Heading to Long Island Sound

[Bob L]

Suzanne and I are planning to sail north from the Chesapeake to spend a month or more in LI Sound to Martha's Vineyard. I've read many of the previous posts of places to visit/anchor. I'd appreciate any favorite destination suggestions from you North East Fleeters.

We plan to leave next weekend, arriving at Sandy Hook as early as Tuesday and as late as the following weekend (June 21). I've promised Suzanne we won't move if the weather is not to her liking.

Bob

[Sea Owl]

Bob;

I am sure Cathy Monaghan will jump in here also, but if you missed it, they have revised the charts for Sandy Hook itself...make sure you have the latest revisions if you plan on dropping the hook at the Hook itself!

Also, if you stop in Atlantic Highlands, let me say the AHYC will be very hospitable...I crew for a friend on his CD30 on Wed nights, and it is a good bunch. Maybe I will catch you and Suzanne there!

We had great sailing last Wed, although a little damp. Really hot/muggy weather for the next few days, but should be some good sailing otherwise.

Hope you have a good trip up!

[Cathy Monaghan]

Hi Bob,

Regarding Sandy Hook, see my previous posting:
http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... 860#114162

Our boat's not in the water yet, but if you stop anywhere on Raritan Bay/NY Harbor just give us a call. We'll come and get you, bring you shopping if you need provisions or whatever else you may need, take you out to dinner, whatever.

But the boat is ready to be launched. With any luck, we'll be able to greet you by boat, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

There are LOTS of places to visit by boat in the northeast. If we get together, we can help you make some of those decisions.


Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Bob L]

Sea Owl,

Thanks for the info. I do plan on anchoring at Atlantic Highland and plan to spend a day (or more there).

Cathy,

Send me an email when you do launch. We'll send you one when we have more definite dates...something we'll know along the way.

We might be able to make the July 4 Oyster Bay Float-In.

Bob

[jerryaxler]

I'm making the same trip this coming weekend. I'm leaving Rock Hall Thursday evening and expect to be around Sandy Hook Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll keep an eye out for you. I've made this trip 16 or 17 times, so if you need some info drop me a line.

[Bob L]

I'm making the same trip this coming weekend. I'm leaving Rock Hall Thursday evening and expect to be around Sandy Hook Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll keep an eye out for you. I've made this trip 16 or 17 times, so if you need some info drop me a line.

We plan to leave Bodkin Creek Friday or Saturday morning. First night either Bohemian R or Chesapeake City, second Cape May. From there we will stop at Atlantic City, then either all the way to Sandy Hook or perhaps stopping at Barnegat Bay. I figure making Sandy Hook Tuesday at the earliest; more likely to be Wed/Thur.

Any words of wisdom about Barnegat or Manesquan Inlets will be welcome. Actually any hints/favorite spots/warnings would be appreciated. We'll keep a lookout for Shana. This must be a cake run for you after so many trips there and back.

Bob

[jerryaxler]

Barnegat has been reported with heavy shoaling according to the LNM. It is an entrance that should be done with local knowledge, if any sea is running. I have never tried it. I know it can be done, but I'm a "chicken" sailor who doesn't like to take like to leave much to chance. Manesquan is an easy inlet to enter except in heavy seas, but once inside there isn't much room to anchor and pulling into a slip when the current is running is a hair raising experience. If you want to continue with a more extensive conversation, send me a PM and I will give you my home number or you can give me your's.

[Cathy Monaghan]

I'm making the same trip this coming weekend. I'm leaving Rock Hall Thursday evening and expect to be around Sandy Hook Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll keep an eye out for you. I've made this trip 16 or 17 times, so if you need some info drop me a line.

Hi Jerry,

The same offer I made to Bob applies to you. So let me know when you'll be or are at Atlantic Highlands.


Fair winds,
Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[jerryaxler]

Thanks for the offer.Depending on weather we may go offshore to sail and save fuel costs. We just paid $6 for diesel when we topped off.

[Dick Kobayashi]

You might consider the following three options that are not on the typical itinerary but are all exquisite: Westport, get a mooring at Tripps - not as hard to get into as many think, Quissett Harbor just up the coast from Woods Hole - an almost completely enbayed harbor - easy to walk into Town and adjacent to Conservation Land facing the Bay, Last Lake Tashmoo on MV - You can walk to Town but are also in an embayed location - need to check depth or go in at high water. Also in and around MV, WH and such you need to pay close attention to the current tables in Eldridge. fyi Tisbury, MA (location of Vinyard Haven and Tashmoo is a dry town, nice, but dry.

[Seawolf]

Of course, the bars and good restaurants on the Vineyard are in Oak Bluffs -- 5min. from Vineyard Haven by shuttle -- or Edgartown -- 30min. If you're cruising through and haven't done it before, you should certainly see Cuttyhunk. If you're heading up the coast and not in a particular hurry, come to Sippican Harbor -- good anchorage, little town's right there, full provisions, and if you're daring, The Wave is just up the street (though the Sippican Cafe is better.) I wish I had "a month or more"! Fair winds.

[Joe Myerson]

Let me second some of Dick's recommendations.

Lake Tashmoo, adjacent to Vineyard Haven (a 20 minute walk) has wonderful holding ground, and is quite deep, once you get past the shoals near the entrance.

Tisbury theoretically limits you to two nights at anchor (longer if you pay big bucks for accommodations ashore), but I don't think they're very serious about enforcement.

The town IS serious about no-discharge regulations, but they've got a free pump-out boat in Tashmoo, and the attendant is a real character.

--Joe

[Dalton]

If you stop at Sandy Hook I suggest you anchor at Atlantic Highlands behind the breakwater unless the wind is east. Then you can anchor behind the hook without any rolling. In Atlantic Highlands communicate with The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club Launch if you need anything. You can rent a mooring on a first come first serve basis for $45.00. But the anchorage is good holding in mud and only a hundred yards from the first dingy docks. If you want to keep your dinghy stowed they offer unlimited launch service for $20.00/day. The launch runs from 1000 to 2200 Mon - Thurs, 1000 - 0000 on Fridays, 0800 - 0000 Saturdays and 0800 - 2200 Sundays. The Yacht Club is located on the second floor on top of of the banquet hall "The Shore Casino" The club is very welcoming and offers a great view to the north from a great bar. The Yacht Club kitchen offers dinner Thursday through Sunday. Wednesday is race night with a $6.00 buffet. The town has pretty much anything you need in the way of supplies. And it's a great place to start off from for the run up the East River.

You can easily make it a good long way into the sound from there if you start early. Your departure will be dictated by the currents. Be sure and get a copy of Eldridge for the current maps. We like to stop in Manhasset Bay after the East River run. Great holding in mud at the head of the harbor. Lots of marinas and services too if you want.

Hail us on channel 09 when you're in town. We'll keep an eye out for you.

GD

[Bob L]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm adding them to my list.

Dalton, I do plan to stop at Manhasset after making it through NY. I also have a copy of Eldridge and think I've figured out when to continue north from Sandy Hook.

We'll give a hail on 09 to you and Jerry when we get settled.

Bob

[Evergreen]

Has anyone with a five foot draft gone through the Cape May Canal yet this year?

We wanted to last year but didn't dare because the cruising guide said there was questionable shoaling at the time.

Also, is it still possible to anchor near the Coast Guard station? I believe that is just about the only place to anchor if I remember correctly.