I'll second the recommendation to find a slip further south on the bay. A few extra minutes of time driving to the boat will be more than made up for in less traffic on the water.
Annapolis – The Sailing Catastrophe of America
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Your "There are also usually about half a dozen giant ships anchored in the middle of the bay at Annapolis, which require altered courses."?
The bay is about 5 miles wide there. If you have to alter course to miss them, why were you aiming at them in the beginning? Pehaps some of your complaints are of your own doing? Like the diner who complains to his wife, "No wonder this is such a lousy restaurant- it's always crowded".
The bay is about 5 miles wide there. If you have to alter course to miss them, why were you aiming at them in the beginning? Pehaps some of your complaints are of your own doing? Like the diner who complains to his wife, "No wonder this is such a lousy restaurant- it's always crowded".
I would agree. You may have more options on a quieter area of the Bay that you think that won't be too far away. Certainly, a place like Annapolis is often quite busy which may not add to the sailing ambience. Where we sail near the Patuxent River is really nice, but a bit too far from you I think to make it your normal cruising grounds.
I can sail at about 5 knots so that in a couple of hours I am ten miles from the madding crowd. Most are too lazy to sail that far. We almost always plan on an overnighter so that three or four hours out and the same going home the next day is peaceful and relaxing.
We do that, too. Our reason is that the only WORK left on our boat is the mainsail cover, so we figure that anchoring out at least one night gives us a break from that "work!" I know, excuses, excuses: to go boating - not an issue.
We moved from the Pacific to an inland lake and experience the same rude and inconsiderate behavior when the weather is nice and all the jerks come out. I too would much rather do my boating in lousy weather than have to put up with this kind of behavior. Ever thought of buying a sling shot?
Each area has it advantages
I have enjoyed reading this post. Sailing out of SoCal sounds delightful as I experienced it on my son in law's boat out of Long Beach. Clear the breakwater and sail forever on a single tack. I lived 7 years in Annapolis and enjoyed the cruises and week end anchorages up the creeks and coves. I then moved back to my native Michigan. Clear sailing with minimal tacks, no crab pots, all fisherman centrally located around fertile fishing grounds, AHs with PWC but plenty of space to avoid them and thy are only looking for wakes to jump. But the sailors do not gunkhole here. They sail from one marina to the next for over nights. It seems that each area has it owns advantages and the trick is to see what each area has to offer. You will not get long sails on the Chesapeake and you will not go gunk holing out of Long Beach. And, you will never have to rinse off a sail after a cruise in the Great Lakes where zincs last for years and not months. As they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and the beauty of sailing is in the sailing. Take advantage of where you are and dream of distant shores.
I have enjoyed reading this post. Sailing out of SoCal sounds delightful as I experienced it on my son in law's boat out of Long Beach. Clear the breakwater and sail forever on a single tack. I lived 7 years in Annapolis and enjoyed the cruises and week end anchorages up the creeks and coves. I then moved back to my native Michigan. Clear sailing with minimal tacks, no crab pots, all fisherman centrally located around fertile fishing grounds, AHs with PWC but plenty of space to avoid them and thy are only looking for wakes to jump. But the sailors do not gunkhole here. They sail from one marina to the next for over nights. It seems that each area has it owns advantages and the trick is to see what each area has to offer. You will not get long sails on the Chesapeake and you will not go gunk holing out of Long Beach. And, you will never have to rinse off a sail after a cruise in the Great Lakes where zincs last for years and not months. As they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and the beauty of sailing is in the sailing. Take advantage of where you are and dream of distant shores.
While I don't have much sailing experience in Annapolis, I have been down there for bot shows and the 50th Anniversary of the Albacore of which I owned at the time. I sure seemed real busy.
I've often found that anyplace that's called the Capitol is going to be bad. On the motorcycle its The Tail of the Dragon...and I would not go anywhere near it because its too crowded with too many having too much adrenlin and needing to show it. I much prefer finding that back country road most never heard of when you could ride for an hour without ever seeing a single car and the views were amazing.
Your description of sailing out of SoCal also reminded me of my diving experience.
I learned and became a Certified diver in the North East. My open water dive was performed off the coast of Rhode Island. I did many lake dives in Vermont. Best visibility I ever ad was maybe 10' and there was never much to see. Then one day I headed to Hawaii and tried diving there. No Wet Suit, Fewer Weights, Unlimited Visibility and so much sea life to see and explore. I never dove in a lake again. Sure glad I kept my gear though as it looks like I will soon (after a refresher course) be diving again, but this time for boat maintenance and perhaps some recreation in the future.
So as the others have said, find a better (less known) harbor for your boat and your days will get better.
I've often found that anyplace that's called the Capitol is going to be bad. On the motorcycle its The Tail of the Dragon...and I would not go anywhere near it because its too crowded with too many having too much adrenlin and needing to show it. I much prefer finding that back country road most never heard of when you could ride for an hour without ever seeing a single car and the views were amazing.
Your description of sailing out of SoCal also reminded me of my diving experience.
I learned and became a Certified diver in the North East. My open water dive was performed off the coast of Rhode Island. I did many lake dives in Vermont. Best visibility I ever ad was maybe 10' and there was never much to see. Then one day I headed to Hawaii and tried diving there. No Wet Suit, Fewer Weights, Unlimited Visibility and so much sea life to see and explore. I never dove in a lake again. Sure glad I kept my gear though as it looks like I will soon (after a refresher course) be diving again, but this time for boat maintenance
and perhaps some recreation in the future. So as the others have said, find a better (less known) harbor for your boat and your days will get better.
We are also So. Ca. transplants. We are in So. Florida and have about had it with rude fishing captains, shallow water and horrible weather. The Bahamas is the only thing keeping us from shipping the boat to So. Ca. .
annapolis, the self proclaimed sailing capital of the world..... whereas rhode island to maine is sailing capital of world.. at least in the eyes of most of the usa...
..actual sailing capital of world is elsewhere, where weather is warmer and breezes nicer and NO NAVY....rodlmao....even so cal has way too much navy activity.
try sailing in a place wherein there is no us navy. where the weather is warm and breezes are warm and reliable...is a lot more pleasant.
..actual sailing capital of world is elsewhere, where weather is warmer and breezes nicer and NO NAVY....rodlmao....even so cal has way too much navy activity.
try sailing in a place wherein there is no us navy. where the weather is warm and breezes are warm and reliable...is a lot more pleasant.
Yesterday. NW 15 to 20 with gust to 25, temps around 70. Did not hit any freighters, fishing boats, crabpots or the bottom. Great day to be sailing on the CB. Where were you?
Looking forward to hearing about your first positive experience on the bay. If you ever have one.
Looking forward to hearing about your first positive experience on the bay. If you ever have one.
I've always assumed folks that dock in crowded areas (Annapolis for ex.) like crowds. Obvious?
Water not deep enough? Buy a boat that suits the area! While I've tapped the bottom more than a few times, in 25 years I've never needed anything other than reverse.
Annapolis is not the closest area to NOVA anyway; Deale is. Anyway, My favorite places are mostly in the southern half.
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I agree, the Bay is a terrible place to sail. We should all go elsewhere :Liar:.
Water not deep enough? Buy a boat that suits the area
! While I've tapped the bottom more than a few times, in 25 years I've never needed anything other than reverse.Annapolis is not the closest area to NOVA anyway; Deale is. Anyway, My favorite places are mostly in the southern half.
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I agree, the Bay is a terrible place to sail. We should all go elsewhere :Liar:.
Wait, there's more...
Don't forget the crab pots.
I'd have thought that driving Maryland with Maryland drivers would have prepared you for the folks you would encounter on the bay
Anyway, I agree that it would be nice to have deeper water. For me, I love sailing here because of rich local history, and weaving my family into it.
I agree with Dave602 that you would find Deale to be much more hospitable--you should consider joinging us down here.
Don't forget the crab pots.
I'd have thought that driving Maryland with Maryland drivers would have prepared you for the folks you would encounter on the bay
Anyway, I agree that it would be nice to have deeper water. For me, I love sailing here because of rich local history, and weaving my family into it.
I agree with Dave602 that you would find Deale to be much more hospitable--you should consider joinging us down here.
I have a neighbor that brought his boat out from California. Good man that talked himself out of some damn good sailing here by fixating on the good old days. Let the boat sit, totally uncared for, in his backyard slip until it became such an ugly eyesore that the neighborhood caused him to get rid of it.
How many people out there wish they had what you have?
Don't let yesterday ruin today.
How many people out there wish they had what you have?
Don't let yesterday ruin today.
Skipper,
I have been boating on the Chesapeake since 1981 and currently live in NV as well. I think one could spend a life time exploring the bay and never be bored…. I normally sail from Mid-March until after Thanksgiving, not quite all year but not bad.
However with that said, the Annapolis area, in my opinion, represents the most stressful sailing in the world. For the first 20 or so years we keep our boats in Solomon’s. About 9 years ago we moved the boat to Deale, just south of Annapolis, to make it easier to reach –same bay; two different worlds. I seldom sail north of Eastern Bay for many of the reasons you pointed out in your post. Sail in the Annapolis area, to me, is like driving on the “beltway”, not my idea of fun.
I have heard Annapolis referred to as the “Sailing Capital of America” over the years, I think a more accurately tag line might be the “Sailboat Capital of America”.
Yes there are many light-wind days on the Bay, try to find joy in the challenge of keeping the boat moving in light air, after all sailing is not only about going fast, it is about mastering the art of safely sailing in all kinds of conditions. And, enjoy those days when the winds pick up and 98% of the boats refuse to leave the dock – you will have the Bay to yourself. Put away the GPS, grab a hand bearing compass, a chart book, and take pleasure in mastering you coastal navigation skills.
And finally, an old captain once told me, “If you have not run aground sailing on the Bay, you are either a liar or you have not really sailed the Bay”. After all these years I have decided that I really do not need that much paint on the bottom of our keel :^).
As others have said, before you give up on the Bay you should try sailing further south there is much more to the bay than Annapolis. The Chesapeake is not the Pacific Ocean but it has much to offer. And do not forget about the Bermuda run – 650 nautical miles of some of the besting sailing you can experience.
Well anyway, just one sailor’s point of view
Sea Dragon
I have been boating on the Chesapeake since 1981 and currently live in NV as well. I think one could spend a life time exploring the bay and never be bored…. I normally sail from Mid-March until after Thanksgiving, not quite all year but not bad.
However with that said, the Annapolis area, in my opinion, represents the most stressful sailing in the world. For the first 20 or so years we keep our boats in Solomon’s. About 9 years ago we moved the boat to Deale, just south of Annapolis, to make it easier to reach –same bay; two different worlds. I seldom sail north of Eastern Bay for many of the reasons you pointed out in your post. Sail in the Annapolis area, to me, is like driving on the “beltway”, not my idea of fun.
I have heard Annapolis referred to as the “Sailing Capital of America” over the years, I think a more accurately tag line might be the “Sailboat Capital of America”.
Yes there are many light-wind days on the Bay, try to find joy in the challenge of keeping the boat moving in light air, after all sailing is not only about going fast, it is about mastering the art of safely sailing in all kinds of conditions. And, enjoy those days when the winds pick up and 98% of the boats refuse to leave the dock – you will have the Bay to yourself. Put away the GPS, grab a hand bearing compass, a chart book, and take pleasure in mastering you coastal navigation skills.
And finally, an old captain once told me, “If you have not run aground sailing on the Bay, you are either a liar or you have not really sailed the Bay”. After all these years I have decided that I really do not need that much paint on the bottom of our keel :^).
As others have said, before you give up on the Bay you should try sailing further south there is much more to the bay than Annapolis. The Chesapeake is not the Pacific Ocean but it has much to offer. And do not forget about the Bermuda run – 650 nautical miles of some of the besting sailing you can experience.
Well anyway, just one sailor’s point of view
Sea Dragon
Good-bye !!!
And When Is It You Are Returning To The Pacific???....at Least We Will Have One Less Boat To Watch Out For Here.....
And When Is It You Are Returning To The Pacific???....at Least We Will Have One Less Boat To Watch Out For Here.....
when I Used To Sail Year-round Out Of Dana Point, California, I Would Exit The Harbor, Set The Sails, And Cruise Into The Steady Wind Across The Pacific, With My Fingertips On The Tiller And My Feet On The Cockpit Combing. After Awhile, I’d Set The Tiller Pilot, Grab A Book, And Sail Off Into The Sunset. There Was No Fear Of Grounding, No Ships Running Me Down, No Fishing Boat Skippers Scowling At Me, No Idiots On Pwc’s Or Jerks On Powerboats Plowing Past Too Close, For No Other Reason Than To Be Idiots And Jerks.
also, There Was No Fear Of Running Out Of Ocean.
i Would Sail For Houuurrs, Totally Relaxed, And Marvel At My Wonderful Boat And Her Fast, Easy Sailing. The Dolphins Would Come And Say Hello On Most Days, And Ride The Bow Wave For All It Was Worth. Even The Occasional Whale Would Come To Investigate, Or They Would Be Blowing Nearby. The Boat Would Ride The Rolling Swells, And Track Towards The Horizon With No Regrets. I Would Come In After Dark, Easily Finding The Harbor Entrance, And Docking In The Well-lit Harbor With It's Floating Docks.
this Was How I Fell In Love With Sailing.
that Boat Is Gone, And I Now Live In Northern Virginia. I Have A Different Boat, Which Is Better In Many Ways And More Challenging In Others. I Think She Would Be A Much Better Boat, If She Weren’t Stuck Trying To Sail On Chesapeake Bay.
the Boat Is Docked In Annapolis, Which Is Deemed “the Sailing Capitol Of America”. I Guess Most Americans Have Never Sailed Out Of So Cal. I’ve Been Here 2 Years, And Have Had About 7 Good Weekend Sailing Days, With Good And Consistent Wind And Reasonable Weather. Also, We’re In A Nice Harbor With A Dockside Restaurant And Bar, Which Makes For Good Non-sailing Time.
yet The Overall Sailing Experience Falls Far Short Of “capitol” Status. I’ll Make A List Of Stoppages:
the Weather Is Either Too Damn Hot Or Too Feckin’ Cold, Or Raining, Or Stormy, Or Worst Of All; No Wind. The Boat Sails Well In Light Wind, But In The Summer, There Are Times When There Is No Wind At All.
i Don’t Like The Restriction Of Shallow Water. Especially After I Grounded The Boat The 2nd Time Out
if The Wind Is Out Of The North Or South (or Variation), I Can Only Sail For About 45 Minutes Before It’s Time To Turn Around. Sometimes The Wind Is Out Of The East Or West Which Is Better. Sometimes It’s Just Plain Shifty. I Usually Like To Cruise On A Close Or Beam Reach, And Follow The Wind Not The Shoreline. I’ll Do A Close-hauled Run If The Wind Is Too Light And Boring, Just To Get Her Speed Up And Take Her Reins For Awhile.
during The On Season, There Are 4 Million Boats Out There. Many Are Fishing Boats Towing Lines Or Strange Boxes That Are Outboard About 30 Yards In Both Directions. These Fishing Boat Skippers Sneer At You Or Even Whistle Or Yell If They Perceive They’re Getting Too Close To You. I Always Try To Give Trollers Some Room If I Can, But For Them To Demand It Is Rude. Remember, These Are Not Trawlers, They’re Trollers. They’re Still Powerboats With The Ability To Maneuver And Stop, And Must Give Way To A Sailboat Under Sail In A Crossing. I Always Give In If They Don’t, Because I Don’t Want The Grief, Or The Lure In My Rudder. Hopefully, There Won’t Be A Day When I Don’t Have A Path Of Wind And Water For Giving In.
on One Occasion 2 Weeks Ago, A Center-console Boat Roared Past Me About 20 Yards To My Port, As I Sailed South. I Was Just Sailing, And Looking At A Nearby Lighthouse. Finally An Enjoyable Moment. Well, The Drunk Beers-in-hand Occupants Decided It Would Be Good Manners To Flip Me Off And Yell, “fu$! You!” Numerous Times. The Skipper Also Steered The Boat Nearer To Mine. Then They Sped Off. I’ve Never Seen This Type Of Behavior Unprovoked, Not Since An Encounter With Insane Gang Members A Couple Of Decades Ago. I Suddenly Felt Unsafe, Not For The Boat, Other Boats, Weather, Whatever. But For Being Attacked. I’ve Never Felt As Though I Were About To Be Boarded.
if It’s Not The Fishing Boats That Constantly Need Dodging, It’s The Hideous Danger Of Cargo And Cruise Ships, Or Tugs Towing Barges. Thankfully, I Have Ais And Have Keened Up My Senses Regarding. There Are Ships In So Cal Too, But You Can See Them Coming For An Hour, And There’s A Whole Ocean To Avoid Them.
there Are Also Usually About Half A Dozen Giant Ships Anchored In The Middle Of The Bay At Annapolis, Which Require Altered Courses.
navigating In The Dark Or Fog Is Dangerous, As Even With Gps, Finding The Buoys Lining The Narrow Dredged Channel To The Harbor Entrance Is Nearly Impossible Without A Spotlight. Bad Weather Makes Accomplishing This Task Somewhat Amazing. Therefore, I Try To Make The Harbor Before Sunset.
still, I Would Rather Be Sailing In Bad Weather, And Avoiding Boats, Ships, Shallow Water, Shorelines, And Nasty People Than Doing Anything Else. I Just Never Should Have Moved From The Pacific.
I live in eastern Pennsylvania, but have sailed all over the east coast, the Islands, Atlantic and Europe. I have tried the Cheasepeake, but found it too oppressive in the summer with a lot of "dead" air. At heart, I am an "open-water" sailor, and have found a happy medium cruising out of Mystic, CT where there is convenient access to open-water, protected anchorages, deep-water ports, fresh summer afternoon breezes, and evening calm. Being in the heart of the northeast, it gets busy in the summer, and one has to share the seas with all sorts of boats and boaters. But pound-for-pound, I have found no better compromise. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be driving the four hours each way, every weekend to go sailing.
When I used to sail year-round out of Dana Point, California, I would exit the harbor, set the sails, and cruise into the steady wind across the Pacific, with my fingertips on the tiller and my feet on the cockpit combing. After awhile, I’d set the tiller pilot, grab a book, and sail off into the sunset. There was no fear of grounding, no ships running me down, no fishing boat skippers scowling at me, no idiots on PWC’s or jerks on powerboats plowing past too close, for no other reason than to be idiots and jerks.
Also, there was no fear of running out of ocean.
I would sail for houuurrs, totally relaxed, and marvel at my wonderful boat and her fast, easy sailing. The dolphins would come and say hello on most days, and ride the bow wave for all it was worth. Even the occasional whale would come to investigate, or they would be blowing nearby. The boat would ride the rolling swells, and track towards the horizon with no regrets. I would come in after dark, easily finding the harbor entrance, and docking in the well-lit harbor with it's floating docks.
This was how I fell in love with sailing.
That boat is gone, and I now live in Northern Virginia. I have a different boat, which is better in many ways and more challenging in others. I think she would be a much better boat, if she weren’t stuck trying to sail on Chesapeake Bay.
The boat is docked in Annapolis, which is deemed “The Sailing Capitol of America”. I guess most Americans have never sailed out of So Cal. I’ve been here 2 years, and have had about 7 good weekend sailing days, with good and consistent wind and reasonable weather. Also, we’re in a nice harbor with a dockside restaurant and bar, which makes for good non-sailing time.
Yet the overall sailing experience falls far short of “Capitol” status. I’ll make a list of stoppages:
The weather is either too damn hot or too feckin’ cold, or raining, or stormy, or worst of all; no wind. The boat sails well in light wind, but in the summer, there are times when there is no wind at all.
I don’t like the restriction of shallow water. Especially after I grounded the boat the 2nd time out
If the wind is out of the north or south (or variation), I can only sail for about 45 minutes before it’s time to turn around. Sometimes the wind is out of the east or west which is better. Sometimes it’s just plain shifty. I usually like to cruise on a close or beam reach, and follow the wind not the shoreline. I’ll do a close-hauled run if the wind is too light and boring, just to get her speed up and take her reins for awhile.
During the on season, there are 4 million boats out there. Many are fishing boats towing lines or strange boxes that are outboard about 30 yards in both directions. These fishing boat skippers sneer at you or even whistle or yell if they perceive they’re getting too close to you. I always try to give trollers some room if I can, but for them to demand it is rude. Remember, these are not trawlers, they’re trollers. They’re still powerboats with the ability to maneuver and stop, and must give way to a sailboat under sail in a crossing. I always give in if they don’t, because I don’t want the grief, or the lure in my rudder. Hopefully, there won’t be a day when I don’t have a path of wind and water for giving in.
On one occasion 2 weeks ago, a center-console boat roared past me about 20 yards to my port, as I sailed south. I was just sailing, and looking at a nearby lighthouse. Finally an enjoyable moment. Well, the drunk beers-in-hand occupants decided it would be good manners to flip me off and yell, “Fu$! you!” numerous times. The skipper also steered the boat nearer to mine. Then they sped off. I’ve never seen this type of behavior unprovoked, not since an encounter with insane gang members a couple of decades ago. I suddenly felt unsafe, not for the boat, other boats, weather, whatever. But for being attacked. I’ve never felt as though I were about to be boarded.
If it’s not the fishing boats that constantly need dodging, it’s the hideous danger of cargo and cruise ships, or tugs towing barges. Thankfully, I have AIS and have keened up my senses regarding. There are ships in So Cal too, but you can see them coming for an hour, and there’s a whole ocean to avoid them.
There are also usually about half a dozen giant ships anchored in the middle of the bay at Annapolis, which require altered courses.
Navigating in the dark or fog is dangerous, as even with GPS, finding the buoys lining the narrow dredged channel to the harbor entrance is nearly impossible without a spotlight. Bad weather makes accomplishing this task somewhat amazing. Therefore, I try to make the harbor before sunset.
Still, I would rather be sailing in bad weather, and avoiding boats, ships, shallow water, shorelines, and nasty people than doing anything else. I just never should have moved from the Pacific.
I can somewhat sympathize with your observations of sailing on the Chesapeake, particularly around the congested Annapolis area. However, to make a comparison to sailing on the open ocean to sailing in an estuary is not an apple to apples comparison. If you ever sailing San Francisco Bay, or any other estuary you will find much the same as you have experienced on the Chesapeake. Yes, the Annapolis area is quite congested; it is the most popular port destination on the middle bay area. If you were to go a little South, past the Thomas Point light, you will find less traffic, more open water, and fewer trolling fishing boats. It’s a learning experience that you have to endure and you will find fun and exciting sailing areas. The Bay is not the ocean, and you won’t find consistent winds. Those of us with years of experience on the Bay learned how to deal with light breezes and also those no wind days. I trust over time you will learn to appreciate the largest estuary in the US and understand why Annapolis is considered the “Sailing Capital”.
Oh, by the way, shame on you for coming into unknown waters without charts and/or chart plotter. You deserved the $650 towing charge of such an oversight.
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