US East Coast must see stops

[NotreVoyage]

We have done NYC to FL this winter. Look at LeeandPeter.com for our trip. Some great spots, we took 3 months.

[Pendragon35]

We have a slip at Anchorage Marina in Baltimore. I'd highly suggest it. Baltimore has lots of sites and the marina itself is across the river from Fort McHenry. It's easy to get around on foot, the marina is near enough to downtown to walk. Message me if you want more information. I don't know the rates for when you would be there, but it's a great place to park for a bit if you like history.

[lesterbutch]

I double down on Mystic Seaport! If you go no where else you should go there!

[malyea]

Lookout Bight, NC

[sailorboy1]

Been putting the trip together in my mind, any worth doing stops between NYC and Cape May that a sailboat can get in to?

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Been putting the trip together in my mind, any worth doing stops between NYC and Cape May that a sailboat can get in to?

"Worth doing" is subjective. If shelter is what you need, there's Sandy Hook, Barnagut, Atlantic City, and Cape May. Cape Henlopen might be a good anchorage unless the wind is N. Barnagut might be dicey if the wind is easterly and especially if the tide is ebbing. If in doubt skip it or call out for local knowledge.

[cruisersfarm]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

"Worth doing" is subjective. If shelter is what you need, there's Sandy Hook, Barnagut, Atlantic City, and Cape May. Cape Henlopen might be a good anchorage unless the wind is N. Barnagut might be dicey if the wind is easterly and especially if the tide is ebbing. If in doubt skip it or call out for local knowledge.

Good point.

It's a tough list because people have different ideas of what they want to do.

To some, Atlantic City would be a must see.

[Sailingmartin]

Thanks for this great thread. We shall be sailing up from Portsmouth, Va, (after doing the ARC USA - currently in the Caribbean) to New England from June and then back to Florida and the Bahamas when it gets cold. This has given us some good ideas in addition to the sailing guides etc. Not being from the US it's a great help! Many thanks and maybe see some of you in the next six months or so!


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Moody46CC]

Not much between NYC and Cape May, and it's a really long run in a sailboat. If you are going to run it non-stop, time your departure from NYC so you'll enter Cape May in daylight. The entrance is easy even in the dark, but the number of marinas, lit buoys, and shore lights will confuse you the first time. The interior of the inlet is shallow outside the marked channels. You can make Atlantic City in a long day, leaving Atlantic Highlands at dawn or earlier. Easy out from Atlantic Highlands around Sandy Hook into the ocean, then just run south. Absecon Inlet (Atlantic City) is a jettied inlet and easy enough, but the last time I was there the USCG had three red floating markers on the north side of the channel marking shoaling or shifting sands. These are not on the chart which will say markers moved owing to frequent shoaling. I entered in the dark and only saw those when leaving the next AM. Ooops. Big shock. Shoulda used my radar. Duh!

Can tie up in the huge state marina at the foot of a giant casino, but it is expensive. And while a casino is a casino (and remember the place was not built by winners), if you've never been, go and watch senior citizens in action. On the opposite side of the inlet, just before the bridge and to the east of it, is a small sound that offers a good anchorage and protection. Not really noted on charts, but check it out on Active Captain. Quite a bit there. I'm planning on staying there when heading north this summer. Also an anchorage i the inlet itself by the casino, but subject to currents, tide change and traffic.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Moody46CC

You can make Atlantic City in a long day, leaving Atlantic Highlands at dawn or earlier.

On the opposite side of the inlet, just before the bridge and to the east of it, is a small sound that offers a good anchorage and protection. Not really noted on charts, but check it out on Active Captain. Quite a bit there. I'm planning on staying there when heading north this summer. Also an anchorage i the inlet itself by the casino, but subject to currents, tide change and traffic.

The anchorage seems "iffy" in the Active Captain reviews. Since I'm been to Atlantic City and understand it is more run down now than then, I'm not all that interested in stopping there if a slip would be needed.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I'm going to be heading south this year from the Boston area. I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere other than not see snow or feeling cold. I expect to make it to at least the Bahamas this year.

What are must do/see stops along the way? We like history and museum types of things.

While you have received many good suggestions already, you might find the blog of the yacht Fleetwind informative. It covers several years of travels from New York to Key West and return including information on many stops and out-of-the-way locations. For more see (click on) Fleetwind.

[Moody46CC]

The anchorage seems "iffy" in the Active Captain reviews. Since I'm been to Atlantic City and understand it is more run down now than then, I'm not all that interested in stopping there if a slip would be needed.

If you have a deep draft, play the tides. Most of the reviews on Active Captain were positive on my last look. There is a small marina (name unknown) next to the USCG station, opposite the big state marina. Cheaper but I'm not sure how cheaper. Atlantic City is sad, but if you need a break, cut in and stay there.

In a smaller boat, I have gone up the inlet beyond the 60' (?) bridge and anchored peacefully between the marsh area to the left and the channel of the Jersey ICW markers. Fine place if you can clear the bridge with your mast. Can be buggy, but I have cockpit screens.

Otherwise, pick a good weather window and run down the coast. If you go on a weekend, go 5 miles off shore to avoid the many small fishing boats, not all of which run lights. In the day, you can run the 3 mile line on your chart. Just plan on an overnight run from NYC and try to enter Cape May in daylight. It's a fun run in decent weather.

[sailorboy1]

How about things to see while going up the Delaware Bay -> Baltimore -> Washington DC loop?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

How about things to see while going up the Delaware Bay -> Baltimore -> Washington DC loop?

Have not recently seen any updates on anchoring or marinas in DC but if that's still possible I could spend a week there visiting the various sites and museums.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Have not recently seen any updates on anchoring or marinas in DC but if that's still possible I could spend a week there visiting the various sites and museums.

Anchor in front of the Capitol Yacht Club in DC. Weekly reasonable fee to use there dinghy dock and showers. Close walk to the Jefferson Memorial, a subway station and a grocery store.