Just settled on a sailboat and would love some hints as to the best place to keep my boat. We're cost conscious but also want a fun environment not too far from Wilmington.
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Jim, Them' s fightin words! No wind on the Bay ?
Why today we had 4 to 6 knots from noon to almost 6 pm. And of course we expect you to pay the taxes, Our state motto is if you can buy it, We can tax it. ;D .... I don't know about the Jersey coast. It is a bit far for me. I understand that New Jersey sailors are ocean sailors because the bays tend to be a bit thin at low tide.
Why today we had 4 to 6 knots from noon to almost 6 pm. And of course we expect you to pay the taxes, Our state motto is if you can buy it, We can tax it. ;D .... I don't know about the Jersey coast. It is a bit far for me. I understand that New Jersey sailors are ocean sailors because the bays tend to be a bit thin at low tide.
I'd consider Jersey
I'd consider Jersey, I grew up going to Avalon each summer. Any idea of slip fees? Are there choices on the Delaware river or bay side of the shore points?
I'd consider Jersey, I grew up going to Avalon each summer. Any idea of slip fees? Are there choices on the Delaware river or bay side of the shore points?
Farley
at Trump Marina will run about $3100 (thats for the 30ish foot slip) for the season. A bit steep but there are more expensive marinas out there (like Somers Pt., Cape May areas) and there is alot to do if the weather is not cooperating! Stop by C-Dock for a beer (or 6) and a tour. We have a great time! Jack Manning s/v Victim of Fate Atlantic City, NJ
at Trump Marina will run about $3100 (thats for the 30ish foot slip) for the season. A bit steep but there are more expensive marinas out there (like Somers Pt., Cape May areas) and there is alot to do if the weather is not cooperating! Stop by C-Dock for a beer (or 6) and a tour. We have a great time! Jack Manning s/v Victim of Fate Atlantic City, NJ
NE Md.
In the northern Chesapeake (Harve de Grace, Sassafras River, Bohemia River, North East, Elk River, etc.) most of the marinas are 'up' rivers, etc. which requires a 'lot' of travel time down the rivers to get to the bay proper - plus you have to suffer continutally running the gauntlet of continued stinkpot wakes in the rivers. Consider driving an extra hour down to Rock Hall MD, Tolchester Beach, or Worton Creek, etc. If you select a marina at the upper head of the bay, besides the usual long trip TO the bay you are limited to 'only going south'. Being more centrally located on the bay such as in Rock Hall, etc. your choices of easy destination (St. Michaels - Eastern Bay - Wye River area, Chester River area, Annapolis, Baltimore, etc. etc, etc. etc. etc.) multiply greatly.
In the northern Chesapeake (Harve de Grace, Sassafras River, Bohemia River, North East, Elk River, etc.) most of the marinas are 'up' rivers, etc. which requires a 'lot' of travel time down the rivers to get to the bay proper - plus you have to suffer continutally running the gauntlet of continued stinkpot wakes in the rivers. Consider driving an extra hour down to Rock Hall MD, Tolchester Beach, or Worton Creek, etc. If you select a marina at the upper head of the bay, besides the usual long trip TO the bay you are limited to 'only going south'. Being more centrally located on the bay such as in Rock Hall, etc. your choices of easy destination (St. Michaels - Eastern Bay - Wye River area, Chester River area, Annapolis, Baltimore, etc. etc, etc. etc. etc.) multiply greatly.
Bohemia isn't bad
I'm in Bohemia Vista marina on the Bohemia River. It's not the greatest, but it is cheap and is relatively close, being about 5 miles south of Chesapeake City. Slip fees are around $2k for the season. Moorings are even cheaper. I do agree that Rock Hall and that area opens up better sailing grounds, but the Bohemia isn't that bad if you are looking for close and there is a healthy sailing community.
I'm in Bohemia Vista marina on the Bohemia River. It's not the greatest, but it is cheap and is relatively close, being about 5 miles south of Chesapeake City. Slip fees are around $2k for the season. Moorings are even cheaper. I do agree that Rock Hall and that area opens up better sailing grounds, but the Bohemia isn't that bad if you are looking for close and there is a healthy sailing community.
In the pursuit of a perfect sailing place we tend
to forget this: "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not." Spoken by Ratty to Mole in Wind in the Willows a children's book by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932). One member says, There is no wind there, another says drive another hour, another says we have fun even if we don't go out. I say find a place that allows you the most frequent access to your boat. Short tacking or motoring for a couple of mile is still boating, it is still good, I don't have to have five mile straight line runs to enjoy being on my boat.
to forget this: "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not." Spoken by Ratty to Mole in Wind in the Willows a children's book by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932). One member says, There is no wind there, another says drive another hour, another says we have fun even if we don't go out. I say find a place that allows you the most frequent access to your boat. Short tacking or motoring for a couple of mile is still boating, it is still good, I don't have to have five mile straight line runs to enjoy being on my boat.
I live in and used to boat in NJ but...
I've been boating on the Chesapeake for almost 10 years now and there's no comparison. I sailed a 22' O'Day on the Barnegat Bay for 11 years and I agree when the summer afternoon winds come up there's great sailing wind. However, the water's very shallow, there's very few nice places to overnight on the hook, and then there's the green flys and mosquitos! I traded my 1-1/4 hour drive to Waretown (2 hours on Friday nights!) for a 2 hour drive to an H29.5 I kept in Rock Hall. Lots of places to go from there and decent winds. I'm now in an H410 on the Chester River side of Kent Island and the driving time from Cherry Hill, NJ down 13 & 301 to Kent Narrows is the same 2 hours as it is to Rock Hall, so if you're considering Rock Hall check out Kent Narrows, don't think it's too far. The sailing on the river can be great even when the bay is only so so. If you're strictly going afternoon sailing NJ might be fine, but if you really want to use your new 25 then anywhere on the Chesapeake is better.
I've been boating on the Chesapeake for almost 10 years now and there's no comparison. I sailed a 22' O'Day on the Barnegat Bay for 11 years and I agree when the summer afternoon winds come up there's great sailing wind. However, the water's very shallow, there's very few nice places to overnight on the hook, and then there's the green flys and mosquitos! I traded my 1-1/4 hour drive to Waretown (2 hours on Friday nights!) for a 2 hour drive to an H29.5 I kept in Rock Hall. Lots of places to go from there and decent winds. I'm now in an H410 on the Chester River side of Kent Island and the driving time from Cherry Hill, NJ down 13 & 301 to Kent Narrows is the same 2 hours as it is to Rock Hall, so if you're considering Rock Hall check out Kent Narrows, don't think it's too far. The sailing on the river can be great even when the bay is only so so. If you're strictly going afternoon sailing NJ might be fine, but if you really want to use your new 25 then anywhere on the Chesapeake is better.
Muff, I agree that there are lots
of places close to Rock Hull to go that are great over nighters for the weekend sailor but forget the 2 hour drive and the speed traps. I dislike the fact that there is no air. The is plenty of water around Waretown for a draft under 5 foot. For trips we can go to NY or AC. This summer it is Block Island. The Chesapeake Bay is great for motor sailor but I want AIR!
of places close to Rock Hull to go that are great over nighters for the weekend sailor but forget the 2 hour drive and the speed traps. I dislike the fact that there is no air. The is plenty of water around Waretown for a draft under 5 foot. For trips we can go to NY or AC. This summer it is Block Island. The Chesapeake Bay is great for motor sailor but I want AIR!
Hey Rich H & Jim...
RichH, come on up to the Top of the Bay, it's not as bad as you make it out to be. The "travel time" usually includes some great sailing. The past two summers I've had to motor back to North East from Rock Hall and Worton 'cause when the wind dies it doesn't matter how close to the Bay your slip is. Jim, I've sailed the back bays and off the beaches in Hobies from Cape May to Long Beach Is. You can keep your cold foggy mornings, your nasty green-head flys, and your ravenous mosquitos, I'll take the the Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Diamondbacks, and awesome Bay scenery any day! MHO.
RichH, come on up to the Top of the Bay, it's not as bad as you make it out to be. The "travel time" usually includes some great sailing. The past two summers I've had to motor back to North East from Rock Hall and Worton 'cause when the wind dies it doesn't matter how close to the Bay your slip is. Jim, I've sailed the back bays and off the beaches in Hobies from Cape May to Long Beach Is. You can keep your cold foggy mornings, your nasty green-head flys, and your ravenous mosquitos, I'll take the the Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Diamondbacks, and awesome Bay scenery any day! MHO.
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