Learn the Water
Short, practical guides to charts, tides and trip planning on the Chesapeake Bay — written to pair with the free BayCharts chart.
How to Read a Nautical Chart
Soundings, depth contours, buoys and chart colors explained — a plain-English guide to reading NOAA charts of the Chesapeake Bay.
Chesapeake Bay Tides and Currents, Explained
How tides and currents work on the Chesapeake — typical ranges, where currents run strongest, and how to use NOAA predictions when you plan a trip.
Depth, Draft and Safety Margins on the Bay
How much water does your boat really need? Draft, chart datum, safety margins and bridge clearances for Chesapeake boaters.
Planning a Chesapeake Bay Cruise
Distances, boat speed, harbors and weather windows — a practical framework for planning a day trip or a week on the Chesapeake.