DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2

Oldest first

Last seen in
🇺🇸 Camden, United States
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Barnegat Inlet into the Atlantic to Sandy Hook, NJ
June 13 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
After watching the marine forecast for this part of the coastal Atlantic Ocean for several months, we knew that there are very few days that don't violate our NO-GO criteria of waves 2 feet or less, comfy perod, and wind under 20 MPH and gusts under 26. When a day like that is predicted, it often is later changed for the worse. So we were delighted to have a 24 hour weather window to slide into the Atlantic and run down the coast on the 20 foot contour line with under 10 MPH winds from the NW and SW (SW is ideal and rare). Only a few splashes on the windshield from wakes and a slowdown outside Manasquan Inlet, where VHF chatter reported a runaway partially floating dredge pipe f heading out to sea, position undetermined. And we didn't have an unpleasant meeting that results in a Bad Boating Day. We define a Good Boating as one where no one is seriously injured or killed, and total damages after deductibles and co-pays are less than a Boat Unit ($1,000). We've only had one in 46 years so far.
We stopped in Sandy Hook Bay Atlantic Highlands city marina, which has a good breakwater, but no floating docks or finger piers. The outboards preclude a stern in tie and the anchor pulpit makes bow in awkward and having to step OVER the high bow railing. Some 71 year old folks couldn't do it. Choose the Great Kills Yacht Club instead with their Looper POC. I thought it was up the Hudson, but it's only 10 miles away... my bad. NEBOLINK log shows mostly over 20 MPH; wind data is from the nearest airport, not on the water. The town is quaint and charming.
The upcoming large bodies of water (Lakes Ontario, Oneida and Champlain) are not as likely to have a two week weather delay as the Atlantic (even in sight of shore), as in the video of the Atlantic City Ferris wheel). 250 very interesting water miles to date. Marina E0 gas has averaged 5 to a max 6 dollars a gallon though we budgeted $8/gal (it still might exceed that in Canad
We extended to a second night because Windy predicted gusts to 30 MPH. We're taking advantage of the pause for grocery and boutique shopping as well as planning for the next few days, including getting to Halfmoon Bay marina tomorrow for two nights.Read more
4 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Atlantic City to Barnegat Inlet, NJ
June 13 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
This was a much wider waterway, and much more enjoyable. We averaged 23 MPH overall. There are much fewer hairpin 270 degree turns and docks protruding into the waterway.
A 40 mile day was still a bit long, though arrived at our marina before 1230 PM even after a wrong turn that added 20 miles. We had a beautiful sunset and a great steak dinner on the Nuwave induction skillet (limited to 900w).
NEBOLINK log is here (scroll down 3 pages). We took an accidental detour into Great Bay, which was very scenic and calm.

https://reports.nebo.global/c39be3b5-c00c-4ce8-…

Barnegat Lighthouse has a nice mini meuseum (air conditioned in 91 degrees). We wanted to see the Inlet close up before running it tomorrow. That segment takes us into the Atlantic Ocean 60 miles to round Sandy Hook before NYC so we are watching the marine forecasts closely.Read more
3 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Barnegat Inlet, Bayview Harbor Marina
June 12 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F
'Barnegat' turns out to be a Dutch variation on 'breaking waves', which is what it would be without the jetties. The distal half of the south jetty is submerged, so don't run over it like the boat in the Travel-Lift did.
Tomorrow looks like the best day to venture out into the Atlantic Ocean (which must be done to get to NY by water). We like the blue Windy app best for versatility and ability to compare models. There are multiple worldwide weather models, but don't make the mistake of liking 3 weather apps that are based on the SAME model, since you are not getting different opinions.Read more
3 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Atlantic City, NJ Day 2
June 11 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 93 °F
We walked back down to the Boardwalk again for our daily exercise and met Pam and Bill for a nice lunch near the marina. It's wakey during the day, but we're not on the boat then. We're using the new air conditioner a lot and hoping it don't end up on the What Broke list.
We're discussing multiple options for the ocean leg, complicated by the timing...it takes 6 hours to go 35 miles by the ICW at 5-7 MPH, but only 1.5 hours in the ocean at cruising speeds.Read more
3 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Ocean City to Atlantic City on the dreadful NJ ICW
June 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
There are more discourteous boaters on the 150 miles of the NJ ICW than on the 1,400 miles of Florida ICW. Violating Rules of the Road is an art form that requires practice to be 100% proficient at it, and boy, some of these folks are. Another exhausting day of 270 degree hairpin turns in 4 feet of water half a boat length from protruding docks at 5-7 MPH, but hey! only one green fly got in the cabin.
We explored the 4 miles of world-famous Boardwalk in the heat (102 degrees under the Bimini) and made arrangements to meet Eileen's sister and Bill tomorrow. We're also making plans and options for the 50-mile trip out into the Atlantic Ocean that is required to get to New York Harbor and the Hudson River.
What broke:
The SONAR/CHIRP depth finder is only accurate intermittently after our forth bottom bump, but it's positioned well above the lower unit cavitation plate so we wouldn't a expect it to be affected by those misadventures.Read more
TravelerAnd NJ is one of the few states that requires mandatory boater education. Doesn’t seem to help 🙃
3dReply
3 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Cape May to Ocean City, NJ via the Awful NJ ICW
June 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
We found the NJ ICW to be as Awful as advertised except perhaps even more so. It's advised ONLY for drafts under 4 feet, but at low tide we bumped unmarked, uncharted shoals in the channel at under 2 feet. We never exceeded 7 MPH, with no damage and didn't have to get out to push. Channels are often only a couple of boat lengths wide, and local fisherman will anchor longwise right in the middle and refuse to move, even on weekdays. Don't even think about going out on weekends. It seems like 99% is in a No Wake Zone and the other 1% is barely 2 feet deep at high tide.
We found another marina with floating docks and walked over the bridge (with an 18 inch side walkway)...a bit scary. Most Loopers are far north of us and marinas only need a next-day notice to secure a transient spot for our little boats.Read more
TravelerBeen there, done that 🤩
4dReply
3 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Cape May NJ day 2
June 7 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
Enjoying playing tourist here! But it's not as crazy as Mackinac Island (if you go, stay at Mackinac City marina and take the ferry over to avoid the awful ferry wakes).
We're planning to take the shallow (4 feet) slow and crowded NJ ICW to Ocean City since the Atlantic marine forecast has seas over our 2 foot No-Go criteria.Read more
4 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Down Delaware Bay to Cape May, NJ
June 6 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Smooth sailing for 62 miles down the bay to NJ, with some Atlantic Ocean swells but no drops on the windshield. If there are drops on the windshield, I always look at the marine forecast to see if we are in a Small Craft Advisory (just kidding). We limited our speed to 25 MPH due to seeing floating logs in the water. You never know if a floating small branch is attached to a non-floating underwater log beneath it.

We stayed at South Jersey Marina due to good protection from wind and wakes and floating docks (which make getting on and off the boat much easier in areas with big tides and therefore very high docks). It has the most luxurious shower/bathroom facilities we've ever seen!
We got our six miles in by walking to a touristy farm. The market featured Gouda Cheese With Beer and Jalapeño Eggs. On the Inside Passage of British Columbia, Colby would have to motor for over an hour (at his Maximum Cruising Speed of 5 MPH) to get to the nearest First Nation convenience store that carries those items. even then, they may be out, especially if Bill and Mike got there first.
There are lots of nice homes and flowers and a ten-block area of creameries and tourist shops. We shared a soft style ice cream and each bought a 250 flag T-shiret. The church has been raffling off a new car each year since Eileen was a kid. She says one of the nuns always win the raffle, but that's 'just coincidence.'Read more
5 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Delaware City Marina, day 2
June 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Lots of visiting an exchanging boat cards and Loop stories. Marina staff stacks the boats so closely that there will be way to leave until the boat in front you or behind you does, which will require some coordination. The city sponsored their first Farmers Market, which was cute but very small. Foster holds a 4 PM Captain's meeting with valuable tips on crossing the bay. Like "Don't stop in the nuclear plant Security Zone and take pictures." There was Live music on the deck after Docktails and a bring a dish supper that was way more than enough. There is a nice walkway dow n the canal to the Bay.Read more
5 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Delaware City Marina, day 1
June 4 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Offers a good value, like most municipal marinas. The fourth annual meeting of Loopers who have finished the Chesapeake Bay section and ready to head into the Delaware Bay south to NJ. The group met at Kathy's seafood restaurant in a private room and had a great time We explored Ft Dupont on our own (guided tour also offered) and walked around the city.
We're trying a new storage system using 6 gal stackable hinged clear containers that fit in the aft cabinets well. Unlike a giant bin, we don't have to remove everything in the bin to get to what you need, which is always on the bottom. Working well so far.

What Broke:
The Garmin VHF 200 ship radio went dead. Troubleshooting started with the fuse. It was lit up by a LED; a Blue Seas feature. Sometimes it can be hard to see a blown fuse segment. I don't have an explanation for it, but it's never happened before and works fine after replacing the fuse.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-easyID-Fuse-Kit…Read more
TravelerGood idea for storage
5dReply
5 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
NC to Delaware
June 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
We planned to launch at a state park ramp across the creek Delaware City Marina, where an annual mini AGLCA meeting is held. After launching and securing the boat for three transient nights we towed the trailer to a guys back yard 30 miles away for $120/month on the Neighbor.com site. Extra Space Storage charges $500/month. We had to maneuver around some chicken coops, but figure it was worth it with a $50 Uber back to the boat. We always use Neighbor.com for rig storage on one-way Segments and have never had any problems, esp when the owner is at home.Read more
5 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Georgia to NC
June 2 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Lots of traffic congestion and several crashes, esp. around the large cities. We fuel up only at truck plazas, since we are almost as long as a tractor-trailer rig.
TravelerBe careful!
5dReply
5 likes
DE Bay, NJ, Hudson, Erie Canal & Triangle Loop #2 Traveler
Pensacola home to Kingsland, GA
June 1 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
A leisurely day of trailering starting at 0430 (McD breakfast) averaging 15 MPG 20,000 pounds of boat and trailer at 60 MPH, making 500 miles per day with total diesel cost under $250 per thousand miles. The boat gets 2 MPG, marina E0 gas is expensive, so cruising a thousand miles costs $2,500 rather than $250.

Some owners stay overnight at state parks for $17/night…just plug the shorepower cord into a RV adapter and plumb your grey water into a bucket on the pad. We’re too lazy to re-configure so stay at Hampton Inns that have an especially large parking lot or a dead-end lane beside them.

What Broke:

Ford recalled the F350 for a backing camera connector that can fail from water intrusion and a Trailer Module that can rarely fail on startup. However, it will take {p}x712/16? Weeks to get the parts, so we decided to press on. A Trailer Module failure means no trailer brakes or lights, so if it happens we’ll have no choice.Read more
3 likes

Trip start
June 1, 2026