deep water inlets between Norfolk and cape may

[Boatguy30]

Looking to run next week between Norfolk and cape may next week in Atlantic to make NYC for AC event.

Owners don't want to be underway at night. What are my options on the Delaware coast for a 6' draft all weather inlet.

We can make 140-150 nautical in daylight running.

[dennisjay]

Not many options on the outside. If you’re not sailing at night, consider running up the Chesapeake Bay. Plenty of places to stop for the night. Just time your run down the Delaware Bay with the outgoing tide.

[Hud3]

Chincoteague, Virginia and Ocean City, Maryland come to mind.

CF member thinwater is our resident expert on this part of the Atlantic coast, so you might want to PM him if he doesn't chime in on the thread.

[pete33458]

I've been to Ocean City MD with 6'. It's a nice inlet, if the fishing boats aren't anchored in the channel (no joke). The marina there is also good with deepwater access. pete

[ranger58sb]

Indian River Inlet has good depth and a good marina with fuel. Not much else there, though.


Lewes town center has a good public dock (with water and shorepower) if they happen to have space available at the time. (Call ahead.) I think the inlet has decent depth, don't remember seeing anything worrying. Nice downtown area.


-Chris

[TheOffice]

Ocean City can be a handful in an easterly breeze and outgoing tide, or vice versa.

Lewes DE might also work, but then you are almost to Cape May.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Indian River Inlet has good depth and a good marina with fuel. Not much else there, though.


Lewes town center has a good public dock (with water and shorepower) if they happen to have space available at the time. (Call ahead.) I think the inlet has decent depth, don't remember seeing anything worrying. Nice downtown area.


-Chris

Indian river has a low bridge (~ 50'?).

Yes, OC can be nasty in onshore conditions; I surfed for 100 yards there once.

Chincoteague is safe in all weather (the channel is so long and winding it does not break), but at low tide you may find it a little thin a few places if you get out of the channel. At high tide, there should be >10 feet all the way. However, the slips (town dock) are crosswise to a strong tide and getting in them is a pickle. Either tie-up along side or anchor.

Watchaprague is safe and easy at high tide (~ 7' MLW). Never on-shore.

Where you stop depends on what you like. OC is boardwalks, Chincoteague is small twon, Watchapreague is isolated (you cannot carry 6' into town, and there is little there anyway).

[Paul Annapolis]

I am puzzled as to why a boater would ask for such information online from strangers when the solid, factual data is published and easily available from so many reliable sources. Otherwise, one just gets opinions..and opinions...of course, that's just my opinion...

[Paul Annapolis]

By the way, Lewes can have a serious current that almost makes docking impossible at certain times, but there is a huge harbor of refuge. Try to tie up at slack if possible.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Paul Annapolis

I am puzzled as to why a boater would ask for such information online from strangers when the solid, factual data is published and easily available from so many reliable sources. Otherwise, one just gets opinions..and opinions...of course, that's just my opinion...

It's easier to let other people do the work.

The Waterway Guides describe each inlet in detail and of course there's Active Captain, jus to name two sources that come to mind.

[Paul Annapolis]

And of course...The Coast Pilot...but heck, 50% or more of the questions posed here and other similar forums can easily be answered with other online sources--often times more credible and authoritative--and less opinionated--but generally safe and navigable inlets? Not a very subjective topic...some may say for example "Oh no--don't ever try Barnegat" while others will say "Oh it's a great inlet...".....so does one want a lot of opinions or credible, factual, published and reliable information?

[Boatguy30]

You'll note I have 2000 odd posts and 20x time that sea miles before getting snide.

I am running a 65' motor yacht with owners that enjoy a peaceful easy day on the water but want to view the AC action in NYC next weekend.

I will follow up on the helpful suggestions. The rest of you can see us on TV.

[Paul Annapolis]

Really--on tv? What channel? (pun intended....) You should able to make Lewes in a day--may enter in twilight....you can add about 180 miles to your most impressive 40,000....(which has not included the Del-Mar-Va coast apparently...but you could get up almost the entire Chesapeake as an alternative, as someone else suggested. You'll add perhaps a day to the trip.....