US East Coast Cruising - suggestions please

[Erico]

We have bought a boat in the Chesapeake bay area. We have big plans for next year but this year only have 4 weeks starting in Annapolis in mid-July and probably finishing somewhere near there to so that we can get back to the airport.

We are a very experienced sailing family (the girls are 9 and 6yrs) and Tabitha is a capable boat. This year we want to get to know our new boat whilst doing some interesting but not too challenging cruising.

Bearing in mind we will need a few days each end for commissioning and laying up what do you suggest as a good itinerary. I guess we can expect to do around 650 miles.

We love swimming from the boat but I’ve heard that Sea Nettles can be a problem at that time of year. What shouldn’t we miss? All suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[PaulS]

Sailnet has a forum on their site, Sailnet.com, which is devoted to the Chesapeake Bay. It is in the form of a mailing list, so I believe you have to create an account in order to subscribe. No charges or pesky mailing though.
The members there will be MORE than happy to give you enough tips to keep you occupied for the next several years. Try them out...a very nice bunch of guys.

 

[SimonJ]

I sailed on the Chesapeake for 4 months of cruising 3 years ago while taking refuge from the hurricane season further south in the Caribbean and have been back for brief trips with friends since. Hope to return again for summer of 2006. I have a few pointers.
Annapolis is a good base. Bay tends to be busy at weekends . but deserted during week as US people have short vacations and mainly only go boating at the weekends.
Stock up with food whenever you can as supermarkets are often very distant from your marina or anchorage. Speaking of marinas, they are very expensive on a nightly basis but get slightly cheaper for weeks for months at time. There are excellent anchorages with shelter everywhere. The only marinas I have used are in Crisfield which is a good base (crab fishing center), you can visit Salisbury by bus and most importantly a good setting off place for Tangier Island where there is a small marina. Provided your draught is not too great this is a must go to place. A fairly remote island where they still speak with a discernable trace of Cornish and use Cornish idioms. most inhabitants trace there routes directly back to the isles of Scilly. If you go down that far south a good most southern point for a 2-3 week cruise you will also have no doubt dropped in at Solomon's - great anchorage (plus marinas) with plenty of reataurants, an excellent supermarket and a convenient West Marine
Looking north from Solomons Cambridge is a good spot and Oxford is excellent. You can then go north the narrows north of Tilghman island and then through next one to the Chester river. But on the way do not miss St Michael's where the so called back creek provides an easy dinghy route ashore. There midweek when it will be empty is an excellent maritime museum. (There are many around this and Solomons are probably the best. There you will find a whole area to explore and maybe see the canoe racing. Going on north again Rock Hall is a great spot. If you want to visit a city you can anchor right off the modern waterfront in Baltimore and visit many attractions including what may well be the best aquarium in the world.
North again the Sassafras river and Havre de Grace are great spots. and do not miss Worton creek
There are several good pilot books but what is often missing is guidance or where to land if you are anchored.
Swimming is unfortunately unattractive ebven though in the warm humidity you will be desperate to cool off especailly in July/August. It is said the jelly fish (sea nettles to the US) do not survive in the fresher water north of Annapolis but we have always seen them everywhere!
The water is shallow with a small range but you get used to thin water. Beware the crab pots which can be anywhere except the main channels (however the soft shell crabs and crabcakes which result are amazingly good). Also look out for the huge fish traps (the size of sheep pens) which are also in the shallower water. These factors somewhat limit night sailing when you have to be very careful.
You will have a great time but expect it to be VERY hot and often windless in July and August. There maybe occasional fierce thunderstorms but the VHF weather channels keep you well advised. If it gets unbearbale consider basing yourself in a marina with a pool and hiring/buying an air conditioner - a window type at about $200 works very effectively placed in the hatchway.
Hope this helps. If you need more info let me know.
Good luck.
And if you have not read James Mitchenors "Chesapeake" get reading now as it really sets the scene.

 

[Erico]

Thanks so much for these helpful responses. I guess I am worried about the excessive heat and not being able to cool off in the water and wonder whether it woul be better to venture further South and hang about Norfolk and Albermarle Sound area.

Probably a good idea to buy a paddling pool to keep aboard!