Reviews: Chesapeake City

Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Oct 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

When we were here last year we spent a considerable amount of time feeling sorry for boaters who missed the narrow deep water channel and ended up waiting for the tide to rise so that they could continue. We, on leaving, touched bottom coming off the docks before we made it to deep water. The good news is that the anchorage has been dredged and there is no less than 9' MLW at the entrance and 11' MLW in the anchorage. We anchored in 11' of water with good holding and swing room while remarking that the anchorage was well protected in all directions from wind, waves, current, and wakes. An ideal anchorage, although we have noted in the past that it can get pretty crowded. Mind your scope and swing but realize also that there is no current and that most boats will swing together gently on shorter scope. There should be room to land your dinghy at the inside end of the free dock where there are three city slips meant for smaller boats. There is plenty to do on shore but there is no grocery store within easy walking distance. There is a 72 hour maximum stay for boats at anchor. Cell reception is excellent.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Rick Vicars on Oct 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

9-13-24 Entered basin favoring eastern side and didn't see less than 7ft at low tide. Anchored in the far SE end of basin in 8 feet of water. Anchored for one night and did not leave the boat.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: William Randall on May 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

recently dredged. no less than 12 feet of death including the inlet and free dock area. 24 hour overnight stays allowed Fee for water or electricity.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: david kanzler, Hygge, on May 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 29'
Draft: 2.5'

Sweet little anchorage. Hook set first try. We saw 20ft of depth at high tide. Well protected. 72 hour limit.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Francis Gravel on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 6.7'

Nice place to stay a night or two. I anchor at the far end of the bay and still enough water for 6.5 draft. The entrance is less the 4.5' a low tide so you need to be at middle low tide at less for high draft boat. A dinghy dock is at the end of the bay. 5 minutes walk from all restaurent.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Brian Speicher, S.S. Minnow, on Sep 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.6'

We stayed here twice in the past 2 months. First time was on a weekday and we scored the free dock. 2nd time was a weekend and the docks were full, so we anchored out. the bottom is thick mud. It took us a while to wash it off. there was almost no wind to speak of. Pretty sure the weight of our anchor was what was holding us in place. we were deep into the anchorage by the small stream that enters, so the current from that is what determined which way we swung. It was really a pleasant stay. Weekends are much different from the weekdays as there is a lot of traffic going to the bars and restaurants. but where we were in the anchorage, it really wasn't bad

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Our Boat Story, Mahalo, on Aug 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

We stayed here after a long day from Cape May. We were so worn out from the rolling seas of the Atlantic that this anchorage was well received. Good Holding in 14ft. Just remember that the tide is around 5ft and let enough scope out to accommodate. Had some slap from southerly winds

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Tide at the time per reviewer: I believe it was 2 hours from low tide. We arrived 18:33 and low tide was around 20:00

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Louise Johnson, Let It Roll, on Jul 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Nice stop along C&D canal. Protected, good holding, 6-9 ' Dinghy dock right next to restaurants and town.

IMPORTANT: stick to east side bulkhead coming off canal into cove entrance. Don't come in center. There are no channel markers to indicate this.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Kevin King, High Tide, on May 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Shallow going in stay to east side , great place to stop over ,we anchored in 6ft anchor held in thick mud LOTS to see and do on Memorial Day , would stay again

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: DeeDee H on Aug 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.0'

Since the town dock was full, we dropped anchor with 4 or 5 other boats. Holding and protection was good. Went in circles throughout the night with the current from the creek and tides, so our trip line was wrapped around our anchor chain. Dinghy dock available and an easy walk to town and ice cream shop.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Captain Gene Of Galene on Jun 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

June 24, 2022 Anchored here with another boat. Light winds so we rafted together with our Bows/anchors 180 degrees. Good stop for staging to transit Cape May the next day. In past we have taken dingy to dock and had lunch and Ice cream in town. Five boats were anchored for the night and a couple were on the Free dock. We in the past visited the USCOE Museum and enjoyed it. Current can move you on entering and leaving so be prepared.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Gaylen Smith on Mar 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 5.5'

We could not get in to the anchorage with our 5.5' draft, ran aground near low tide. We backed out and managed to pull into the end of the dock with no issue.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Aaron Reignier on Jul 17, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.6'

Coming into the Anchorage we saw very shallow depths of 5'2" at low tide at the opening but then it opened up to 10-12 ft. Not a lot of room but can fit 5-6 boats if they're anchored right. Ease shore access and dinghy dock to the bars and restaurants. There's also a free dock on the starboard side as you enter the anchorage but it can only hold about 3 boats. Easy access across the canal to fuel/pump out etc. Beware of fast currents as you exit the anchorage.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Tobias Harvey on Oct 9, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 68'
Draft: 5.6'

Plenty deep enough. Saw 11-14' all around. Ferry and water taxi service available, although we used the dink to get to the city dock. Surprised at the level of noise from the bridge.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer on Oct 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Now that its been dredged, you can anchor anywhere. You might want to avoid the area in front of the creek(where the small bridge is). There’s enough current there that you’ll go around in circles at night, coming close to the other boats that don’t move.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: S/V Cetacea on Jul 9, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 4.9'

Although very busy on the weekends, it clears out early and is a very nice anchorage.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer on Jun 26, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

With the completion of dredging May 2018, the anchorage has returned as a prime stopover point for cruisers going north or south. Shore access is provided by a free dinghy dock next to town and another one at the eastern end of the anchorage.The anchorage can get crowded during peak migration time but we've never had a problem by just using short scope. Ice is available at the nearby marina and the town has several restaurants of interest along with a great ice cream shop.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on May 25, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Newly dredged, this anchorage can hold 15-20 boats. Were here with 9 others and it felt like it was only half full. The town is lovely. Good restaurant scene.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Tom Hale on May 24, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Newly dredged, there is room for about 15 or 20 boats. tonight there are 9 boats and the harbor is only half full. Dinghy docks at south west corner by the village and another in the NE corner at the boat ramp. Interesting USACE Museum about the C&D Canal .

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Robert Sherer on May 23, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

The anchorage has been dredged! At the entrance, just go down the middle for 12 MLLW. Keep in the middle on the way to the anchorage area for 12 to 15 MLLW .

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Dredging took place Nov 2017 to early Jan 2018.

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Review for Chesapeake City

Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
Draft: 0.0'

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