Port Deposit Hydroplane races - August 30/31.

C

C_Spray

Member
exMember
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
898
Messages
312
Lots of racing action right in front of Tome's Landing Marina, starting at 10:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday. We'll be rafted up at the western (upstream) end. More information is at www.PortBoatRace.com. You'll have to slow to no-wake speed once you get to the I-95 bridge on the Susquehanna.
 
Chuck -

We are a "definite maybe" at this point. If we go, I'll bring the big camera lens to try to get some good race shots. Are you going Saturday, Sunday, or both?

The link says it occurs at Port Deposit Marina Park. Is this where the public ramps are? If so, do you know what the parking situation is there for boat trailer / truck rigs? Is there generally plenty of parking? Looks like there are also ramps in Perryville, Havre de Grace, and in Susquehanna State Park across the river from Port Peposit. Do you know if any of these are good ramps with good parking?

Do we have to be there by the 10:00 a.m. start and anchored in-place by start time, or is there a safe "pathway" to transit the area after the races have started?

Thanks.
 
Glenn,

I have only ever used the Port Deposit ramp, but it will be packed. Our friends use Perryvile, with no negative comments. The State Park ramp is the closest to the races - right across the river. Don't know about parking at any of them - Sorry.

If you come up from the Bay / Havre de Grace, you can come all the way around the race course on the southern side, as long as you drop to no-wake speed at the I-95 bridge, about 2 miles away.

There are numerous B&B's in the area, including "Granite and Lace" in Port Deposit, and a Holiday Inn Express (I think) in Perrysville if you do not plan to stay aboard.
 
Thanks Chuck. Looks like the spectator areas are on the downstream side, and mid-river. Are you going to be in that mid-river side or actually even farther upriver?
portdepositracecourse.jpg


Is one day of the races generally better than the other? Might just go for a day, but if we stay overnight in the area, we've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in North East a few times before. It caters to boaters and has good trailer parking.

Thanks.
 
Both days are pretty good. I haven't noticed much difference.

We've always anchored upriver, so the rear of the boat faces the race course. If you look at the top of the photo, you can see one of the dry stack buildings. We're pretty much straight out from there, at the 10:00 o'clock position of the race course.
 
Okay, thanks.
Barring bad weather or bad weather forecast, we should be there.
Janet's trying to figure out a way to bring her famous (infamous?) fat-free Key Lime Pie.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chesagansett

...Janet's trying to figure out a way to bring her famous (infamous?) fat-free Key Lime Pie.
Click to expand...

Simple:
1) Make lots of 'em. It's a big raftup.
2) Load them into a 156-quart cooler in the back of your tow vehicle.
3) Stop at Tome's Landing Marina and call us.
4) We'll come in and pick them up at the dock.
5) Drive to the launch ramp and try to get to the raftup before we eat them all.
 
Somehow I saw that answer coming!

To make it more boat friendly and easier to handle, she is thinking of making individual portions without the crust.....sort of like jello shots, but a maybe a little bigger in size.

Roughly, how many boats are you expecting in the raft-up?
 
It's not Key Lime Pie without crust or whipped cream - It's key lime pudding.

Raftup size? Hard to say. We mingle with several diferent "crowds", and they all have friends. Figure 3-6 medium-to-large cruisers, six go-fasts between 25' and 43', and assorted day boats. Bring fenders, dock lines and plenty of anchor line in case you have to contribute. The river is pretty deep there (20'-30') and holding is crappy on short scopes.
 
I'll pass on the Key Lime info to Janet.

We have 200' of anchor line, 6 "Big-B" 8"x20" fenders, and plenty of lines.
 
Chuck -

We'll be there Saturday if the weather looks good (40% chance of showers, as of now, for Saturday). Sunday looks like great weather. If we don't make it Saturday, we'll be there Sunday.
Are you going Saturday regardless of the forecast (within reason), being you're next to your own marina?

We'll be launching at Elk Neck State Park.

Glenn and Janet
 
You can also launch at Tidewater Marina in Havre de Grace. I think it costs about $15 but it's a protected ramp and there's secure parking. It's right at the mouth of the Susquehanna too, very close.

Sounds like a good time!
 
We're on our way out the door now, so we'll be there from Friday afternoon through Monday!
 
Bob -
Thanks for the info.
I was up in that area last week, so I checked out the ramps in the area. I saw two in Havre de Grace. One was for canoes / kayaks only, and the other one (way down near the river mouth) had a small, tight trailer parking area, and I saw nothing longer than single axle trailers. So, I figured on race weekend, the parking situation would be FUBAR. Is there a 3rd ramp in Havre de Grace I missed, or is this the one?

I also checked out the ramp in Perryville. Very small lot, and you need a town pass, which are sold at the Town Hall...and they are already sold out for the season. I also checked out the ramp at the Susuehaanna River Park across the river from Tomes. There was a double lane ramp, but one lane was comletely filled with weeeds, and looked unused. Everyone was using one ramp. Again.....a potential cluster.... for race day. The ramp at Port Deposit itself will be closed that weekend.
That leaves Elk Neck Park. Good ramps. Lots of parking. Only PITA there is the long hike up the hill to the parking area. Little longer boat ride to Port Deposit, but we don't mind that part...as long as the weather cooperates.
 
Glenn,

Yes, there's a third ramp. It's in Tidewater Marina (lots of sail boats). Probably too late but here the link

http://www.tidewatermarina.com/

I have a dual axel and I've used the ramp several times. Have a good one!
 
It was great to see Chuck and Diane again, and to meet several other people. Thanks for organizing that fun raft-up. Race photos soon to follow.

Glenn and Janet
 
Great seeing you guys again - Thanks for making the haul up there. Glad you got to meet a few more of the Northern Gang, too. We're having the last 2 Key Lime pies for dessert tonight!
 
Hi all -

I just posted (finally!) the race photos on the "Ask the Captain" (ATC) forum.

Enjoy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top