Ocean City NJ to Chestertown MD for the first time

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by 4n6PI

So, tail between my legs but, I wanted to reply to share my trip. The intercoastal cruise to Cape May was beautiful. Had lunch at the Lobster House, which was fantastic!! Once I got to the Delaware is where it went south really fast. As I came out of the Cape May Canal Jetty the waves and wind were not what we were expecting using the apps that we had checked earlier. The first wave hit hard then the second and the third (or fourth) threw the boat into the air, this is no exaggeration, it felt like we came out completely...no way to know for sure and actually don't care. I was out of my league and knew it right away. I decided to try and time the next wave, turn around and get back into the canal. Thankfully, I was able to execute the turn and power up enough to complete it. I am not sure what I could have done differently, I realize I need much more experience and am very glad I did not make a tragic mistake. Very humbling slightly embarrassing but glad it all worked out.
Waiting for the quote from the hauler. :-)

Delaware Bay is not an insignificant body of water, and if you caught the incoming tide (with the ocean swell behind it) with the wind was out of the NW, it was bound to be choppy and unpleasant. If you were airborne then you were going too fast I suspect, but would have been a long slow lumpy trip all the same at lower speed.

The lesson here is that pretty much any generic weather forecast (and sea state forecast) does not take into account local variations caused by tide, current, land effects, etc. If 15 knots are at your back and with the current, you're going to have a smooth uneventful, even quick trip. If they are opposed you better get out your mouthguard and don your foulies.

[4n6PI]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

I'm not sure what apps you're referring to

Windfinder on google play is the one I was using, my wife has another one on the apple store.. but, I will be using your suggestion going forward.

thank you.

[Peregrine1983]

Yeah my initial thought when I saw today's post was "wind against tide". That's not going to show up on a NOAA forecast.

[4n6PI]

not sure whether I was going too fast or slow, I can only assume that also is an issue. Bottom line, if it is not perfect sailing I don't belong out there by myself... yet. I simply don't know what I don't know. I had a great day with the family short of the few minutes mentioned.. Next year I will get some time with my buddies (who have been boating for years) which is what started the whole idea of getting the boat down to their marina :-)