South NJ to Nantucket??

JamesT

JamesT

Active Member
Oct 7, 2013
250
Somers Point, NJ
Boat Info
2011 470 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 480s w/ Zeus PODs
Last summer we did a 2 week cruise from our home port in south NJ (10 miles south of Atlantic City) to the upper Chesapeake (Rock Hall, Tighlman Island, Cambridge, Annapolis, Solomon's Island, Oxford, St. Michaels etc). Loved that trip and may do it again in 2014. That trip was about 300 miles round trip. With 16 more feet than I had last summer, my wife has been talking about Block Island and Nantucket lately. Can I reasonably make Nantucket with (only) a 2 week vaca from South NJ? I would avoid the straight arrow 250 mile shot over open ocean, preferring to go through NYC and into the Sound, or hug the coasts of NJ and the south shore of LI. Is Nantucket worth the visit, or would I be better served taking my time on the Sound and soaking up all the destinations there? Anyone have any experience from NYC to Nantucket? Is two weeks enough? I've never boated LIS so have no idea what to expect. If I do decide to take the ocean the whole way (hugging NJ and NY coasts) are the south shore of Long Island inlets reliable for ducking into for poor weather?

Thanks in advance. -Jim
 
You could totally do it in 2 weeks. I went from DC to Boston in 4 days running 10 hour days with stops in the C&D Canal, NYC, and Newport. There is not much to see up the NJ coast, but an overnight in Jersey City or NYC will be unforgettable. There is no shortage of nice places to stay in LI Sound in CT or NY on the way to Block. You don't need more than 3-4 days on Nantucket. I'd make sure to stop in Oak Bluffs on MV. You might want to stop in Newport if you can. That trip wouldn't be complete without it. So, NYC, Newport, Block, MV, and ACK for sure.

Your boat will take most of what the weather will dish out in the summer in LI Sound and there are numerous ports to duck into. You are rolling the dice south of LI and the inlets are fewer and treacherous in bad conditions.
 
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You could do it in just a couple of days if you wanted. I just ran from Barnegat Light to Fall River in just over 10 hours. We ran straight across to save time, in hind sight I would take the NYC route and stop along the way. From Barnegat to Block was only 8 hours. We like Nantucket but a couple of days are plenty. With 2 weeks you could do Block, Cuttyhunk, MV and Nantucket.
 
Thanks. That's what I was I looking for. 10 hour days a little long for my crew, but I get the point. NYC is 90 miles north of me so that would be the only open ocean part for me. How was the navigation through NYC and the East River? Any shallow or tricky spots, or is it a piece of cake as long as you stay in the channel?
 
JamesT said:
Thanks. That's what I was I looking for. 10 hour days a little long for my crew, but I get the point. NYC is 90 miles north of me so that would be the only open ocean part for me. How was the navigation through NYC and the East River? Any shallow or tricky spots, or is it a piece of cake as long as you stay in the channel?
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I studied the charts for weeks, plotted the course on my chip, read all the warnings and stories on line, but when I passed through I was very relaxed and it went so fast, it seemed if you blinked you'd miss it. Everything is well marked. The only think you have to be hyper aware of is barge traffic and where they are going. Try to squeeze by on the wrong side and you can get crushed. I went through on a weekend in April, which had practically no traffic.
 
JV II said:
I studied the charts for weeks, plotted the course on my chip, read all the warnings and stories on line, but when I passed through I was very relaxed and it went so fast, it seemed if you blinked you'd miss it. Everything is well marked. The only think you have to be hyper aware of is barge traffic and where they are going. Try to squeeze by on the wrong side and you can get crushed. I went through on a weekend in April, which had practically no traffic.
Click to expand...

Cool. What's your favorite plotting/charting/hazard warning website(s)?
 
JamesT said:
Thanks. That's what I was I looking for. 10 hour days a little long for my crew, but I get the point. NYC is 90 miles north of me so that would be the only open ocean part for me. How was the navigation through NYC and the East River? Any shallow or tricky spots, or is it a piece of cake as long as you stay in the channel?
Click to expand...




East river is no issue. We go out to the LI sound often. Two tips...at Roosevelt Island there is a small island on it's south tip, go east of the island and its no issue. The west side is a little wider, but I prefer the east side...always smoother. When you get up to the brother islands the channel between them is a little narrow but no issue for boats to pass. If there is a lot of traffic, go to the north side of north brother island as there is plenty of water and width. NY harbor near battery park is almost always a little rough but no issue either, just be aware if commercial traffic.



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stfarris61 said:
East river is no issue. We go out to the LI sound often. Two tips...at Roosevelt Island there is a small island on it's south tip, go east of the island and its no issue. The west side is a little wider, but I prefer the east side...always smoother. When you get up to the brother islands the channel between them is a little narrow but no issue for boats to pass. If there is a lot of traffic, go to the north side of north brother island as there is plenty of water and width. NY harbor near battery park is almost always a little rough but no issue either, just be aware if commercial traffic.



Sent from my Nokia 925 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Great info. Thanks!!!
 
JamesT said:
Cool. What's your favorite plotting/charting/hazard warning website(s)?
Click to expand...




if you have an iPad the Garmin app is free and then map for east coast is $30. It will also let you add all active captain data into the charts. Great resource for little expense if you have the iPad.



Sent from my Nokia 925 using Tapatalk
 
stfarris61 said:
if you have an iPad the Garmin app is free and then map for east coast is $30. It will also let you add all active captain data into the charts. Great resource for little expense if you have the iPad.



Sent from my Nokia 925 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

That's what I am in the process of doing as we just love Active Captain it really is useful.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
JamesT said:
Thanks. That's what I was I looking for. 10 hour days a little long for my crew, but I get the point. NYC is 90 miles north of me so that would be the only open ocean part for me. How was the navigation through NYC and the East River? Any shallow or tricky spots, or is it a piece of cake as long as you stay in the channel?
Click to expand...

Watch the debris in the river carefully, I had to dodge a full sheet of plywood last time through.
 
It can easily be done with the right amount of cruising and visiting each port of call. You will experience a wonderful trip. If you have any questions, ask away.
 
pictures from garmin app with active captain enabled. these picture are the two locations on the east river i mentioned earlier in this post (roosevelt island and the two brother islands).

1.jpg2.jpg3.jpg4.jpg
 
Thanks all. I've used Active Captain myself and love it. I've never loaded tracks from AC to my (old boat's) Garmin unit though. I had the Garmin 5212 in the old boat and this boat has dual Raymarine E120s and have no idea how to use them yet. I have a feeling I will miss my Garmin unit...Thoughts?
 
We've been through NYC several times and live in CT.

I would recommend like others, to hug the coast and take frequent rest stops to take it all in. We went from Stamford, CT to City Island, had lunch, went and circled around the statue of liberty and back all very comfortably in 8 hours.

As mentioned, the only concerns are with the debris, the large wake from commercial boats, and staying out of the way (we had a couple close calls). Feel free to ask away with any other questions.
 
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