Last summer we took a 100 mile cruise from Shark River (Belmar), NJ to Cape
May, NJ. We docked at the Canyon Club Resort & Marina for a few days - Nice
place - we like the idea of having a pool at our disposal. This summer my
12 y/o daughter and 15 y/o son will be joining us. Last summer we checked
out the dolphins that were just off the lighthouse and took a ride through
the canal - from the NJ Ferry docks back to the Atlantic side. We ended up
spending a fair amount of time exploring Cape May on foot for a few days.

I'm curious if anyone can give me any other places in the area to go. I'm
considering heading north and through the C&D Canal into the Chesapeake -
however, since I haven't yet purchased the charts, I don't know how far or
how long it would take from Cape May (we've got a 32 foot powerboat).

Since we're only going to allow 4-5 days for the whole trip, I'm not sure
how far into the Chesapeake we should venture. I'd appreciate any
suggestions for places to cruise to that would allow us to be back to Cape
May early on day 4 or 5 - it's a 5 hour cruise up the coast back to
Belmar...

TIA,
Sandy K
1997 Sea Ray - 290 Sundancer - Grateful Days

At 20 knots or better you should be able to circumnavigate Delmarva in 4 to 5
days with time for a few stops along the way. We made it under sail and power
at 6 to 7 knots from CApe May to Chesapeake City on the C&D canal in little
over 10 hours. Next day to the Sassafras.

Jay Lloyd

At 20 knots or better you should be able to circumnavigate Delmarva in 4 to 5
days with time for a few stops along the way. We made it under sail and power
at 6 to 7 knots from CApe May to Chesapeake City on the C&D canal in little
over 10 hours. Next day to the Sassafras.

Jay Lloyd

Jlloyd7 wrote:

At 20 knots or better you should be able to circumnavigate Delmarva
in 4 to 5 days with time for a few stops along the way ...

I cannot say for sure exactly how much of the Chesapeake Bay you will be
able to see while whizzing by at 20 knots. If a 2 foot chop is running, you
won't be able to see over the bow. Fer shure, you won't have time to take
snaps of the ponies at Chincoteague.

I find that a 4 knot sailboat is sometimes too quick if the goal is to
"experience" Chesapeake Bay. However if your goal is to cover miles, then
....

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Jlloyd7 wrote:

At 20 knots or better you should be able to circumnavigate Delmarva
in 4 to 5 days with time for a few stops along the way ...

I cannot say for sure exactly how much of the Chesapeake Bay you will be
able to see while whizzing by at 20 knots. If a 2 foot chop is running, you
won't be able to see over the bow. Fer shure, you won't have time to take
snaps of the ponies at Chincoteague.

I find that a 4 knot sailboat is sometimes too quick if the goal is to
"experience" Chesapeake Bay. However if your goal is to cover miles, then
....

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

On the other hand, they could make the Sassafras in one day, hang out there for
3, then buzz back to Cape May. I can think of worse ways to spend 5 days.


"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
Jlloyd7 wrote:

At 20 knots or better you should be able to circumnavigate Delmarva
in 4 to 5 days with time for a few stops along the way ...

I cannot say for sure exactly how much of the Chesapeake Bay you will be
able to see while whizzing by at 20 knots. If a 2 foot chop is running, you
won't be able to see over the bow. Fer shure, you won't have time to take
snaps of the ponies at Chincoteague.

I find that a 4 knot sailboat is sometimes too quick if the goal is to
"experience" Chesapeake Bay. However if your goal is to cover miles, then
...

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

On the other hand, they could make the Sassafras in one day, hang out there for
3, then buzz back to Cape May. I can think of worse ways to spend 5 days.


"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
Jlloyd7 wrote:

At 20 knots or better you should be able to circumnavigate Delmarva
in 4 to 5 days with time for a few stops along the way ...

I cannot say for sure exactly how much of the Chesapeake Bay you will be
able to see while whizzing by at 20 knots. If a 2 foot chop is running, you
won't be able to see over the bow. Fer shure, you won't have time to take
snaps of the ponies at Chincoteague.

I find that a 4 knot sailboat is sometimes too quick if the goal is to
"experience" Chesapeake Bay. However if your goal is to cover miles, then
...

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

On the other hand, they could make the Sassafras in one day,

It can be a lot rough for the 50 some miles Cape May to C & D Canal when the
wind is against the current. He may not want to make 20 knots in those
conditions. Just one protected anchorage on the Del Riv.

I seem to remember about 35 miles Sassafras to Annapolis (which has moorings,
anchorages and a water taxi). Annapolis is more interesting that Cape May and
one hell of a lot more interesting than Sassafras.

On the other hand, they could make the Sassafras in one day,

It can be a lot rough for the 50 some miles Cape May to C & D Canal when the
wind is against the current. He may not want to make 20 knots in those
conditions. Just one protected anchorage on the Del Riv.

I seem to remember about 35 miles Sassafras to Annapolis (which has moorings,
anchorages and a water taxi). Annapolis is more interesting that Cape May and
one hell of a lot more interesting than Sassafras.

Your navigation is backwards, jaxie. The OP is starting in Cape May, and would
have to pass the Sassafras to get to Annapolis. Its true that Delaware bay can
be nasty if you go against the current, but this is something he'll have to cope
with in any case. But with a power boat and some planning, he should be able to
avoid the worst of it.

The Sassafras River may no be as exciting as Annapolis, but it does have the
advantage of being one part of the Chesapeake where you can swim off the boat
without fear of sea nettles.


"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
On the other hand, they could make the Sassafras in one day,

It can be a lot rough for the 50 some miles Cape May to C & D Canal when the
wind is against the current. He may not want to make 20 knots in those
conditions. Just one protected anchorage on the Del Riv.

I seem to remember about 35 miles Sassafras to Annapolis (which has moorings,
anchorages and a water taxi). Annapolis is more interesting that Cape May and
one hell of a lot more interesting than Sassafras.