Nearly 100 years after Captain John Smith led his expedition up the river, in 1706, the Port of Baltimore was established at the head of the northwest branch of the Patapsco River, later known as the Basin and then the Inner Harbor. The port expanded east and southeast downriver to what we know now to be Fells Point and Canton.
The word Patapsco derives from the Algonquian pota-psk-ut for backwater. Three hundred years later, anything from water taxis to tall ships still roam the bustling port—just upriver from Baltimore’s substantial commercial port—and visiting sailors may catch a free Circulator Trolley to anything from a ball game to a seafood restaurant along a cobblestone street.
If you would like to try an urban cruising destination, September is a wonderful month to visit Charm City. Not only does the weather tend to be friendly for sailing and strolling, there are endless events: harbor cruises, museum exhibits, art shows, ball games, concerts, and even Fells Point ghost walks. To find Baltimore fall events, start at spinsheet.com/calendar. Next, try baltimore.org/events.
Entering the Harbor
The shipping lane in the Patapsco is vast, well-marked, and well-used. Luckily, there’s plenty of space for sailboats outside yet near the shipping lane as you travel to the Inner Harbor. One word of warning: wake! Mix a ripping current with a stiff breeze and a steaming ship, and even the heaviest 40-footer can get rolled, so choose your travel days and times well if you can, and batten the hatches. The river is wide with few shoals to watch for. Rock Point Shoal, halfway between Bodkin Point and Fort Carroll, is one to mark on your chart—and you’ll know why it’s called Rock Point when you see it. Other than that, just steer clear of the shipping lane and enjoy the interesting view of the industrial port, Ft. McHenry, and the pleasant view of the city skyline as you enter the Inner Harbor.
Tying Up for the Night
SpinSheet writer and Baltimore sailor Eric Vohr prefers Henderson’s Wharf Marina in Fells Point because of its walkability to bars and restaurants. Between Henderson’s Wharf and Anchorage Marina, you’ll find a short-term anchorage as well. hendersonswharf.com
Last September, SpinSheet’s editor stayed at Baltimore Marine Center’s Inner Harbor marina at the foot of Federal Hill, where she was treated well, met a surprising number of slipholders walking little dogs, and enjoyed walking over to the Baltimore Book Festival. The only drawback was the bright light coming from the field spotlights at night—nothing that a beach towel draped over the companionway couldn’t block. baltimoremarinecenters.com
Another great docking option for transients in Baltimore is Harbor East Marina, near Little Italy, only three blocks from the grocery store and the Charm City Circulator bus line.
Baltimore’s Dockmaster’s office (near the Rusty Scupper) also offers docking for big boats and dinghies at Piers 3, 4, and 5 in the Inner Harbor. Before you go, visit baltimoredockmastersoffice.com for pricing; once you’re there, hail the dockmaster via VHF on channel 68 or call (410) 396-3174.
Getting Around
If you wanted to just sit on your boat, you would probably be across the Bay on the Eastern Shore… but when in Baltimore, why not taste city life? Once you’re docked and settled in, there are myriad ways of getting around Baltimore. The top option is by foot, but if you want to travel farther afield, you have two efficient options besides taxis: the free Charm City Circulator (which covers the entire Inner Harbor and runs until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays) and the Baltimore Water Taxi (which runs until 11 p.m. on weekends and costs $8 one way or $14 for a day-long pass). Click to charmcitycirculator.com or
baltimorewatertaxi.com for more.
O’s Games
There are 15 home Orioles games between September 1 and October 4, including ones against the Rays, Royals, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Yankees. Click to baltimore.orioles.mlb.com, buy some tickets, and see for yourself why traveling to baseball games by boat is a SpinSheet cruising club favorite annual activity.
Listen to Music
Sailors who enjoy live music, may want to check out Baltimore’s Pier Six Pavilion, an outdoor venue right along the harbor. The September lineup includes Gregg Allmann and the Doobie Brothers (September 2), PFX—the Pink Floyd Experience (September 12), Diana Ross (September 13), and Halestorm (September 26). Visit piersixpavilion.com for tickets.
The Ram’s Head live, an indoor concert room (mostly for a standing and/or dancing crowd), features an extensive musical lineup you’ll find at ramsheadlive.com.
Museums, Museums, Museums
Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Maryland Science Center, Baltimore Aquarium, Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture, B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Museum, the American Visionary Arts Museum… let’s just say you have some options. baltimore.org
Baltimore Book Festival
The Baltimore Book Festival, September 25-27 in Rash Field includes endless cheap book sales, book talk, music, and kids’ activities. baltimorebookfestival.com
Charm City’s Ya’ Gotta Regatta
The Downtown Sailing Center’s fundraiser regatta to support outreach and accessible programs September 19-20. You may volunteer or spectate! downtownsailing.org
