Gibson Island, MD through the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal

After a night of heavy rain we woke to grey skies and drizzle but even that couldn't dampen the spirits of an excited crew ready to throw off the dock lines.

CASTING OFF: 7.35am Wind not quite right for sailing? No problem for this seasoned crew and proper motorsailer! Simply deploy the "Iron Genny" (115 hp Yanmar diesel engine). Dock lines and fenders (fat cylindrical pliable plastic movable bumpers positioned to protect the boat's sides when docking) stowed in the forward outward locker by the efficient crew. Meanwhile, Captain Charlie expertly maneuvers the boat away from the dock, chugging past stunning rolling hills with manicured green lawns of large estates and horse farms with sleek hunter jumpers, coats gleaming in the sun now piercing through the clouds--tails and manes lightly fluttering as the wind begins to gently blow.  Captain Charlie winds Paradigm down the Magothy River and out into the Chesapeake Bay. 

UNDERWAY IN THE CHESAPEAKE: A gentle chop on the water. Paradigm cruising past lighthouse sentinels in the middle of the bay that previously warned mariners of perils for more than 130 years. Prior to lighthouses, in the early 1800s, lightships were anchored flashing danger of the shallow waters in the middle of the vast bay. Now these rugged red brick cylinders with spectacular bay views are being converted by private individuals to vacation rentals.

WATCH KEEPING: As they approach the Chesapeake and Delaware canal, the crew 
starts the rotational watch that will last for the next 49 hours. Six crew with two people on watch for four hours allowing an 8-hour break in between for sleeping, cooking, fixing, photography, chatting and yes, even showering! The log book meticulously maintained noting every two hours weather, course, key sailing information --wave height, actual and true wind speed, course over ground speed, latitude and longitude, barometric pressure--along with vital boat systems records--fuel, water, and sewage levels in the port (left) and starboard (right) tanks, engine RPM,  oil pressure and temperature. In addition, the duty crew does a quick eying of bilge below the engine to ensure no excess water has intruded.

TEA TIME: A proper yacht, Paradigm observes morning tea time. Bathed now in brilliant sunshine, the crew sips tea and enjoys home baked blueberry muffins. Shift change and Doug takes the helm entering the C and D Canal, a 35-mile man made canal linking the Chesapeake to the Delaware Bay. Built in 1829,this is the busiest canal in the nation and the third busiest in the world.  However, we saw nary another ship!

Geoff enjoying a muffin and a cuppa while
listening to Captain Charlie's safety briefing.

We passed under 5 bridges including a railway bridge.  Always scary looking up with nervous trepidation as to whether there is enough clearance for our 75ft mast!

The landscape either side of the canal was incredibly flat, the cycle way looked like that could be a bit of fun but with the rising temperatures, it was hot, hot hot with little shade.