To Cape May and North

5/25/16    To  38 56.927N,    74 54.516W    South Jersey Marina face dock    74.5NM

We were underway by 0530, a bit early for the current push through the C&D Canal, but had the advantage of an earlier stop at Cape May.  The current caught up to us before the end of the canal, adding about 2kts to our boat speed. While we've seen few cruisers heading N the past few weeks, we were swamped with trawlers and power boats headed E in the C&D, making me wonder if' we'd encountered a  group out for a cruise - there were at least a dozen of them.  As we approached St. George at the E side, we heard a big ship horn blow several times, but with a curve in the channel, we couldn't see anything behind us.  It was a freighter, trying to get some of those pesky power boat to move out of the center of the channel!
 

Sun rise at Rogue's Harbor on the Elk River

A bucolic pastoral scene heading to the C&D Canal

Might makes right!

Seeing the big increase in traffic, I called to reserve a slip at Utche's Marina in Cape May, and was told  they were full.  Checking Active Captain, we called South Jersey Marina where we got a transient slip for the night.  The gal was busy trying to rearrange dock space to accommodate more boats, and when she called back, mentioned the reservation before us was for a power boat, M&M, from S. Burlington - small world.

Delaware Bay showed a more docile side for once - light winds, but not W as forecast. We ran up the main and got an occasional boost, but motor sailed most of the day to arrive before dark. It made for a more pleasant passage better than the 3' seas and headwinds that we've had on some of our trips.  The current, however, ran against us more hours than we liked, even though we cut across the flats where it tends to be lighter.  By mid-afternoon, it began flowing out again, increasing our speed (evening out our speed to about 5.5 kts). Along with all the power boats, and big ship traffic on the bay, at least 6 other sailboats were headed down the bay.  Most of them appeared to have sailed out the bay rather than take  the canal with its 55' bridges.  Not only will the marinas be full, the anchorage will be too.  Looked like lots of folks planned to take advantage of the light southerly winds forecast through the end of the week to hop offshore for points N and E.

The tide was dropping when we approached the breakwater by the ferry dock, and encountered a dredge in the channel.  We watched as the trawler ahead of us waited, and was told to keep to the green side of the channel - we did too.  I guess the shoal that built where the ferries back out of the slips needed to be removed (we touched there once, trying to keep clear of a ferry).  There were several other skinny spots in the canal in need of dredging too, with several readings dropping to 8' mid channel.  Obviously, the 55' bridge clearance wouldn't be an issue for us! 

I've come to the conclusion that NJ fishermen are as bad as their weekend boating brethren in FL.  Given the narrowness and length of the canal, it should be a 'no wake' zone from our perspective, but the fishermen fear they might lose 'that big one', and head out at full throttle and usually in the middle of the channel.  They're equally anxious to get back to show off their catch on return.

The Jersey South Marina was tucked up the creek, a bit closer to town, but with ample water to navigate and do a 180 to tie up.  As advertised, the dock hands were helpful, we  topped off fuel at our slip and the bathrooms were way above most cruiser's norms (one review said they thought they were in a Kohler showroom). This put it beyond our normal $2/ft limit, but hey, it was only for a night, and the showers were really nice. 

When the guy checking us in learned we planned on walking to the store, he said they'd take us in the van in the morning, it was a service included with the dockage (along with the fancy bathrooms).  I was looking forward to some exercise, and declined.  I pointed out to Leonard there wasn't much difference in 'doing it ourselves' regarding towing, and walking to the store, but I'm not sure he bought my reasoning.  It was 3+miles round trip, but a pleasant, interesting walk past some historic buildings.

Sunset overlooking some of the docks at Cape May

The marina 'gave' us a $10 certificate for breakfast that Leonard couldn't resist, so shortly after 0700, we checked out the menu.  Blue cloth napkins indicated pricey, which it was since everything was a la carte, but breakfast was good, and we could watch as the various vessels departed.  We departed too, after a short walk to the fish market just across the way for some fresh, local flounder.

5/26/16    Off Shore

As we headed out the harbor, we watched as a CG vessel charge off the dock toward the bay, throwing a big wake.  We wondered if it was an emergency, but hadn't heard any chatter on the VHF.  We later learned it was a practice - but if their wake caught someone off guard, it could have turned into a real mission if someone fell overboard or was hurt.

Anchored vessels at Cape May

Not surprising, our timing was less than perfect (as we knew), and the water was flowing in as we headed out the inlet.  The current wasn't bad until we reached the end of the breakwater, where the current was boiling.  Leonard did a higher rpm test of the engine to get us out - no stutters made him happy.  Fortunately it was a short inlet, most of which had been fine, and we were soon on our way.

The dominate word in forecast for the foreseeable future was S, with winds around 10kts, making it a good time to get past NJ.  While  it would be possible to 'day trip' in and out along the coast, the mention of thunderstorms as the weekend progresses and the smooth condition of the sea, had us inclined to get it over with in one hop.  It's a 120NM to the Verrazano Bridge, or between 20 - 24 hours depending on our speed.  With some luck and timing, we might catch the morning flood tide (much shorter than the ebb!) into the harbor and anchor off the Palisades N of the city.  Other options would be to tuck in behind Sandy Hook to wait for a flood, or stop at the anchorage behind the Statue of Liberty.  With a holiday weekend ahead, we expect to see a lot more pleasure and fishing vessels plying the waters, keeping us on our toes.

Hitch hiking female magnolia warbler on the outboard

As we motor sailed (the jib was helping) along the New Jersey shore, we were visited by a hitchhiker.  These little guys are always welcome to use us as a rest stop.  This one I think was a female magnolia warbler, but somehow, what I see never looks quite like the photos in my field guide!  As always, I'm open to verification and/or correction.

By noon, both sails were up and the engine off.  It was nice to be sailing and not listening to the engine chugging along.  Another boat, flying a spinnaker was heading N too.  If the wind and weather hold, it would be a good passage.

Lynnea