Reviews from Tom Dove (10)

  • Anchorage Review for Tilghman Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    I agree with the review by Andre E. The entrance is not simple but a close lookout at the daymarks and electronic iPad charts will get you through.
    It is difficult to sail through this entrance; use power.
    I use this anchorage regularly and rarely see more than one other boat here. It is a good departure spot for a slow boat run down the Bay to Solomons, the Little Choptank or the Potomac and an excellent storm anchorage.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Hunting Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Cell Service:
    2

    Pay close attention at the entrance and look sharp to see the small private buoys that mark the best water. AquaMap and Navionics have it right. Depths are as marked.
    This is much quieter than either St. Michaels or Leeds Creek.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Shaw Bay

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1

    Shaw Bay has long been a popular place, but it often has rafts of cruisers, including a big summer on-the-water concert (good performers by the way).
    But I have been awakened too many times in the middle of the night to find boats and sometimes entire rafts, drifting down on me. If you raft here, please break up for the night.
    I prefer quieter spots farther up one of the Wye branches but if you feel sociable, this is the place.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Kirwan Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3

    Kirwan creek is a fairly quiet place among a few homes near the busy Kent Narrows, with traffic noise from nearby US 50/301, but not bad. The approach is less critical than it may look, and Aqua Map or Navionics will lead you in easily. Depths are as charted.
    The marshes call for screens in summer, but a southerly breeze will filter in on hot nights.
    It's a short dinghy ride (in a powered boat, not rowing) to all the restaurants and marinas around the Narrows bridge.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Reed Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    2
    WiFi:
    1

    Anchor either here or in the wide area closer to the entrance. Lovely, quiet place.
    The entrance requires concentration, as the buoys do not necessarily mark safe water. Either AquaMap or Navionics Sonar makes it easy.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Magothy River - Old Man Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    5

    This is the place to escape the crowds on the Magothy River. It is quiet, well protected, surrounded by homes and attractive and should be good shelter in all but the most severe storms. 5G strong enough to stream movies with four bars on Verizon cellular.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Severn River - Maynadier Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4

    A buoyed competition ski course runs through the middle of this anchorage, so stay on either side of it; it is not heavily used. This is a fairly popular local day trip anchorage, but it becomes quiet at night.
    Surrounded by large homes, it is quiet and attractive. An extensive marsh on the western edge is a hint to have good screens in summer, although cooling breezes do often ease the temperature.
    The entrance is narrow but depths are as charted.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Severn River - Forked Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4

    Snug little anchorage for 2 or 3 boats among high shores and large homes. Depths are as charted.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Severn River - Valentine Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4

    Plum and Valentine creeks share an entrance from the Severn River. Favor the east side to avoid the sandbar.
    Many moorings are in Valentine Creek, leaving little space for anchoring, but there is generally space for two or three boats farther up the creek. Houses line the shore.
    Very good protection in most directions; I kept my boat on a mooring here for many years and many storms. The launching ramp and beach are privately owned by Arden on the Severn.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Anchorage Review for Severn River - Plum Creek

    Reviewed by: Tom Dove, SNOWBIRD, on Oct 17, 2021
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 32'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    4

    Plum and Valentine creeks share a common entrance, just avoid the sandbar coming out from the west shore. Plum is much less crowded, the shores are high and wooded, and the houses are not crowded together. An excellent hurricane hole. The large beach belongs to the private community of Arden on the Severn.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer