My wife and I own a 1988 Catalina 34 and are planning a spring (May 2010) cruise to Baltimore from our home port of Calumbia, NC. Our first extended (2 to 3 weeks) cruise. All suggestions appreciated (routes, places, weather, etc)
We're planning a Chesapeake Bay cruise and.....
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Seahawk: Please check out our fleet's website, www.fleet10.org. Click on the Summer Cruise 2009, or 2008, or 2007 links to read about some of our past summer cruises on the Chesapeake Bay. I think that you will have a great time sailing there. There are very many places to visit. We have been sailing on the Chesapeake for 30 years and I can't belive how much we have seen, and keep in mind that our Catalina is quite a bit smaller than yours. (If you reply to the "Contact" block on the website, I will get your message. I just stumbled across your question, while going to the C-22 Forum.)
Aldo
Aldo
Sounds like a nice trip We're planning for some time in the summer on running down to the Hampton/Norfolk area on a two weeker ourselves. Here's a few places you may want to consider visiting. Solomons Islands, St Michaels, Annapolis, Rock Hall and of course your destination Baltimore. (BTW our home marina is Inner Harbor East, very convenient to a variety of sites) There are more rivers and creeks to duck into for the night than I can list but here are a few. Trippe Creek in Oxford MD, Rhode and South Rivers on Western shore below Annapolis, Magothy River Western shore between Annapolis and Baltimore, Corsica River and Langford Creek off the Chester River on the Eastern Shore, Dunn Cove on Harris Creek behind Tilghman Island on the Eastern shore. If you haven't done so yet pick up Chesapeake Magazines 2010 Cruising Guide. It's well worth the price.
Mike
Mike
There are a few things on my blog you might find interesting.
Tangier Island is a favorite of mine; unique, if you haven't been there before.
This post is re. a 2009 Delmarva trip. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/search?q=trip+report+2009. There are other stories, too.My wife and I own a 1988 Catalina 34 and are planning a spring (May 2010) cruise to Baltimore from our home port of Calumbia, NC. Our first extended (2 to 3 weeks) cruise. All suggestions appreciated (routes, places, weather, etc)
Tangier Island is a favorite of mine; unique, if you haven't been there before.
Buy Bill Shellinbeckers book
Crusing the Chesapeake, a gunkholers guide. It has EVERYTHING you need.
Crusing the Chesapeake, a gunkholers guide. It has EVERYTHING you need.
Chesapeake
I grew up on hte Chesapeake.. If you like quaint little islands,Def. stop at Tangier and Smith Island. Find some Smith Island cake while you are there. It is a chocaholics dream.
There are so many little waterfront towns with hardworking and freindly people it would be hard to pick the best.
Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield is a fairly modern marina. Crisfield also has an unusual event in the summer called Crab Derby. This marina would be on your way up the bay towards Annapolis and St Micheals. Annapolis is of course an old sea city and home of the Naval Academy. St Micheals was another small watermans town that has become rather more of an upscale area.
If you get to go I hope you enjoy the trip. but the Chesapeake can be pretty nasty when she wants to be. Many ships were lost to her dark waters and fierce storms. Mosquitos and Flys can be extremely bothersome near shore in the summer.
As you come from the Atlantic to the Chesapeake you will cross the Bay bridge and Tunnel. Lots of good fishing in that area.
If you sail down the Atlantic to Chincoteaague Island There are quite a few Marinas, Camp grounds and Waterfront restuarants (a few).
A few of the most interesting things on the Island are Wallops Island Flight center,pony pennihg and various wildlife trails. This would also be a good place to drive from various marinas on the bay side.
I grew up on hte Chesapeake.. If you like quaint little islands,Def. stop at Tangier and Smith Island. Find some Smith Island cake while you are there. It is a chocaholics dream.
There are so many little waterfront towns with hardworking and freindly people it would be hard to pick the best.
Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield is a fairly modern marina. Crisfield also has an unusual event in the summer called Crab Derby. This marina would be on your way up the bay towards Annapolis and St Micheals. Annapolis is of course an old sea city and home of the Naval Academy. St Micheals was another small watermans town that has become rather more of an upscale area.
If you get to go I hope you enjoy the trip. but the Chesapeake can be pretty nasty when she wants to be. Many ships were lost to her dark waters and fierce storms. Mosquitos and Flys can be extremely bothersome near shore in the summer.
As you come from the Atlantic to the Chesapeake you will cross the Bay bridge and Tunnel. Lots of good fishing in that area.
If you sail down the Atlantic to Chincoteaague Island There are quite a few Marinas, Camp grounds and Waterfront restuarants (a few).
A few of the most interesting things on the Island are Wallops Island Flight center,pony pennihg and various wildlife trails. This would also be a good place to drive from various marinas on the bay side.
You mention marinas around Chincoteague... Where?
The small ones on the island, to my knowledge, are all limited to 3' draft or so. The town dock can take up to ~8' draft, but I'm not aware of others that can manage sailboats, other than the very shallow draft.
I live in Elizabeth City and have cruised the Chesapeake Bay a few times. Don't pass up Coinjock for great Prime Rib and a marina with a dockside jacuzzi. On the return trip you might consider the Dismal swamp canal. Very friendly and knowledgable lock keepers, a great Mexican eatery (Deep Creek) and lots of solitude. If you happen to stop in EC, while staying at the free docks you can catch the Museum of the Albemarle and great performances at the theater. We are also planning a month or so in May and June to do some Chesapeake exploring. We will keep a look out for you! Enjoy
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