Hello, Chesapeake Bay people, need some info...

[ourlee]

Hello,
We’re moving to North East MD and we’re going to wet slip the boat in Charlestown April to November. The salt content is pretty low at the top of the bay but I’m wondering if I should bottom paint to be safe. We’ll be running down to Baltimore and Annapolis a few times a season but I’ll remove and clean the boat the next day.
Also, will I run into any problems handling the bay in my 07 250 bow rider? My 6 mile NJ lake is super mellow, I’m guessing the bay will be harsher the further south i venture. Any local knowledge shared on how a bow rider will perform on this bay is appreciated.
Many thx,
Rick

 

[Troch1]

My opinion is that any boat stored in-water should have bottom paint. You'll get slime and most likely barnacles even in North East. Summer water temps in the upper bay get into the low 90's nowadays which really fuels the growth. Could you get by with pulling your boat regularly and scrubbing....maybe, but if that's not a realistic option, just bottom paint it properly.

You are certainly correct that the bay will be more sporting than most lakes, but your boat will do just fine. I've boated for the past 7 years in the upper bay, initially in a 24' Monterey bow rider, now in my Yamaha 242x and have zero issues. Don't be an idiot, know your boat and your limitations, pick your long trip days wisely and you'll have a blast. Yes, the further south you go, the more the bay opens up, meaning more wind waves, bigger boats, more boats, etc. Down around the Bay Bridge (Annapolis) it can get downright rough most days with a boat this size, but still very do-able if you have common sense. We make trips to Baltimore, Annapolis, and much further south to the Choptank River yearly in our 242x and have no problems. If you don't already have trim tabs on your boat, absolutely buy them as they'll improve your ride in the confused chop of the bay.

Have an awesome season and I'm sure we'll see each other out there!

 

[ourlee]

My opinion is that any boat stored in-water should have bottom paint. You'll get slime and most likely barnacles even in North East. Summer water temps in the upper bay get into the low 90's nowadays which really fuels the growth. Could you get by with pulling your boat regularly and scrubbing....maybe, but if that's not a realistic option, just bottom paint it properly.

You are certainly correct that the bay will be more sporting than most lakes, but your boat will do just fine. I've boated for the past 7 years in the upper bay, initially in a 24' Monterey bow rider, now in my Yamaha 242x and have zero issues. Don't be an idiot, know your boat and your limitations, pick your long trip days wisely and you'll have a blast. Yes, the further south you go, the more the bay opens up, meaning more wind waves, bigger boats, more boats, etc. Down around the Bay Bridge (Annapolis) it can get downright rough most days with a boat this size, but still very do-able if you have common sense. We make trips to Baltimore, Annapolis, and much further south to the Choptank River yearly in our 242x and have no problems. If you don't already have trim tabs on your boat, absolutely buy them as they'll improve your ride in the confused chop of the bay.

Have an awesome season and I'm sure we'll see each other out there!

Wow, I really didn’t want to sell my boat, I just bought the damn thing. So happy it’ll do fine. Appreciate your post and look forward to meeting up.
But first.....gotta sell the house
Cheers.
Rick

 

[bigwaves]

ourlee,

Welcome to the Chesapeake Bay! I would seriously think about getting bottom paint if you’re staying in the water. The guy who owns the marina where I keep my Formula will occasionally leave his Contender (no bottom paint) in the water for a few consecutive days and slime will start to grow. Barnacles too but they have not been bad at all the last couple of seasons. I’m farther south just inside the mouth of the Patapsco River. I keep the AR190 in a high and dry so no bottom paint. You might want to seek out one of those. I love the convenience of the high and dry and no bottom paint. The Formula is in the water year round but with bottom paint of course.

You’re boat will do fine on the bay. Just be smart in picking your days. I take my little AR190 out there but truthfully I’m more comfortable on the rivers and creeks with the AR190 but you have to get out in the bay to get to other rivers and creeks. Now there are days that it’s definitely a no go for me in the AR190 but there’s not much my Formula can’t handle on the bay so I’ll jump in that. I’m out there every weekend during season on one or the other.

 

[ourlee]

ourlee,

Welcome to the Chesapeake Bay! I would seriously think about getting bottom paint if you’re staying in the water. The guy who owns the marina where I keep my Formula will occasionally leave his Contender (no bottom paint) in the water for a few consecutive days and slime will start to grow. Barnacles too but they have not been bad at all the last couple of seasons. I’m farther south just inside the mouth of the Patapsco River. I keep the AR190 in a high and dry so no bottom paint. You might want to seek out one of those. I love the convenience of the high and dry and no bottom paint. The Formula is in the water year round but with bottom paint of course.

You’re boat will do fine on the bay. Just be smart in picking your days. I take my little AR190 out there but truthfully I’m more comfortable on the rivers and creeks with the AR190 but you have to get out in the bay to get to other rivers and creeks. Now there are days that it’s definitely a no go for me in the AR190 but there’s not much my Formula can’t handle on the bay so I’ll jump in that. I’m out there every weekend during season on one or the other.

Tremendous. How bout some Formula pics.

 

[bigwaves]

Tremendous. How bout some Formula pics.

Here she is

 

[ourlee]

a BEAST

 

[TimW451]

If you could, putting the boat on a lift would help to solve the problem. Unfortunately I don’t think any of the marinas in that area have them. When I looked a few years ago the only option was a high and dry.

 

[Troch1]

If you could, putting the boat on a lift would help to solve the problem. Unfortunately I don’t think any of the marinas in that area have them. When I looked a few years ago the only option was a high and dry.

I’m on the Bohemia River not too far from North East. Both Safe Harbor marinas on this river offer lifts.
In North East, Anchor Marina is the High and Dry, but they most likely are full.

 

[Sbrown]

I've been boating the upper bay since '76. We used to have a place on the Bohemia with a pier. From experience, you definitely want to get a good anti-fouling bottom paint at minimum, and I would STRONGLY recommend an epoxy barrier coat first, then the anti-fouling paint if the boat is going to stay in the water all season. Even with anti-fouling paint, you will still probably get some growth on the bottom.

 

[bigwaves]

I've been boating the upper bay since '76. We used to have a place on the Bohemia with a pier. From experience, you definitely want to get a good anti-fouling bottom paint at minimum, and I would STRONGLY recommend an epoxy barrier coat first, then the anti-fouling paint if the boat is going to stay in the water all season. Even with anti-fouling paint, you will still probably get some growth on the bottom.

Yep, even with a barrier coat and a good anti-fouling paint there will be some growth. I keep growth to a minimum by regular use and two short hauls per year for a good wash down of the hull. That’s what’s going on in one of the pics I posted above.

 

[TimW451]

Outside of Northeast, MD and nearby there are high and dry‘s in Port Deposit and “Elkton” (top of the Elk, west side, not Elkton proper). For lifts, the two Troch1 mentioned, on Back Creek = C&D Canal, then down on the Sassafras where I am are 2-3 more. Seems like marinas that cater to smaller boats, that can come out of the water, are adding more each year.

 

[Joshua Miller]

Welcome to the Chesapeake! I boat out of Gunpowder and Middle river mainly, a little south from you. Mine sits on a trailer so can’t help you with the bottom paint question. Happy boating and can’t wait for the weather to warm up.

 

[ourlee]

Outside of Northeast, MD and nearby there are high and dry‘s in Port Deposit and “Elkton” (top of the Elk, west side, not Elkton proper). For lifts, the two Troch1 mentioned, on Back Creek = C&D Canal, then down on the Sassafras where I am are 2-3 more. Seems like marinas that cater to smaller boats, that can come out of the water, are adding more each year.

I chatted with one of the marinas on Sassafras. He told me it takes 45 minutes to get to the bay, is that about right?

 

[TimW451]

I haven’t timed it, but it gotta be more like 20-25 minutes. Navionics has it at 22 min at ave speed of 30 mph.

The Sassafras is big enough that I usually stay in it. I only leave it a few times a year.

I chatted with one of the marinas on Sassafras. He told me it takes 45 minutes to get to the bay, is that about right?

 

[Troch1]

I chatted with one of the marinas on Sassafras. He told me it takes 45 minutes to get to the bay, is that about right?

I was at Skipjack for 2 seasons on the Sassafras. That comment about timing depends on how far past the no wake start zone that your Marina of choice is. That said, from Skipjack, you’ve got 10 minutes of no wake, then throttle down for 15 minutes and you are at the mouth of the River. 25 minutes total. Sass is a beautiful river. Lots of larger boats due to deeper water, so big wakes often for us “little” guys.

 

[ourlee]

I have a house builder virtual meeting next Saturday. Getting excited. Is Havre de Grace a fun downtown? (to party, not live in)

 

[ourlee]

I spoke with these guys (everybody has been super nice and helpful on the phone. I must be NJ jaded)

1 George Street, PO Box 68 Georgetown, MD 21930 – Join us, you will have a good time. We are family friendly!

www.sassafrasharbormarina.com

 

[TimW451]

Sassafras Harbor folks are very nice. That is where I wanted to be, but they have no lifts, so I’m over at Duffy Creek.

I don’t think of Havre de Grace as a place to party. (But I haven’t been there in years.) Go to Northeast instead, NautiGoose or Woodys.

 

[Jeff L24]

I chatted with one of the marinas on Sassafras. He told me it takes 45 minutes to get to the bay, is that about right?

Maybe at idle speed. I spent 5 years at Skipjack Cove on the Sassafras. I'd say 20 minutes if up on plane.