Down the Atlantic from Nova Scotia

[Green Sailor69]

I'm wondering, Everytime I look into sailing south to Florida area from Nova Scotia I always see "Take the ICW" But I have 0 interest on going in the "ditch". Can I not just sail down the eastern shoreline?

[boatman61]

Why take the hassle.. South to Bermuda then on to the Bahamas..

[Green Sailor69]

That's what I'm asking, What is the hassle?

[Cheyne]

No hassels. Folks with sticks over 65ft have to go outside. Just watch your forecasts. Espcially around Hatteress. Beyond that that easy peasy.

Cheyne

[Green Sailor69]

Thank you

[hpeer]

Yes. As noted Hatteras is an exception. Come into the Chesapeake and exit at Beaford, NC. Hatteras is doable but it has its issues and requires careful attention.

Below that you want to do some research to identify the usable inlets. You will be looking at long days and an over nighter to use the best inlets.

[barcoMeCasa]

These guys did it >

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGp-L8ROxLo

[Kettlewell]

Can I not just sail down the eastern shoreline?

Sure, if you like sailing to windward. The good-weather wind is on the nose the whole way, so from Nova Scotia it means catching northers in the fall when they start to blow. Just try to get south of Norfolk by around November 1 to avoid really cold weather, plus you don't really want to be south of there before the end of hurricane season. The Bermuda route is an option too. If you take the coastal route you have to hug the coast, and then duck inside if beating your brains out going to windward gets to be too much. Some years you are lucky and I have sailed from Beaufort, NC, all the way down to Florida riding northers--real roller coaster rides offshore because the water is relatively shallow.

[Benz]

Second the Bermuda suggestion. Riding northers near shore is no fun. Going to Bermuda keeps you well away from Cape Hatteras, and hanging out in Bermuda waiting for a window to go south (even to Florida) is better than waiting in Norfolk for a window to get past Hatteras, and then hugging the fishing-boat fraught coast to Charleston only to have a current against you the rest of the way.
Getting offshore and staying there is the fastest, easiest way if you have a decent boat.

[Kettlewell]

Timing going to Bermuda in the fall is tricky because you can't go early because of hurricanes, but you have to catch the first break in the weather after November 1 to avoid freezing to death and/or surviving a norther in the Gulf Stream. A hybrid route may make sense. Head south via the coastal route to Norfolk, then head offshore from there to Bermuda, then down. Gives you a much better wind angle (usually) and a much warmer passage, while also letting you work your way south in nicer weather. If you haven't done so, cruising Maine, New England, Long Island Sound, and the Chesapeake are wonderful.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Sure, if you like sailing to windward. The good-weather wind is on the nose the whole way, so from Nova Scotia it means catching northers in the fall when they start to blow. Just try to get south of Norfolk by around November 1 to avoid really cold weather, plus you don't really want to be south of there before the end of hurricane season. The Bermuda route is an option too. If you take the coastal route you have to hug the coast, and then duck inside if beating your brains out going to windward gets to be too much. Some years you are lucky and I have sailed from Beaufort, NC, all the way down to Florida riding northers--real roller coaster rides offshore because the water is relatively shallow.

All well said, I have done the trip twice. Neither one was pleasant. One trip I had almost NO wind and what little encountered was in the nose.

[jen1722terry]

ditto on hpeer's recommendation.

Also, don't even think of doing the southern part of New Jersey. Low bridges and shallow channels. BUT, if you're stick is less than 55 feet, we heartily recommend putting in at Cape May harbor and staying a day. The town has one of the world's finest collections of Victionian architecture with some wild paint jobs. Eat at the Mad Batter on Jackson St.
Then, once thru the canal, its' an easy sail across Delaware Bay to th C&D canal (time the tide for a nice current boost). Then the Chesapeake opens up for some fine cruising with varied and very pretty harbor towns all the way south to Norfolk.

Enjoy the trip