Chesapeake Cruising

[edbuchanan]

Howdy,
     My six year old son (Fred), wife (Sarah), and myself just completed a three week cruise in the Chesapeake aboard Molly, our 1984 23/II.  As this was my son's first long cruise, we kept it near our home port.  That was unnecessary as he never got bored.  Starting in Annapolis, we visited: Kent Narrows, St. Michaels, Tilghman Island, Oxford, Tilghman Island (again),  and Chesapeake Beach MD.  About 104 nautical miles made good.  The weather was really hot for most of the first two weeks, but cooled considerably during the third.  We're already planning next year's trip!
                                                                 Ernie

[PM Field]

Ernie,
   I would love to hear more about what you thought were the best spots. I am based at Bowley's Marina (behind Martin State Airport north of Baltimore) and want to take my son William (age and daughter Kate (age 5) on some kind of extended cruise in the next few weeks (maybe one or two nights overnight). Any thoughts or suggestions? I have a 1992 CP 23/3.

Mike Field
pmf@jhu.edu
Baltimore

[edbuchanan]

Hi Mike,
     The best place for you might be St. Michaels.  You should become a member at the St. Michaels Maritime Museum, it costs $75.00, but you can get a nice slip for bargain prices (for St. Michaels!) once you are a member.  The museum will  keep your kids busy forever.  Be careful, you need reservations for a weekend stay.  Other marinas in St. Michaels are very expensive, and cramped.  St. Michaels has interesting architecture, and a good grocery store.
     Another possibility is Knapps Narrows on Tilghman Island.  "The Inn at Knapp's Narrows Marina" has a nice pool, it is the cheapest(?), and they let transients use the air conditioned lobby to escape the heat.  The marina restaurant is excellent.  Buddy's is located about 1/2 mile away and has good home-style dinners.  Your kids will love watching the draw-bridge contantly operating for the work-boat traffic.  Some nice nature on Tilghman.  Watch the currents here, pilings make wakes, and it is not for the inexperienced.
                                                                     Ernie