Wachapreague Inlet in Sailboat

[viben]

Planning to head north from Portsmouth/Norfolk on the outside, in a sailboat with 5.7' draft.

The first leg, to Chincoteague, appears to take 17-18 hour.

The Wachapreague Inlet seems to be the only option for dividing that up in two, or to use for shelter. However, the inlet is noted as treacherous because of shifting shoals and moving buoys.

Anyone here able to share some local knowledge or personal experience?

Any good places to drop the anchor on the inside, up Millstone Creek, or just before reaching the straight channel leading to town - should the need arise?

[puffcard]

Usually in good shape and very doable. If rage is on go back in the Bay.

[viben]

Thank you for feedback.

Do you have any experience with anchorages in the bay?

[thomm225]

Be very careful going in Wachapreague Inlet. Get some local knowledge before attempting

One side is way better than the other but I don't remember which. I used to go out of there and Metompkin Inlet.

Metompkin was so shallow we used to ride in on breaking waves on our 14' power boats.

I mainly sail the bay these days.

There are tons of anchorages in the bay. Kiptopeke is good but the current is strong. Most times you can hide behind and anchor close to the cement ships if the weather gets up.

Further North is Mobjack Bay on the west side. There are lots of good spots up in that bay that you can choose from depending on the wind direction and strength

I also anchor off Smith's Beach (which is just North of Cape Charles) along the eastern side of the bay if the wind has an Easterly Component

Onancock on the Eastern side is a great anchorage. The depth is 8' all the way in to the wharf downtown.

[thomm225]

There's a pretty decent tide change over on the sea side also.

Picture is of an old dock downtown Wachapreague.