When Is the Latest You Can Make the Trip South?

[off-the-grid]

From NJ?

Now I realize most cruisers are long gone by now, but if you were really dying to escape when is the latest you could safely go?

Key word "safely" not comfortably.

Keep in mind, I've lived up here my whole life, I used to dive all winter, even did my dry suit training in the middle of January. Been out off NJ diving plenty of times in constant 5-6 foot chop (I'd rather be at the helm then a passenger in that). I have plenty of blankets on board, I know dive and fishing boats around here usually go out until middle or end of December. Worst case I can stop at a marina for the night and fire up the heat.

But at what point, does it become too cold, is the weather outside too rough, and inside there is too much of a risk of ice?

[Cheechako]

I left Annapolis Oct 23 one year... ice on the dock every morning! Went outside until south of Beaufort...

[Islandmike]

We went through the Chesapeake in December, stayed in Norfolk until mid Jan and continued south and arrived in Jacksonville April 1st. We saw Snow in Belhaven, and Ice in the dismal swap. Spent a lot of time at anchor waiting out gale winds. But I have to tell you it was our first time and we loved it....

[GordMay]

December 31, after which it becomes an earlier departure.

If you ain't frozen in, you can depart.
If you ain't frozen in, you can continue.

[ColdFusion]

Originally Posted by GordMay

December 31, after which it becomes an earlier departure.

If you ain't frozen in, you can depart.
If you ain't frozen in, you can continue.

Great answer

[Cheechako]

Give the Pilot Charts a look, Highest odds generally: October Winds from N to E Force 4, December winds from W to N Force 5, February From South to NW Force 5.....
"your results may vary" The "Perfect Storm" occurred Oct 28th....
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/cruisi...downloads.html

[sv_makai]

We headed south at the end of March in 2004 from the middle Chesapeake bay after the ice broke in our harbor. It was cold, but beautiful. No crowds, no traffic. We anchored where we wanted. I would do it again in a minute. We did miss out on meeting others cruisers, but the solitude was worth it.

We only had one goal and that was to be south of the hurricane zone before the season started.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by GordMay

December 31, after which it becomes an earlier departure.

If you ain't frozen in, you can depart.
If you ain't frozen in, you can continue.

NICE!!!

Me thinks this might might be the year I finally escape.

[motion30]

Originally Posted by grunzster

NICE!!!

Me thinks this might might be the year I finally escape.

I am going to try to escape the chesapeake mid december myself hope for the best

[roverhi]

I wintered over in Norfolk one year. Boats came through going south into January. Most picked a weather window and had chilly but fine trips. Remember one boat that didn't get lucky however. The boat looked like an ice sculpture with all the rigging coated in ice and snow a foot deep on the deck. They hung out for a week while the ice melted and then continued on.

[motion30]

anyone still going that has not left yet?

[off-the-grid]

Nope, plans changed. I'm in Lincoln Harbor now. Probably making the trip next year, but earlier, with the big rush. Most likely doing the stop at the Annapolis show on the way down.