I am a former Gulf Coast sailer who has been relegated to the inland waters of Colorado for the past 10 years. Larger boats make no sense her so I sail an O'Day 19 here. Am thinking of Virginia as 2nd home/retirement. Can anyone give me any advise / wisdom on the area for good recreational coastal and maybe off shore sailing. My racing and extreme days are definitely over. Thanks. Dennis
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Middle Chesapeake Bay
What type of area are you looking for? For just sailing, the middle Chesapeake is a great area. The slip fees are cheap, it is not crowded, and the bay is wide open and great for sailing and beautiful on the middle Chesapeake. Check out areas such as Deltaville, Urbanna, Irvington, etc. on the Rappahannock River. For laid back areas with good cruising grounds, this would be a great area. Urbanna and Irvington have more small town feels with Irvington probably being the nicer of the two (but Urbanna has more restraunts, etc.). There really is not too much around Deltaville other than boats. The best "town on the water" feel around this area is probably Urbanna. Fishing Bay Yacht Club out of Deltaville probably does the most racing up around this Rappahannock River area. If you wanted to be more remote and wanted a nice small town feeling, you could check out Onnancock, VA on the Eastern Shore of Va. The only bad part here is fiding a place to keep your boat and the 1 hour motor out of the creek into sailing waters. Do not tell too many of your friends though because we like it less crowded and less expensive.
If you are looking for larger cities, more to do other than sailing, etc., you may consider the Tidewater area (Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach). This is more crowded, more industrial, but more to do other than sailing. There is more stuff in your way and not as wide open sailing down in this area as well. The one advantage here is proximity to the Atlantic Ocean since you mention offshore in your post. There is a good amount of racing down here as well I believe. If you want an area with more to do and more crowded, but less industrial, but more expensive, look up in Maryland. You can check out towns like Annapolis or Solomon's Island, Md. This is a nice area, but the bay is not as wide and the sailing will be different than middle Bay. The difference is that you probably have more ammenities like boat-up restraunts, etc. You could go Eastern Shore of Maryland as well and check out Crisfield - there is a huge marina there but the cruising grounds are probably better in some of the other locations. Hope that helps.
What type of area are you looking for? For just sailing, the middle Chesapeake is a great area. The slip fees are cheap, it is not crowded, and the bay is wide open and great for sailing and beautiful on the middle Chesapeake. Check out areas such as Deltaville, Urbanna, Irvington, etc. on the Rappahannock River. For laid back areas with good cruising grounds, this would be a great area. Urbanna and Irvington have more small town feels with Irvington probably being the nicer of the two (but Urbanna has more restraunts, etc.). There really is not too much around Deltaville other than boats. The best "town on the water" feel around this area is probably Urbanna. Fishing Bay Yacht Club out of Deltaville probably does the most racing up around this Rappahannock River area. If you wanted to be more remote and wanted a nice small town feeling, you could check out Onnancock, VA on the Eastern Shore of Va. The only bad part here is fiding a place to keep your boat and the 1 hour motor out of the creek into sailing waters. Do not tell too many of your friends though because we like it less crowded and less expensive.
If you are looking for larger cities, more to do other than sailing, etc., you may consider the Tidewater area (Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach). This is more crowded, more industrial, but more to do other than sailing. There is more stuff in your way and not as wide open sailing down in this area as well. The one advantage here is proximity to the Atlantic Ocean since you mention offshore in your post. There is a good amount of racing down here as well I believe. If you want an area with more to do and more crowded, but less industrial, but more expensive, look up in Maryland. You can check out towns like Annapolis or Solomon's Island, Md. This is a nice area, but the bay is not as wide and the sailing will be different than middle Bay. The difference is that you probably have more ammenities like boat-up restraunts, etc. You could go Eastern Shore of Maryland as well and check out Crisfield - there is a huge marina there but the cruising grounds are probably better in some of the other locations. Hope that helps.Any one of the rivers on the west coast of the bay
I think any one of the rivers on the west coast of the bay you would love. The closer you get to the DC Baltimore area the less you will like it. The further down the bay the more rural and nicer the country. I will put in a plug for North eastern North Carolina. We have lots of rivers and sounds to sail and two inlets that are fine for offshore/coastal cruising. We have what they call tannic acid which makes the water a slight brown which some don't like. However in Elizabeth City it is unusual to find barnicles on your bottom because of this acid and I usually go 7 years between bottom jobs. My boats are usually cleanned each year at what we call the swimming hole which is a sandy bottom area we use to swim and hang out. Shallow draft is best in north carolina as lots of shallow water. 4 feet is ideal 4 feet 6 fine and 5 feet pushing it a little. You can even go 6 feet but it limits your areas. Also we have several bridges close to the inlets at 46 feet so a short rig is nice but there is longer ways around if you have a bigger stick. We have a Yacht Club, Reasonable home prices, we're on the inland waterway and less than an hour to Outer Banks Beaches. Good luck in your search.
I think any one of the rivers on the west coast of the bay you would love. The closer you get to the DC Baltimore area the less you will like it. The further down the bay the more rural and nicer the country. I will put in a plug for North eastern North Carolina. We have lots of rivers and sounds to sail and two inlets that are fine for offshore/coastal cruising. We have what they call tannic acid which makes the water a slight brown which some don't like. However in Elizabeth City it is unusual to find barnicles on your bottom because of this acid and I usually go 7 years between bottom jobs. My boats are usually cleanned each year at what we call the swimming hole which is a sandy bottom area we use to swim and hang out. Shallow draft is best in north carolina as lots of shallow water. 4 feet is ideal 4 feet 6 fine and 5 feet pushing it a little. You can even go 6 feet but it limits your areas. Also we have several bridges close to the inlets at 46 feet so a short rig is nice but there is longer ways around if you have a bigger stick. We have a Yacht Club, Reasonable home prices, we're on the inland waterway and less than an hour to Outer Banks Beaches. Good luck in your search.
I'm just venting
but MD. is not a place to retire. I can barely afford to keep working here with all the new taxes and fees I'd say keep looking at VA. Honestly I was looking at retirement but home values and new taxes have now pushed that back at least 3-5 years. NC is the place to be unless you get real adventurous and escape to Mexico.
but MD. is not a place to retire. I can barely afford to keep working here with all the new taxes and fees I'd say keep looking at VA. Honestly I was looking at retirement but home values and new taxes have now pushed that back at least 3-5 years. NC is the place to be unless you get real adventurous and escape to Mexico.
Agree W/ Doug,
Eastern N.C. Albermarle Sound area. Taxes and the cost of living are low and the living is easy. You are less than an hour ride to Tidewater, Va. Check it out
Eastern N.C. Albermarle Sound area. Taxes and the cost of living are low and the living is easy. You are less than an hour ride to Tidewater, Va. Check it out
Came here kicking and screaming...
...but now that we are here we LOVE it. Being dual military, there were only two places the military could send us from our overseas assignment - San Diego or Norfolk and there weren't any billets available for me in San Diego during the drawdown of the early 90's. We've live here for over 14 years and have made a wonderful life for ourselves here. Hampton Roads is a beautiful and wonderful place to live. We are at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, eastern shore of VA and outer banks of NC. You could sail here for years and years and never get tired of it. Yes, there are taxes (more than some states, less than others) but I feel we get a great living for our money here. Being retired military, our dollars stretch even further with the many military base facilities nearby. We dine out frugally, do our own boat and home maintenances when or if we can, and otherwise live within our means. The weather is somewhat temperate without the extreme heat or cold. I am from Buffalo NY and my husband is from Auburn AL, so this is a great compromise for us. Best wishes in your decision making!
...but now that we are here we LOVE it. Being dual military, there were only two places the military could send us from our overseas assignment - San Diego or Norfolk and there weren't any billets available for me in San Diego during the drawdown of the early 90's. We've live here for over 14 years and have made a wonderful life for ourselves here. Hampton Roads is a beautiful and wonderful place to live. We are at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, eastern shore of VA and outer banks of NC. You could sail here for years and years and never get tired of it. Yes, there are taxes (more than some states, less than others) but I feel we get a great living for our money here. Being retired military, our dollars stretch even further with the many military base facilities nearby. We dine out frugally, do our own boat and home maintenances when or if we can, and otherwise live within our means. The weather is somewhat temperate without the extreme heat or cold. I am from Buffalo NY and my husband is from Auburn AL, so this is a great compromise for us. Best wishes in your decision making!
Beware of the 'personal property taxes' in VA
These are county taxes that apply to: automobiles, BOATS, airplanes, etc. etc. etc. etc. ... and just about anything of worth that you own besides your house. They are collected yearly based on the 'value' of the item. If you are not aware you can wind up with a surprise huge tax bill - you have to check out each county to find out these tax rates. Several of my family left VA and moved elsewhere because of these VERY high personal property taxes. For instance Albemarle Country pp tax is at 4.28% of assessed value. Hell, thats a $4200 tax bill EVERY YEAR on a $100K boat and $1500 EVERY YEAR on a $35000 automoblile !!!!!!
These are county taxes that apply to: automobiles, BOATS, airplanes, etc. etc. etc. etc. ... and just about anything of worth that you own besides your house. They are collected yearly based on the 'value' of the item. If you are not aware you can wind up with a surprise huge tax bill - you have to check out each county to find out these tax rates. Several of my family left VA and moved elsewhere because of these VERY high personal property taxes. For instance Albemarle Country pp tax is at 4.28% of assessed value. Hell, thats a $4200 tax bill EVERY YEAR on a $100K boat and $1500 EVERY YEAR on a $35000 automoblile !!!!!!
what Jared says...
As Jared (and the others say) Look at the rivers that dump in to the bay, we are off the Potomac at Mill Creek in Northumberland County. Waterfront with deep water is much more affordable, water view and walk to the marina is very plentiful, much cheaper and you do not have to deal with Chesapeake Bay Protetion Act or storm cleanup. Personal Property tax is annoying, but services are decent and the bay and rivers, priceless...We are 30 minutes from the mouth of the bay, a day sail from Deltaville or Solomon's Island, MD, and tons of places in between. We looked at Oriental, NC, and it too is absolutely beautiful, but seems to be more costly now than it was a few years back...PLenty of really nice places near Washington, NC and on the Pamlico Sound with great sailing all year long. Come visit!! dave
As Jared (and the others say) Look at the rivers that dump in to the bay, we are off the Potomac at Mill Creek in Northumberland County. Waterfront with deep water is much more affordable, water view and walk to the marina is very plentiful, much cheaper and you do not have to deal with Chesapeake Bay Protetion Act or storm cleanup. Personal Property tax is annoying, but services are decent and the bay and rivers, priceless...We are 30 minutes from the mouth of the bay, a day sail from Deltaville or Solomon's Island, MD, and tons of places in between. We looked at Oriental, NC, and it too is absolutely beautiful, but seems to be more costly now than it was a few years back...PLenty of really nice places near Washington, NC and on the Pamlico Sound with great sailing all year long. Come visit!! dave
RichH - hit the nail
Property taxes is why I keep my boat in Maryland. The taxes in VA were a killer. They use the NADA to value your boat regardless of what you paid. Down in the Norfolk area the counties dropped the property taxes to $1 (not sure about this) but don't collect. Most of the Marina's were screaming about no customers due to the taxes. They can always bring it back in a flash. Jim S/V Java
Property taxes is why I keep my boat in Maryland. The taxes in VA were a killer. They use the NADA to value your boat regardless of what you paid. Down in the Norfolk area the counties dropped the property taxes to $1 (not sure about this) but don't collect. Most of the Marina's were screaming about no customers due to the taxes. They can always bring it back in a flash. Jim S/V Java
Every jurisdiction has to be able to pay for the
services provided for the population. You do this with an astonishing array of taxes. Some people complain that their tax bill is too large but I don't worry about this. I just say that all of the taxes I pay are used to maintain a bridge that I use to get to my boat.
services provided for the population. You do this with an astonishing array of taxes. Some people complain that their tax bill is too large but I don't worry about this. I just say that all of the taxes I pay are used to maintain a bridge that I use to get to my boat.
Taxes in VA
I own a winter home in Virginia and would love to bring my boat to Chesapeake Bay, if and when I sell my Michigan home. The major deterrent is the tax that I would have to pay to keep the a boat near my home. The personal property tax structure seems to be extreme... If I didn't have to pay the tax the decision would be easier. The other problem is that the summers are just too hot and humid, so I guess I'll stay on Lake Michigan for awhile.
I own a winter home in Virginia and would love to bring my boat to Chesapeake Bay, if and when I sell my Michigan home. The major deterrent is the tax that I would have to pay to keep the a boat near my home. The personal property tax structure seems to be extreme... If I didn't have to pay the tax the decision would be easier. The other problem is that the summers are just too hot and humid, so I guess I'll stay on Lake Michigan for awhile.
I Would not Retire to Virginia
We lived in Hampton, VA for a number of years and really liked it. The taxes though are a killer. It would seem that most places you come out the same after you add up all of the taxes you pay but it is not the case there not sure what they do with all of the money they collect. They also had the toughest and most expensive vehicle inspections of any state I ever lived in.
We lived in Hampton, VA for a number of years and really liked it. The taxes though are a killer. It would seem that most places you come out the same after you add up all of the taxes you pay but it is not the case there not sure what they do with all of the money they collect. They also had the toughest and most expensive vehicle inspections of any state I ever lived in.
Look at Northern Neck Va
Northern Neck Va is Cheap, great for retirement. Property is cheap around that area and is located at the widest part of the Chesapeake Bay (being able to daysail Smith Island and Tangier island is a plus). Many coves to explore and Blue Water is half a day away. Im still young but I have that area in mind when I retire.Aside from a a big sailboat, It be great to have a small trailor sailboat too. The Bay has so many to offer, you would not want to miss out on exploreing small tributaries and be able to hide out in shallow coves in a storm.
Northern Neck Va is Cheap, great for retirement. Property is cheap around that area and is located at the widest part of the Chesapeake Bay (being able to daysail Smith Island and Tangier island is a plus). Many coves to explore and Blue Water is half a day away. Im still young but I have that area in mind when I retire.Aside from a a big sailboat, It be great to have a small trailor sailboat too. The Bay has so many to offer, you would not want to miss out on exploreing small tributaries and be able to hide out in shallow coves in a storm.
boat taxes
I have one vessel registered through the state, in Virginia Beach. The boat costs me 3.5 thousandths-of-a-cent annually in personal property taxes.
I have one vessel registered through the state, in Virginia Beach. The boat costs me 3.5 thousandths-of-a-cent annually in personal property taxes.
Virginia is nice
I keep my boat in the Potomac River at Colonial Beach. I am a day sail away from they bay. I am also about that far from Washington DC. The river is very wide in that area but I like the fact that I have access to the Bay for a descent trip. I have made Solomins Island in one day from my location but that was a long and hard day with favorable conditions. Tangier Island and Smith Island are really neat places to visit. Solomins Island is a MUST. The sail to Annapolis is nice also. Taxes suck here. I paid about $300 for my Catalina 30. My slip fees are $1500 a year. I am on a brand new dock that is nicely set up with nice wide slips. I could get a 40 foot boat in my slip but I wouldn't want a boat that drafted much more than 5 feet. There are some places where you don't have a tax on your boat, but the slip fees maybe more expensive so it can be a trade off. There are Marinas around me that charge $800 a year (there is a waiting list for them). If you plan to sail the ChesapeakeBay area, it is nice to have a draft of 5 feet or less. You can go back in some areas that are really pretty and worth visiting. One other nice thing about the area is wildlife. I have seen deer, bald eagles, osprey, and alot of other wildlife while out sailing the area. The fishing is descent in the area and some of us troll while sailing (sometimes we catch dinner in addition to a nice sail). One last idea about the taxes is that a lot of people in my Marina go over to Cobb Island to haul their boat for the winter. They do this to aviod taxes and they don't pay a cent. You have to pay haul out and storage so there is a trade off there as well, but if you plan to haul out for the winter that is an idea to save some $$$$.
I keep my boat in the Potomac River at Colonial Beach. I am a day sail away from they bay. I am also about that far from Washington DC. The river is very wide in that area but I like the fact that I have access to the Bay for a descent trip. I have made Solomins Island in one day from my location but that was a long and hard day with favorable conditions. Tangier Island and Smith Island are really neat places to visit. Solomins Island is a MUST. The sail to Annapolis is nice also. Taxes suck here. I paid about $300 for my Catalina 30. My slip fees are $1500 a year. I am on a brand new dock that is nicely set up with nice wide slips. I could get a 40 foot boat in my slip but I wouldn't want a boat that drafted much more than 5 feet. There are some places where you don't have a tax on your boat, but the slip fees maybe more expensive so it can be a trade off. There are Marinas around me that charge $800 a year (there is a waiting list for them). If you plan to sail the ChesapeakeBay area, it is nice to have a draft of 5 feet or less. You can go back in some areas that are really pretty and worth visiting. One other nice thing about the area is wildlife. I have seen deer, bald eagles, osprey, and alot of other wildlife while out sailing the area. The fishing is descent in the area and some of us troll while sailing (sometimes we catch dinner in addition to a nice sail). One last idea about the taxes is that a lot of people in my Marina go over to Cobb Island to haul their boat for the winter. They do this to aviod taxes and they don't pay a cent. You have to pay haul out and storage so there is a trade off there as well, but if you plan to haul out for the winter that is an idea to save some $$$$.
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