VA to Boston bound

JV II

JV II

Active Member
Nov 17, 2007
2,655
RI
Boat Info
Flybridge
Engines
Volvo V-Drive
Has anyone run up VA to Boston in March? Any comments about the seas off the coast of NJ?
 
Cold water and typically rough, but obviously there are some better days then others... But still very cold water and watch for any floating debris from Sandy. I wouldn't travel without a life raft or at the least a good dinghy when the water is this cold.
 
There is often an abundance of floating debris in rivers and bays at that time of year. Also check ahead for marinas and fuel docks that may still be closed or on on winter hours since there is not much traffic in March.

As Larry pointed out, cold water is, well, cold. Extra care would be in order: no solo boating, wear a pfd on deck, consider rigging jack lines and wearing a harness if you do go on deck.
 
Also, depending on the dates, I may be available to help if you need it.

Jeff
USCG Master, 50 ton
 
It looks like it would be best to pray for good weather, stay offshore of NJ, and plot a course to Manhattan. I'll top it off with 400 gallons in Newport News, VA, then again in Delaware Bay, which should get me to the next open fuel dock in NYC. I'm going to rent a life raft and EPIRB. Looking at the pass through NY in detail. Nothing too scary on the charts, but I've looked in those waterways from land and the currents can be wicked.

Thanks for the tips and offer of help, Jeff. I will take every precaution, including waiting out the weather. Hopefully, it will be a pleasant run and not a nightmare. Once I get into LI sound, I will be fine. Its the open water and wreckage from Sandy that concerns me the most. If all goes well and the seas are calm, it can be a nice run.
 
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Like others who have posted, I am at a sister marina, JV. If you want any help getting her ready for the trip, just let me know. Or if you want to take a nostalgic ride on a dinky DA (my 300DA) while you are here. I have only seen the Morgan Jane from a distance as I idled by that marina on my way to the Sea Ray dealer. Its a beauty.
 
Check the tides and try to go through Hell's Gate on the flood. It won't matter all that much in a power boat but it will save you a little fuel.
 
Besides good advise posted by Larry and Jeff let me throw an idea for you. Since your boat is already in VA, why rush things? Make arrangements with marina where your boat is now (most likely you'll get the best deal since you bought it there) and keep the boat there for few extra months. My main point is that early spring in VA is much warmer than in Boston, so if you can manage several long weekends keeping the boat there and enjoying warmer weather while exploring the area could be a nice option. Delivering the boat much later in the season and making a nice family trip out of it will be a totally different and much more enjoyable experience vs. just getting it home in rush and in colder weather.

You'll know what I mean b/c soon enough you'll be asking yourself a question "how can I keep my boat South when it's cold up here?". Take advantage, it's already there, sort of South.

When I was in a process of upgrading and pursuing 400DB in FL, my grand plan was to use her there for the winter after doing all necessary maintenance and take her to Bahamas during spring break. Oh well, I guess you know the rest of the story (the deal didn't happen).

This spring will be much different due to Sandy's aftermath. A lot of areas will have shoaling possibly not very well marked and amount of debris will be much greater. This means that it's best (safer in a way) to stay out in the open for hours and hours. No mater how you twist it and turn it you'll love running the boat and burn all that fuel, but the question is on overall approach. I would keep her there until May. Memorial day weekend can be a good window for making a family trip to take her home.

Peter Schlossberg said:
Check the tides and try to go through Hell's Gate on the flood. It won't matter all that much in a power boat but it will save you a little fuel.
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480 could care less about tides in Hell' Gate. When I ran through it on a sailboat I was watching the tides, but anytime I was there on my SRs it didn't make much difference. Granted, running with 4kts current is very efficient, but it's a short run and re-working your trip around the tides there is not worth it on a power boat, especially large diesel one. just my opinion.
 
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I would fuel up at Utches in Cap May. The fuel prices are much less in NJ than NY. After Cape May, I would duck in at Point Pleasant for fuel. The inlet is clear and there is coast guard station there. Fuel is available. From Point Pleasant, you can hed up the Hudson to the Harlem River, or go up the East River through Hell's gate and into the Sound... you wont have much trouble with debris if you stay 3 miles off the Jersey coast. The water is deep and most of the debris and shoaling is in the bay...
 
In regards to running mostly offshore, If you fuel up in Cape May you then have two choices (if you're planning cutting straight across), Cape May to Montauk is about 190NM, but I would also consider Shinecock Inlet (about 160NM from CM) as your plan B for fuel (there's a marina that sells diesel right as you enter the inlet). If your fuel range will comfortably put you at Montauk, Star Island marina has good fuel prices.

I just glanced on your run and it looks like approx. 450NM if you're going from VA to Cape May (offshore) and then cutting across. It's a nice run but like I said earlier, you're covering some nice distance and passing very nice ports. If you plan it right this could be a really awesome trip for your crew. I would do it as a vacation later in the spring with few stops in VA/MD, then NJ/NYC and LI.
 
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Actually, making a vacation out of it for the family in April or May sounds like a good idea. I will definitely consider that. If we are slogging through 6-8 foot seas, I am going to get a lot of crap. It's not like I can duck into a harbor and wait it out. I have to slog through. The crew may not have the endurance for that. I've always avoided running the outer Cape Cod and south of the islands to avoid the reough stuff. That is not an option for this trip. It's going to be a long and exhausting run for the crew if not calm.
 
My take on this is that if you choose to extend your stay in VA, you'll accomplish few things:
1. You'll be able to learn the boat's behavior and get the feel for her by taking local trips in VA.
2. You'll be able to address necessary maintenance items and set comfortable schedule.
3. Have the crew (mostly admiral) build comfort level that this is now a 50' Yacht, which handles the seas much better.

When taking the delivery trip as a vacation, I was thinking that you would stay closer and hug the shoreline. I know it'll be longer but if you don't explore areas like Annapolis and Baltimore while you do the local trips I would advise to take the longer route to stop in those ports. Then go down to C&D Canal. This of course adds time and miles, but it's very scenic route that will fulfill your vacation. As you come out of Delaware you have Cape May or Wildwood as the first stop in NJ. I would spend the night there. AC is the next stop, if you decide to stay there try to book a show, unless you just want to make a quick donation to casinos. From there I would go to Liberty Landing Marina and take the ferry over to the city for NYC entertainment. Then, 30+ NM and you're in more familiar waters of LIS where you have tons of great ports, as you know.

The difference between delivery option I'm suggesting and the "let's just get home fast" option is that as you hug the coast you'll have number of places to jump in for cover if the weather turns bad. Plus having allowed longer time for the trip will give you opportunity to stay longer in one port, if you're weathered in. Otherwise, if you go from Cape May on the course to Montauk, after about 50NM out in the sea I don't suppose you'll be very please on thinking of turning back if the seas turn rough on you.

Think about it, you've got plenty of time to make the choice that makes most sense for you. I'm only proposing to make your delivery trip to be a good memorable experience for the whole family. You just bought a SR Yacht, might as well use her like one. :smt001
 
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Put me down for a P1 for Alex's idea.

We brought our boat up from the Chesapeake in March. Tried to do it in a weekend, got to Cape May but the the weather turned. We probably could have continued, but with a 'new to me' boat didn't want to risk it. So we left it in Cape May, rented a car to get home, and then came back a few days later.

Then a few years later we took the boat all the way back to the Chesapeake for vacation. Could have done that the first time. Or at least been able to see more of the area.
 
For those that live in the VA area, would I be able to run the entire length of the Potomac River, up north in the Chesapeake Bay, and through the C&D Canal into the Delaware Bay in a day? I'm plotting about 175 NM if I remember correctly. How long from Woodbridge to the Chesapeake? Planning this in stages. I will need to complete this trip in 4 days to avoid too much missed work. I've got a lot of vacation time planned this year and can't afford to do a week long family trip in March/April especially with school.
 
Greg said:
Put me down for a P1 for Alex's idea.

We brought our boat up from the Chesapeake in March. Tried to do it in a weekend, got to Cape May but the the weather turned. We probably could have continued, but with a 'new to me' boat didn't want to risk it. So we left it in Cape May, rented a car to get home, and then came back a few days later.

Then a few years later we took the boat all the way back to the Chesapeake for vacation. Could have done that the first time. Or at least been able to see more of the area.
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That is what concerns me the most. I've driven the entire length of NJ at 75 mph and it was monotonous. I am not looking forward the run up NJ coast. What was your experience the second try?
 
JV II said:
What was your experience the second try?
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It was fine, I don't remember what the seas were but it was pretty flat. I think as long as you keep an eye on the weather you will be fine.

I would have been fine even the first time, but didn't want to risk it. I posted here at the time. I think it was titled 'what would you do'
 
You are about 95 NM from Woodbridge to point lookout. I would think you are about another 100 NM to the C & D canal.

Stuart
 
You can/could make it weather, wind & seas depending but you might not be worth a dam in the morning. Bringing Gime Time home from Ft Lauderdale Spring 2008 after spending 8 months getting to know her and enjoy the winter in Fl was alot of fun. Running around 20 knots the longest leg we ran was about 185NM which wasn't bad on the outside but we had good weather & seas. The second day was the last day outside as the weather began to turn and 4-6 footers just took it's toll on the crew and boat so from then on it was much slower going up the ICW in a lot of places.

Rule #1, Weather and seas always rule, the Potomace and the Bay can change pretty quickly plot out all your optional pull off locations that make since. Enjoy the ride as it sounds like you might not get back down here for sometime.
 
Normally I wouldn't ,but I've gone from Kilmarnock, Va to Atlantic City .., but ... Calm seas (mid June) and a long day !! I suppose my longest leg has been from Harbor Town, SC to Ponce Inlet ( S Daytona ) , again, beautiful weather ( in Dec ) That being said....If the boat is new to you and it's been sitting up for the winter, I'd factor in time for weather and mechanical issues. Best of luck, I know it will be memorable.
 
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