Running an Inlet

[M&M's_Beach_House]

Now this looks like fun! I know where lil' Krissy is tied up (I think), I'll have to bug them to tell me the "Secret Spot" this year when we go to dinner at the restaurant formerly known as Ana's. That looks like fun since most of the time down at Tices Shoal, we don't know anyone and get bored quick on the hook. That's why we like the F-Cove so much since there is lots of people and fun.

here is a pic from the secret spot... It is north of the Tices... What makes its nice is when Ron DDS organizes a raft-up...

 

[mhtimber]

Check out Pascoe's three part article on rough water seamanship for starters, http://www.docksidereports.com/rough_water_seamanship_1.htm

Jeff

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

That's an excellent site, thanks! Just what I was looking for online.

 

[lucknow]

Which course did you take. I'm looking at a bunch now and it looks like the Boating Skills and Seamanship might be a nice fit for us? I've contacted them too since they don't offer any in our area right now. Great idea, thanks guys!

We took the Boating Skills and seamship. I still have the book many years later, In fact I have my 14 year old read it to ***it his learing experience on many occiasions. God knows it will not be long until he says
"Dad, me and the Boyz are taking out the boat Friday night with the girls, you are ok with that right?"
And that is when I call my closest friend and family members and go to the bar, or maybe we should go to church!!!!:huh:

 

[Alegria]

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth.
As I said I have a lot of run time in the Delaware Bay and at best it's a crap shoot on boating conditions. For my money, there's plenty to see and do in our beautiful Chesapeake and if I never run the Delaware Bay again that's fine with me. That's just my 2 cents for whatever it's worth. Boat safe and be a sober skipper. "Bring Um Back Alive"
George

I agree 100% there George. Having grown up running Hereford's Inlet and The Rock Pile (Cape May Inlet) on our 22' cuddy cabin I am enjoying the Chesapeake for sure.

Its a night and day difference. I think that the calmest days on the ocean around there resemble the Bay on an average day. The swell in the ocean when running is different and I think that someone may run the risk of getting motion sickness on normal 3' swells in the ocean as the running motion of the boat is different.

Running inlets is as much an art as a science as there are so many variables to consider. I remember running out Hereford's inlet in our boat where we caught some 4-5' breaking waves. I can tell you I remember it like it was yesterday and I was terrified. It is a feeling that stays with you and teaches you when not to run the inlet...

If faced with anything but calm conditions I would stay a few minutes at the safe water marker and see how things are running prior to setting of into the inlet. Once your committed you are running the inlet no turning back...