PropTalk Magazine July 2026

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.

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Boat Review: Navan C30

Its eye-appeal is unique, its multiple-use abilities are comprehensive, and its design and tech level are top-of-class.

By Lenny Rudow

See the Bay: Hopewell City’s Point Riverfront and the Appomattox Delta

An under-the-radar jewel for power and paddle.

By John Page Williams

Fourth of July on the Chesapeake

A comprehensive list of fireworks shows, main street parades, America 250 celebrations, and more.

By

Staff

How Not to Launch a Boat

Don’t be “that guy…”

By Gary Armstrong

Teak Care in the Chesapeake Region

Part two: best practices and techniques.

By Rick

Truett

PropTalk See the Bay Challenge

New stops, reader check-ins, and more!

David Sites captured this image of Endless Summer, a 35’ Markley, at Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse.

Factory-direct deals are here, just in time to get you on the water. Enjoy 30 days of free storage and a full tank of fuel so you can start your next adventure the right way.

Because getting you off to a great start isn’t just a bonus, it’s how we do business.

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

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COPY EDITOR

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

ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER

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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

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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.

Member Of:

Say ‘Yes’ More Often

By Kaylie Jasinski

Last month I talked about the spirit of exploration, and that sentiment is just as important today as we move into summer. In fact, I took my own advice recently, and what do you know, it really panned out.

I originally had plans to head to Ocean City for Memorial Day Weekend, but as with most people on the East Coast, that weekend was thwarted by cold temps and rain. Maryland weather is often finicky this time of year, so all you can really do is stay flexible and say ‘yes’ when opportunities arise. So, when my brother, who recently moved to Rock Hall (jealous!), suggested we head over to the Shore for Chestertown’s Tea Party Festival, I said yes. The forecast called for rain all day and temperatures in the 50s, but with my beach plans out my only other option was to sit at home on the couch. Easy decision.

I donned my foul weather gear, packed wool fingerless gloves, and made the two-hour journey up around the

top of the Bay and down to charming Chestertown, a place I’m embarrassed to admit I had not spent much time in before. It did indeed pour all day, but that did not dampen anyone’s spirits. Townspeople and visitors alike strolled the streets shopping at vendor’s stalls, sampling beer and wine, and listening to live musical performances. When it came time for the reenactment, the rain made for some pretty epic conditions. With shouts of “spill the tea” ringing out alongside musket fire in the streets, festival attendees marched down to the water’s edge in driving rain to watch boxes of tea thrown overboard from the Sultana anchored just offshore. All I kept thinking was, ‘How have I have never been to this event before?!’ Truly a shame because it’s one I had been missing out on.

After the reenactment while in line for wine at the Crow Vineyard stand (I highly recommend visiting this place! Just outside of Chestertown), a couple asked me if I worked for SpinSheet or was just wearing one of their jackets. I told them that I am the editor of PropTalk, and then they both proceeded to tell me their

names, Esther and John Sprinkle, and how they had written an article for me last year on the Netherlands (proptalk. com/chartering-friesland-another-landpleasant-living). Of course we all started laughing about what a small world it is and how thrilled we were to finally all meet in person as we had only corresponded over email previously. Lo and behold, the man pouring our wine was like, ‘Wait, you’re Kaylie? I wrote an article for you too!’

His name was Rick Carter, and he wrote an article on the Maryland Dove that appeared in PropTalk’s March issue this year (proptalk.com/maryland-dovedennis-point-marina). If you can believe it, the four of us, all sopping wet and bundled to the eyes in rain gear, just happened to meet at a small wine tent in Chestertown, MD. It truly made my weekend and reminded me how special this little corner of the world is, both the Chesapeake Bay in general, but also the community we have built through SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk.

It’s no secret that times are tough for everyone right now, but the marine community is made up of some very won-

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TRI-STATE MARINE 410.562.6247 222 SEVERN AVE #12, ANNAPOLIS, MD TRISTATEMARINE.COM

BEACON LIGHT MARINE 410.335.6489 825 BOWLEYS QUARTERS RD, BALTIMORE, MD BEACONLIGHTMARINA.COM

TRI-STATE MARINE 410.867.1447 5861 DEALE CHURCHTON RD, DEALE, MD TRISTATEMARINE.COM

JIM’S MARINE, INC. 410.648.5106 96 EAST CROSS ST, GALENA, MD JIMS-MARINE.COM

ANCHOR BOATS, INC. 410.287.8280 448 N MAULDIN AVE, NORTH EAST, MD ANCHORBOAT.COM

VIRGINA CENTERVILLE WATERWAY MARINA 757.547.4498 100 N CENTERVILLE TURNPIKE, CHESAPEAKE, VA CENTERVILLEMARINA.COM

JETT’S MARINE, INC 804.453.3611 18477 NORTHUMBERLAND HWY, REEDVILLE, VA JETTSMARINE.COM

LEGASEA MARINE 757.898.3000 821 RAILWAY RD, YORKTOWN, VA LEGASEAMARINE.COM

Editor’s Note

derful and resilient individuals. And we can all do our part to support each other. If you’re looking for some ways to show your love for PropTalk, here are a few easy ones:

• Pick up the magazine (yes, this really helps!).

• When you’re looking for a marine service or product, you’ll find many suggestions in the pages of PropTalk. If you do business with one of our advertisers, make sure to tell them PropTalk sent you.

• Follow us on social media (we post fun stuff all the time).

• Enter our cover contest: proptalk. com/cover-contest

• Sign up for our new See the Bay Challenge at proptalk.com/baychallenge. As I mentioned last month, the goal of this program is to get people to go out and explore the Chesapeake Bay region and support small businesses while they’re at it. Sign up, share with your friends and family, and let’s kick off summer with a bang!

Blink and summer will be over before you know it. Lately I’ve been trying to say ‘yes’ more often, whether it’s driving to Chestertown, spending a cloudy day beach combing for shark teeth in Calvert County, or dinners out with my family at the local dock bar. And I encourage you to do the same. Let’s all make a pact to make the most of these next few months on the Bay. I’ll be taking my own advice for once and I hope you will, too.

beatrice@proptalk.com O R SUBSCRIBE ONLINE : proptalk.com/subscribe

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.

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and af liates. Product features are subject to policy terms and conditions and may not be available in all states or for all vehicles and coverage selections.

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**Sign & Glide® is an optional coverage you can add to any Progressive Boat policy and costs $30/annually ($50/annually in Florida). Prices are subject to change.

Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes.

Go to progressive.com to learn more.

Teak Care

In response to the article “Teak Care in the Chesapeake Region” (proptalk.com/teakcare-chesapeake-region) it might be noted that the reason teak became the premier decking and sole material more than a century ago is because it requires no finish, sealer, or oil, and is the ideal nonskid surface. It was not until boats started becoming “boutiquey” in the 1980s that people really began doing other than simply letting teak weather gracefully.

The way to get the longest life out of a teak deck or sole is to do nothing but hose it down and mop it periodically with clean water or a mild bleach solution. A true laid teak deck can last 60 or 70 more years, if maintained correctly. Constant cleaning and sanding can destroy a teak deck in less than 10 years.

Varnish, or any gloss finish on a teak deck or sole, can be more slippery than a skating rink when wet, which defeats the whole purpose of it.

The teak on our boat is treated like traditional teak and will be 70 years old next year.

~Ned L.

Thank You

Ijust wanted to say to you and the team at all of SpinSheet Publishing: thank you for the wonderful editing and publishing work you and the rest of the team(s) at PropTalk/SpinSheet do! The issues always come out so polished and professional and remain striking and visually appealing (i.e. beautiful) as well. I am always eager to see the result of my work, and I am always, invariably, thrilled with the result; to such an effect, I viewed the recent issue yesterday online and really liked the way that my story on the broken windshield had been crafted.

~Drew M.

Any Questions About the PropTalk See the Bay Challenge?

June Issue

Kaylie,the June Issue looks great! Is that you and your newish boat on page 14? Hard to tell with the sunglasses. (Yes indeed! ~K.J.)

I am excited about the See the Bay Challenge. Finally, a PropTalk answer to the SpinSheet Century Club. I have signed up.

~Mike P.

Pirates Cove?

Kaylie, first of all, I want to applaud the work you do. I really enjoy both PropTalk and FishTalk magazines.

I registered for the See the Bay Challenge and noticed that Pirate’s Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar is on the list of participating businesses. But it looks like the Pirate’s Cove on the list is slightly outside the Chesapeake watershed—Salem Lakes, Wisconsin. I was at Galesville’s Pirate’s Cove (4817 Riverside Dr. Galesville, MD, 20765) yesterday and attempted to check in when I noticed this oddity. When you look on the map of participating businesses, only Stan and Joe’s shows up for the Galesville area. I look forward to participating in this Challenge and hope we both enjoy a great 2026 boating season!

~Tim O.

Editor’s Note: As Tim mentioned, you may occasionally notice that a restaurant has closed or that an address is incorrect; we are constantly working to make sure the See the Bay Challenge is up to date but if you ever notice something amiss, please feel free to reach out to me anytime at kaylie@proptalk.com

HAdd Location

i Kaylie, not to be a nerd but there are a bunch of spots as you know in Downtown Annapolis that are within a stone’s throw and full view of City Dock such as Dock St., Admiral’s Cup, Middleton Tavern, McGarvey’s, and Market House. In fact, any of these spots are arguably easier to get to by boat than Boatyard or Davis’ Pub. Also, while it’s private, it’s pretty easy to get an invite to Fleet Reserve Club, which is definitely waterside.

I was going through my photos from this year and I’ve been to all of these by boat so far. I have a group of neighborhood buddies who are retired like me and who have boats. We take turns taking the group to lunch, and the skipper eats for free. One of the wives called us the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out). I will tell them to enter also.

Thanks for organizing this. Looking forward to it once this terrible weather passes by.

~Chris

P.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Chris’s suggestion, we have added restaurants at Market Space and on Dock Street that are a stone’s throw from the water. While there are many wonderful clubs around the Bay, for now we are only adding places that are open to the public.

Meet Owen

Bob Wallace shares this fun shot of his granddog, Owen, enjoying a day on his boat. Bob says, “I am his grandfather; he is a wonderful dog and belongs to my son and his wife.”

Want to see your boat dog featured in PropTalk? Email one to three photos and a short description to kaylie@proptalk.com. And don’t forget to enter our Dog Days of Summer Cover Contest! Learn more on page 21 and at proptalk.com/cover-contest

sign up for our Email

Dog days of Summer Cover Contest

Here’s how it works:

Presented by

• Visit proptalk.com/cover-contest and follow the instructions on the page to enter your photo by July 25.

• New for 2026: anyone who has previously won a PropTalk Cover Contest will not be eligible to win this year, though you may still participate, and we will celebrate the first and second runners-up in the pages of PropTalk.

• Vertical photos work best, with room for our header and cover lines (seriously, we hate having to disqualify horizontal photos that would be great apart from the orientation).

• Only high-resolution (i.e. not blurry) photos will be considered for the cover.

• If a child is pictured with a boat dog, make sure he or she is wearing a lifejacket (properly), or we won’t consider it for the cover.

• This is a powerboating magazine, so while we love sailboats and paddlecraft, a powerboat must be clearly visible in the photo to be considered for the cover.

• We are also a Chesapeake Bay-based magazine, so make sure those photos were taken on the Bay.

• Once the submission period has ended, our graphic design team will disqualify any photos that do not meet our submission and printing requirements (any images that are too low of a resolution, are blurry or too dark, if

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a child was pictured without a lifejacket, if there is no powerboat in the photo, and if there was not enough room in the image for our PropTalk header, footer, and cover lines). We will then let you vote for the winning cover!

We will announce details on voting in print and online at the end of July. At the close of voting, the photo with the most votes will grace the cover of the September PropTalk!

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PLOTTING YOUR COURSE

CRUISE PLANNING TIPS FOR BOATERS RAFTUP

As we cruise into full-on summer, if you haven’t yet determined all your weekend destinations, we offer the following tried-and-true suggestions for choosing which way to point your bow for on-water fun.

Make this the summer that you explore more of the Bay. Try a new-to-you anchorage or explore a waterfront town that you’ve not yet visited. Mix up nights on the hook and at marina slips. To get the full experience, plan to stay aboard some days. You won’t want to miss watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee in the cockpit, afternoons spent floating in the brackish water, and dinner grilled onboard. However, it’s also likely that you will want to get off the boat at some point. This will be your chance to stroll to a local bakery for breakfast, jump into a marina pool on a hot afternoon, and enjoy dinner in a cool restaurant, hopefully with live music, too. With planning, you can do all of this in one weekend!

Since variety is the spice of life, another good idea is to mix up urban and rural destinations. It’s fun to spend the day or a whole weekend in a quaint waterfront town walking or riding bikes to the local hangouts, but it’s also great to dock in a city marina where you can call an Uber and zip to a concert, baseball game, museum, restaurant, or other metropolitan offering.

While sailors often leave their cruise itineraries somewhat flexible to take advantage of the prevailing winds, powerboaters can be more exacting with their plans. With this in mind, one strategy is to plan Southern Bay cruises early in the season and save the northern destinations for August. Why? Sea nettles. Throughout the summer they migrate north, so with some planning, you may just be able to avoid them (and their stinging tentacles!) altogether.

101

Six tips if your cruise plans include a raftup.

• The heaviest boat will be the anchor boat. The anchor boat captain is the final authority on how many boats he or she can accept.

• Swing radius increases when rafting, so before setting the host boat, make sure you have enough distance from other boats and objects. A 10-to-one scope ratio is a good rule of thumb for a raft.

• When building the raft, the approaching boat should be ready to supply the fenders and the lines to tie up, and the host captain or crew should be standing by prepared to take the rafting boat’s lines, beginning with the forward spring line. The best practice is to have bow line, stern line, and two spring lines.

• If a summer thunderstorm might pop up overnight, break up your raft and anchor individually.

• A cleat hitch can be quickly released if you need to de-raft in a hurry. Never use the loop end of a line on a cleat.

• When walking over boats, it is considered impolite to go through the cockpit unless invited to do so. Instead, walk over the boat bow to get to the next vessel.

Sign up for the PropTalk See the Bay Challenge at proptalk.com/bay-challenge and earn points for waterfront restaurants and other Chesapeake Bay attractions you visit this summer! Log 25 points and get a T-shirt. Log the most points and you’ll win some great prizes!

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Migration

Thousands of horseshoe crabs have started landing on Maryland’s shores this spring for what is believed to be the world’s oldest wildlife migration. Dating back an estimated 350 million years, the annual spawning occurs from May through July, peaking with high tides on or around the full and new moons in June.

One spawning female horseshoe crab will deposit an average of 20,000 eggs into the sand, with a mate grasping onto her shell and fertilizing the eggs. In addition to perpetuating the ancient species, the eggs are a seasonal buffet for migratory shorebirds preparing to return to their summer nesting grounds in northern Canada.

Horseshoe crab larvae are an important food source for juvenile Atlantic loggerhead turtles, striped bass, American eel, and flounder. For human health, the horseshoe crab’s copper-based blood is used for testing for bacterial products used in medicine. Specially permitted fishing operations

collect the animals, draw their blood in a biomedical facility, and release them back into the water.

Despite their armor and tail, horseshoe crabs are gentle creatures that do not bite or sting. The tail is not a weapon; it is used to plow the crab through the sand and muck, act as a rudder in the water, and to right the crab when it accidentally tips over. Humans can help horseshoe crabs stuck upside down in rock jetties by gently flipping or moving the animal, using both hands, but never picking it up by its tail.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologists and the Maryland Coastal Bays Program monitor the returning horseshoe crab population for ecological and scientific research purposes. The department encourages the public to report any spawning activity and sightings of horseshoe crabs to

DNR’s Horseshoe Crab Volunteer Angler Survey.

The best opportunities to view horseshoe crabs are evenings around the full and new moons in June (June 15 and June 29 in 2026). Ideal locations for observation include Sunset Park near the Ocean City Inlet, and they can also be seen around the Chesapeake Bay at spawning sites listed on the Horseshoe Crab Volunteer Angler Survey webpage.

Public Water Access at Discovery Village

Despite having 550 miles of shoreline, Anne Arundel County, MD, has only three public boat ramps, and only one in South County. That ramp, and a cartop launch, is located at Discovery Village, a seven-acre site located at the tip of a peninsula on Parish Creek. Public access there could end a year from now if action isn’t taken by the county.

The boat ramp is part of a lease agreement between the private property owner and Anne Arundel County. The lease expires at the end of July 2027. After that, it is unclear what will happen because the property is currently for sale.

Those who have been following closely know that the public access initiative on this site goes back 10 years, if not more, and includes a previous lease and a sudden boat ramp closure with almost no notice last July, after which the county entered into a temporary arrangement with nearby Parish Creek Marina for public use of its boat ramp for the remainder of 2025. Further complicating the situation, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources awarded Anne Arundel County a State Waterway Improvement Fund grant in fiscal year 2018 worth $533,833 for the public boating facilities at Discovery Village. The county installed/upgraded the boat ramp, replaced bulkheads, and dredged the channel among other improvements.

The Discovery Village site, it should be noted, includes two buildings (not part of the current county lease). In the past, the site was used not only by individual boaters, but also by environmental organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, West-Rhode Riverkeeper, and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

Currently, more than a dozen organizations are urging Anne Arundel County to purchase Discovery Village for public use. If you are concerned about maintaining public access at this site, make your voice heard by reaching out to your elected officials and those running for office. If you would like to learn more about the future of Discovery Village and how to get involved, contact Mike Lofton of the Public Water Access Committee at ms1149@aol. com. Find ramp details and cartop boat launch details at aacounty.org/locations/ discovery-village

Swimmable ShoreRivers Program Returns

ShoreRivers announces that its Swimmable ShoreRivers bacteria testing program has returned for the season and that weekly results from this annual program will once again be available this year in both English and Spanish.

Every summer, ShoreRivers deploys a team of community scientists to monitor bacteria levels at popular swimming and boating sites to provide important human health risk information to the public. Their samples are then processed and analyzed, according to standard scientific protocols, in ShoreRivers’ in-house labs. The program makes public the results of that testing to let people know about current bacteria levels as they make their plans for recreating in our waterways. Results are posted every Friday, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at shorerivers.org/swim and on both the organization’s and its individual Riverkeepers’ social media pages.

A second page, shorerivers.org/swimmable-shorerivers-espanol, is designed

to share this program with the Spanishspeaking community, and bilingual signs can be found at public monitoring sites around the Eastern Shore that explain the goals of the Swimmable ShoreRivers program and show users where to find weekly results in both English and Spanish. This program is supported with generous funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Weekly results are also shared on theswimguide.org, where descriptions of testing sites are available in both languages. This public service is a true community effort: this summer, nearly 70 SwimTesters will monitor 55 sites on the Choptank, Miles, Wye, Chester, and Sassafras rivers; Eastern Bay; and the Bayside Creeks.

The Swimmable ShoreRivers program serves our community in a way that no other program, organization, agency, or data set does. In Maryland, if the state or local government designates an area as a swimming beach, then bacteria monitoring and reporting is required. However, a major gap exists on the Eastern Shore as very few areas are designated swimming

beaches, and the results from those that are, are rarely posted publicly or in a timely manner.

Also returning for the 2026 season is ShoreRivers’ Pumpout Boat. The Pumpout Boat is a free service offered on the Miles and Wye rivers that docks at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels and operates from May to mid-November. To schedule a pump out, contact Captain John Carlsson at (410) 829-4352, on VHF Channel 9, by emailing POBCaptJohn@gmail.com, or by using the form at shorerivers.org/ programs/pumpout-boat.

Abandoned Boats Removed from Virginia Waters

The BoatUS Foundation partnered with Lynnhaven River and TowBoatUS at ports Gwynns Island and Portsmouth to remove 10 abandoned derelict vessels (ADVs) from waterways across Gloucester and Portsmouth, VA. This initiative is aimed at addressing navigational hazards and environmental impacts of ADVs on coastal Virginia waterways. The removals took place April 14–16 and are part of a broader effort to remove up to 100 ADVs in the area.

Lynnhaven River NOW’s project brought together nonprofit, government, and private partners to address the growing environmental and navigational risks posed by abandoned boats. This project is supported by a 2023 award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program.

“Abandoned boats don’t just disappear. They become a burden on communities, the environment, and local economies,” said Alanna Keating, director of outreach at BoatUS Foundation. “By connecting trusted partners, we are addressing the issue of ADVs and making real progress toward cleaner, safer Virginia waterways.”

Removing abandoned vessels provides immediate benefits to local waterways and communities. Left unattended, these vessels can leak fuel, create navigation hazards, and harm marine ecosystems and shorelines. Their removal enhances boater safety, safeguards natural habitats, and helps prevent lasting environmental damage.

TowBoatUS operators Chris Parker of Gwynns Island and Donald Duck of Portsmouth were contracted to do the removals, volunteering significant time and resources while working through a wide range of vessel conditions.

“Every removal is different, and often more complex than people realize,” Parker said. “Some vessels can be refloated and towed, while others need to be taken apart piece by piece. It takes time and coordination, but the impact on the community and the Bay is significant once removed.”

“These boats pose real risks to navigation and safety,” Duck said. “We see how they can break free, damage property, or require emergency response. Prevention through

proper insurance and responsible disposal can make a big difference.”

BoatUS Foundation also has a broader ADV Program, which includes the Turning the Tide Summit and a national database to track abandoned vessels nationwide.

Local leaders in attendance during the cleanups included Gloucester County

Administrator Greg Gentry, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Zone Manager Jeff Flood, and Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover.

Anyone who encounters an abandoned or derelict vessel on a waterway is encouraged to report it at boatus.org/ adv-database. HERRINGTON

Increase in Juvenile Blue Crabs and Total Population

The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, estimates a total of 349 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2026, a 46-percent increase over the estimate of 238 million crabs last year.

“It’s very encouraging to see higher levels of blue crabs and juveniles, especially after a few years of lower juvenile recruitment,” Mandy Bromilow, DNR’s blue crab program manager, said. “However, we’ll still have to remain vigilant about the population, given that we have seen declines since 2011.”

The survey also estimated 228 million juvenile blue crabs, an increase of 121 percent from last year. This aboveaverage abundance is a promising result for fisheries biologists, after what had previously been six consecutive years of below-average juvenile recruitment. The total abundance and juvenile abundance were at the highest levels since 2019.

The number of adult male crabs also increased. There are an estimated 37 million adult male blue crabs in the Bay, which is 43 percent higher than last year.

However, adult female abundance has decreased by 25 percent, to 81 million crabs, which is above the management threshold but below the target level. In fisheries management, target numbers represent the desired state of a fishery, while thresholds are lower numbers that can trigger a management response.

The Winter Dredge Survey has been conducted cooperatively by Maryland and Virginia since 1990, and the results are reviewed annually in an effort to have consistent management efforts across the jurisdictions. Throughout the survey, biologists use dredge equipment to capture, measure, record and release blue crabs at 1500 sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay from December through March. Detailed results are available at dnr.maryland.gov

New 24-Hour Annapolis Digital Information Kiosk

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) has introduced a new 24hour outdoor digital information kiosk at the Visitors Center. Located at 26 West Street in Annapolis, between the Ellipse parking area and the side entrance to the building, the kiosk provides an additional, alwaysavailable tool for visitors and residents to discover everything the destination has to offer. As part of VAAAC’s ongoing mission to welcome, inform, and inspire travelers, this new resource expands access to visitor information and enhances the overall experience for anyone exploring Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

The new kiosk—provided by True Omni, a leader in interactive visitor engagement technology—offers aroundtheclock access to dining options, hotels, attractions, parks and trails, transportation resources, parking information, and more. Its intuitive touchscreen design ensures that users

can easily explore the region’s experiences at any time of day, enhancing accessibility and convenience for all.

“Today’s travelers expect information on demand—and now they have it,” said Kristen Pironis, CEO of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. “This kiosk lets visitors instantly explore Annapolis and Anne Arundel County the moment they arrive, day or night. It’s another step toward a more accessible, responsive visitor experience.”

While the kiosk offers 24hour digital support, the Visitors Center remains open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center continues to be staffed by knowledgeable and welcoming volunteer specialists who curate personalized itineraries, offer insider recommendations, and assist with planning during operating hours.

The kiosk complements this inperson service, ensuring that visitor support extends well beyond the building’s doors.

The installation marks another step in VAAAC’s commitment to enhancing visitor services and ensuring that Annapolis and Anne Arundel County remain welcoming, easy to navigate, and rich with opportunities for discovery. To learn more, visit vaaac.org.

6-20 Hook, Line, and Habitat Summer

Silent Auction

CCA Maryland invites you to join them for a virtual silent auction supporting the conservation of the Chesapeake Bay and the future of recreational fishing. The event features a curated selection of exclusive auction items, with every bid directly supporting CCA Maryland’s mission.

16 Essex-Middle River Fishing Club June Monthly Meeting  Speaker: Author and light tackle specialist John Veil will discuss shallow water fishing. 7:30 p.m. at the FOP Lodge 34 (730 Wampler Road in Middle River, MD 21220). Open to all. Food and drinks are available.

16 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.

June

17 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.

19-21 38th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair  Father’s Day weekend at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. One of the largest classic boat shows in the Mid-Atlantic region. Also Boating History Talks Friday and Saturday, free boat rides on Saturday and Sunday, and maritime vendors, juried artists, nautical flea market, children’s activities, Field of Dreams (boats for sale), food vendors, and more throughout the weekend.

19-21 FSA Offshore Challenge Tuna Tournament

Frederick Saltwater Anglers. Details TBD. Location: 2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Dr, Chincoteague, VA 23336.

19-21 Norfolk Harborfest  At Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk waterfront, VA. Tall ships, parade of sail, fireworks, live music, artisan food and beverages, interactive family games, and more. America’s largest, longest-running, free maritime festival.

19-23 Sail 250 Virginia  Host city: Norfolk, VA. For this milestone occasion, a fleet of the world’s most magnificent international tall ships and military ships, in an epic peacetime gathering, will sail into the port of Virginia. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1776.

20

CCWBRA Kent Island Race  At the Kent Island Yacht Club, Kent Narrows, MD. Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association.

20 MVFD East Riverfest  Extreme boat docking contest with the Chesapeake Cowboys at Williams Wharf in Mathews, VA. Get tickets online or at the gate. Music 4:30 to 9 p.m. at fireworks over the East River at 9 p.m.

21 Father’s Day  Take dad fishing!

24 FSFF “Beer Tie”  Eat, drink, tie, or just hang out. Bring your vise, tools, and materials and/ or fish stories. Not instructor-led, but everyone helps each other out. On the heated enclosed front porch area. Look for tying vises and FSFF hats. 6 to 8 p.m. at Killarney House Irish Pub, 584 W Central Ave, Davidsonville, MD 21035.

24-30 Sail 250 Maryland and Air Show

Baltimore

A global gathering of international tall ships, military ships, and aircraft celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States. Baltimore, MD.

26-28 11th Annual Kids

Catch-All

Out of Indian River Marina in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Open to all youth anglers ages 3-18. Fish one or both days. Weigh-ins at Hook’em and Coo’em Bait and Tackle. Mexican fiesta Saturday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Awards banquet Sunday 6 to 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva, Inc.

27 East of Maui EWE Spirit Chesapeake Stand Up Challenge 2026

New name, same great race. This is an open water race set in Annapolis Harbor and the mouth of the Severn River. There will be three course options: The 7-mile Challenge for more experienced paddlers, a 3-3.5 mile Challenge suitable for more recreational paddlers, and a one-mile Just for fun Race. This year’s race will be dedicated to our friend Geoff Ewenson. A portion of your entry fee will be donated to the EWE Spirit Foundation. New this year is the addition of the EWE Spirit Kids Race for 8-13 year olds. The Kids Race is free, and boards will be provided for the Kids race by Capital SUP. The Kids Race will start after all the Challenge racers have finished. Register on Paddle Guru.

July

4 15th annual Solomons Fourth of July Boat Parade

Show your American pride and dress up your boat or you person and join in on the fun. The starting cannon will sound at 12 p.m. sharp on Mill Creek in Solomons at 38.331264 x 76.450065. There is no registration just jump in behind the last boat and form a line. Stay on channel 68 for the duration of the parade. All are welcome to join, just please follow all navigational aids and rules of the road. Safety first. Share your boat photos on the Facebook page: Solomons Island 4th of July Boat Parade.

5 KCWA Watermen’s Day and Boat Docking

Presented by Kent County Watermen’s Association on the Rock Hall bulkhead in Rock Hall, MD. Celebrates the men and women of Rock Hall, who have and still do, make a living fishing local waters. Boat docking contest, food, music, and more.

8 Frederick Saltwater Anglers Monthly Meeting

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

10-19

Plein Air Easton

Juried artists travel from around the country to Talbot County to create art outdoors rather than working in a studio. Free public events all over Easton, MD. Hosted by the Avalon Foundation.

11 Anne Arundel County River Days

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. All events are free and open to the public. Each festival will feature fun activities for all ages, including boat rides, water activities, environmental educators, live music, games, crafts, food trucks, and more. Boat rides are free, but capacity is limited and tickets will be available first come, first served.

11 Antique Outboard Motor Club Meet

8:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Flying Point Park (511 Kennard Ave) in Edgewood, MD. Everything vintage outboard motors and associated marine items. For more info contact Al Barnes (on_travel_2015B@ yahoo.com) or Lee at (410) 833-6152.

11 Chesapeake City Antique and Classic Boat Show

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Chesapeake City, MD. Boats located at Chesapeake Inn Marina (B Dock) and Pell Gardens. Nautical vendors, crafts, and hopefully swap meets.

17-19 FSA Summer Slam Tournament

Frederick Saltwater Anglers. In Cape Charles, VA. Details TBD.

18

CCWBRA Commodore’s Cup

At Maryland Yacht Club in Pasadena, MD. Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association.

21 Essex-Middle River Fishing Club July Monthly Meeting  Speaker: Don Cocavitch on Upper Bay Fishing. 7:30 p.m. at the FOP Lodge 34 (730 Wampler Road in Middle River, MD 21220). 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.

25 Bay Paddle

An epic day of paddle races and a festival to celebrate and help protect the Chesapeake Bay. Welcomes SUP, OC, kayak, canoe, surfski. Hosted by Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club, Kent Island, MD.

25-26 SMBC Event at Leonardtown Wharf

Presented by the Southern Maryland Boat Club at Historic Leonardtown Wharf. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Opportunities to enter the pits to see the boats up close and meet the drivers.

a

Navan C30: Adventure Time

By Lenny Rudow

Just try to glance at the Navan C30 and then quickly look away—we dare ya. The visual grip of this boat is firm and unyielding, with diverging elements like a hot Euro-boat plumb bow juxtaposed against a workboat-like reverse-raked windshield. Yet at the same time each element is distinctly Navan, because that plumb bow swoops forward at its peak, and the reverse-raked windshield is curvaceous rather than being flat. The sheerline, meanwhile, swoops down slowly and then plunges in the stern. Even the waterline is unusual, with a sort of mirrored sheerline that swoops back up subtly amidships. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we’ll leave it to you to decide if this boat is gorgeous or not, but two things are for sure: The Navan C30 has unique eyeappeal, and you can’t just glance at it—you have to gaze.

But don’t gaze for too long, because you need to jump aboard and check out the layout. The C30 is designed for entertaining, cruising in comfort, and maybe even dropping a fishing line from time to time. Naturally, the pilothouse keeps things comfy while you cruise regardless of the weather. Depending on the trim level you choose, you can enjoy goodies like climate control, a cockpit prep center with a sink and electric grill, and bow or cockpit awnings. You can get a rack of four rocket launchers on the hard top, and you can opt for a ski-tow arch at the transom. Roof racks are in the mix, too, so you can even haul kayaks or SUPs around with you. The bottom line? Whatever sort of adventure gets you excited, the Navan C30 can handle it.

Speaking of getting excited: grab the wheel, push down the throttles, and hold

on tight. Rigged with a pair of Mercury Verado 300s this boat can hit speeds in the mid-50s (woohoo!) and cruise all day at over 40 mph while turning 4500 rpm. Surprisingly it also maintains 1.5 mpg at that fast cruise, which is pretty darn efficient for a boat of this size and type traveling at this speed. And when you’d like a little less excitement in your life, just pull the throttles back to 3500 rpm and enjoy cruising at around 30 mph while efficiency bumps up to more like 1.8 mpg.

The above-par performance is no accident. The C30 runs on what Navan calls the T-Step, a twin-stepped hull that reduces wetted surface to boost speed and efficiency. Brunswick designers developed it specifically for Navan, and it’s unusual enough that the T-Step is patented.

Another thing that’s unusually exciting about the C30 (at least to us boat nerds) is

the tech level you’ll discover aboard. It boasts digital switching with swipe-and-touch control of all the systems via glass-dash-style Simrads at the helm. The air conditioning/ heat runs off of an enhanced 12-volt lithium-ion battery system, not a generator. Wireless cell phone charging, a smart TV, and Zipwakes dynamic trim tabs can all come into the mix.

Topsides the boat is again laid out for multiple-style adventuring. Your idea of excitement is to lie down in the sun? Then you’ll love that the bow cabin-top incorporates a sun lounge with adjustable backrests. You enjoy fishing or watersports? The

open cockpit is ready for you, equipped as you choose, and it also sports an aft bench seat with cavernous stowage beneath plus a transom shower. You want to bump some tunes? The stock boat comes with a Fusion MS-RA770 Apollo stereo with four speakers and can be upgraded to a six-speaker system with a subwoofer. It’s time for feeding friends and family? The aft bulkhead window separating the pilothouse from the cockpit swings open to connect the two, so you can grill up those burgers and pass ‘em out to everyone with ease. It’s true that different boats appeal to different folks, and it’s also true that there’s no “perfect” boat for anyone. But Navan has definitely come up with

Specifications

LOA: 33’7”

Beam: 9’10”

Draft: 2’0”

Displacement (approx.): 9359 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 105 gal.

Water Capacity: 21 gal.

Max HP: 600

something special with the C30. Its eye-appeal is unique, its multiple-use abilities are comprehensive, and its design and tech level are top-of-class. Take one for a sea trial, and there’s a good chance that the experience will be the mere beginning of your next adventure.

An Under-the-Radar Jewel for Power and Paddle

By John Page Williams

Peninsulas where rivers meet have always been strategically valuable to humans. Think about Concord Point at Havre de Grace, MD, where the Susquehanna meets the Chesapeake. Now consider, 200 miles to the south, City Point, VA, the confluence of the James and Appomattox Rivers. In addition to providing lookouts for defense and trade, locations like these offer deepwater ports to connect with traffic from interior lands upriver.

The mouth of the Appomattox has had at least a millennium of value to Homo sapiens. Captains Christopher Newport and John Smith met the Queen of the Appamattuck people on the upriver side, across from City Point, in April of 1607 on their first exploration up Powhatan’s River (the James). The Appamattuck tribe was well established then, as a member of Paramount Chief Powhatan’s Confederacy.

By 1613, though, the English had established a town on City Point. It grew through two centuries as an unincorporated ship landing for local plantations to export tobacco and grain, with the channel on the James River side lying close to shore for easy docking. The Revolution brought several skirmishes with the British. In the early 1800s, the village became a port of entry with a U.S. Customs office. The year 1826 brought formal incorporation of the town.

“All through these years, the waters and marshes of the James and Appomattox Rivers offered the same rich, seasonal tapestry of edible plants, waterfowl, wildlife, and fish that had sustained the Appamattuck people for centuries. They included cattails, wild rice, ducks,

# The Wharf at City Point, VA (between 1860 and 1865). Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Civil War Photographs, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-B8184-3287.]

geese, muskrats, shad, herring, rockfish, white perch, and sturgeon. Shallow flats just inside the Appomattox River’s mouth and a short distance down the James shore from the wharves allowed haul seining the

big spring runs, the catch from which local people preserved by salting. The riches of the rivers certainly sustained them, but they also packed some fish for export. By the early 19th century, though, soil erosion from settlement and farm-

ing in the upper Appomattox watershed had silted in that river’s mouth. Even so, City Point’s complex of wharves along the James continued to offer deep waters for schooners to load. The town became a port for regional traffic, especially steamboats running to Richmond, Norfolk, and Baltimore. In the Appomattox, the accumulating silt began to form the islands of a delta, where bottomland trees and rich tidal fresh marshes took root.

Today, this delta is made to order for exploration (Capt. John Smith called it discovery) by paddlecraft and outboard skiffs up to 20 feet or so, especially those

equipped with pushpoles. There have been some serious problems in the intervening years, but part of the narrative involves solving them. This environmental story actually has a happy resolution. Industrial pollution, though then disregarded, began in 1914 when the DuPont Company bought Hopewell, at the time just a plantation village a couple of miles down the James from City Point, and developed it as Hopewell Farm, with a factory to manufacture dynamite. With industrial jobs available, the village of several hundred grew explosively to more than 20,000 in a short time. The General Assembly incorporated Hopewell as a city in 1916, and it annexed City Point in 1923.

Though DuPont left Hopewell after World War I, the deep water at the wharves was too valuable to sit idle. By the mid-1920s, Firestone Tire and Rubber, Allied Chemical and Dye, and Hercules Chemical had established factories around the old DuPont site. Hopewell’s fortunes rose through the next 50 years, though pollution grew significantly in the rivers from minimal treatment of industrial wastewater and municipal sewage there as well as upriver. Even so, rivermen continued to fish the James and

Appomattox. Chuck Frederickson, retired Lower James Riverkeeper from the James River Association, remembers two uncles talking about spring haul seining for shad and herring off City Point in the 1930s.

In 1975, 29 workers from a tiny Hopewell chemical company, Life Science Products, were hospitalized with severe neurological symptoms. The Virginia Department of Health shut

down the facility, which had been manufacturing the insecticide Kepone under contract to Allied Chemical. The little plant had been producing 6000 pounds per day, using extremely sloppy, cut-rate practices that dumped large quantities of Kepone into the James. The health department reluctantly closed the James to all fishing, a devastating ban that did not come off completely until 1988.

With the Clean Water Act’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System beginning to regulate industrial and municipal wastewater, the river’s health slowly began to improve. Although there is plenty left to be done, all of the cities and industries involved, from Farmville, ‘way up the Appomattox,’ and Lynchburg, ‘way up the James,’ to Richmond, 20 miles up the James, have made great strides. They are cleaning up their contributions to the rivers, to the point that the James River Association could accept a prestigious international river prize for restoration.

For over 30 years, the cleaner upper tidal James has drawn a constant stream of amateur and professional anglers to local, regional, and national fishing tournaments for largemouth bass. There is a thriving recreational fishery for trophy blue catfish, along with a growing commercial fishery for younger “eater catfish.” Endangered Atlantic sturgeon have come back from near extinction to form a strong spawning stock in both the James and the Appomattox. Two nearby

See the Bay

National Wildlife Refuges (Powell’s Creek and Presquile, which also serves as the site of the James River Association’s Ecology School) attract large numbers of bald eagles and great blue herons, plus summering ospreys and wintering migratory waterfowl.

In recent years, the City of Hopewell and multiple state, federal, business, and nonprofit partners have turned strong attention to the city’s riverfront and its waters. Therein lies its emerging charm as a base of operations for boaters of all sorts to explore its surrounding waters. Some years ago, Hopewell established its City Marina just inside the Appomattox, with covered slips, transient slips, a launch ramp, and a tackle/bait shop. Next to the marina is the city’s free Riverside Harbor kayak launch. Such paddlecraft are great vessels for exploring the marshes and islands of the Appomattox delta. (Note, though, that tidal currents here can be strong. Build your itinerary around the NOAA current tables.) A short walk up the hill from the marina sits the Boathouse Restaurant, with dining river views overlooking a wild rice marsh and extending all the way out across the James.

Hopewell’s Parks and Recreation Department oversees Riverwalk, an engineered wooden walkway that wraps around City Point and extends all the way up the Appomattox to the City Marina. Meanwhile, the Parks and Rec. department and the city’s stormwater program have collaborated with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and local volunteers for strategic planting and care of trees

and stream restoration in city parks and along streets. Another important partner in the Riverwalk is the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR), a local nonprofit dedicated to developing a regional Appomattox River Trail greenway-blueway (see attached River Trail Map). One of FOLAR’s signature annual events, the PaddleBattle, comes up on Saturday, September 26, with guided and leisure two- and 10-mile paddles, a 10-mile paddling race, and a picnic lunch for all participants at the Hopewell City Marina.

Beyond paddlecraft, there’s plenty for visiting boaters to explore. We’ve had great days exploring Appomattox delta channels with names like Pye Alley and Rosemary Lane in First Light, our trusty 17-foot Boston Whaler, but note that we pay close attention to both her chartplotter and her depth sounder. Out in the James, we love exploring around the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge (just upriver) and Powell’s Creek (five miles downriver) in all seasons. We’ve also visited Henricus Historical Park, six miles upriver, which has a dock and a path up to its remarkable recreation of the Citie of Henricus, established two years before City Point. The historical park offers programs year-round about 17th century life, both English and Native American. River towns? We love ‘em, especially when they embrace their setting and waterways. Hopewell has come a long way, and it’s only going to get better. Come see for yourself.

Fourth of July on the Chesapeake

Whether you plan to celebrate on the hook, catch fireworks from the shores of a public park, or head to one of the Chesapeake’s many great towns for a traditional Independence Day parade, there is no shortage of possibilities. Be sure to check event websites for updates or weather cancellations. We will also continue to update our list at proptalk.com/calendar. If we missed your favorite event, email kaylie@proptalk.com

Wednesday, July 1

Kent Narrows, MD: Queen Anne’s County’s annual fireworks show is scheduled for July 1 with a rain date of July 2 (only fireworks will be rescheduled; all other activities will be canceled). Located at the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center; event opens at 6 p.m. Fireworks launch at 9:15 p.m. Food trucks will be available with food and drinks to purchase. There will be live music and plenty of activities for children such as bounce houses, face painters, a photo booth, and more. Free parking at the old Kent Narrows outlets (handicap parking is available). The fireworks will be set off from the same location as years’ past, so they can be viewed from the Kent Narrows and surrounding area. qac.org

Friday, July 3

Chesapeake Beach, MD: Festivities begin at 5 p.m. at Kellam’s Field Complex and include a full evening of fun before the fireworks begin. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and arrive early for the best viewing experience. Live entertainment, food trucks and sweet treats, family-friendly activities, and more. Fireworks are launched from barges in the Chesapeake Bay near Veterans’ Memorial Park at dusk (approximately 9 p.m.). Viewing available along the waterfront areas and public spaces throughout town, including Kellam’s Field Complex and Veteran’s Memorial Park. chesapeakebeachmd.gov

Irvington, VA: On July 3, the Rappahannock River Yacht Club is organizing a patriotic decorated boat parade on Carters Creek beginning at 2 p.m. to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. Boats will gather near Custom Yachts. The parade will cruise past The Tides Inn into the western branch of Carters Creek and return to eastern branch near Custom Yachts. irvingtonva.gov

North East, MD: The 35th annual Salute to Cecil County Veterans and fireworks show returns to North East Community Park from 4 to 10 p.m. This free, familyfriendly event brings the community together each year to honor the men and women who have served our country. Enjoy an evening filled with food vendors, community organizations, live music, and activities for all ages—all set along the beautiful waterfront. Guests can explore displays from local organizations, experience military equipment and vehicles, and visit the beloved Field of Flags, presented by the Rotary Club of North East in tribute to those who served. This year will also be a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. A spectacular fireworks show over the North East River at dusk will close out the night. stoccv.org

Oxford, MD: The Oxford fireworks show celebrates Independence Day on the “Strand”—the beautiful riverside street along the Tred Avon River. The sky lights up during this beautiful fireworks display, which begins at dusk. Bring your lawn chair and get a spot early! oxfordmd.gov.

Rock Hall, MD: Fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m. The Fourth of July Parade takes place July 4 beginning at 10 a.m. rockhallmd.com

Saturday, July 4

Annapolis, MD: Get ready for a full day of events, including the West Annapolis Bike Parade at 9 a.m., a food festival with local vendors beginning at 11:45 a.m. at People’s Park, a Fourth of July Festival with Historic Annapolis, the City of Annapolis Downtown Parade at 6:30 p.m., the USNA Electric Brigade Concert on the State House Grounds at 7:45 p.m., and more. Fireworks over Spa Creek will light up the sky at approximately 9:15 p.m. visitannapolis.org

Baltimore, MD: The celebration kicks off at the Inner Harbor Amphitheatre at 6 p.m., followed by a live band performance from Avenue 66 along the Waterfront Promenade. The fireworks show at the Waterfront Promenade takes place at 9 p.m., and at 9:30 there will be a drone show at Middle Branch Park. The Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival is also at Middle Branch Park from 1 to 10 p.m. The festival also features arts and crafts, a children’s village, historical reenactments, and more. baltimore.org

Cambridge, MD: Watch a beautiful display of fireworks over the Choptank River at dusk (a little after 9 p.m.). Bring your own blankets and chairs, snacks, and bug spray. View from Long Wharf (High and Water Streets), Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh (at the end of Somerset Avenue at the Choptank River), or Cambridge Harbor (next to the Dorchester County Visitor Center). If you have a boat, watch from the water. visitdorchester.org

Drayden, MD: Dennis Point Marina and Campground will host a USA 250th celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. This historic event will be its largest display to date, drawing residents and visitors from throughout the area for a night of food, music, games, and a spectacular fireworks display. Cost: $20 per vehicle. dennispointmd.com

Easton, MD: Celebrate summer in Easton with a classic hometown carnival capped by a star-spangled July 4th fireworks show. Plan to arrive early on July 4 to secure a good viewing spot near the designated launch area. A short patriotic ceremony often precedes the show. Fireworks typically begin after dusk, with timing subject to weather and wind conditions. Bring a blanket or low chairs; please follow posted rules on coolers, tents, and grills. tourtalbot.org

Saturday, July 4

(continued)

Irvington, VA: The Irvington 4th of July Hometown Parade takes place at 3 p.m. on King Carter Drive. irvingtonva. gov

Kinsale, VA: Get ready for live music, food, and drinks at The Slips, where the crowd gathers to celebrate the 4th of July and watch fireworks launched at 9:15 p.m. over the Yeocomico River. The Kinsale Waterfront Fund, along with the Yeocomico Club, The Slips, The Kinsale Market, and the Cople Volunteer Fire Department come together to put on this great community event. The local support makes it possible to have a fabulous fireworks show each year, and contributions are greatly appreciated. All donations are tax-deductible. the-slips. com/july-4th

Middle River: The Fireworks Extravaganza over Middle River has become a cherished tradition bringing our community together in a celebration of patriotism, unity, and the beauty of our water life in Baltimore County. Last year, thousands of spectators gathered to enjoy the highest shooting fireworks display in the state from their boats, marinas, yacht clubs, restaurants, and waterfront homes on and around Middle River. It is only with the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and sponsors that we are able to make this event a reality each year. Your involvement is key to keeping this vibrant tradition alive! Visit mtabc.org for more information/to make a donation. Weather may affect start time. No rain date. No public viewing location.

Newport News, VA: 6 to 9:15 p.m. at Victory Landing Park. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and can be seen over the James River. visitnewportnews.com

Norfolk, VA: 5 to 10 p.m. at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Free and open to the public. The event begins with live patriotic music, food, and family-friendly activities, followed by one of Hampton Roads’ most spectacular fireworks displays at 9:30 p.m. high above the Elizabeth River. Also featuring a wide variety of all-American fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, cotton candy, and more. festevents.org

Ocean City, MD: Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States at two locations: N. Division Street and Northside Park. The fun kicks off at N. Division Street with live music acts at 6, 7, and 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy music at Northside Park beginning at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. ococean.com

Solomons, MD: Celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday in Solomons! Stay tuned for updates at solomonsmaryland.org and calvertcountymd. gov. There will also be the Solomons Island Fourth of July Boat Parade: Show your American pride and dress up your boat or your person and join in on the fun. The starting cannon will sound at 12 p.m. sharp on Mill Creek in Solomons at 38.331264 x 76.450065. There is no registration; just jump in behind the last boat and form a line. Stay on channel 68 for the duration of the parade. All are welcome to join, just please follow all navigational aids and rules of the road. Safety first. Share your boat photos on the Facebook page (Solomons Island 4th of July Boat Parade).

Virginia Beach, VA: The Stars and Stripes Celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. at the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks. Live concerts at each location followed by an oceanfront fireworks display (24th Street) at 9:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. virginiabeach.gov

Washington, DC: A full day of programming on the National Mall culminating in a massive pyrotechnics display. America’s National Independence Day Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at 3rd St. and Constitution Ave. The annual concert event, A Capitol Fourth, will move to July 3 to kick off a weekend of celebrations for the 250th anniversary. washington.org

Yorktown, VA: Each Fourth of July, Historic Yorktown hosts a full day of patriotic festivities honoring the nation’s independence in a setting rich with American history. The celebration features a spirited parade through the village, a traditional bell ringing ceremony marking the historic call for liberty, a lively outdoor concert, and a spectacular fireworks display over the York River at 9:15 p.m. Find a full schedule of events at visityorktown. org

Sunday, July 5

Chesapeake City, MD: Free family fun event in Pell Gardens with food and craft vendors and live music starting at 5 p.m. The fireworks will start at dark (approximately 9:30 p.m.) and will be shot off from the hill behind Schaefer’s. Plenty of free parking at the old elementary school. chesapeakecity.com

Havre de Grace, MD: 2 p.m. parade down Union Avenue, 7:30 p.m. concert at Concord Point Park, and fireworks over the Susquehanna River at 9:15 p.m. hdgjuly4th.com

# Expect a variety of events around Chesapeake Country celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

St. Michaels, MD: The Children’s Parade will kick off the celebration on July 4, beginning at 10 a.m. All children, residents and visitors, are welcome. Patriotic dress is encouraged for kids, bicycles, tricycles, wagons, and pets! The main event is on July 5 when fireworks will light up St. Michaels harbor shortly after dusk. Bring your lawn chairs and find a good spot in town. You can also purchase tickets to attend the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Big Band Night from 6 to 10 p.m. There’s fun for the whole family with live music, dancing, and a great vantage point to see the fireworks. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to enjoy Big Band Night. Food, ice cream, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors throughout the evening. cbmm.org

By Gary Armstrong

Many years ago, when I was a relative boating rookie, I managed to be “that guy” at the boat ramp. You know who I mean: the entertainment. The knucklehead. The idiot. Yep, that was me.

I had upgraded from a 19-foot open bow runabout to a 25-foot cuddy cabin that I kept on a trailer at the marina. This marina had a boat launch on site and you could pay for a parking spot, so you only had to tow the boat across the parking lot to splash it. The newer boat, however, was a lot heavier than the previous runabout, so offloading and re-loading took some effort. I ended up installing an electric winch for hauling it onto the trailer, but there was still the problem of pushing it off the trailer.

After a few months of straining myself by trying to push this behemoth off the trailer, I thought I would try a different technique. I had seen this before on the internet. Hey, if it’s on the internet, it’s gotta work, right? So, the plan was to unhook the winch strap

before backing down the ramp and, when I reached the proper water depth, I would tap the brakes, and the boat would just slide into the water. At this point I noticed that a couple of cars had arrived with boats in tow, so I tried to work quickly so as not to block the ramp.

I know what you’re thinking… that the boat would slide off too early and land on the concrete ramp. Well, that didn’t happen at all. I lined up the trailer on the ramp, unhooked, backed down, tapped the brakes, and just as I envisioned, the boat slowly slid itself off just as pretty as you please. A couple of boaters had gathered by the ramp, presumably to congratulate me on my feat!

Feeling very proud of myself, I took a moment to bask in my success when suddenly my wife woke me out of my reverie as she yelled that the boat was floating away out into the Bay.

Apparently, there was one more step that I had neglected—have someone put a line on the boat before backing up.

I’d like to say that I sprung into immediate action to save the boat; instead, however, I guess you could say that I froze up. I was still on the ramp, in my vehicle, foot on the brake, still in reverse. I didn’t know what else to do but yell to my wife to jump in the water to rescue the boat, which she did!

This yelling and commotion had started to draw a bigger crowd to the ramp. I was frozen in the car, the boat was floating away, and my wife, not a strong swimmer, was floundering in her endeavors to retrieve said boat.

After a few moments, my brain finally kicked back into gear, and I realized I first had to park the car and trailer and then go help my wife. This I did manage to complete with some alacrity. As I ran back to the ramp from the parking lot, I noticed a couple rows of fans in lawn chairs watching the fun. As I reached the ramp, I noticed that my wife and my boat were not making any progress toward the ramp. In fact, you could say they were drifting out to sea. # Don’t let this happen to you...

How Not To Launch a Boat

Well, a quick decision was needed, so I jumped in to help, completely forgetting my six-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter who were watching in disbelief from the dock adjacent to the ramp. I made it out to the boat and my wife and I both managed to wrangle the beast back to the courtesy dock. As I climbed out of the drink, sopping wet, I think I saw someone in the crowd selling tickets to the show we were putting on and someone else was selling popcorn and cold drinks.

Anyway, I wanted to get the heck out of there as soon as possible, so I loaded the gang into the boat and reached into the pocket of my bathing suit for the key. Which wasn’t there! It was there a few minutes ago… on a float, hmm…

I am not making this next part up. I looked back into the Bay, and I noticed something afloat about 50 yards away that resembled my keychain! Yep, the red and white mini buoy did its job by keeping the boat key from sinking; however, it was not supposed to float it out of my pocket without a good reason. Well, I had to go swimming

again, much to the consternation of the lineup of boat trailers ready to launch. I am sure many people from the large crowd were all thinking the same thing: Why is this guy going for a swim when I want to launch my boat?

Well, in my mind I thought I looked like Michael Phelps or Mark Spitz as I raced out to retrieve the key, all the time praying to the gods of the sea and the air that the boat would start. Well, it did start on the first try, and I, along with my wife, my two kids, and my bruised ego, high-tailed it out of there, red-faced and pondering my decision to own a trailer boat. As I motored away, I swear I could hear a standing ovation back at the ramp.

And if you’re wondering what happened upon my return to the marina, thankfully none of the witnesses were still there, and I managed to get the boat back onto the trailer without embarrassing myself. I sold that boat soon after as I think my subconscious told me to get rid of the evidence. Come to think of it, I have never trailered a boat since then, which is probably a good thing.

How To Launch a Boat Safely

If you don’t want to end up as the entertainment at the local boat ramp (as I did), you should learn some basic procedures for the launch process. If you utilize the following tips during your next boat splash, you’ll hopefully get the process done swiftly and safely, and you’ll increase the odds that you will have an enjoyable day on the water.

The first steps should be accomplished away from the ramp, hopefully in the parking area or loading area at the ramp. Start by loading all the gear in the boat, such as lifejackets, coolers, food and beverage, and any other gear needed. You don’t want to be blocking the ramp for other boaters that are ready to go.

Next, it’s time to make sure the plug is in the drain hole. Some people attach it to the boat key or some other place that would be hard to overlook. While you are by the stern, you should also remove the tie-downs. The boat won’t slide off the trailer if you don’t, and you’ll have to endure the embarrass-

Another Boat Trailer Tip

By Staff

Check out FishTalk’s recent video where the Angler in Chief tests the Behr Claw retrieval tool. This telescopic pole features a magnetic head that connects to your winch hook, allowing you to connect your boat without having to walk the trailer tongue tightrope. See it in action at youtube.com/@ FishTalkMagazine. Behr Claw is a local Maryland business and a PropTalk and FishTalk supporter (thanks, Behr Claw!).

ment of pulling back up the ramp to complete this process only to back down once again. Some boaters don’t have the patience to wait for you when you mess up so, to avoid the dirty looks, or worse, pay attention to this tip. Okay, your “pride and joy” is loaded with gear and ready to launch; it’s time

to line up on the ramp in preparation for the backing process. You did practice in the Walmart parking lot, right?

At most boat ramps there is a hierarchy which determines whose turn it is to use the ramp. In general, if a boat is in position in the water and ready to pull out, it’s usually that owner’s turn to

Are You Looking For More Chesapeake Bay

use the ramp. You will appreciate this courtesy when you want to retrieve yours. This means that you can queue up to be next after that boater, but you should not block their access to the ramp as they need to back the empty trailer down to get their boat out of your way. I have seen screaming, swear-

ing, and near fist fights when this protocol is ignored. We’re all trying to enjoy a day on the water; don’t ruin it for you and somebody else by being discourteous. Okay, the ramp is clear and you’re ready to go. Line up so the vehicle and boat are in a straight line and back ‘er down. If you start straight, you will not need to adjust the steering wheel very much. I see a lot of nervous backers messing with the wheel too much and zig-zagging down the ramp and even jack-knifing the rig. Go slow and make small adjustments. One tip for steering is to hold the wheel at the bottom (six o’clock) and move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go.

A word on whether to unhitch the winch now or wait until the boat is floating. Some people like to unhook first and, when the boat starts to float, they hit the brakes to make the boat slide off.  This

“may” work. However, if the ramp is steep, you run the risk of the boat sliding off prematurely onto the concrete ramp. I don’t have to tell you that’s not good for the boat or your ego. To be safe, I recommend leaving it hooked up until you are almost floating. You should back down far enough to let the boat float, but not so far that the trailer wheel hubs are underwater as that will tend to allow water into the wheel bearings. You’ll then put the car in park with the emergency brake on, hop out, and release the ratchet and let the boat slide off until it is floating, and then unhook the winch. Tie off to the courtesy dock or hand the line to a helper and go find yourself a parking spot for the rig. Hustle back to the ramp and head out for that fishing hole or the water-skiing spot and enjoy the day. If you are good, you shouldn’t take

up the ramp for more than five or 10 minutes. Note the emphasis on PARK and E-BRAKE. Don’t be like this guy who saw his jet ski floating away (forgot the line) and jumped out of the vehicle to grab the ski, thus totaling his car. At the end of the day, back at the ramp there may be several boats queued up to be retrieved. Make a mental note of your place in line and be patient. If there’s currently a boat being launched on the ramp, they should be given the priority. When it is your turn, reverse the process. When you are winching the boat onto the trailer, keep everyone else out of the line of recoil should the winch line or strap let loose unexpectedly. Once again, it should be five minutes or less if you do it right. Pull up to the parking area to unload, tie-down, drain, and put the cover on. You did it!  Repeat next weekend and enjoy.

About the Author: Gary Armstrong has had his US Coast Guard Captain’s License for 15 years, as well as a United States Power Squadron Senior Navigator and Inland Navigator Certificate. He cruises on a Mainship trawler and is based on the Sassafras River

Marinas That Meet Your Standards!

Use the PropTalk Online Marina Directory to filter by top-tier amenities and specialized services. Be sure to mention PropTalk when you

Anchor Marina

Anchorage Marina

Annapolis Landing Marina

Annapolis Town Dock

Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina

Bowleys Marina

Brick House Cove Marina

Broad Creek Marina

Campbell’s Boatyards

Clinton Street Boatel

Corinthian Yacht Club of the Chesapeake

Cypress Marine

Dandy Haven Marina

Dennis Point Marina and Campground

Forked Creek Yacht Club Marina

Generation III Marina

Harbor East Marina

Harbour Cove Marina

Hartge Yacht Harbor

Haven Harbour Marina

Haven Harbour South

Herrington Harbour North

Herrington Harbour South

Hinckley Bachelor Point

Hinckley Bay Bridge Marina

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay River

Marsh Marina

Lankford Bay Marina

Legasea Marine

Lighthouse Point Marina

Maryland Marina

Middle River Landing Marina

National Harbor Marina

Nomad Norview Marina

North East River Yacht Club

Piney Narrows Yacht Haven

Pleasure Cove Marina

If

Port Covington Marina

Riverside Marine Marina

Rock Hall Marine Railway

Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort

Selby Bay Marina

Shipwright Harbor Marina

Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort

Spring Cove Marina Solomons

The Wharf at Handy’s Point

The Wharf Marina

Tri-State Marine

White Rocks Marina and Boatyard

Whitehall Marina

Yacht Haven of Annapolis

Teak Care in the Chesapeake Region

PART 2: Best Practices and Techniques

By Rick Truett

As discussed in our previous article (in the June PropTalk and at proptalk.com/teak-carechesapeake-region), there are numerous ways to treat marine teak. Options range from doing literally nothing and allowing the wood to naturally weather, to investing significant time or dollars to produce a finish worthy of Wooden Boat Magazine. The effort required depends on where you wish to land on the spectrum of teak care. Consider these four critical decision points before choosing an approach:

• Cost: This is directly tied to labor. Materials for coating or sealing teak are minimal compared to the cost of professional labor or your own time.

• Visual Requirements: Different aesthetics require vastly different levels of effort to achieve and maintain.

• Longevity: Every treatment requires periodic maintenance. Reapplication frequency depends entirely on the product you choose.

• Complexity: Advanced products often require specialized technicians to apply correctly, driving up expenses.

The overview below outlines the spectrum of application effort and the unique visual impacts associated with various products. While not exhaustive, this guide provides the essential ‘lay of the land’ for boat owners.

THE TEAK CARE SPECTRUM

1. Greyed Teak (Bare Wood)

• Visual Impact: Natural silver-grey.

• Application and Maintenance: This is the easiest approach to manage. Owners can go through their entire boat ownership history without doing anything more than basic cleaning. However, bacteria, atmospheric particulates, and detritus can develop within the grain, causing a dirty discoloration.

• Critical Technique: Discoloration can be remedied with an annual cleaning using a soft-bristle brush and a mild agent, such as Teak Decking Systems granular cleaner. Always use the mildest cleaner possible. Harsh, off-the-shelf acid cleaners work fast, but they strip the soft tissue out of the wood, raising the grain. After a few years, the remaining hardwood grain must be sanded down, permanently thinning the deck. Many relatively new boats suffer from ruined teak decks due to excessively heavy cleaning.

• Best Practice: It is imperative to use a soft brush and scrub only across the grain. This prevents the soft tissue from being gouged out and preserves the thickness of the material. To slow dirt penetration without changing the wood’s color, apply a water-based polymer sealer like Teak Decking Systems Sealer and Preserver.

2. Semco Teak Sealer

• Visual Impact: A clean, fresh, natural teak appearance. (Note: Some available pigmented colors can look unnatural.)

• Application and Maintenance: Semco has a water-like consistency and is

applied over freshly cleaned, dry teak. This petroleum-based product lasts roughly two months in mid-Atlantic weather before requiring reapplication. Reapplication is simple: perform a light, quick cleaning, allow the wood to dry, and wipe on a fresh coat with a rag.

• Pro Tip: An entire 35-foot teak deck can be coated in a couple of hours. Keep a dry rag handy to instantly wipe off any spills on adjacent surfaces. While taping is generally unnecessary, Semco can stain heavily oxidized fiberglass; test a small area first and use caution near the edges if your gelcoat is chalky.

3. Starbrite Teak Sealer

• Visual Impact: Heavily pigmented, matte finish.

• Application and Maintenance: This product is much thicker than Semco. Because of the heavy pigment content, it builds up after a few applications and will eventually create an artificial, “painted” look unless stripped periodically. It is a resilient coating that typically needs to be applied once a year. However, it is difficult to remove, requiring a chemical stripper, heavy scrubbing, and a wood brightener.

4. Cetol Teak Sealer

• Visual Impact: A shiny, deep, “almostvarnish” appearance. It can be paired with a high-gloss overcoat if a mirror finish is desired.

• Application and Maintenance: Cetol requires substantial work and demands the same preparation as traditional varnish. Strip the wood down to bare timber using a heat gun (taking care not to burn the wood) or a chemical stripper.

• Best Practice: Always test chemical strippers on adjacent areas first to ensure they will not damage nearby finishes, and tape off surrounding areas meticulously.

• The Benefit: Once down to bare wood, sand and fair the surface smoothly; a shiny gloss finish will telegraph every minor bump or depression left in the wood. The primary advantage of Cetol is that it requires no sanding between coats, which drastically cuts down labor time once the initial prep is complete. It requires a maintenance recoat every year, making it an excellent DIY product for brightwork.

5. Traditional Varnish

• Visual Impact: The quintessential, deep-amber Wooden Boat Magazine look.

• Application and Maintenance: Prep the wood identically to the process outlined for Cetol. For those unfamiliar with varnish application, Rebecca Wittman’s book, “The Brightwork Companion,” is an excellent tutorial on prep and technique. Traditional clear coatings are labor-intensive. They require detailed, meticulous sanding between every single coat, and many layers must be built up to achieve a deep look that offers proper UV protection.

• Best Practices: Expect to apply at least two maintenance coats every year unless the brightwork is kept under canvas. Canvas covers will save significant time and money long-term. Dings can be repaired by scraping

# Clean, pre-sealed teak.

out failed sections, building up fresh layers to match the existing thickness, and then applying an overall topcoat. Success requires patience and learned technique.

6. Two-Part Coatings

• Visual Impact: Visually similar to traditional high-gloss varnish. Common products include Awlgrip Clear, Epifanes 2-part, and Bristol Clear Urethane.

• Application and Maintenance: These systems require the same rigorous surface preparation as traditional varnish. While these finishes last significantly longer, they demand a much higher level of technical expertise to apply smoothly. Furthermore, some of these products carry highly carcinogenic properties when sanded or applied. Consequently, wearing a proper chemical respirator mask and robust personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory during application.

About the Author: Rick Truett is a 35-plus year veteran of the marine industry. He maintains ABYC Master Certified Technician status among other certifications. Rick runs Truett Marine Services, a full service mobile marine company operating in the Baltimore/Annapolis area and is the lead vessel systems instructor for Annapolis School of Seamanship and can be reached at truettmarineservices@gmail.com

PLAN BETTER CRUISES TOGETHER

Coordinate routes, navigate together, and stay connected on the water with Argo.

Download the Argo app and see what you are missing!

What makes your club special? In these pages, we encourage boating club members to share how club membership has enhanced their time on the water. Tell us about your experiences with club cruises, rendezvous, social gatherings, low-cost or free educational offerings, or other fun times you’ve enjoyed with your boating tribe. Send approximately 350 words (sometimes longer) and clear photos of pretty boats and happy boaters to beth@proptalk.com

Youth Discover Marine Trades

Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) Foundation’s 15th Annual Marine and Maritime Career Expo happened at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard on Thursday, April 30. This annual event provides a unique opportunity for students to make one-to-one connections with visiting exhibitors including marine service and retail businesses, maritime companies, military and government organizations, trade schools, and higher education institutions.

This year 11 high schools sent 140 enthusiastic students. It all took place

with the backdrop of a busy boat yard. A tour of the yacht yard by owner Rod Jabin and visits to three on-site companies were eye opening for the students. Highlights included learning about the intricacies of servicing Volvo engines, the process of repairing yacht hulls, and seeing the inside complex world of marine rigging. Students were able to ask about intern programs, summer jobs, starting salaries, and chances for advancement.

After-event student surveys revealed the experience was impactful. Coming into the day, 36 percent of student

respondents indicated that they were very interested in marine fields. After the event, 73 percent reported being much more interested in such a career.

John Staub, chair of the expo was pleased with the day. “In our ever-evolving industry, it’s no secret the current supply of talent is insufficient. The diverse range of exposures students receive at our event invigorates them to consider a career in marine and maritime fields. This increased motivation has both a short term and longterm benefit to employers.” The program began in 2010 with the support of Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

The expo is just one of EYC Foundation’s many programs that connect students to the water and foster future industry superstars. As PropTalk staff prepped this issue to go to print, the foundation’s STEM on the Water initiative was underway. The program introduces fifth graders to science, technology, engineering and math by way of marine themed hands-on learning stations. Later in the day students set sail on the Bay for more real-life application of their STEM classroom lessons. Learn more about all the EYC Foundation programs at eycfoundation.org

Welcome to the Club!

By Anne Knab

Are you considering joining a yacht club because you enjoy boating, but are you hesitant because you don’t know what to expect? Maybe you are worried about not knowing anyone and/or fitting in? Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) recognized such concerns and now holds a new members’ dinner prior to boating season getting underway.

This year’s event, for 11 new members, took place at the home of BCYC membership chair Maureen Carrion and her husband Jay with co-hosts vice commodore Tim Nelson and his wife Laura. On a rainy late March evening, guests enjoyed beautiful views of the Magothy River as the talk turned to boats and the upcoming cruising season over cocktails and appetizers. With only 15 people at the table, we ensured everyone’s ideas were heard by all.

ETim and Maureen got to know each new member as they listened to their tales of settling into club life and asked whether they might still have questions that hadn’t been answered yet. The new members all praised our year-round calendar of onwater and land-based events, but they felt that the smaller dinner, as opposed to a restaurant happy hour, allowed them to get to know each other and share their ideas for the club.

The new members all agreed that no-host events, in which members show up at an agreed upon location to spend the afternoon together, would help to round out the calendar, so we plan to add more impromptu outings. We are

also considering more mid-week outings, when things are less hectic than during the weekends.

Our club membership is an eclectic mix of sailors and powerboaters who share a love of cruising the Chesapeake Bay. We have no physical clubhouse which means lower dues because we have no infrastructure to maintain. We use WhatsApp to keep everyone apprised of what the fleet is planning. Check us out at backcreekyc. org. #WeConnect

Vessel Safety Check: Free Boat Inspections

nsuring your boat is safe and ready for a day on the water is crucial for safe and stress-free boating. Regular Vessel Safety Checks not only help with safety regulation compliance, but more importantly help prevent accidents, ensure preparation for most marine emergencies, and enable some peace of mind regarding your safety, the safety of your guests, the safety of other boaters around you, and the safety of our environment.

A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free voluntary boat inspection conducted by

By Carol Hanson

an America’s Boating Club Wilmington (ABCW) US Coast Guard-certified Vessel Safety Officer. While its primary purpose is to help keep you and your guests safe, it also helps ensure your compliance with state and federal safety regulations. During a VSC, our qualified examiner inspects your boat using an established VSC checklist to ensure your boat meets all required safety standards, including lifejackets, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment. Together, you and the examiner will review your copy of the

checklist to ensure your familiarity with the requirements. You will review the working order of your equipment and evaluate your understanding of how and why each item contributes to safe boating practices.

Before scheduling your VSC, it’s important to review the vessel safety checklist for personal flotation device accessibility and condition, navigation light operation, fire extinguisher charge level and accessibility, visual distress signal devices (flares or electronic devices), sound-producing devices (horns/whistles), boat safety placards, and ventilation and backfire flame controls (if applicable). Having these items ready and in good condition streamlines your VSC and increases your likelihood of a pass.

To learn more about how to stay safe on the water, contact our US Coast Guardcertified Vessel Safety Officers, John Bailey (mpnwhat@gmail.com) and J. T. Walton (zzz240jt@aol.com). To learn more about ABCW’s educational and social opportunities, visit abc-wilmington.com or email wspsboaters@gmail.com

Plan Trips • Navigate Safely • Discover New Places

It’s important to see and be seen when on the water. Two electronic tools provide additional visibility beyond using your eyes: Radio Detection and Ranging (Radar) and Automatic Identification System (AIS). Each has its place. They are very different technologies and fulfill different needs for safety on the water.

Radar works by transmitting a radio pulse and plotting the location of the portion of the signal that is reflected from objects. It’s much like standing on the boat and shining a flashlight around the horizon to see what’s around. Detected objects may be vessels, navigational aids, shoreline, and even rainstorms. It’s great because the only active component is the radar unit itself. It only tells you that an object exists; it cannot provide information about the object. It also can’t see what’s behind objects that it detects. This means that radar can’t see around corners or into a bay that’s behind a peninsula. It also can’t discern between different detected objects, so a small boat will look just like a navaid. Modern radar systems can track targets, providing course and speed information, using a system called MARPA (Mini-Automatic Radar Plotting Aid).

Radar pulses are reflected by rain, which provides a unique view of rainstorms. This is particularly useful in Maryland where we have thunderstorms rolling through on many summer afternoons. We’ve watched storm cells move toward and around us

Radar Versus AIS

By Terry Slattery

while using radar. However, fog doesn’t reflect radar pulses, making it the go-to tool for seeing through fog. And of course, radar is useful at night when visual navigation gets particularly challenging.

Working with Radar takes practice. It’s sometimes difficult to visually identify a target on the water that is clearly visible on the radar display. Practice in daylight hours, identifying vessels and navaids. Learn how they move on the display. Work with MARPA if you have it.

Modern chartplotters can overlay Radar imaging on top of a chart display. This can make it easy to orient yourself and see navigation buoys. Sometimes the clutter of the chart in the background obscures small vessel signatures, which tend to be smaller than those of big vessels (ships and tugs). It may be better to use the side-by-side display mode that many chartplotters support.

But what about AIS? AIS works by periodically transmitting a vessel’s MMSI number, name, size, speed, and heading on dedicated VHF channels. Modern chartplotters show different icons that reflect the vessel’s size, with small vessels, big ships, and tugs each displayed with different symbols.

AIS transmits on VHF frequencies, providing awareness of vessels that are out of sight. For example, on one of our ICW trips, a tug that was around a bend hailed us on VHF to let us know that it would be transiting a narrow cut at about the

same time we would have. It saw our AIS information and gave us a warning. We slowed and waited to give the tug and its big barge plenty of room.

AIS only works on vessels equipped with an AIS transmitter. A small runabout without AIS that might be visible on radar would not appear on an AIS display. It is also voluntary and is frequently disabled by fishing boats to protect the locations of their favorite fishing spots. Another point against AIS is that vessel traffic in congested areas can clutter the screen. A nice summer weekend day around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge can be particularly busy. One way to reduce clutter is to enable the setting that doesn’t display vessels with speeds near zero. This takes care of vessels at anchor or at dock.

At the helm, modern navigation systems will incorporate both radar and AIS into chartplotter displays, providing a single view into navigation and collision avoidance. However, if I had to choose one, I’d go with radar. While it’s more expensive, passive objects and storm cells become visible. Keeping a good lookout and using VHF to communicate with other vessels would provide the benefits of AIS. This last point is critical; don’t get so immersed in your electronics that you don’t look around and develop good situational awareness that allows you to address potential situations before they become critical.

About the Author: Terry, an electrical engineer, started sailing in college; a progression of boats followed. This is one of his monthly safety articles from the Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron’s newsletter, available at aspsmd.org.

Eye On the Bay

Blue Angels Air Show

Nothing kicks off summer quite like the annual Blue Angels practice day and air show in Annapolis (this year on May 19 and 20) for the U.S. Naval Academy’s Commissioning Week and this year was no exception. Boaters came out in droves to catch the show from the water.

For map and links to restaurant websites, visit proptalk.com/dock-bars

Stoney Creek Inn

Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar

Stoney Creek, off Patapsco River 8238 Fort Smallwood Road, Greenland Beach 410.439.3123

Sue Lagoon Sue Creek

900 Baltimore Yacht Club Road, Essex 443.730.6440

The Point Crab House and Grill

Mill Creek, Atlantic Marinas at Ferry Point 700 Mill Creek Road, Arnold 410.544.5448

The Rumor Reel

Main Creek, Pleasure Cove Marina 1701 Poplar Ridge Road, Pasadena 443.702.2188

The Sandbar at Rolph’s Marina Chester River, Rolph’s Wharf Marina 1008 Rolphs Wharf Road, Chestertown 410.778.6389

The Sea Horse Inn

Oakleigh Cove 710 Wise Avenue, Dundalk 410.388.1150

The View at Skipjack Cove Sassafras River, Skipjack Cove Marina 150 Skipjack Road, Georgetown 240.843.8439

The Wellwood

North East River, Wellwood Marina 523 Water Street, Charlestown 410-287-6666

The Wellwood River Shack

North East River, Wellwood Marina 121 Frederick Street, Charlestown 410.287.9658

Tidewater Grille Susquehanna River

300 Franklin Street, Havre de Grace 410.939.3313

Back River 4309 Shore Road, Sparrows Point 443.594.8454

Waterman’s Crab House

Restaurant and Dock Bar

Rock Hall Harbor

21055 W Sharp Street, Rock Hall 410.639.6860

MIDDLE BAY

South of the Bay Bridge to Point Lookout across to Big Annemessex River

Abner’s Crab House

Fishing Creek, Abner’s Marina 3748 Harbor Road, Chesapeake Beach 410.257.3689

Angler’s Seafood Bar and Grill

Back Creek

275 Lore Road, Solomons 410.326.2772

Beacon Waterfront Galley and Bar

Chesapeake Harbour Marina, off Severn River 2020 Chesapeake Harbour Drive E, Annapolis 443.949.8456

Bar Mumbo

Tilghman Island, Wylder Hotel 21551 Chesapeake House Drive, Tilghman 410.866.2121

Blue Point Provision Company

Choptank River, Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay 100 Heron Blvd, Cambridge 410.901.6410

The Dock

Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort 4165 Mears Avenue, Chesapeake Beach 866.312.5596

Boatyard Bar and Grill

Eastport, Off Spa Creek

400 4th Street, Annapolis 410.216.6206

Bridges Restaurant

Kent Narrows

321 Wells Cove Road, Grasonville 410.827.0282

Bull Lips Dock Bar Wicomico River

2670 Clara Road, Whitehaven 410.546.5443

Cantler’s Riverside Inn Mill Creek

458 Forest Beach Road, Annapolis 410.757.1311

Coconut Joe’s Bar & Grill

South River

48 S. River Road, Edgewater 443.837.6057

Davis’ Pub Eastport, off Back Creek

400 Chester Ave, Annapolis 410.268.7432

Doc’s Sunset Grille

Tred Avon River 104 W. Pier Street, Oxford 410.226.5550

Dock House Restaurant

Kent Narrows 110 Piney Narrows Road, Chester 443.446.4477

Dockside Restaurant and Sports Bar

Rockhold Creek

421 Deale Road, Tracys Landing 410.867.1138

Drift Inn Crab House

Patuxent River

41310 Riverview Road, Mechanicsville 240.249.6007

Fisherman’s Crab Deck

Kent Narrows, Hyatt Place

Kent Narrows & Marina

3032 Kent Narrows Way S, Grasonville 410.827.6666

Fitzies Marina Restaurant and Pub

Breton Bay

21540 Joe Hazel Rd, Leonardtown 301.475.1913

Foxy’s Harbor Grille

Miles River

125 Mulberry Street, St. Michaels 410.745.4340

Gina’s at the Bridge Knapps Narrows 6136 Tilghman Island Road, Tilghman 443.848.6695

Goose Creek Pit & Pub

Manokin River

25763 Rumbley Rd, Westover 410.651.1110

Happy Harbor Restaurant

Rockhold Creek 533 Deale Road, Deale 410.867.0949

Harris Crab House

Kent Island Narrows

433 Kent Narrow Way N., Grasonville 410.827.9500

Harrison’s Harbour Lights Restaurant

St. Michaels Harbor, off Miles River 101 N. Harbor Road, St. Michaels 410.745.9001

Hidden Harbour

Back Creek, off Patuxent River 14755 Dowell Road, Dowell 410.326.1100

Ketch 22

Herring Bay, Herrington Harbour South 7153 Lake Shore Drive, North Beach 443.646.5205

La Vela Italian Restaurant

Back Creek, Safe Harbor Zahnisers Marina 251 C. Street, Solomons 410.326.4817

Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen and Cocktails

Bay Bridge Marina

357 Pier 1 Road, Stevensville 410.604.0999

Mike’s Restaurant and Crab House

South River

3030 Riva Road, Riva 410.956.2784

Palm Beach Willies

Floating Dock Bar and Grill

Slaughter Creek 638 Taylors Island Road, Taylors Island 410.221.5111

Pirate’s Cove Restaurant & Dock Bar

West River, Pirates Cove Marina 4817 Riverside Drive, Galesville 410.867.2300

Portside Seafood Restaurant

Cambridge Creek 201 Trenton Street, Cambridge 410.228.9007

Red Eye’s Dock Bar 2.0

Kent Narrows

428 Kent Narrow Way N, Grasonville 410.827.3937

Robert Morris Inn

Tred Avon River

314 N. Morris Street, Oxford 410.226.5111

Sandgates Inn Restaurant and Crab House

Patuxent River

27525 North Sandgates Road, Mechanicsville 301.373.5100

Seabreeze Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Patuxent River

27130 S. Sandgates Road, Mechanicsville 301.373.5217

Skipper’s Pier Restaurant and Dock Bar

Rockhold Creek 6158 Drum Point Road, Deale 410.867.7110

Stan and Joe’s Riverside West River 4851 Riverside Drive, Galesville 410.867.7200

Stoney’s Seafood House at Clarke’s Landing

Cuckold Creek

24580 Clarke’s Landing Lane, Hollywood 301.373.3986

Suicide Bridge Restaurant Cabin Creek 6304 Suicide Bridge Road, Hurlock 410.943.4689

The Big Owl Tiki Bar Kent Island Narrows 3015 Kent Narrow Way S, Grasonville 410.827.6523

The Boathouse at Anchored Inn Rockhold Creek, Hidden Harbour Marina 604 Cabana Blvd., Deale 410.867.9668

The Choptank Ego Alley 110 Compromise Street, Annapolis 443.808.1992

The Crab Claw Restaurant St. Michaels Harbor, off Miles River 304 Burns Street, St. Michaels 410.745.2900

The Island Hideaway Back Creek 14556 Solomons Island Road S., Solomons 410.449.6382

The Jetty Restaurant and Dock Bar Wells Cove

201 Wells Cove Road, Grasonville 410.827.4959

The Lighthouse Restaurant and Dock Bar

Back Creek

14636 Solomons Island Road S., Solomons 410.231.2256

The Pier Restaurant and River Bar

Patuxent River

14575 Solomons Island Road S, Solomons, 410.449.8406

Tickler’s Crab Shack and Restaurant

Tilghman Island, Wylder Hotel 21551 Chesapeake House Drive, Tilghman 410.886.2121

Tiki Bar & Grill Solomons Back Creek 85 Charles Street, Solomons 410.449.6621

Sunset Creek at Vera’s St. Leonard Creek 1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby 410.586.1182

Wharf 38 Rockhold Creek 479 Deale Road, Deale 443.524.2633

LOWER BAY AND POTOMAC

South of Point Lookout across to Big Annemessex River down to Deltaville across to Belle Haven, and up the Potomac River to Washington, DC

Bayside Inn and Restaurant Levering Creek, Smith Island 4065 Smith Island Road, Ewell 410.425.2771

Capt. E’s Hurricane Grill and Tiki Bar

Starling Creek 9104 Starling Creek Road, Saxis, VA 757.854.0807

Coles Point Tavern Potomac River 850 Salisbury Park Road, Hague, VA 804.472.3856

Courtney’s Seafood Restaurant Smith Creek 48290 Wynne Road, Ridge 301.872.4403

Deltaville Tap and Raw Bar Jackson Creek, off Piankatank River 274 Bucks View Lane 804.776.1039

Dockside Restaurant and Tiki Bar Monroe Creek 1787 Castlewood Drive, Colonial Beach, VA 804.224.8726

Fish Hawk Oyster Bar

Carter’s Creek, The Tides Inn 480 King Carter Drive, Irvington, VA 804.438.4457

LOWER BAY AND POTOMAC

(continued)

Harborside Restaurant

Levering Creek, Smith Island 4061 Whitelock Road, Ewell, MD 410.425.2525

Leadbellys Restaurant Cockrell Creek, Fairport Marina 253 Polly Cove Road, Reedville, VA 804.453.5002

Lorraine’s Seafood Restaurant Tangier Island 4409 Chambers Lane, Tangier, VA 757.891.2225

Madigan’s Waterfront

Occoquan River

201 Mill Street, Occoquan Historic District, VA 703.494.6373

Mallards at the Wharf

South Branch Onancock Creek 2 Market Street, Onancock, VA 757.787.8558

Merroir Tasting Room

Rappahannock River, Rappahannock Oyster Co. 784 Locklies Creek Road, Topping, VA 804.758.2871

Morris Point Restaurant

Canoe Neck Creek

38869 Morris Point Road, Abell 301.769.2500

Pier 450

Smith Creek off Potomac River 48342 Wynne Road, Ridge 301.679.3900

Reedville Market Cockrell Creek

729 Main Street, Reedville, VA 804.453.4666

Reluctant Navigator Restaurant

Potomac River, Tall Timbers Marina 18521 Herring Creek Road, Tall Timbers 301.994.1508

Riverwalk Restaurant

York River 323 Water Street, Yorktown, VA 757.875.1522

Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse St. Mary’s River 16800 Piney Point Road, Piney Point 301.994.9944

The Black Duck Corrotoman River, Yankee Point Marina 1303 Oak Hill Road, Lancaster 804.438.2123

Salt & Meadow

Carters Creek, The Tides Inn Marina 480 King Carter Drive, Irvington, VA 804.438.4457

Urbanna Seafood Market & Raw Bar Robinson Creek 453 Johnsons Dr, Urbanna, VA 804.758.8588

WAY SOUTH

South of Deltaville across to Belle Haven down to the CBBT and Virginia Beach

Blue Moon Taphouse

Elizabeth River, Waterside District 333 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 757.426.7433

Blue Pete’s Restaurant

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Pungo 1400 N. Muddy Creek Road, Virginia Beach, VA

757.426.2278

Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant

Lynnhaven Inlet

3323 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 757.481.3513

Bull Island Brewing Company

Hampton River

758 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 757.884.8884

Captain Chuck-A-Muck’s Jones Creek, off James River 21088 Marina Road, Smithfield, VA 757.356.1005

Catch 31 Fish House & Bar

3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 757.213.3472

Chicks Oyster Bar

Lynnhaven Inlet

2143 Vista Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 757.481.5757

Dockside Seafood and Fishing Center

Lynnhaven Inlet

3311 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 757.481.4545

Fish and Slips Marina Raw Bar and Grill

Elizabeth River, Tidewater Yacht Marina-B Dock 10 Crawford Pkwy, Portsmouth, VA 757.998.6631

Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill

Milford Haven, Gwynn’s Island 384 Old Ferry Road, Gwynns Island, VA 804.505.1005

Longboards East Beach-Norfolk Little Creek

4521 Pretty Lake Avenue, Norfolk, VA 757.399.4010

Marker 12 Pop-Up Bar

Mile Marker 12, Atlantic Yacht Basin 2615 Basin Road, Chesapeake, VA 757.296.3404

Ocean Eddie’s Seafood Restaurant 1415 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 757.425.7742

Ocean House Waterfront Seafood 1905 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 757.425.8600

Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar Lake Rudee

227 Mediterranean Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 757.425.1777

Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grill

Little Creek 8166 Shore Drive, Norfolk, VA 757.937.6889

Stripers Waterside Restaurant Elizabeth River, Waterside District 333 Waterside Drive Suite 105, Norfolk, VA 757.837.4100

Surf Rider Baypoint Sunset Creek 1 Marina Road, Hampton, VA 757.723.9366

Surf Rider Bluewater Little Creek, Bay Point Marina 9500 30th Bay Street 757.917.5117

Surf Rider Marina Shores

Long Creek 2100 Marina Shores Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 757.481.5646

Surf Rider Poquoson White House Cove 105 Rens Road, Poquoson, VA 757.868.0080

The Oyster Farm at Kings Creek

Kings Creek, Oyster Farm Marina 500 Marina Village Circle, Cape Charles, VA 757.331.8660

The Restaurant at Smithfield Station Pagan River, Smithfield Station Marina 415 S. Church Street, Smithfield, VA 757.357.7700

The Shack on 8th 712 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 757.319.5146

The Shanty Cape Charles Harbor 33 Marina Rd., Cape Charles, VA 757.695.3853

The Surry Seafood Co. Grays Creek 633 Marina Dr, Surry, VA 757.294.3700

Water Street Grille

York River 323 Water St., Yorktown, VA 757.369.5644

Waterman’s Surfside Grille 415 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 757.428.3644

Yorktown Pub

York River 540 Water St., Yorktown, VA 757.886.9964

YROC Coastal Bar & Grill

Sarah Creek 8109 Yacht Haven Rd., Gloucester Point, VA 804.792.1511

For map and links to restaurant websites, visit proptalk.com/dock-bars

See the Bay

Want To Make The Most Of Your Summer On The Chesapeake Bay?

PropTalk’s summer-long contest will encourage you to visit waterfront restaurants and other points of interest around the Bay to earn points. We will continue to add stops throughout the summer. Each month we will share a leaderboard (for both participants and businesses with the most check-ins) in PropTalk and on our website. The goal of this challenge is to explore the many wonderful towns around the Chesapeake Bay and support local businesses while you’re at it. When visiting restaurants, either by boat or by car, always be sure to take along a designated driver/skipper and please enjoy yourself responsibly. Safety is paramount. Share your adventures on social media by tagging @proptalkmagazine and using the hashtag #PropTalkBayChallenge. So, are you ready to See the Bay?

How To Participate:

• Visit proptalk.com/bay-challenge to register.

• Cost: $10 (helps cover the cost of the program and shipping prizes)

• The contest runs from May 15 to October 15.

• Check in using the See the Bay Challenge map (Proxi) and earn points by visiting participating locations.

Scoring:

• Each location is assigned a point value. Most locations are worth one point. Businesses who are PropTalk sponsors are worth more points that go towards your final score.

• The leaderboard is based on total accumulated points.

Rules:

• When visiting a location, upload a photo of yourself that clearly shows you are at that location (i.e. with a restaurant menu, in front of a sign, etc.). If you do not want your face in the photo, grab a copy of PropTalk Magazine and take a photo of it at the location.

• You may visit locations multiple times, but only one check-in per location, per day is allowed.

• We will verify each photo and reserve the right to disqualify any photo that appears fraudulent. We reserve the right to adjust scoring if needed. Please be honest; it’s supposed to be fun!

• By participating you allow PropTalk to share your photos in print and on our website/social media

• Whether visiting locations by land or by water, always take along a designated skipper/driver.

How To Earn Extra Points:

We want to thank these businesses for supporting PropTalk. And as a bonus, you get extra points for visiting them! We will continue to add new sponsors over the course of the season, so stay tuned for new bonus point locations.

• Cantler’s Riverside Inn on Mill Creek in Annapolis, MD (5 points)

• The Big Owl Tiki Bar on Kent Narrows in Grasonville, MD (5 points)

• The Boathouse at Anchored Inn on Rockhold Creek in Deale, MD (5 points)

• Suicide Bridge Restaurant on Cabin Creek in Hurlock, MD (5 points)

• Stan and Joe’s Riverside on the West River in Galesville, MD (5 points)

• Wharf 38 on Rockhold Creek in Deale, MD (5 points)

Locations listed in the Dock Bar Guide with the red prop icon qualify for more points per check in. 5

Prizes:

• At the end of the challenge, two grand prizes will be awarded to the person with (1) the most places visited and (2) the person with the highest points value. In the event of a tie, the first person to have achieved that milestone by the time stamp will be the winner.

• Each participant who logs 25 (approved) points will win a T-shirt (see next page).

*Stay tuned for more details as we are still finalizing prizes. As we sign on new sponsors, we may have additional prizes to award.

This is our first year doing this challenge, and we are so excited to offer a new, interactive activity for our readers. As with any new program, there might be a few growing pains. Please be patient with us and feel free to reach out to me at kaylie@proptalk.com if you have any questions or problems. ~Kaylie Jasinski

Leaderboard

Extension:

News and Updates

We know the weather during the second half of May didn’t exactly cooperate for boating, so we are extending the Challenge to October 15 (previously September 15)

New Stops:

We have added a number of new stops since the Challenge launched, including maritime museums and lighthouses around the Chesapeake Bay. At print time, we were up to 220 locations in both Maryland and Virginia.

A Note on Check-Ins:

Please be sure to follow check-in rules and have something clearly identifiable in your photos. We’ll give you a pass for your first few check-ins but will have to be stricter after that. Also, please only upload one photo per check-in; do not select multiple photos.

*You may occasionally see PropTalk staffers on the leaderboard, but don’t worry; we’re not playing to win.

Participants:

1. Brian Perez: 14 points, 6 places visited

2. Kaylie Jasinski: 11 points, 3 places visited

3. Zach Ditmars: 7 points, 3 places visited

4. Christopher Perez: 7 points, 7 places visited

5. Royal: 5 points, 1 place visited

6. Doug Pack: 3 points, 3 places visited

7. Bonny Jasinski: 3 points, 3 places visited

8. Tim OHara: 2 points, 2 places visited

9. Robert Steinen : 2 points, 2 places visited

10. Mark Donovan: 2 points, 2 places visited

Places:

1. Cantler’s Riverside Inn – 5 points (Annapolis, MD)

2. LoonAsea (Essex, MD)

3. Donnelly’s Dockside (Arnold, MD)

4. The Point Crabhouse and Grill (Arnold, MD)

5. Wharf 38 – 5 points (Deale, MD)

6. Bowleys on the Bay (Middle River, MD)

7. Pirates Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar (Galesville, MD)

8. Nauti-Goose Restaurant (North East, MD)

9. Turkey Point Lighthouse (North East, MD)

10. Seabreeze Restaurant (Mechanicsville, MD)

Prize Updates:

• Each participant who logs 25 approved points will win a PropTalk See the Bay Challenge T-shirt.

• The two grand prize packs will include: an insulated hard-sided cooler (we are still finalizing details from our sponsor), a bottle of Costa Tequila, and gift cards from various Annapolis restaurants. Stay tuned!

PropTalk Hats

Wanna snag a PropTalk hat to show off in your checkin photos? We’re selling PropTalk trucker caps (while supplies last) for $30. Email kaylie@proptalk.com to purchase.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Pelican, a 1981 41-foot Present Trawler

By Kaylie Jasinski

You might remember a note that appeared in PropTalk’s April issue: a reader, Al Townsend, reached out to me after coming across an article on our website about a navy chief who had recently bought a 1981 trawler to live aboard at the base in Groton, CT (proptalk.com/ deltaville-chincoteague-beyond). Turns out, the boat featured in the article used to belong to Al! We were able to connect him with the new owner, Joe Roberts, and the two swapped stories about their time on Pelican, a 1981 41-foot Present Trawler. Al and his wife Meredith owned her from 2001 to 2019 and Joe from 2022 to 2025. We caught up with Al to discuss their many wonderful years on Pelican and their love for the Chesapeake Bay.

“We bought Pelican in the spring of 2001 at Lambs Marina in Jacksonville, FL,” says Al. “We had a boat previously, a Carver 3227, which was a lot of fun but a completely different type of boat from a trawler. Over the years we developed a wish list of what we were looking for.”

Ultimately, they wanted a single diesel engine for ease of maintenance, because

“amazingly you have to fix boats occasionally,” joked Al.

They also wanted more usable room inside the boat, a galley down, and an actual salon for a living room. The couple anticipated taking extended trips rather than living aboard, but they still wanted it to feel homey. Al shared how the Carver was a great boat but that it burned 25 gallons an hour traveling at a cruising speed of 18 knots. Pelican on the other hand, with its displacement hull, burned two-and-a-half gallons per hour cruising at seven knots.

“We found that it didn’t really pay to be in a hurry on a boat,” says Al. “We enjoyed the actual time on the water as much as we enjoyed getting there, so if we didn’t get there as quick, it wasn’t the end of the world. And we certainly enjoyed burning a tenth of the fuel.”

But that came later.

Because they did not have

experience with the trawler lifestyle and didn’t even really know if they would enjoy cruising at seven knots, they chartered a boat with Blue Goose Charters. Turns out, they loved it! They chartered for a week out of Baltimore and cruised the northern part of the Bay. After that trip, Al says they started looking for a boat of their own.

Al was initially tempted to buy a trawler that was close to what they were looking for, but it didn’t check all of the boxes. Lo and behold, while visiting family in Charleston, SC, they decided to take a detour to Jacksonville, FL, to just “take a look” at a boat called Pelican.

“It was the perfect boat,” says Al. “It had everything I was looking for, all the creature comforts, and it was in very good shape for its age (20 years old then); very well maintained. It had some problems, but there’s no boat that doesn’t have some issue, and they were all serviceable things we could take care of. We made the arrangements and never looked back.”

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Al and Meredith headed up the Intracoastal Waterway to bring Pelican home, which he says only added to the fun of their acquisition. And the journey was so much more “civilized” compared to their previous boat. Al says, “We had gotten as far up as North Carolina when Meredith mentioned that she’d really like to take a shower. I told her, ‘Why don’t you go ahead and do that?’”

It hadn’t occurred to her initially that she could in fact take a shower while they were cruising, or that cruising on Pelican meant they weren’t “bouncing through the waves and holding on for dear life.” It was a very different experience. Pelican was 41 feet long and the bathroom actually had a bathtub; very civilized indeed.

“She had a semi-displacement hull with 13 tons of displacement,” says Al. “I used to refer to her as a ‘full-figured lady.’”

As mentioned, the boat was named Pelican when they bought her and they kept the name (as did Joe, the next owner after Al). “I am a firm believer that it was named that way for a reason, and it belongs to stay that way,” he added. “It just kind of rang a bell when we first saw it; we said, ‘that’s a great name.’ We thought the name felt very calm and reassuring.”

They eventually brought Pelican up to Virginia, where Al was originally from, even though they were living in Piedmont, NC, at the time.

Water in his Blood

“I was raised in Hampton, VA,” he says. “My father, prior to World War II, was an oysterman out of Wachapreague. So, I don’t know if I was fooling myself (with Pelican), but I thought I had water in my blood, as part of my heritage.

“My father got a job in a shipyard; he couldn’t get a job in the Navy because of an injury sustained tonging for oysters for 16 years. During the war, my grandfather ended up selling the oyster boat and then coming out of the war it was almost impossible to find another boat. It was also highly unlikely for my father to be able to

go back into his previous trade, so he went into an alternate field.

“He always had a love for the water, and by the late 50s he had found an old Chesapeake deadrise workboat, I think possibly in Urbanna, VA. I think he bought it for $600, which was a fairly big investment for the 50s. But he didn’t do stuff frivolously. We used the boat all through my childhood and I never remember a circumstance where we went out for fun; we were always going out working to put food on the table.”

They kept the boat in the harbor in Newport News, and that’s where Al spent a lot of his early years, “floating around in the Hampton Roads.”

“It was a lot of fun,” he says. “I had a great time doing that as a youth. And my dad, remembering how he learned to be a waterman from his dad, taught me how to care for and run the boat. By the time I was 10 or 11, I was the primary pilot of the boat.”

Al says the whole experience of being at the helm was very confidence inspiring. “We saw the other fancy boats, the cabin cruisers, and I think my father sort of scoffed at those, the weekend warriors. I loved the workboat, and I really enjoyed our work,” he added.

The Cruising Lifestyle

Talking to Al, you can really feel how much those early experiences on the water meant to him. And they clearly influenced

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

his later years with Pelican and his love for the water.

The longest Al and his wife ever spent on Pelican for one trip was six weeks. They had a bunch of trips that lasted two or three weeks, but Al says the longer trips were a great deal of fun.

“We used to jokingly say that if we took a week to go boating, we didn’t get on ‘boat time’ until Tuesday. You take off on Sunday and there’s a panic to remember everything and get everything loaded. You start thinking, ‘What’s that noise?” and ‘Is the boat doing okay?’ You calm down around Tuesday. And then by Thursday you start thinking about work again. So basically, out of a week you get two days of ‘boat time.’ On a longer trip, you may have eight days of relaxing boat time.”

In 2005, Al and Meredith were “happily ensconced” in a marina in Morehead City, NC, which was about two to three hours from where they live in the middle of the state. They would commute down to the boat and they really enjoyed Beaufort, but they found that there were not as many places to really travel.

Al says, “Having the memory of the Chesapeake Bay in my bones, I thought, let’s go back up there.”

He had visited family up there but hadn’t been on the Bay since his father passed away and the boat was sold.

Coming to the Chesapeake Bay from Morehead City was a three-day cruise, and Al found that it was pretty much time to head back just when they were getting settled in. It was about this time that they found out their marina in North Carolina was going to be sold. With no other marinas in the area checking all of their boxes, they had a decision to make.

“My wife said, ‘Look, every time you get on the boat you want to go to the Chesapeake Bay, so why don’t we look up there?’ That was when I had a ‘duh’ moment. I could drive an extra hour or two but save three days in transit getting to where I wanted to go.”

They settled in Deltaville, VA, which had “600 residents and about 3000 boats in the water.” A nice ratio, according to Al.

They originally took a slip in Dozier’s Marina right inside the mouth of the harbor. They stayed for a year and became really good friends with a couple, Dave and Joy, who had a Grand Banks. That couple kept their boat in Deltaville Yachting Center which was more protected inside the creek, so Al and Meredith moved there and stayed for the next 14 years.

In Deltaville they were docked on the Rappahannock River and loved how close they were to the main stem of the Bay. “A half hour cruise and then look at all the places you could go,” says Al.

Their first stop was usually Tangier Island, and they went dozens of times. Al says they really enjoyed getting to know Milton Parks. “We were very much on a first name basis with Milton and went to church with him on the island.

“All the people that came through there, he never got the names wrong. He told me his secret was to call all the men George, and he called the ladies ‘Love.’ He called everybody by those names and he’d never miss.

“He was one of the true characters of the Bay, a real delight. Such a great fellow, always happy.”

Tangier is 27 miles from Deltaville, so Al says it was great for them to come out of the Rapp, go around Windmill Point, and then set a course for NE and come right into

Tangier. They sold their boat in 2019 but returned to Tangier Island by ferry in 2022.

“I remember that last visit; he was full of stories as usual,” says Al. “His humor was just amazing. He could quote Shakespeare and Rodney Dangerfield in the same paragraph. He was such a bright spot in our memories.”

Making connections such as these was something Al and Meredith really came to appreciate later on. They met so many different people over the years, but they all shared a love of being on the water.

“We saw so many places that most people don’t get to see,” says Al. “You see things from a completely different perspective on the water.”

They rarely tied up in marinas and would anchor out as much as possible. They might be in a harbor where they could dinghy over to the dock at night or other times they would find a place where there wasn’t another soul around, no light flare on the horizon. There were so many places to explore and so many places where they found you could have it entirely to yourself if you really wanted.

They would often return to old favorites (such as Annapolis, Cambridge, and Crisfield), but they also made a point to find new places and had many great memories over the years.

As Al mentioned previously, there was occasionally work that needed to be done on Pelican, but thankfully he was a mechanic for his day job which helped a great deal.

“We get spoiled with our cars because they are relatively bullet proof,” he says. “People don’t realize how much time and

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

maintenance you have to spend on a boat just to keep it seaworthy. Pelican was no different, but having a single versus twin engines meant less issues. She had a Ford Lehman engine, and they were as common as dirt in the old trawlers; they were just about bullet proof if you changed the oil.

“With a boat, if it wasn’t broken at the time, it was going to be breaking at some point. We’d leave and everything would be working great but then by the third day the A/C would break, and we’d have to figure that out. You need to really know what you’re doing, and I think that’s intimidating for people when they get started. You can’t just pull into a garage out on the water. It’s nice to feel a little more self-sufficient when you’re out there.”

Those might be the realities of boating, but Al doesn’t say that to intimidate people, and at least for him, the good always far outweighed any of the downsides.

“Being out on the water is an adventure,” he says. “You’re doing something not everyone can do, you’re depending on your own skills, either fixing something or navigating. I think there’s a sense of human satisfaction that you’re still pulling this off. There’s a certain amount of accomplishment we can enjoy. I think that has a real draw to it for people, plus there seems to be a universal love of the water.

Coming to a Close

Al is 75 now and they sold Pelican when he turned 70, though it wasn’t an easy decision. “Being a mechanic,” he says, “I spent a lot of time crawling around engine compartments and my ability to get in there was waning. I wasn’t as limber as I used to be. My wife said, ‘Maybe it’s time to consider that this chapter is coming to a close.’

“We realized that in order to maintain the boat as we wanted to, it wasn’t going to be as practical. And we didn’t want to start paying people to do it because that ran counter to my work ethic. I think all boaters eventually have to come to that point.”

Pelican had been maintained very well and was in good shape when they eventually sold her. They were hoping that someone who loved trawlers specifically would find her. And boy did Al and his wife love this trawler.

“A big day for a lot of the boats in our Morehead Marina was going over to Beaufort for lunch and then turn around and come back. I always thought, how can you have such a nice big boat and not take it anywhere? My mentality was that if I had a boat, I wanted to go somewhere

“The experiences that we’ve had over the years, we never would have had them any other way We’d never have met the people or seen all the places we’ve seen.

“My wife and I met in our 50s and we’ve been married for 26 years. When I met her, her idea of a good time was a weekend hiking in the mountains, and she took to the boat life really well. She said her wildest dream before this was to find someone with an RV. I just said, ‘You got

an RV, an RV on the water.’ I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Al’s son, now 35, convinced him to look for Pelican and that’s how he connected with the next owner, Joe. Al says his son was not always thrilled about boating in his teenage years, namely because he enjoyed the ‘fast boat’ as a little kid and did not find the ‘slow boat’ quite as fun. Fast forward to now though and he’s the site manager at the MarineMax Lake Wylie Marina in Charlotte, NC. “His boating heritage came back to him,” says Al. But most surprising of all, he told his dad that he was fantasizing about buying Pelican back one day…

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” says Al. “He has so many stories; I didn’t know he was paying that much attention.” So, while the boating bug may have taken longer to stick for Al’s son, it’s clear Pelican left a lasting mark on the entire family. We’re standing by to see if she returns one day.

By Capt. Rick Franke

After an unseasonally cold and late spring, the summer boating season is in full swing. Even sky-high fuel prices have not seemed to slow down area boaters. Most boatshops are humming along with lots of work and lots of hiring signs out front. Spring boat shows report strong attendance and lots of interest. What the long-term effects of high fuel prices will be remains to be seen, but the boating industry has weathered and met such challenges in the past. At the risk of being repetitive, the mood is still “cautiously optimistic.” Jeff Abell of Abell Marine and Casa Rio Marina put it best in last month’s report, “… People aren’t going to sell their boats; they just won’t use them as much. We’ve been through more than a few ups and downs in the boat business but we’re still here.” Well said, Jeff.

Billy Zero from Maritime Fabrication in Gambrills, MD, explains how to prevent a common and annoying problem—plastic lenses in hatches and control stations that get crazed and foggy.

“That lens (in the photo) was torched with a flame torch and bent in place in 20 minutes. When you do this, the part where the bend is, is heated up quickly, while the rest of the lens is left at room temperature. The part that is heated up is next to a part of the plastic that is not heated up, so that plastic is not annealed

correctly. This causes stress within the plastic, and the plastic will break down and craze within a few years. When this happens, the spot that was heated meets the spots that were not heated and the plastic breaks down at that specific intersection. The cracks start generally within a year or two. We anneal our plastic in our ovens and remove moisture from the entire sheet and heat the plastic slowly and thoroughly. This makes our products last much longer. They are stronger as they are annealed correctly,” he stated.

“Maritime Fabrication is one of the leaders on the East Coast for thermoforming and templating. We’ve added more than $20,000 in new equipment, including our new thermoforming oven, in March. We still have the old one, and we have a custom portable oven that we built that can handle up to 12-foot sheets. And we can handle the largest thermoforming and plastic jobs on the East Coast. We regularly get lenses like the one in the photo and have to re-create the lens the proper way. It’s a process and it’s time consum-

ing to do correctly. If you want products that last, you call Maritime Fabrication,” he concluded.

Erin Green from Apex Marine in Tracys Landing, MD, checks in with this update. “From the Chesapeake to the Georgia coast, Apex Marine has been on the move this season with a string of Nanni engine installations up and down the East Coast. Closer to home at Herrington Harbour North, the team completed a new N4.115 installation into

a classic Grand Banks—a precision job that required custom fabrication and careful rigging through the starboard salon window. The work didn’t stop there. Apex traveled south to Georgia to install two T4 230s and two 24kw Kohler generators into an 83-foot Prout, and north to Annapolis for an N4 80 with a V-drive installation aboard a 50-foot Valiant. Three Nanni installs across three locations is a testament to the trust our clients place in the Apex team.”

Vane Brothers Marine Safety &

Services

Liferaft Rental, Sales & Services

Pick-up & delivery available Arrange to view your liferaft repack

The following is an excerpt from a news release by the media center at The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels MD:

“During National Apprentice Week, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to share that thanks to the generous support of two major benefactors, its apprentice program has received significant new funding and has been renamed the Maynard W. Lowery Apprentice Program. This transformative gift honors the legacy of legendary local boatbuilder Maynard Lowery, who helped train CBMM’s first shipwright apprentices in the 1970s.

“CBMM’s long-standing apprenticeship program is unique in its scope and ambition as the nation’s only statecertified apprentice program in the trade of traditional wooden boat building and maintenance. The program was recently expanded with the addition of a Boat Captain Apprentice track to teach traditional and modern seamanship skills.

“Lowery built wooden boats out of his shop on Tilghman Island for more than 50 years before his death in 2008. His celebrated career included a stint in CBMM’s working Shipyard, leading the original restoration of the 1889 nine-log bugeye Edna E. Lockwood. During this time, he introduced an apprenticeship program to pass down traditional Chesapeake boatbuilding skills and techniques.

“A third-generation shipwright, Lowery was a prolific boatbuilder, particularly known for his catboats, who worked up to his death at age 88. He’s remembered as the last builder of traditional wooden Chesapeake yachts and workboats on Tilghman Island.

“Lowery already had a reputation as one of the region’s finest craftsmen when he was tapped to oversee an extensive restoration of Edna E. Lockwood, which had been donated to CBMM in 1973.

“Lowery’s team dismantled the nearly 90-year-old bugeye down to its nine logs and then built it back over a period of years with additional structural support designed to make it stronger than at its launch. The success of that effort is a major reason why Edna survives today as the world’s last historic sailing bugeye

uneven annealing resulting in cracks, hazing, and breakage after only brief exposure to the

with designation as a National Historic Landmark.

“In 1976, a reporter from the Baltimore Sun visited CBMM’s Shipyard to spotlight the work that Lowery was doing to share the trade with a pair of apprentices.”

“It’s good to perpetuate the old crafts,” Lowery told the newspaper. “We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that on the past we’ve progressed to this point. I feel we’d be doing a job for posterity by showing the younger generation a job well done.”

“We are proud to honor Maynard Lowery’s tremendous impact on Chesapeake boatbuilding and CBMM’s his-

tory,” said Kristen Greenaway, CBMM’s Ellen and Richard Bodorff president and CEO. “Maynard’s passion for teaching this craft continues to guide our Shipyard, and his legacy lives on through every apprentice who trains here.”

Tim Krause of Annapolis Gelcoat and Restoration in Annapolis, MD, sends us this brief update. “We recently started work on a 1965 Formula Thunderbird. This classic boat is in total disrepair and will need a total refit.”

Krause’s Osprey Marine Restorations in Tracys Landing, MD, also reported a complete hull repainting on a 65-foot Sea Ray L65 featuring Pettit Ikonikolor Custom Color Mix.

Rob Hardy of Composite Yacht in Trappe, MD, shares a major announcement with us:

“Big ideas don’t just happen. They’re refined, tested, and pushed forward through the design spiral. And that’s exactly where the new CY62 Offshore Convertible is right now.

“This 62-foot sportfishing platform represents the next evolution for Composite Yacht; bringing our wood-free

construction philosophy into the offshore Convertible world. Every inch is being engineered with advanced composite laminates, creating a structure that’s lighter and stronger, while ensuring longterm structural integrity and durability.

“Performance isn’t an afterthought. It’s the foundation. From hull design to weight distribution, this boat is being dialed in to run hard, efficiently, and confidently in real offshore conditions.

“And as always, it’s fully custom. The CY62 isn’t just a new model. It’s a statement of where we’re headed.”

Weaver Boatworks in Deale, MD, has three boats under construction. The crew has just started work on a Weaver 75. A Weaver 80 is in about the middle of the construction cycle, and a Weaver 60 is a bit further along. That’s it for this month. Enjoy the fireworks and be careful out there.

Complete Yacht Services

FISH NEWS

By Lenny Rudow, FishTalk editor

Mending Marshes

The National Audubon Society announced it has received a $13 million grant for largescale Chesapeake Bay marshland restoration. While Audubon’s main focus lies with birds, our feathered friends are just one beneficiary of salt marshes—this habitat is among the most productive on the planet, serving as a nursery area for fish species such as striped bass, speckled trout, red and black drum, and more. And Audubon says the grant will allow for the restoration of 600 acres of tidal marsh and wetlands.

“Salt marshes are in crisis along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts, and in Maryland much of this vital habitat is at immediate risk of being lost,” said Dr. Elizabeth Gray, chief executive officer of the National Audubon Society. “This investment allows Audubon and our partners to accelerate large-scale restoration at the scale this moment demands, putting proven solutions on the ground that restore marshes, support birds and other wildlife, sustain

Tfisheries, and help protect coastal communities from flooding and storm surge.”

The grant will fund a suite of restoration approaches, which may include a technique called “runnelling” that involves excavating

Snapping at MRIP

narrow, sinuous channels to allow trapped water to escape from the marsh surface into adjacent tidal creeks. Projects will also include restoring tidal connectivity by enlarging or unblocking culverts.

he effects of the dreaded Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), which have tainted fisheries management in virtually all of our home waters, have also made their odious effects known nationwide—but recent developments in southern states show that with time and effort, they can be combatted. Most anglers will have heard of the red snapper season debacle, where the fishery was exceedingly limited or shut down altogether even as snapper populations exploded. Several years ago, Gulf states convinced the feds to turn over management of that fishery, and those states then enjoyed months-long fishing seasons—and today snapper numbers remain exceptionally strong. Yet in the south Atlantic states for the 2024 season federal regulators allowed just one day of fishing. In 2025 they allowed just two days.

Now, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina have been issued “Exempted Fishing Permits” by the federal government, allowing these states to toss MRIP nonsense out the window and regulate red snapper on their own. This gives Florida anglers 39 days of fishing, and the other South Atlantic states 62 days of fishing. If these fisheries remain strong, it will prove that the Gulf model works elsewhere. Meanwhile, NOAA claims that MRIP is “transitioning toward an improved partnership-driven framework that better meets regionally specific needs.”

Angler in Chief in the News

The Maryland DNR announced that FishTalk’s own Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow has been named the 2026 Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award recipient (Woot! Woot!). The award is to recognize an individual who has provided sustained effort in habitat management, conservation, education, research, or other meaningful contributions that benefit fish and recreational fishing in Maryland.

“Fishing is my life and Maryland is my home, so to be recognized with this award means more to me than I can even say,” Rudow said. “Thank you, Maryland, thank you anglers, thank you fishing community for always being there when I needed you. I promise I’ll work as hard as I can for as long as I can to help bring new anglers into the fold, promote fishing in Maryland, and rejuvenate our many diverse fisheries. I hope everyone who happens to read these words will open up their calendar right now, look for the next open day, and mark it ‘Going Fishing!”

The Good Kind of Citation

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has announced some changes to the Saltwater Fishing Tournament program for 2026. Youth anglers under 15 can now earn citations for 20 species of fish with reduced sizes, including receiving the Saltwater Fishing Tournament Junior Expert Angler citation plaque. And adult anglers with an eye on conservation can now register their fish for a catch-and-release citation via a catch-andrelease QR code. Get the details at the VMRC website, mrc.virginia.gov

TOURNAMENT NEWS

Tuna Time!

The Ocean City Tuna Tournament takes off July 9 through 12 for the 39th consecutive competition. Following two years in a row of million-dollar-plus payouts, this one is expected to attract more than 100 boats, each fishing two out of the three days of angling action. This is a trolling-only tournament (no green sticks or danglers), and there are numerous added-entry categories. Visit octunatournament.com for all the details.

Feeling Sheepish

July 18 is the Peninsula Saltwater Sport Fisherman’s Association (PSWSFA) annual Sheepshead Tournament. First place brings a $2500 prize with additional prizes through third place plus a Heaviest Oyster Toad division and a calcutta. It’s hosted at Wallace’s Bait and Tackle in Fox Hill, and each boat weighs in its single heaviest fish. The PSWSFA is the oldest saltwater fishing club in Virginia and this is a fun bunch of fishermen, so check out the club and the tournament at pswsfa.com

TSize Matters

he arrival of July means it’s time for the Big Fish Classic, which isn’t just about catching the biggest fish but is also about winning big bucks—last year’s purse topped $1.2 million. Teams will fish one of two 32-hour slots July 24 to 26, including overnight angling and fishing anywhere within 125 nautical miles of the OCMD sea buoy. Restrictions are few and far between, with trolling, chunking, live baiting, and a whole lot more permitted as long as competitors stay within the bounds of the law. There are a few rules to note, however, so check out bigfishclassic.com to get the full scoop.

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

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

Yacht View Brokerage LLC offers your power or sailing yacht FREE, 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 Rightboat.com for excellent MLS exposure. We have ABYC certified marine subcontractors at your disposal, including excellent detailers to prep your boat to perfection. 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 ANNAPOLIS yacht broker since 1988, call/text: 443-223-7864,  email:  John@yachtview.com, web: www.yachtview.com.

(Sookie) 2008 18’ Eastern Center Console  2005 Yamaha 50TLRD – 302 hours on the boat and motor since 2008. Trailer, depth sounder, compass, anchor and Bimini.  $23,000  Through June 30 contact: 301.529.9894 or  davj01@aol.com. Beginning July 1 contact: 410.279.3895 or odohertypearse@gmail.com

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

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

20’ Bertram Sportsman ‘68 Ctr Console  Classic 165 FWC Mercruiser. Totally restored w/ trailer. $55,000 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. $14,000   Located: Annapolis/Jabin’s. Contact: Dave Esch,  eschdebolt@comcast.net or 202.236.5524

Jeanneau 22’ New Leader 6.5 WA 2023  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & SUPERSTORE DAGSBORO, DE. 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. $124,900  Call Matt Weimer 410.212.2628 or  www.CrusaderYachts.com

24’ Chaparral 240 Signature 1993/2017  5.7 Mercruiser <80 hrs on rebuild. ALL NEW: SEI outdrive <20 hrs. New vinyl + gauges 2020, frh wtr pump, batteries 2024, Lowr Side sonar/GPS 2023, Lemar 700 windlass, toilet, electric trlr winch, alum trailer 2014, almost everything mech replaced or rebuilt. PLUS MORE!!!!! $16,000/ OBO   -- MUST SELL, BOUGHT NEW BOAT! Contact: SCOTT 443.807.0318.

Crusader Yacht Sales  is a full-service power and sail brokerage company located in Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. We represent premier brands including Nimbus, Nordic Tugs, Tartan Yachts, Jeanneau Sailboats, and Excess Catamarans. 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, call 410.269.0939, or visit us online at  www.CrusaderYachts.com For brokerage, marketplace, and classified advertising email beatrice@proptalk.com or to list your boat visit proptalk.com/form/list-your-boat

curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Brokerage & Classified

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

Jeanneau 25’ New Leader7.5 S3 CC 2027  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER,MD AND DAGSBORO,DE. Yamaha F250, DES, BowThruster, windlass, Garmin, Sunshade/Sunpad, Shore Power, MarineT oilet, Gas Stove, Ski Mast,++. (Stock# BJ-264) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

26’ Nordic Tug 26 1996 NEW LISTING - A great, compact, cruise ready yacht w/ distinctive tugboat styling. Yanmar 100Hp, Generator, Bow thruster, A/C, Refrigeration, much more. Great 360-degree visibility. A nice easy Great Loop boat. $119,000   S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

26’ Crownline Eclipse E6 XS Bowrider 2016  Yamaha 300Hp F300XCA Outboard w/ 400hrs. Turnkey, clean, waxed, and ready to cruise! $59,500 Trailer included. Contact:  will@savagemarine.llc More photos/info, visit:  www.tinyurl.com/CrownlineE6

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

Jeanneau 27’ New NC795 S2

2026  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & SUPERSTORE DAGSBORO, DE. Twin Yamaha F250DEC, Windlass, Garmin, Hot water, AirCondition, Cooktop/Fridge, Sun Awning, Shore Power. (Stock# BJ-253) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Jeanneau 27’ New NC795 SPORT S2 2026  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & SUPERSTORE DAGSBORO, DE. Yamaha F250, Double-Steering, DEC & Autopilot, Garmin, LP Stove/fridge, Hot Water, AirCondition, 7-Rod Holders. (Stock# BJ-255) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

(Sassy Girl) 28’ Chris-Craft Corsair Heritage ‘06 $75,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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 Crusader Yacht Sales 410.269.0939 or  www.CrusaderYachts.com

Jeanneau 30’ New Leader9.0 CC 2025  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & SUPERSTORE DAGSBORO, DE. 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 30’ New Leader9.0 WA 2027  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA IN EDGEWATER, MD AND DAGSBORO, DE. Yamaha Twin F250, Helm Master Joystick w/autopilot, Variable Bow Thruster, Garmin, AirCondition, Hot Water, Toilet/Shower, Refrigerator/ Microwave/Elec Grill, Fishbox, Sunshade & Sunpad, Ski Mast, +++! (Stock# BJ-266) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Jeanneau 30’ New NC895 SPORT 2026  Yamaha Fwin F250,  HelmMaster DEC Joystick w/ autopilot, VariableBowThruster, Garmin, Radar, Generator, AGMSeries Batteries, Cooktop/Fridge, Hot Water, AirCondition, Electric Head, Baitwell, Rocket Launchers, Sunshade/ Sunpad, Extras. (Stock# BJ-252) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

(Penny Wise) 31’ Pursuit 3100 Open ‘85 $30,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900  curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(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

Jeanneau 31’ New NC895 S2 2026  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & DAGSBORO, DE. Twin Yamaha F250, Helm Master Joystick w/ Autopilot, Bow Thrusters, Windlass, Garmin, Hot Water, AirCondition, Generator, Refrigerator/Cooktop/ Microwave, +++! (Stock# BJ-246) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

2023 Aviara AV 32 32’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $239,000  One owner, low hour, freshwater boat. 380Hp Ilmors w/ joystick control. Black hull and hardtop, full head, highly optioned. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or  chuck@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

32’ Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 32 2020 Classic Italian Gozzo w/ teak sun deck & elegant cabin. Twin Volvo D4320 diesels, semi-displacement hull delivers smooth, stable ride. Timeless style, quality craftsmanship. $550,000  S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605,  www.sjyachts.com

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

34’ Formula 34 Performance Cruiser 2016 Powered by twin Mercruiser 8.2L 8-cylinder 380HP w/ Bravo III outdrives - Joystick Piloting, Auto Pilot, & Skyhook. Very well equipped, exhilarating power and effortless maneuverability. $240,000  S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605,  www.sjyachts.com

Jeanneau 34’ New NC1095 S2 2027  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA IN EDGEWATER, MD AND DAGSBORO, DE. Yamaha twin F300, HelmMaster joystick w/ autopilot, Variable Bow Thruster, Windlass, Garmin, AirCondition, Generator, Hot Water, Refrigerator/ Cooktop/Microwave. (Stock# BJ-265) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254,  www.RudyMarine.com

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

2021 Pursuit OS 355 Twin Yamaha 425 XTO w/ Helm Master Joystick and Autopilot, Custom Makefast electric sunshade, Bow truster, Garmin electronics package, and more. $499,000  Contact Shane Ward, SYS Yacht Sales:  443.842.0725 or  shane@sysyacht.com,  www.sysyachtsales.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

(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.CrusaderYachts.com

Jeanneau 36’ New Leader10.5 WA 2025  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & SUPERSTORE DAGSBORO, DE. 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

1997 Sea Ray 370 Aft Cabin Twin Cat 3126 – Low Hr / Westerbeke Gen / 3 Stateroom / 2 Head / New Electronics / Custom Hardtop / Custom Mahogany Salon Flooring / Custom Tumbled Marble Tile Galley / Updated Upholstery / Updated Carpet / Updated Lighting / Regular Maintenance / Turnkey. $124,995   Contact Carson: 7O3.622.8415. More info/pics, visit:  www.tinyurl.com/SeaRay370

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

Brokerage & Classified

37’ Nordic Tug 37 2007 NEW LISTING - Custom-built for her original owner. Comfortable, efficient layout, ideal for a cruising couple. Notable upgrades: electronics, watermaker, SeaKeeper gyro stabilizer for improved comfort underway. An exceptionally clean yacht. $389,000  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

Vintage 37’ 1966 Pearson  Repowered w/ 370 Cummins and ZF gears. Low hours. Full electronics. New Webasto A/C and Kubota generator. Mahogany interior/teak exterior. New batteries and windlass.  $75,000   Contact Carl: 571.201.3608.

38’ Sea Ray 380 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

41’ Menorquin 120 2003  Luxurious accommodations. Powerful yacht w/ semi-displacement hull will do 20 knots. Stands out in any harbor. Great for entertaining. Excellent fuel economy. $199,000  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.com

Jeanneau 41’ New Leader12.5 WA 2023  AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT SOUTH RIVER MARINA, EDGEWATER, MD & SUPERSTORE DAGSBORO, DE. Yamaha triple F300, Helm Master joystick w/ autopilot, Seakeeper, generator, windlass, AirCondition, 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

43’ Tiara 4300 Sovran 2009  High quality workmanship and performance & hard to find. Meticulously maintained w/ all service records are available to a serious buyer. IPS-600 Volvo, Joystick controls make her a joy for shorthanded yachtsman. $309,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.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.

$599,900 Contact Matt Weimer at 410.212.2628  or  www.CrusaderYachts.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 450 Fly 45’  Annapolis, Maryland. Asking $475,000  WellMaintained Volvo IPS 600’s. SingleOwner. 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

2023 Nimbus T11 40’ Brokerage - New Arrival! Grey Foil Wrap Hull, Slate Blue exterior cushions - This boat looks amazing, like new! Very Low hours on the Mercury Verado 300, Mercury Extended Warranty until Jan. 2029, Fresh Bottom Paint, Zincs, Lower Drives Freshly Serviced, Custom Drive Flush System, super easy to flush the drives after every use, High-End Sound System with 3 Sub Woofers. Asking $399,000  Call Bill O’Malley 410.703.9058 or  www.CrusaderYachts.com Find all of the latest listings at

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

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

2022 Prestige 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

2023 Sabre 48 Salon Express 48’  Annapolis, MD. Asking $1,649,000  One owner boat w/ low hour Volvo IPS 700’s. Painted blue hull, hydraulic swim platform, SeaKeeper, Full Garmin Package w/ FLIR, 3 staterooms, etc. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or  chuck@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

(Surprise) 50’ Ocean Alexander ‘86  $160,000 Lin Earley 757.672.2778  lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

2016 Riviera 5000 SY  Excellent condition and turnkey! Twin Cummins QSC 8.3 w/ 870 hours, Onan Diesel generator, Garmin electronics package, Raymarine VHF radio, Muir anchor rode control w/ counter, and more. $575,000  Contact: Alex Ward, SYS Yacht Sales: 941.376.2208 or alex@sysyacht.com, www.sysyachtsales.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

2017 Prestige 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 1,050Hp MANs, pro-grade Simrad electronics, & Viking pedigree make this 50’ Convertible a standout choice for charters or serious sportfishing crews. Fast, capable, & well-equipped. $224,900  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

2023 Prestige 520 52’   Annapolis, MD. Asking $1,195,000  LikeNew. Tons of Custom Options. TurnKey. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or  ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

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. $234,500  S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777,  www.sjyachts.com

2015 Riviera 6000 SY Dual Volvo IPS2950s w/ joystick docking & DPS, 4-stateroom/3-head layout, hydraulic swim platform, tender garage, expansive cockpit w/ wet bar & twin BBQs, dual sunroofs, premium Bose entertainment system. Contact Jason Mashke, SYS Yacht Sales: 941.345.3200 or  jason@sysyacht.com, or visit  www.sysyachtsales.com

2017 Prestige 630 Fly 63’  Baltimore, MD. Asking $1,149,000  Low hour, fully serviced Volvo IPS 950. SeaKeeper 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

1975 Stephens Brothers 100’  Meticulously cared for by a full-time crew, w/ numerous updates including: Searonics/Garmin electronics, interior refit, new bottom paint, batteries, and much more. Contact Rob Welling with SYS Yacht Sales for more information: 941.587.6644 or rob@sysyacht.com, or visit www.sysyachtsales.com

Boat Shopping?

MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

SPADEFISH BOATS & STORE – Boats, Fishing Gear, Electronics & Marine Supplies Enjoy fishing, diving, navigation aboard our aluminum Armor Boats: SELKIE, PIXSEA, DERVINIS, VALKYRIE, MORE. Looking for equipment/accessories? Our online store offers 20,000+ products. Fast shipping from NJ warehouse! Visit us online: www.spadefish.store or www.spadefish.net

FINANCE

HELP WANTED

Captain Wanted – Baltimore’s Inner Harbor  Weekends and charters during the week. Our boat is an 86 passenger Pirate boat, twin diesel powered. Flexible hours and competitive pay. Go to urbanpirates.com and apply via the Crew Application link: www.urbanpirates.com/crew-application

Help Us Get Our Magazines into Local Hands – SPF Seeking Annapolis Area Distribution Driver!  SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk (SPF) are seeking a part-time delivery driver to bring our magazines to readers in the Annapolis area, about three days a month. Pay is based on stops completed. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, a reliable vehicle, and be able to lift up to 25 pounds. Interested? Email info@spf-360.com to learn more.

HIRING NOW – EXPERIENCED RIGGER AND MARINE TECHNICIAN  M Yacht Services is expanding our team. Seeking a highly skilled rigger and systems technician with a minimum of 5 years’ experience. Top-tier compensation. Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, 401k, team gear, continued professional development, yearly bonus, company-sponsored events and head-of-department incentives. Email your resume to  hr@myachtservices.net or call 410.280.2752.

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

MARINE FABRICATION

REAL ESTATE

Waterfront Chesapeake Bay Condo For Sale  Ideal for anglers; includes a 25-foot deeded boat slip in private marina, with quick access to premier MidAtlantic fishing near Smith, Tangier, and Tunnels Islands. Enjoy stunning bay views, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and easy access to Ocean City, Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, and the Outer Banks. Contact Century 21 Harbor Realty at 410.548.2100 for more information, or visit: https://imprv.co/jxry

SCHOOLS

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

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

SURVEYORS

Boating

Additional Approval

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water announces that its free state-approved boating safety course has been approved in 15 additional states, giving more recreational boaters access to essential education on safe and legal operation of boats. The course will cover important rules regarding navigation, safety equipment, emergency preparedness, and environmental stewardship. Boaters in Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia now have a convenient free online course option that meets their state-specific boating education requirements. “Expanding into 15 additional states means more boaters can access boater safety education at no cost,” said Lynne O’Hearn, BoatUS Foundation program manager. “We believe cost should never be a barrier to learning how to boat safely, and these new state-approved courses help ensure more people have the education they need before they leave the dock.” Designed for completion in two to four hours, the self-paced course offers five interactive lessons that immerse students in a virtual boating experience, guiding them through different destinations while tracking progress. The curriculum is supported by dynamic, video-based learning and concludes with a 60-question final exam with unlimited retake opportunities and can be completed at the student’s own pace. Upon successful completion, most states issue a printable certificate that can be used immediately, though requirements and validity may vary by state. To take a state-approved free boating safety course in your state, please visit boatus.org/free-courses/ free-boating-safety-course. For more information about BoatUS Foundation’s additional free boating courses, visit boatus.org/free-courses.

Summer Sale

Riverside Marine announces huge savings on all in-stock boats during the month of June. Purchase a boat this month and receive a free rod holder flag pole with an American Flag. Now is the time to get a new boat to be on the water for the 4th of July. They will host a demo weekend June 19-20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Purchase a boat during the demo weekend and be entered to win a Riverside Summer Fun Package worth over $500! There will be a multitude of boats available for demo rides including but not limited to the Sportsman Open 302, Sportsman Heritage 231, Trophy T29EX, Trophy T22SC, Bayliner V20, Bayliner VR6, and more. Learn more at riversideboats.com

Showroom Pricing

With 65 years of serving the Chesapeake boating community, Tri-State Marine continues to evolve—and with that comes an announcement of its most customer-friendly change yet. Tri-State has moved to new lower everyday showroom pricing on its entire Grady-White and Parker lineup. Fair prices, a great deal, and a buying experience built around the customer, every day. And the difference is real—the average price reduction across the current in-stock inventory is nearly $9000. Here’s what customers can expect: transparent, fair showroom pricing on every boat (easy to compare), and every price includes freight, prep, a Coast Guard safety kit, fuel, electronics installation, new owner orientation, and 20-hour service. One price. Everything included. No catches. No surprises. The boat you’ve always wanted is now more attainable than ever. Stop by either of Tri-State Marine’s showrooms in Deale or Annapolis and experience the company’s impressive lineup of over 35 of the latest Grady-White and Parker models in stock. Great boats. Great people. Even better pricing. tristatemarine. com

New Places To Pick Up PropTalk

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

• McDaniel Yacht Basin in North East, MD

• The North East Market in North East, MD

• Bay Boatworks, LLC in North East, MD