Mid-Atlantic ideas ...

[sneuman]

Done the Delmarva, done the Annapolis-Newport (cruise, not race). Looking for other options for two weeks out from Annapolis and back for early-mid June. Charleston just doesn't seem practical because it would entail having to cross the stream at least twice, unless going ICW, which doesn't interest me.

The only other option I can think of is a Chessie circumnavigation or some such, but I'd rather do something offshore.

Am I missing any options here?

[bloodhunter]

We sail up to Martha's Vineyard/Cape Cod. Would fit well within your 2-weektime frame. Or is this too similar to your Annapolis-Newport cruise.
Have also gone thru the Cape Cod Canal en route to Frenchman's Bay in Maine but that cruise and back might be outside your 2-week limit

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by bloodhunter

We sail up to Martha's Vineyard/Cape Cod. Would fit well within your 2-weektime frame. Or is this too similar to your Annapolis-Newport cruise.
Have also gone thru the Cape Cod Canal en route to Frenchman's Bay in Maine but that cruise and back might be outside your 2-week limit

Thanks. I wish we'd gone a bit farther and taken in Cape Cod on the Newport trip in May. We were (unnecessarily, as it turned out) worried about our timeframe and we had time to spare in the end. But, yes, it feels a bit too similar to what we already did - at least for the very next year.

Maybe I'm being overly cautious about a jaunt south after all. Since I have never crossed the GS, not sure I want to do it twice in one trip. But I understand the basic strategy and maybe I'm making too big of a deal about it. Going on the inside - between the western wall of the stream and the barrier islands - definitely looks dodgy, though.

[Waterway Guide]

Maybe you're tired of it, but there's lots of sailing in the lower Chesapeake and side rivers (Rappahannock, James) and lots of places to visit. Seems perfect for a 2-week cruise. Happy sailing, whichever you choose!

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by Waterway Guide

Maybe you're tired of it, but there's lots of sailing in the lower Chesapeake and side rivers (Rappahannock, James) and lots of places to visit. Seems perfect for a 2-week cruise. Happy sailing, whichever you choose!

You're right. And, I'm not tired of it. I was just hankering for a bit "out of sight of land." But, I think I might take the Chesapeake option.

[bloodhunter]

Crossing the stream is not bad if you pick your weather. Have sailed to Bermuda both from Long Island Sound and the Chesapeake and as long as the wind is not northerly or blowing at gale force it's really not bad. Generally we sailed down to Norfolk, made sure we were ready, checked the forecast and when favorable took off. It's about 700 miles and should take you about 4 days or less depending on how hard you want to push. You might cosider that for your 2-week trip
Sailing between the stream and the east coast really scares me.

[mbuckely]

We sailed inside the stream enroute to the Bahamas this fall. Left Hampton, around Hatteras then a planned duck in at Beaufort to dodge a nor'easter Back to sea after she passed. A very peasant trip of less than 5 days. It all depends on the weather but staying inside the stream worked very well for us

[johnandtessa]

Bermuda is a great 2 week trip from Annapolis and June is a great time.

[sneuman]

The two weeks would be a round trip, with enough flexibility built in to wait out a weather window if need be. Also, I'm in the Upper Chessie, so it's a 1.5 day sail down to Norfolk - that's three days of the trip right there.

Also, it seems that my teenaged son, who had no interest in a longer offshore trip, is sufficiently interested in a week or so on the Chesapeake. So, that's looking like the best option this year. He's 16 and there won't be many more opportunities for father-son stuff in the coming years, so I think I ought to take advantage of his interest!

Thanks for the suggestions!

[GeoPowers]

How about heading up the Potomac to visit D.C. via boat? I'd like to do this myself. The downside is I think there would be a good bit of motoring on the upper half of the river.

Frank

[ranger58sb]

Annapolis, Solomons, maybe Deltaville (or Reedville?), Hampton/Norfolk, Cape Charles?, Crisfield (and/or Smith Island), maybe Cambridge, Knapp's Narrows, Annapolis.

Or some such

-Chris

[sneuman]

Hey Frank,
It might be a good trip for you, but I work in DC and believe that sailing is about getting away from work! You're right, too, the Potomac is not much of a sailing river.
MBUCKELY:

Just curious, you scooted in between the western wall and Diamond Shoals? I'm sure it's doable in ideal conditions, but it certainly looks iffy to me.

[sneuman]

Hey Chris,
I think there might be a draft issue at Knapp's Narrows - I have heard of a lot of shoaling there. Done Solomons, Deltaville, Cape Charles, Cambridge and, of course, Annapolis.

[TheOffice]

Knapps Narrows is about 5 feet. Don't ask how I know!

[Gelfling]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Hey Chris,
I think there might be a draft issue at Knapp's Narrows - I have heard of a lot of shoaling there. Done Solomons, Deltaville, Cape Charles, Cambridge and, of course, Annapolis.

Tangier? It is one of my favorites in the bay. If you are taking the 'teenager' maybe Jamestown or Yorktown would be a good visit.....lots of history. If you can push it back to July, I do love anchoring in Urbanna Harbor for the fireworks on the 4th of July.

And have you thought of going down to OBX? I haven't sailed there yet, but it appears that the lake on Ocracoke would be a great place to anchor. Though the island itself is quite crowded in June. I have often thought that it would be a better visit if I didn't have to driver there!