Can i Launch 20' DC on Pax river

[Nuboatguy]

Has anyone ever launched at Jackson's Landing or Selbys landing in PG just off 301? Taking some friends out and buddies wife gets seasick, so with the bay looking bouncy I was hoping to try the pax for a first. Boat is Deale so should only be a 30 min drive but note sure if I could use the ramps. Hard to tell from sat images.

Any help appreciated, hitting the boat by 8am to hook up and drive.

John.


20' DC Key West
Deale, MD

[Hippie Joe]

Has anyone ever launched at Jackson's Landing or Selbys landing in PG just off 301? Taking some friends out and buddies wife gets seasick, so with the bay looking bouncy I was hoping to try the pax for a first. Boat is Deale so should only be a 30 min drive but note sure if I could use the ramps. Hard to tell from sat images.

Any help appreciated, hitting the boat by 8am to hook up and drive.

John.


20' DC Key West
Deale, MD

I would call the Patuxent River Park office which runs that ramp to get a more expert opinion, but I have seen some bass boats launched there that approached 20 feet. Althernately, you can go to Prince Frederick and head west on 231 (?) to Hallowing Point and launch at the state ramp by the bridge and head upstream (or down too for that matter). Plus that ramp is free. It's not so narrow there, but not long heading up till it is fairly so, so not much wind reach.

[Hippie Joe]

The Hallowing Point ramp is definitely big enough for your boat.

[Nuboatguy]

I actually called them this morning and the fella on the phone told me 24 footers have launched there, but makes me think he was talking about a 8 person crew boat cause that ramp looks skinny... Saw the hallows ramp.. Did not k ow it was free. WoulD imagine it must be slammed if that's the case. Might just wad hat way as it appears to only be about another 15-20 min drive. Would hate to double it by driving to the upper and not being able launch.

[Hippie Joe]

unless they changed recently it is free, launched my friend's 22 foot boat there 2 seasons back. and I used to go there a lot when I trailered a 17 foot boat. there are 2 ramps side by side.

as to the other, I believe Selby's is wider than Jackson's but steeper I think.

[Scott McGuire]

The bigger problem with launching that size boat @ Jackson landing is navigating Jug Bay. It is plently doable, but it is very easy to run aground there. 3-4ft depth in the channel is as much water as you can expect in Jug Bay. I think Hallowing Point is your best bet.

[Nuboatguy]

Well gents, threw her in at Selbys point which is just south of Jackson's landing... Came saw and conquered but will never do that again. Definitely some tough navigation and very glad my boat does not draft much. Kicked up mud once, went from 23' to 3' in a boats length just around bend from jugs bay and with little to no channel markers made it a little tough. Biggest problem however was landing the boat at low tide. Back tires down 3-4 ft past ramp before there was a significant drop to the channel and the bunks were still solid 4 inches out of water. Needless to say mine and my buddies arms are tired from having to winch her up. Drove past hallowing point and as I expected there was quite the line... It is a free ramp however so to be expected. A ways up river from there however is another ramp on the PG side, saw some boats in the 24-26 range launching there so will likely put in there when I travel out next time $5 for MD res and $7 for non res or $25 for year pass. A the visitor center on the PG side of Jugs bay. Had some fun with some catfish nobles and it was nice to run the boat at 35-40 without launching into the air as is usually the case for me anytime in the bay. Definitely a great river for all the family activity, tubing, skiing, swimming and can still get some pullage to boot. Saw a ton of fish top water but did not get a good look. Seemed to big for bass so guessing hey were cats, or maybe carp... Not sure. Wish I had pics but left the camera in the truck. Hope all got to enjoy the weather not sure how the bay turned out being as I know they called for 2-3. Thanks again for all the insight. P.S. the cats loved the fish bite imitation shrimp. Buddy thought I was nuts but they ate it up.

[Rick]

FYI the Jackson ramp is a good ramp with deep water at the ramp but like Scott said the water thru Jug Bay can become very shallow, going up river from that point can be tricky. The Selbys ramp is not a good ramp if you need deep water to launch and haul in. It is scheduled to be reconstructed and will close soon. The 3rd ramp for Patuxent River park is down river off Magruders Ferry Landing road and has deep water and the river is easy to navigate in that area. You can get a ramp sticker $25 at the park office on Croom Airport rd. Park office 301 627 6074

[Hippie Joe]

sounds like a good day, that river definitely has its flats, the channel narrow and not much marking, used to be a lot of it just sticks

[soggy dog]

If you're going S launch out of Selbys. If you want to go N launch out of Jacksons. Another option is Magruders Ferry Landing in Charles Couty which is further S.

BTW - You'll need an annual permit which will give you access to these 3 launching sites. You can get it from the Jacksons Landing Park office.