CSR Northeast Flotilla 2018 (Heading to Chesapeake Bay)

[Alex F]

Greetings to all,

The spring is finally here, it’s time to start planning our flotilla trip.

Over the years we’ve covered lots of beautiful ports NE has to offer. During our 2016 trip, we’ve made an attempt to visit Martha’s Vineyard, but the weather Gods had a different plan for us. We took it as a “hint” and after tossing around few ideas, we made the decision on doing two weeks trip to Chesapeake Bay area.

WHEN:
2 weeks July 28th to August 12th

ITINERARY:

To bring back some great memories, here are the links to our previous Flotilla and rendezvous:

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/csr-northeast-flotilla-2017.82198/
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/csr-northeast-flotilla-2016.76231/
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/csr-northeast-flotilla-2015.71232/
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/csr-northeast-flotilla-2014.64375/
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/csr-northeast-flotilla-2013.57225/
LI Rendezvous - 2012
LI Rendezvous - 2011
LI Rendezvous 2010

Who's signing up for our official CSR Northeast Flotilla 2018?

List of Participants for the Flotilla:
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From]

Traveling From NE (NY tri-state area)
List of Participants for the Flotilla:
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From]
1. "Alex F": Alex and Jelena, Michelle(21), Daniel(13), "Inspiration" 420DB, LIS
2. "Greg": Greg and Colleen, Tiffany(20), Ashley(15), Zachary(15), "Lady TAZ" 480DB, Hudson River
3. "Havana Shamrock" Joe and Martha, kids TBD, Dublin (Kerry blue Terrier), "MOJO" 500DB, LIS
4. "Larry": Larry and Melina, Greg (15), "Miss Melina" 420DA, LIS
5. “Vise Aversa”: Vinny and Robin, Vincent (17), Michael (16), “Vise Aversa” 520DB, GSB
6. “swaterhouse”: Scott and Roseann, Jenna(5), “Daddys Toy” 44DA, Buzzards Bay
7. ?

Joining in Chesapeake Bay Area
1. "ImportMonkey": Toby, Jen, Madelyn (7) and Lydia (4), "NeverLand" 44DA, Middle River
2. "Gimme Time": John and Amy, "Gimme Time II" 520DB, Chesapeake Bay South
3. "FootballFan": Mark and Deborah (and Mabry, 5.5 pound Maltese), "Mersea" Marquis 59, Chesapeake Area.
4. ?

VHF Communication:
69- primary channel to communicate with the group.
72- backup channel if we get too much noise on 69.
16 - is always on. This will be the channel to use in case if we don't get response on 69 or 72. Once the communication is established with a vessel we'll ask to switch to 69 or 72, whichever will be the better option at the time.
13 – Scanning for bridges and commercial traffic communication

NOTE: This page will periodically get updated with important information. Please check here once in a while.

FAQ (this is mostly for new people who didn’t have a chance to join us in the past)

Q1: How do I sign up?
A1: Simply post in this thread or PM me stating that you wish to participate. We'll need the following basic info, which will be placed on the first page in the list of the participants (table offerings can be left alone for now, as it will be addressed much closer to the Flotilla date):
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From]

Example:
"Alex F": Alex and Jelena, kids Michelle(20), Daniel(12), "Inspiration" 420DB, LIS area

Q2: How’s a Flotilla different from a regular Rendezvous?
A2: The group will not just meet up at a marina, but we will travel from port to port as a group and our destinations will be mixed between marinas, mooring and/or just anchorage in a beautiful cove or designated anchorage area.

Q3: Am I obligated to stay with the flotilla the duration of the entire trip?
A3: Absolutely not. Anyone should feel free to join the flotilla and take off anytime they desire, or their schedule allows. We perfectly understand that you have other commitments/obligations.

Q4: Do we have to travel together from port to port?
A4: No. It’s obviously a lot more fun (and not to mention safer) to travel as one caravan, but if you wish to run on your own schedule (e.g. arrive to a destination earlier or later), feel free to do so and we’ll see you there.

Q5: What we do (activities wise) once settle in a port?
A5: We always try to come up with a list of fun activities that might interest most people. But, don’t forget that this is your vacation time and if you wish to do something totally different, by all means, we’ll sea ya later.

Q6: How’s dining arranged for the rest of the trip (after the official feast)?
A6: In the course of the whole week we’ll have mixed ways of dining. There are nights when we just want to have BBQ party (either on the rafted boats or a marina), but for the most part we’ll dine out as a group in fine local restaurants that will be able to accommodate our group. Thus, advanced reservations will be necessary. But, as always, if you’d like to have your own arrangement, feel free to do so. No hard feelings.

Those are just few that came from the top of my head. Have more questions? Feel free to ask.

Cheers,
Alex.

 

[Gimme Time]

Gimme Time II from lower bay is interested and open during that window, we’d probably meet up at Have de Grace or Baltimore preferably Baltimore Marine Center trying to catch a game ! Will confirm within a couple weeks once I know more about a rotator cup surgery being added to my schedule without any desire but required!

 

[quality time]

Not sure how much research you've done but it will be hard to find that much dock space in Havre de Grace and Chesapeake City (especially on a weekend).

 

[Alex F]

Gimme Time,
It would be great if you can make it.

Quality Time,
Good points on the timing. Perhaps we'll have to visit Harve de Grace on a weekday, as it doesn't seem to have good and protected anchorage. Do you have recommendations on a marina?

In Chesapeake City, we can probably drop a hook. It's a nice and very protected harbor. I've stayed there in the past. Hopefully, there's enough room during peak season.

 

[doozie]

It’s Fairlee Creek, which is a great place to anchor out. Tolchester if you do a weekend with the music and beach bar is a great place. we will try an catch up to the group for a weekend

 

[Alex F]

It’s Fairlee Creek, which is a great place to anchor out. Tolchester if you do a weekend with the music and beach bar is a great place. we will try an catch up to the group for a weekend

Thanks Doozie. I got Fairlee Creek on the list. It's sounds like a great place to visit. I guess, we can take the dinghies to the Tolchester beach from FK anchorage.

If you have more tips, please feel free to share. It would be great if we can meet up.

 

[Converse48]

You're in my wheelhouse here. Here's my nickel's worth of free advice:

1- You can not dinghy from Fairlee Creek to Tolchester. At least not sanely. There is a marina a Tolchester, but I'm not sure the beach bar is worth the stop.

2- Agree with comments on HdG. Even on a weekday it may be tough to find dockage. It's a nice town, but not really set up for transients and forget anchoring.

3- From the bridge above, I see a bunch of new floating docks in Chesapeake City. Not sure what marina (probably a restaurant) they are with but worth checking out. And I do believe they dredged the cove (again) so as you said, anchoring is a possibility.

4- St. Michaels you may also have a hard time finding dockage for a number of boats unless you plan/reserve well ahead. Stay at St. Michaels Marina (vs St Michaels Harbor Inn) if possible as it is on the "town side". Expect near Martha's Vineyard pricing for slips in St. M (supply and demand). But you can anchor there just off the town.

5- By "Kent Island" I assume you mean Kent Narrows? If so, Mears Point is the place (and my home marina--- stop by for a beer).

6- In Annapolis you will likely want to stay in the other Mears Marina on Back Creek. Ego Alley is the best spot but also tough, if not impossible, to get a bunch of boats in there.

7- In Rock Hall I would suggest Rock Hall Landing on the harbor versus Haven Harbor or Osprey Point. HH and OP are very nice, but RHL puts you on the harbor--- in the action--- and walking distance to the waterfront restaurants. There is a "taxi" (Jeep towing a jitney) so you can get anywhere, but the harbor is just a preference.

8- Fairlee- you can anchor or stay at yet another Mears property- Great Oak. I swear I have no commercial interest in Mears Marina's they just happen to be everywhere (like Brewers up your way).

9- Still Pond- You can anchor "outside" with the masses, or if you want to get nuts someone can walk you through the local knowledge to get "inside" (behind the old CG station) where it is much nicer. I may join y'all there depending on timing.

P.S. Alex- I saw your boat at Galleon over New Years, I was there too, but I never saw you on the boat. Small world.

 

[Alex F]

Thanks for great tips, Tim.

It sounds like the situation at HdG is pretty clear. We have to reserve a marina in advance, as there's not much for a plan B.

You reminded me about the docks in Chesa City. I've had no problem anchoring in the harbor, and recall not going to the docks after reading comments on AC regarding shallow water. It would be a good idea to call the town to clarify the depth situation. I have no doubts that during the summer the few free slips will be taken, so dropping a hook might be more realistic option.

St. Michaels - It's nice to have options there. Since there are few anchorage options, I'd vote for it as prefered option in order to maintain schedule flexibility. There seems to be a dinghy dockage, which makes things a lot easier. This looks to be a great place to bike around. I can see that staying here for 2 nights would make sense.

Kent Island - Yes, Kent Narrows indeed. I was reading about some things to-do on none boating sites and they all point to Kent Island. We're still in discovery mode, but Mears Point Marina does look like a preferred place to stay. We'll definitely connect, if we end up going there.

Annapolis - As you said, Mears seems to be an excellent choice. Marking it as a primary candidate. We'll just have to make advance reservations here.

Made a note on Rock Hall Landing. We'll need advance reservations here as well.

Fairlee Creek - It sounds like a great gunk hole, so I'd vote staying on the hook here.

Still Pond - I see what you mean. Another great gunk hole. Some local knowledge to get us "inside" would be greatly appreciated. I'm surprised there are very few older posts on AC on this passage.

If you could join us, that would be excellent.

Galleon - we love it. Small world without a doubt....the more we cruise the more we realise it. You should have drop me a PM or a note on the boat, so we could get together. Next time don't be shy.

 

[Michael Mirra]

North Point marina in rock hall has been advertising that they are interested in hosting events. It a great marina walking distance to bars an Watermans Rrsturant. You may want to consider them for a stop

 

[FootballFan]

Would also throw Cambridge out. There is a Hyatt there which has a pretty good size marina.

 

[Gimme Time]

We luv the Hyatt as it has great facilities especially with kids. They have a great golf course which we always try to play and pools for everyone and Lyle wife likes the pool side service.

 

[quality time]

As Tim mentioned, there just isn't enough dock space available in Havre de Grace for multiple 40-50' boats. Although we like the town I would forgo it in favor of the Cambridge Hyatt or add Solomon's to your list.

Chesapeake City basin was dredged this winter so anchoring won't be an issue there. The Chesapeake Inn is hopping on Friday and Saturday nights so you may want to be there during the week unless you don't mind the noise until 2:00 am. Probably enough dock space at the Inn during the week but not really enough to do here for more than a night.

 

[swaterhouse]

Alex, we are trying to figure out schedules, but are seriously leaning towards joining this trip. We had an awesome adventure up to Maine last summer, only thing we wished for was a bit more warmth and lot less fog!

I know your early in planning but what dates were you thinking of being in AC/Cape May? Were two long days from there, or three "semi-reasonable" (for my crew at least). I usually need to bribe them with something for runs longer than 5 hours!

I don't have a ton of input on locations as we never had a boat when we lived outside DC, but we had a friend in Solomons, was a cool place, and our favorite weekend hangout was Annapolis.

 

[Alex F]

I just spoke to Tide Waters marina. They are willing and capable accommodating our group. Besides having slips, if we'd like, we can even take moorings. Anyway, all they ask for is just reasonably advanced notice.

Cambridge Hyatt or Solomon's are definitely great and appealing suggestion. I was just thinking that it would require multiple trips to explore the entire Chesapeake Bay area. So, I broke it down in 3 logical sections. For this trip, I would prefer to stay in the NW section having the ports within 20-30NM range, having St. Michaels furthest Easterly destination.

It looks as just these ports already exceeding two weeks long time limit, unless we choose to spend only 1 night in some of them:
Chesapeake City,
Havre de Grace,
Baltimore,
Rock Hall,
Annapolis,
Kent Island,
St. Michaels,
Still Pond,
Fairly Creek

 

[Alex F]

Alex, we are trying to figure out schedules, but are seriously leaning towards joining this trip. We had an awesome adventure up to Maine last summer, only thing we wished for was a bit more warmth and lot less fog!

I know your early in planning but what dates were you thinking of being in AC/Cape May? Were two long days from there, or three "semi-reasonable" (for my crew at least). I usually need to bribe them with something for runs longer than 5 hours!

I don't have a ton of input on locations as we never had a boat when we lived outside DC, but we had a friend in Solomons, was a cool place, and our favorite weekend hangout was Annapolis.

Hey Scott,
It's very early to put hard dates on those midway stops and quite frankly, those are the least of my concerns. What I mean is that at least until we have the itinerary ironed out, I'd rather focus on the ports where we have marina reservations for two nights stay, b/c that's where we'd be committed as a big group.

Getting there and back might mean that not everyone is travelling together due to different schedules. But, this is yet TBD and we'll have much better idea on it as we get closer to the date.

Bribing your crew for 5hrs cruise.....we're a "perfect match". After 5hrs of cruising my crew is just starting to roll out for breakfast....LOL...

 

[Converse48]

Alex-
May I suggest you adjust the order of your itinerary as follows (to follow more of counter clockwise route and to shorten the runs):
Chesapeake City,
Havre de Grace,
Baltimore,
Annapolis,
St. Michaels,
Kent Island,
Rock Hall,
Fairlee (not Fairly) Creek,
Still Pond

 

[swaterhouse]

We are in! Not sure on arrival/departure timing or whether our daughter will join us the whole trip but we will figure those out after we get a rough schedule mapped out.

“swaterhouse”: Scott and Roseann, Jenna(5), “Daddys Toy” 44DA, Buzzards Bay

 

[gmacd81]

While I agree with Annapolis, IMHO Mears is not the place to stay. But across Back Creek is at Annapolis Landing Marina. Great folks, easy access and can possibly make arrangements with Ralph, the dockmaster, ahead of time. It's a quick dinghy to anywhere in Naptown.

 

[importmonkey]

We're in. Not sure we'll be with the group the while time, but we'll certainly meet up since you'll be in our back yard! Can't wait!

P.S. will probably just head back to our home port so won't need a slip when you're staying over.

ImportMonkey
on NeverLand - 44DA
out of Middle River
Toby, Jen, Madelyn and Lydia

 

[Gimme Time]

Gimme Time II is in and on our calendar. We will determine where we will catch ya as we’re coming from the Southern Part of the Chesapeake Bay.

My suggestion would to come down the Eastern side of the bay from the C&D canal and spend a night or two at Still Pond weather dependent.

Next head to Kent Island probably for just one night IMHO as it’s a great bar area which attracts big weekend crowds for the most part.

Take the cut and head to St Michael’s for two “Week Days” as weekends are tough to bring a large group to with out well advanced planning which can also be week day problem as well pending other yacht clubs that headed there.

On to Cambridge Hyatt for two/three days which everyone loves especially kids, golfers, tennis and great multiple pool choices.

I don’t know enough about Farley Creek but they can be plugged into the slot wherever route wise she best fits.

Next on to Annapolis and the size of the group will control your options. Meats is good but the number of boats can present a problem. Ego Alley is a lot of fun and other than a few slips most are all first come first serve. The morning field there works well especially with tenders which a lot have on board but the water taxi will also transport ya back and forth. Again week days are the most open time time wise here.

Head to Baltimore with several options to choose from Baltimore Marine Centers multiple locations, Harbor East, Anchorage Marine Center all have pros with few cons depending on what, where ya want to be closest to.

Hope this helps as we’ve done most all of them and the size of the group and getting it set up quickly if not already to late will determine a lot of options. The Gods just need to set the dates, times & locations pretty quickly so anyone desiring to attend can get on the phone a make their reservations ASAP.

I intentionally left off the top part of the bay as the itenarary Thier will be predicated on those traveling from the north. As all know the weather holds all the trump cards and the Chesapeake Bay can get ya with those short close together little perky things that can spoil a run.

AJ