DelMarVa Roundabout

thinwater · Jul 10, 2014

kloudie1 said:
I often wanted to do this circumnav of the Delmarva... My buddy who lived in Annapolis and I were planning to, then he kinda suddenly died.. It looks like a fun one .. Anyone done this??
http://www.sailmagazine.com/rallies/adventures-2014-delmarva-rally

Just do it. I think it is more fun without the rally, as you can stop where you want and chose the weather you like. Your boat is a good size (5'6" draft?) that will allow you to stop more places.

Search folks' blogs, including mine (see below).

Yeah, a fun trip, particularly if you allow about 12-14 days so that you can explore and relax. If you do it as a speed-sail, you don't need any guidance.

Gunni · Jul 10, 2014

Yeah, did it a couple of years ago. Agree, skip the rally and do it on your own, you will be alone in any case. This is a good trip to bone up on your weather and tide planning. Do it right and you'll have a nice trip up the coast, do it wrong and you will be tacking 200 miles with no real chance to stop. Forget getting off the ocean anywhere outside, and make sure you time the Delaware Bay tides - they can be brutal, and the shoal water choppy.

Ron20324 · Jul 10, 2014

Did it June 4 years ago in my B323 with 4 people, 16 days. A great trip. There ARE places to get off the ocean- Like Ocean City and Chinquateague(sp?) . Every county has a Back Creek, Mill Creek, Middle River, etc, so don't get confused. Yes, timing the C&D is important. You want the low tide on the Ches Bay side, the high tide on the Del River side. I'll look for my notes for you.

Jimm · Jul 11, 2014

Twice, once in each direction. More fun with some company. Easy trip if you are careful with weather and watch the currents in the Delaware Bay....and C&D as Ron noted.

rgranger · Jul 11, 2014

kloudie1 said:
Thanks, guys.. Looks like a fine offshore sail and a fine sail on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake. Lots of stuff to explore! Being from a place where the tides are 6-8 inches, I forget about timing tides for inlets, etc. on a normal basis.

When are you thinking of going? I've wanted to do this trip for years now.

At the least, I'd like to coordinate with you on the planning part.

Dan Johnson · Jul 11, 2014

Kloudie...

Check the website for Spinsheet, local Annapolis sailing rag. There's probably some boats that may want crew for the trip. Group from my club did it in ten days a few years ago. Long trip at night down the coast and another long trip up the lower Bay (Clockwise sail).

Weather window has to be right as the Atlantic beachs aren't very forgiving!

Stops in Norfolk, Solomons, Annapolis recommended.

Have fun!