kayaking across the cheasapeake bay

[suprio]

Hi There, The Sea Kayakers in the group!

I have been wanting to paddle across the Cheasapeake Bay for quite some time. Like, starting from First Landing State Park beach to Wise Point. The Fisherman's island area seems to have nice tidal currents, so we could possibly go around it.

It will be great if any of you, who have done this before, wants to do it again. Probably we have to setup the shuttle, (we can do the out and back next time ).

Ofcourse, weather and conditions are to be checked, and I also need my dry suit back from repair. So I am hoping of doing this is some time in October or later. So that gives us good amount of time to plan and prepare for this trip for the right window of weather and conditions.

I tend to miss out on the mails from this forum sometimes. So please feel free to message or email me directly, too (919 675 8053, suprio.bhattacharya@gmail.com)

Thanks a lot for checking! Looking forward to hearing from you!


Cheers,
Suprio

[dkurt]

Just wondering, how far is that trip and about how far is it across? Eastern shore boating is great! Paddled over there several times, most of my kayaking this year is on Smith Mountain Lake.
Kurt

[PrimaryColors]

I might be interested in doing this trip. It looks like the minimum open water crossing is about 11-12 miles, and from First Landing to Wise Point minimum 14 miles. With tidal currents and paddling around Fishermans Island I would count on 16+.

I would also be interested in paddling around the barrier islands sometime.

Paul

[suprio]

Hi, Paul, Kurt,

I am sorry, I dont receive the notification of the replies, and therefore the delay in my reply.

This will be around 20miles paddle - 5hrs with around 4m/hr rate ... I wont be doing this before November. Probably late November or December.
I will post the date once I have better idea about the timeline.
There is a guy who has done crossing couple of times and I am hoping he will probably be the real leader for his experience. Based on his input, Kiptopeke to 89th st in Virginia Beach might be one the route.
There can be fog and wind - ofcourse the limiting speed will be 12-15 knots. Shipping lanes are the other important consideration when doing this crossing.
Have you done this kind of crossing, or this distance before?
I am not sure how the beach gradient, but experience with surf landing may be useful. And ofcourse T-rescue.
I will be on my PnH Scorpio.
Can you please share your open water crossing kayaking experience?

You can also pm me about your open water experience. I would love to have more intermediate-level paddlers join this trip!

Cheers,
Suprio