Greetings. I've made many visits to this site as a Guest while researching trailerable sailboat options, and am now awaiting delivery of a new, blue 26M that we ordered at Strictly Sail Philadelphia in January. It's great to now be a member of this forum, as I've consistently been impressed with the quality of the information presented here.
We'll be trailer-sailing our from our home in nothern Delaware, and are very interested in advice from experienced MacGregor sailors about quality launching sites on the northern Chesapeake Bay. Locations that permit overnight parking would, or course, be most desirable.
Can't help much, directly. But there are several mid-Chesapeake owner-members here who might weigh-in. Those I've noted are mostly in the vicinity of Annapolis.
Congrats on that new M, and don't give up, you might hear from Tony D and others.
elkneck state park has a very good ramp i don,t know about over night there but there is camping there also.
Havre De Grace where 95 crosses the Susquehanna hos a nice public ramp at the public dock plus many more in that area.
You need to get a copy of Chesapeake Bay chart book pubed by
ADC the map people. about 50.00 but it is laminated and has every thing in it about the bay.
I've launched a couple of times from Elk Neck State Park. Very nice facility. They do allow overnight parking. Just indicate when you will return on the little envelope you will find at the ramp. They have a large parking / setup area. The only thing you have to watch is that the ramps are not well protected from wakes made by passing power boats.
On my site (http://sail.defino.com) there is a short video of sailing on the Chesapeake. The video was taken by Chip Hindes' brother during a sail we had last year with the Hindes. The video shows us ("JulieAnn" and "NextBoat") launching at Elk Neck.
You might try Sandy Point State Park. It is located off Rt 50 at the western side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. They also have camping and a nice beach for swimming. Haven't tried their ramp yet but have used the beach and picnic facilities several times about 20 years ago. I sail past there a lot but stopping by is one of those trips that always seems to be on a someday to do list. The Coast Guard Auxilliary does safety checks there several times during the summer.
Im taking a four day trip on the Chesapeake in two weeks and have ordered the ADC chartbook.
If anyone else is doing a venture there, pm me and I will happy to loan you the book for the trip. Its $50, but Im skippering 3 adults and then my family so I want some good navigational backup to GPS.
COntact me on either PM or EM at your convenience.
You can also check out launch spots on the Bohemia and/or Sasafrass Rivers. From Newark, you can go to Rt 40 west to Rt 213 South.
I would shy away from the C & D Canal since it takes so long to get to open water, but if your up for a long motor, then go for it.
I've seen the ADC Chesapeake chart book in just about every boat store or book store in the area. Its been $50 every where I've seen it, but money well spent. It has contact and facility info for every marina on the bay and main tributaries.
Ill write up the details for the Exploring section, but quick report of my trip last week
Launch from Elk Neck State Park
Ramps fine, a little short on cleats. Wakes from river are a problem, but timing launch helps. There is a long drive down a hill from the 'mast stepping' area to the launch site with trees in the way - it s good to have a companion to walk alongside
Motored most of the way to Baltimore - got in about 90minutes of sailing near Pooles Island - 10-12 mph winds, made 4.8 mph average (heavily loaded)
Spent week in Baltimore, then motored and sailed back Had the entire Bay to myself Thursday evening - 12 mph winds, broad reach at 5-6 mph (less weight). Sailed from 6pm until 930pm, then powered up for Elk.
Motored home at 15 mph arriving back at Elk at 11pm. THey turn the lights off at the dock, so that was a pain.
averaged 7 mpg on the 8 mph leg motoring, and 5 mph on the 15 mph leg (5000 rpm, unballasted)
While I was filling my tank in Baltimore, the motor cruiser next to me took a $543 load of fuel.....youch!!
Any one ever make the trip through the bay out into the atlantic ocean, sail north to the Delaware river and return to the bay? One of these years I will have to try it, Seems like the 26X with its motor speed may make it ezsy??
from our home in nothern Delaware, and are very interested in advice from experienced MacGregor sailors about quality launching sites on the northern Chesapeake Bay. Locations that permit overnight parking would, or course, be most desirable.
