Advice on cruising the chesapeake

Dick Sorensen

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
189
Planning on renting a trawler in May...thinking about heading south to the Solomons and then returning to Baltimore over the next two days. We've cruised the West River... Kent Narrows.... St. Michaels....we'd like to cruise the Choptank....perhaps up the Chester.... Rock Hall are all on the potential list....please share your local knowledge of great anchoring spots, neat restaurants, etc. Thanks....
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: Advice on cruising the chesapeake

Gosh! There is so much to see and do--it's difficult to describe. Shaeffers on the C+D canal is open again. Nauti-Goose at Anchor marina at Norteast. Sassafras river and Georgetown marina nice anchorage. Clothing optional beaches if you are so inclined. (those are not normally talked about. You need to lookup Chesapeake naturist and get buoy numbers and longitude and latitude to find them.) Ego alley at Annapolis.

If you are in the area, visit the marinas where the Nor' Easter is distributed. Free mag with loads of info about the upper Chessie. Or lacking that, visit their website.

Tangier Island in Virginia is a worthwhile day stop. Usually in June there is a season opening party on the flats opposite Fishing battery light at Havre de Grace. It will be announced in the Nor'Easter.

Popular overnight anchorages abound. Only place you need to avoid is Aberdeen on the Western shore. Shallow and most areas are closed to public at least part time. It's on the charts though so it should be no surprise.

Too much to list in a single post.
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,936
Re: Advice on cruising the chesapeake

Well, you've got plenty of time to decide where to go and what to do. Get yourself a Cruising Guide and bookmark some places interesting to you - and the crew. It really depends on exactly what you want- lively crowds, calm solitude or a mixture of each. Anchoring out or marina-hopping?
 

Dick Sorensen

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
189
Re: Advice on cruising the chesapeake

We've done some restaurant hopping around the middle of the bay and feel like it's time to really explore the Chesapeake. Up to now we've done it on a 26 foot open bow boat. We are trying to rent a trawler so that we can be alittle more flexible on the weather and water conditions allowing us to venture farther, anchor out (one of us is an experienced cook), drink a little wine and just spend some serious time on the water. Especially after a long, dark winter. Looking for ideas on cruising grounds, neat inlets, great views, perhaps an nice meal or two, etc. Thanks
 
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