Overnight anchorage between C&D and Cape May

[Clipper4730]

Just curious if there are any decent places to stop between cape May and the C&D canal. We draw 5'11"

Thanks

[AnchorageGuy]

Not really, Any possible anchorages are so far off your course it won't make much sense. Just wait for a good weather forecast and try to transit on a favorable tide. Sit tight if you have any winds against the tide. Once you reach the canal, you can anchor just past the entrance to the C&d or go into the marina. Chuck

[chuckr]

It has been a while but we anchored just before the C&D on the way north and had a good night - there were some markers going in if i remember correctly and we anchored near the shore.

It was in the crusing guide we used.

[AnchorageGuy]

I just looked at some of our old Logs. There is a possible anchorage in Cohansey Cove that I do remember. It is pretty open with shallow areas so you will need a good recent chart. Another possibility is Alloway Creek or Reedy Island but by then you are almost at the Canal. Good luck and stay safe. Chuck

[Juniper]

I anchored just inside the cohansey river, not the best ancherage but it works in a pinch, there are some marinas up in there too,

[hpeer]

Augustine Beach, just south of the C&D jetties is a decent anchorage. Narrow channel in. Marked on Active Captain.

OR you can come into the Delaware City Marina, just North of the jetties.

In settled weather I have just anchored close to shore.

[CaptainBW]

Just south of the C&D in Delaware bay is a great spot behind Reedy Island. PM me if you want specific directions of how to get in. There are jettys submerged during high tide but there is a break that is navigable. Other than that I don't know of anything that is suitable. Not much protection south of Reedy Island.

[ALAIN97133]

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

Just curious if there are any decent places to stop between cape May and the C&D canal. We draw 5'11"

Thanks

Using the rising tide, last July in my Ericson 34, I did Cape May/C&D canal/Northern Chesapeake in broad daylight, in one day under power & sailing; 6 knots max on the water. more on the bottom I anchored in the first inlet on the Eastern side of Northern Chesapeake Bay, just as I entered the Chesapeake Bay. The chart said 5 feet of water but I found 10 where I anchored. The current is sometime strong & as I woke up the next morning I found my sailboat at right angle from the anchor line... Weird

[skipmac]

I'm curious myself why go through the C&D Canal at all unless the goal is to go slow and enjoy the scenery. If instead the goal is to get south it's about 100 miles shorter to go outside.

About 165 nm and an easy one night trip. Leave in the morning from Cape May or Lewes and you should make Norfolk by lunch the next day. Even if the trip takes slightly longer it should still give you time to get through the bridges in Norfolk before they close for afternoon rush hour.

[ALAIN97133]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I'm curious myself why go through the C&D Canal at all unless the goal is to go slow and enjoy the scenery. If instead the goal is to get south it's about 100 miles shorter to go outside.

About 165 nm and an easy one night trip. Leave in the morning from Cape May or Lewes and you should make Norfolk by lunch the next day. Even if the trip takes slightly longer it should still give you time to get through the bridges in Norfolk before they close for afternoon rush hour.

I live & work in the French West Indies (St-Barthelemy island) & I had to find a place to leave my Ericson 34 'till the end of the hurricane season I knew the great people of Oak Harbor Marina & Annapolis is next door... Whatever I need to get my sailboat ready -for the Norfolk/Sint Maarten offshore passage- I know I'll find it there. Also I've sailed the Chesapeake North to South three times already & I've always enjoyed it...