ICW in NJ

[rwappleton]

Has anyone actually used the ICW between north Jersey and Cape May? I am looking at a couple of boats in the NY area and because I won't be familiar with the boat I was thinking the more inside the better. It will be 41-45 in length with a draw of 2.5 to3.5 feet. A cruiser not a sport fish.

I have heard the stories and I have looked at current charts. I am looking for someone who has been there done that fairly recently.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[Bill Allen]

Although it's doable why? Bugs, bridges and skinny water. Outsides a nice ride and a few decent inlets. I spent 20 years above Atlantic City and now I'm in Brielle (mansquan river) the coast is a nice ride at my hull speed I'm into Cape May in a day. Bill

 

[Dan Mapes]

We stuck it in the mud South of Atlantic City in the Fall of '08. We were running without the tide, which should NOT be attempted. We pull 3.5. I know others that have done it in '11 with tide and they have more draft than us.
Would I do it again?
Only with high tide, and only when the prevailing conditions outside make it the right choice.

http://danmapes.blogspot.com/2008/10/dan-got-spankin-dan-got-spankin.html

As I wrote, it was red 306 on the way from A.C. to Cape May.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Last fall I moved a 42' Mainship from NY to Cape May. We were outside to Manesquan, but the weather was too rough the next day for that boat, so I went inside. I had heard horror stories about the NJ intercoastal, but I was pleasently surprised. It was very well marked and the water, while skinny, was never a real problem. You do need a good chart plotter like a Garmin or Raymarine and it should be fairly large. I followed the magenta line on the plotter and we were just fine. You can't do a straight line from marker to marker. Just follow the line on your plotter. We stopped for the night south of Atlantic City and finished the trip to Cape May the next morning. I was pleasently surprised and would do it again if the water outside was ugly.

 

[Dan Mapes]

We anchored out North of Barnegat at Tice's Shoal and enjoyed it. Just be prepared for a wind shift by using an anchor that resets quickly. Going South to Barnegat and out the inlet was tricky. Thankfully there were others using the inlet and we tagged along. Many a sporty slowed down in several places and we know why!

 

[rwappleton]

Thanks for all the good info. I have two issues to deal with. All of the boats I am looking at will have less that 8 hours run time when I get there. Also the Admiral is insisting on making the trip and she changes color rather easily in rough water.

I am still open to the pro's and con's

 

[saltshaker]

It all depends on where you are starting from. The ICW starts at Manasquan Inlet. If you're coming from NYC area, you'll have to run outside from the Verrazano Bridge to Manasquan. The outside run is pretty simple and you have options. Watch your weather and you should be fine. From the bridge to the tip of Sandy Hook is Raritan Bay. From Sandy Hook to Manasquan is only a 22NM run. Most of the time, Manasquan is a pretty simple inlet. From Manasquan to Barneget inlet is another 21NM but it is a very tough inlet under certain conditions. I've been through it when it was like a pond and when it was breaking all around you. Lots of shoaling that changes frequently. I would advise you call the CG for local info if you need to transit Barnegat. From Barnegat to Absecon Inlet/Atlantic City is only another 30NM. That's a big open inlet that is usually very easy to transit. Next good inlet is Cape May. About 40NM from Absecon. Pretty straight forward and a great stop for a couple of days if you have the time. So you only looking at 110NM run from Sandy Hook to Cape May. With Manasquan and Absecon as good options to tuck in if needed. The inside run from Manasquan to Barnegat isn't too bad but try to avoid doing it on a weekend. Boat traffic can be insane. From Barnegat to Atlantic city is a little tricky but not too bad. Watch the water, there are a lot of shoals through that stretch. From AC to Cape May is only an option if the ocean is too rough and you cant wait. It's very twisty turny and lots of skinny water. If the wind is blowing out of the west, forget it. That will blow water out of the bay and depth can be a real issue.

 

[George]

I live in Ocean City NJ, 7 miles south of Atlantic City. The ICW does not exist from 1/2 tide and down. It is really bad from 34th street to 17th street. I suggest if you go that way, to take that pass at High tide only.
Good luck