2 1/2 day cruise recommendation from Annapolis?

[nh_ets]

Hello,
I am an experienced sailor (mostly in the Apostle Islands) and will be chartering out of Annapolis this mid-September. We will have 2 full days and one half day on the water (2 nights away from base) and I am trying to create an itinerary for that timeframe. Most suggestions I see are for 4 days. Any suggestions - anchoring is great, or staying in a marina one night.

Had considered Annapolis to St Michaels, then to Rock Hall, then back to Annapolis but very open to other ideas!

Will be on a Jeanneau 389.

Thank you all!

[ranger58sb]

Sailing, I don't think enough time to do both St. Michaels and Rock Hall on the same trip... and still get some "local flavor" time.

Consider combining a trip to St Michaels with an anchorage in the Wye or Wye East River... both of which are on the way for either outbound or return leg.

Or Rock Hall with an anchorage somewhere maybe along the Chester River... maybe as far as the Bohemia River.

Or St Michaels and a marina in Kent Narrows if you prefer marina stays for both nights. This one could also encourage a circumnavigation of Kent Island.

Or if weather isn't great... perhaps a trip to one of the Herrington Harbor marinas (South, near North Beach; North, in Deale) combined with an anchorage in the Rhode or West Rivers. If weather really sucks, this could be a marina in Galesville (West River) and anchorage in the Rhode. (If you end up anchoring in the Rhode River, pay attention to High Island.... which is submerged these days.)

-Chris

[nh_ets]

Thank you! Very helpful.
A couple of clarifications
- is there anchoring near St Michaels or only marina?
- I do like the idea of St Michaels then up the narrows on day 2, positioning for a short half day on day 3. Are there good anchorages north of the Kent Narrows - Chester or Swan Creek that would make for a full day 2 and a short day 3?

other ideas?

[nh_ets]

One other idea:
What about
Day 1 Annapolis to St Michaels
Day 2 St Michaels to Rhode River anchorage
Day 3 Rhode river back to Annapolis?

[marcjsmith]

The key is where is your Half day. day one or day three.

nap to St Mike isn't a hard day if the wind is right 24 miles. trying to do it in half a day you wont have any time to enjoy st michaels. town closes down at 6-7pm. if its your first trip the maritime museum is worth it. would consider docking at St Michaels marina. Not higgins.

I keep my boat in Deale. there is nothing to do in deale. one bar at HHN and a couple more across the creek at paradise Skippers and Petey Greens. Really nice place called the boathouse, but not walkable.

rhose or west river is a half days sail from Nap. get a nice close up look at Thomas point light

oxford would ne nice, but its 30+ miles

nh_ets the plan you mention above is good, you could reverse it depending on where the half day is.

[nh_ets]

Half day would be day 3. We are boarding the night before day 1 so can get a full day in on day 1. Day 3 is short so people can make it back to airports…does that change your thinking?

[marcjsmith]

Nap to st Mike
St Mike to anchor in Rhodes/west
Rhodes/west to nap

[rls8r]

I'd go with the Annapolis - St. Michaels - West River route. Winds are generally out of the south, so getting to St. Michaels will take some time tacking down the Bay.

St. Michaels is a nice town with things to do - the Maritime Museum, many shops and restaurants, a winery, a brewery, etc. There are a couple of marinas and you can also anchor out. Long walk (or short Uber) ride to grocery and hardware stores.

The trip from St. Michaels to Galesville/West River is easy. You can anchor in the West River. There are also a couple of marinas (Pirate's Cove & Hartge's) that have transient slips. Two restaurants are an easy walk from Pirate's Cove and a moderate walk from Hartge's. No stores to speak of. Easy to get back to Annapolis in half a day with a southerly breeze.

If it's your first time here - I'd avoid going through Kent Narrows. It's not the easiest or most fun stretch of the Bay.

If the above doesn't appeal - I'd also consider going to Rock Hall and then to Baltimore Harbor - but I don't know the status of entering Baltimore since they may still be working on the bridge.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by nh_ets

Thank you! Very helpful.
A couple of clarifications
- is there anchoring near St Michaels or only marina?
- I do like the idea of St Michaels then up the narrows on day 2, positioning for a short half day on day 3. Are there good anchorages north of the Kent Narrows - Chester or Swan Creek that would make for a full day 2 and a short day 3?

There are three "downtown" places to anchor in St. Michaels. Two in the inner bight, one on each side of the marina. The third is further out in the Miles River; usually OK, weather permitting. There's a water taxi, not sure schedule.

Typical marina choices range in price from Higgins Yacht Yard (least expensive, closest to "downtown") to St. Michaels Marina to Harbor Inn & Marina. There are a couple other choices (Museum, but you need to be a member) or the Inn at Perry Cabin ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$).

Consult "Cruising the Chesapeake, a Gunkholer's Guide" by Bill Shellenberger for likely achorages, including those along the Chester River.

Originally Posted by nh_ets

One other idea:
What about
Day 1 Annapolis to St Michaels
Day 2 St Michaels to Rhode River anchorage
Day 3 Rhode river back to Annapolis?

I suspect that would likely be one of the easiest plans.

The Rhode is peaceful. If you'd prefer a restaurant dinner, anchoring in the Galeseville/Shady Side harbor instead would put you close to two decent restaurants (Pirates Cove has a marina attached, slips sometimes available).

-Chris