Re: Delaware River distances
OK! If you have a large enough boat to cruise at about 20 MPH comfortably, figure about 2 hours or so from Baltimore to Turkey point, another 1/2 hour to the C+D canal. Try to avoid the crab trap fields--you will see the buoys. Up near Aberdeen, stay on the Delmarva side. There is some nasty shoal water up until about a mile out from Aberdeen. Do not get confused--the canal if further than it looks and a couple of other inlets look like it. Following the ship channel, you will be looking for R26 and R28. Allow a 1 hour cruise through the canal then depending on tide, about 1 hour to Philly and another hour to Tullytown. Do not be tempted to cut the corner in the canal and take the creek to Delaware City. That will put you behind the dike. Take the canal all the way into the Delaware unless you need fuel at Delaware City. On the canal, Schaeffers has re-opened so you may want to stop there at the canal midpoint for gas or lunch. You can also eat across the canal at Chesapeake City but those are upscale restaurants. There is no speed limit in the canal EXCEPT near Schaeffers.
It is a beautiful ride but beware of the submerged dike (about a mile long) on the Delaware side of the river near Delaware City. Exiting the C+D canal, head far out over toward the Jersey side.
Take moderate care going toward Philly and keep a lookout for tugs and other traffic. Tugs especially throw up a sharp, high wake and you want to keep your distance unless you are riding a 40 footer.
North of Philly, past the Ben Franklin bridge there are some shoals so best to keep in the channel. Of course, on a trip through unfamiliar water, CHARTS are invaluable and cheap insurance.
However, it is a beautiful ride on a good day and well worth it. Don't be afraid of taking the trip. I did it in a closed bow 15 footer. I had my then young daughters swim in four states.
If you intend to sightsee, allow more time. There is a Marina with temporary dockage for the Camden Aquarium, The New Jersey battleship is anchored there too. You might be able to temporarily dock at Penn's Landing. You can run the Schuylkill river right up to dam at the Philly museum and waterworks; I did it in a 21 footer, but I don't think you can get into the old Navy yard.at the mouth.
