Experiences in The Chesapeake (Deltaville & Reedville) 9-15th June 2011
Nimue
Wed 15 Jun 2011 22:28
|
Our first stop up the Chesapeake was Deltaville. We had
made provisions to be lifted out at the Deltaville Boatyard , whilst we returned
to the UK in September, but we wanted to ‘recky’ the place beforehand.
The entrance to Jackson Creek in Deltaville was somewhat
tricky (something like the Beaulieu River entrance ), as it was really shallow
and we ended up bumping our 7ft draft over the mud near one of the green markers
in the approach channel. Anyway we managed to find a good anchorage along
with Scott Free and Loon and this was to be our last night all together, as
Sarah and Kenny were leaving the next day.
More US Naval Ships in the Elizabeth River as we headed towards The Chesapeake
During our stop in Deltaville, we didn’t fully agree with the
boatyard’s motto “If you love your Boat, you’ll love our yard!” and we
were not too happy with being hauled out there. Kenny had already
suggested there was a very good boatyard near Annapolis, which he had been to
with Loon.
Deltaville Boatyard Provided we pay $11 each per day, we did have use of the
facilities and the loan (for an hour) of boatyard’s 4x4. We rode into town
with Chris and Steve and noticed the devastation caused by a recent tornado,
which ripped down the Main St and cut the Town Hall in half. Fortunately,
no one was killed or hurt.
Deltaville Town Hall – ‘cut in two’ by the tornado
We enjoyed a lovely BBQ cooked by Steve and Chris on our last
night at Deltaville. Scott Free was to remain in Deltaville for a few
days, waiting for some work to be completed before making the trip to Washington
DC.
Grilled aubergines for starters! Once we were out of the entrance we were
hit by very strong headwinds and in fact the conditions were so rough that we
ended up turning back to Deltaville and to make matters worse we grounded in the
buoyed channel. Michael, gently persuaded Nimue off the mud and then dropped the
anchor outside the channel until the wind had subsided a little. We waited
a further 4 hours before departing for the second time, but even in 15 knots of
NW wind, the seas were still kicking up. Anyway we managed to successfully
reach Reedville, about 30 nm north before dark and found a beautiful spot to
anchor in Cockrell Creek, opposite the Crazy Crab restaurant.
The buoyed channel at Jackson Creek, Deltaville
The ‘angry’ sea conditions we incurred out of Deltaville
Arriving into the picturesque Reedville
The Crazy Crab restaurant
Sunrise coming out of Reedville We left Reedville early the following morning for Herring Bay
and to ‘recky’ the marina Kenny had recommended. However, we were not
expecting the same weather conditions as the day before, but soon found we were
heading right back into strong 20 knot NW winds and the sea state was especially
awful as we crossed the mouth of the Potomac River, leading up to Washington
DC. We later found out that the Chesapeake is a bit like the Solent on a
bad day! Due to it’s shallowness, the sea state builds up quickly into a
sharp chop and the Potomac River entrance is renown in strong NW’lies.
Apart from getting wet and the odd wave coming into the cockpit, Nimue ploughed
through the conditions and we were soon safely anchored in Herring
Bay.
The conditions became worse just around the headland
Point Lookout Lighthouse |
