Solo Sailing from Block Island, RI to Solomons, Maryland | 400 NM via New York & Cape May

Join me aboard Mirage, my Amel 50, for a relaxed, weeklong voyage from Block Island, Rhode Island, to my home port in Solomons, Maryland - about 400 nautical miles to finish my summer journey to Nova Scotia and back. This final stretch brings beautiful ocean views, sailing at nearly 10 knots boat speed, and a powerboat race right in downtown New York. After enjoying Manhattan from the water, I head to Atlantic Highlands before an overnight sail to Cape May, complete with a passing squall and a beautiful rainbow. From Cape May, the journey continues through Delaware Bay, a midnight passage through the C&D Canal, and down Chesapeake Bay to Solomons. Some days are perfect for sailing; others call for a little patience and the engine. There’s time to work aboard, cook dinner, and simply enjoy being at sea. At the end, I share three takeaways from the whole trip to Nova Scotia and back: the wonderful summer weather farther north, the powerful tidal currents, and the pleasures of life ashore—from well-stocked grocery stores to live music. CHAPTERS 00:00 Leaving Block Island 01:23 Code 0 sailing—nearly 10 knots! 02:15 Long Island and an overnight stop 02:46 A rainy sail toward New York 03:07 Working aboard Mirage 04:23 New York waterfront and powerboat racing 04:28 Heading to Atlantic Highlands 07:18 Goodbye, New York—passing Brighton Beach 08:05 Cooking aboard 08:48 Setting off for Cape May 09:45 A 35-knot squall and a rainbow 10:43 Enjoying an evening at sea 12:13 Night sailing 12:35 Morning approach to Cape May 13:09 Arriving under sail 13:27 Delaware Bay and onward to the C&D Canal 14:30 Watching the tidal current 15:01 Back in Maryland 15:39 Sailing home to Solomons 16:20 Three takeaways from Nova Scotia and back 16:32 Summer weather in Cape Cod and Nantucket 17:09 Tidal currents in Maine and the Bay of Fundy 17:54 Provisions, live music, and life ashore 18:50 Journey’s end—and getting ready to head south #SoloSailing #Amel50 #SailingMirage #BlockIsland #CapeMay #ChesapeakeBay