Cruise from Annapolis to Block Island

T

tmanmd

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12745
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Let me dream (that economy is not what it is, and I should spend money on such an adventure...).

We would like to take a trip in July to Cape May, NJ. If I can sell some stuff, then I would like to take 3 weeks or so and maybe go to Block Island.

It would be my family, which includes 3 kids (7,5, and 2). Farthest trip so far was from Annapolis through the canal and a few miles into DE Bay.

When I bought my boat, I did bring it back from Miami (inside, but 1 day). I did have a captain with me.

Cape May is easily within my experience and capabilities.

If we did go further north, I think it would be unwise for me to go outside too much. At a 25 knot cruise, Atlantic City to Block would be 8-9 hrs dock to dock. Wife would be nervous, me too???

What are your thoughts? What are good stops between Cape May and Long Island. How is the inside route through Jersey? Where must I be outside. Draft is 5', but skinny water and unmarked channels would not be fun. I am glad I had the captain when we went through Georgia inside.

I have no local knowlege outside of Chesapeake.

Boat can handle it. And I am on my 3rd season with the 47 Riviera Convertible. Boat has duplicate Navigation, duplicate VHF, auto pilot, and Furuno radar. Original owner went from Lauderdale to Bahamas all the time.
 
Tom,

If you are familiar with the Chesapeake, then you are familiar with all other bodies of water. Don't let the fact that you have not boated along the NJ coast, or to Block, prevent you from going.

You are limited only by your imagination.

Forget the NJ Intracoastal; there's not enough water inside for that trip, and besides, running the Jersey shore on the ocean is a piece of cake. There are only three inlets upon which you can absolutely depend absolutely. They are Cape May, Absecon (Atlantic City), and Brielle (Manasquan Inlet). Each is well marked and easily traversed under just about any condition.

If the forecast is for wind from any easterly direction, then simply don't go that day. The trip to Block from Atlantic City or Brielle is also easy depending upon the WX forecast.

Any high wind forecast would normally cause you to stay put. Or, you could always head up and under the Verazzano Bridge to the East River and then to Long Island Sound.

There's more, that should begin the discussion.
 
I can tell you the New Jersey intracoastal is very skinny and has shoaling with a 5' draft you would need to travel only at a rising high tide and get some local help. Many of the inlets are dangerous as well and there are numerous small bridges with height restrictions. Cape May is fine and Atlantic City/Absecon inlet is fine. From there I probably wouldn't go inside until you get to the Brielle/Manasquan Inlet otherwise keep going. The winds can be a problem so you need to know which inlets are safe while traveling north offshore in NJ. Barnegat, Little Egg, Townsends are all local knowledge and high tide at best. You could go in at Sea Isle but you CAN make Point Pleasant from Cape May with no problem on the outside provided no small craft warnings pop up along the way.
Bill
 
Direct to Block from AC or Cape May will take you quite a way off shore. A much more scenic trip is to go north, see NYC then head out the Long Island Sound. You could also go the south shore of Long Island on your way to Block. Many options available to you.

Dare I say it? You could just look for the bow rider with the Block or Bust sign and follow him!
 
If you're right at Podickory Point, you should look up Randy and Karen Edrington. They keep a Silverton 41C named "Liberty". Last summer they travelled from Podickory Point to NYC, then up the Hudson River. From what I hear, they may be planning a trip this year up to Block Island.
If you see them, tell them Rob said "Hello!"
 
Tom
As far as the inside thru NJ, I would follow the advice of the NJ RO’s.

The south shore of LI is known for skinny water and at 5’ you are very likely to find some even with local knowledge

The problem with going thru LI sound is that there is so many great places to stop and may/will add time to your trip - most often people run one shore going east and the other coming back west.

From what I know you’re is a true blue water boat, but since the family will be with you I do recommend the LI Sound route- plus a lot of the ports on the sound are great for kids
 
NJ coast is a piece of cake, as long as you do it on a good day. Don't be afraid to go outside. I've done it in things as small as a Formula 330SS all the way from Cape May to NYC. Your 47 Riviera might be TOO MUCH for that trip :)

Seriously, like these guys say, youre never that far from an inlet, and on a clear day you can go a few miles out and still see land the whole time. Unless you have the most patient 7, 5, and 2 year olds EVER, you'd regret trying the inside.

If you're talking about 3 weeks, you've got plenty of time to avoid the bad days. Seriously, I've been in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays when it's been worse than the ocean has ever been for me. Heck, I've actually been in the lower Delaware River where I could say the same thing.

Just don't run it at night. Not that it's dangerous, but it might be a bit creepy if you aren't used to it- especially for the wife and kids...
 
Your 47 Riv was built for blue water. Take the outside, enjoy the excellent ride you'll have and have some fun with it.

Stop at Liberty Landing for a day or two, enjoy the sights of NY Harbor, take the ferry into downtown from Liberty, see the city.

Then push on to Block. From Liberty it only 5-6 hours.
 
I can't help with Jersey North but with you being from Annapolis, I'm sure you're familiar with the waves you can get in the De Bay. If the tide is against the wind, you can get some steep waves. We're a 47 also, albeit much slower. I've come up the DE bay with steep 6 footers with short intervals. It’s uncomfortable but doable. Any more than that, we stay off the bay.
Sounds like a great trip!!!
 
Consider also going to Newport, in addition to Block Island. The adults will like the relaxation of Block Island, but the kids might get bored after a bit. Lots o touristy stuff to do Newport.
 
Hi Thomas,

5' draft is a little too much for many parts of the Intercoastal in that area. I should know! I have less than a 3 foot draft, and have found a few sand bars where they shouldn't have been. Good luck, that trip is one I'd love to take sometime.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I am reading some books and studying the charts.

Seems like Cape May, then Liberty Landing. Then into L.I. Sound. What are some good marinas on the sound?
 
The advice on DE Bay is well taken. Cape May is a fun stop over. Town is walking distance, maybe not with small kids and there are good marinas adjacent to the Lobster House and convenience stores. Minivan into town and to the beach are easy and cheap or get an Enterprise. A lot more for kids there than AC, in my opinion (particularly AC by the marina). The trip along the Jersey coast is fun; you can stay very close in most of the way to cut down on the boredom factor. 5 think the trip into New York Harbor is one of the most exciting things you can do in boating. Fun things to do only limited by your budget. We also think of Long Island Sound as a cruising destination in and of itself. Plenty of marina and harbor destinations, scan the archives on the respective regional forums. For kiddy as well as grown up fun and education, Mystic is a good stop right before Block.
Anyway, lots of good info on this trip in the forums, which were a tremendous help to us. I am already getting excited about making the trip again in a couple more months!

George
Hatteras 56MY
 
tmanmd,
I live in Kent Narrows and am making a similar trip this summer. We are taking 2 weeks and going to my hometown, Northport, LI. We will leave Kent Island and go straight to Cape May canal. I am planning on staying in North Wildwood at Schooner Island marina. It is an easy spot to get to from the canal, even with a 5'draft. It is also very close to the boardwalk and a great spot for kids. We will spend 2 nights there and then up the jersey coast to Liberty Landing Marina in jersey for 3 nights. It is a great spot looking over Manhattan from your slip. It is also very easy to get in and out of the city from there, by Ferry or the Path train. Then head up the East River to LI sound and to Northport NY where I grew up. It is about 40 miles or so out on the Island. On our return we will hit another marina in the NY area for a couple of nights. From there to AC for 2 nights and then a stop or 2 somewhere in the northern bay.

My wife and I will be making most of the trip with her sister and brother in law. Hope that works out! They are flying down from NH and staying with us until we hit NY for the second time and then flying out of Newark back to NH.

In my estimation you will be missing alot if you do not do the NY thing. It breaks up the trip and the kids should have a ball. As everyone has said, there numerous places to stop along the way if weather keeps you from running. You will also be within view of land at all times. If you took the ICW through Jersey, even if draft wasnt an issue, it would take you so long that it would not be worth it. There are just to many bridges and no wake areas. I figure about 5-6hrs from Cape May to NY at a very reasonable cruise up the coast.
 
quote:
Originally posted by tmanmd

Thanks for the replies.

I am reading some books and studying the charts.

Seems like Cape May, then Liberty Landing. Then into L.I. Sound. What are some good marinas on the sound?

Click to expand...


If your looking to save some time, just go straight to Block from Liberty Landing, only 5-6 hours. We've stayed at many marinas on the sound and most of the time we bypass it entirely. Clinton, CT is a quick and easy harbor to get in and out of if you need to stay over one night on the LI Sound.
 
FYI,

I ran from Ocean City, MD to Liberty Landing, 26 knot average, calm seas and did it in a little over 6 hours.
 
Thanks to all.

Yes, all good ideas. We will be hitting NYC. Absolutely going to do that.

Keep info coming.

I've ordered some charts and books. Will read them than post tentative ports of call.
 
These guys are definitely right about NYC. You have to do that if you're that close. They were always good times- pulling by the Statue of Liberty in a formation of 10 or so brand new Formulas. You can ferry over to Manhattan from LL, take in a show, etc...
 
If you are picking up books, be sure to get a copy of "A Cruising Guide To New Jersey Waters" by Capt. Donald Launer. With this book, and charts, you are good from the Chesapeake/Delaware canal down the bay, and up the coast to NY.
 
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