Friday, November 9, 2007
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay, famed for foul chop and strong tides is always cause for careful planning. Our run up Delaware bay was during a really narrow weather window. We wanted to access Delaware Bay through the Cape May Canal. Cape May Canal are two bridges with 55 foot clearance. Brilliant's mast is 55 feet high. It was also a full moon so all the more reason not to try this at moon high tide! The tide in Delaware Bay runs about 2.6 knots -stronger during a full moon so we wanted to get that right too. The tide was in our favor starting at 200 AM. Sunrise was at 7:04AM. We decided half tide would do it and set out at O - dark hundred. It was really dark and raining but we had fishermen for company. Dawn came as we exited the Cape May canal into Delaware Bay. The wind was blowing 17 knots with frequent gusts but it was at our backs and rain wasn't cold. The wind and tide with us we were making about 7 and a half knots! Several times the GPS said 9 or a little more. Once a huge freighter disappeared into the fog and rain. It was only about 2 miles away. Happier when we can keep an eye on those guys. Kept a fair tide through steep chop, blinding rain and really strong winds all the way to C and D Canal. Happily threw out a hook 13 miles later in Chesapeake City. Dark and Stormys to celebrate a wild, exciting, surprisingly fast run up the Bay! I think that was more almost 70 miles in about 8 hours!!!!!!!!!!
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3 comments:
we're all keeping a close eye on YOU guys... you keep your eye on the tankers. Fair winds and calm seas- son #1
Awesome entry! Keep them coming, we know you are in VA! Love you guys, Son #1 by preference.
Haha - you two remind me of me and Charlie. Of course I'm son #1 by birth and preference.
Sue and Tom - sounds like some great sailing! And love the pictures too. Hopefully the fair winds and tides continue.
Thanks for the b-day card too. To answer your question, of course Aimee got here pumpkin cake and we wish that you guys had been here to enjoy it with us, but it would be a bit chilly sailing now so you probably made the right call... But it was good.
Hopefully we will see you guys for Thanksgiving. All the best and we'll keep on top of the blog. I'm about to show it to Aimee, Nana and my parents!
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