Currents
The single most important consideration for a sailboat transiting the Canal in either direction is the current. Tides at the east end, in Cape Cod Bay, are nearly 5 feet higher than tides at the west end in Buzzards Bay, and they occur roughly 3 hours out of phase with each other. As a result, currents flow hard through the Canal, topping 4 knots in most tide cycles and often exceeding 5 knots. There is a brief period of slack water as the current reverses direction every six hours, but it rebuilds to nearly full strength within an hour and a half of the change. Currents are similar, though less intense, for another 3 miles in the Hog Island Channel into Buzzards Bay.
The only practical strategy in a modestly powered sailboat is to time your arrival for a fair current.
Current predictions are available in Eldgridge and from the Canal website.
Approaches
The east entrance is straightforward day or night in all but a northeaster. The considerable fetch in that direction can offer a nasty surprise, and miles of lee shore, to a northbound sailor emerging from the shelter of the Canal. Change headsails inside, and consider laying over at the Sandwich Boat Basin if conditions are severe.
The range lights just inside the entrance are helpful at night, but they are hard to pick up amid the visual clutter of the nearby powerplant.
At the west end, the Hog Island Channel is narrow but straight and well marked. It's also frequently the choppiest, most unpleasant water around. The long fetch to the southwest is exposed to the prevailing winds of Buzzards Bay, and when these meet the west-going current from the Canal over a shoaling bottom, they kick up waves that even a 40-footer can bury her nose in. Timing your entrance to Buzzards Bay early or late in the day can help.
Anchorages
Anchoring is prohibited within the Canal. If you need to wait in Buzzards Bay for an east-going current try Pocasset, Megansett or Wild Harbor as a temporary anchorage.
In calm summer weather, you can anchor off the state beach at Scusset for a swim in Cape Cod Bay. {CS}
Moorings & Slips
Moorings and Slips at the west end are available in Onset, a short distance north of the Hog Island Channel, or Red Brook Harbor, behind Wings Neck. The Onset channel is wider and less daunting than the chart suggests. Sandwich Marina has slips in the Boat Basin at the east end.
