CODA BAHAMAS BOUND 2024-2025 (25)

CODA : We have conquered Chesapeake Bay

19 October 2024

Hampton Public docks, Hampton,  Virginia

"Red sky at morning sailor take warning"

Marc-  Today we finished our crossing of Chesapeake Bay with yet another day of Northerly winds and a new twist of wind against tidal currents.  The result of wind against tide is rough water and a slower speed.  No more 7.5 to 8 plus knots today. We were lucky to average 6 knots today.   It is said that  misery loves company and we did have lots of company going South.  At one point we passed an area of 18 ships anchored in the Bay awaiting permission to go into Norfolk.  Mostly we just progressed slowly with a group of sailboats.  The red sky was not so bad after all. 

 I had made arrangements to meet with the Tartan 34 group Commodore, Tim Dull, at Hampton.  Tim met us at the public docks and joined us for a beer at the local pub.  Tim had been racing his Tartan today just South of Fort Monroe.  This part of the Bay is the crossroads for a great deal of commercial ship as well as Navy ship traffic.  Tim explained that the sailors routinely have to deal with container ships and Naval destroyers to air craft carriers within the race course.

It is hard to see in this photo but there is a long line of sasilboats ahead of CODA,

We tied up at the Hampton public docks in front of the Virginia Air and Space Museum.

The Museum also has an enclosed carousel out front.  We visited here in 2020 and it was very interesting with substantial space equipment here.