Reviews: 3 Knots Marine

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3 Knots Marine

20880 Calab Jones Road
Ewell, MD 21824
Tangier Sound

2.25
(4)

2.25 out of 5 stars

  • Review for 3 Knots Marine

    Reviewed by: Malcolm Rubel on Apr 20, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 48'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Rating: 4

    The town of Ewell can be reached from either the Tangier Bay to the east or the Chesapeake from the west. Coming in from Tangier Bay, the channel is shallow to begin with but never showed less than 6.5 feet mlw and, after the first mile, the depths increased to 8+ feet for the remainder of the trip in. Exiting to the west towards Chesapeake Bay the water depth was never less than 8 feet mlw. Both channels are narrow so care must be taken to stay in the center. Even in the off season (Mid April) there was quite a bit of boat traffic going in both directions and passing was done at speed and in close proximity. Give way to oncoming boats, but watch your depth as well. There is a reversing current of about 1 mph that runs through the thoroughfare and the slips at the marina are perpendicular to the current, making docking at mid tide difficult. Plan your arrival at either low or high tide, with hide tide being the better choice for depth at the dock.

    3 Knots Marina is being completely redone with a new bath house, updated electric and water, and new docks. Work was being completed (target date mid-May 2023) while we were there but the owner's investment in the facility is clearly obvious and appreciated. We imagine that, during the season, a stay here can be really lovely. The water depth at the end of the finger piers is about 7 feet mlw, but the depth diminishes quickly as you move towards the shore end of the slips. Tie up at the outer end of the slip to maintain water depth under the bow. Do not back into a slip. There is a lot of traffic in and out of the thoroughfare but everyone maintains no wake speed so there is not an issue of being waked while at the dock. Larger boats with more than a four foot draft will have a problem with depth during the bottom half of the tide.

    Smith Island is the home of the Maryland State Dessert: Smith Island Cake. No trip to the island is complete without a visit to the Smith Island Bakery to try one (or more) of the 30+ varieties of this awesome dessert. The town has a long and very interesting history that is on display at the Smith Island Heritage and History center, located next to the marina. There is something special about island communities and Smith Island is no exception. We were glad that we made the effort to come here.

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  • Review for 3 Knots Marine

    Reviewed by: John Ellerton , Ecstasea, on Aug 19, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 3.3'

    Rating: 1

    I visited this marina for a few hours and it is now being renovated. The owners are very accommodating. Boaters had advised me to take the ferry instead of my boat because they thought the depth was too shallow but the owner said there was no problem if one remains in the channel. I saw no less than 7 feet from one side of the island to the other. My rating is low because much of the facility was closed because of the renovation.

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  • Review for 3 Knots Marine

    Reviewed by: Melanie Cahill , Sabot, on May 1, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Rating: 1

    Closed when we visited in 5/1/22

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  • Review for 3 Knots Marine

    Reviewed by: John Rockwell on Nov 19, 2018
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 3

    You can go by this place and not see it as most of the slips are filled with local smaller craft. (I did go by at night - not recommended - and not see it.) You have to go in side to the current. Can be tricky for some if the wind and current are pushing in the same direction. Place is dead in November.

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