Atlantic City to the Cheasapeake

With the longest single stretch of our run behind us we hoped for some more relaxing days with better weather and sea conditions.  That said we did have to head back out into the Atlantic again to Cape May and then cross the length of Delaware Bay to get to the C&D canal the following day.  Fortunately, the forecast called for lighter winds and 3-5 foot waves on the ocean and one foot waves in the bay - so off we set first thing in the morning towards our first interim stop - Cape May.

Thankfully, while still wrong, the Atlantic was a damn sight more friendly than the day before and the 5 - 8 foot waves seemed like a gift next to our previous experience and we cruised to Cape May without incident.  A quick stop for fuel and lunch and we were off down the Cape May Canal to Delaware Bay.

Eastern approach to the Cape May Canal

Cape May - Lewes Ferry

Now as we left the canal we noted a number of interesting items.  First the wind was running 20knots down the length of the bay in a direct line to shore right at the West end of the Canal.  Second that there was a 9 foot shoal 2 miles off shore.  Now the combination of strong winds and a shoal are - you guessed it - steep waves.  There were I'm sure one foot waves in the bay, but once again, no where near where we were.  We found ourselves in steep, short period 6-8 foot waves right on the nose - some real "Bell Ringers".

By the evening the winds had died down and we really did have only a foot or two of waves and we cruised out the day to the top of the bay enjoying the setting sun and the passage of the big shipping boats.

The sun on the waves made it look like sand

Major shipping lane to the north of Delaware Bay



Sunset on Delaware Bay



We had planned to stop at the top of the bay at a little anchorage, but when we got there it was not well marked and it was pitch black with container ships passing by in close proximity.  We decided to push on into the C&D canal and stop in the bay at Chesapeake City.  Needless to say, the combination of being new to the area and the dark made finding the entrance to the canal a challenge, but we figured it out and off we went.

The Eastern approach to the C&D Canal at night

It was a long day when we finally docked at around 10:00PM that night, but we had made excellent time and were again on track to complete our journey as scheduled.

Chesapeake City Bay Marina

The next day promised more one foot waves and light winds on the Chesapeake - right we didn't believe the forecast either!