Long Island to Annapolis

[DavidM]

Is there still a viable inside waterway thru New Jersey?

There is, from Manasquan south to Cape May. But it is shallow and windey, so it is slow. If you can possibly do the outside, I would.

On that note, the only weather you have to worry about is when the wind is blowing with an easterly component or SSW and even then I would do it with 15 kts rather than struggle inside. If the wind is out of the SW, W, or NW stay close to shore and 20 kts is no problem.

David

 

[psneeld]

To be comfortable inside through NJ depends on draft under 5 feet, traveling only on the top half of the tide and being able to read shallows in marshy areas.


Traveling outside those restrictions can be done but many find it very stressful.


Many parts of the NJ are like the worst parts of other ICWs, but there it is much of it.

 

[High Wire]

And in May thru July you will find the NJ ICW full of boats fishing for summer flounder. Why? Because that's were the fish are!

 

[nussbda]

We did Cape May to Great Egg Harbor on the inside, in a Camano 31 (3 1/2 feet draft). Great scenery, but no water. As psneeld said, travel on the top half of the tide. We didn't, but when we ran out of water we just nosed into the mud on the side of the channel and waited. It was amusing to watch the two pontoon boats behind us zoom past and then dramatically run aground in the middle of the channel. We were going from Annapolis (actually Kent Island) to Port Washington. It was a wonderful trip.

 

[sndbowen]

Thanks for the info.