Planning for next season

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hack4alivin

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TECHNICAL Contributor
Apr 18, 2008
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Joppa, Maryland
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320 Dancer
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I am relatively new to the boating experience. Three years ago my we bought our first boat. Season one was a learning experience, some of which was the hard way, but no harm done. The next season was the difference maker. We had just moved up from our 240 to our 280, and we started going on weekend excursion trips to places on the Chesapeake Bay. All of these trips where hosted and planned by MarineMax as part of their Getaways. One of the best parts of these trips was the fact we were going with anywhere from 12 to 20 other boats. We were able to meet and party with some really great people, who I am now lucky enough to call good friends. From these events lasting friendships have been made. Now that the winter has arrived we continue to plan events and social gatherings with our new friends.

As each winter goes by I can help but think how much better the new season will be. This year we would like to plan a long trip, of a week or more. I am thinking of a trip where we will visit four to five different places on the Bay. I am thinking about going from Gunpowder to Herrington Harbor South, then to the Solomon’s, then back up the bay to Cambridge, and finally St Michaels, before heading back home to Gunpowder.
 
Bill I made that trip this past summer Had a great time It was one of the most relaxing vactions I have had in year We stayed two nights at Herrington South Three nights in Solomon's over nighted at Vera's and two night's in Cambridge This coming summer we would like to north maybe to Cape May
 
Several of my boating friends made the trip to Cape May. One said is wife “freaked out” when they got into the Delaware Bay and could not see land on either side. It does sound like a cool trip.
 
I came across the Delaware Bay with a buddy of mine two years ago he pick up a boat in Long Island and needed help (realy just did not what to come back by himself) took two very long days to get home all in all not a bad trip I was realy susprised at the CD I through it was bigger
 
hack4alivin said:
I am relatively new to the boating experience. Three years ago my we bought our first boat. Season one was a learning experience, some of which was the hard way, but no harm done. The next season was the difference maker. We had just moved up from our 240 to our 280, and we started going on weekend excursion trips to places on the Chesapeake Bay. All of these trips where hosted and planned by MarineMax as part of their Getaways. One of the best parts of these trips was the fact we were going with anywhere from 12 to 20 other boats. We were able to meet and party with some really great people, who I am now lucky enough to call good friends. From these events lasting friendships have been made. Now that the winter has arrived we continue to plan events and social gatherings with our new friends.

As each winter goes by I can help but think how much better the new season will be. This year we would like to plan a long trip, of a week or more. I am thinking of a trip where we will visit four to five different places on the Bay. I am thinking about going from Gunpowder to Herrington Harbor South, then to the Solomon’s, then back up the bay to Cambridge, and finally St Michaels, before heading back home to Gunpowder.
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Keep me posted on your dates and where you will be as we may be able to tie this in with the "Ideas/Suggestions for a CSR Potomac/Rapahannack River gathering?" trip/thread I started a few weeks ago.
 
I'll give my 2 cents...

What I normally do is pick the time/week and then plan a "destination" that I build the trip around. For example, last year was about getting to the Broadway play "Wicked" and I got those tickets and made reservations at a marina 7 months before the trip. When we spent a month on the Chesapeake Bay, the big destination was a week in Annapolis with the kids in a 5-day sailing class so I made those reservations about 6 months in advance. The year before that was a week in Beaufort, NC at the parade of tall ships on the 4th of July... etc...

I then build the trip around that "special" event and first worry about the weekends. For example, when we were on the Bay, getting to a good place for the 4th of July weekend needs to be booked early. Since you are on the Bay, I don't think you have to worry about getting reservations on the weekdays so early. Here's why... The weather is going to hold you back and change your plans. You can't help that... What you can do however, is use the weekdays to do visits to some places and work your way to your weekend destination that you have reservations for and be mindful of the weather forecasts. If you are within 30 minutes to an hour from you weekend reservation, the weather can only be so bad to keep you from making it (famous last words). The point is to keep the weekdays more "spontaneous" and the weekends more rigid. The Bay allows you to do that...

There are lots of destinations on the Chesapeake and you may want to get some literature and read through it before making your final destination. There are a lot of festivals/events (art shows, car shows, farmer's markets, greased pig wrestling, etc.) in towns up and down the Chesapeake and you may want to hit one or two of those and make them your "destinations." I have not seen a 2009 listing anywhere yet though. For example, if you go to Chrisfield, MD, you have to go during the Miss Crustation crowning...

One of my favorite books is "Cruising the Chesapeake: A Gunkholer's Guide" by William Shellenberger:

http://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Chesapeake-Gunkholers-William-Shellenberger/dp/0071363718

0071363718.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg


My copy is probably 10 years old but I would think they've updated it a little....

A couple other notes about your trip.. I've found that "day hoping" from one city to the next trying to hit as many places as I can in a given time frame to be too stressful. Weather gets in the way and you are always worried about leaving instead enjoying where you are staying. I would do an average of 1 place every 2-3 days and enjoy the local atmosphere a little more. Getting up early and walking the dog and grabbing a big latte with 5 shots of espresso and talking to the locals in the donut shop is very relaxing. I prefer "long runs and longe stays" as opposed to "short runs and short stays." Go see some of the museums... or shops... just slow down and take it all in.

I start building my trip notebook about this time of year and get my charts, etc. ready. Make sure you take a camera and keep a log...

The other suggestion is that you wait until July to start the trip as the weather patterns calm down in the mid-atlantic. It seems whenever we try to start in June, there are still a lot of fronts sweeping down from Canada making life more interesting. We also like having the farmer's markets around and those don't really start producing until mid-July.

The last thing I'll say is Cambridge has nice pools at the Hyatt but other than that, the place sucks. If you don't have kids, you may want to make that a single day destination... and bring your own food... it'll taste better.

If you want some other ideas, you can go read the writeup I did on our month long cruise on the bay in 2007....
 
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My longest annual trip is 6 days max, more typically just long weekends. I usually try to plan my trips around full moons.....it ads that little extra.
 
"Now that the winter has arrived we continue to plan events and social gatherings with our new friends."

This is exactly how a yacht club we use to belong to got started. 10+ folks all kicked in some $$ and built the club on a floating barge. It's been moved from it's original home so good thing it floats!

They have weekly Friday dinners, where a member cooks, parties/socials, an annual Shrimp Feast and planned cruises.


 
Four Suns said:
I'll give my 2 cents...

If you want some other ideas, you can go read the writeup I did on our month long cruise on the bay in 2007....
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Thanks Gary,

I am in the very early stages of planning right now, but you are right on getting events calendar for local events. I use the Chesapeake Cruising Guide, mine is about two years old. That’s where I got the idea to hit multiple places in a week or two. I also use Chesapeake magazine for a calendar of local events but that is usually just a month out.
 
mrsrobinson said:
"Now that the winter has arrived we continue to plan events and social gatherings with our new friends."

This is exactly how a yacht club we use to belong to got started. 10+ folks all kicked in some $$ and built the club on a floating barge. It's been moved from it's original home so good thing it floats!

They have weekly Friday dinners, where a member cooks, parties/socials, an annual Shrimp Feast and planned cruises.
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We are doing the same sort of thing. That’s why I started our Blog. Our Christmas party is coming up....:thumbsup:
 
I am sure you know this already but you will not be the only person going to/attending local events. Mariana charges may be higher than usual for these events (and you may have to commit to X number of nights), it may be more crowded and like Gary said get your reservation early.

For example, Hampton, VA hosts 3-4 big events that attract a lot of boaters. A $100 a night slip will cost you $400+ with a 2-3 night minimum. The harbor will be packed with folks anchoring and the streets/shops/restaurants will be crowded. This is not necessarily a negative, just pointing it out.
 
mrsrobinson said:
I am sure you know this already but you will not be the only person going to/attending local events. Mariana charges may be higher than usual for these events (and you may have to commit to X number of nights), it may be more crowded and like Gary said get your reservation early.

For example, Hampton, VA hosts 3-4 big events that attract a lot of boaters. A $100 a night slip will cost you $400+ with a 2-3 night minimum. The harbor will be packed with folks anchoring and the streets/shops/restaurants will be crowded. This is not necessarily a negative, just pointing it out.
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Got ya.

I usually check out availability before finalizing all of the plans. I have put together several smaller trips for our group in the past that turned out great. Time to step it up a bit, but I am not expecting to have too many that will want to go out on a longer excursion.
 
We take several long trips every year... Building on an event is always a great way to go. Around July 4th we built the trip for fireworks at Rock Hall, then Baltimore, then Middle River - three nights of fireworks with many other great stops along the way. Around Memorial Day the Blue Angels practice and show for the Naval Acad Grad is always something good to build a trip around (this is during the week - so take the week off and the weekend is Mem Day Weekend so you don't have to go back to work until Tues).

I think last year we went to City Dock the day before the practice day, stayed there until the practice started which we anchored out for. Rafted up that night with some friends on Luce Creek (near Annapolis) for two nights with the airshow in between the two nights. Motored to the Choptank for a few nights at a couple favorite anchorages then to the Hyatt for the rest of the weekend (we have a kid - loves the pools and mini golf). I like the Hyatt - I hate the food and service. The marina is nice but overpriced just like everything there. We try to mainly eat on the boat and hit the pools/slides/golf all day long. There are also lots of cool beaches near by to take the launch to for some beach fun.

Anyway, hit me if you want some more ideas or if you want to hook up for a part of your trip.
 
Overextended said:
We take several long trips every year... Building on an event is always a great way to go. Around July 4th we built the trip for fireworks at Rock Hall, then Baltimore, then Middle River - three nights of fireworks with many other great stops along the way. Around Memorial Day the Blue Angels practice and show for the Naval Acad Grad is always something good to build a trip around (this is during the week - so take the week off and the weekend is Mem Day Weekend so you don't have to go back to work until Tues).

I think last year we went to City Dock the day before the practice day, stayed there until the practice started which we anchored out for. Rafted up that night with some friends on Luce Creek (near Annapolis) for two nights with the airshow in between the two nights. Motored to the Choptank for a few nights at a couple favorite anchorages then to the Hyatt for the rest of the weekend (we have a kid - loves the pools and mini golf). I like the Hyatt - I hate the food and service. The marina is nice but overpriced just like everything there. We try to mainly eat on the boat and hit the pools/slides/golf all day long. There are also lots of cool beaches near by to take the launch to for some beach fun.

Anyway, hit me if you want some more ideas or if you want to hook up for a part of your trip.
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You know the Annapolis thing for an Air Show sounds really cool! I love a great Air Show and being able to watch the Angles from the boat and not worry about traffic sounds really cool.

Last season we watched the fireworks anchored in Fairlee Creek. They put on a very good display, I was impressed. I am going to keep our blog up to date this year with the plans for our group, but I’ll let you know as we get closer to spring.

I heard the rates for the marina in Cambridge are a lot better during the week then they are on the weekend.

Thanks for the info….:thumbsup:
 
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Bill, I think you and your group passed us in the narrows last year, perhaps on the way back from St. Michaels. I remember seeing several nice looking Sea Rays about your size, following each other with several that had Marine Max burgees.

The trip around the upper bay you are planning sounds great. When you stop at St. Michaels perhaps the Museum web site would be helpful in checking out event dates.
http://www.cbmm.org/wh_calendar.html

The Cape May trip should be planned when you have plenty of time to watch the weather and make the run down the Delaware Bay in only the best of conditions. As others will attest to, this stretch of water can really beat you up on a bad day.

We are also making our 09 cruising plans at least for the some of the trips. Looks like Kingsmill Resort in June with about 4 boats and Annapolis for July 4th. As I recall, CSR has a member that hails from somewhere near Williamsburg.
 
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