Home Are The Sailors
I sit here in warm comfort the sun shining through the window into our kitchen/office. The table isn’t moving, the drum of the diesel engine a faint memory. The delivery, a source of material for articles in the Nor’easter magazine (www.noreastermagazine.com)and many “lessons learned” that will be applied to future trips on the ICW.
The last day had been uneventful, just 45 miles from the Solomons, MD to Rock Hall. We had hoped to do some sailing on this last leg home. We had sat out the day before at Zahniser’s Marina due to strong winds (15 to 25 gusts to 30) out of the WNW. Too strong to hammer our way north. Our last day the winds were to have swung out of the south at the same speeds. It would have made for a fine reach up the Bay. They never set in… we motored.
We arrived in Rock Hall shortly after four under cloudy skies. Like any delivery it had taken its toll on the crew. Nothing a good hot shower and a solid nights sleep wouldn’t mend. To my surprise I find it difficult to fall asleep, perhaps the lack of motion and the sound of wind and water had become all too common.
A few things I had learned along the way:
* Navigating the ICW takes constant vigilance - There are many places that a boat drawing more then 6 foot water at low tide can not travel.
* There are four bodies of water that must be transited with proper consideration given to wind and tide; The Chesapeake Bay, Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the Cape Fear River.
* GPS, Chart Plotter and depth sounder are essential - While many have made the trip without them they add a great deal of comfort.
* If possible don’t make the trip as a delivery - Take time to rest and see the sights. It will lessen the tension.
* Make sure you boat is well stocked - Thanks to Pam, my wife, and my daughter, Jacki, we would not run out of stores. There are few places where one can re-provision. Do your research on those areas where you can.
I invite others to share their experiences and insights on the ICW either on this blog or to the Sailors Forum in the Nor’easter. Look forward to sharing with you.