Old Fart Solo Up The U.S. East Coast?
- Thread starter Jules
- Start date
Bristol-Cruiser
Super Anarchist
I have done the Erie/Oswego canals many times. It never occurred to me that it was exhausting. Really a very pleasant trip with lots to look at. Locks are not hard (not talking single-handed) once you figure out the routine.
Steam Flyer
Sophisticated Yet Humble
I can see where some people would find it very frustrating and exhausting. It's difficult to push and make miles. It's slow and there's limited places to stop for the night, unless you want to risk tying up to a tree on the bank (which we were told is illegal).
OTOH most days runs were low stress and had at least some interesting scenery. Every stop we made was delightful. The dog loved walking the old canal path. The historic towns were friendly and interesting. We met a lot of east coast cruisers who considered the NY State Barge Canal to be a tedious stretch of "fly over" country but they all were interested solely in pushing on to some place else as quickly as possible. A delivery, not a cruise, in other words.
Some locks are a PITA but once you figure out how to cope, it's not bad. You need an engine that will easily and reliably restart when the gates open.
FB- Doug
Blue Crab
benthivore
Bristol-Cruiser
Super Anarchist
You can always tie up at a lock. They are usually quite pleasant although some are noisy from the trains and even the highways. Years ago we stopped in one small town and it was quite pleasant until the modified car races started quite close to where we were. We would usually tie up just after a lock so we could get an earlyish stop to next morning and run 5 or 10 miles to the next lock before it opened. Lake Oneida is not my favourite place.
If you want to tie up along a canal the Canal du Midi in the south of France is outstanding. When you rent a boat they include a couple of steel stakes and a small sledge. You can tie up where you want. The canal opened in 1680 and since this was before the Industrial Revolution the canal follows the topography of the land. They planted tens of thousands of these plane trees to stabilize the banks but in some areas many died, I assume old age, and were not replanted until recent years. You can also bike along the two path. If you are richer than I am you can go on a converted, crewed barge that is quite luxurious. Crew includes a (French) chef and you can go off bicycling to a vineyard for lunch and meet your boat at its next stop. We were going to go there for another charter this spring passed after playing in the world seniors' table tennis championship in Bordeaux but it was cancelled. We are not that good but you only need to enter - they had 5700 entries and a waiting list. Next one is in Oman of all places in January, 2023. May combine that with a rtw plane tickets.
Steam Flyer
Sophisticated Yet Humble
Yes, that's a trip I really really want to make. We've done a few canal boat trips in England and one in another French system. We take turns driving the boat. Renting a canal boat and a couple of bicycles seems to me to be by far the best way to travel. Getting into the big cities is still somewhat of a hassle, but overall I think I could live like that. Friends have done a river trip in Portugal and loved it, too
FB- Doug
FB- Doug
Bump-n-Grind
Get off my lawn.
as someone else upthread said, the type of boat might inform the responses a little better.
If draft isn't the issue and you've never done it, a trip up the ditch is kinda fun. parts of it are really only fun once LOL
and if you really want to get outside you can pick your windows. unless you want to come up the Chesapeake and visit Annapois and some of the other places on the bay, the trip up the outside there is quite manageable. and does provide a few escape routes. As does Jersey shore if wind has some westeryly in it at all.
If draft isn't the issue and you've never done it, a trip up the ditch is kinda fun. parts of it are really only fun once LOL
and if you really want to get outside you can pick your windows. unless you want to come up the Chesapeake and visit Annapois and some of the other places on the bay, the trip up the outside there is quite manageable. and does provide a few escape routes. As does Jersey shore if wind has some westeryly in it at all.
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Sail4beer
Starboard!
For the sake of historical terms, the “line” on the bucket is a rope and before the advent of plastic, it was a cedar bucket that didn’t rot or absorb smells.Never hurts to keep a bucket with a stout line attached in/near the cockpit. It can come in handy for all types of occasions and/or purposes.
Historical rant over
Wess
Super Anarchist
Don't think she will mind my saying (know this from another common thread) but the boat is an Ahola 32. Ellis designed keel stepped masthead rigged monohull sloop with less than 5 foot draft. Good coastal cruiser that would not have issue with the voyage being discussed. The question ain't the boat. It really comes down to how comfortable the sailor is singlehanding. If not wanting any overnight sails as I thought I read then you really are mostly limited to the ditch and not going outside. How comfortable is the sailor anchoring or docking or fixing shit that breaks. Anyway the other option is to put it on a truck or trailer and have it driven up. Faster obviously if the $s can be spared. Delivery captain is another option. Only other thing to consider depending on your views of covid restrictions is that you will find more freedom in FL than you find up north. Good luck!
Ajax
Super Anarchist
Maybe she has friends who are willing to do some outside legs with her as crew?
Veeger
Super Anarchist
Aloha 32 is good either way, inside or outside. Trucking is faster... assuming availability, but between de-rigging/haulout/ trip/ repeat, likely not cheaper. Up the ditch might be cheaper but once you add in the trip south, supplies, fuel, occasional dockage and various odds and ends to attend to getting the boat ready, (but not refitting), you will spend pretty close to similar amounts of money. Much more fun though. Taking an unfamiliar boat offshore before knowing the 'oops, better fix that' list has some degree of risk but certainly is viable if you don't mind overnights and have friends. 32' is pretty handy for the docking, boat handling stuff and 5' draft is nice and comfy on the inside (for a sailboat). The ICW has its own appeal and its own boredom. I've done it twice now, would do it again, but not twice a year too often...
Innocent Bystander
Super Anarchist
Day hops offshore area a waste as getting in and out of the inlets to an anchorage will take lots of time off your passage. . Really not enough all weather inlets for a 5 knot boat. Probably safe to run from Stewart to Charleston in one offshore shot northbound and maybe up to the Cape Fear Inlet. Weather permitting, a bit further North to New River or Beaufort (NC) but will have to cross Frying Pan Shoal there. Some here will have local knowledge of the inlets. As Savior said, a run offshore with a push from teh stream is quickest but you have to commit to the offshore bit.
Real issue would be southbound as you have to choose early an "inside the GS" and thread the needle or cross the GS and head all the way to slide past Little Bahama Bank to stay out of a foul stream and then cross to Stuart and the Okeechobee canal.
You really are talking a journey, not a quick trip, particularly if you want to get to the Great Lakes.
Real issue would be southbound as you have to choose early an "inside the GS" and thread the needle or cross the GS and head all the way to slide past Little Bahama Bank to stay out of a foul stream and then cross to Stuart and the Okeechobee canal.
You really are talking a journey, not a quick trip, particularly if you want to get to the Great Lakes.
A few thoughts I had as I read the thread are, Maine would be less of a slog to get to. And there is plenty to explore. Although I have thought it would be interesting to go up the Erie cannel so that could be interesting. Solo puts some limitations on going outside since you need somewhere to stop. Not always easy due to conditions. Hope you have fun doing it.
SpongeDeckSquareFoil
Anarchist
- 610
- 36
Maybe consider the western side of the Great Loop? Since you're starting from the gulf side of FL this option might have some appeal. Even more so if your destination was the Lake Michigan side of Michigan.
Anyway, a friend had to move his boat (a Hunter 380) from Detroit, MI to Mobile, AL this past fall. His first consideration was to go full St. Lawrence Seaway route then south around Florida. From a practical and timing standpoint, this was a no-go. Due to scheduled closures along the Erie canal the timing window he had obviated the ICW route, and the re-opening of some Chicago area locks made the Chicago to Mobile trip more feasible.
After sailing from Detroit to Chicago he had the boat yard in Chicago area drop the mast. They also transported the mast to Mobile by truck. This was a bit more expensive than having the mast stored on deck, but made handling the boat easier without the long overhangs and also made moving about on deck a nonissue.
Even though he often single-handed while sailing on the great lakes, he always had two people aboard at all times for the river/canal transit. He just felt it made sense to do that on the narrower canals.
Anyway, a friend had to move his boat (a Hunter 380) from Detroit, MI to Mobile, AL this past fall. His first consideration was to go full St. Lawrence Seaway route then south around Florida. From a practical and timing standpoint, this was a no-go. Due to scheduled closures along the Erie canal the timing window he had obviated the ICW route, and the re-opening of some Chicago area locks made the Chicago to Mobile trip more feasible.
After sailing from Detroit to Chicago he had the boat yard in Chicago area drop the mast. They also transported the mast to Mobile by truck. This was a bit more expensive than having the mast stored on deck, but made handling the boat easier without the long overhangs and also made moving about on deck a nonissue.
Even though he often single-handed while sailing on the great lakes, he always had two people aboard at all times for the river/canal transit. He just felt it made sense to do that on the narrower canals.
kent_island_sailor
Super Anarchist
Are you talking about doing this ONCE or commuting?
It is a LONG way to be going back and forth. If doing this one time it could be a fine adventure - maybe. You can get from Florida to Cape May "inside" and then you need to go out in the Atlantic to get to Sandy Hook and then it is up the Hudson to the Erie Canal. You can split up the Jersey Coast with an overnight stop at Atlantic City.
Here is the problem - you are not going to be out in open ocean with not much around you. Running "The Ditch" is narrow channels, tides, currents, running aground, and lots of traffic. There are big sections of it that are not going to be Otto steering and you making coffee. It is also a metric-shit-ton of motoring and the Erie Canal is for sure motoring because you need the mast down. I am not sure it would be all fun.
I am not quite sure about this: concerns for a woman doing this solo? Do you mean in the sense of walking around the hood after dark? There are some dodgy towns for sure along that route, but I can't imagine that there would be much of an issue unless you made a point to take off on shore excursions in the crappiest looking places on the ICW. Pirates are not fond of the ICW at all, so no worries there. Your biggest issue would be doing something dumb like sight-seeing in the crack selling parts of Atlantic City or otherwise doing things I am sure you are smart enough to not do.
If you mean the other issue of generally being smaller and not as strong as a man, if you can handle your boat solo now you can just keep on doing it.
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Remember the aviation (boating) advice that the most dangerous thing to have aboard a airplane (boat) is a schedule (calendar). There are lots of days you should stay tied to a dock.
I was on delivery crew bringing a Tartan 33 back to Connecticut from the Newport, VA area. We spent a night in Cape May and awoke to a strong westerly. Great we thought. We discussed it with a retired couple on a 40'. Not gonna go, he said, she doesn't like it too windy.
About 6pm we reached Barnegat. The coastline turns a bit there, and wind increased and shifted more northeast. With darkness falling, we entered the Barnegat Inlet and found ourselves amid uncertainties of shoal water, and vaguely marked channels.
We made out OK, but having a 5 guys aboard was part of the reason why. I remember thinking that the old guy back in Cape May probably made a good decision.
A guy from here in Stamford took his Hunter 34 to Chicago. Crew of 4, it took about 2 weeks. There are several route options. They ran the engine for the whole trip, even the southbound trip down Lake Michigan after the mast was restepped.
I was on delivery crew bringing a Tartan 33 back to Connecticut from the Newport, VA area. We spent a night in Cape May and awoke to a strong westerly. Great we thought. We discussed it with a retired couple on a 40'. Not gonna go, he said, she doesn't like it too windy.
About 6pm we reached Barnegat. The coastline turns a bit there, and wind increased and shifted more northeast. With darkness falling, we entered the Barnegat Inlet and found ourselves amid uncertainties of shoal water, and vaguely marked channels.
We made out OK, but having a 5 guys aboard was part of the reason why. I remember thinking that the old guy back in Cape May probably made a good decision.
A guy from here in Stamford took his Hunter 34 to Chicago. Crew of 4, it took about 2 weeks. There are several route options. They ran the engine for the whole trip, even the southbound trip down Lake Michigan after the mast was restepped.
Jules
Super Anarchist
- Thread starter
- #37
The boat is an Aloha 32 (4'-9" draft). This would be a one way trip for her. We'd leave it up there for a summer getaway. With my overwhelming love of the oppressive heat and humidity Florida brings every summer, I'd want to be up north on the boat 6-8 months a year. I'm no hot house flower.
In my younger days, I would have never even asked the question. But this summer I was either going to have a knee replacement or get the hell out of here. More than anything else, it's the knee that worries me. I've sailed enough to appreciate the ability to jump up and go when the unexpected arises. I can't do that now.
I appreciate all the great responses. Lots of great information.
In my younger days, I would have never even asked the question. But this summer I was either going to have a knee replacement or get the hell out of here. More than anything else, it's the knee that worries me. I've sailed enough to appreciate the ability to jump up and go when the unexpected arises. I can't do that now.
I appreciate all the great responses. Lots of great information.
My wife is waiting on knee replacements. She is pretty bad on the boat and has to be careful how she moves so that she does not aggravate her knees. Would getting the knee done and going a year later when your back in good shape be an option for you?
Food for thought
Food for thought
kent_island_sailor
Super Anarchist
If you don't like heat, you'll want to be in the Chesapeake by May or early June. You are going to be up against some scheduling issues. If you leave Florida too early, you will likely get a lot of nasty cold and rain. Leave too late and the ditch is like a microwave oven 1,000 miles long. I did it in August, so I know. You seem to not have to worry about work, so you at least could hang on the hook waiting for weather to pass instead of making a slog out of it. If it were me I would be aiming to hit Norfolk by June 1 if possible.
Note also that from all accounts the Georgia and some of South Carolina sections of the ICW have a lot of shoaling and tricky currents besides for S-turning like a snake on LSD. We bypassed that by sailing from Jacksonville to Cape Fear.
Lastly, I have no idea what your money situation is, but it might be cheaper overall to just sell in Florida and buy in the Great Lakes or even get a truck to haul the boat. This trip would suck trying to do it fast for cheap, only do this if you want a Big Adventure. You are basically doing half a Great Loop, so these people will likely be a big help for you: https://www.greatloop.org/
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