[nevetsyad]

Good evening everyone,

My friend and I were going to adventure out of the Potomac and spend two nights in Cod Harbor at anchor, taking inflatable rafts to show to explore the island. Has anyone anchored at Cod Harbor before? Any advice on holding or local conditions?

Thanks in advance,
Steven

 

[Sabreman]

Been to Tangier many, many times. Never anchored in Cod Harbor (not really a harbor). Too exposed. Anyway, there isn't that much to see that far south on the island. Mostly marsh. Why not go into the harbor and tie up at Park's and walk the island? BTW- Don't even think about anchoring in Tangier harbor.

 

[pdqaltair]

I've certainly visited Cod Harbor from Parks Marina, but as Saberman stated, from Cod Harbor (much of which is VERY shallow) it will be a very long dingy ride.

Also, from Parks it is easier to explore the north island.

But I might have to spend the night down there once, with the right wind forecast. It is very pretty. I'm not very sure just how far you can nose into the hook. Not far, I think. I recall seeing the bottom for miles from the kayak.

 

[Sabreman]

Probably lumpy too, being on the edge of the deep water of Tangier Sound and so near the light.

I can think of 1000 better places on the Bay to put a hook.

 

[nevetsyad]

I should probably say, I'm going to be in my shoal draft Hunter 290, 3'6" is all I need to anchor in. We're sailing down from nearly DC, the plan was to anchor everywhere along the way and "rough it". Take inflatable dinghies into the beach at cod harbor, hide them way up on shore, then walk into town, check out the little airstrip, etc. We want to visit smith island and get some famous cake also. I don't see anywhere up there to anchor however.

So, I should ask you knowledgable locals - where should we gunkhole in the area? We'll have three or four nights in the 'Bay to explore. Any places we should visit that may not be well known?

 

[NautiG]

I've anchored there in my catamaran. Pretty spot. Don't remember the depths. You can dingy to the beach, but you cannot walk into town. It's all marsh beyond the beach.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision

 

[pdqaltair]

Yes, you could walk to town if you landed near the tip and walked on the western side (the beach wraps all the way to the road--I've walked it). But be aware it is a LONG walk. Measure the map.

I think you could anchor in Smith Island east of town if you anchor fore-aft. There is very little traffic down that way and enough draft for you. Smith Island is really a one day stop unless your intention is lots of kayaking... in which case you could stay a LOT longer. Eat at Rukes--doesn't look like much, but the crab cakes and the chowder are the best ANYWHERE.

But as much as I like gunk-holing, these are 2 places where the marinas are cheap and better all around.

 

[Sabreman]

Eat at Rukes--doesn't look like much, but the crab cakes and the chowder are the best ANYWHERE.

Absolutely! When our daughter was 9 she voted the crab cakes the best on the Bay and 11 years later still holds to her "review". Kind of funny... it looks like it's falling into the marsh but has such good crab cakes. All the fancy places on the Bay and Rukes is still the best.

 

[NautiG]

Yes, you could walk to town if you landed near the tip and walked on the western side (the beach wraps all the way to the road--I've walked it). But be aware it is a LONG walk. Measure the map.

My mistake. It does look like you can walk the beach all the way around to town. Don't remember why I didn't try that. Here's a pic of the beach from when I visited in 2009.

It's protected as long as winds aren't out of the east. 10 out of 10 I would anchor there again. Very pretty and secluded spot with a beach! Tough to find that in the bay anymore. And I spend enough time at my own marina that I generally don't want to visit other people's marinas when I get to sail. But to each his own, and I understand Park's marina has it's own flavor.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision

 

[nevetsyad]

It's still a long ways out, but the forecast for the week we're going to be in the area still looks rainy and stormy the entire time. Any recommendations for good place nearby to anchor in to ride out the storm?

 

[travlin-easy]

I used to fish this area a lot, especially the flats near Watts Island, which is where some of the best flounder and weakfish action took place for many, many years.

First and foremost, if you don't have a screen enclosure to ward off the flies and mosquitoes you will be eaten alive this time of year. Early spring is when the marsh comes alive with all kinds of hatching, flying, biting critters.

Yes, you can anchor in Cod Harbor, as long as the prevailing wind is from the southwest, north or west. An east wind will beat you up real bad. It's a pretty long fetch across Tangier and Pocomoke sounds and those waves can really build.

If I were taking refuge from a storm there, and looking for a completely sheltered anchorage, the best location would be near Janes Island State Park, which most of the time, even during a hard blow, is pretty well protected in all directions.

As for anchoring near Smith Island, I really don't know of a single location where you would not be in a channel used by local watermen. There used to be a small pocket of deep water near Boat Island, but that silted in many years ago. Other than the Big Thorofare itself there is no deep water location large enough to anchor at Smith Island. However, you can tie up at Allen Tyler's restaurant pier while having lunch and later tour the island.

Good luck,

Gary

 

[Sabreman]

If you're looking for a nearby place to shelter, just go into Tangier Harbor. We've weathered several blows there. I suggest entering from the east side as its less of a run from Cod.

 

[nevetsyad]

Would dropping the hook in Tangier Sound, unprotected, one of the nights be horrible? Would the current change and rip the anchor out in the middle of the night or something? Newb questions, sorry.

 

[travlin-easy]

It pretty much depends upon the wind direction, which during the summer months, is primarily southwest. The current in Tangier Sound pretty much screams most of the year, that you can count on.

If you decide to anchor in the sound, try to get as close to the island as possible to duck out of the wind. If you have screens, put them in place immediately. The flies and skeeters here will eat you alive.

Gary