Delaware Bay

[Xavierp]

Hi all.
Where is a 40´ sailboat supposed to navigate going towards Cape May?
I just got yelled at on radio because I was in the middle.
IMO it is a good place to be so big ships can pass me easily on my starboard side and I can easily see upcoming cargos.
If I stay to the right if the channel cargos would have to go around me which they don’t want and won’t do.

Input?

[Kettlewell]

I avoid sailing directly in the channel when in Delaware Bay except up in the northern part approaching the C&D Canal. Basically they expect you to stay to the "right" when in the channel. If something big comes up from behind you can almost always just hug the right side of the channel or go outside of it a little. Most of the way it is plenty deep just outside the channel.

[hpeer]

Just be a bit careful going pas Bombay Hook. The bar there comes out nearly to the bouy.

[Xavierp]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

I avoid sailing directly in the channel when in Delaware Bay except up in the northern part approaching the C&D Canal. Basically they expect you to stay to the "right" when in the channel. If something big comes up from behind you can almost always just hug the right side of the channel or go outside of it a little. Most of the way it is plenty deep just outside the channel.

Thx a lot

[Xavierp]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Just be a bit careful going pas Bombay Hook. The bar there comes out nearly to the bouy.

Ok. Thx!

[Xavierp]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Just be a bit careful going pas Bombay Hook. The bar there comes out nearly to the bouy.

Actually how do I locate a specific spot like Bombay Hook for example?
Using Navionics, I didn’t see a search feature for location names.

[Shrew]

Absolutely NOT the middle of a commercial shipping channel. I hug along the red's inbound and the greens outbound. In places with major shipping channels there is usually deep water on the other side of the markers. Look at the channel in Del harbor it is 20 - 30 feet immediately outside of most the markers. I would have no problem cruising outside of the markers if the depths and contour lines allow it in those conditions.

However, right down the middle of the channel is out of line, when the commercial boats are constrained to channel.

I also wouldn't be sailing unless I could hold a course along the edge of the channel.

[hlev00]

Stay to the right side. There is enough depth mostly so you can slip outside if being overtaken. Just watch your charts.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Xavierp

Actually how do I locate a specific spot like Bombay Hook for example? Using Navionics, I didn’t see a search feature for location names.

That's why they have Pilot books and light lists. Gee, your computer game mentality with your fancy schamansy picture computer gizmo didn't answer your query? Had you looked at a large scale (gasp!) CHART of the area?


For planning ahead, wherever and whenever I go to areas I have not been before, I look at all the available information to find potential hazards. Using only one tool( your gizmo) is not the preferred method.