Help from Chesapeake Sailors

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Bob Keller

My son has recently purchased a 1985 O'Day 22. The boat is located, I believe, at Porters Seneca marina in Middle River Maryland. Although the boat is on a trailer he wishes to sail the boat to it's new home on the south side of Herring Bay Maryland. I plan on helping him get the boat ready and helping him move it. My questions are: Under reasonable condiditions how long of a trip is it? What obsticles or issues should be considered? And of course any other information or suggestions you may offer up will be appreciated. Thanks to all in advance. Bob Keller sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct
 
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Bill O'Donovan

Questions

How old is your son? Is he experienced? Is he taking anyone? Got charts, GPS? Got all the safety gear? Aware of how cold the water is?
 
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Glenn Harvey

Long ride...

Bob - your trip will be about 45-50 miles. I'm at my office and don't have my charts handy for an exact distance. Anyway, it will be a good 10-12 hour ride assuming you average 4.5 knots and can stay on the rhumb line. If you have to sail upwind to Herring Bay, you're distance increases. There are not any real hazards, except avoiding the bay bridge piers! The rhumb line course will have you crossing 2 commercial shipping lanes, so keep watch for them. You might consider an overnight in Annapolis to break the trip into 2 days. Then again, keeping it on the trailer is only a 2-3 hour drive, but not as much fun! Good Luck.
 
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Bob Keller

Bill

Michael is 26 and has good power boat experience (worked at Brewer Yacht Haven Marina for 4 years moving boats) but limited sailing experience. I will be with him and I have quite a bit of experience, currently H356 LI Sound and two previous boats over the last 20+ years but have never sailed in the Chesapeake. We will have all the necessary equipment. Any impute appreciated.
 
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Rich

trip stuff

Just some suggestions, fwiw First of all I'd wait until the water temperature is bearable; right now it's in the 30's. I'd make sure I had a reliable outboard along with plenty of gas. Have the USCG required items, such as PFD's, flares, sounding device... Examine the charts before you go. If neither of you are experienced, look for places on the western shore to pull in to if need be. I concur with an earlier poster's recommendation that you consider an overnight in between the point of departure and where you're headed. This will give time for crew rest and recreation. If you go when it's hot take plenty of fluids...strongly recommend an ice chest or two. Fishing gear? Radio...vhf or at least an AM radio to track weather. Cheers, Rich
 
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Warren

To Herring Bay...

I'm planning on making just about the same trip (to Herrington Harbour North) in late April, but my starting point will be further north (Havre de Grace). I'm planning to make this trip in two days with a stopover the first night in the Magothy River (if the weather is good), or someplace like Tolchester or Worton Creek on the eastern shore if the weather is not so good. This trip is pretty straight forward and can be done by eyeball navigation from marker to marker. It would be easier if you have GPS. The big difference between your son's trip and mine is that I have an inboard diesel and I assume your son's O'Day 22 is outboard powered. If that is the case, you may be limited in cruising range under power unless you have extra gas tanks. You may also be somewhat limited in powering upwind, should that be necessary. The only real obstacles (in addition to the Bay Bridge, as noted!) I can think of could be large ships in the relatively narrow upper bay, large ships around the mouth of the Patapsco (Craighill Channel), numerous crab pots and pound nets on the western side of the bay below Annapolis and around Herring Bay. Keep a close eye out for these. Good luck and see you in Herring Bay!
 
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