Best of the Bay 2014

The word “Best” is a relative term, of course. We each have our own ideas on what constitutes the best of anything—a marina, a restaurant, a town—and that is precisely why we prefer to put it to a vote, that is, we ask you, the readers, to pick your favorite places and things on the Bay. And, year after year, you deliver. This year more than 1,600 of you cast your votes for the best places around the Chesapeake—to dock, anchor, dine, relax, party and otherwise spend your precious summer hours on or near the water. As you set this summer’s cruising plans, make sure you look to this list. Maybe you’ll find some new ideas, courtesy of your fellow cruisers. Again this year we’ve separated many of the categories into northern Bay and southern Bay results, to ensure that the whole Bay is represented in the survey. We hope you get some inspiration from this year’s results, as well as from the gorgeous photos that accompany them on the following pages. We had an impressive batch of entries in this year’s photo contest, capturing everything from the Bay’s stunning scenery to its wildlife and the people and boats that grace its waters and shores. So here, without further ado, are both the results of the 2014 Best of the Bay Reader Survey, and the winners of the Best of the Bay Photo Contest. And the Survey Says... Where possible, we’ve listed the top 5 vote-getters, in order of total votes, in categories that are divided into north and south. In cases where the category is for the whole Bay, we’ve listed up to 10. [ON THE MAP] Best Town for Foodies Northern Bay 1. Annapolis, Md. 2. St. Michaels, Md. 3. Solomons, Md. 4. Baltimore, Md. 5. Rock Hall, Md. Southern Bay 1. Hampton, Va. 2. Norfolk, Va. 3. Deltaville, Va. 3. Smithfield, Va. 4. Onancock, Va. Best Town for History Buffs Northern Bay 1. Annapolis, Md. 2. St. Michaels, Md. 3. Baltimore, Md. 3. Havre de Grace, Md. 4. Chestertown, Md. Southern Bay 1. Yorktown, Va. 2. Hampton, Va. 3. Smithfield, Va. 4. Norfolk, Va. 5. Deltaville, Va. Best Town for Families Northern Bay 1. St. Michaels, Md. 2. Annapolis, Md. 3. Rock Hall, Md. 4. Solomons, Md. 5. Baltimore, Md. Southern Bay 1. Deltaville, Va. 2. Norfolk, Va. 3. Smithfield, Va. 4. Hampton, Va. 5. Cape Charles, Va. Best Town for the Party Crowd Northern Bay 1. Annapolis, Md. 2. Kent Island/Narrows, Md. 3. Chesapeake City, Md. 4. Rock Hall, Md. 5. Baltimore, Md. 6. Solomons, Md. Southern Bay 1. Norfolk, Va. 2. Hampton, Va. 3. Deltaville, Va. 4. Smithfield, Va. 5. Portsmouth, Va. 5. Virginia Beach, Va. [ON THE RIVERS] Best Cruising River for Scenery/Nature 1. Chester River 2. Wye River 3. Rappahannock River 4. Patuxent River 5. Sassafras River 6. Mobjack Bay Best Cruising River for Shore Attractions 1. Severn River 2. Patapsco River 3. Rappahannock River 4. Elizabeth River 5. Potomac River 5. York River Best Creek for Riding Out a Storm 1. Swan Creek, Rock Hall, Md. 2. Indian Creek, Kilmarnock, Va. 2. Jackson Creek, Deltaville, Va. 3. Dividing Creek, Wye River 4. Wilton Creek, Piankatank River 5. Still Pond 6. St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent River Best Creek for a Raft-up 1. Swan Creek, Rock Hall, Md. 2. Rhode River 3. Fairlee Creek 4. East River, Mobjack Bay 5. Little Bay, (Pirate's Cove) 5. Shaw Bay, Wye River 5. Still Pond 5. St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent River Best Creek for Peace & Quiet 1. Swan Creek, Rock Hall, Md. 2. Wye River 3. St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent River 4. Jackson Creek, Deltaville, Md. 5. Still Pond [OFF THE CHARTS] Favorite Chesapeake Book 1. Chesapeake, James Michener 2. Beautiful Swimmers, William Warner 3. CBM's Guide to Cruising the Chesapeake Bay 4. Shipwrecks on the Chesapeake, Donald G. Schomette Favorite Chesapeake-inspired Boat Name Old Bay Girl Chessie Backfin Bay Tripper BayBreak Crab Picker Terrapin [ON THE DOCK] Best Mom & Pop Marina Northern Bay 1. Rock Hall Landing Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. North Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Lankford Bay Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 4. Higgins Yacht Yard (St. Michaels, Md.) 4. Gratitude Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Deltaville Yachting Center, (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Stingray Point Marina (Deltaville, Va.) 3. Mobjack Bay Marina (North, Va.) 3. Yankee Point Marina (Lancaster, Va.) 3. Chesapeake Boat Basin (Kilmarnock, Va.) Best Resort Marina Northern Bay 1. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.) 2. Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 4. Zahniser's Yachting Center (Solomon's, Md.) 5. Spring Cove Marina (Solomon's, Md.) Southern Bay 1. The Tides Marina (Irvington, Va.) 2. Smithfield Station Marina (Smithfield, Va.) 3. Kings Creek Marina (Cape Charles, Va.) 4. Salt Ponds Marina Resort (Hampton, Va.) 5. Kingsmill Resort Marina (Williamsburg, Va.) Best Marina for Natural Environment Northern Bay 1. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.) 2. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 3. Spring Cove Marina (Solomons, Md.) 4. Haven Harbour Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 5. Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Smithfield Station Marina (Smithfield, Va.) 3. Stingray Point Marina (Deltaville, Md.) 4. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Deltaville Marina, (Deltaville, Va.) Best Dockmaster Northern Bay 1. Andy Upp, Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.) 2. Greta Sommers, Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Terry Walters, Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.) 4. Chris & Joe Bovee, Rock Hall Landing Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 5. Matt Pruett, Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Ed Peake, Deltaville Marina (Deltaville, Va.) 1. Milton Parks, Parks Marina (Tangier, Va.) 1. Stormy Pearson, The Tides Inn Marina (Irvington, Va.) 2. George Jackson, Chesapeake Boat Basin (Kilmarnock, Va.) 3. Lisa Morrow, Stingray Point Marina (Deltaville, Va.) Best Boatyard Northern Bay 1. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 2. Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.) 3. Gratitude Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 4. Haven Harbour Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 5. Spring Cove Marina (Solomons, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Zimmerman Marine (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.) 3. Deltaville Boatyard (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.) 5. Bluewater Yachting Center (Hampton, Va.) Best Fuel Dock Northern Bay 1. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.) 2. Gratitude Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Spring Cove Marina (Solomons, Md.) 3. Calvert Marina (Solomons Md.) 4. Annapolis Landing Marina (Annapolis, Md.) 4. Piney Narrows Yacht Haven (Kent Narrows, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Norview Marina (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Bluewater Yachting Center (Hampton, Va.) 3. Tidewater Yacht Marina (Portsmouth, Va.) 4. Deltaville Marina (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.) [ON THE HARD] Best Canvas/Sail Work Northern Bay 1. Meade Breese (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Canvas Connection (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 3. Quantum Sails (Solomons, Md.) 4. Canvas by Victoria (Rock Hall, Md.) 4. Canvas Creations (Annapolis, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Signature Canvas (Hampton, Va.) 2. Ship’s Tailor (Deltaville, Va.) 3. C2 Custom Canvas (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Phase 2 Marine Canvas (Wake, Va.) 4. Ullman Sails/Latell Sailmakers (Deltaville, Va.) Best Electronics Work Northern Bay 1. BOE Marine (Stevensville, Md.) 2. Marine Technical Services (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 3. Gratitude Yachting Center (Rock Hall, Md.) 4. Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.) 5. Bristol Marine Technologies (Lusby, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Marine Electronics (Hartfield, Va.) 2. Zimmerman Marine (Deltaville and Mathews, Va.) 3. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Trident Marine Electronics (Hampton, Va.) 5. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.) Best Engine Work Northern Bay 1. Zimmerman Marine (Tracey's Landing, Md.) 2. Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.) 3. Cook’s Marine Service (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 3. Gratitude Yachting Center (Rock Hall, Md.) 4. Haven Harbour Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Zimmerman Marine (Deltaville and Mathews, Va.) 2. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.) 3. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Deltaville Boatyard (Deltaville, Va.) 5. Yankee Point Marina (Lancaster, Va.) [ON THE LINE] Best Tackle Shop Northern Bay 1. River Rock Outdoor Store (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Bunky's (Solomon's, Md.) 3. Anglers (Annapolis, Md.) 4. All Tackle (Annapolis, Md.) 4. Herb's Tackle Shop (North East, Md.) 4. Tyler’s Tackle Shop (Chesapeake Beach, Md.) Southern Bay 1. J&W Seafood (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Bishop Fishing Supply (Yorktown, Va.) 3. Fish On Bait & Tackle (Deltaville, Va.) 3. RW Sports (Callao, Va.) Best Fishing Charter Northern Bay 1. Fish Fear Us; Captain Bob Ritchie (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Bunky’s Charter Boats (Solomons, Md.) 3. Lucky Duck; Captain Joe Rupp (Friendship, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Tortuga; Captain Bubbie Crown (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Restin’ Easy; Captain Don Bannister (Deltaville, Va.) 3. Less Stress Charters; Captain Glenn Hubbard (Deltaville, Va.) 3. Smokin' Gun It; Captain Chandler Hogg (Hampton, Va.) [ON THE MENU] Best Restaurant for a Romantic Dinner Northern Bay 1. The Kitchen at Rock Hall (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Osprey Point Inn (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Dry Dock (Solomons, Md.) 4. Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.) 5. CD Café (Solomons, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Smithfield Station (Smithfield, Va.) 2. Merroir (Topping, Va.) 3. The Tides Inn (Irvington, Va.) 4. Aqua (Cape Charles, Va.) Best Restaurant for the Whole Family Northern Bay 1. Harbor Shack (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Waterman’s Crab House (Rock Hall Md.) 3. Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.) 4. Boatyard Bar & Grill (Annapolis, Md.) 5. The Crab Claw (St. Michaels, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Smithfield Station (Smithfield, Va.) 2. Surf Rider (Hampton, Va.) 3. Cocomo's (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Horn Harbor House Restaurant (Burgess, Va.) 5. The Galley (Deltaville, Va.) Best Restaurant for Crabcakes Northern Bay 1. The Kitchen at Rock Hall (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Osprey Point Restaurant (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Waterman’s Crab House (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Stoney's (Broomes Island, Md.) 4. Cantler's Riverside Inn (Annapolis, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Smithfield Station Restaurant (Smithfield, Va.) 2. Surf Rider (Hampton Va.) 3. Cocomo's (Deltaville, Va.) 4. Merrior (Topping, Va.) 5. Crazy Crab (Reedville, Va.) Best Restaurant for Steamed Crabs Northern Bay 1. Waterman’s Crab House (Rock Hall Md.) 2. Cantler’s Riverside Inn (Annapolis, Md.) 3. Crab Claw (St. Michaels, Md.) 4. Harris Crab House (Kent Narrows, Md.) 5. Mike’s Crab House (Riva, Md.) Southern Bay 1. J&W Seafood (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Cocomo's (Deltaville, Va.) 2. KC's Crabs and Cues (Kilmarnock, Va.) [HIGH-TECH] Best Boating App 1. Navionics 2. Active Captain 3. Boating Suite 4. NOAA apps 4. Garmin Bluechart Mobile 5. iNavX Marine Navigation Essential Onboard Electronics 1. GPS 2. Chartplotter 3. Depthfinder 4. VHF 5. iPad Best Boating Website 1. Active Captain (activecaptain.com) 2. BoatU.S. (boatus.com) 3. Club Sea Ray (ClubSeaRay.com) 4. Chesapeake Bay Magazine (ChesapeakeBoating.net) [ON YOUR CLIPBOARD OF FUN] Best Dockside Bar Northern Bay 1. Tiki Bar (Solomons, Md.) 2. Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.) 3. Harbor Shack (Rock Hall, Md.) 4. Pusser’s (Annapolis, Md.) 5. Red Eye’s Dock Bar (Kent Narrows, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Smithfield Station (Smithfield, Va.) 2. Pelican's Bar & Grill, Windmill Point Marina (White Stone, Va.) 3. Cocomo’s (Deltaville, Va.) 4. The Shanty (Cape Charles, Va.) 4. Surf Rider (Hampton, Va.) 4. Merroir (Topping, Va.) Best Annual Waterfront Event Northern Bay 1. Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend (Rock Hall, Md.) 2. Annapolis Boat Shows (Annapolis, Md.) 3. Patuxent River Appreciation Days (Solomon's, Md.) 4. Calvert County Watermen's Festival (Solomon's, Md.) 5. Downrigging Days (Chestertown, Md.) 5. Chestertown Tea Party (Chestertown, Md.) Southern Bay 1. Harborfest (Norfolk, Va.) 2. Urbanna Oyster Festival (Urbanna, Va.) 3. Hampton Bay Days (Hampton, Va.) 4. Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta (Deltaville, Va.) 5. Smithfield Olden Days (Smithfield, Va.) Best Maritime Museum 1. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (St. Michaels, Md.) 2. Calvert Marine Museum (Solomons, Md.) 3. Mariners’ Museum (Newport News, Va.) 4. Deltaville Maritime Museum (Deltaville, Va.) 5. Reedville Fishermen's Museum (Reedville, Va.) Best Regatta 1. Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta (Deltaville, Va.) 2. Screwpile Regatta (Solomons, Md.) 2. Hospice Turkey Shoot (Lancaster, Va.) 3. Southern Bay Race Week (Hampton, Va.) 4. Governor’s Cup (Annapolis to St. Mary’s City, Md.) Best Fourth of July Celebration 1. Rock Hall, Md. 2. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.) 3. Solomons, Md. 4. Annapolis, Md. 5. Baltimore, Md. 6. Norfolk, Va. 7. Deltaville, Va. 8. Havre de Grace, Md. 9. Yorktown, Va. 10. Chesapeake City, Md. [ON FIDO'S LIST] Best Dog-Friendly Marina 1. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.) 2. Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 3. Spring Cove (Solomons, Md.) 4. Rock Hall Landing Marina (Rock Hall, Md.) 5. Stingray Point (Deltavile, Va.) Best Dog-Friendly Town 1. Rock Hall, Md. 2. St. Michaels, Md. 3. Annapolis, Md. 4. Solomons, Md. 5. Deltaville, Va. PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS 1st Place - Boats “Regatta Reflection” Christine Edwards of Annapolis captured a beautiful reflection of sails as U.S. Naval Academy dinghies were being prepped for a regatta. 2nd Place - Boats “Tall Ships Rafted” Lauren Peeler Brice of Annapolis captured both the scale and beauty of the tall ships docked in Chestertown during the 2013 Downrigging Days festival in Chestertown, Md. 3rd Place - Boats “Bow of Beauty” Bruce J. Walz of Mount Airy, Md., found bright color and light on the bow of a boat at Hains Point in Washington, D.C. 1st Place - Wildlife “Golden Silhouette” Donna Wadsley shot an amazing silhouette of this blue heron catching a crab at sunset from her balcony on Marshy Creek in Grasonville, Md. 2nd Place - Wildlife “Royal Tern” Richard and Stephanie Kendall of Toddville, Md., sent in this shot of a fluffy royal tern basking in the sun. 3rd Place - Wildlife “Morning Greeting” Cheryl Keller of Green Lane, Pa., was surpsied when she woke up in the morning at Skipjack Cove Yacht Club to see these little guys lining the bow pulpit. Fortunately her camera was close by and she managed to capture the moment without disturbing the birds. Honorable Mention - Wildlife “Make My Day” Donna Wadsley captured this osprey's menacing expression as she boated past his channel marker perch. 1st Place - People “Dock Break” Lauren Peeler Brice captured a quiet moment among the chaos of Downrigging Days as Robert Bass and his dog Dixie took a break on the docks. 2nd Place - People “Happy Dog” Donna Wadsley found this yellow lab having a grand time playing fetch in Meachim Creek off the Rappahannock River. 3rd Place - People “Summer Dreaming” Lisa Perez of Baltimore captured this moment of a boy at play during the off-season at Sandy Point State Park. Honorable Mention - People “Wild Horses” Andy Bryant of Denver, Co., found these brightly dressed sailors headed in after a day of frostbite racing in Annapolis last November. 1st Place - Places “Red Sky in the Morning” Christine Edwards captured a dramatic foggy sunrise over the Severn River Bridge in Annapolis. 2nd Place - Places “Magothy Scene” Bruce J. Walz found gorgeous evening light settling over Ulmstead Point off the Magothy River. 3rd Place - Places “Sharps Island” Jillian Armiger of Newark, Del., got up close and personal with the listing Sharps Island Light off the mouth of the Choptank River. Honorable Mention - Places “Night Light” Lita Kishbaugh of Bath, Pa., shot this dramatic shot of the Choptank River Lighthouse reflecting on the water. [6.14 issue]

The word “Best” is a relative term, of course. We each have our own ideas on what constitutes the best of anything—a marina, a restaurant, a town—and that is precisely why we prefer to put it to a vote, that is, we ask you, the readers, to pick your favorite places and things on the Bay. And, year after year, you deliver. This year more than 1,600 of you cast your votes for the best places around the Chesapeake—to dock, anchor, dine, relax, party and otherwise spend your precious summer hours on or near the water. As you set this summer’s cruising plans, make sure you look to this list. Maybe you’ll find some new ideas, courtesy of your fellow cruisers.

Again this year we’ve separated many of the categories into northern Bay and southern Bay results, to ensure that the whole Bay is represented in the survey. We hope you get some inspiration from this year’s results, as well as from the gorgeous photos that accompany them on the following pages. We had an impressive batch of entries in this year’s photo contest, capturing everything from the Bay’s stunning scenery to its wildlife and the people and boats that grace its waters and shores. So here, without further ado, are both the results of the 2014 Best of the Bay Reader Survey, and the winners of the Best of the Bay Photo Contest.

And the Survey Says...

Where possible, we’ve listed the top 5 vote-getters, in order of total votes, in categories that are divided into north and south. In cases where the category is for the whole Bay, we’ve listed up to 10.

[ON THE MAP]

Best Town for Foodies

Northern Bay

1. Annapolis, Md.

2. St. Michaels, Md.

3. Solomons, Md.

4. Baltimore, Md.

5. Rock Hall, Md.

Southern Bay

1. Hampton, Va.

2. Norfolk, Va.

3. Deltaville, Va.

3. Smithfield, Va.

4. Onancock, Va.

Best Town for History Buffs

Northern Bay

1. Annapolis, Md.

2. St. Michaels, Md.

3. Baltimore, Md.

3. Havre de Grace, Md.

4. Chestertown, Md.

Southern Bay

1. Yorktown, Va.

2. Hampton, Va.

3. Smithfield, Va.

4. Norfolk, Va.

5. Deltaville, Va.

Best Town for Families

Northern Bay

1. St. Michaels, Md.

2. Annapolis, Md.

3. Rock Hall, Md.

4. Solomons, Md.

5. Baltimore, Md.

Southern Bay

1. Deltaville, Va.

2. Norfolk, Va.

3. Smithfield, Va.

4. Hampton, Va.

5. Cape Charles, Va.

Best Town for the Party Crowd

Northern Bay

1. Annapolis, Md.

2. Kent Island/Narrows, Md.

3. Chesapeake City, Md.

4. Rock Hall, Md.

5. Baltimore, Md.

6. Solomons, Md.

Southern Bay

1. Norfolk, Va.

2. Hampton, Va.

3. Deltaville, Va.

4. Smithfield, Va.

5. Portsmouth, Va.

5. Virginia Beach, Va.

[ON THE RIVERS]

Best Cruising River for Scenery/Nature

1. Chester River

2. Wye River

3. Rappahannock River

4. Patuxent River

5. Sassafras River

6. Mobjack Bay

Best Cruising River for Shore Attractions

1. Severn River

2. Patapsco River

3. Rappahannock River

4. Elizabeth River

5. Potomac River

5. York River

Best Creek for Riding Out a Storm

1. Swan Creek, Rock Hall, Md.

2. Indian Creek, Kilmarnock, Va.

2. Jackson Creek, Deltaville, Va.

3. Dividing Creek, Wye River

4. Wilton Creek, Piankatank River

5. Still Pond

6. St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent River

Best Creek for a Raft-up

1. Swan Creek, Rock Hall, Md.

2. Rhode River

3. Fairlee Creek

4. East River, Mobjack Bay

5. Little Bay, (Pirate's Cove)

5. Shaw Bay, Wye River

5. Still Pond

5. St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent River

Best Creek for Peace & Quiet

1. Swan Creek, Rock Hall, Md.

2. Wye River

3. St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent River

4. Jackson Creek, Deltaville, Md.

5. Still Pond

[OFF THE CHARTS]

Favorite Chesapeake Book

1. Chesapeake, James Michener

2. Beautiful Swimmers, William Warner

3. CBM's Guide to Cruising the Chesapeake Bay

4. Shipwrecks on the Chesapeake, Donald G. Schomette

Favorite Chesapeake-inspired Boat Name

Old Bay Girl

Chessie

Backfin

Bay Tripper

BayBreak

Crab Picker

Terrapin

[ON THE DOCK]

Best Mom & Pop Marina

Northern Bay

1. Rock Hall Landing Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. North Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Lankford Bay Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

4. Higgins Yacht Yard (St. Michaels, Md.)

4. Gratitude Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Deltaville Yachting Center, (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Stingray Point Marina (Deltaville, Va.)

3. Mobjack Bay Marina (North, Va.)

3. Yankee Point Marina (Lancaster, Va.)

3. Chesapeake Boat Basin (Kilmarnock, Va.)

Best Resort Marina

Northern Bay

1. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.)

2. Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

4. Zahniser's Yachting Center (Solomon's, Md.)

5. Spring Cove Marina (Solomon's, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. The Tides Marina (Irvington, Va.)

2. Smithfield Station Marina (Smithfield, Va.)

3. Kings Creek Marina (Cape Charles, Va.)

4. Salt Ponds Marina Resort (Hampton, Va.)

5. Kingsmill Resort Marina (Williamsburg, Va.)

Best Marina for Natural Environment

Northern Bay

1. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.)

2. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

3. Spring Cove Marina (Solomons, Md.)

4. Haven Harbour Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

5. Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Smithfield Station Marina (Smithfield, Va.)

3. Stingray Point Marina (Deltaville, Md.)

4. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Deltaville Marina, (Deltaville, Va.)

Best Dockmaster

Northern Bay

1. Andy Upp, Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.)

2. Greta Sommers, Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Terry Walters, Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.)

4. Chris & Joe Bovee, Rock Hall Landing Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

5. Matt Pruett, Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Ed Peake, Deltaville Marina (Deltaville, Va.)

1. Milton Parks, Parks Marina (Tangier, Va.)

1. Stormy Pearson, The Tides Inn Marina (Irvington, Va.)

2. George Jackson, Chesapeake Boat Basin (Kilmarnock, Va.)

3. Lisa Morrow, Stingray Point Marina (Deltaville, Va.)

Best Boatyard

Northern Bay

1. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

2. Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.)

3. Gratitude Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

4. Haven Harbour Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

5. Spring Cove Marina (Solomons, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Zimmerman Marine (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.)

3. Deltaville Boatyard (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.)

5. Bluewater Yachting Center (Hampton, Va.)

Best Fuel Dock

Northern Bay

1. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.)

2. Gratitude Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Spring Cove Marina (Solomons, Md.)

3. Calvert Marina (Solomons Md.)

4. Annapolis Landing Marina (Annapolis, Md.)

4. Piney Narrows Yacht Haven (Kent Narrows, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Norview Marina (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Bluewater Yachting Center (Hampton, Va.)

3. Tidewater Yacht Marina (Portsmouth, Va.)

4. Deltaville Marina (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.)

[ON THE HARD]

Best Canvas/Sail Work

Northern Bay

1. Meade Breese (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Canvas Connection (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

3. Quantum Sails (Solomons, Md.)

4. Canvas by Victoria (Rock Hall, Md.)

4. Canvas Creations (Annapolis, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Signature Canvas (Hampton, Va.)

2. Ship’s Tailor (Deltaville, Va.)

3. C2 Custom Canvas (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Phase 2 Marine Canvas (Wake, Va.)

4. Ullman Sails/Latell Sailmakers (Deltaville, Va.)

Best Electronics Work

Northern Bay

1. BOE Marine (Stevensville, Md.)

2. Marine Technical Services (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

3. Gratitude Yachting Center (Rock Hall, Md.)

4. Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.)

5. Bristol Marine Technologies (Lusby, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Marine Electronics (Hartfield, Va.)

2. Zimmerman Marine (Deltaville and Mathews, Va.)

3. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Trident Marine Electronics (Hampton, Va.)

5. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.)

Best Engine Work

Northern Bay

1. Zimmerman Marine (Tracey's Landing, Md.)

2. Zahniser’s Yachting Center (Solomons, Md.)

3. Cook’s Marine Service (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

3. Gratitude Yachting Center (Rock Hall, Md.)

4. Haven Harbour Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Zimmerman Marine (Deltaville and Mathews, Va.)

2. Norton Yacht Sales (Deltaville, Va.)

3. Deltaville Yachting Center (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Deltaville Boatyard (Deltaville, Va.)

5. Yankee Point Marina (Lancaster, Va.)

[ON THE LINE]

Best Tackle Shop

Northern Bay

1. River Rock Outdoor Store (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Bunky's (Solomon's, Md.)

3. Anglers (Annapolis, Md.)

4. All Tackle (Annapolis, Md.)

4. Herb's Tackle Shop (North East, Md.)

4. Tyler’s Tackle Shop (Chesapeake Beach, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. J&W Seafood (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Bishop Fishing Supply (Yorktown, Va.)

3. Fish On Bait & Tackle (Deltaville, Va.)

3. RW Sports (Callao, Va.)

Best Fishing Charter

Northern Bay

1. Fish Fear Us; Captain Bob Ritchie (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Bunky’s Charter Boats (Solomons, Md.)

3. Lucky Duck; Captain Joe Rupp (Friendship, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Tortuga; Captain Bubbie Crown (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Restin’ Easy; Captain Don Bannister (Deltaville, Va.)

3. Less Stress Charters; Captain Glenn Hubbard (Deltaville, Va.)

3. Smokin' Gun It; Captain Chandler Hogg (Hampton, Va.)

[ON THE MENU]

Best Restaurant for a Romantic Dinner

Northern Bay

1. The Kitchen at Rock Hall (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Osprey Point Inn (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Dry Dock (Solomons, Md.)

4. Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.)

5. CD Café (Solomons, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Smithfield Station (Smithfield, Va.)

2. Merroir (Topping, Va.)

3. The Tides Inn (Irvington, Va.)

4. Aqua (Cape Charles, Va.)

Best Restaurant for the Whole Family

Northern Bay

1. Harbor Shack (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Waterman’s Crab House (Rock Hall Md.)

3. Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.)

4. Boatyard Bar & Grill (Annapolis, Md.)

5. The Crab Claw (St. Michaels, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Smithfield Station (Smithfield, Va.)

2. Surf Rider (Hampton, Va.)

3. Cocomo's (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Horn Harbor House Restaurant (Burgess, Va.)

5. The Galley (Deltaville, Va.)

Best Restaurant for Crabcakes

Northern Bay

1. The Kitchen at Rock Hall (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Osprey Point Restaurant (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Waterman’s Crab House (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Stoney's (Broomes Island, Md.)

4. Cantler's Riverside Inn (Annapolis, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Smithfield Station Restaurant (Smithfield, Va.)

2. Surf Rider (Hampton Va.)

3. Cocomo's (Deltaville, Va.)

4. Merrior (Topping, Va.)

5. Crazy Crab (Reedville, Va.)

Best Restaurant for Steamed Crabs

Northern Bay

1. Waterman’s Crab House (Rock Hall Md.)

2. Cantler’s Riverside Inn (Annapolis, Md.)

3. Crab Claw (St. Michaels, Md.)

4. Harris Crab House (Kent Narrows, Md.)

5. Mike’s Crab House (Riva, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. J&W Seafood (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Cocomo's (Deltaville, Va.)

2. KC's Crabs and Cues (Kilmarnock, Va.)

[HIGH-TECH]

Best Boating App

1. Navionics

2. Active Captain

3. Boating Suite

4. NOAA apps

4. Garmin Bluechart Mobile

5. iNavX Marine Navigation

Essential Onboard Electronics

1. GPS

2. Chartplotter

3. Depthfinder

4. VHF

5. iPad

Best Boating Website

1. Active Captain (activecaptain.com)

2. BoatU.S. (boatus.com)

3. Club Sea Ray (ClubSeaRay.com)

4. Chesapeake Bay Magazine (ChesapeakeBoating.net)

[ON YOUR CLIPBOARD OF FUN]

Best Dockside Bar

Northern Bay

1. Tiki Bar (Solomons, Md.)

2. Chesapeake Inn (Chesapeake City, Md.)

3. Harbor Shack (Rock Hall, Md.)

4. Pusser’s (Annapolis, Md.)

5. Red Eye’s Dock Bar (Kent Narrows, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Smithfield Station (Smithfield, Va.)

2. Pelican's Bar & Grill, Windmill Point Marina (White Stone, Va.)

3. Cocomo’s (Deltaville, Va.)

4. The Shanty (Cape Charles, Va.)

4. Surf Rider (Hampton, Va.)

4. Merroir (Topping, Va.)

Best Annual Waterfront Event

Northern Bay

1. Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend (Rock Hall, Md.)

2. Annapolis Boat Shows (Annapolis, Md.)

3. Patuxent River Appreciation Days (Solomon's, Md.)

4. Calvert County Watermen's Festival (Solomon's, Md.)

5. Downrigging Days (Chestertown, Md.)

5. Chestertown Tea Party (Chestertown, Md.)

Southern Bay

1. Harborfest (Norfolk, Va.)

2. Urbanna Oyster Festival (Urbanna, Va.)

3. Hampton Bay Days (Hampton, Va.)

4. Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta (Deltaville, Va.)

5. Smithfield Olden Days (Smithfield, Va.)

Best Maritime Museum

1. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (St. Michaels, Md.)

2. Calvert Marine Museum (Solomons, Md.)

3. Mariners’ Museum (Newport News, Va.)

4. Deltaville Maritime Museum (Deltaville, Va.)

5. Reedville Fishermen's Museum (Reedville, Va.)

Best Regatta

1. Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta (Deltaville, Va.)

2. Screwpile Regatta (Solomons, Md.)

2. Hospice Turkey Shoot (Lancaster, Va.)

3. Southern Bay Race Week (Hampton, Va.)

4. Governor’s Cup (Annapolis to St. Mary’s City, Md.)

Best Fourth of July Celebration

1. Rock Hall, Md.

2. Herrington Harbour South (Friendship, Md.)

3. Solomons, Md.

4. Annapolis, Md.

5. Baltimore, Md.

6. Norfolk, Va.

7. Deltaville, Va.

8. Havre de Grace, Md.

9. Yorktown, Va.

10. Chesapeake City, Md.

[ON FIDO'S LIST]

Best Dog-Friendly Marina

1. Herrington Harbour North (Tracey’s Landing, Md.)

2. Osprey Point Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

3. Spring Cove (Solomons, Md.)

4. Rock Hall Landing Marina (Rock Hall, Md.)

5. Stingray Point (Deltavile, Va.)

Best Dog-Friendly Town

1. Rock Hall, Md.

2. St. Michaels, Md.

3. Annapolis, Md.

4. Solomons, Md.

5. Deltaville, Va.

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

1st Place - Boats

“Regatta Reflection”

Christine Edwards of Annapolis captured a beautiful reflection of sails as U.S. Naval Academy dinghies were being prepped for a regatta.

2nd Place - Boats

“Tall Ships Rafted”

Lauren Peeler Brice of Annapolis captured both the scale and beauty of the tall ships docked in Chestertown during the 2013 Downrigging Days festival in Chestertown, Md.

3rd Place - Boats

“Bow of Beauty”

Bruce J. Walz of Mount Airy, Md., found bright color and light on the bow of a boat at Hains Point in Washington, D.C.

1st Place - Wildlife

“Golden Silhouette”

Donna Wadsley shot an amazing silhouette of this blue heron catching a crab at sunset from her balcony on Marshy Creek in Grasonville, Md.

2nd Place - Wildlife

“Royal Tern”

Richard and Stephanie Kendall of Toddville, Md., sent in this shot of a fluffy royal tern basking in the sun.

3rd Place - Wildlife

“Morning Greeting”

Cheryl Keller of Green Lane, Pa., was surpsied when she woke up in the morning at Skipjack Cove Yacht Club to see these little guys lining the bow pulpit. Fortunately her camera was close by and she managed to capture the moment without disturbing the birds.

Honorable Mention - Wildlife

“Make My Day”

Donna Wadsley captured this osprey's menacing expression as she boated past his channel marker perch.

1st Place - People

“Dock Break”

Lauren Peeler Brice captured a quiet moment among the chaos of Downrigging Days as Robert Bass and his dog Dixie took a break on the docks.

2nd Place - People

“Happy Dog”

Donna Wadsley found this yellow lab having a grand time playing fetch in Meachim Creek off the Rappahannock River.

3rd Place - People

“Summer Dreaming”

Lisa Perez of Baltimore captured this moment of a boy at play during the off-season at Sandy Point State Park.

Honorable Mention - People

“Wild Horses”

Andy Bryant of Denver, Co., found these brightly dressed sailors headed in after a day of frostbite racing in Annapolis last November.

1st Place - Places

“Red Sky in the Morning”

Christine Edwards captured a dramatic foggy sunrise over the Severn River Bridge in Annapolis.

2nd Place - Places

“Magothy Scene”

Bruce J. Walz found gorgeous evening light settling over Ulmstead Point off the Magothy River.

3rd Place - Places

“Sharps Island”

Jillian Armiger of Newark, Del., got up close and personal with the listing Sharps Island Light off the mouth of the Choptank River.

Honorable Mention - Places

“Night Light”

Lita Kishbaugh of Bath, Pa., shot this dramatic shot of the Choptank River Lighthouse reflecting on the water.

[6.14 issue]