Boating on bays

[RustyShackleford]

There are a few bays that are quite a ways inland near me and I am wondering if anyone has advice on whether or not I can go there. I know the basics about dropping my boat in salt water, though I have read that these bays have low salt anyway. I am very new to boating, and the only advice I can give myself is to drive out there a couple times and see how calm the water is throughout the day and relative to the wind. I assume there is a bit more to it than that, though.

Are there also any rules about boating in those areas that I may need to know about since it's a bay and not a lake? I know that I need to stay away from the Navy ships, but they are further out. (You can see some in the satellite view). Here is a link to the map.
I am particularly interested in the marked area and boating eastward from there since there are some wildlife areas.


http://goo.gl/maps/F00z4

 

[MinUph]

Re: Boating on bays

Looks like a beautiful pace to go boating. Lakes, Bays, rivers anyplace there is enough water is a good place. Find a public launch and ask the people there. Boatmen are generally very helpful and will know the waters well. As for the brackish water I wouldn't worry much about that it looks pretty far inland. Just rinse your boat off when done and run clean water through the motor. Rabbit ears and a hose is how its done. Also rinse the bunks well.
Enjoy your boat and be careful in unknown water. Watch your depth and stay in the channel. You will be fine.