We started our 14th voyage south under blue skies and a 15kt. headwind. Yuck. 3 to 4ft. seas all day. The original forecast was for 5 to 10 kts. but we knew for days it would be worse. And it was. We had to go anyway to catch a small weather window for the offshore NJ portion of the trip ahead of awful weather coming up right after that.
Our 2nd day started at Port Jefferson, NY and was beautiful with blue skies and light breezes. Breezes on the nose, of course. We stopped and took a free mooring at Port Washington, Long Island, NY.
We then started very early the next morning to get to Hell Gate before the current turned against us. Also the East River passage in front of the United Nations Building was scheduled to close at 0900 for security reasons. We passed under the Narrows-Verrazano Bridge about 0830. We were out of the City and on our way. Once we were out of the Ambrose Channel we had the wind and seas at our back as we went down along the New Jersey coast. Seas were under 2 feet and even less in the overnight. Because the wind and waves (light as they were) were behind us we had a very fast passage. Rounding Cape May about 0100 the next day was very easy. Almost calm. We went right up to the beach and curved around the point.
The trip up Delaware Bay was a little lumpy due to the wind angle and it is stressful and somewhat difficult staying in the shipping channel at night because of the many confusing lights. The GPS plotter helps but is not all you need. The Mark 1 eyeball is as important. The wetware between the ears is also an important piloting tool. Another tiring overnight passage ended successfully at Chesapeake City, MD on the C&D Canal where we anchored to wait out Ophelia. We had favorable wind, seas and/or current for most of the trip and because of that we cut about 5 hours off our previous elapsed times. 30 hours instead of our previous 33 hour passages. In a sailboat, that is a huge difference. Makes the lack of sleep almost worth it. Almost. Getting old for this.
Bridge over the C&D Canal at Chesapeake City, MD the day before Ophelia gets here.
We held tight during the winds of T.S. Ophelia in the anchorage basin of Chesapeake City. Steady winds in the low 20s with gusts probably in the low 30s. Maybe 40. Hard to tell. Our anchor bridle's hook pulls the anchor chain up to the surface when the wind gets over 20kts. Stretching itself and the rode but reducing our scope. Doing its job. When it gets 6" or more above the surface we know it's sporty. It was sporty. Nice, however, when there is no fetch. It means there are no waves. Stays comfortable. Unless we drag. We didn't.
We got underway on Monday after three nights. Winds were light but there was a light fog with some mist. Waves were under a foot so a nice passage if mostly gray. We ended up in Sillery Bay on the Magothy River near Acadia, MD a part of Baltimore. Seems this is becoming a regular spot. With good reason. It's a scenic, comfortable anchorage with decent holding in a convenient area.
Our passage to Annapolis wasn't quite as nice. It was very rough after we exited the Magothy, 3 ft seas forward of the beam. When we turned south the seas were behind us so the comfort level went up and it wasn't a bad sail. Still misty and cold, however. When we got to Annapolis the Spa Creek bascule bridge was stuck in the open position and we snuck through. Usually bridges fail in the closed position blocking boat traffic. This time the cars were blocked. 😀🤷♂️ The moorings we wanted were already taken and the one we picked up was too small for us (spacing) and we were told to leave. We had to wait for the bridge, which had closed, to attempt to reopen before we could move on. It worked, we went through, and picked up a mooring in front of the US Naval Academy. First time picking up one of these. Not our first choice due to wakes, noise and fetch from one direction. More expensive, too. Oh well. Sigh. We plan to spend a week here before continuing south. The forecast for then is good but there is plenty of time for it to deteriorate.
Good to hear from you Mike. Hope you and Carol are well. Sounds like you're having a good trip south. Maybe we can get together in Florida. Will be down there around November 10th. When I say down there, I mean fort Myers. I think of you often and hope that you are medical issues are finally resolved.
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