Cape May to Nantucket Offshore

[Jack Lahr]

Lots of good advice here on taking the indirect route to Nantucket Harbor. Making the return trip via Long Island Sound and NYC has the advantage not only of the unique showplace thru NY Harbor but also the prevailing SW winds on a direct return from New England to Cape May can be an uncomfortable slog to windward if the winds are up. The LI route is friendlier heading south


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[PHRF57]

In 1974 I was on the Around the Island Race on my Dad's Pearson 36, Mountain Lion Eater. As was often the case with that race, there was no wind, and it was thick afog. We rounded Cape Pogue, and then just sat, and sat, and sat...finally making it south (navigationally) of Chappaquiddick Island that evening ( we could barely see the bow). After more hours with no breeze, we finally determined that there was no hope, and scrubbed the race. After we had turned on the "bag of hammers", I went below into the forepeak and collapsed...and suddenly awoke with the boat on her beam ends, pounding. We had found Wasque Shoal. Fortunately, the Coast Guard was able to get us off, with no harm done ( although the Navigator learned an interesting lesson about "navigational" dead reckoning...always know where the hell you started when you're going someplace!). So...in my view, keep Martha's Vineyard to starboard on the northbound part of your trip, and you'll be a lot better off!

[savoir]

I think I must be missing something here. What's wrong with approaching from the East North East ? The channel is wide, marked and lit.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by savoir

I think I must be missing something here. What's wrong with approaching from the East North East ? The channel is wide, marked and lit.

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The original post was in reference to approaching Nantucket from Cape May, NJ which of course is from the south west. What exact route are you proposing?

[DougAnnapolis]

LeeV -
thanks for offering a copy of Chesapeake to Narragansett - would be kind enough to send a copy to me also? My email - doug1smith@verizon.net Thanks

[savoir]

Originally Posted by wayne.b

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The original post was in reference to approaching Nantucket from Cape May, NJ which of course is from the south west. What exact route are you proposing?

Coming in from the east and along the channel that is just north of the island. You don't have to stand too far off the east side of Nantucket island - maybe 2 miles or so.

[LeeV]

I've not been able to figure out how to attach my PDFs of the trip from Annapolis to Nara. Bay. to private messages. Does anybody know if I can post it here somewhere for anybody who'd like to read it?

Thanks,
Lee