Delmarva Circumnavigation - Trip Report

[pdqaltair]

I've posted a report on my blog, for the interest of those who would like a different sort of cruise that includes small harbors and some ocean time.

Sail Delmarva: Trip Report - 2010 Delmarva Circumnavigation

Enjoy.

[JohnRPollard]

PDQ,

I really enjoyed reading the trip report on your blog. What a great trip (sorry about your back ).

It's amazing how much distance you can cover reaching at 10-12 knots, too!!

The only thing that confused me was, you listed your wife as crew but did not mention her in the account? Did I miss something?

Thanks for sharing.

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

PDQ,

I really enjoyed reading the trip report on your blog. What a great trip (sorry about your back ).

It's amazing how much distance you an cover reaching at 10-12 knots, too!!

The only thing that confused me was, you listed your wife as crew but did not mention her in the account? Did I miss something?

Thanks for sharing.

It's funny how you can take for granted what is... well, granted. She didn't catch on fire, end up in the hospital, or spend hours holding a cooling hose together, getting tragically burned. However, she does get motion sickness, and lamentably, that often leaves her out of the action. She displays great courage making these trips.

[mccary]

What were the dates of your trip? Which hurricane did you follow?

[pdqaltair]

We just returned. It was Earl that was threatening the coast.

[chef2sail]

Great story. Ever think of staying at Utsch's in Cape May?. That where we usually go. NOt sure if they will dock at cat though. I have known the owebers for 30 years. Walkking distance to town and of course manyrestaurants. A lot cheaper than SH at $2 a foot.

Time to replace all you fans it looks like you have a demon in them.

Dave

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

Great story. Ever think of staying at Utsch's in Cape May?. That where we usually go. NOt sure if they will dock at cat though. I have known the owebers for 30 years. Walkking distance to town and of course manyrestaurants. A lot cheaper than SH at $2 a foot.

Time to replace all you fans it looks like you have a demon in them.

Dave

Utsch's would be a bit cheaper and many folks like them. However, I have some reasons;

* The first time I asked for a slip it was breezy (10-15kn) and they said they didn't like cats on breezy days... I spite of the fact that I had called ahead for a slip. With twin engines, I can dock very well, thank you.
* They can take cats to 16' beam. Friends of mine stayed there this summer with a 32x16 cat.
* My wife has arthritic knees (one replaced) and we like floating docks better.
* South Jersey has laundry on-site, but Utsch's has a better marine store. Of course, there are few sailboat parts in Cape May anywhere, including West Marine.
* South Jersey is a bit closer to the eateries and shops and you can park closer to the boat.
* We have fun watching the megayachts at South Jersey. Lap dogs. Big crews. They will coil your dock lines if they don't feel you left them neat enough!
* Utsch's insists that transients pull in vs back in, which makes boarding more difficult for my wife.
* South Jersey will fuel me at the slip - one less thing.
* Fresh fruit and a newspaper on the doorstep every morning.
* Nice showers.
* Dock hands everytime you ask, within moments. I came in with an injured back, and they handled all of the tie-up for me. That was worth something.

The price difference wasn't so much, as UTsch's wanted to charge me a "cat premium". I understand they no longer do that.

To say town is within walking distance of the marina's is technically correct - you can walk far - but it is a mile, I think, and certainly many miles of walking would be required to see the beaches, the lighthouse, the parks, and the historic parts. By all mean, I would encourage every visitor to rent a bike in order to get a full picture of this town. Many sailors are disappointed, as they expected something more but only saw the marina district.

But Utsch's is good and many speak highly of them. I only wanted to list a few reasons why the Hilton is different from the Hampton. Generally, I stay at the cheaper, but not always.

[chef2sail]

PDQ,

Are we talking about the same Utschs. I am sorry you had such a trying experience there. Maybe they place you in a different area because of your cat. I have stayed there every year for the last 15. All transients are usually along the bulkhead on thge port side when you come in on floating docks with the parking lot right next to them. They do require you to pull in bow first. In the last two years they have built a really nice on site laundramat, and 10 new indivigual bathrooms with showers. Since they are on the Cape May side of the canal they are way closer to the 5 star restaurants within Cape May, and the Cape May trolley to downtown stops at the marina entrance every hour. There are 2 great breakfast restaurants within 2 blocks and 5 family ones including the tourist trap Lobster House ( they have a great takeout restaurant though). In addition the Lobster House Fresh Fish market has everything caught by the headboats docked right next door so you can buy fresh tuna, black bass, lobster, scallops.

I know Saildog has had an unpleasent experience at Utschs as I have at South Jersey where we were bullied by some sport fishmans large Viking who was ordering aorund the dock attendants who remarked that sailboats were slow of mind and deserved to wait for the people who spent "real" money there.

Since I stay on my boat when in a marina and usually bring my own fruit, and wine (Utschs gives you a basket when you arrive with a local wine (swill) bottle in it.) What truly makes the differnece to me is that Utschs has been owned by the same family for over 25 years. I lived in Ocean City, NJ for 20 years before moving to Maryland and while living there1 met their mom, and the Utsch "boys" and women still all work at the marina. They are very big contributers to community in general and cater to the small boater vrs the mega yacht fishermen and big corporations. While you will get exemplerary accomadations at South Jersey like the Hilton I like the feel of the local flavor I get at a bed and breakfast like Utschs. for 1/2 the cost.

Same reqason they have the Farlet State Marina in Atlantic City at $5 a foot and Kammermans across Clam Creek.

Hope you back feels better. Mine goes out for the damdest thing usually like picking up a fallen bolt or washer, I know how debiliatating that can be. I always travek with my friend flexoril now.

Dave

[pdqaltair]

Honest, I did not mean to bash Utsch's. Nice folks that have many loyal customers. I really don't know why I was turned away the one year. I will surely try Utsch's again, next time.

Sorry about the expereince with the big sport fisherman, but egos abound. I find them hilarious to watch, each eyeballing the new arrivals to see who's is biggest. I have never run into any sort of abuse anywhere. Just lucky, I guess. I think I'd just laugh, perhaps followed by some comment about how I give the helm to my daughter when we are only motoring. When we were there last year a salesman doing a Viking delivery gave my daughter a Viking polo shirt, just because she was friendly and he though she looked cute, fishing next to his boat.

Fortunately, I did have some muscle relaxers with me, but they make you sleepy and slow witted. Not the best combination. Fortunately my daughter came through. She took a required MD boating safety class 2 years ago, and ever since then she has been a VERY conciseness helmsman.

Several things are clear; we all like Cape May, the Lobster House is a zoo, and the fish market is fun.

[chef2sail]

PDQ,

Never thought you were bashing them at all. I just put a plug in for them because I have known them for so long.

Next time you are in Cape May try the Ebbit Room in the Virginia Hotel, upscale 5 star..ranks among the very best I have ever been in. 410 Bank is a great fusion restaurant which sends its staff for two weeks to the country they will do the cuisine of the following season as is a great place...especially the proch. The Mad Batter for breakfast andi ts banana, peach and NJ blueberry stuffed french toast.

I always spend a weekend in December toward New Years in Cape May. We drive there 3 hours)...stay in a bread and breakfast on Saturday evening and do the Christmas tours of the Victorian houses.

Maybe we will meet there.

Dave