I have been looking at and just requested information on the Delmarva Cruising rally coming up in June 2005. It starts in Annapolis and and goes counter clockwise, south down the bay then out to the ocean into the Delaware bay then down the C&D ditch then back down the bay to Annapolis....they expect a 10 day trip. Has anyone participated in this rally??? and have any experiences to share?...we are interested and are seriously thinking of it as our first step to an offshore experience. Thanks Rob Levio'sa
- Status
DelMarVa Info
Hi Rob, The link below has some good information about the DelMarVa rally. I think this is the rally that happens on the odd years. Do you have enough crew? If you think you'll be seeking crew, I'd appreciate being considered. Good luck! Jack "Friendship" C350, #80
Hi Rob, The link below has some good information about the DelMarVa rally. I think this is the rally that happens on the odd years. Do you have enough crew? If you think you'll be seeking crew, I'd appreciate being considered. Good luck! Jack "Friendship" C350, #80
Not firsthand...
but 3 boats from my marina have done it and they all reported very good experiences. Seems like I can never get it together to do the trip.
but 3 boats from my marina have done it and they all reported very good experiences. Seems like I can never get it together to do the trip.
Delmarva Cruise
I was interested in this cruise a few years ago and looked into it. I was astounded at the costs charged by the sponsors. Not only do they charge for the boat/captain, they also nick you for your crew! I sailed around the Delmarva years ago and it's a great trip. With careful planning, you too can do it on your own. Or round up one or two other boats and have your own cruise -- the price will be better and you'll have just as much fun. If and when I do this trip again, I would keep in contact via cell phone with all the weather stations along the way and have someone at home who can give you comprehensive updates. It's a fun trip, but one that I would make in a clockwise direction.
I was interested in this cruise a few years ago and looked into it. I was astounded at the costs charged by the sponsors. Not only do they charge for the boat/captain, they also nick you for your crew! I sailed around the Delmarva years ago and it's a great trip. With careful planning, you too can do it on your own. Or round up one or two other boats and have your own cruise -- the price will be better and you'll have just as much fun. If and when I do this trip again, I would keep in contact via cell phone with all the weather stations along the way and have someone at home who can give you comprehensive updates. It's a fun trip, but one that I would make in a clockwise direction.
We did it this last summer, Rob
We made the trip clockwise last week of June first week of July - alone. Had a ball and my wife wants to do it again. Delware Bay can be a pain if going against the tide and make for a long day. Need to plan arrival times for low tide if trying to go through the Cape May canal, bridge height is 55 ft or you will have to go outside and in the inlet. We had to take the outside but wasn't a problem. Leaving Cape May for Little Creek in Norfolk took 27 hrs of mostly motoring. Wind was something you passed in the head. Great trip and plan for two weeks so you can explore and take side trips. We spent two days running around Cape May. Picture is Cape May light Jim S/V Java
We made the trip clockwise last week of June first week of July - alone. Had a ball and my wife wants to do it again. Delware Bay can be a pain if going against the tide and make for a long day. Need to plan arrival times for low tide if trying to go through the Cape May canal, bridge height is 55 ft or you will have to go outside and in the inlet. We had to take the outside but wasn't a problem. Leaving Cape May for Little Creek in Norfolk took 27 hrs of mostly motoring. Wind was something you passed in the head. Great trip and plan for two weeks so you can explore and take side trips. We spent two days running around Cape May. Picture is Cape May light Jim S/V Java
Down and Around
Check out OPO sailing. When you take this trip you do a clockwise Delmarva circumnavigation but you start in Newport! Fun trip dispite runnng through H*** in the form of a NorEaster as we turned back north coming around Cape May. Of course we had a warning signs as we sailed (yes, sailed) through the C&D Canal. Seems our iron jib sail wanted to overheat. Check out the red sky that morning (see Hunter Photo Forum)
Check out OPO sailing. When you take this trip you do a clockwise Delmarva circumnavigation but you start in Newport! Fun trip dispite runnng through H*** in the form of a NorEaster as we turned back north coming around Cape May. Of course we had a warning signs as we sailed (yes, sailed) through the C&D Canal. Seems our iron jib sail wanted to overheat. Check out the red sky that morning (see Hunter Photo Forum)
Just recived my email from Jim Favors
Looks like the $ came down I seam to remember it was something like $450 for the boat and then $ for crew. They said they reduced the price to add more boats. Now the price is $285 and $45 for crew. We have 3 crew so far myself my wife and my dock nieghbor. But Jack Ill let you know if we need more....It would be good to have at least 1 more to split up our watch schedule. Thanks for the links guys You have to abid by theORC Category 2 regs They do have life rafts for rent along with EPRIBS but I think we have everything else. They plan on a 1 week trip with 2 weekends. 1 for prep rally and inspections and the other for awards party....Im thinking it will take at least a week sail??.....I guess on the return if we are running short on time we could always bail at the top of the bay at our home port the Sassafrass river....but I really would like to be at the final Party!
Looks like the $ came down I seam to remember it was something like $450 for the boat and then $ for crew. They said they reduced the price to add more boats. Now the price is $285 and $45 for crew. We have 3 crew so far myself my wife and my dock nieghbor. But Jack Ill let you know if we need more....It would be good to have at least 1 more to split up our watch schedule. Thanks for the links guys You have to abid by theORC Category 2 regs They do have life rafts for rent along with EPRIBS but I think we have everything else. They plan on a 1 week trip with 2 weekends. 1 for prep rally and inspections and the other for awards party....Im thinking it will take at least a week sail??.....I guess on the return if we are running short on time we could always bail at the top of the bay at our home port the Sassafrass river....but I really would like to be at the final Party!
What Are We Waiting For? Do Our Own!
Like Warren said it's awfully expensive. I got my package via email last week. - $285 for the captain (10% discount if paid before 1-1-05) - $45 per crew (minimum 2) - $250 four man life raft rental (mandatory). - $100 Epirb (mandatory, rental from Boat US) With just two crew that's $725 before I leave the slip. Hey, I'm not saying it's not worth it for the weather reports, safety, comraderie, socials, etc. But I do believe it can be done for alot less with safety and fun. So about a month ago I decided to do this sail or a Shelter Island sail in the later part of June/early July 2005. I'm preparing my boat now (H34). I want my kids to come and need to wait for school to be out. I haven't made up my mind yet on which direction I'll go but I am going. There's always safety in numbers too. If anyone else has been thinking of doing either of these two trips and would like company email me and we can discuss it. Who knows. Maybe we'll have enough boats to have our own rally. I'm sure with all the knowledge that's on this site we could have one helluva trip. Thanks, Joe Mullee Baysailor34@yahoo.com
Like Warren said it's awfully expensive. I got my package via email last week. - $285 for the captain (10% discount if paid before 1-1-05) - $45 per crew (minimum 2) - $250 four man life raft rental (mandatory). - $100 Epirb (mandatory, rental from Boat US) With just two crew that's $725 before I leave the slip. Hey, I'm not saying it's not worth it for the weather reports, safety, comraderie, socials, etc. But I do believe it can be done for alot less with safety and fun. So about a month ago I decided to do this sail or a Shelter Island sail in the later part of June/early July 2005. I'm preparing my boat now (H34). I want my kids to come and need to wait for school to be out. I haven't made up my mind yet on which direction I'll go but I am going. There's always safety in numbers too. If anyone else has been thinking of doing either of these two trips and would like company email me and we can discuss it. Who knows. Maybe we'll have enough boats to have our own rally. I'm sure with all the knowledge that's on this site we could have one helluva trip. Thanks, Joe Mullee Baysailor34@yahoo.com
Del Bay/ Cape May
Delaware bay is long, bleak and can be very uncomforable with wrong wind/tide combo You will really appreciate "our" bay when you finish this trip I would hesiatate to rely on the cape may canal bridge clearance especially with the huge power boat wakes from the primarily power boats in Cape May marinas We went around and enjoyed dolphins off cape may on way back the shoaling off cape may point is extensive you can go "way" out (2-3 mi) or you can go "close " in where there is a deep passage which local charter boats use. i did one way out and other way in never got below 7feet but when you hit bay entrance, a little choppy WATCH OUT for Cape May Lewes DEl. ferry it really moves and will be on you in no time, if you can see it it is too close to go in front just give it r/way It is a fast boat. Traffic in Del Bay has some BIG stuff in main channel. Rhumb line fronm Cap. john light to cape may point is all good water, not in shipping channel except for crab traps Another post mentioned sailing in CD CANAL this is verboten and the local pilots which accompany commercial traffic will drop a dime on you. Not worth the fines etc. if your engine is not operating do not enter the canal. if it stops, get out of the way and call TOWBoat service.
Delaware bay is long, bleak and can be very uncomforable with wrong wind/tide combo You will really appreciate "our" bay when you finish this trip I would hesiatate to rely on the cape may canal bridge clearance especially with the huge power boat wakes from the primarily power boats in Cape May marinas We went around and enjoyed dolphins off cape may on way back the shoaling off cape may point is extensive you can go "way" out (2-3 mi) or you can go "close " in where there is a deep passage which local charter boats use. i did one way out and other way in never got below 7feet but when you hit bay entrance, a little choppy WATCH OUT for Cape May Lewes DEl. ferry it really moves and will be on you in no time, if you can see it it is too close to go in front just give it r/way It is a fast boat. Traffic in Del Bay has some BIG stuff in main channel. Rhumb line fronm Cap. john light to cape may point is all good water, not in shipping channel except for crab traps Another post mentioned sailing in CD CANAL this is verboten and the local pilots which accompany commercial traffic will drop a dime on you. Not worth the fines etc. if your engine is not operating do not enter the canal. if it stops, get out of the way and call TOWBoat service.
Add me to the group..
if we do out own or if anyone wants a buddy boat this summer. dcdon@hotmail.com
if we do out own or if anyone wants a buddy boat this summer. dcdon@hotmail.com
- Status