Once we leave Norfolk, Virginia, we'll voyage about 510 miles on the Chesapeake Bay and through New Jersey. Like we've seen in Lake Michigan, storms can come up fast in the Bay. As sailors, we learn always to keep an eye on the weather.

Different from Lake Michigan are the tides in the Chesapeake. In the Great Lakes, we don't have to worry about tidal shifts, but when bordering the ocean, we will learn to work with and around the changes in current and depth. We've read that The Chesapeake Operational Forecast System is an excellent source for Bay conditions.

When Alison and Chris spent a week in the Chesapeake getting a feel for the Beneteau 423, they were reminded that the Bay is relatively busy with commercial traffic. Keeping our eyes open for crab pots and other fishing equipment will be necessary.

The water will be brackish (slightly salty) until we reach Annapolis. We will also need to be attentive to the possibilities of jellyfish in the lower Bay during the summer months.

We've read that the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) through New Jersey is poorly maintained and dredged. Our 4'9" draft (the depth of water needed to float a ship) is deeper than recommended for this portion of the ICW. We will likely travel outside the ICW along New Jersey, staying a few miles offshore for this section. If needed, there are several inlets to tuck into at night to find a safe harbor.