Written by Chuck Bell – KIYC Fleet Captain
Advice to Boaters: Transiting the Kent Island Narrows and Docking at KIYC
If you’ve cruised the middle and upper Chesapeake Bay you are surely aware of the Kent Island Narrows. “The Narrows” as we call it is a special place, known for its beauty, wildlife, and unique eastern shore vibes emanating from its numerous waterfront attractions. The Narrows has become a very popular destination and stop-over for cruisers of all classes of power and sail vessels.
For those who have transited the “Narrows”, you have undoubtedly taken notice of the unique geography mother nature has designed but also the resulting hydro dynamics that can be at play when tidal swings, currents and winds are in motion. Have you passed under the Narrows bridges – dead-center in the channel – only to feel your boat “crabbing” toward a bridge piling? Yep, that’s the Narrows for you. That first experience with the currents in the Narrows will likely be a memorable one but docking at any of the Marinas, Bars or Restaurants in the Narrows – well -that can range from intimidating to harrowing – with some choosing to bail out altogether. For visitors to the Kent Island Yacht Club – or any other Narrows venue for that matter – we offer some practical tips for making your docking approach and departure more predictable, enjoyable and less of a “white-knuckle” experience.
First the facts: the Narrows is Mother Nature’s “hourglass”!
A quick overhead look at the geography of the Kent Island Narrows usually gives even partially experienced boaters an initial “ah-hah” moment. The Narrows follows the form of an “Hour Glass” – with a natural pinch point in the center and lots of Bay water above and below. To the north lie the waters of the Upper Chesapeake, that feed south to the Chester River and then into the Narrows. Here the waterway narrows exponentially before widening again and flowing southward to Eastern Bay and then out to the Middle Chesapeake. All incoming and outgoing tidal flows must transit this narrow passageway. If we recall a bit of high school science, we might remember the Venturi effect where; “when water moves from a wide area into a restricted channel, the same volume of fluid must pass through a smaller space in the same amount of time. This forces an increase in speed.”
As the Tide switches and currents build (essentially 4 times per 24 hours) – the Narrows experiences changes in the direction and flow of massive amounts of water, and there is not much any boater can do about it – but sometimes watch in awe – which locals do often…
Next – lets consider the dynamic effects on Boaters
So, we have established that during Tidal changes, lots of water must enter or exit depending on an incoming (flood) or outgoing (ebb) tide. The tidal flow above or below the narrows starts moving modestly from Slack Tide, but in the Narrows the tidal velocity ramps up very quickly and can maintain a rapid egress or ingress for several hours before slacking again. The unique geography of the Narrows is often compounded by both the Stationary and Draw Bridges, bottom structure, shoaling and shoreline curvature – which can amplify the tidal ranges by producing “secondary currents” throughout the Narrows. While most NOAA records report current velocities in the Narrows of up to 3 knots – it can certainly look and feel much more than that at peak times. Finally – when the wind is active from either the North or Southerly – all these fluid dynamics can be amplified, compounded, and at times even mitigated. Wind with Tide can certainly add a knot or two to the flow while wind against Tide can make the water in the Narrows stack up on itself and at times produce wave action that demands respect. Locals know a persistent Southerly wind can produce legitimate 2 footers in the main Narrows channel! Savvy vessel operators learn quickly to use what nature gives them at any given time.
A special word or two about transiting under the Kent Narrows Bridges –
Boaters transiting the full length of the Narrows will have to pass below the Route 50 and Route 18 bridges. The bridges run parallel to each other with Rte 50 being taller and fixed and the Rte 18 bridge still an active Draw Bridge. As mentioned above – this area is where an unusually strong secondary current known as a “back eddy” can be in play. The bridge’s piling infrastructure below the water can affect the prevailing north-south current, directing portions of it east-west. Typically, the way this plays out is as follows; you the skipper are approaching the bridges and – depending on the size and height of your vessel clearance needs – have selected a lane to pass under the bridge…..sounds good. Then, as you navigate a near perfect “middle of the road” between bridge pilings – out of no where you feel a pull to one side or the other – disconcertingly directing you toward impact with a bridge piling! Well – you just experienced a “back eddy” and your vessel “crabbed” in response. This dynamic produces forces that shift your line of navigation to the right or left – similar to how a crab maneuvers. It’s a good idea to be a bit hypervigilant in your approach and until you complete passage under the bridges and clear the bridge pilings. If you notice “water boiling” in the area – yep, anticipate a back eddy and the pull to one side or the other!
Docking at KIYC (or anywhere in the Narrows thoroughfare)
The Kent Island Yacht Club Marina and Transient Docks lie smack in the middle of the Narrows with plenty of unobstructed water north and south. We can see some of the highest velocities of tidal flows and secondary currents. So – if you master docking at KIYC you will be ready for anything else the Narrows can throw at you. Next up – we offer our (um) “humble” experience in hopes of making your transient visit to the club less stressful… believe it when we say – we have all been humbled by the Narrows at one time or another.
Data + Observation = an “Informed Plan and Approach”
Any and all Narrows docking should begin with some factual and real-time understanding of what the tide/current is doing in the Narrows, but its just as important to check and balance that data with what you see, hear and feel. Sure – the tide book says it should be slack tide around noon, but a quick look over at those pilings indicates the current is still moving – or has started to move. Check the flags at the club’s yardarm near the transient dock. Are they whipping and cracking (and from what direction)? or are they are lying dormant? Good, now couple the Tide Data from NOAA with your “observed” data and, well, what’s it look like?
Now, talk it over with your crew, and give clear instructions. Most importantly, don’t be ashamed to back off, take another loop around (often the best strategy). There is plenty of navigable space in the middle of the Narrows to make a loop and a solid re-approach. As they say, you don’t have to commit until you are committed (lol). The point is, take your time to assess the scene at water level and tighten up your plan with what it presents you.
A good practice favors a down-wind, down-current, or “down range approach” where you will take the time to position your vessel down current from your desired docking area, head into the prevailing wind and / or current, which will allow mother nature to help you slow your vessel and softly land at the Dock where you planned. This technique is also called “Ferry Gliding” where the expert ferry pilots learn to use the flow of wind and current to their advantage. This way the vessel ends up where they intended – not necessarily where they were pointed. Of course, this is not always possible but we have found a down-range/current approach is safer when the Narrows tidal flow is ripping. Approaching the dock with the added effect of wind and current pushing you is tricky, and can make it very hard to stop the boat. Hitting hard reverse in this situation to slow down can be problematic and may not produce the intended results.
A key mantra to invoke for any planned approach is “slow is smooth, smooth is fast”. We loosely translate the Navy Seal credo to; being deliberate leads to better results. The same goes for your departure. Once you are ready to depart the dock – check your real time circumstances and communicate the plan to your crew. “OK gang, the current is pushing past our bow pretty well and the wind is starting to freshen from the north…that means when we slip our dock lines off, a decent shove should allow us to clear the docks and then Ill use the engine take us fully clear of the marina”.
We offer a final note in hopes of a happy skipper and crew; Docking in the Narrows can be intimidating. Let the skipper concentrate and standby for any alteration to his/her plan. Turn off the tunes and VHF and try to limit dockside communications with friends until your initial lines are made. Then, deploy spring lines and some fenders and make your way to the Lounge or Tiki Bar and reward yourselves. Depending on how much drama was involved in your landing, The Club might reward you with one of our “I Survived Docking at KIYC T Shirts”……
Final words – use Technology early and often – and don’t get into the weeds about tide vs current –
Its not 1960 and thankfully you don’t need to have the old yellow “Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book” at the ready on your nav station down below. As you are probably aware – there is an app for that. We like Tide Alerts and Tides Near Me – both free (for basic) and readily available and updated. Fire up one of those Tide Apps on your mobile and add the “Kent Island Narrows” station to your favorites.
The Narrows station will give you the most accurate real time and predicted data from NOAA. Yes, there are some nuances regarding the timing of slack tide but don’t get hung up on it and don’t get us started about “offsets”. I can hear some of you saying “but the Kent Island Narrows Station is subordinate to the Baltimore station which is the official…….and you will have to take into account the offsets…..blah, blah, blah”. No you don’t. These apps take into account any subordinate offset info and adjust for it in the tide and current predictions. Finally – yes – we are aware that “Tide” is the vertical movement of water – up or down, high or low. And, “Current” is the movement of water horizontally – slack or swift. For all practical purposes and especially for the average cruiser – trust us – when the Tide is moving up or down, the Current is moving in or out.
Our observations in the Narrows yield the following rule of thumb; The Narrows tide will start moving within 30 minutes after NOAA predicted High or Low. Within 90 minutes of High or Low, it will be ripping, and will definitely be a factor for docking or departing.
You can do this – have a basic understanding of what mother nature is doing during your approach/departure and use that info to your advantage. If you take it slow, and keep that rub rail intact – you’re having a good day!