LONG CRUISES -
“NORTH THRU THE CANAL TO DELAWARE CITY - 2020
Cruise Itinerary has arrived! NOTE Date changes
The files below cover:
1. CCBA Long Cruises from 2005 to 2020
- If you have looked at the 2005-2011 document before, it now includes 2013 & 2014 & 2015.
Please excuse the size - it is over 13 Megs!
2. Several prior cruises include the around Delmarva.
1. CCBA Long Cruises from 2005 to 2020
- If you have looked at the 2005-2011 document before, it now includes 2013 & 2014 & 2015.
Please excuse the size - it is over 13 Megs!
2. Several prior cruises include the around Delmarva.
Somewhere on the Chesapeake - 2021!
Coming here soon.
Long Cruises 2016 - 2020
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CCBA COVID-19 CRUISE 2020 – North to Delaware City via the C&D
Marc Cruder
After an easy tour of anchorages on the major rivers in and around Annapolis, we set our sights north to break out of the Chesapeake Bay via the C&D Canal into the Delaware River to discover eclectic Delaware City by staying on the original Delaware City Branch Canal. With 2 lay days planned, we visited local history at Hagley Museum and Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, our cruise featured natural social distancing, custom CCBA cruise face masks and gifted Goslings 151. The boat count was down for various reasons including personal health choices, family emergencies and specific engine components that just would not function reliably at the last minute. Despite the challenges, 6 boats completed the trip; those with equipment issues and others still joined us in Delaware City and the itinerary was unaltered except for a group decision to omit the last planned stop to avoid weather. There was a breakdown, but all made it home safe and pulled off the first CCBA 2020 event. Here’s our story and we’re sticking to it….
Returning Cruisers who made it
- Marc “Google play cards” Cruder sailing Sylph: Hermann 17 - Gaff
- Butch “I have Wanderer wherever I go” Miller sailing Lark: Americat 22
- Phil “Checked with everyone else first, instead of calling you” Livingston sailing Patriot: Marshall 18
- Fred “I just want to learn” Sherriff with Mike “I’ll show you Hagley’s, but I still need some marine air” Crawford sailing Pride: Marshall 22
- Frank “Didn’t you get the email?” Newton sailing Casco Cat: Hermann 17 – Marconi
- Jim “I go thru the canal anytime, but watch out for those dredge pipes” Palmer sailing Old School: Marshall 22
Cruisers who wanted to
- Jack “I can’t make it but I’m sending the Goslings 151” Smith
- Mike “If only I had a carburetor that would make this engine run” Crawford
- Rich “I had a carburetor that worked, until Mike touched it” McLaughlin
- Steve “I was needed elsewhere” Flesner
- Craig “I was needed elsewhere too” Ligibel
- Paul “Everyone should have an Uber account; I do, but I can’t make it” Cammaroto
Shoreside Cameo Appearances
- Tristen “I’m out of the tunnel and you need me now” Crawford in his project Mazda Miata
- Debbie “Bring me your best back fin crab cake” Cruder
- Denise “The fried oysters look better to me” Miller
- Noelle “Don’t need to go back to Delaware City after this” Cruder
- Matt “Just working a ship in Philadelphia, so I stopped by on my way home” Cruder
Tuesday 9/22: Destination: Swan Creek above Rock Hall
Wanderer continued on the hard, hoping it will see the water next season. With a cruise planned, Covid-19 or not, Matt worked thru his own unprecedented schedule and circumstances to get Sylph launched in time for my use. We did have a shakedown to install a new wind indicator, but that was a whole other adventure. So did not spend much time in prep, except to clean, stow the cabin and buy a few spares.
The cruise got shifted from a Sunday to a Tuesday start, to get us in Delaware City to meet a weekend only Covid-19 ferry schedule to visit Fort Delaware. The only impact of the shift was a change in the C&D canal transit time for the flood east to later in the morning. So that gave me the whole weekend ahead of departure. Despite best intentions though, I got a later start than anticipated, but had a fair wind and tide to compensate. The boat count was originally nine with one drive-by and a cameo by the CCBA Commodore for the ashore field trips; but the herd would thin as the cruise got in full swing. There was also some incomplete comms when my email got hacked just before the cruise, but it all worked out.
Was underway under power at 1045 and out of the Rhode River by 1115. Set sail heading north on a course of 040 degrees Per Magnetic Compass (PMC) pushing on the tide some but making 3.5 kts. Abeam the red nun #2 at the mouth of the South River at 1215 and abeam Thomas Point/Thomas Point Light by 1230, shaping up for the center span of the Bay Bridge. The breeze came up as I passed Tolly Point at 1300 making a little over 4 kts. Passed under the Bay Bridge via caissons 28/29 and 35/36 at 1405. In another half hour I was abeam Sandy Point Light and off Love Point at the tip of Kent Island by 1515. Continued on, splitting the grain elevator at Deadman Point with the water tower visible on the eastern shore at Gratitude, to come up on the green can #5 about 1645. From there, followed the buoys into Swan Creek to find the catboat raft up just to port of the first bend.
There anchored were Lark, Old School, Pride, Patriot and Casco Cat. Added Sylph and was rafted by 1700 when my cell phone rang. It was Mike Crawford in Homer to report that he and Rich McLaughlin in Tenacity never made it out of the Chester River. Both had gas engines with carburetor problems. Tenacity’s Palmer P-60 had finally been rebuilt so we were disappointed we were not going to see them on the water. That said, Mike promised the tour at the Hagley Museum, so agreed he and Rich would drive and meet us in Delaware City so the show could go on. Other cancellations had already come in, so the core group on the water was established at six. Cruise 2020 on.
Wednesday 9/23 Destination: Veazy Cove – Bohemia River
With darkness coming on sooner during these fall cruises, raft-up time was limited and each retired to their own hooks before the sun went down. It was generally a pleasant night, although the wind was up most of the night. There were no untoward incidents.
Without a dinghy for this trip, made the morning rounds by boat to ensure all were clear on the day’s destination. The group was underway under power at or before 0800. Crossed the Swan Point Bar about 0830 and had the sail up by 0840 on a course of 030 PMC, making 3 to 4 knots. After over a half hour of steady course and speed, I found I had an old wood powerboat coming at me from the port side slowly with a steady bearing and decreasing range. He had one other person on board with a rod and line trailing behind. As we got to within speaking (not hailing) distance, I asked if there was any reason he was crossing my bow…I had been on a steady course before he set up his trawl, I was under sail and to his starboard. The person at the helm and as old as the boat looked at me and said: “I can’t hear.” So I looked at the man with the rod and said: “Can you hear?” He responded: “Yeah, I heard,” then said something to the helmsman and the boat came about just before we had some unintended contact. You just can’t make this stuff up.
Continuing on, I found myself at the #17 green just outside the Tolchester Channel about 0925, then abeam Tolchester Beach about 0955. In another hour, I was coming up on the red #30 just below Fairlee Creek. At about 1100, the wind died sufficiently for me to fall below a speed of 2 kts, so got on the engine until the opposite happened about 45 minutes later. With the engine off, I was making 5+ kts under sail alone again. Made my way up the bay passing Worton Point at 1155, then Howell Point on the south side of the Sassafras River at 1315. Came up on the Grove Point range lights at 1400, then jibed at the green #13/red #14 channel buoys off Ford Landing into the Bohemia River at about 1515. In another 15 minutes I was dousing sail in Veazy Cove and getting out lines to join the raft up already in progress. With a west wind, the anchorage was sufficiently protected. A variety of snacks made cooking unnecessary as each eventually found a good spot behind the high bank and tree line.
Thursday 9/24: Destination: Delaware City Marina on the Old Branch Canal
It was a quiet anchorage, although the proximity to the shipping channel made it interesting. You could hear straining horsepower at max thrust when tugs with barges or ships were coming by the mouth of the Bohemia River. Even though the anchorage was not directly open to the channel, you could tell how big the transient was after the engine sound was well out of earshot and you felt the wake. The number of vessels was not sufficient to ruin a good night’s sleep.
With time on our side owing to the tide not shifting until about 1100, there was a chance to lay in, cook a leisurely corned beef hash and eggs, then clean up, stow gear and top up the gas tank. The group was underway en masse under power at about 1030 and abeam the #18 red at Old Town Point Wharf by 1100, still pushing against the remaining ebb. As we passed the #26 red just north of Courthouse Point, the tide change was confirmed by the flow around the buoy and the extra half knot of speed over the ground according to the GPS. Sylph was making 5.5 kts on the outboard, which only increased. I was monitoring ship traffic on VHF channel 13 and standing by for catboats on channel 72.
The transit east on the flood thru the C&D Canal starts effectively with the Route 213 bridge at Chesapeake City. Passing under at about 1200, the GPS was showing 6.2 kts. Next was the Summit Bridge at 1235 making 6.3 kts, followed by the Conrail Lift Bridge where speed recorded was maximum for the transit at 6.5 kts. The new Roth and old St. Georges Bridges were minutes apart at about 1315 with speed maintaining at an average of 6.25 kts. The Reedy Point fixed bridge is the last heading east and was where I had instructions to phone Hollie at Delaware City Marina, so she could round up the dock crew. The current near the end of the canal had slowed me to 6 kts.
Delaware City Marina is actually on the Branch Canal that was part of the original C&D Canal, which included a single lock when the canal was not the size it is now and the water levels were different. You can’t go up the Branch Canal from the main canal with a mast because there is a fixed bridge with only a 10 ft air draft. So, as was the point of the trip, we had to go out and north on the Delaware River to the #1 green daymark that locates the northern entrance of the Branch Canal and where I had instructions to reconnoiter the group and call the marina on Channel 9. As soon as you turn north on the Delaware, it is counterintuitive, but the flood east in the canal becomes an ebb on the Delaware River, so we were bucking the tide to the #1 green.
Contact was made on Channel 9 at 1445 and Tim talked us in one boat at a time. All boats moor bow to stern in a linear fashion port side to floating docks, so they want to know Length Overall (LOA). Despite what the Delaware River is doing the water in the Branch Channel does what the water in the main canal is doing. Directions were to rig for port side to, but come into the dock starboard side to with a port stern line ready. The adequate staff then turns you around to the port side moor with everyone pointing in their only direction of eventual departure. Very clever. So by 1530, 6 catboats securely moored.
With the boats secured, everyone had time to register, take advantage of the facilities ashore to clean up and get the pitch from Hollie on what was in town for dining options. Captain Mike of carburetor plagued Homer, stopped by to make sure we arrived. He promised transportation and a good tour at Hagley’s in the morning. The plan was to meet at 0900. With the day winding down, we were technically out of the Chesapeake Bay as intended, so called the C&D transit a success.
Friday 9/25: Lay day – Field Trip to Hagley Museum – Wilmington, DE
It was a surprisingly quiet and peaceful night, considering the current shifted at each tide change. That said, it was not of sufficient speed to disturb our floating dock tie up. There were some strange pipe gurgling noises because of drainage systems from a new housing development under construction and of course the morning Fedex plane, but all in all, nothing that stopped good sleep or first coffee at 0600 for me.
The protocol officer made arrangements for one of the local establishments, known for their breakfast sandwiches, to open an hour early for our group, so we mustered on the dock by PATRIOT as ordered at 0730. Once satisfied with the muster, we headed to Cake Sisters, whose main business is cakes and pastries. The proprietor opened a little after 0800 and the face masked group piled in, socially distanced, ordered and then enjoyed a very nice breakfast. Our satisfaction pushed us to ask for another early opening the next day, to which we quickly got a positive response.
After breakfast, made our way back to the boats and were joined by those providing transportation, including David Bleil (former owner of Gull) and friend Judy as well as the carburetor twins Mike Crawford and Rich Mclaughlin. Former catboat kid Tristin Crawford was also at the ready. I was going to ride shotgun with Mike, but Tristin made a special request that I ride with him in his project first series Miata MX-5, so I could pass off on all the work he had done since buying it in a non-running status. We hit the road for Hagley’s. The Hagley Museum and Library is a non-profit educational institution in Wilmington, DE on over 235 acres along the banks of Brandywine Creek and includes the first DuPont family home, gunpowder yards and a 19th century machine shop. CCBA member Mike Crawford has worked there for 30 years as a carpenter maintaining everything from original buildings to waterwheels, rare Dupont automobiles, period machinery as well as restoring exhibits and dioramas. We were getting a private tour and looking forward to it.
After learning all about the Miata on the way, we assembled at Hagley’s, where our docent Steve took charge of us and we started our tour. We did in fact get to see mechanical water turbines in operation as well as the line shaft belt driven machine shop. We also got to see a riveted locomotive boiler set up in a stationary installation driving a single cylinder horizontal steam engine, before ending at the Dupont house including garage with the history of the family’s automobile production in the 1920’s and their connection to the Indian motorcycle company. We finished in the early afternoon under a wood pavilion that Mike had erected while enjoying local pizza ordered in.
The second surprise was when Tristin let me drive the Miata back to Delaware City. It was a cool little ride and I took time to show him the finer points of driving a manual transmission in a Japanese replicated British style sports car. Once back at the marina Pride delivered a bottle of Goslings 151 from CCBA cruise regular Jack Smith (Winter’s Dream), who had to cancel his participation this year. Our mission was clear – Happy Hour on the open deck at Delaware City Marina courtesy of Captain Jack. Some stayed awhile then went to dinner and some didn’t. Some made speeches and some tried. A good time was had by all and another good day down.
Saturday 9/26: Lay Day Delaware City – Field Trip to Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island
It was a rainy night, but since the Goslings 151 got emptied in the spirit of catboat camaraderie, most slept without disturbance. Rain continued past sun up, so the group was a late to Cake Sisters 0800 opening, but nonetheless had the same excellent experience. Tristin had hit the road, but the carburetor twins found berths so they could join us at Fort Delaware. Further, Mike was offered a crew berth aboard Pride for the return trip.
After breakfast, we regrouped at the M/V Delafort that takes you to…where else?...Fort Delaware…clever. Mike said he was Commodore Steve, so his pre-purchased ticket was used. We boarded the boat running at 50% capacity, face masks on as the rain started back up. In less than 15 minutes we were disembarking on Pea Patch Island. A covered tram without side curtains took us to the stone fort; again masked and socially distanced as best we could.
Fort Delaware is an irregular pentagon of stone from the second round of forts purpose built by the government for coastal seaport defense. This one was finished in 1859 and was active thru WWII, but is best known as a prison for some 33,000 Confederate soldiers. So the costumed interpreters are summer of 1864. It is a living history museum within a state park owned by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources. We listened to lectures, walked thru the officer’s quarters and Commandant’s Office, visited a sample prisoner barracks and witnessed the firing of an 1855 8-inch Columbaid gun (after 2 misfires). All good fun and part of our country’s history. The island is now a heronry and nature preserve for nesting birds. Our time was limited but sufficient due to Covid-19 constraints to keep the ferry passenger count within certain parameters. We were back at the Delaware City Marina by 1300.
There was enough time to use the shore facilities to clean up and just relax before dinner. Some shoreside support came by car for dinner at Crabby Dick’s. The group was split since we arrived at different times. Some were outside and some were inside. The report was good wherever and whatever you ate. Ice cream on the way back to the marina was worth the stop. Another good day down with departure early tomorrow.
Sunday 9/27: Originally Still Pond, then Fairlee Creek
Departure was scheduled for 0700 as catboats started to pull away from the dock with light winds and good visibility. With south winds increasing in the afternoon with associated seas, the plan was to assess our situation off Still Pond, then see how much further we might go to effectively cut a day off the cruise rather than brave rain, seas and possible thunderstorms. The catboat parade eased out of the Branch Canal at the tail end of the flood, out past the #1 green day mark and headed south for the C&D Canal, entering the Reedy Point breakwater at 0805.
We were still pushing the flood as we passed under the Reedy Point fixed bridge at 0823 at a speed of 4.1 kts per GPS. The ebb was confirmed as we passed under the St. Georges Bridge doing 5 kts at 0906, followed by the Roth bridge at 0910 showing 5.1 kts per GPS. Next was the Conrail Bridge at 0936 with speed up to 5.5 kts. Motoring along without incident, we passed under the Summit Fixed Bridge doing 5.8 kts at 1054 with maximum ebb in effect as we passed under the Route 213 Bridge at Chesapeake City at high noon doing 6.2 kts.
We continued out of the C&D into Back Creek and were abeam the #29 green just below Sandy Point at 1055 and passing Welch Point to the north at 1100. Continuing into the Elk River, we completed our canal passage passing Old Point Town Wharf at 1130, passed the Bohemia River at 1140 and were abeam the #49 green aligned with the water tank at Betterton by 1315. At 1400 we were off Still Pond. Did a radio check to find Old School anchored up, but with the group eager to put in another 2 hours, with a goal of Fairlee Creek. The decision was a good one. By 1530 we were standing off and picking up the channel into Fairlee Creek. Got inside and saw the catboats rafted up, but decided to make for the gas dock to top up. There would be another full day of powering tomorrow.
After gassing up and taking a look at a nice Cape Dory 28 Trawler, found my way to the raft-up and was secure by 1630. We all relaxed, knowing we were ahead of the game. The only issue so far was Patriot’s outboard pad, a wood replacement that was installed at the beginning of the season, but was delaminating as a result of the cruise. Although purchased from a reputable source, it’s country of origin was not the USA. He was traveling in company of other catboats and we had confidence it would not fail.
After happy hour, the raft broke up just in time for us to see Old School coming into the creek. Group complete and homeward bound tomorrow.
Monday 9/28 Destination: Homeward Bound
The final night was cool enough for good sleeping with enough wind for me to get up to tie off a stray halyard that was rapping against the mast. We were all up before sunrise and coming off our anchors saying good-bye around 0645. By 0700, we were out in the bay on a course of 220 degrees PMC heading southwest under power at about 4.5 kts against a foul tide. By 0730 we were passing the green #25 just outside the Tolchester Channel. Course was adjusted to 210 degrees with the Bay Bridge visible. In another 15 minutes, we were abeam Tolchester Beach and by 0830 we were off Swan Point in a 2 to 3 ft steep chop on the nose…and then things got interesting (for me anyway).
About 0845, the 29 year old Yachtwin that had been running like a top…quit. It was a little too soon to top up the portable tank, but it was low. So I went throw that procedure while lack of propulsion had me uncomfortably in the trough of the short period steep seas. Got the tank filled and expected to just start the outboard. Well, it started, but would not stay running. Tried several times and had to change my plan. After losing a throwable cushion bouncing around in the trough, I set sail on a port tack, got the boat stable and was on a heading of about 240 degrees PMC. Although the seas were steep , the predicted high winds were not in evidence yet, so I easily put up the whole sail and was making good way toward the Western Shore. As I moved away from the Eastern Shore the wind and sea state eased and I was still making about 4 kts. I checked in on Channel 72 and raised Lark, just to let someone know what happened and that I was stable.
I had a few choices, but tacking over 20 miles all the way against a south wind with pending small craft warning that were predicted to gust to 21 kts was not one of them for me. Perhaps a younger me, but not this me. I found myself on course for Bodkin Creek, the original anchorage for the last night of the trip. There was some synergy in that thought and I knew there were facilities to handle both the boat and the outboard, so I took the choice that would get me off the water the quickest. By 1100, I was at the mouth of Bodkin Creek after crossing the shipping channel into Baltimore well out of range of in and outgoing traffic. I spent the next 45 minutes tacking into Bodkin Creek and around Spit Point to end up at Ventnor Marina on Graveyard Point. Doused sail near enough to the gas dock, then stroked the barn door rudder to get me to the dock. It was about noon. Within minutes I met both new owners of the marina. They said they could put Sylph in a service slip for no charge, if I did not have to stay aboard and assured me they worked on any type of outboard. They were also quick to tell me they were a factory authorized Yamaha Dealer if things didn’t work out.
I took them up on their offer, but told them I had pulled the engine cover off somewhere between Swan Point and here. When I touched the inlet hose to the fuel pump, it squirted gas at me under pressure. So I left them with my guess that it was either a split hose or the plastic inlet nozzle of the fuel pump.
With the negotiation completed, I called for a ride and was closer to home (7.1 miles) than the boat’s dock. Waiting on transportation, I had a beer and enjoyed a cigar. It could have been worse. Covid-19 Cruise 2020 aborted for me, but over.
Epilogue
Aside from the untimely demise of the Yachtwin’s original fuel pump, a few carburetors that would not cooperate and an outboard pad actively delaminating we all survived and had great adventure staging out of historic Delaware City and its namesake marina. The private tour at the Hagley Museum gave us a taste of local history and a better appreciation of the life’s work of one of our low key members who doesn’t make a fuss about his accomplishments. It was an honor to see them first hand. Fort Delaware is a most unlikely place that still doesn’t stay completely drained but is an undeniable piece of our country’s coastal defense history.
Reports from the other cats indicated all made their appointed destinations without incident; some faster than others. The delaminating outboard pad fell to pieces into the water once the outboard was removed back at its home dock in Oxford. Pride reported a great sail with favorable wind up the Chester River after rounding Swan Point. Lark and Casco Cat stayed with Patriot thru Kent Narrows and got home safe, while Old School was back at his dock on the Magothy River by noon. All’s well that ends well, as this intrepid crew pulled off the first published event on the CCBA calendar. All the others had been cancelled to this point. Cruise 2020 done.
Note: Although I’m still waiting on the Yachtwin at the time of this writing… it was the fuel pump plastic inlet nozzle…everything has a service life…it’s tight until it’s not. That same pump is used on Evinrudes up to 15 HP, so readily available. Sylph will be back in commission in short order without needing to buy a new engine.
Several cruise strategies were discussed for next year, with two on the Potomac River and one without set itinerary to be dictated by the wind. More energy will have to be put into these preliminary ideas to gel a good final plan. So stay tuned for 2021 cruise details as they develop at www.chesapeakecatboats.org.
Marc Cruder
After an easy tour of anchorages on the major rivers in and around Annapolis, we set our sights north to break out of the Chesapeake Bay via the C&D Canal into the Delaware River to discover eclectic Delaware City by staying on the original Delaware City Branch Canal. With 2 lay days planned, we visited local history at Hagley Museum and Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, our cruise featured natural social distancing, custom CCBA cruise face masks and gifted Goslings 151. The boat count was down for various reasons including personal health choices, family emergencies and specific engine components that just would not function reliably at the last minute. Despite the challenges, 6 boats completed the trip; those with equipment issues and others still joined us in Delaware City and the itinerary was unaltered except for a group decision to omit the last planned stop to avoid weather. There was a breakdown, but all made it home safe and pulled off the first CCBA 2020 event. Here’s our story and we’re sticking to it….
Returning Cruisers who made it
- Marc “Google play cards” Cruder sailing Sylph: Hermann 17 - Gaff
- Butch “I have Wanderer wherever I go” Miller sailing Lark: Americat 22
- Phil “Checked with everyone else first, instead of calling you” Livingston sailing Patriot: Marshall 18
- Fred “I just want to learn” Sherriff with Mike “I’ll show you Hagley’s, but I still need some marine air” Crawford sailing Pride: Marshall 22
- Frank “Didn’t you get the email?” Newton sailing Casco Cat: Hermann 17 – Marconi
- Jim “I go thru the canal anytime, but watch out for those dredge pipes” Palmer sailing Old School: Marshall 22
Cruisers who wanted to
- Jack “I can’t make it but I’m sending the Goslings 151” Smith
- Mike “If only I had a carburetor that would make this engine run” Crawford
- Rich “I had a carburetor that worked, until Mike touched it” McLaughlin
- Steve “I was needed elsewhere” Flesner
- Craig “I was needed elsewhere too” Ligibel
- Paul “Everyone should have an Uber account; I do, but I can’t make it” Cammaroto
Shoreside Cameo Appearances
- Tristen “I’m out of the tunnel and you need me now” Crawford in his project Mazda Miata
- Debbie “Bring me your best back fin crab cake” Cruder
- Denise “The fried oysters look better to me” Miller
- Noelle “Don’t need to go back to Delaware City after this” Cruder
- Matt “Just working a ship in Philadelphia, so I stopped by on my way home” Cruder
Tuesday 9/22: Destination: Swan Creek above Rock Hall
Wanderer continued on the hard, hoping it will see the water next season. With a cruise planned, Covid-19 or not, Matt worked thru his own unprecedented schedule and circumstances to get Sylph launched in time for my use. We did have a shakedown to install a new wind indicator, but that was a whole other adventure. So did not spend much time in prep, except to clean, stow the cabin and buy a few spares.
The cruise got shifted from a Sunday to a Tuesday start, to get us in Delaware City to meet a weekend only Covid-19 ferry schedule to visit Fort Delaware. The only impact of the shift was a change in the C&D canal transit time for the flood east to later in the morning. So that gave me the whole weekend ahead of departure. Despite best intentions though, I got a later start than anticipated, but had a fair wind and tide to compensate. The boat count was originally nine with one drive-by and a cameo by the CCBA Commodore for the ashore field trips; but the herd would thin as the cruise got in full swing. There was also some incomplete comms when my email got hacked just before the cruise, but it all worked out.
Was underway under power at 1045 and out of the Rhode River by 1115. Set sail heading north on a course of 040 degrees Per Magnetic Compass (PMC) pushing on the tide some but making 3.5 kts. Abeam the red nun #2 at the mouth of the South River at 1215 and abeam Thomas Point/Thomas Point Light by 1230, shaping up for the center span of the Bay Bridge. The breeze came up as I passed Tolly Point at 1300 making a little over 4 kts. Passed under the Bay Bridge via caissons 28/29 and 35/36 at 1405. In another half hour I was abeam Sandy Point Light and off Love Point at the tip of Kent Island by 1515. Continued on, splitting the grain elevator at Deadman Point with the water tower visible on the eastern shore at Gratitude, to come up on the green can #5 about 1645. From there, followed the buoys into Swan Creek to find the catboat raft up just to port of the first bend.
There anchored were Lark, Old School, Pride, Patriot and Casco Cat. Added Sylph and was rafted by 1700 when my cell phone rang. It was Mike Crawford in Homer to report that he and Rich McLaughlin in Tenacity never made it out of the Chester River. Both had gas engines with carburetor problems. Tenacity’s Palmer P-60 had finally been rebuilt so we were disappointed we were not going to see them on the water. That said, Mike promised the tour at the Hagley Museum, so agreed he and Rich would drive and meet us in Delaware City so the show could go on. Other cancellations had already come in, so the core group on the water was established at six. Cruise 2020 on.
Wednesday 9/23 Destination: Veazy Cove – Bohemia River
With darkness coming on sooner during these fall cruises, raft-up time was limited and each retired to their own hooks before the sun went down. It was generally a pleasant night, although the wind was up most of the night. There were no untoward incidents.
Without a dinghy for this trip, made the morning rounds by boat to ensure all were clear on the day’s destination. The group was underway under power at or before 0800. Crossed the Swan Point Bar about 0830 and had the sail up by 0840 on a course of 030 PMC, making 3 to 4 knots. After over a half hour of steady course and speed, I found I had an old wood powerboat coming at me from the port side slowly with a steady bearing and decreasing range. He had one other person on board with a rod and line trailing behind. As we got to within speaking (not hailing) distance, I asked if there was any reason he was crossing my bow…I had been on a steady course before he set up his trawl, I was under sail and to his starboard. The person at the helm and as old as the boat looked at me and said: “I can’t hear.” So I looked at the man with the rod and said: “Can you hear?” He responded: “Yeah, I heard,” then said something to the helmsman and the boat came about just before we had some unintended contact. You just can’t make this stuff up.
Continuing on, I found myself at the #17 green just outside the Tolchester Channel about 0925, then abeam Tolchester Beach about 0955. In another hour, I was coming up on the red #30 just below Fairlee Creek. At about 1100, the wind died sufficiently for me to fall below a speed of 2 kts, so got on the engine until the opposite happened about 45 minutes later. With the engine off, I was making 5+ kts under sail alone again. Made my way up the bay passing Worton Point at 1155, then Howell Point on the south side of the Sassafras River at 1315. Came up on the Grove Point range lights at 1400, then jibed at the green #13/red #14 channel buoys off Ford Landing into the Bohemia River at about 1515. In another 15 minutes I was dousing sail in Veazy Cove and getting out lines to join the raft up already in progress. With a west wind, the anchorage was sufficiently protected. A variety of snacks made cooking unnecessary as each eventually found a good spot behind the high bank and tree line.
Thursday 9/24: Destination: Delaware City Marina on the Old Branch Canal
It was a quiet anchorage, although the proximity to the shipping channel made it interesting. You could hear straining horsepower at max thrust when tugs with barges or ships were coming by the mouth of the Bohemia River. Even though the anchorage was not directly open to the channel, you could tell how big the transient was after the engine sound was well out of earshot and you felt the wake. The number of vessels was not sufficient to ruin a good night’s sleep.
With time on our side owing to the tide not shifting until about 1100, there was a chance to lay in, cook a leisurely corned beef hash and eggs, then clean up, stow gear and top up the gas tank. The group was underway en masse under power at about 1030 and abeam the #18 red at Old Town Point Wharf by 1100, still pushing against the remaining ebb. As we passed the #26 red just north of Courthouse Point, the tide change was confirmed by the flow around the buoy and the extra half knot of speed over the ground according to the GPS. Sylph was making 5.5 kts on the outboard, which only increased. I was monitoring ship traffic on VHF channel 13 and standing by for catboats on channel 72.
The transit east on the flood thru the C&D Canal starts effectively with the Route 213 bridge at Chesapeake City. Passing under at about 1200, the GPS was showing 6.2 kts. Next was the Summit Bridge at 1235 making 6.3 kts, followed by the Conrail Lift Bridge where speed recorded was maximum for the transit at 6.5 kts. The new Roth and old St. Georges Bridges were minutes apart at about 1315 with speed maintaining at an average of 6.25 kts. The Reedy Point fixed bridge is the last heading east and was where I had instructions to phone Hollie at Delaware City Marina, so she could round up the dock crew. The current near the end of the canal had slowed me to 6 kts.
Delaware City Marina is actually on the Branch Canal that was part of the original C&D Canal, which included a single lock when the canal was not the size it is now and the water levels were different. You can’t go up the Branch Canal from the main canal with a mast because there is a fixed bridge with only a 10 ft air draft. So, as was the point of the trip, we had to go out and north on the Delaware River to the #1 green daymark that locates the northern entrance of the Branch Canal and where I had instructions to reconnoiter the group and call the marina on Channel 9. As soon as you turn north on the Delaware, it is counterintuitive, but the flood east in the canal becomes an ebb on the Delaware River, so we were bucking the tide to the #1 green.
Contact was made on Channel 9 at 1445 and Tim talked us in one boat at a time. All boats moor bow to stern in a linear fashion port side to floating docks, so they want to know Length Overall (LOA). Despite what the Delaware River is doing the water in the Branch Channel does what the water in the main canal is doing. Directions were to rig for port side to, but come into the dock starboard side to with a port stern line ready. The adequate staff then turns you around to the port side moor with everyone pointing in their only direction of eventual departure. Very clever. So by 1530, 6 catboats securely moored.
With the boats secured, everyone had time to register, take advantage of the facilities ashore to clean up and get the pitch from Hollie on what was in town for dining options. Captain Mike of carburetor plagued Homer, stopped by to make sure we arrived. He promised transportation and a good tour at Hagley’s in the morning. The plan was to meet at 0900. With the day winding down, we were technically out of the Chesapeake Bay as intended, so called the C&D transit a success.
Friday 9/25: Lay day – Field Trip to Hagley Museum – Wilmington, DE
It was a surprisingly quiet and peaceful night, considering the current shifted at each tide change. That said, it was not of sufficient speed to disturb our floating dock tie up. There were some strange pipe gurgling noises because of drainage systems from a new housing development under construction and of course the morning Fedex plane, but all in all, nothing that stopped good sleep or first coffee at 0600 for me.
The protocol officer made arrangements for one of the local establishments, known for their breakfast sandwiches, to open an hour early for our group, so we mustered on the dock by PATRIOT as ordered at 0730. Once satisfied with the muster, we headed to Cake Sisters, whose main business is cakes and pastries. The proprietor opened a little after 0800 and the face masked group piled in, socially distanced, ordered and then enjoyed a very nice breakfast. Our satisfaction pushed us to ask for another early opening the next day, to which we quickly got a positive response.
After breakfast, made our way back to the boats and were joined by those providing transportation, including David Bleil (former owner of Gull) and friend Judy as well as the carburetor twins Mike Crawford and Rich Mclaughlin. Former catboat kid Tristin Crawford was also at the ready. I was going to ride shotgun with Mike, but Tristin made a special request that I ride with him in his project first series Miata MX-5, so I could pass off on all the work he had done since buying it in a non-running status. We hit the road for Hagley’s. The Hagley Museum and Library is a non-profit educational institution in Wilmington, DE on over 235 acres along the banks of Brandywine Creek and includes the first DuPont family home, gunpowder yards and a 19th century machine shop. CCBA member Mike Crawford has worked there for 30 years as a carpenter maintaining everything from original buildings to waterwheels, rare Dupont automobiles, period machinery as well as restoring exhibits and dioramas. We were getting a private tour and looking forward to it.
After learning all about the Miata on the way, we assembled at Hagley’s, where our docent Steve took charge of us and we started our tour. We did in fact get to see mechanical water turbines in operation as well as the line shaft belt driven machine shop. We also got to see a riveted locomotive boiler set up in a stationary installation driving a single cylinder horizontal steam engine, before ending at the Dupont house including garage with the history of the family’s automobile production in the 1920’s and their connection to the Indian motorcycle company. We finished in the early afternoon under a wood pavilion that Mike had erected while enjoying local pizza ordered in.
The second surprise was when Tristin let me drive the Miata back to Delaware City. It was a cool little ride and I took time to show him the finer points of driving a manual transmission in a Japanese replicated British style sports car. Once back at the marina Pride delivered a bottle of Goslings 151 from CCBA cruise regular Jack Smith (Winter’s Dream), who had to cancel his participation this year. Our mission was clear – Happy Hour on the open deck at Delaware City Marina courtesy of Captain Jack. Some stayed awhile then went to dinner and some didn’t. Some made speeches and some tried. A good time was had by all and another good day down.
Saturday 9/26: Lay Day Delaware City – Field Trip to Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island
It was a rainy night, but since the Goslings 151 got emptied in the spirit of catboat camaraderie, most slept without disturbance. Rain continued past sun up, so the group was a late to Cake Sisters 0800 opening, but nonetheless had the same excellent experience. Tristin had hit the road, but the carburetor twins found berths so they could join us at Fort Delaware. Further, Mike was offered a crew berth aboard Pride for the return trip.
After breakfast, we regrouped at the M/V Delafort that takes you to…where else?...Fort Delaware…clever. Mike said he was Commodore Steve, so his pre-purchased ticket was used. We boarded the boat running at 50% capacity, face masks on as the rain started back up. In less than 15 minutes we were disembarking on Pea Patch Island. A covered tram without side curtains took us to the stone fort; again masked and socially distanced as best we could.
Fort Delaware is an irregular pentagon of stone from the second round of forts purpose built by the government for coastal seaport defense. This one was finished in 1859 and was active thru WWII, but is best known as a prison for some 33,000 Confederate soldiers. So the costumed interpreters are summer of 1864. It is a living history museum within a state park owned by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources. We listened to lectures, walked thru the officer’s quarters and Commandant’s Office, visited a sample prisoner barracks and witnessed the firing of an 1855 8-inch Columbaid gun (after 2 misfires). All good fun and part of our country’s history. The island is now a heronry and nature preserve for nesting birds. Our time was limited but sufficient due to Covid-19 constraints to keep the ferry passenger count within certain parameters. We were back at the Delaware City Marina by 1300.
There was enough time to use the shore facilities to clean up and just relax before dinner. Some shoreside support came by car for dinner at Crabby Dick’s. The group was split since we arrived at different times. Some were outside and some were inside. The report was good wherever and whatever you ate. Ice cream on the way back to the marina was worth the stop. Another good day down with departure early tomorrow.
Sunday 9/27: Originally Still Pond, then Fairlee Creek
Departure was scheduled for 0700 as catboats started to pull away from the dock with light winds and good visibility. With south winds increasing in the afternoon with associated seas, the plan was to assess our situation off Still Pond, then see how much further we might go to effectively cut a day off the cruise rather than brave rain, seas and possible thunderstorms. The catboat parade eased out of the Branch Canal at the tail end of the flood, out past the #1 green day mark and headed south for the C&D Canal, entering the Reedy Point breakwater at 0805.
We were still pushing the flood as we passed under the Reedy Point fixed bridge at 0823 at a speed of 4.1 kts per GPS. The ebb was confirmed as we passed under the St. Georges Bridge doing 5 kts at 0906, followed by the Roth bridge at 0910 showing 5.1 kts per GPS. Next was the Conrail Bridge at 0936 with speed up to 5.5 kts. Motoring along without incident, we passed under the Summit Fixed Bridge doing 5.8 kts at 1054 with maximum ebb in effect as we passed under the Route 213 Bridge at Chesapeake City at high noon doing 6.2 kts.
We continued out of the C&D into Back Creek and were abeam the #29 green just below Sandy Point at 1055 and passing Welch Point to the north at 1100. Continuing into the Elk River, we completed our canal passage passing Old Point Town Wharf at 1130, passed the Bohemia River at 1140 and were abeam the #49 green aligned with the water tank at Betterton by 1315. At 1400 we were off Still Pond. Did a radio check to find Old School anchored up, but with the group eager to put in another 2 hours, with a goal of Fairlee Creek. The decision was a good one. By 1530 we were standing off and picking up the channel into Fairlee Creek. Got inside and saw the catboats rafted up, but decided to make for the gas dock to top up. There would be another full day of powering tomorrow.
After gassing up and taking a look at a nice Cape Dory 28 Trawler, found my way to the raft-up and was secure by 1630. We all relaxed, knowing we were ahead of the game. The only issue so far was Patriot’s outboard pad, a wood replacement that was installed at the beginning of the season, but was delaminating as a result of the cruise. Although purchased from a reputable source, it’s country of origin was not the USA. He was traveling in company of other catboats and we had confidence it would not fail.
After happy hour, the raft broke up just in time for us to see Old School coming into the creek. Group complete and homeward bound tomorrow.
Monday 9/28 Destination: Homeward Bound
The final night was cool enough for good sleeping with enough wind for me to get up to tie off a stray halyard that was rapping against the mast. We were all up before sunrise and coming off our anchors saying good-bye around 0645. By 0700, we were out in the bay on a course of 220 degrees PMC heading southwest under power at about 4.5 kts against a foul tide. By 0730 we were passing the green #25 just outside the Tolchester Channel. Course was adjusted to 210 degrees with the Bay Bridge visible. In another 15 minutes, we were abeam Tolchester Beach and by 0830 we were off Swan Point in a 2 to 3 ft steep chop on the nose…and then things got interesting (for me anyway).
About 0845, the 29 year old Yachtwin that had been running like a top…quit. It was a little too soon to top up the portable tank, but it was low. So I went throw that procedure while lack of propulsion had me uncomfortably in the trough of the short period steep seas. Got the tank filled and expected to just start the outboard. Well, it started, but would not stay running. Tried several times and had to change my plan. After losing a throwable cushion bouncing around in the trough, I set sail on a port tack, got the boat stable and was on a heading of about 240 degrees PMC. Although the seas were steep , the predicted high winds were not in evidence yet, so I easily put up the whole sail and was making good way toward the Western Shore. As I moved away from the Eastern Shore the wind and sea state eased and I was still making about 4 kts. I checked in on Channel 72 and raised Lark, just to let someone know what happened and that I was stable.
I had a few choices, but tacking over 20 miles all the way against a south wind with pending small craft warning that were predicted to gust to 21 kts was not one of them for me. Perhaps a younger me, but not this me. I found myself on course for Bodkin Creek, the original anchorage for the last night of the trip. There was some synergy in that thought and I knew there were facilities to handle both the boat and the outboard, so I took the choice that would get me off the water the quickest. By 1100, I was at the mouth of Bodkin Creek after crossing the shipping channel into Baltimore well out of range of in and outgoing traffic. I spent the next 45 minutes tacking into Bodkin Creek and around Spit Point to end up at Ventnor Marina on Graveyard Point. Doused sail near enough to the gas dock, then stroked the barn door rudder to get me to the dock. It was about noon. Within minutes I met both new owners of the marina. They said they could put Sylph in a service slip for no charge, if I did not have to stay aboard and assured me they worked on any type of outboard. They were also quick to tell me they were a factory authorized Yamaha Dealer if things didn’t work out.
I took them up on their offer, but told them I had pulled the engine cover off somewhere between Swan Point and here. When I touched the inlet hose to the fuel pump, it squirted gas at me under pressure. So I left them with my guess that it was either a split hose or the plastic inlet nozzle of the fuel pump.
With the negotiation completed, I called for a ride and was closer to home (7.1 miles) than the boat’s dock. Waiting on transportation, I had a beer and enjoyed a cigar. It could have been worse. Covid-19 Cruise 2020 aborted for me, but over.
Epilogue
Aside from the untimely demise of the Yachtwin’s original fuel pump, a few carburetors that would not cooperate and an outboard pad actively delaminating we all survived and had great adventure staging out of historic Delaware City and its namesake marina. The private tour at the Hagley Museum gave us a taste of local history and a better appreciation of the life’s work of one of our low key members who doesn’t make a fuss about his accomplishments. It was an honor to see them first hand. Fort Delaware is a most unlikely place that still doesn’t stay completely drained but is an undeniable piece of our country’s coastal defense history.
Reports from the other cats indicated all made their appointed destinations without incident; some faster than others. The delaminating outboard pad fell to pieces into the water once the outboard was removed back at its home dock in Oxford. Pride reported a great sail with favorable wind up the Chester River after rounding Swan Point. Lark and Casco Cat stayed with Patriot thru Kent Narrows and got home safe, while Old School was back at his dock on the Magothy River by noon. All’s well that ends well, as this intrepid crew pulled off the first published event on the CCBA calendar. All the others had been cancelled to this point. Cruise 2020 done.
Note: Although I’m still waiting on the Yachtwin at the time of this writing… it was the fuel pump plastic inlet nozzle…everything has a service life…it’s tight until it’s not. That same pump is used on Evinrudes up to 15 HP, so readily available. Sylph will be back in commission in short order without needing to buy a new engine.
Several cruise strategies were discussed for next year, with two on the Potomac River and one without set itinerary to be dictated by the wind. More energy will have to be put into these preliminary ideas to gel a good final plan. So stay tuned for 2021 cruise details as they develop at www.chesapeakecatboats.org.
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Long Cruises 2004-2015
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Delmarva Circumnavigation 2000
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Little Choptank 1997 Cruise
Download the 1 Article below.
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