Are we the last boat going south?

[gemapc]

Hello everybody:
Just reach he Sandwich marina in Cape Cod canal and found no fellow sailers here. We departed Mount Desert Island last Tuesday and we haven't seen any other sailing boats around. All facilities shut for the winter!

[wsmurdoch]

Originally Posted by gemapc

Hello everybody:
Just reach he Sandwich marina in Cape Cod canal and found no fellow sailers here. We departed Mount Desert Island last Tuesday and we haven't seen any other sailing boats around. All facilities shut for the winter!

No, you are not the last boat. We have left NC in mid January for the Bahamas each of the previous ten years... and there have always been other sailboats behind even us. You will enjoy not being in the ICW crowd, and when you get to the Bahamas, you will also enjoy hearing how bad the winter cold fronts (that you missed) were.

Irish Eyes to the Bahamas

[CaptainBullDog]

Originally Posted by gemapc

Hello everybody:
Just reach he Sandwich marina in Cape Cod canal and found no fellow sailers here. We departed Mount Desert Island last Tuesday and we haven't seen any other sailing boats around. All facilities shut for the winter!

You may be the "last man standing".
Always call ahead to marinas. If they are manned they will have shorter hours and may not be pumping fuel. Be careful, the docks catering to the year round commercial boats may switch to high sulfur fuel for the winter.
Captain Bulldog Thal

[Suijin]

If you're going down the ICW, after Thanksgiving is the best time. The crowds have already passed through. No traffic jams, being passed or passing, anchorages are nice and open, dockage is easy to find. It's glorious.

[Clamdigger]

If you get down to the Sandy Hook Bay area of NJ and need any assistance, send me a PM a few days before you'll be in the area and I'll see what I can do for you. Most of the moorings are being pulled this time of year as well as boats getting hauled out. This makes it easier it you intend to anchor out and not dock to be in closer dinghy range to the dinghy dock here.

Be safe, and harness up when you are running because the waters North of LI are cold enough for you to suffer hypothermia if you fall in this time of year. Less boats out means longer assistance times if you need it.

[zeehag]

there is a trimaran named savannah on its way south now as well, should be somewhere in new joizey by now. they are headed to warmville from freezeyourassoffville.

[Jason Flare]

Mrs. Flare and I left CT on the Monday before Christmas last year and met another cruising couple in Atlantic City, NJ. We both left AC on New Years Day for Cape May. Once in Norfolk we met still more people heading south.

(This year the boat is already in Georgetown, SC.)

You will meet tons of people heading south this early. Have fun!

[CaptainBullDog]

Remember to all traveling the A ICW. Stop at Coinjock, NC and ask for the owner Louie to "Dance". His stage name was "Wild Thang". A great restaurant and overnight dock He was a Chippendale dancer who was so light on his feet the women would stuff coins in his jock ....he made so much money he bought the marin a. You always have to call a head for reservations particularly if you want the 32 oz famous prime rib.

Next go to see Hebert at River Forest marina in Belhaven, NC and beat a path to Spoon River Restaurant, Master chef Theresa will blow you away. Leave room for their homemade deserts.Henry has plenty of new golf carts for the drive into town.

[CaptainBullDog]

Not Herbert at River Forest but Henry. Sorry typo.

[MaryOwen]

S/V Mary Owen, IP485
Currently in Norfolk at Waterside Marina, 333 Waterside Dr
Plenty of room, only boat here
Very pleasant, centre of the town near Main Street
Plan to dock at Coinjock Marina on Wednesday on our way to Charleston City Marina
Hang out "till late February, then head down to the Keys the over to the Caribbean - where, not sure - any suggestions
On way down from Annap[olis we stayed at Solomons Island - Zahniser's Yachting Center, Terry, she was very helpful,
Stay a day and visit the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Gallery, University of Maryland Oceanography Dept Information Center
The next went to Fishing Bay Marina at Deltaville, Virginia go to taylors Restaurant - fantastic liver and onions

[boatman12]

Looking at MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking Intelligence | AIS Marine Traffic, there are many, many boats heading south.

As for facilities, look on Active Captain, get the information directly or get the phone number and call them.

[CaptainBullDog]

Get Skipper Bob's and Waterways Guides. Always call ahead for local conditions and reservations.

[roverhi]

When I had my boat in Norfolk watched the diurnal parade passing through. Boats were still heading south into February though not many. Remember seeing more than one come in with the rigging iced up. Looked kind of pretty with the sun refracting off the ice if there was sun.

[Jim Cate]

Ann and I have stopped heading further South, 'cause there ain't nuttin down there but Antarctica and a buncha penguins! I suppose some boffins, too... this is far enough!

Jim

[seandepagnier]

Although I left mount desert island more than a month ago, I'm only in sandy hook.

Still going south. Not sure how far I will go. The cold weather is great after so many years in tropical places.