On to Hampton,Va

Well rested we headed out at 0745 in the RAIN again...but it soon cleared and we had a great sail for a few hours with no engine reaching speeds of 9.8 MPH. Past Fort Monroe and into Hampton River arriving at the Hampton YC at 3:34 pm with enough time to take a walk into town as we had boat fever. Had a nice dinner at the club and early to sleep again.

PS I found the spell check version of this blog.

Herring Bay to Great Wicomico River

It was a wet, dark trip down the bay for 10 hours till we reached the Reedville,Va area.

After the rough night we needed a secure dock and found on at the Ingram Bay Marina operated by the friendly Capt Bill Pipkin www.ingrambaymarina.com. We fueled up and ate a good meal on board and were asleep in no time.

C&D Canel to Herring Bay on the west shore of the Chesapeake

Monday October 26 Set off at 7:30AM

A nice day at last...motor sailed  with all sails out into the Bay and set off past Annapolis..Bay Bridge and Navy sailers in photos. Arrived Herring Bay at 4:30 and set anchor expecting clam winds from the East for the night.Well after dinner on board the winds picked up from the NE at mid teens and we rocked and rolled all night long. We got very little sleep but the anchor held. We also had a downpour of rain most of the night too. It was so dank in the morning..even with radar we did not leave until 8AM. We both agreed it was our worst night of trying to sleep ever in our lives...lots of strang boat noises and groans...and the anchor chain was banning in the locker too.We were glad that night was over but we were exhausted.

Victrory At Sea

Some of you may recall that black and white TV show from the 50's or 60's that opened with ships bouncing like corks in the sea???  Albert and I lived thur it from Cape May to the C&D canal on Sunday October 25.We left early to catch the incoming tide up Delaware Bay/River but found seas of 4 to 6 coming at us on the bow driven by winds of 25 to over 30 knots.The GPS said our forward movement was less than 2 MPH..but I thought we never moved for hours as the Cape May Lighthouse never got smaller.Thought about turning back but was still counting on a tidal push.By noon the wind died down some and we began making progress. Actuall made our goal of Chesapeake City,Md in the C&D.Ate on board,walked around town and went to the waterside bar for a nightcap after a long 11 hour day on the water. 

The photos show bow movment in the late morning...earlier we were to busy to take pictures. Also see a chanel marker and ships passing..this is mid afternoon

Toms River to Cape May

Al Nitche and I left Toms River about 2PM on the 22nd and only went as far as Myers Hole at Barnegat Light.We spent the night there and got an early start at 7AM so we could make Cape May via the Atlantic by nighytfall.

We got an early start passing LBI and Atlantic City as Albert worked hard to run the boat. draft

We even had a C-17 fly over!  But then

After a great morning  sailing in 20 knot winds from the port stern we were going as fast as 10 MPH...fast for us... we lost full steering and the engine would not run. Put the sails down and discovered a line had gone overboard and must have tangled in the prop and rudder. We were off shore about 3 miles and about 30 miles from Cape May. We cut the line and started the engine and put it in reverse which must have freed the line as we made headway and thought we were lucky. We got into Cape May Harbor about 4:30PM and tried to anchor when we discovered control problems and a bad vibration.Headed for a marina that could take the boat out of the water to check the prop.That was done this morning and the rope which was wraped around the prop t had melted due to friction and almost had to be chiseled off. Back in the water for a test run and seems OK at crusing RPM's but some unusual vibrations at 900 to 1500 RPMs. All engine mounts and prop blade look good..so we are off again on Sunday up Delaware Bay to the C&D canel.So today was a down day and now it is raining. Should be nice tomorrow.

Good Day Everyone:

WindStar is leaving Toms River tomorrow October 22 heading for Florida. If you are interested in our progress and photos log in to this site periodically. http://windstartoflorida.blogspot.com/