Turks and Caicos to Newport RI, some advice

[fascadale]

Greetings from a new guy currently locked down in Scotland.


I had planned to do an Atlantic circuit departing from the UK at the end of this summer to be in the West Indies by Christmas: if it can't happen this year I'll do it next year.


I have started thinking about getting from the Turks & Caicos up to Newport RI, maybe making Charleston my first US port of call. I plan to depart the Ts & Cs towards the end of March to be in Newport by mid May. (I want to keep going north to Maine and Nova Scotia before returning to Scotland.)


So about six weeks for the middle part of the US east coast. Is Charleston a good starting point or would somewhere further north be better?


I would very happy to spend some time exploring the ICW, where are the best bits? Equally I would want to stop over for a few days at a time in some of the most attractive destinations along the route. Recommendations?



Quite happy to make up for lost time by going offshore to put in longer passages up the Gulf Stream, night passages no bother.


I would like to sail into NYC: people say the Chesapeake has some beautiful spots, too many choices!



I know there are very many experienced US east coast sailors on this forum: what do you recommend? Equally which bits should I plan to avoid?


Can you recommend any pilot book/guides that would get me from say Charleston to Newport? I've watched a number of YouTubes but now I think I need more detail.



The boat is a "Rival 34" draws 5ft 10", air height, 42 ft


Looking forward to it.............................

[slug]

I’ve done that trip many times

I never know how I will approach the US east coast

I very much like Caribbean to Bermuda ... a quick rest and weather lookout

The approach to the east coast can be quite rugged sailing

Charleston ? Good choice

Chesapeake bay ? Good choice

It all depends on your time schedule ,,,and your motoring ability

The inland waterway is great, you will enjoy it

You might even consider it a must see, unique .. but you are motoring

Make sure you power plant is up to hundreds of miles motoring

[psk125]

Planning a mid-May arrival in Newport may be a touch optimistic, weather-wise. Spring can be nasty sometimes. You do not want to mess with the Gulf Stream in a northerly.