5/6 - 5/10/23 Delaware City, DE to Great Kills, Staten Island, NY

Sat., 5/6/23 - Delaware City, DE to Cape May, NJ / Utsch's Marina (59.4nm).  Our 3 buddy boats agreed on a 7:30 a.m. departure, with the assurance that we will have a great wind-free day to navigate Delaware Bay.

• As we learned from the Gulf of Mexico, no wind = fog!  The Coast Guard shut down the C&D Canal, but Delaware Bay was clear to go.

Foggy Delaware Bay

• Moon Dance IV went out first and reported back to Port-A-Gee & Kayak.
• It turned out that the fog cleared just ahead of us, so we had good visibility.
• Delaware Bay is more of a commercial waterway for huge freighters, so we had to share the channel with the big boys.
• Also, some really cool lighthouses.

• As promised, we had a perfect day on the Delaware Bay!
• We crossed into New Jersey!
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  Making our turn into the Cape May inlet, we encountered the Ferry on its way across.  We got a 5 whistle blow from the Captain - Get the hell out of my way! - LOL
• When we were docking in Delaware City, Port-A-Gee's shifter stuck in reverse - not good! Brian stayed on the boat to see to its repair, and I walked 1.5 miles to the open-air mall.
• Since 1766, Cape May has been a beach resort destination.  Visitors from Philadelphia arrived in horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches, sloops & schooners - Kind of like us!
• It remains a weekend destination on the Jersey Shore.  We arrived just ahead of the official season, but there were still plenty of people out and about.  It's a cute town with lots of dining and shopping options.

• We had low expectations of Utsch's Marina due to their more competitive pricing, but we were pleasantly surprised.
• The docks are nearly the end of their life expectancy, and there were oddly placed pilings on their floating docks.
• They have both fuel & laundry facilities - but we didn't check out either.
• The bathhouse was really nice, with 3 shower stalls for each gender.
• Staff was very friendly, and presented us with a welcome bag that included a bottle of wine!
• We took over the covered boardwalk sitting area for docktails

Sun, 5/7/23- Cape May, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ /Golden Nugget Farley State Marin (37.8nm).  Atlantic Ocean!  Our docktail session was consumed with the whether to take the inside NJ Intracoastal or go outside into the Atlantic Ocean.

• Pros / Cons NJ Intracoastal:
• NJ ICW has a reputation for being shallow
• The Leg to Atlantic City has 3 bridges that may or may not be operational
• Weekend boaters do not practice boater etiquette.
• BUT - It's NOT the Ocean!
• Pros / Cons of Atlantic Ocean:
• It's the OCEAN!
• On a good day, we can expect swells about 8 - 10 seconds apart.
• Well, we got the good day - and it was exactly as forecasted.  It was a lovely, exciting day on the Atlantic Ocean, about 2 miles offshore.
• The Jersey Shore is dotted with entertainment districts and beaches.
• The beach runs the entire shoreline all the way to New York.
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• Our excitement increased as we saw the Atlantic City skyline coming into view, and it was even prettier at night.

• The Absecon Inlet is protected by jetties, but the current was wicked!  The channel into the Golden Nugget, Farley State Marina was well marked.
• Kayak did some research on fuel prices, and we decided to top of in NJ and avoid the much higher prices in NY ahead.
• Brian's niece, Katherine, recently closed on an adorable beach house in nearby Brigantine, so she picked us up and we had a lovely dinner at her new place.
• The area surrounding the Casino-district is questionable, so we were glad to visit with Katherine in lieu of the city.
• Before dinner, the crews of Moon Dance IV, Kayak & Port-A-Gee convened to discuss the next day's excursion - inside or outside??
• The bridges and weekenders were no longer a threat, but can we rely on a 3rd day of calm seas?  And this leg will be twice as long as the day before.
• Kayak boldly committed to the outside.
• Moon Dance was on the fence but leaning towards the inside.  Mostly because they didn't want to commit to the long day to Great Kills.
• Port-A-Gee was 50/50 - It will be a gametime decision for us.
  

Farley State Marina:

• Nice docks, and secure behind coded gate.
• The Atlantic City backdrop indicates that this is clearly a destination during the summer - we were a couple of weeks ahead of the season, so not much was going on yet.
• Dockhands were very polite, but spread thin, so they were not available to catch us at neither the fuel dock nor our slip.  However, other boaters on the docks assisted us.
• We had 2 options for showers:
• The public bathroom that is part of the event center at the end or our Dock E, or
• The long walk to Dock A to use the Marina showers.
• Honestly, neither were a great option, and they really needed some cleaning and sprucing up.  I elected to clean up on the boat.
• I don't think laundry facilities was available - didn't see any, and no mention of them.

Mon, 5/8/23 - Atlantic City, NJ to Great Kills, Staten Island, NY / Great Kills Yacht Club (84nm).  Day 2 of the Atlantic Ocean - King Neptune likes us!!

• By morning, the conditions on the Ocean were forecasted to be even better than the day before - we decided to go for it - Are we Gloucestermen?!
• WOW, WOW, WOW - it was an absolutely gorgeous day on the Atlantic Ocean.  The swells were minimal and spaced at least 10 seconds apart - all day.  We did cruise faster that we would have on the intracoastal, averaging 12.3kts.
• THEN, the New York City skyline came into focus, it was very exciting!  Obliviously, we crossed into New York State.

• After coming around Sandy Hook Bay, Kayak & Port-A-Gee arrived at the Great Kills Yacht Club on Staten Island around 1:30.  We were greeted by Harbor Host and Gold Looper, John Calascibetta (High Timesagain) who arranges for Loopers to have dockage at the private club.
• We accompanied several Loopers for drinks in the Bar (notice the AGLCA Burgee top left):
• Miracle
• Kayak
• Salud!
• Port-A-Gee
• Rykher

• Tuesday - John & Kim joined us for sightseeing in Manhattan!
• As soon as we stepped off of the bus, the unique Oculus building drew our attention. It is a shopping mall and transportation hub for the subway.

• The 911 Memorial was very emotional, it's hard to believe that it's been 22 years - the wound has not healed.

• Seeing all those names was powerful; I can't imagine how it must feel to see the name of a loved one, or even an acquaintance engraved in the memorial.
• The February 26, 1993 bombing of the WTC center was also recognized.

• We were very disappointed to discover that the 911 Museum was closed on Tuesdays - Really, Tuesdays?? Buy Why!
  
  
  
• Liberty Park is a special place brimming with love and pride.

• We had lunch at O'Hara's Pub - it became home base for Ground Zero workers after 911.
• First Responders from around the world visit and leave behind a token of their support for the FDNY.  In fact, we witnessed the posting of a patch presented that day.
  
  
  
  
• Our stroll through Battery Park was beautiful.

• The afternoon ended at the iconic Staten Island Ferry terminal.  It was so fun to take the ferry past the Brooklyn Bridge and Statute of Liberty and back to Great Kills.
• I was kind of disappointed that Pete Davidson wasn't around.  I really thought he might be catching a smoke somewhere along the way!

• It was an absolutely fantastic day and a sobering reminder of the privilege of freedom.

• Great Kills Yacht Club: 
• The docks were in good condition and the bar, showers, and facilities were exceptional!
• Although no laundry facility or fuel.
• The bar was fun and very economical!
• There is a 15-year wait list for membership - I can see why, the place is spectacular.
• Although, they do get a deduction for being a Men's-only club - I felt very comfortable, welcome and accommodated, but COME ON BOYS!
• The surrounding area was a mix of residential, fishing, beach - all very walkable.
• I enjoyed a run along the beach access road where I encountered a Wild Turkey!

• LOTS of restaurants, John, Kim, Brian and I had a FABULOUS dinner at Cole's Dockside, that included complimentary Amaretto coffee for dessert!
  

Leg Stats:

Miles: (181.2) 59.4, 37.8, 84

Marinas: (3) Utsch's, Golden Nugget Farley State, Great Kills Yacht Club

Anchorages: (0)

Locks (0)