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OT Chesapeake in August

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2013 : 17:40:49

I'm going to Annapolis in mid-August to helm a Precision 23 in their Nationals (the boat that we won on last year).
What kind of weather is prevalent at that time - temps, wind etc.?

Derek Crawford
Chief Measurer C25-250 2008
Previous owner of "This Side UP"
1981 C-25 TR/FK #2262 Used to have an '89 C22 #9483, "Downsized"
San Antonio, Texas

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2013 : 18:19:14

You can Google "average temperatures and winds" by region.

Gets pretty hot on the Chesapeake in August - but you're from Texas!

Edited by - OJ on 06/02/2013 18:44:24

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2013 : 18:32:21

What fun! Have a great time.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2013 : 19:14:13

Hot. Fluky. Pop-up T-storms. Black flies. UGLY! Pure HELL.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 08:03:28

Hot with fluky, often light winds, but you can also get afternoon thunderstorms, which are usually fairly short-lived. Depending on wind direction, it can get very rough on the Bay, or it can be smooth.

As I recall, the usual minimum standard for starting a race on the Bay in light air is a fairly persistent 2 kt wind. The RC generally won't start a race in any less than a persistent 2 kt wind. In those conditions, keep a vhf on, in case of a shortened course, or the broadcast of an alert of an approaching thunderstorm.

If the RC starts the race in 2-2/12 kts of wind, be aware that you might not be able to generate enough boat speed to overcome an adverse tidal current and to sail across the starting line. The RC will try to consider those things, but they're only human. In light air, stay close to the starting line, start on the tack that will allow you to generate the most speed and the most favorable angle against the current, and start at the end of the starting line that is closest to the direction from which the current is flowing. (That will allow you to drift down-current for the whole length of the starting line, if necessary.) You can get a good idea of the strength and direction of the tidal current by motoring or sailing close alongside a buoy before the start of the race.

If the wind dies while you're on the race course, be prepared to drop the anchor, so you don't drift backwards on a tidal current. In that case, you might have to wait until the wind picks up again. The last time that happened, I was anchored on the lead boat, and the second place boat was anchored just behind us, well within shouting distance. We both raised our anchors at the same time and started sailing again. Some of the crew cooled off with a swim while we waited for wind, but they need to be ready to scramble back onto the boat quickly if the wind comes back.

Also, the depth of the Bay varies widely. It is deepest on the east side, where the commercial shipping channel is located. The depth generally is around 40', but in the shipping channel it can reach over 100', especially in the general vicinity around Bloody Point Light, and it often drops off sharply at the edge of the shipping channel. The tidal current runs fastest in the deeper water. Be aware of the times of tidal flows and changes each day, and try to plot your course so that you are in the current when it is carrying you where you want to go, and out of the current when it is flowing against you.

One of the biggest differences between racing on an inland lake and racing on the Bay is the presence of tidal currents. Using them to your advantage can make you or break you.

Speaking of commercial shipping, they occasionally cruise through the race course, and it's our obligation to stay well clear of them, not vice-versa. If they start blowing their horn repeatedly, be sure you aren't the object of their attention.

Good luck!

Edited by - Steve Milby on 06/03/2013 08:34:27

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 10:12:21

Well.. I just hafta say.. bucket with a rope.. throw overboard and fill with water, pull up and pour over you. Standard procedure on my boat.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2013 : 10:17:16

Thanks Steve. As usual your responses are complete!

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 05:13:34

Last August I remember several perfect sailing days with moderate winds and sunny skies. One day there was a breeze in the morning, but then in the afternoon we could swim as fast as the boat was sailing!

There were thunderstorms across parts of the northern Chesapeake on 8 different days in August, 2012, according to the NOAA records.

August weather makes for interesting sailing on the Bay!

Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena - August 2012

8-1-12
CHESAPEAKE BAY N BEACH TO DRUM PT MD COUNTY --- 6.3 NNW MID BAY BUOY [38.56, -76.41]
08/01/12 03:10 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (MG 45 kt)
Wind gusts up to 45 knots were reported at Goose's Reef CBIBS Buoy.
Wind gusts in excess of 33 knots were reported at Bishops Head.

8-5-12
PATAPSCO RIVER INCLUDING BALTIMORE HARBOR COUNTY --- 0.9 SE BALTIMORE CITY [39.27, -76.58]
08/05/12 15:54 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (EG 34 kt)
Wind gusts in excess of 32 knots were reported at Baltimore.

CHESAPEAKE BAY POOLES IS TO SANDY PT MD COUNTY --- 0.2 NNW MILLER ISLAND [39.25, -76.37]
Wind gusts of 40 knots were reported at Hart Miller Island.

8-10-12
CHESAPEAKE BAY N BEACH TO DRUM PT MD COUNTY --- 6.3 NNW MID BAY BUOY [38.56, -76.41]
08/10/12 07:20 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (MG 50 kt)
Wind gusts of 50 knots were reported at Gooses Reef CBIBS Buoy.

8-11-12
TANGIER SOUND AND THE INLAND WATERS SURROUNDING BLOODSWORTH ISLAND COUNTY --- 0.1 ENE BISHOPS HEAD [38.22, -76.04]
08/11/12 15:13 EST Source: Buoy
Wind gusts in excess of 33 knots were reported at Bishop Head.

CHESAPEAKE BAY N BEACH TO DRUM PT MD COUNTY --- 6.3 NNW MID BAY BUOY [38.56, -76.41]
08/11/12 16:40 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (MG 55 kt)
Wind gusts up to 55 knots were reported at Gooses Reef CBIBS Buoy.

CHESAPEAKE BAY POOLES IS TO SANDY PT MD COUNTY --- 0.2 NNW MILLER ISLAND [39.25, -76.37]
08/11/12 17:57 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (MG 34 kt)
Wind gusts of 34 knots were reported at Hart Miller Island.

8-14-12
CHESAPEAKE BAY N OF POOLES IS MD COUNTY --- 4.8 NNE GUNPOWDER FALLS STATE PARK [39.42, -76.29]
08/14/12 21:55 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (MG 38 kt)
Wind gusts up to 38 knots were reported at Deerfield Elementary.

CHESAPEAKE BAY POOLES IS TO SANDY PT MD COUNTY --- 3.1 NE MARTIN STATE AIRPORT [39.36, -76.37]
08/14/12 21:55 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (EG 34 kt)
Wind gusts in excess of 31 knots were reported at Gunpowder.
A cold front moved through the Mid Atlantic in the afternoon and evening. Scattered thunderstorms occurred with damaging winds and

8-17-12
CHESAPEAKE BAY POOLES IS TO SANDY PT MD COUNTY --- 6.7 ENE BALTIMORE APPROACHES BUOY [39.21, -76.25]
08/17/12 20:06 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (EG 34 kt)
Wind gusts in excess of 31 knots were reported at Tolchester.
A cold front moved through the region and stalled south of the Chesapeake Bay. Continuous moisture along boundary aided in
thunderstorm development with strong winds.

8-25-12
CHOPTANK RIVER TO CAMBRIDGE MD AND THE LITTLE CHOPTANK RIVER COUNTY --- 0.3 SE CAMBRIDGE [38.57, -76.07]
08/25/12 15:18 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (MG 39 kt)
Wind gusts of up to 39 knots were reported at Cambridge.

8-26-12
CHESAPEAKE BAY SANDY PT TO N BEACH MD COUNTY --- THOMAS POINT LIGHT [38.90, -76.44]
08/26/12 07:00 EST Marine Thunderstorm Wind (EG 34 kt)
Wind gusts in excess of 32 knots were reported at Thomas Point.
There was a waterspout that was sited.

Edited by - JohnP on 06/04/2013 05:17:27

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 07:02:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 Well.. I just hafta say.. bucket with a rope.. throw overboard and fill with water, pull up and pour over you. Standard procedure on my boat.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">In Derek's case that'll be saltwater full of nettles (jellyfish)--another feature of the bay. BYOW.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 07:26:21

Pica-Pica

Well. yes.. gotta check for those first.. Didn't know the chessie was bad about them.

Edited by - redeye on 06/04/2013 07:29:23

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 08:34:54

Dave - BYOW? Bring Your Own Wine???

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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3494 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 09:37:41

I'll just add beware of the light wind days if you see one or two small dark clouds that will be passing overhead. Sometimes they pass with little event. Other times....well there was that day the other year when I was waiting for one of the Spirit Of Washington boats to leave the Potomac and head up the Washington Channel and it was the same day that two guys were suspended down long ropes working on the Washington Monument when two small dark clouds passed overhead turning what was a 5 mph light wind to something like 40-50 mph brief storm. The Washington Post captured a photo of the workers way out from the Monument caught by the wind - No one was hurt. I lost control until I was able to eventually get my outboard started and head into the wind to roll up my furling rig - I thought I was going to die. I was wearing 3/4 finger gloves but two fingers had the flesh ripped off and took about a month to heal and my Genoa, I eventually had to bring it in to attend to a rip along the UV strip...all due to this brief 10-15 minute encounter. Otherwise, winds are generally 0-5mph and 5-10mph in August with temps in high 90s but also some great days with slightly higher winds.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2013 : 09:55:30

<< Bring Your Own Wine??? >>

Bring your own water.. If you pour the chessy over you you might erode.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2013 : 08:38:48

Thanks guys, your replies are much appreciated. I'll report back after August.

Edited by - on

Frank Law
Navigator

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USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2013 : 10:53:21

I boat on the upper Chesapeake above the Bay Bridge / Baltimore " Most years there are no nettles in the upper bay..On the years when there is little rain the salt line move up the bay and nettles may come also.. I have never seen a nettle where I boat , and we swim almost every time we go out and haven't had any ill effects or glowed....August winds are often negligble and if the temperature is above 85 thunderstorms are frequent..
BUT the Chesapeake is a great place to boat with a lot of towns to sail to and numerous gunkholes to anchor in..
Enjoy your visit

Frank Law
"ABOUT TIME"
1983 3519-----Still on the hard :(:(

Edited by - on

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