Boating the Upper Chesapeake

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Last Saturday We traveled to Lloyds Creek, Cabin John and to Hacks Point.Hardly anyone out,Where was everyone.Georges Point had the most boats. I thought the marine police would have been out but I didn't see any Not even the Coast Guard Aux. .

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

We're confirmed to be out on the bay this Saturday, probably launching from Anchor Marina by 11am. Let me know where anyone will be and we'll try to raft up with you.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Rob - it was great to see you again.

We would love to do another raft-up again! We are going to the 1000 islands this weekend up in New York, but are hoping to be down at the bay next Sunday for a good chunk of the day. Anybody else planning on being out that day?

 

[tr_guy79]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Had a great weekend of the 4th on the bay. Fireworks in Chesapeake City and back to the dock Friday. Made the longest trip yet on McKenna Renee to the Flats on Saturday (4 hrs, yikes) with the ski in tow. Rafted with Arks Saturday night, hung out at Sand Island Sunday and Sunday night with a great view of the HdG show (tucked in the back). Found an awesome cove off of the Elk, and had a big group down on Monday. The only downside was the ski was a little finicky all weekend, and finally called it quits Monday evening. All in all a GREAT weekend on the bay though. Arks, ask the wifey about the pics on facebook, I sent her the link.

How about a raft up in cabin john creek? That way other slow boats can make it. I just ordered a pair of 140 amp alternators, so overnighting should not require the Genny anymore (surprised you couldn't hear it from your dock Arks).

-Shane

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Hey Shane,
your boat looks great!

We've hung out with a lot of iboaters the past week and hopefully more to see in the next few days.

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

A couple of questions, as I am a newbiew to the Upper Chessi - I am in the Annapolis - Kent Narrows area, 27' Sea Ray Sundancer.
1) Where exactly are the Sand Islands off of HDG ? I see on the chart two islands marked "spoils" directl south of HDG, and west of the main channel and west of "Fishing Battery". there is also and island on the east of the channel right next to "Fishing Battery". Are these the Sand Islands mentioned on this thread ? Are they good for swimming? I draw about 2.5 feet of water- can I get reasonably close to the island ?
2) Still Pond - is there decent swimming further into Still Pond (past the Coast Guard station) ?
3) Any other recommendations for good daytime swimming holes ?
4) Ordinary Point on Sassafras- I was there about 6-8 years ago and it was really nice swimming spot, but it now appears from a sattilite map that somebody put rip-rap all along the point. I even camped on the beach once.
thanks in advance !!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Shane, your boat is looking sweet!!

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

jon,
Do you ever get down to St. Michael's? Looking for a little day trip for my wife and me.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I am in the Annapolis - Kent Narrows area,

Jon, to bounce off of Jerry's thought, have you ever been down to the St. Michaels/Cambridge/Oxford Areas? Nice boating with lots of little coves and areas to swim, a little more salt and Jelly Fish though.

It would be about the same run as going north to the Sassafras, but now you?re getting into the middle bay and this is a "Upper Chesapeake" thread:facepalm:

 

[Billdc]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

A couple of questions, as I am a newbiew to the Upper Chessi - I am in the Annapolis - Kent Narrows area, 27' Sea Ray Sundancer.
1) Where exactly are the Sand Islands off of HDG ? I see on the chart two islands marked "spoils" directl south of HDG, and west of the main channel and west of "Fishing Battery". there is also and island on the east of the channel right next to "Fishing Battery". Are these the Sand Islands mentioned on this thread ? Are they good for swimming? I draw about 2.5 feet of water- can I get reasonably close to the island ?
2) Still Pond - is there decent swimming further into Still Pond (past the Coast Guard station) ?
3) Any other recommendations for good daytime swimming holes ?
4) Ordinary Point on Sassafras- I was there about 6-8 years ago and it was really nice swimming spot, but it now appears from a sattilite map that somebody put rip-rap all along the point. I even camped on the beach once.
thanks in advance !!

Hello joncrisler, Yes the sand islands are just west of fishing battery. They have a nice sandy bottom starting at about 4' at low tide, so you can get in there. Still Pond is also very nice with a sandy bottom, but no beach that I know of. Still Pond does not have the wake/wave of Sand island. How about Hart-Miller island? much closer for you, but not as protected as Still Pond. If you have been to HM island could you answer a ? for me. I heard from someone that they have a problem there with snakes in the breakwall and on the beach. I ony get there once a year, but still nice to hear from someone who knows.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Hello joncrisler, Yes the sand islands are just west of fishing battery. They have a nice sandy bottom starting at about 4' at low tide, so you can get in there. Still Pond is also very nice with a sandy bottom, but no beach that I know of. Still Pond does not have the wake/wave of Sand island. How about Hart-Miller island? much closer for you, but not as protected as Still Pond. If you have been to HM island could you answer a ? for me. I heard from someone that they have a problem there with snakes in the breakwall and on the beach. I ony get there once a year, but still nice to hear from someone who knows.

I live 5 mins from HMI. It is a wooded/wetlands island so I'm sure there are some snakes, but I haven't heard of a major problem with them. The mosquitoes are a different issue, though.

 

[Billdc]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I live 5 mins from HMI. It is a wooded/wetlands island so I'm sure there are some snakes, but I haven't heard of a major problem with them. The mosquitoes are a different issue, though.

Thanks Jerry, This guy said he did not let his kids go on the island because of the snakes. I don't think he goes to HMI much more than me, that's why I was asking for a frequent visitors opinion. Thanks.

 

[Bluefish1984]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Also new to forum and the boating scene. Will be in the Potomac saturday (9july11). im 27, also with my wife. we have a 99 seaswirl 18ft. launch out of Belvoir Marina. we go towards DC and hang by the airport and do some rafting or go the other way and hang out by "tims". wherever.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

yea butch, we sell liquor here every day, you get get beer at any 7-11 in HARFORD county anytime after 6 AM.
but 7-11's in Baltimore county don't sell beer.

plenty of liquor stores on rt 40. in either county.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

1) Where exactly are the Sand Islands off of HDG ? I see on the chart two islands marked "spoils" directl south of HDG, and west of the main channel and west of "Fishing Battery". there is also and island on the east of the channel right next to "Fishing Battery". Are these the Sand Islands mentioned on this thread ? Are they good for swimming? I draw about 2.5 feet of water- can I get reasonably close to the island ?

BillDC answered this, but I'll add that "Sand Island" is specifically the southern-most spoil west of Fishing Battery. And yes, it's popular for swimming and boats can get fairly close. Swimmers should note that strong currents can be in the area, especially during mid-tide. There is no island east of Fishing Battery- just the Flats (which can be visible at low tide)

2) Still Pond - is there decent swimming further into Still Pond (past the Coast Guard station)?

Absolutely! My favorite is outside the channel markers about 300 yards past the CG station. The bottom ranges from 3'- 8' but current isn't usually a problem. No beach inside, but there's a nice little 'pond' with a sandy beach on the left after the cut but just before the CG station- room for only 1 or 2 boats there!

3) Any other recommendations for good daytime swimming holes?

-Fairlee Creek. Best spot is just inside the cut along the spit.
-Entrance to Churn Creek, just outside Stillpond on the south side. Nice bottom with a sandbar.
-Tims Creek, at the mouth of Worton Creek. It's a beautiful sand spit overlooking the Bay but a challenge to find the deepwater channel (Hint: it runs close to the house on the hill).
-Sassafras/Lloyds Creek- again, a tough channel to find, but worth the effort.
-Sassafras/Turner Creek- A sandy beach at the mouth on the west side. Has a VERY steep drop-off; inboards and full-keel sailboats can back right up to the beach.

That should keep you busy.....

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Made the longest trip yet on McKenna Renee to the Flats on Saturday (4 hrs, yikes) with the ski in tow.

How was the return trip?

Arks, ask the wifey about the pics on facebook, I sent her the link.

I will!

How about a raft up in cabin john creek? That way other slow boats can make it. I just ordered a pair of 140 amp alternators, so overnighting should not require the Genny anymore (surprised you couldn't hear it from your dock Arks).

I didn't hear a thing.
By the end of the night I was thoroughly pickled from all the celebrating...

I'm still a little shakey- not used to that much alcohol...

 

[tr_guy79]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

The return trip went smoothly, ablest slow. I was going to head down tonight and try and install my new trim rams and maybe tinker with the carbs and timing, but since I am currently sitting on the side if I95 with a flat and broken jack, I don't think that is going to happen....

Boats never get flat tires, or have broken jacks.... No shirt, no shoes; No Problem

 

[Philster]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

My first C/D Canal and Upper Chessie day is looking to be Sat, 7/9 or Sun, 7/8. Just sitting here in North Wildwood, NJ watching the best t-storms this year open up all hell over the Atlantic.

Launched the Scarab yesterday in N. Wildwood and took the kids to Sunset Lake for a dip, then a little more of a shakedown (new engine) down the Cape May Canal to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. I am hauling the Scarab back home to Delaware tomorrow @ 6am.

The engine sounds sweet. 502 c.i. MPI Merc @ 470HP. She's stock with a few tweaks and just all quality parts from Fonse Performance in Erial, NJ.

Keep ya posted. I'll be launching out of Delaware City and look forward to skimming across the canal. Just the wife and I will be making any runs this weekend. We just entertained four kids for a week with everything from waterparks to boat launching.

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Jon, to bounce off of Jerry's thought, have you ever been down to the St. Michaels/Cambridge/Oxford Areas? Nice boating with lots of little coves and areas to swim, a little more salt and Jelly Fish though.

It would be about the same run as going north to the Sassafras, but now you?re getting into the middle bay and this is a "Upper Chesapeake" thread:facepalm:

I go down to St Mikes now and then, but usually for crabbing or to visit the town itself. I usually run into jellyfish down there so I dont bother looking for swimming holes. A buddy of mine goes around Knapp's Narrows and likes it there.

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

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