Cape Charles Cup Cruise

A spectacular weekend cruise, shadowing the annual Cape Charles Cup regatta.

We didn't want to race in the Cape Charles Cup, but did want to cruise over there and participate in the party. Had a late start in the morning, leaving at 1100. Forecast was for E winds all weekend, warm conditions and no weather expected.

Beautiful sunny Saturday morning, NE breeze around 13 knots and smooth seas. We put on the cruising sails (#5 main and #3 jib (105%)) and headed out just after the last of the racing fleets had departed.

Strong flood swept us over towards buckroe, and we were about 30 degrees west of the Rhumb. We were powered up with the #3 so long as the wind was 12 kn or more, and we were close hauled. Fully powered up at 14+ true.

Lovely relaxing sail towards cape charles, and we caught up with the back quarter of the racing/cruising boats, remarkably even the catamarans, which were all surprisingly slow, and we overtook them doing only 5.x knots. I guess they don't go upwind!

It got quite light, to around 8 knots, and we were going slow - but no problem as we were in cruising mode. Got some breeze closer to the E shore, and sailed up to Cape Charles before starting the donk.

We perfected the settings for the #3, with the car in hole 7, and a nice inhauler just behind the aftermost shroud. Provided a good angle of attack and some shape in the foot. Just got to remember to take off the inhauler before tacking!!!

We motored up to Bay Creek, which was full and we rafted up there. Enjoyed the dock parties, and the BBSA (which we are members) beer and punch. It was a gorgeous evening, and we left before sunset to get the hook down before dark.

We had wanted to go up Cherrystone Creek, but had never been there before. Our newly refurbished depthsounder was spotty at best, but worked when we needed it most! With the GPS we navigated up the small channell and only had one soft bump as I went a tad to far west of the channel.

Beautiful sunset as we dropped the hook and started the BBQ. Peaceful night, with no other tourists nor boats around, the only noise was from the party and live bands over at Bay Creek.

Not a sound all night, and no waves or wake, etc. It was almost eerie and too still, whereby one thinks something is wrong because its so quiet. Didn't sleep great in the little bunk, and woke at sunrise around 0620. Checked everything on deck and went back to sleep.

Woke again at 0900 and we had breakfast and headed out against a strong tide. Suprising how strong the tide was running into the little bay since there is not a large water mass in there. Good breeze out of the SE, stronger closer to shore.

Ran aground on the way out, probably too close to the little grass island close to the channel split with Bay Creek. Got off ok, from the slow, soft landing.

Beat our way against the tide up to Kiptopeake. The cruising sails were ideal, but it took forever to make the 8.5 miles because of the tide. Dropped the hook around 1500, and we were short of time so we didn't use the dingy. Brigite swam ashore, and I scrubbed the bottom of the boat & followed her to the beach. We had a nice walk and then headed for home, pulling the hook around 1600.

Tight reach coming back with a solid 15kn and choppy water. We were nice and fast on the rhumb line, but it was a bumpy ride at times, and a handful for the autopilot which we used sparingly. Just past third island we came upon a very active school of dolphins. They were splashing away, and then started jumping clear out of the water! It was a great show, and we got a couple of photos of airborne mammals.

Came into the cut around sunset and were in the car with the boat buttoned up and rinsed by 2100. A great weekend, and a much needed overnight cruise.