The Boatyards of the Town of Oxford, Maryland

Aug. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Build one, buy one, berth one – this port has it all


Oxford, MD – Eight boatyards – yes, eight -- in a tiny town with a storied history, fabulous dining and accommodations, natural beauty to spare, and a huge heart. No wonder it was named “Top Waterfront Town in the World” by readers of YACHTING in June 2011. That’s the Town of Oxford, Maryland, of course, nestled on the Eastern Shore and surrounded by some of the most beautiful waters on the planet.

Serving sailors who have plied these seas for decades as well as the greenest young skipper, the boatyards of Oxford are each delightfully unique and tailored to deliver precisely what their clients require, all year ‘round. Here’s the lineup:

Campbell’s Bachelor Point Yacht Company: Located at the mouth of the Tred Avon River, this 80-slip eight-acre marina offers full service maintenance, repowering, and repairs for vessels up to 100 feet long. In addition to a travel lift, dry storage, and transient slips, it boasts shower facilities, a laundromat, ice, dinghy storage, bicycles, Wi-Fi, a swimming pool and charming picnic area, and 12 acres of wildlife sanctuary. The sailboat scene from the movie “Failure to Launch” was filmed at the dock! The boatyard also is a certified Cummins dealer and has a certified Cummins mechanic on site.

Hinckley Yacht Services: Situated on the south side of Town Creek, one of eight facilities owned by The Hinckley Company on the Eastern Shore, this full service marina offers indoor and outdoor storage, boat repair services, and bespoke boat building. Although the 54 slip operation doesn’t get many of them, do-it-yourselfers are welcome too – “There’s nothing more enjoyable than just messing around in a boat,” after all. The sail/power ratio is 60/40%. Amenities include bike rental facilities, a ship’s store, ice, and a swimming pool.

Oxford Boatyard: Offering comprehensive marina services including a 75 ton Travelift and mechanical, electrical, electronics, carpentry, rigging, fiberglass, paint and varnishing work, this operation provides permanent slips from 25 to 65 feet and transient dockage up to 115 feet. Founded in 1866, the yard has a long history filled with colorful characters and exciting events, including being one of the production locations for the Hollywood movie "Failure To Launch". During World War II, Navy patrol boats were built here, and the some of these buildings and equipment remain in use today. Land based facilities include a dry covered storage building, heated workshop, guest laundry and showers, and a fully stocked ship’s store/chandlery.

Campbell’s Boatyard @ Jack’s Point: A full service yard located on Town Creek, this operation offers boat repair, maintenance and repowering, slip rentals, haul-outs, and dry storage. The sail/power ratio is 50/50%. Boasting one of the only gas/diesel fuel docks in the area, 56 slips accommodating vessels up to 50 feet long with a six foot draft, shower facilities, ice, a picnic area, bicycles, and Wi-Fi, it’s open seven days a week during the summer season.

Mears Yacht Haven: An in-town marina located at the entrance to Town Creek, this facility provides the yachtsman with a convenient place to dock and fuel up while exploring the treasures of Oxford land-side. Formerly an oyster packing plant, it fancies itself a ”resort marina.” (Jimmy Dean and Geraldo have been guests.) It can accommodate 95 ships with lengths up to 150 feet; the sail/power ratio is 50/50%. Among other amenities, it offers a swimming pool, barbeque picnic area, continental breakfast on weekends in season, cable TV, wireless internet, a fuel dock, showers, a laundry, a pump-out station, ice, supplies, and bicycle rentals. Dockage is both permanent and transient. Visitors should be sure to say hello to Leroy, the resident retired sight dog.

Campbell’s Town Creek Boatyard: This protected 42 slip marina with slips that can handle up to 45 feet of boat with a five foot draft offers dockage at the head of Town Creek. The shop specializes in custom boat building, while repairs and maintenance, haul-outs, winter dry storage, transient slips are available as well. Complimentary seasonal Wi-Fi is on offer, together with shower and laundry facilities, ice, and dinghy storage. (Campbell’s Custom Yachts has been in operation since 1993 building fine custom yachts based on four hull sizes and configurations, from a 31 foot cocktail cruiser to a 42 foot luxury yacht.)

Cutts and Case, Inc.: With a history some say dates to 1646 in New England, this boatyard not only offers 39 slips of dockage but custom boat building and repair and some storage. Ninety percent of its occupancy is sail powered and it does not tend to cater to transients. A family operation – local kids drop by to work on their bicycles -- it sports a land-based houseboat and offices in the oldest house in town. The miniature carved wooden hull models that grace the walls of the tiny dwelling are a sight to see. Also on offer are a variety of sailing craft displayed in the main storage building. (Edmund Cutts developed the Cutts Method of building wooden boats, which eliminates the need for frames, rivets, fastenings, caulking, and other materials usually used to hold a hull together.)

Last but not least – especially for hungry sailors – is Pier Street Marina, co-located with The Masthead, a yummy casual waterside restaurant on the Tred Avon at West Pier Street. The marina has 62 slips available for year round and monthly rental. Most are occupied by long-term clients, but transient slips are available. In addition to complimentary slips for those who are dining at the restaurant, the marina has restrooms and showers.

For those seeking to upgrade their fleet, if not custom build it, there are also two brokers conveniently situated in Oxford: Oxford Boatyard Yacht Sales and Tred Avon Yacht Sales, Inc./Choptank Charters.

Being friendly competitors, as befits this welcoming town, the boatyards’ staffers gather on the first day of spring for a sockburning party, when they burn their socks to signal that winter is over, tell tall sea tales, and share a brew or two.

The Town of Oxford, Maryland: docks, daydreams, discoveries, and so much more


About Oxford, Maryland:

The historic town of Oxford, Maryland, founded in 1683, is located in Talbot County on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.  Until the American Revolution, Oxford was an international shipping center, surrounded by tobacco plantations and home to a number of prominent national figures.  Later it thrived on oyster harvesting and packing and other watermen’s trades, even as tourism and leisure activities increased.  It guards its peaceful personality, architectural integrity, and small-town virtues to this day, while warmly welcoming visitors from right next door and around the world. The Oxford Business Association welcomes inquiries by telephone (1-410-745-9023) and at its website (www.portofoxford.com); and the Talbot County Office of Tourism offers comprehensive information and trip planning services at its Easton office (1-410-770-8000) and on its website (www.tourtalbot.org).
 

PRESS INFORMATION   
Carlyle Fairfax Smith
Carlyle International
Ph: 703.898.1333
Carlyle@CarlyleInternational.us