Circumnavigating The Delmarva

I did this last summer as part of the Md School of sailing 106 coastal navigation course. I'd describe it as "educational" but a lot of work. Of course the school designs this so that it has 3 overnight legs. We went Rock Hall to C&D canal and then C&D to Delaware Bay to Norfolk and Hampton Town Docks. Then another overnight to Annapolis and back to Rock Hall. One Canadian got so seasick that he left the boat at Hampton and took a taxi back to Rock Hall. He thanked the captain for saving him 1/4 million dollars by demonstrating his propensity for seasickness. We learned a lot on Delaware Bay at night about handling ship traffic at night and even more on the Bay about this where there's so many lights that are confusing. I'm sure if you did it without overnights it would be a lot more enjoyable but I doubt that there's a way to do the C&D-Norfolk leg without an overnight. I learned a lot but it was tiring.

Thanks for the helpful information. I can say that none of my projected crew get seasick as they have sailed with me for 20+ years. As for the overnight, I'm getting information from others who have done it in stages where they only had to sail during the days. I appreciate you taking the time and it sounds like it was indeed tiring but also rewarding. Stephen

There was a Delmarva 400 rally in 2003 or 2004 in which I participated which was a very good event organized by Jim Favors I believe. There appears to be a current rally operating that has a trip planned for 2013. Try this link for additional information:
www.delmarvarally.com/index.html

Stephen...Chess and Karen Harris here, with IP 380-88, The Belle of Virginia, based out of Norfolk. The 2013 Delmarva run is our plan. Maybe a link-up this fall or winter (2012?)...sail or land-yacht. We sail pretty much year-round on the southern Bay area.

Chess
thebelleofvirginia.blogspot.com/

I sent my info via email as posted. I'd love to join the rally

Stephen, Tom and Chess,

Liberty IP-37 53 is also looking at doing the Delmarva in 2013. Thinking about mid to late june before the tropics get cooking.

Bob

Hey you guys,

Are you talking about doing the organized rally in 2013 or heading out on your own? We are also planning to do the DelMarVa next Spring since our plans for this past year didn't work out. We looked into the rally and decided it wasn't for us. If you guys are not going with the organized rally then maybe we could plan to go together.

Chess suggested getting together. We're located in Herring Bay across from the Choptank River. We'd be interested in coming down to your area and discussing this with you. I'll be in touch via e-mail also.

Tom + Cheri Ward
IP420-35
"La Vida Dulce"

I'm willing to do either. I would just like to be in a group going outside. I live in NJ but frequent the area and don't mind making a trip in winter to meet up. Keep me in the loop.

Tom,

I think it'd be fun to get a bunch of Packets together for this. Mini-rendezvous?

Tom Ward
La Vida Dulce

Tom and Bob...sounds like the makings for a fun week for sure. Not interested in making this a race or a cruise with an accelerated schedule, but a fun run to enjoy the time.

Chess and Karen
thebelleofvirginia.blogspot.com/

Stephen,

Just in this string I'm seeing five IP's showing interest in doing the DelMarVa in 2013:

Stephen (sbrock)
Chess + Karen - "Belle of Virginia"
Tom + Cheri Ward - IP420-35 "La Vida Dulce"
Tom Smith
Bob (spinaker75) - IP37-53 "Liberty"

Chess had mentioned getting together some time this winter to make plans for this. Since we're already knee-deep in the holiday season I'd like to propose organizing a meeting in January or February and try to make it in an area central to everyone. I'm thinking Rock Hall, Md. might be a good location since we have folks from New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. I talked to the folks at Gratitude Yachts and they said we could use their conference room or the lounge at the marina for a meeting. Saturday, January 19th is on a long weekend for some folks, might be a good time. I'm open to suggestions for other dates and locations, just trying to get things in motion. Anyone interested?

Tom Ward
IP420-35
"La Vida Dulce"

Everyone: Living in Atlanta makes it rather unlikely that I can attend any meetings the group holds but want to be kept in the loop. As of today, I have two friends who will join me for my circumnavigation. We are looking at sometime between June 6 and 29 with a two week time period in order to stop at several places and see the sights. While we have sailed on the Bay for 26+ years, we have never explored several southern Bay areas and want to do so on the trip. Also we are considering going counterclockwise. So I suspect that being part of a group doing this together is not likely. Nonetheless, plans constantly change so I would like to know what all of you are planning on doing so I can respond. Best holiday wishes to all of you. Stephen

January or February in Rock Hall works for me. Just give me a date.

Tom,

We're coming up on the January 19 date that I was shooting for and so far you and I are the only ones to have chimed in. Holidays are probably a bad time to be trying to make arrangements. Let's see if we can get any interest for a meeting in February or March.

In the mean time here's some things for you to chew over. The first is a write-up from 2003 describing one guy's trip. It's loaded with great information. The second is a map and itinerary from a sailing association that organized this trip back in 2010.






Let's keep in touch and see if interest grows after the holidays.

Tom Ward
IP420-35
"La Vida Dulce"

Tom: Thanks for all the information. Are you aware that there is a group trying to do this from June 15 - 22 in 2013. If you go to the website www.delmarvarally.com you can find their initial information. My crew has never done either blue water sailing nor sailed at night and I'm not sure they will want to do the night sailing. But as I study the charts it seems that one night in the Atlantic almost is mandated unless you want to try some very dicey inlets. Note that the group I mentioned is having some kind of a get together in Hampton Va on Feb 9th and in Annapolis on Feb 10. I am considering going to the Annapolis event if I can find more information about it and I have emailed them and asked. Meanwhile we can stay in touch as well. Have a great holiday. Stephen

Stephen,

Yes, I looked into this rally and it didn't appeal to me. I was interested in going solo or with a small group of IP's since we're all family. For your needs though, this rally may be perfect. No matter how you do it I'm sure it'll be a great experience. Keep us posted and provide details when you've completed it.

As it turns out I've signed on for the IP Bermuda rally in May '13. I plan to keep the DelMarVa run as a back up option in case the rally falls through. Since I'm still a working stiff I'm limited in how much time I can take off. I do still plan to be involved in any planning for the DelMarVa if we actually get a group together.

Tom Ward
IP 420-35
"La Vida Dulce"

Tom: I made a comment in another section of our website but wanted you to know that I appreciated our conversation regarding this adventure. As I noted in the other comment, it is looking increasingly like I will have to do some kind of abbreviated version so won't be doing the entire trip this coming summer. Hope you get to your raly. Best wishes and Happy New Year to you. Hope our paths may cross sometime. Stephen

Hi Tom,

I am sort of the new guy on the block. I just joined the IPYOA and stumbled upon your posts regarding a Delmarva circumnavigation.

I did that trip some years back, it took two tries in different boats but both times it was a trip worth doing. I might be interested in joining you if I get my new-old IP26 (hull #9) in shape by then. I would just tag along well behind because I couldn’t keep up with you larger boats.

I wanted to mention the Ocean City option if you want to avoid overnighting in the Atlantic. The inlet is straight forward and there are lots of places to tie up. Anchoring in there is almost impossible because of the crowded conditions but there are plenty of restaurants etc. – Just a thought.

This is my first post here so I don’t know if I can do it but I will try to attach a couple articles about our trips.

I would say you need to prepare and watch the weather but doing it in a small group makes more sense to me than a rally because of the logistics and the freedom of going where you want.

Best of luck on the trip.

John Callander

Hi Tom

Winterset is in Brunswick, Ga now but we're planning to bring her back to the bay this spring. We might be interested if the timing of our return works out.

We love sailing at night, particularly offshore. With the right weather we'd be willing to do it in one shot or a couple of long legs if there's interest.

Lamar Desmond