[labatt]

Alright - I'm looking to go to Rock Hall at the end of June for an event and my charts show an entry channel depth of 4', then 6' for a short bit, then 8ft, and then 6ft to the Sailing Emporium. I called them up and they said there is 8ft of water all the way through the channel. Can anyone confirm for me what the depth actually is through there at low tide?

Thanks!

 

[deniseO30]

You may want to ask this on the chesapeak bay forum. A couple of yrs ago my son and I tried getting into RH on moonless night. it was dicey all the way in.. in the morning I checked our route from the night before and found that we basically did ok. it's very shallow all the way in. I'll never again try getting in at night there.

 

[scottyt]

mgmhead ( spelling ? ) on here is from rock hall.

all i can say is a i tried to cut across a shoal to save a mile and i bumped my way across with a 3 3 draft. i did see some big boats going in and out so the channel is deeper

 

[ronbo1]

The entry through Rock Hall's breakwater is the only critical part with depths of at least 6' at low tide. Tidal range is about 1.5 feet. Favor red as you pass through the breakwater entrance.

Boats with 7' draft tend to time their passages. The harbor's 2 marked channels have 7'+ all the way to TSE. One channel runs the circumference of the harbor, the other cuts straight across. Straying outside puts you in 3' of water.

Ronbo

 

[SVAuspicious]

My experience is similar. Two years ago I went in (5'8" draft) with plenty of water going around the outside of RH harbor, and left -- again with plenty of water -- in the short channel across the middle of the harbor.

I was in Swan Creek last year a couple of times and there were no issues inside the bar getting to Rock Hall. I don't have enough local knowledge to try crossing the bar directly into RH. I do skip G1 (I think) and honor G3 to get behind the bar on the way to Rock Hall or Swan Creek.

 

[sck5]

I sail out of Swan Creek - If you are going to Rock Hall and are anchoring out you can do it there or get a transient slip in one of the marinas there as it is only a very short walk to anywhere else in R H. I went for a sail two weeks ago with a guy who fishes off of RH all the time and he said he never saw less than 6 ft. on the bar as long as you keep outside of the two beacons there. I draw only 4' 6" so it is less of an issue for me.

 

[labatt]

Thanks all - there's a Precision Rendezvous at The Sailing Emporium at the end of June, and since I used to own a Precision I was thinking of going there. The charts are definitely pretty far off from the real depth.

 

[MMR]

We're heading over to Swan this weekend if we can pry ourselves away from a neighborhood party.

You want to go into the harbor and Sailing Emporium or around the Swan Creek side?

We can check depth for you (we go straight over the bar, since we only draw 2ft ) if you like....

 

[labatt]

Stop bragging! We've been mostly hanging out with cats here in the Bahamas and they all give me a hard time when I talk about waiting for tides, where I can and can't anchor, etc. You guys all suck

Anyway, we'll be going to the Sailing Emporium. If you happen to be near the breakwall the charts show 4' depths leading up to G5 and R4. From what others have mentioned above, it sounds like we're fine - I'm just surprised that the chart is THAT inacurrate, especially when it shows surveyed depths of 6ft just past that area as of June of 2008.

 

[MMR]

Ok...If we get over there, we'll double check for you.

Enjoying your blog! Looking forward to seeing you here in the Bay again!

 

[pdqaltair]

Yes, last time I was there I just parked my boat in te middle, where it shows about..

Stop bragging! We've been mostly hanging out with cats here in the Bahamas and they all give me a hard time when I talk about waiting for tides, where I can and can't anchor, etc. You guys all suck

Anyway, we'll be going to the Sailing Emporium. If you happen to be near the breakwall the charts show 4' depths leading up to G5 and R4. From what others have mentioned above, it sounds like we're fine - I'm just surprised that the chart is THAT inacurrate, especially when it shows surveyed depths of 6ft just past that area as of June of 2008.

Two feet of water. My Stiletto floated on heavy dew.

See you there.

(catsailor)

 

[MMR]

Two feet of water. My Stiletto floated on heavy dew.

See you there.

(catsailor)

:laugher

If we make it, we'll be in Swan Creek toward the back, flying the Sailnet burgee...

Oh yea, we'll be the Gemini:laugher

 

[sailingdog]

Be nice to the leadmine sailors..

Ok...If we get over there, we'll double check for you.

Enjoying your blog! Looking forward to seeing you here in the Bay again!

 

[MJBrown]

LaBatt if you're going into Sailing Emporium try to do so at mid to high tide. We were in 2 years ago with a 5' draft and just got by. Bumped a little but managed to swing away from the shoal. If you give SE a holler they'll tell you which side of the docks to favor. As far as cutting across the bar I'd only do so if you know where the deeper water sits. It lines up with the range lights but still requires local knowledge to do so safely.
Mike