Annapolis to Solomons cruise

Crushin It

Crushin It

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Oct 10, 2006
1,716
Safe Harbor Marina Kent Island, MD
Boat Info
2006 44 DA
QSC 8.3s
Engines
Cummins QSC 8.3s 500HO
Planning a trip to Solomons. Can those familiar with the Solomons area tell me if there is anything in particular I need to be aware of by water in the area or is it pretty much a straight shot? Headed to Zahniser's... Thanks....
 
villain style said:
Planning a trip to Solomons. Can those familiar with the Solomons area tell me if there is anything in particular I need to be aware of by water in the area or is it pretty much a straight shot? Headed to Zahniser's... Thanks....
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Hey Mark,
Are you going to be at the boat Sat/Sun? I'll be over in round bay for an event. Will swing by the pier to see the new Villain if so.

I attended a boat club event at Zahniser's over memorial day weekend as part of a weekend cruise. I went by land this time because the last time I tried by water, I got turned back by wake and chop just south of where Tilghman Island ends but on the western shore side. A buddy plowed through in his 320, but my guests weren't enjoying the chop, nor the wallowing in the waves off plane so we ended up at Herrington for the night. Foul seas this year were no exception as reported by the owners of the boat I stayed on for the night. Solid 4' chop for folks on the way down on and 3' on the way back the next morning to a Rhode River raftup. Coming back wasn't so bad with following seas. Must be something about that weekend!

Hopefully you'll find calmer waters on your trip. Zahniser's was nice from the bit of time we spent in the marina. You can walk to the Solomons Tiki Bar from there too. I was sorta dissapointed because if you recall it was a cold weekend, and the infmamous Tiki was almost literally a ghost town. The year prior folks said you couldnt get near the place it was so packed and overflowing.

James
 
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Mark, just a couple of thoughts for your trip. As you get closer to Cove point there are some fish traps that have been known to " catch " more than just fish, in reduced visibility. Just North of Cove Point there's the LNG terminal and they get a tad possessive if you get to close to their terminal.Otherwise it's a straight forward approach in.From the South River it takes me about 1+45 to the entrance down there. Solomans & Zahnisers are great spots. Clark's Landing is sponsoring a party in Solomans in Aug ( I think ) I'll be there for that as well as the Screw Pile Races in July. Have fun, Tim
 
Thanks for the heads up Tim. Your boat is beautiful. I purchased my boat from Clarks Landing but have not been on any of their outings yet. When I look at my GPS charts to plan a route it looks like lots of restricted waterways near Solomons..
 
Stay clear of the gas docks at Cove Point and you'll be fine. The boundary is marked on charts and by large white bouys at each corner. Past the docks, you can start turning into the Patuxent, but my advice is to stay in deeper water until green 77 to avoid the fish trap and crab pots. Once you turn into the Patuxent, honor the marks coming into Solomons...there is a large shallow area you want to avoid. Follow the marks and your charts and you'll be fine. Be sure to come off plane prior to the no wake bouys. DNR has been known to sit just inside the harbor and snag people running too fast. Enjoy! Should be a great weekend, and it should be a nice run down the Bay today.

-CJ
 
Mark, As I come out of the South R. and have dodged all the crab pots, I pick up a heading +/- 185-190 * That keeps me to the West of the shipping channel and out of some shoaling areas. By the way,I forgot to mention, there are two entrance channels leading into Solomon's. Either is fine, but I use the one that's a little further up the PAX River. They do converge into one, at the entrance. If there are no " stick boats ", you can maintain speed a little longer and it's wider. However, its a " nickels " difference between the two. I'm really conscious of the wake I throw... Side note : Clark's Landings event is at Spring Cove Marina in Solomon's Aug 16-18.
 
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Another follow up question - looking at my charts I have the following restricted area in purple dashes identified. Can I not go thru this area? It looks like it covers the whole channel...

 
villain style said:
Another follow up question - looking at my charts I have the following restricted area in purple dashes identified. Can I not go thru this area? It looks like it covers the whole channel...

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Mark, that's the Naval Air Systems Command range for the test center at Patuxent River. If it happens to be closed they will have range boats out that will wave you off and tell you how to proceed; you will likely also hear warnings on VHF 16 . I have never seen it closed but have heard of partial closures but always on weekdays.
 
:thumbsup: In my travels, it's only occurred once. I was N bound from VA and got a call on ch 16 from a Navy Patrol Vessel. I was in a small boat at the time, when they spotted me Miles away.They politely advised me to ease over to the Eastern side of the bay. I naturally complied and they said, have a nice day :grin:......So, settle back and enjoy your trip !! Tim
 
When are you planning to leave on your trip? We're planning to head to Solomon's on July 4th for the long weekend (staying at Spring Cove), coming from the Potomac River. Did the same trip two years ago and got beat up on the way home. Have you been there before? It's a great place to visit by boat.
 
Hey Gunn,

I have not been there before. It is our first time and looking forward to it. We are headed there this weekend with two other boats. You're now the second person speaking about getting into rough waters in the area.....
 
villain style said:
Hey Gunn,

I have not been there before. It is our first time and looking forward to it. We are headed there this weekend with two other boats. You're now the second person speaking about getting into rough waters in the area.....
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Yea, but you have a 340DA. :smt001 I think you'll be fine in most circumstances; and since you are coming from the north...an even greater chance of nice water. Let us know how your trip went. Enjoy!
 
When we head to the Solomons we like to go a little farther up the Patuxant to Vera's on St.Leonard Creek. Very pretty location and a great restaurant. They have plenty of transient slips but you should call for a reservation if you are planning to stay over night.
 
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