Tantalizing descriptions of the bay's intricate waterways--word pictures of how they are transformed over the four seasons of the year--and an informative discussion of the bay's geology, ecology, and human history will entice the reader to get out and poke around in and on the water. Author John Page Williams, director of special field programs for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and author of the Naturalist's Almanac in Chesapeake Bay Magazine, writes in a lucid, easygoing style as he introduces these waterways that he has been exploring for over thirty years. He fills readers in on all they need to know about water safety, boat selection, and seamanship, including discussions on the various ways to propel their boats--motoring, rowing, paddling, and poling. In addition, there is a chapter on natural history gear, such as binoculars, field guides, cast nets, books, and maps. In the second section, the author focuses attention on a single example of each of a wide range of waterways that represent the varied ecological niches that ring the bay. These trip descriptions include information on access points, a short historical overview, physical characteristics of each watercourse and its banks, and remarks on the flora and fauna to be found there, in a narrative that at once stimulates and inspires.

This richly illustrated, informative, and inviting book intertwines two fascinating stories of discovery. The first, among the earliest classics of New World adventure, recounts Captain John Smith's exploration of Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago; the second revisits this stunning landscape as it is today--both to showcase its still-unspoiled splendors and to issue a timely warning of looming threats to its vibrant but fragile ecology. Dozens of dazzling full-color contemporary photographs evoke the Chesapeake spirit in all its many moods, while a wonderfully wide-ranging selection of archival images span the four centuries since John Smith first sailed, rowed, and wandered its woods and waterways, mapping the wilderness shores of an untamed America. The author, a veteran naturalist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has spent decades leading tours and teaching classes about the region. An ideal guide, he shares both his delight in the Bay's glorious diversity and his deep concern for its future. In addition, his unique blend of experience, environmental sensitivity, and historical expertise offers modern visitors a rare opportunity to discover the Chesapeake as Smith did so long ago, leaving beaten paths and familiar waters behind to learn why Congress will soon designate it as the first of America's official National Historic Water Trails. For history buffs, conservationists, armchair travelers, tourists planning a trip, and anyone who simply loves first-rate nature photography, this beautiful book more than meets the high standard readers have come to expect from National Geographic.

During the 1880s, Chesapeake Bay boatbuilders began constructing small wooden open boats, referred to as deadrise boats, out of planks with V-shaped bows. As boatbuilders created larger deadrise boats, decks were installed to provide more work and payload space; these deck boats also had a house/pilothouse near the stern and a mast closer to the bow of the boat. Deck boats were powered by gasoline engines but also utilized sails and wind. From the 1910s to the 1940s, auxiliary "steadying" sails were raised to help steady the boat when encountering adverse seas. More deck boats were built in the 1920s than in any other decade. Over the history of the boats, several thousand worked the bay in the freight business, were used to buy and plant oysters, worked in the bay's pound net fishery, and dredged for crabs and oysters. Approximately 40 boats are left on the bay. A few still work the water. Some have found new life as recreational yachts, and others are education boats owned by museums and nonprofits. In 2004, boat owners formed the Chesapeake Bay Buyboat Association, which holds an annual rendezvous at different ports as a way to educate the public about this unique aspect of Chesapeake Bay maritime history.

"Shellenberger has perfected the art of gunkholing . . . An excellent book for both those who enjoy weekend cruises and those who merely want to know more about Chesapeake Bay." -- Daily Press (Newport News, VA) "With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, the Chesapeake Bay offers a treasury of cruising spots. Shellenberger's book provides the key to unlock it." -- Virginian-Pilot "An 'insider's' look at the hundreds of places cruisers and weekend boaters love to hole up in. . . . It is also a loving portrait of the bay, its history, its people, its wildlife, and its environment." -- The Mariner "A truly monumental guide." -- Sunday Capital (Annapolis, MD) Dotting its more than 3,000-mile shoreline are creeks, coves, and inlets--or gunkholes in Chesapeake Bay parlance. They are as challenging as they are charming for cruisers to fi nd and enter, sometimes discouraging the less adventuresome. But thanks to author Bill Shellenberger, you will be able to enjoy these hidden treasures like an old pro. For more than twenty years, Bill Shellenberger's Cruising the Chesapeake has been the guide of choice for sailors and motor cruisers seeking to avoid the beaten path. Here Bill shares with you his engaging, heartfelt evocation of the Bay, its shores, history, wildlife, and people. No other guide to the region offers such complete, detailed coverage of virtually every point of interest on the Bay--from the secluded east fork of Langford Creek to the bustling hearts of Baltimore, Washington, and Norfolk. Find your path to Cruising the Chesapeake with A cruise planner with suggested itineraries for cruises of 3, 9, and 16 days, supported by overview charts and planning tips Waypoints for anchorages and key locations that make planning your cruises and integrating navigational data into your GPS unit a snap NOAA charts and aerial photos of key anchorages and tricky passages Updated information on piloting and shoreside facilities Expanded coverage up the Atlantic seaboard from the entrance of the Chesapeake to New York City and its anchorages that make this the ONE guide for the mid-Atlantic boater A comprehensive cruise planner and navigation guide and a vivid celebration of one of North America's natural treasures, Cruising the Chesapeake is a book no Chesapeake boater will want to be without.

"The author, Captain Michael Dodd, grew up in Baltimore and spent many hours on the Chesapeake Bay throughout most of his life. His book outlines a fascinating exploration of 23 cities and towns on the Bay from a waterborne perspective. He and his wife, Maureen, motored the length of the Bay during the Covid year of 2020. This book describes their journey, and each chapter starts with a delightful historic outline of the port visited. Little tidbits of tantalizing facts are discovered and explored and make this book more than a simple travelogue. Who knew there was a German U-boat at the bottom of the Potomac River? Or that tiny Tangier Island, Virginia, in the central Bay, was a British resupply fort during the War of 1812? We all know that Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star Bangled Banner" while observing the bombardment of Ft. McHenry in Baltimore. But did you know that he was a temporary captive on a British ship when he watched the event unfold? The author's easy writing style makes this book attractive not only to yachtsmen and boaters of all stripes but to anyone with an interest in American history. This book includes: 23 ports of call Detailed sights to see and historic places to visit Describes entrance to each port Offers suggestions for restaurants and shopping spots Overnight visits to each port - with extra nights at Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington DC, Yorktown, and St. Michaels Suggestions for marinas Offers a summary of Bay historic events and their relationship to world history"--

This newly released Chesapeake Bay cruising guide contains dozens of color aerial photographs of Bay anchorages, harbors, channels, ports of call and marinas. Accompanied by informative text helpful for Chesapeake Bay sailing and cruising, the photographs are invaluable for visually assisted navigation and planning your next cruise. The photographs feature text overlays which identify marinas, resorts, suggested navigation routes, attractions and other points of interest. The photographs are extremely useful when used with your Chesapeake Bay nautical charts. The cruising guide provides Chesapeake Bay sailing, boating and cruising coverage from its northern boundary at Chesapeake City and the C&D Canal to Norfolk at the south. The book is designed to be utilized by cruising boaters, coastal sailing cruisers and those on a Chesapeake Bay vacation. If you are planning a Chesapeake Bay charter boat voyage, this book will be especially helpful for your Bay sailing trip. Separate feature stories about the Chesapeake Bay and its history describe dozens of the most popular cruising destinations, ports of call and their unique and colorful communities. Among the Bay cruising destinations on the Western Shore are Chesapeake City, North East, Havre de Grace, Baltimore, Fell's Point, Annapolis, Herring Bay, Chesapeake Beach, Solomons, Deltaville, Urbanna, Irvington, Hampton, Portsmouth and Norfolk. Eastern Shore coverage includes the Sassafras River, Chestertown, Rock Hall, the Bay Bridge, Kent Island Narrows, St. Michaels, Tilgham Island, Oxford, Cambridge, Tangier and Smith Islands and Crisfield. This boating book is at home at the helm of your boat or on the coffee-table. It joins this series of digital and print cruising guides including the East Coast Of Florida Ports Of Call, the Florida Keys Ports of Call, the Southwest Florida Ports of Call and The Bahamas - Abaco Ports Of Call. Discover other features and boating news stories about Intracoastal Waterway cruising, Florida and Abaco the Bahamas cruising destinations, new cruising guide releases, fishing, diving, anchorages and sailing vacations at www.floridacruisingguides.com.

The story of Chesapeake pirates and patriots begins with a land dispute and ends with the untimely death of an oyster dredger at the hands of the Maryland Oyster Navy. From the golden age of piracy to Confederate privateers and oyster pirates, the maritime communities of the Chesapeake Bay are intimately tied to a fascinating history of intrigue, plunder and illicit commerce raiding. Author Jamie L.H. Goodall introduces infamous men like Edward "Blackbeard" Teach and "Black Sam" Bellamy, as well as lesser-known local figures like Gus Price and Berkeley Muse, whose tales of piracy are legendary from the harbor of Baltimore to the shores of Cape Charles.