Traveling thru the narrows

3

36mainship36

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Joined
Dec 26, 2005
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19818
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Could use some local advise. Our trip will take us south thru the narrows. Any advise. Twin engine boat 30" draft.

Lou R. 36 Mainship D/C
 
Kent Narrows? You'll have no issues as long as you can deal with what I'd guess to be about a 4-knot current during peak tides. If you're worried about it, hit it at slack. There's plenty of depth. Just ALWAYS follow the local markers. The channel does change so the charts can be wrong. They've got enough traffic that they move the markers when needed.
 
You should have no problems going through the channel. Tide can run over 2 knots in some places and the channel has a speed limit of 6 mph. Make sure not to make a wake as you pass allthe marinas and shore establishments as there is always a LEO presence. If you have an air draft less than 16 feet you will not have to wait for the bridge to open. Going south, the channel through the bridge is on the west side. There is a blue height marker on the pile next to the channel that shows the air draft. The channel is the span on the west side of the air draft marker. Current through the bridge can be a bit fierce, so give a little power if running down current to maintain steerage. At maximum flow there can be 6 to 9 inches difference in the water level above and below the bridge. On spring tides you might get as much as 3 knots under the bridge.
If your air draft is over 16 feet then the central bridge span opens on the hour and the half hour. The bridge tender operates on channel 13.
For fuel prices on the bay you will find this site useful.
http://aglca.waterwayguide.com/fuelpricing_new.php?area=cbdb
 
I was about to start a topic on a similar question. I've been thru the north end of the Kent Narrows, but not the south end and the chart seem ambigous about depth, but you all seemed to have answered my questions.

THe second part of my question is that I'm going from Baltimore to St. Michaels and intially I thought going thru the Kent Narrows would be the fastest/shortest course. But after charting the course, I'm now thinking that going down the bay past Bloddy point and up the East Bay might be the smarter course. Any advise?

Frank
2009 Regal 4460 (IPS)
 
I usually go through the Narrows when going to St. Michaels (BTW, Higgins Yacht Yard is the better value for marinas in SM; cheaper and closer to town, but no pool). You can take either route unless you draw something crazy. I don't remember seeing anything less than 8' in the Narrows. Going around Bloody Point will just take longer, but it'll still get you there.
 
Check with BoatUS or TowBoat for the latest depth.
Below is from the Waterway Guide.
Likely it's shallower than May's report of 5'MLW.

Ronbo

23 May 2012
MD: Kent Island Narrows, northern approach, shoaling
Reported By: Ted Stehle (WG Staff)

The following is from the CG 5th District NTM 21/12.

Shoaling to a depth of less than 5.0 ft MLW has been reported in the center of the channel in the vicinity of Kent Island Narrows Northern Approach Lighted Buoy 3 (LLNR 26417). Chart: 12272.
 
Frank,

IMO, going thru Kent Narrows makes the most sense from B-more if, like Kurt says, you don't draw too much...the channel on the north side can experience some shoaling. It's also a more interesting trip than going around Bloody Pt...you'll use less fuel, too. Waiting for the drawbridge may slow you a bit but there's usually action on either side of the bridge to keep you occupied. Keep from getting too close to the DB while waiting as the current can get tricky.

I still like St Mike's Marina where they can fuel you right at your slip. That is, as long as you're close enough to the pumps
 
They have installed temporary channel markers in northern narrows. Heavy shoaling over past cple years. Still waiting for dredging to occur which we hear is going to happen every year for past 5 years. Watch water depth, I have skimmed bottom many times at low tide and I draw 3 1/2 feet. Narrows is still best bet for you to get to SM. Agree on Higgins for best econo, SM Marina does have a pool, well not much of pool, certainly not worth the price difference....
 
I agree with all the posts, just stay to port if you are headed south through the north channel. It shoals just past the second set of markers. I hit with a 3 1/2 foot draft a few weeks ago. Most boats no to stay to that side, you will almost be out of the channel to experience reasonable depths.

Also when going under the draw bridge if you wait for the bridge to lift the down stream vessell has the right of way. As someone said if you are less than 16' tall you can go through the other spans with no problem. We always use the 3rd span from the center going in either direction. The west side headed south and the east side headed north.
 
FYI, we made the trip this week. On Sunday we went through the Narrows about 1300 (several hours before low tide). My depth read as low as 4.5-5 feet between the 1/2 and 3/4 markers (which concerned me with a draft of nearly 4 ft with the IPS pods). I was going slow and zigged a little to find better water in the channel but no luck. The channel is fine by the new floating green marker, but I was not happy with the depth reading early in the channel. It took 2 hours, 10 minutes from Baltimore to St. Michaels.

On the way back Tuesday, we went around Bloody Pt. It took 2 hours (10 minutes less), with about 7 miles further in distance. My trip computer also said it was 20 gals of fuel less, but I don't believe that (something didn't read correctly on the return trip). I found the return trip nicer and more relaxing (and faster). After this trip I would recommend going around versus the narrows (until they dredge it).

Frank
2009 Regal 4460 (IPS)
 
Frank, thanks for that follow-up. It is interesting that it took you a little less time going the "long way" around Bloody Point. I guess the on-plane speed difference made up for the extra miles. I'll probably still stick to the Narrows as I only draw 2 feet :-)
 
I cruise at 25 kts so it depends on your cruising speed too
 
Both tide and wind will affect speed and fuel consumption. As said before, north narrows is very tight for depth and many times I have bump'd going thru with depth alarms going off, with experience I now know to stay left as much as possible. You also have to be very careful on south narrows (heading north) between 1K and 3G/4R. You have to stay to the center or left as much as possible during low tide, even have to force south going traffic to be tight on right markers.
 
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