Am considering a cruise from annapolis to norfolk with no time constraints but am asking advice on what problems I might encounter in the area of navigation,weather(fall), and commercial traffic. Are there plenty of marinas to duck into in case of heavy weather?Have any of you done this and what would you consider the most important advice you could give? Am sailing a catalina 22.Thanks
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Don
A friend did it..
in their now former Catalina 22. I don't think it's something they will do again, but I'm not certain of all their reasoning. I believe weather was their biggest problem, winds and waves, which kept the engine out of the water too much of the time. One of the biggest issues to deal with is that most of the secure anchorages and marinas are up creeks and rivers from the bay itself. It takes significant time to get into and out of these locations. On my 37' I generally add an hour or two to each day's travel plan to account for the in and out travel. Be sure you get the guides and charts and plan very well. On the plus side, the bay gets wider as you go south. Heading south you will be able to turn back if you choose.
in their now former Catalina 22. I don't think it's something they will do again, but I'm not certain of all their reasoning. I believe weather was their biggest problem, winds and waves, which kept the engine out of the water too much of the time. One of the biggest issues to deal with is that most of the secure anchorages and marinas are up creeks and rivers from the bay itself. It takes significant time to get into and out of these locations. On my 37' I generally add an hour or two to each day's travel plan to account for the in and out travel. Be sure you get the guides and charts and plan very well. On the plus side, the bay gets wider as you go south. Heading south you will be able to turn back if you choose.
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John Dawson
Bay memories
North of Baltimore the shipping channel is narrow, so stay out of commercial vessels way. Same for approach to Baltimore, only more so as their speed can be deceptively fast. As always, recommend stops in Annapolis and St.Michaels. Plentiful creeks, marinas and shelter as far as Rhodes/West Rivers. After that there is a long, almost unbroken western shore all the way to Solomons, so don't plan on easy stops in this leg. Stay away from Pt Lookout at mouth of Potomac; strong currents and rough water when it blows. Some nice creeks/small towns inside the mouth on both sides. Not as familiar with Rappahanock, Mobjack Bay & York but they are prime sailing areas. There are many cruising guides for the Bay listing quiet anchorages and points of interest. Take advantage of tidal currents, favor off-channel depths in adverse tides. Season for summer lightning and autumn squalls is past; may be nippy so enjoy the migrating geese, and fall colors, etc. Basic advice is to have VHF, GPS, good charts and all required equipment. The Bay is well-lit and soft-bottomed in most areas. Plan your days work conservatively. Don't go from marina to marina, its expensive and you'll miss exquisite creeks and shoreline in "the land of pleasant living".
North of Baltimore the shipping channel is narrow, so stay out of commercial vessels way. Same for approach to Baltimore, only more so as their speed can be deceptively fast. As always, recommend stops in Annapolis and St.Michaels. Plentiful creeks, marinas and shelter as far as Rhodes/West Rivers. After that there is a long, almost unbroken western shore all the way to Solomons, so don't plan on easy stops in this leg. Stay away from Pt Lookout at mouth of Potomac; strong currents and rough water when it blows. Some nice creeks/small towns inside the mouth on both sides. Not as familiar with Rappahanock, Mobjack Bay & York but they are prime sailing areas. There are many cruising guides for the Bay listing quiet anchorages and points of interest. Take advantage of tidal currents, favor off-channel depths in adverse tides. Season for summer lightning and autumn squalls is past; may be nippy so enjoy the migrating geese, and fall colors, etc. Basic advice is to have VHF, GPS, good charts and all required equipment. The Bay is well-lit and soft-bottomed in most areas. Plan your days work conservatively. Don't go from marina to marina, its expensive and you'll miss exquisite creeks and shoreline in "the land of pleasant living".
B
Bob Rectanus
Baltimore to York River
My wife and I are planning a similar cruise next spring or early summer...Baltimore to the York River in a Hunter 310. Any advice how long to plan on for a round trip? We will be staying two nights with friends near Yorktown.
My wife and I are planning a similar cruise next spring or early summer...Baltimore to the York River in a Hunter 310. Any advice how long to plan on for a round trip? We will be staying two nights with friends near Yorktown.
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Bob
I learned the hard way
not to enter a channel after dark if there are lots of lights in the background - in my case, the narrow channel into Deltaville. Channel markers were nearly/completely invisible against the many bright background lights. Luckily the bottom was mud and we were able to work our way off four groundings. Tricky entrance channels, such as the one at Smith Pt., should be entered in daylight if you are not familiar with them. You have a great sail to anticipate - wish I was going along.
not to enter a channel after dark if there are lots of lights in the background - in my case, the narrow channel into Deltaville. Channel markers were nearly/completely invisible against the many bright background lights. Luckily the bottom was mud and we were able to work our way off four groundings. Tricky entrance channels, such as the one at Smith Pt., should be entered in daylight if you are not familiar with them. You have a great sail to anticipate - wish I was going along.
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Mike Webster
More Bay Memories
I was on the Chesapeake for 7 years and really miss the wonderful anchorages and great towns, as well as the sailing. I would take a yearly pilgrimage from Deltaville, where I kept my Vision 32, to the upper bay. It was easy cruising in some really wonderful places, at least most of the time. My first year on the Chesapeake, I had a San Juan 24. It was a great boat that sailed well. However, Jon Dawson's advice is well founded. When the wind and waves pipe up, its tough to get anywhere upwind, most especially in a small boat, and the outboard will be out of the water most of the time, rendering it useless. However, if you aren't in a hurry and can pick your days, you could have a wonderful sail. To Bob's question about travel time on the bay, this is how I used to go about a sailing trip. I kept my boat in Deltaville on the lower bay, and my destination for a weeks vacation was normally the upper bay, Annapolis, Baltimore harbor, St. Michaels, ect. It was about 100 miles, so I would leave at dawn and do 50 miles a day. If my speed was under 5 knots, I would motor sail. That brought me to my vacation sailing area in two days, normally easy, if long, sailing with the help of an autopilot. It would also put me into port in the late afternoon, time to anchor, even dingy into town for dinner, and early to bed. Once you have reached your cruising grounds, short day-sails are all you need to get you to other great anchorages. The other alternative is a lot of short days with more stops along the way. Since my destination was further north, I chose the former plan. I hope this helps.
I was on the Chesapeake for 7 years and really miss the wonderful anchorages and great towns, as well as the sailing. I would take a yearly pilgrimage from Deltaville, where I kept my Vision 32, to the upper bay. It was easy cruising in some really wonderful places, at least most of the time. My first year on the Chesapeake, I had a San Juan 24. It was a great boat that sailed well. However, Jon Dawson's advice is well founded. When the wind and waves pipe up, its tough to get anywhere upwind, most especially in a small boat, and the outboard will be out of the water most of the time, rendering it useless. However, if you aren't in a hurry and can pick your days, you could have a wonderful sail. To Bob's question about travel time on the bay, this is how I used to go about a sailing trip. I kept my boat in Deltaville on the lower bay, and my destination for a weeks vacation was normally the upper bay, Annapolis, Baltimore harbor, St. Michaels, ect. It was about 100 miles, so I would leave at dawn and do 50 miles a day. If my speed was under 5 knots, I would motor sail. That brought me to my vacation sailing area in two days, normally easy, if long, sailing with the help of an autopilot. It would also put me into port in the late afternoon, time to anchor, even dingy into town for dinner, and early to bed. Once you have reached your cruising grounds, short day-sails are all you need to get you to other great anchorages. The other alternative is a lot of short days with more stops along the way. Since my destination was further north, I chose the former plan. I hope this helps.
J
John K Kudera
Take your time
Use a cruising guide and up to date charts, there is no reason for you to be in the shipping lanes, the water is deep enough to make the trip outside the channels, take your time and travel on good weather days, will be a fine trip.Be safe!
Use a cruising guide and up to date charts, there is no reason for you to be in the shipping lanes, the water is deep enough to make the trip outside the channels, take your time and travel on good weather days, will be a fine trip.Be safe!
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Mike Kenny
When will you be leaving Annapolis
I have some friends that left Racine, WI in early August on their Caliber 33 headed for the Bahamas. They ultimately plan to live near Cape Fear in North Carolina. They are currently in NYC leaving tomorrow for Baltimore. My wife and I are going to hook up with them in Baltimore on November 8th to sail down the Chesapeake Bay and return home from Norfolk, Va. on November 16th. We plan to make stops in Annapolis, St Michael's, Oxford, Solomons, Chrisfield, and possibly Tagier and/or Mobjack. Any recommendations for must see's (or any recommendations for that matter)? Thanks, Mike Debbia II
I have some friends that left Racine, WI in early August on their Caliber 33 headed for the Bahamas. They ultimately plan to live near Cape Fear in North Carolina. They are currently in NYC leaving tomorrow for Baltimore. My wife and I are going to hook up with them in Baltimore on November 8th to sail down the Chesapeake Bay and return home from Norfolk, Va. on November 16th. We plan to make stops in Annapolis, St Michael's, Oxford, Solomons, Chrisfield, and possibly Tagier and/or Mobjack. Any recommendations for must see's (or any recommendations for that matter)? Thanks, Mike Debbia II
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John Dawson
Forgot to mention
the wind. Like Pittsburgh I suppose, the prevalent winds alternate between NW and S. That and inclement weather will be major factors in determining how fast you go south. (Rarely a 'soldiers wind', or beam reach here.) Be prepared for cold nights. And Don is quite right, include significant time for reaching anchorages which are all off the Bay.
the wind. Like Pittsburgh I suppose, the prevalent winds alternate between NW and S. That and inclement weather will be major factors in determining how fast you go south. (Rarely a 'soldiers wind', or beam reach here.) Be prepared for cold nights. And Don is quite right, include significant time for reaching anchorages which are all off the Bay.
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