Overview of Ladyslipper 1992 Voyage to Chesapeake Bay
Experiences on the Rhodes 19 in 1990 and 1991 showed us that we were not interested in racing but very much enjoyed travel and exploration by boat. We sold the Rhodes 19 and bought "Ladyslipper" in the Spring of 1992. This boat was well-equipped for coastal cruising with a fully enclosed cabin, galley, head and diesel engine. From June 27 until August 9 of 1992 "Ladyslipper" took us from Ossining, New York down to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, up through that bay, through the canal, down through Delaware Bay and back to Ossining. Although we had practically no experience aboard this boat before setting off we knew we would be near marinas and other facilities so believed that any problems which might arise would be solved without too much difficulty. Most of our problems turned out to be with the diesel engine.
This voyage started at the OBCC (Ossining Boat & Canoe Club), our home port on the Hudson River. "Ladyslipper" was 26 feet long, the maximum length allowed at OBCC moorings. On June 27th we started sailing down the tidal Hudson, through New York Harbor and south along the New Jersey coast. Entering Manasquan Inlet we meandered behind barrier islands where our dinghy untied itself and led us on a merry chase. From Atlantic City we sailed to Cape May and across the mouth of Delaware Bay. Approaching Ocean City on July 4th, a fine day with crowds of boats out to watch fireworks, our engine suddenly raced uncontrollably and threw out clouds of smoke. Jerry shut it off with decompression levers while a rescue helicopter swooped overhead. After the fireworks and after all other boats had disappeared we sailed into Ocean City and dropped anchor about midnight. No mechanic would work on our engine so Jerry bought a book, read about diesels, changed oil, replaced the fuel pump and got the engine running. From Ocean City we were unable to reach Chincoteague Inlet before dark so hove to, a first-time, nerveracking experience. When anchored at Wachapreague Inlet the Coast Guard came aboard for an inspection - another first.
On July 12 we sailed under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and entered the bay. We stayed at Cape Charles for a few days while Jerry got a Yanmar manual and worked on the engine. After visiting Tangier Island we stopped in Crisfield where Jerry replaced the engine head gasket. We sailed to the Maritime Museum in St Michaels, then up through Kent Narrows and past Baltimore. A block (pulley) broke at the top of the mast and had to be replaced to use the genoa. On July 30 we reached the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal, anchored in the middle at Chesapeake City, and motored through. We stopped one night on the north side of Delaware Bay at a dock up the Cohansey River. It was a peaceful place but the vessel tied next to us sank, tipped, and nearly broke a spreader on our mast. Sailing downriver in strong gusts we were hailed by two men in a disabled small boat so we called the Coast Guard to help them. We cut through the tip of Cape May to a sheltered anchorage, then sailed to Atlantic City with the engine acting up again.
During our stay in Atlantic City Jerry replaced the engine head gasket for the second time, among other tasks. We got out of there on August 7th and headed up the New Jersey shore towards New York City. The winds helped us sail quickly and we kept going all night, anchoring finally by the Tappan Zee Bridge. It was a lazy last day on the Tappan Zee sailing back to our OBCC mooring to end the voyage. Many lessons were learned about sailing, anchoring, diesel engines and living aboard. Although there were problems, it was a memorable and enjoyable trip for both of us. Our sailing adventures were over for this year but Nina was knitting a sweater with a world map on it.