DELMARVA CIRCUMNAVIGATION
Saturday, June 27-Friday, July 3, 2020

This will be a counterclockwise trip around the DELMARVA peninsula, which puts the longest leg, Cape Charles to Cape May, at the beginning of the trip, rather than at the end.  Departing from DVL on Saturday, the 27th, we’ll sail to Cape Charles before sailing on under the double bridges South of Fisherman’s Island (75’ clearance), we’ll then progress Northward up the Virginia / Maryland Coast.  We should arrive in Cape May, NJ, by mid-morning Monday.  We plan to stay at South Jersey Marina. All crews will observe a watch schedule for the ocean overnight.  

The departure time from Cape May, on Tuesday the 30th, will be informed by tide and current estimates up the Delaware Bay, so as to arrive at the East entrance of the C&D Canal with a favorable current.  We’ll spend Tuesday evening in Chesapeake City, about three-quarters of the way through the C&D.  There are several dinner options that evening, at the marina or in the small town.

Wednesday morning, July 1st, we’ll complete the passage through the C&D, and progress down the Northern Chesapeake to Annapolis.  Our objective there will be to try for mooring balls In Annapolis Harbor.  If none are available cruisers can either anchor in the outer harbor, Back Creek, or take a slip in one of several marinas in Back Creek.  Dinner options are plentiful in Annapolis.  The local water taxi will pick you up, and drop you off directly from your boat.  

Thursday, July 2nd, we’ll depart Annapolis and rendezvous in Solomons, MD.  Our suggested marina there is Zahniser’s, where they have both slips and moorings available.  Dinner that evening is tentatively planned for The Dry Dock on the marina property.

Friday, July 3rd, we close the circle with a 55 nm cruise down the bay to Deltaville.

Three important requirements for this trip:  (1.) The skipper of each boat should know its hourly fuel burn rate, should it be necessary to motor 100% of the 170 nm first leg.  (2.) Each boat will be required to have jack lines, and crew members must be clipped onto the jack line while on the outside. (3.) Each skipper should secure an insurance rider on their boat for coverage outside of the Chesapeake Bay.  We will stay in touch with VHS / AIS.

Cruise leaders:  Stuart Gregory/C’mon Wind (sgregory@investdavenport.com) and Christopher Lindbloom/Boléro (cwlindbloom@gmail.com)