I hoping to do a 7 to 10 day sail on the Choptank, Tred Avon and across the Bay to West River next spring/summer. One of the anchorages I've been looking at is the Poplar Island (harbor) off Tilghman Island (NW of Knapps Narrows). The charts indicate it may have 4 feet of water inside the islands and that I might be able to get my Hunter 23.5 shoal draft (about 2 ft) inside to anchor if I approach from the East. Does anyone out there know anything about that area and is it an option for me? The charts say yes but we all know how the charts can be misleading at times, especially in the Chesapeake. I'd appreciate your input since I do not want to use the TOW BOAT US services at Poplar Island. Hayden
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The Bay
We sailed out of Herring Bay just across the Bay. Poplar island when we left last year was in the process of being reclaimed and expanded. the area between poplar island and Tilgman island is known to have snags and some shallows not on the charts. We have seen boats go through, but I don't ever remember seeing anybody anchor for more than lunch there. There are several nice places very near there. The Miles river has very good anchorages with great protection, St michaels is fun if you have never been there. Also through Knapps Narrows and up to San Domingo creek is also great. Weather can be unpredictable on the Bay sometimes and a good anchorage can make a difference. We loved the area and sailed and stayed in many beautiful places.
We sailed out of Herring Bay just across the Bay. Poplar island when we left last year was in the process of being reclaimed and expanded. the area between poplar island and Tilgman island is known to have snags and some shallows not on the charts. We have seen boats go through, but I don't ever remember seeing anybody anchor for more than lunch there. There are several nice places very near there. The Miles river has very good anchorages with great protection, St michaels is fun if you have never been there. Also through Knapps Narrows and up to San Domingo creek is also great. Weather can be unpredictable on the Bay sometimes and a good anchorage can make a difference. We loved the area and sailed and stayed in many beautiful places.
Poplar Island
It's been years, and many boats, ago since I anchored in Poplar Island Harbour. The boat I had then drew 3'6" and we had no trouble. The anchorage is nice is good weather, but exposed in bad. As noted below, there is a lot of reconstruction going on there to reclaim a lot of what the island(s) have lost over the years. I remember the entrance to Poplar Harbour being tricky and even though your boat is shoal draft, I think I'd take the advice given to push on up into Eastern Bay and head up the Wye River where you will find wonderful, and deep, anchorages all over the place. Or go into St Michaels and have some crabs at the "Crab Claw." As a final note, I have sailed the "great circle route" from Herring Bay over to the south end of Poplar Island (actually I think it's called Coaches Island), turning north up the Poplar Narrows and burping out into the mouth of Eastern Bay and then turning west back to Herring Bay. Never had any trouble in the narrows as long as I didn't tack much.
It's been years, and many boats, ago since I anchored in Poplar Island Harbour. The boat I had then drew 3'6" and we had no trouble. The anchorage is nice is good weather, but exposed in bad. As noted below, there is a lot of reconstruction going on there to reclaim a lot of what the island(s) have lost over the years. I remember the entrance to Poplar Harbour being tricky and even though your boat is shoal draft, I think I'd take the advice given to push on up into Eastern Bay and head up the Wye River where you will find wonderful, and deep, anchorages all over the place. Or go into St Michaels and have some crabs at the "Crab Claw." As a final note, I have sailed the "great circle route" from Herring Bay over to the south end of Poplar Island (actually I think it's called Coaches Island), turning north up the Poplar Narrows and burping out into the mouth of Eastern Bay and then turning west back to Herring Bay. Never had any trouble in the narrows as long as I didn't tack much.
Hayden, last time I was there
was a couple of years ago in our H260. The workers actually had a marked channel from the east side and to the southside of Jefferson Island. As Warren noted if the wind comes up from the NE throught the SE you are exposed and will rock. Nice place at night very little light in the area and the stars are great. Jim S/V Java
was a couple of years ago in our H260. The workers actually had a marked channel from the east side and to the southside of Jefferson Island. As Warren noted if the wind comes up from the NE throught the SE you are exposed and will rock. Nice place at night very little light in the area and the stars are great. Jim S/V Java
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