Hi guys, I don’t post much, but I purchased a new to me Nonsuch 30 Ultra last year. I am moving the boat from Old Lyme, CT, to Annapolis, MD. Unfortunately, my crew of 2 both had personal emergencies and were not able to assist. I decided to go alone and made it to Safe Harbor Capri, headed for Hells Gate and next to Atlantic City. I am sharing my circumstance as a request for any tips or tricks for navigating the New Jersey coast. While it’s last minute, it’s also an invitation for anyone who may want to share part of the trip or just a few miles. No pressure on anyone, I just thought I would share with the Nonsuch Community that’s already been very kind to me. I hope to give back what has already been given to me. And a special shout out to Bob Gehrman, who gave me sail time on his Nonsuch 30.
Marv
203-232-7988
Annapolis MD
Knotorius
Nonsuch 30 Ultra #294
Enter the East River at slack tide just before the ebb starts. It is quite a nice trip but lots of traffic at times.
You can stop in Jersey City. Liberty Landing Marina behind Ellis Island. Is lovely but pricey. You can anchor in the little bay just east of the State of Liberty. Lots and lots of traffic between Manhattan and New Jersey. You avoid them, not the other way around.
You can also anchor at Atlantic Highlands near the exit to the ocean at Sandy Hook. Also a good marina. Here. You wait here until you have a decent forecast for going down the Jersey Shore. Last time we did it we waited for four days so be patient.
Only really reliable place on he Shore is Attlantic City. If you are singlehanded it is an obvious place to stop. If you have a crew and agreeable conditions an overnight will take you to Cape May. Here there is a canal that links you to Delaware Bay. Bridge is 55’ which might be a problem for a N30 with VHF antenna. Not sure what he tidal range is. The canal avoids the often uncomfortable conditions going outside into DB. You can anchor at Cape May opposite the Coast Guard station or go to a marina.
Delaware Bay is best done with a flood tide. Its is quite shallow outside the ship channel and often has squarish waves - not dangerous, just uncomfortable. Once you get to the CD canal you are almost home. You can stop in Chesapeake City, depends on when it was last dredged.
I have run down the coast of NJ in pritty rough conditions. City Island is a good staging location before hitting Hell Gate. I run it non stop through the night and arrive in Cape May in the morning. lots of tug and barge traffic . Jasmine 30 ultra
Marv: I’ve taken my 30 through the Cape May canal at least a half dozen times. Once, around high tide, my VHF did touch the bridge. I’ve been up and down the Delaware with and against the current. One is just slower and, depending on wind direction bumpier.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
If passing under bridges is involved, not that a Nonsuch 30 mast’s height above the waterline is spec’ed to be 52’ 6", not counting additional height from antennae or other fittings.
I went through Hells Gate in 2021 when we brought our 30U home. Time it right. You need to go through on the falling tide. We hit 11.5 knots going through. It was like going through a washing machine. It was a lot of fun.
I helped a friend move a Catalina 30 down the Jersey Shore 2 years ago. We found several recent reports advising boaters with a draft of more than 4 feet to avoid that part of the ICW.
I could not convince him to sail overnight from Sandy Hook to Cape May. We went into Barnegat Light. We had no issues going in. Coming out, chart said 12 feet, GPS said we were in the channel, we could see the boys for and aft on both sides. We were right where we were supposed to be. High tide was at 5am. It was 6:15. Where the outgoing tide was stopped by the westbound swell, we hit the silt hard. It turned us sideways and laid us down on the sand, IN THE CHANNEL, 1/2 MILE BEYOND THE JETTY. 3 Waves later we were free, but it was scary. We followed the inbound track which left the channel to the north about a 1/4 mile behind us. Went north, then east to get around it. Next time we sail overnight or at least make it to Atlantic City. You can’t trust the reported depth in that area. It does not get dredged often enough.
After Barnegat, stay 3-4 miles of shore. The shoals extend pretty far out.
Good luck.
Chuck Garbarino
As You Wish
N30U, #292
Sodus Bay, NY
A better choice then Barnegat is Manasquan Inlet which is pretty straight forward and well marked. From there you can go inside all the way to Atlantic City if the weather turns sour. I’ve done it several times and not touched. Any inlet in NJ is not fun in strong easterly winds.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Thanks for all the great advice from all the great folks in this community. I greatly appreciate it. I am currently on a mooring at the Miramar Yacht Club awaiting a crew member to arrive in about a week. Here is my rough plan, depending on the weather.
Miramar Yacht Club to Atlantic City 81 nm
Atlantic City to Cape May NJ 36 nm
Cape May to Bohemia Bay 75 nm
Bohemia Bay to Annapolis 41 nm
Also, When I was passing through Hell’s Gate, I couldn’t stop smiling and admiring the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.
And the number of airplanes, helicopters, barges, fire boats, police boats, and activity on the Hudson. And it may be one of the most memorable times of my life.
Marv - sorry I missed you when you were at Safe Harbor Capri. My wife and I have the 30U in the mooring field off of the Capri docks.
Miramar is a nice location - last time i was there I noted lots of good food choices, especially Russian. I was there before heading off shore to Bermuda on a 47 footer. Just out of sight of land four fighter jets buzzed us from behind at mach+ speeds - left us all checking to see if we had soiled our shorts!
Thanks, Charles; this is great information and a bit scary. I am staying at the Miramar Yacht Club, awaiting the crew. I’m thinking about getting a weather window and doing the New Jersey Coast in one long run to Cape May.
