PHOTO ABOVE: Anchored on the Sassafras River

Trip Data: C&D Canal (mile 8, Summit North Marina) to Knight Island anchorage on Sassafras River, MD (10-2-2010)
Distance: 24.1 nm
Time: 9:40 am to 1:15 pm
Location: Knight Island anchorage on Sassafras River, MD
Lat/Lon: 39 22.685' N : 75 56.936' W
2010 Trip Log: 1544.5 nm, 106 days since departure

After 48 hours of pouring rain it was a short trip to complete the C&D canal and enter the Elk River, which flows, into the Chesapeake Bay. Two things were immediately apparent; the consecutive days of heavy rain has resulted in plenty of flotsam and jetsam in the bay and its tributaries. You have to keep a sharp lookout for the occasional but not infrequent big log floating out there.

Then there are the infamous crab pots. We dodged crab pots for the second half of the trip today once we entered the bay proper. They are hard to see and plentiful. There was also quite a bit of large scale dredging of the shipping channel with numerous large barges moored out in the bay. They are easy too see but always seem to end on your bow when you get the sails trimmed and are enjoying the ride.

We motored up the Sassafras River to an area just opposite what is known as Knight Island. We anchored in 6-7' of water. After an hour or so we realized that the area between where we anchored and the shore was the main thoroughfare for powerboats that want to duck in behind Knight Island. We were rocked by inconsiderate boater's wakes all afternoon. Fortunately they all left right before sunset and we had a calm night at anchor. We probably should have moved, but once you get the hook set, monitor it and realize it is good, you relax and enjoy the scenery.

Later our new friends on "Dalliance" (IP 31) Shannon and Kris motored in and dropped their anchor 100 yards from us. We 'dinghied' over and enjoyed some nice appetizers and cocktails in their cockpit.

It was a very nice afternoon and evening and we enjoyed a calm, quiet night at anchor.