Depths coming in Rock Hall?

PascalG

PascalG

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I will need to stop in Rock Hall late next week and see that depth into Rock Hall Harbor are jsut about 7 to 7 1/2 MLW with some shoaling near the channel entrance. Is that accurate or does it get thinner than that... Tides are only a foot or foot and a half so not much to play with.

What about into Swan Creek at Gratitude? Most marinas there seem to have skinny but do people anchor in the deeper water north of the Deep Landing Pt between R10 and G11?

Weather permitting i will probably anchor outside and launch the tender to check depth but local knowledge is appresciated!
 
Others will chime in as it has been a few years since we were there. I'm sure you know but once you enter the breakwater, know where you are going. Sunday fun was to watch all the boats run aground then try to throttle out producing mud spray. Even better when you hail them on the radio and they don't hear.
We only dinked back in Swan Creek, deep channel but have seen many boats grounded. More of a local knowledge place in my opinion.
When entering the harbor it is like a reverse D. Continue straight across to Rock Hall Landing or follow the channel to your port. Don't deviate!
Also, I've never run across the Swan Point bar coming from the N. I always went S and then back up around the bar. I've seen others cross but myself in our 47', never.
The shoaling if I remember correctly was right at the last Green before entering the harbor. We buffered the green and entered squarely into the harbor.
Others with more recent experience will be along shortly.....
FWIW, North Point Marina has had 90'er's in there a few years ago.
 
yes, there seem to be shoaling by G1 coming into Rock Hall Harbor... hence my request for local knowledge!

I think i will anchor outside and run the tender first to play it self (tender has a sounder...) I've done that when not 100% sure, if need be using a portable GPS which i can then use to follow the same exact route.
 
Pascal, Why not stop in Tolchester just North of Rock Hall? They have a protected harbor, just off the main ship channel. I believe the depth is fine and they have fuel and overnight dockage.
 
Hey Eric.. didnt' you know you'd be found here :)

I've passed outside Tolchester but they seems to be about 6' MLW which wont' work for me (i'm not on my 53 but a Johnson 70 that draws over 6') and I need to meet some people in RH anyway...
 
Pascal,

I have a sailboat at Haven Harbor on Swan Creek right now and it draws 5'. I have bumped in the middle of the channel back near the marina every time I've gone in and out which is 3 times already. Both times near slack tide. It's an easy trip in but you should enter down near Green 3 to miss the shoal which is also much skinnier than the chart shows. The entrance channel up to about Osprey Point is ok but it shoals up quite a bit after that up to haven harbor. I was just out yesterday so this info is up to date.
 
I agree with Scott "The Haven" which runs east off Swan Creek is shallow. This is where Haven Harbour and Osprey Point Marinas are. If you stay in Swan Creek proper, which turns and heads north, you should be OK. All of that area is skinny water for a 6+ ft draft though. You will not have a lot of water under your wheels. Check your tide tables.
 
THKS!, i'd definitely go around G1 south of Swan Point Bar, when i see 8' shoals on the charts, i don't take shortcuts! i also see on the charts that it shoals up after the pocket of reasonably deep water past R10... i woudn't even try to get to Osprey or Haven. are there boats anchored in that deeper water or any moorings restricting space? seems like a good spot to drop the hook if I can't get in rock hall harbor
 
Swann Creek north of Haven Harbor typically has a couple of dozen large boats anchored on summer weekends. There are some mooring balls close to Grattitude Marina, but most people seem to anchor further north on Swann Creek.

I often see fairly large sailboats which I assume have fixed keels and large drafts. I have my depth alarm set at 6 feet and it does not trigger when in the channel. There is little traffic north of the entrance to Swann Creek, so the entire width of the creek is used as an anchorage.

Mike
 
Pascal,
Most of the info is accurate but i would watch the tides. We normally have about a 3' tide in normal conditions but in the fall when the winds start coming out of the North we can get some low low's. 2 weeks ago we were over a foot below our normal low tide and that would make it difficult for you to enter.

A friend of mine went into his creek (not RH) with his 56 Ocean and tore up one of his props. He lives there and knows the water as good as anyone. Just trying to say be careful and maybe have someone escort you in.

If you can let me know when you are coming in I may be able to lead you into RH but would have to know in advance.
 
Pascal,

Unless you draw more than 6' you will have no problem going through the breakwater at Rock Hall. We draw 5' 8 and have had no problem.
If the wind isn't strong from the north tides will be in the normal 2' range.

Just favor the red side as you enter the breakwater. The channels inside the harbor are more than 7'. Don't stray outside the channels as it gets to 3'.

Ronbo
 
thanks all for the info,esp about wind driven tides... i didn't realize it was an issue there.

yes, we draw a little over 6' so that's why i'm playing it safe. will try to play the tides although the highest tides are aruond midnight on thu/fri.. :-(

again, thank you!
 
RE: Wind driven tides. I've seen the water at our dock in our cove off of Still Pond Creek, which is normally at 3-5 feet, as high 8 feet deep and as low as mud flats based solely on the wind. Winter is the worst for the low tide levels.
 
It looks like it's going to be pretty breezy this coming Thursday and Friday as well. I believe it's a cold front and thus blow-out winds, so water level may be lower than usual.

I like Rock Hall very much, and have anchored in Swan Creek many times. However, I don't draw 6'. Pascal, do you need to be on that side of the Chesapeake for any particular reason? I'd send you tracks, but I'd run you aground :-)
 
Ditto to mixman, hey I even rafted to him there! Was in again this summer.

Frankly, there is no way I'd go in there with 6 foot draft. Can't understand how all those sailboats get in, must be pushing silt most of the time. It was cool seeing a 150 foot four mast vessel hard around on the bar there last summer.

Perhaps the main harbor of Rock Hall is better, south and east of Swan creek? Also, lots of deep spots to anchor in the Chester River, I'd be more inclined to do that, if you have to be over there on the east side. Frankly, I'd tell people to meet me at a nice inner Harbor marina in Baltimore/Annapolis and be done with it!

Or, anchor for free in deep water off my residence in Back Creek, Eastport/Annapolis.

Chestertown is a beautiful historic town up the Chester river, with good anchorage, and some great late fall activities like the downrigging of historic sailing ships. We went there this summer and loved it. One of the most important towns in early America, with British mansions dating back to the 1700s I believe. Highly recommended.
 
Pascal,

I think Chris really summed it up pretty well. I'd love to tell you that Charmer could make it in to Rock Hall, but I don't think it would be wise. I also think the main harbor is worse than Swan Creek. The channels are very narrow, and there's no room to anchor. I would suggest following Chris' suggestions of the Chester, downtown Baltimore (e-mail me and I'll give you a number for a marina with room for you) or heck, take him up on his offer on Back Creek. Although you did have to pick the boat show weekend, didn't you? :-)
 
Georgetown on the Sassafras River. Sure, its a 7 mile cruise from its mouth on the easten shore but there's plenty of water the entire trip and deep water docking available plus full services for large vessels if needed. We've had vessels 100' and larger at Skipjack Cove and Georgetown Marinas. Its only a 20-30 minute drive for your friends in Rock Hall.
 
Pascal.

Rock Hall Harbor proper is plenty deep...more than 7' in the marked channels.
If you don't make it there this year try next as there is movement to get the entrance dredged. Since it's a commercial port RH gets priority in keeping it's channels open.

Ronbo
 
thks guys. I'm not looking to anchor in Rock Hall Harbor, the folks i'm meeting have a boat at Sailing Emporium and have arranged dockage there, so draft permitting it's plan A.. but i'm not going to take any chances dinging a prop or sucking mud thru the strainers just to get there. many 6' draft sailboats there, but sailboats can indeed drag their keep along soft mud and barely notice it...

plan B will be to anchor in the deeper water in Swan Creek, just past the point. clearly going up the creek past the harbor is out of the question.

Plan C will be to anchor in the Chester River area, may be Grays Inn Creek, dinghy landing permitting... none of the marina on the north side of the river have the draft and dockage for boats over 50...

anyway, step 1 will be to check the depth with the tender and i'll make the decision based on what i find.
 
Pascal, with a 6’ draft on a power boat I would definitely not consider Rock Hall Harbor or Swan Creek. You will be cutting it too close on low tide. As for the Chester River, you will not be able to venture into the Narrows, thus those marinas are out of the question for you. You can safely navigate up the Chester River to Chestertown although it is a long way up there – Wildfowl Festival this weekend so no dockage at the marina but a good anchorage area. Although I have not personally anchored out in the creeks off of the Chester River there are many areas to anchor that are deep enough to accommodate Charmer. It may be really tuff to find some common water to meet up with your friends at the Sailing Emporium unless they are will to meet up you in another harbor. My advise – ask them to meet you in St. Michaels – deep water all the way up Eastern Bay and into the Miles River. Jerry
 
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