Solo sailing trip to Nantucket Island MA on “Serenity”

10-6-10 thru 10-14-10 This was one of the most challenging trips I’ve ever taken. After a smooth launch from Sandy Pt., MD, I made it all the way thru the C&D canal, to Reedy Pt. on the Delaware River. This turned out to be the only stop in the entire trip. From then on, it became an eight day odyssey of cat naps, reefing and unfurling sails, as well as dealing with mother nature’s wrath.

The first gale hit on the second night, as I rounded Cape May, NJ and entered the Atlantic Ocean. With fully reefed sails, I waited until I lost sight of land before handing the helm over to the Hasler auto-helm to catch a few zee’s. Serenity had no problem riding the 6-8 foot seas as we set a NE course to Nantucket IS. With the storm subsided a small yellow breasted bird landed aboard and took a long break.

The only course I could hold was Muskeget Channel, a tricky entrance to Nantucket Sound, used mostly by local waterman. Just outside the channel the second gale hit, with winds exceeding 30 mph from the NE forcing me to veer south and run with the nor’easter. With Atlantic tropical cyclone Shary and Hurricane Paula both threatening, I decided not to push my luck, and bag the trip and head home.

The wind changed direction once again from the SW, forcing me, what turned out to be about 200 miles offshore. A little concerned, I hand sailed Serenity, as close to the wind as possible to reach Cape May. That evening the third gale hit, with winds spinning in circles at 30+ MPH. Fatigued, and not able to hold any course, all I could do was drop the sails and take refuge in the cabin until the storm finally subsided.

With the Delaware Bay in sight and my sails full of wind, I kicked back and had a well deserved drink as I rounded Cape May Pt., just as the sun was setting. The sky cleared revealing a full moon, and stars that looked close enough to touch. I decided to continue on, plotting a course just outside the channel to avoid any large ships. Riding the tide all the way back to the Chesapeake Bay, gave me a really good feeling of accomplishment as I pondered this whirlwind of a voyage.