Notes from Summer Sailing on the Delaware River

WBF Staff

“Stop shaking the boat! Oh my goodness, get me off this thing. I’m scared!”

If we were in the middle of the ocean in 25 knot winds with the whole gunwale in the water and a blackening sky barging at us, I would have been pretty scared myself.

But we weren’t.

We were at the Philadelphia Seaport Museum on a sunny August Thursday afternoon getting White Lightning rigged up at the dock to take out for a sail. The skies were clear blue but for a few splashes of white clouds to complement Philadelphia’s skyline. The wind blew steadily in from the northeast at 8 mph with occasional gusts up to 12. The tide had just reached its highest point. No chop. It was a great day for sailing.

I had come down to the museum to help out with PWBF’s summer program. I was going to take students out on the water in a 19’ Lightning class sailing dinghy.

Eight arrived that day and Amanda, Tymia, Sheree and Chink wanted to go sailing. For Chink, this was to be her first time. For the other three, this was to be their second or third time.

I felt confident taking the boat out with the girls. What would be a challenge was convincing all of them that sailing was fun. I could tell that a couple of the teens liked the idea of sailing and wanted to be on the boat. But, they were afraid. Sailing was still new and different. Going into the Delaware on a small boat that was sensitive to movement was daunting.

The girls helped me rig the boat. Once the jib and main were hoisted and everyone knew and understood their position on board, we pushed off the dock and made our way out of the slip, past Moshulu, and into the Delaware River.

As we headed north on a beat towards the Ben Franklin Bridge, the first gust rolled in and the boat heeled sharply. All the girls screamed, scurrying to the high side. Nervous pleas to go back to the dock quickly followed. “But, that’s what makes sailing so exciting!” I said, explaining to them what had just happened and assuring them this was a natural reaction of the boat. Then stronger gust came and the boat heeled little more, sending the girls jumping to the high side once more. I eased the main to flatten the boat. All the girls stared at each other for a moment in shock, and then burst out laughing and poked fun at each other’s scared expression. Next thing you knew, they wanted to do it again!

It seemed that most nerves had shaken off and everyone was loosening up. Confidence grew as the girls felt safer aboard White Lightning. We joked around, told stories, took pictures, waved to other boats passing by, shouted when we sailed under the Ben Franklin Bridge. Chink and Amanda even hung out on the bow deck and laid down while the sail crossed over them when we tacked. Of course, the girls still screamed when a gust heeled the boat, but trust had already started to take root and I could see before me some fine sailors. Also to mention, none of the girls ever abandoned their role. When it was time to focus, they did so without having to be told twice. Everyone listened and paid attention. I couldn’t have asked for a better (and more entertaining!) crew.

After almost an hour on the water, we turned to head back in. As we sailed on a downwind tack towards the dock, a speed boat passed us, leaving a few waves in its wake. I headed up slightly. The boat coasted over the crest of the wave and glided swiftly down its backside. The girls screamed and laughed. Then Tymia asked me to do it again.