Osprey Marine is now the owner of a Symbol 42. She was located at a slip in Osprey Marina (must have been an omen), Rock Hall, Maryland. If you like boats and have never traveled the Eastern Shore of Maryland you must do it! It is a beautiful area and a boaters paradise. Located on the Chesapeake, it is perfect place to start your cruising. And start we did, on a dreary, rainy morning in June. I had asked a friend, Jeff, to join us on the trip up to Kingston, New York as I was more comfortable with an experienced sailer on board. We headed north towards the Delaware-Chesapeake canal where we would cross to the Delaware River and subsequently down the Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey. Weather aside, it was a good trip north. Channel markers were easy to follow and there was very little boat traffic, if any.
Our initial destination was the Delaware City Marina, and it was a very pleasant experience. The dock master was extremely friendly and helpful, and the rates for both docking and fuel were lower than I anticipated. The town itself is charming. I highly recommend Crabby Dicks as a restaurant. Check out the menu; you won't stop laughing—it's not exactly PG, if you catch my meaning. We ended up staying for two nights because the Bay was a bit rough with a strong wind against the current. On the second day, it calmed down, and we headed off to Cape May.
We spent the night at Utsch's Marina in Cape May. It's a nice place with very friendly people. Located on the Cape May Canal, it's just a short Uber ride into town. Cape May is a must-see if you're passing through the area, with good food, interesting shops, and charming homes that reflect the area's history.
We departed Cape May around 6:30 am and headed into the Atlantic. The seas were one to three feet with about a 4-second interval, making for a comfortable ride. We planned to travel north to Atlantic City and stay at the Golden Nugget Marina. As we entered the inlet, we encountered a large Viking sport fish heading out. Some boaters just don't get it! His speed was excessive for an inlet, and his wake was enormous. He never slowed down, barreling past without considering the potential damage or injury he could cause. One day, he may learn his lesson, as he's responsible for his wake, and serious injury could land him in court.
Atlantic City was a lot of fun, with a great band playing at the casino's dock. We enjoyed it so much that we stayed for two nights. Early the next morning, we left Atlantic City, traveling north about five miles offshore with seas of two to three feet at 6-second intervals. It took about twelve hours to reach New York Harbor, averaging around 8 knots. The sun was setting as we passed the Statue of Liberty, and I didn't want to spend the night in New York, so we continued up the Hudson River, reaching Croton Bay around 22:00 hours. Croton Bay is north of Croton Point on the east shore of the river. It's a nice anchorage but can get bouncy with a strong north or west wind. We weren't in a rush to leave the next morning, as our journey north to Kingston would only take about seven hours. It was nice to relax and have a leisurely breakfast before setting off.
The trip upriver was delightful, and no matter how many times I've traveled the Hudson River, I'm always in awe of its beauty. The United States Military Academy at West Point is a sight to behold, as are Bannerman's Island and the Hudson Highlands. Many mansions line its shores, built years ago by wealthy businessmen. Hyde Park is home to the Roosevelt Estate, and further north is the Vanderbilt Mansion. Most of these are along the east shore.
We arrived at our final destination, Rondout Yacht Basin on the Rondout Creek (Kingston, NY), around 17:00 hours. We were a bit tired but felt a great sense of accomplishment. "Osprey" served us well, with only a few expected glitches. The old autopilot quit somewhere on the Delaware, and the chartplotter failed after leaving Croton Bay. These were old Raymarine units I had planned to replace anyway, so it was no big deal.
As of now, all electronics have been replaced with new Raymarine units, and I'm planning to rebuild the stern thruster. The spring of 2025 will bring more necessary work. We bead blasted the bottom this fall, and when the weather permits, it will be barrier coated and painted. The swim platform will be extended by eight inches with two staple-style rails for customer comfort when boarding, some canvas will be replaced, new carpet on the upper helm, and the list goes on. Good thing I enjoy working on boats!
Visit us at www.ospreymarine.com and join us for a charter this season.
Capt. Pete
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