Western Shore Marinas

[Nicklaus]

Any tips on a good a marina within an hour of DC.

My requirements:

• Deep draft, boat draws 6' 2"
• Reasonable distance from DC (hour tops)
• Easy Bay access

My wish list:

• On the small side, I don't need / really want a massive resort
• "Park-like" setting (aka, I'd like some grass and not just boat yard gravel)
• I'd prefer to stay off the Beltway, 95 or 50

Right now we are at Paradise Marina in Deale. It's an easy drive down MD 4, couple good bars nearby and the marina is small (50-60 slips), has a community feel and if there's no wind, you can just sit in the grass and have a drink. I'd like to stay there, but just don't think it's deep enough.

Thanks,
Nick

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by Nicklaus

Any tips on a good a marina within an hour of DC.

My requirements:

• Deep draft, boat draws 6' 2"
• Reasonable distance from DC (hour tops)
• Easy Bay access

My wish list:

• On the small side, I don't need / really want a massive resort
• "Park-like" setting (aka, I'd like some grass and not just boat yard gravel)
• I'd prefer to stay off the Beltway, 95 or 50

Right now we are at Paradise Marina in Deale. It's an easy drive down MD 4, couple good bars nearby and the marina is small (50-60 slips), has a community feel and if there's no wind, you can just sit in the grass and have a drink. I'd like to stay there, but just don't think it's deep enough.

Thanks,
Nick

Is it the entrance that bothers you or slip depth?

If its slip depth, come across the creek to Shipwright. I'm pretty sure there are slips where that depth wouldn't be a problem. They have a nice picnic area with grills, tables and a covered gazebo for shore side amenities as well as the pool.

The entrance isn't exactly like the Taj Mahal, but once past the boat yard its a nice enough place and there is a great community of sailors there.

[Nicklaus]

Shipwright is on my list of places to check out this weekend.

The slip depth at my old marina was the issue, but I'm not unconcerned about Rockhold Creek in general.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by Nicklaus

Shipwright is on my list of places to check out this weekend.

The slip depth at my old marina was the issue, but I'm not unconcerned about Rockhold Creek in general.

Yep a 6'2" draft will do that for ya on the Chessy, but I don't think I've seen less than 7 feet coming in or going out so far but shoaling happens. We did have a friend move his deep draft boat to HHN from HHS because his slip of many years at south had silted to the point he would get stuck in/blocked out at low tide.

The deeper water slips at Shipwright will be out towards the point and will not be the most protected in the marina, but they do have great views over Herring Bay. We have two good friends with boats in that part of the marina.

Our slip is on F-Dock (faces HHN) which is not as scenic, but is well protected and has easy access from shore and is easy to get in and out of.

[wingNwing]

Sitting in a slip with 10' on Back Creek in Annapolis. Given your criteria for smaller, and not a working boatyard, maybe check out Annapolis Landing Marina?

[Nicklaus]

Originally Posted by PalmettoSailor

Yep a 6'2" draft will do that for ya on the Chessy, but I don't think I've seen less than 7 feet coming in or going out so far but shoaling happens.

I knew the draft would cause some issues, but it was a problem I was willing to accept. My current / old marina owner said he had an 8 ft deep slip for me, though when I measured it, it was only a tad over 6 ft. He said he couldn't control the wind blowing the water out of the creek and suggested I find a sailboat with less draft. I told him I could just find a marina with more water.

I'm now up to about 14 potentials to see on Sunday...

[chef2sail]

Originally Posted by wingNwing

Sitting in a slip with 10' on Back Creek in Annapolis. Given your criteria for smaller, and not a working boatyard, maybe check out Annapolis Landing Marina?

Annapolis Landing Marina is a cool place.

We have had a corporate team building copnference there as well as having attended two weddings there in the last 6 years in their restaurant Kens Landing. One of the wedding was marked by Watermark Cruises taking the whole wedding on a 2 hour cruise on the Bay under the Bay Bridge and up the Magothy where the ship/ boat anchored and the wedding ceremony took place with The tree lined Magothy and water in the backround. It was one of the coolest weddings I have ever been to. We then had hors devopres on the cruise back followed by dinner and dnacing back in the marina. Was a great pcturesque setting for the whole affair. $$$$$.

The marina looks well kept, is in a nice location at the entrance to Back Creek. Good suggestion

[chef2sail]

Originally Posted by Nicklaus

I knew the draft would cause some issues, but it was a problem I was willing to accept. My current / old marina owner said he had an 8 ft deep slip for me, though when I measured it, it was only a tad over 6 ft. He said he couldn't control the wind blowing the water out of the creek and suggested I find a sailboat with less draft. I told him I could just find a marina with more water.

I'm now up to about 14 potentials to see on Sunday...

MYC depth is 10 ft in the shallowest spot. We often float over 17 ft.
Severe west winds can affect water though on blowout tides, usually only see a few in the winter months.