Cruising the Middle Bay

Home , Herring Bay, West River (Maryland)

Herring Bay Yacht Club The following presentation was delivered on April 18, 2015.

The event was sponsored by the Herrington Harbour Marinas, and delivered by Officers from the Herring Bay Yacht Club.

Thank you to everyone in attendance – as an engaged audience, you made it a great event!

Bonnie Ortiz Commodore

Tom Costello Fleet Captain

Herring Bay Yacht Club Our Goal Today • Approaches for selecting Cruising in the Middle Bay. • Review our favorite Cruising destinations in the Middle Bay. • Help you get more comfortable with Cruising. • Share some of our knowledge & secrets (feel free to share yours, if you wish) • Cover “Other Sources of Information”.

Baltimore to Solomons Island

• Getting to Know You • How to Pick A Cruising Destination • Middle Bay Destinations – Top Marinas & Anchorages • Are You Cruising Enough (or at all)? • Where to go for information

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 7 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Getting to Know You • How many of you… – Cruise 5 or more times per year? – Only take 1-2 cruises per year? – Don’t really Cruise, but take short rides – Never take the boat out – it’s a waterfront Condo.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 8 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Getting to Know You • When I do Cruise, my typical trip is… – Within 30 NM – Within the Chesapeake Bay – I’ve done the Intra-Coastal Waterway – I’ve been to the Caribbean – I’ve done The Great Loop – I’m blue-water and have crossed the Atlantic (or more)…

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 9 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Getting to Know You • My Chesapeake Bay Cruises are… – Weekends Only – Mid-Full Week – Multi-Week – I’m never in my home port

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 10 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org How Do We Pick Destinations? • All of our primary destinations must meet as many of the following criteria as possible: – Slips (quantity, draft/beam, power, accessibility, ease of approach & docking) – Helpful Staff – Pool – Nearby Shopping & Dining – History, Architecture, Activities/Events – Ability to host Club events – Transportation to Nearby Attractions – Accommodations for Non-Boaters

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 11 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Short Trips • We prefer that most of our Club’s weekend trips stay under 40 NM. – Allows us to travel for short duration. – People can get “home” in the event of disabled vessel. – We can wait-out bad weather, if necessary. – For the Eastern Shore, we can boat there faster than we can access by car… and most Members don’t frequent these locations.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 12 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Long Trips • These trips will span 1-2 weeks (or more) in duration. • We plan them as a “loop” (clockwise or counter-clockwise) where we cross the Bay only twice. • This allows for greater range, cheaper dockage, and planning coordination varies inversely with fuel prices.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 14 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org HBYC Top Destinations (North-to-South) Marinas Anchorage • Baltimore • Poplar Island / Lowes Wharf • Rock Hall • Knapps Narrow / Dun Cove • Kent Narrows • South River / Quiet Waters Park • St. Michaels • West River / Rhode River • Cambridge Destinations to Watch • Solomon’s Island • Chestertown • Oxford

Rock Hall

South River Kent Island

West River / St Michaels Rhode River Lowes Wharf

Dun Cove You Are Here!!

Cambridge

Solomons Island

You Are Here!!

• 40 NM from HHS Green “1” to Fort McHenry. – No-Wake into Inner Harbor is a LONG ride. • While there are many marinas, the 3 largest are owned by BMC. • LOTS of activities, food, history, sports, etc. • Big Events in town can make moving around and/or doing anything miserable! • Marinas with access to Water Taxis are best… but don’t expect to move around too quickly… few direct routes. • Better rates mid-week at most marinas (and some activities).

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 19 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 20 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 21 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 29 NM 1.5 hrs @ 25+ kts 5.5 hrs @ 6 kts Rock Hall

You Are Here!!

• 29 NM from HHS “Green 1”. • Relatively exposed harbor, a few restaurants, no shopping per se… • But they do host fishing tournaments, and a gigantic Pirates weekend. • There are a couple of marinas in the harbor, but be sure you know how much walking you’re willing to do… or bring your bikes!

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 24 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 25 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 23 NM 1.25 hrs @ 25+ kts 4.25 hrs @ 6 kts

Kent Island

You Are Here!!

• 23 NM from HHS. • There are 2 centers of interest on Kent Island; the Kent Narrows, and the Bay Bridge edge facing into the Bay. • The “Narrows” have a vast array of bars, restaurants, and a few hotels… but it is not walking friendly, and there is no “shopping” area. • There are roads that run parallel to 50, so bicycling is a possibility, but much safer on weekdays.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 27 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Kent Island • On the Bay Bridge side, there are a couple of restaurants of note, but that is all there is… nothing else.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 29 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 30 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 23 NM 1.25 hrs @ 25+ kts 4.25 hrs @ 6 kts

St Michaels

You Are Here!!

• 23 NM from HHS. • Unless you are new to the Bay or Boating, you’ve likely heard of St. Michaels. • Fabulous food, shopping, maritime history, etc… and they constantly run events throughout the year. • The approach ride on the Miles is typically quite enjoyable. • The approach to the St. Michaels harbor can be busy depending upon the day/time.

• The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum offers dockage and rate discounts for Members (with some restrictions). • If you want to try to avoid the harbor and are willing to anchor/dingy, approach St. Michaels from the Choptank and anchor in San Domingo Creek. The Dinghy dock is attached to a small park, and it is a few blocks walk to town.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 35 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 36 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 11 NM .5 hrs @ 25+ kts 2.25 hrs @ 6 kts

Lowes Wharf

You Are Here!!

• 11 NM from HHS. • If you are into conservation of the Bay, Poplar Island would be of great interest to you. • The project is well documented online, and tours can be arranged… and they used to actively recruit volunteers.

• 11 NM from HHS. • If you want to become a cruiser and have never taken your boat out, Lowes Wharf is an ideal starting effort. • It is a quick ride, you don’t need to dock, and you don’t need your own dinghy (though you will have to drop an anchor).

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 40 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 41 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 42 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 21 NM* 1.25 hrs @ 25+ kts 4.25 hrs @ 6 kts

Dun Cove You Are Here!!

• 21 NM from HHS. • Dun Cove is one of those “best kept secrets” of the Bay (maybe now a “formerly best kept secret”). • This harbor is rarely used, quite large, scenic, calm, and good bottom for anchorage. • We currently list this as 21 NM because we recommend going around the bottom and not through Knapps Narrows due to shoaling between the markers.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 45 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 46 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 15 NM 1.0 hrs @ 25+ kts 2.5 hrs @ 6 kts

South River

You Are Here!!

• 15 NM from HHS. • This is another little secret of the Bay. • Quiet Waters is an expansive park on the edge of the South River. • There is a very nice approach with a split basin for anchoring. • While you could stay on your boat and enjoy the scenery, you could also dinghy over and enjoy the park. • Though there are several restaurants on the South River (at Rt. 2 and Riva), they are not easily accessible by dinghy from Quiet Waters.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 49 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 50 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 51 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 15 NM 1.0 hrs @ 25+ kts 2.5 hrs @ 6 kts

West River / Rhode River

You Are Here!!

• 15 NM from HHS. • The West River and Rhode River are quite well known by HH slip-holders. • The West River offers restaurants (with limited dockage and geared to smaller vessels) and a nice quick ride. • Pirates Cove (and Big Mary’s Dock Bar next door) make for an enjoyable day- trip.

• 15 NM from HHS. • The Rhode River is a much quieter/serene setting (given a portion of the shoreline is part of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center). • This water is very protected from wind/weather, and provides good bottom for anchoring. • Be cautious entering the Rhode as crab pots abound all summer. • Be courteous to other boaters already anchored!

• Check the weather on the Bay before departing – don’t be fooled by the calm conditions on the Rhode and then discover the water to be MUCH rougher for the ride home.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 56 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 57 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 58 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 29 NM 1. 5hrs @ 25+ kts 5.5 hrs @ 6 kts

You Are Here!!

Cambridge

• 29 NM from HHS. • Cambridge is a tale of two destinations; downtown and the Hyatt Resort. • The downtown has struggled economically, but is making a comeback. • The town offers several festivals and events that are gaining in popularity and attendance. • The Choptank River is quite wide which results in little protection during windy conditions… and can be a bit bumpy/choppy when anchored in the downtown municipal marina.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 61 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 62 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org 33 NM 1.75 hrs @ 25+ kts 7 hrs @ 6 kts

You Are Here!!

Solomons Island

• 33 NM from HHS. • Solomons does not stand out among cruising options because it is separated from most other middle Bay destinations… yet it offers a wide variety of marinas, food, shopping, history, and entertainment.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 64 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Solomons Island • In addition to the obvious maritime exhibits, the Calvert Maritime Museum also hosts big-name entertainment acts. Upcoming events include Heart, Colin Hay (formerly of Men Down Under), and more. • Solomons is host to a wide variety of events, including speed boat national finals held each year.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 65 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Solomons Island • The biggest downside to the trip to Solomons is that once you pass below Herrington Harbour, you are committed – there is nowhere to stop if the weather turns. • OBEY the “restricted areas” shown on your charts for the military radar installation below Chesapeake Beach!

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 67 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 68 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Destinations “To Watch” • In the coming years, a couple of destinations may become more viable as investments are made in their infrastructure: •Oxford •Chestertown

Oxford You Are Here!! 23 NM 1.25 hrs @ 25+ kts 4.25 hrs @ 6 kts

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 71 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Chestertown • 49 NM from HHS. • The city has acquired the two marinas on the Chester River. • These marinas have shoaled to the extent that many slips could only handle depths of 3’-4’, with t-heads handling slightly larger vessels. • Money is being invested to dredge and widen the slips to accommodate larger vessels.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 72 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Chestertown • The ride to Chestertown is quite long, but the downtown is very art/craft oriented, has a lovely small town setting, bed & breakfasts, and a beautiful waterfront view of Revolutionary War era homes. • The planned improvements were to be completed by 2015, and the town will likely see a surge thereafter.

• 23 NM from HHS. • For those considering Cambridge, a quick turn north from the Choptank into the Tred Avon will lead you quickly to Oxford (to your port). • The town has a couple of nice marinas, no real shopping and limited dining… but quite rich with history.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 76 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Oxford • The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry is the oldest, continuously operated, family owned ferry in the US. • Don’t miss the Robert Morris Inn/Tavern (rated one of the top restaurants in the county by numerous magazines)!

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 77 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Oxford • For those seeking a quiet stay in a small town with a slow pace, and a little history thrown in, Oxford is your place. • Expect some changes & growth to attract more tourism in the coming years.

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 78 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 79 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Other Sources of Information • Active Captain • BayDreaming.com • Waterway Guides • Navigation Software & Websites • The Destination Marina itself • Local Chamber of Commerce or other websites • Yacht Clubs • Marina Neighbors

Herring Bay Yacht Club April 18, 2015 80 ©2015 Tom Costello - All Rights Reserved HBYC.org Are You Cruising? (Enough or At All) • Top Reasons we’ve found for not Cruising: – “I’m not comfortable docking in unfamiliar locations.” – “I need help docking – period.” – “It takes a lot to toss off my lines to get started.” – “Gas Prices are too high to take long trips.” – “I would feel better if I had an experienced Cruiser on board with me.” – “I don’t like traveling in rough water and I’m afraid I’ll get stuck at the destination and not make it home.”

• We wish to extend a very special thank you to Herrington Harbour Marinas… both for hosting this event, and being such a great partner to the Herring Bay Yacht Club.

• To Janie Maneely who first inspired me to understand Cruising on the Bay. • To Bob Felong who gently pushed me to start using my boat for Cruising rather than as a condo (and/or an everlasting maintenance project). • To the Herring Bay Yacht Club for making my cruising experience unlike anything I could have done on my own.

• Founded in 1990 (Now our 25th Anniversary) • 200+ Captains & Mates • Members span MD, VA, PA, and FL • Boats from HHN / HHS / Local Communities • 80/20 Powerboats/Sailboats • Activities focus on Boating, Social Activities, Safety Events, Eco Activities, Legislative Advocacy, Philanthropy, and more.

• We are a “Boating Club” • We have Cruises with as few as 8 boats and as many as 34. • Our Fleet Captain coordinates the travel, route, safety, and assists Captains, as needed. • We use “Host Couples” to help plan activities. • We love to talk Boating, and help each other as much as we can on all aspects of Boating!

You’ll find this presentation as a PDF on the homepage of our site

• This material may not be distributed nor sold in any manner, and is made available for reference only. • Every effort has been made to validate the information contained herein, but Captains should verify all information on their own. • None of the charts included should be used for navigation purposes – Captains are advised to use current charts and/or devices before planning or undertaking any events. • Bay contour charts used are available for sale from Below The Boat and Carved Lake Art. • Thanks to Google Earth - used for all aerial shots of all locations. • All narrative content is copyrighted to Tom Costello. • Most photos are copyrighted to Tom Costello, while some are the property of the Herring Bay Yacht Club, and others have been obtained from the websites of the organizations or communities in question.