Best place to leave a sailboat in the Chesapeake?

[sv Draco]

We will be southbound from the Great Lakes shortly but need to go home for a couple of weeks in the fall. We're looking for a secure and safe harbour somewhere in the Chesapeake. Any suggestions?


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[2Hulls]

Lots of places. You'll need to make a compromise between cost and convenience. Intuitively, the most convenient places - near metro centers and airports - are expensive. Inexpensive places are further from transportation hubs. Pick yer poison. Anything with "Annapolis" in it's name is overpriced....

I currently have my boat hauled at Dennis Pt. marina in Drayden MD, off the Potomac River. A good compromise, in my humble opinion. Beautiful and reasonable expense, by Chesapeake standards. Can haul cats to 25'3" beams (my beam). A good DIY yard. Limited maintenance capabilities.

Dave

[ranger58sb]

Draco, maybe easier to answer if you can hum a few bars about how you'll (presumably) fly home. BWI is convenient to some areas, Reagan better for others... so if you have an airline/airport preference -- proximity to (and transportation to) that could be a driver.


Annapolis is fine for both airports, of course, but options and pricing and come into play either slightly further north or slightly further south.

-Chris

[Pendragon35]

We have ours at Anchorage Marina in Baltimore.
2501 Boston St # 200, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 522-7200
Lots of slips available, I'm sure they would make you a deal over the winter. It's convenient to Fells Point, Canton Square, both places with lots of food etc.
Also you can get to BWI easily; about $15 by Uber, a mile walk to the light rail and then a 40 minute ride.

[TheOffice]

Lots of marinas near BWI in Middle River, Rock Creek. Cheap compared to Annapolis.

[sck5]

little creek is almost walking distance from the norfolk airport. very easy in/out from outside the Bay

[doublewide]

A couple of weeks in the Fall is no big deal. If it gets to be a longer time, then look into the States' taxation policies. Last time we checked, Virginia is least likely to tax your boat as tax was only due on boats that were physically in the state on January 1st. But policies change.

[PDelay]

We have kept our 31 foot Gozzard at Herrington North, near Deale. Good maintenance support located here and multiple amenities (West Marine, etc)

[powsmias]

Bowleys Marina | Home

hear good things here

[bmz]

No brainer--Baltimore is half the price of Annapolis, and has better transportation options.

[malbert73]

Tidewatee yacht service center in baltimore is 15 min from BWI and good transient rates


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[PPLepew]

Go to Active Captain and have it show all the marinas in the Chesapeake Bay, all rated by actual boat captains, and take your pick.

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by doublewide

A couple of weeks in the Fall is no big deal. If it gets to be a longer time, then look into the States' taxation policies. Last time we checked, Virginia is least likely to tax your boat as tax was only due on boats that were physically in the state on January 1st. But policies change.

Not exactly right, but close. Virginia does not tax boats at all except for residents when they register their boats in Virginia, even then still not at all for documented boats. But the local cities/counties impose personal property tax that varies widely which is assessed on January 1 every year. Whether this applies to visiting boats also varies. Best to check the city/county where you want to stay.

Dave

[charliegrau]

If you are eligible to use DOD MWR facilities there are some additional options at NAVSTA Annapolis & Norfolk, langley AFB, and JEBLCFS.

[dbeausoleil]

[QUOTE=sv Draco;1887865]We will be southbound from the Great Lakes shortly but need to go home for a couple of weeks in the fall. We're looking for a secure and safe harbour somewhere in the Chesapeake. Any suggestions?


Pirates Den Marina | 301-259-2879 | Cobb Island, MD

Pirate's Den marina and/or Shymansky's marina on the southern edge of the Potomac at the Route 301 bridge to Virginia. Pretty much any boat about $1200/yr. Hauling capability up to about 45'. Yard storage. Safe area, quiet. Easy sail out of Chesapeake. Great winds...not too far up river...