Boating the Upper Chesapeake

[DBreskin]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

You guys are killing me with the foliage shots! Maybe I'll come down stag.

 

[Damifudo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Are you all talking about getting together Sunday the 31st? I might be able to make that. Dundee creek is a beautiful area this time of year. I would like to get out once more before it gets too cold.

Thanks for the info on the boat tops. I am not opposed to PA. I have all winter to get the top done. Drop it off now and pick it up in the spring.

I know I get two of the three choices.

1. Good
2. fast
3. cheap

I will pick one and three.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Sounds like a blast, but I'm going out in Fell's Point for Halloween on Saturday night, I don't think I'll be up for 9 am, and my boat is down at my folk's house in Calvert County.

Damifudo-a former co-worker of mine's husband owns a canvas shop in Canton, I'll try and get the info for you.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

If anyone is out today I hope you enjoy yourselves. I can't make it down; I need to winterize today since tomorrow night is forecast to 32 degrees. Maybe I'll finally catch up with you next year.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

there is a canvas and sail shop at the marina on water st in hdg

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Preliminary plans are to go out next Sunday during the day for a Halloween/Fall colors cruise.
The leaves are BEAUTIFUL here now.

Who else is in? I think this may possibly be our last trip, that's depending on the weather.
If anyone wants to get in on this, let's meet at the Nauti-Goose for their breakfast brunch, then head out.

Did you guys make it out? Sadly, my boat is now winterized and we are done for the year. Hope this winter goes by quickly!

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Did you guys make it out? Sadly, my boat is now winterized and we are done for the year. Hope this winter goes by quickly!

Nope, we are both recovering from some health issues so I will be winterizing this week myself.

Come on spring! Our first day out this season was Easter, maybe we can beat that this year?

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I made it out April 2nd. Didn't winterize yet I'm hoping to for one more warm weekend!

 

[solanabeacherman]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Ah ha, the thread I've been searching for all summer. Lol, now our new boat is winterized. Bought a new yamaha AR210 this July. Had an old friend take me down to the bay after we got used to using the boat a little in the lake. We absolutely love boating in the upper chesapeake. We drop in at the Havre de Grace city marina ($8) and mostly done trips to the Chesapeake Inn for lunch and back. Also, found a nice sand bar just south of where we launch. Did the Nauti Goose once but much prefer the Inn. Would have liked to do a trip to inner harbor as well, but here it is November already. Anyway, I look forward to meeting some of you next season. Hope the winter goes fast, sure is off to a slow start.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Welcome to iboats solanabeacherman. I made my first trip to the Chesepeake myself towards the end of the season and also can't wait to get down there more often next summer.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Sadness...

Here's a pic of my homemade winterizing kit. I have closed cooling, so this makes it EASY to run some RV antifreeze through my raw side, and flush out my oil and power steering coolers. I have a thru hull water pickup, as I have no water pump or impeller in my outdrive. Therefore I use one of those plunger type "muffs" to feed my engine water. I leave it hooked up, and I have a valve on my garden hose that shuts the water off. Then I feed it through a hose and connection that goes right to my engine mounted pump. Transom strap comes in handy too.


p.s. I fog it gently, until the AF is almost gone, then I give her hell and stall the engine with the fogging oil. Takes 5 minutes!

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Welcome to iboats solanabeacherman. I made my first trip to the Chesepeake myself towards the end of the season and also can't wait to get down there more often next summer.

You have to be very carefull when walking up the stairs in the front entrance at the Chesapecke Inn. I fell down them a year ago last july. And they did nothing to help me get up. I just laid there until i could get up by myself. One of the car hops l9ooked but then turned away. I had a gash about 12 inches long on my Right arm. I was with a bunch of Dodge truck people at the time. My left leg hurt for five months. So be care full. Oh, It was on a dry day sao thewre was no water on the steps.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I've got some news!
Check out this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=3008761#post3008761

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I've got some news!
Check out this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=3008761#post3008761

Awesome!

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I've got some news!
Check out this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=3008761#post3008761

Sweet! Can't wait to see it out on the water soon!!!!

 

[solanabeacherman]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

A few newb questions for boating the Chesapeake. I bought my first boat a 21' Yamaha. We live in PA and have a PA safety card, and the boat is registered in PA. I carry PFD's for all on board, a first aid kit, and paddle as per PA boating laws. We mostly plan day trips to the bay launching from the Havre de Grace city yacht basin. However, we've talked about sleeping on the boat, or maybe a sand bar camping trip.

Can anyone help me with what the MD requirements are for what to have on board ect.

Since we have kids, 4 and 10 yrs old, are they required to have PFD's on while underway? Also, we like to enjoy a few beers while out on the boat. I assume alcohol is allowed on board so long as the driver is not impaired. What do you do with the emptys, open containers?

I also seen about day and night visual signals? Whats that all about? What do you all have on board, and do you have any tips for a newb?

Also, any better ramps other than Havre de Grace on the upper bay?

 

[FFScott6]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Arks -- Wow... I can't let my wife see this she'll shoot me. if she compares my finds...

What a deal. Good luck this spring if you can get it ready!!!

Scott & Dot

 

[Billdc]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

A few newb questions for boating the Chesapeake. I bought my first boat a 21' Yamaha. We live in PA and have a PA safety card, and the boat is registered in PA. I carry PFD's for all on board, a first aid kit, and paddle as per PA boating laws. We mostly plan day trips to the bay launching from the Havre de Grace city yacht basin. However, we've talked about sleeping on the boat, or maybe a sand bar camping trip.

Can anyone help me with what the MD requirements are for what to have on board ect.

Since we have kids, 4 and 10 yrs old, are they required to have PFD's on while underway? Also, we like to enjoy a few beers while out on the boat. I assume alcohol is allowed on board so long as the driver is not impaired. What do you do with the emptys, open containers?

I also seen about day and night visual signals? Whats that all about? What do you all have on board, and do you have any tips for a newb?

Also, any better ramps other than Havre de Grace on the upper bay?

The regs for PFD's on children are under 13 years of age on a vessel less than 21 feet require PFD's while underway. Is your craft over or under 21'? A link to a good list is http://annapoliscgaux.org/Legal_Requirements.html. I THINK I have everything on that list, with extra flares.
Most of the ramps around HDG are in pretty good shape, everyone has their favorite depending on where your coming from. The Yacht basin is nice with lots of parking, if you don't mind the city traffic. I think there are several closer ramps depending on your route. Where are you in PA?

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Thanks Scott. I just got lucky.
My mechanic had it running today. The starter needed a little "love" (he smacked it with a hammer) but he said it fired right up and sounded good even when cold. 155# in all 8 cylinders!

Skargo- too bad I missed you. I had to drive right past your shop so I figured I'd stop in and say HI.
Stacey said you'd be mad that she saw the Wellcraft before you!

solanabeacherman- Billdc and I are also Pa residents. Pretty much the same rules apply in Md, but I'd suggest you consider having a USCGA courtesy inspection next spring. They're free and painless. If you're missing a required item you WON'T get fined. Here's the actual checklist they use: http://forms.cgaux.org/archive/a7012.pdf
As far as PFD's, the law only requires kids to wear 'em, but any responsible adult should set a good example and wear 'em when underway too! (just my opinion).
Alcohol: of course it's legal to have onboard. The problem is that in the event you're involved in an incident- no matter how minor- the authorities will ALWAYS presume intoxication of the operator if they see any open containers. You'd then be subject to a whole bunch of unpleasantness, from detainment to breath and possible blood tests. As an adult, you'll have to decide if it's really worth the risks. Don't get me wrong, I love a cold one (or two or three....) but I save 'em for AFTER the boating is done for the day.
Empty containers should always be brought back and disposed of properly!
Visual signals- they should've been covered in your Pa safe boaters program. I'd recommend you pick up a copy of 'Chapmans Piloting and Seamanship' and immerse yourself. It's good reading! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapman_Piloting
Ramps- Sure there's plenty but some require a county permit. Go back and read some of the earlier posts in this thread to get some ideas. BTW, the HdG Tydings Park ramp will be renovated by next spring and will be going up to 10 bucks.

 

[solanabeacherman]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

The regs for PFD's on children are under 13 years of age on a vessel less than 21 feet require PFD's while underway. Is your craft over or under 21'? A link to a good list is http://annapoliscgaux.org/Legal_Requirements.html. I THINK I have everything on that list, with extra flares.
Most of the ramps around HDG are in pretty good shape, everyone has their favorite depending on where your coming from. The Yacht basin is nice with lots of parking, if you don't mind the city traffic. I think there are several closer ramps depending on your route. Where are you in PA?

My craft is 21' no more no less but 21' on the money. I guess ya'll and the cop who told me he could write me a ticket that would make my mortgage look small for kids on board w/o PFD's on are right on the common sense note. Kids regaurdless of age, or ship size should wear a PFD and as a responsable parent I should too.

Looks like all I need from the list would be flares. The dealer I bought my boat from was very vague on what was required.

We come down 222 272 from Lancaster.