Kinsale to Annapolis (and back again). - Page 3

chuck53 · #21 (**permalink**) 07-25-2011

Last year on Memorial Day weekend, I brought my new to me boat from Rock Hall, maybe 10 miles north of Annapolis, to Olversons in one day. Left Rock Hall at 6 am and got to Olversons at 7:30 that night. About 100 miles. The first 30-40 miles under sail. Another 30-40 miles we motor sailed and then the rest only under power.

datswite · #22 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

midlifesailor - I've been looking closely at Herring Harbor. With 22' of waterline, I've been most concerned about making the Rhode River from Solomons in one day - mostly because I don't like the idea of starting the iron genny. It's good to know that we can anchor in West River with favorable conditions.

Also, how busy are the mooring fields on a Friday afternoon in early September? I kind of hoped that we wouldn't find a crowd if we arrived on a weekday late in the season.

mltroy · #23 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

They are quieter and there is a dinghy dock at the end of the street by the church property that is very very close to some of the moorings. Great if you are rowing a plastic pool toy dink (that's what we have). It's a bit of a walk to the showers but we don't mind walking. It's never been too much trouble to time the bridge. I didn't check but I seem to recall there is and hour or hour and a half during the morning and evening rush hours when it doesn't open - could be that's only in the winter.

Enjoy your trip
Mary Lou
Rhodes 22, Fretless
Rock Hall

jameswilson29 · #24 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

You can also access St. Michael's from the Choptank River by sailing up Broad Creek, then up San Domingo Creek to a small dock at the end of the northernmost tributary. You will be on the southend of St. Michael's, a few minutes from the main street.

T37Chef · #25 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

Datswite...

When we have a destination to get to for whatever reason, we know we'll likely have to resort to motoring...its just a fact I suppose. We normally need to run the engine about 1-2 hours a day anyway to charge the batteries and cold plate. I would think if you're going to take the time to come North to Annapolis you want to spend some time there, not just one night?

If you push the first day (or two), perhaps a really early start in the dark out of you marina, I think Oxford is very doable. You would have to committed to a long day, say 12-15 hours. The suggestion in starting so early and in the dark is you would be familiar enough with your own cruising grounds in the dark, but it should get you to your new, unfamiliar, destination in daylight, which is much preferred

Lots of things to consider, if you're really reluctant to run the engine then reconsider the whole plan...if you make it to Annapolis, great, if not, you know you still had a blast

My thoughts anyway...

T37Chef · #26 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

Good suggestion Jameswilson...that is what I was confusing with the ferry in my earlier post.

aa3jy · #27 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jameswilson29

You can also access St. Michael's from the Choptank River by sailing up Broad Creek, then up San Domingo Creek to a small dock at the end of the northernmost tributary. You will be on the southend of St. Michael's, a few minutes from the main street.

Yes..but you'll be in less then 4 feet of water when in site of the dock that you speak of..and even lower at MLW..

jameswilson29 · #28 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

Should have mentioned that...use a dinghy for the last two bends up the creek...too shallow for most sailboats.

PalmettoSailor · #29 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by datswite

midlifesailor - I've been looking closely at Herring Harbor. With 22' of waterline, I've been most concerned about making the Rhode River from Solomons in one day - mostly because I don't like the idea of starting the iron genny. It's good to know that we can anchor in West River with favorable conditions.

Also, how busy are the mooring fields on a Friday afternoon in early September? I kind of hoped that we wouldn't find a crowd if we arrived on a weekday late in the season.

You're looking at arriving in Annapolis on the Friday of a major holiday weekend by my calculations. Wed Aug 31 - Solomon's, Thur Sep 1 - West/Rhode River and Fri Sep 2 Annapolis. Monday the 5th is Labor Day so lots of folks will be stretching the 3 day weekend into a 4 day end of season get away. My thinking is Annapolis is likely to be a zoo that weekend, but I've never tried it on a holiday.

Also, I second the notion you are highly unlikely to be able to sail the whole way and make your itenerary. If you are really lucky, you might get to sail some each day, but even that is unlikely.

Last year we did a week long trip the week after Labor day and found we'd have zero wind one day, and more than we wanted the next. I think we had one day of down wind sailing out of 9, and motored all or part of every day to reach the destinations we'd chosen.

SVAuspicious · #30 (**permalink**) 07-26-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by datswite

midlifesailor - I've been looking closely at Herring Harbor. With 22' of waterline, I've been most concerned about making the Rhode River from Solomons in one day - mostly because I don't like the idea of starting the iron genny. It's good to know that we can anchor in West River with favorable conditions.

Also, how busy are the mooring fields on a Friday afternoon in early September? I kind of hoped that we wouldn't find a crowd if we arrived on a weekday late in the season.

Herring Bay is a lovely anchorage. There is a duck blind just past the red at the South end of the shoal -- tuck up near that and you'll be fine.

You should be fine getting a mooring Friday afternoon even on a holiday weekend EXCEPT CLOSE TO BOAT SHOW. *grin*