Delaware Bay

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kbeachy46

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So I was hoping to make way to from Chesapeake City to Cape May on Monday. I believe the bay will be ebbing in the morning which is when I would have liked to travel but the winds are projected to be from the southwest and there is also the threat of thunderstorms in the morning. With seas projected to be 2 to 3 ft it looks like we should postpone until things settle down. Am I looking at this correctly or should I tell the crew to be ready to go Monday? We have little experience on the Delaware Bay and seek a safe uneventful day traveling to Cape May.

38' Downeaster enjoys cruising 12 to 16 knots.
All suggestions greatly appreeciated.
One weather report is shown below--

.Mon...Sw winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. A chance of showers
and tstms in the morning with vsby 1 to 3 nm.
.Mon night...Sw winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. A chance of
showers and tstms.
.Tue...Sw winds 10 to 15 kt...Becoming NW 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to
3 ft. A chance of showers and tstms. Vsby 1 to 3 nm.
.Wed...N winds 5 to 10 kt...Becoming SE in the evening...Then
becoming NE after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft.

winds and waves higher in and near tstms.
 
In my experience, the worst conditions on the Delaware Bay occur when the winds are coming out of the north and driving down the bay against and incoming tide. I don't think the SW winds are an issue but the T-Storms in the AM would give me pause. The problem is that there are so few places to run and hide on the DB if things get nasty. Been there with our Silverton 351 when it was way nasty. Don't want to do that again.
 
+1 what MikeeH said. Any wind over 12kts from a northerly direction will make the bay very snotty. The farther you run down the bay, the more fetch the wind has its effects are amplified. The bay is generally shallow and chops up quick with steep, short period waves. SW winds below 10 won't be too bad, but against the tide, it will stack up a bit. The T-storms are the biggest concern, both from a lightening standpoint as well as the possibility of high winds. I've been out in that bay in a few gusty T-storms and I will never forget how fierce that bay can get in a short time. I don't go when there is a strong chance of storms, not worth it to me.
 
I ve been thru the bay a few times and it can't get really nasty as the waves will be short and steep. As the locals suggested above, northerly winds are the worst. I once had waves nearly tearing up the bow sun pad leaving cape may... On a 70 footer!

Looking at the forecast you posted, Monday looks better than Tuesday with lower winds. Nt sure about the chance of TS being a concern. at this time of the year in most places you d never go out boating if you waited for days without those words... :). Check the radar often (smartphone, I really like the myRadar app) and keep your options open, there are a few places you can tuck in with a boat that size if necessary.
 
Thanks for the input. Looks like the forecast is slightly improving and we hope to hit Utch's tomorrow afternoon.
 
I think the front will be coming through tonight.
Bill
 
Can't ask for anything better than this.

Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE - 03:35 AM EDT Mon Jun 17 2013
.Today...Sw winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 1 to 2 ft. A slight chance of
showers and tstms this afternoon.
 
That is about as good as it gets on DE bay. Thats a go for certain.
 
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