Boating the Upper Chesapeake

joncrisler

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
150
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.

If you hang out by Tim's, then you know of Mattawoman Creek on the MD side- check it out and dont forget to go further up to the sand island, past Slavin's landing. There should be 5-10 feet almost all the way up.
 

joncrisler

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
150
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

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)

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!

-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.....:)

Very good info !! I appreciate it- Sand Island is looking to me like my next destination-
Fairlee Creek- yup, been to that spot, its decent but the beach and water can have a lot of debris (sticks etc.) now and then. Calm for overnights.
Entrance to Churn Creek- good swimming spot, but exposed so not good for overnighting.
Still Pond swimming spot- not sure where you mean- go through the entrace, then what? stay to the right, or go left in the opening near the CG station ? I have been left, muddy bottom. I have not stayed to the right and kept going.....the only time I was there my depth finder went out and it was major pucker factor the entire way.
 

joncrisler

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
150
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

Oh jeez, that sucks.
 

Silver Eagle

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
852
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Tomorrow we're taking the pontoon boat to Lloyds Creek and maybe Cabin John's Cove I want to give the waters time to rest from the storms yesterday.Too many logs in the channel today.Last week I saw some pretty large logs sticking up in the water by Turkey Point. I'm just going to make it a one day trip.WElive in new Castle De so it's only an hours ride to pick up the boat,then I'll take it to Stemmers Run ramp to unload it. By the way.I finally put on those white plastic covers on my Bunks that is supposed to make it easier to unload my pontoon Boat.Well don't beliieve it. The boat unhooked didn't move going down the ramp.and it's no easier loading.
 

skargo

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

Getting ready to head out. We're thinking of going down to Heart Miller Island today for something different.
 

DBreskin

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

Getting ready to head out. We're thinking of going down to Heart Miller Island today for something different.

Scott, sorry we'll miss you again today; we're planning to stay in the upper bay, maybe Veasey cove or cabin john after lunch at the Chesapeake inn. We'll try to catch up with you next weekend, Friday or Saturday.
 

DBreskin

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

We are lunching at Chesapeake Inn and it's surprisingly uncrowded. If anyone is out on the bay post where you are... I will try to find you.
 

Damifudo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
277
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Skargo, Where you at HMI today? I wish I would have known I was there also in the boston whaler sail boat. What a great day. I just got back. We launched at Rockly Point and sailed across. We anchored up next to the floating snow ball boat for a few hours this afternoon. It was just me and my oldest daughter. What a great relaxing day on the water just enough air to make the sailing fun. Sorry I mised you

We are planning on going out again tommorow. Probably back to HMI again. Not sure if we will take the power boat or the sail boat. I have to say I am loving not having to buy 75 dollars worth of gas. Today I dont think I burned more than a dollars worth of gas. Sailed around all day. Something to be said for those blow boats.
 

skargo

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

No, change of plans, went to Lloyds instead. We'll be at sand island or the flats tomorrow.
 

lime4x4

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

so where was everyone this past week? Was done for the whole week and only met skargo and his wife
 

Silver Eagle

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
852
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Just to let everyone know, If you see a large pontoon boat with a very shinny front end (diamond plating) that's us.I may add more to the sides later this year.It's very light.
 

lime4x4

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

Just curious how many of u guys have towing insurance? I have boat us. last sunday i had mechanical problems by bouey #9 on the northeast river had to get towed back to rogue harbor. That 3 hour tow was 685.00 bucks. I pay 163 bucks a year for trailer assit and unlimited towing. Well worth the money even if u only boat the chesapeake a couple of times a year
 

DBreskin

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

Just curious how many of u guys have towing insurance.

I also have BoatUS. I used it once, the first time I took my new-to-me boat out last spring. Well worth it.
 

Philster

Captain
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,344
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

BoatUS for towing, trailer assist and insurance.

Paid for itself already after a 90-minute tow in Cape May, NJ. Nothing major, but heard an ominous noise and played it very safe.
 

Philster

Captain
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,344
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

I posted this over on FB, but here is my first Upper Chessie experience:

Around 11am, launched in Delaware City and used my brain charts and old fashioned paper chart to find Indian Acres down off the Sassafras up back creek.

First time in these waters and... my GPS is out. Power yes, but a blank screen. I didn't get a chance to raft up with anyone on here, because we rafted up near Indian Acres off the Sassafras and then realized the day was fading, so we jetted back to DE City. Just got in the door. I was more comfortable heading to the Sassafras because some family members were there tubing and hanging out. We have a little place there and scoped out the ramp/water/depths/etc.

My overall impression of the area: WOW. Love it. The Canal: What a way to fly. I am more comfortable with the area and markers/channels now.

Couple of guys at Delaware City launching waverunners were very cool and helped me launch, even though it was pretty easy.

GREAT DAY!
 

Blue Crabber

Ensign
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
966
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Just curious how many of u guys have towing insurance? I have boat us. last sunday i had mechanical problems by bouey #9 on the northeast river had to get towed back to rogue harbor. That 3 hour tow was 685.00 bucks. I pay 163 bucks a year for trailer assit and unlimited towing. Well worth the money even if u only boat the chesapeake a couple of times a year

Hey Lime - sorry we missed you guys. We ended up taking my cousins etc. out sking all weekend so I didn't get to go cruise around and find everyone. Was nice to see Rob on the 5th though.

We also have Boat US also for ulmited on water towing and trailer assist. Haven't had the need for them yet and hope I never do. I try to keep the boat in tip-top mechanical shape but you never know when something will come happen. Better safe than sorry. To me, towing insurance is just part of being a safe and responsible boater.
 

joncrisler

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
150
Re: Boating the Upper Chesapeake

Just curious how many of u guys have towing insurance? I have boat us. last sunday i had mechanical problems by bouey #9 on the northeast river had to get towed back to rogue harbor. That 3 hour tow was 685.00 bucks. I pay 163 bucks a year for trailer assit and unlimited towing. Well worth the money even if u only boat the chesapeake a couple of times a year

In 2006 when I first got my 27' SeaRay, on the third trip out my sea water pump impeller shredded. I was 15 miles from home port, and the towboat had to come from further away as my home-port towboat was busy elsewhere. The tow bill was about $700, paid out of my pocket. I have had tow insurance every year since, and had to use it twice -one time electrical problem, only 1 mile away, the other time a shift cable- 1/4 mile away. I consider tow insurance mandatory- at $125 a year it has paid for itself and then some for me.
 

skargo

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

I have my insurance through Boatus, along with the full towing and trailer assist. Haven't had to use it but it's very cheap piece of mind.
 
Top