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Cape May-NJ to Cape Henlopen-Delaware - 1st Attempt
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Author:  yakman [ Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Cape May-NJ to Cape Henlopen-Delaware - 1st Attempt

I was talking about the trip with a few guys I kayak with and they suggested that I seek out corporate support and find a good cause to raise some money for.

So I made a few phone calls and everything fell in motion. August 16 & 17 which is a Saturday and Sunday.

I am going to Sail the Hobie AI from Cape May New Jersey to Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware.

The trip is only 16 or 17 miles across as the crow flies, but there are very busy boat channels and also I will have to zig zag to work the wind. I am thinking that the trip should be more like 20+ each day, 5 -7 hours depending on conditions.

It is a pretty serious bay crossing and I will have some logistics support.

I have raised just over $1000 already

I am waiting for my official letter from the Autism Society of America, that will include a tax ID number for the donation and instructions on where to send donations. All donations over $250 will include a thank you letter from the Autism Society of America and letter to give to the IRS for your tax deductions

I am working on some paperwork now with Google Desktop and I am also talking with SPOT www.findmespot.com to track my locations throw the internet

Anyone wants to help out with trip plans or join in let me know

If you want to join me I would love some company

I am looking for local support on the Delaware side of our trip Saturday afternoon.

Author:  Eddie [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  the Autism Society of America

Hello Al.

I would like to make a contribution to the Autism Society of America. for your worthy endeavor.

If you are in the Sandy Hook area on Sunday I’ll give you a check then, or else I can mail you the check.

Using the SPOT satellite tracker is a great idea. I use it when hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There is little or no cell phone reception in much of that forest.. The only cell towers are near Interstate Highways.

Your family will have peace of mind tracking your progress from New Jersey to Delaware. I understand that you can provide a link to the SPOT system so that others can also track your progress every 10 minutes.

Thanks for your good work.

Ed

Author:  yakman [ Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:58 am ]
Post subject:  thank you ED

I am still trying to swing Sunday, my wife is out of school so we are trying to spend some time together

Here is a link to my site where I am updating the info for my trip and also will post my official letter with Autism Society

http://eastcoastkayakfishing.com/autism ... erica.html

All donations over $250 will receive a letter from the ASA and a letter for you for tax purpose's

I am in the final plans now with SPOT to secure there support for the trip, when this happens we will make the SPOTcasting available for everyone to watch and follow

Author:  yakman [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:54 am ]
Post subject:  Final Prep for this weekend

well after reading and reading the Catalina from LA trip SEVERAL times I am totally excited for my trip this weekend

I have pushed up the trip 1 week, because I have a window over this weekend that looks perfect.

I am figuring the trip to be around 26 miles each way, I am hoping to see some whales and almost certainly some Dolphin. Not sure if I am going to bring a fishing rod, I am pretty sure I will have enough going on. I know if I don't I will be into the fish with no rod. It would also be pretty neat to catch some food for when I land on the beach.

I have compiled a gear list from reading some of the other posts from you guys - here it is - let me know if I for got something - and thank you

FLOAT PLAN - DONE
1. PFD
2. Navigation lights or at minimum a white light
3. Compass
4. GPS
5. Dry Top and Dry Pants & Under Amour, or camping type clothes that wicks the water away from your skin
6. Ariel flares minimum, dye marker and additional 2 hand held flares and one smoke flare.
7. EPERB and/or SPOT Casting. They are expensive but keep in mind that even with a detailed float plan and a mayday alert with no GPS position given the average rescue takes over 10 hours whist with EPERB it takes about 2 hours. I will have a unit so it might be enough for the group and will be better than nothing but if you can afford it I would recommend getting one.
8. VHf hand held waterproof radio
9. Whistle
10. Basic medical kit, sunscreen, hydration solution, survival blanket.
11. Spare parts (rudder pin, sheet line, rip ties, hull patch, other bits and bobs)
12. Bailing sponge.
13. Strobe light
13. Hand bilge pump (a long trip w/ wind/waves will leak more than what a sponge will handle
14. Spare Mirage drive, at least 1 per group (if little wind, the most relied on boat part)
15. Family/GMRS Radios for all (hard to talk in any good wind/waves, good for local chatter, and saves the Marine radio power
16. Throw rope bags for each boat. (tow, rescue, anchor)
17. Leash everything, even inside the hull (Mirage drive, paddle, even each "Captain", surfboard leashes work well). Anything carried, is worth keeping where you can get to it.
18. Duct Tape
19. Extra Rope and tools for minor or major repair.
20. CLIFF Vars or Power Bars

Author:  KayakingBob [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:52 am ]
Post subject: 

Sounds like you've got it all covered. Good luck. I await your report of results and pic's.

Kayaking Bob

Author:  AlohaDan [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:29 pm ]
Post subject: 

Good luck and have a safe trip..

Posting one of Bob's old tips. Standup once in awhile.

Besides stretching you can look around and see further.

Author:  yakman [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:45 am ]
Post subject:  thanks

Alhoa - DAN!

thanks for the suggestion, that certainly is a good one

Dan where are some of your great photo's from Hawaii, we just got a nice one from our friend Boogie-D
Image

I am going to plan to come out there next year some time, and hopefully spend some time with you and Boogie-D

Thanks for the Alhoa for my trip.

I just found out after inspection of my boat yesterday that the seal on my front hatch is blown out. So I am running around trying to get it fixed

here is a picture maybe you have a suggestion
Image

Author:  KayakingBob [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:07 am ]
Post subject: 

On another forum posting, someone recommended something called yellow snot, used for auto weather stripping. I used marine silicon sealant, that worked, but it seems once it starts to separate it will keep going, even if part is re-glued.

I hope you get to stop on Maui (in between Boogie's and Dan's islands) for some good sailing! I fish here too, but they are far better than I am!

Good trip,

Kayaking Bob

Author:  AlohaDan [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:16 pm ]
Post subject: 

Yakman

I use supper glue. Doesn't hold forever, but gnerally last 4-6 months depending on usage.

For fish pics I put up a few on Hobie Fishing Images:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewforum.php?f=27

Check Mahi, Ahi, Funny Fish, some boogie stuffpostedin there too.

And when you come and want good sailing, be sure to stopoff and see reconlon. He's da best for getting you 20-25 mile sails in.

Again good luck. aloha

Dan

Author:  yakman [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:09 am ]
Post subject:  thanks

Kayaking Bob and AlhoaDan - thanks

when I come over it will be for 2 weeks and I hope we can somehow get another AI so we can sail together. I will be perfectly happy however just getting on the water and fishing with you guys.

I am on finally approach for the trip, just went thru the gear and lightened the load. I should only be taking about 250lbs including me.

I am hoping to pack some jugs of water in the back hatch to get the front of the boat a little higher.

Here is a picture of the NOAA Chart for the trip, I have been looking at it for weeks
Image

Author:  ottos [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:23 am ]
Post subject: 

Watch out for the freighters! You will be crossing the shipping lanes. They look slow, but they're not.

Also, are you aware of the ferry? It runs from Cape May to Lewes. http://www.cmlf.com/FerryInfo At least once an hour from each side.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/0 ... rs_lo.html

I think I may take a backup VHF for this trip. I would also contact the Coast Guard and ferry to give them notice of your trip.

Be safe.

Best of luck!

Author:  yakman [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:08 am ]
Post subject:  thank you

I have already spoken to the coast guard on both sides and have filed a float plan with each

I am planning on doing half the trip, evaluating the boat traffic and weather. If it all looks good I will fully commit to do the crossing

if the crossing was rough for any reason I will just board the Ferry on the other side and skip the round trip part of the trip

Author:  KayakingBob [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 

Remember to check your GPS often on your actual direction moving compared to your intended track as varying currents, tide and side slipping (leeway) from wind, alter your course to steer. Otherwise you'll end up sailing a longer arc causing you to head more and more into the wind as trip continues.

I've found when sailing a straight course of more than 2-3 miles, that setting a course on the GPS and leaving it on the Map Page (or Pointer Page) within sight makes it easy to make the little adjustments to keep on course.

Last Thursday, as part of a 27.2 mile sail, I did a 12 mile leg to Molokini (almost beyond sight) and at times I was pointed over 45 degrees from it to maintain my course because of unforecasted wind and waves.

I wait to hear what worked and what didn't for you on this adventure.

Have a great trip!

Kayaking Bob

Author:  yakman [ Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:23 am ]
Post subject:  well

Well I didn't make it all the way across and here is how it went down.

The Weather Forecasts

I had perfect weather forecasts all week for the trip. As the weekend got closer they were calling for storms Sunday night and I would be back 1-2pm on Sunday afternoon anyway if I went there and back. It turned out that the storms hit 11am on Sunday

When I got into the water very early Sat the conditions were sort of perfect, very sunny and a steady breeze. Taking everything into consideration it was sort of the perfect morning. I thought to myself if everything is perfect now and its pretty rough, what would it look like if it got rough??? This was the question of the morning for me

As I got a few miles out on the bay I had rolling waves 3-5 feet and very quick and close together so the AI would ski over one as it dove thru another. I was traveling in the 5-7 mpg range and did most of trip in about 2 hours. At some point during the trip I was taking rolling waves into the PFD and my chest. The conditions in the bay were extremely serious. The wind picked up around 20 or so and I had the sail trimmed and was still moving pretty fast. Like I said this still was pretty good conditions considering how bad it could get if a storm rolled in.

At this point I have decided to make it a day trip and started circling back to the launch spot. Some of the factors that turned me around were the fact that I wasn’t with someone else, and I wasn’t wearing a drysuit. I was wearing a 2 pieces dry system from MTI Adventurer wear, but I really needed a 1 piece dry suit the waves were crashing all over me. When I can get a few AI’s together in September, I will attempt the crossing again, this time I will add 10 miles to the trip, so that I can travel north up the Delaware and circle around to avoid the mouth of the bay and the boat channels.

The scariest thing that ever happened to me on a kayak


During the roughest part of the trip I was moving along, getting absolutely soaked. The waves were breaking over the front, hitting the sail and I was having problems keeping the bow out on top of the waves. I was gong thru or getting close to edge of the channel and water was moving in from 2 directions. I saw the waves come together and burst, it looked like a washing machine, or if you ever white water kayaked, a STOPPER! As I came flying thru the waves the AI just stopped like someone grabbed the boat from underneath. It felt like I was in mud, really sticky and thick water! The AI was shaking, from left to right and the ama/aks’s were going under water. As I was stopping I watched the bow of the boat stick right into the wave. I kept watching for the front of the boat to rise out like it does every other time the bow dives thru a wave. This time the bow was under water and the water kept coming down the kayak. I had no forward momentum and sail was making a ton of noise. I watched the mast mount go under water. I watched the entire area where the mirage drive is fill up with water as the water rushed over mounting bar. I was waiting for the water to drain thru the scuppers and it wasn't draining fast enough. Now there was a second there that I though I was in trouble and I would be swimming. The water kept coming in around me and I started to move around in the seat because the whole cockpit area was under water. The few items I had between my legs start floating away. You really have to imagine sitting in your seat and getting lifted up because the boat is below the water line.

Now I was nervous I got my feet on the mirage drive and was able to move the boat forward, as the boat popped back up.

I will tell you one thing about the Hobie Adventure Island, it is one strong boat. The AI is a means to create your own adventure and know that you can make it home under pedal power, sailing power or paddling. There isn't any other boat I would have used to make the attempt. Although, I didn't complete the round trip crossing. I feel good about the attempt. I did over 25 miles in one day, had a great time sailing and I learned a little bit more about myself

Here is some video from when it was nice out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxSknwazBGc

Author:  Eddie [ Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  well written trip report

Hello again, Al (yakman):

Thanks for that well written trip report; your trip certainly was an “adventure.â€

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