Chesapeake Weather

[Reluctantsailor]

So we are sitting in solomons Island staring at the weather report wondering should we head out south or not. There is a small craft advisory for today in the area we would be heading so we have decided to stay put and work on the boat. The rest of the week doesn't look much better but being new to the area we just aren't sure how to read the weather reports on NOAA. Until Thursday there are south winds and 3 to 4 foot waves which in our 28 foot boat is a bit uncomfortable. We were told by one person that we shouldn't head out with south winds. Does anyone else who sails in this area have some insight for us. I am pretty much a fair-weather sailor and do not handle rough seas well but we do want to get to the ICW eventually and we heard that sailing in the Bay in November is not great but at this rate we definitely will still be here until then. Any thoughts would be appreciated....

[ronbo1]

South winds are predicted for the next few days in the lower Chesapeake with small craft warnings tomorrow. And going from where you are in Solomons across the mouth of the Potomac can be uncomfortable in a 28 footer when tide and wind oppose.

Here's a weather source I find useful, in particular ,the 'scientific forecast discussion'.

Weather Discussion : Weather Underground

Wait a few more days...Solomons Island isn't a bad place to wait it out.

Ronbo

[osirissail]

Try chopping the distance into smaller chunks. Soloman's to Reedville; Reedville to Deltaville; Deltaville to York River; York River to Hampton Roads. Each leg is about 30nm or so - you can do them in the early mornings to avoid the build up of winds and waves during the daytime.

[ShipShape]

Sailing across the mouth of the Potomac can suck - but it doesn't take all that long. Approach it as a learning experience that will help you in crossing the sounds in NC, and if you "freak out" you have plenty of time to return to an anchorage near the Solomons before dark. If you can time your crossing to the incoming tide it may slow your crossing but be a little smoother. Or you can make little steps - see this thread for anchorages a short way up the Potomac: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...mac-48253.html

[Vasco]

Go out and give it a shot. If you don't like it you can always turn back.

[Christian Van H]

Watch for fog. This time of year... Let's just say I never saw the mouth of the Potomac.

[Reluctantsailor]

Thanks for the advice...I think we will stay put for the next few days then try and do some smaller chunks, we aren't in a rush so I guess why go if it is going to be uncomfortable. Right now we are in a great marina but tomorrow we will go out into Back Creek and anchor (for the first time!) kinda excited to give it a try...We are learning so much on this trip about life aboard. The actual sailing in the Bay isn't that much different from our experiences sailing our 22 foot boat in the Atlantic near home but you have to get used to the local weather, currents and tides and that has been a challenge to know how to interpret things.

[Matt Poling]

Hello all! I'm planning a trip and need lots of insight. I would like to sail from phila area to Baltimore area. Via Del and Chesapeak. Could anyone tell me about how many days sail it would be. With a few stops here and there. Whats there best time of year?

[thinwater]

Perhaps 3 days; less if you hurry, more if you don't.

I sailed that area many times. Perhaps some of the stuff on my blog would be of interest, such as this trip report.

Sail Delmarva: Trip Report - 2010 Delmarva Circumnavigation

Time of year? All of them except right now!

[osirissail]

I have done it in two with a stop at the west end of the C-D canal or just beyond. As for weather it is not a big deal unless it is snowing a blizzard. But I like the summer better.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Two days ought to do it. Overnight in the Engineer's basin. The tides in the Delaware are the critical portion, leave Philly on an early morning falling tide. The Chesapeake tides aren't as bad. If darkness overtakes on the way into Baltimore there are anchorages at the mouth of the river.