Some time ago I asked the forum for advice on bringing my Hunter 37C from North East to Hampton. Well, I made the trip in four days, 3/29 to 4/1. Averaged 50 miles a day, sailed the first 2 days with north winds 12-15. Took it on the chin motoring the next 2 days with 15-20 from the south. Hit some pretty large waves on day 3, crew was a bit green, boat did fine. Stayed on the Magothy river, Solomans Yachting Center, and Indian creek. Now at Southall Landings Marina. Despite the cold and the waves I was grinning all the way down to Bay! Thanks again to all who provided advice. Marc
Trip from North East, MD to Hampton, VA
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glad to hear that you are making it home. The bay can be a pain if you are going against the wind and the waves. 15-20 from the South when you are going that way is painful! You would probably do better to shorten up your sail area and sail into it. When I hit the rough conditions on the nose I found that if I reef the main and run the engine it helps a lot in making forward progress. Last season I went ahead and set up my 110 so that I could use it on my roller furling. I have a 150 and a 110. The 110 is for conditions like you are speaking of. I would have never imagined that I would want a 110 for a boat but I have hit nasty conditions way too many times on the bay to not have one. A reefed main and a 110 with a few rolls around the forestay will get you through some nasty stuff. (I have a tall rig Catalina 30 and my present 150 doesn't keep a good shape when rolled up). It is also nice to have a spare jib in case the worst happens. I have seen 35-40 knot winds from the North West when I was trying to head up the Potomac River (conditons right on the nose). At the mouth of the Potomac it can be hell and it was on that day.
glad to hear that you are making it home. The bay can be a pain if you are going against the wind and the waves. 15-20 from the South when you are going that way is painful! You would probably do better to shorten up your sail area and sail into it. When I hit the rough conditions on the nose I found that if I reef the main and run the engine it helps a lot in making forward progress. Last season I went ahead and set up my 110 so that I could use it on my roller furling. I have a 150 and a 110. The 110 is for conditions like you are speaking of. I would have never imagined that I would want a 110 for a boat but I have hit nasty conditions way too many times on the bay to not have one. A reefed main and a 110 with a few rolls around the forestay will get you through some nasty stuff. (I have a tall rig Catalina 30 and my present 150 doesn't keep a good shape when rolled up). It is also nice to have a spare jib in case the worst happens. I have seen 35-40 knot winds from the North West when I was trying to head up the Potomac River (conditons right on the nose). At the mouth of the Potomac it can be hell and it was on that day.
Mouth of the Potomac
Bad Obsession, We got really, really hammered going past the mouth of the Potomac, bringing the 37 to it's new home. Last week of October, heading south. We were running, with about 35 knots on the starboard quarter. Had a 170 full out, and really flying. Seas were in the area of 5 or 6 feet, but very steep. Surfing down wave faces. It was one of those deals where I knew I needed to shorten sail, but was having too much fun to do so. Then a BIG gust got us, burying the bow in a wave. Worst part was that during this, some how the anchor rode managed to get out of the locker, and ended up snagged in the the furling drum. Of course this was only noticed after trying to roll up the jib, and after a few cranks on the winch handle it wouldn't go any farther. It was a very interesting 30 minutes, hanging on to a pitching foredeck, a big 170 flapping, getting it all squared away.
Bad Obsession, We got really, really hammered going past the mouth of the Potomac, bringing the 37 to it's new home. Last week of October, heading south. We were running, with about 35 knots on the starboard quarter. Had a 170 full out, and really flying. Seas were in the area of 5 or 6 feet, but very steep. Surfing down wave faces. It was one of those deals where I knew I needed to shorten sail, but was having too much fun to do so. Then a BIG gust got us, burying the bow in a wave. Worst part was that during this, some how the anchor rode managed to get out of the locker, and ended up snagged in the the furling drum. Of course this was only noticed after trying to roll up the jib, and after a few cranks on the winch handle it wouldn't go any farther. It was a very interesting 30 minutes, hanging on to a pitching foredeck, a big 170 flapping, getting it all squared away.
That area is nortiously bad
I had met some world cruisers that had an experience at the Mouth of the Potomac and they swore that area is one of the worst that they had encountered. These people live aboard their boat, cruise all over the world (they have been to South Africa, Australia, and other places). I think that the steep waves that counter the current are part of the problem. Two strong currents run through that area and there is a lot of room in every direction for the waves to fetch. That area is not a place to take lightly.
I had met some world cruisers that had an experience at the Mouth of the Potomac and they swore that area is one of the worst that they had encountered. These people live aboard their boat, cruise all over the world (they have been to South Africa, Australia, and other places). I think that the steep waves that counter the current are part of the problem. Two strong currents run through that area and there is a lot of room in every direction for the waves to fetch. That area is not a place to take lightly.
Glad you made it and had fun.......
next time when going straight into it..... motor sail with just the main up, *flattened* into something like a sheet of plywood. Motorsailing will stabilize the boat, be able to point VERY high and you will be able to more easily go UP the oncoming waves at an angle. The mainsail will help stabilize the boat and prevent all that pitching, etc. and since the interveral 'over' the waves is longer the bow wont bury so deep into the face of the 'next' wave. Glad you had a good time.
next time when going straight into it..... motor sail with just the main up, *flattened* into something like a sheet of plywood. Motorsailing will stabilize the boat, be able to point VERY high and you will be able to more easily go UP the oncoming waves at an angle. The mainsail will help stabilize the boat and prevent all that pitching, etc. and since the interveral 'over' the waves is longer the bow wont bury so deep into the face of the 'next' wave. Glad you had a good time.
I can't argue with that
My two roughest adventures came during that trip. I think that the biggest deal with the mouth of the Potomac, at least for me at that time, is that the winds were kind of bouncing off the southerly bank of the river, and turning out into the bay. That is roughly the direction the gust came from. The other I posted about recently, was coming into Atlantic City from the north, with a pretty good offshore wind. I didn't get out far enough, and got caught just inside that bar, about 1/2 mile or so offshore, and was taking 8' breakers on the beam for a little while. Lots of fun that. Threw everything in the boat to someplace new. Of course, I have no one to blame for either experience but myself. Should have reduced sail in the bay, long before I got hit, and should have paid more attention to the bar outside of Atlantic City.
My two roughest adventures came during that trip. I think that the biggest deal with the mouth of the Potomac, at least for me at that time, is that the winds were kind of bouncing off the southerly bank of the river, and turning out into the bay. That is roughly the direction the gust came from. The other I posted about recently, was coming into Atlantic City from the north, with a pretty good offshore wind. I didn't get out far enough, and got caught just inside that bar, about 1/2 mile or so offshore, and was taking 8' breakers on the beam for a little while. Lots of fun that. Threw everything in the boat to someplace new. Of course, I have no one to blame for either experience but myself. Should have reduced sail in the bay, long before I got hit, and should have paid more attention to the bar outside of Atlantic City.
Hey Nice N Easy ?
That little bit of business at Atlantic City. Was that this past October of 2007? Just at sunset on a very windy Saturday? We were there on my Hunter 33 (C) and watched a decent sized boat go through there taking a real good pasting. He was met inside by a tow boat though it appeared he didn't need it. He dropped anchor around the corner from the state marina, seemingly none the worse for wear. We couldn't figure out why he chose to go over the breakers instead of steering a quarter of a mile or so outside of them.
That little bit of business at Atlantic City. Was that this past October of 2007? Just at sunset on a very windy Saturday? We were there on my Hunter 33 (C) and watched a decent sized boat go through there taking a real good pasting. He was met inside by a tow boat though it appeared he didn't need it. He dropped anchor around the corner from the state marina, seemingly none the worse for wear. We couldn't figure out why he chose to go over the breakers instead of steering a quarter of a mile or so outside of them.
Wasn't me
that wasn't me, although I did get really hammered there. Just went on in to Mr. Trumps place. Figured it would be a rip off, figured right, but had to see for myself.
that wasn't me, although I did get really hammered there. Just went on in to Mr. Trumps place. Figured it would be a rip off, figured right, but had to see for myself.
Sam --- local info for Absecon Inlet
Do you know of any place to anchor inside Absecon inlet .... other than in the fast current by the bridge? Ive been told by some that the creek directly across the inlet from "Mr. Trumps personal harbor" is a possibility ... but every time Im there in front of that creek the current is running quite full .... and Im a bit deep of a keel to be 'brave'. Yup that bar that runs from the north east side of the inlet should be avoided in heavy weather.... always best to run straight in from the G1 sea buoy to G3 when the sea state is 'up' ... that will keep you away from the breakers.
Do you know of any place to anchor inside Absecon inlet .... other than in the fast current by the bridge? Ive been told by some that the creek directly across the inlet from "Mr. Trumps personal harbor" is a possibility ... but every time Im there in front of that creek the current is running quite full .... and Im a bit deep of a keel to be 'brave'. Yup that bar that runs from the north east side of the inlet should be avoided in heavy weather.... always best to run straight in from the G1 sea buoy to G3 when the sea state is 'up' ... that will keep you away from the breakers.
Little creek
Rich, that little creek is just the inlet to a cove. I can't remember what the depths are but do know that when you go in you have to stay to the left side of the cut. It's narrow to begin and the right side is rather shallow. People in bow riders and wave runners beach their boats there and party. Also if you go in during the summer be prepared to be devoured by greenhead flys. Maybe someone familiar with the area can give you accurate depths for both the inlet and the cove. Mike
Rich, that little creek is just the inlet to a cove. I can't remember what the depths are but do know that when you go in you have to stay to the left side of the cut. It's narrow to begin and the right side is rather shallow. People in bow riders and wave runners beach their boats there and party. Also if you go in during the summer be prepared to be devoured by greenhead flys. Maybe someone familiar with the area can give you accurate depths for both the inlet and the cove. Mike
Sailtip, good to hear
Glad you had a safe trip. Potomac is a lot of fun. Where is Indian Creek? was trying see it on the map..
Glad you had a safe trip. Potomac is a lot of fun. Where is Indian Creek? was trying see it on the map..
Indian Creek
Hi Jim, Indian Creek is just north of Windmill Point. My son walked to Kilmarnock from there to get our dinner at a Mexican restaurant, about 1.5 miles from the marina. We were hoping to make it to Deltaville but were so tired from the wind and waves we ducked in a bit early. Marc
Hi Jim, Indian Creek is just north of Windmill Point. My son walked to Kilmarnock from there to get our dinner at a Mexican restaurant, about 1.5 miles from the marina. We were hoping to make it to Deltaville but were so tired from the wind and waves we ducked in a bit early. Marc
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