I just completed a great sailing vacation that included a 5 day trip to Cape May, NJ. My wife and her sister go to the shore every July 4 weekend with some friends and I usually take this time to do some maintenance on Nitesong II.

By this time we are several months into the sailing season and there are things that need doing. (As there always are) This year however, my stepson and I decided to join the ladies at the beach. We sailed from Middle River, (near Baltimore), north on the Chesapeake to the C&D canal and down the Delaware River and Delaware Bay to Cape May. We went into Cape May via the Cape May Canal rather than going around to the harbor entrance. Cape May is guarded by extensive shoals requiring a wide berth into the Atlantic and adding about 10 miles to the trip. It was a great sail down the Delaware, just off the wind in 18-22 knot wind with single reef main and full 130 genoa.
According to the GPS we were averaging 6.5 over ground and peaking at 8.2. I know the Lapworth designed Cal 33 is a much sought after boat, but the C.Raymond Hunt Cal 33 is a real charger as well.
On the return trip up the Delaware the wind was again in the 15 to 18 range on a broad reach. We sailed most of the day wing and wing with the jib poled out and the main pulled over with preventer. We even had the gennaker flying along with the main and jib. It just could not have been better.
With the exception of one thunder storm, the weather was nearly perfect. Overall the trip came as close as possible to the fulfilling the cliché, 'It just doesn't get any better than this!" By the way, it is a real thrill watching a mast that reaches 51' off the water pass under a 55' fixed bridge! It's a real heart stopper!
After returning to Middle River, we picked up the wife and went to St. Michaels for fireworks, the Still Pond then home. A total of 10 great days. Gee, it was good to be back to work..........

Dan Sadler