Anyone transiting the New Jersey coast to New York City in spring 2025?

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Nick14

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Joined
May 2, 2013
Messages
824
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Culmination
Vessel Make
Helmsman 38 Sedan
Even though it's bitterly cold and the winter winds are howling outside at the moment, I'm planning for spring (as I think are most boaters in New England).

My Helmsman 38 is currently on the Chesapeake Bay. I'm planning to bring it home to Rhode Island sometime in the early spring, April/May (depending on a lot of 'if's'). Part of the route will be running offshore New Jersey, from Cape May to Atlantic Highlands (possibly with an overnight stop in Atlantic City). In the interests of safety, boating in a 'convoy' with another boat is always reassuring when offshore (even if only New Jersey).

Is anyone planning a similar route, and any interest in buddy boating that leg?
 
Hi Nick,
We will be returning to Connecticut from the Bahamas. Should be around the first of second week of May. Will be coming up through the Chesapeake.
Rob
 
Can't commit right now - dates and weather are in flux just yet. Early May time frame - my wife and I are heading to Newfoundland. NJ to Long Island through Cape Cod Canal and up to Nova Scotia in 5 days. Not sure what your plan or enjoyment is but I plan on 95 to 155 miles per day. If you have interest drop me a message.
 
We should be transiting the NJ coast from Cape May to NY late May / Early June with possible stops at Atlantic City and Manasquan. We will be coming up through the Chesapeake also.
 
We plan to be heading up the Jersey shore in early May, to NY and up the Hudson. Also looking for a buddy boat if the timing works out. Boat is currently at Bohemia Bay, at top of Chesapeake. We are on Nebo.
 
Hi Nick,
I’m currently in Florida with my 38E and will be heading north to the Long Island sound and need to arrive the first few days of May. If you want to reach out to me as we get into April, I’d be happy to see and share plans. I’ve got a graduation to attend and need to get up and home by the first few days of May.
 
When my time comes to transit New Jersey, I hope to run inside up to Manasquan by managing our time to optimize the tides. I’m kind of surprised more don’t do that. Is it because you’re tired of dealing with ICW life by the time you reach New Jersey?
 
When my time comes to transit New Jersey, I hope to run inside up to Manasquan by managing our time to optimize the tides. I’m kind of surprised more don’t do that. Is it because you’re tired of dealing with ICW life by the time you reach New Jersey?
The NJ ICW has a reputation for severe shoaling, so many people avoid it rather than take the risk or extra challenge.
 
I have read that. There are other sections of the ICW with similar reputations. Does the ACE just not maintain the NJ section as well?
 
Point Pleasant native - channels (?) can be shallow and zig zag. W decent weather id run outside, less stress. Give Brigantine shoals a lot of respect, and close to NY watch for 85% submerged rotted off pilings
 
Barnegat Inlet and North inside is fine. Around Stone Harbor NJ, I have to be very careful with a 20' CC with an outboard. Stay outside and wait for a west wind.
 
Barnegat Inlet and North inside is fine. Around Stone Harbor NJ, I have to be very careful with a 20' CC with an outboard. Stay outside and wait for a west wind.

Thanks! What do you think of the NJ ICW north of Atlantic City? At least on charts Little Egg Harbor looks OK. How about from Atlantic City to there? My draft is 4 ft.
 
I never did that section inside. I have considered doing it with larger boats.
If you go into Barnegat Inlet be careful the North jetty is under water and the channel isn't centered.
Follow markers.
 
I get that outside is way faster than inside and much less risky. Waiting a week or so for good wind conditions is probably worth the wait. For me, it's more about experiencing the NJICW than risk or comfort. I just want to cruise that section.
 
Incoming high tides are your friends. Good Luck....let us know, later this summer I will be heading down that way.
 
It might be too late for you, but keep it in mind. We will be returning from Bahamas heading home to Maine sometime in May.

Having made an 80 hour crossing in a sailboat in the Gulf of Alaska, buddy boats are a wonderful peace of mind.
 
Sorry for the hijack Nick.

Mike H,
We are in Hopetown. Are you nearby?

Rob
 
Thanks! What do you think of the NJ ICW north of Atlantic City? At least on charts Little Egg Harbor looks OK. How about from Atlantic City to there? My draft is 4 ft.
Did Barnegat to Atlantic City inside a year ago. It was fine until close to Atlantic City. Grounded for a bit until I worked it off. Stay close to the markers and away from the little islands. That was a 3’ draft boat. I’d wait for calmer ocean seas and go outside. At Atlantic City I recommend Golden Nugget (Farley) Marina.
 
I went in at Barnegat and out at Manasquan every year to visit friends. As mentioned, you need to stay on the North side on the channel going into Barnegat but south of the submerged jetty on the North side of the entrance.

When you come from the Barnegat inlet to town, you will leave that channel to cross to the AICW channel. This connecting channel (3 miles) that crosses between the two, has changed twice in the eight years I've traveled it. I make it a habit of contacting Seatow while out in the ocean for channel and shoaling updates.

Currents at the inlets can be significant as there's a lot of back bay to empty, hence frequent shoaling. High and low tides don't correspond with slack current flow. You want the current chart for slack water at the inlet. Ideally, the first time, try to go from Barnegat to the AICW at slack high water. Slack water is about 3 minutes in the Barnegat inlet channel. ;)

Ted
 
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