Good Northern Chesapeake spots to spend on the hook?

[xman999]

I'm planning a trip this weekend to the northern Chesapeake. Looking for suggestions for a good place to spend the night "on the hook". I spent some time in the Bohemia a couple weeks ago, but just a day trip. I really liked it, but I wasn't sure about spending the night there. I'm coming south from NJ/Philly area down the Delaware river. This will be my first time overnighting out on the anchor. Looking for some place calm, I will have my kids with me.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Fairlee Creek is a very protected anchorage and has all the amenities from resturant to fuel and even a Tiki bar. It's a few miles south of the bohemia, without a chart handy I'd say maybe 10 or so.

 

[JimFromMD]

Fairlee Creek is a very protected anchorage and has all the amenities from resturant to fuel and even a Tiki bar. It's a few miles south of the bohemia, without a chart handy I'd say maybe 10 or so.

+1 on Fairlee. Very Fun. The entrance channel is very close to the bulkhead so be aware of that as you enter. There can be some big boats going through there so you occasionally have to take turns. Also at different points the current through the actual entrance to the creek (entrance between bulkhead and shore) can be moving pretty good but usually always doable.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fair...e=Fb5UVgId8291-w&hnear=Fairlee+Creek&t=h&z=16

 

[giff1]

STILL POND :thumbsup: Go past all the sail boats and anchor with the power boaters near shore. Sandy bottom and not too deep for the kids to play in the water. Still Pond is just a few miles past the Sassafras and before Fairlee.

 

[xman999]

I stayed at Great Oak last year. Liked Fairlee Creek a lot, wasn't sure about anchoring there overnight. I'll have to check out Still Pond. Does It get very crowded ?

 

[Searaybio270]

+1 on Still Pond for all the reasons already stated. Good water. Sandy bottom. Beach area. Can it get crowed, I guess but we usually raft up with 3 to 12 boats. It is one of our favorite spots.
Another place might be the Sasafras River. It is before you get to Still Pond, same side. Take that all the way up to the Kitty Knight House. There is another restaurant there but I can't remember the name. Along the Sasafras there are many places to pull over and get on the hook.
I'll be at Still Pond this weekend. I hope.

 

[xman999]

Wanted to thank everyone who responded. Spent last night at Still Pond. Anchored on the south side, but not back where the party was.:lol: I think I would like to try the protected cove back by the Coast Guard boat pier, but it seemed very shallow. I saw other boats back there, I guess high tide is the best time to get in and out.

 

[Converse48]

Wanted to thank everyone who responded. Spent last night at Still Pond. Anchored on the south side, but not back where the party was.:lol: I think I would like to try the protected cove back by the Coast Guard boat pier, but it seemed very shallow. I saw other boats back there, I guess high tide is the best time to get in and out.

That's a "local knowledge thing". They pulled the markers in there a few years ago and now it's every man for himself. But the approach is to follow the day markers into the channel and follow the docks along the shore, then you want to hug the shore, getting pretty close to the tree branch that hangs over the water. After the tree branch turn immediately to the right and get as close as you can to the end of the docks. There is 8-10 of water at the end of those docks and four or less fifty feet away. The "turn right at the tree" zone may get as low as 4.5 feet at low tide but I have been in and out of there in a boat drawing 44" many, many times. After the last private dock turn to port out to the middle of the cove. You will see boats backed up to the sand bar there. Much more serene then "outside" at Still Pond which is exposed to the NW (i.e. thunderstorms). They sneak up on people there and at least once a year there is some kind of pile up when all hell breaks loose unannounced. The inside is very protected.

Also, please do consider coming up to the Sassafras river, much to do there and great for kids especially if you're into tubing, skiing, etc.

 

[beetle11]

About to purchase 1996 300 Sundancer 300 hrs. kept on a lift and fresh water cooled after survey is positive. Twin 5.7L's, will the lower units need replacing because of age or do I wait until a problem arises. Anything you can tell me would be most helpful to be prepared for.

 

[rcknecht]

About to purchase 1996 300 Sundancer 300 hrs. kept on a lift and fresh water cooled after survey is positive. Twin 5.7L's, will the lower units need replacing because of age or do I wait until a problem arises. Anything you can tell me would be most helpful to be prepared for.

We had that boat and loved it... I have put on 500 hours in the three summer we had her and on had to replace water pumps and plugs.. Mine had SS risers OEM and I have had to replace them... My cockpit over snaps leaked water, and I have to recalk them to to fix the problem. My Good windlass did not work well (the rode would slip)...