's suggestions.
We planned Delaware Bay to take advantage of tides and shorten travel time. D&C canal is lit so night travel not a problem. We made a stop at S end of D&C for dinner and some sleep at the restaurant dock (dont recall name).

 

[DavidM]

I have done that trip 6-8 times over the years. Going outside I presume means going around NJ. The only way to go inside is the NJ "ICW" and it only starts at Manasquan heading south, meaning you have to go outside from NY harbor to get there. It is also slow and shallow.

If you aren't on any fixed schedule, I would start my trip with at least a two day weather window. If you leave early, probably in the dark and push it you should be able to make the 100+ SM run from Haverstraw to Barnegat on your first day. Then make the run to Cape May the next. From that point on you are less affected by weather although the next leg up the Delaware River can be rough at times.

If you don't want to push 100+ miles you can pull into Manasquan Inlet- 80+ miles and then make your next leg to Atlantic City, about 60 SM. Then on to Cape May for a short leg as there really isn't any good place to stop along the Delaware River.

The trip can all be made by stopping at anchorages or marinas as you prefer.

David

 

[ranger58sb]

Can't speak to the northernmost parts of it, but likely marina stops closer to here would be Cape May (or maybe Lewes), Delaware City/Summit North/Chesapeake City, then Rock Hall. I can comment on marinas in all of those if useful.

Timing, and weather forecasting, the Delaware Bay segment as best you can is important... Also, on a couple of our return trips from Cape May/Lewes we've had significant fog to deal with, as in "can't see the bow of the boat" fog. Without radar (and AIS can help, too), that could put a serious crimp on schedule.

-Chris

 

[Prospective]

Hardest part of that trip from a weather window standpoint, particularly that time of year, is going to be NYC/Sandy Hook to Cape May. I wouldn't bother with the inside due to shallows and bridges so that leaves going off the coast of NJ. I'd look for the best 48 hour window off the coast of NJ and then plan around that accordingly. Manasquan and Atlantic City would be places to duck in on the NJ shore prior to Cape May which is a good place to stage for the Delaware. Delaware bay can be rough with wind opposing current so that would be the next consideration. Other than that it's a pretty easy ride.

 

[Gdavid]

It is very straightforward if you have good weather and stay in the Ocean. We made the same run two years ago in a boat that cruises 7.5-8 knots in September. Left from Liberty landing Marina at first light on a weekday in NY harbor and were about halfway to the Verrazano Narrows bridge bridge before most of the commuter ferries were running. We stopped in Atlantic City and stayed at the Aquarium's dock. The second day we ran to Cape May and stayed at Utsch's and had plenty of time to walk around Cape May, have a nice meal and see the beach. The third day we started in the Delaware Bay and ran through the C&D canal and anchored on the Bohemia River. The fourth day we went a little past Annapolis, down to Herring Bay and stopped at Herrington Harbor South.

We took advantage of good weather and ran down the coast of Jersey in two days. With regards to recommended sights, I'm sure we missed out on seeing some nice harbors but we didn't want to take good weather for granted.

As long as the prevailing wind is from the west, you can make the run down the coast of Jersey comfortably in 10-15 knts of wind. If it was from any other direction, I would prefer under 10 knots of wind. Don't run too close to the shore, the swells are more comfortable if you stay in at least ~35' of water. We were buddy boating with a sister ship that was running 1-2 miles closer to shore, and they had a much less comfortable ride. I suspect they weren't as comfortable with open water and hugged the shoreline for that reason but it just made the ride worse for them.

We enjoyed Utsch's Marina but I will caution that it is tight quarters and may not be the easiest stop in Cape May. Any deep water is at a premium in Cape May and other marinas aren't probably much easier but if you are still learning the boat, you might choose to anchor out instead and just make a quick stop for fuel at somewhere with easy access.

While this trip is nothing extraordinary or difficult in the annuls of Naval history, I will always remember it vividly. This was the tail end of my parents long delivery home from Western Michigan to Solomons, Maryland. I followed their trip vicariously as they transited the Great Lakes, Trent Severn Waterway, Erie Canal and Hudson River and was really excited to meet up with them in NYC for the last bit of the trip. They met some members of this forum along their way and had one of their most thrilling and nerve racking adventures. I am blessed with a young family of my own and I missed them but it was great to take a week off and take part in their grand adventure.

 

[TrawlerJoe]

Shakedown the new boat with a short trip from the Hudson to Atlantic Highlands marina inside Sandy Hook. Wait for weather and then run all the way to Cape May in one shot. From there up the Delaware to Chesapeake City / C&D. The rest is easy, plenty of marinas and anchorages in the Chesapeake, or you can easily reach Annapolis from there in one day.

I've done it twice in two different boats (both ~35' downeast style). My only regret is not taking more time to enjoy the trip.

 

[FWT]

Not knowing just what engine is in your Camano, many have WOT speeds of 15 knots and an all-day fast cruise speed of 10-12 knots. If you are willing to burn fuel in exchange for distance you can use that to advantage, especially as the days grow short in October.

For example, there are some good suggested stops on the Chesapeake, and others as well. But a straight shot from Chesapeake City to the "ego alley" docks in Annapolis are an easy one day for you. Or if ahead of schedule, a few short hops down the Bay to take time to sightsee.

But making some distance with a weather window off the NJ coast gives you options you may want to take advantage of.

 

[omoore]

Avoid Manasquan Inlet. The tidal flow makes it dangerous. If you anchor out by Sandy Hook Atlantic City is an easy days run. Don't try and walk to restaurants or casinos. Not a great area. I would follow High Wire's suggested stops.
Oliver

 

[jleonard]

That's a 4 to5 day (travel days) trip. Even if you go the inside route. I've done it a few times in my old Mainship at 11 knots.
I didn't think Manasquan was bad but I didn't have bad weather.
If you go the inside route, have a spotter because some of the markers get "hidden" by the houses. Pay attention and you'll be fine.

 

[omoore]

I quote from Blue Seas:
Mariners should exercise caution when entering Manasquan Inlet when the winds and tides are opposed; local knowledge is advised.

 

[psneeld]

I quote from Blue Seas:
Mariners should exercise caution when entering Manasquan Inlet when the winds and tides are opposed; local knowledge is advised.

That description applies to a boatload of inlets along the whole Atlantic Coast.

Is it marked (even need to be)?

Is it recommended to be transited "local knowledge only"?

I will admit the current at the train bridge is eye opening, but the inlet I never thought was that bad.

Agree with J Leonard's post. Inside is pretty nice for smaller boats and good planning.

 

[High Wire]

I thought Manasquan was about the same as Cape May. Pretty good unless the current is running out hard with big incoming waves. Straight in with nothing tricky.

 

[omoore]

I was lumping the RR bridge and inlet together as one. My bad.

 

[psneeld]

I was lumping the RR bridge and inlet together as one. My bad.

Still not much of a problem if twin engine or a single entering on a slower outgoing.

 

[wkearney99]

We ran from Sandy Hook NJ around to Cape May in mid-April from around 6:30am until about 4pm. This at a 17kt cruise in an Eastbay 47. We ran outside, typically no more than a mile offshore (if that). We were chasing a closing weather window and JUST made it into Cape May. Weather up the Delaware was rough the next morning but made it from Cape May to Chestertown, 7am to 2pm (if memory serves; mid-afternoon-ish). The distance back up the Chester River from the Bay is about the same as the distance from there to Annapolis. So a single day's run from Cape May to Annapolis is not out of reach, weather permitting.

Note, if you run 'inside' in NJ you need to know the bridge schedules. We didn't, and had we been forced inside we'd have made the rude discovery that some of the bridges were closed for maintenance and would not be opening again until about a month later. This would have meant having to either stay with the boat while weather subsided, or drive inland from coastal NJ back to MD until we could return to the boat again. With the way weather shaped up in the days following it would have been about 2 weeks before we could have gotten back underway again. So, yeah, be sure your contingencies allow for weather delays and KNOW the bridge opening status/schedules.

Bear in mind in a boat that's "new to you" there may be unforeseen problems that may greatly alter your schedule. We blew a coolant line (the dreaded hot water loop) and lost about 3 hours to stop on Long Island to repair it during our trip from Rhode Island to Sandy Hook.

I was grateful to have taken the advice of a friend and hired a captain to accompany me on the trip. He was helpful in getting the coolant issue fixed, knew what marinas were open (this being off-season) and various current/tide conditions that might come into play. Took a lot of stress out of the trip by not combining an unknown boat AND unfamiliar waters.

 

[omoore]

Re Delivery from NY to Annapolis

I don't want to engage in colloquy but you are doing The Dory a disservice by characterizing Manasquan as no big deal. Experienced captains run it all the time. In my 58 Hat with 1,480 hp the inlet and the current at RR bridge were inconsequential. In a low powered single screw boat it can be another story.
I will now quote the Waterway Guide and include a relevant comment:
NJ: Manasquan Inlet, Brielle Railroad Bridge, very narrow opening, strong current
Date Reported: Jan 21, 2018
Reporter: Howard Entman
Source: User
Description:
This railroad bridge is kept open except when a train is coming, which is several times each hour. The opening under the bridge is very narrow--maybe 40 feet--and there is a very strong current that does not follow the direction of the bridge opening. Also, the opening is not in line with the channel leading to the bridge opening. I recommend that before your enter the opening, you line up so you can see through the opening to be sure another boat isn't coming towards you. (This place gets super busy on the weekends with small boats that don't have radios). When approaching the opening, use enough power to control your boat as the current tries to push you towards the sides of the opening. For low-powered sail boats, it would be best to go through the opening near slack tide.
Comment:
Comment by: Forrest Stuart, The Crimson Tide, on Sep 30, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 4.0'

This is spot on. Many boaters do not know the etiquette of the direction of the current as a determiner of who has the right of way through the bridge opening. Be very careful and don’t assume anything.

 

[TheDory]

Thanks everyone for the great tips. The boat will cruise 7-12 kts. Obviously 7 is better for economy but we can push it if needed. I'm still working out the crew situation but with the right help we can definitely make some longer runs. I'll come back with more questions as I plan the trip.

 

[O C Diver]

I came in the Manasquan inlet on Thursday and traveled to Brick, NJ. Reaching the inlet at slack current (around 3 hours after high tide) made it very easy inspite of 5' long period swells from hurricane Larry. Some dredging has been done from the end of the inlet channel toward the railroad bridge. The railroad bridge has a narrower opening and I would not recommend trying it while opposing full tidal flow on your first time through.

Of interesting note, the current traveling through the Point Pleasant canal was at 2 knots inboard as the current in the Manasquan inlet was outbound at .2 knots. The point I making here is that when dealing with inlets with large bays or sounds, is that currents often don't correspond with high and low tides. Fortunately most chart plotters can give you reasonably good predictions on tides and currents.

Normally I travel the ICW between Manasquan and Barnegat inlets to stay with friends in Brick. There are several good places to anchor in the bay and wait for the next weather window if necessary. My boat draws 4.5'.

Ted

 

[Hippocampus]

Have done this trip in both directions several times. Look at the NJ coast the same way as Hatteras/cape fear area. Have had some pretty ugly transits when forced to by schedule. It’s so shoal so far out breaking waves, steep chop and slop happen earlier than other places.

In my opinion if there’s any significant east to the winds and water don’t go. All the NJ inlets/harbors aren’t much fun to enter in that setting. With the prevailing southwesterlies it’s a really benign trip. Look for a three or even better four day window. Allow a day for the water to calm. Leave during the day and go overnight. Land fall during the day at Cape May or even enter the Bay and bypass the Delaware/C&D if weather and range permit. The Delaware is boring like the ditch. Stay out of the channel or look behind you frequently. Do the trip thinking first about crossing NJ non stop. If no east going on you could do it in a small open boat if you had the range. Those beautiful Seabright skiffs come from there and they have no issue even the smallest your boat will do fine. With westerlies due to no fetch it’s a millpond close in. There are some fish traps/shell fish especially in the mid portion. Good to miss them so head east to go around. Like a full or nearly full moon and the flip the radar on “bouy” settings at times for this trip. Don’t worry-be happy. You’re heading someplace warm.

 

[Porgy]

HC, if I recall you made this recommendation before. And if I recall, it adds over 100 miles to the trip and suitable bailouts between Cape May and Cape Charles are worse than NJ.

We’ve always enjoyed our trips up the Delaware Bay but admit we don’t know what kind of constant stimulation some folks need. Not a lot of traffic, interesting ships to see, largely undeveloped shoreline until the power plant. Coming or going, we always wait for decent weather to avoid a bashing. There are few places at all on the water that we’d characterize as boring. ICW south of Palm Beach comes close but that was more godawful from several perspectives than boring.

 

[wkearney99]

The Delaware being wide, but having a relatively narrow navigable portion in the center is perhaps what makes it "less interesting" than maybe some other stretches. You're kind of 'stuck' out in the middle and far enough from the banks to not really see much of interest (not that there IS that much 'of interest' civilization-wise). You just plod along until your next turn. Sort of like the stretch down the Bay from Deale past Solomon's. Just... nothing to see.

Delaware's conditions can definitely get sporty though. We had 5 footers and winds coming straight at us, though with at least a period that allowed for maintaining a 12kt pace. Our knees/legs got a good workout keeping a bobbing posture the whole way.

 

[Hippocampus]

Agree it’s a longer trip. Depends on what you like to do. I like being outside in the ocean. Agree it makes no sense for others who prefer protected waters or shortest transit. Also agree there’s places just off the ICW which are intriguing, beautiful wonderful places to explore. But find much of it tedious. Enough going on you need to pay attention or you can really screw up. But not enough to lift your spirits. Perhaps my opinion will change when not so draft (air and water) restricted and can go 20kts if I want to. Didn’t mean to offend. Different strokes, different boats.
Should say the capes can be downright dangerous and the coast of NJ rarely is. Agree my perspective is distorted. My experience is crossing them for points east or crossing when coming back to the States. That’s different than going north/south. In both cases going coast/offshore you get to choose where and when. Have gone to oriental to just miss out on that fun when leaving.

 

[FWT]

The Delaware being wide, but having a relatively narrow navigable portion in the center is perhaps what makes it "less interesting" than maybe some other stretches. You're kind of 'stuck' out in the middle and far enough from the banks to not really see much of interest (not that there IS that much 'of interest' civilization-wise). You just plod along until your next turn. Sort of like the stretch down the Bay from Deale past Solomon's. Just... nothing to see.

No question when you are near the edges (land) the visual senses take over and dominate the experience. But there are some things that don't translate well to the vision. It is very hard to make a good photo in a woods that captures the feeling. Harder yet to capture the feeling and appreciation for vast spaces of beautiful farm fields that stretch on forever.

Or even more so, being in a large wide expanse of water. There is a feeling about it, and it certainly isn't from the visual, since as you say the view is boring.

I still love it though. Boring, or not.

 

[wkearney99]

No question when you are near the edges (land) the visual senses take over and dominate the experience. But there are some things that don't translate well to the vision. It is very hard to make a good photo in a woods that captures the feeling. Harder yet to capture the feeling and appreciation for vast spaces of beautiful farm fields that stretch on forever.

Or even more so, being in a large wide expanse of water. There is a feeling about it, and it certainly isn't from the visual, since as you say the view is boring.

I still love it though. Boring, or not.

Yeah, sure, the whole "the journey is the reward" mantra. You're not wrong, not in the larger sense. I don't think anyone disagrees with that sentiment.

But in the sense of "we need to get to point A from B" there are some stretches of a journey that wear on you. Like driving the Pennsylvania Turnpike, some stretches are so mind-numbing, yet nerve-wracking, that you genuinely hate traveling them.

 

[FWT]

Yeah, sure, the whole "the journey is the reward" mantra. You're not wrong, not in the larger sense. I don't think anyone disagrees with that sentiment.

But in the sense of "we need to get to point A from B" there are some stretches of a journey that wear on you. Like driving the Pennsylvania Turnpike, some stretches are so mind-numbing, yet nerve-wracking, that you genuinely hate traveling them.

Ugh. You are right about such car trips.

 

[Hippocampus]

For some reason ever time we’ve done the Delaware there’s some obstacle or need to keep eyes wide open. Dredging. Ships constantly overtaking us. Even stuff in the water. Have done the trip at night. In some ways it’s less troublesome then. Some people on other threads have degraded the pleasure of having both AIS and radar. Feel here’s a place where both are very helpful.

 

[ranger58sb]

For some reason ever time we’ve done the Delaware there’s some obstacle or need to keep eyes wide open. Dredging. Ships constantly overtaking us. Even stuff in the water. Have done the trip at night. In some ways it’s less troublesome then. Some people on other threads have degraded the pleasure of having both AIS and radar. Feel here’s a place where both are very helpful.

Strongly agree.

A couple of our return trips on Delaware Bay have been in heavy fog, as in "can't see the bow of the boat" fog. The first time we encountered that, no radar. Second time, radar and AIS. MUCH better. Radar especially, of course, but the AIS was very helpful negotiating with the shipping traffic... since we could all "see" each other that way.

-Chris

 

[psneeld]

From the Cape May canal to the C&D cana, just draw almost a straight line from the end of the Cape May Canal to the nuclear plant opposite the Reedy Point submerged breakwater. No need to be anywhere near large shipping unless you are in a large vessel. The chart depths are accurate enough.

You have no ship traffic or many obstacles except crab buoys or oyster bed stakes....nothing serious.

If limited visibility or at night, then run the shipping channel as there is less large vessel traffic at night and virtually no obstructions. Almost any coastal or inshore run in fog is stressful, the Delaware run, no more or less than many.

Was one of the assistance tow operators in the area and don't think it is any worse than the northern Chesapeake and much of the Atlantic ICW.

The biggest issue is the tide and wind....in any month,, some days it's flat, many days it is choppy to rough and a few days it's miserable.