Down the Bay

Sea Change Moored on the Sassafas River

Sunset at Swan Creek

Saturday, October 4th: Swan Creek

When we set out yesterday, we were casual about how far we would go. Should we go to the Chester River or stop earlier to anchor at Swan Creek near Rock Hall? Our guide books don't have the kind of mileage guide found in the Ports book for Lake Ontario and it's easy to forget that the bay is 125 miles long and more than 25 miles wide at it's broadest point. Just before we left, Bob did a rough calculation and found Rock Hall to be about 30 miles away. Since gusty winds and choppy water made for an interesting but not an easy sail, we decided to stop at Swan Creek and leave the Chester for another day.

In spite of healthy winds, we motor sailed the first part of the trip with only the main up. The bay has shallow spots and crab pots outside of the shipping channels and it seemed wiser to have the motor to fall back on for maneuverability. If you stick to the shipping channels, you have deep water and no crab pots, but you also share the space with freighters and tugs towing gigantic barges. (My Chesapeake book says that the Bay is "one of the most important shipping lanes " in the US.) We found it easiest to travel just outside the shipping channel. There is nothing about all this that is really so difficult - but it does take some getting used to.

For the last half of our day, the winds settled down to a steady 12 - 15 knots and Bob added a partially furled head sail and turned off the engine. I am noticing that he is a more cautious sailor when surrounded by crab pots and barges.

We are now anchored in a little bay off Swan Creek. We can get to the town of Rock Hall by taking the dinghy across the creek to a dock at Haven Harbour marina. The marina charges $15 for use of their dinghy dock and all of their facilities: laundry, showers, WiFi. Not a bad deal to be anchored and yet have such easy access to services and to the town.

We have walked to the main street - what a truly charming little town. We're stopped for a lunch and free Internet access and will go next to the grocery store to replenish our supplies. Later we'll check out the little Waterman's Museum right next to the marina. It's closed up but you get the key from the store next door. It's so pleasant and convenient here that we plan to spend a second night.

In answer to J's question in the comments: Yes Boat US is like CAA on the water in the US. You pay a yearly membership - get discounts at some marinas and can get tows if you are having engine trouble or if you are grounded (the dreaded grounding!). They are also great for getting local information about waterways and repair facilities - or water conditions for specific locations. Bob phoned them about the condition of the Delaware Bay and it was their recommendation not to go before last Monday.