New England cruise aboard s/v Grace

We depart for Old Saybrook and Essex, Ct tomorrow. We've had a great stay here and some fond memories of the town. We're reprovisioned and ready for the ebbing tide tomorrow. Should be a 4 hour sail. We've planned our next 2 weeks, making Mystic, Cuttyhunk, MA, Block Island and Martha's Vineyard.

After a 7 and a half hour sail from Atlantic City we arrived here in a blowing gail. The winds all day were mostly benigh and the seas quite calm, until we rounded Sandy Hook. It took a few tries, but we eventually picked up the painter from the mooring ball and we were secure at last. After a wonderful dinner of baked salmon filets over asparagus we took the water taxi to the YC for drinks. We had met a couple earlier ar Cape May who had sailed over from Holland and they joined us as well. They had sailed from Holland down to the Canary Isalnds then across to St Lucia. Now they were exploring the US East Coast. They will continue their journey with us through NE before heading home. What a delightful couple and their two small dogs!

Our floatila of 5 boats departed Cape May, NJ at 0400 this morning. We left two boats behind as they had some side plans and would join us again somewhere in Long Island Sound.
The weather forecast we relied on should have allowed us to make Sandy Hook, NJ by night fall. We planned on a long 15 hour trip.
As we made our way out of Cape May in the earlier dark we heard that a 40+ foot sports fisherman had wreaked on the entrance jetties last night. The US Coast Guard was sending our VHF notices to stay clear. In the darkness we saw nothing. We were glued to our Radar screen and MFD. Once a few miles offshore we realized the wx forecast was wrong. Wind was steady at over 18'kts and sea swells on our nose. Both conditions slowed our progress up the coast. By 6 am, it was clear that we needed to divert into Atlantiic City. I called when they marina office opened at 8 am and were glad they could accommodate us. We arrived 7 1/2 hours after leaving Cape May. After securing our boats, it was time for a fast meal and nap! The wx isn't supposed to improve until Saturday, so here we sit. All in good spirits regardless.

We arrived in Cape May,NJ this morning around 7:30am. It was a 23 hour trip high lighted by pouring rain, irregular wave action and fog. I believe in "Ocean Prediction" weather forecasts as it was spot on. Off the Delmarva peninsula, seas were 8-10 feet (some bigger) and irregular off the quarter stern. A very uncomfortable ride. Then, it was the constant rain squalls which lasted throughout the day. By sundown, the wind died and the fog set in for the night. Adding to the excitement, one of the 7 boats was having electrical problems - so 3 of the trailing boats stayed nearby to assist if the problem worsened. We pressed on in the fog that only reflected the running lights on our bow. Fortunately, our radar and AIS gave a complete picture through the darkness. We did 3 hour shifts on watch which allowed some quiet time, but with the boat being tossed about at times I thought it would throw me off the bunk. About 4o'clock this morning we transited the Delaware Bay ship lanes without problem -again with AIS providing us a "by name & description" of each approaching ship. We easily moved around them in the dense fog. On our approach into the jetties at Cape May, we couldn't see forward at all. "Trust your radar", we did ---with all eyeballs forward! We proceeded slowly and found the South Jersey Marina as the fog lifted. We were met by efficient dock hands, and a welcome. After breakfast and a hot shower, life is back to normal. We'll stay 2 nights here, refuel then head north to either Sandy Hook, NJ or Atlantic City if the weather turns again. So proud of the performance of our Catalina 445. Never any doubts she'd get us safely through the seas.

Glad to see these two kiddos come for a proper send off tomorrow. Fun day at the beach for them. Thanks Molly & Eric. Safe travels tomorrow back to Richmond.

Nice weekend with 38 boats from Old Point Comfort YC. Awaiting tomorrow's departure for Cape May NJ -- a long 24 hrs cruise up the seacoast. Plan to visit NY harbor, Long Is Sound and Block Island plus lots of places in between with 7 other boat friends.