Boating the Upper Chesapeake

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Think I'll run into any rain tomorrow?
http://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=anz530&syn=anz500

If you ever get down in the Gunpowder, Maxwell pt is a good area for tubing/skiing. I went there many years ago, and this past week we saw quite a few people laying just north of there.

Hey Arks,
is this where everyone skis?

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

No, That is way to shallow to ski.
You want to go north of there. Where I have the red circle in this map.

Also people ski past the RR bridge, up in the river.

 

[Edko]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

You guys are killing me. I ended up ordering a steering system online but UPS won't have it here until Monday

Hope yall have a nice and safe weekend.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

You guys are killing me. I ended up ordering a steering system online but UPS won't have it here until Monday

Hope yall have a nice and safe weekend.

Man, I feel for you. Its no fun being stuck on shore. Hope you get it fixed and back on the water soon!

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I bailed today, looks like some nasty t storms possible.

I'll be out Sunday now instead, hope to see some of you guys.

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Skargo- probably a good decision. We had a torrential downpour within the past hour here in Pa, and the line of storms ran right down thru the Upper Bay.

Edko- I hear 'ya! I felt exactly the same way....until now

Hey Arks, is this where everyone skis?

No- for two reasons:

- You need to draw a line from Sand Island west to Plum Point. The water's deep enough anywhere SOUTH of that line (but the prop might pull up some mud). I've skiied there for many years and never hit anything hard. We would use the HdG channel markers as the eastern boundary and stayed clear of other boats.

- It's NOT where "everyone" skis- and that's exactly why I like it! Most people think it's too shallow and avoid it. We liked to run the "loop" from Sand Island, across to Plum Point, then follow the deep (privately marked) channel close to APG almost to the main HdG channel before turning north and running parallel to the bouys (but OUT of the channel).
I shouldn't be telling you guys this info. I'm going to ruin it for myself....

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Skargo- probably a good decision. We had a torrential downpour within the past hour here in Pa, and the line of storms ran right down thru the Upper Bay.

Yep, we got it, and got it good here, glad I stayed in.

No- for two reasons:

- You need to draw a line from Sand Island west to Plum Point. The water's deep enough anywhere SOUTH of that line (but the prop might pull up some mud). I've skiied there for many years and never hit anything hard. We would use the HdG channel markers as the eastern boundary and stayed clear of other boats.

- It's NOT where "everyone" skis- and that's exactly why I like it! Most people think it's too shallow and avoid it. We liked to run the "loop" from Sand Island, across to Plum Point, then follow the deep (privately marked) channel close to APG almost to the main HdG channel before turning north and running parallel to the bouys (but OUT of the channel).
I shouldn't be telling you guys this info. I'm going to ruin it for myself....

10-4, gotcha now.
I'll probably stick to Maxwell pt area for skiing/tubing at first.

Where's a good place to anchor around Sand Island?

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Where's a good place to anchor around Sand Island?

Well, most people just anchor between the island and the channel. The bottom is mud until you get into 3-4' depth, so if you intend to walk in the water it's best to get in pretty close. The typical method is to anchor from the bow at about 6' and float back until the stern is in 3' or less, then set a stern anchor. Watch the tides- I've seen a number of boats "high and dry" there because the owner failed to adjust the lines when the tide changed.


We moved "Winter Dream" into her slip today. It was a beautiful day and she ran fine. We anchored for awhile at Sand Island but couldn't stay late because my daughter had to work at 5PM.
Life is good.....

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Welp, no go for me this weekend, health issues. I am beyond disappointed

I will probably get out Wed after we close the shop, weather permitting. Hopefully next weekend id nice too.

This addiction is a real ***** when you can't get your fix!

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

We moved "Winter Dream" into her slip today. It was a beautiful day and she ran fine. We anchored for awhile at Sand Island but couldn't stay late because my daughter had to work at 5PM.
Life is good.....

Hey Arks - Glad to hear that all went well with "Winter Dream". We went past Sands Island on Saturday somewhere between 3:30 and 4:00 but I didn't think to look for you. Maybe another time.

Welp, no go for me this weekend, health issues. I am beyond disappointed

I will probably get out Wed after we close the shop, weather permitting. Hopefully next weekend id nice too.

This addiction is a real ***** when you can't get your fix!

Sorry to hear this Skargo. I understand the frustration of wanting to go out and not be able to. Sure hope that everything works out for Wednesday!


Well, not to rub it in to much, but we got out for 2 1/2 hours on Saturday and 4 hours today. Felt like the first weekend of summer to me. Beautiful sunny weekend for the most part and we were able to spend alot of time on the boat. Life is good. We cruised to Turkey Point and up to HDG at Port Deposit on Saturday and then did some tubing and sking in the river above Garett Island on Sunday. Had a great time. Hope you all get out soon!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

This addiction is a real ***** when you can't get your fix!

Ain't that the truth. How is it you don't mind doing nothing but when there's a boat in the driveway it feels like a wasted day if you don't get to use it?

On an unrelated note....I've never been out on the Chesapeake and would really love to sometime. I think in July I'm going to check in on here and ask if one of you guys needs a mate.

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Hey Arks - Glad to hear that all went well with "Winter Dream". We went past Sands Island on Saturday somewhere between 3:30 and 4:00 but I didn't think to look for you. Maybe another time.

X2 Arks, thanks for the sand island info too!

Sorry to hear this Skargo. I understand the frustration of wanting to go out and not be able to. Sure hope that everything works out for Wednesday!


Well, not to rub it in to much, but we got out for 2 1/2 hours on Saturday and 4 hours today. Felt like the first weekend of summer to me. Beautiful sunny weekend for the most part and we were able to spend alot of time on the boat. Life is good. We cruised to Turkey Point and up to HDG at Port Deposit on Saturday and then did some tubing and sking in the river above Garett Island on Sunday. Had a great time. Hope you all get out soon!

Awesome you got out, looked like nice weather!

Ain't that the truth. How is it you don't mind doing nothing but when there's a boat in the driveway it feels like a wasted day if you don't get to use it?

On an unrelated note....I've never been out on the Chesapeake and would really love to sometime. I think in July I'm going to check in on here and ask if one of you guys needs a mate.

I'm new at it and exploring but you'd be welcome aboard Twice as Nice sometime in July.
We are closing our shop the week after July 4, and will use the heck out of the boat that week.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I took my boat out to the HDG park today. I launched around 2 PM, and went north up the the 95 bridge, and drifted back on the east side of garret island. Stopped on the beach on garret island, where the rope swing is. Then went over to furnace bay, near where everyone anchors. Then just drove back to the park around 6:30 or so.

I might have seen winter dream, but I don't know. I seem to remember a name like that at some point on the trip. But I was not looking out for it or anything.

I have an old thompson runabout. Blue lower sides, and white up top. Named her "good time"

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I took my boat out to the HDG park today. I launched around 2 PM, and went north up the the 95 bridge, and drifted back on the east side of garret island. Stopped on the beach on garret island, where the rope swing is. Then went over to furnace bay, near where everyone anchors. Then just drove back to the park around 6:30 or so.

I have an old thompson runabout. Blue lower sides, and white up top. Named her "good time"

Glad you were able to get out. Sounds like we were in the same area around the same time. We will keep an eye out for you in the future now that we know what the boat looks like.

Ain't that the truth. How is it you don't mind doing nothing but when there's a boat in the driveway it feels like a wasted day if you don't get to use it?

Tell me about it. I will never be able to explain that one. There is just something about being out on the water...

We are closing our shop the week after July 4, and will use the heck out of the boat that week.

Skargo - Are you planning on going out on the boat to see the fireworks this year? I am doing it this year for the first time. We will be down from the 3rd to the 5th. Hoping to see North East's on the 3rd and the HDG on the 5th. Plan on doing both by boat even though we can see them great from the condo. Just something about seeing them by boat sounds better.

Arks - Have you done this before with Winter Dream? Any info that we should know about it? I know that they have the bouy's out and the CG will be out enforcing all the regulations. Thanks!

 

[arks]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Arks - Have you done this before with Winter Dream? Any info that we should know about it? I know that they have the bouy's out and the CG will be out enforcing all the regulations. Thanks!

Yeah, I haven't missed the HdG fireworks in the past 7 or 8 years; they always put on a great show. Since my slip is right in the marina, I just sit on the flybridge for a front-row seat .
I highly recommend getting a slip if you don't want to be part of the zoo after the celebration is over. If you decide to anchor, get there early and plan to stay at least an hour after the last BOOM to let the idiots clear the area. You can drop the hook anywhere to the left of the marina channel, in front of Tydings Island. If the wind is blowing you could come into the marina and anchor about 50 yards off the end of the last pier (pretty much straight out from the launch ramp- which BTW will be closed due to the carnival). If you do that, watch the sounder because it can get shallow quick (soft mud). At that point you'll see a piling and bouy marking the "back channel"- try not to block it by staying off to one side.
I'll probably be pokin' around the crowd in a kayak or my Jonboat before the show starts. Feel free to hail me on 16 or 9. It sucks that the fireworks are on Sunday night this year. Dumb decision IMO.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

most people have off on monday, cuz the forth is on a saturday. We need a work day off, when the holiday is on a weekend.
Banks and everything will be closed monday

 

[Billdc]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

most people have off on monday, cuz the forth is on a saturday. We need a work day off, when the holiday is on a weekend.
Banks and everything will be closed monday

Not when you have your own shop. I make my crew work on Fri. and Mon.
I heard from a friend who watched the HDG fireworks from his boat, then sat through rain while waiting to load at PD. Finally got the boat on the trailer at midnight. 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?

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

We're going to check out the HDG and/or the Northeast fireworks. My wife is nervous about being out after dark, so not sure if it will be on land or water.

I just wanted to add this is one of my favorite threads, a ton of good advice and good people here.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

We're going to check out the HDG and/or the Northeast fireworks. My wife is nervous about being out after dark, so not sure if it will be on land or water.

Yeah, that is exactly why we didn't do it last year. But I think that I have my wife talked into it this year.

As of now, we will be out for North East's fireworks. Hoping that will go well and that she will want to check out HDG's as well!

 

[skargo]

Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

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