Neabsco to Somers Point, NJ in April...guidance please!

[marbelliana]

Hello, all!

We purchased a 2007 310 Dancer at the end of the summer that is winterized at EZ Cruz in Virginia. We slip in Somers Point, NJ, and we are planning to skipper the boat from Virginia to Somers Point in mid-April. We are planning to leave for the trip on a Friday morning, hoping to make the first leg of our trip to Annapolis. I understand that to be about 8-9 hours. Would love some feedback on anyone's experience with a great marina in Annapolis to hang our hats for the evening on Friday.

Plan from there is to leave Saturday morning and go straight to Somers Point through C&D Canal, which I understand to be about 5 hours.

Wanted to know anyone's experience on these waterways and things we should take into consideration for this trip. It'll be me and 4 of my friends, some of whom are also boaters, but this will be my first trip of this length on this boat (or any boat, for that matter).

A combination of excitement and a touch of nerves We do not plan to be out front for any part of this, but instead use the Chesapeake for the trip and I've routed it at this point (I'll post my route in a bit for suggestions).

Anyway, I'm really excited for this and know I can get some great feedback here on my plan and anything else you all might like to offer!

Thanks!

GG

 

[CAMELLA]

I would recommend the wall on Ego Alley which is the middle of everything, you can call the Annapolis Harbor Master to make a reservation. They are redoing Ego Alley bulkhead over the winter but it should be ready come April. If not you stay at the Annapolis Yacht Basin but it can get rocky in there depending on the wind direction.

 

[marbelliana]

I would recommend the wall on Ego Alley which is the middle of everything, you can call the Annapolis Harbor Master to make a reservation. They are redoing Ego Alley bulkhead over the winter but it should be ready come April. If not you stay at the Annapolis Yacht Basin but it can get rocky in there depending on the wind direction.

Thanks, Jon. So would you say the decision between one or the other is a "game day" decision?

 

[CAMELLA]

Ego Alley has a reservation side and a first come first served side. That time of year I don't think you would have any issues getting a spot, during the peak season you would want to make a reservation. I think a "game day" decision would work best for you but Ego Alley is where you want to be.

 

[marbelliana]

Thanks, Jon. Will definitely check this out and appreciate the tip. May have some questions!

 

[M T Pockets]

May want tobe sure the spring sailboat show is not going on the wekend you plan on making the trip. I beleive that would not allow you into ego alley.

 

[marbelliana]

May want tobe sure the spring sailboat show is not going on the wekend you plan on making the trip. I beleive that would not allow you into ego alley.

Ah, that is a great observation. Thank you. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Sounds like there are other options in Annapolis if the sailboat show is going on?

 

[CAMELLA]

The sailboat show is April 22-24th and yes you have other options.

 

[M T Pockets]

Thanks Jon, knew it hapened sometime in April. Starting May we are off every Friday plus a few thursdays and hope to get on the wall for a few of those long weekends.

 

[JamesT]

I agree with Jon try Ego Alley first, then Annapolis Yacht Basin. I slip in Longport (boat is currently in the water at Marine Max, SP) and have made the trip back and forth to Annapolis many times. Budget 7 hours, not 5 and that's if conditions are good. Best time I've ever made was Annapolis to Cape May in 5 hours non-stop. Don't go out into the Delaware Bay from the C&D on a windy day and if there is any wind at all, try to time your trip so that the tide is ebbing or flowing with the wind direction. The Del Bay may look OK when you first leave the canal, but once she opens up wide things could change real quick. Best place to wait out weather between the Bays is the Chesapeake Inn right on the C&D Canal. Transient slips and great outside bar and restaurant. Should be a fun trip. Cape May is always a nice place to stop short before making the last leg to Great Egg. South Jersey Marina best by far IMO.

Congrats on the boat. I will see you on the water this spring for sure!

 

[JamesT]

Oh, forgot to mention I would not recommend taking the ICW from Cape May to Somers Point. Take the ocean instead. Between 2009 and 2013, I've gone to Cape May and back via ICW probably 30 times and it's gotten progressively more shallow and the channels more narrow and circuitous. My last time through there was 2014 and I swore never again. The ocean in good conditions is 1:20 inlet to inlet. ICW about 2:45.

 

[rcknecht]

The trip up to the C&D is easy... If you have the wind opposing the tide in the Delaware Bay, it may be a little rough as you enter the Cape May Canal... I would stop at Utches in Cape May for gas... I would stop in the C&D Canal for Lunch, either at the Chesapeake House or at the Summit North Marina (Aqua Sol Restaurant).
..
.

I

 

[marbelliana]

Huge help, everyone. As we get closer, I'll probably want everyone's thoughts on my "checklists" as it pertains to prepping the boat as well as what I should bring along...
James, sounds like you're in Harbour Cove...that's where we slip as well. I'll be touching base shortly!
G

 

[marbelliana]

Hey all,

Thanks for the help so far.

As you know from this thread, I've been planning a route to get from EZ Cruz Marina in Virginia to Somers Point, NJ. I'm using Garmin Bluechart and Garmin Homeport for this. I plotted the route based on the map soundings and aids to navigation as they appear in the software. Ultimately heading up the Chesapeake and ending up in Cape May, then inlet to inlet to Somers Point.

I suspect I've likely plotted a longer route than is necessary, and in some cases, see some opportunities to shorten the trip. I have no local knowledge, however, of pretty much any of this trip.

I was wondering how others plan trips of this length, and if you've ever "shared" your route with other boaters who know the areas to get a gut-check on the route I'm planning to follow. Does anyone ever trade .gpx or .kml files (or equivalent)? Was wondering if I could enlist some "digital" or "virtual" help to see my route, perhaps offer some suggestions, etc. How do people share routes?

Any thoughts on such an approach?

Thank you!

 

[rondds]

The best thing to do is exactly what you're doing...plan ahead and get some local knowledge. Figuring out your range is important do you can plan out where you'll fuel up. I bought my boat in Greenport, Long Island and had to get it to Brick, NJ in one day. About a 10 hour run. And this was the April of 2013, 6 months after Hurricane Sandy. I left at 0600 so nothing was open Greenport or Block Island to fuel up before departure. Additionally, most fuel docks were still out of commission from the storm. There's also the chance that some fuel docks won't be open or be stocked with fuel that early in the season. So be sure to call ahead and plan fuel stops in advance.

Don't forget about Activecaptain.com. Great info on marinas and many bits of "local knowledge" regarding shoals, etc.

Good luck and have fun. That's a trip you will never forget, but you'd like it to be uneventful!

 

[Alex F]

Hey all,

Thanks for the help so far.

As you know from this thread, I've been planning a route to get from EZ Cruz Marina in Virginia to Somers Point, NJ. I'm using Garmin Bluechart and Garmin Homeport for this. I plotted the route based on the map soundings and aids to navigation as they appear in the software. Ultimately heading up the Chesapeake and ending up in Cape May, then inlet to inlet to Somers Point.

I suspect I've likely plotted a longer route than is necessary, and in some cases, see some opportunities to shorten the trip. I have no local knowledge, however, of pretty much any of this trip.

I was wondering how others plan trips of this length, and if you've ever "shared" your route with other boaters who know the areas to get a gut-check on the route I'm planning to follow. Does anyone ever trade .gpx or .kml files (or equivalent)? Was wondering if I could enlist some "digital" or "virtual" help to see my route, perhaps offer some suggestions, etc. How do people share routes?

Any thoughts on such an approach?

Thank you!

From my knowledge GARMIN Bluechart Mobile is limited when it comes to content sharing. You can transfer your route(s) to connected GARMIN plotter. But, you can't email and import from from one iPad to another. I also don't see an option to export single routes. Although, I was able to export my entire "content" in a file, which should be readable by GARMIN plotter. My on board helm is equipped with RM plotters, so I never had a chance to exercise the export/import feature. I'm using iPad as 3rd MFD and do a lot of planning on it.

There's an option to email a route, but it looks like it's attaching a screenshot of a route, not something you can use to import.

If it helps I could email you few screenshots. If you're like, PM me your email.

Looking at overall trip, there isn't much to be concerned about. Your starting point I straight forward and very well marked, at least according to the chart. You're in deep water, so even if some buoys aren't in place, following the chart will keep you safe. I don't see any obvious hazards heading the Chesapeak. Once you're in the bay, and from there on, all the way to your inlet, you just need good weather and calm seas, then the trip will be a breeze. The bay has extremely well marked channels (those are shipping channels with plenty of water outside of them) and for the most part very deep water, so the navigation there is really easy.

As you come out in to the open water, just follow the chart and hug the shoreline. Staying 1-1.5NM offshore will keep you in plenty of water. But, if wish to be on more conservative side, simply follow charted 3 mile line.

As Ron mentioned, the things to keep in mind is the fact that early in the season, not many places operate and you need to make few call to verify your fuel stops. Chances are it'll make sense for you to jump in Ocean City, MD for fuel. Sunset or White Marline marinas will have no problem serving you. I use them all them time. Study the chart on the OC inlet. The entrance is a bit tricky.



But, once you go around the shoal, just follow the markers (of course, red-right-return rule).

BTW, which one you call Somers Point Inlet. I think you mean Great Egg Harbor Inlet. Considering the note on the inlet about constant shifting due to shoaling, I would call CG and ask if the markers are in place on the day of your planned trip.

IF you have other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[rondds]

Alex, I think GG mentioned he was going to head up the Chesapeake and through the C&D canal. So fuel up in OC, MD is a bit out of the way. If it were me, I'd hold out as long as possible and fuel up in NJ (cheaper gas). Most people choose Cape May (as Rod noted). Easy-in, easy out.

When I brought the boat to NJ, I couldn't find anything open on the north shore of LI once I turned west past Plum Gut (remember, this was after Sandy). So I made arrangements the week before to wake up the owner of Orient-by-the-Sea Marina at 0'dark thirty. He drove to his place, which was still in ruins, to pump me 250g of gas.

Next stop, on the advice of DancinDave and Turtlesboat and SeaGull was Norwalk, CT. Cheaper gas and I got to see a couple of buddies while there.

 

[Alex F]

Oh I missed that part, Ron. I glanced at the distance and it's pretty much almost a wash. So, then in the interest of being mostly in inland waters, it makes sense to do the C&D route. I did a quick chart scan and don't see anything to be concerned about. Plenty of water and well marked channels, as well. This would be even easier route with more options for fuel or just take a break, if need be.

I totally agree that Cape May would be preferred choice for fuel, if using C&D route.

Hey, that a nice pic. I see a familiar dock. I'm just few slips to the left.

 

[marbelliana]

Thanks. So far, this has been a huge help. Alex, you posted a screen shot from Garmin Bluechart...I wasn't able to make it any larger, but looks like you've plotted a course out of my current marina heading in the direction I need to go...I believe you can share those routes, but I'll take anything you might have. I sent you a PM as well, per your request to do so! Yeah, I thought the Chesapeake gave me the most options in finding food, fuel or a quick place to duck into if the weather goes South. Have never actually fueled this boat yet. Bought it in August, and used it through October with the gas that was in it when I bought it (We live outside Philly, so only went to Virginia a few times and hung out on the boat more than we actually drove it around).

Not sure how far I'll get on a fully topped off tank just yet! Would welcome some opinions on how to to best forecast anticipated gallons burned per hour based on knots, etc.

Getting closer!

 

[rondds]

I'd figure about 1.0 MPG at cruise. Get your boat's fuel capacity (should be on a plate on the tank(s)), plan on going no lower than 85% depleted, and figure out your usable range. Alex's previous boat had your engines so he may be more in tune with the consumption than I. Probably best to start your trip topped off, this way you know exactly what you have in there b/c fuel gauges are not all that reliable.