Fast Approaching

[Bdc]

Speaking of Fast Approaching.......

woooooooohoooooooo.......It's beautiful outside this afternoon. It's gotta be close to 70 if not higher. Would be great to get an extensive period of these temps, eh?
I work in a high school as a counselor and some of my students were talking about the upcoming season and a few spots where they really nail them and some good size too. ...Funny, we're going to visit the spot next weekend...just to check it out b/c i've never been there. It's actually off of land too. It's great to see the younger generation love the outdoors as much as these kids.
Anyway, I'm just babbling b/c this weather gave me the spring fever!!
Have a great weekend.
-Bdc

[DancinCrab]

Im with you on that BC!

I'm going to toss my other boat in the water today and take a ride, just for the pure fun of being on that water with the temp at 65 instead of 25!

Have a great day all!

[CrAbBeRpEzZ]

Fast is right.  and warm is right.  just got home from school and its gotta be at least 70

[eelfisher]

'bout time we start seeing these temps, eh? what a beautiful day....

[cw4340]

STILL NEED SUN

[indoe]

I have a question that might be able to be answered by the experianced boaters. I know the ramps gets very crowded at the Wye so I thought I would launch from Sandy Point Park or somewere around there. I was wondering if any of you guys or ladys could tell me how long it would take me to get to the Wye. I have 170 Hp engine on a 19 ft wellcraft. I don't know how fast it go's since I have not had it out on the water yet. I was also hoping someone could tell me were I could purchase a map for the area.

Indoe

[jack1747]

Remeber this is a swag.  I am figuring your boat can do about 25-30 mph on glass, based on the 160hp v20 wellcraft I had once.  A quick look at my charts put the trip at around 25-30 miles.  I'm guessing once your up on plane 1 to 2 hours. The trick would be getting back if the weather got snotty.  Since the wind usually blows out of the west it could be a [Sam Hill] of a ride home.  Plus an hour or so on a pounding boat will take more out of you than you think.  After the ride over you might find that you dont feel like crabin and be dreadin the ride back.  I would not try a trip like that until you are more familiar with your new boat and that area of the bay.  

[CRABGUY]

I WOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT GAS
30 MILE ROUND TRIP (S.W.A.G. METHOD) CUTTING
A LITTLE CLOSE
IT CAN FEEL LIKE A HUNDRED MILES IN 6' SWELLS
T.L.A.R. METHOD

[indoe]

I thought it was a good idea at first.   I was thinking it would be about 10 miles away and I could get there in about half an hour.   Thanks for the info and know that I know the real distance my plan might have to be changed a little. How is the traffic at the boat ramp around 9 or 10 am at the Wye. I might have to get there a little late so that I don't hold anybody up.  Is there a time when the ramp opens up or can I launch at any time. If there isn't I might get there early and sleep on the boat until morning. Just an idea. Thanks for the help guys.
Indoe

[Crabpop]

Indoe, holy mackerel! First some suggestions, then we'll get you to the Wye River from other than the Wye Landing ramp.
I take it this boat is new to you -- either a brand new Wellcraft or a previously owned one with a 170HP motor.  Before heading out on a 2-3 hour venture across two bays and a river system (Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Bay, and the Wye River), take that boat out of Sandy Point for a couple test runs.  See how the boat handles, on both flat calm water and a little chop; see how the motor functions, responds to throttle and helm; stop and check the bilge occassionally for water leaks or other fluids; see if it has a bilge pump and, if it does, pour a bucket of water in the bilge to see if it pumps it out.   I would do this test run from Sandy Point at least twice; it will also help you to get to know the boat.  Get a membership to one of the boat tow services that operate in the central Chesapeake Bay region.  Might cost you $100-125 a year for membership, but tow are then free.  Without tow service membership, a tow will cost you 2-3-4 times the membership fee amount.
Now, for the Wye River.  There are quite a few ramps on the eastern shore of Maryland that will negate the need for you to cross the Chesapeake Bay from the western shore.  Check out the following link and a color map will appear.  Click on the orange colored county (Talbot County) or the green one to the north of Talbot
(Queen Annes County).  If you use one of the Queen Annes County ramps you will have to cross the Eastern Bay to get to the entrance of the Wye River. If you use one of the Talbot County ramps, for instance, at or near Saint Michaels, you'll have only a 20-30 minute run to the entrance of the Wye River.  Now, more good news.  Once on the Wye River, you don't have to go up river all the way to Wye Landing (Schnaitmanns Boat Rentals, et al) to catch Wye River crabs.  Crabbing can be excellent in the lower part of the river also.  Now, this is important.  The Wye River twists and turns though the Talbot County countryside.  You need a good map or chartbook of the area.  One I recommend is ADC's Chesapeake Bay Chartbook for Maryland and Virginia.  It's laminated and costs around $45.00.  A lot of good information in this chartbook, which will help to keep you from getting lost.  That's about it.  Oh yeah, my wife (who is from Pusan) says to take along kimchi and rice to stave off hunger in case you do get lost  .  Here is the boat ramp link.  Good luck my friend.

((Darn, forgot the link; here it is, Indoe))

http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/state2.html

P.S., The ramp at Wye Landing is open 24 hours, I believe.  You can put your boat in the water at 3AM, as long as you have functioning navigation lights.

Crabpop  

[waterboy]

Indoe, Since I'm coming over from the western shore, when I crab the Wye I launch at the Kent Narrows.  Nice wide ramp with lot's of parking and rarely a wait, from there I run to the Wye.  In a 17' whaler with a 90HP it takes about 30 minutes to get to my spot near the mouth, I don't think I could drive to the Wye and run my boat any quicker.  After crabbing there's several fishing options on the way home and crabbing in the Narrows is not too bad either.  

Good luck with the new rig and cross your fingers for an early season.    

[jack1747]

http://www.boatsafe.com/

[mariner]

Indoe:

I have a page on my website which has a javascript using the 60D=S/T formula. All you have to do is input 2 of the 3 numbers requested and the rest is automatic. Just go to: http://searay.50megs.com/stuff.html

You have to be well aware of the weather as has already been mentioned. Wind and current is also a factor. On a normal good day Sandy Point is really busy. A lot of the boaters coming out of the launch area near the bridge seem to have little regard for others. BE CAREFUL!

[indoe]

Thanks guys for the info. I just took my boating safty cource a week ago and my bilge pump works great. I am going to launch my boat for the first time in essex. I planned on taking my boat for a test run before I went out on a day long trip. I will look for that chartbook, I will definatly need one. Thanks about the info about Kent Narrows Waterboy, that seems like a good place to launch from. Crabpop tell your wife that I will try to bring some kimpop with me so I don't get hungry when I get lost.  

[Crabpop]

Hey Indoe, kimbop will do the trick.  Sometimes take some along myself.  Good luck with the test run and enjoy the boat.

Crabpop

[Darrell]

Indoe, I have a 17 ft Boston Whaler Montauk. I often launch at Sandy Point and have rode round Kent Island several times. Its about a 10 mile ride up the bay to Sandy Point from the south at Bloody Pt light.and can be hard if the winds blowing to the south. Last year I went to Dominion via
Sandy Point to crab It takes so long to get their and back so I bought a 50 dollar ramp pass Then as the crabbing really picked up along came Isabel.. The Wye ramp is not all that bad. In good years boat trailers are parked a good mile up the road but thats not been lately.  To tell the truth I would even welcome that site as it means good crabbing. People give others a lift back to their trailers and down to the ramp so its not too bad. The ramp is open all night and there will be a crowd launching at break of dawn. I useually get there about 7 AM after a 82 mile ride from Va and most people are out by then with some coming in some good years with two bushels!. Kent Narrows as mentioned is a good close place to put in. You need a county ramp permit for Kent Narrows from Queen Anne Co. 10 dollars if your from Maryland and 50 if not. The Wye also requires a permit 10 dollars for Md and 35 for others less they went to 50 too. Theres no paying for just a day. In the sum of it the price you ll pay for gas over from Sandy Pt you can buy a bunch of crabs..

Crabpop it won't be long and you and your wife will be enjoying "kay amoogo" Korean for eating crabs!

[Crabpop]

Crabpop it won't be long and you and your wife will be enjoying "kay amoogo" Korean for eating crabs!

Right you are, Darrell! The Louisiana guys and gals have kept us alive over the winter with some pretty good Gulf crabs, but can't wait for the locals to show up. Looked in the freezer on Sunday and only have 10 homemade jumbo crabcakes left!  With the wife, and two kids in college living at home, I may have to start a rationing system.
How's this sound:
1 for the family
2 for me
3 for the family
4 for me
---
10
Yep, that'll work!

Crabpop
 

[indoe]

Sounds good to me Crabpop but don't let the wife see that post or she might steam you up.  

[CrAbBeRpEzZ]

 ;Dno i think 2 for the family 8 for u may do the trick

[CRABGUY]

SOUNDS A LOT LIKE CRABGUYS BEER RATIONING SYSTEM