My sailing club is going to Rock Hall the 25th, but we are getting concerned about reported shoaling at the entrance to the harbor. Does anyone have local up-to-date depth/channel knowledge? Also heard the shuttle bus no longer runs? Thanks.
Rock Hall, MD
- Thread starter Ron20324
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Rock Hall Shoaling
Last week, on low tide, my depth finder registered 5.8 feet going through the channel into Rock Hall. The green #1 buoy has been relocated to keep all traffic to the south before making the turn north into the channel. If you honor the green #1 and favor the red on entry you should be all right as long as you don't have more than 5.5 feet draft. If over that, watch the tide and go in on a rising tide.
Last week, on low tide, my depth finder registered 5.8 feet going through the channel into Rock Hall. The green #1 buoy has been relocated to keep all traffic to the south before making the turn north into the channel. If you honor the green #1 and favor the red on entry you should be all right as long as you don't have more than 5.5 feet draft. If over that, watch the tide and go in on a rising tide.
Re: Rock Hall Shoaling
Ron:
Was there over Memorial Day. No problems, even up into Swan Creek. I draw 5.5 ft.
Paul
Ron:
Was there over Memorial Day. No problems, even up into Swan Creek. I draw 5.5 ft.
Paul
Rock Hall entrance depths
Actually ran aground going into Rock Hall 2 yrs ago in my 323. Got in OK last year in my new Hunter 39 (draft 5 ft.) Definitely stay to the right when going in. I found a detailed sounding of the harbor entrance done by the Army Corps of Engineers from 2008 (maybe) online. I found it by searching something like "rock hall harbor depths and Army corps of engineers". It shows that you need to stay right up to the breakwater.
Actually ran aground going into Rock Hall 2 yrs ago in my 323. Got in OK last year in my new Hunter 39 (draft 5 ft.) Definitely stay to the right when going in. I found a detailed sounding of the harbor entrance done by the Army Corps of Engineers from 2008 (maybe) online. I found it by searching something like "rock hall harbor depths and Army corps of engineers". It shows that you need to stay right up to the breakwater.
The above reports are correct except I wouldn't trust a 2008 sounding as I believe that was the last time it was dredged. The channel is continually shoaling from the north but is good for 5 1/2' at normal low tide. A blowout tide caused by northerly winds is cause for caution.
The shuttle is no longer running but Bayside groceries will pick you up for supplies.
Most of the larger marinas loan out bikes.
Ronbo
The shuttle is no longer running but Bayside groceries will pick you up for supplies.
Most of the larger marinas loan out bikes.
Ronbo
New harbor and entrance depth data
Here's a link to list of surveys done by the Army Corps of Engineers. The latest one for Rock Hall was done November, 2010.
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Navigation/DepthRpts.htm
Here's a link to list of surveys done by the Army Corps of Engineers. The latest one for Rock Hall was done November, 2010.
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Navigation/DepthRpts.htm
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