Kent Island Narrows

[jaysweet]

A question for anyone who has recently been through the Kent Island Narrows on the Chesapeake. We have an older chart which gives the depth of the channel just to the north of the narrows as 7 ft in 1997. But I just bought one of the new POD (print on demand) NOAA charts, which are supposed to be totally up to date as of this week. The new chart (#12270) shows this channel as being 3 ft in March 2000. Can this possibly be right? You'd have to hit it at high tide to have even 5 ft of depth! Does anyone have any personal knowledge of this over the past year or two?Thanks,Jay

 

[Warren M.]

Kent Narrows

I've never used POD charts and, from your experience with them, I may never use them. FWIW, I went south-to-north and then back again through Kent Narrows last year in my Hunter 28.5 which draws 4 feet. I've found that since the northern part of the Narrows was redirected some years ago, the depths are more predictable. Since the Narrows are, well, narrow, you probably won't have any problem getting through unless you carry excessive depth if you pay careful attention to the markers. My depth sounder never read below 5 feet the whole way through, and it is mounted at least 18 inches below the waterline. This would seem to confirm the original charted depth of 7 feet as still being accurate. There is a USCG station on the north side of the Narrows and you may want to call them, or one of the marinas there, to get their opinion of how much water there really is in the Narrows these days.

 

[Harry Greenspun]

Won't go through again

We went through four times last year without any problems, and we draw 5.5 feet. However, on the last trip, while were heading east, a much smaller boat was beside us heading west, ran aground abruptly, and was rammed by the boat traveling behind her. She appeared to be in a relatively central part of the channel and our depth meter was showing about 8 feet as we passed her.Frankly, between furling the sails and slowly traversing the Narrows, the little time you do save isn't worth the aggravation.HarryHarry GreenspunBethesda, MD Hunter 456 - "Czech Mate"harry@greenspun.com

 

[RichH]

Get it direct from the horses mouth

Maryland State Government, Transportation Department of, Highway Administration State, Drawbridge Data, Kent Narrows DrawbridgeKent RiverStevensville, MD 21666Phone: (410) 643-5963

 

[Ed Ryan14084]

Been thru with 5'7" draft

Jay - I've been through there several times in the last couple of years, and we draw 5'7". Obviously safer at high tide, but has not been a problem other times as well. Just keep to the center and be careful when meeting other boats. -- Ed.

 

[jaysweet]

All

I don't want to shut off any further postings (not that I could anyway!), but thanks for the replies so far. Averaging the 4 posts with what I read in the archives (which only occurred to me after the fact, and much of which is a few years old) I'm gathering is that it's close, but doable.To Warren M: I'm not sure I agree about the comment on the POD charts. My understanding is that they contain the same info as any NOAA chart: you just get it more quickly, and it contains all the collected "notice to mariners" information up to the week in which you had your chart printed. They are a commercial product sponsored by NOAA and populated with NOAA provided data. So the question is: is 3 ft. reported at MLLW consistent with what people have observed below? Seems pretty reasonable that there would be shallow spots on the order of 4-5 feet at a time which isn't MLLW, and this would explain Harry's first-hand observation of a small boat going aground.Anyway, I haven't decided yet whether I feel comfortable with trying the narrows with our 3'10" draft next week. Besides the draft, there's the issue of the current and the bascule bridge. I'm planning our first 5-day cruise with the family. At the moment, the plan is roughly: 1) Rock Creek on the Patapsco to Selby Bay on S. River2) Selby to St. Michaels3) St. Michaels to Rock Hall4) Rock Hall to home.Leg 3 would be more manageable in 1 day via Kent Narrows (23 miles) than via Bloody Pt (35 miles), given that my family isn't quite as keen as I am about the sailing part, vs. the land-based part. Any comments on the itinerary are also welcome, of course.I very much appreciate your help and comments!Jay

 

[Richard]

Alternative to Avoid the Narrows

Other than "can I come along?" I would say that avoid the narrows, not because I draw 4 1/2', but because of the other boats, the occassional wait and the other boats. I just prefer not to have the hassle.How about Rock Creek to Rock Hall. Rock Hall to South River, South River to St. Michael's and St. Michael's home? You could avoid the narrows with that plan.

 

[Warren M.]

Jay...

In my previous post, I failed to note that I went thru the Narrows at or near high tide, both coming and going. BTW, exploring the Chester River is a great cruise, particularly the Corsica River! As far as your cruise is concerned, the only recommendation I would make is to be wary of Selby Bay on the South River. While there are a number of places to anchor there, there are also a number of unmarked shoals, mostly hard sand. Easy to run aground, IMHO. My suggestion to you is to goes a short distance past Selby Bay and head into Harness Creek on the north side of the river just past Marker #8. It's easy to get into and out out, lots of deep water, and much prettier. Have great one!

 

[Mulf]

I travel Kent Narrows regularly...

.. in a Hunter 410. We draw 5'0". I'm on the Chester River just north of the narrows. I've been down and back at least 5 times this year so far in all varieties of tide level. Follow the channel which is very well marked and don't cut corners. The only area that needs close watching is at the northern end. The channel seems to be shifting east of center but still within the markers. Just procede slowly (it's a 6 kt zone anyway) and keep an eye on the depth guage so you know you are not wandering out of the channel, but I would not be at all concerned about going.

 

[jaysweet]

Kent passage

Again, some good information. I probably will call some of the gov't agencies or local marinas for info on Monday about the depth, but it sounds like lots of people have done it in larger boats than ours. Whether I want to deal with the current/bridges, I'm still not sure, but if we time the tide, it might not be so bad. Unfortunately, the highest high tide on Sat.-Sun. is near midnight, so that's not an option.Harry: on re-reading your post, you mention going east and west. Are you sure you're not thinking of Knapps Narrows? Kent Narrows looks mostly N/S to me (?).Warren: we might indeed find a more snug cove than Selby Bay. Thanks for the recommendation on Harness Creek. I'm sure we'll hit the Chester River some time, but given the distances, probably not this time.Richard: maybe we'll invite you when we get the 45' boat .Regarding the itinerary, we might do a short hop north after St. Michael's, to allow more time there and to be able to pass the narrows at the 11AM. Anyone have a favorite creek just south of Kent Narrows?Jay