Upper Chesapeake? Lower Chesapeake?

[Bobglas]

Looking to haul my 26M down from upstate NY to explore the Chesapeake. Best time (weather)? Where to put in (ramps)? Parking? Washdown? Favorite anchorages, marinas? Looking to spend 1 - weeks. Thanks

[RobertB]

At the top of the bay, I recommend Elk Neck State Park. Limited on ramps but has a good parking area. Big plus is that this will save you big bucks on bridge and tunnel tolls.
This puts you near Havre de Grace, very nice to explore, but there is a bit of travel to get to points south.
Best place on the bay is Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. More ramps than I can count, protected bay off the ramp, excellent parking. Visit Baltimore just north, Annapolis, St Michaels across the bay and even points south like Solomons are accessible.
If these are not what you are looking for, let me know and I can help - we have put in at many points on the bay as far south as Point Lookout.
These are the two points we have put in for one week adventures. Figure out what you want to see, you really cannot go wrong on marinas.
If this was my first time, I would put in at Sandy Point, go north to explore Baltimore Harbor, go a bit further north and beach the boat at Hart Miller Island overnight, next day motor up the Chester River to Chestertown and spend the night, next day motor to St Michaels (motoring only because of the distances) and stay there, then down to Solomons and stay the night there. That leaves you a couple of nights to explore or just slow down. There are many quiet places you can just drop anchor and stay. Most of these areas have museums and interesting sights to see.
Best time? Look at the weather and fishing report.

[Bobglas]

Excellent RobertB! So what's the weather like, May, June, September, October?

[RobertB]

Oh, and I forgot Tillman Island.

The weather is very nice on the bay during the months you list.

[kmclemore]

At the top of the bay, I recommend Elk Neck State Park. Limited on ramps but has a good parking area. Big plus is that this will save you big bucks on bridge and tunnel tolls.

I second this location - it's where I put in and it is generally quiet, easy to access and as noted, it's the closest place to put in from points north.

[Catigale]

KM - you left off the obligatory reminder about the "DEET drinking mosquitoes"

Ive also launched at Elk Neck, sailed Sunday down to Baltimore Inner Harbor, took a 250 USD per diem from an employer while I slept in the Marina and worked a tradeshow during the day and sailed at night.

Diabolique!!!

[RobertB]

Additional point: If you launch at the top of the bay, the channel where you can sail is fairly narrow - it does not really widen until south of Aberdeen Proving Grounds, near Baltimore. The big wide area west of Elk Neck, near Havre De Grace, is the Susquehanna flats - often shallow enough to get a stuck with all boards up.

[Bobglas]

Great info, thanks! Marinas open early may? I've sailed Champlain Early May and found everything closed or halfway started pre- Mem.Day weekend. Also on maps and Google Earth it looks like quiet anchorages are mostly on the Md. side, true? Would like to avoid busy areas.

[RobertB]

Unless you go far south, both sides are Maryland. The east side of the bay is much less populated than the west. We generally find nice areas up in the east side rivers.
Not sure if the marinas really close or just slow down in the off season - Maryland is pretty serious on the boating. I would think May things would be pretty good (hopefully our current polar ice will melt by then).

[Bobglas]

Point Lookout State Park caught my eye. Looks like nice ramps, plenty of parking and I assume since it's in a park vehicle/trailer will be secure. Anyone have any experience there?

[RobertB]

We go to the park every year. The is the largest boat there. Ramps are adequate, parking is secure. You can stay n the river or venture out into the bay.

[Bobglas]

I assume you've launched your M there. Looks like that's my destination! Question: is there a fresh water hose or spigot to wash down the wheels or should I haul my own water? I imagine it's salty there.

[RobertB]

I assume you've launched your M there. Looks like that's my destination! Question: is there a fresh water hose or spigot to wash down the wheels or should I haul my own water? I imagine it's salty there.

Honestly, never worried about it. They have water stations in the park where you can fill jugs.
Keep in mind, if you base there and want to go into the Bay, this is big water and can get rough. We usually cross over to Smith island - last time we could only get crabs in the diner - but Smith Island cake is always available.

[Bobglas]

Thanks Luna Sea! Yeah, I figure a leisurly two day trip hauling down from upstate NY, 7 days on the water and two days up to give the salt a chance to eat away stuff. I can use my garden sprayer to rinse wheels w/ park water. As long as the weather permits, a crossing over to the East side islands and gunkholing for a few days is what I'm looking for. Rough seas we'll stay on the west side poking into sheltered coves w/ a sprinkling of marinas for the 3rd/4th day showers.

[RobertB]

Recommend you study up on the paranormal activity Point Lookout is famous for. Without going into public detail, we had some experiences there that were "interesting."
Some call this the most haunted place in the USA. The current park boss is trying to downplay this aspect.