Jack,
Not sure about moorings but check out the Middle River area (Maryland Marina, Bowleys, etc.)

There are several nice marina's right in Baltimore, but you're a long way up the Patapsco River from being "on the Bay". Closer to the bay at the mouth of the Patapsco, there are several Marina's and Maryland Yacht Club which you might consider.

As always, "Reasonable price" is in the eye of the beholder, but for me, slips in Annapolis are generally not reasonable. So I'll move a bit further south for my recommendations to consider. The first river south of Annapolis is South River. I don't have a lot of knowledge of South River, but understand its a mecca for powerboats and many Chesapeake sailors avoid it unless they can visit during the week, which is the only times I've been on the South River so I can't say how well deserved the motorboat reputation is.

While mooring balls are not particulary common on the Chesapeake, there are some in Galesville on West River, but that's the only area with mooring balls I'm aware of that would be close to your potential home. There are a couple of marinas and Chesapeake Yacht Club on West River as well.

Just a bit futher south and probably at the limit you'd want to consider is Herring Bay. Here you have Herrington Harbor (South and North) and also Shipwright Harbor. Herrington Harbor both north and south are among the nicest marina's on the Chesapeake. That comes at a prices approaching Annapolis $ range though. We've been at Herrington South for the past two years but are moving to Shipwright Harbor in the spring. We enjoyed HHS for our time there but its so large and "resort like" that we never really felt at home there. Shipwright is more laid back which will suit our style better we hope.

Good luck, and Welcome to the Chessy if you are transferred.

Chesapeake is a wonderful place, I'm sure you'll enjoy it..! I'm on the eastern shore, opposite Baltimore and couple miles north, so I can't help you much with marinas. I love mine, The Wharf at Handy's Point, as it's completely laid back, no resort, 15 minutes from my slip to being anchored for a swim or the open Bay. I've been there since '88. Give us a shout if you come up our way.

Hi Jack.
We are in Baltimore at Henderson's Wharf Marina, which is in the heart of Fell's Point.

We love the location for the walking access to Fell's Point and the Inner Harbor.
Our Marina is currently undergoing a change of management, so it remains to be seen if we stay there or not. We are probably going to haul out soon (we need to paint and do some work) and relocate to Tidewater Yacht Service nearby our current spot- at least for this year.
The area is not cheap but IS convenient for us so we have put up with the lack of fancy amenities and our grumpy dockmaster!

TO give you an idea, our 36 cost about 1125 per quarter this past season and if we stay, we expect some increase.

We LOVE our neighbors and there are some close knit folks for the most part. We happen to be at a spot where there are several liveaboards ,so we all look out for each other.

As noted in previous posts, we are on the Patapsco and so it takes us about an hour and a half to get out on the Chesapeake proper. There are a few marinas closer such as Maryland Yacht club. Let me know if you want the exact names.

I live in Frederick MD which is about 45 miles from Baltimore. We have a TOP rated school system and wonderful area to raise a family. Let me know if you want further info or if you need to contact me offline, I can give you my phone number too.

Welcome back to the land of great crabcakes and the AFC North Champion Ravens!!!!!!

I have kept my boat at Port Annapolis Marina in Back Creek for its whole life. It isn't cheap ($6K for the season). But, the marina is excellent and is very close to the bay at the mouth of the Severn River. It has amenities that you may not want that, no doubt, add to the price. A pool, clubhouse, exercise room, putting green, playground and more when added to the excellent landscaping make for a high-end marina experience. There is a full-service boatyard and a well-stocked chandlery. Security is quite good as well. There is a water-taxi stop at the end of one of the docks and you can take it to downtown Annapolis.

Closer to Baltimore you might want to look at one of the marinas in the Magothy River.