On 9/25 we set off from Georgetown, MD to Norfolk, VA. We had intended to leave earlier but our refrigeration water pump failed and we had to order and install a new one. On day one we motored up the Northern tip of the Chesapeake through the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, and into the Delaware. We had to anchor in the Delaware River overnight to wait for the favorable outgoing tide. We timed our passage through the canal to take advantage of two knots of current and sped through with no problems other than the optical illusion that we might hit one of the five bridges. The Delaware wind and current had us whipping over the anchor all night in the company of several other boats so Jim kept an anchor watch to make sure no groundings or collisions were in the cards.
On day two we set off with the outgoing tide, however the wind had swung in the direction of our destination. With wind against current, we power sailed down Delaware Bay in lumpy conditions. Midway we ran across the USCG tall ship Eagle making its way up the channel! As sundown neared the wind clocked from behind and the tide switched against us at the same time in a total reversal of the conditions which was a little wild. As darkness fell we entered and anchored in Breakwater Harbor at the southern entrance of the bay. The harbor approach became a little interesting since the green jetty light was out that we were trying to locate as a ferry approached asking us to get out of her way. We anchored in 14 feet of water that became under 7 at 1 AM so we decided to re-anchor when the tide came back up at sun up. In daylight the anchorage and surroundings of Cape Henlopen looked beautiful.
Our passage plan to Norfolk was to get a favorable wind forecast and time our arrival so Bay Point Marina was open the following morning. With wind forecast on the beam we set off around noon. However, like all sails so far, the angle turned out to be a beat upwind. It is a good thing we bought a monohull because we would have not have been able to sail a cat on any of the angles of the longer sails we have been on this whole year. Not wanting to tack away, we initially sailed a high course until we got around a corner near Ocean City after nightfall, then we slacked off a few degrees and picked up some speed. It is a strange feeling sailing in the dark, not knowing for sure what is ahead and unable to trim your sails without lights. All the new electronics performed great. A little after dark a powerboat at high speed without AIS came from astern within a 100 feet then turned quickly to shore. We turned the radar on to eliminate more surprises. Around 11:30 clouds blocked the stars and the wind piped up to 21 knots. Renegade was speeding upwind hitting 9 knots and was now getting some weather helm. The main was already reefed so we took in some genoa to balance boat. We where happy the plans to control the sailplan from the cockpit were working as designed. Jim did not want to walk up on the deck while heeled at night unless he had to even with a harness. With all the action topsides, we were amazed how quiet the boat was below. Unlike all the charter boats we have been on, there was not a squeak or moan to be heard which is a testament to her design and build quality. Amy ended up loosing her sea legs so Jim pulled the all-nighter. Near dawn the wind piped down and we took out the reef. Our arrival to the Chesapeake was greeted by a beautiful fleet of sailboats exiting the bay under spinnaker in the Neptune Atlantic Regatta. We located the marina entry channel, made the turn and tied up at Bay Point around noon. Offshore shakedown complete!
