[Rhodes22-list] New Owners of a Rhodes 22

[Peter Thorn]

Laurie - congrats and welcome.

Nell, Laurie and all,

Elliott Merrick in his autobiographical adventure "Cruising At Last" writes
of Delaware Bay as a menacing place.  Large expanses of shallow and shoal
filled tidal waters that, depending upon the time of day, can have swift
currents and rough wind driven steep seas.  Not a place for the unfamiliar.

Merrick, a retired writer, wrote of the adventures he and his wife found
sailing from Charleston to Maine and back in a 20' kit keelboat he built in
his garden shed.   It's a great read.  Delaware Bay, however, makes a big
impression on the reader.  I've never been there, but will proceed with
great caution and preparation if I should ever have reason to go.

Merrick:    "In all our travels we never met a cruiser who didn't dislike
the Delaware Bay passage between Cape May, New Jersey, and the Chesapeake
and Delaware Canal.  Because the bay is shallow, with strong tides running
up and down, a wind against the current can kick up steep, short seas.  The
low, faraway shores seem gloomy and featureless.  Even the names on the
chart are ominous: Murderkyl, and Joe Flogger Bank, for instance.  The
Cruising Guide warns yachts not to attempt it at night because of the
dangerous shoals, ship traffic, and confusing lights, as well as tidal
sidesweep."

With the upper Chesapeake within a reasonable driving distance away, it
makes Delaware Bay even less appealing to me.

PT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nell" <nellwolfe at cox.net>
To: <lmeacham at earthlink.net>; "'The Rhodes 22 mail list'"
<rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 2:13 PM
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] New Owners of a Rhodes 22


> Again welcome.
>
> The Rhodes is not a blue water boat but some have ventured out into the
> Atlantic.
> When we did our boating including the now infamous Indian River Inlet
> escapade we traveled up and out through the Delaware Bay thus avoiding the
> Inlet. While the Rehoboth Bay is calm, shallow, and enclosed so that a
> boater in trouble may not have long to wait for help, the Delaware Bay has
> ocean-sized swells and boats, not to mention the monolithic ice breakers.
If
> you want a taste of ocean challenges with the safety net of a quick return
> to haven, check out the Delaware Bay. In the meantime, you might want to
> consider joining the Rehoboth Beach Sailing Association. With Lightnings,
> Catalinas, Hobie Cats, Sunfish, etc, you will have plenty of sailing
> company.
>
> Happy sailing and may you have many wakes to remember when your sailing
days
> are done.
>
> Nellwolfe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Laurie Meacham
> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 5:36 PM
> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
> Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] New Owners of a Rhodes 22
>
> Thanks for the warning.  As the beginners/novice sailors that we are, I
> don't think we will be venturing out to the ocean any time soon.  The
> Rehoboth Bay is large enough for us to start with(6 mi long/4 mi wide).
> Did you enjoy sailing on the Rehoboth Bay?  We are sure we will have loads
> of fun.  Again thanks for the advice.  We will take all the tips anyone
> wants to share with us.
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Nell <nellwolfe at cox.net>
> > To: <lmeacham at earthlink.net>; The Rhodes 22 mail list
> <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Date: 5/9/2005 11:11:48 PM
> > Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] New Owners of a Rhodes 22
> >
> > Welcome.
> >
> > The only suggestion I have to offer is to warn you away from EVER!!!
> > attempting to travel through Indian River Inlet on your Rhodes.
> > I grew up in Rehoboth Beach and boated with my dad in the Rehoboth Bay,
> > Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
> > My father foolishly decided to cross from Rehoboth Bay to the ocean
> through
> > Indian River Inlet when the tide was going out and the strong on shore
> wind
> > was blowing. A small craft advisory was posted and the wave frequency wa
s
> > pushing 10 sec. The effect was the development of a rip tide current.
> > Despite using the force of the 90 horsepower Evinrude outboard motor,
the
> > boat was fully submerged when it hit the wall of water produced from the
> > wind / tide. I saw full 5 gallon gas tanks tied down with bungee cords
> > floating inside our boat and level with the water surrounding us! We
> > survived to tell the story but to this day I am not sure just how.
> > Enjoy sailing and take heed from our near fatal lesson.
> >
> > Yes, my dad was a fool for even being on the water under those
> conditions. I
> > was all of 12 or 13 so I can beg innocence for being there. Regardless
of
> > all of that, Indian River Inlet has claimed many a life. Make friends
with
> > some of the Coast Guard folks that travel those waters. They will ditto
my
> > warning to you.
> >
> > nellwolfe
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> > [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Laurie Meacham
> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 2:39 PM
> > To: Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] New Owners of a Rhodes 22
> >
> > Hello to all!
> >
> > We are the proud new owners of a 1986 Rhodes 22.  We are located in
> Rehoboth
> > Beach, Delaware.  Stressing we are also beginners to the sailing world.
> Any
> > helpful suggestions, hints and/or useful information is greatly
> appreciated.
> >
> > Looking forward to hearing from you and maybe one day soon meeting more
> > Rhodes 22 owners near our area.
> >
> >
> > Laurie Meacham
> > lmeacham at earthlink.net
> > Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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> >
> >
>
>
>
>
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