Chesapeake Bay Area Marina Suggestions

[My Time]

We will be heading to the Chesapeake Bay for a 5-6 night stay in that area. We have most of the trip planned but we are looking for a quality marina with clean showers and a restaurant for the C & D canal area and possibly a stop midway between Annapolis and Baltimore on the Eastern shore. Anyone from that area with some local knowledge?

Day 1 -Neshaminy Marina to C&D Canal (63 miles) http://www.summitnorthmarina.com or Chesapeake Inn... Or other suggestions in area????

Day 2 - C&D to Baltimore (63 miles) http://www.baltimoremarinecenter.com

Day 3 - Baltimore... sail bay and see sites (I have been going there for 17 years and have never taken the time to see the sites!)

Day 4- Baltimore to Annapolis (Annapolis City Dock) Alternate: http://www.annapoliscitymarina.com

Day 5 - Annapolis to ??? Rock Hall is a possibility also considered St. Michaels but may be a long leg from there back to C&D

Day 6 - Open

[Chinook]

Last September we visited many of the places you mention. At Baltimore, I highly recommend Inner Harbor East Marina, which is right downtown, and within easy walking distance of all the Inner Harbor attractions. There was some high rise redevelopment construction going on adjacent to the marina last fall, and the marina facilities were temporarily housed in some mobile units. They did have nice showers and laundry however. The floating docks were a bit weathered, but still very serviceable. The nicest thing about our stay was the special deal they were offering at the time. Midweek they offered free moorage. All we needed to pay for was electric power. I don't expect they will still be doing that, however, they were nice folks, and the location was outstanding. Also, conveniently located for catching the water taxi to other locations in the area, including Ft. McHenry, which is well worth visiting. We arrived at Annapolis on Labor Day weekend, which I highly don't recommend. The place was jammed with boats, and all slips were occuppied. We felt lucky to get a mooring ball, one of the last few available. The open ones were above the drawbridge, which helps explain why they were still available. Annapolis seemed quite busy and popular with boaters. I'm not sure how hard it is to get a transient slip, but calling ahead, if you know your schedule, might be a good idea. Showers and laundry were available at the harbormaster's office building in the downtown area, about 3/4 mile dinghy run from the mooring ball we were on. We didn't get to Rock Hall, but did visit St. Michaels, and it was a delightful place to visit. We anchored out there, and didn't try using shore facilities, except the handy dinghy dock they provide. The Maritime Museum there is outstanding. If you can afford to spend the better part of a day there, you'll not regret it. Hope you have a great cruise.

[My Time]

Thanks Chinook
I was a little concerned about St. Michaels. I was not sure we would be able to get a slip. My wife is demanding shower facilities for all locations on this trip. I was at St. Michaels about 10 yrs ago but not real knowledgeable of the marinas. I have plenty of charts for the area and will consder this harbor. I stayed at Harbor East 1 year ago on a charter and expierieced the same....from what I hear they ran into financial difficulties and the facillities have not improved.