Dockage at Utsch’s Marina Cape May NJ

Today NH cruised two canals , the C&D canal ( 12 miles ) and the Cape May canal (2.9 miles). Our efforts calculating the tides were very important today and well worth the time it took to calculate. Nice job for persisting Nandad. NH cruised along the C&D canal and came into the entrance of Delaware Bay as planned by 12.30pm. We had company along the way with a few fellow loopers. Just as we were entering Delaware Bay the Guardian Leader was entering the canal. She was the only big ship we encountered. That is her bow coming towards us and the cruiser at out bow is the DC Cruises boat.

We had a very choppy ride once we entered the Delaware Bay so NH cruised at about 16 knots as the skipper watched the fuel gauge drop very quickly! The price we pay for comfort. NH was docked by 4pm after taking on 130 gals of diesel, which was perfect timing to washdown, relax after a long ride and put dinner in the oven.

 Now five years ago Nana and Nandad were here with Ireland’s Eye. It is nice to see the marina continues to hand out their welcoming bag which includes a bottle of wine, biscotti, soap and lots of information. 

Just after dinner (8.30pm) Nandad noticed the depth gauge reading was 0.9 feet , which means we were very close to touching bottom!!! Now low tide is not until 9.15pm so once again the tide will dictate what time we leave in the morning.

An early start tomorrow morning to catch the tide once more and maybe make it to Barneget NJ. Nana is not a fan of getting out of bed before 7am but I guess will have to make an exception.