Annapolis => Newport - Cruise (Not Race) - Best Route ?

[sneuman]

I'm mulling the trip for May. I'd prefer to avoid Delaware Bay, but this looks to be a significantly shorter route (i.e., north through C&D, Delaware, out to Atlantic). I've done C&D and Delaware in the past, so am familiar with what's involved (checking tides/currents, lots of motoring, much boredom).

Also, better to go inside Long Island or outside (rounding Montauk)?

Just musing at this point, so all suggestions informed or otherwise, are welcome.

[Tempest245]

I think you have the vessel..to just get there..Cape May to Block? then on to Newport..or keep going to Newport... unless you feel the need to see the East River and LIS...

You going solo? or crewed?

If you wait for a good weather window..and the prevailing SW wind you should have a nice ride..

It's about 39 hours to Block..plus or minus..

[sneuman]

Thanks for the advice. So, you'd say up and over and then outside rather than inside route around LI? I lived in NYC for four years, so don't really need to see that or deal with the heavy traffic there.

Looking at a possible crew of five including moi.

[Tempest245]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Thanks for the advice. So, you'd say up and over and then outside rather than inside route around LI? I lived in NYC for four years, so don't really need to see that or deal with the heavy traffic there.

Looking at a possible crew of five including moi.

Yes, I have a friend who does that trip every year from Annapolis...I leave from NY..they leave from Cape May...

The Traffic is really not that bad in NYC...or I'm just used to it.. It really depends on your style and preferences....

you could go up on the outside..and come back..via the LIS, that might not be a bad plan..We did that this year...Newport to Block to Old Saybrook, to Port Jeff, to NJ...

[waterdancer]

It depends on your skills, your boat, the number of crew, and your time constraints. The inside toutes in both cases is much more scenic, but slower. On the outside routes, you have to be VERY careful for traffic, and it will be overnighter, especially the Block Island Run. You are also much more vulnerable to the open seas, although typically you are not more than 50 miles offshore. Unless I have to, because of time constraints, I always prefer to take the inside route.

[sneuman]

Most of the crew, myself included, have done offshore passages and the core of this crew did the Delmarva circumnavigation a year ago -- with only a few stops. Considering prevailing southwesterlies that time of year, it might make sense to ride them on an "outside" route on the way up and take the "inside" on the way back down.

[Paperbird]

We did this as a family cruise a few years back in a Pearson 10M. Went Annapolis thru C&D to Cape May. Then jumped off for Block (time the fronts and you'll have a fantastic ride). Then up to Woods Hole, back to Newport and along the CT coast through NYC and back down.

Beautiful trip. Lots of fun. Great sailing and great port stops. One of the highlights was tying up inside Mystic Seaport. Didn't realize the town would be completely ours when they closed the gates at night. Talk about a fun evening with the kids!

Enjoy!

Greg
s/v Paperbird

[Auspicious]

I've done the run from Annapolis to Narragansett Bay a handful of times in each direction. It has generally been 2-1/2 days non-stop -- up the Bay, through the C&D, down the Del Bay, and offshore to RI. Your boat is not quite as fast as those I usually sail so figure another 30ish% on the time. If your boat is in good shape it is an easy run and quite pleasant.

[sabray]

My choice having done it both ways go straight to block. The deleware is a strange body. I have had some awesome sails up and down. Then I have had the worst motoring worst feelings about being their. It's weird that I feell more at risk exposed barren on the deleware then I do 50 miles off. Good weather window your window not nws. In may you should be fine. I returned to Annapolis area late July and was skirting squalls and thunderstorms. I would not like to see the deleware in a squall pushing 60 knot winds. I approach those waters with great trepidation

[waterdancer]

Originally Posted by sabray

My choice having done it both ways go straight to block. The deleware is a strange body. I have had some awesome sails up and down. Then I have had the worst motoring worst feelings about being their. It's weird that I feell more at risk exposed barren on the deleware then I do 50 miles off. Good weather window your window not nws. In may you should be fine. I returned to Annapolis area late July and was skirting squalls and thunderstorms. I would not like to see the deleware in a squall pushing 60 knot winds. I approach those waters with great trepidation

True perhaps with your boat, but would you say the same regardless if you had a Catalina 25 or a Lord Nelson 41 ?

[Kettlewell]

It really depends on the weather. If you've got a nice southwester and it looks like it will hold for a couple of days, the run from Cape May to Block is a great one--seems like I always arrive at Block in a peasouper at night, which can be a bit difficult. May is a bit chilly for New England, especially offshore at night so bring plenty of warm clothes and have hot drinks in a thermos for the on watch crew. You will be crossing the NY shipping lanes, heavily used fishing areas, and popular sportfishing areas, so keep a good lookout.

[sabray]

Originally Posted by waterdancer

True perhaps with your boat, but would you say the same regardless if you had a Catalina 25 or a Lord Nelson 41 ?

That's fair the jersey shore for me is a place to avoid in a smaller shallow draft could be a nice trip

[speciald@ocens.]

I have done the trip in June. The Delaware Bay was the worst part of the trip. We went down the Delaware Bay to the Cape then directly to Block island in 24 hrs arriving at day break, There were alot of flies off North Jersey probably from N Y trash dumps.

[Auspicious]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

seems like I always arrive at Block in a peasouper at night

True. If you don't have radar prepare for the possibility of standing off until the fog clears. Don't count on a GPS/chartplotter. I've felt my way into Pt Judith on radar a number of times.

If you aren't confident in imagery interpretation or don't have radar then do stand off.

[sneuman]

I have a (rather oldish) radar and am planning on getting an AIS receiver.