New Sailor - Quick Question

[Mav2005]

I'll be starting my sailing training here soon, but I had a quick question for those of you with much more experience than me. How long would it take to sail from Norfolk, Virginia to Atlantic City, NJ (there abouts) completely offshore? I realize that this trip would depend on the season, but let's say once in the fall and once in the summer.

Thanks

[Vasco]

How fast is your boat?

[Mav2005]

Let's figure around 10kts. I think that would be about right for a 30-35ft Cruiser? I'm just looking down the line at trips that I would like to make once I have more experience.

[Hud3]

Mav,

I did the "Round Delmarva" once, and it took us almost 24 hours from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Cape Henlopen, Delaware. Winds were light to none, so we didn't have a fast trip. It's another 45-50 nm from Cape Henlopen to Atlantic City, so add eight or nine hours. My boat has a 32' waterline, for comparison purposes.

Now if you end up beating into a Nor'easter, all bets are off!

[Hud3]

Your post came while I was typing. Are you talking about a sailboat or a powerboat when you say "cruiser"? If sail, plan on 5.0-5.5 kts on average for a boat that size. It's about 175 nm from the Bay Bridge Tunnel north channel to Atlantic City.

[speciald@ocens.]

10 kts in a 30 foot sailboat - dream on! More like 5 kts. Assuming you leave the Chesapeake and travel up the DElMArVA coast to New jersey, the trip would be about 300 miles. You probably would carry tankage of about 40 gallons so you couldn't motor that distance without supplemental tankage. Count on a trip of 3 days if the wind is with you.

[Vasco]

A sailboat that size would do very well to average 6 knots. The distance just off the top of my head is about 180 miles. That's 30 hours if you don't have to tack. In real life it'll probably take you longer. A power boat at ten knots would do it in 18 hours if you can afford the fuel.

[harryrezz]

Only way you'll ever see 10 kt in a 30-something sailboat is if it also has a big V-8 engine!
Allow at least two days for that trip - with LUCK you might leave early on one day and arrive by evening of the second day.

[SkiprJohn]

Good luck Mav.

Mav2005 hasn't said whether it is power or sail. Either will be slower than 10knots unless it is a planing powerboat. Even with the absolute largest engine you could squeeze into a displacement hull (sailboat) you are not going to go over hull speed which will be around 7 knots depending on waterline length.

Kind regards,
JohnL

[Hud3]

Mav2005 hasn't been back to read the responses since 7th July, so I suppose the trip is off...

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Mav2005 hasn't been back to read the responses since 7th July, so I suppose the trip is off...

Cost of Fuel....