Upper Ches Bay
Hi all, thinking of moving my E35 from NJ to the upper Chesapeake next summer, count me in. Anyone recommend a year round marina NE upper bay? I'm thinking Georgetown basin on the sassafras.Thoughts?
Thanks, John 1975 E35 "Butterfly"
I'm up on the Sassafras, moored in Money creek across from Turner's creek. Ironically I bought Ray's E-32 (original poster of this thread) a few years ago. I've hauled out at Skipjack Cove across from Georgetown Yacht Basin, and stayed in the water at GYB. Both are great options, and I think they both use ice eaters for winter slips. Had a hard freeze while in the water two years ago, (two-plus weeks of temps in the teens) so I pulled it out last year, and I'm glad I did. I was out at the boat melting ice from the bilge and hand-pumping water as often as I could, as the bilge pump and line was frozen solid. Last year, I got to spend time replacing the prop and shaft instead of pumping ice.
GYB and Skipjack are both about 6 miles of motoring from open water. If you leave and cruise for a while, they're fine. If you want to head out, sail a bit, and then spend the night back at the marina before going back out again the next day, it's a couple hours round-trip to where you can sail for more than a few minutes on each tack. Even out by Turner's Creek, I often find myself turning around before actually making it to the bay.
Rock Hall is much further driving, about 45 minutes to an hour from GYB. There are a few marinas up on the Bohemia River, but I've never been up there. Long Point Marina currently is working on my powerboat and is very reasonable maintenance-cost-wise. But they won't work on diesels. Upper Chesapeake Magazine had an ad for a special for Sept/Oct slips for $1 at some of the marinas up there.
If Ray is reading this, the boat has been great, and gradually getting better. One day it will be the best looking 1970 yacht on the bay.... If you still have that banner, I'd be honored to fly it.
If you're thinking about a remote mooring.....
I'm certainly up for a get together on the Upper Bay. Rock Hall always seems to be a full day of sailing/motoring each way, but I've been dying to get up to the Bohemia or Worton.