Every year, I head down south for the winter in my sailboat. It's nice to go down to the Florida Keys, if you can find the time. The Chesapeake area is a great place to spend the winter. Unlike the northeast area, the waters don't freeze up in December, making it ideal for sailing. There are so many coves to explore that you can visit a new one on each journey. Conveniently located nearby is the Norfolk International Airport. North Carolina is another nice area to explore as its waters stay quite warm in the winter thanks to the gulfstream. Dowry Creek in Belhaven to Oriental and Beaufort (Bow-Fort) where they found Black Beards' ship by the inlet are great marinas. The slip rates vary from $7 - $8 per foot per month. So for a 40' boat you're talking around $280.00 a month/6 months $1680.00 and sail her back up north in the spring. Very reasonable! The internet makes it easy to discover the numerous slips available there.
From Montauk to the Chesapeake it would be about 54 hours (2-2 1/2 days). You can sail to Cape May Harbor first and anchor by the Coast Guard Station. That would be a 30 hour runNot too bad, right! Now you have an option. You can head Offshore to the Chesapeake taking about another 24 hours, or head up the Delaware Bay to the C & D canal, about 8-10 hours with the tide helping you. Stay at a marina on the C & D overnight & continue into the Northern Chesapeake the next day. Norfolk, VA., with the beginning of the ICW, is south. That would be longer, but more Inland. Taking Long Island Sound west to the East River and south to Cape May is also fine. I find heading Offshore takes some uncertainty out, by not having the Inland obstructions, tide changes, buoys, etc to worry about. Offshore you're just clicking the miles off and getting into your watch routines. There is an added bonus on your winter run off, to head south. You usually start off in October or November where your winds are generally coming out of the Northwest. This means the wind is coming off the land, giving you flatter seas & plenty of rip-roaring speed. With a rumbline to the Chesapeake, that would be a beam reach all the way down. Even with that Cape May stop over, the next day would have the wind aft of the beam.
When you enter the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, just a few miles south you will find Little Creek, a protected harbor. "Little Creek Marina", "Cobbs", and "Cutty Sarks" are just a few of the many marinas offering slips at low daily, weekly, or monthly rates. The airport is located only a few minutes away. Norfolk is not that far north, where the ICW starts. Nothing beats southern hospitality - everyone is kind and helpful. In Norfolk, Tidewater Marina offers every amenity. You can dock up or anchor just outside the marina where there is plenty of room. It is a hard decision to make when you think of exploring the Chesapeake or exploring the ICW on the way to N. Carolinaboth have wonderful little towns and coves. Along your trip, you will boating buddies with other travelers who head south for the winter.
Depending on the weather, my trip south usually begins in October. The hurricane season is not over yet, so watching the Eastern Caribbean for new formations is prudent. It can take a few days to a few weeks for the hurricanes to arrive in area, so if one is coming, there's time to duck in a harbor. Check out websites that provide a global look at the weather by satellite and wind and wave forecasts. It's wise to have several sources of information to help you plan your trip. Also listen to your VHF radio to hear about formations or disturbances in the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
There's so much to explore, whether your trip is just for a long weekend or over the winter. But, who says you have to go home for the summer. Another adventure always lies ahead.
From Montauk to the Chesapeake it would be about 54 hours (2-2 1/2 days). You can sail to Cape May Harbor first and anchor by the Coast Guard Station. That would be a 30 hour runNot too bad, right! Now you have an option. You can head Offshore to the Chesapeake taking about another 24 hours, or head up the Delaware Bay to the C & D canal, about 8-10 hours with the tide helping you. Stay at a marina on the C & D overnight & continue into the Northern Chesapeake the next day. Norfolk, VA., with the beginning of the ICW, is south. That would be longer, but more Inland. Taking Long Island Sound west to the East River and south to Cape May is also fine. I find heading Offshore takes some uncertainty out, by not having the Inland obstructions, tide changes, buoys, etc to worry about. Offshore you're just clicking the miles off and getting into your watch routines. There is an added bonus on your winter run off, to head south. You usually start off in October or November where your winds are generally coming out of the Northwest. This means the wind is coming off the land, giving you flatter seas & plenty of rip-roaring speed. With a rumbline to the Chesapeake, that would be a beam reach all the way down. Even with that Cape May stop over, the next day would have the wind aft of the beam.
When you enter the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, just a few miles south you will find Little Creek, a protected harbor. "Little Creek Marina", "Cobbs", and "Cutty Sarks" are just a few of the many marinas offering slips at low daily, weekly, or monthly rates. The airport is located only a few minutes away. Norfolk is not that far north, where the ICW starts. Nothing beats southern hospitality - everyone is kind and helpful. In Norfolk, Tidewater Marina offers every amenity. You can dock up or anchor just outside the marina where there is plenty of room. It is a hard decision to make when you think of exploring the Chesapeake or exploring the ICW on the way to N. Carolinaboth have wonderful little towns and coves. Along your trip, you will boating buddies with other travelers who head south for the winter.
Depending on the weather, my trip south usually begins in October. The hurricane season is not over yet, so watching the Eastern Caribbean for new formations is prudent. It can take a few days to a few weeks for the hurricanes to arrive in area, so if one is coming, there's time to duck in a harbor. Check out websites that provide a global look at the weather by satellite and wind and wave forecasts. It's wise to have several sources of information to help you plan your trip. Also listen to your VHF radio to hear about formations or disturbances in the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
There's so much to explore, whether your trip is just for a long weekend or over the winter. But, who says you have to go home for the summer. Another adventure always lies ahead.
About the Author:
Captain Douglas Malat is a co-creator of YachtAuthority.com, a website where you will find the sailing vessel of your dreams. Click here to submit article.
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