Cape Cod Canal

witchhouse

witchhouse

New Member
Dec 8, 2008
44
Salem Ma
Boat Info
1988 300 Weekender
Engines
twin screw 350 IB
I am going to make my first voyage through the Cape Cod Canal in late April to early May. Coming from Chester CT. to Salem Ma. I was wondering on average how long does it take to get through the canal? I am trying to guage the legnth of the trip. I just don't know the canal timewise estimate.:huh:

Thanks,

Witchhouse
 
You are only supposed to go either 5 or 10 mph (you forget a lot in the one and a half months since the boat was pulled). Going this speed, it takes about an hour. Make sure you time the tide right. If you are going against it it can add about 15 minutes and more gas. Where is Chester? We are thinking of going to Mystic next summer.
 
Chester is on the CT. River North of Old Saybrook. This will be the first trip with this boat for me. I just purchased it in Chester and am bringing it north to Dock in Salem Ma. We are in the planning stages now I am hopeing it will be a 1 day trip about 10 to 12 hours is my guestimate. I am looking forward to getting the boat home so I can evaluate it and use it. All I have done with it so far is write checks.

Witchhouse
 
Don't worry you will keep writting checks. FYI, we went to Block Island this past summer and it took us about 3 1/2 hours to get from there to the entrance to the canal. We are docked in Wareham, right before the canal entrance.
 
Witch,
I am docked at Kingman Marina, about a mile south of the Canal. If you get the tide right, you can do it in 1/2 hr. Nobody but fishing boats, etc. go the 5-10kts. We go thru regularly at 15-20kts and so does everyone else. It is well lit and easily navigable at night if need be. There are fuel areas on the south/west end at Kingmans where I am, at Onset Marine and than there is the Sandwich Boat Basin at the north or east end as well if you end up needing fuel or supplies. That should be a great trip bringing her up. Keep us all posted. l
 
We went though the canal this summer and it is no wake and it does take an hour. The canal is about 10 nm long. As I recall the no wake actually starts in Buzzards Bay, if you are going north

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s
Cape MAy, NJ
 
It goes by very quick. Time the tide and you will ride a 5 mph current. Add 5 mph to that by idling through and you'll have a very smooth, quiet and pleasant 10 mph ride. It will be a nice rest for you after pounding through the sound and bay. The ride up to Salem should generally be smoother than the southern side of the canal.
 
Also, ifin they lower the bridge there are signs on the sides defining the keep out zone. It's easy to miss the signs and the helpful harbor master won't identify that boundry, 'cause they instead prefer to just blast "back-up" at offenders.

Time the tide, 'cause it gets really swift.
 
Thank you all for the replies and advice.

So I should shoot for high or outgoing tide??

Witchhouse
 
You really want to pay attention to the time current turns East - the time of local high or low is less relevant in this case. There is plenty of water in and around the canal. Try this link: Canal

I will caution you that as you approach the canal from the West you will pass directly in front of the canal control station. They will warn you over the PA if you are going too fast and/or making a wake. Plenty of people in small boats ignore the 10 mph/no wake restriction, but you should try to stay within the rules. I have never seen a patrol boat inside the canal or at the Eastern end, but I am sure they are there sometimes.

I do not agree with wingless given your boat and the local conditions. You have plenty of reserve power to maneuver and the time/fuel benefit is what you want. The restricted portion of the canal is about 7.5 miles. If you assume a 3 knot current (it can be up to 6 in spots) and you can do 9 knots, with no wake, you will save about a half hour going with the current.
 
Thank you all for the help. The link was very helpful. Along with other advice. Like I said this is going to be my first voyage and I want to be as well prepared as possible.

I am new to this and would like to make it an enjoyable adventure. I am really looking forward to it.

I will be making this Journey with my 2 son's age 30 and 26 and a couple of seasoned boaters. Previous owner and another from the Marina in Chester.

Thanks again all,

Witchhouse
 
Hey Witch
If you end up having time or need fuel, the Marina I mentioned,http://www.kingmanyachtcenter.com/
has a great bar and I will buy a round of mudslides!! It is right at the west entrance of the canal, so right on your way. That will be a great trip you will embark on and memorable with your sons. Take your time and enjoy it.
 
We may take you up on that. we were thinking of refueling before the canal. Will keep in touch.

Witch
 
wingless said:
The boat will have more control going against the tide.
Click to expand...
Sea Gull said:
I do not agree with wingless given your boat and the local conditions. You have plenty of reserve power to maneuver and the time/fuel benefit is what you want. The restricted portion of the canal is about 7.5 miles. If you assume a 3 knot current (it can be up to 6 in spots) and you can do 9 knots, with no wake, you will save about a half hour going with the current.
Click to expand...
If a boat doesn't have more control going into the tide as I've stated, then it must have the same or more control w/ the tide pushing against the transom as Sea Gull is contending.

Learn something new every day...
 
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