Cape May, NJ and on to NY



Sunday, July 05, 2015

This may have been our earliest departure yet. We were up at 5 (actually, the captain was up at 4) and the engines were warming up by 5:15. Lines were loosened, cast off and we were underway at 5:29 following Sanctuary out of the channel into the Delaware River.

The harbormaster, Tim, even came down to see us off. He had given us a weather briefing for two days in a row. The first day didn’t look good – it was border line and could get worse. The reputation for Delaware Bay is well known to be very rough, especially with winds coming in off the ocean. We heard the word “fetch” several times. As any experienced mariner knows, this is not referring to the common meaning, as in, “Rover, fetch the stick.” This use is about the distance winds or waves travel over open water: the greater the fetch, the bigger the wave and the rougher the ride. In the words of one friend on the trip, “Those waves are coming all the way from Africa!”

This day the forecast was nearly ideal and we had a very good crossing. The experienced captain on Sanctuary, Jim Healy, said it was the smoothest he had ever seen it!

 

We left so early we had to use our running lights as did this cargo ship
at anchor in the Delaware River

 

Sunrise over calm water, Delaware River

 

Ship John Shoal lighthouse in Delaware Bay

 It was still Fourth of July weekend and when we entered the canal at Cape May there were lots of boaters out and enjoying the sunny day. After settling in at the Marina we took a walk on the island - lots of traffic - and then we went out for dinner at Lucky Bones Backwater Grille - very good!

Captain’s Log July 5, 2015

Departed: Delaware City Marina, DE  5:30 am.

Engine hours: 7.4 hrs. – 760.1 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hrs 20 mins
Miles covered 60.13 - Total for trip: 5453
Arrived: Utsch’s Marina, Cape May, NJ 12:50 pm.
Weather: Clr, low 70’s, calm winds, gradual warming to low 80’s. Remained clear all day and wind increased SSE 5-10 by the time we arrived at destination.
Early departure to take advantage tidal currents and low wind forecast for the a.m. as we cross the Delaware River/Bay.  We were successful, winds picked up a bit just as we were clearing the Bay and going into the Cape May Canal. Very nice cruise and all is going well on the boat, traveled with Sanctuary.

Monday, July 6

Yet another early morning as we rendezvoused with our fearless leaders on Sanctuary who had anchored nearby in the bay. Today we went out on the Atlantic Ocean to make the run up to Atlantic City. We hadn't really felt the roll of the ocean and it was a new experience.

 

Sanctuary, a Monk 36, led the way

 Four hours later we neared Atlantic City and decided to come off the big water at Absecon Channel and go up the ICW for a few hours to Beach Haven Island, NJ.

 

Casinos at Atlantic City

Old Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City, NJ

The waters were still full of vacationing boaters, either fishing or racing past us. When we got to the marina we walked with Peg and Jim across the island to the beach. It was a lovely warm and sunny afternoon and on the way back we stopped for dinner at Buckalew's Restaurant and Tavern.

We loved the Jersey Shore - it looks deserted but there were lots
of beach goers there - especially in the lifeguard protected areas

Captain’s Log July 6, 2015

Departed: Utsch’s Marina, Cape May, NJ  at 0515 a.m.
Engine hours: 8.1 hrs /total on trip 768.1
Actual Hours: 7 hours 50 minutes

Miles covered: 62.5 total for trip 5515 
Arrived: Beach Haven Yacht Club, Beach Haven, NJ at 1:05 pm
Weather: Mostly cloudy, temp low 70s then rising, wind east 5-10 then 10-15
Went outside from Cape May to Atlantic City then went inside and up the ICW to Beach Haven Yacht Club at Beach Haven, NJ.  Seas were south east quartering on our Stbd stern.  2-3 ft 9 secs apart.  A rolly ride but doable. Traveled with Sanctuary.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015

We left later this morning to give the tide some time to rise. After conferring about the weather we decided to put in a long day and run all the way up to Sandy Hook, NJ. We still had about 4 hours left to complete the NJ ICW and then we went out the Manasquan Inlet. That was an experience! With the tide coming in through the narrow causeway the waves were high and close. We hung on for dear life as we made our way through.

 

It was a breezy day - good for parasailing along the ICW

 

The water had calmed down, but Serenity rocked and rolled
on the Atlantic         photo by Jim H.

 Captain’s Log July 7, 2015

Departed: Departed Beach Haven, NJ at 1015 am
Engine hours: 10.1 – 778.2 hrs total for trip
Actual hours: 9 hrs 55 min.
Miles covered 77.21 Total for trip: 5592
Arrived: Sandy Hook Anchorage, NJ, NY outer bay 8:20 pm.
Wx: Clear to scattered, temp warm 75 degrees and muggy. South winds 10-15 gust to 20. Departed at 10:15 am due to tide levels. Went inside on ICW to Manasquan Inlet then outside to NY Harbor. Winds were ok on the ICW but as we went out the inlet due to the narrow inlet and incoming tide had several very steep 8-9’ waves direct on the bow. This lasted for about 1 minute, then they settled down a bit to 4-5’ before we were able to turn north. From there the seas were following seas 2-3’ occasions 4-5’ but short spacing of 4-6 seconds.  Ride was doable but a little uncomfortable.  Finally got in behind Sandy Hook and drop the anchor.  Crew was tired, had a good drink and went to bed in prep for an early departure to cross NY City Harbor in the morning. Traveled with Sanctuary.

Wednesday, July 8

It was almost dark by the time we had anchored and we were up at first light to be on our way. After about an hour we were entering New York Harbor and it was busy. It was a very smoggy and overcast day so the visibility wasn't very good but we managed to get a few photos. Peg and Jim on Sanctuary had been through this area many times before so we opted to follow them.

Sanctuary in front as we approached the Verrazano Narrows Bridge

Lady Liberty - a very welcoming sight for anyone entering the harbor

 

The carrier Intrepid is now a museum - the commercial plane
to the left is the one Sully Sullenberger landed in the Hudson

The Palisades along the western shore of the Hudson went on for miles

Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow just north of the
 Tappan Zee Bridge

Captain’s Log Wedesday July 8, 2015

Departed: Sandy Hook Anchorage, NJ at 5:25 a.m.
Engine hours: 8.6 hrs. – 786.8 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hours 25 minutes
Miles covered 54.79 - Total for trip: 5580
Arrived: Half Moon Bay Marina, Crotan on the Hudson, NY at 1:50 p.m.
Wx: Hazy warm, later scattered showers, winds SW 10 – 15. Had 1-2’ following seas as we came across NY outer and inner harbor.  Once on the Hudson the following seas stayed with us but duration between the waves increased so ride was somewhat pitching but much better than last couple of days.  Had a lot of wakes from the ferry boat traffic as we came across the inner harbor.  Traveled with Sanctuary.
Friday, July 9

Friday was another long day, mostly  because the tidal current was not in our favor and we plodded along. It was also rainy at the start so, unfortunately, we had very low visibility on one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the whole trip.



US Military Academy at West Point

West Point gymnasium - the roof reads "Beat Air Force" and the other
side reads "Sink Navy"

Esopus Meadows Light House - 1871

Old lighthouse at Rondout Creek

John has two brothers and a sister who live in this area and we were invited to dinner at his brother Peter's home. We had a great visit and got to see our grown nieces and nephew and meet two brand new baby girls - our grand nieces, Lillian and Sarah! 



First things first. We had to go to Dermot Mulroney's Irish Pub to
toast our successful journey with Jim and Peg.

John and his brother Peter having a serious discussion after dinner

Niece Jessica with her nephew, Luke, and John's sister, Claudia

Luke with his mother, Hilary, and her new baby girl, Lillian, held by her
sister-in-law, Rachel, who also just had a baby girl in May

Captain’s Log July 9, 2015

Departed: Half Moon Bay at 7:55 a.m.
Engine hours: 7.9 hrs. / 776.7 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hr. 35 min
Miles covered 55.88 / Total for trip: 5706
Arrived: Kingston, NY City Docks at Rondout Creek, at 3:30 pm.
Wx: Visibility 1-2 miles on departure and scattered rain showers. Ran against the current the entire distance which made a long day.  No issues with boat. Traveled with Sanctuary.