Precision Sailboat Rendezvous
June 2010

...to get some more boat specific particulars about Sailing Emporium, launching, and facilities etc. We didn’t get to spend that much time in Rock Hall in December, so a few hours scouting things out seemed in order.

First order of business for trailer-sailors: Launching. Sailing Emporium, like many marinas in the area, does not have a boat launch on the premises. The public launch is right next-door on Greene Lane. Here’s the entrance to Sailing Emporium. On the right is their sign, and following Green Lane past the sign toward the Bay brings you right to the launch.

The launch area is not huge, but there is enough space to step masts and rig.

Sailing Emporium’s ample boat yard (where we’ll store our trailers) is right on the other side of the reeds to the right of the public launch area. There is another public launch right next to the Waterman's Crab House on E. Sharp street across the Harbor. That launch is very wide, and there is a large parking lot. If you launch there, you'd just have to get back across the Harbor and drive your rig back to the Sailing Emporium, or leave it there, but I'm not sure if that's allowed overnight; probably not since these county launches close after 10:00PM.

The launch area sign stating the facility is closed from 10:00PM to 5:00AM.

Launch permits are obtained at Village Hardware on Route 20 (West, going towards the harbor) in Rock Hall. A season permit is $20.00, a 3-day permit is $10.00. The sign at the launch mentions “Toy’s Hardware”, but ignore this and go to Village Hardware.

Village Hardware:

Just up Route 20 going toward Rock Hall Harbor is a West Marine, a good stop right after you’ve picked up your permit for any last minute supplies.

Food, soft drinks, beer and wine can be obtained a little further up Route 20 going West toward the harbor. There is a food store, Bayside Foods, and a convenience/liquor store across the street.

Convenience/liquor store across from Bayside Foods on Route 20.

The Sailing Emporium has nice facilities, stores, shops, bathrooms and of course, many slips. I can guarantee our boats will be among the smallest (just up from dinghies) at the facility, but I’ll also take a bet they’ll be sailed more than some of the behemoths in the slips. Most of the boats are 30' plus, but the folks at Sailing Emporium are happy to accommodate us. They could easily fit two of our boats in one slip. Make sure you call and make your reservation.

Here’s a shot of the Sailing Emporium’s rigging shop. Looks like a 40’ mast on the rig.

Looking toward the slips from the “chair dock”:

Looking out to Rock Hall Harbor:

One thing that stood out on this second visit to Rock Hall was that the marinas are not within easy walking distance of the main street area. Having a car will be helpful for moving about easily, but a bicycle will make easy work of most distances around town as well. I’d consider bringing a bike, or if you’re renting a slip at the Sailing Emporium, using one of theirs which are offered free to slip renters. I did not ask what the bike-slip ratio was, so I don’t know if shortages of bikes can be anticipated.

Another feature of Rock Hall is the public bay-beach:

Looking out on the Chesapeake from Rock Hall Beach:

Here's a Google map with the locations I mentioned (and some others) in this post. Hopefully this makes getting on the water just a bit easier for you.

Hope to see you all at the Rendezvous! And please add your information to the Roster if you're coming.