Sailboat Charters

Sail Chesapeake Bay from Solomons Island

My wife, Donna, and I have operated a sailboat "Timeshare" leasing and charter business since 1980. Our fleet grew to eight yachts during the late 80's, but is now at a more comfortable level of two boats. We owned and managed Solomons Marine Towing [dba Sea Tow Solomons (1989-1994) and dba TowBoatUS Solomons (1995-2001)], a marine assistance and salvage firm. During that time the firm performed nearly 4,000 marine assists and salvages. The corporation was sold on January 1, 2002.

Besides our traditional bareboat charter program, we offer a significantly better value in our timeshare lease arrangement for those sailors who want to sail the Chesapeake Bay for 14 or more days per season without the expense or hassle of ownership. The timeshare lease cost on a per day use basis is a small fraction of the ownership cost which usually exceeds $800 per day of actual use for a comparable yacht.

Boat/Weather Status: The live internet Dock VideoCam view of the Baileywick floating dock on Leasons Cove near Solomons shows the status of the fleet. Note the flag at the end of the dock for wind conditions in the protected cove. The video camera requires use of Internet Explorer and its OCX plugin to view. If needed, the plugin will download if you answer yes when requested at the link. The video feed is on 24 hrs daily so at night only the dock lights show.

Our Current Sailing Vessels:

Segel, our Niagara 35' Sloop: Check out pictures and description of the Segel. Segel is a cruising yacht with roller furling genoas, slab reefing mainsail with a Dutchman sail flaking system, autopilot, and GPS color mapping system so is easily handled by a cruising couple. In addition, she is completely outfitted for first class cruising on the Chesapeake Bay with a dodger and helmsman bimini for sun protection, instant hot and cold running water with shower, gas stove and cabin heater, swim ladder, barbecue grill, stereo AM/FM/CD radio, and inflatable dinghy.

Pot-of-Gold, our Rainbow 24' Sloop: The Rainbow, with her fixed fin keel, is excellent for comfortable and safe family day sailing. She has a roller furling 150 percent genoa [installed March 2004], a bimini for cockpit shade [2007], Yamaha outboard engine, VHF radio, Garmin GPS plotter, running lights, porta-potty head, and a swim platform/ladder for easy water access. Pot of Gold can be used for barebones cruising for those who don't mind camping arrangements [no water supply, bunk cushions, or galley]. See a more detailed description of Pot.

Timeshare Lease Program: Under the Baileywick program, the timesharer contracts for two or more weeks of use during the April through November season. The days used at one time can vary from one to 14 days throughout the season. A use period can start at 7 pm the evening before the scheduled use and ends at 7 pm on the last day. Timesharers are required to return the yacht in a clean condition, as if they were going to use it next. A one year commitment is required. There are restrictions on the number of weekend days advance scheduled by a timesharer. But, the program allows for weekend day use, as if the day were a weekday, if scheduled no earlier than the Wednesday before use. Our timeshare rates are much lower than other firms' charter rates for Chesapeake Bay. The rates shown below were effective January 1, 2008 and reflect the 2008 Maryland State tax increase to 6%.

Timeshare Rates:

Segel [Niagara 35]

Pot of Gold [Rainbow 24]

2 week share: $2,400 + $144 tax = $2,544
3 week share: $3,200 + $192 tax = $3,392
Extra weekday: $ 200 + $ 12 tax = $ 212
Extra weekend day: $ 300 + $ 18 tax = $ 318

2 week share: $1,000 + $60 tax = $ 1,060
3 week share: $1,600 + $96 tax = $ 1,696

Charter Program: The Baileywick bareboat charter program is similar to the Timeshare Lease in many aspects. A major difference is no restrictions on weekend use, but the cost is, of course, higher. The timeshare lease arrangement is preferred as it is more efficient to administer and the timesharer, as a repeat customer, becomes very familiar with "their own" boat. Coast Guard licensed captained charters and sailing lessons are also available.

Charter Rates:

Segel [Niagara 35]

Pot of Gold [Rainbow 24]

Weekday: $300 + $18 tax = $ 318
Weekend day or Holiday: $400 + $24 tax = $ 424
7 day week: $2,000 +$120 tax = $2,120

Weekday or Weekend day: $100 + $ 6 tax = $ 106
7 day week: $600 + $36 tax = $ 636

Reservation/security deposit: The reservation/security deposit for timeshare or charter is $400 for the Niagara 35 and $100 for the Rainbow 24.

Scheduling: Our approach to advance scheduling of timesharers is unusual. Proposed schedules in priority order are requested from our timesharers in early February with replies from Timesharers due late February. Turn order for selection of use periods is done by scheduling the first requested use period that has no conflict. If there is a conflict, the timesharer with seniority goes first. The next priority use is selected if the period is not previously assigned. This is repeated until all timesharers have had a selection done. Thus, turn order is determined and followed through subsequent cycles until all requested use periods have been processed. Timesharers may be contacted during a turn cycle if a conflict exists. Seldom do scheduling conflicts occur during this early scheduling. Results of scheduling are announced by email and posted in the Baileywick Schedule webpage around March 1. During the season, changes in use are made by email or a telephone call. Click the appropriate link for the current schedule.

Location:

Homeport is Solomons, a picturesque village at the mouth of the Patuxent river, 50 miles south of Annapolis. This area does not have the congestion of the Annapolis area. However, in addition to less congestion and excellent cruising areas, it does have special interest items such as the Calvert Marine Museum, Sotterley Mansion, Calvert Cliffs, and great shops. Solomons has several excellent restaurants with dockage alongside for your boat while you eat.

With the Baileywick fleet located in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay area at Solomons, you have easy access to excellent cruising areas of the Patuxent, Potomac, Choptank, Little Choptank, and Rappahanock Rivers as well as Smith and Tangier islands. Weather data also indicates better summer winds when compared to the upper Bay. A customer answered my question why they chartered at Solomons, rather than close by Annapolis: "I chose to go with your company for a few reasons. . .Solomons is less crowded than Annapolis and has better winds. Also, your rates are more reasonable. I also liked your website. It was thorough, informative, and easy to navigate. As for the Rainbow, we probably would have taken Segel if it were available, but I like small boats so Pot will be fine." K. Ford, Pasadena, MD. Another customer: "I often have friends who would be interested in chartering sailboats and I will always refer them to Baileywick Charters--best bareboat charter on the entire Chesapeake!" D.F., Washington, DC.

Information Links:

Chesapeake Bay Weather Data Buoy
Visitor's Guide to Calvert County Knot Instruction
Southern Maryland Sailing Association
Solomons Business Association Thomas Point Light Weather
The Bay Guide

Getting Onboard with Baileywick

Check the current schedule using the link bar.
Review the timeshare/charter Use Agreement terms.
Make your decision.
Email or telephone Capt. John Bailey at Baileywick Company to answer any questions and to confirm your schedule of use. Also, let him know your arrival plans for the boat checkout/orientation.
Complete the forms online, print out, and sign the Experience Form and timeshare/charter Use Agreement.
Mail the completed experience form and use agreement [I only need the signature page] with check made out to Baileywick Company.
Go to the operations manual [includes inventory, packing suggestions, cruising ideas, etc.] for Segel or Pot. Driving directions are obtained by emailing Capt. Bailey or calling at 410-474-8723.
Be sure to read the appropriate Segel or Pot Operations Manual before arriving for your checkout. The checkout takes less than an hour.

Revised 03/07/2009 Hit Counter visitors since August 1, 2008