Friday, July 8, 2022

Mess About Chart Recon

 01 Jul 22:

We are studying charts to see where there might be some good mess about areas, or in our case "muck about." Our Armada of shallow draft boats can go just about anywhere, canoe, kayak, sailboats set up with daggerboards and centerboards. Deepest draft we need is 18 inches for the runabout with the motor tilted full down.

Tyler's Beach on the James River/Burwell Bay has a nice parking area, beach launch into shoal waters, boat ramp and docks in a small harbor. Upgrades and repairs to the ramp and docks are in the works though, so if you are thinking of heading this way check with Isle of Wight Parks and Rec to see if the ramp/docks are open.


The Pagan River (formerly Pecan) dumps into the James and our plan is to recon that with our runabout first to check the effects of current and tide. There is a nice launch ramp at Clontz Park but it is a mile plus upriver, so rowing, paddling or tacking can be expected. There is also a launch ramp on Jones Creek, with one bridge to pass under in Rescue, vertical clearance 17 feet. 


Nice restaurant, hotel and docks at Smithfield Station, and a local watering hole called Chuckamucks on Jones Creek. 

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