Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway? Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

This is just a goof question

Thomas Wentworth wrote:
Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway?

yes, though they probably are running their engine (I don't recall
whether that is required).

Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

no


This is just a goof question

this is just a goof answer.


The canal is wide and the bridges (4 or 5) are high, over 100 feet.
There is a current to be considered, but I don't think its much over 2
knots. If you're headed south, then the canal is the point where
you're "home free."

"Thomas Wentworth" wrote:

Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway? Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

This is just a goof question

Yes they use it and no they don't unstep the masts. The bridges
aren't that low - it isn't that kind of canal.

One of the things that some people like to do is circumnavigate the
DelMarVa peninsula. (that little piece of land where pieces of it
belong to Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) It takes a couple of days
to a week depending on the weather. Bob and I have no desire to do
that - there's no place to go from the Atlantic if the weather kicks
up - at least not for a boat like ours. And the canal isn't all that
friendly either.


grandma Rosalie

S/V RosalieAnn, Leonardtown, MD
CSY 44 WO #156
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasley/id1.html

On Wed, 08 Feb 2006 03:12:42 GMT, "Thomas Wentworth"
wrote:

Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway? Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

It's called the C & D Canal (Chesapeake & Delaware). Sailboats are
common, as are LARGE freighters. Sailing is not recommended but mast
height is no problem for any normal boat.

Sailing in the canal is prohibited.

In article , Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 08 Feb 2006 03:12:42 GMT, "Thomas Wentworth"
wrote:

Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway? Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

It's called the C & D Canal (Chesapeake & Delaware). Sailboats are
common, as are LARGE freighters. Sailing is not recommended but mast
height is no problem for any normal boat.

Steve,, thanks for the info.. sounds interesting. How far is it all the
way to Cape May once a boat enters the Delaware River?

========
"Steven Shelikoff" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 08 Feb 2006 03:12:42 GMT, "Thomas Wentworth"
wrote:

Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I
see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway? Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

Yes they do. No they don't. But you're not allowed to sail through the
canal, so they motor. Time your trip right and the swift current can
chop an hour off the trip instead of adding an hour. Watch out behind
since the freighters are quiet and can sneak up on you fast.

Steve

On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 14:07:33 GMT, "Thomas Wentworth"
wrote:

thanks for the info.. sounds interesting. How far is it all the
way to Cape May once a boat enters the Delaware River?

In actuality you are entering upper Delaware Bay at that point, and it
is one of the least interesting places I have ever been for the most
part, although Cape May, NJ has its attractions. Delaware Bay is
notorious for its shallow water, steep chop, heavy commercial traffic,
submerged obstructions and lack of cruising harbors. Other than that,
it is a great place.

In article KkdGf.119$Pb.106@trndny08,
"Thomas Wentworth" wrote:

Just goofing and I was looking at the Chesapeake bay on a google map. I see
the canal that connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware river.

Do sailboats use this waterway? Do the sailboats unstep their mast?

This is just a goof question

This isn't a goof answer.

As other mentioned, that's the C&D Canal. We've done it in Xan a couple
of times. Any boat that can do the ICW won't have to unstep their mast.

BUT, the current can run at 6 knots, particularly to the east. Choose
your transit time carefully.

Once you get to the Delaware River, choose your time as carefully, as it
can run that speed (ebb or flow) as well.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/