Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

[hpeer]

Look here for a better understanding of how to time the tides.

Great little graphic.

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/of...rrents_nowcast

[carstenb]

DeepZoom Nautical Charts Tides and Currents

lets you follow both the current and the tides, tells you when salck water is ec.

excellent tool

[ABJ87]

Did this just a few weeks ago, like others said wait in CM then run up the bay with a favorable tide. If you time it right you will have a the current on the C&D with you.

Easy run in the canal at night, streetlights on both sides. If you have AIS it makes it really easy to see what’s coming.

We spent the night in Chesapeake City, on the town dock. Looks like there is plenty of room to anchor. It was recently dredged so the basin is deep enough.

[BlackHeron]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

You may be missing how big their boat is. The bathtub is pretty small for bigger boats. We are 70’ loa and with two others anchored there it was too tight for us to swing. With a 5’7” draft and 72’ mast they may have the same issue.......

70' boat?

First-world problems. Don't sweat it. Have the captain drive while you sleep in the owner's cabin then.

[Woodland Hills]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

70' boat?

First-world problems. Don't sweat it. Have the captain drive while you sleep in the owner's cabin then.

My wife and I live aboard, no crew or help. We cruise at 8.8kts from anchorage to anchorage just like everyone else.

[taftke01]

I spent some time in the Delaware Bay quite a few years ago. If you have not been in that area there is a stone jetty across from the Salem Nuclear Power Plant, on the Delaware side of the river. It is submerged at high tide. It runs north from there to just south of the canal entrance. You'll see it if you check your charts.

[chef2sail]

Current and tide are not interchangeable
On the Delaware ride the current changes

[chef2sail]

Best / safest way to enter behind Reedy going south is to pass it and go through the cut with lighted markers at each end. You don’t have to worry about submerged jetties that way.

Also note the location of the cable underwater from Reedy to Port Penn.

[TheOffice]

Resurrecting an old thread.

Looking for an alternative to the Reedy Island anchorage when coming through the canal into the Delaware.
Has anyone anchored outside of Hope Creek just south of the nuke plant? Is the only other alternative the anchorage just north of the canal?

[Bill O]

Usually we just try to transit the Delaware Bay quickly w/no stops, but have heard from others anchoring behind the jetty by Hope Creek is an option.

[jlb]

We anchor SW of G11 just past the east end of the canal.

[CarlF]

Most of the time, the tide table doesn't want to cooperate with my trip up the Deleware. And pounding into a Deleware bay chop can be exhuasting. I'm not in a hurry. So when we can't make the C&D, we anchor in the Cohansey River on the east shore. It's a beautiful place with fantastic views over the marshes - not a building in sight. Lots of depth (15ft), good holding and perfect wind protection. The current will reverse you on your anchor but we've never moved an inch. Road out a 3 day 30kt blow here in perfect comfort.

I've had several uncomfortable nights at Reedy. When the wind's up there's a chop and finding that gap in the wall is scary when the markers are missing - which is common.

If you don't stop at Cohansey, Alloway Creek across from Reedy is much deeper than the chart indicates (20ft) and like Cohansey has perfect wind protection. Haven't been there for 10 years so you'll want to feel your way in.

[TheOffice]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've dropped marks on my charts.

[Tortuga's Lie]

What's the typical condition for anchoring at the Breakwater Harbor/Harbor of Refuge at Cape Henlopen? Why wouldn't this be an obvious choice? Are the currents running through there contrary to wind? Holding?
Seems like a nice place to enjoy the beach.

[Grandwagoneer0]

We anchored west of breakwater where ferry runs right along the beach it was a great rest stop sandy bottom great holding