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Chesapeake Cruise
Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport
boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple. I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested itineraries? We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast? Are there any can't miss ports of call? is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and access to launch from? TIA harlan -- To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"? |
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#2
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Harlan Lachman wrote:
Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple. I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested itineraries? Chesapeake Bay Magazine has a cruising guide they put out every year. It has 3 suggested itineraries - one in the upper bay, one in the middle bay and one in the lower bay. They do concentrate on anchoring about half the time. We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast? Depends on when you come. I've not made reservations more than a day in advance. Are there any can't miss ports of call? Depends on what you like to do. is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and access to launch from? There's a story (look it up on google - it was sometime in 2001 I think) about someone who did this on the lower bay and launched somewhere on the York River, and their truck and trailer was left at the nearby marina. I would think that Solomons or the eastern shore might be other good bets. We've got a sailboat that's about twice as big as your boat and probably twice as slow, but we've done a couple of trips like this. Since we are based either at the south end of the middle bay or the north end of the south bay (depending on your perspective), we've mostly done cruising in the lower bay. In 1999, we took a mini cruise starting out from our old marina on the Patuxent we anchored in the Little Choptank the first night, and then anchored in Selby Bay and then went to my BILs house in Bodkin Creek, and then came home. The following year (2000), we were in a marina off the Potomac Day 1 to the Patuxent - anchored Day 2 to Oxford - anchored and met a friend http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/56243/#TL Day 3 anchored in Selby Bay Day 4 met a friend and took him sailing and then anchored in Harness Creek http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/562f3/#TL Day 5 tied up to the dock at my BIL's house in Pinehurst http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/562f5/#TL Day 6 Baltimore http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/2ab90/#TL in a marina Day 7 Anchored Swan Creek Day 8 Anchored in the Corsica River http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/4a9c6/c3f94/ Day 9 marina in Queenstown http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/557e2/#TL Day 10 Anchored in Chester River Day 11 thought of going to St. Michaels but it was a Saturday so we anchored in Shaw Bay instead http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/561bd/#TL Day 12 Anchored in the Choptank http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/561cb/#TL Day 13 back to Oxford to a marina http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/56256/#TL Day 14 anchored in the Patuxent Day 15 back home to the Potomac Then in September (2000) we went from the Potomac to Reedville to Broad Creek (Deltaville) and came home. We started going down the ICW for the winter in Nov 2000. In August of this year we took a mini cruise - Reedville http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/380cf/#TL Tangier http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/53091/#TL Crisfield http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/53091/#TL (where we also went in July 2003 for a couple of days) and then home This month, we had intended to go north and see St. Michaels which we've never quite gotten to, but the wind was from the north. We didn't actually leave the day we had intended to go because it was so stormy, so we went south to the Reedville Marina again, and then to Jackson Creek off the Piankatank http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/57ec5/#TL to the Deltaville Marina. The following day we went to http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/58160/#TL Mobjack Bay to the OTHER Severn River Marina. The we came back to Broad Creek on the Rappahannock and then back home (I haven't finished writing that up yet.) grandma Rosalie |
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#3
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Thanks for the detailed response
harlan In article , Rosalie B. wrote: Harlan Lachman wrote: Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple. I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested itineraries? Chesapeake Bay Magazine has a cruising guide they put out every year. It has 3 suggested itineraries - one in the upper bay, one in the middle bay and one in the lower bay. They do concentrate on anchoring about half the time. We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast? Depends on when you come. I've not made reservations more than a day in advance. Are there any can't miss ports of call? Depends on what you like to do. is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and access to launch from? There's a story (look it up on google - it was sometime in 2001 I think) about someone who did this on the lower bay and launched somewhere on the York River, and their truck and trailer was left at the nearby marina. I would think that Solomons or the eastern shore might be other good bets. We've got a sailboat that's about twice as big as your boat and probably twice as slow, but we've done a couple of trips like this. Since we are based either at the south end of the middle bay or the north end of the south bay (depending on your perspective), we've mostly done cruising in the lower bay. In 1999, we took a mini cruise starting out from our old marina on the Patuxent we anchored in the Little Choptank the first night, and then anchored in Selby Bay and then went to my BILs house in Bodkin Creek, and then came home. The following year (2000), we were in a marina off the Potomac Day 1 to the Patuxent - anchored Day 2 to Oxford - anchored and met a friend http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/56243/#TL Day 3 anchored in Selby Bay Day 4 met a friend and took him sailing and then anchored in Harness Creek http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/562f3/#TL Day 5 tied up to the dock at my BIL's house in Pinehurst http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/562f5/#TL Day 6 Baltimore http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/2ab90/#TL in a marina Day 7 Anchored Swan Creek Day 8 Anchored in the Corsica River http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/4a9c6/c3f94/ Day 9 marina in Queenstown http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/557e2/#TL Day 10 Anchored in Chester River Day 11 thought of going to St. Michaels but it was a Saturday so we anchored in Shaw Bay instead http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/561bd/#TL Day 12 Anchored in the Choptank http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/561cb/#TL Day 13 back to Oxford to a marina http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/56256/#TL Day 14 anchored in the Patuxent Day 15 back home to the Potomac Then in September (2000) we went from the Potomac to Reedville to Broad Creek (Deltaville) and came home. We started going down the ICW for the winter in Nov 2000. In August of this year we took a mini cruise - Reedville http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/380cf/#TL Tangier http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/53091/#TL Crisfield http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/53091/#TL (where we also went in July 2003 for a couple of days) and then home This month, we had intended to go north and see St. Michaels which we've never quite gotten to, but the wind was from the north. We didn't actually leave the day we had intended to go because it was so stormy, so we went south to the Reedville Marina again, and then to Jackson Creek off the Piankatank http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/57ec5/#TL to the Deltaville Marina. The following day we went to http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/58160/#TL Mobjack Bay to the OTHER Severn River Marina. The we came back to Broad Creek on the Rappahannock and then back home (I haven't finished writing that up yet.) grandma Rosalie -- To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"? |
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#4
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In article ,
Harlan Lachman wrote: Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple. I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested itineraries? We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast? Are there any can't miss ports of call? is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and access to launch from? TIA Looking at the other posts, I'm surprised no one mentioned Shellenberger's "Gunkholer's Guide to the Chesapeake". It'll get you into those pesky little places like Queenstown (and tighter if you're adventurous). It is "local knowledge" in print. We wore a copy out in 10 years, so had to get a new copy last year. Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air. The spots WE like, though, will mostly be daystops for you, since you need the plug-ins. They ARE beautiful, and are the REAL Bay. The Bay magazine's guide may serve you best for overnights, since it's geared toward marina-hopping, but don't limit yourselves to just the places that advertize there. You almost HAVE to run around Wye Island if you're in the St. Michaels area. For pure scenery, it's top of the list. Do it slowly, tuck into the coves and creeks, and savor the experience. Don't make firm plans, and have an alternate stop if the day deteriorates. Some years, you get great weather and can go anywhere. Other years, there are days in a row when you don't want to budge for love or money. The Bay WILL beat you up if you push, and the first few afternoon squalls will blow your mind. Running up to DC would be a fine adventure, but it's about all you'd be able to do in a week, and there were some restrictions last season. Do it by land since you're driving anyway. Friends had the same boat, and their range was about the same as ours: 30 miles started getting tiring, more pushed the familial relationship unless conditions are ideal. A week is hardly enough time to get an overview, so I would think you'd want to do the "famous" stuff first time out: Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels and Rock Hall. The first two can consume two days each, distances are about 20-30 nm between, which is reasonable for your size boat. They're all sorta fake in their own ways, but most people seem to like them. If you want to go some place "different", just about any marina will have sufficient power for you. Weekends: Get in early Friday afternoon and spend two nights. City Dock at Annapolis or Baltimore (inner harbor or Fells Point) are good for that. Great people watching and sights to see. We have cruised the Bay in various boats for a couple of decades and had nearly 3 weeks for this year's vacation. Except for a few lay days for weather, we spent each night in a different wonderful anchorage, yet never got more than an easy daytrip away from Xan's home. (with our 6 knot top speed.) Those friends of mine launch at White Sands (I think -- charts are on boat) adjacent to the Bay Bridge. They seem to have no problem leaving their car and trailer there for a weekend or week as they explore. That's central to the mid-Bay hot spots and may be ideal for you. -- Jere Lull Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD) Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/ |
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#5
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Jere Lull wrote:
In article , Harlan Lachman wrote: Each summer, my son and I take a week or so to cruise on our cuddy-sport boat (a 25' Regal). For the past few years we trailered it from Vermont down to CT to see the Ocean, Whales and the Northeast coast. Before that we went down the Hudson so visit my older son in the big apple. I have been wondering what a trip on the Chesapeake would be like. Does anyone know of a really good, up to date cruising guide with suggested itineraries? We have AC and shore power (I have sleep apnea and asthma). Does one have to reserve dock space well in advance as they do, especially on weekends, in well visited ports on the NE coast? Are there any can't miss ports of call? is there a safe place to leave a truck and trailer for the week and access to launch from? TIA Looking at the other posts, I'm surprised no one mentioned Shellenberger's "Gunkholer's Guide to the Chesapeake". It'll get you into those pesky little places like Queenstown (and tighter if you're adventurous). It is "local knowledge" in print. We wore a copy out in 10 years, so had to get a new copy last year. I didn't suggest it because it is mostly about anchorages, and I thought he might not want to spend the money on the book. I found it difficult to use at first, and harder when I didn't know the area. I think the ADC map and the Chesapeake Bay magazine cruising guide would be best for his purpose of one or two weeks cruising. I thought the Gunkholer's guide would be overkill. I also didn't suggest the guide to the Potomac (which is getting a bit outdated now) Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air. Yes, but I'm not sure that's what he is after. The spots WE like, though, will mostly be daystops for you, since you need the plug-ins. They ARE beautiful, and are the REAL Bay. The Bay magazine's guide may serve you best for overnights, since it's geared toward marina-hopping, but don't limit yourselves to just the places that advertize there. You almost HAVE to run around Wye Island if you're in the St. Michaels area. For pure scenery, it's top of the list. Do it slowly, tuck into the coves and creeks, and savor the experience. Don't make firm plans, and have an alternate stop if the day deteriorates. Some years, you get great weather and can go anywhere. Other years, there are days in a row when you don't want to budge for love or money. The Bay WILL beat you up if you push, and the first few afternoon squalls will blow your mind. Running up to DC would be a fine adventure, but it's about all you'd be able to do in a week, and there were some restrictions last season. Do it by land since you're driving anyway. Friends had the same boat, and their range was about the same as ours: 30 miles started getting tiring, more pushed the familial relationship unless conditions are ideal. A week is hardly enough time to get an overview, so I would think you'd want to do the "famous" stuff first time out: Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels and Rock Hall. The first two can consume two days each, distances are about 20-30 nm between, which is reasonable for your size boat. They're all sorta fake in their own ways, but most people seem to like them. If you want to go some place "different", just about any marina will have sufficient power for you. Weekends: Get in early Friday afternoon and spend two nights. City Dock at Annapolis or Baltimore (inner harbor or Fells Point) are good for that. Great people watching and sights to see. We have cruised the Bay in various boats for a couple of decades and had nearly 3 weeks for this year's vacation. Except for a few lay days for weather, we spent each night in a different wonderful anchorage, yet never got more than an easy daytrip away from Xan's home. (with our 6 knot top speed.) Those friends of mine launch at White Sands (I think -- charts are on boat) adjacent to the Bay Bridge. They seem to have no problem leaving their car and trailer there for a weekend or week as they explore. That's central to the mid-Bay hot spots and may be ideal for you. Do you mean Sandy Point? White Sands is Vera's place on the Patuxent. This website addresses trailerable boating on the bay http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/de...chesapeake.asp A few Chesapeake Bay Ramps on the western sho Sandy Point State Park near the Bay Bridge (410-974-2149) and Truxton Park on Spa Creek in Annapolis (410-263-7958). Fairwinds Marina on the Magothy River (410-974-0758) and Ferry Point Marina at the mouth of Mill and Dividing creeks (410-544-6368). Farther south at the South River, you can launch from Oak Grove Marina (410-266-6696), Pier Seven Marina (410-956-2288) and Turkey Point Marina (410-798-1369). In Shady Side, try Backyard Boats in (410-867-4800) or in Deale, Deale Marina (301-261-9200). In Chesapeake Beach you can launch into the Bay at Fishing Creek Landings (301-855-3572) or just down the road at Breezy Point Marina (301-855-9894). Bill's Boat Rental at Broomes Island (410-586-3599) or at the DNR ramp at Hallowing Point 410-260-8186). Solomons Island Boat Ramp (at the base of the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge) 410-326-8383. I was going to suggest the ramp at Solomons but I don't know what the parking regulations are. grandma Rosalie |
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#6
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In article ,
Jere Lull wrote: Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air. Jere, what a wonderful informative post. Thanks. BTW, is Queenstown a place we can overnight on the same trip as Annapolis and Baltimore? I am upgrading my batteries and might be able to overnight with my sleep apnea machine running at least most of the night (especially if we forgo our refrigerator). harlan -- To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"? |
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#7
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Harlan Lachman wrote:
In article , Jere Lull wrote: Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air. Jere, what a wonderful informative post. Thanks. BTW, is Queenstown a place we can overnight on the same trip as Annapolis and Baltimore? There's no marina that I know of, but it is right across from Baltimore. I am upgrading my batteries and might be able to overnight with my sleep apnea machine running at least most of the night (especially if we forgo our refrigerator). harlan grandma Rosalie |
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#8
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On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 10:05:46 -0400, Harlan Lachman
wrote: In article , Jere Lull wrote: Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air. Jere, what a wonderful informative post. Thanks. BTW, is Queenstown a place we can overnight on the same trip as Annapolis and Baltimore? I am upgrading my batteries and might be able to overnight with my sleep apnea machine running at least most of the night (especially if we forgo our refrigerator). harlan My wife has a sleep apnea machine and hers says on the label that it uses .4 (4/10) amps at 12 volts and has a 12 adapter. It doesn't add up to many amp hours for a night's sleep. Mark E. Williams |
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#9
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Maynard, thanks for the data. I didn't see a similar plate on my machine.
Most machines sold nowadays include heated humidification -- even some insurance companies now admit heated humidification improves compliance and reduces side effects. It is the draw of the heated humidifier that concerns me. If I try dropping a hook. I will probably try using my humidifier as a passover type (no heat) to save on the amps. But only if I have to. harlan In article , Maynard G. Krebbs wrote: On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 10:05:46 -0400, Harlan Lachman wrote: In article , Jere Lull wrote: Queenstown is gorgeous! If you tuck back past the power lines, you can imagine yourselves in the Bay of previous centuries. Fox and otters on the shore, osprey and eagles in the trees and air. Jere, what a wonderful informative post. Thanks. BTW, is Queenstown a place we can overnight on the same trip as Annapolis and Baltimore? I am upgrading my batteries and might be able to overnight with my sleep apnea machine running at least most of the night (especially if we forgo our refrigerator). harlan My wife has a sleep apnea machine and hers says on the label that it uses .4 (4/10) amps at 12 volts and has a 12 adapter. It doesn't add up to many amp hours for a night's sleep. Mark E. Williams -- To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"? |
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#10
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On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 11:56:42 -0400, Harlan Lachman
wrote: Maynard, thanks for the data. I didn't see a similar plate on my machine. Most machines sold nowadays include heated humidification -- even some insurance companies now admit heated humidification improves compliance and reduces side effects. It is the draw of the heated humidifier that concerns me. If I try dropping a hook. I will probably try using my humidifier as a passover type (no heat) to save on the amps. But only if I have to. harlan My wife's machine is a c-pap without heated humidification so I didn't think of that. I was just thinking about the fan draw. You might look in your machine's documentation or check out their website if they have one. You should be able to find out how many 12 volt amps your equipment (fan and heated humidification) draws. At least then you would know for sure if you are going to have a problem. Mark E. Williams |
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