Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

[arks]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

#1- Hey, if it's not YOUR wedding then you can bag it, and....
#2- beg or borrow a boat if you have to!
Hope you can figure a way to attend.


Anyway, I promised more info so here it is.
For all you techno-geeks, the coordinates for Sand Island are as follows:
LA 39 degrees 29.7 minutes N
LO 76 degrees 05.5 minutes W

The most likely raftup spot will be between the marked Havre de Grace channel and the island, near the southeastern end. The final position won't be confirmed until we see how the wind/weather conditions are that morning.
That particular position should be OK not only for rafting/swimming, but for fishing too.
If anyone wants to waterski, that spot is at the edge of a large area we used to ski regularly with our 23 footer. There's even 2 bouyed slalom courses close by if you're into that.
NOTE: for those who've never boated the area, be aware of shallow water. Please buy AND USE a chart. A sounder is a wise investment, too. Most of the bottom is mud or sand but a grounding is never good.

The closest public launch ramp is Havre de Grace City Yacht Basin at Tydings Park. More info here: http://www.havredegracemd.com/departments_city_yacht.php
Other ramps in the area:
Havre de Grace-Tidewater Marina, Jean Roberts Park
Charlestown- Public ramp across from Wellwood Restaurant
Elk Neck State Park- Rogues Harbor (Elk River 2 miles N of Turkey Point)
Town of Northeast- Anchor Marina, Bay Boat Works

For this event I'll monitor VHF channel 09. Hail "Winter Dream" when approaching so we know you intend to join us. If 09 is active we may need to switch channels to converse, but the initial contact should be on 09.

Here's a pic of my Silverton so you know what to look for. Her name is on the stern.
Hope to see everyone who's responded so far- AND MORE!!

 

[skargo]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

Everyone should post a pic of their boat if possible, here's mine, she has a name on the stern finally!

And I just installed my craigslist score bimini top! Damn I need to clean the bottom :redface:

What if someone not on the end of a raft up needs/wants to leave? I'd imagine you toss lines to the surrounding vessels, and close the gap up when the boat leaves?

 

[arks]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

What if someone not on the end of a raft up needs/wants to leave? I'd imagine you toss lines to the surrounding vessels, and close the gap up when the boat leaves?

That's about right. It's no big deal.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

here are a few pics of my 16 ft thompson. She is a 1978, the engine is an 81.

Named her "good time"

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

Here are a few pics of our boat. Still the same as when we bought it. Got a long list of things I want to do to it, hopefully soon.

No name on her yet, but we call her "Blue Crabber" Whenever we are out we monitor 16/9 and can be hailed as that.

Looking forward to seeing everyone. Still don't know if I am working yet on the 18th, but if I am, I will still be down late afternoon! Don't want to miss this!

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

BUMP!! We are getting closer to the date and want to make sure any new members get a chance to see this. This would be a great weekend to make a trip down to the bay and meet some great people!

 

[skargo]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

We went over to Sand island to anchor. Touched bottom lightly, churned mud, wen back to 6'-ish of water to anchor, set anchor, the drug anchor. Pulled anchor and said the hell with this, and took a ride to Cara cove.
I really have no clue about how to anchor, much less raft up at Sand island. :redface:

Took some paint off my skeg today, but I really did it right at the boat ramp when we came in, a damn screw sticking out of their bumper strip went through the gel coat and into the fibers on my hull. Guess I will be doing my first repair.

Still, I love boating, and love the Upper Bay.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

I think we're going to try to make it down as well. How's it work with a smaller boat in between larger craft? It's 16 feet which makes it look like we'd be one of the smaller boats there.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

Glad to hear that you can make it! We are really looking forward to it.

Hopefully Arks will see this as it sounds like he has a lot of experience rafting. I am sure that he can answer your question.

We will also be on the smaller side, 20' bowrider. Altough I have to work that day but we should still get out to Sands Island around 4:30. Hope everyone is not gone by then! So I figure we will probably be tieing up on the end anyway.

Hope to see you out there!

 

[bowman316]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

I have a 16 footer. I think most people's boat's are under 21 ft.


As far as anchoring on the sand islands goes: I have about 10 ft of heavy chain, with a fork like anchor on the end. Theend has a fork on each end, that swivels. I don't know if it was even designed to be an anchor on not. I have never had a problem anchoring on the sand islands. Just drop my chain, and about 10 ft of rope and i am good. I have used this anchor in 20 ft of water, with a REALLY really strong current, and it held fine.

FYI, Watch the tides at the islands, or you will be beached. I was beached at night on my camping trip, and I was just trusting that the tide would come in, in the morning. More than half the boats were beached that night.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

We're probably going to put in either at Chesapeake City or Hack's Point on the Bohemia. I don't remember what the parking arrangements are at Chesapeake City, but it would give us a nice long ride and then maybe a ride up to Delaware City before we load out although that makes for a late night.

 

[skargo]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

I have a 16 footer. I think most people's boat's are under 21 ft.


As far as anchoring on the sand islands goes: I have about 10 ft of heavy chain, with a fork like anchor on the end. Theend has a fork on each end, that swivels. I don't know if it was even designed to be an anchor on not. I have never had a problem anchoring on the sand islands. Just drop my chain, and about 10 ft of rope and i am good. I have used this anchor in 20 ft of water, with a REALLY really strong current, and it held fine.

FYI, Watch the tides at the islands, or you will be beached. I was beached at night on my camping trip, and I was just trusting that the tide would come in, in the morning. More than half the boats were beached that night.

I have a proper anchor and this was the only time it didn't set. I don't have a problem with anchoring, just where to actually go around the island. We anchor all over the place around the upper Chesapeake. We were anchored in Cara Cove right off the NE channel last Sunday and it was rough from the traffic and she held fine, didn't move a foot according to my anchor alarm.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

Anybody bringing kids? I have a 5 year old, and it'll be good for him to have playmates......or good to know it's not a kid environment.

 

[Billdc]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

I'll have four kids with me 8,9,9,15. I will stay near the end of the raft because they will want to tube.

 

[skargo]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

We might see if my nephew can come, he's 7.

 

[ScarabSprint]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

That's the same day MarineMax throws the big aquapalooza at hart miller island. down by middle river!!!!!!

 

[skargo]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

Sweet, that will make it less crowded up here

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

Cool, at least there'll be some other kids. What time is everyone planning on joining up. Hopefully I'll have a VHF by then.

 

[john3931]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

It is very frustrating reading this thread and my boat isn't in the water yet.
I keep running into little things that slow the progress.
I guess I should check into outfitted it with snow skis.

 

[arks]

Re: Upper Chesapeake Raftup! -- July 18 --

OK, this raftup is less than a week away. The long-range weather forecast looks promising but we need to wait until Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to be sure.
I spent a couple hours at Sand Island today. The weeds are getting bad on the northern and southern ends, but there is a pretty clear section adjacent to the sandbar along the east side (facing the boat channel). Water visibility is as good as I've ever seen it there- about 3 to 4'.

Let's confirm who's making it.
From this thread the following members have said they will try to attend:
Arks - "Winter Dream"
Al - "Tranquility" (my slip neighbor who's not on iboats forum)
Brandon / Christina - "Blue Crabber"
Skargo - "Twice as Nice"
SuperNova
Frank Acampora - "Amanda Ford"
Billdc
Bowman 316 - "Good Time"
HappierWet

Hopefully we'll have even more boats, but those 9 will make for a pretty fair raft. And of course, kids are welcome- as long as they behave themselves!!!

As far as boat size- generally speaking you want to have the larger vessels rafted together with smaller boats tied to them. With this group there shouldn't be a problem as long as "Winter Dream" sets anchor first.

What time is everyone planning on joining up.

I plan to be set up at Sand Island (with bow and stern anchors) by 9:30 AM. If you arrive before I'm ready, just anchor nearby and I'll call you when ready.

IMPORTANT: Since most of you are new to rafting, there are some basic protocols I've learned from my experiences.
- First, make sure the vessel you are rafting to is willing, and make certain there are no swimmers nearby.
- Next, the vessel that is joining should deploy their fenders to prevent damage to either boat, and ready lines both bow and stern. The JOINING boat assumes ALL liability.
- ALWAYS approach a raft at dead-slow speed- just enough to maintain steerage. Be aware of how the wind and current will affect your boat and use it to your advantage. Do NOT try to DOCK against another boat- come close enough to hand your lines to the raft and shut the engine down ASAP.
- Tie up to the ajacent boat with both lines. Usually the stern of both boats should be in alignment. Make sure the fenders are placed for maximum effectiveness, and adjust lines as needed. The lines should be snug but NOT TIGHT.
- It's customary for each boat to bring a food item to share with the group.

The following protocols need to be understood by ALL persons- even the kids....
- Once secured, do your introductions. Board another boat ONLY after receiving permission from the owner to do so. NOTE: Swim Platforms are ususally the exception- it's typically OK to walk across another's platform to another boat without permission. USE CAUTION when crossing platforms- I've seen some nasty slips/falls.
- Do NOT enter a cabin, open a cooler, or use the head of another boat unless SPECIFIC permission has been granted by the owner.
- Alright, The kids- the PARENTS are responsible for their kids at all times. I'm not going to preach, just use your heads and be safe, OK? 'Nuff said.


I'm sure I'll have more to say as the week goes on. Come'on Saturday!