RVing/Sailing Lifestyle: Chesapeake Bay June 2016

We just got back from a great 5-days of sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Ruth and I (Drew) went with our good friends Karen and Bruce. We've sailed with them previously on the Bay and we're scheduled to go again together in the fall for a trip to Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands. Our itinerary for this strip started us out in Rock Hall Maryland with stays at Worton Creek, Middle River, and the Magothy River prior to heading back to Rock Hall. The Charter Company we used was Haven Yacht Charters and we bare-boated a 33' Bavaria Sloop.

This trip had a little bit of everything and some really good wind. We arrived on a Monday and since you can't get out until noon, we just sailed outside of Rock Hall in the bay and then returned to our slip. Tuesday we traveled up and tried to get into Fairlee Creek, but after bumping bottom 3-times we opted to go up to Worton Creek instead. A little local knowledge would have helped here. We know to cut the green "3" coming out of Rock Hall but don't know how to get into Fairlee Creek, yet.

Our 33' Sloop for the week, Amphitrite

Bruce at the Helm

Karen in control

Ruth knows how to relax

Small squall coming through

Wednesday presented a little bit of excitement for us. We checked the weather the day before and things looked clear for Wednesday. A little complacency set in and we neglected to check the forecast for Wednesday before leaving Worton Creek. Half-way across the Bay we say a huge line of clouds coming through and mist on the water. Be afraid of the mist. Dropping sails we turned on the motor and headed directly into the wind. We were greeted with 50+ knots of wind and the seas quickly come up and presented some pretty steep waves. The storm lasted 45 minutes but we safely made it to the other side and headed straight for the Marina in Middle River.

Bruce at the helm during the storm

Does he look worried?

Clear skies on the other side

Oasis after the storm

Big lesson here, don't be complacent and check the weather before EVERY outing no matter how calm it looks when you start out. This is by far the worst weather I've ever experienced out on a sail and it would be best to avoid it if possible. The Marina at Long Beach was great. Things we still blowing at 30 knots when we arrived and they sent out plenty of help to get us safely to dock. The facility is being renovated and it was a fantastic stop with very friendly staff.

Thursday we had a nice beam reach with 20 knot winds all the way down to Magothy Creek where we enjoyed our last night before returning to Rock Hall, Maryland. We did a little anchoring and swimming off Dobbins Island and had another fast beam reach sail from Magothy Creek to Rock Hall averaging over 7 knots in speed.