Deep water anchorages?

[PalmettoSailor]

To add to WWilson's good input if the winds aren't right for Fishing Bay (Piankatank), Godfrey Bay directly across the River carries 17' almost up to the shore. If the winds are out of the south, you might be happier on this side than the Fishing Bay side.

Also, I believe Sandy Point on the Great Wicomico carries deep water nearly to shore and I can attest that it's a lovely anchorage.

I'm not certain about the anchorage at Onancock though. I've never seen a boat appoaching the size of yours there and just this weekend a marina mate mentioned running his Oday 30 aground trying to anchor there. Its pretty tight getting several boats in there. The entrance channel is pretty deep and they run barges right adjacent to the town docks so getting there is probably not a problem and if you called ahead you could maybe get the big wharf end of the city dock. I've seen a big motor yacht in there in the past and they put my 36 and another similar sized boat there the last time I was there so there is more that 55' available. Onancock really is a neat little town with more good places to eat than you'll likely be able to enjoy in a short stop. The Blarney Stone is great for a lunch/drinks kind of thing and both "The Charlotte" and Mallards at the Wharf are great for dinner.

[sullan]

Hey, thanks to all for the really informative posts!! If anyone else has anything more, I would love it, but it is always amazing to me that like minded people are so free with their time and knowledge. Salutes to you skippers!

[wwilson]

Originally Posted by sullan

If anyone else has anything more, I would love it,...

sullan, here are five more, thanks to a rainy day today and no boat-work.

Sassafras R. A pretty and very swimmable river within a day of the C&D canal. Depth in the teens all the way to Georgetown which has 1st class marinas and a couple pretty good restaurants and good anchorage. Or, anchor in Turner Cove downstream, with a good holding grass over mud bottom then take the dinghy to G-Town for dinner. (I am assuming that a 55 Ft'r carries a dink capable of throwing a decent wake.)

Worton Ck. just a bit south of the Sassafras has a nice bight to anchor in if the wind doesn't have too much west in it. You can't get up the Ck. (so to speak) so don't try, but the bight outside offers good holding and a nice sunset view across the Bay.

Chester R. Grey's Inn Ck. to port in 10 ft depths is nice, or press on to Langford Ck in depths in the teens all the way to little Cacaway Island. You can anchor in 16-ft off the island.

Severn R. You can sail all the way up the Severn in 20 foot depths then anchor in Little Round Bay, behind St Helena Island with good protection from the wind and good holding with depths in the teens, or "borrow" a Navy mooring for the night.

Shaw Bay in the Eastern Bay is a great Anchorage that a 55-ft'r will feel right at home in. Very pretty - but a hard mud bottom on its eastern side - so set the hook securely. On the way in, many of us "cheat" the sunken island by crossing between "2" & "3". You will not want to do that. Go between "10"- & "11" and you can stay in 20-30 foot depths until within Shaw Bay and find 18-19-Ft there.

These are all on your way in from the C&D or across the bay from Annapolis. Now don't hang in Annapolis too long then go home and say your sailed the Chesapeake, hear?

[mccary]

When I said few accommodations south of West River, I meant western shore for vessels with deep draft and I meant south to Solomons. There is Deal with a few places but not a good anchorage. If you know of any good deep water anchorages on the Western Shore between West River and Solomons I would love to hear about them.