Shoal vs full keel in Chesapeake Bay??

[purcellr]

Hello,
I have recently moved to Virginia Beach and am looking to purchase another C-30 (or maybe a C34 if my wife lets me!!). I haven't sailed in Chesapeake Bay but understand there is a lot of shallow water and it can be a bit tricky. I sailed a full keel C-30 in San Diego where there really wasn't any danger of grounding.
I have seen mostly shoal keels for sale in this area but also a few full keels. Is a shoal keel a "must have" or is it a "nice to have" in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Also, how much different is a shoal keel as far as performance, stability etc. compared to my 84 full keeled c-30 I sailed in San Diego?
Thanks for any thoughts on the issue.

 

[Bad Obsession]

5 foot is a good depth in the Chesapeake Bay. I have a wing keel and it is fine, but a fin keel would give better upwind performance. Since I cruise and don't care, the wing does just fine. There are some areas it gets skinny but watch your charts and you will be fine.

You are in a great area to sail. The ditch is right by Norfolk, You can hop out into the Atlantic, Deltaville is near by as is Tangier Island, Smith Island, Onancock, Kiptopeake, and a few other cool places.

Welcome to the Eastern half and enjoy the Bay, it is a very unique place. At some point in time make a point of going to Tangier Island and Smith Island. They are very unique places.

 

[Dean5735]

This kind of thing scares me. You mean you would want to sail in 3 feet of water instead of 6. Even 6 is to shallow for me and my nerves, and my C30 fin keel (5'3"). Find deeper water!!!

 

[purcellr]

Thanks

Thanks for the input Bad. I'm looking forward to just sailing again. I am with you as far as needing to point- more concerned about my drink spilling. I may come back and ask for more good Chesapeake destinations when I'm on the water.

 

[Bad Obsession]

One thing that you will find about the bay is that it is feast or famine. Either there is little wind or it is blowing hard. Do yourself a favor and have two reef points in your main if you have a tall rig.

I carry a spare jib on my boat that is a 100 (it is tough to go forward and take off my 155% off of the furler in weather) but it has come in handy before. I do wish I had a second reef point on my main though. The next main WILL have one.

The southern area of the bay is really fun to sail in and I have been down there before. The good news is that there is more depth in that area and you don't have to worry about draft so much. It tends to also be windier down there then in Mid Bay.

As I have already said....you have to plan a trip and visit Tangier Island and Smith Island. They are well worth the visit. Tangier is really easy to get into but Smith is a place to watch for shoals and depth (just go slow and you will be okay).

In the bay when you run aground it usually is soft mud. At the worst it is sand. If you take things slowly you will be okay.