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Three Buoys Tackle • Elkton, MD
Three Buoys Tackle
SAILING ORDERS

One page. The whole trip.

Pick a water, a day and a launch, and print the passage plan: the Crow’s Nest windows, what’s running, the ramp’s own details, live gauge readings — and a float plan to fill in by hand and leave ashore, because the copy that matters is the one on the kitchen counter when you’re late back.

How it works: pick a water, a day and (optionally) a launch ramp below — the orders update instantly and are already filled in for the first water. Hit Print for a one-page copy: forecast windows on the front, a float plan to fill in by hand and leave ashore at the bottom. The link in your address bar is the plan — bookmark it or text it to whoever is meeting you at the dock.
Changing the water reloads the launch list.

Three Buoys Tackle & Supply · Sailing orders

James River at Richmond

Today · Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · Waxing gibbous, 75% lit

Printed from threebuoystackle.com/trip-planner
Generated Oct 21, 1:05 am

The day's windows

1:41 am – 3:11 am Slow (20)
  • · Solunar minor — moonset.
  • · Forecast wind about 6 mph — comfortable water.
6:38 am – 10:31 am Prime (60)
  • · First light — low sun and feeding light.
  • · Solunar major — moon underfoot.
  • · Forecast wind about 7 mph — comfortable water.
3:16 pm – 4:46 pm Slow (20)
  • · Solunar minor — moonrise.
  • · Forecast wind about 9 mph — comfortable water.
4:55 pm – 7:10 pm Fair (30)
  • · Dusk — the evening feed.
  • · Forecast wind about 8 mph — comfortable water.
8:29 pm – 10:59 pm Fair (35)
  • · Solunar major — moon overhead.
  • · Forecast wind about 7 mph — comfortable water.

Sunrise 7:23 am · Sunset 6:25 pm · Moonrise 4:01 pm · Moonset 2:26 am · Not in this plan: Water temperature; Tide (see /crows-nest for why)

Running this month

Nothing is flagged in season here this month.

The launch

No launch chosen — the finder lists every ramp on this water.

Gauge at print time

  • Discharge: 2040 cfs (USGS 02037500)
  • Gauge Height: 3.95 ft (USGS 02037500)

Float plan — fill in, tear off, leave ashore

Hand this half to someone staying ashore. If they have not heard from you by the “overdue” time, they call the numbers at the bottom — starting with you, then the Coast Guard. A float plan has ended searches in hours that would otherwise have started at dark.

Vessel name / description:
Persons aboard:
Departing from:
Departure time:
Returning to:
Expected return:
OVERDUE — raise the alarm at:
Skipper mobile:
Shore contact name:
Shore contact mobile:

If overdue: call the skipper · then US Coast Guard Sector Maryland–NCR 410-576-2525 (or VHF 16) · in immediate danger call 911.

Before you launch

  • ▢ Drain plug IN — check it twice, it is the one everyone laughs about until it is them
  • ▢ A PFD per person, worn by the kids, reachable by the adults
  • ▢ Kill-switch lanyard clipped on
  • ▢ Nav lights working if there is any chance of running at dark
  • ▢ VHF or charged phone in a dry bag; file the float plan above
  • ▢ Fuel: a third out, a third back, a third in reserve
  • ▢ Licences aboard and the day’s regulations checked