Smith Creek to Annapolis, July 2025

July 25-26, 2025. 73.1 nm in 13 h, average 5.8 kts, max 9.8 kts.
It was a bit rough getting out of the Potomac as it was an upwind slog in 15 kts apparent against the waves. After we made the turn to Annapolis, we had nice southerlies pushing us along. However, they were pretty much dead downwind, which prompted us to angle off course in the (sometimes) narrow channel. In the Chesapeake we learned that the cargo ships do not like to see sailboats in the channel. We had to gybe 3 times to avoid one! Would recommend staying in the 25-ft-deep water as much as possible, even if it brings you uncomfortably close to shore! We also learned that stupid Raymarine will not show buoys on the chart unless you zoom down to 250-ft scale. Like OMG that is dumb! Let's just say that you won't get sleepy on night watch in the Chesapeake!