Compac Fleet assault on Tangier Island

[HeaveToo]

Talks had begun about a naval assault upon Tangier Island by the Compac Navy.  There is definite interest and, with this crowd, it reminds me of Capt. Morgan's taking of Panama. 

Memorial Day could be crazy and a lot of other people thought that it would be a BAD idea to go into Tangier during this time.  The weekend before Memorial Day is booked for a few more.  What about a Wednesday May 25 meeting at Tangier Island.  We could meet on Tuesday, May 24, at the Great Wicomico River and go over on Wednesday. 

It would be a good time, mid-week and getting a slip at Parks Marina shouldn't be a problem.  They don't take reservations last I heard. 
http://www.tangierisland-va.com/marina/

I have been into Parks Marina twice.  It is a legendary place on the bay because of location and the owner (Mr. Parks).  There is a VERY strong current that runs just outside of the slips so you have to plan for that when you enter the slips.  They do have a shower and bathroom facility too.  You would have to do dinner aboard because I believe the restaurants are closed in the evening (there was a bed and breakfast that did do a dinner that was open to everyone at one time but it was for sale last year so I don't know the status on that).  Also, if someone was so inclined, they could probably get lodging at a B&B on Tangier if they don't want to sleep on the boat.

My Bay strategy is to leave early, around 7, and go straight there.  As most know this is a West to East sail and you can loose sight of land briefly.  It is best to have a GPS and a VHF.  The good news about the West to East is that most the times the wind is out of the North or the South (North West or South East).  Going East West is usually a reach. 
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ingram+Bay+Marina/@37.8187866,-76.3129781,5758m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x89ba03072d692151:0xf59c99b46876053d!6m1!1e1

Here is a few thoughts:
1.  It would be good to know of a marina near the Great Wicomico River where someone could trailer in and leave their rig for a few days while we plunder Tangier Island.  Some of you guys near Deltaville could probably point another member in the right direction.

2.  There are a lot of anchorages in this area.  That being said, I stress a lot of Very Good areas.  We would have to decide on an anchorage and meet on Tuesday night (or the night we choose).

I will be out cruising for quite sometime during this period.  Hopefully wind and weather will cooperate with plans and I will meet up with everyone.  If I got a monkey wrench, I could meet at Tangier Island, if possible.  Still, it would be an even better idea to have a back-up plan just in case the weather gets nasty and we can't cross the bay.

Let's see how this goes and see what feedback we get. 

[Bob23]

Hmmm. This sounds interesting. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.
Bob23

[tmw]

Bob23, are you planning on making your Chesapeake run around that time?  It seems like a potential destination.

For me, it looks like about 63 miles (a really long day).  I will have to do some work to be ready, and have ordered a hook and anchor light so at least I have relevant equipment for it. 

I also scoped out the NOAA maps required for such a trek, assuming I'm not using an electronic device:

[HeaveToo]

If you are coming from Tilman Island, break the trip into legs. 

Leg 1:  Tilman Island to Solomons Island.  Solomons I worth the stop.

Leg 2:  Solomins to Smith Island or Smith Creek (Potomac River).  You can actually sneak into Point Lookout State Park and anchor there as well.  It is about 18 miles from Point Lookout to Smith Point.

Leg 3:  Prior location to location of meet-up.  You could always meet up at Tangier or meet up the day before in the Great Wicomico River.

[K3v1n]

Bob23....If just planning a Tangier Island trip I think driving down and launching in Crisfield(Somers Cove) or Onancock might be an idea.

The question is who has a travel lift in these locations seeing Bob's trailer is not self launching friendly, I know mine isn't. :/

[Mike K]

Yes, I'm very intrigued by this.  I too will be keeping my eye on this thread.    Since it's a mid-week trip, I doubt I could spare the 3-4 vacation days I'd need to take the trip.  I don't earn extra vacation days until after July--bummer.  I'm just dreaming about going right now.

If by some miracle I could attend, while the marinas and boat ramp you picked (Ingram Bay Marina) seem really nice, the drive for me coming from Delaware would be almost 5 hours each way.  As I was looking around the nautical charts, I'd probably come from Crisfield MD, across the bay to the NorthEast of Tangier as the drive is about 2 hours less.  I've never been to any of these places, so I don't know what I'd be getting into.....but again, I'm only dreaming at this point.

[HeaveToo]

I have done the reverse.  Tangier Island to Chrisfield.

There is a descent marina in Chrisfield that could probably lift you. 
http://www.somerscovemarina.com/

The depth and markers are really straight forward.  It is a shorter distance and you will never leave site of land.  If you pay attention to Nav Markers you will do fine.  You can enter Tangier on the Eastern Shore side.  There is also a Coastguard station in Chrisfield.

Do yourself a favor and don't try to go in the Eastern Shore side of Smith Island.  Lots of shoaling and very skinny water.  I drug my centerboard there in a Hunter 22 with the board up.  It was very tense.

Those of us coming over from the Great Wicomico River will loose site of land.  Good charts are necessary along with a compass.  A GPS is suggested.

[Mas]

If we can make it we will no doubt head to Horn Harbor first day then to Tangier the next. Sound like fun! Have a music festival the weekend before and wish to be no where near the Bay for Memorial Day weekend!

[HeaveToo]

Everyone keeps talking about the Bay on Memorial Day weekend.  Sure, if is busier but it isn't that busy and there is a lot of space.  If you are smart and plan things out accordingly it isn't a problem.  Hell, if you really want to be away from people on that weekend head over to some of the more desolate places on the Eastern Shore.

I would avoid the big get-aways that weekend like Solomons, Annapolis, Oxford, etc.  You are probably safe heading over to Smith Island.  Also, there are a ton of other anchorages that you can go into without having to fight for space.  Even then, we can just find a shallow anchorage, say about 4 feet, and we will be the only ones there!

None the less, I hope that a few of us can make it over there. 

[HeaveToo]

Here is an appetizer for those thinking of the trip:  http://www.tangierisland-va.com/

http://www.baydreaming.com/destinations/tangier-island-virginia/

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Virginia/Tangier_Island-890386/TravelGuide-Tangier_Island.html

Seriously, this is a must visit place and it is truly unique.  I have my own personal history with Tangier Island.  LOL--Long story.

[Mas]

Hard to avoid crowds on big weekends. Roads included. 1500+ boats will come in and out of the marinas around Deltaville that weekend. The bay is a big place but it is even bigger mid week! I don't do weekends in general and certainly will avoid the big ones. Will be on our mountain skiing till Presidents Day weekend then running home! Sounds like we are trying to do it mid week right? Tangier is not an out of the way tourist wise kinda place. We ought to be good midweek. Day over, day there, day back? Is that what you were thinking Heave? Sounds like a good plan. Know there are others out there who wanna do this! Not much night life on Tangier but with this crew who needs it!

Horn Harbor will be a stop only if PeterG is coming and his boat is there otherwise will head up to Great Wicomico first. So PeterG!? Still think ya otta keep her right next to No Mas! Heck you can kayak to her! We gunna get Bob23 here too?! Maybe PBR marker buoys?  

Gunna not even get out of the teens up on the mountain most of this week with single digits at night. Heck it's not even going to get out of the low thirties during the day on our farm down below. So hard to think about sailing quite yet! Ain't it great though we have such a great forum to keep sailing alive year round.

[HeaveToo]

OH, I am SURE we can make a nightlife on Tangier Island.

I like the idea of a day there and a day back.  If we were so inclined we could head over to Smith Island on the middle day and then head back from there.  There is also Onancock for those of you out of Deltaville.

Tangier is the big priority and I am out cruising for a while so I will be flexible.  If you guys want a whole day there I understand. 

BTW...I believe Tangier is dry so BYOB!!!!  And this is not meaning Bring You Own Bob. 

[Mas]

"BTW...I believe Tangier is dry so BYOB!!!!  And this is not meaning Bring You Own Bob. "

Well Tangiers has been dry in the past. don't know about the past few years if anything has changed. They got ice, so BYOB works. Hoping that that means Bob and beer!

[Bob23]

I am very much interesting in this trip although I'll admit it's a bit out of my league. But I gotta move up to the majors sometime! Possibly I'd launch near the eastern end of the C&D and head south or more likely, trailer down to where some of you guys are home based and head out from there. It could be fun. For me, that dreaded 4 letter word "work" is always the monkey on my back.
Are you fellers still thinking of memorial day weekend? That would probably be a deal breaker for me. Family commitments here in NJ.
Bob23

[HeaveToo]

"Memorial Day could be crazy and a lot of other people thought that it would be a BAD idea to go into Tangier during this time.  The weekend before Memorial Day is booked for a few more.  What about a Wednesday May 25 meeting at Tangier Island.  We could meet on Tuesday, May 24, at the Great Wicomico River and go over on Wednesday. "

We will get you home on time for your weekend.