Marina's: Annapolis,Kent Island,Solomons, St.Mic

We have one large boat, 58ft searay sedan bridge with almost a 5 ft draft. We will be cruising from St. Michaels to Kent Narrows. We are concerned about the approach. Chart is showing 3 ft. of water by wells cove. Can this approach only be done with a boat this size? Is this only a high tide approach?
 
I draw 4 feet and have have at least 3 feet under the keel in the channels at Kent Narrows. The north channel was dredged last year and the southern channel has plenty of water if you do not get too close to the the marks. The soundings shown on the chart at the southern end of the Kent Narrows channel are somewhat old and not accurate. The deeper water in the channel at the southern end is on the eastern side, about 30 feet from the red marker number 4. Sailboats that draw six feet pass through the narrows on a daily basis, and we have several sailboats that draw around 6 feet in Mears Point Marina and they come and go any time they want. The northern channel did get a bit thin about a year and a half ago but it was dredged last year and is now fine. A five foot draft will have no problems.
The only thing that might cause a need to proceed slowly is if we have a prolonged NE to NW gale, as that can drop the water level in the northern bay by as much as 2 feet.
If you are going into Mears from the North you must pass green 5 and wait until you are opposite the entrance to Mears before you turn in. There is a sandbar that extends about 100 feet south of the marker and has only about 4 feet depth in places.
Another thing to remember is that if any of your boats requires more than about 16 feet air draft the bridge on the narrows opens on the hour and the half hour only. The current through the bridge can also be quite strong and the current speed seems to have risen since they dredged the north channel last year. In places the current can reach 3 or 4 knots AN there is a 6 mph speed limit in the narrows that is enforced.
 
NEWFREEDON
I live and keep my boat next to Wells Cove. You hve plenty of water from both the North and South entrances. Nothing to worry about. Approaching Kent Narrows from the south I would stay fairly close to the green coming in. You wont have to worry unless the wind is out of the North. That tends to give us a little more of a low tide.

Also, I would skip Solomons, it is 60+ miles south of St. Michaels and the narrows. It is a nice little town but not much there at all. You would be better off going to Baltimore. Tons to see and do and the marinas are first class and reasonable. Save the fuel There are unlimited things to do in Balt. compared to Solomons. Annapolis and Baltimore are the must sees while in the area, everything else is a distant third.

When are you there? You pass within 100yds of where I live while transiting the Narrows. If I am around I can hook you up with the local places that you need to see. We are headed North to AC, NYC, Long Island and then back with a few more stops along the way. Leaving July 18th.
 
We are leaving the same day July 18th to head down to the chesapeake. Let me know if I can help you out with some ideas for marinas in the NY, long island area.
 
NEWFREEDOM
My schedule is AC for 2 nights rb2@gr5t Schooner Island Marina
Liberty Landing in Jersey for 3 ngts
2 ngts in Northport at Britannia, I grew up there.
Back to NYC at Newport Yacht club for 2 ngts
 
Rock Hall- North Point Marina offers a free loaner car. Haven Harbor offers top notch service if you need to have anything checked out.

You may enjoy a free night on the town dock in Chesapeake City on the C & D canal. If spots are taken there is usually room to anchor in harbor or possibly a slip. Neat little canal museum open on weekdays only.
 
van lafermine
Sounds like a great trip. Guess you really don't need any pointers seeing your a long island boy. Enjoy...wishing beautiful sunsets and safe seas.
 
Newfreedom,
Let me know where you will be during your trip. Maybe we can hook up for a drink or dinner.
 
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