Hello everyone,
I am taking my CD 28 north from the mouth of Delaware Bay to Raritan Bay in NJ...I will have the boat hauled and the mast taken down at Lockwood's Marina in Perth Amboy. I havn't sailed up the NJ coast before...does anyone have any experience and/or special instructions for this sail. My intention is to stay just a few miles off the NJ coast and sail day and night (weather permitting). Can anyone reccommend places to pull in if the weather deteriorates? I plan to rent an epirb from boat US before leaving...I hope the weather will be even half as good as it was this weekend! Thanks.
Paul
hull 81 cd 28 - Tradewind
rfurman@dmv.com
sailing north on Halloween
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Jerry Axler
Re: sailing north on Halloween
I've made this trip many times on my way up to New England and I have stopped at all of the A rated inlets at one time or another. Cape May and Absecon(Atlantic City) are easy to enter in any condition and there are easy anchorages close to the entrance. Manasquan is relatively easy to enter, but the current once inside can be pretty severe and there is not much room to anchor. Getting in and out of a slip here can be a very interesting experience. The other inlets are not all weather inlets and in some conditions require local knowledge.Hello everyone,
I am taking my CD 28 north from the mouth of Delaware Bay to Raritan Bay in NJ...I will have the boat hauled and the mast taken down at Lockwood's Marina in Perth Amboy. I havn't sailed up the NJ coast before...does anyone have any experience and/or special instructions for this sail. My intention is to stay just a few miles off the NJ coast and sail day and night (weather permitting). Can anyone reccommend places to pull in if the weather deteriorates? I plan to rent an epirb from boat US before leaving...I hope the weather will be even half as good as it was this weekend! Thanks.
Paul
hull 81 cd 28 - Tradewind
Good luck on your trip and remember to go wide when entering at Sandy Point.
Jerry Axler
CD36
cutter36@erols.com
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Catherine Monaghan
Re: sailing north on Halloween
Paul,
Have your charts handy and plot your course and create a course log beforehand and try to stick to it. NJ's coast isn't always very friendly and there are only three good inlets: Cape May, Absecon (Atlantic City) and Mannesquan. And there are shoal areas offshore that you'll want to avoid.
As you approach NY harbor, keep a sharp lookout for ships and don't forget to check behind you often. Try to stay out of the shipping lanes except to cross them.
When you enter the bay from the sea try to head more towards the lighthouse at West Bank (brown bick) rather than Roamer Shoals (red and white). You can essentially head up the middle between the two lighthouses. You don't want to pass too close to the Roamer Shoals lighthouse, it is a shoal area as it's name implies. From there you can head toward the lighthouse at Old Orchard Shoals and from there you'll be able to see the power plant on the horizon in South Amboy, keep heading towards it -- nearly due west.
Lockwood Boat Works is located in Morgan, NJ on a creek off of the Cheesequeake Creek. If you sail to Perth Amboy, you'll have gone too far.
If you sail near the channel, turn on a heading of 235 when you get to green can #3 (Raritan). That will point you towards the inlet for the Cheesequake. The ends of the rock breakwaters on either side of the inlet are marked by green and red markers.
The deep water in the inlet is on the right side. Once in the inlet, you'll pass under two bridges: first the "Morgan Highway" bridge followed by "NJ Transit Morgan Rail". They're about 200 feet apart. They are both bascule bridges and can be reached on VHF channel 13, and they open on demand after October 15th.
The rail bridge is usually open unless they're expecting a train. If the rail bridge is closed you can safely sit to the wind and current pretty much anywhere in the space between the two bridges and Zumbach's and Viking Marina except near the south shore, the left side of the rail bridge.
Once you pass under both bridges, stay on the right side (north) of the river close to the Olde Spy Marina. (It's a no wake zone from the inlet to the end of the Olde Spy.) At the last boat in the marina the river will meander to the right, follow that meander and stay about 20-30 feet from the shoreline. From there you'll be able to see the end of Lockwood's dock on the small creek that flows into the Cheesequake. Make your turn close to the boats. You'll need to stay to the right on this creek too and stay close (5-10 feet away) to the boats.
Find out from Lockwood's beforehand where they want you to park your boat. The marina is usually full and marina patrons aren't too happy when they return from a day's boating to find another boat in their slip. Lockwood's usually have the boats coming in for winter storage raft up on the floating dock near the launching area for the travel lifts. So you may have to join a raft that's already 3 or 4 boats wide. There's not much room to maneuver on the creek, so make sure you're moving slowly.
Have a great trip, maybe we'll see you out there.
If you spot a boat with tanbark sails, it's probably us. You can hail us on VHF 16.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
Have your charts handy and plot your course and create a course log beforehand and try to stick to it. NJ's coast isn't always very friendly and there are only three good inlets: Cape May, Absecon (Atlantic City) and Mannesquan. And there are shoal areas offshore that you'll want to avoid.
As you approach NY harbor, keep a sharp lookout for ships and don't forget to check behind you often. Try to stay out of the shipping lanes except to cross them.
When you enter the bay from the sea try to head more towards the lighthouse at West Bank (brown bick) rather than Roamer Shoals (red and white). You can essentially head up the middle between the two lighthouses. You don't want to pass too close to the Roamer Shoals lighthouse, it is a shoal area as it's name implies. From there you can head toward the lighthouse at Old Orchard Shoals and from there you'll be able to see the power plant on the horizon in South Amboy, keep heading towards it -- nearly due west.
Lockwood Boat Works is located in Morgan, NJ on a creek off of the Cheesequeake Creek. If you sail to Perth Amboy, you'll have gone too far.
If you sail near the channel, turn on a heading of 235 when you get to green can #3 (Raritan). That will point you towards the inlet for the Cheesequake. The ends of the rock breakwaters on either side of the inlet are marked by green and red markers.
The deep water in the inlet is on the right side. Once in the inlet, you'll pass under two bridges: first the "Morgan Highway" bridge followed by "NJ Transit Morgan Rail". They're about 200 feet apart. They are both bascule bridges and can be reached on VHF channel 13, and they open on demand after October 15th.
The rail bridge is usually open unless they're expecting a train. If the rail bridge is closed you can safely sit to the wind and current pretty much anywhere in the space between the two bridges and Zumbach's and Viking Marina except near the south shore, the left side of the rail bridge.
Once you pass under both bridges, stay on the right side (north) of the river close to the Olde Spy Marina. (It's a no wake zone from the inlet to the end of the Olde Spy.) At the last boat in the marina the river will meander to the right, follow that meander and stay about 20-30 feet from the shoreline. From there you'll be able to see the end of Lockwood's dock on the small creek that flows into the Cheesequake. Make your turn close to the boats. You'll need to stay to the right on this creek too and stay close (5-10 feet away) to the boats.
Find out from Lockwood's beforehand where they want you to park your boat. The marina is usually full and marina patrons aren't too happy when they return from a day's boating to find another boat in their slip. Lockwood's usually have the boats coming in for winter storage raft up on the floating dock near the launching area for the travel lifts. So you may have to join a raft that's already 3 or 4 boats wide. There's not much room to maneuver on the creek, so make sure you're moving slowly.
Have a great trip, maybe we'll see you out there.
If you spot a boat with tanbark sails, it's probably us. You can hail us on VHF 16.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
Hello everyone,
I am taking my CD 28 north from the mouth of Delaware Bay to Raritan Bay in NJ...I will have the boat hauled and the mast taken down at Lockwood's Marina in Perth Amboy. I havn't sailed up the NJ coast before...does anyone have any experience and/or special instructions for this sail. My intention is to stay just a few miles off the NJ coast and sail day and night (weather permitting). Can anyone reccommend places to pull in if the weather deteriorates? I plan to rent an epirb from boat US before leaving...I hope the weather will be even half as good as it was this weekend! Thanks.
Paul
hull 81 cd 28 - Tradewind
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
-
Richard Feffer
Re: sailing north on Halloween
Paul,
Like Jerry, I've done this trip both ways several times. There are a few options you might want to consider.
First, you may want to spend a day and/or night in Atlantic City. Good spot is Farley State Marina. Good restaurants, entertainment, casinos, people watching, etc. If you don't want to stay at the marina, there is a good anchorage directly across the channel.
If the weather turns against you, there is an inland waterway you can take up to Manasquan providing you draw less than five feet. Just make sure you have current charts for this run though. There are some pretty thin spots along this route and they change the buoys according to conditions.
From Atlantic City, you can make it on the outside to Sandy Hook in a day. Albeit a long one. Just make sure you get an early start to account for the shortened daylight hours.
Another option is to go into Manasquan. Very limited anchorage. The Shrimp Box Restaurant next to the Coast Guard Station will let you tie up for the night no charge if you eat there. (Some have stayed for free and not used the restaurant!)
Shark River is another inlet with a good anchorage in favorable weather. Make sure the bridge is open before you start in. Current can be tricky!
Good luck! Let us know how the trip went.
Richard
RichFef@Prodigy.net
Like Jerry, I've done this trip both ways several times. There are a few options you might want to consider.
First, you may want to spend a day and/or night in Atlantic City. Good spot is Farley State Marina. Good restaurants, entertainment, casinos, people watching, etc. If you don't want to stay at the marina, there is a good anchorage directly across the channel.
If the weather turns against you, there is an inland waterway you can take up to Manasquan providing you draw less than five feet. Just make sure you have current charts for this run though. There are some pretty thin spots along this route and they change the buoys according to conditions.
From Atlantic City, you can make it on the outside to Sandy Hook in a day. Albeit a long one. Just make sure you get an early start to account for the shortened daylight hours.
Another option is to go into Manasquan. Very limited anchorage. The Shrimp Box Restaurant next to the Coast Guard Station will let you tie up for the night no charge if you eat there. (Some have stayed for free and not used the restaurant!)
Shark River is another inlet with a good anchorage in favorable weather. Make sure the bridge is open before you start in. Current can be tricky!
Good luck! Let us know how the trip went.
Richard
RichFef@Prodigy.net
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Jeff Schmoyer
Re: sailing north on Halloween
Paul,
I've done parts of this trip in my CD 27. I also used to keep my boat at Morgan Marina- Cathy's post describes entry very well. I'd add that from Raritan Bay about 2 miles off, the most prominent feature of the inlet is that the two large power line poles that stradle the bridge look like giant "clothes pins".
If you have a good weather window, this time of year, it's really best to sail all night and ride it all the way up the coast. Things have a way of turning dodgy quickly this time of year. If things threaten to turn, agree w/ the other posts that Atlantic City is best short term layover point due to safe inlet. However, if you start your trip and then find a prediction of more prolonged bad weather...think about a trip up the ICW to Manasquan either from AC or Barnegat inlet. Unlike south of AC, there are no fixed
bridges you won't be able to transit.
If (and I mean ONLY if!) the weather is still good (no east winds) Barnegat inlet is also a possiblity. I've transited several times this year in fair weather and it's been quite benign, especially on flood tide. Just watch out for the north jetty submerged rocks. And in any kind of easterly or strong swell conditions, give it a pass.
The nice thing about needing to get out of the weather for more than a day or two getting a forced chance to sail up Barnegat Bay to Manasquan. It's a beautiful cruise this time of year, with many great marinas and anchorages and much less boat traffic. I highly recommend buying Don Launer's Cruising Guide to NJ (try Amazon.com) which steps you through the myriad of choices.
And here's one ancorage tip that Don missed: behind West Point Island. Not sure why this place hasn't gained fame, as it's sheltered in ALL wind directions quite pleasant. No services though. Just north of Hwy 37 bridge to Seaside Heights is a channel heading NE toward West Point Island. The chart shows a 'shoal' area on the way in, and there is one, but you can carry 5 feet, not 4, at low water for about 200 feet, then regain 6 feet+ all the way around to the back of the island.
We have our CD 27 docked at our home right next door to this anchorage, near the Docksider Marine complex (which has some vacant slips for transients but no services). If you need some hospitality or advice, just call me on my cellphone (201) 310-5919 or email me.
Jeff
jeff.schmoyer@iff.com
I've done parts of this trip in my CD 27. I also used to keep my boat at Morgan Marina- Cathy's post describes entry very well. I'd add that from Raritan Bay about 2 miles off, the most prominent feature of the inlet is that the two large power line poles that stradle the bridge look like giant "clothes pins".
If you have a good weather window, this time of year, it's really best to sail all night and ride it all the way up the coast. Things have a way of turning dodgy quickly this time of year. If things threaten to turn, agree w/ the other posts that Atlantic City is best short term layover point due to safe inlet. However, if you start your trip and then find a prediction of more prolonged bad weather...think about a trip up the ICW to Manasquan either from AC or Barnegat inlet. Unlike south of AC, there are no fixed
bridges you won't be able to transit.
If (and I mean ONLY if!) the weather is still good (no east winds) Barnegat inlet is also a possiblity. I've transited several times this year in fair weather and it's been quite benign, especially on flood tide. Just watch out for the north jetty submerged rocks. And in any kind of easterly or strong swell conditions, give it a pass.
The nice thing about needing to get out of the weather for more than a day or two getting a forced chance to sail up Barnegat Bay to Manasquan. It's a beautiful cruise this time of year, with many great marinas and anchorages and much less boat traffic. I highly recommend buying Don Launer's Cruising Guide to NJ (try Amazon.com) which steps you through the myriad of choices.
And here's one ancorage tip that Don missed: behind West Point Island. Not sure why this place hasn't gained fame, as it's sheltered in ALL wind directions quite pleasant. No services though. Just north of Hwy 37 bridge to Seaside Heights is a channel heading NE toward West Point Island. The chart shows a 'shoal' area on the way in, and there is one, but you can carry 5 feet, not 4, at low water for about 200 feet, then regain 6 feet+ all the way around to the back of the island.
We have our CD 27 docked at our home right next door to this anchorage, near the Docksider Marine complex (which has some vacant slips for transients but no services). If you need some hospitality or advice, just call me on my cellphone (201) 310-5919 or email me.
Jeff
jeff.schmoyer@iff.com