Bought a Boat with No Experience? #2

[beetlejuice30]

thanks for the link,
i was wondering about getting weather fax i understand that most systems you need SSB and a few other components that add up very quickly. I was pointed in the direction of the xaxero USB weather fax i was told you use your lap top and get weather faxes on demand, are those the only peaces of equipment needed? i have searched extensively but no good answer.
or was i miss informed?

as of now i was planning on check the weather before i left use my iphone or computer- and when on the water VHF and maybe satellite radio.
are weather faxes more for passage making and not for coastal cruising?

[Tempest245]

Beetlejuice,

If you are coastal sailing, NJ to Chesapeake ..you should be within VHF range and would not need SSB. You should even be able to get cell signals, and a blackberry can get you internet access to noaa marine weather maps. If you have wireless laptop you can probably grab wifi signals at many marinas.

East Marine Text Forecasts by Zone

Here's where I start looking before a coastal trip. They have a lot of products though, explore their site.

Sorry I'm not familiar with xaxero USB weather fax...I'll do a search, you've peaked my interest with that.

[beetlejuice30]

ya it look like a cool product if it does what is says it does.
if you find any good info
post a link please
do you know by a chance
how many miles off the coast do you get cell signal in good weather?

[Tempest245]

I usally stay about 2 1/2 to 3 miles off the NJ coast in around 60 foot of water....have gotten good signals.

[Christian Van H]

Hey Beetle! Here's a link to a video I shot sailing from Atlantic City to Boston: Video - A.C. to Boston Part 1 - Cruisingworld Shows A.C. inlet, crossing the NYC shipping lanes, night sailing along the coast 3 miles or more out, etc. Its in two parts. Your gonna have a good time! Chris

[frankxyz]

Beetle,
I grew up in the N.E. and at one time you could count on rainy weather in the spring but this is no longer the case. Although, my wife and I took off from the Tapenze bridge at the begining of April in 73 in a 15ft. canvased oldtown canoe and paddled for six weeks up the Hudson. It rained everyday for the month of April and started to lighten up about the second week of May. We were young and into the adventure but in truth if we had waited till June when the sun came out it would have been more fun.
either way enjoy it
Frankxyz

[beetlejuice30]

Nice video's christian, I cant wait

That is one long canoe ride wow

[Pblais]

Sounds like you are getting good advice. weather in the northern part really is not reliable until June. even here in southern VA may can be good or not good. Prolonged Stormy weather with strong NW winds can make the Chesapeake unfriendly. You do have a good route for jumping in and out and having places to hole up. It would be wise to chart out a lot more than you need just in case you end up looking for something in a quick hurry.

That brings up the only other good advice I have - don't be in a hurry or on a schedule. This early in the season stuff happens and you can lose 3 weeks just because. Should you get to Gloucester Point give a yell.

[beetlejuice30]

Thanks for the reply, i'v been studying charts lately hopping this will help
I made it down to florida to take some lessons and hopefully get a few miles under my keel
Just wondering what marina's would you recommend in gloucester? I have been looking at york river yacht haven haven't called yet, but soon.
I wont to put my boat back on the hard when i leave for alaska for work

as for a schedule, i'v never liked them
cheers

[Hud3]

That's a good stop, though a bit up the York River from the Bay. You can anchor out in Sarah Creek or take a slip at the marina. The River's Inn is a really nice restaurant, too.

Or, maybe Paul will invite you to dinner at his place!

[Christian Van H]

PBlais is dead on...NOTHING in cruising will kill ya faster than trying to follow a schedule. The only thing worse is trying to get somewhere to meet a girlfriend. Dont ask me how I know that...

[Captn_Black]

Beetlejuice, regarding North-easterner's, the basic's of that kind of thing is; winds blowing against the direction of the current (this is something to look out for in any part of the world), picture that in your head and you'll realize that relatively light winds can produce very steep and difficult waves. I know its a simplification, but I hope that helps...