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106 DelMarVa Circumnavigation - September 26 to October 3

Captains Yvonne Brandt and David Gifford

DELMARVA narrative for 9/25-10/3/26 Mileage Lankford Bay Marina to Swan Creek 19.6nm Swan Creek to Schaffer’s Canal House 42.3nm Schaeffler’s Canal House to Cape 230.7nm Cape Charles to Lankford Bay Marina 136.2nm 428.8 nm total Day 1 Friday 9/25/26 Lankford Bay Marina Everyone arrived and got acquainted with Navigator and each other between 3 and 4pm on Friday. We stowed foul weather gear in the forward head and would bring the rest of our personal gear on Sunday when we made our way to Swan Creek. We reviewed the itinerary and discussed how the approaching low would effect our first leg to Swan Creek. The wind would be gusting to 30 knots with rain and wind on the nose. We planned to push the Man overboard drill to another day and go straight to Swan Creek. Next we reviewed systems and equipment below deck until 6pm. We came to a stopping place and went to dinner at Decoys. Day 2 9/26/26 Lankford Bay Marina Everybody arrived at 0800 ready to finish up below deck which included the instrument panel and the engine. We made our way to the topsides and reviewed rigging procedures such as raising the main, reefing, shaking out a reef, preventer use and taking the main down. After lunch, the route to Swan Creek was planned and there was time to start the route to Schaeffer’s Canal House in Chesapeake City. Meanwhile, we discovered the head was backing up in the bowl and determined the Joker valve had failed. Luckily, Frank had time to come the next morning to make the repair and bring us a Racor primary fuel filter for our engine spares. Day 3 Saturday, 9/27/26 Lankford Bay Marina to Swan Creek, 19.9nm Frank fixed head thankfully while the students continued the route to Schaeffer's Canal House on the C&D canal. About 1000, we put the nav tools away and started the day of departure checks and were off the dock by about noon. It was a sporty down wind leg down the Chester and then on the nose and very choppy up toward Swan creek. We saw dolphins briefly, which is normally exciting but was less so because everyone was feeling pretty green. It took forever with all the tacking upwind and choppy waves. Add cold, wet and we were extremely happy when we picked up the mooring ball 7 hours later (normally a 4 hour venture). Dinner was veggie sausage and peppers which was warm and delicious to say the least. We were so grateful for the easy provisioning Mate David Gifford had stocked onboard. Day 4 Monday 9/28/26 Swan Creek to Schaeffer’s Canal House Chesapeake City, 42.2nm Day 4 was considerably easier with 5-10 out of the NW as that low blew through. Off by 0900 to the pump-out at Gratitude Marina and then on to Schaeffer's Canal House at Chesapeake City right at the Chesapeake City bridge. On the passage, we practiced doubling the angle off the bow, visual fixes and running fixes. If student fixes were within a 1/2nm, they earned a cookie-everyone got a cookie. We discovered some of the lights/landmarks were a little tough to see because of tree foliage. It was interesting to realize that winter/early spring trips would have allowed better luck finding the landmarks as deciduous trees would help visibility. We arrived at 1900 at fuel dock and were greeted by Steve, the world’s nicest fuel dock master. He was masterful at helping with fueling, line handling, tips on how to deal with the swift current and tidal range, stepping box to get on off the boat at low tide, etc, etc, etc. While sharing this wealth of information, he was able to fit in a number of stories at a machine gun rate and intensity. When he left, we all just sort of stared into space, marveling at what just happened. We logged our 38 gallons of diesel we just refueled and noted we really needed to top off because of the no wind forecast. Not too soon after we tied up to the dock, we zoomed off to dinner as the kitchen was about to close and we were ready for some grub. Day 5 Tuesday 9/29/26 Schaeffer's to Cape Charles, 230.7nm Everyone was up at 6 but the students still had to plan to Cape Charles. They masterfully knocked out the planning and we were off by 1000. With an 0924 flood current to the East, we took off in a brisk eastward flood. On the way to the Delaware river, 2 students not on watch finished putting waypoints in the Garmin. There was a light breeze, cool temps and no traffic. We flew to the Delaware and were putting sails up and out by 1200. It was the official start of 6 hour watches, so I went down and had a nap to be ready for my 6-12 and Mate David remained on watch for 12-6. Students were 0900 to 1500/1500 to 2100. Eventually the wind went to light and variable and we just motor sailed. Once we were offshore, we started 3 hr DRs on a NGA Nautical Chart 926 plotting sheet. Day 5 night The light breeze continued. We briefly turned off the engine to check the coupling bolts and found a couple were loose, so we tightened them. After that, we knocked out the daytime/dusk MOBs so everyone would be prepared for the night MOBs we would do in the Chesapeake. As we got back on course and powered back up, we decided to keep 2000 rpm (normally 2400rpm cruising speed) due to lack of wind and diesel consumption. We had to manage traffic as we exited the channel past Cape Henlopen to the Pilot zone by Hens and Chickens. It was eye opening to see how quickly the ships go from anchored to moving, once the pilot was onboard and we had to be vigilant with a capital V to catch ships flying toward the Delaware or south down the Traffic Separation Zone. When CPA was close, we would alter course then confirm with traffic that they had us on AIS and that we had altered course to a position that would keep us clear. Day 6 Wednesday 9/30/26 continued passage to Cape Charles Students had cleverly chosen a route a little farther off shore in hopes of capturing a favorable wind angle to Cape Charles. About mid way down the east coast, we altered course back towards Cape Charles and the wind switched to the south. The wind started to build which allowed us to get a little help from the sails. We did a 106 review during a quiet moment along the route and Mate David organized the crew for a quick clean of the galley, head, main salon. I made dinner so the off watch could get a little more rest. We were able to keep the main and Genoa out for the evening and night. Before dark, we put a reef in for the evening to keep the night safe and in control. After dark, red lights appeared on the horizon that we didn’t expect. We rechecked the chart and saw nothing. The lights appeared to move and would be in pairs and then multiply to about 30 and then go back to pairs. Eventually, we deduced, using the radar, it must be the under construction wind farm about 30nm away. Lighting at night can be quite bizarre. Day 7 Thursday 10/1/26 continued passage to Cape Charles As we approached the Bay Bridge tunnel, we furled the Genoa about 10 nm out from the North Channel Buoy Red 2 N to ease in maneuvering in the channel. The 2N is lit but the remainder of the buoys lining the channel to the bridge were not. We got the spot light out and slowly went from one unlit buoy to the next until we were lined up on the bridge. Fortunately, we arrived at ebb tide so that made the passage under the bridge a little easier. After another 9 nm to the entrance to the channel into Cape Charles, we lined up the 2 ranges for the channel and made our way into Cape Charles Town Docks. The easy floating T-dock approach was very much welcome after that 45 hour passage. It was too early to check in, so we finagled the head/shower pass word from our neighbor and took advantage of the facilities. After the office opened at 0800, we checked in, moved to our dock assignment and then went to breakfast. We decided to test, plan, eat and got to bed early. We would leave for Lankford Bay Marina on Friday morning at 1000 after refueling. With our late arrival into Cape Charles, we spent an extra night at Cape Charles and skipped Annapolis. Day 7 Friday 10/2/26 Cape Charles to Lankford Bay Marina, 136.2nm Up at 0700 and the boat was ready at 0800. We reviewed our route back to Lankford Bay Marina and the made our way over to the fuel dock for 22.7 gal of fuel and a pump-out. We safely made our way out of Cape Charles to the green 1’CC’ using the 2 ranges by checking behind us. We headed north past the ship anchorage and shook out the reef in the main for a full hoist. It was a light down wind passage with the winds out of the south. Sadly, we didn’t quite have enough wind to maintain 5 knots, so back came on the engine for another day of motor sailing. We were on a port tack to Wolf Trap light and then tacked towards the Rappahannock channel. We switched watches on this leg to allow for everyone to experience a different part of the day and a new group got dinner duty. At 9pm we did the night MOB, which went swimmingly and the students knocked it out of the park. However, about an hour later we had a front blow through around 10pm and wind shifted to the North, right on the nose. By about midnight, the wind was gusting to 30knots. We were on the south side of the Patuxent and for the next 6 hours made about 2kts. It was incredibly frustrating for that crew in the cold, wet and bumpy. Add loads of traffic which trapped us on the west side of the channel and prevented any sort of veering off the wind and waves in order to get a wind angle that would allow getting a little of the foresail out to help with going windward. Good on that watch for surviving those unfavorable conditions! When I strolled on watch at 0600, the sun came up, the traffic died down and we could get a little of the foresail out. (This must have felt a little irritating for the previous watch lol). Luckily for the rest of the passage, the wind slowly dropped and we made better time. One student offered to make omelets for our final leg up the Chester for dinner which was very popular and spirits were high. We rolled into Lankford Bay around 8pm. Mate David masterfully guided the crew into the slip and we all slapped each other on the back, marveling at the adventure we had just completed. We signed log books, gave out achievement certificates and we were all driving to our respective homes by 9pm reminiscing about the last 428.8nm around the DELMARVA.

DELMARVA narrative for 9/25-10/3/26

Mileage
Lankford Bay Marina to Swan Creek 19.6nm
Swan Creek to Schaffer’s Canal House 42.3nm
Schaeffler’s Canal House to Cape 230.7nm
Cape Charles to Lankford Bay Marina 136.2nm
428.8 nm total

Day 1 Friday 9/25/26 Lankford Bay Marina
Everyone arrived and got acquainted with Navigator and each other between 3 and 4pm on Friday. We stowed foul weather gear in the forward head and would bring the rest of our personal gear on Sunday when we made our way to Swan Creek.

We reviewed the itinerary and discussed how the approaching low would effect our first leg to Swan Creek. The wind would be gusting to 30 knots with rain and wind on the nose. We planned to push the Man overboard drill to another day and go straight to Swan Creek. Next we reviewed systems and equipment below deck until 6pm. We came to a stopping place and went to dinner at Decoys.

Day 2 9/26/26 Lankford Bay Marina
Everybody arrived at 0800 ready to finish up below deck which included the instrument panel and the engine. We made our way to the topsides and reviewed rigging procedures such as raising the main, reefing, shaking out a reef, preventer use and taking the main down. After lunch, the route to Swan Creek was planned and there was time to start the route to Schaeffer’s Canal House in Chesapeake City. Meanwhile, we discovered the head was backing up in the bowl and determined the Joker valve had failed. Luckily, Frank had time to come the next morning to make the repair and bring us a Racor primary fuel filter for our engine spares.

Day 3 Saturday, 9/27/26 Lankford Bay Marina to Swan Creek, 19.9nm
Frank fixed head thankfully while the students continued the route to Schaeffer's Canal House on the C&D canal. About 1000, we put the nav tools away and started the day of departure checks and were off the dock by about noon.

It was a sporty down wind leg down the Chester and then on the nose and very choppy up toward Swan creek. We saw dolphins briefly, which is normally exciting but was less so because everyone was feeling pretty green. It took forever with all the tacking upwind and choppy waves. Add cold, wet and we were extremely happy when we picked up the mooring ball 7 hours later (normally a 4 hour venture). Dinner was veggie sausage and peppers which was warm and delicious to say the least. We were so grateful for the easy provisioning Mate David Gifford had stocked onboard.

Day 4 Monday 9/28/26 Swan Creek to Schaeffer’s Canal House Chesapeake City, 42.2nm
Day 4 was considerably easier with 5-10 out of the NW as that low blew through. Off by 0900 to the pump-out at Gratitude Marina and then on to Schaeffer's Canal House at Chesapeake City right at the Chesapeake City bridge. On the passage, we practiced doubling the angle off the bow, visual fixes and running fixes. If student fixes were within a 1/2nm, they earned a cookie-everyone got a cookie.

We discovered some of the lights/landmarks were a little tough to see because of tree foliage. It was interesting to realize that winter/early spring trips would have allowed better luck finding the landmarks as deciduous trees would help visibility. We arrived at 1900 at fuel dock and were greeted by Steve, the world’s nicest fuel dock master.

He was masterful at helping with fueling, line handling, tips on how to deal with the swift current and tidal range, stepping box to get on off the boat at low tide, etc, etc, etc. While sharing this wealth of information, he was able to fit in a number of stories at a machine gun rate and intensity. When he left, we all just sort of stared into space, marveling at what just happened.

We logged our 38 gallons of diesel we just refueled and noted we really needed to top off because of the no wind forecast. Not too soon after we tied up to the dock, we zoomed off to dinner as the kitchen was about to close and we were ready for some grub.

Day 5 Tuesday 9/29/26 Schaeffer's to Cape Charles, 230.7nm
Everyone was up at 6 but the students still had to plan to Cape Charles. They masterfully knocked out the planning and we were off by 1000. With an 0924 flood current to the East, we took off in a brisk eastward flood. On the way to the Delaware river, 2 students not on watch finished putting waypoints in the Garmin. There was a light breeze, cool temps and no traffic.

We flew to the Delaware and were putting sails up and out by 1200. It was the official start of 6 hour watches, so I went down and had a nap to be ready for my 6-12 and Mate David remained on watch for 12-6. Students were 0900 to 1500/1500 to 2100. Eventually the wind went to light and variable and we just motor sailed. Once we were offshore, we started 3 hr DRs on a NGA Nautical Chart 926 plotting sheet.

Day 5 night
The light breeze continued. We briefly turned off the engine to check the coupling bolts and found a couple were loose, so we tightened them. After that, we knocked out the daytime/dusk MOBs so everyone would be prepared for the night MOBs we would do in the Chesapeake. As we got back on course and powered back up, we decided to keep 2000 rpm (normally 2400rpm cruising speed) due to lack of wind and diesel consumption. We had to manage traffic as we exited the channel past Cape Henlopen to the Pilot zone by Hens and Chickens. It was eye opening to see how quickly the ships go from anchored to moving, once the pilot was onboard and we had to be vigilant with a capital V to catch ships flying toward the Delaware or south down the Traffic Separation Zone. When CPA was close, we would alter course then confirm with traffic that they had us on AIS and that we had altered course to a position that would keep us clear.

Day 6 Wednesday 9/30/26 continued passage to Cape Charles
Students had cleverly chosen a route a little farther off shore in hopes of capturing a favorable wind angle to Cape Charles. About mid way down the east coast, we altered course back towards Cape Charles and the wind switched to the south. The wind started to build which allowed us to get a little help from the sails. We did a 106 review during a quiet moment along the route and Mate David organized the crew for a quick clean of the galley, head, main salon. I made dinner so the off watch could get a little more rest. We were able to keep the main and Genoa out for the evening and night. Before dark, we put a reef in for the evening to keep the night safe and in control. After dark, red lights appeared on the horizon that we didn’t expect. We rechecked the chart and saw nothing. The lights appeared to move and would be in pairs and then multiply to about 30 and then go back to pairs. Eventually, we deduced, using the radar, it must be the under construction wind farm about 30nm away. Lighting at night can be quite bizarre.

Day 7 Thursday 10/1/26 continued passage to Cape Charles
As we approached the Bay Bridge tunnel, we furled the Genoa about 10 nm out from the North Channel Buoy Red 2 N to ease in maneuvering in the channel. The 2N is lit but the remainder of the buoys lining the channel to the bridge were not. We got the spot light out and slowly went from one unlit buoy to the next until we were lined up on the bridge. Fortunately, we arrived at ebb tide so that made the passage under the bridge a little easier. After another 9 nm to the entrance to the channel into Cape Charles, we lined up the 2 ranges for the channel and made our way into Cape Charles Town Docks.

The easy floating T-dock approach was very much welcome after that 45 hour passage. It was too early to check in, so we finagled the head/shower pass word from our neighbor and took advantage of the facilities. After the office opened at 0800, we checked in, moved to our dock assignment and then went to breakfast. We decided to test, plan, eat and got to bed early. We would leave for Lankford Bay Marina on Friday morning at 1000 after refueling. With our late arrival into Cape Charles, we spent an extra night at Cape Charles and skipped Annapolis.

Day 7 Friday 10/2/26 Cape Charles to Lankford Bay Marina, 136.2nm
Up at 0700 and the boat was ready at 0800. We reviewed our route back to Lankford Bay Marina and the made our way over to the fuel dock for 22.7 gal of fuel and a pump-out. We safely made our way out of Cape Charles to the green 1’CC’ using the 2 ranges by checking behind us. We headed north past the ship anchorage and shook out the reef in the main for a full hoist. It was a light down wind passage with the winds out of the south. Sadly, we didn’t quite have enough wind to maintain 5 knots, so back came on the engine for another day of motor sailing. We were on a port tack to Wolf Trap light and then tacked towards the
Rappahannock channel.

We switched watches on this leg to allow for everyone to experience a different part of the day and a new group got dinner duty. At 9pm we did the night MOB, which went swimmingly and the students knocked it out of the park. However, about an hour later we had a front blow through around 10pm and wind shifted to the North, right on the nose. By about midnight, the wind was gusting to 30knots. We were on the south side of the Patuxent and for the next 6 hours made about 2kts. It was incredibly frustrating for that crew in the cold, wet and bumpy. Add loads of traffic which trapped us on the west side of the channel and prevented any sort of veering off the wind and waves in order to get a wind angle that would allow getting a little of the foresail out to help with going windward.

Good on that watch for surviving those unfavorable conditions! When I strolled on watch at 0600, the sun came up, the traffic died down and we could get a little of the foresail out. (This must have felt a little irritating for the previous watch lol). Luckily for the rest of the passage, the wind slowly dropped and we made better time. One student offered to make omelets for our final leg up the Chester for dinner which was very popular and spirits were high. We rolled into Lankford Bay around 8pm. Mate David masterfully guided the crew into the slip and we all slapped each other on the back, marveling at the adventure we had just completed. We signed log books, gave out achievement certificates and we were all driving to our respective homes by 9pm reminiscing about the last 428.8nm around the DELMARVA.

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