EP 154 – Sailing from Hampton, Virginia to Sandy Hook, New Jersey | East Coast Cruising Adventure

Welcome aboard another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! In Episode 149, your co-hosts Bela Musits and Mike Malekoff share their unforgettable experience sailing from Hampton, Virginia to Sandy Hook, New Jersey aboard Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon. This episode is part of our special series chronicling our multi-week journey relocating the boat from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont. In this leg of the trip, we cover our passage through the Chesapeake Bay, across the Delaware Bay, and up the New Jersey coast — some of the most beautiful and challenging stretches on the East Coast. 🌊 Episode Highlights: Leaving Hampton, Virginia: Departing the sheltered waters of the Chesapeake and heading into open water always brings excitement and a bit of anxiety. Bela and Mike describe their strategy for choosing a good weather window and preparing the boat for offshore conditions. Offshore Sailing Along the New Jersey Coast: One of the most unpredictable parts of the trip, the Jersey coastline offers little protection from sudden changes in weather. Bela and Mike share how they adjusted their plans based on wind, sea state, and fatigue. Life Aboard the Boat: From cooking meals underway to dodging crab pots and commercial traffic, Bela and Mike reflect on the little things that make cruising both a challenge and a joy. ⚓ Why You Should Listen: Whether you're an experienced cruiser, a weekend sailor, or someone who dreams of sailing the Intracoastal Waterway and beyond, this episode offers a firsthand account of what it’s like to cruise up the U.S. East Coast. Learn what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d do differently next time. This episode is a goldmine of practical insights and personal stories. 📍 Locations Mentioned: Hampton, Virginia Chesapeake Bay C&D Canal Delaware Bay Cape May, NJ Atlantic City, NJ Sandy Hook, NJ 🧭 Keywords for SEO Discovery: Sailing Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay sailing, C&D Canal navigation, Hunter 44 Deck Salon, coastal cruising podcast, East Coast sailing, offshore sailing New Jersey, sailboat relocation, sailing adventures, Sandy Hook sailing, cruising the East Coast, sailing podcast, ICW sailing series, marina hopping on the East Coast. Subscribe & Follow: Don’t miss upcoming episodes as Bela and Mike continue their journey north! Subscribe to Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing the podcast — it helps more sailors and dreamers discover the show. Have a sailing story or technical tip you’d like to share? Reach out via email at sailingtheeast@gmail.com