Researching to buy a cruiser to keep in probably Baltimore or maybe Pasedena area. There's a lot to like about stern drives but I'm thinking wet slip (7-8 months) is likely best way to go for me (or lift slip even better but don't see many options there). So my question: where does the fresh water line end in the Chesapeake? Is Baltimore inner harbor mostly fresh? Will corresion be as big a challenge as with true ocean water? Or are stern drives just too much a challenge to maintain even in upper bay?
How salty is upper-middle Chesapeake
- Thread starter mayerf
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Boatel it and then you dont have to worry about it.
The salt line moves during the year. In wet years with lots of rain the line stays pretty much south of the Paps (Baltimore) but in dry summers like last year it can and will move well north. We had seriously brackish water a mile back in Still Pond Creek by August last summer so much so that my outdrive had a lot of critters adhereing to it by Labor Day. Its not as bad as ocean water but you do need to prepare for it.
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I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Kent narrows. Even where we are the water is mostly brakish. You will have growth issues anywhere in the bay but for the most part the salinity in the water in the mid to upper bay is far less than that in the Ocean.
It is true that more salt will move north in the summer if it is dry out and the rivers do not have sufficient enough water draining into the bay to keep the salt out.
Any of the larger rivers in the mid bay area are mostly fresh water the further you go up them. I do not see a large problem with outdrives compared to most other coastal areas. It is something you want to keep an eye on and have the drives properly serviced yearly. Those people having the most problems dont use their boats enough and dont service them as needed.
It is true that more salt will move north in the summer if it is dry out and the rivers do not have sufficient enough water draining into the bay to keep the salt out.
Any of the larger rivers in the mid bay area are mostly fresh water the further you go up them. I do not see a large problem with outdrives compared to most other coastal areas. It is something you want to keep an eye on and have the drives properly serviced yearly. Those people having the most problems dont use their boats enough and dont service them as needed.
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<<...."I want to slip it (not boatel), so it sounds like stern drivers are a challenge unless I can find lift slip."....>>
There are a few marinas on the South River, which is a little south of Annapolis in Edgewater, that have lift slips. Off the top of my head, Turkey Point, Liberty, and South River marina, all located on the South River, have lift slips.
There are a few marinas on the South River, which is a little south of Annapolis in Edgewater, that have lift slips. Off the top of my head, Turkey Point, Liberty, and South River marina, all located on the South River, have lift slips.
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I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but if it's corrosion you are worried about, as opposed to marine life growing on your drive, I always thought whether or not the water is salty doesn't really matter all that much. The big factors are an unprotected drive, stray currents, etc. - and not how conductive the water is.
Now if you are flushing sea water the entire way through the motors, as opposed to anti-freeze, you would prefer fresh water.
Now if you are flushing sea water the entire way through the motors, as opposed to anti-freeze, you would prefer fresh water.
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There are plenty of boats with stern drives all over the Chesapeake. Usage, regular service, and anodes make up for the salt issue. For that matter, there are plenty of boats in states like FL with stern drives, and they've got a heck of a lot more salt than the mid to upper Chesapeake.
The point being, I don't think the salt content where you'll be should worry you. However, if you're not comfortable with stern drives, I can't blame you.
The point being, I don't think the salt content where you'll be should worry you. However, if you're not comfortable with stern drives, I can't blame you.
