Inter-Coastal Travel

[Captain Guido]

Greetings!
I purchased an R-23 back in 2019. I'm still a novice, logging a little over 100 hours and 1,100 miles. My wife and I have docked overnight at marinas along the Hudson River, Erie Canal, and southeastern Lake Ontario.

For 2021, we plan to travel beyond the Hudson River. During the last 2 weeks of July, I want to get onto a portion of the intercoastal waterway; from New York Harbor, south to Ocean City MD (into Isle of Wight Bay), and then return to the Hudson.

For those who have traveled this part of the intercoastal waterway, particularly in a Ranger Tug, I would greatly appreciate feedback on your experience. My questions;

-What is realistic in terms of # of travel days between these 2 points?
-What are good docking and fueling locations along the way?
-Are there any surprises or delays you experienced?
-Any recommended publications or maps beyond my Garman interface?
-Are there areas of the intercoastal to avoid?
-Should I typically plan for early morning departures and avoid afternoon transit?
-It appears that the intercoastal is not continuous, and transiting open water is necessary. What planning is needed to safely travel those sections in an R23?
-Can I expect periods of smooth open water, with travel "on-plane" (25-30kts)?
-Is it common to take advantage of calm seas and extend travel along the coast rather than go into the intercoastal?
-On the flip side, what's your "Go-No Go" decision criteria before each day of travel?

Thank you for any advise you may have.
Captain Guido.

 

[knotflying]

Time required is always a function of winds and weather. Here is my opinion: The ride from the Verrazano bridge to Cape May is not one of the most wonderful on the Loop. There is a lot of slow going and shallow spots on the inside and spots that you will need to go on the outside. If I were going to take a two week trip I might suggest going down the Hudson and then hit the Long Island Sound There is plenty to see and do all around the sound and you can go to Block Island, Montauk, Shelter Harbor, Newport, Martha's Vineyard Nantucket and many other places of interest. Some of the places I mention are a bit aggressive for a two week trip, but pick and choose. If you have not been to Liberty landing in NJ it is a great stop for visiting Manhattan. You can then go up the East River and get to the sound. Hells Gate is fine as long as you time it at slack. Having done most of the Loop The NJ ICW would not be one of my choices for a fun two week trip.

 

[FWTMD]

https://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=en#b ... qlnnFtcrhM

That link to Navionics is their charts, that you probably have on your Garmin. But that works on your PC, or mine anyway. It doesn't work on my phone without a subscription. You can plug in your boat speed, fuel burn at that speed, and draft and then hit autoroute between legs of the trip. The point being you can do this at home and begin to get a grip on breaking the trip into legs to estimate what is involved. Note that in a lot of places there are no wake zones so you won't be on plane at high speed. But this is a start. You can zero in on inlets you might want to use, and then begin a targeted search on how safe and desireable it is in real life. You can begin to eyeball targeted anchor spots for the evening. You can begin to estimate where you will need to be looking for a marina for fuel, water, and empty blackwater.

Don't forget to account for days where you WANT to pause and spend a day. Pleasure boating should include pleasure.

 

[dclagett]

Leaving Cape May you are basically in open ocean and it is 40+ miles to the Ocean City inlet. If you come thru the Cape May canal to the mouth of the Delaware Bay be careful around the Cape May/Lewes ferry terminal. When the ferries are docking they can generate considerable current across the canal. Obviously in a 23 foot boat you will need to pick you weather carefully and make sure to time the inlets when the current and wind is not in opposite directions. Standing waves in both the Indian River and Ocean City inlets can get quite exciting. In your 23 given good weather conditions, it will not take you long for your trip to Ocean City. There are many good places to dock in Ocean City. If you pick a marina behind the barrier island such as the White Marlin Marina you will be very close to the beach and and restaurants. Another marina behind the barrier island, the Talbot Street Pier, still has the good access but can be very rough due to wave action.

Have a great trip!

 

[FWTMD]

There are many good places to dock in Ocean City. If you pick a marina behind the barrier island such as the White Marlin Marina you will be very close to the beach and and restaurants.

Martha's Landing has an outstanding high end restaurant. And separately, a great dock bar that is a favorite of locals. Across the street is The Shark which is pretty good. A short walk takes you to a dockside bar called Harborside, famous for their Orange Crush cocktails (they go down rather smooth, and you can get hammered on them pretty fast. Just sayin' 🙂)

 

[Captain Guido]

Thanks for the feedback. To clarify my 2 week trip, I have overnights scheduled in Cape May and Ocean City, so the objective is to add in the boat. The Navionics link and plotting the trip will be most helpful. I have the winter to plan so I'll see if it makes sense. Maybe putting it on my trailer and dropping it in Cape May is the best option.

 

[knotflying]

Hey if you are up to towing there are plenty of beautiful spots to go! You can easily spend two weeks on the Chesapeake and see many beautiful spots and lots of history.

 

[SgtAlf]

Captain Guido,
I haunt the Barnegat Bay all summer. I will tell you the trip from the Barnegat Inlet to Cape May is 16 hrs via ICW, and 6 hrs if you can jump outside. The run south from Sandy Hook is done outside to the Manasquan Inlet, then the Point Pleasant Canal (PIA) after that, depending on how fast you cruise, Barnegat inlet is maybe an hour, with slow spots at two bridges.
Keep in touch!

 

[Captain Guido]

So Sandy Point to Cape May will be at least 2 full days minimum in ideal conditions. Thanks for the input.

 

[jimbeam]

Two of us traveled the ICW from Norfolk Va. to Hilton Head SC 2 years ago in an R25. It was middle December so very little traffic.
We took the Coinjock route which entails 1 lock. We did not take the dismal swamp route. Had no problems except for some rough weather in Pamlico sound. Did some damage to the swim platform support (bent) when hitting a piling in strong winds.
But repaired it by carefully applied pressure from above ( standing and lightly jumping up and down on the corner). Did not crack or damage gel coat. It is at times a very long and boring trip with large expanses of empty wilderness and canals.
We timed it to stay in marinas along the way ( 40 to 50 mile days) but being in December we had no problem anywhere.
In early fall and spring they say to make reservations along the way. Upon exiting the canal into Charleston harbor we ran into heavy wind and seas (going south) and tucked in behind a larger vessel. DON'T STAY AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM. It was nice but when a ship passes by in the river it kicks up a very large wake (even though they were going slow) The boat rocked almost 35 degrees from side to side. Check the winds on Abelmarle sound below Coinjock. We got lucky and flat but light winds can build up a nasty chop since it is shallow. Don't let this discourage you, we had a great time and the boat handled everything well. We were planning to Florida but we were tired and ended up at Shelter Cove Harbor at Hilton Head. Well protected and tons of bars and restaurants on the walkway. Great bicycle paths all over the island. I heard that Georgia is a pain with many twisting canals. You go 30 miles and can look back and see where you stayed the night before. I would do it again in heartbeat ( if Judy lets me, lol).
Have fun,
Jimbeam

 

[Brian 27 OB]

Two of us traveled the ICW from Norfolk Va. to Hilton Head SC 2 years ago in an R25. It was middle December so very little traffic.

That sounds awesome. It’s on my bucket list. Curious why you skipped dismal swamp. I have heard it’s a must do.

 

[knotflying]

I did the dismal swamp. A one time event for me. Staying at night at the free dock/ auto road stop was a bit of a hoot. It is a small dock so everyone starts to raft up and party. The next stop after that is Elizabeth City Free Dock and a pleasant stop and a good pace to stock up on supplies and wait out and winds that will turn up Albermarel sound.

 

[jimbeam]

Didn't take the dismal swamp route because heard on the grapevine, low water and numerous logs just under the surface. The dismal swamp route was closed for awhile due to the hurricane but it opened back up after about 2-3 weeks I believe.
jimbeam