Careful coming in the back way to Cape May from the Delaware. The bridge clearance could be a factor depending on your mast height. If you get to the bridge and have to turn around, it's a long way around to the ocean inlet.
You can stay 2 places in the C&D. Either at Shaffer's on the canal in Chesapeake City or in the small anchorage basin directly across from Shaffer's. There is a WICKED current at Shaffers, so take care to tie up well and put out lots of
fenders. Could be a bit bumpy as the boat shifts around on its
lines in the current. Ship wakes may be a factor. In the basin, the holding is good, but the entrance can be shallow and you may touch bottom depending on your draft & the tide. Don't
anchor all the way in the back of the basin, there is a current from the creek that drains into it and you could wrap your
anchor line.
Watch out for freighter traffic on the C&D, it can be VERY unnerving sharing the canal with 600' of ship, but you WILL both fit. By law, you can not sail, and must have your motor on (sails can be up, but you'll be ghosted by the high embankments on both sides of the canal, so it's hardly worth it). MAKE SURE that you have clean
fuel and clean filters before transiting. No anchoring in the canal.
Depending on weather, a long day from Annapolis to Chesapeake City and another to Cape May. There are a few rivers on the NJ side that you can ditch into, but nothing on the Delaware side. Either way, expect a long day on the Delaware (leave no later than 0600 from Chesapeake City and try to catch a falling tide on the upper Delaware). I once anchored in front of the Salem Nuc plant at 0030, but we lost the
anchor at 0300 when the
anchor parted after wrapping itself around the keel due to the current. So don't
anchor in the Delaware!
Good luck - it's a nice trip. I don't mean to sound terse, but I've been typing all day and am tired....
