Newly qualified DS looking for Chesapeake cruising tips

wonkywinch

wonkywinch

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I'm advancing in years but new to the water with a fresh day skipper ticket in my hand and a good handful of miles (750 mostly Solent and 5 days in Gib). My partner has just completed her comp crew and now we're looking for our first outings next month.

A flotilla on the med would have been an obvious choice but flights are very hard to come by even if boats aren't and we're looking at Chesapeake. Getting there is no issue, we've got some free plane tickets, but wondered if anyone had any recommendations for charter firms.

Will have a rental car so happy to drive to locations within a couple of hours of BWI/IAD.

Ideally a few days in a hotel with pool near to a dinghy class for our 8 year old, then 30 something footer that's easy to handle short crewed for a week on the water. I'd likely book a skipper for the first day or two to help me learn the boat better.

I've searched the forum convinced there must be a mine of Chesapeake info but have struggled to find any recent recommendations for charter firms or places to visit.

I'm aware of latesail but they seem to only offer 5% on Chesapeake which means I'm more likely better off dealing direct with the firms locally.

Thanks in advance!
 
wonkywinch said:
I'm advancing in years but new to the water with a fresh day skipper ticket in my hand and a good handful of miles (750 mostly Solent and 5 days in Gib). My partner has just completed her comp crew and now we're looking for our first outings next month.

A flotilla on the med would have been an obvious choice but flights are very hard to come by even if boats aren't and we're looking at Chesapeake. Getting there is no issue, we've got some free plane tickets, but wondered if anyone had any recommendations for charter firms.

Will have a rental car so happy to drive to locations within a couple of hours of BWI/IAD.

Ideally a few days in a hotel with pool near to a dinghy class for our 8 year old, then 30 something footer that's easy to handle short crewed for a week on the water. I'd likely book a skipper for the first day or two to help me learn the boat better.

I've searched the forum convinced there must be a mine of Chesapeake info but have struggled to find any recent recommendations for charter firms or places to visit.

I'm aware of latesail but they seem to only offer 5% on Chesapeake which means I'm more likely better off dealing direct with the firms locally.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

When were you thinking of going? If summer are you aware that in summer the Chesapeake gets regular afternoon thunderstorms that often produce tornadoes. That is why it is not a regular charter destination.

A flotilla holiday in Greece or Turkey makes more sense IMHO.
 
TQA said:
When were you thinking of going? If summer are you aware that in summer the Chesapeake gets regular afternoon thunderstorms that often produce tornadoes. That is why it is not a regular charter destination.

A flotilla holiday in Greece or Turkey makes more sense IMHO.
Click to expand...

Thank you TQA, I was aware that thunderstorm activity becomes more prevalent further south in Florida and the Caribbean and that there is always a risk of heat induced CB activity anywhere in the northern hemisphere summer but not that Chesapeake was particularly prone.

I certainly don't want the risk of being caught out as a novice skipper.
 
This primarily a British forum. With a few N American visitors like myself. Try sail net which is more American and has quite a few regulars who are from the Chesapeake.
Its a major center for sailing. Its a popular busy sailing area. Lots of History. In the Heart of Old America. Interesting I am sure.
My visits were to brief to give much good advice.
I did get a bit of a Thrill sailing past the US Fleet in Norfolk. I am a ship nerd. Some parts of town are or at least were a bit rough.
I suspect the main reason its not a big charter destination is the season is to short to attract the big companies. Or make good returns.
 
wonkywinch said:
Thank you TQA, I was aware that thunderstorm activity becomes more prevalent further south in Florida and the Caribbean and that there is always a risk of heat induced CB activity anywhere in the northern hemisphere summer but not that Chesapeake was particularly prone.

I certainly don't want the risk of being caught out as a novice skipper.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's what we tell visitors to keep them away (I have sailed the Chesapeake for 30 years).

Sept-Oct is a better time, no question. The problem is not so much the storms, which are predictable and easily avoided when day sailing, as it is the lack of reliable wind in mid-summer.

Obviously, if you want local information you should try a US Forum. I don't know much about the local charter scene, since I have a boat, but I would start in the Annapolis, MD area. Also Deale, MD.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/
 
Thank you all. I've gone ahead and booked a boat in Corfu for August, then UK based coastal skipper course in Sept then will look at Chesapeake for 10 days in October before the weather turns. Will head off to the other forums for a lurk.
 
Chesapeake - yes in the summer winds can be fickle as often the area sits under a persistent high pressure - especially this year due to a fickle jet stream - and it gets damn humid - 60% at present. Another disadvantage is that due to agricultural fertiliser run-off and who knows what else you don't really want to go swimming in it as it's full of jelly fish feeding on the algae.

But if you want to see the area then it's a pleasant way to do it with many interesting towns to visit - you can even sail from Oxford to Cambridge! But the scenery will be better in the Med.

Yes the Charthouse is still there, but the Boatyard is better and more sailor oriented, although it doesn't have the view. FWIW, I'm a Brit who lives an hour's drive from Annapolis.
 
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