Late Maine Migration

[GCSI]

To those of you familiar with cruising in the NE, I need a bit of advice.

The boat is currently laying in Portland. Unfortunately, life reared it’s ugly head and is making it difficult
For me to begin a southern migration. Should be able to clear all issues by late October and be available
To resume cruising full time.

Conceptually, I would chug from Maine, through the Cape Cod Canal, Long Island Sound to NYC. From NYC to Norfolk via the Chesapeake. After Norfolk I’m not worried. Going northbound in late July was easypeasy…

Is a November departure from Maine pushing my luck relative to weather?

Alternatively, I can hire captain and have delivered to upper Chesapeake or Norfolk and join boat there November 1st.

Thoughts? I’m a NE virgin so zero experience with respect to local weather.

Thanks for any input.

Brett

 

[Bob Bradley]

As we say in New England, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute. Therein lies the problem. You can get beautiful autumn days in November. Stringing 2 or 3 of them together is where it gets tricky. I fish offshore whenever the weather gods grant me 3 consecutive days without the wind blowing like hell. I'm going Tues thru Thursday this week. Unless the weather report changes tomorrow. The last time I was able to get out for 3 days was Labor day week. I realize this doesn't actually answer your question directly, but that's what you are dealing with up here. Plan the trip, but work in a bunch of 2 or 3 day layovers waiting for a good day to run.

 

[Timeless72]

We were just talking about this with a couple snowbirds yesterday. They insist on going before November but as said above, if you're not in a hurry, have a great time. I would really be looking forward to the peace and quiet on the water.
True words about Labor Day this year. One of only a few three day stretches this summer.

 

[Eddieclemons]

While I know nothing about the NE, if you need a deck hand let me know? You can tell me stories about my 52c.

 

[Pascal]

Every year is different. I used to run a 70 that would spend the summer in Nantucket but which couldn’t cross back into Florida before nov 1 st because of insurance. I’d usually fly up early October to bring the boat down. Some years the weather was great, others it was downright ugly. One morning I slipped on deck not having realized the dew had frozen Another year I had to wait a few days on sandy hook to get decent weather for the run down the Jersey coast.

 

[JD5652]

To those of you familiar with cruising in the NE, I need a bit of advice.

The boat is currently laying in Portland. Unfortunately, life reared it’s ugly head and is making it difficult
For me to begin a southern migration. Should be able to clear all issues by late October and be available
To resume cruising full time.

Conceptually, I would chug from Maine, through the Cape Cod Canal, Long Island Sound to NYC. From NYC to Norfolk via the Chesapeake. After Norfolk I’m not worried. Going northbound in late July was easypeasy…

Is a November departure from Maine pushing my luck relative to weather?

Alternatively, I can hire captain and have delivered to upper Chesapeake or Norfolk and join boat there November 1st.

Thoughts? I’m a NE virgin so zero experience with respect to local weather.

Thanks for any input.

Brett

What's the boat?

Are you running 9 kts or 20 kts?

Planning to go inside or outside?

Comfortable running at night if you have to?

I left Mystic CT in early November on my 58 LRC a couple years ago and it was beautiful the first two days. Started kicking up Day 3 out of NYC into Atlantic City.

It has been blowing 3 days out of the N-NW down Delaware Bay. Got our ass handed to us in Delaware Bay. Blew out front two portlights that day.

Once in C&D Canal, rest of the trip to Atlantic Yacht Basin in Chesapeake was a breeze.

Bottom line is it's doable, but you're pushing it with the weather and shorter running days.

 

[GCSI]

2002 75’ Sport Deck with stabilizers and SeaKeeper (belt and suspenders) typically chug at 9 kts, capable of 22 kt cruise if threatened by weather.
Too old for nighttime runs unless absolutely necessary. However, will do a predawn departure more often than not (early riser).

 

[GCSI]

First of all, I want to say thank you for all the advice and insights.

For a number of reasons, have decided to make the run beginning Nov 1st. The one advantage I have is being able to get up and cruise at 23kts as a "Plan B". If weather windows get extremely compressed and chugging just doesn't work; my plan is to let the puppies breathe and run during short weather windows.

My run like hell scenario;
- Run from Portland to Newbedford (fuel)
- Chug from New Bedford to Block Island (prep for EARLY morning departure).
- Run from Block Island to Cape May (fuel)
- Run from Cape May to Norfolk
Not much fun, but it is quick.

I doubt that I'll be able to do the calculus until near departure time. Even then, will re-calculate at every stop re running vs chugging.

Will report back with a blow by blow...
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