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Random Quote: It's better to ride em hard and be put up wet than to ride em wet and be put up hard
I'm looking into making a trip thru the Cape Cod Canal this summer. I would like to know from someone who has done it, what to consider before going. I plan on making the trip in my 21 Regulator, leaving Pawtucket, RI, and ending in Provincetown.
I know there are restrictions on speed, the time you have to traverse, and letting the canal control know your plans, etc. I would like to know the official procedure, etc.
Are the tides a factor in a boat such as mine or can I cross at any tide?
You will have not trouble with that boat. It does get rough on the west end, SW wind and an outgoing tide can make it real interesting. The speed limit it 10 MPH, when you get by Mass Maritime Academy. I fish this all the time in a 16 ft center console, I just pay attention. I am not aware of having to notify the Canal patrol, I 've gone through at least a hundred times in the last 3 years.
Your biggest worry is Buzzards Bay. If it's blowing SW, which is the predominant wind in the summer, watch out! The morning is usually best to run the Buzzard. If it's blowing East/NE, the other side will be a mess, but not as nasty as the Buzzard! Last year I ran 50 mph from Boston to the canal, and it took me almost 4 hrs to get to Point Judith from the Buzzard side. Wind was SW at 30 mph., seas 6-8, stacked like dominos!
Thanks, I plan on picking my day and leaving around 3AM from Pawtucket, RI. That would put me in BB before the wind, although I need to plot it out to be sure. I havent really begun the planning yet. This post was my first step.
I have a Furuno 1622, which I am comfortable operating. I know the waters well up to Newport, and by that time it will be daylight. I may even have a chartplotter by then.
You shouldn't have any trouble with your Regulator. I went through the Canal a dozen times (both ways) last season in my 21' WA.
Mornings tend be relatively calm because the wind is taken out of it. If you want a really smooth ride, run through during a slack tide. See site below.
Regarding the train bridge....is there a reason I should be concerned about this? Height restrictions, etc? I can't imagine my boat being to high...it's likey 20 feet above the water with the 8' antennas up. Also one more question...
Looking at the chart above, does a flood tide come from or head to 65 degrees. Or in other words, does a flood tide run west to east or east to west.
[This message was edited by aquasport17 on 02-18-03 at 04:29 PM.]
When up, its several stories high. When down, you can't get under it. It's only a half dozen feet above a high tide. So you get to wait for about 15 minutes. You'd be suprised how much throttle it takes just to stand still.
Great. These are things I need to know. Do they open it every 15 minutes? Or do you call on the radio, etc. Also, I added to my above question- I wanted to know if the flood tide ran east to west or west to east.
The Railroad bridge on the canal is in the open (up) position at all times except when a train is passing over. DBarry's explanation is correct, you will probably need to wait about 15 minutes for the train to pass if you happen to catch the bridge in the closed (down) position, which is not very often. Depending on how you catch the tide, if you see the bridge down it is best to keep a very safe distance from it as the current in the canal is fast and can catch an unsuspecting boater off guard.
Regarding the flood tide, I think what DBarry meant is you don't want to catch the current flowing hard into the Buzzard's Bay side with a strong prevailing southwest wind. As many have experienced the bottom of your boat can literally "fall out beneath you" with little to no warning. A good tip is to watch boats ahead of you (particularly sailboats with tall masts) to see how they're faring 1/4 mile or so ahead.
Thanks, all for the info. Yes I am in ptown quite a bit. I cod fish commercially there almost every week I can get out year round. My parents are retired there. We have vacationed there as a family since the early 70's when I was born, so the sights are familiar- still strange, but familiar. I have a mooring there.
I cross the bridge towing the boat quite often, and always wanted to make the trip in the boat.
aquasport17,
I launch out of Monument Beach,and run the canal all the time with my bayboat.
The bridge goes down around 6:00 am every morning.
You have to watch your speed the canal cops love to yell at you with the loud speakers. When the wind kicks up and the tide is running hard it can get a little wild, but with your rig you will be ok.
so wait a sec...I have one person saying the bridge is up until a train needs to pass, and another saying it's closed every morning at 6AM. What am I missing? Maybe the fact that a train passes every morning at 6AM? Thanks.
Here's what you're missing....don't bend over to pick up the soap when you're in the shower in P=town...and if I was your boss...I would have fired you a long time ago for not figuring that out!!
Maybe you'll want to join me on the trip? I'll be passing by your house. Oh wait- 60 yrs old is too old for that kinda trip. Just watch and wave from your wheelchair.
Cape Cod Canal 
