Transit Time? NY-FL

[Snore]

Originally Posted by bethflkys

Hi, again, scoobert, Yes, you really do need to double-check everything. I do. My husband's great, knows engines, knows fishing, builds submarines for a living in fact, but he is new to sailing, new to cruising, and so I always am looking around and trying to be alert to things left undone. I used to handle all the lines myself, and coil and stow them while he was at the helm. He took some evening sailing lessons locally last summer, which was a big help to both of us. He can get annoyed when I ask if something routine (such as stowing lines!) was done, but I ask anyway. Or check on it myself. Even when he is totally familiar with this stuff, I will still be double-checking everything. As I hope he will. You spent two days teaching them EVERYTHING, not just line stowage. That's a lot to absorb in two days. Some things won't sink in for awhile. I hope you don't blow the entire round the world adventure by belittling your crew from the get-go. I don't know if you are old enough to remember Reagan, but the one line I live by is TRUST, BUT VERIFY. It fits so many situations.

Well said!!

[Jim Cate]

Ann and I have been sailing together for over 30 years, and full time cruising for 27. We still check each other's work when possible, still have both physical and mental check lists, and we NEVER blame each other when something goes awry.

Works for us, might for you, mate...

Jim

[donradcliffe]

I really have to give Scoobert credit. He actually made it 45 miles down the coast before needing help, and it sounds like his crew hasn't mutinied yet. A great learning experience.

What to do next?

Barnegat inlet is about 30 miles from Atlantic City, 65 miles from Cape May, and 210 from Norfolk. That's 5, 11, and 35 hours at 6 knots.

The weather forecast is

TONIGHT
SE WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. SEAS AROUND 2 FT. MAINLY SE SWELLS
WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 12 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. PATCHY FOG
LATE.

SUN
SE WINDS AROUND 5 KT...BECOMING S 10 TO 15 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 3 FT. MAINLY SE SWELLS WITH A DOMINANT
PERIOD OF 8 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. PATCHY FOG EARLY IN THE
MORNING.

SUN NIGHT
S WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT...
INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT LATE. SEAS 4 TO
6 FT...BUILDING TO 5 TO 8 FT LATE...MAINLY IN S SWELL WITH A
DOMINANT PERIOD OF 6 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY...MAINLY AFTER
MIDNIGHT.

MON
S WINDS 20 TO 25 KT...BECOMING W 15 TO 20 KT IN THE LATE
MORNING AND AFTERNOON. SEAS 5 TO 8 FT...SUBSIDING TO 4 TO 6 FT IN
THE AFTERNOON...MAINLY IN S SWELL WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 7
SECONDS. SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS EARLY
IN THE AFTERNOON.

MON NIGHT
NW WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT. SEAS
4 TO 7 FT.

TUE
NW WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT. SEAS 3 TO
5 FT.

TUE NIGHT
N WINDS 20 TO 25 KT...DIMINISHING TO 15 TO 20 KT
AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 3 TO 5 FT.

WED
NE WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E 5 TO 10 KT. SEAS 3 TO
5 FT.


Given the experience level of the crew, leaving Barnegat before daylight is not an option, so the best plan would be to leave early in the morning and motor down to Atlantic City. Anchor before the bridge (unless you have a Danforth or CQR, in which case the marina is for you), and let out plenty of scope because its going to blow Sunday night. Once the wind shifts to the north of west on Monday, its time to leave. Going up the Delaware Bay is not an option in strong NW winds, so it would be best just to keep close to the coast and head for Norfolk or beyond. Just keep the sailplan conservative and in the front of the boat (not sure about schooners, but maybe just a headsail) and you should be fine running and broad reaching. Forget about Ocean City (been there--shallow) and the other inlets till you get to Norfolk (Little Creek is closer).

[scoobert]

We are beyond atlantic city...

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by scoobert

We are beyond atlantic city...

Duck into Cape May and wait for weather. The holding is not the best, a bit soupy, so make sure you keep an anchor watch.

[tomdidit]

Originally Posted by scoobert

We are beyond atlantic city...

Are you sure you are in Barnegat Inlet? Atlantic City is definetely south of
Barnegat Bay.

[DeepFrz]

Beyond Atlantic City means little. The important part (for now) of Don's post is (other than the approaching weather that is);

Forget about Ocean City (been there--shallow) and the other inlets till you get to Norfolk (Little Creek is closer).

[scoobert]

So 6.5 draft cannt get into a marina there?

[Vasco]

Scooby,

Where are you now?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by scoobert

So 6.5 draft cannot get into a marina there?

What charts do you have? The complete set of NOAA charts for the US is a free download and will let you know if 6.5' can go somewhere within reason. They wont account for shallow inlets that you may not be able to enter without settled weather though, you need to be the judge of that.

[WebWench]

Do you have a laptop aboard? If so download active captain....it'd is free....it shows all the marinas and anchorages along your route. Phone numbers for the marinas and notes on depths.

I agree that the captain is responsible for the safety of his ship and crew. Get a written checklist and laminate it. We did this in the beginning and it really helps to remember everything to do before setting off. Then make another for coming into a marina..making sure to get lines back on deck and fenders ready as part of the checklist.

We take all our lines off the cleats and pack them in the lazarrette while underway....less chance of tripping over them or getting them tangled in the sheets. Fenders all go below to be stored as well. Anything not required in the cockpit or on deck is also stowed.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Scooby,

Where are you now?

N 39.13.4
W 74.31.7

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

What charts do you have? The complete set of NOAA charts for the US is a free download and will let you know if 6.5' can go somewhere within reason. They wont account for shallow inlets that you may not be able to enter without settled weather though, you need to be the judge of that.

My charts on my gps say 19' deep in the inlet.

Then north of the drawbridge it says 9-11', thats where i was going to anchor.

[scoobert]

[Sailmonkey]

screw it