Cape May, New Jersey to Cape Charles, Virginia

When we last left you boys and girls...We had a portside visit from Capt Harborwatch's friends Trudi and John, who were weekending at Cape May. We headed up the Delaware Bay the next morning, Monday October 15th, to the Chesapeake, via the (C&D) Chesapeake and Delaware canal. We caught the tide change around the tip of New Jersey, up to the C&D canal. At one point, there was a parade of sailboats and tankers, catching the favorable tide. We docked in Chesapeake City, Delaware, at the western end of the C&D canal, adjacent to the "Tiki Bar". Capt Mud's little Sis, Judy, joined the party for a dinner (and insight to Cap Mud's ancestors) on shore.


Then off to Annapolis. We tied up to the dock of Capt. Mud's old drum and bugle corps buddy, Billy. There elegant historic home in Annapolis harbor, afforded a beautiful view. He and his wife Judy were gracious hosts allowing us to stay several days while we replaced Malabar's wounded dingy. The time in Annapolis allowed us an inspiring visit to the Naval Academy.



Traveling across the Chesapeake, we set out for the famed St. Michaels on the eastern shore of Maryland, there we visited the Chesapeake Maritime Museum. ( George Bush was coming in the next day for a speech and lunch with Dick Cheney, we were not invited to lunch so we left).



Then zigzagged back across to the western side of the Chesapeake to the Patuxant River and Solomon Island. We were intercepted by an motley crew on a Viking ship, waving sabres and shields. (They offered to purchase Malabar's first mate, but Capt Haborwatch refused...asking for a higher price)..The Capt's meeting was held at dinner on the pier on Saturday over drinks (MaiTai and Rum Runner)...



Sunday morning, we set out once again to transverse the Chesapeake, past Tangier's Islands (and numerous crap pots) to Onancock...as the Indians call it "a foggy place", on the eastern shore. This time we were dinner guests of Mrs. Mud's school mate, Eileen and hubby Hans. Heritage dropped anchor, Malabar opted for the town dock. On Monday morning they set out on through fog and vistas of a pristine port.




Heading south along the eastern shore, we reached Cape Charles, Virginia. There, the Floridian resort of Bay Creek offered a respite before setting out to cross the wide Chesapeake headed to Norfolk, Hampton Roads and Portsmouth Va....

Cape May, New Jersey and Delaware bay - Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

Saturday, October 13th, we arrived in Cape May N.J. after a smooth sail offshore down (37 miles) from Atlantic City; calm seas, with a light breeze from the north. The winds Sunday were out of the north, 10 - 15 kts, not good for a 55 mile '"trek" up north the Delaware Bay to the canal. We stayed over a second day at the South Jersey Marina in Cape May...nice accommodations, tucked into Cape May Harbor. It was "Victorian Week" in Cape May and we enjoyed a Trolley Tour of craftsman and Victorian homes and a living history tour of the Physick estate. (Capt Mud stayed awake the entire day).



May get a wind shift ( NE) in morning and take off north to the C&D canal. Photos and more details to follow...

Atlantic City Layover and the (B.E.)

The strong current in the Manasquan river made an interesting departure...Malabar's dinghy had a tear as it was dragged under the dock in the night...stowed on deck, to be repaired when we arrive in Annapolis next week.
Three vessels arrived in Atlantic City Wednesday afternoon after an smooth sail along the Jersey coast. Heritage and Malabar docking at Kammerman's Marina in Clam Creek, across from the Trump marina (a bargain at half the price). Good facilities to ride out the strong "Nor'easter".
Two Sheets... dropped anchor in a small creek off Rum Point in Brigantine, (the strong winds the next two days made the anchoring "interesting").


At dinner, watching the light show at Harrahs, the Capt's planned an early morning departure heading to Cape May. Mother Nature had another plan! Wind and weather.

Small craft warnings extending through Friday, (gale force winds 30-40 kts, 6 -7 ft seas brought all vessels back to port until Saturday) The big wind also ushered in the Big Event. The (B.E.) the birth of Joseph Edward. The layover gave grandparents, Capt. Mud and Mrs. Mud, a chance to leave their boat and head home to share in the joy.



The trip will resume at first light on Saturday to head to Cape May. Wind and seas calm. The sun will shine. A bright new shinning world welcomes little Joseph.

SECOND LEG ( Port Washington New York to Cape May New Jersey)

Monday, October 8, 2007 (Columbus Day), First day of Second Leg.

Capt Mud joined Capt Harborwatch at the NSYC in Port Washington and we left for Sandy Hook, New Jersey.. We had a favorable slack tide at 9 am under the Throgs Neck Bridge and headed up the East River to Hell Gate. Passage was uneventful as we had the correct tide and current which took us down the East River past Roosevelt Island and down to Upper New York Bay...

The views of the city, The U.N., Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, the Statue Of Liberty...as well as looking back at lower Manhattan, thinking of the Twin Towers were "awesome". (pictures to follow)...Especially to Capt Harborwatch and his first mate as former "New Yorkers"...

After some interesting navigating, ducking inbound ships in lower New York Bay, we took a mooring at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club...Met up with a fellow Monomoy Yacht Club Member (Ocean Star) and a friend (Two Sheets To The Wind), sailing down from New Hampshire to Stuart, Florida. Ocean Star is headed for the Virgin Islands.

Tuesday, October 9, day 2.

Some concerns about an approaching cold front were correct!...we left about 7 am...beautiful calm ocean, 5 - 10 Kts NE...we headed for Barnegate Bay 50 miles down the coast...
Cold front hit us early at 10:30am...hours earlier then expected. 20 - 30 Kts winds turned a calm sea to a rough 3 -4+ seas and more...Foul weather gear, life jackets and tethers were the uniform of the day...

We were able to cut our trip short and jumped into Manasquan Inlet...we were lucky and get a berth at Brielle Marine. Two Sheets To... and Ocean Star also jumped in from the ocean and are staying the night.

Hope to leave in the morning for Atlantic City with Two Sheets To... and Ocean Star.

Leaving Newport Harbor

Leaving Newport R.I., Heading South West on Long Island Sound toward Port Washington New York and the N.S.Y.C.

Day 1, Squall off Harwichport, Anne at helm, Nick on watch. Malabar under sail.

Capt's Harborwatch and Mud with thier trusty First Mates

UNDERWAY (First Leg - Chatham Cape Cod to Port Washington New York)

DAY 1 -September 29, 2007
The vessels Heritage and Malabar head out bright and early from Monomoy Yacht Club, Stage Harbor, Chatham, bound for Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vinyard, 7:30 AM. Calm sea and sky, "15 to 20 kts NE wind" predicted.

The Heritage crew is joined by URI sailing team, Nick and Jeff. While underway ... the hardy crews handle a grounding at Stage Harbor entrance, squalls and northeast winds 22 - 28 knots. Malabar's dingy flips loosing it's oars during a 30 kt gust.

Once in Oak Bluffs, winds calm, sun shines and crews enjoy a hearty meal...

DAY 2
Leaving Oak Bluffs 7 AM, headed through Woods Hole across Buzzards Bay and on to Newport. Light winds, 5 to 10 kts out of NE...Mid afternoon arrival, mooring just off Bannister Wharf. Many Americas Cup training crews sighted. Dinner at Italian restaurant, founded by former Newport mayor. Newport, a sailors haven...modern and classic sloops of all sizes and and vintage.

DAY 3
Leaving Newport, Narragansett Bay, 7 AM, it was a bright, clear and beautiful morning with almost unlimited visibility. As we cleared Point Judith looking southeast we had a clear view of Block Island on the horizon. In sailing Block Island Sound we worked our way north of Fishers Island, past Mystic and New London, Connecticut towards the Connecticut river and Old Saybrook.

Plum Island and Orient Point were visible as we approached the lighthouse to Old Saybrook Yacht Club on the Connecticut River. Low river tides necessitate moving to a deeper water mooring. A stroll to town incorporated visits to local hardware store and West Marine.

DAY 4 - October 2, 2007
Because of low water and fast running river tides, the captains decide to head into the channel at 5 AM. In pitch black, we made our way from buoy to buoy by flashlight/GPS, to clear the Old Saybrook lighthouse, entering Long Island Sound to continue the trip south. A spectacular sunrise at 6:45 AM made the early rising more enjoyable...

As the sun rose, it began to warm up and we shed our layers of warm clothing and foul weather gear. We set a course across Long Island Sound staying on the Conn. shore to minimize the effect of the current to help us make Port Washington by early afternoon. By mid day the tide changed and we set a course to the north shore of Long Island and Port Washington in Manhasset Bay.

We had a warm welcome at the North Shore Yacht Club, which had moorings and facilities ready for Capt's Haborwatch and Mud..( NSYC is where the Capt's were members before heading north to Chatham , Cape Cod and the Monomoy Yacht Club).

Capt Mud headed to New Jersey to await the "blessed event".Capt Haborwatch, took up lodgings at his son's home in Port Washington...awaiting news from New Jersey!

The next leg of the trip will take us through Hell Gate, the East River and lower New York Bay with a planned stop in Sandy Hook New Jersey before heading south along the Jersey coast to Cape May...

To be continued....