JeffH sums it up well...I would add this,
The bay is a fairly easy place to sail, not that I have sailed in many others places...the bay is a pretty great place to sail.
Mostly soft mud, which is good because if you enjoy gunkholing you can find some real treats...especially if you have a 4' draft or close, and sneaking in a place like Still Pond Creek you will likely bump the mud.
The bays health is not great, but it is getting better and the brownish color has more to do with the rivers dumping silt, especially in the Northern portion, once you get down past Annapolis the color begins to clear up as the bay opens up.
Probably some of the most challenging things about sailing the bay would be learning how to sail in light air, thunderstorms in the height of summer, and boat traffic on the weekends...oh yea and crab pots
The bay offers so many differnet personalities...like mentioned if you want to visit a city you can head up to Baltimore, dock in Fells Point and Canton area, go ashore for some good restaurants and entertainment. We recently just spent the night in the Inner Harbor to see a Ravens football game...we have done the same to see an Oriloes game, both just a short walk from the harbor to the stadiums. If you prefer, visit a smaller town like Annapolis...a drinking town with a serious sailing problem. Want something quaint. ..St. Michael's, Oxford, Chestertown, Cape Charles, Have de grace, Rockhall, Cambridge, just to name a few...each with their own unique personality. Just want to find a secluded ancorage, there are so many I wouldn't even try to make a list.
Spring and Fall are best for sailing but the last year it was great even in August, winds were often present which is unusual but welcomed. If its a mild winter unlike last year you can sail right through if you pick your days well. I hope to go out for a overnight this weekend...temps in the high 40s during the day, high 30s at night. Then after that it looks like we're going to get a cold spell, which might end the season, we shall see.
Marinas, clubs, and other places to keep a boat are plentiful and for the most part, reasonably priced. I currently pay about $4300 a year at a club for a slip and membership. There are cheaper and there are more expensive. Some have beautiful grounds and offer many amenities, some are more DIY working yards...some might be just a dock.
I have grown up on the bay, my earliest childhood memory was going to see the tall ships sail up to Baltimore in 1976 to celebrate our bicentennial in Baltimore. Most of my family had or have boats, my Grandfather was Commodore at Baltimore Yacht Club where I spent many a summer learning to swim, sail, and fish. Sailed with my best friend on his families boat for many years out of Middle River. My Aunt and Uncle invited me aboard their Bristol 35.5 every summer for a week long trip on the bay. My cousin, better know as my "Uncle John" taught me to sail on the Magothy in a sunfish off Blackhole Creek. Yea...salt water, or should I say brackish water runs in our viens...
The bay is a pretty awesome place to have grown up, I'm 44, and I haven't seen most of the bay it seems sometimes...
So, I dont know what your friend was talking about...perhaps he was confused
All said, I wouldn't advise anyone come here to sail...its awful...stay away
