Cruise to Philly

[otighearnaigh]

You gave great info about picking up a mooring in Naptown, now I have another question. Has anyone on this forum cruised up the Bay, through the C&D, up the Delaware River to Philly? I read an article in May's Soundings magazine and it made the trip to Philly very inviting. However, what has been the experience of those around here who have made the trip? I sail a C-27, IB and know I would definitely want the tide with me on the trip up and back. I am a little concerned about the 41 nm from Delaware City to the first Marina in Philadelphia but believe it should be ok for one long day. Any thoughts?

Dave

[HerbDB]

I have made this roundtrip serveral times. My Beneteau dealer is on the Delaware above Philly. The C&D is no big deal as long as you check the tide and current tables to make sure you are going with the current. You will want to ride the tide up the Delaware as well. Monitor the VHF for traffic and canal information.

You have a shallow draft so an ovenight at Chesapeake City in the anchorage on the southeast side would be a nice stop. Or you can tie up for the night on the other side of the canal at Schaffers. Good seafood on both sides. You could also easily make it all the way in one day. When you are going with the current you will probably see at least 7-9 knots over the ground, makes the trip shorter. If the currents allow I recommend a stopover just for the fun of it.


Most of the bridges and cables crossing the canal have much more clearance that you will need, but I have had to wait for the RR bridge northeast of Chesapeake City.

You can anchor out for the night behind the island just upstream from the C&D exit on the Delaware. I can't remember the name of the island and don't have a chart at home. There is a State Park on the island with an old fort. You can probably get under the powerlines upstream of the island when you leave, but if you are unsure go back around the island to the main channel.

Once your go further upstream, there are no really good places to stop. I personally don't like that part of the Delaware, you have to contend with current and for the most part, it is an industrial area.

Once you get near Philly, there is more to see.

[deniseO30]

bashed allot for not being all that great to sail upon and it's not... But for those hundreds. (maybe thousands ) of us that live on or near it we make the best of it. lots of yacht clubs, sail races weekly some of the boaters fish it for big stripers. I'm north of Philly and sail out of Bristol. but I'm also a member of the yacht clubs all up and down the River. (Delaware River Yachtsmens legue. DRYL)

Last summer when I bought my Oday 30 down at Deal MD We brought it up the bay kept the boat at Geogetown til the end of summer and sailed (motored mostly) all the way home to Bristol PA. I really like Chesepeake City. The RR bridge just north of philly is low.. 48ft I think.. we call em to make sure we clear at high tides. Tidal currents are quite quick too! 5 - 8 knots we always try to keep that in mind going up or down river. There are marinas along the river Delaware City, Riverside, Essinton, Neshaminy, tullytown, to mention a few. Philly is $$$ I'm told. The ships and barges plying the channels aren't nowhere near as scary as the sportfisherman's boats! (don't get me started on that! )
Fairwinds!

Denise