has anyone sailed chesapeak bay

[medkid134]

i have a new to me mac 26d that i am year round docking on the chesapeack bay near fishing bay aprox 10-15 miles north of smith island.

has any one sailed to St. Micahel's from around fishing bay or smith island. any idea how long the trip would take.


i am new to sailing and new to sailing on the chesapeak bay any information or pointers would be AWESOME!!!

a list of port of calls and approx distance travle time would be awesome too thank you all

 

[kappykaplan]

Probably a good day's run from Fishing Bay to Solomons. And probably about the same to St Michael's from Solomons.

 

[Tom J]

Be aware of the ship lanes, and avoid them.

 

[Deadline]

Whoa

A Mac 26 is a tad small to make a day's run between Virginia and St. Michael's. Even crossing the Potomac to Solomons is chancy, given the cross currents of the Potomac as it reaches the Bay. I would suggest instead smaller day trips to get the feel of the boat, perhaps a long run to Deltaville to see the many marinas, boats and (two) restaurants there. Shorter is better, when starting to sail. Make sure your engine is in tip-top condition, with plenty of fuel. And be prepared for the occasional summer squall. It passes quickly.

 

[Piotr]

And don't trust any forecast, including NOAA. a "wind 5-10 knots" may mean 3 knots or 25 knots. I agree with Deadline. I've been sailing Chesapeake (near Rock Hall, opposite Baltimore) from 1992-2000 and then from 2007 until now, and the most I do is 3-4 hour trips except the spring - fall migration between winter storage and my marina, which takes about 6 hours. Also, the outboard better be in an excellent shape with impeller changed every few years and oil changed every year. I would also advise to sail with 1/2 hour of any shore - with Macs, beaching may be your only salvation in bad weather...

 

[TortugasRoyal]

Further south recommend Mobjack Bay via trailering in to campground at Newpoint Comfort. They have a nice marina and campground and beach. Sail to the lighthouse most enjoyable beaches there.

Also Gwynn has a hotel with slips and outdoor pool on the water in the same vicinity.

In Virginia Beach area, Rudy Inlet empties into the ocean, use ramps at Virginia Aquarium, U will have to lower mast to clear a bridge.

Not applicable but nice to beach cat sail out of little island park, sandbridge va.