Channel at Smith Island, MD

[Bad Obsession]

I am getting ready to throw the docklines off for a week. I am curious to see if anyone has been through the channel into Smith Island from the Bay side, not the Chrisfield, MD side.

How was the depth through the channel and is it passable without local knowledge? I haven't been to Smith Island in quite some time and it was a non-issue last time because my Hunter 22 drafted 2 feet. My Catalina 30 drafts 3'10" so it isn't much worse, but I know that some marks frequently get shoaling.

The other question is if the bed and breakfast is still in business and still renting the slips out for $1 a foot?

Thanks to anyone who knows and replies.

 

[Mark Price]

I am over at Solomons right now and I would like to know as well as I draw 5 foot. I think I will try Crisfield and take the ferry. On day 5 of 10 day cruise.

Mark

 

[catsailor]

I was there in the Fall.

I am getting ready to throw the docklines off for a week. I am curious to see if anyone has been through the channel into Smith Island from the Bay side, not the Chrisfield, MD side.

How was the depth through the channel and is it passable without local knowledge? I haven't been to Smith Island in quite some time and it was a non-issue last time because my Hunter 22 drafted 2 feet. My Catalina 30 drafts 3'10" so it isn't much worse, but I know that some marks frequently get shoaling.

The other question is if the bed and breakfast is still in business and still renting the slips out for $1 a foot?

Thanks to anyone who knows and replies.

The depth is ~ 5 feet at low tide; that isn't the challenge. The challenge is that the channel does not hug the markers. Stay some distance - 20 feet at least - away from them. Specifically, the last hard left into town needs to be given a lot of room. Go slowly and try to watch for very visible grasses growing on the channel margins. At low tide you can walk almost to the channel edge.

Yes, the B&B was open. However, the slips have silted in and you will want to leave the boat out at the channel end. Not a problem, since there are full length finger piers.

The following is from my blog, below:

"Approach. From either the east or west the Thorofare Channel is straight forward for the shoal draft boat. Give the markers just east of Ewell (G”15”) 20 yards to the south and you will avoid the sand bar that often brings even locals to grief should they be caught wool gathering.



Anchorage. Just west of Ewell and just after the main channel zigs north there is an extension that continues. You should find 10 feet of water, good holding ground, and little traffic, although there is considerable current.


Marinas. Smith Island Marina, Nice docks, though shallow; if you draw more than 3 feet you may consider mooring toward the outward end where you should have 6 feet. A nice air conditioned dock house with toilet and large shower. Free use of a 2-person sea kayak. $1.00/foot overnight. Electricity and water. 410-425-4220. www.smithisland.us/marina.htm


Fuel. Just east of Smith Island Marina. Limited hours."

 

[Bad Obsession]

Hrm....I have a 3'10" draft but I really don't feel like playing the gunkhole game with Smith and the Shoaling Marks if that is the case. I think that I may just bypass and only take in Tangier Island with that report. I guess that they are going to have to go in and dredge again soon.

LOL.....About 6 years ago I made the passage from the Chrisfield side of Smith Island in my Hunter 22. That was a crazy thing because depths in the channels were only a few feet and I bumped my center board and kicked up my rudder a few times.