Chesapeake Questions

[bffatcat]

As a New England sailor I usually cruise the coast of Maine or Cape Cod and the Islands
Ive never been to the Chesapeake. It would take more time than I have to sail my P26w
from MA to the Chesapeake Bay. Ive got a good trailer and a pickup.
I could tow it down. And at my age I if Im gonna do it I dont think I should wait
much longer. Ive got some time in August. Heres is my Question? Ive been told
that conditions on the Chesapeake Bay in July and August are very different from conditions on the New England coast. Namely temperatures over 90 degrees lots of
humidity and no wind. Any comments from Chesapeake sailors would be appreciated

 

[capn jim]

that is correct

historically wind on the Chesie are lite to no existent in July and August. if i were you i would consider trailering it down in late September or even in october,when your season is pretty much over in New England. Sept. and Oct. usually have warm days cool nights and good winds. water is usually still warm enough for swimming if that's your gig. early spring and late fall is when we do most of our sailing.

 

[FrankR]

very shallow

the bay is very shallow unless you are over the River channel (Susquehanna). You can be 3-5 miles off shore and have only 10 -12 feet of water. Many crab pot markers to dodge. Many very beautiful areas. I would wait till late Sept or early Oct to do it if you can. Aug is HOT.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Chesapeake Bay

I would imagine that conditions on the Chesapeake are quite different in mid-summer than New England. While the winds on the bay are traditionally light, they tend to get even lighter -- or sometimes no wind at all -- during the "Summer Doldrums" of July and August. Yet if that is the only time you have, I would encourage you to do it. I tend to sail once or twice a week here and am hardly ever disappointed with no wind at all. Bring along the largest sails you have, a large brimmed hat, and plenty of sunscreen and bug spray. You'll be happy to know there is only one rock in the bay and everyone knows where it is.... If you want or need recommendations for places to sail on the Chesapeake, let me know or take a look at the excellent book "Cruising the Chesapeake" by William Shellenberger. If you end up sailing 20 miles south of Annapolis, look me up at Herrington Harbour North. Have a great trip!

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Both Worlds

Having lived in Boston but returning to Maryland 20+ years ago, I can confirm that the summers are different. What you hear about the Chesapeake in August is true; it is usually hot and with very little wind. There are times, though, when the wind kicks up very nicely, like last Saturday. Also, often there is risk of afternoon T-storms if that is of concern to you.

If you can, come down in September. It's a much better time. Or next Spring even. The Bay is beautiful with many coves and out-of-the-way places to drop a hook for the night. And there are plenty of marinas all around. The northern Bay is narrower, and the water a bit fresher, but the southern bay is open and has some additional sea life (rays, jelly fish, etc.). For starters though, try the area around Annapolis including Whitehall Bay, South River, and so on and also go to the eastern side with Knapps Narrows, Tiligman Island, St. Michaels, Oxford, etc. As a previous poster said, take a look at "Cruising the Chesapeake" either in print or look it up online at books.google.com.

Depth is not really a problem if you have charts. Also, a chart-plotter helps a lot.

Have fun.

 

[Doghouse]

Depends on what part of the bay.

We moved from MA to Southern VA eight years ago.

The water here is much different than in NE, first make sure you have a good chart. Most of the water here is 20' or less. We have good wind most of the summer, but Aug is about the slowest.

We have plenty of wind almost every evening, as the thunderstorms roll through. They don't last long but they are good sized.

NE you look out for rocks that will tear off your keal. Here you watch the shallows that will stick you in the mud.

There are pleny of great marinas around here, all you have to ask is how much time you want to spend down here. You have 3 states to cruise in and it can take a fair bit of time to see a fair bit of it. See all of it? Months!

If you want southern bay information look up Fleet 30, one of the most active clubs in the area.

 

[Ross]

Everything that has been said is fair and true.

This link and the web site wonderground in general may help you.

 

[Deadline]

Depends

Just came back from ten days on the lower Bay, and the winds picked up to 15-20 nearly every afternoon. We prefer to hang around Deltaville, where 3,000 boats outnumber 800 year-round residents. Come on down.

 

[CalebD]

"Shake and Bake"

That is how my friend who has a sailboat on the Rhode River describes summer sailing on the Chesie. The 'shake' part describes all the motor boat wakes which are not quite as numerous this year. The 'bake' part is fairly self explanatory.
I was down there last weekend and there was wind both Sat. & Sun.
I have sailed at Deltaville as well and I think I prefer the saltier water of the lower bay but the middle bay has great anchorages.
Ditto what others have said about 'skinny water'.
Here is a list of anchorages or 'gunkholes' on the Chesapeake: http://www.coastalboating.net/Cruising/Destinations/Chesapeake/Anchorages.html
Have fun whenever you go.

 

[citadel83]

September in the Bay

Everybody is right. Latter July and August the heat moves in and the winds go away. September is a great time to sail the middle bay. The winds come back and the water is still warm. Additionally, it cools off at night which makes anchoring out more pleasent. Also, after labor day the powerboaters start dropping off.

 

[Ross]

The list in CalebD's link provides an excellant

outline of the anchorages around the bay and in it rivers. Remember that for the most part the bay's water doesn't shoal quickly and the bottom is quite smooth. Rocks are rare and most other obstacles are noted on the charts. Crab pots are fewer than we have seen in ten years as are powerboats. For sailing you only need 2 feet under your keel. Nancy insists on having 4 feet under the keel but she is more concerned about bumping the bottom than I. I enjoy following the 8 foot curve when I am not going anywhere and the winds are light and steady.

 

[RichH]

September is better .......

Yes indeed you can encounter the doldrums in JULY/AUGUST .... but there IS a way to overcome.

Get the 'general flow' of the wind from http://www.passageweather.com/ or accuweather.com etc. and use that as your 'base' wind. Often at this time of the year the middle (from either shore) has zero wind BUT closer to shore there will be local sea breezes develop (more valid the lower you are on the bay). If the 'base' wind is greater than 5 kits, then you can expect 'additional' flow from the localized 'sea breezes' ...... IF you stay out of the middle and sail closer to the shores. The developing line of clouds on either shore will indicate the development of these local sea breezes.

Use **FLAT** sails, the flatter the better so that you dont continualy get 'separation stalls' (unlike stagnation stalls) .... so you need a FULL set of tell tales (luff & leeches) to see what is going on.

Stay out of the MIDDLE. and go to the lower bay in August.

... and then when the conditions are right the seabreezes that develop along the Atlantic coast will will fill-in above or on top of the Ches. and the sailing will then approximate NE coastal sailing. 1 day out of 3 might have poor winds.

Every year is different ..... look at where the HIGH pressure cells are w/r to Bermuda or further south. If the H is over Bermuda stay in port, if higher up more to the north in the Atlantic then go sailing.


September has the H further and more consistently to the north of Bermuda.

 

[Jim]

Stop in at the NJ shore on the way.

High of 85 degrees, 15 to 25 MPH wind everyday after 12 noon. You can't beat it. They in Sept stop down the Cheasy.

 

[bffatcat]

Thanks for the info.

I going to take everyones helpful advice Im going to skip Aug. plan on Next Year Sept or Oct Everyone Thanks again for being so helpful

 

[johnrock]

Chesapeake...July/August

Unless you have a high tolerence for high heat and humidity don't bother.

After 50 years of sailing New England, we relocated to Shady Side MD. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE it here. We live about 15 miles south of Annapolis, our home is on a small senic creek off the West River, a small 9' Boston Whaler is out back, and in 10 minutes I can be at our Cal 34 moored in Galesville.

However, in July and August it's just "wicked hot" here. The normal heat index is frequently over 100. Then there's the water temperature. Unlike New England where you jump in the get refreshed, here you jump in to water that's in the 80's. Then there's the color of the water...it looks like chocholate milk. Also in this area we have sea nettles...jellyfish that sting! (Urine or white vinegar are used for first aid).

If possible wait till Mid September or October. The sea nettles are usually gone, 70 to 80 during the day, less traffic on the waterways and it's comfortably swimable.

Now if you must come in the heat just plan on frequently using marinas. Down here they are often set up like resorts..clean restrooms, laundrys, and swimming pools with out sea nettles. Now if you find your self anchored in Galesville and it's on a cool evening look for me...I'm usually out.