Cape May to Ventnor, NJ

Good morning Utsch's Marina

Lots of new construction after Sandy

Our preference today was to go outside in to the Atlantic for the passage from Cape May to Atlantic City. However, the forecast wind was 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 knots and seas 3-4 feet. The wind was already blowing hard at 6:00 this morning and we decided to travel with Choices on the inside route. The New Jersey AICW has been a difficult passage for several years, the regular shoaling has been compounded with the events of Sandy two years ago. Many, many shallow spots and the general advice is to only move on mid to high tide, the tide here is about 6 feet depending on the inlet. So we began our cruise about 7:00 at mid rising tide, we use Active Captain a crowd source information system to provide data on shallow spots and other potential hazards. I also contacted TowboatUS for local knowledge on the passage. 

The inside route is much more interesting than running up the ocean, I did not realize that much of the Jersey coastline is barrier islands and then marshes before the land rises. We also learned that NJ fisherman always fish in the boating channel, a practice frowned on at home. The channels are quite narrow in places and in one case I had to steer between two fishing boats with about 20 feet on each side. I slowed to a no wake speed to avoid any wake issues but still we were quite close. It was necessary to pass in this manner because going out of the channel means running aground.

A floating billboard

We had one grounding today, green marker 263 appears to be way out of place and as I was deciding how to pass the marker the bottom came up quickly and we were pumping mud. I asked a passing boater if the deeper water was to port or starboard and he said the water was a bit deeper on the far side of the marker. I used the bow thruster to position the boat to travel toward the green marker and applied a bit of throttle, we were free and floating once again. Because the bottom contours change rapidly the charts are at times less than accurate, but once again we learned to use the buoy system as the best course to take.

Sue from Choices picked great anchorage and we stopped just short of Atlantic City in Ventnor, NJ. Lots of new construction in this area and docks are still being rebuilt two years after Sandy. I understand New Jersey is the most densely populated state, I would agree based on my boating experience here. Lots of fishermen, speed boats, jet skis and a few kayaks. 

Densely populated coast line

Lots of boats everywhere

Nice Anchorage

Another anchorage view