Visit Oxford Maryland By Boat
Enjoying Oxford while getting services from OYA and Dickerson Harbor
Dickerson Harbor in Trappe Maryland
OYA (The Oxford Yacht Agency) and Dickerson Harbor boatyard are both located in Talbot County Maryland. Talbot County encompasses over 600 miles of coastline, fertile farmland, a rich history, and hundreds of small towns. The first settlers arrived here by boat from England in 1630 and were quickly joined by Quakers and Puritans. Rebel Scotts and Irishmen arrived as indentured servants shortly after. The early settlers found forests of trees good for boatbuilding, rich farmland, and a plethora of waterways for transportation and seafood harvesting. This combination of assets quickly made Talbot County and the town of Easton the heart of the Eastern Shore.
The History of Oxford Maryland
Oxford Maryland, 15 minutes from Easton, was established as a town in 1683 and quickly grew into a center for commerce and shipbuilding. In 1694 Oxford was designated the first and only Port of Entry on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Merchants from England established shops in Oxford where they traded imported goods for tobacco. Tobacco was the primary crop before the American Revolution and was followed by wheat, fruits, vegetables, and now poultry, feed corn, and soybeans.
OYA is at 317 South Morris Street in Oxford, 15 minutes southwest of Easton. From our location on South Morris St., one can walk almost anywhere in Oxford. There is historic architecture and lovely gardens to see, a beach on the Tred Avon River, the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, and good eating! Taking your bicycles across to Bellevue on the ferry and then biking to St. Micheals is a fun trip. The Oxford Market, just down Morris St. from OYA, offers hot and cold carryout for breakfast and lunch, basic groceries, liquor, plus local produce and meats. The famous Oxford Town Park is across the street where one can picnic while enjoying views of the Tred Avon River. The kids or Grandkids can swing, run, climb, or explore the water’s edge. For seafood, beef, and other Maryland recipes, visit one of five restaurants: Pope’s Tavern across the street from OYA at The Oxford Inn, The Robert Morris Inn at the end of Morris St. Latitude 38 is a westerly 10-minute walk from OYA, Capsize is at the North end of Morris St., and Doc’s Sunset Grille is a 10-minute walk to the east. There are several B&Bs in Oxford, plus The Robert Morris Inn, The Oxford Inn, and Sandaway Suites.
The site of OYA in Oxford was a boatbuilding shop where skipjacks and other Bay Craft were built. Later, at 317 S. Morris St., Applegarth built downsized replicas of traditional Chesapeake Bay Craft. One of his replicas is on display in front of the Oxford Community Center. In 2013 OYA, while small, did a redesign and reconstruction of its piers to accommodate all Grand Banks, Eastbay, and multi-hull boats up to 85 feet in length. The facility offers some slips for the season and transients. The marina is low-key with nice bathrooms and a deck for relaxing in the shade with a harbor view. In Oxford, we support our customers while they are cruising. Dockside and emergency repairs can be done here by our skilled service personnel from Dickerson Harbor. Advance notice for service at OYA is appreciated. There is also a mooring for deeper draft vessels waiting out weather or their turn for haul out at Dickerson Harbor. Slip reservations can be made by calling our office at (410)822-8556. On weekends text or call 410-924-3258. Please see our slip map at the end of this newsletter.
Dickerson Harbor is located on La Trappe Creek in Trappe Maryland. La Trappe Creek runs into the north side of the Choptank River, west of Cambridge, MD. The boatyard is well protected in all weather and historically has been a small port and industrial site for at least 300 years known as Trappe Landing, and the “Port of Trappe”. Dickerson Harbor is just ten minutes by car and 40 -60 minutes by boat from Oxford. At Trappe Landing agricultural products and lumber were shipped out, and goods for the town of Trappe were shipped in. Watermen have historically used this location for mooring their boats, as the creek is very protected and rich in wildlife. From the late 1800s until the 1950s there was a cannery here that processed vegetables from the local farms. A granary was then established that lasted until the 1970s. The grain silos were still on this property when Tom Lucke (Dickerson Boatbuilders) purchased the site in the late 1960s. In 1973 they were removed by helicopter to a local granary on Route 50 in Trappe, and are still in use there today! Dickerson Boatbuilders and Bob and Bill Lippincott built boats here and Jimmy Lippincott ran a sail loft. OYA acquired the site in 1993. Talbot County maintains the public landing at Trappe Landing where there is dockage for local watermen, a pump-out station, and a public boat ramp.
Dickerson Harbor is quiet and secluded, 1.5 miles west of mile marker 73 on MD Route 50, 15 minutes south of Easton, MD. Trappe is a small Eastern Shore town that offers dining at two restaurants, a convenience store, B & Bs, a vintage book shop, walking, great bike riding, and bird watching. The Coffee Trappe serves a classy breakfast and lunch, and Momma Marias Bistro has an eclectic menu of Mediterranean dishes and pizza baked in a wood-fired oven.
At Dickerson Harbor, we specialize in service, maintenance reduction steps on Grand Banks trawlers, upgrading, and storage for Grand Banks, Eastbay, multi-hulls, and other quality boats. There are five buildings on site where we store boats for summer and winter; three buildings are heated. These facilities protect boats from UV and rapid temperature changes, and they enable us to perform service year-round with no fear of rain damaging our work. Slips are available either for the season or transients, and our 70-ton Marine Travelift can easily haul any boat that comes up the creek. Beginning this summer season, we will be hauling, servicing, and storing multi-hulls with a beam up to 29’ 6”. There is a designated area on the west side of the boatyard where these slips, ground storage, and a travel lift are located. We do accommodate boat owners who want to work on their boats with very specific guidelines. Dickerson Harbor is located in a Critical Areas zone within Tidal Wetlands, so we are very careful to not pollute the ground, air, or creek. Your compliance with these guidelines is appreciated by us, our neighbors, the wildlife, the Watermen, and future generations!.
Dining: The area has become a destination for excellent and varied cuisine. Call tour Talbot at 410-770-8000 for a free restaurant guide.
Lodging: Hotels in Easton are The Tidewater Inn, The Hampton Inn & Suites, the Fairfield Inn, and several moderately priced motels on Route 50 that are pet friendly.
Transportation: The area airport is BWI, which is served by the Bayrunner Shuttle which can be picked up in Easton or Cambridge. Easton has an airport for private aircraft and small commercial planes. The local taxi services are Key Lime Taxi and Bay Country Taxi.
Shopping: Neither Oxford nor Trappe has a grocery store. There is a village market in Oxford and a Highs convenience store in Trappe. Easton has extensive shopping, culture, history, and dining from fast food to very fine.
Laundry: One must go to Easton to do laundry, there are no laundry facilities at OYA in Oxford or Trappe until later in 2022.
For more information visit: tourtalbot.org and oxfordmd.net or call 410-770-8000
OYA Do It Yourself Policies (experienced boat owners only)
- 1. Insurance: Please provide a copy of the boat’s insurance acceptable to our insurance company.
- 2. Liveaboard: The owner and spouse/partner may liveaboard for a maximum of 60 days. We may have an RV or camper trailer available for rent. Note: pump-outs pr direct connection to our holding tank to be arranged with our office, additional fees will apply.
- 3. Water & Sanitary Facilities: use of water and bathrooms is included in the storage fee.
- 4. Electricity: Is charged by usage as determined by max load at standard power company rates.
- 5. Pollution Control:
- a. OYA provides Geo-Fabric to be laid under any boat where exterior painting, grinding, or polishing is being done. Vacuum at end of the day.
- b. All sanding or grinding is to be done with a quality vacuum sander. We have found that Walmart sells an excellent “HART” shop vac (large) for approximately $100.
- c. Bottom Paints that contain copper oxide are discouraged on grounds of protecting the water quality.
- d. Waxes, Compounds, and Polishes should be free of silicone and aerosols. We have excellent pro-grade products in stock.
- e. Please clean up your work area at the end of each workday. Make sure paints and solvents are kept capped and stored in a spill-proof container. Dumpsters are available for your use.
- 6. Electrical: The boat’s electrical system must meet ABYC standards.
- 7. Materials & Supplies: Materials and supplies are available from OYA at West Marine prices.
- 8. Fire Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers are to be kept current, with ample charge. Verify that the quantity and type of extinguishers meet ABYC standards.
- 9. Subcontractors: There is a fee per day for any sub-contractors, plus an insurance standard.
- 10. Boatyard Services: Please see our Rate Sheet for haul out, storage, and labor rates.
Oxford Yacht Agency Slip Map
317 S. Morris St.
Oxford MD
410-822-8556
Dickerson Harbor Slip Map
3831 Trappe Landing Rd
Trappe, MD 21673
