2022-08-21 Up the Deleware, Cheasapeake City, and Swan Creek at Rock Hall. Getting ready to haul

We left Lewes on a good day, and timed the current perfectly to head north on the Delaware Bay, and through the C&D canal to Chesapeake City.   We went 64.3 miles in 9.5 hours.    We only sailed a couple of hours unfortunately, but to average 6.76 knots is pretty good, considering our best motor speed on one engine (which is what we normally do to save fuel) is only 5.4 knots.

We left Lewes early in the morning and had a spectacular sunrise.

Gorgeous sunrise leaving Lewes, DE around 6:00 a.m.

Truly spectacular colors

Passing ships on the Delaware Bay

Dredging operations on the Delaware, had to avoid the dredge and pipes

Salem Nuclear Power Plant

Warm water temps in the northern Delaware bay.  93.4.  Kris could swim without a wetsuit !

We only stayed one day in Chesapeake City, but walked up to have lunch.  Blustery day, so instead of our usual outdoor burger place, we went across the street to JoJo's diner.

Dean with his much too big burger.  He had to take the meat out to actually eat it.

Cheese and crab covered fries were good

We left Chesapeake city, and headed south to Swan Creek anchorage, by Rock Hall, Maryland.  We planned to spend some time here getting the boat ready to haul out.   Our original haul date was on August 29th, but since we got to the Chesapeake Bay earlier than we planned (due to good weather window), we decided to haul early as well.  So now we have to be ready by the 23rd.

Nice folks on Airwaves - a monohull sailboat we passed by, were kind enough to take a photo of us under sail and send it to us.

Nice looking boat - don't you think?  Love that spinnaker

We started our first project, which was to move some plumbing.  We have two thru hulls right on the waterline, that we think are the cause of some water intrusion we get under the V-Berth area.

Two thru hulls, we suspect one is leaking, plus, we don't like the location of right at waterline on these.  

We worked on moving the plumbing to other locations, we involved removing our washing machine.  Unfortunately when we get project focused, we usually forget to take photos, which was the case with this.

We also had a problem with our stern step shower hose kinking.  Found out it was installed upside down, which caused the hose to kink.  Kris spent about an hour crouched in the back reworking plumbing on that one.

Both projects required trips to town for supplies.  Rock Hall has a good Ace Hardware, West Marine, and Marine Consignment store.  We went to town three times to get stuff.  2 plus miles round trip each time.  Rock Hall has a cute little downtown area.  Most the homes are well kept, clean and nicely landscaped.  Over all a very cute town, without being too touristy.

Nice mural on side of small grocery store.

Cute window display

Painted storm drain

Ace Hardware - visited three times in 5 days.

After our two projects completed we then started on prepping to haul, by removing the mainsail and boom, and the jib with camber spar.

Bow looks bare without the jib 

Boom off

Boom and mainsail secured to Bimini top

Another trip to town, this time to stop at the Marine Consignment store, and have lunch out.  We also stopped at Breese sailmakers.   They were very nice, and we bought a new jib sail hank, and some sail repair tape from them.

Marine consignment store.  You can tell old CQR anchors are not a hot item any more. 

The marine consignment store here is small, but really good.  We got a weight belt, some seal for a hatch, and a couple other items.  They are clean and well priced.   

We then walked over to have lunch.  Saw this great sign

They were having a decoy show by the waterfront.  Wood ducks, nicely painted.   Did not feel right taking a photo, as they were for sale.   There were also some souped up classic cars, but we liked the old original better.

Had a nice lunch, then back to boat and back to work.  Had to remove everything from V-berth area, as the shop will need access to the thru hulls.   Moved most to the guest cabin.

V-berth - all that is left is the mattress

Guest cabin a bit full, but still access to the back engine room for Kris to get to sail drives to change oil during haul out.

We will head out today to move the 16.5 miles up to Worton Creek.  Little more work, and we will be ready to remove the mast on the 23rd.   Might haul on the 23rd, but more likely the 24th.