This week's question inspired my question. We are planning to move our boat from the CT/RI area to the Cheaspeake Bay this September. We want to sail this fall and then winter the boat down there and sail again the following spring. The possible choices of marinas are staggering. If you have a favorite, please tell me. So far, Tidewater has been recommended to us. We are looking for a marina that has good facilities. We just need good parking, dinghy
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
Jane
How far South ?
I bought my first boat at Tidewater in Harve DeGrace (if that's where you're talking about). Nice place and the people are very nice. Grocery and some shops are within walking distance. I thought the sailing there was limited because of the narrow channel and the flats. If you want to go further South, there's Baltimore (barges can be a pain). Annapolis a little futher south and a little more expensive and crowded. The Magathoy which is between Balt. and Annapolis. I'm not real familiar with the Magothy but a fellow I work with keeps his boat there and I can get you more info. Just south of Annapolis it the West River. Quite a few of my friends have there boats there. Again I can get you more info if you're interested. A little futher south you'll find Shipwright (that's where I am) and Herrington Harbor. Herrington Harbor has two marinas (North and South). South is a little more country club-like. North, I believe is a little cheaper and has all kinds of services located right on there site. So how far south are you interestered in going?
I bought my first boat at Tidewater in Harve DeGrace (if that's where you're talking about). Nice place and the people are very nice. Grocery and some shops are within walking distance. I thought the sailing there was limited because of the narrow channel and the flats. If you want to go further South, there's Baltimore (barges can be a pain). Annapolis a little futher south and a little more expensive and crowded. The Magathoy which is between Balt. and Annapolis. I'm not real familiar with the Magothy but a fellow I work with keeps his boat there and I can get you more info. Just south of Annapolis it the West River. Quite a few of my friends have there boats there. Again I can get you more info if you're interested. A little futher south you'll find Shipwright (that's where I am) and Herrington Harbor. Herrington Harbor has two marinas (North and South). South is a little more country club-like. North, I believe is a little cheaper and has all kinds of services located right on there site. So how far south are you interestered in going?
B
Bruce Mulford
How about the eastern shore??
I bought my H 29.5 through Tidewater. They are very knowledgeable but I agree with prior post about the sailing conditions up that end of the bay. The Middle river just above Baltimore is very nice and there are several sailor's marinas. I spent a year at Bowley's (www.bowleysmarina.com) The Magothy is very nice but the good marina (www.magothymarina.com) is at the western/inner end of the river. Annapolis is too busy for me. Suggest you check out Rock Hall (www.rockhallmd.com) on the eastern shore opposite Baltimore. We are in Haven Harbour (www.havenharbor.com) going on our 3rd season and love it. Great place, peaceful and quiet, and an easy sail south west to the Magothy or Annapolis, north to Fairlee or Warton Creeks or the Sassafras,and south to Kent Island or St. Michaels, and don't forget the many creeks off the Chester River. Also, for moorings, check out Swan Creek Marina(www.rockhallmd.com/swancreek) All have great sailing, more sail than power boats, and lots of beautiful spots for some quiet time. Good Luck in your search.
I bought my H 29.5 through Tidewater. They are very knowledgeable but I agree with prior post about the sailing conditions up that end of the bay. The Middle river just above Baltimore is very nice and there are several sailor's marinas. I spent a year at Bowley's (www.bowleysmarina.com) The Magothy is very nice but the good marina (www.magothymarina.com) is at the western/inner end of the river. Annapolis is too busy for me. Suggest you check out Rock Hall (www.rockhallmd.com) on the eastern shore opposite Baltimore. We are in Haven Harbour (www.havenharbor.com) going on our 3rd season and love it. Great place, peaceful and quiet, and an easy sail south west to the Magothy or Annapolis, north to Fairlee or Warton Creeks or the Sassafras,and south to Kent Island or St. Michaels, and don't forget the many creeks off the Chester River. Also, for moorings, check out Swan Creek Marina(www.rockhallmd.com/swancreek) All have great sailing, more sail than power boats, and lots of beautiful spots for some quiet time. Good Luck in your search.
R
Rex
Other thoughts
Ditto previous comments on Tidewater. Marvelous yard and nice people, but way too far down the channel to open water and nice anchorages. You mention stepping/unstepping your spar. I believe that is common in New England for winter. However, no one does it on the Chesapeake. Virtually all boats of reasonable size store with mast up. For nice scenery and small town atmosphere, stay Eastern shore; another post mentions many places. Best are Worton Creek, Tolchester and Rock Hall. All these areas put you very close to open water and have very nice marinas. For more amenities and city access, western shore. Middle River is great, not too far south. Don't even think about Baltimore if you like to sail your boat. Up there, you are about 8 miles from the bay and a very busy river with lots of powerboat chop.
Ditto previous comments on Tidewater. Marvelous yard and nice people, but way too far down the channel to open water and nice anchorages. You mention stepping/unstepping your spar. I believe that is common in New England for winter. However, no one does it on the Chesapeake. Virtually all boats of reasonable size store with mast up. For nice scenery and small town atmosphere, stay Eastern shore; another post mentions many places. Best are Worton Creek, Tolchester and Rock Hall. All these areas put you very close to open water and have very nice marinas. For more amenities and city access, western shore. Middle River is great, not too far south. Don't even think about Baltimore if you like to sail your boat. Up there, you are about 8 miles from the bay and a very busy river with lots of powerboat chop.
R
Rich Stidger
Rex - boats are stored with masts in?
I am surprised. We have a 40.5 with a tall rig of 63'. I think I would be very uneasy storing with the mast in. I always believed that there are real dangers and stresses involved during winter storms. This weekend we are experiencing gusty winds of 40-50mph in the northeast. I'm not sure I could sleep well knowing that my boat was subject to that force on land. Now I usually store in the water with all dock lines doubled and of course with adequate chafe guards. But in the water a boat can rock and the stresses are relieved. Do people really store 40' boats and 60' masts with the mast in? Rich
I am surprised. We have a 40.5 with a tall rig of 63'. I think I would be very uneasy storing with the mast in. I always believed that there are real dangers and stresses involved during winter storms. This weekend we are experiencing gusty winds of 40-50mph in the northeast. I'm not sure I could sleep well knowing that my boat was subject to that force on land. Now I usually store in the water with all dock lines doubled and of course with adequate chafe guards. But in the water a boat can rock and the stresses are relieved. Do people really store 40' boats and 60' masts with the mast in? Rich
D
Dakota Jim Russell
Stored with masts Up!!!
In South Dakota we have about 10 boats in our marina including mine that have masts of 40 feet or taller. All are stored with their masts up on the hard. SD is noted for high winds as well as below zero temperatures. We have done this for a number of years . . . some as long as 10 years without any problems. We feel there is less risk of damage by leaving them up than pulling the masts, retuning in the spring, not getting the wire tube properly caulked, etc.
In South Dakota we have about 10 boats in our marina including mine that have masts of 40 feet or taller. All are stored with their masts up on the hard. SD is noted for high winds as well as below zero temperatures. We have done this for a number of years . . . some as long as 10 years without any problems. We feel there is less risk of damage by leaving them up than pulling the masts, retuning in the spring, not getting the wire tube properly caulked, etc.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.