Our Boat
Magnificent Pearson 31' sailboat designed by renowned Chief Naval Architect William Perry
Base Camp II is a 1987 Pearson 31-2 mast head sloop sailboat designed by renowned Chief Naval Architect William Perry. It's a fun cruising boat that draws just 3' 10" of water with its compact wing keel, which is perfect for shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal cruising.
Accommodations & Equipment
Base Camp II has an auxiliary inboard Yanmar diesel engine that reliably pushes us along at 5.5 knots with a range of 200+ miles. We have a Raymarine Auto Pilot, depth, speed and water temp displays plus a tablet style chartplotter, 2 GPS, and 2 VHF radios.

We have a private forward v-berth and 2 additional bunks for cozy accommodations for max 6 people plus 1 heads, and 1 deck shower. Our salon seats 6 comfortably. And our well designed galley has a 2-burner propane stove with oven. Also a high pressure fresh water drinking system with a 40-gallon capacity. A propane grill for cooking up delicious meal while anchored in a secluded gunkhole.

All running rigging halyards and sheets lead back to the cockpit for easier singlehanded control. Stored on the deck most of the time for quick and easy access is an inflatable dinghy w/ a 3.5 hp outboard. PFDs for each person, man-over-board retrieval equipment and extensive first aid supplies.
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Casa Rio Marina is home to Base Camp. A simple, no frills marina with helpful and friendly staff.
Adventure sail charter around Thomas Point Light aboard Base Camp our beautiful 31 Pearson sailboat
Thomas Point Lighthouse is the icon of the bay. Everyone recognizes it but few visit. We are lucky to have it within our cruising grounds along with the Chesapeake Bay bridge and many other beautiful place.
Fisheye GoPro aerial view from the top of Base Camps mast with our sailboat ghosting through the waters of the Chesapeake Bay
From above, Base Camp our Pearson 31-2 is a clean, safe and simple sailboat to run and is built to take on any Chesapeake Bay conditions.
Base Camps brightly finished and rich teak interior with lots of room for enjoyment
Base Camp's meticulously maintained interior with lots of beautiful hardwood teak. It is always clean for every outing.
Beautiful anchor on the Chesapeake Bay during a sailing expedition
Spinnakers are always beautiful and colorful to see while sailing on the water. Our asymmetrical spinnaker is out of its sail-bag as much as possible.

Our Cruising Grounds

Bashing through waves with strong winds, our sailboat Base Camp is on another charter with passengers aboard. Thomas Point Light ahead.Wind from behind and Thomas Point Light out front.
The Chesapeake Bay is the United States' largest estuary offering more coastline than the entire Pacific West Coast. Base Camp II is docked at Casa Rio Marina on Cadle Creek off the Rhode and West Rivers, about 10 miles south of Annapolis. Its an ideal location close to one of the most beautiful anchorages on the Chesapeake.

The Chesapeake Bay is a truly magical destination. It averages only 21 feet in depth. It has deep channels that run to 100 feet accommodating the passage of submarines and commercial ship traffic of every description along its 200 mile length. Its width varies from 4 miles at the Bay Bridge to 30 miles at the Potomac. It has more than 150 rivers and streams feeding its rich grounds and as much variety along its shores as any cruiser would wish to find.

The bay is very unique for its numerous and breathtaking protected anchoring. Some boaters refer to these as gunkholes. Aboard Base Camp we witnessed some of the most amazing sunrises and sunsets from these anchorages. Large populations of bald eagle and osprey are soaring overhead with nests built on top of many navigation markers. Cownose rays and dolphins can also be seen swimming in the waters and dancing with our wake.