Boating the Upper Chesapeake

DBreskin

DBreskin

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
799
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

arks said:
Use channel markers to navigate and pay particular attention to depths because there are many spots that are too shallow for any boat at low tide. I keep my boat at City Yacht Basin and watch people get stuck in the mud every day because they just see open water, not realizing it's only 6" deep.
Click to expand...
To reinforce Arks comments: at low tide the depth can be 6" in the middle of the bay off HDG.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Welcome NeedaBiggerBoat. There are lots of charts available for the upper bay http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12273.shtml I made the trip down from York last year for my first bay outing and really enjoyed the area and am looking forward to getting down that way again soon. I put in at Anchor Marine in North East which was really convenient as Rt. 272 puts you practically in their parking lot. Do you go to Conowingo at all? That's where I usually go.
 
skargo

skargo

Banned
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

lime4x4 said:
does anyone know when northeast fireworks are?
Click to expand...

July 3rd, same night as HDG.
http://www.northeastchamber.org/

Speaking off the fireworks, if anyone wants to hang with us we got a slip again at the City Yacht Basin.
We ordered our new engine from Rapido marine on Monday, as long as he ships it quickly we will be ready for the 4th...
 
Billdc

Billdc

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
270
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Welocme Needabiggerboat,
Here is an online copy of the local chart, but its nice to have a hard copy backup. If you have nautical charts on your GPS you will be fine. Arks told me about a back way out the CYB (to the west on the chart) that might be a nicer ride on a PWC and you can run down to plum point then head ENE to the southern most "spoils area", that is where most people meet up. I should tell you I haven't actually used that western route yet, but He says it is well marked with bouys. Should be about 10 min on a PWC. I have not had any problems with phone coverage on the bay.
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12274.shtml
Good luck and have fun
 
N

NeedaBiggerBoat

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
46
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

ezmobee said:
Welcome NeedaBiggerBoat. There are lots of charts available for the upper bay http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12273.shtml I made the trip down from York last year for my first bay outing and really enjoyed the area and am looking forward to getting down that way again soon. I put in at Anchor Marine in North East which was really convenient as Rt. 272 puts you practically in their parking lot. Do you go to Conowingo at all? That's where I usually go.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the informative responses everyone, Ill have to a look at some of those maps.

I have put in at Muddy Creek Boat Launch by the Holtwood bridge, not sure if thats connowingo or not. If that's where it is I have been there once very afraid of the rocks.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

NeedaBiggerBoat said:
I have put in at Muddy Creek Boat Launch by the Holtwood bridge, not sure if thats connowingo or not. If that's where it is I have been there once very afraid of the rocks.
Click to expand...

Yes that's Conowingo but you put in right at the worst part of it. If you put in a little further down at Cold Cabin or Peach Bottom it's wide open and deep all the way down to the dam. (actually even Muddy Creek on down is pretty good)
 
N

NeedaBiggerBoat

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
46
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I must have read some misinformation about my GPS it doesn't do nautical charts on it like I have read. I also found out that the thing got some bad reviews but it was a impulse buy and I thought the price couldn't have been beat. The price of the Bushnell Onix 350 was about 70 dollars and is a great looking unit and you can use topo, and satellite images but I guess I need to spend around 300 or so for a good one for use with charts lol. looks like ill be ordering a hard copy chart for the time being, anyone know if you can get them at the City Yacht Basin or should I just order one off the internets? I didn't realize that the bay area here was so shallow in most spots and that really surprised me. I guess by looking at the chart there seems to be buoys marking the channel all the way down to Fishing Battery Island. I am really looking forward to checking out what the bay has to offer still waiting on a few things yet before I make teh trip though.
 
E

Edko

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
247
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Nice, how much did that set ya back?
 
Wingnutt

Wingnutt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2003
Messages
255
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Seems kinda quite in here this year, I guess gas prices are taking effect. Anyway, anybody planning on going out this afternoon or evening? Baring any more problems, we might be out for a little while later this afternoon.
 
L

lime4x4

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
1,040
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I will be down july 2nd thru the 9th. Were renting on of the rustic cabins at elk neck state park for the week. Will be bringing the searay as well
 
skargo

skargo

Banned
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Hope everyone is safe, some wicked weather is just crossing the upper bay. We had a tornado touch down in Harford county and a funnel cloud spotted at another location.

Gas prices aren't affecting us, re-powering is! Even if gas got to $10 a gallon, I'd still go out, and just make shorter trips.
 
Wingnutt

Wingnutt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2003
Messages
255
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

%$#*&^!*$ thununderstorms! Got back, hooked the trailer up even though the sky looked threatening, and BOOM! Crap! I was looking forward to a nice evening shakedown cruise. :mad: I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow.
 
arks

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,936
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

NeedaBiggerBoat said:
looks like ill be ordering a hard copy chart for the time being, anyone know if you can get them at the City Yacht Basin or should I just order one off the internets?
Click to expand...
No, they don't sell charts at the marina, but West Marine has 'em. Until then you can follow the internet link provided by EZ or Bill and print your own for free.
NeedaBiggerBoat said:
I didn't realize that the bay area here was so shallow in most spots and that really surprised me. I guess by looking at the chart there seems to be buoys marking the channel all the way down to Fishing Battery Island.
Click to expand...
The upper Bay is a beautiful area and worth exploring but until you get some local experience and knowledge, the bouys should be followed religiously the first few trips out. Educate yourself, take your time and you'll be just fine. BTW- those bouys can be used to navigate all the way from Boston to Florida and the Gulf via the ICW. I brought my Silverton up from NC and it was a great trip. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/291932/Intracoastal-Waterway

skargo said:
I'll be off the water for a few weeks. I need to replace my engine. I am thinking of a 383 stroker.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain. I replaced an engine in 06 while she was floating. Not fun.
Hope things go smoothly and that you're back on the water well before the holiday.

lime4x4 said:
I will be down july 2nd thru the 9th. Were renting on of the rustic cabins at elk neck state park for the week. Will be bringing the searay as well
Click to expand...
Will you guys be at the NE or HdG fireworks? Do you know if Stan will be around that weekend? It would be nice to plan a raftup while you're around.
Anyone else interested?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top