Chesapeake Bay

[pdo]

Has anyone had experience with an R23 Tug on the Chesapeake Bay? If so, how did it handle the bay, assuming reasonable weather conditions? Considering some cruising that will require some travel on the bay, so need to know how an R23 handles general conditions there. Thanks for any input!

 

[FWTMD]

Its a big Bay so your question has a range of answers.

Its a 23 ft boat. There are times and places that will challenge heavy 33 and 43 ft. boats. There are times when its as dead flat and calm as a lake and you can use a canoe if you are so inclined.

Its a weather conditions question in large part.

The smaller the boat, the less weather it can handle. Be prudent.

 

[dclagett]

I agree with the previous response, it is a weather question. However, I have been boating on the Chesapeake since 1955 and there are many days a 23’ boat will safely take you anywhere you want to go. My wife and I had a 23’ Regal we took it all over the bay on weekend and week trips. The good thing about the RT23 is it’s speed and on the good weekends one can travel to distant destinations and back without issue. The problem comes when there is a weather change and you are a distance from home and need to get back to work on some other commitment. We had some fairly nasty travel days in our 23 do to weather, we eventually went to a larger boat.

If you are not familiar with the bay you may not understand how nasty it can get. There are stories from the early settlers from Europe that came across the ocean and the roughest seas they encountered were in the Chesapeake. I have seen a 100’+ coast guard cutter seeking shelter from the bay behind the WWII concrete ships at Kiptopeke VA. The waves were actually breaking over the concrete ships. I witnessed this from land.

Study marine weather and enjoy your RT23 on the Chesapeake.

 

[HookedUp]

You've gotten good advice on the bay. I've gone from Virginia Beach up to Baltimore and back and fish around the Bay Bridge Tunnel a lot. Winds from the East or West are best. North or South winds can pile up the waves as it's open water. I always check the weather predictions before heading out and even then I've been caught in sudden summer squalls (can happen anywhere). Other than checking the weather the best advice I can offer is to know your boat.

 

[pdo]

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate your guidance. Are there any online courses or resources that anyone can recommend to help with weather-watching skills as it relates to waters like the bay? My boating experience is limited to lakes and rivers. Thanks

 

[503west]

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecast ... .KLWX.html

I hope this link works for you. I am not that great with the computer. I find this simple but handy.

 

[pdo]

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS51.KLWX.html

I hope this link works for you. I am not that great with the computer. I find this simple but handy.

Thanks

 

[dclagett]

The Power Squadron in your area may offer a course in weather. A good book to have around is Chapman Piloting & Seamanship which has an excellent chapter on weather. It is available in either hard cover or electronic form.

For weather forecast I go to baydreaming.com which will provide both summary weather for the coming few days and daily forecast for each area of the bay. To determine if the forecast is holding up I use the WindAlert app which will provide you with current condition on and around the bay.

In the summer when storms are about I use MyRadar app to determine if storms are developing, there location and direction of travel. Thunderstorms on the bay can be extremely dangerous, especially those associated with a front. Popup storms are not generally as severe but can make you wonder why you took the boat out. Lighting associated with the storms can completely disable your engine by destroying the electronics. A few friends of mine have had this happen while they were out fishing. Also storms may be traveling 30 to 40 mph so it is hard to out run them, keep an eye out. During days when afternoon & evening thunderstorm are predicted I normally try to get to my destination by 3PM which normally avoids any problem.

As a general rule of thumb winds of 5 to 10 knots will not give you any problem on the bay. When the wind is blowing 10 to 15 knots depending on where you are on the bay and the direction of the wind you may not be comfortable. If the wind is blowing out of the west, cruise close to the western shore; if the wind is blowing out of the east, cruise close to the eastern shore; and if the wind is blowing out of the north or south you'll have to take what you get.

As you gain experience on the Chesapeake you will find a 23' boat will provide you with years of exploring the bay.

 

[pdo]

Thanks, this is extremely helpful!

The Power Squadron in your area may offer a course in weather. A good book to have around is Chapman Piloting & Seamanship which has an excellent chapter on weather. It is available in either hard cover or electronic form.

For weather forecast I go to baydreaming.com which will provide both summary weather for the coming few days and daily forecast for each area of the bay. To determine if the forecast is holding up I use the WindAlert app which will provide you with current condition on and around the bay.

In the summer when storms are about I use MyRadar app to determine if storms are developing, there location and direction of travel. Thunderstorms on the bay can be extremely dangerous, especially those associated with a front. Popup storms are not generally as severe but can make you wonder why you took the boat out. Lighting associated with the storms can completely disable your engine by destroying the electronics. A few friends of mine have had this happen while they were out fishing. Also storms may be traveling 30 to 40 mph so it is hard to out run them, keep an eye out. During days when afternoon & evening thunderstorm are predicted I normally try to get to my destination by 3PM which normally avoids any problem.

Thanks. This is extremely helpful!
As a general rule of thumb winds of 5 to 10 knots will not give you any problem on the bay. When the wind is blowing 10 to 15 knots depending on where you are on the bay and the direction of the wind you may not be comfortable. If the wind is blowing out of the west, cruise close to the western shore; if the wind is blowing out of the east, cruise close to the eastern shore; and if the wind is blowing out of the north or south you'll have to take what you get.

As you gain experience on the Chesapeake you will find a 23' boat will provide you with years of exploring the bay.