Herrington Harbor (Harbour?) South - For a small transient

sealover · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

I'd like to hear some thoughts on Herrington Harbour South. Wife wants a beach vacation this year but time and budget may only allow a long weekend or a mid-week getaway. Saw an article in Proptalk with a big picture of the marina. Palm trees, huge pool. Caribbean-themed. Showed it to the redhead and she agreed that might be a nice substitute for our usual Myrtle Beach vacation.

The plan would be to launch from a nearby marina, sail to Herrington, tie up and "live aboard" our 17 footer. Cook a meal or two on the grille and eat a few in the restaurant. Spend the days at the pool/nature trail/sauna or sailing nearby. (I guess that depends on conditions and the redhead)

What are the transient slips like? Sheltered fairly well from waves? How much (if any) advance reservation would I need to get one for a 2-night period during the first or second week of August?

As far as the tight quarters - we spent a night in a 4' x 4' tent on the infield of Watkins Glen during a cold rain storm. I expect this to be no worse.

Oh and another dumb question. Is "shore power" electricity offered at marinas 110V and a conventional outlet? If it's hot and muggy I'd hope to run a small fan plugged into the same extension cord I use for outdoor Christmas lights.

chef2sail · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

Herrington is great place to stay for transients. Top notch accomadations and the people are nice there. Most slips at any marina will be either 30 amp or 50 amp service. You will need to get a 30 amp adapter to run a 110 cord to it. The are not expensive. My only caveat is to make sure that your extension cord is waterproof and not near the water. The extra electrolytic current will not be appreciated by the nearby boats. Also make sure you have netting for the mosquitos. Have fun at HH..great pool.

Dave

sealover · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

Good call on the mosquito net. When I crossed the country in a Jetta wagon I rigged up some sort of bridal veil material from the fabric store over the (open) sunroof, held on with strips of refrigerator magnets. Worked great when sleeping along the road somewhere. I'll come up with something for the companionway! 30 amp adapter -- so it looks like a clothes dryer power cord? I guess I could just buy a battery powered fan and some D cells.

Another dumb question -- looks like I pay by the foot. My boat is a 17 by model designation. Hull actually measures 17' 6" bow pulpit might bump it up a few inches. motor mount another half foot or so. Plus the outboard. So am I paying for 20' ? 18? Seems like most places say they have slips for "25 to 50 footers" Do they charge a minimum length? So many questions!

T37Chef · #4 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

not to stray off the OP original question too much, but are there any moorings in or near Herrington Harbor. The weekend before our summer cruise south we had thought we would get the boat part of the way down the bay and leave it on a mooring. If we can make it, I know Zanhizers in Solomons does, but was not as familiar with HH.

Thanks,

chef2sail · #5 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

Defender has the adapter 30A male to 15 amp for $52 (WM is 82). It has come in handy for other uses such as when I have shore power and just want to run a power tool on an extension cord saw up the mast or topside. I dont have to use the AC on the boat. Batteries will run down quickly. I am sure you will need a fan.

HH probably has a minimum charge for a 25ft slip. Our club charges $1.50 per foot one of the cheapest you will ever find. Even $2 to $2.50 per foot is very cheap. In New England it is 3.50 and 4 per foot. This is why most of us anchor out or take a mooring in New England.

I understand you want it to be a vacation so splurge and stay in a slip, use the showers pool and the facilities. Remember you fee pays for that,

Dave

pdqaltair · #6 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by T37Chef

not to stray off the OP original question too much, but are there any moorings in or near Herrington Harbor. The weekend before our summer cruise south we had thought we would get the boat part of the way down the bay and leave it on a mooring. If we can make it, I know Zanhizers in Solomons does, but was not as familiar with HH.

Thanks,

Only marinas.

Anchorage near Herrington Harbor North is possible, but not common.

PalmettoSailor · #7 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010

I am relocating my boat to HHS in the very near future and have checked out the marina enough to know that it would be a decent place for a relaxing vacation. That said, I'd encourage you to consider either earlier or later in the year. The heat in August is simply oppressive, and unless you are prepared with coverings over your hatches and portlights, afternoon thundershowers can force you to close up the boat making it an effective crockpot for humans. Otherwise, it sounds like a great plan.

SVAuspicious · #8 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010

Most newer power pylons have conventional 15A 110 outlets in addition to the 30A and/or 50A marine outlets. I expect HHS does but don't know for sure. Surely someone on Sailnet is at Herrington Harbour.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T37Chef

not to stray off the OP original question too much, but are there any moorings in or near Herrington Harbor. The weekend before our summer cruise south we had thought we would get the boat part of the way down the bay and leave it on a mooring. If we can make it, I know Zanhizers in Solomons does, but was not as familiar with HH.

I often anchor just off the platform northwest of R2 in Herring Bay. That is a find place, but I don't know about leaving a dinghy anywhere convenient for a week.

The West River Sailing Club has moorings on the West. There are moorings at Cambridge and Oxford of course. I can't think of any other moorings between Annapolis and Solomons.

zz4gta · #9 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010

I'd go to solomon's myself. More to do, places to anchor / moor / dock. You'll find that HHS is top noch, but not much else to do nearby. Solomon's has a lot of shops, more food options, and can keep you busy for a week pretty easily.

T37Chef · #10 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by zz4gta

I'd go to solomon's myself. More to do, places to anchor / moor / dock. You'll find that HHS is top noch, but not much else to do nearby. Solomon's has a lot of shops, more food options, and can keep you busy for a week pretty easily.

I would second that!