Timing; NY to FL

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by smacksman

I bought an old 30' sailboat sight unseen on an eBay auction and flew from the UK to jump on board a week later. Ten days sorting her out then left Connecticutt mid October 2012 single handing her to Key West day sailing in the ICW. I wanted to see the US and meet Americans so the easy offshore route was not my thing. I spent over a week in Cape May as hurricane Sandy went over the top (an experience!). Cold up the Delaware and down Chesapeake and through the Dismal Swamp. Thanksgiving at Elizabeth City free dock - lovely. Hauled her out at Hampstead NC 5th. December (the end of my 3 month US visa) and flew back to the UK for the winter. So about six weeks from New London to a day sail short of Carolina Beach NC including hurricanes and tourist trips.
Back in early April 2013 for a week fitting out then splashed on 10th April and headed south into southerly winds - again. 15th April - Charlestown SC; 21st. April - St Augustine; 2nd. May - Fort Lauderdale so about three weeks.
So in answer to your question, about nine weeks easy day sailing ( well motoring) in rather unsettled weather.
I made some YouTube videos of the trip and costs under my handle smacksman1.

I think you have it right. A lot of the pleasures in sailing are the people you meet and the places you see. Ports of call are far more interesting than looking at water. JMHO

[TPG]

Am interested in the areas to avoid; did a quick search and could not find it. Can you elaborate?

[smacksman]

Originally Posted by TPG

Am interested in the areas to avoid; did a quick search and could not find it. Can you elaborate?

None at all as far as I was concerned. Basic good seamanship and reading your excellent charts and tidal information combined with the constraints of your vessel is all you need.

[teneicm]

No time limit, but the later you leave it the colder it gets. Leave late October to early Nov and do a few short outside hops as weather windows allow. New York to Cape May, Cape May to Cape Lookout, Cape Lookout to Charleston, Charleston to Cumberland Island/ St. Mary's. Be in St. Mary's for the cruisers Thanksgiving celebration- good fun.

[rossny]

Leave now if you are ready, just left yesterday down the Hudson and will wait out tomorrows weather at Sandy hook or Staten island.

[Aircool]

Any body know the duckweed situation in the Dismal swamp at the moment?

[carlwk3c]

Originally Posted by aliddell

Thanks for the insight. 34' monohull, 4'1" draft, dodger and bimini w/connector. Probably inside as I haven't done that yet.

We left top of the Chesapeake on 1/1/17.
Got iced in at Great Brudge Lock, just S of Norfolk for 4 days with a blizzard.
Froze my n*ts off until we got to NC, but otherwise it was a great trip.

[mabowers]

Originally Posted by Aircool

Any body know the duckweed situation in the Dismal swamp at the moment?

VA: Dismal Swamp severe duckweed MM 28


Waterway Guide has a report of severe duckweed from the North Carolina Welcome Center, through the South Mills Lock, and for another 10 miles south. Four of eight boats transiting yesterday ended up with blocked intakes and two had overheated engines. Take care and call ahead to the lock master on the state of the duckweed.