Up Delaware Bay

We ‘rode’ the incoming flood tide going up Delaware Bay.  More critical than wind speed or direction,  it’s the tides and the currents they create  that are determining when we leave and  when we stop.

CS'ta Time in the early morning with the setting moon

We  left Cape May yesterday morning at 6:00am while the tide was coming in, and it carried us up  about 2/3 rd’s of Delaware Bay before  the outgoing tide started to stall our progress upstream. So, we found a spot to anchor in the Cohansey River overnight.  Tranquil spot.  Marshland all around us. I had taken this photo of  watermen bringing their crab pots aboard while we were on the Bay, and they passed by us again returning to their home port somewhere up the river.

Today, we’ll ride the incoming flood tide again, from our anchorage in the Cohansey River to the C&D Canal – which means we’ll be leaving soon – 9am. The current is very strong in the upper part of Delaware Bay, and it should speed our progress. Gil and I have a bet going as to how long it'll take us to get to the C&D canal (about 20 nautical miles)... I'm guessing 3hr., and he's guessing 2 1/4hr.

Gil’s been trolling, but without success. Another sailboat had been running alongside us for a while, and then decided to pass close in behind us, while Gil had his line out. I've never seen him move so fast to try to save that lure! He lost it :-) but nothing got tangled in the other sailor's rudder or prop.

the bait store in Cape May

Captain's calling! ttg