Cape May to NYC - OVERNIGHT

The winds were strong on Friday morning, and we waited until 12:30 to get fuel at U Marina.  It was low tide, making it challenging to get into the marina.  I had to try twice, after a confirmation from the marina that I could do it.  I hugged the marina bulkhead and made a blind, sharp turn. 

We lingered at the marina and departed at 2:15 p.m. for the long overnight journey to New York City or Atlantic City.  NYC was 120 nm, and Atlantic City was the Plan B if we couldn't do it.  Atlantic City was 35nm.

Once we left the Cape May canal, we put up the jib and then a reefed main and eventually a full main.  

The winds consistently decreased.  We covered 40 miles by 4 a.m. (14 hours) - much of it with Winston when I figured I had to start the engine.  Then, we completed another 80 miles in 15 hours, arriving in NYC at 5:30 p.m.  

Overall, about 35 hours.  Supper was Lamb Chops.

Cheaspeake City to Cape May

We departed Chesapeake City down the C&D Canal, down the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, and Cape May Canal, arriving at 7:30 PM.  A long day.  The current was against us in the first part of the Bay.  The current was with us in Middle Bay and against us before approaching Cape May Canal.

On Friday, we decided to take a tour of Cape May.  

The dinghy ride to the marina was a long one.  Winston asked the marina if they had showers.  They asked if we had a slip. It would have been better to find the showers and see if we could sneak in.

We ended up doing a 16 km walk to the Cape May lighthouse and back, and had supper at the Raw Bar.  We thought we were at the Lobster House.  I was disappointed with the softshell crab sandwich.  Winston was allergic to shellfish and had a grilled chicken sandwich. 

To Chesapeake City

We got off the anchor at Middle River at 9:30 and arrived in Chesapeake City around 3 PM.  An easy run.  

The public dock was possible but tight with the dinghy-tow attached, so we anchored.  Perhaps I was a bit lazy or a little rusty after my break from sailing.

We toured the town, which was uninteresting.

Departed Mark's dock

Chase, Winston and I had a nice late lunch at a local marina called Loonasea's.

At 7 PM, I decided to leave the dock so that I wouldn't get stuck on the bottom the next morning at low tide.

We went and anchored near Bosley Marina.

Return to Montreal

Chase gave me a lift to the Greyhound terminal, and I took a Greyhound from Baltimore to NYC and then to Montreal for my 50th WHS reunion and to vote.

It was an easy ride.  I arrived in Montreal at about 5 PM and walked home.  I participated in various activities, including yoga and a group Supper.  I also picked up my mail from Leslie, removed the Redline cover, and voted.

It was a good break.

I returned to Baltimore via Delta and Detroit with Winston.  

The boat was fine.  Got a refill of Propane.

Annapolis to Middle River

I departed for the easy 25 nM ride to Mark's dock on Middle River to leave BELLUM there for my return home for a break until the NY Canals open on May 16.

The departure from Annapolis anchorage was very messy, with the rode sitting in real sticky mud.  This was one of the deepest anchorages at 30 feet.  Most of the time, there was no wind.

I put up the headsail after leaving the anchorage and before crossing the bridge.  Eventually, I turned off the motor and had a pleasant beam / broad reach in very open waters.  

The autoroute led me into Millers Island Cut, which looked deep enough, but it was not.  I kept getting bumped and stopped, so I had to roll up the sail and exit back out.  The manual route had not selected this path.

I sailed past Hart-Miller Island before turning into Middle River.  I texted Chase that I would be there by 3 PM, and he said he should arrive soon.  I told him I would slow down.

Then the sky became cloudy, and a Gale warning was issued, followed by a small squall that came in, but it was uneventful.  I refurled the sail and motored towards Mark's house.

The approach, as Mark explained, was to show how to avoid the sandbar.  Chase was there to help me tie up.  We had to reconfigure Mark's dock lines.  

After docking, I started tidying up the boat and updated my agenda and plans for the following week on my Maximizer.

I had leftover pork tenderloin and updated my blog

The next day, I tidied the boat for the next leg, secured solar panels and other gear for the ten days of storage at Mark's place.

I checked the aft anode on the Yanmar, and it was in good condition.  Just some surface corrosion.

Chase drove me to refill the empty propane tank and to the bus terminal for my return via Greyhound to NYC.  Had a great supper at an African Halal buffet.

Arrived at 6 AM in Montreal

Annapolis

A long day with no wind and an easy departure from Reedville.

In the channel, two MSC ships (a convoy) were behind me, and they made a slight turn to starboard, passed me, and then turned back into the channel.  A large wave hit me.

I motored into Annapolis and picked an anchorage before the Easton Bridge.  I was just after 5, and the bridge did not open during rush hour. 

The general depth of the anchorage was 30 feet, and I roamed around to find some shallow water.  I came in close to shore, and it became shallower very fast.  I ended up anchoring in 30 feet of water near the shallows.  The forecast was for very light winds.  I watched their huge Wednesday night race, or rather, their attempt at a race.  

Thursday, I toured the town, visiting Bacon Marina and Bay Marine to pick up my Yanmar anodes and seal.  Bacon was a store with a large consignment section. 

I took the Brown bus to Bay Marina to pick up the Yanmar parts that I had ordered.  The service was excellent.

Next, I walked to Facett and then had a bite at McDonald's.  I walked 19 miles.  It was easy.  I inspected the anode on the Yanmar side and replaced it.  I will check the aft anode later.  I checked it in Middle River, and it was fine.  Just some surface corrosion.

Friday, I visited the Spring Boar show.  The show was much smaller than the October show.  I did three seminars and visited booths and boats.

The winds started to pick up, and I decided to return to the boat.  I let out some more scope.