Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay (Annapolis) Only a handful of waterways in the world can match the Chesapeake Bay for shear sailing pleasure. At about 200 miles long, it’s the largest estuary in the United States with thousands of miles of shoreline to explore. It offers sailors protected waters, great anchorages, a forgiving bottom, gorgeous natural scenery, and unique towns and villages steeped in history. It’s perfect for novices just learning to sail, yet challenging enough to keep experts captivated for a lifetime. The Tenragt Charter base is at Port Annapolis Marina on Back Creek in historic Annapolis.

Once again thank you for all your help, both yachts excellent.

A sailing Mecca if ever there was one, Annapolis lies at 38 degrees 58 minutes north latitude and 76 degrees 29 minutes west longitude. Maryland’s capital city is the perfect starting point for your Chesapeake Bay exploration. Before embarking, however, seeing the sights of Annapolis is a must. You can stroll down to “Ego Alley” at Annapolis Harbor, and then grab a sandwich at Chick and Ruth’s Delly on Main Street. A couple of streets over, you can visit the Maryland State House, historically distinctive because it’s the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use, topped by the largest wooden dome in the nation. Annapolis is also home to the U.S. Naval Academy. The Chesapeake Bay takes its name from a Powhatan Indian word, “Chesepioc,” which is loosely translated as “Great Shellfish Bay.” Spanish explorer Vincente Gonzalez was the first European to visit the region in 1561, but the Spanish were never able to establish a permanent settlement.

The French founded a settlement called Port Royal (now modern day Annapolis) in 1605. English settlers established Jamestown on the James River in 1607. Two Years later, Captain John Smith became the first European to explore and thoroughly map the Chesapeake Bay, writing in his journal that “heaven and earth have never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation.”