Jersey coast…the hard way

5/26/22

Exiting Abescon Inlet at 6 am with a favorable current was easy. We were met on the ocean side by moderate wind (10-12knots) and ocean swells of about 2 feet. However, the wind was coming at us from the side (easterly) and the swells were coming at us from the northeast (about 40 degrees off our starboard bow). We were in radio communication with Jeff & Nancy Fitch abroad their American Tug 34 ”Pronto”, who had left a little earlier and planned to travel a little slower.

As the day progressed, the conditions deteriorated. We were traveling in about 50 feet of water when Pronto radioed that conditions were better at the 65 foot depth line. We turned farther off shore to join them and eventually settled in at about 75 feet. By noon, the waves had increased to 6 feet and the wind had increased to 15 – 20 knots. This caused ”confused seas” which were no longer coming from a predictable direction. Every few minutes we were taking them from the side and getting rolled over about 30 degrees. Not unsafe but not comfortable either.

We moved all the kitchen appliances to the cabin sole and everything that wasn’t bolted down started flying around the cabin each time a wave hit us from the side. Dishes came flying out of the cupboard. The autopilot couldn’t keep up so I started hand steering to keep the boat aimed into or away from the waves (we’ll take them any way except from the side). Keeping one eye on the approaching waves and one eye on the chart plotter course, two hands on the wheel and bracing myself with a wide stance and thoughts of an early cocktail, we made it around Sandy Hook and anchored at 2:30 pm. Pronto came in a little later and anchored nearby. After we congratulated each other for making it through (and congratulating the wise captains who chose to stay in Atlantic City), we settled in for a very peaceful night behind the Sandy Hook peninsular. Lesson learned, stay in deep water when transiting the Jersey coast with easterly winds and northeast waves!