Salt water (Chesapeake area)

[boatman37]

So been looking at boats for sale and there seems to be a ton around VA, MD area. Some say fresh water use only. I was in Cape Charles a few months ago and know that is salt water. How about the northern Chesapeake? Trying to avoid salt water boats but with so many of the listings near me being in that area it really cuts down my options. FWIW it will be a cruiser likely sterndrive.

 

[Alegria]

Pretty much anything above the Bay Bridge in the bay proper is brackish. With the boats in the rivers being fresh. Even below the Bay Bridge in MD is not as harsh of an environment as somewhere along the ocean...

Since there are so many rivers feeding into the Chesapeake most of them as you get away from the bay are majority fresh water.

 

[boatman37]

Thanks. Helps a little. Trying to avoid salt water boats

 

[Bryan Hall]

So been looking at boats for sale and there seems to be a ton around VA, MD area. Some say fresh water use only. I was in Cape Charles a few months ago and know that is salt water. How about the northern Chesapeake? Trying to avoid salt water boats but with so many of the listings near me being in that area it really cuts down my options. FWIW it will be a cruiser likely sterndrive.

I agree, anything north of Bay Bridge would be a safe bet. I have been Boating in the Chesapeake Bay and it's contributaries for over 15 years and have had minimal problems due to water conditions. Hope this helps

 

[endless seas]

Look up Mike Sweeney for brokered boats. He helped us sell our 450 and was top notch.
Good luck in your search.

 

[lawndoctor]

In our 225 WE, we boated on the Delaware River around Philadelphia for the past 10 years, and although that area is tidal the water is essentially fresh. We kept that boat in a slip in Philadelphia all season and got some slime but never a single barnacle. We bought our next boat a 330 DA last year and kept it in Baltimore this summer. We were told the harbor is fresh/brackish but the bottom and running gear got fouled with heavy barnacle growth after being in the water for a month. I'm admittedly a newbie in the Baltimore area, but from what I've seen that area of the Chesapeake is definitely more on the salt water end of the spectrum.

 

[Alegria]

I agree. If you are at the mouth of a river leading into the Bay you will get growth and barnacles in short time. If you are farther up a river that should be less. I would bet the boats in VA that claim fresh water are used on the Potomac which is very very far away from the Bay. I would be curious as to location.

Bottom paint selection makes a big difference in how growth is handled. I've not had good results with any of the hydro coat line from Petit. I've had much better luck with the Interlux Micron series. But unless I'm running every other week I will get some growth.

I thought the nature of your question was salt spray and corrosion to gelcoat and hardware. To minimize that I think you'll find anywhere North of the Bay Bridge will be good. One thing to keep in mind is they are boats and they will travel. You may find boats that spend the winter south so to me it's really hit or miss...

Good luck on your search! If you get serious on anything and I can get to it I'll gladly take a look before you commit to a trip out east again. Nothing thrills me more than looking at boats!

Take Care!

Good luck!

 

[boatman37]

Thanks all. We are thinking about holding off until the end of next year now but am still keeping my eyes open. wouldn't rule out the right boat if i fond it sooner

 

[skibum]

I'm amazed at the difference from where I am to the south side of the Bay bridge. It's only 19 miles, but if I go south of the bridge I get a lot of dried salt on the deck. My hand will get completely white with salt if I just wipe it across the deck. If I stay north of the bridge, I get no salt residue on the deck at all.

There was one season a few years back when we had very little rain and I could tell the water was saltier than usual. We also saw some nettles out by HMI. That doesn't usually happen up our way.