Cape Local Nav Help

[JD5652]

If I'm leaving Saquatucket to go east to the Sword, which is the best route for a non-local? Boat has a 4-ft draft.....

It appears I can depart Saquatucket on a ~170 degree heading across Rodgers Shoal past Monomoy Point......across Shovelful Shoal to the R10 buoy and then head east?

Sure is lots of skinny water in those parts......

Any recommendations will be appreciated....Thanks!

[backman]

yes and no. I make that run all the time and "jump" a 6' bar about 1/2 mile from Monomoy going west to east. The commercials do it all the time by hugging a channel in tight to Monomoy which is perhaps mid teens deep at its lowest.

The problem is dark, fog and proximity to the beach is tough if you have not done it before. I would recomend "proving" the course the day before by carefully working your way to the point at a slow speed and making a snail trail on your GPS.

Once you are at the point I head down Pollack Rip past the 1st green can then head straight for the Sword - nothing you can hit on that line.

One more thing - at extreme low tide you have a 4+' tidal differential on Hankerchief - my experience at those times - June/Sept moon tides has been that the 9' sections on the chart are closer to 6' and the few 6' charted sections are a bare 4'. Flip side is at mid to high tide you can go directly to the point w/ out fear. The closer you are to the point the deeper the water.

[MarkP]

Go to the 14 can S of Handkerchief, then hook a leftand take the main channel out. Best water for a 4' draft and no previous experience until you get comfortable with the route you put up...

MarkP

[Parapapam]

Originally Posted by MarkP

Go to the 14 can S of Handkerchief, then hook a left

Mark,

Not to be a "know it all".... But just so he doesn't make a mistake.... Didn't you mean a Nun number 14 (Red) not a Can (Green)?

Or is something funky with that marker?

Mike

[JD5652]

Originally Posted by backman

yes and no. I make that run all the time and "jump" a 6' bar about 1/2 mile from Monomoy going west to east. The commercials do it all the time by hugging a channel in tight to Monomoy which is perhaps mid teens deep at its lowest.

The problem is dark, fog and proximity to the beach is tough if you have not done it before. I would recomend "proving" the course the day before by carefully working your way to the point at a slow speed and making a snail trail on your GPS.

Once you are at the point I head down Pollack Rip past the 1st green can then head straight for the Sword - nothing you can hit on that line.

One more thing - at extreme low tide you have a 4+' tidal differential on Hankerchief - my experience at those times - June/Sept moon tides has been that the 9' sections on the chart are closer to 6' and the few 6' charted sections are a bare 4'. Flip side is at mid to high tide you can go directly to the point w/ out fear. The closer you are to the point the deeper the water.

Originally Posted by MarkP

Go to the 14 can S of Handkerchief, then hook a leftand take the main channel out. Best water for a 4' draft and no previous experience until you get comfortable with the route you put up...

MarkP

Thanks for the recommendations. The route to the R14 would be less risky especially if I don't get a chance to do a dry run in the daylight hours and lay a track down. Looks like it only increases the distance by about 5 NM.

Thanks again!

[Goodnyou]

Any kind of big east swell can throw some breakers in there until you get past the shoals.

[Albatross32]

if you're not familiar with the area and the shoals, just go the "long" way. It will be much less stressful especially if your running in the dark.

[stew]

Your first trip needs to be in day light and clear visability. I run the inside route down to Monomoy everyday. If you use the old lighthouse as a point to start from there is ddep water all the way around Monomoy. With your radar run 1/4 mile off the beach for the last 3\4 mile of the point and you will have all the water you need. If your ever around my shop I am usually there in the late afternoons and I could show you this on a chart. Good luck. Capt. Eric

[JD5652]

Originally Posted by stew

Your first trip needs to be in day light and clear visability. I run the inside route down to Monomoy everyday. If you use the old lighthouse as a point to start from there is ddep water all the way around Monomoy. With your radar run 1/4 mile off the beach for the last 3\4 mile of the point and you will have all the water you need. If your ever around my shop I am usually there in the late afternoons and I could show you this on a chart. Good luck. Capt. Eric

Capt Eric-

I'll be at Saquatucket on 7/21-7/25. I'll shoot you a PM and see what your schedule looks like ... It would be great to meet you and see the store as well.....

Thanks!