Hampton, VA to the Potomac River
After another couple of weeks at the dock, we had finished all the jobs we wanted to get done on the boat, or at least that we could get done and were ready to start moving again. By this time it was late June. Anyone who has spent any time in the Chesapeake in the summertime realizes how hot and stifling the weather can be, so it was clear to us we had to get north. Our high-level plans included continuing our journey north to Southern New England as an eventual final destination for the remainder of the summer. Other than that, we did not have many other plans except visiting Kelley’s aunt and uncle at their sailboat which was docked up the Potomac River at Cobb Island. These were the same Aunt and Uncle that had joined us when we began our sailboat shopping at the Annapolis boat show. So with that in mind, we started our cruise of the Chesapeake Bay.
While there are numerous, maybe even hundreds of guides and blogs of sailing and cruising the Chesapeake Bay, this is our account and experience of cruising the bay and some of our top anchorages.
Dealtaville, VA and the Piankatank River
Having spent a weekend in the East River and exploring Matthews, VA, we decided to explore some new areas and check out the area around Deltaville and in particular the Piankatank River. Having a look at the charts and Navionics, we landed on an anchorage in Godfrey Bay just south of Deltaville, VA.
The boys didn’t mind the cool breeze and some lamb chops for a sundowner
ANCHORAGES
There are a few anchorages up the Piankatank River not too far off the main channel of the Chesapeake Bay, making it a very viable option for anyone traveling north or south in the bay and looking for a nice overnight stop, which is actually what we ended up doing on this trip as we were trying to make some time North.
Coming into the bay there are a few obstacles to be aware of. The initial entrance is pretty straight forward but you will want to give Gwynn Island a wide berth, which will be to port if traveling north, as there are some shoaling and shallow areas. As soon as you can, try to locate green channel marker 3 “Piankatank River Light 3”, which is a lit-up marker that can be used to navigate at night if necessary.
Once you have located light #3 you’ll turn to port and look for green #5 and #7 keeping them to port and off the shoals, they are marking. As quickly as you can, you will want to locate Piankatank River Lighted Buoy #8 to keep you off the shoals that are to starboard. Once you pass red can #8, the channel straightens out and after you pass green day beacon #9, you have anchorage options on port and starboard.
Road looking back at the dinghy landing for the Godfrey Bay anchorage
We chose to anchor in Godfrey Bay as it was forecasted to have winds out of the southwest so it would add a little protection and fortunately it was empty the night we stayed there. After passing day beacon 9, we turned to port and looked for the hump we saw on the charts and once the depth sounder showed 10 to 12 feet, we dropped the anchor. This was the first time we had set our new Mantus 55lb anchor and man what a difference!! (If you want to read why we switched anchors, click here)
Heading to shore there is a nice beach to land the dinghy on at the Piankatank River landing- it is a great place to stretch the legs, take a walk to enjoy the sunflowers and nearby farms, and a good spot to take the pugs to shore. If you have a powerful enough dinghy you could cruise across the river and check out Deltaville or grab spare parts from the various marinas in Fishing Bay.
The anchorage provided great holding for us and would be a great anchorage in the summer with the predominant southwest winds for a nice breeze and far enough from shore to keep the bugs at bay!
Saint Mary's City, MD
Kelley’s aunt and uncle suggested making a stop in St Mary’s city on our way up the Potomac, and we were thankful they did. What a great spot! St Mary’s City is the site of Maryland’s first city dating back to the mid-1600’s. Lord Baltimore first landed here aboard the Maryland Dove, caring settlers of the “New World”. This was also home to the Yaocomaco people who were instrumental in helping the new settlers become accustomed to their newfound home and teaching them how to sustain themselves from the land.
Full scale replica of the Maryland Dove docked in Saint Mary’s City
Historic St. Mary’s City is an 800-acre (324-hectare) outdoor archeological park and living-history museum along with a reconstructed statehouse and a full-scale replica of the Maryland Dove. It was awesome to spend a few days walking around and envisioning what life would have been like over 300 years ago. It is also the location of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a small, prestigious liberal arts school. So you have a neat mix of old and new, all within a very beautiful landscape.
Kelley and I both agree, this was one of the neatest places we visited in the Chesapeake. Well worth a visit.
Restored home from the first settlers dating back to the mid 1600’s
Reconstructed state house from 1676
Anchorages
There are numerous anchorages along the Saint Marys river that you can anchor at and dinghy to shore and check out all the historical sites of Saint Marys City. We chose to anchor inside the horseshoe bend. It is a large anchorage and close to the dinghy dock that is provided by the sailing club at the St Mary College of Maryland.
Navionics chart of the approach up the Saint Mary’s River to Horseshoe Bend
Zoomed in Navionics chart of the anchorage we chose in Horseshoe Bend
Getting to the anchorage is very straightforward, however, it is a bit of a poke up the St Mary’s River. When sailing up or down the Potomac River, just locate the Saint Mary’s River Junction Lighted Buoy and head north up the wide well-marked river. After about an 8 nautical mile trip one way up the river and rounding church point you will come to a large bay where the river makes a 90-degree turn, this is a horseshoe bend. It should be quite obvious when you pull in as you will see the college to starboard. Most of the depths in all the anchorages around here are going to range from 15 to 20 feet so find an area you feel comfortable with, drop the hook, and head to shore to explore! It truly is a cool place.
