[C320-list] Wintering in Norfolk.

[Doug Treff]

I've done the Ocean city inlet. In good weather, it's very easy and plenty deep. When things get snotty, it can be tricky, because, on an outgoing tide, the waves tend to stack up and remain stationary right in the inlet entrance. I've seen some people get in trouble here. Best advice I've seen here is to stop in Cape may and wait for a favorable weather window to head south to thy Chesapeake Bay.

Ocean city is actually a good inlet when the weather and tidal conditions are in your favor. There are some tricky sandbars on the bay side. Honor all the marks and you will be fine. Sunset Marina will probably be your best bet if you need a slip in OC. 

If you want to anchor in OC, turn left after entering the inlet and anchor behind Assateague Island. Strong currents may cause your boat to swing, so watch your anchor set and be sure you have an anchor that will reset itself nicely on a 180-degree swing. I'd advise you NOT to head north through the drawbridge due to severe shoaling and tricky currents. Tough to handle in a displacement boat with a single engine.

Hope this is helpful,

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Sat, Sep 15, 2018, at 2:34 PM, Scott Thompson wrote:
> There is an inlet at Ocean City MD if I recall. I have no idea if it is 
> suitable for a 320. I know there is at least one J105 at Cape May so you 
> should be able to get in there. There is a regular event 
> circumnavigating the DelMarVa peninsula, starting near Norfolk. You 
> might look into that as the organizers will have good info. I believe 
> they stay offshore all the way from Cape May to Norfolk. 
> 
> I had dinner with a couple cruising the Chesapeake a few years ago who 
> had got caught offshore NJ during a Nor’easter and were overwhelmed in 
> large, steep waves. They called the CG who sent a boat to help guide 
> them into an inlet, apparently through large breaking seas crashing 
> against strong outgoing tide due to inland flooding. The incident was 
> frightening enough that they had cancelled their plans to head south for 
> the winter. So take care on that weather window. 
> 
> > On Sep 15, 2018, at 11:53 AM, Pat Tormey <ptormey at 4square.net> wrote:
> > 
> > Actually I sailed UP from Kent Island when I bought eh boat in the spring. Really nice area BUT the trip UP Deleware bay is entirely the wrong direction and there are no stops along that bay.
> > 
> > thanks
> > Pat Tormey 
> > 
> > From: Irving Grunes
> > Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2018 11:06 AM
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Wintering in Norfolk.
> > 
> > If you choose to come down the bay, the must see stops are Baltimore,
> > Annapolis, St Michaels and Solomon Islands as convenient.
> > 
> > Irv Grunes
> > Former #851
> > 
> >> On Sat, Sep 15, 2018 at 9:48 AM Pat Tormey <ptormey at 4square.net> wrote:
> >> 
> >> Anybody in the Norfolk VA area?
> >> 
> >> In the first weather window here in Newport RI after Sept 21th I’m taking
> >> a slow trip to Norfolk hoping to find a slip for the winter on the Navy
> >> Base.
> >> 
> >> The plan is to sail thru LI Sound and down the NJ Shore til Atlantic City
> >> or Cape May.  There doesn’t seem to be a lot of overnighting opportunity
> >> along that shore OR Delaware shore for that matter. Weather permitting I
> >> may have to that that as a clean shot off shore.
> >> 
> >> So I’m looking for some local knowledge. I’m not in any hurry so I’ll
> >> likely be swapping crew time to time along the way.
> >> 
> >> Anybody along the Jersy shore? Delaware? Lower Chesapeake? Especially
> >> Norfolk/Little Creek?
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Thanks
> >> 
> >> Pat Tormey
> >> Blue Skies
> >> #1037
> >> Newport RI
> >> 
> > 
>