Sailing from New York City to the Delaware Bay

[MartyB]

Hey guys!

Sailing from NYC to the Delaware Bay and into the C&D canal for the first time. I My mast is 72' so I can't go through the intracoastal.
What are my options if we want to take it easy and navigate 6-8 hours a day.
From NYC I was thinking to stop in Brielle (Manasquan river) and get a slip for the night. Is that good place to stop ? What about the inlet ? I've heard that the Barnegat inlet is the worst... ?!?
From Brielle I would stop in Atlantic City and then over to Cape May.
The boat is a 42' cat si it can handle pretty much any weather. But I'm sailing with my daughter and we will not do any overnight sails.
Thanks for the advices

[Hudson Force]

We did a lot of lazy short-hop coastal cruising and respect your plan. We most often left the East River (NYC) with a night at Atlantic Highlands behind Sandy Hook, followed by an easy day to Manasquan Inlet. We also avoided the inlet at Barnegat and used Absecon Inlet at Atlantic City, anchoring in Rum Creek. Next, we would enter at Cape May and anchor off the Coast Guard station or sometimes take a slip at Utsches Marina.

I'd call in advance for a dock at the marina in Brielle. We've stayed overnight on their face-dock a couple of times, but they don't always have space and anchoring is sparse. We'd take that big current ride through the Point Pleasant Canal to wonderful anchorages in the Metedoconk River up near Brick. Be careful to notify the Point Pleasant Canal bridges well in advance as the current and maneuvering can be challenging.

[Sparx]

I very much like Atlantic Highlands. I like to leave early, coordinating with the tide if possible. The next stop is Cape Henlopen in Delaware Bay, usually anchor down in time for dinner.

Having been in every Jersey Shore inlet I am confident that I am missing out on nothing by running the coast in one day. Chesapeake Bay is much nicer for exploring and taking one’s time. .

In a pinch I would use Barnegat and Atlantic City as stopping places if things go differently than planned. Cape May is to be avoided on the weekends.

My apologies for sounding a curmudgeon. I have had enough of the Jersey Shore and gladly leave it to those that are thrilled with the experience. All due respect to those that frequent these places.

[donradcliffe]

Days are short this time of year. Leave pre dawn and stop in Atlantic City. If you are not up to anchoring get a marina.

[MartyB]

Thanks guys for the advices!

Since I'm not in a hurry, we'll do 40-50 nm a day and play it safe. Don is right. The days are super short and I don't know the area. NYC to Atlantic City is 14-15 hour sail. Too long for this time of year.
We'll do Brielle, then Atlantic City and Cape May. Then it'll be a long day from Cape May to the C&D canal and if I can time my travel to get in the canal with the current, we'll stop in the middle at the Bear Marina.

Should be fun! If the weather clears up this week!

Cheers guys and thank you.