Anyone here use Chincoteague inlet in a sailboat?

[Lowcountry]

Will be transiting from Newport, RI to Charleston, SC in early August in my sailboat. I'm trying to map out inlets that I can enter and exit safely during daylight hours with a 5.5' draft. Have any of you used this inlet? I am aware that the buoys are often moved around due to shoaling, but it looks like there's good water there. Would be coming in to anchor for the night behind south end of Assateague Beach, or take a slip at Harbor Refuge Marina. Any local knowledge is appreciated, thanks.

[thinwater]

Many times. It is the ONLY inlet between the Bays that does not break.


Regarding water, call the USCG on the non-emergency number and ask. I have done that when approaching after a major storm; they will know if the channel has shifted. I don't think I've ever seen less than 7 feet.


Call the harbor master (Merrit) regarding slips. I would actually in to the town dock and pull up to the bulkhead. It's farther, but you are in town and there is fun stuff there.


(that's my cat on the bulkhead)

[bdbcat]

Anchoring can be problematic.
Good sand holding, but lots and lots of current. This inlet drains a huge estuary.
This tidal current over the persistent southeast wind can make for an uncomfortable night.


Have fun!
Dave

[Sparx]

Timely...I am thinking of stopping in Chincoteague on our way north next week. If the weather is good it will be nice to hop Cape Charles to Chincoteague to Cape May versus using Chesapeake Bay/ Delaware Bay.

[Sparx]

Thinwater, thanks for the tip.

Our cat is on the bulkhead in almost the same location as your photo.

We are enjoying the town.

The inlet does have some current, we saw 5 knots coming in but depth was good.

[Joey martin]

So I got to stand up for chincotauge inlet were here now all the way up to the town dock at Robert Reid's park with no problem just watch your navionics and the bouys this was all durring covid 19 probably the worst time prob recently dredged but everyone here including the harbor master the coast gaurd and police have been nothing but helpful I'd like to say there is a good anchorage to the left of the bay pending southern wind cuz town dock is very shallow so they let us tie up to the floating dock cuz covid 19 but we wont set out soon cuz weather and we got lucky they were so helpful but I think they would be that way to everyone some good people willing to help with local advise on good anchorages in a decent spot you always need to figure for anchorage and wind to be comfortable and it's kinda a long way in but definitely a place to avoid bad weather I cant speak for late in the year because shoveling but early it's pretty good

[Joey martin]

Shoaling* with a southern wind and you can get all the way in no motor