I have two weeks off starting next Tuesday. I am heading out for a little cruise into the Chesapeake Bay. I will be starting from my home port of Colonial Beach. It is about 30 nautical miles from Colonial Beach to Point Lookout (entrance to Chesapeake Bay).
I will make my way to the Chesapeake Bay. It make a day or two depending on wind, how early I get started, and how I feel. After that I plan to hit Solomons Island, MD. From there I have so many options it isn't funny.
I could go North East and go into the Choptank River (that gives me access to Cainbridge, Oxford, and the backside of St. Michaels from Santo Domingo Creek). I also have access to other areas.
If I go south east from Solomons I can go over to Smith Island. From there there is Tangier Island, Chrisfield, and Onancock. From those locations Deltaville is in that area as well.
Directly North I would have access to Deal, the Rhode River, and eventually Annapolis. I am not sure if I will venture as far north as Annapolis but it is possible.
I will base me cruise on wind and weather, of course. I will try to update as I go along.
One small concern is how much weight I will be carrying. I will have a full cooler, 6 gallon gas tank, and other cruising stuff. I am debating on carrying one of my folding bikes but this is also something to consider because it is a little heavy (a little less than 50 pounds). It won't fit in any of the lockers so I will have to stash it and move it around inside of the cabin. I will also be towing my dingy.
I also wonder about power consumption. I have 1 group 27 battery and my outboard does have an alternator. I also have a 5 watt solar panel (more of a trickle charger). I may have to take a slip to plug into shore power at some point.
I am very familiar with this area. Still, it is nice to have a cruising guide. If anyone hasn't checked it out, ActiveCaptain is a really cool app. It shows you a ton of information along with anchorages and what-not.
I will make my way to the Chesapeake Bay. It make a day or two depending on wind, how early I get started, and how I feel. After that I plan to hit Solomons Island, MD. From there I have so many options it isn't funny.
I could go North East and go into the Choptank River (that gives me access to Cainbridge, Oxford, and the backside of St. Michaels from Santo Domingo Creek). I also have access to other areas.
If I go south east from Solomons I can go over to Smith Island. From there there is Tangier Island, Chrisfield, and Onancock. From those locations Deltaville is in that area as well.
Directly North I would have access to Deal, the Rhode River, and eventually Annapolis. I am not sure if I will venture as far north as Annapolis but it is possible.
I will base me cruise on wind and weather, of course. I will try to update as I go along.
One small concern is how much weight I will be carrying. I will have a full cooler, 6 gallon gas tank, and other cruising stuff. I am debating on carrying one of my folding bikes but this is also something to consider because it is a little heavy (a little less than 50 pounds). It won't fit in any of the lockers so I will have to stash it and move it around inside of the cabin. I will also be towing my dingy.
I also wonder about power consumption. I have 1 group 27 battery and my outboard does have an alternator. I also have a 5 watt solar panel (more of a trickle charger). I may have to take a slip to plug into shore power at some point.
I am very familiar with this area. Still, it is nice to have a cruising guide. If anyone hasn't checked it out, ActiveCaptain is a really cool app. It shows you a ton of information along with anchorages and what-not.
