Skinny Dip Location

jaywoodz

jaywoodz

Member
Nov 12, 2012
522
Richmond, Virginia
Boat Info
1999 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 350 MAG MPI Horizon w/V-Drives
Does anyone have the exact location for Skinny Dip? I think I've been there, and I'm guessing coming from the south, you head NNE between 140 and 144.
 
Last edited:
From the gravel pit, you go to the right up the oxbow instead of taking the cut towards Dutch Gap. The entrance is VERY iffy - I've never been in, and wasn't too sure I had actually found it when I tried. The water gets very skinny, and there is a lot of sandbar in front of it. It looks like you have to approach from downstream closer to shore, rather than just cutting straight across from the middle of the river. Go at high tide, don't expect to get out at low tide, and watch your depth.

I've marked it in this link:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/37°22'57.6"N+77°18'17.4"W/@37.382661,-77.304827,15z
 
SRC gives sage wisdom. The best way to do this is to follow someone in the first time. Being the adventurer that you are, you won't heed that advice so.......

To add to SRC's post.... When you pass Gravel Pit, Come off plane to hull speed. Keep a sharp eye on your depth gauge. Stay in what's left of the channel. That channel for all intents and purposes is closed. No more maintenance. Your course is going to bring you NNE in that section of the river. The natural flow of the water has cut a bit deeper path along the eastern side of the river. Get parallel to the inlet and approach it as far right as possible. It's very tricky because of that sandbar SRC mentioned. You may even stir mud at high tide. You may want to shut down your gennie on the approach to avoid sucking mud. It's that thin.

Once you are over the sand bar and in about 30 feet, the depth gets much better.

If you maginfy the map SRC provided, you will see a dark line down the entrance to Skinny Dip surrounded by two lighter lines. The dark line is your entrance. It's one boat wide. Make sure nobody is coming the other way before you enter. Once you are in, you are the stand on vessel. I mention that for a reason. On more than one ocassion, I have been nose to nose with a person who was clueless. You will too!

Good luck. Be safe.
 
src said:
From the gravel pit, you go to the right up the oxbow instead of taking the cut towards Dutch Gap. The entrance is VERY iffy - I've never been in, and wasn't too sure I had actually found it when I tried. The water gets very skinny, and there is a lot of sandbar in front of it. It looks like you have to approach from downstream closer to shore, rather than just cutting straight across from the middle of the river. Go at high tide, don't expect to get out at low tide, and watch your depth.

I've marked it in this link:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/37°22'57.6"N+77°18'17.4"W/@37.382661,-77.304827,15z
Click to expand...


Yup, that's exactly where I thought it was.. I remember now. I have been in there before, but it was a couple years ago, and from what I hear from others - it's a little worse and vegetation has kicked into high gear on the river bottom. I may attempt to take the 310 in there, but if it gets below 5 feet, I tend to back out and find another spot. Last time I was in there, I was in a ski boat with minimal draft.
 
I was there last year. There was a very large Hatteras in there as well as another 40+ aft cabin. I don't know what the winter or the storms have done.
 
I don't know about the locations of any of these spots, but if you find 'em we definitely want to see photos.
 
Be careful what you ask for ....

IMG_4520smile_zps6513a946.jpg
 
JimFromMD said:
So is this place named for the geography or the activities going on there!? :)
Click to expand...

Ha, well it's actually just the name of the location that local boaters have named it.. but I'm sure it's called Skinny Dip for a reason. It's quiet, calm, fairly difficult to get to, and off the beaten path.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,238
Messages
1,429,075
Members
61,119
Latest member
KenBoat
Back
Top