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Southern Chesapeake
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Southern Chesapeake
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The Bay Less Traveled To view the presentation Dave offered at the Annual Meeting, click here! In this part of the Bay, one can spend a quiet night in a scenic anchorage or tie-up to one of the many marinas and enjoy amenities ashore. Names steeped in history – Jamestown, Yorktown, Hampton Roads – make-up this area. The Lower Western Shore is comprised of three separate peninsulas created by the Potomac, Rappahannock, York and James rivers. Cruising this side of the Bay allows one to savor the nuances of each. Broad expanses of water border the Lower Eastern Shore. Few amenities can be found along this portion of the Bay. The lower portion is approximately 90 miles long and includes Cape Charles, Tangier Sound, the Pocomoke Sound and several rivers north to the Little Choptank River. Scoot across Tangier sound through Kedges Straight out of Crisfield north and west to the Patuxent River, a harbor refuge since it was mapped by Captain John Smith in 1607, and Solomons Island. South out of the Solomons and past the Potomac, one of the most historic rivers in the nation’s history, and on into the Great Wicomico River, and drop the hook in one of the few inviting creeks. From the Great Wicomico find your way back south to the Rappahannock and Deltaville. That, my friends, is a circumnavigation of the Bay less traveled. If this 8 day sailing adventure stirs your cruising juices, then read on, for it will get better. Deltaville to Little Creek, Va., the first two days underway (37° 34’ N 76° 18’ W to 36° 56’ N 76° 11’ W) Arrive Friday, the 14th of October at the East Coast Yacht Management docks, where trip leaders Steward and Stubee will greet you and get you to your assigned boat. Stow your gear, meet up with the rest of your crew and plan on dinner in one of the several establishments back in town.
 Map of the southern half of our Chesapeake circumnavigation with route overlays. Click a route line for description of that portion of the trip. Saturday, the 15th – Heave out and trice up, me hearties! We’ll get an early start this day, for our float plan takes us to Mobjack Bay and School Neck Point off the Severn River for our first raft-up. Here, we’ll plan the next day of pillage and plunder. Practice yer swagger, now – eye patches begin making an appearance. Sunday, the 16th – An easy day of sailing as the Freebooters makes its way to Little Creek, Virginia and the Bay Point Marina. Strike the Club burgee just off the Thimble Shoal light and hoist the Jolly Roger. “AAaar! Bay Point, prepare to be boarded!” Alright, ye scurvy dogs, break out the grog and gruel. Little Creek to Crisfield, Md., the next three days underway (36° 56’ N 76° 11’ W to 37° 59’ N 76° 51’ W) Monday, the 17th and after our night of hornswaggling, and with the booty safely aboard, we make our way “stealthily” out of Bay Point with our reputation intact. The Jolly Roger is stowed safely aboard and the Club burgee once again rides high. Not a word, now, or ye will be fitted out for the hempen halter! Once more civilized “yachties” , we make our way north and east to Cape Charles and the Marina Villages in Kings Creek just north of the town. The entrance is circuitous and fun to navigate. Watch for the barges laden with train cars, but have your camera at the ready. Marina Villages is new, and will be a nice over-stay. Eat aboard with your crew, or enjoy one of the two establishments for dining.
 Map of the upper half of our Chesapeake circumnavigation with route overlays. Click a route line for description of that portion of the trip. Tuesday, the 18th the fleet makes its way back out of the channel and into the lower Bay. Our destination today is a remote section of the Eastern Shore and a creek called Pungoteague. We’ll have a good day’s sail, and feel invigorated once we’ve rafted and put a can of beans on the stove. Skippers, set the watch and anchor detail! Wednesday, the 19th, the fleet moves into Tangier Sound and makes its way to Crisfield, Maryland. Here we’ll stay at Somers Cove, and the Somers Cove Marina. Crisfield provides one a good opportunity to stretch your legs and walk the town. This stop makes a great place to provision. Crisfield to Solomons Island the 6th day underway (37° 59’ N 76° 51’ W to 38° 19’ N 76° 27’ W) Thursday, the 20th and back out into Tangier Sound with a heading north of west the fleet moves through Kedges Straight. A good day of sail awaits us as we head toward Solomons Island. Isaac Solomon established the first oyster canning plant on Solomons Island in 1867. Since that time, Solomons has served as a major boat-building and waterfront community. The fleet is heading for Zahniser’s in Back Creek. Warm showers replenish your spirit. Walk to town, or hang out at the marina. Solomons Island to Deltaville the 7th and 8th day underway (38° 19’ N 76° 27’ W to 37° 34’ N 76° 18’ W) The fleet makes its way out of Back Creek on Friday, the 21st, heading for Ingram Bay and Mill Creek. Mill Creek is on the southern side of the Great Wicomico River and just inside the entrance. We’ll spend our last evening on the raft enjoying each other’s company, and beginning the reminiscing of a circumnavigation almost complete. Saturday, the 22nd, the raft breaks apart as we all head south and back into Deltaville. This day of sail is shorter than most, so the crews can go about the business of packing and cleaning at a leisurely pace. Details There are three Beneteau's reserved for this circumnavigation. Each boat will be assigned 6 people including a skipper and first mate. The cost of the trip is $750 per person (Skippers - $400). This price covers charter fees and insurance and slip fees for the marinas. Food, fuel, and other incidental expenses are additional and will be handled by each boat's crew. A $100.00 deposit is required to hold your position. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation to Jane Stubee at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning April 8, 2005 with a random draw of those received by that date. All reservations received after that, are on a first-come, first-served basis. Two payments of $325 each will be due on June 15 and September 1, 2005.
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