Bahamas to Maine Routeing

[Two Drifters]

We are in the BVI's at the moment which is fantastic and will be leaving in a week or so for The Bahamas.

The plan is to sail up to the Abaco's and then cross over to the US before heading North up to Maine.

My knowledge of the US East Coast is limited and would love to know anyone's 'Must See' spots and great anchorages.

We are to tall for the Inter coastal Waterway. (23m)

Have heard good things about Charlestown and the Chesapeake. No realy time caveats other than our insurance wants us in the Chesapeake or North by 1 July.

Thanks in advance
2D

[Scot McPherson]

my big must see spot is Mystic Seaport in Mystic Connecticut.

[TheOffice]

Going up to NYC and through the East River cannot be beat!
Charleston, Annapolis, Cape May, Newport. If you want a 'big' city, Baltimore, Boston

[psk125]

New York City, certainly. What about Baltimore or Annapolis? Oyster Bay? Port Jefferson? Greenport? Stonington? Point Judith? Cuttyhunk? New Bedford? Martha's Vineyard? Nantucket? Woods Hole? Newport? Gloucester and Marblehead? Provincetown? You may have to get an Embassy Guide to the entire coast and read up about everything, then pick for yourself.

[Ardbeg]

Plan on a couple days in Charleston old town for site seeing and especially eating.

[donradcliffe]

Are you the anchor out type or the marina type??

[Nickodemus]

I see that someone mentioned Cape May -- judging from your "aerial draft", I am guessing that your draft is somewhat on the higher side. If so, Cape May is not for you. We draw 5'8" and ran aground several times before we gave up and went into Lewes, to the south of Cape May, before entering the Delaware River. Also, what insurance company do you have that requires you to be that far north by July 1? Ours requires us just to be north of Cumberland Island (Florida/Georgia border) by June 1. Yours sounds pretty restrictive.

[dsdmedic]

As others have said, Charleston is well worth at least a good few days, if not perhaps a couple of weeks

If you're running up the coast then St Mary's, GA (south Georgia, nearer to the Florida line) has a reputation of being a very cruiser-friendly city, though I haven't been through there myself yet. I wouldn't recommend a major detour to your route for it though, if you're aiming to come further north offshore.

I think Savannah, GA is a city with a lot of charm, however it's not especially sail-friendly (few marinas, access is a challenge as it's a long slog up river, etc) -- though you can go in to Hilton Head and get a car back down, if you really want to see it.

If you have time while you're going north, and you're amenable, a lot of cruisers seem to enjoy a stop in Oriental/New Bern, NC. It's a very small town atmosphere, and extremely friendly -- but I don't know that I'd specifically detour off my route or come inshore just for Oriental.

Of course once you get further north there's everything around the Chesapeake - Annapolis, Baltimore, etc. NYC is an obvious choice, as is Boston if only for the history. I would also agree with adding Mystic Seaport to the must-stop list.

[kimwindjammin]

Newport, RI!

[Two Drifters]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Are you the anchor out type or the marina type??

Anchor out definitely

[Peter1949]

If you transit the Cape Cod Canal Scituate Mass is a favorite stop then Boston Marblehead and Gloucester are all great Towns all 2 hour sails.Then isle of Shoals of Portsmouth NH then Downeast Maine.
Returning Southbound Gloucester to Provincetown To Nantucket then Martha's Vineyard and Cuttyhunk and on to Newport
Lucky you
Pete

[SVTatia]

From the BVIs it is a straight shot to Bermuda and then you can cross to any point North of Hatteras or up to Maine with the help of the Gulf Stream. It will save you time and fuel... just a thought.

[Scott Berg]

Washington, DC is an amazing trip, mast up all the way to the shadow of the Jefferson Memorial. Anchor, pick up a mooring, or take a slip at the Capital Yacht Club and you can walk to the Smithsonian museums and memorials.

New York is also amazing; consider staying in Port Washington on Long Island; free moorings for a few days and fast train service directly to Mid Town Manhattan.

Hope to see you in Maine; the SSCA Gam is the last weekend of July in Rockland, ME.

[Lowcountry]

Some of my favorites are Fernandina Florida, Charleston SC (I live here), Georgetown SC, Coinjock NC, Oriental NC, and Ocrakoke NC.

[donradcliffe]

If you want to anchor, the Charleston anchorage outside the town marina is exciting; boats go everywhere when the tide changes 4 times a day.

Cape Lookout is a great ancorage to wait for weather to round Hatteras. Beaufort NC anchorage is a lot like Charleston.

Get around Hatteras and into the Chesapeake--Fishing Bay is a favorite spot, then Solomons. Take a mooring at Annapolis if you can--anchoring off the Naval Academy is crowded with poor holding.

Next good stop Sassafrass River--no jellies so you can swim

Cape May is doable from the ocean side, but can get crowded off the CG station.

Atlantic Highlands NJ has a decent anchorage outside the marina in most winds.

Port Washington--free moorings or anchor outside the mooring field and see NYC.

Duck Island Roads in Long Island Sound.

Block Island if you have good ground tackle.

Newport Harbor--the federal anchorage above Goat Island--go to Potter Cove on north end of Prudence Island to ride out a blow.

Onset, just before Cap Cod Canal--tricky entrance, but nice inside.

Providence Town--long dinghy ride, but lots of action in town.

Boston/Marblehead/Gloucester--not very anchor friendly

Isle of Shoals.

Next stop Portland--I've dropped the hook across the channel from town, and there are lots of nice anchorages after that.

All of this was in a boat with an 8 ft draft and 67 ft air draft.