Offshore prep and a run from RI to MD

Having dodged a bullet with the over-forecast wind in Newport, we were ready to head south! The debate—via Long Island Sound (something new!) or direct to Delaware/Chesapeake Bay (the reverse of our summer trip north)? While we would love to see some new places, the forecast was just too good to pass up—we would make the two-night push offshore. 

I don’t mind overnight/offshore transits. The kids, on the other hand, usually groan when we talk about transits like that. They equate it to rolly conditions, Trent getting sick, and rough weather because to be honest, that’s all happened on some of our transits. But not all of them! That’s just what they remember. 

So how do we prep? Other than the basic check weather, fill water, fill diesel...

On deck, jack lines are run bow-to-stern so we can tether safely if we need to go on deck while offshore. Offshore life jackets, tethers, and safety kits (EPIRB, knife, mirror, emergency blanket, personal flare) are brought out for the two main watch-standers. The dinghy is lashed to the arch to limit its motion (we could stow it on the forecastle for extra security, but we don’t generally plan long, rough passages). The Garmin InReach is charged and accessible at the nav station.

Down below we secure computers, books, glasses...anything prone to flight. I pull out our seasickness arsenal (Bonine, DōTerra ginger drops, Trent’s Relief Band). And...I prep food! What I prep depends on the conditions we expect but in general it’s stuff that can grabbed and consumed easily. For example:

- Pasta...ideally something that can be eaten cold. And stay away from tomato sauces if it will be rough—that stuff burns on the way up! My fave is some sort of Mediterranean pasta salad. We also love Mexican or Thai quinoa and chickpea-based salads for a quick meal. We make all of these vegetarian as half our crew is vegetarian, but meat can be added easily.

- Chili or Sloppy Joe’s. These are great, low-splash options for a cold passage. But...see the warning about tomato sauces above and plan a more gentle back-up if needed! Our warm, less volatile go-to is cheese quesadillas—mmmm...bread and cheese!

- Grilled chicken. You can add it to just about anything and it’s yummy even when it’s cold.

- Cheese/crackers and pita chips/hummus. Cut up the cheese before you get underway to save from dancing in swells with a knife in hand.

- Deli meat and stuff for quick sandwiches. 

- Peanut butter. 3/4 of our crew could live off only PB.

- Bagels, a.k.a. my mid watch companion. 

- Jerky. The Skipper would be irked if I failed to provision the jerky stash. There is even vegan jerky now!

- Nuts. Another easy, filling, nutritious grab-and-go.

Ok, that’s a lot of food info but it’s truly a huge part of keeping the crew comfortable and happy no matter how long the journey is. 

So how was this passage? Pretty awesome! We touched out some rough conditions on the first day and had a fantastic second day, including Katreina’s first solo watch as we were off NYC. On the second night we were within reach of several other boats (and many were kid boats!) making the same run. On the third morning we entered Delaware Bay with perfect conditions and a favorable tide. We were able to run up the bay, through the C&D Canal, and up to a nice anchorage on the Sassafras River. I’d do it again!