Inlets Between Cape May and norfolk, va?

[tigatail]

Hi ! We are sailing back to Florida from NY and need to know if there are
any inlets, sailboat anchorages or marinas to stop at between
Cape May, NJ and Norfolk, VA ? O, for instance, is it possible
to enter the Ocean City, MD inlet with a 5'1" keel ? And a place
to anchor or tie up there?

[ohdrinkboy]

come down the chesapeake bay and you will have plenty.

[tigatail]

HI ! We came up that way. We wanted to avoid going north after
Cape May and doing the C & D canal again. We wanted to stay off
shore but need to find an inlet for our draft between Cape May and
Norfolk VA. Anyone?

[btrayfors]

There are only two inlets which can accommodate your draft: Ocean City and Chincoteague/Assateague.

Ocean City is the better of the two, with a jetty on the north side. There are submerged jetties on the south side of the inlet.

Chincoteague/Assateague inlet is much more challenging.

Neither should be attempted in anything except good weather.

I assume you have good charts aboard.

Nevertheless, IMHO your best bet is to choose your weather when leaving Cape May, and plan to sail directly to Norfolk. Or, if the weather doesn't look favorable, go up the Delaware Bay and thru the C&D Canal. It doesn't take that long and is much more sheltered, with dozens of excellent anchorages before you reach Norfolk.

Bill

[tigatail]

Thank you Bill. We've already done the Chesapeake a number of
times and will probably go in at Ocean City if we do not do the direct
sail from Cape May to Norfolk. We looked at the google earth map
and didn't see any sailboats in that one marina in Ocean City and
hence the thread here. Appreciate your advice. Happy day !

[sww914]

Have you seen activecaptain.com? Pretty good info on the East Coast.

[tigatail]

Yes, Thanks. We will check that also. We actually will be
docking in Atlantic City instead of Cape May and then outside to Ocean City. We've
never been into the Atlantic City harbor and any advice on that
would be appreciated.

[sww914]

Glad to help.

[sailpower]

Come through the OC inlet and straight ahead is Sunset Marina. No bridges to deal with.

It is a large modern facility with large head/shower area, several restaurants onsite and walking distance, pool, outdoor music, etc. It is one of the nicest marinas on the east coast. Like all OC marinas it is primarily a Sport Fishing facility and you might be the only sailboat there. No worries except don’t try it early August as the White Marlin Open is going on and they will be full and/or charge a premium. The week before and during the tournament is the time to avoid.

BTW, at Sunset you will actually be in West Ocean City so not in the middle of all the
Honky- Tonk/boardwalk “fun”.

http://www.ocsunsetmarina.com/

http://www.whitemarlinopen.com/

[laika]

Can second Atlantic City as a good option. The inlet is well marked. Have stayed at the Sen Farley State Marina in the past and can recommend. My memories of Atlantic City are less than flattering but was a fun stop nonetheless!

Recently did the Cape May to Norfolk myself, but did not consider any stops on the way. Took about 2 days. Like btrayfors said, Ocean City would be the preferred option over Chincoteague/Assateague. Have not done either though.