Inside or Outside??

[JD5652]

Guys-

I'm headed down to MHC from Mystic, CT around November 11th. I'm trying to make the proverbial "Go Inside (ICW) or Outside" decision. Here's a little info about the boat and myself.....

Boat is a 1989 Ocean 44 SS....she's in great condition all around including mechanically. Lot's of maintenance prep has gone into her for this trip. She will cruise easily at 22-24 kts in moderate seas. She has a 15 ft beam and has a 3 ft - 9 in draft. Fully equipped electronics including GPS, loran, 64 mile radar, dual VHF, sat phone, etc. Full safety gear including, EPIRB, 8-man life raft, immersion suits, ditch bag, etc. I have personally captained her in 6-8 ft seas with no problems.

Me..... pretty new to the offshore gig and relatively new to this boat...just bought her this spring. I have never done this trip and have little to no experience with NC inlets. However, I will have a well seasoned capitano accompanying me on the trip.....Mako Wish here on SFC. He has done the trip several times and is familiar with NC inlets. That being said, it is well known that NC inlets change on a daily basis. We may have one other crew member for the trip.

The plan so far is to leave Mystic, CT at dawn on or about the 11th....head to Montauk and then make a stright SW shot to Cape May....about a 215 NM run the first day.

The second day is the Big decision...... of course weather is a major factor here and if it looks like it's going to blow, the decision is made....we're headed inside. However, as we get south of OC inlet and approach Chincoteague shoals, we'll need to make the call. Here's where it gets a little dicey in my mind. For options outside, we can run about an additional 80 NM to Rudee Inlet in Va Beach and make it a relatively short second day...... OR, if there's enough daylight we could make the BIG run down (135 NM) to Oregon Inlet. However, my understanding is that OI changes on an hourly basis and if we ran out of daylight, we would be REALLY screwed.

Day 3 would consist of trolling into MHC from wherever.

The plans and even ALL options have not been solidified yet. I just wanted to throw out some preliminary ideas and perhaps get some input from the SFC think tank. I would be especially interested in any info on the current condition of Rudee and OI inlets.

Thanks guys!!

[Glenn W]

JD, I see your delema timing wise. Long and short OI can be tricky with a E or NE brease and out going tide. Then you get to contend with Hells Gate. That's not so bad during the day, if you don't run like a bat outta hell, just be carefull and watch the turns. The trip from Rudee to Hatteras makes a nice long, enjoyable day during the long summer days if the weather permits. In all reality, I think you are pushing it to run from va Beach to the point, fish a few hrs and then run into Hatteras for the night this time of year due to the short days. If you do run OI or HI, be aware of the wind direction and tide I would definatly talk to Brian on the OI to MHC trip. It's a long ass way from Va beach to MHC this time of year in one day.-- You may just have to extend the trip a day or two

[JD5652]

Glenn-

The weather may make the decision for us. However, if we decide to go outside, Rudee to HI is not a bad run (130 NM) and then HI to MHC is a short run (85 NM) and with relatively short cruising days, we may have some extra time each day to fish.

Mako Wish and I are getting together on Friday to mull over the options. If we stop in Rudee Inlet, you close enough for a beer?

[SUREPOWER]

JD,
I have made the trip several times south in different boats from Cape May to Florida . The first trip I made was in a 40 Ocean. I now have a 52 Ocean and have made the trip twice. There is usually no rhime or reason to where we stop. The best plans are usually changed by weather. We are leaving tomarrow ourselves on a 62 ocean to take it to Miami. We plan on stopping in MHC on the way as well. Unfortunately we cant get into Rudee because of the tower. Rudee is a great place to stop with a friendly inlet. An updated cruising guide is very helpfull on these trips. You can usually call ahead and they will wait for you at the transient marinas so you can fuel up when you get there. Keep an open mind and dont take chances. I have found this out the hard way.
Good luck and catch em up
PM

[Glenn W]

Glenn-
If we stop in Rudee Inlet, you close enough for a beer?

Whadda you think ? .
Actually, If I can get away from the damn office for a day I will be bringing my boat from Hatteras to Little Creek (Norfolk) that weekend. I'm docking across from Tuna Taxi for the winter--- there goes the neighborhood

[JD5652]

PM-

Thanks for the info! I hear you about having to be flexible. However, once you make the commitment to go outside past Rudee Inlet, you're there for the duration until at least Oregon Inlet. Since you hail from Cape May and have made the trip several times....do you more often end up going the ICW or outside?

Glenn-

I'll keep you posted on our progress. I feel for Tuna Taxi

[JD5652]

Hey Guys-

We'll be departing Mystic, CT at dawn on Wednesday morning....heading down to either AC or Cape May for the first night. Then we'll be off to Glenn W and Tuna Taxi's neck of the woods for Thursday night. Depending upon weather, we'll either do the ICW down from there or outside to Hatteras (with a little fishing in between).........then from Hatteras we'll troll into MHC on Saturday afternoon.

I try to post up each night and give a littel update on the trip.

Box....see you soon!!

[Glenn W]

If JD is running today I bet he is getting an ass whooping ---
Naw, if I know JD, he's fallen up in a swank hotel in Atlantic City riding out this blow-- maybe even getting an ass whooping.

[Capt-D]

Just called him and they are holded up in AC. He's going to try to make it to OC tomorrow. If not they will try to run to Rudee on Sat

-D

[Tuna Taxi]

JD,

If you have your sat phone/computer working and see this, give me a call if you stop in VB. Sorry I overlooked this thread til today. The trip from either Atlantic City or Cape may to VB is a piece of cake for your boat, did it in my bro's 29' luhrs @ 18 kts last summer. If you need anything while here, let me know.....beer, suppiles, beer...anything. 757-869-2300.

Have a safe trip.