WEATHERED IN AT ATLANTIC CITY

We were planning our long trip to Cape May when the launch operator mentioned our plans to Steve on On Eagles Wings who was planning to leave at about the same time. We invited him over to our boat and he showed us how it would be more advantageous for us to stop in Atlantic City instead of trying to make the 100 mile plus trip to Cape May and the Delaware Bay. He had made the trip every year for a long time now and he knew all the little shortcuts and where to anchor for free in Atlantic City. He was leaving at 5:30 on Friday morning and we asked if we could tag along with him. At 5:30 sharp the next morning, we were headed out of Sandy Hook and into the Atlantic. Following On Eagles Wings into the Atlantic sunrise.

We were motorsailing with the main up and following behind him at an average of 6.5 knots fairly close to to the New Jersey shore. The wind was very light and, of course, on our nose. The main sail did give us a little boost though and helped add a knot or so at times to our speed. It was kind of reassuring to know we were following a veteran sailor who had taken the same trip so many times. All of a sudden I looked up and On Ealgles Wings had stopped almost dead in the water and did a 180 turn back toward us. We slowed and followed him to see what had happened. Apparently he was having a problem with his heat exchanger and his engine had overheated. We offered to stay and help but he insisted we keep going since he had already called Boat US and made arrangements to be towed into Barnegat Bay for repairs. We felt bad for him but we continued on our course for Atlantic City and wished him the best of luck with his repairs. Steve had told us of a small anchorage area that was just inside the Atlantic City Channel that he used every time he took the trip. As we got closer I started looking for it on our charts to make sure there were no surprises. Unfortunately, my charts said anywhere from 2 to 6 feet near the entrance to the little anchorage area off Rum Point. I called Steve to see how his repairs were coming and to ask a few questions about the anchorage. On Eagles Wings only has a 4 foot 4 inch draft, so he could not be sure that we would make it through the entrance with our 5 foot 7 inch draft. He suggested that we would probably want to get a slip at one of the marinas since the only other alternative would be a fairly rough anchorage near the channel and the Coast Guard Station. We started calling the marinas but most had already left for the day. We were down to 2 choices of Kammerman Marine or the Farley Marina that was a part of the Golden Nugget. We had heard that the Golden Nugget was very expensive so we talked to Kammerman first. The only place they could put us would be on the gas dock with no electric at $2.25 per foot. Oh, by the way, we would have to leave at 7 AM when the gas dock opened. The Goldent Nugget was $3.00 per foot but we had all the amenities plus the use of the pool, spa and access to the casino and all the entertainment. Not a bad deal, so we took it. Entering the channel to Atlantic City

A view from our slip towards the Boardwalk Casinos.

Our 6th floor pool.

They had a dock hand that helped us in, tied us up and coiled and braided all our lines. He even helped hook up the electric. Wow! The facilities were the best we have seen since we have been traveling, or boating for that matter. When we wandered into a bar, they asked for a $10.00 cover charge, but when they found out we were boaters, they gave us a free pass for the rest of our stay. Our stay became extended after we checked the weather and saw some pretty severe storms down at Cape May with a small craft warning that had been posted for Saturday morning. Once again, the marina was very accomodating and cut our fee to less than what the other marina was trying to charge us for the gas dock. So we just relaxed and enjoyed our stay. The storms seemed to stall over Cape May and they were hit with torrential rain fal and lots of flooding. The small craft warning was extended into Sunday. Oh well. We now had plenty of time to enjoy everything and even go tour the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. Barry and Sue on Sea Hunt pulled in next to us and we immediately hit it off with them. A view of the Boardwalk from the Beach.

A view of the Beach from the Boardwalk.

A view of the Boardwalk in front of Ballys.

We are now planning on leaving tomorrow morning, which is Monday August 27th for Cape May. There are still some storms close by, but the small craft warnings have been lifted. It is only about 25 miles from Atlantic City and we could keep going up into Delaware Bay, but Denise had heard so much about it she wants to stop and explore.