Just a quick question for all !!

[JCDSparky69]

I have a 28' Bayliner Ciera Sunbridge and want to run from the Erie Canal (East of Utica ) to the Hudson and down coast to chesapeak bay to the ICW then on ward to FL .
I want to run the coast out of NY harbor along jersey and such till I can duck into the ICW mid way because running the Canal through NJ/DE is a nightmare and adds a ton of milage and IMHO wasrted time and fuel.
So my question is-
How far off the coast do I need to be to avoid the breakers and such --- I was thinking like 2.5 to 5 Nm ?
I see the 3 mile mark line on my charts ? Is this what it is for or just maritime law wise ?
ThankYou
JCD

 

[Illinoid]

I would recommend that you check with America's Great Loop Association. Their web site is: greatloop.org

 

[dingbat]

A 28' boat is small to begin with. Your lack of experinace (3 mile limit is a law enforcement boundary) will make it all that much smaller once you past Cape May.

At that point, your entering the shoals and shifting sands of the barrier islands. Services and safe harbors are few and far between on the Delmarva peninsula. A storm blows up here you have nowhere to go.

I would highly recommend the you take the C&D ship canal and take the Chesapeake south to Norfolk. Pick up the intercoastal there.

 

[JCDSparky69]

So a 20' center console can run 20- 60 Nm out for fishing but a 28+' can not run coast along Jersey . Hmmmmm Not buying it. An for your information I have plenty of experience for running my craft as I have also run my 'ol 34' Chris craft out the sound from the Thames to fishing and diving grounds through and around the race but it has been 15+ yrs so was looking for a little advice nto someone telling me I have no experience for someone that doesn't even know me

Not being sour but before you judge someone ask
I do know what the three mile line is for maritime law but was using it for a reference that is all

 

[Ned L]

I agree that it sounds as though you are short on experience. That said, at least off the Jersey shore the transient traffic is mostly in the 1-2 mile offshore range. Really only need to be about 1/4 to 1/2 mile out to be beyond any shore induced stuff. On a nice summer day you can run right along the beach.

Oh,... And if heading south you are better off making as much progress as possible in the morning. Typically a southern breeze picks up in the afternoon, so you are heading right into it.

 

[JCDSparky69]

Absolutely Ned,
Thank You
I have been boating for about 20 yrs or so various sizes and various areas but I have not taken most of my boats out of the Hudson or NY harbor but have been North more out of the Sound all the way to Davis banks just of the Nantucket coast. Again that was tears ago but hey I haven't ridden a bike in 15 yrs but still can?
I am not trying to shrug anyone's concern as I truly do appreciate it , but I am not new to boating nor the dangers assc. with it and a trip of this magnitude.
I can say that I am planning this trip to move south and will fly back for my truck and trailer and everything I didn't take with me .
I want to this year be able to take a week or so to motor down to the coast alittle just for kicks and possibly do a little fishing too.!!
I am trying to relocate south (Way south) and next spring will be hopefully motoring down there .

 

[Ned L]

If you have been north to Nantucket then you should be able to head south without much problem. Among other things, you have mostly sand south (as opposed to rocks north),... much less painful.

 

[JCDSparky69]

Ned,
Yes LOL . Sand glorious sand finally LOL, I am seeing an issue with going that way and not finding alot of fuel stops between exit of NY harbor and chesapeake bay dagnam it !! thinking a fuel bladder or idk will work it out I just really hate to waste all that time going around on the C&D canal

 

[Ned L]

I grew up on, and know the N. Jersey shore real well, don't know much about the southern part. I would think you'd be able to find some fuel pretty easily in the Atlantic City or Cape May area. Manasquan is a good inlet with fuel not far in the inlet, but you probably want to get beyond there.
If you have been in NY harbor you probably know things (like fuel) are a lot farther than they look there. (It is decievingly big.)
If you need fuel before you round the tip of Sandy Hook you pretty much have to run into Highlands.

 

[JCDSparky69]

Ned ,
Yes sir thank you , I plan on refueling just before I enter the main part of the harbor , Incl spare tanks strapped down somewhere, still trying to figure out what I want to do for spare fuel storage topside, not to comfortable strapping cans to swimplatform but will work something out LOL. Fuel bladders way to expensive and not liking the idea of a used on , Still thinking on this one .