CHESAPEAKE MATES CHAPTER GATHERING

[demag67]

the upper chesapeake is nice. im not sure how well a smaller mate would handle it though. i like boating there as gives you many options. chesapeake inn, jelly fish joels, nauti goose, 5 o clock somewhere and more. some nice places to raft up at too.

 

[Ramifications]

I'm in for the upper Chesapeake. Although the main bay may not be small boat friendly, there are many rivers to run in the area. Chester, Magothy, Wye, patapsco, Severn etc...

Philster - What area of the upper Chesapeake are you thinking?

 

[Jetmate]

I still like Ocean City, Maryland and Assawoman Bay,,,,, But I never am sure exactly what week I can get off. Have always wanted to run that area and have been to OC many, many times, just never took my boat. Lotta fun even with out the boat!

I don't wanna vote and then not be able to make that week!

 

[Philster]

I'm in for the upper Chesapeake. Although the main bay may not be small boat friendly, there are many rivers to run in the area. Chester, Magothy, Wye, patapsco, Severn etc...

Philster - What area of the upper Chesapeake are you thinking?

You can raft up at Lloyds Creek, along the Bohemia, Sand Island, etc and launch from various areas that suit people. Launch at/near the Susquehana in Maryland; North East, MD or Turkey Point or Eastern Shore of Maryland near the Bohemia or Sassafras. Another option is launching at Delaware City, DE and zooming down the Canal (which is actually faster than driving west on land for many). Most ramps are outstanding with good parking.

You just avoid hours and hours of traffic and there are centralized rendezvous spots.

If you are trailering to a shore/beach town that day... just wow. Smaller boats?

Launch in the Bohemia or Sassafras. I suspect the idea for smaller vessels is to avoid large barges and such, which are hard to avoid at the top of the channel and the canal.

I'd rather drive a longer distance and not sit in hours and hours of shore traffic and deal with hammerheads at the shore/beach.

 

[Ramifications]

Any location sounds good to me. We really just need to set a location so we can figure out a date.

I think the poll thread is closed in a week or so...

 

[DropTop5.0]

I don't really have an opinion as to where to go. If it's small boat friendly, I should be able to make it.

 

[Jetmate]

I'm in for the upper Chesapeake. Although the main bay may not be small boat friendly, there are many rivers to run in the area. Chester, Magothy, Wye, patapsco, Severn etc...

Philster - What area of the upper Chesapeake are you thinking?

I run out of the Magothy. It is a nice river. Everyone gathers at Dobbins Island, it has a nice sandy beach and sand bar for swimming and rafting up.

Dobbins Island









The snowball pontoon boat also sells hotdogs, but usually runs out early!
A lot of people spend the night on their boats. Something to kick around. Sandy point, near by, has a great boat ramp. I can help out with details if we go with Magothy River and Dobbins Island.....

 

[Ramifications]

Yes, the Magothy is very nice and Dobbins Island is a cool place to hang out. The island gets wild at night






and Chestertown, Kent Narrows and Rock Hall are only a short ride away with many restaurants that are accessible by boat.


Chestertown

 

[keith4216]

All of the bay is just a boat ride away from me. So of course I'm in for those. Only question about those is lodgeing. I would stay on boat but the smaller boats would need a place to stay or a tent. I would guess there are places around, I have never looked not needing one! I think we need something in stone soon so guys can get off and make arrangements.
AND have something to look forward too!!

I'm still up for whatever, I'm just 100% on the bay and 90 somewhere else. Basically the wife still has leaving the baby issues. What ever the majority wants is cool with me, I'll just not tell her where were going. lol

 

[keith4216]

We need a date so Big Red can haul his toon down to cook us burgers and carry our coolers!

 

[demag67]

if i remeber correctly you can bid more than one spot. better hurry though as it ends next week i think

 

[Jetmate]

I vote for Dobbins Island. Free vintage jetboat rides until I run out of gas !
Keith said he will tow me in after that............. LOL


Sandy Point boat ramps 22 ramps in all:

http://www.stateparks.com/sandy_point.html

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/pdfs/BoatingAccessInformationAnneArundel14.pdf

 

[keith4216]

Wondering?
I know the ramp is real close to the river but is there lodging close to the ramp?
The island is really nice but i'm sure not everyone would camp out. Any marinas on that river that one could stay overnight as too have power and a bathroom?


Just looked real quick, seems theres a couple. Just wondering if you have been to any? any opinion of them?
This site has some cool pics of the river and island
http://marinas.com/view/overview/1601_Magothy_River_Annapolis_MD_United_States

 

[Jetmate]

I know there are hotels on either side of the Bay Bridge, and plenty of lodging and places to eat at Kent narrows. I am heading over the Bridge Monday. I will have to take note of hotels near Sandy Point.

For those not familiar with the area, Sandy Point is right off Rt.50 on the western shore of the bay, right before you hit the Bay Bridge. You can see the mouth of the Magothy River where Dobbins Island is located from the bridge, less than a half mile away.

Pics of Sandy point ramps and parking, found them on you sight Keith:

http://marinas.com/view/marina/5159_Sandy_Point_State_Park_Marina_Annapolis_MD_United_States

I'm book marking that sight, Keith. Best one I've seen for that type of info.

 

[Philster]

Sweet area. Don't know lodging specifics, but there are tons in that area.

Kent Narrows ramp is awesome.

 

[Ramifications]

Regardless of where it happens to be, what does everyone think of dates? I figured we could start throwing some dates around from now. If everyone puts in dates that will work for them, we should be able to find a date that will work for everyone. I'm in for anytime after mid-May.

 

[demag67]

start putting votes in for the chesapeake. if that wins then we can have it at dobbins island. i would like to start looking at dates also. we are expecting our 2nd child at beginning of august so im hoping its not going to be around then. if we have it at dobbins i will probably put in at rock hall and run over if someone wants to cruise over with me. doubt i will be bringing my family since the wife will either be pregnant or will have the newborn. we could always try to have two gatherings. one early summer and one late summer possibly. maybe do one in jersey and one in md. not sure if i will be able to swing both unless i get a couple of buddies to chip in since funds will be a little short with work getting cut back, buying a house this year and another baby on the way.

 

[Jetmate]

I'm thinking Mid June or later to give everyone plenty of time to have there boats ready..

Anyone know if Ezstriper will come? He is in Va.

 

[Ramifications]

If I could change my vote, I would now vote for the upper Chesapeake. I voted for LBI, but only because of the vagueness of the "upper Chesapeake" at the time.

Now that I know where on the Chesapeake, I would much rather have it there. If the central location would be Dobbins Island, I will rent a trawler again and anchor up there for the "gathering" I have rented a trawler out of Kent Narrows a few times in the past and cruised around the upper bay for a week. That could serve as command central and a photo platform for the gathering. The blue boat in my pictures posted of Dobbins Island is the one. If anyone else is interested in doing the same thing, here is the link. http://www.cccharters.com/charter_fleet.php you just have to pass a basic seamanship test

What do you think guys, a write in for change of vote?(LBI to Dobbins) and Philster, since you can't vote yet you should also get a write in.

 

[Jetmate]

Nice looking trawler. That would be great as a base. How long would get it for?