Late Fall Trip to Chesapeake VA from Mystic CT

Miss Maggie will be going to Atlantic Yacht Basin in Chesapeake for stabilizer install and other refit type work. I'll be leaving from Mystic CT and plan to go west through LI Sound... through NYC... outside to Delaware River... through C&D canal and down ICW to Chesapeake, VA where Atlantic Yacht Basin is located.

Looking to leave last week of October. Thinking it will likely take 10-14 days with the shorter days. Don't need to be concerned with getting fuel and can likely ration my 650 gallons of onboard water for the entire trip if absolutely necessary.

Looking for some input and lessons learned from the group on those that have done this trip that time of year.

Boat is a Hatteras 50 LRC with cruise speed is 8-9 knots.

Plan is to stay at marinas each night.

Thanks in advance!

If you're purposefully sightseeing along the way, both Cape May and Lewes are good stops.

Decent marina in Delaware City, or Chesapeake City is popular, easy to do both (but very short distance between the two).

Rock Hall is a decent stop. As is Annapolis. Maybe Knapp's Narrows, and/or maybe Deale. And then Solomons.

And/or you might enjoy a sidetrip through Kent Narrows to St. Michaels.

-Chris

I’m guessing ten days minimum and more for weather delays. On the Chesapeake you won’t have any issues with fuel and water.

You do need to be aware that in Norfolk, NS RR Bridge 7 is undergoing maintenance into mid-November and will likely have all day closures several days a week. The CG should post a LNM when the schedule is finalized.

The lock at Great Bridge opens about 20 -30 minutes after the hour and closes about 15 minutes before the hour. You’ll want to try and time your arrival as idling around there, if there’s a tug and barge lurking, isn’t much fun. But, also be aware there are two other RR bridges in Norfolk that can slow you down and Gilmerton Bridge if your air draft is more than 35’.

Here’s my thought for an itinerary without spending much time looking at a chart: Northport, Atlantic Highlands, Atlantic City, Cape May, Chesapeake City, Annapolis, Solomons, Deltaville, Hampton or Norfolk, Great Bridge.

Wifey B: Ski Jackets. Heavy weather gear. Shivers me timbers.

May not be too bad. Shouldn't be crowded and still lots of great stops along the way. Love boating in NYC. Atlantic City nothing but a stop for overnight. Everything from Cape May on is great. Just pick your preferences. Ranger's list is good. I always have to stop in Annapolis at the Yacht Basin and spend time in such a wonderful place. St. Michaels is very nice as are many of the side trips and islands along the way. Just bundle up and enjoy.

BandB said:

Wifey B: Ski Jackets. Heavy weather gear. Shivers me timbers.

Just bundle up and enjoy.

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Heh.. shouldn't be all that that cold. October and at least up to (usually) mid-November are primo cruising months around here!

You're just used to south Florida temps.

-Chris

Just a thought. On either the trip south or back north consider going outside from the mouth of the Chesapeake up the coast back to Cape May. The point being, that would be one of the minor circumnavigation trips in the country to check off a box. Circumnavigate the Delmarva Peninsula.

Heading south from either Cape May or Lewes, the next stop is Ocean City MD. From there to Chincoteague VA. Between there and the Chesapeake is likely an anchoring stop unless you are into an overnight run.

Just a thought.

ranger42c said:

Heh.. shouldn't be all that that cold. October and at least up to (usually) mid-November are primo cruising months around here!

You're just used to south Florida temps.

-Chris

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Wifey B: Definitely not bikini weather. Looks like 50's and 60's so decent and nights only dropping to mid 40's. Now from the last week of October into November things start to drop considerably it appears. I don't mind occasional cold weather cruising. Sun blasting through generally you'll keep quite warm and only get cold docking and especially getting away early morning.

Haven't been to South Florida in sooooooooooooo long. Looking to return soon though. Highs in Venice around 70 degrees. About the same in our next stop in Slovenia. Then will warm as we go south through Croatia. That will leave us with only 14 days of Schengen time remaining for a touch of the Greek Islands, then around the tip of Italy, a couple of islands, couple of cities and leaving the boat in Genoa although possible change to leaving in Mallorca for it's trip home. Sure hope it doesn't get lonely on it's long ride home without all it's people. Of course, it might appreciate a little quiet time. :lol:

BandB said:

Wifey B: Definitely not bikini weather.

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Well, OK, I've give ya that one.

But then I don't wear those too often anyway.

-Chris

My experience is from NYC South. Weather is going to be a bit sportier at that time, so I would budget 3 weeks. With Nor'Easters and more winds out of the East, I would want a couple of good days to do the NJ coast. Would want to plan whether I was going in for the night at Barnegat or Atlanta City. Did this trip a week or so ago. I opted to pass on Cape May, crossed the mouth of the Delaware Bay, and spent a blow day at anchor inside the "Harbor of Refuge" inside Cape Henlopen. Anchoring a few hundred yards off the beach and West of the ferry terminal breakwater was an excellent choice. Depending on cruising speed, leaving at slack low water, allows you to ride the incoming tide up the bay and through the C & D canal. I made it all the way to the Sassafras river in one day, but left in the dark cruising at 6 knots. Lots of good places to stop on the Chesapeake on either side.

Ted

B&B is correct. Have done this trip starting in Newport and it can be quite cold. We had the pleasure of drizzle and rain as well. Reverse AC did little at times so was dependent upon the furnace. Plan accordingly. Other issue was what was open and fully staffed. Turned out easy to work around. Plenty of places weren’t shut down. One of the few trips it’s worthwhile to call all potential stops even if not making reservations due to uncertainties of timing before you leave. Had little local knowledge so deemed that wise and glad we did. Upside was the relative absence of traffic and near total absence of wet boats (small runabouts, PWC etc.). Think some of the snow birds are further south by that time. We left first week of November so you’re a slight bit earlier.

Lived and worked on the water in South Jrrsey for decades. Early Oct can be beautiful to cool nights (cold to Floridians). Late Oct and early Nov can be cool and cold.....Indian Summer can make stetches of days pretty mild.

To get multiple freezing days, because of relatively warm water temps would be rare. Climate data is available, just remember they are long term averages and the difference of on the water and Inland can be 10 degrees more often than not.

Thanks for everyone's very valuable input.

My reverse cycle units (5 of them) have proven to be very efficient over the last two winters spent in the water in Mystic, CT. Generally they will keep the boat warm down to water temps of ~42-45. I have supplemented that with the oil filled electric heaters when needed and could do the same on this trip. Generally my boat was not shrink wrapped until mid-to-late November here in Mystic and I fared pretty well with just the reverse cycle until then.

The Hatteras 58 LRC has a pilot house so I can run the boat from inside and even open the engine room door to scavenge the engine heat into the cabin if needed.

Definitely won't be bikini weather...

I'll start looking at some charts and may consider leaving a week earlier if at all possible.

Thanks to everyone and keep any more input coming!

JD-we’re in the process (post survey now negotiating) of buying a boat in Noank, Conn. Will bring it to Deltaville after purchase for work. So like you doing about the same trip. From prior trips found there’s nights in particular the reverse AC isn’t enough. Never understood it. Doesn’t seem to correlate directly to latitude. Maybe it’s cold fresh water ingress or depth. But there’s cold spots where water temperatures are significantly lower than surrounds. Take comforters, quilts and warm clothing. Like you the P.O. got by on reverse AC so never used the Espar hydronic during entire period of ownership. We’ll fix it as I think it’s likely it will be needed for this transit.

Hippocampus said:

JD-we’re in the process (post survey now negotiating) of buying a boat in Noank, Conn. Will bring it to Deltaville after purchase for work. So like you doing about the same trip. From prior trips found there’s nights in particular the reverse AC isn’t enough. Never understood it. Doesn’t seem to correlate directly to latitude. Maybe it’s cold fresh water ingress or depth. But there’s cold spots where water temperatures are significantly lower than surrounds. Take comforters, quilts and warm clothing. Like you the P.O. got by on reverse AC so never used the Espar hydronic during entire period of ownership. We’ll fix it as I think it’s likely it will be needed for this transit.

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Reverse cycle heat performance varies by model unit and water flow. The Webasto units I have do a great job down to about 38 degrees. At 35 degrees they are fair. Below 35, depending on water (fresh, brackish or salt) they quickly accumulate ice in the heat exchanger. Increased water flow and a clean heat exchanger make a noticeable difference, just as in air conditioner mode.

For cold weather sleeping especially on the hook, an electric blanket makes a huge difference and can be run easily off an inverter with modest draw from the battery bank. Using a twin on a queen bed under a bedspread, usually only requires a setting of one or two. The other advantage of the electric blanket if turned on Hi two hours before bedtime, is not having to climb into a frigid bed.

Ted

Ted totally agree.excellent point. Electric blankets have much less draw than space heaters. We didn’t even need the genset on during the nights and they made a huge difference. Get somewhat dressed under the covers in the morning and you’re fine. Don’t think the O.P. will see any hard freezes on his trip and probably should leave reverse AC functional. Was just saying there’s some times it isn’t enough.
Other advantage is you expire a tremendous amount of moisture. If your boat is buttoned up air tight you get more condensation. We’d turn down the furnace a notch as slightly cooler environs induces sleep and you’re warm under the blankets/comforter. Crack the dorades or other opening to allow some air exchange and you get much less condensation. In fact never made the boat truly air tight, even during the day, just less airtight at nights.

Wifey B: Long ago in a world far away, this young girl married a boating fanatic. Oh that first summer was a bikini babe's dream. Into the fall, still so many beautiful days. We braved even the colder ones. Then came winter and at first I thought my man was crazy, but soon our friends and neighbors thought we both were. January weekend and highs in the 40's and we bundle up and get in the boat. Oh, it's snowing. That doesn't stop us.

In the cold and darkness of an NC winter, a day on the water would just brighten up the world. Between the sun through the windows and the plastic glass and the VW type heater would soon find ourselves shedding clothes and cracking vents. We enjoyed a world of beauty that everyone else was missing. All these boats around and we're one of the few. Well a few fishermen but we knew they were insane zooming across at 50-60 mph in open boats. Only other cruiser we knew was a local architect we'd regularly run across.

I am known for preference of warmer weather, but I'll take cold weather boating over no boating any day. Just dress for it and plan but you'll see some areas like they're seldom seen by mortals. You'll experience the beauty. We started the loop with some 50 degree days and we hit some in Alaska. Even on our current trip we hit some colder days in the UK and in Scandinavia.

Just prepare and embrace. Don't think you'll just step out on the dock in your tshirt, but layer up as you approach so you're ready. And where PFD in case you slip and fall. Enjoy the peaceful tranquility of off season boating. You're not the crazy one. The owners of all those boats locked up for the winter are. :lol:

We made it to Atlantic Yacht Basin Friday 10/22.. two days ahead of planned schedule.

Here's how we ended up on the trip.

Day 1 - Mystic to Huntington, LI - 10/15/21 - 68 NM - 8 Hours ~ 8 knots Avg
Flat Calm seas and sunny day
Stayed at Huntington Yacht Club... very nice marina and staff. Dinner at Prime Restaurant.... VERY GOOD.... pricey but worth it

Day 2 - Huntington LI to Atlantic Highlands NJ - 10/16/21 - ~60NM - 7 hours 8.6 knots avg
Winds about 15-20 knots with 1-2 foot chop in LI Sound. Hit the tide right through NYC and saw 15.2 knots on the GPS through Hells Gate

Stayed at Atlantic Highlands Municipal. Very nice marina and staff. Town very close by with lots of restaurant choices. We ate at Kunya Siam Thai restaurant... happened to be a BYOB restaurant... did not know that going in...but there were a couple package stores close by.

Day 3 - Atlantic Highlands to Atlantic City - 10/17/21 - ~90 NM - 10 Hours - 9 Knot AVG
Forecast was not favorable with predicted winds to be 18-25 knots WSW and seas 3 ft @ 3 sec. Day started out snotty but we hugged the beach and the seas were less than predicted. Dinner at the Chart House in AC. Very good! Won a few dollars at the casino to boot.

Day 4 - Atlantic City to Cape May/C&D Canal 10/18/21 ~120 NM 13.5 hours

This was suppose to be a short 40 mike run from AC to Cape May to set up a 75 mile run up the Delaware to Schaffers on the C&D Canal the following day. Well.... it turned out to be one of THOSE days.

I forgot to check the approach depth at the Canyon Club before departing Atlantic City. When I did check it we were only about an hour out of Cape May. Approach depth is 4.5 ft... my draft is 6 feet. Figures our arrival time would be right at low tide.... plus it was a full moon tide and the wind was blowing 30 out the NW which pushed water out of the harbor. Tried to dock at South Jersey marina but the current and wind was not favorable and after two aborted attempts at docking, that wasn't going to work. Decided to go down the Cape May canal to the Delaware. Was greeted with tight 4-6 foot seas and 30 knot NW winds... a few 8's were thrown in for good measure. The Hatteras LRC met the challenge and after slogging through the crap the seas finally laid down to 2-4 after about 3 hours. Arrived Schaffers around 9:30 PM. Not bad navigating the canal at night... full moon helped.


Day 5 - Chesapeake City to Annapolis 10/19/21 ~ 51NM - 5.5 hours 9.2 knts AVG

Easy run from Schaffers to Annapolis through the upper Chesapeake. Stayed at the Annapolis Yacht Basin. VERY NICE accomodations with very easy in/out docking. Dinner at Carroll Creek Cafe right across the harbor from Yacht Basin.

Now one day ahead of schedule.

Day 6 - Annapolis to Solomons - 10/20/21 - 45NM 4.5 hours 10 knot AVG

Smooth ride from Annapolis to Solomons. Stayed at Zahnizers Marina. Very nice amenities and staff. Several face docks and T-heads for easy in/out. Had dinner at the Pier... was just OK.

Day 7 - Solomons to Deltaville - 10/21/21 - 63 NM 7 Hours 9 knot AVG

Relatively easy run with 1-2 foot chop and 15-20 knot winds. Went up the Rappannock River to the Tides Inn for the night. It's 11 miles from the mouth of the river but worth the trip. Tides Inn had easy docking and LOTS of amenities... pool, beach, bikes, two restaurants, etc. This would be a place to spend a few days if time allowed. Rode bikes into town which is less than a mile long. Had some apps and wine at restaurant in town called The Office... again VERY NICE! Dinner was at the main restaurant a the Inn... absolutely great food and service!

Day 8 - Deltaville to Chesapeake VA (AYB) 10/22/21 73 NM 8.5 hours

Day started out with easy seas and winds then kicked up to 3 feet at 4-5 seconds on the starboard beam.... was a little rolly polly for about 3 hours. Passed a nuclear sub on it's way out of the channel in Norfolk... VERY Cool! Did get delayed at the NS RR Bridge #7 for about an hour. After that an easy ride through the locks and Great Bridge. Dinner at Vinos Italian restaurant on arrival day.

Could have maybe shaved another day or so off the schedule if we really pushed it, but was trying to not be too aggressive on the schedule or crew.

Thanks for everyone's input and recommendations!

Sounds great, except for the Cape May part. And you mostly lucked out on weather. We’ve been to Vino’s numerous times and have always enjoyed it. Nice way to end your trip.