Waiting for the weather

Bouncy anchorage overnight in Bohemia River, what with wind shifting and strong current but quietened down in the early hours for a short lie in for the crew. Timed our departure mid-morning to get the strong current going with us west to east through the C&D Canal. Meeting the tidal flow in the huge Delaware River at the east end of the Canal is always a challenge. Having already decided not to try to sail the 50nm to Cape May against the current, we revved up and turned in through the turbulence to anchor in the shelter of Reedy Island, between it and the west bank of the main river. This short passage - only about 20nm - allowed relaxation. Just as well, since the ensuing night was even more bouncy than the previous one, wind shifts and strong tidal flow again responsible.

At 05:45 on Saturday 5 May, Follyfin headed out into the Delaware River, taking full advantage of the strong current and favourable NE/NW wind to sail SE down river until it died at 14:00. No matter, the lion’s share of the trip to our destination - Cape May - was done. Unlike our passage to this Harbour last year, we arrived in daytime and good weather. Knowing we would need to wait for adverse weather to pass through before continuing north, decided not to go into the crowded anchorage most transient vessels use, at the eastern end of the harbour, but instead we chose to go through the opening Two Mile bridge and motor 2nm east up river into ‘Wildwood’ to anchor in Sunset Lake. Although the entrance is quite shallow (not a problem for Follyfin’s lifting keel), there is a perfectly sheltered deeper pool in the SW corner of this small lake. Here we dropped anchor and are prepared to wait for southerly winds again for our 200nm passage up to Long Island.

Sunset Lake proved to be somewhat of a misnomer at first, since Sunday brought heavy rain, dense fog and overcast skies as well as much cooler temperatures. We were glad not to be going out anywhere. Monday saw an improvement in the weather but wind still NE, no good for us. And by Monday evening the reason for the name was clear.

Provisions will be needed before setting off, so Tuesday 8 May Follyfin will take a berth at Utsch’s Marina at the west end of the Harbour. All being well we will embark on our next passage North sometime on Wednesday 9 May afternoon.