Bulletin Board

Plan Your Winterization Now

The Chesapeake's first hard freeze typically arrives in mid-to-late November, which makes October the right time to plan rather than scramble. Decide now whether the boat stays in the water or comes out, whether you'll winterize yourself or hire it out, and when it needs to happen — yards and mechanics book up fast once the first cold snap hits.

Boat Shows in Annapolis

The Annapolis Boat Shows take over City Dock for the next two weekends: the Powerboat Show runs October 8 through 11, and the Sailboat Show follows October 15 through 18. For two weeks, Annapolis Harbor becomes a floating marina of new boats, gear tents, and seminars — among the largest in-water shows in the country, and a short drive from Edgewater.

Cold Water Changes the Rules

Bay water temperatures slide through the 60s in October and keep falling from there. Below about 70 degrees, an unexpected swim stops being an inconvenience and starts being a safety problem: cold shock can trigger an involuntary gasp and rapid breathing in the first minute, long before hypothermia is a factor.

October on the Chesapeake

If September is the Bay's best-kept secret, October is the reward for those who stay in the water. The air turns crisp and clear, visibility stretches for miles, and the first color shows along the wooded shorelines of the South River and its creeks. The crowds are gone, the nettles are gone, and the anchorages are quiet.