PropTalk Magazine April 2026

Set in Stevensville, Maryland, Hinckley Bay Bridge Marina offers a composed and quietly refined home port on the Chesapeake Bay. Designed around protected, single-load slips, the marina makes daily arrivals and departures feel effortless—so time on the water begins the moment you leave the dock. With service for all makes and models, fuel, water, and pump-out available on site, and private boater amenities including showers and laundry, everything needed for a seamless season is thoughtfully in place. Paired with an on-site pool and walkable access to Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen and the Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club—home to a spa and resort-style amenities—Hinckley Bay Bridge Marina delivers the ultimate Chesapeake Bay boating experience.

From spirited day boating to extended coastal cruising, Beneteau’s motor yacht range— including the Gran Turismo and Swift Trawler lines—pairs beautifully with our waters.

Gran Turismo 40 Coupe

Chesapeake Yacht Center is your premier white-glove, concierge yacht dealership known for going beyond the sale with personalized guidance, tailored outfitting, captain orientation, and ongoing service support to keep you cruising effortlessly season after season.

Connect with our sales team for private previews and sea trials. Experience why Beneteau and CYC are the ideal pairing for life on the Bay.

Boat Review: Lancia 52

This Italian creation is not only beautiful, it’s also surprisingly functional.

By Lenny Rudow

39

See the Bay

Exploring Captain John Smith’s Chesapeake National Historic Trail: Part 3.

By John Page Willams

41

Spring Commissioning

Preparing your powerboat for its spring launch. By Mike Martel and Staff

46

What’s New in Electronics?

The latest and greatest as seen at the Miami International Boat Show. By Staff

48

VHF Reminders for Spring

Important reminders about marine radio use for boaters of all levels.

By John Herlig

49 Bay Cruisers Meet the BVI!

This winter, 48 Bay boaters made their way to the BVI for a bareboat flotilla.

By Mike Pitchford, Margaret Davis, and Drew Davis

When the Shirley M. fell into disrepair, multiple generations of this family all came together to ensure her survival. Read more about this beautifully restored classic on page 56. Photo courtesy of Bryer Davis

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612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD 21403 410.216.9309 | proptalk.com

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@proptalk.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@proptalk.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@proptalk.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Molly Winans, molly@proptalk.com

SENIOR EDITOR

Beth Crabtree, beth@proptalk.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Lenny Rudow, FishTalk Angler In Chief, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Eric Richardson, eric@proptalk.com

COPY EDITOR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@proptalk.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Brooke King, brooke@proptalk.com

DISTRIBUTION / BROKERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER Beatrice M. Mackenzie, beatrice@proptalk.com

ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER

Zach Ditmars, zach@proptalk.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@proptalk.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Joe Borrison, Eric Burnley Sr., Steve d’Antonio, Capt. Rick Franke, Charlie Iliff, Craig Ligibel, Capt. Michael L. Martel, Kendall Osborne, and Mike Pitchford

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dennis J. Falkowski, Al Schreitmueller, and Thomas C. Scilipoti

DISTRIBUTION

Larry Botts, Bob and Joann Bruffy, Martin and Betty Casey, Jennifer and Al Diederichs, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, Jim Persing, Mark Schlichter

PropTalk is a monthly magazine for and about Chesapeake Bay boaters. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the officers of SpinSheet Publishing Company. SpinSheet Publishing Company accepts no responsibility for discrepancies in advertisements.

PropTalk is available by first class subscription for $45 a year, and back issues are available for $4 each. Mail payment to PropTalk Subscriptions, 612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD, 21403.

PropTalk is distributed free of charge at more than 950 establishments along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute PropTalk should contact the PropTalk office at (410) 216-9309 or beatrice@proptalk.com.

# Still snowing in March, but don’t despair. This is the perfect time to scope out land-based activities while the weather keeps us off the water.

IBecome a Tourist (in Your own Backyard)

t’s another month of cold, wet weather in Chesapeake country. I recently reread Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” (given the recent hype), and I can’t help but feel as if I’ve been transported against my will to the misty moors of England after weeks of nonstop fog and rain. But there’s a small bright spot on the horizon. When this issue hits the streets, the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point will be just one month away. Hallelujah!

This month we have a quick teaser to get you excited for the show (page 38), but stay tuned for the official show guide in PropTalk’s May issue.

In the meantime, it’s almost time to start thinking about spring commissioning. If you’re doing-it-yourself, that is. If you plan to hire a professional, what are you waiting for? You’ll want to get on their list ASAP to make sure your boat is ready for launching as soon as the warm weather hits. Find some handy commissioning tips on page 41 and at proptalk. com

In the meantime, how are we to get through a potentially cold and dreary

By Kaylie Jasinski

spring when we’re likely to face a below freezing day followed by temperatures of 70 degrees the next? My best piece of advice, for any time of year but especially now, is to become a tourist in your own state. If a vacation isn’t in the cards at the moment, visit a new-to-you town in Chesapeake country. Always wanted to visit St. Michaels by boat? Go now and scope it out from land. Make a list of marinas, boat ramps, and facilities and get a plan together for your boat for the summer. Maybe you’ve been dying to visit the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News but never seem to make it that far south? Plan a weekend of it. Find a place to stay, try out local restaurants, and take your time perusing the museum. If winter has you down and perhaps dreaming of moving someplace warmer, you’d be surprised at how well you can turn your mindset around by simply looking at your state with new eyes. Explore! Learn! Play! Our See the Bay section in the magazine (page 39) is a great jumping off point each month, and we also have hundreds more stories on our website at proptalk.com/category/see-the-bay.

I personally love traveling to far-flung places, but I continue to get so much joy from discovering new favorites right in my backyard. Last year, it was Havre de Grace, North East, and Chesapeake City—places I had been to before, but this time around I slowed down, did “touristy” things like visit a maritime museum and hike to a lighthouse, and my immediate reaction was, “we have to go back!” Currently on my Chesapeake to-do list are glamping at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, exploring the Northern Neck of Virginia for an entire weekend, traveling by boat to Rock Hall and getting a slip for the night, and finally making a reservation at Sassafras (a hyperseasonal Chesapeake seafood restaurant in Betterton, MD, that serves just eight guests per night).

When you look at it that way, I’m okay with a few more gray days to force me to get out of the house and explore. Because as soon as summer hits, I plan to soak up every minute out on the water. Until then, hang in there! Launching season will be here before we know it.

PropTalk Connections

Editor’s Note: We recently received a letter from a man named Al who came across some articles on our website regarding a boat he used to own (proptalk.com/deltaville-chincoteague-beyond). We were able to connect him with the author and then-current owner of the boat and wanted to share his response:

# Pelican moored in Annapolis.

“Yesterday, Joe R. reached out to me, and we traded photos via text and email and had an extended phone conversation. We traded stories about our times on Pelican, our 1981 41-foot Present trawler. My wife and I owned her from 2001 to 2019, Joe from 2022 to 2025, and he cruised her from Deltaville to Chincoteague to Groton, CT, and back again. Joe has since sold her, and says Pelican is now residing in Urbanna, VA, in good hands.

“We kept ‘Peli’ in Deltaville Yachting Center in Deltaville, VA, for most of our time and cruised and explored all over the Chesapeake and lower East Coast. In 19 years of ownership, we calculated that we had spent about a year actually onboard. We were lucky enough to have counted among our friends and acquaintances the late Milton Parks, owner of Parks Marina on Tangier Island; the late Bob Smith, founder of American Diesel Corp. in Kilmarnock; instructor extraordinaire, the late Bill Shermer, of Blue Goose Charters in Baltimore; and Bill Parlatore, founder of Passagemaker Magazine and instrumental in TrawlerFests back in the day, just to name a few. These and dozens of other folks, boat owners, dockmasters, business owners/staff, etc. taught, entertained, inspired, and just lent a hand, and were an integral part of the cruising scene in the Chesapeake for decades.

“My wife, Meredith, and I loved our time on the Bay. For me, it was coming home again. I was born in Newport News, lived in Hampton as a youth, and spent as much time as possible on the water on my dad’s 23-foot deadrise workboat. My dad grew up on the Eastern Shore (born in 1910), and prior to World War II, was an oysterman out of Wachapreague. We are retired now, from almost all active parts of life. We got too old and unsteady to be jumping on and off of docks, but I sure miss those times on the water!!

“Thanks for all y’all do on PropTalk, and thanks again for reaching out.”

~Al T.

Slip License Agreements

As a new boater who recently went through the experience, I enjoyed reading your article on choosing a Chesapeake Bay marina (in the March PropTalk). That said, I believe you only lightly touched upon the boat owner’s responsibility to actually read and understand the agreement the marina asks him to sign.

One of my two top marina choices asked me to sign their 11 page “Slip License Agreement” under which I basically had no rights whatsoever. The marina could (1) re-assign my boat to a different slip at any time for any reason, (2) terminate the agreement at any time without cause at its option and without liability, (3) disclaim all statements made regarding the slip, including depth of access channel and any of the marina’s slips, and (4) disclaim all liability except for its “Sole gross negligence.” The above merely summarizes some of the problems with this agreement; I suggest you read all 11 pages.

While management was willing to make some changes, they balked at the wholesale re-writing of the agreement which I requested. Obviously, I chose another marina.

I believe you would do your readers a service by warning them to read and understand a slip agreement before signing.

Regards, ~James L.

Editor’s Note: Thank you, James, for your note and for sharing the slip license agreement you mentioned. While we did not include it here, you make a very good point, and it’s a great reminder for our readers to make sure to read any agreements in full before signing.

Send your questions, comments and stories to kaylie@proptalk.com

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Remembering Captain

When PropTalk contributor Gary Armstrong told us he had recently lost his beloved dog, we knew we had to save our Boat Dog column this month as a memorial:

“On January 5 we said goodbye to our beloved dog, Captain—a name that fit him perfectly, especially when he was on the boat, one of his favorite places to be. Captain never met a person he didn’t love, and if you were lucky enough to meet him, you were instantly his friend.

“He lived life with a perpetually wagging tail and a happy heart. Loyal, playful, friendly, obedient, and always ready for the next adventure,

Captain was the very definition of a great dog. Whether cruising on the water or greeting guests as if they were long-lost friends, he brought joy wherever he went.

“Our hearts are heavy, but they’re also full of gratitude for the love, laughter, and happiness he gave us every single day. Fair winds and following seas, Captain—you were deeply loved and will be forever missed.”

~Gary Armstrong

Adventure Starts Here

Columbia River Expedition 491 Miles / 8 Dams / In 5 Days

• Waterfront dining with seasonal specials

• Year-round social activities, live music

• Flexible event space and picnic grounds for member and non-member bookings

• Floating docks, moorings and transient slips

• Club cruises, sail racing and junior sail camps

• Regional and national yacht club reciprocity

Where the Season Never Ends

ve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are ve things to know about boat insurance.

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected nancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

2. Accidents can happen to anyone

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to speci ed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you nanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?

Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with con dence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

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Go to progressive.com to learn more.

#

S#

Spring Festivals in Chesapeake Country

pring means different things to different people, but we boaters mark the season by removing tarps and shrinkwrap, scrubbing topsides, commissioning vessels, and burning socks. In the natural world daffodils begin to grow in earnest, and birds that migrated to warmer climes return to the Bay. Osprey usually arrive here during the middle of March. Across Chesapeake Country spring is a popular time for festivals. Here are seven, from Havre de Grace up north to Yorktown at the Bay’s southern tip. Which one will you attend?

Maryland Day, March 19-25: More than 50 partners will host special events, programs, and activities throughout the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area. A special maritime gathering is planned for Monday, March 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Crownsville, MD, to include the world premiere screening of the short documentary film “Voices of the Skipjack.” Representatives from more than a dozen leading maritime organizations will be on hand (including SpinSheet) to share how you can experience the Bay and celebrate its maritime heritage. Learn more at marylandday.org.

Osprey Festival, April 18: If you love birds, wildlife, and nature, or even if you’re just curious about them, discover this festival, which welcomes families and people of all ages. See a live raptor up close, take part in a lecture series, enjoy vendors on the boardwalk, meet Oscar the Osprey (and get a selfie), and move through the childfocused nature activity stations. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Town of North Beach, MD. $10 per person; $20 per family. Learn more at marylandospreyfestival.org.

Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival, April 18-19: Held at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

(CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD, this event welcomes the whole family. Throughout the weekend, sea glass expert Mary McCarthy will be available to share her knowledge, including shard identification. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with all tickets valid for admission on both days. In addition, attendees are invited to explore the exhibitions and historic structures spread across CBMM’s 18-acre campus. Tickets prices are discounted when purchased online. Learn more at cbmm.org

DelMarVa Birding Weekend, April 23-26: This year will be the 30th Spring DelMarVa Birding Weekend, a four-day event that combines boat trips, paddling treks, and expeditions on foot when migrating birds are arriving and passing through the peninsula for nesting. This is a true celebration of spring birdwatching. Learn more at delmarvabirding.com

Pirates Invade Yorktown Weekend, April 25: Embrace your inner pirate and visit the pirate encampment in Yorktown, VA, where your family can watch blacksmith and cannon demonstrations, sing along to sea shanties, join the hunt for buried loot, and listen to a fife and drum performance.

The event hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at visityorktown.org

Solomons Maritime Festival, May 2: This fun, annual event includes the Antique Boat and Marine Engine Show with exhibits from collectors of antique and classic boats and vintage marine outboard and inboard engines. Watch seafood-cooking demonstrations. Enjoy local music. See Chesapeake Bay retrievers in action. Check out model boats in the boat basin and talk with traditional craftspeople as they demonstrate their skills. Free 30-minute cruises on the Wm. B. Tennison. Toy boat building and more for kids. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free event. Learn more at calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Havre de Grace Decoy and Wildlife Festival, May 2-3: This premier decoy and wildlife art show will unfold in the Decoy Capital of the World: Havre de Grace, MD. Come see outstanding decoys and wildlife art and meet master carvers and artists. Carving competitions on Saturday. This familyfriendly event has been drawing fans for more than 40 years, and the tradition continues at the STAR Centre on Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at decoymuseum.com/ decoy-festival

Whitehall Yacht Yard:

Owner-operated marina & boatyard, DIY or skilled contractors with management available if desired. Competitive pricing with great value and beautifully situated on Whitehall Creek.

$ Deepwater slips

$ Travelift

$ Crane service

$ Dry storage for 200+ boats

$ 100+ slips for boats 22 to 45 feet,

$ New aluminum high-beam lift slips to 29’ LOA

For three generations, John White’s family boatyard has been known for attention to detail, customer

and dependability. If you seek a protected, serene home or haulout location for your boat, John and his team will treat you properly.

Maryland Commercial Oyster Season Extended

Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is moving forward with a twoweek extension of the commercial oyster season to help watermen make up for lost harvesting opportunities after many waterways and parts of the Chesapeake Bay froze during frigid temperatures in January and early February.

The change will extend the state’s commercial oyster season to April 14 this year. It was originally scheduled to end on March 31. Under the extension, all current gear restrictions and bushel limits will remain in effect. Handscraping for oysters in hand tong areas is not permitted under the extension.

“Maryland’s watermen have faced a difficult oyster season after recent declines in market demand and ice on waterways blocked access to traditional harvest areas,” said DNR secretary Josh Kurtz. “This oyster season extension will give them additional opportunities to boost their livelihoods and the local communities where they live. DNR made

this decision after extensive conversations with industry stakeholders and scientists. Coordinated oyster restoration and management efforts led by DNR have resulted in a multi-year increase of the overall oyster population in Maryland. We are confident that extending the season will not affect the ongoing resurgence of oysters in the Bay and local rivers.”

DNR is well aware of the ice impacts on Maryland waterways. Agency staff led ice-breaking operations on waterways using two different state vessels this winter to ensure navigation channels remained open and to help watermen access fishing grounds. Even with staff working around the clock to break ice, the frigid conditions led to waters quickly refreezing and kept many commercial fishing boats tied up at the dock and unable to harvest.

The extension will also support watermen during a difficult market for oysters. Despite wide availability of oysters in harvest areas, oyster sellers have not been buying as many oysters, according to reports from watermen.

TMarylanders can help watermen and local communities that depend on commercial fishing by purchasing Maryland oysters at seafood markets and restaurants.

# Chesapeake Bay ice coverage recorded on Feb. 10. Map courtesy of National Ice Center/MD DNR

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Conservation Grants

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, announced $6.9 million in funding from the Chesapeake Watershed Investments in Landscape Defense (Chesapeake WILD) Program to support 33 partnerled conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

All 33 projects contribute to shared conservation outcomes for state and Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including habitat restoration, conservation, and connection.

# Courtesy of The Potomac Conservancy/Facebook (one of this year’s grant recipients)

Collectively, the projects supported by the Chesapeake WILD program in 2025 will: assess barriers to movement for fish and other aquatic organisms in 100 key habitat areas, protect 817 acres of habitat for a total of 19,000 acres conserved through Chesapeake WILD to date, enhance management and stewardship planning on 50,000 acres, and create 87 jobs.

Driven by local and regional partners—including state fish and wildlife agencies, tribal nations, local communities, and conservation collaboratives—these investments will benefit the millions of people who rely on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries for outdoor recreation, jobs, and clean drinking water, and the hundreds of species of native fish and wildlife that make their homes in the six-state watershed.

Examples of this year’s grant awards include:

• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

($500,000) will restore connectivity on Drury Run in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to benefit brook trout and other aquatic species. (PA)

• Upstream Alliance ($75,000) will collaborate with the Accohannock Indian Tribe of Maryland to develop a plan for protecting priority wildlife and to design a community center that preserves heritage. (MD)

• The Potomac Conservancy ($500,000) will conserve 300 acres of floodplain and forest habitat in Berkeley County, WV, to protect water quality and wildlife habitat for federally protected species and state Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need. (WV)

Chesapeake WILD is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant program. To submit a proposal and see the full list of grant recipients, visit nfwf.org/ programs/chesapeake-wild

Improving Your On-Water Skills at the Bay Bridge Boat Show

If you are new to boating or experienced, yet hoping to gain more skills, during the Bay Bridge Boat Show (April 17-19) there are several on-water training options to consider. A BoatUS partner, the Chesapeake Boating Academy (CBA) offers three-hour onboard courses that are available to boaters of all skill levels.

Captain Sarah Lawrence, founder and owner of CBA, and her team have been teaching onboard courses for five years at the show, now held at Safe Harbor Kent Narrows Point in Grasonville, MD.

“We’re excited because it’s in our backyard now,” says Capt. Sarah, whose family owns and runs Tow Jamm Marine, an independently operated TowBoatUS provider.

This year’s on-water course offerings include: Intro to Boating, Women Making Waves—Intro to Boating, Precision Docking and Boat Handling, and Open Water Boat Handling. All courses last for three hours; registration ($225) includes tickets to the Bay Bridge Boat Show.

Capt. Sarah says, “Students may take as many or as few of the courses as they want, but we do encourage people to take them in order. Sometimes people sign up for just one, but they like it so much, they sign up for more.”

In addition to working in the family’s TowBoatUS business, Capt. Sarah is a 100-ton USCG Captain, National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) instructor, US Powerboating instructor, US Sailing instructor, and American Sailing instructor. The Maryland native grew up a cruising kid and sailing instructor and later gained more teaching experience in the Bahamas where she lived for nine years and met her husband (and business partner).

“I have pretty much been teaching some form of boating my whole life. I love being on the water and getting people excited. It’s never stagnant; it’s always something different,” she says.

For new or returning boaters who don’t know the show setup or haven’t taken a course for a while, CBA will make the process

easy. Upon registration, students immediately receive an informative confirmation email, including precise arrival details, what to wear (CBA provides lifejackets), and the cancellation policy. About a week before the course, students will receive a text with the address pinned, parking information, a waiver to sign, and contact information.

“We try to keep things smooth and straightforward,” says Capt. Sarah, noting that courses are designed to build real-life boating skillsets and confidence in a safe and relaxed atmosphere.

CBA teaches their courses aboard two Key West 239s (24-foot center consoles), which comfortably accommodate four students plus one certified instructor. All the instructors are US Coast Guard-licensed captains; the verified curriculum of the NSBC conforms with the American National On-Water Standard.

Find complete course descriptions and details at chesapeakeboatingacademy.com. Find out more about the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point at annapolisboatshows. com and on page 38.

More than $53,500 to Farm-Based Businesses and Commercial Watermen

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), in partnership with the Maryland Agricultural and ResourceBased Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO), has awarded $53,861 in matching grants to nine farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County through the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) program (with MARBIDCO participating in seven of the nine grants). This year’s total is the highest awarded to date and represents a $3000-plus increase from 2025, when the program was expanded to include commercial watermen.

“We’re thrilled to announce the third round of recipients for our Agricultural Business Improvement Grant program and be able to provide nearly $54,000 to support our agricultural and watermen communities this year,” said AAEDC president and CEO Amy Gowan. “The quality and creativity of the applications this year were outstanding, and we’re excited to see how all these impactful projects help our farmers and watermen grow their businesses. Thank you to our

Tpartners at MARBIDCO for contributing over $24,000 this year, helping us expand the program’s reach and impact.”

The grant recipients and funded projects in Anne Arundel County include:

• Copeland Farmery – $10,000 for a new barn for product storage and processing.

• Drakes Only – $5000 for crab pots.

• Fishmas Charters – $5000 for crab pots.

• Honey’s Harvest Farm – $1200 for cold storage (AAEDC funds only).

• Knightongale Farm – $10,000 for a new storage barn for products.

• New Roots Farm – $7000 for a new cattle handling area and chute.

• Schmidt Family Farm – $1650 for deer fencing for produce production (AAEDC funds only).

• SoCo Seafood – $3961 for equipment for a shucking station and oyster larvae.

• Superczynski Farm – $10,000 for barn repairs.

# The program recently expanded to include commercial watermen, and some of this year’s funds will go toward new crab pots.

Each application was evaluated and numerically scored based on its potential to boost revenue, create or retain jobs, expand operations, improve efficiency, increase the supply of locally grown food, or offer agricultural education opportunities.

Launched in December 2023, the ABIG program offers matching grants of up to $10,000 to help farm-based businesses in Anne Arundel County expand their operations and increase revenue. Grant recipients are required to contribute at least 50 percent of the project costs and must provide proof of project completion within one year of receiving the grant award.

New Life Jacket Loaner Pilot Program

he BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water announced that it is now accepting applications for a new pilot program for their Life Jacket Loaner Program. The pilot will introduce digital check out technology to make borrowing life jackets for a day or weekend easier and more accessible for boaters. Organizations such as parks, marinas, campgrounds, fire departments, fuel docks, and waterfront businesses are encouraged to apply before March 27. The program removes cost and access barriers, helping more families, especially children, stay safe on the water. Organizations can apply to participate in one or more of the three pilot options:

• Unstaffed locations such as loaner boards and dock boxes where life jackets are available 24/7.

• Staffed locations like marinas and boat shops where staff hand out life jackets.

• Digital lockers that use a secure, automated storage system equipped with electronic locks to store life jackets.

“These pilot models represent the next evolution of our long-standing Life Jacket Loaner Program,” said Tiffany Gonzalez, BoatUS Foundation program manager. “They allow us to connect with sites and borrowers in smarter ways, helping us better understand community needs, best practices, and program impact.”

This project is supported by a $375,000 grant through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Originally piloted in 1996, BoatUS Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program became the first national effort focused on keeping boaters, especially

children, safe by providing properly fitted life jackets. On average, BoatUS Foundation loans 140,000 life jackets each year and has more than 600 loaner sites currently.

If you are interested in hosting a BoatUS Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Program pilot site, visit boatus.org/life-jacket-loaner/ apply. The deadline for applications is March 27.

# The new pilot program will introduce digital check out technology to make borrowing life jackets easier and more accessible for boaters.

March

Through Mar 31

The Great Chesapeake Invasives Count  Help collect important data while competing for great prizes! Log your invasive species catches (northern snakehead, blue catfish, flathead catfish) on iAngler, and FishTalk will present live, monthly prize drawings. Register: ccamd.org

12-26 Understanding and Avoiding Thunderstorms on the Chesapeake WEBINAR

This 3-part live webinar series by Mark Thornton of LakeErieWX will examine the various types of thunderstorms and ingredients that lead to their formation, why thunderstorms often “pop-up” late on summer afternoons, and why some storms have short lifespans while others persist for several hours. Will introduce resources for forecasting and monitoring thunderstorms. March 12, 19, and 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. $90 for the series.

14-15

Essex-Middle River Fishing Club Fishing

Flea Market

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company (8037 Philadelphia Rd, Rosedale, MD). Admission $5, under 13 are free. New and used freshwater, saltwater, and offshore fishing tackle, boating supplies, crabbing supplies, charter captains, nautical crafts, fishing apparel. Plenty of great food and beverages.

17

Essex-Middle River Fishing Club March Monthly Meeting

The guest speaker will be Aaron Zale on first aid in emergencies. Held at the FOP Lodge 34 located at 730 Wampler Road in Middle River, MD 21220. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Open to all. Food and drinks are available.

17

PSWSFA Monthly Meeting  Peninsula Saltwater Sportfisherman’s Association. Regular monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Peninsula Baptist Church (2605 Cunningham Dr, Hampton, VA). Meetings consist of an educational speaker, monthly tournament awards, and a discussion of fishing news and club business. Meetings are free and you do not need to be a member to attend.

18 Annapolis Anglers Club Monthly Meeting  Speaker, food and drink, table raffle, and 50/50. Food starts at 6 p.m., followed by meeting at 7 p.m. At the American Legion Post 7, Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD.

21 Haven Harbour Seminar Series: Session 3  Haven Harbour Yacht Services will host monthly educational seminars from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Haven Harbour South’s Ark & Dove Restaurant. Free and open to roughly 35 attendees per class. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Topics: Spring commissioning, products, services, and best practices. Guest speakers to attend.

21 Maryland Fly Fishing Show

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Village Commons at Towson University in Towson, MD. The event brings together fishing enthusiasts throughout the mid-Atlantic region with high-quality fly-fishing dealers for a day of tackle review, sales, demonstrations, seminars, clinics, and conversation.

21-22 Southern Maryland Fishing and Outdoor Adventure Fair

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown, MD. Admission $5 cash at entrance, kids 12 and under are free. Vendors will be selling rods, reels, lures, fishing tackle, outdoor gear, piers, paintings, crafts, and charter fishing trips. Children’s activities include a casting contest and bean toss competitions. Maryland Boater Safety Course Saturday at 9 a.m. followed by exam and certification Sunday at 9 a.m. Presented by the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization. Questions: smrfo2021@gmail.com

22 Annapolis Saltwater Fishing Expo

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge in Edgewater, MD. Presented by Annapolis Anglers Club. Local tackle dealers, charter captains and guides. Seminars by Shawn Kimbro, Mike and Nate Berkeimer, Tim Sughrue, and Lenny Rudow. Food and beverages including BBQ, oysters, ice cream, and full bar.

22 Eastport Oyster Boys 30th Anniversary Shuck It Tour Celebration

4 p.m. at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. This is a special evening of Eastport Oyster Boys music and mirth with special musical guests, as well as memories of their travels as Goodwill Ambassadors from the City of Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay. Proceeds from the concert will help to support the mission of Annapolis Musicians For Musicians (AMFM), which provides scholarships and emergency support for local working artists.

23 Colonial Chesapeake Maritime History

Presented by CAPCA. 7 to 8:30 p.m. (hybrid event): in-person at the Annapolis Elks Lodge and online on Zoom. Free. Speaker: Thomas Guay, author of “Chesapeake Bound.”

Chesapeake Calendar

March

(continued)

26 CCA Annapolis Chapter Angler’s Night Out  5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at West End Grill in Annapolis. Free and open to the public. Featured talk and Q&A with noted local kayak angler John Veil, discussing the five-year decline in local fish populations. Followed by the CCA Pickerel Championship Awards Presentation.

28 Fishing/Hunting/Boating Flea Market Held by the Mid-Shore Fishing Club. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 91 (98 Sunburst Highway) in Cambridge, MD. $5 entrance fee. Children 12 and under are free.

28 Free State Fly Fishers HandsOn Session Tom Parham, MD DNR, will demonstrate the “Eyes on the Bay - Click Before You Cast” web-based resource available on the MD DNR website. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the FSFF Club House, Davidsonville Family Rec Center (3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, MD).

28-29 Safety at Sea  Presented by MTAM at the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies (MITAGS), adjacent BWI Airport, near Baltimore, MD. This one-day course (choose which day) is the hands-on training portion for an International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate. Prior to the start you will need to: Complete an Offshore Safety at Sea course within the last year OR Complete the online Offshore Safety course (units 1-15) available through US Sailing. Questions: call (410) 269-0741 for more details, or email jstefancik@mtam.org

April

1

Free State Fly Fishers Club Meeting

Mark Stanley, MD DNR Central Region Freshwater Fisheries Manager, will present on the Gunpowder River fishery. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the FSFF Club House, Davidsonville Family Rec Center, 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, MD 21035.

4 CCWBRA Governor’s Cup  In New Smyrna, FL. Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association.

8 Frederick Saltwater Anglers Monthly Meeting

6:30 p.m. at 289 Willowdale Dr, Frederick, MD 21702. Speaker and vendor TBD.

11

CCA Central Region Chapter Annual Celebration of Conservation  6 to 9 p.m. at Linganore Wine Cellar in Mt. Airy, MD. Oyster bar, dinner, open bar, live music, raffles, silent and live auctions. This fundraising dinner directly supports CCA Maryland’s focus on ensuring the health of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them, and our objective to conserve, promote, and enhance our marine resources for the benefit of the general public.

15

Annapolis Anglers Club Monthly Meeting  Speaker, food and drink, table raffle, and 50/50. Food starts at 6 p.m., followed by meeting at 7 p.m. At the American Legion Post 7, Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD.

16

CCA Southern Maryland Chapter Angler’s Night Out  5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ruddy Duck in Solomons, MD. Free and open to the public. Speaker TBD.

17-19 Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point  Friday through Sunday at Safe Harbor Narrows Point in Grasonville, MD. Climb aboard a wide array of powerboats of every style and size. Also, plenty of on-site parking available, food and beer stations, and live entertainment.

18 Free State Fly Fishers Saturday Hands-On Session  Mark Bange will share his expertise in catching panfish on the fly and explain why it can make you a better fly fisher overall. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the FSFF Club House, Davidsonville Family Rec Center, 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, MD 21035.

18 Capt. Henry Marx Memorial US Sailing International Safety at Sea Course At the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. This hands-on training course will prepare you for survival offshore in demanding situations and emergencies. The course is taught by experienced lifelong sailors and is designed for sailors of all types and levels – cruisers, racers, novices, and experts. The course has two parts. The first part is the Online Offshore Safety at Sea Course, followed by hands-on training.

21 Essex-Middle River Fishing Club April Monthly Meeting  The guest speaker will be Francis Zell on Preparing for Fishing Trips. Held at the FOP Lodge 34 located at 730 Wampler Road in Middle River, MD 21220. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Open to all. Food and drinks are available.

21 PSWSFA Monthly Meeting  Peninsula Saltwater

Sportfisherman’s Association. Regular monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Peninsula Baptist Church (2605 Cunningham Dr, Hampton, VA). Meetings consist of an educational speaker, monthly tournament awards, and a discussion of fishing news and club business. Meetings are free and you do not need to be a member to attend.

22-24 Offshore Emergency Medicine

Presented by Cruisers University in Annapolis, MD. This three-day class offers practical medical training for cruisers and racing sailors operating out of range of rapid rescue and professional medical assistance. The program requires 12–36 hours of pre-course reading, study, and online testing followed by three days of on-site training. The only training prerequisite is completion of a CPR course, but a basic first aid or wilderness medicine course is also recommended.

22-24 Master Diesel Spring Class

Presented by Cruisers University in Annapolis, MD. This three-day, hands-on class will provide a preliminary and in-depth review of how a diesel engine works. All aspects of general and yearly maintenance will be covered. Various engine parts, tools, and running engine models of Yanmar 1GM10, Yanmar 4JH Series and Universal M-25XP will be available to demonstrate parts and procedures.

24 FSA Etzler Flounder Frenzy  Frederick Saltwater Anglers. Location: 2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Dr, Chincoteague, VA 23336.

27 Regulations and Procedures for Inspected and Uninspected Passenger Vessels

Presented by CAPCA. 7 to 8:30 p.m. (hybrid event): in person at the Annapolis Elks Lodge and online on Zoom. Free. Speaker: Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) Christopher Clark.

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Lancia 52: Italian Stallion

By Lenny Rudow

There are boats that look practical, boats that are pretty, and boats that are drop-dead gorgeous. We don’t have to tell you which category the Lancia 52 falls into, because one glance at the pictures should make it clear. Designed in collaboration with Brunello Acampora and Stefano Faggioni, this Italian creation is not only beautiful, however, it’s also surprisingly functional. And—no shocker here— boasts a luxury level of 10.

One of the most interesting things about the Lancia 52 is its flexibility in both power and layout. One option sports quad Mercury V12 600-hp Verados on the transom and carries the “USA Version” moniker. Another has a pair of Volvo-Penta IPS800 pod

drives in the engine room, and yet another gets its power from a pair of MAN i6-800 engines. Go for the quad Mercs (USA! USA!), and as one might expect, the boat delivers sportiness along with style, reaching speeds above the 50-mph mark at wide-open (inboard models run in the mid-30s). All of these power choices can be melded with Cruise, Family, and Lounge Cruise layouts, providing a mix of one or two full heads with showers, two or three cabins, and/ or an extra settee.

Even more interesting are the outdoors accommodations you’ll discover when you walk aboard. While the Lancia 52 is certainly more yacht than boat, it’s still designed to deliver the outdoors

enjoyment provided by an open day boat, albeit a really, really big one. There’s an utterly massive lounger in the cockpit, just aft of a U-shaped settee with a dinette table that will prove ideal for al fresco dining. Walk forward of the helm and you’ll discover an also-huge bow lounger built atop the cabin plus a forward-facing couch seat and a pair of flanking seats forward. And as you walk up there, you’ll discover another unusual thing about the Lancia 52: the deck is flush from stem to stern. In fact, with the cabin entry next to the helm and the cabin itself ringed by wide side decks, it’s tempting to say that the layout shares some traits with today’s center console yachts. Tempting, but difficult to do considering how much more

LOA: 50’2”

Beam: 16’0”

Displacement: 36,000 lbs.

Draft: 2’7”

Transom Deadrise: 21 deg.

Fuel Capacity: 660 gal.

Water Capacity: 145 gal.

Max Power: 2400 hp

luxurious and finely styled the Lancia is in comparison. Still, it does deliver that same outdoor livability and ease of moving around from stem to stern.

While the boat’s designed with an emphasis on outdoors fun, there’s plenty of space down below for extended weekends and long cruises. Remember that the exact layout can change depending on which model you opt for, but the master stateroom is forward and one or two additional staterooms are amidships. Note the extensive use of mahogany throughout.

We’d love to get into a conversation about the trim, textiles, and fine details you’ll see inside the cabin at this point, but in this case it’s again a difficult task. The woods, fabrics, colors—even the furniture itself—are all customizable. And the different options are all top tier; note for example that the interior fabrics are by Loro Plana Interiors and the design comes via collaboration with the Faggioni Design Studio. This is the stuff Italy is known for—what made the country a global trendsetter in styling and design but ensconced in a hull as opposed to a handbag.

So: you have a Lambo in the garage, a Gucci on your wrist, and a bottle of Barolo in the chiller? Maybe it’s time to put a Lancia 52 in the slip, because adorerai questa barca. #

For more information, check out PropTalk supporter S&J Yachts in Annapolis and Rock Hall, MD, and Deltaville, VA, at sjyachts.com or (888) 743-4620.

Spring Boat Show Sneak Peek!

The Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point returns for its second year in its new location in Kent Narrows. Here’s a quick look at some of the exciting things you can expect at this year’s show. Stay tuned for the official show guide in PropTalk’s May issue.

As winter gives way to spring, the threeday event invites boaters, families, anglers, and Chesapeake Bay enthusiasts to prepare for the months ahead by exploring more than 250 boats from leading manufacturers, evaluating the latest models side-byside, and connecting directly with industry experts. Attendees can also explore over 130 exhibitors displaying marine technology, electronics, accessories, and apparel, and speak with financing and insurance representatives to help turn boating plans into reality for the upcoming season.

A signature feature of the show is the PropTalk Demo Dock. This on-water platform allows attendees to take sea trials on

Don't miss these new and premiering boats!

• Bayliner V20 Bowrider

• Boston Whaler 330 Outrage

• Sportsman Open 402

select models, from traditional powerboats to emerging electric models, experiencing firsthand how different boats perform on the water while gaining confidence before making purchase decisions.

Education and exploration are the cornerstones of the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point. Each year, the show provides a platform to inspire and teach boaters at every level, with sessions running throughout each day on topics ranging from core boating skills to specialized Chesapeake-focused subjects. Find the full seminar schedule on the Annapolis Boat Show website.

In addition, BoatUS Foundation offers on-water training sessions with a USCGlicensed captain, providing practical instruction and helping to build confidence behind the wheel (learn more on page 28). Learning continues for families and visitors of all ages with the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center’s Fishmobile, a mobile marine science classroom that brings Chesapeake Bay life up close. Guests can meet blue crabs, seahorses, oyster toadfish, and other native Bay creatures while learning about the Bay’s ecosystem and about Phillips Wharf’s mission to promote stewardship, science education, and conservation.

Details

Dates: April 17-19

Times: Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday until 5 p.m.

Location: Safe Harbor Narrows Point (428 Kent Narrow Way N, Grasonville, MD 21638)

Parking: At the Old Outlets off Exit 41. Attendees will be able to access the show via the Cross Island Trail (one mile) or the shuttle. $10, cash only (benefits the Kent Island High School Swim Team)

Tickets: General Admission $20 (children under 15 are free; military tickets cost $15). Limited onsite box office so it is recommended to pre-purchase tickets online.

The show experience extends well beyond the boats, offering live entertainment along with dockside food and beverages in a relaxed waterfront setting that’s easily accessible by land or water. For those looking to turn their visit into a getaway, Safe Harbor Narrows Point is surrounded by multiple hotels within walking distance of the show, making it easy to stay for a night or enjoy the full weekend. Boaters arriving by water can take advantage of nearby transient slips, allowing them to cruise in, tie up, and enjoy the show and the surrounding Kent Narrows community.

With hands-on programming and an ongoing commitment to education, the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point has become a mustattend event for Chesapeake boaters and waterfront enthusiasts alike.

For more information and tickets, visit baybridgeboatshow.com.

Exploring Captain John Smith’s Chesapeake National Historic Trail

IPart 3: Learning To See With New Eyes See the Bay

By John Page Williams

magine you’re Captain John Smith. You and 12 crew members are outward bound onto broad open water with no map, much less a navigational chart, and no idea what weather you might face. You have food and other provisions for only a few days. You don’t know how long you will be away from Jamestown, or how distant a voyage you face. You don’t know whom you will meet, or how they will receive you. Your first assignment is to explore and map the waterway, but you also want to document the Native people of the region, as well as the flora and fauna of the water and the lands around it, including any natural resources that might become valuable commodities to the Virginia colony.

Fortunately, as a 21st-century explorer, you won’t have to worry about meeting hostile human foes. You’ll have the considerable benefit of good weather forecasts, including even a radar app on your smartphone, and you know where your food is coming from. You’ll have the benefit of charts, probably a chartplotter with depth sounder, maybe a mounted radar system.

Even so, to truly explore Capt. Smith’s Chesapeake Trail, you’ll have to be your

own interpreter. Remember that this trail’s “infrastructure” consists of maps, books, websites, and data-gathering buoys. With notable exceptions like the institutions around Jamestown, there are no physical “theme parks” dedicated to Captain John Smith and his explorations. You’ll have to explore, look, and interpret just as he and his crew did. It’s no accident that Capt. Smith often used the word discover as a synonym for explore.

The very nature of a trail makes the journey—the discovery process—more important than any destinations along it. You’re on alert, looking and listening, trying to observe the details of your surroundings, even if you don’t understand how they fit into that part of the Bayscape. What color is the water? How clear or cloudy is it? Do you see evidence of fish or other water creatures? Take advantage of your modern resources to learn everything you can about the water under your hull, the waterway’s bottom beneath it, the air above it, the land around it, and the critters that inhabit it. Modern chartplotter software (even in a phone app) gives a three-dimensional sense of the water and the basin it covers. A short lesson in sonar images can yield an immediate sense of what’s below, from fish

and bottom composition (sand, mud, or shell?) to fallen trees, wrecks, oyster reefs, or underwater grass beds. Be sure to take in the aesthetics too, from sunlight glinting on whitecaps (“sheep in the pasture”) to vivid colors (“I’ve seen sunsets that could take the crick out of a man’s back”).

That said, we’re fortunate to have some useful signs, exhibits, and other guideposts around the Chesapeake and its rivers to supplement our own observations. Start with Jamestown itself. Other recreated towns like Henricus Historical Park on the James and Historic St. Mary’s City on the Potomac, along with maritime museums like the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, the Yorktown Watermen’s Museum, Deltaville Maritime Museum, the Steamboat Era Museum in Irvington, the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels help to fill in colonial history. An important element in trail infrastructure in coming years will be the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, “a network of partners and places that provide visitors with opportunities to enjoy, learn about, and help protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed.”

The phrase ‘Exploring the Chesapeake’ tends to bring broad, open waters to mind, but a close look at a map of Capt. Smith’s 1800-mile-long trail brings a reminder that this ecosystem is a network of rivers. Capt. Smith and his crews explored and mapped most of them to their heads of navigation (remember that he was looking for the

mythical Northwest Passage through Virginia to The Orient). The riverine nature of this estuary stopped him, of course, but it had already served as a unifying highway for Native tribes for centuries, and it began doing so for the Virginia and Maryland colonists almost immediately after Capt. Smith published his map in 1612.

The Chesapeake’s rivers played critical roles in the development of the colonies, the fledgling United States, the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, and the busy 20th. They continue to do so today. Capt. Smith’s Chesapeake Trail gives us a clear look at a point in time that offers us views of both what came before his time here (April, 1607 to October, 1609) and everything that has happened since.

Adjust your thinking and you’ll find that the tidal sections of these rivers are magic. Start with birds. Bald eagles, in fact. The upper sections of the rivers offer abundant fish that eagles seem to love, like gizzard shad and yearling blue catfish. Steep, wooded banks, generally on the outsides of the rivers’ sweeping meander curves, offer them perches from which to survey the water for prey. Where these areas are sufficiently isolated from human activity, the big birds build prodigious nests to incubate, hatch, and rear their young. The same areas also serve as wintering roosts for young eagles from all over the Atlantic coast. In season (March to September), ospreys nest and fish along the same rivers, while great blue herons stalk the shallows.

On the insides of those big meander curves, the currents slow down, allowing suspended sediment to settle out and grow “tidal fresh” marshes. That term sounds like an oxymoron, but our big rivers push a lot of fresh water downstream even after they reach sea level and become affected by the tides pressing in from the Chesapeake. Unlike salt marshes, whose mix of plant species is limited to those few that can deal with salinity, the tidal fresh areas grow a wide range of species, especially seed-bearing annuals like rice cutgrass, smartweed, and wild rice that offer high-energy foods to the ducks, geese, and swans that winter on the Chesapeake.

yellow (ring) perch, white (gray, stiffback) perch, largemouth bass, blue catfish, rockfish (striped bass), and, amazingly, Atlantic sturgeon. Other spawners that do not feed but still need the rivers’ currents to nurture their eggs include river herring (alewives and bluebacks), hickory shad, and American shad. No wonder the Chesapeake’s Native Tribes learned to live well for centuries on these waterways that still bear their names and their communities today.

The marshes also provide habitat and food for furbearers like muskrats and river otters, and as the plants break down in winter, their scraps form a springtime soup that feeds the base of the river’s food web. That web sustains tiny crustaceans like copepods, forage fish like shiners and killifish, and an array of larger spawners: For more information, visit nps.gov/cajo. If you missed Parts One and Two, you can catch up at proptalk.com.

The rivers also served them well as highways for hundreds of years. That’s where natural and human history blend on the Chesapeake. The English colonists found that the Chesapeake’s remarkable wealth of navigable waterways provided instant infrastructure in a land without roads. There followed four centuries and more of maritime history, first with tobacco and timber, then sand and gravel, and more recently corn, soybeans, and other grains. Skippers performed amazing feats of seamanship, sailing working schooners and piloting steamboats up the Chesapeake’s rivers to stitch our waterfront communities together. Major battles in the Civil War took place along them. About a century ago, railroads and roadways began to take over commercial traffic, but even today, tugs push barges of grain and building materials along our rivers. Ships still call at Richmond’s Marine Terminal, and our rivers sustain a wide variety of seafood harvesting. Our rivers and we are wound together in a rich ecological and economic fabric worth exploring/discovering. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail provides you with a framework to begin your own on-the-water voyages following his wake.

Preparing Your powerboat for Spring Launching

By Capt. Mike Martel

Nothing makes the prospect of spring’s eventual arrival more enticing than the thought of getting to work once again on the boat, especially after the end of a long string of weekend January and February snowstorms. The last one brought on a strong case of cabin fever, as well as a yearning for the aroma of bottom paint wafting on the spring air. I began to think about springtime and the looming task of preparing my old cruiser for the good weather.

With the realization that I must prepare my old powerboat for the season prior to launching, I made a short trip down the road to see my friends at C&C Fiberglass here in Bristol, R.I. C&C is a small boat building business owned and operated by the DaPonte family, friends for many years. They build NorthCoast Boats, a product family of fast fiberglass sport yachts for cruising and fishing. Their newest offering, a 41-plus-foot cruiser (415HT), is reportedly capable of speeds over the water in excess of 50 mph, and she sports cool downeast lines, but I had not actually seen one yet.

When I got wind that there was a new one nearby at the C&C shop, and that she was going to be delivered and launched this spring, I just had to go and see if I could get a private look for myself. Yes, I know that this story is about spring commissioning, and that my own boat is an antique wooden boat, nothing like a 415HT. And even though I love her dearly, most powerboaters own fiberglass boats—try to find a wooden one—so I figured I’d have a look at spring launch preparations for a ‘modern’ powerboat if the folks at C&C would show me around. I wanted to know what springtime preparations are wise (and vital) if you buy and own something like this.

Of course, I began making missteps from the get-go. Once inside the C&C shop, the first thing I noticed was a big, shiny black boat front and center sporting an array of four engines, all powerful Yamaha outboards, mounted in a line across the transom of a 415HT. A C&C gent named Greg took me under his wing. He’s an older fellow like me, so I immediately felt comfortable with him.

# If you’re not comfortable with DIY, have a pro set your engines up.

# If there is any painting or brightwork to be varnished, this is the time to do it.

“Four big outboards?” I asked, standing beside them. “Wouldn’t an outdrive or two be better? Or even an inboard?” I was thinking of my own boat. Greg chuckled. “Oh, you won’t see inboards anymore,” he replied. “Not even outdrives. It’s all outboards now.” I felt silly, and thought that it might be best, after all, if I kept my mouth shut. Greg then pointed to a shiny cast brass drain plug at the very bottom of the transom. “You’d be surprised how many guys forget to screw that in before launching,” he said.

So of course I asked him, “If you own one of these quick boats, and you’re getting it ready for spring launching, what’s the checklist for getting ready? It seems, at the outset, to be a bit simpler than getting an old carvelplanked hull like mine ready for the water. I mean, no caulking, no swelling, no climbing down into the bilge.”

“It’s very important to pay a lot of attention to the engines, to their lubrication schedules, everything that Yamaha says,” he replied. “Don’t

# By taking the time to carefully prepare your powerboat, you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind.

# Pay extra attention to greasing or lubricating the engine mounts where the engines meet the transom.

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Got a New Boat?

DIY it; have a pro set them up. Make sure that your fuel is clean, go through these machines from top to bottom.” If there is any painting or brightwork to be varnished, this is the time to do it, he explained. Remove interior cabin doors; it’s easier to varnish when they are laid flat in a dust-free environment; you’ll get better results that way.

Preparing your powerboat for spring launching, particularly a newer boat with a stable of big outboards across the transom, involves, of course, all of the old standby procedures that characterized preparing an older boat, and some newer ones as well. For example, pay extra attention to greasing or lubricating the engine mounts where the engines meet the transom. There is a tremendous amount of stress on the transom at that point, and you want everything to work smoothly and in unison. Also, pay special attention to the trailer, because these boats and hardware are heavy, and you want to make sure that wheel bearings are well-lubricated, tires properly inflated and not cracked, and such. Here is a partial checklist of the other things:

1. Inspect the Hull

Carefully examine the hull for cracks, blisters, or other damage. Clean off any debris, algae, or residue left from last season before painting with antifouling paint.

2. Check the Engines

Change the oil and oil filters, inspect the fuel system for leaks or damage, and replace the fuel filter if needed. Ensure that all hoses and belts are in good condition and properly tightened.

3. Test the Battery

Charge your battery fully and test its voltage. Clean the terminals and ensure connections are tight and corrosion-free.

4. Review Safety Equipment

Make sure all required safety gear—life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, and firstaid kits—are present, in good condition, and up to date.

5. Examine the Propeller(s) and Steering

Inspect the propellers for dings or bends and make sure that props are securely attached. Test the steering system for smooth operation and lubricate as necessary.

6. Inspect the Bilge and Pumps

Clean the bilge area and test that the bilge pump is working properly. Replace or repair as needed. Attach the drain plug prior to backing down the ramp!

7. Check Lights and Electronics

Test all navigation and interior lights, as well as electronics such as GPS and radios, to ensure that they’re functioning correctly.

8. Stock Supplies

Replenish any items you may need for the season, such as spare parts, tools, and up-to-date charts.

By taking the time to carefully prepare your motorboat, you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind and maximize your time on the water this spring.

More Spring Commissioning Tips

Checklists

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to spring commissioning. Whether you’ve had a boat for years or just recently purchased one, there’s a great deal to keep track of. There are many helpful and free checklists you can find online (as well as the one Capt. Mike Martel shared on the previous page), but the best thing to do is find a checklist you like and then customize it for your particular boat. That way, you only have what you need/applies to your situation and nothing extra. One of our favorites is from BoatUS; simply search “BoatUS spring commissioning checklist” and you’ll find a handy PDF online.

Shrinkwrap Recycling

The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) is once again partnering with Maryland DNR’s Clean Marina Program, Chesapeake Materials, and various local groups to recycle shrinkwrap.

MTAM strives to provide practical solutions for the disposal of shrinkwrap. These services are often a costly endeavor; it exposes our industry to additional taxes from municipalities when we put the plastic in landfills, and quite often the wrap also ends up in our waterways. The goal of this program is to maintain (or improve) income for recreational marine facilities for shrinkwrapping services while recycling the material used on vessels when they are commissioned for the next boating season. # The goal of MTAM’s program is to maintain (or improve) income for recreational marine facilities for shrinkwrapping services while recycling the material afterwards and preventing it from ending up in landfills.

Looking for a boat slip?

# Maintaining your trailer is just as important as maintaining your boat.

Here’s how Shrinkwrap Recycling works:

Trailer Maintenance

Remember that spring commissioning does not just involve your boat; if you have a trailer, that’s equally important to maintain. We have covered this topic in-depth in the past, so if you’d like some handy tips, check out these articles: proptalk.com/trailering-your-boat-long-haul and proptalk.com/road-warrior-10-tips-trailer-maintenance

• MTAM sells and distributes bags that hold up to 40 pounds of clean shrinkwrap to participating marinas, boatyards, and marine service companies. MTAM can also sell to individual boaters who are living in Queen Anne’s County.

• Each bag costs $15. The order includes the pickup/transportation and recycling of the filled bags. These are the hard costs to make this program work.

• Critical to the successful recycling of boat shrinkwrap is keeping it pure and clean. All straps, zippers, doors, and vents must be removed in order to be made acceptable to any recycler. Dates for pick-up will be sent out early in the season so that boaters will have time to prepare and plan to get the wrap bagged in time. Shrinkwrap sold as “biodegradable” is not accepted per the Maryland Department of the Environment.

• All wrap must be bagged.

• MTAM ran a test and was able to fit wrap from a 35-foot boat into one of the bags. By condensing the wrap, you may get more in the bag, but they ask that you keep the weight to 40 pounds maximum. Visit mtam.org/shrinkwrap-recycling for more information.

Electric� �Storm�

Hot new electronics hit the water for 2026.

By Staff

Every winter we venture down to Miami, FL, and brave insane traffic, insane prices, and insane Florida Man people to attend the Miami International Boat Show. Why subject ourselves to such balmy bedlam when we could be at home enjoying fresh oysters and brisk Chesapeake breezes? Because this is where the big players in the boating world introduce the latest greatest cool new goodies, and in the world of marine electronics there’s no better place to see what’s new and what’s hot. Here’s what we saw for 2026.

Furuno TZMAP and TZtouchE

Topping our list of electronics likely to prove best for boats on the Bay was the new group of MFDs from Furuno: TZMAP and TZtouchE. While Furuno has always been known for providing large, uber-advanced, uber-potent, uber-reliable units for big boats and sportfishing yachts, these series include nine-inch and 13-inch MFDs sized for the multitude of 20- and 30-something boats cruising the Chesapeake.

The TZMAP9 and TZMAP13 are designed to serve as powerful standalone MFDs, which provide potent performance in a simplified package that doesn’t require complex networking and runs on a streamlined version of Furuno’s TZtouchXL operating system. Fish-finding capabilities include a comprehensive mix, with TruEcho CHIRP or dual-frequency CW and CHIRP Side-Scan 230/455kHz capabilities. They’re ready to navigate right out of the box with NOAA vector charts for the entire U.S. pre-loaded, and can be upgraded with customizable TZ Maps charts including BathyVision, satellite imagery, and more. TZMAP units also support solid-state Doppler DRS2DNXT and DRX4DNXT radar, the TZ iBoat app, and AI routing. Price: $1595/$2395.

If you still want networking capabilities and complete integration even though your helm is a bit svelte compared to those 50-footers, the TZtouchE will be ideal. And note that with 13- and nine-inch options both available, this system will prove perfect for center consoles with half-towers, where you might want larger units at the helm and a smaller option for networking with the upper station. The TZtouchE has CHIRP and Side-Scan abilities and can be boosted with networked fishfinding modules like DFF 3D or even CSH10 Omni Sonar, Furuno DRS radar, remote controls, and advanced navigational tools like Risk Visualizer and AI Avoidance Route. Price: $2195/$3095.

If you want the heavy-hitting fishfinding and navigational abilities the

big dogs enjoy in a smaller, simpler, less costly package more appropriate to a Baysized boat, point the bow for furunousa.

ezDock

If you like fiddling on your phone, you may soon be swiping as you steer, because ezDock turns that phone into a remote control you can use to dock your boat. The app has a joystick-like interface with real-time engine and thruster control, providing complete single-handed control as you ease into your slip or alongside a pier. It’s compatible with most modern propulsion systems including both inboards and outboards and works via Bluetooth 5 LR connectivity which is

more robust than regular Bluetooth, can frequency-hop between 40 channels, and has enough range to cover your entire boat. Your phone links with a control unit that’s IP67 waterproof and secure to your phone, only, with device-specific pairing. Price: $4500 to $8900 depending on power configuration(s). Visit ezDock.ai to get the full scoop.

Solid State Marine Batteries

Solid state batteries are becoming a reality, and the first to the market for us boaters is Solid State Marine. Their new 36V120AH 6TL, which won an Innovation Award at the International Boatbuilder’s Exhibition and Conference, is a lithium-ion battery with an electrolyte in solid form. It provides 50 percent more energy density, the ability to deliver high amperage, and the ability to take a high amperage charge. Weight is about half that of most lithium-ion batteries and a quarter of an AGM battery. Price: varies by battery. For a point of reference, that 36V 120Ah powerhouse lists at $3499. Visit solidstatemarine.com to learn more.

Simrad NSO 4

If size matters, you’ll be interested in Simrad’s new NSO 4 lineup, which reaches all the way up to a whopping 24-inch unit (16- and 22-inch units are also in the lineup). The NSO 4 is powered by their new NEON operating system, which is designed to be as intuitive as possible. It’s powered by a Qualcomm eight-core processor for instant responsiveness, has 10 times faster auto-routing, and eight times more storage than previous units. These MFDs also feature a “glass-to-edge” enclosure for a premium look and a sunlight-viewable SolarMAX IPS display. The NSO 4 networks with just about everything you can imagine, from fishfinder modules to radars to engine systems. If you want the complete package in a big box, look no farther. Price: $6499/$9999/$11,999. Check it out at simradyachting.com

Garmin Onboard

You’ve probably seen wireless engine cut-off systems before, but a new one hitting the water comes from Garmin: the OnBoard. Wireless tags can be worn around the wrist or on a carabiner and if anyone goes overboard, everyone aboard is alerted; if the captain goes in the drink, the motors cut out. Since it’s a Garmin, it can integrate with the MFD, providing you with MOB waypoint recording and an audible alarm. Each tag can be designated as a passenger or captain right on the MFD, and up to eight tags can be paired at a time. Price: $499. Visit garmin.com for more information.

If there’s any form of tech we can rely on to provide a steady crop of cool new goodies for boaters each and every year, it’s marine electronics. And if there’s one place to find it all, it’s the Miami International Boat Show. You can depend on us to keep going back and keep reporting on all the cool new developments for you Chesapeake dwellers—even if it does mean encountering a Florida Man or two. #

By John Herlig

VHF Reminders for Spring

As we move into spring boating season, John Herlig, who teaches VHF etiquette at the Annapolis Boat Show’s Cruisers University, shares important reminders about marine radio use for boaters of all levels:

Channel Selection. Know your channels or have a channel guide available. If you hail someone on channel 16, be prepared to move your conversation to a working channel right away. That’s easier to do if you know before the call where you will move it. If that container ship or shrimp boat in front of you doesn’t answer your call on 16, odds are 13 is your next best bet, as all vessels over 65 feet are required to monitor 13 while underway. Channel 13 is also a navigation channel, where you may have an exchange with another vessel so long as it is short and strictly about navigation or overtaking.

Lingo. Strike a balance with your language, using proper terms while trying not to sound overly formal. Learn some simple radio lingo, such as affirmative for yes and negative for no. The goal is to communicate effectively with as few words as possible. Avoid CB lingo.

Radio Checks. Radio checks clog the airwaves and should be avoided unless you have legitimate cause for concern about your radio’s performance. If so, call, “Radio check, radio check,” on channel nine and await a reply. Channel nine allows hailing but is not a distress channel, so you won’t be blocking any potential emergency traffic.

Hot Mics. Open or hot mics are a danger and nuisance. Someone may be unwittingly leaning against the radio’s “Push To Talk” button or may have a radio that has been squished into a corner. The wind noise, conversations, and music from their boat will fill the airwaves for minutes on end as they cluelessly proceed along. Do not “help” by rushing to broadcast an

announcement that “someone has a hot mic” (the person with the hot mic can’t hear you since they are transmitting). Be aware of your radio to make sure you don’t accidentally transmit.

Calling Bridges and Locks. Know ahead of time the bridge’s proper name, what radio channel they monitor, and their operating schedule. Remember that “on demand” actually means “by request.” Listen a bit on the bridge channel as you approach. Are other vessels being chastised for calling too early? Too late? A little awareness will help you to understand the nuance of the bridge and its operator before it’s your turn. Hail the bridge on the proper channel the same way you would another vessel: a twice-repeated hailing, saying your vessel’s name, and waiting for a response.

Distress Calls. In an emergency in US waters, always contact the US Coast Guard on your VHF radio on channel 16. Calling the Coast Guard from a cell phone or satellite phone should be your second choice, although if you have a cell signal it is a good idea to have your cell phone handy. The Coast Guard may direct you to call a specific number from your phone.

Mayday. The highest level of emergency onboard a vessel, a Mayday call implies imminent risk of sinking, unrecoverable man overboard,

or life-threatening injury. A reference card with step-by-step instructions is a great idea, even if you are an experienced boater. Adrenaline can dislodge what you thought you had well-memorized.

You will call out “Mayday, mayday, mayday,” and proceed to offer all pertinent information, including your vessel name, the type of emergency, a vessel description, precise location using GPS coordinates, and information about the number of people onboard the vessel or in the water. Practice these calls before you need to make one.

Most modern non-handheld VHF radios have an automated distress capability. For this to work, your radio must have DSC capability, an embedded or external-connected GPS, and a registered MMSI number. The time to check these features is now, before the summer season is upon us.

Turn it on. A VHF radio that is off works about as well as a spare tire left behind in the garage. Brush up on your basics and have a radio on and at your side when you head out.

Find John Herlig’s “Handy VHF Reference” and the online course “VHF Radios: Everything You Need To Know,” at theboatgalley.com’s store.

Bay Cruisers Meet the

By Mike Pitchford, Margaret Davis, and Drew Davis

BVI!

You know it has been a cold winter when you walk out the door to a day that is 37 degrees with some sun and winds under 10 knots and think, ‘what a nice day.’ Then two things hit you. First, that is the same as stepping into your refrigerator, closing the door, and keeping the light on. Second is that your boat is shrinkwrapped like so much leftover lasagna in that refrigerator.

Hopefully every one of you has found some good opportunity to escape the cold this winter. In late January, 48 Bay boaters from the Annapolis Yacht Club made their way to the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) for a bareboat charter. It was a flight to boating heaven; a chance to escape the harsh winter back home and make their way south and east for a week-plus of sun and fun therapy.

Unfortunately, it was a round trip, and the cruisers faced the big end of the January snowstorm as they returned (is there still snow on the ground as you read this?). The smartest ones in the group noted the weather back home and decided to extend their stays in the islands a few days.

If you have never been to the BVI, I must ask, why not? There are just a few truly choice cruising grounds in the

world. Our very own Chesapeake Bay is at the top of many lists. The BVI is also high on that list. The navigation is line of sight, and the hazards are few and well-marked. The distances between ports of call are short. The restaurants are plentiful. The water is clear and warm year-round, a special bonus to cold weather refugees.

For those of you who have been to the BVI, but not recently, things have changed. The devastation to so many favorite stops that was the result of Hurricane Irma in 2017 has finally and mostly been erased. Join me on a quick update tour.

BVI Updates

Marina Cay is back open! They preserved the outdoor showers (no longer requiring tokens). There is a smaller restaurant operating there now, not the Pussers of pre-Irma memory, but a welcome rebuilt stop on the Sir Francis Drake Channel circuit. Other fan favorites including the Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock, and Cooper Island Beach Club have been reopened for a longer period, some still adding back features.

There have always been a ton of mooring balls available in the BVI. Anchoring is almost never required these days. Still, some locations can get full. The addition of advanced reservable mooring balls via BoatyBall is a real plus.

The charter fleet continues to grow and adapt to the desires of BVI-bound crews. Sailing monohulls are fewer and sailing cats have more and more taken their place. In addition, powercats are increasingly available in the various charter fleets.

Sail vs. Power

Those powercats are the “lap of luxury” as cruising goes. They come with generators, water makers, ice makers, refrigeration, and, of course, air conditioning. They also come with full flybridges, unlike most of their sailing brethren. The flybridge makes for a perfect sunset cocktail location and improves your sightlines when approaching a mooring. What’s not to like?

Let’s be honest, sailing in the BVI is… optional. The winds are reliable from a sailing perspective but, as often happens to sailors, not exactly what you were looking for.

The Sir Francis Drake Channel is created by an oblong grouping of BVI islands. The channel runs roughly east-west

and the prevailing winds are out of the east. On a sailing cat that means a beat or a run from one stop to the next.

Sailing cats by their very nature long for some sort of a beam reach. Beating to windward or running downwind are not their strong suits. As a result, many a sailing cat charterer treats their boat more like a trawler, moving from port to port at say seven knots, without ever raising a sail. I know this by observation and from personal experience, many times. Getting the sails rolled out for a short and maybe marginal experience sailing just sort of messes with your “island karma.”

So, as you can see, the growth of powercat availability in the charter fleets has a mother and her name is logic. Some of that flock of Bay boaters understood that logic and

selected a powercat. Some, with either a romantic or nostalgic bent, picked a sailboat. All of them had a great time.

A Bareboat Flotilla

The collected crews departed Road Town, the largest city on Tortola and home to several charter bases, on a blustery Saturday morning. Their first day destination was Cooper Island, just a few miles away. The benefit of a powercat became immediately evident. This leg was directly into the wind, maybe 25 knots, with seas at three to four feet. The sailors mostly endured this at barely six knots. The powercats making the same trip “slowed” to 16 knots to ease the pounding. They were secured to a mooring and enjoying their second painkiller as the sailing fleet arrived.

After Cooper Island, the Annapolis fleet made the “mandatory” day stop at the Baths. For those of you who don’t know it, imagine a mixture of houseand truck-sized boulders haphazardly cast about on a beach, creating a series

of small beaches, tunnels, and isolated, protected wading pools. You may have been there before, but it is hard to bypass this pleasure, even if it is old hat.

The day ended for most in Gorda Sound on the east end of Virgin Gorda at the Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC). That evening was highlighted by an outstanding private dinner for the entire flotilla. A lay day followed so the BEYC facilities and the adjacent Saba Rock restaurant could be fully explored.

On the lay day some of the fleet ventured to Anegada. With a greater distance to cover and wind on the beam, this was a sailor’s leg. Finally, a reason for the sailors to actually sail.

The bulk of the fleet stuck it out in Gorda Sound. The next day they made their way to Marina Cay, or the resort at Scrub Island. Scrub Island is an upscale stop with a hotel and genuine resort amenities. In the post Irma rebuilds, several of the storm-damaged stops moved it up a notch on the upscale meter.

From those stops, folks made their way to Jost Van Dyke. Jost is the smallest of the four main islands of the BVI. It is not small in terms of fun, however, with several different day and overnight anchorages and plenty of restaurant and bar choices.

One of the favorites on Jost is the Soggy Dollar Beach Bar. The bar is an old wooden structure in the sand. I suspect it too was wiped out in Irma but rebuilt in just days. Honestly, I have not applied proper journalistic diligence to that assumption but trust me, if you can wield a hammer and had a box of nails…

The entertainment at the Soggy Dollar is watching charterers land their dinghy in the breaking swell on the beach. There is a reason your dollars are soggy.

The final night for the group was at Norman Island. The large, protected bay known as the Bight hosts one reputable shoreside restaurant, where the Annapolis gang gathered one final

time, and one less reputable faux pirate boat called the Willie T. Both are entertaining in their own way but suffice it to say you don’t want to bring your young kids to the latter.

Cruising in Company

There is a distinct advantage to cruising in company. The leaders of this cruise spent 13 months in planning, saving the crews on the nine Annapolis boats a lot of the same. The itinerary was laid out but flexible enough for individual crew choices. The combination gave great comfort to the members of our flotilla who had never had the pleasure of a BVI visit.

For one of our confirmed powerboater couples, it was their first experience under sail. No, they did not rush home and start looking for a sailboat. They did however note the value of moving more slowly when there are great vistas to enjoy along the way.

CRUISING CLUB NOTES

Spring means the arrival of boating season! This month we bring you two informative submissions to help you prepare for a safe return to the waterways. Chesapeake Bay powerboat clubs offer members cruises, social events, and educational opportunities. In these pages you may share your club’s excursions, educational offerings, and other benefits of membership. Send approximately 350 words (sometimes longer) and clear photos of pretty boats and happy boaters to beth@proptalk.com.

Winter Social Activities Will Soon Give Way to Boating Season

By Carol Hanson

Over the off-season, members of America’s Boating Club Wilmington (ABCW) have enjoyed warm winter socializing, some friendly Super Bowl posturing, and, recently, a fascinating Zoom social.

During the Zoom social Chris Hopkinson, founder of Chesapeake Bay Paddle, was our guest presenter. Chris discussed his effort to stand and paddle 180 miles of the Chesapeake Bay in 2020 to bring attention to the importance of the oyster population. He raised significant funds for the Oyster Recovery Partnership and saw some of the most spectacular and remote parts

of the Bay. Find a 25-minute documentary about his experience at Power of the Paddle on pbs.org. Given the generous support he received, Chris was determined to continue the Bay Paddle initiative so that more people could experience a similar journey and more could be done to protect our national treasure. The 2026 event, scheduled for July 25 and hosted by Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club, will offer three-, 10-, and 35-mile courses.

Learn more at baypaddle.org.

For 87 years, ABCW members have been proudly serving northeastern Chesapeake Bay boaters. Their pride is second only to appreciation for strong

and enabling helm leadership. Year-overyear, the ABCW nominating committee ensures leadership continuity by recommending exceptional bridge and executive committee officers. Their 2026-2027 nominations were no exception. Officer swearing-in will be held on Sunday, March 15 at Country House in Wilmington, DE.

America’s Boating Club Wilmington continues to improve boating skills by providing education and promoting safe boating practices. Members also enjoy spending time with like-minded mariners. To learn more, visit abc-wilmington.com or contact us at wspsboaters@gmail.com

Cruising Club Notes

Updated Marina Electrical Requirements

By Terry Slattery

The National Electrical Code (NEC) has been enhanced to improve the electrical safety around marina docks, effective January 1, 2026. Revisions require that marinas with more than three shore power receptacles employ an Electrical Leakage Current Interrupter (ELCI) for shore power connections. It’s like a ground fault interrupter (GFI) in your kitchen and bath at home. It trips if it detects current leaking from the shore power circuit. Any unbalance between the current flowing to the boat and the current returning from the boat means that there’s a leakage current taking an undesirable and potentially hazardous path back to the shore power distribution system.

Why this matters to boaters

In a marina, the undesirable path is typically through the water. Or it may energize onboard equipment cases, creating electrocution hazards. An ELCI that trips keeps the water around your boat and appliance cases from becoming electrified, making it safer for anyone in the water (swimmers and accidental falls) or anyone working on electrical appliances onboard.

The new standards require that your vessel be denied the use of shore power if it repeatedly causes the shore power ELCI to trip at a marina.

The importance of corrective action

It is important to understand why you need to take corrective action. The imbalance in current between the “hot” (supply) wire and the “neutral” (return) wire means that there is a wiring problem somewhere. The failure may not have existed last year, so it’s not necessarily a problem that only occurs with older boats. It may be that a wire’s insulation has finally worn through where it’s rubbing on something. Or perhaps a connector in the “neutral” return wire has failed due to vibration or corrosion from water that accidentally found its way to the connector. A failure in the “neutral” wire causes the return current to transit the ground wire. Another common source is a crack in a hot water heating element. Whatever the cause, you have a

situation where there’s the potential for an electrical shock hazard.

Shore power systems use voltages and have high current capabilities that can make muscles contract and refuse to release when an electrified piece of equipment is touched. This is also why electric shock drowning occurs—victims are immobilized and can’t swim away from the area that’s energized. It only takes a small amount of current to stop a heart if you happen to bridge a “hot” component to a ground point (metal or salt water).

How to remedy

It can often be difficult to identify the source of ELCI tripping. The first step is to turn off all breakers and any appliances that use shore power. If there’s a master shore power breaker, start with it off. Then turn on the master breaker, followed by each appliance and branch circuit breaker. You may find one branch or appliance that causes the ELCI to trip. It becomes a spelunking exercise to trace that circuit and identify where the failure exists.

In one case, we identified a hot water heater that had been wired backwards. The color codes were European, leading to a wiring error. Another common wiring

problem exists with dual shore power connections where the “neutral” wires are connected to a common bus. Return current is always shared by both neutral wires, causing an imbalance that trips the ELCI. These are the easy cases—a simple wiring change.

Many examples exist of a wire rubbing on a metal bracket or the edge of an enclosure until it wears through due to the vibration present in boats. Vibration and the marine environment is tough on connectors, which may result in a loose “hot” wire that touches something nearby and creates a shock hazard. In one case, a marine technician was electrocuted because he was working on a properly grounded engine and his head touched the energized metal case of an appliance that had an internal fault. Vessels with onboard inverters and generators create additional sources of potentially hazardous voltages. These can be challenging to diagnose.

To summarize: working with shore power circuits can be dangerous and the more challenging cases require experienced ABYC-certified marine electricians. They will have the knowledge, the tools, and the experience of finding and fixing problems. Most importantly, they will know how to go about creating a safe shore power system.

About the Author: Terry, an electrical engineer, began sailing while in college; a progression of boats followed. This is one of his monthly safety articles from the Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron’s “Anchor Watch” newsletter.

# Marinas with more than three shore power receptacles must employ an Electrical Leakage Current Interrupter for shore power connections. Photo courtesy of the National Safe Boating Council

Is Your Safety Gear Ready for the Boating Season?

By Captain Adam Yearwood

One of the primary responsibilities of a good skipper is the safety of the crew and vessel. There is a variety of safety equipment mandated by federal and state law and additional safety gear to have oboard your vessel, but I will focus on seven of the key ones.

1 Lifejackets: Lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) should be in good serviceable condition, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved, readily accessible, and of the proper size for each person onboard. While my lifejackets are generally stored below, during outings and passagemaking, the proper number of lifejackets are taken out and placed in a prominent place. In an emergency, I don’t want crew digging through compartments to find their lifejacket. Remember, you are required to have a lifejacket for every person aboard.

2 Type IV Throwable Flotation Device: In Maryland and Virginia, a type IV USCG-approved PFD (life ring or square cushion), must be onboard vessels 16 feet or longer. The type IV is most commonly used in a man overboard situation, and for that reason, it should be kept in a prominent location where it can be readily deployed. All crew should be familiar with the man overboard procedures and using the type IV.

3 Visual Distress Signals: Vessels on federally controlled waters must have onboard USCG-approved visual distress signals, which usually consist of either three handheld red flares (day and night) or a visual distress light. There are other alternatives, and certain small sized vessels are exempt.

4 Fire Extinguishers: The number and size of fire extinguishers are dictated by the size of the vessel. You should inspect each extinguisher annually to make sure it is fully charged and in good operating shape. Don’t forget to mount your fire extinguisher.

The USCG requires disposable marine fire extinguishers to be removed from service 12 years after their date of manufacture. The manufacturing date is stamped on the bottom or side of the bottle.

5 Sound Producing Devices. Vessels less than 65 and a half feet must have a whistle or horn. Vessels over 65 and a half feet must also have a bell that is audible for at least a mile. A good idea is to attach a whistle to each of your lifejackets. For portable air horns or mechanical horns, make sure you test them periodically.

6 First Aid Kit: When accidents occur far from shore where immediate access to professional medical care is not possible, you must be able to render first aid with the supplies you have onboard. First aid kits are a must, and you may want to add items usually not included in a first aid kit, such as hydrogen peroxide for cuts that occur in the water and sea sickness medications.

7 VHF Radio: A VHF is the primary means of seeking assistance while you are on the water. Channel 16 is the hailing and distress frequency. Unlike a cell

phone, the VHF can transmit to vessels within 10-20 miles of your location, and those vessels often are the first on scene to render assistance. VHFs radio checks should be conducted on channel 9; never use channel 16. See page 48 for more VHF tips.

Skippers should conduct a briefing before departing to familiarize crew with vessel safety procedures and equipment. Keep your safety gear in one place (e.g., ditch bag). If it is in a cabinet or locker, label the outside with a prominent marking, so it can be found quickly in an emergency.

Inspect the safety gear to ensure all is in proper working order and check expiration dates. The USCG Auxiliary offers free vessel safety checks. Find out more about them at cgaux.org/vsc. For each vessel that I skipper, I make sure all of the required safety gear, documentation, and equipment are onboard before departing. A good aid I use is the USCG Vessel Safety Check list, which can be found at usps.org/images/Exec/Safety/ vsc/VSC_ANSC7012_Rev5.pdf Stay safe!

About the Author: Captain Adam Yearwood holds a USCG 1600-ton Master’s and second mate unlimited tonnage license. He is a member of the Chesapeake Bay Professional Captains Association (CAPCA), a provider of private yacht instruction and charter services, and is an instructor for the USCG Auxiliary, Maryland safe boating course, American Boating/Sailing Association.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Shirley M., 1960s Custom Bay Built

By Kaylie Jasinski

Lyman, Chris-Craft, Bertram… these are names we all are probably very familiar with. But these days we don’t hear much about custom-built boats, let alone boats built in someone’s backyard. So, when Bryer Davis reached out about her grandfather’s classic homebuilt boat, I was immediately intrigued.

“My grandfather, George Miller, was a fourth generation Annapolitan and a home builder by trade,” says Bryer. “He embarked on a journey to build a boat; a task many said a home builder couldn’t

do. A lot of folks said, ‘just because you can build a house doesn’t mean you can build a boat.’ He took that as a bit of challenge; he was very resourceful and wanted a boat for the family to enjoy. By 1960, he had built a beautiful boat in his backyard in Annapolis.

“Many years later, for my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, he named the boat Shirley M. after my grandmother. She’s been the gem of our family for decades and across generations,” she says.

Her grandfather (she calls him Pop) started building the boat around Thanksgiving in 1958 or 1959 and had it in the water by Memorial Day. Can I just say, wow?! For someone who was not a boat builder by trade, that is impressive, to say the least.

It was a very mild winter that year, so George was able to keep working throughout the colder season. The yet unnamed boat did not have an engine for several months while she sat in the water, letting the bottom swell.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

“ ”

“I feel connected to him every time I step aboard.”

Much of the boat was built from reused and repurposed materials. The keel stem for example is from the former Trumpy Yacht Yard in Eastport. The hull is white cedar from a client’s home he had built and done renovations on. “He was very thrifty in his resources,” she says.

Bryer’s grandfather was an “Eastporter,” and he had a friend in the area who collected wooden boat models. When asked about the design of the Shirley M., she says, “My pop took this particular model that he liked and drew the boat plans from that; a foot to a quarter inch of this model, which is really cool, too.”

As mentioned, the boat was not named Shirley M. until Bryer’s grandparents’ 50th anniversary in 1999. Prior to that, it was always fondly referred to as the “big boat,” and that was “just in relation to the other little boats at the pier,” Bryer says.

Over the years her uncle, George Miller III, was a huge help to her grandfather. He took on managing the annual maintenance and work schedule as her grandfather got older. But he was always involved in some fashion, up until the last years of his life.

While boat work was often a “guy’s club,” with many of Bryer’s cousins, uncles, etc. all involved, Bryer decided to get more involved a few years ago and says she was really happy to be included in that alongside her grandfather for several years.

“I would go out with my grandfather just on really pleasant evenings, and he’d kind of show me the ropes,” she says. “It’s real quirky, so there were a lot of, ‘you gotta do these things in this order’ kind of instructions. Since then, we’ve done a full overhaul of the steering system and installed a new

engine; it’s completely re-powered. It’s not as quirky, but of course still really fun.”

Because of those quirks and the fact that it was “Pop’s boat,” Bryer (along with her two uncles), was one of the few people besides her grandfather who ever drove the boat. As her grandfather got older, she was able to take more of an active role.

“He was so open and receptive to me wanting to learn,” she says, “so that was really a gift to be able to just cruise around with him for several years and take a real interest in it.”

When it comes to specifics, the Shirley M. is 29 feet long, and she has a Volvo Penta gas engine (chosen mostly for the lighter weight over a diesel counterpart). But that wasn’t the original engine. “I think the first engine cost him $500,” says Bryer. As you might remember, the boat did not have an engine for several months while the bottom swelled in the water, so Bryer’s grandparents “gave” the engine to each other for Christmas that year.

After that, she had all kinds of engines, according to Bryer. “I said he was resourceful; he was always using pieces from other things. At one point there was a Chrysler Slant in there,” she says. “He worked on it for years and years and it ran, but it wasn’t reliable.”

A few years ago the family began to realize that the Shirley M. would eventually need a full-scale restoration, and fast.

“My mom and her sister and brother, my grandparents’ three children, were really adamant about keeping it afloat so that he could look out his window until his last days and see the boat. It was his pride and joy,” says Bryer. “It took a full village to make sure that happened; the bilge pump was going off practically every hour on the hour. It was in dire shape.”

In 2023, Bryer’s grandfather sadly passed away. At that time, the Shirley M. was “just barely floating.”

With his passing came the question of what to do with the boat—salvage, donate it, or sell it? But Bryer says it really broke her heart to think of someone outside of the family enjoying it. So, they began discussing “doing the work that needed to be done” so they could save the boat that had meant so much to their family over the years.

Two of the biggest priorities were making sure she was seaworthy and had a really good, reliable engine. A ton of structural work around the chine area on the hull had to be done, and the steering system was in dire need of replacement. Bryer shared how the steering cables were frayed so badly in some places that you’d be nervous to turn the boat too hard for fear of them breaking completely. It was just a matter of finding the right person for the job.

Bryer says they enlisted Dennis Elzey of Elzey Custom Boats in Cambridge, MD, who took the Shirley M. for about eight months. “It was a big project,” she says. “A huge learning experience. When it came down to the family discussions, there were a lot of pros and cons and some reality checks along the way, of

Classic Boat presented by

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

course. But at the end of the day, it’s such a gift and we’re thrilled to have been able to keep it in the family.”

The reality checks came in the form of identifying a budget and finding someone who could work within that budget. But for this family, “the sentimental value was almost priceless.”

Bryer shared how she met a guy named Mike Nan through the Antique and Classic Boat Society. He has a really cool classic wooden boat, and Bryer says he named it Y-Wood-U, namely because that’s what a lot of people tend to say when you buy a wooden boat. But Bryer says he’s become a really great mentor and friend throughout the restoration process.

“There’s not a lot of people working on wooden boats anymore in the region,” she says. “We’re losing that institutional knowledge, so crowdsourcing has been really helpful for us. And I think that’s how this community really thrives.”

Bryer met Mike at the Antique and Classic Boat Festival in St. Michaels a few years ago while the boat restoration was still underway. She was hoping to make some connections and look at boats, and then last year, as exhibitors, they were thrilled to win the Platinum Award for Restoration.

“It was very validating of the project,” she says.

These days, there’s no shortage of fun to be had by the entire family on the

Shirley M; they couldn’t be happier with their decision to undergo the restoration.

“We’ve had so many special occasions just in the last year alone,” says Bryer. “Birthdays, 50th wedding anniversary cruises, summer celebrations, just all kinds of fun. I think my grandparents would be so happy to know how much we still use it.”

For Bryer, this past summer was all about gaining some confidence and getting more comfortable with the boat, taking small groups out, seeing what felt right. They even had a little Blessing of the Boat ceremony by Deacon Moore, who was good friends with her grandfa-

ther. That was a very special moment for the family.

While they haven’t gotten out fishing or crabbing yet, Bryer says she hopes to soon. “I’ve caught some of the biggest fish of my life on that boat with my grandfather and some of his friends, so that’s on the to-do list for sure.”

It had been some time since the boat was seaworthy enough to traverse many of the creeks and coves on the Bay, so even short rides have been a real treat. And Bryer says that when they are out cruising, they often get questions about the boat’s pedigree.

“I take it as a point of privilege and pride,” she says “because people recognize how beautiful the boat is; it’s one of one. There have been so many times, like if we’re docked at The Fleet Reserve Club, where people will come around, and you can feel a little embarrassed by the attention, but again, I take it as a real point of pride. People come over and take pictures and ask questions, so there is definitely an interest in what kind of boat it is.”

For Bryer, one of the coolest moments she witnessed was on a trip down Ego Alley with her grandfather. She says, “He was driving the boat and someone yelled from The Fleet, ‘What kind of boat is that?’ And he kind of reached out from the helm and just waved at him, and he had the big-

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

gest smile on his face, and he said, so proudly, ‘I built it!’”

“It was like another child in his life,” she added. “He loved this boat.”

And it’s clear that the next generation of this family loves the boat just as much. So many people have had a hand in both the upkeep and enjoyment of this vessel. Bryer has taken on a few small projects herself recently as she says, “to have a little sweat equity in the process.” She restored the cabin doors back to their original varnish, removing decades of paint... a tedious project she thought might break her at one point, but overall

was “extremely cathartic.” Bryer also refurbished a lot of the original fixtures, including porthole windows that had been painted over, tarnished steering mechanisms, and other fixtures. She even gold leafed the original name quarterboard to give it a new, bright life.

“We wanted to keep as many of the original aspects of the boat as possible,” she says.

And while there will always be work that needs to be done, Bryer and her family are so thankful that they were able to save the Shirley M. in time. And not just save her but restore her to Bristol

# These days, there’s no shortage of fun to be had by the entire family on the Shirley M.

condition. More than anything, she is so grateful for the time she was able to spend with her grandfather on the water. And even though he has passed away, Bryer says, “I feel connected to him every time I step aboard.”

As someone who wishes I had restored my own grandfather’s boat before it was sadly beyond repair, I can’t think of a better or more heartwarming reason to undertake a project such as this. We want to wish Bryer and her family many more years of fabulous memories aboard their beautifully restored classic boat.

By the time you read this, we will be on daylight saving time, and the first day of spring will be only about a week away. Congratulations, we survived the winter! Lots to talk about this month, so let’s get to it.

Jake Glover at Ferry Point Talbot Marina in Trappe, MD, starts us off this month with this newsy update. “Our mechanical crews have wrapped several Yamaha and Caterpillar repowers and a handful of 5.7L inboards, along with the usual run of shaft seals and cutless bearings. They’re now shifting into full spring commissioning mode as the season begins to ramp up. The paint shop is closing out a couple of larger projects, including a fresh Awlcraft topside job on a Brooks Boatworks 34-footer and a complete topcoat update on a 35-foot Markley. With those just about finished, the team is moving into the steady flow of gelcoat touch-ups and cosmetic work that always arrive at this time of year.

“Across all four companies—Ferry Point Marina, Composite Yacht, Evolu-

tion Marine Electronics, and Composite NC—our combined crews recently teamed up on a number of larger vessels: a 60-foot Jarrett Bay, 52-foot Buddy Davis, 50-foot Post, and 38-foot Northern Bay, all carrying long winter lists. Having all four companies working onsite allows these big projects to move seamlessly from one phase to the next. As we head into the spring season, we’re operating with our strongest staffing yet. Ferry Point now fields four certified mechanics, including two master techs, and the paint, fiberglass, and yard teams are fully staffed with certified applicators and detailers. With warm weather on the horizon, the crew is ready to get customers back on the water and make this one of our smoothest spring seasons to date.”

Jessica Abell of Abell Custom Marine checks in with an interesting project and an update on the company’s new home at Casa Rio Marina in Mayo, MD. “This customer entrusted us with his 1977 32-foot Vineyard Yacht, ready for a cosmetic refresh. The vessel was finished in a faded green paint scheme that had reached the end of its service life, making it the perfect candidate for a hull side refreshing in Awlgrip Aristo Blue, accented with a professionally painted white boot stripe. Upon inspection, we identified typical wear consistent with an actively used and well-loved boat: minor hull damage, isolated areas of rot, compromised stainless hardware, and paint failure along the wooden rub rail. Our team developed a comprehensive scope of

work to properly address each issue—repairing structural deficiencies, restoring damaged components, and preparing all surfaces to meet coating specifications prior to refinishing.

“With the boat already scheduled for haul-out, we are also completing essential maintenance, including bottom paint application, Propspeed coating on running gear, and full zinc replacement to ensure optimal corrosion protection. Decals will be reapplied, featuring the redesigned vessel name and hailing port, bringing renewed identity to the hull. Jolene will return to the water fully refreshed and protected, ready for her 2026 boating season debut. We are so excited for this project, so please follow along for picture updates on our Facebook page and watch with us as Jolene transforms into something even more amazing. Stay tuned… BIG things are on the way for Jolene!

At the marina our team has been actively hauling and blocking vessels

for winter storage while advancing offseason refit projects. We now have a dedicated heated area in our shop to do refinishing jobs year-round; not even the coldest of winters can slow us down! We also have updated both Travelifts, and we continue investing in

operational improvements and property enhancements designed to elevate both performance and presentation. This spring boaters can expect to see continued upgrades that reflect the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and signature Abell standard that define our work.”

Bill Griffin sends us some neat photos and an update of a 26-foot Garvey boat restored at Jennings Marine Railway in Reedville, VA. I realized I did not know anything about Garvey boats. So, like all modern writers, I resorted to the internet and came up with this interesting history. The following is an excerpt from an article by Reul B. Parker which appeared on the website traditionalsmallcraft.com

“The Garvey is a small-craft type well known in working waterfronts all over the world. The type is a relative of the Scow, whose wide, flat bottoms made them excellent for carrying cargo and fish. Garveys evolved on the New Jersey coast perhaps more than in any other American locale— their shallow draft made them ideal for fishing the bays, creeks, rivers, and estuaries of that state.

“Most early Garveys were small—under 20 feet—and had flat bottoms with nearly vertical sterns and transom-hung rudders. The bows were simply a continuation of the cross-planked bottom, curving sharply upward to terminate at a short foredeck. These craft were used for everything from carrying cargo to several kinds of fishing, shellfish gathering, and duck hunting.

“While most of the river craft were rowed, many were fitted with centerboards and sailed surprisingly well on protected and semi-protected waters. Indeed, they sailed so well that many were raced—due to their flat bottoms and long runs, they tended to plane under a good press of canvas.

“Over many years of development throughout the 19th century, the flat-bot-

tomed Garvey grew progressively larger and evolved into a V-bottomed model around the turn of the century, so could sail in rougher water and perform better under sail... These later Garveys were often 25 feet to 30 feet long, had inboard rudders, strongly raked sterns, and were generally decked fore and aft with wide washboards (side decks) and cockpit coamings.”

Rob Hardy of Composite Yacht in Trappe, MD, shares an update on a major project underway in his shop. “Progress continues on the CY46 Marine Sciences Research Vessel, and this one represents something bigger than a launch date. Purpose-built from the keel up, the CY46 is engineered to support the Marine Sciences department at St. Mary’s College here on the Chesapeake Bay. Although

“work boats” are not something we typically do, we have gained a reputation for being willing to work outside the box, and this iteration of the CY46 is definitely that. From structural reinforcements designed to handle demanding tasks, to thoughtfully integrated lab and equipment spaces, every decision is being driven by function.

“Under deck systems are nearly complete and are ready for above deck equipment. The modular interior cabinetry is ready for installation, the hydraulic gantry is underway in the metal shop, and surfaces are being prepped for top coat. As with all of our builds, our team is coordinating closely with the client to ensure the vessel performs exactly as intended on the water. We’re proud to bring our custom boatbuilding expertise to the world of marine science. More updates to come as the CY46 Research Vessel takes shape. Stay tuned!”

Ken Overton from Chesapeake Yacht and Property Management in Chestertown, MD, reaches out again with an update. “Hey, Captain Rick! We’re battling weather like everyone here on the Bay, but we’re making solid headway. Paint, fiberglass, and varnish projects have started but are moving more slowly than desired due to the temperatures. With the addition of some supplemental heating in the building, we have been able to commence bottom, jet, engine, electrical, and carpentry projects. The electronics refits are in full swing,

and the Grady 307 is all but wrapped up and ready to head to Brown Dog Marine for the SeaKeeper 2 installation. We’re very excited to see how that upgrade affects the boat’s comfort and performance.

“The Albin’s two new Volvo 480s have been fitted by Outstanding Marine, and the pods will be installed by the time this issue hits the press. The associated Garmin Glass Cockpit equipment and the balance of the electronic refit are well underway. Both helm stations are getting totally refit. We are in discussions with Humphree on exactly which products will be employed to refresh the aging trim tab system currently fitted on the transom. Horton Marine Service is working on flushing out an HVAC refit on the boat. This promises to greatly improve the climate control systems.

“The Viking 48 repower is going well and the two original MAN 1200s are out

of the boat so we can see if there are any engine room improvements needed while space is seemingly huge and available. The new iron is on-site and ready to go in once we have everything ready. A new teak deck is being constructed and will top off the helm area once the engine access patch has been reinstalled.

“We have a Neel 45 Trimaran that we manage in for service. The rudder found bottom a few times and needs some fiberglass attention along with a smattering of other updates.

Horton Marine Service has the Hinckley’s Hamilton Jets all serviced and cleaned up, and all we need now are suitable temps for varnish! The calendar is ticking by too quickly, but all is progressing well! Chat soon!”

Don’t forget to dispose of your shrinkwrap properly! And happy spring!

FISH NEWS

By Lenny Rudow, FishTalk editor

Not Just a Number

What exactly is “fish 691?”

This Potomac River muskie was first captured and tagged by Maryland DNR staff while electro-fishing all the way back in 2013. At the time it was a hair over 30 inches. Two years later, it was recaptured and measured at 36.5 inches. Fast forward to 2017 and it was captured yet again, now measuring 39.75 inches, and using a cross-section of a fin the fish was aged at seven years. This time the biologists tagged her with a radio transmitter, and it was monitored all summer and fall, with biologists learning that she stayed close to home and rarely left her home pool in the river. Over the winter the transmitter’s battery died, but in 2021 the fish was captured yet again. Now measuring 43.75 inches and weighing almost 21 pounds, the fish was re-tagged with a new transmitter—number 691—and monitored throughout the year. When the tag went dark, however, nobody saw nor heard from fish 691 for the next five years. Then on the fourth day of 2026 (for the first time ever on hook and line by a recreational fisherman), fish 691 was caught by angler Garrett Davis and reported to the DNR. Davis snapped off a few quick pictures and slipped fish 691 back into the Potomac River. Now 16 years old, she’s still out there today.

Show Boating

If you’re looking for a cool new fishing machine for the 2026 season, your best chance of finding one is coming up fast, April 17 to 19, at the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point in Grasonville, MD. There will be hundreds of boats on display ranging from skiffs to center consoles to pilothouses, the PropTalk Demo Dock for on-the-water sea trials, educational opportunities, and cool fun stuff like the Phillips Warf Environmental Center’s Fishmobile. Visit annapolisboatshows.com to get the full scoop or pre-purchase tickets and mark off April 17 to 19 on the calendar.

More Trout!

Trout stocking has been going strong since February throughout our readership area, and Maryland has announced a 26-percent increase in trout stocking this spring, with about 240,000 brown, golden, and rainbow trouts ready for planting. The state is also making improvements at the Albert Powell Fish Hatchery and expects to increase production in the future. Visit your state’s trout stocking webpage for a stocking schedule or to learn more.

TOURNAMENT NEWS

Kid’s Events Kicking Off

Kid’s Fishing Days throughout the state of Virginia are kicking off for the spring. Many provide equipment and instruction and take place in waters where the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has stocked trout; visit the Virginia DWR Kids Fishing Days webpage for dates and details. Maryland’s Youth Fishing Rodeos are also cranking up for 2026, providing kids with fishing opportunities across the state. With a full slate of events running this month through the summer, there are dozens of rodeos planned in 15 different counties, most of which provide all the gear and bait you need to put a smile on that young angler’s face. Visit the DNR Youth Fishing Rodeo webpage for details.

A# You want to make a kid smile? You know what to do—check out the kid’s fishing events coming up throughout Chesapeake country.

Flounder Frenzy

pril is a big month for flounder anglers who have been waiting for the spring invasion of flatties up and down the coast. And they’ve also been waiting for Captain Zed’s annual Spring Flounder Tournament, which starts on the 24th and runs all the way through Sunday, May 3, in Wachapreague, VA. This competition boasts a hefty $5000 top prize for the heaviest flounder weighed in, along with additional prizes for junior and female anglers. Visit theislandhouserestaurant.com to find out all the specifics. April 24 through May 3 is also the stretch of angling action for Captain Steve’s 2026 Spring Flounder Tournament, based in Chincoteague, VA. There are over $2500 in winnings on the line in cash and prizes in this one; visit stevesbaitandtackle.com to learn more. April 24 certainly is a popular date among flounder anglers, because it also marks the start of the Frederick Saltwater Anglers Club Flounder Frenzy, in Chincoteague, VA. Fishing runs through the weekend, and the total weight of your top four fish stringer wins. Visit wefishsalt.com to learn more about Frederick Saltwater Anglers and the Flounder Frenzy.

FishTalk’s Guide to Fishing For Beginners and Intermediate Anglers For Chesapeake Bay, Mid-Atlantic Coastal, and Regional Freshwater Fishing FishTalk’s Guide to Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic Available on Kindle and in Paperback

BROKERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

Chase Sutton | Bluewater Yacht Sales Buy or sell with confidence and a clear strategy. Chase represents you the way he would represent himself — with honest advice, proactive communication, and strong negotiation focused on protecting your time, money, and long-term value. Every listing and purchase is backed by a tailored marketing and acquisition plan built to maximize exposure and results. With the Bluewater Yacht Sales advantage, you gain national reach, global MLS access, premier boat show presence, and powerful industry relationships. Don’t leave a major decision to chance. Reach out to Chase today and put the Bluewater advantage to work for you – 410.507.5247 csutton@bluewateryachtsales.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com

S&J Yachts, Brokers for Fine Yachts  Since 2004, S&J Yachts has provided expert support for buyers and sellers across the East Coast. Our experienced team offers proven marketing, trusted guidance, and personalized service to help you list with confidence or discover the perfect sail or power yacht. With five regional offices and a reputation for professionalism, we’re committed to delivering exceptional results. S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 info@sjyachts.com,www.sjyachts.com

Find all of the latest listings at proptalk.com

To advertise in the Brokerage and Classified sections, contact beatrice@proptalk.com

Seattle Yachts Annapolis  is a fullservice power and sail brokerage company located in Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. We represent premier brands including Nimbus, Nordic Tugs, Hampton, Endurance, Regency, Tartan, Legacy, SeaPiper, Northern Marine, and Northwest. Our experienced team of professional yacht brokers, in-house closing, service, and parts departments support every step of your ownership journey. Visit us at 7350 Edgewood Road, Annapolis, MD 21403, 410.397.7323 Maryland@SeattleYachts.com www.SeattleYachts.com

YachtView.com  wants to be your concierge Annapolis brokerage to sell your power or sailing yacht. We offer complimentary, secure dockage with electrical hookups for vessels ranging from 25’ to 80’ until sold. Our commission is 8% for direct sales or 10% co-brokered. We advertise on  YachtView.com,  YachtWorld.com,  YachtTrader.com, and  Yachtr.com for excellent MLS exposure. Located 15 minutes from BWI and downtown Annapolis for easy customer access. Visit  YachtView. com or contact Capt. John Kaiser, Jr. for a detailed yacht appraisal today! Yacht View Brokerage, John Kaiser, Jr., Full-time yacht broker since 1988, call/text: 443.223.7864,  John@YachtView.com ,  www.YachtView.com

18’ Mako ‘10 $22,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

1993 Shamrock 20 Predator  240HP Marine Power Vortec (1225 hours), canvas cover, new Bimini, Garmin, excellent condition, full maintenance records, LoadRite 2-axle trailer. Royal Oak, MD. $14,500/OBO  Text/call 202.765.8933. For spec sheet + more photos, visit:  www.tinyurl.com/1993Shamrock

20’ Bertram Sportsman ‘68 Ctr Console  Classic 165 FWC Mercruiser. Totally restored w/ trailer. $55,000 Call 443.534.9473

20’ Bertram Sportsman ‘68 Ctr Console Total refit w/ trailer. 235Hp Mercruiser Bravo V6 $75,000 Call 443.534.9473

20.6’ Cobalt 200 2004 Bowrider  Mercruiser 5L engine. Includes: trailer, Bimini, canvas cover, lines, fenders, boat hook, life preservers, anchors (2), skis, knee board, tow ropes. $18,000   Located: Annapolis/Jabin’s. Contact: Dave Esch,  eschdebolt@comcast.net or 202.236.5524

Bentley Legacy Quad Swingback 22’ 2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. Swingback bench, sage/blue panels, gray interior, double-Bimini, Ski locker & towbar. (Stock# BP-169) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

Jeanneau 22’ New Leader 6.5 WA 2023  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha F200, Digital display, Garmin, Fusion Audio, Windlass, Ski-Mast, Sundeck. (Stock# BJ-145) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

2024 Cobia 240 Dual Console  Brokerage - Yamaha F300 - low 43 hrs., family/fish-ready, blue hull, hardtop, extended warranty. Located in Annapolis, MD.  $138,900  Call Matt Weimer 410.212.2628 or  www.seattleyachts.com

2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. 4-reclinable chairs, charcoal/silver panels, Bimini, Ski-locker & towbar. (Stock# BP-159) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254 www.RudyMarine.com

VIDA 33 2023 ........................... $418,540

32 Fratelli Aprea 32 HT 2020 ...................... $550,000 32 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 ‘05, ‘06....... 2 from $63,000 29 Hunt Surfhunter 29 2017 ........................ $324,000 25 Fratelli

Brokerage & Classified

(Twilight) 25’ Hunt Yachts ‘06  $80,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

25’ Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 7.50 2022  Stand out from the crowd w/ this stunning highly customized Italian day cruiser. Center console, exquisite interior w/ handcrafted mahogany, Corian finishes, galley, berth & head. Twin Yanmar 110’s, large sundeck, bow thruster, electric windlass, Raymarine suite, underwater LED lighting, Phoenix trailer w/ custom color-matched paint…   $275,000 S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605  www.sjyachts.com

25’ Scout 255 LFX 2019 Clean center console w/ twin Yamaha 200s (340 hrs), Garmin electronics, hardtop, private head, trailer included—premium performance and family-friendly comfort. $140,000  S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080 www.sjyachts.com

Bentley Elite Admiral 25’ 2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 1719, GRANSONVILLE, MD. New triplepontoon, Yamaha F350 DEC engine. Tower w/wet tunes, charcoal/green panels, brandy interior, Bimini, SkiLocker & towbar. (Stock# BP-172) Rudy Marine 302.945.2254  www.RudyMarine.com

Jeanneau 25’ New NC695 S2 Weekender 2025  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha F175, Electric windlass, Bow thruster, Fusion audio, Garmin, Sunshade, Head, +++! (Stock# BJ-233) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

2020 Crownline 264CR  Brokerage - She’s a fast and fun cruiser, loaded w/ features and nearly every option to make boating fun for family and friends. Asking $91,900 Call Dave Townley 410.271.5225 or  www.seattleyachts.com

2003 Sea Ray Sundeck 270  Fully operational and ready for the water. Professionally reconditioned Mercruiser 496 Magnum Engine & Bravo3 Outdrive (under 350 hrs.) Smartcraft Monitoring System. Corsa Exhaust w/ Silent Choice option. New Fusion Sound System. Wakeboard Tower w/ rod holders. Full head, starboard sleeper/storage berth, rear deck wet bar, huge swim platform, full canvas cover, Bimini Top. $25,900  Blue Marlin Marine, 757.560.2690,  bluemarlineastbeach@yahoo. com. More info/pics:  www.tinyurl.com/SeaRay270

27’ Cherubini ‘13 $149,000 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822  jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Jeanneau 27’ New NC795 S2 2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 1719, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha F250, DEC, Windlass, Garmin, H/W shower, AirCondition, E-Cooktop, Fridge, sun awning, shore power. (Stock# BJ-254) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Jeanneau 27’ New NC795 SPORT S2 2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD.  Yamaha F250, Double-Steering, DEC Autopilot, Garmin, LP Stove, fridge, H/W, AirCondition. (Stock# BJ255) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

29’ Hunt Yachts Surfhunter 29 2017  Ideal for those seeking a highperformance, beautifully crafted yacht with classic appeal. Legendary handling, combined with timeless design & modern features make her a favorite among boating enthusiasts. $324,000   S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.com

2023 Nimbus T9 30’  New - Hull #121Twin Mercury V6, Foiled Hull, Thruster, Radar, Underwater Lights, Zipwake Dynamic Controls, Extra Fridge. JUST REDUCED  $229,000 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or  www.seattleyachts.com

Jeanneau 30’ New Leader 9.0 CC 2025  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha twin F250, Helm Master joystick w/ autopilot, bow thruster, windlass, Garmin, AirCondition, hot water, teak-floor. (Stock# BJ-247) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

Jeanneau 31’ New NC895 2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Twin Yamaha F250, Helm Master joystick w/ autopilot, variable bow thruster, windlass, Garmin, hot water, AirCondition, generator, cooktop, microwave,+++! (Stock# BJ-246) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

(Severn Sunrise) 31’ Tiara 3100 Open 1985 Dual Crusader 454 Engines, Furuno Radar, Plotter, Sounder, Digital Yacht AIT 2500. $5,000 OBO Call Charlie Iliff 410.227.1066

(Gayle Force Wins) 33’ Wellcraft 3300 Coastal ‘96 $35,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

For brokerage, marketplace, and classified advertising email beatrice@proptalk.com or to list your boat visit proptalk.com/form/list-your-boat

Brokerage & Classified

Jeanneau 34’ New NC1095 Weekender 2026  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha twin F300, Helm Master joystick w/ autopilot, variable bow thruster, windlass, Garmin,  AirCondition, generator, hot water, cooktop,+++!  (Stock# BJ-242) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

34’ Cruisers Yachts 3470 Express 2003  Beam 12’, Draft 3’; Twin 370Hp MerCruiser 8.1L (494 c.i.) fuel-injected V8s; Garmin Chartplotter + radar; VHF radio; 5kw generator; Camper canvas; HVAC; head w/ standup shower; 2-burner electric cooktop; TV. *Price Reduction* $79,900 757.870.3023 (leave message), fhudson@cruisincajun.com

(Dilligaf) 35’ Great Harbour TT35 ‘21  $287,900 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

1995 Bayliner 3587 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht  Twin 250 HP Hino diesels. Westerbeke diesel generator. Low hours on everything. Great weekender or liveaboard. 2 heads w/ showers. $33,000/OBO Call to schedule a viewing – 302.382.9248

2023 Beneteau Swift Trawler 35  Brokerage - “R&R,” turnkey, like-new, 110 hrs., Cummins 425Hp, bow/stern thrusters, ideal coastal cruising & Great Loop. $529,000 Call Matt Weimer 410.212.2628 or  www.seattleyachts.com

35’ Eastern Casco Bay Flybridge 2010  Excellent Condition and Many Upgrades. Single Diesel, Bow & Stern Thruster, Generator, A/C, Outriggers, New Electronics & Clearance that would make her an ideal Great Loop Boat. $179,000  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

35’ Nerowalker Aluminum Catamaran 2024  Fast (54 MPH), stable, solidly built. Designed for all-weather conditions; enclosed house cover ensures a smooth ride in & out. Great fishing machine, built for serious anglers who demand stability, speed & performance. Twin 450’s Yamaha, joystick control, trolling motor, outriggers triple-axel aluminum trailer…  $524,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com

(Matty Beau) 36’ Kadey-Krogen ‘85  $129,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

1990 Pettegrow Flybridge 36’  Brokerage - Custom built classic Maine Lobster-Style boat. Hull recently painted, many upgrades, varnished cherry interior, radar, A/C-heat, much more. Reduced $138,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or  www.seattleyachts.com

2024 Regal 36 XO  Brokerage - Twin Yamaha 450s, 169 hrs, SeaKeeper, generator, AC, joystick docking, loaded and turnkey. Located Myrtle Beach, SC. Asking $575,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or  www.seattleyachts.com

Jeanneau 36’ New Leader10.5 WA 2025  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha twin F300, Helm Master joystick w/autopilot, Windlass, Bow thruster, 12” Garmin, AirCondition, hot water, fridge/cooktop/microwave. LOADED! (Stock# BJ-226) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

37’ Formula 37PC 2006  Performance proven sports cruiser. Incredibly clean & loaded w/ upgrades. 2 cabin – sleeps 6. Twin Volvo 375Hp gas stern drive IO’s, bow thruster, reverse cycle A/C, & much more! $129,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

(Altamira) 38’ Marine Trader ‘89  $53,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

38’ Sea Ray 38 2007  Just listed! Striking dark blue hull cruiser powered by twin MerCruiser 8.1S Horizons, featuring Kohler generator, A/C, full canvas enclosure, advanced Garmin & Raymarine electronics, full galley, and comfortable two-cabin layout. $150,000  S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605  www.sjyachts.com

2025 Nimbus W11 41’ New - Hull #46. Foiled Hull, Twin Mercury Verado V-10 400XXL, Mooring Sunshades, EcoTeak, Zipwake & Bow Thruster, Windlass, Air Con, Simrad Electronics Package and More. . JUST REDUCED $599,000 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or  www.seattleyachts.com

Jeanneau 41’ New Leader12.5 WA 2023  AT BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW APR 17-19, GRANSONVILLE, MD. Yamaha triple F300, Helm Master joystick w/autopilot, Seakeeper, generator, windlass, AirCondition, 12” Garmin, refrigerator, cooktop, sunshades, +++!  (Stock# BJ-128) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

1996 Grand Banks 42 Classic 42’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $298,000  Beautifully Kept! 300Hp CATs provide reliable and efficient cruise. Updated Electronics, Decks, Interior and More! To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or  chuck @cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

42’ Nordic Tug 42 2008 NEW LISTING. Hard to find Nordic Tug 42 with Flybridge & Stabilized. Beautifully maintained & upgraded; Naiad Hydraulic Stabilizers, New Axiom plotters; 2 at each helm, a long list of current upgrades. She is ready to go! $675,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.com

2008 Sea Ray 44 Sundancer 44’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $298,000  Clean boat! Cummins power, joystick docking, Sky Hook, Hydraulic Swim Platform, Helm A/C, Blue Hull, Hardtop w/ New Canvas and more! To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or  chuck@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

2017 Tiara 44C  Brokerage - Rare straight shaft 44c. Powered by Cummins QSB 550’s, lightly used and well taken care of. Priced to sell. $649,900 Contact Matt Weimer at 410.212.2628 or  www.seattleyachts.com

(It’s About Time) 45’ Ocean Alexander ‘00 $249,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Paddy Wagon) 45’ Sterling ‘00  $149,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2014 Prestige Yachts 450 Fly 45’  Annapolis, Maryland. Asking $475,000  Well-Maintained Volvo IPS 600’s. Single-Owner. Lift-Kept. Dealership maintained since new. Excellent space for 45’ yacht. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian @cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

46’ Matthews 1973 RARE All fiberglass sport fisherman. 1 of 12 manufactured. Total refit, like new! Includes 11’ Boston Whaler dinghy. $125,000 Call 443.534.9473

(Jubilee) 46’ Post ‘88 $129,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2022 Prestige Yachts 460 Fly 47’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $949,000  Seakeeper Equipped. Like-New Condition. Several years of remaining Volvo factory warranty. Most volume mid 40’ yacht on the market. Price Reduction for Spring/Summer Sale. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

48’ Sabre 48 SE 2014  Spring Price Reduction Save $20,000! Stunning Downeast design, Claret hull and impeccable care from her owners.  No expense spared. Engines and Generator serviced; she is ready to go. Don’t miss this beauty! $675,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.com

2016 Prestige 500 S 50’  Stevensville, MD. Asking $579,000 Low Hours, Immaculate Condition. Turn-Key. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

2017 Prestige Yachts 500 S 50’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $645,000  Grey Oak Wood. Well-Maintained. Ready for Spring delivery. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian @cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

50’ Viking 50 Convertible Sportfish 2000 Price Drop! Twin 1,050-hp MANs, pro-grade Simrad electronics, & Viking pedigree make this 50’ Convertible a standout choice for charters or serious sportfishing crews. Fast, capable, & well-equipped. $249,500  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

2017 Carver C52 Coupe 52’  Boca Raton, FL. Asking $749,000  T/Inboard Cummins QSC 600Hp. Joystick docking without pods. Gyro Stabilizer. Full Garmin Electronics. Three staterooms w/ full beam master, Two Heads. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or  chuck@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

2023 Prestige 520 52’  Annapolis, MD. Asking $1,195,000 Like-New. Tons of Custom Options. Turn-Key. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com Read boat reviews online at proptalk.com

2017 Prestige 500 Fly 50’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $699,000  Amazing condition. Complete Volvo Engine/Pod Services. Custom Hardwood Flooring. Dealer Trade, Can Consider Trades on Purchase! To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

Brokerage & Classified

2016 Prestige 550 Hardtop 56’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $799,000  Great Condition. Motivated Seller. Ready for Immediate Delivery. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

56’ Johnson High Tech 56 Euro 1994  Impressive on-the-water liveaboard. Solid cruiser/liveaboard - 3 cabin/3head, spacious saloon, flybridge, aft deck & ample storage for extended cruising. 2x Detroit AV92TA, fwc, 8 CYLINDER Diesels: cruise at 20 kts, max 26-28 kts. $239,500  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.com

(Persistence) 58’ Westbay Sonship ‘99 $459,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

61’ Buddy Davis 61 Convertible 1987  Iconic sportfisher w/ 3 staterooms/3 heads, freshly rebuilt Detroit Diesels 12V92TA, updated electronics, teak finishes, and premium fishing amenities. $329,000  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

2017 Prestige Yachts 630 Fly 63’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $1,189,000  Low hour, fully serviced Volvo IPS 950. SeaKeepe 9, bow thruster, 3 staterooms/3 heads plus crew. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or chuck @cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

2006 Hatteras 64 Motoryacht 64’  Hilton Head, SC. Asking $849,000  Low-Hour 1400hp CAT Diesels. Hydraulic Bow Thruster, New Garmin Electronics. Twin Generators. Upper and Lower Helm. 4 Staterooms. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or chuck @cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

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Brokerage/ Classified Order Form

MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Marine Repair Business For Sale Serving boat owners in Anne Arundel County for over 30 years. Loyal customer base. Gross revenue $1.3M. Five employees. Owner will help transition. Email Jill Kerr at jkerr@harvestbusiness.com

FINANCE

HELP WANTED

Seasonal WATERFRONT Jobs – Dock Hands and Ticket Sales/Customer Service Full-Time & Part-Time positions available, April–October. Dock Hands earn hourly pay plus tips $$ tying up boats at a lively Annapolis dock bar. Office role handles ticket sales and provides customer service for Schooner Woodwind guests. Boating and customer service experience a plus. For more info or to apply, visit: www.schoonerwoodwind.com/employment

Yacht Sales - Curtis Stokes and Associates, Inc.  is hiring new salespeople for our Chesapeake area operation. Candidates must be honest, ethical and have boating experience. This is a commission only position. Contact Curtis Stokes at 410.919.4900 or curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

FABRICATION

30’-50’ Deepwater Slips for Sale & Rent Flag Harbor Condo Marina on western shore of Chesapeake in St. Leonard, MD. Slip sales & rentals 410.586.0070/ fhca@flagharbor.com. Storage & Repairs 410.586.1915/ flagharborservices@gmail.com www.flagharbor.com

Deep Water Slips Available – Darwin’s Boatyard  Mill Creek, Annapolis. Protected cove with easy Bay access. For information, call 443.921.7237 or email pdarwin@verizon.net.

Sailor’s Wharf Marina on Mill Creek  off White Hall Bay, 20-to-45-foot slips with water & 30-amp electric. 1651 Orchard Beach Road, Annapolis, MD 21409. For more information, please call 443.336.3615 or email sailorswharfmarina@gmail.com

Double Take

Can you spot the 10 differences between the two photos? Send a list of differences or a marked-up photo to kaylie@proptalk.com by April 10 for a chance to win a PropTalk hat!

Discover a career in

Boating

Get started at www.mtam.org

Top 20 Dealer

Pocket Yacht Company has been recognized in the Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer Awards for 2025, ranking them among the Top 20 dealers in the country. This recognition reflects excellence across customer experience, operations, marketing, and leadership, and the crew at Pocket Yacht couldn’t be more grateful. “What makes this achievement even more meaningful is the opportunity to represent such incredible American-made products,” the company shared in a press release. “Fluid Motion, the builder of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats, and Solara Boats, continues to be an exceptional partner, producing Americanmade boats that raise the bar for quality, innovation, and craftsmanship across the industry. Most of all, this award belongs to our customers and owners. Ranger, Cutwater, and Solara owners are truly unlike anyone else in the industry—passionate, loyal, and deeply connected to their boats and the lifestyle that comes with them. Your trust and enthusiasm drive everything we do. A heartfelt thank you to our employees, whose dedication and hard work make achievements like this possible, and to our business partners who support us every step of the way. We’re proud of where we are, grateful for who we work with, and excited for what’s ahead!” pocketyachtco.com

70th Anniversary

Formula Boats announces its 70th Anniversary in business, growing from a small shop near Miami, FL, to a 600,000-square-foot world headquarters in Decatur, IN. “We have evolved along with the entire fiberglass boat industry, making bold advances in manufacturing and design that made us the premier luxury powerboat builder in the world,” the company shared. “Thunderbird was founded by Woody Woodson in 1956 in the Miami, FL, area, and Richard C. Cole was the original designer. Decisively proving its staying power and stability, an 18-foot Thunderbird made the first successful sterndrive crossing from Miami to Nassau in 1959. Vic Porter began building fiberglass boats in 1958 and went on to play a key role in the growth of several major brands, including Duo, Signa, and eventually Formula. Formula, founded by Don Aronow in 1962, became famous for its deep-V hull and offshore racing success, a design influence that remains today. After multiple ownership changes, Porter purchased Thunderbird/Formula in 1976, brought the next generation into the business, ended tri-hull production, and refocused the company on Formula’s offshore deep-V legacy. Formula has taken a winding path to where we now are, with a succession of owners and famous names such as Woody Woodson and Don Aronow. Vic and the Porter family have privately owned and guided the company through an evolution of shaping industry trends and ever-changing technology, with the understanding that quality, smart design, engineering and customer satisfaction would be the hallmark of the business. And for 70 years, the customers we serve have responded. Please celebrate with us! Visit our history page (formulaboats.com/about/history) and enjoy a more detailed trip through our past and see how we have become a premier brand, with big plans and hopes for the next seven decades.”

Boating

Educator of the Year

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) Foundation has named Matthew Mardesich at Skagit Valley College in Anacortes, WA, its 2025 Educator of the Year. The annual award honors marine service technology instructors teaching in a high school, post-secondary school or within the industry. Mardesich is co-department chair and an instructor in engines and mechanical systems at Skagit Valley College, a Marine Trades Accreditation Program (MTAP) school. The college’s Marine Maintenance Technology program prepares students for careers in the marine trades with a focus on marine mechanics and marine electrical systems. He is an ABYC certified technician in marine engines and fuel systems. ABYC Foundation accreditation director Sarah Devlin said it is not easy for teachers to receive accolades, and the award is the foundation’s way of recognizing the work instructors do for students and the industry. During the forum, Mardesich accepted the award and said, “I got the best job in the world, working with Mike Beemer, Mike Reece, and the rest of the instructors. We do this because it’s fun and we’ve got a lot of passion for it.” To learn more about the ABYC Foundation’s Educator of the Year award or ABYC programs supporting marine technical education, visit teachboats.org.

New Places To Pick Up PropTalk

Let’s give a warm welcome to these new PropTalk distribution stops!

• Betty’s Bar in Chestertown, MD

• Gott Auto Body in Annapolis, MD

Acquisition

Argo Navigation announced its acquisition of SpotOn Fishing, a fishing-focused app known for its industry-leading map detail and advanced weather visualization. The move expands Argo’s mapping capabilities, giving users access to high-resolution bathymetry, detailed 3D structure views, and advanced weather overlays, including radar, lightning strikes, wind, currents, and sea surface temperatures. Together, these tools help boaters and anglers better understand on-water conditions and make more informed decisions before and during a trip. SpotOn Fishing has built inshore, offshore, and freshwater maps using highly accurate bathymetric data that reveals underwater structure with exceptional clarity. Its advanced weather layers add real-time and frequently updated data directly to the map, allowing users to visualize changing conditions such as storms, wind shifts, currents, and temperature patterns without switching between tools or apps.

“This acquisition is about giving boaters a clearer picture of what’s happening above and below the water. By combining SpotOn’s exceptional map detail and weather visualization with Argo’s intelligent routing, we’re helping users make better decisions—before they leave the dock and while they’re underway,” said Jeff Foulk, founder of Argo Navigation. Additionally, Argo will bring its industry-leading autorouting technology to SpotOn Fishing. Argo’s routing delivers fast, accurate routes based on vessel draft, height, and navigational constraints. The result will be a smarter, safer navigation experience for SpotOn users heading to their fishing destinations. SpotOn Fishing will continue to operate as a standalone app as its mapping and weather capabilities are integrated into the Argo platform, while Argo’s industry-leading autorouting technology is introduced within SpotOn. Over the coming months, users across both platforms will gain access to expanded features—including detailed bathymetry, relief shading, weather layers, community routes, enhanced chat tools, and advanced autorouting—delivering a smarter, more connected navigation experience for boaters everywhere. argonav.io