Finally out of Rhode Island
13 October 2009 | Sandy Hook, NJ

I'm pleased to report that we had a fairly benign trip down to Sandy Hook, NJ. We are now safely hooked to a mooring, courtesy of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. After a restless Sunday night in Block Island due to howling winds which caused me to lie awake worried for Jarrod out there all by himself, we left at first light on Monday morning. By then the winds had moderated and we left early to catch the remnants of the northerly winds. The forecast was spot on for the whole 24 hour trip. After a lull in the afternoon, gentle southerly winds filled in which warmed us up a little bit after the colder northerlies. The winds continued through the night then died off this morning as we came into New York Harbor. For the first time in our cruising career we had to slow down so as not to arrive at the NY shipping channel in the dark. I actually turned around and headed back the way we came to kill an extra 40 minutes until sunrise. Plus Tom was asleep and I wanted him to get the extra zzz's.
Crossing the shipping channel was not difficult, thanks to the AIS. It was like waiting for a break in the traffic before crossing a busy road. With AIS we could see exactly what was coming and going down the channel. After waiting for 2 cruise liners, 3 tankers and a tug pushing a barge, we scooted safely across. Then it was simply a matter of following the Sandy Hook Channel over to Atlantic Highlands. Because we desperately wanted to come ashore (not having been on solid land since we left 5 days ago), get rid of garbage and have a nice long, hot shower we decided to plump for a mooring. The Yacht Club is very hospitable and has lovely showers with special foot showers as well! The town of Atlantic Highlands is quite nice and we were able to pick up some milk which was all we needed. We have just eaten a good supper (chicken stew done in the pressure cooker) and are just about ready to head to bed. If all goes well we will be leaving around noon time tomorrow for another overnight to Cape May. It doesn't look as though the window is long enough to allow us to get to Norfolk before an ugly storm kicks in, so I think Cape May will be our destination. Then it seems we will be waiting at least a few days before we can leave again for Virginia.
After all my concern for Jarrod, we got a text message Monday morning saying he had arrived in NY harbor and was carrying on (without stopping) for the two and a half day trip down to Norfolk. We would have loved to do the same but we missed the winds he caught so good for him.
Navigation Notes: Block Island - Sandy Hook : Total distance = 131nm. Time taken = 23 hours.
Easy pilotage following the MoA Buoys along the south shore of Long Island. Beware Fish traps and Fish havens which are present as marked on the chart - would be difficult to see at night.
Cruising Notes: Atlantic Highlands YC monitor Ch 9. Mooring $50 per night with launch service, garbage disposal and fantastic showers! Town OK - good bagel shop and small (tiny) convenience store for milk and not much else. Marine hardware store on main street. Laundromat with easy walking distance of harbor on main street.