Solomons Yachting Center: Take That, Isabel

The new Solomons Yachting Center has risen on the spot where Town Center Marina was destroyed by the hurricane. by Jody Argo Schroath I think it's likely that when most cruisers set out on the Bay they are leaving behind them a spot at least moderately developed--you know, Captain Cook leaving London for Tahiti. But for me it doesn't work like that. Starting out from Harryhogan Point on the lower Potomac's Yeocomico River, I am like the simple islander off for the big city. And this time I was off for Solomons with a stop at Solomons Yachting Center. Talk about civilization. Okay, you can laugh, but for an outlander like me, the thought of floating docks, shower suites and a swimming pool were just this side of Claridges Hotel and Trafalgar Square. The sail north is an easy one: out the Yeocomico, a right turn at the Potomac and a sharp left at Point Lookout and then up the Bay. Point No Point soon falls to stern and pretty soon the inquisitive nose of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the entrance to the Patuxent is off the port bow. From there it's a simple left into the river and a right into the Solomons channel, taking care to avoid a broad but well marked area to starboard called the flats. (Actually, you can pass the flats on the other side by way of the inside channel, if you're feeling contrary.) Once inside the harbor, the living is easy. No matter what the weather is kicking up out on the Bay, Solomons' sheltered harbor is a tame mule. The inner harbor is divided into three parts, with Mill Creek to the right, Back Creek to center and the Narrows to the left. Finding the marina in the midst of this abundance sounded a little daunting to this outlander, but nothing could have been easier. Solomons Yachting Center occupies the point of land between the Narrows and Back Creek, with some of its slips and the boatyard facing the water side of Solomons' long lovely row of shops and restaurants and the other side facing the busy entrance to Back Creek. In fact, the whole place is a rubbernecker's paradise, with pleasure craft and Solomons' sizable fishing fleet working their way in and out of the harbor. But, like Claridges, Solomons Yachting Center is an oasis in the midst of a busy world, and soon I was stretching my legs in one of the comfortable chairs on the well tended lawn at dockside. Solomons Yachting Center has more than 100 slips on brand-new floating docks that can accommodate boats 35 to 120 feet and with drafts of up to 14 feet--and of course my 27-foot Albin Vega and its 33/4 feet, as well. All the activity across the Narrows was calling to me, but first I stopped in at the office and talked with manager Sue Butler because I had heard that the marina had been devastated when Hurricane Isabel powered through. And indeed it had, Butler said, showing me the pictures to prove it. The marina that had stood on this spot, then called Town Center Marina, had been virtually erased from the map. But, purchased by Jim Underhill about 21/2 years ago, the renamed Solomons Yachting Center has rebuilt better than ever. In addition to the floating docks, the facility now features power pedestals on the docks, restrooms and shower suites in the clubhouse, internet access, cable TV service and light snacks and sandwiches. There are picnic areas with grills, a laundry and two pump-out stations. Butler told me that the transient slips are reserved at least once a month by different yachting or boating groups. The boatyard does general maintenance, she said, including hauling, painting and cleaning, and anything you want to do yourself. For more extensive work, she'll direct you to excellent local yards. There are a number of other marinas nearby, including Zahniser's Yachting Center (410-326-4099) and Spring Cove Marina (410-326-2161), both just up Back Creek. Well, enough shop talk, I was ready to dive into one of Solomons' good seafood restaurants, followed by a little shopping and a visit to the Calvert Marine Museum--all just a loaner-bike ride away. Solomons Yachting Center Solomons, Md. 410-326-2401 www.solomonsyachtingcenter.com Fuel: gas and diesel Power: 30, 50, 100 amp Depths: 14' at fuel dock; 4' to 14' at slips Dockage: $1.90/ft Pump-out: $5 [08.05 issue]

The new Solomons Yachting Center has risen on the spot where Town Center Marina was destroyed by the hurricane.

by Jody Argo Schroath

I think it's likely that when most cruisers set out on the Bay they are leaving behind them a spot at least moderately developed--you know, Captain Cook leaving London for Tahiti. But for me it doesn't work like that. Starting out from Harryhogan Point on the lower Potomac's Yeocomico River, I am like the simple islander off for the big city. And this time I was off for Solomons with a stop at Solomons Yachting Center. Talk about civilization. Okay, you can laugh, but for an outlander like me, the thought of floating docks, shower suites and a swimming pool were just this side of Claridges Hotel and Trafalgar Square.

The sail north is an easy one: out the Yeocomico, a right turn at the Potomac and a sharp left at Point Lookout and then up the Bay. Point No Point soon falls to stern and pretty soon the inquisitive nose of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the entrance to the Patuxent is off the port bow. From there it's a simple left into the river and a right into the Solomons channel, taking care to avoid a broad but well marked area to starboard called the flats. (Actually, you can pass the flats on the other side by way of the inside channel, if you're feeling contrary.) Once inside the harbor, the living is easy. No matter what the weather is kicking up out on the Bay, Solomons' sheltered harbor is a tame mule.

The inner harbor is divided into three parts, with Mill Creek to the right, Back Creek to center and the Narrows to the left. Finding the marina in the midst of this abundance sounded a little daunting to this outlander, but nothing could have been easier. Solomons Yachting Center occupies the point of land between the Narrows and Back Creek, with some of its slips and the boatyard facing the water side of Solomons' long lovely row of shops and restaurants and the other side facing the busy entrance to Back Creek. In fact, the whole place is a rubbernecker's paradise, with pleasure craft and Solomons' sizable fishing fleet working their way in and out of the harbor. But, like

Claridges, Solomons Yachting Center is an oasis in the midst of a busy world, and soon I was stretching my legs in one of the comfortable chairs on the well tended lawn at dockside.

Solomons Yachting Center has more than 100 slips on brand-new floating docks that can accommodate boats 35 to 120 feet and with drafts of up to 14 feet--and of course my 27-foot Albin Vega and its 33/4 feet, as well.

All the activity across the Narrows was calling to me, but first I stopped in at the office and talked with manager Sue Butler because I had heard that the marina had been devastated when Hurricane Isabel powered through. And indeed it had, Butler said, showing me the pictures to prove it. The marina that had stood on this spot, then called Town Center Marina, had been virtually erased from the map. But, purchased by Jim Underhill about 21/2 years ago, the renamed Solomons Yachting Center has rebuilt better than ever. In addition to the floating docks, the facility now features power pedestals on the docks, restrooms and shower suites in the clubhouse, internet access, cable TV service and light snacks and sandwiches. There are picnic areas with grills, a laundry and two pump-out stations.

Butler told me that the transient slips are reserved at least once a month by different yachting or boating groups. The boatyard does general maintenance, she said, including hauling, painting and cleaning, and anything you want to do yourself. For more extensive work, she'll direct you to excellent local yards. There are a number of other marinas nearby, including Zahniser's Yachting Center (410-326-4099) and Spring Cove Marina (410-326-2161), both just up Back Creek.

Well, enough shop talk, I was ready to dive into one of Solomons' good seafood restaurants, followed by a little shopping and a visit to the Calvert Marine Museum--all just a loaner-bike ride away.

Solomons Yachting Center
Solomons, Md.
410-326-2401
www.solomonsyachtingcenter.com
Fuel: gas and diesel
Power: 30, 50, 100 amp
Depths: 14' at fuel dock; 4' to 14' at slips
Dockage: $1.90/ft
Pump-out: $5

[08.05 issue]