Affordable Marinas on the Chesapeake ??

[ron6785]

Looking to spend some time on the Cheasapeake, is there such a thing as affordable slip rentals???? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[OBXTucker]

I'm at Deltaville Marina. Probably not the cheapest, but very friendly and helpful staff. Protected harbor and deep water. Clean restrooms, laundry, pool and play area for kids (very family oriented). I'm paying about $5,000 per year for full service (inclusive of electricity). They also have a great ABYC certified yard that's very capable. Channel entrance is a little tricky, but once you've done it a couple of times, it's fine. PM me for contact information if you're interested.

The only downside that I can see is that they can't haul my boat (17'11"). I have a contract with another local yard for hurricane haul-outs and just hire a diver 3-4 times a year for cleaning.

 

[ron6785]

I'm at Deltaville Marina. Probably not the cheapest, but very friendly and helpful staff. Protected harbor and deep water. Clean restrooms, laundry, pool and play area for kids (very family oriented). I'm paying about $5,000 per year for full service (inclusive of electricity). They also have a great ABYC certified yard that's very capable. Channel entrance is a little tricky, but once you've done it a couple of times, it's fine. PM me for contact information if you're interested.

The only downside that I can see is that they can't haul my boat (17'11"). I have a contract with another local yard for hurricane haul-outs and just hire a diver 3-4 times a year for cleaning.

Thanks, I would like the information. We have some friends that have a 58 Nordhaven and are working their way up the east coast looking for somewhere to stay for one or more months. We will be coming up that way next summer and would want to stay for several months. Plan to spend the summer and fall on the east coast we have a 53MY. Where is Deltaville Marina?? Thanks Ron

 

[holtcl]

I think one of the key things you need to consider is whether or not you want covered dockage or open. Open is more plentiful and of course less expensive. Did you have thoughts as to where on the bay are you wanting to stay (e.g., lower, middle, upper)?

 

[ron6785]

I think one of the key things you need to consider is whether or not you want covered dockage or open. Open is more plentiful and of course less expensive. Did you have thoughts as to where on the bay are you wanting to stay (e.g., lower, middle, upper)?

Hi, we probably would opt for outside simply because of availabilty for 1-3 months. We will have been on the hook all fall, winter and spring so I think we'll be ready for Marina life for a while. Havn't really thought much about location other than, like most, we would like amenities like shopping, resturants, etc as close by as possible.

We're on a 53MY so a good sized finger pier is important for boarding as I will be tired of climbing up the swim platform ladder by that time. Ron

 

[holtcl]

The other question I was going to ask you is whether or not you want to be by 'the action' for example, Annapolis or Baltimore. You would probably enjoy either and for example, with Annapolis there is plenty of places you can walk to and enjoy. Dockage of course is more expensive in those areas but really it's not as bad as I expected.

Annapolis and Balto will be more expensive but you will be able to get to those amenities you want to go to. Compare around, you'll find something. I've not got experience north of Balto and would have to check my log books for what we paid south of Annapolis when we were en route here.

Good point about the finger piers, they are harder to find in Annapolis-- they have them, just too short for realistic boarding with a 53. Many marinas there set up for sailboats. Try a little marina called Petrini- John Petrini- he has limited space but there is a long transient dock that you can you use your tideride on- not much of a marina BUT right in the middle of everything in Eastport/Annapolis and secure.

Good luck!

Cheryl & Mike
Cinderella
53MY

 

[whaler23]

You may consider visiting Kent Island, across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis on the Eastern Shore. Bay Bridge Marina (all open slips, all floating docks) is nice, at least two restaurants on site, shopping nearby. Down the road slightly is Kent Narrows with Piney Narrows (nice covered slips with plenty open for monthly rental both open and covered) many restaurants nearby, outlet shopping about 3 miles away. Mears Point Marina is across the narrows from Piney Narrows Marina, a bit more crowded and noiser but nice pool and restaurant on site. Several Hotels are also on the Island if your expecting visitors. This is probably one of the nicest starting points for points both north and south on the Bay.

 

[fissioneng]

The other question I was going to ask you is whether or not you want to be by 'the action' for example, Annapolis or Baltimore. You would probably enjoy either and for example, with Annapolis there is plenty of places you can walk to and enjoy. Dockage of course is more expensive in those areas but really it's not as bad as I expected.

This is key. The northern bay is dense with marinas and facilities (and boat traffic) compared to the middle/lower bay until you get to the Hampton Roads area, which is very busy.

Solomons is one of the busier middle bay areas. South and east of that is much more rural, but has a whole different charm than Annapolis or Baltimore. There is a lot of cruising area there like the creeks on the Potomac, Great Wicomico, Oxford, Cambridge, Rappahannock, Onancock, Cape Charles, Piankatank just to name a few. Mostly small marinas and small towns, but you may like that. You have two large boats, so that will be the critical factor at these smaller marinas. If you want that, it is good that you are looking a year ahead.

 

[ron6785]

The other question I was going to ask you is whether or not you want to be by 'the action' for example, Annapolis or Baltimore. You would probably enjoy either and for example, with Annapolis there is plenty of places you can walk to and enjoy. Dockage of course is more expensive in those areas but really it's not as bad as I expected.

Annapolis and Balto will be more expensive but you will be able to get to those amenities you want to go to. Compare around, you'll find something. I've not got experience north of Balto and would have to check my log books for what we paid south of Annapolis when we were en route here.

Good point about the finger piers, they are harder to find in Annapolis-- they have them, just too short for realistic boarding with a 53. Many marinas there set up for sailboats. Try a little marina called Petrini- John Petrini- he has limited space but there is a long transient dock that you can you use your tideride on- not much of a marina BUT right in the middle of everything in Eastport/Annapolis and secure.

Good luck!

Cheryl & Mike
Cinderella
53MY[/QUOTE We intend to have transportation, but would like to be within realitively close walking distance to resturants, etc. Since we will have been traveling for about 7 months, I see this as park the boat rest for a couple of weeks and then take off on a land based vacation. Which I think would be a trip up the east coast to Maine, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

 

[ron6785]

You may consider visiting Kent Island, across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis on the Eastern Shore. Bay Bridge Marina (all open slips, all floating docks) is nice, at least two restaurants on site, shopping nearby. Down the road slightly is Kent Narrows with Piney Narrows (nice covered slips with plenty open for monthly rental both open and covered) many restaurants nearby, outlet shopping about 3 miles away. Mears Point Marina is across the narrows from Piney Narrows Marina, a bit more crowded and noiser but nice pool and restaurant on site. Several Hotels are also on the Island if your expecting visitors. This is probably one of the nicest starting points for points both north and south on the Bay.

Hey, thanks this is great information, you know most marinas are a trade off. If they're located close to a desireable location, city , resturants etc they generally are more expensive and lack some ammenities. If they have great ammenities, pool, golf, they're generally a little more distantly located. I'll look these locations up on the internet. Thanks again! Ron

 

[ron6785]

You may consider visiting Kent Island, across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis on the Eastern Shore. Bay Bridge Marina (all open slips, all floating docks) is nice, at least two restaurants on site, shopping nearby. Down the road slightly is Kent Narrows with Piney Narrows (nice covered slips with plenty open for monthly rental both open and covered) many restaurants nearby, outlet shopping about 3 miles away. Mears Point Marina is across the narrows from Piney Narrows Marina, a bit more crowded and noiser but nice pool and restaurant on site. Several Hotels are also on the Island if your expecting visitors. This is probably one of the nicest starting points for points both north and south on the Bay.

Thanks Scott, Piney Narrows looks promising, might be reading it wrong but doesn't look like Bay Bridge Marina has anything for 60' boats except a daily rate.
Ron

 

[ron6785]

This is key. The northern bay is dense with marinas and facilities (and boat traffic) compared to the middle/lower bay until you get to the Hampton Roads area, which is very busy.

Solomons is one of the busier middle bay areas. South and east of that is much more rural, but has a whole different charm than Annapolis or Baltimore. There is a lot of cruising area there like the creeks on the Potomac, Great Wicomico, Oxford, Cambridge, Rappahannock, Onancock, Cape Charles, Piankatank just to name a few. Mostly small marinas and small towns, but you may like that. You have two large boats, so that will be the critical factor at these smaller marinas. If you want that, it is good that you are looking a year ahead.

We are by nature a gregarious couple and have never really enjoyed week after week on the hook with nothing to do except dink around, work on the boat and read. We expect to have done alot of that,that being said however we do prefer staying on the hook if possible simply because we outfitted the boat to do that. On problem will be that we do intend to bring our truck/camper to take some land based excursions. By nature we would prefer a "Salty Marina" atmosphere as opposed to Lets drink Martinis on the fantail, its the weekend, type crowd. Thanks for the info. Ron

PS> Not that I have anything against Martinis!!

 

[MikeP]

"We will have been on the hook all fall, winter and spring so I think we'll be ready for Marina life for a while. "

Yep, marina life is great, like living in a trailer park but with the advantage that you are a lot closer to your neighbors!

But seriously, we really enjoy Piney Narrows and I don't think you can beat the Kent Island area for general Bay access.

 

[boatwright]

tall timbers,in herring creek, on the potomac if your looking for layed back and not a lot of $. . very accommidating ,did i mention layed back? if your retired military check with the NAS on the patuxent they have a marina

 

[ron6785]

"We will have been on the hook all fall, winter and spring so I think we'll be ready for Marina life for a while. "

Yep, marina life is great, like living in a trailer park but with the advantage that you are a lot closer to your neighbors!

But seriously, we really enjoy Piney Narrows and I don't think you can beat the Kent Island area for general Bay access.

Hey Mike, yea Piney Narrows does look great, since you were there I guess the finger piers are long enough for boarding on your 53MY> Ron PS: the real reason for the Marina is that we want to go on a land based vacation with the final destination of Newfoundland for the month of August. Had planned to do that this year, leaving the boat at Joe Wheeler State Park on the Tennessee, but just didn't want to risk going thru the gloop in Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay. We'll try again this fall. Ron

PS: Do you spend the winters in San Miguel and the summers on the boat on the east coast?? We've traveled all over Mexico guess I'm getting old but the violence scares me for traveling by bus or car.

 

[MikeP]

"PS: Do you spend the winters in San Miguel and the summers on the boat on the east coast?? We've traveled all over Mexico guess I'm getting old but the violence scares me for traveling by bus or car."

No, my wife's job is in Mexico City so that's where we live for now (rental house). We bought a house in San Miguel de Allende, about 170 miles N of Mexico City, and drive up there for long weekends (heading up there tomorrow morning). I go to the boat 2 times a year for an extended period, usually mid Apr to mid Jun and then again Sep - Oct. Then once more in Dec for 10 days to winterize. My wife comes to the boat for 2 weeks in Jun and in late Sep.

When my wife retires we plan to be on the boat more but we don't really care to be there in mid summer. So the boat time would be about the same for me but she would be there the whole time that I am. San Miguel is nice almost anytime of the year though it can be a bit chilly at night (houses have no heat) in Dec/Jan. So we'd spend summer there and the winter in San Antonio, TX. All of this is, of course, subject to change!

 

[Skip]

We have a similar plan with Mad Hatteras. We put the boat on the hard for winter in Rock Hall (much cheaper than Annapolis marinas) and vacation at our home in North Fort Myers. In the summer we button up the house and go to the boat at Haven Harbour Marina.

 

[ron6785]

We have a similar plan with Mad Hatteras. We put the boat on the hard for winter in Rock Hall (much cheaper than Annapolis marinas) and vacation at our home in North Fort Myers. In the summer we button up the house and go to the boat at Haven Harbour Marina.

Is Rock Hall a marina as well as haul out, and where is it??? We sold our house about two years ago. We're down to our boat and a truck/camper. I don't think we'll own a home again but after the next three years of cruising, we'll buy another motor home and spend the summers in either the Canadian Maritimes or Oregon Coast/ British Columbia. The winters will be on the boat somewhere in the Caribe.

 

[ron6785]

"PS: Do you spend the winters in San Miguel and the summers on the boat on the east coast?? We've traveled all over Mexico guess I'm getting old but the violence scares me for traveling by bus or car."

No, my wife's job is in Mexico City so that's where we live for now (rental house). We bought a house in San Miguel de Allende, about 170 miles N of Mexico City, and drive up there for long weekends (heading up there tomorrow morning). I go to the boat 2 times a year for an extended period, usually mid Apr to mid Jun and then again Sep - Oct. Then once more in Dec for 10 days to winterize. My wife comes to the boat for 2 weeks in Jun and in late Sep.

When my wife retires we plan to be on the boat more but we don't really care to be there in mid summer. So the boat time would be about the same for me but she would be there the whole time that I am. San Miguel is nice almost anytime of the year though it can be a bit chilly at night (houses have no heat) in Dec/Jan. So we'd spend summer there and the winter in San Antonio, TX. All of this is, of course, subject to change!

Really liked San Miguel, and your right about the climate the same goes for Cuernavaca. Heck you don't even have to speak spanish in San Miguel there are so many Americans who own the stores and shops. Had the best Chateau Brionne I've ever had there. I like the way most Americans have intergrated into the communities there , rather than these huge american enclaves like in so many areas.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I can speak well for Solomons as well as Annapolis. I spent years at Piney Narrows and it is one of the best marinas I have ever been in. They have their act together pretty well. I can't think of a marina on the Bay where you can really do without a car, though- is there anywhere on the Bay that everything is within bike or walking distance?

In Annapolis, Mears is nice, Port Annapolis is nice, the Yacht Basin is nice (but noisy as it is right downtown)

You might also look at Herrington Harbor and Herrington Harbor North- two very nice marinas on the Western Shore- again, you have to drive to everything else, but they are nice places and well sheltered.

There are several excellent marinas in Baltimore. They will cost more, but amenities are close. Probably Anchorage in Fells' Point and Lighthouse Point would suit you. At the Anchorage, you probably could just about walk to everything you needed- Fells' Point and Canton have gone modern and are very tourist-friendly. They didn't use to be.