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27-04-2010, 14:48
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 16
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Rounding Cape May
Hey All.....
Does anyone have any input as to whether it's truly necessary to go WAY out (Out around the designated deep-water buoys which looks to be around 3 miles offshore) when going around Cape May. According to what we see on the charts, if one's draft is basically a shoal draft boat, that one could do it by navigating about a quarter to half mile off shore, while rounding Cape May.
Anyone ever done it, any thoughts?
When we were heading South, via the usual ICW route, of down coastal and then up the Deleware, etc., etc., we went WAY out, while rounding Cape May, and it added alot of time out in rather big and uncomfortable water.
Now that we're heading back North, we'll be heading back down the Deleware, round Cape May and then North to New York.
P.S., No we can't go inside via the Jersey ICW, as our mast is too tall, we've already checked out the bridges. Thus our question.
Thanks in advance to anyone who might offer their thougths!
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27-04-2010, 15:13
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#2
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 10,283
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In a cat, absolutely, done it many times. It can be rough over Prissy Wicks shoals, so watch the appearance of the water and stay about 1/4 mile off the beach, as you suggested. I would never go 3 miles out. It is consistently deep and without obstruction in the path you have described. I doubt if you will see anything under 15 feet. You will also enjoy a lovely view of the point and the Victorian buildings.
However, in strong (storm) on-shore conditions, I would go outside.
The tide will be strong right at the point, but it is deep there and not a problem, just fun to watch.
I wrote a guide to the Delmarva and there are a few trip reports on my blog:
Sail Delmarva
Enjoy.
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27-04-2010, 15:21
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#3
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pac NW
Boat: Boatless, for now, Cat enthusiast
Posts: 1,318
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It has been about a 18 months since we last went through there (so my recall may be a bit sketchy), but it seems to me that there's lots of scattered shoals just to the south of Cape May Point, extended a couple of miles towards Cape Henlopen.
I know we only draw 3.5' and we felt more comfortable giving that area plenty of room. (PITA though it seems)
By the way, one time we were in a big hurry to make Cape May as TS Hanna was right on our tail as it was coming up the coast. Even then, we didn't cut that corner. The pucker factor was starting to climb that day!
ID
__________________
Intentional Drifter
Observations are gold; hypotheses, silver; and conclusions, bronze.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.--Ben Franklin
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.--Daniel Patrick Moynihan
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27-04-2010, 16:40
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#4
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 10,283
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thinwater
In a cat, absolutely, done it many times. It can be rough over Prissy Wicks shoals, so watch the appearance of the water and stay about 1/4 mile off the beach, as you suggested. I would never go 3 miles out. It is consistently deep and without obstruction in the path you have described. I doubt if you will see anything under 15 feet. You will also enjoy a lovely view of the point and the Victorian buildings.
However, in strong (storm) on-shore conditions, I would go outside.
The tide will be strong right at the point, but it is deep there and not a problem, just fun to watch.
I wrote a guide to the Delmarva and there are a few trip reports on my blog:
Sail Delmarva
Enjoy.
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The tide scours a deep path near shore, year-in, year-out. The whale watch boats use this route many times every day, for over 30 years.
I don't believe any of the shoals go to depths a cat can hit, since we drift fish right over them. Just bumpy, depending on the swell. The shallow parts are well out, never near shore.
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02-05-2010, 16:25
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 16
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Thanks to all for your thoughts!!
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07-05-2015, 14:55
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Has anyone taken it close to shore with a 6.5' draft? Thinking the canal is too tight depth wise so thinking of hugging the shore line to get around.
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07-05-2015, 15:05
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#7
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Moderator

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Between Caribbean and Canada
Boat: Murray 33-Chouette & Pape Steelmaid-44-Safara-both steel cutters
Posts: 8,919
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Yes, 6'6". We took it three years ago. Wind bucking tide made it a bit snotty in places. We saw plenty of water.
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07-05-2015, 15:10
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpeer
Yes, 6'6". We took it three years ago. Wind bucking tide made it a bit snotty in places. We saw plenty of water.
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Thanks, did you hug the shore line?
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07-05-2015, 15:30
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#9
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Moderator

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Between Caribbean and Canada
Boat: Murray 33-Chouette & Pape Steelmaid-44-Safara-both steel cutters
Posts: 8,919
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Quote:
Originally Posted by frankc1200
Thanks, did you hug the shore line?
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Just followed the charts. It was dark.
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07-05-2015, 17:51
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 253
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Re: Rounding Cape May
I did it a couple years back, went right outside the shoal where it says Cape May Channel on the chart, the canal has a 55 foot fixed bridge so I went outside
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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07-05-2015, 17:52
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 253
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Forget the inner coastal, powerboats run aground all the time
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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07-05-2015, 18:04
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cambridge MD
Boat: Carter offshore 35
Posts: 393
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Re: Rounding Cape May
What wrong with going thru the canal and out the inlet? It's a lot easier.
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07-05-2015, 18:26
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Avalon, NJ
Boat: Albin 40 double cabin Trawler
Posts: 1,886
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeborahLee
What wrong with going thru the canal and out the inlet? It's a lot easier.
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Nothing, just hug the ferries and make sure you can clear the bridges.
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07-05-2015, 18:59
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Swedesboro, NJ
Boat: Jeanneau 409
Posts: 122
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Re: Rounding Cape May
Just did the inner passage in a 39' Pierson(4' 9") following a 40' ODay(6' ?". Saw , at low tide nothing less than 17'. There was a section of 13' in the bay before passing the Green "5".
Use the following AT YOUR OWN RISK. NO GUARANTY.
R 12
G 5
CM1 38 54 26.4
76 56 22.2
CM2 38 55 37.2
74 57 40.8
CM3 38 55 49.6
74 58 13.7
CM4 38 56 16.2
74 59 37.8
__________________
Bill P.C. TOYC,
K2SDV
S/v Wind Dragon
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07-05-2015, 19:32
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: SAnta Cruz 27
Posts: 7,221
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Re: Rounding Cape May
I've taken the near-shore path several times without problems with an 8 ft draft, but it was always in light winds. If its rough I go way out.
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