Boating the Upper Chesapeake

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

My boat is so old, I don't care if it gets dinged up.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

My boat is so old, I don't care if it gets dinged up.

How old?

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

What is the ballpark $ for a overnight slip for 23 foot? Are there hotels near the marina? BTW how many marinas are there in HDG? Arks, I'm sure yours is the best, so where do you keep your boat?

The going rate is about $2/ft for dockage, so a 23 footer would cost $46 per night. Call around to get exact prices.
In HdG there are 5 marinas- City Dock at Tydings Park, Tidewater, Penns Beach, Log Pond, and HdG Marina at Water St. They each offer different amenities but for overnight dockage I'd go with City Dock or Tidewater. On a holiday weekend the transient slips will book early, so reserve it in advance.
My home marina is City Dock, but is it the best? I dunno, I guess for me it is. I'm there because it's the best value for a yearly slip. It DOES have the following amenities: gas and diesel fuel, pump out facility, CLEAN bathrooms with showers, a good snack bar (with ice cream), free fishing area, launch ramp, adjacent park with a view, adjacent Promenade (boardwalk) to the Maritime Museum, Decoy Museum, and Concord Point Lighthouse. Phone # is 410-939-0015.
Keep in mind that from 7/2 thru 7/5 the Carnival is at Tydings Park, so it'll be extra crowded. They actually setup rides in part of the marina parking lot and close the launch ramp the entire weekend. For transients, it could be a good or bad weekend depending what you want. Kids would love it, that's for sure.

My wife is nervous about being out after dark, so not sure if it will be on land or water.

Skargo- night boating is pleasant and a lot of fun. It's amazing how different the waterways look after dark. Of course, you've gotta go slower and navigate differently than you're used to, but it's not something to stay away from. I think that everyone should experience it at least once, if only because you might get accidently caught out after dark sometime.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

The going rate is about $2/ft for dockage, so a 23 footer would cost $46 per night. Call around to get exact prices.
In HdG there are 5 marinas- City Dock at Tydings Park, Tidewater, Penns Beach, Log Pond, and HdG Marina at Water St. They each offer different amenities but for overnight dockage I'd go with City Dock or Tidewater. On a holiday weekend the transient slips will booked early, so reserve it in advance.
My home marina is City Dock, but is it the best? I dunno, I guess for me it is. I'm there because it's the best value for a yearly slip. It DOES have the following amenities: gas and diesel fuel, pump out facility, CLEAN bathrooms with showers, a good snack bar (with ice cream), free fishing area, launch ramp, adjacent park with a view, adjacent Promenade (boardwalk) to the Maritime Museum, Decoy Museum, and Concord Point Lighthouse. Phone # is 410-939-0015.
Keep in mind that from 7/2 thru 7/5 the Carnival is at Tydings Park, so it'll be extra crowded. They actually setup rides in part of the marina parking lot and close the launch ramp the entire weekend. For transients, it could be a good or bad weekend depending what you want. Kids would love it, that's for sure.


Skargo- night boating is pleasant and a lot of fun. It's amazing how different the waterways look after dark. Of course, you've gotta go slower and navigate differently than you're used to, but it's not something to stay away from. I think that everyone should experience it at least once, if only because you might get accidently caught out after dark sometime.

Awesome info! If we can, we'll rent a transient slip for the 5th and 6th and watch from the marina. Then we can go out all day on the 6th too, since we are closing the shop and taking our vacation that week. We live fairly close by, and our shop is 2 miles away.

I do have inadvertent night time boating experience. About 10 years ago, I went out one summer a bunch of times water skiing with a friend of mine. He was having some drinking issues back then, and would get so hammered I'd have to find our way home, in the dark quite a few times too! If I knew now what I know then I'd have been terrified, I guess stupid has it's upside

My wife would like to sleep in the boat in a transient slip to see if she could handle spending the night out. I'm all for it!

Can I unhook my trailer and leave it at the marina? I could launch somewhere else if the ramps closed.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

The fireworks at hdg are awesome. We were down last year for the show. We met arks.After everyone left we went over to the bohemia river for the night. I think this year were just going to anchor over in the hdg area.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

my boat is a 79 thompson. the engine is an 81.

you can launch at susquhana state park, up in the river, or launch at perryville, when the park is closed.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Hmmm, maybe we'll hook up with you guys.

Sounds good. Have to see if it all works out like I am planning!

If I knew now what I know then I'd have been terrified, I guess stupid has it's upside

I like this line, gonna have to remember that one

My wife would like to sleep in the boat in a transient slip to see if she could handle spending the night out. I'm all for it!

Sounds like a blast!! Hope that she enjoys it. Someday, hope to have the right boat for that.


Thanks for all the great info again, as always Arks! If we end up checking out HDG's fireworks we will be sure to try and hail you on the VHF and you too Skargo.

Bowman, will you be out?

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

my boat is a 79 thompson. the engine is an 81.

you can launch at susquhana state park, up in the river, or launch at perryville, when the park is closed.

My boat is one year older and I DO care if I ding it up

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

i'll should be out for the fire works, might even camp on the sand islands. My boat is not a classic or anything, it is not like it is in tip top shape.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Can I unhook my trailer and leave it at the marina? I could launch somewhere else if the ramps closed.

Normally that would be OK, but when the carnival is setup they won't allow any trailers at all- even for the day. Last year I had to make arrangements to stash my jonboat trailer at a friend's house in town for a few days.... I think your best bet is to launch at one of the parks or (better yet), launch at Tidewater. Their parking lot is private and more secure. The ramp is steeper than most around here but I never had any problem with my 23 footer. Tidewater also has a good marine store
Here's the website link. For some reason they don't mention their launch ramp. Duh.... http://www.tidewatermarina.com/home.asp

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Normally that would be OK, but when the carnival is setup they won't allow any trailers at all- even for the day. Last year I had to make arrangements to stash my jonboat trailer at a friend's house in town for a few days.... I think your best bet is to launch at one of the parks or (better yet), launch at Tidewater. Their parking lot is private and more secure. The ramp is steeper than most around here but I never had any problem with my 23 footer. Tidewater also has a good marine store
Here's the website link. For some reason they don't mention their launch ramp. Duh.... http://www.tidewatermarina.com/home.asp

Sweet. One of our employees said we can put our trailer at her house so that's taken care of. Just got off the phone with the guy at the city dock, he said the transient docks are booked, but he might be able to get me a slip that's near a bulkhead, I guess it's not too desired?
Hopefully we can get a slip. He said 3 day minimum charge too BTW.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Along the bulkhead you probably won't have water or electric. Also, depending on which bulkhead, it can be hard to rig fenders to protect the hull. Maybe they can find some space on a T-head (end of a pier). The 3 day minimum sucks, but it's probably what every marina does on a holiday weekend.

HINT for those who are anchoring for the fireworks: since the launch ramp is closed, you can probably tie up to the floating docks during the show. Last year 1 guy did that about 30 minutes before they started and nobody bothered him. I thought it was a pretty good idea. But you DIDN'T get that tidbit from me!!!

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

HINT for those who are anchoring for the fireworks: since the launch ramp is closed, you can probably tie up to the floating docks during the show. Last year 1 guy did that about 30 minutes before they started and nobody bothered him. I thought it was a pretty good idea. But you DIDN'T get that tidbit from me!!!

Great idea arks, never would have thought about it. Maybe you could go down there and set up some signs saying "Reserved for iboats members only"!! Don't think anyone would mind do you?

So, weekend is looking pretty nice, anybody going to be out? We will be down for the day Saturday, not sure about Friday night on Sunday morning yet.

 

[Billdc]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

we will be down on Sat, want to check out HDG for meals/facilities. The kids will want to tube or board, so we'll probably stay on the Susq. Maybe over to the sand islands or turkey point. I have got to fiqure out how to post a pic.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

So, weekend is looking pretty nice, anybody going to be out? We will be down for the day Saturday, not sure about Friday night on Sunday morning yet.

I gotta help move my daughter into her house on Saturday, so I'll probably be onboard the boat on Sunday.

we will be down on Sat, want to check out HDG for meals/facilities. The kids will want to tube or board, so we'll probably stay on the Susq. Maybe over to the sand islands or turkey point. I have got to fiqure out how to post a pic.

The Promenade Grille at Tydings Park is pretty good for basic stuff, and a great view is included.. For a good lunch or dinner I recommend Coakleys Pub on St. Johns Street. Here's the menu: http://www.coakleyspub.net/menu.html
Here's a good write-up of eateries in HdG:
http://baltimore.about.com/od/fooddrink/tp/havredegracedining.htm

To post pics I use a photo hosting site (photobucket). It's free and is easy to figure out- even for a dummy like myself.

Skargo- I just re-read your post about dockage. You said "... might be able to get me a slip that's near a bulkhead, I guess it's not too desired? "
My mistake- I missed the word "near". Sorry!
If you can get a slip- even near a bulkhead- it would be A-OK because it's a regular slip with pilings and 1 finger pier. The only negative to those slips is some lack of privacy because the parking lot is so close, and the depth might be a bit shallow (but deep enough for an I/O).

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Sounds good Arks, I hope we get one.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Hey Rob, glad to hear the boat is in and ok for this year. Since this was originally my post, I'm going to feel free to chime in. I have the week before the Fourth off this year and I plan on being down on the Bay for the entire week. We have a cottage on the Elk just north of Town Point. We are definitely going to Northeast's fireworks, but will probably miss HdG on Sunday. I'll have to make up for it by hitting Rock Hall on saturday, I guess.

Anyway, we will be more than happy to have boats raft up with us and I have no problem leading the way out after the show as we usually either run back to the Elk or Bohemia afterwards and hang out. So far it looks like I have three boats rafting up for the Northeast show. If anyone else is interested, just post and we'll figure out details on here.
--
Stan

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Why don't we anchor out just north of the flats. Where they keep those gravel barges. Leave the HDG park, thru the main chanel, and go straight out, a little to the right. Will that area be packed? It is a huge area. probally a square mile.

We could even go a little south, and hit the shallow water, and be in 4 ft.

But it is 20 ft where I am talking about.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

N/m

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I would have loved to get out today, but me still being sick, and the weather make that a no go.
I might try and get out for a couple hours in the afternoon tomorrow, or maybe a few Sunday morning, but we have a lot going on this weekend.

I want to burn some fuel!