Upper Chesapeake trip: Kent Narrows, MD to Potomac River - destinations to visit along the way

mrsrobinson said:
By leave the channel I mean never leave the channel for the entire trip unless I have to for some reason. Don't take any shortcuts. I assume there won't be any crab pots or small islands in the channel.
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MAIN Eastern Bay and Chesapeake channels, yes.

No reason to take the smaller channel on the east side of Poplar Island.

-Chris
 
Good fishing around Poplar island. That’s one of my go to spots to live line or jig.
 
I've been planning the trip. First leg will be Kent island to Solomons.

Capture2.PNG


Anything in the route NAVIONICs drew that is concerning?

Then I was planning to do Solomons to her new home on the upper Potomac. That's about a 5 hour run though. Dooable, though any suggestions on where we could stop overnight on the 2nd leg? I kept my last 2 boats on Aquia Creek, not very exciting there. Colonial Beach maybe, but that's a quick run from Solomons.

Capture.PNG
 
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quality time said:
Not the way I'd do it. Just go out Eastern Bay and pick up the main channel.
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As much as I like the route inside Poplar Island there’s no need to run down the east side like that. It’s a way more complicated path than needed. I agree … go out down Eastern Bay (a beautiful trek) and hit the Chesapeake. Turn left and head south. That’s it. You don’t need to follow any specific route or channel once you’re in the main Bay. It’s plenty deep!
 
Thanks, that was my thought as well. It is fun to play with Navionics at home though. Gives you an idea on time, mileage and fuel, which is nice.

Speaking of fuel,@quality time do you recall the fuel rate on yours at cruise/2400?
 
I agree with what everyone has said here about getting out to the Bay. I will add that when you make your turn into the Pax River, keep Green #77 on your Starboard side. Then set up to split markers 4 and 5 at Drum Point. Also, I don’t follow the close to shore channel to Back Creek. I pass Red #6 on my Starboard side then make my turn.

On the run home, I wouldn’t stay that close to shore in the Bay. I would stay East of the US Navy Aerial Gunnery markers. It just makes for a more relaxed ride as there are less chances for fishing boats and crab/fish buoys. Same thing when you round Point Lookout. Don’t shave the corners.

if you make the trip during the week, make sure you contact Dahlgren Range Control on channel 16 to see if the range is active. You don’t want to take a round across the bow! Make sure that you are familiar with the alternate channels and the yellow Navy markers.

At the 301 bridge, there is a no wake zone approximately 1 mile below and above the bridge. Pay attention.

After that, you’re all set up for the final leg. Round Maryland Point, look at the hulks in Mallows Bay, and watch the power lines grow as you get closer.

Enjoy the trip.

Jaybeaux
 
Jaybeaux said:
I will add that when you make your turn into the Pax River, keep Green #77 on your Starboard side. Then set up to split markers 4 and 5 at Drum Point. Also, I don’t follow the close to shore channel to Back Creek. I pass Red #6 on my Starboard side then make my turn.
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I agree on these points although I have started cutting the green #77 the last few times but not by much. I've always been tempted to take the shore channel shortcut but always end up going around the shoal...maybe some day.

Also, not sure about this time of year but this area is usually littered with crab pots in July.
 
Thank you for all of this great feedback. Anxiety/stress has been greatly reduced. Switched my Solomons reservation to Spring Cove based on the comments here.

Now I just need to get some time on the boat, getting used to her, especially docking, and get the darn service completed. I literally have not left the slip yet and the trip is planned for 04/22.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Thank you for all of this great feedback. Anxiety/stress has been greatly reduced. Switched my Solomons reservation to Spring Cove based on the comments here.

Now I just need to get some time on the boat, getting used to her, especially docking, and get the darn service completed. I literally have not left the slip yet and the trip is planned for 04/22.
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You are going to regret not getting that burger.
 
Jaybeaux said:
I agree with what everyone has said here about getting out to the Bay. I will add that when you make your turn into the Pax River, keep Green #77 on your Starboard side. Then set up to split markers 4 and 5 at Drum Point. Also, I don’t follow the close to shore channel to Back Creek. I pass Red #6 on my Starboard side then make my turn.

On the run home, I wouldn’t stay that close to shore in the Bay. I would stay East of the US Navy Aerial Gunnery markers. It just makes for a more relaxed ride as there are less chances for fishing boats and crab/fish buoys. Same thing when you round Point Lookout. Don’t shave the corners.

if you make the trip during the week, make sure you contact Dahlgren Range Control on channel 16 to see if the range is active. You don’t want to take a round across the bow! Make sure that you are familiar with the alternate channels and the yellow Navy markers.

At the 301 bridge, there is a no wake zone approximately 1 mile below and above the bridge. Pay attention.

After that, you’re all set up for the final leg. Round Maryland Point, look at the hulks in Mallows Bay, and watch the power lines grow as you get closer.

Enjoy the trip.

Jaybeaux
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So if the range is in operation, how do you get by "Swan Point" near yellow "O"? I would not feel comfortable running close to that point and be on the NE side of the line between "M" and "O" without someone confirming those depths are accurate. Navionics is showing 4 feet, we draw 4.5 feet.

Other than the 301 bridge, are there any other no wake zones between there and DC?
 
swaterhouse said:
So if the range is in operation, how do you get by "Swan Point" near yellow "O"? I would not feel comfortable running close to that point and be on the NE side of the line between "M" and "O" without someone confirming those depths are accurate. Navionics is showing 4 feet, we draw 4.5 feet.

Other than the 301 bridge, are there any other no wake zones between there and DC?
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It's been my experience that the range boats do a good job of shepherding boats through the range and are willing to address any concerns a transiting captain might have. Last time I went through, southbound, I got disoriented and was headed for shoal water for a few seconds and the controller quickly corrected me.
I believe the next no-wake is all the way up at the Wilson Bridge just south of DC; that one has a reputation for generating a lot of tickets. BTW, if you go in to DC waters, there's a requirement for proof of a boating safety class (can be online) for operators of any age.
 
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