PropTalk Magazine March 2026

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

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Boat Review: Formula 360 CBR

The 360 CBR is termed a crossover boat because it crosses so many of the usual boating borders.

By Lenny Rudow

33

See the Bay

Exploring Captain John Smith’s Chesapeake National Historic Trail: Part 2. By John Page Willams presented by Herrington Harbour

36

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Tips for choosing your perfect marina, news from around the Bay, along with a Marina Directory.

By Staff

46

Avoid Those Annoying Leaks

The importance of bedding deck and hull fittings properly for a leak-free vessel.

By Erik Lostrom

48

Winterizing the Captain

Tips and tricks to keep the captain happy and healthy until it’s time to take off that shrinkwrap and splash the boat in the spring.

By Gary Armstrong

50 A Team Boat

Chesapeake sailors turn to power for the Great Loop. As Told to Beth Crabtree by Raeyane Farrell

Choosing a marina is a big decision; choose wisely and it could be your new home away from home! Flip to page 36 for our marina article and directory. Photo courtesy of Legasea Marine

Advantage PROGRAM Early Bird

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PUBLISHER

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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

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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DISTRIBUTION

Martin and Betty Casey, Jennifer and Al Diederichs, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, and Mark Schlichter

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

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

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

Stave off the Winter Blues

By Kaylie Jasinski

One of the hardest parts of my job is writing about boating during the winter months because a) I miss it, b) I’m staring out at a frozen wasteland, and c) the boating season seems impossibly far away. In fact, I’ve barely thought about my boat except to brush the snow and ice off the cover during the recent January storm. And who could blame me when we’re about to hit 10 straight days of temperatures below freezing, which would be a tie for the second longest subfreezing stretch in Baltimore’s history (since records began at BWIMarshall Airport in 1950). Seriously?! Paramount in my mind is making sure my pipes don’t freeze (sorry, dear boat) and shoveling out my car in case my road is ever plowed (still waiting).

Regardless, work continues, and I sincerely hope that this issue of PropTalk will help with your winter blues. Despite my grumbling, there are plenty of activities to keep us busy in Chesapeake country while we wait out the cold. For a list of lectures, seminars (some are free), and hands-on learning opportunities, flip to page 20. There are also a ton of great expos and boating events coming up in February

and March. We posted a list in our January issue and have continued to update our online list at proptalk.com/chesapeake-baywinter-boat-shows-fishing-expos as more events have been added. If you’re cooped up at home and feeling stir crazy, attending an in-person event with fellow fishing/ boating enthusiasts is the perfect cure. And you might just find some discounted gear for next season! Also, there’s usually cold beer.

The March issue of PropTalk always includes our Marina Directory and tips for choosing a marina. It’s a big decision, after all (and one you should probably start thinking about sooner rather than later). Flip to page 36 to learn more.

And as we always try to have at least one article that will inspire you to go boating more, this month is no exception. On page 33, John Page Williams continues with his three-part series on the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail. If you missed Part One, you can catch up at proptalk.com. This month he focuses on sections of the trail; the good news being that the trail is open and free to explore. Hopefully his article will awaken a renewed interest and gratitude for this amazing

body of water that we call home. If you skip ahead to page 50, we hear from a sailing couple who chose to switch to a powerboat in order to take on the Great Loop. No matter how many times I hear accounts of the Loop, it never gets old because each person who completes it has their own experiences, ups and downs, and favorite sections, so it feels new each time. If you’ve been inspired to set out on the Great Loop thanks to an article in PropTalk, I’d love to hear about it.

And finally, we have another really useful and informative article from our DIY expert, Erik Lostrom (page 46) and a funny take on winterizing not just your boat, but the captain as well, from Gary Armstrong (page 48).

As we move into February, despite the cold, I am hopeful that warmer weather might be just around the corner. And as always, I am grateful for all of you— PropTalk’s readers, writers, and advertisers. Thank you for picking up this issue of PropTalk. I hope it brings a little ray of sunshine, a breath of spring, in this otherwise long, cold winter.

Anna Mary With Anna Mary

My granddaughter Anna Mary (seven) recently posed with her namesake. Our Anna Mary is hauled out for the winter and securely covered until spring, or at least until it is mild enough to dab some paint around.

We have three grown kids and five grandchildren; when it came time to name (or re-name) the boat, avoiding conflict was simple; we chose to name the boat after our first and eldest grandchild, Anna. In this way, there could be no argument of favoritism, and also the argument could easily be made that the transom is too small to list all five!

Thus far, there have been no complaints!

Festive Oxford

Hi Kaylie, Ienjoyed the “Ring in 2026” article in the January PropTalk (and at proptalk. com/category/see-the-bay). In Oxford we have a unique holiday light tradition. Back in 1995, a local historian and author, Doug Hanks, wanted to do something to welcome his daughter back from a year abroad. He had an idea to light up Town Creek in Oxford. We already had a small skipjack at the head of the creek that was illuminated, but he wanted something special. He came up with an idea for ‘dock trees’ that would be unnoticeable during the day but would light up the creek at night. The first year we created 13 trees. Since then, it has become a great community event and this year we installed more than 80 trees.

Oxford Volunteer Fire Company moves all the apparatus outside while we assemble the trees and deliver them to the docks. In January, we disassemble them all and store them away for next year.

A video (find it at facebook.com/ PortOfOxfordMD) was created at this year’s dock tree build and installation. It is an incredible sight when the trees all come on!

~Henry H.

~Mike M.

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

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David Earle shares this fun photo of his dog, Mike, a six-year-old great dane, while boating on Middle River. “He is afraid of everything but loves the boat,” says David. He has a brother, Luke, a six-yearold chocolate lab who also loves boating and swimming. They have a 24-foot Yamaha 242 SE with dual 180-hp jet engines.

Want to see your boat dog featured in PropTalk? Email one to three photos and a short description to kaylie@proptalk.com.

Knowing more about storms, how they form, and how to forecast for severe weather will make you a safer, more competent boater. Join SpinSheet’s weather expert, Mark Thornton of LakeErieWX, for a three-part webinar: “Understanding and Avoiding Thunderstorms.”

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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.

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How To Keep Busy This Winter

With the first major snowstorm of the year behind us, I’m sure many are starting to feel a little stir crazy. Hopefully your boat is buttoned up and protected from the elements, and if so, you’re probably wondering how to stay busy and stave off boredom. The ‘keeping busy’ looks a little different this time of year, but there’s still plenty you can do to exercise your brain in the hopes of becoming a better boater before springtime.

Lectures

Maritime museums around the Bay often host winter lectures throughout the cold weather months on a variety of topics aimed to increase knowledge about boating and/or the Chesapeake Bay. Coming up at the Annapolis Maritime Museum are two such events. On February 19, Mimi Giguère and Faye Belt will present on Columbia Beach, one of several thriving African American waterfront communities established in Anne Arundel County during segregation. The final lecture of the season takes place February 26 and covers ospreys on the Patuxent with Avian Ecologist Alex Pellegrini. Lectures are 7 to 8:30 p.m., available virtually or in-person, and cost $10 per person. Pre-registration is mandatory to attend in-person as space is limited. Register at amaritime.org

Head to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD, on February 23 for “Women at the Helm: Navigating Fear and Risk in the Storm.” Join folklorist Amy Skillman at 5:30 p.m. in the Van Lennep Auditorium, or virtually, to explore the storm stories of women. The suggested ticket price is $8 per person. Register at cbmm.org.

If you’re interested in the history of the USS Monitor, a Civil War ironclad, the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA, has a series of lectures on this topic. Next up is “Alabama Ironclads” on February 20, “Who Won the Battle of Hampton Roads?” on March 6, and “The Power of Iron Over Wood” on March 7. All programs are available virtually (free) or in-person ($1). Learn more at marinersmuseum.org

Fishing Seminars

Keep an eye on CCA’s calendar for upcoming Angler’s Night Out events. As this issue hits the streets, we will have just missed two great events on winter fishing opportunities and sidescan sonar, but don’t despair; CCA hosts these events throughout the year, and they are a great way to catch up with fellow fishing enthusiasts and learn some new skills. Stay tuned for upcoming events at ccamd.org There are also fishing seminars at many of the upcoming boat shows and fishing expos. Check out the PropTalk calendar in print and at proptalk.com/calendar for a list of events.

Free Online Seminars

Herrington Harbour will host three free online seminars during the month of February: February 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Topic: Seamanship), February 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. (Topic: Navigation), and February 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Topic: Chesapeake Bay Destinations and Anchorages). Haven Harbour will also host free monthly educational seminars on February 28 and March 21. Learn more in our calendar and at herringtonharbour. com and havenharbour.com.

Marine Law Symposium

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) will present its seventh biennial Marine Law Symposium April 1-2 in Annapolis, MD (also available virtually). This event brings together surveyors, attorneys, insurance professionals, boat builders,

compliance experts, and marine service leaders for in-depth, real-world analysis of the cases and legal trends shaping today’s marine industry. Available for ABYC members and non-members (members save on registration). Learn more and register at abycinc.org/mls2026

Safety at Sea

While this is mainly an event for sailors, we know many of our readers enjoy both sailing and powerboating. If so, you’re in luck because there are two events coming up. The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) is hosting an event March 28-29 at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) near Baltimore, MD. Next up is the Capt. Henry Marx Memorial US Sailing International Safety at Sea Course, presented by The Mariners’ Museum and Park and Landfall Navigation, April 18 in Newport News, VA. Learn more at marinersmuseum.org and mtam.org/ safety-at-sea

Weather Webinar

A more knowledgeable and more prepared boater when it comes to weather is a safer boater. If you want to learn more about weather forecasting, sign up for SpinSheet’s three-part weather webinar March 12, 19, and 26. Learn more on page 28. These are just a handful of events, but as you can see, there’s plenty to keep us busy over the long, cold winter without our boats. For more events, visit proptalk. com/calendar

How Team SPF Spent 2025 on the Water

In 2025, the SPF staff (SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk) spent a combined 369 days on the water, with two of our staff members hitting 100 days. There were many standout moments and favorite memories, but we wanted to take a moment to celebrate our Century Club staff members. If you’d like to learn more, visit spinsheet.com/century-club

Lenny Rudow (104 Days)

Compared to previous years, was it easier/harder to get 100 days on the water this year?

Harder. Weather was a constant challenge, and I had a slow start with just a couple of days last January and February.

What were you doing on your 100th day?

Out searching for monster winter stripers... to no avail! This December was a lot slower than last year fishing-wise, and it seemed like it was a lot colder, too. As a result, on that 100th day (and a lot of others that month), I did a lot of running, and not much catching.

Tell us about a few favorite memories.

There were lots, but one standout was a CCA trip where one of the guys caught a little lizard fish. I dropped it in the livewell, took it home, and put it in my

aquarium. I’ve never had a lizard fish before and it turns out he’s a really cool guy. He sits motionless on the bottom for hours at a time and when he moves, usually when I drop some minnow into the tank, it’s like a bolt of lightning going off the way he zooms around.

Any advice for people trying to hit 100 days on the water? Always have a backup boat at the ready in case of mechanical issues. One boat is simply not enough—if you only have one, run right out and get another. Now. Hurry up!

How many years have you made the Century Club?

Out of the seven full years I’ve tracked it, I’ve only missed once. The most interesting thing about tracking days on the water was the first year, when

I recorded why I was aboard as well as when. It turns out I do a lot more crabbing than I had thought.

Zach Ditmars (101 Days)

Tell us about your 100th day.

I headed to one of my favorite Eastern Shore millponds to do some pickerel fishing on my kayak. It was a cold late December day, but I managed to catch a few.

How many times have you made the Century Club?

This is my second time hitting 100 days, but I hit 90 in 2024, and usually 50+ days each year since we started doing the Century Club.

Was it a challenge to hit 100 days?

It was relatively easy having my own boat and kayaks with community water access, not to mention some awesome fishing friends who call me up frequently. I was out on over 15 different boats throughout the year. We had a mild winter in early 2025, so getting a head start was key.

Any favorite memories from 2025? A few come to mind. Last spring, I trailered my skiff down to Assateague, caught flounder and clams in Isle of Wight, and cooked them over an open fire back at my campsite. I had another fun visit with Team FishTalk to Ewell for the Smith Island Fishing Tournament. Also, fishing offshore for mahi and tilefish with Chris Harte on his new Custom Carolina. I took lots of different folks crabbing last summer and it was a great season, except that one day I made a bad mistake and lost a whole bushel of jumbos… ugh. Last but not least, spending an afternoon on the South River on my dad’s Boston Whaler as we have been doing for decades is something I always cherish.

Advice for people trying to hit 100?

Just say yes to every invitation you can make happen, and if you have a boat or kayak, always have it ready to go so that when you get the itch to get on the water it’s quick and easy.

With the All-New Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider, your best days are finally here! Now celebrating 70 years, an exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived with the 360 CBR. From the stepped FAS3Tech hull to the stylish hardtop with glass sunroof, this leap in day venture offerings is a refreshing, innovative choice for dayboaters. 36' in length with a generous 11'3" beam, the 360 CBR heralds the arrival of the new generation of open-bow dayboats, the first driven by Formula Designer Michael Young, a John Adams-mentored new creative force in luxury-boating architecture. Young states, “The 360 CBR is a true blend of entertainment-ready comfort and the exhilarating agility that is rooted in our performance heritage.” True to its Formula CBR lineage, the 360 boasts an open bow with a single-level, flush cockpit and a true stand-up cabin with overnight accommodations. With twin and triple outboard or twin sterndrive power, this perfectly balanced combination will take the experience farther than ever before!

The 360’s Crossover SmartZone™ concept creates separate areas for a variety of activities while encouraging connections among

guests, from the expansive bow to triple helm seating, a roomy portside lounge,outdoor kitchen, aft companion seat and wraparound seating aft. The aft-facing sun lounge with multi-position backrests cleverly converts to an extended layout, perfect to oversee on-water activities at anchor. The available Extended Water Sport swim platform for sterndrive with motorized undermount swim seat gives plenty of space to lounge, play and interact.

The cabin is perfect for overnight trips or taking a break from the sun with stand-up headroom, high-end private aircraft galley styling, double settee, permanent, full-size memory foam bed aft and a reimagined transverse head compartment for full, stand-up capability, expansive countertop and cleverly integrated storage.

The Formula 360 CBR is the next-generation Crossover Bowrider choice for the discerning boater desiring upscale dayboating with overnight accommodations!

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Plans for an African-American Watermen Monument

By Carrie Gentile

They were sailmakers, seafood processing plant workers, oystermen, crabbers, and captains, and they settled heavily on Kent Island, MD. Beginning in the 1930s, there were at least 1000 Blacks employed at 18 shucking houses on the island and many more captains working out of Wells Cove on Kent Narrows. The contributions of these dedicated men and women will be memorialized with an interactive monument to be erected at Wells Cove.

Many of these seafood packing houses on Kent Island provided shanties to house Black workers. Today’s Wells Cove sits at the site of these shanties, making the new monument’s location even more significant.

Captain Tyrone Meredith operates his fishing charter business out of Wells Cove. A fifth-generation waterman, Meredith started as a mate on his father’s boat at age six. He said there were at one time 150 Black boat captains at Wells Cove.

“SBlack watermen became prominent in the Chesapeake in the mid 1800s, being issued Seamen’s Protection Certificates and classified as citizens years before the Emancipation Proclamation. Their contribution as independent sailors was so valuable on the water that laws put in place to restrict their ability to work were mostly ignored. Meredith estimates he is one of 12 Black captains remaining at Wells Cove

A few years ago, he and now-deceased Vince Leggett, founder of the nonprofit Blacks of the Chesapeake, met with then Senator Ben Cardin. Tilghman Hemsley, a Queenstown artist and charter boat operator, reached out to Meredith. Captain Hemsley had created the original Kent Narrows watermen’s monument two decades ago.

Captain Meredith formed the nonprofit organization American Patriotic Monuments, Inc. with executive director Linda Rohrbaugh and an advisory board including himself. Hemsley drew up a monument that features two life-size boats depicting a conversation between a bronzed headboat captain and an oyster boat worker. The monument will also detail other aspects of the industry, including a man working with clams, a woman picking crabs, another cleaning fish, as well as a boy with a fishing rod.

The monument, which will sit between the Jetty and Bridges Restaurants, will cost $475,000; the organization is actively fundraising. To donate and learn more, visit apmiart.org

ShoreRivers Names New Executive Director

horeRivers’ governing board is thrilled with our selection of Scott Budden as the organiza-

# Courtesy of ShoreRivers

tion’s new executive director,” says Marian Fry, chair of the governing board. “Scott was chosen from a robust pool of applicants based upon his skills acquired from a diverse 18-year professional background, which includes his performance as the deputy director of finance at ShoreRivers. His undeniable talent and deep familiarity with our organization and our communities are the perfect combination to lead ShoreRivers into its next chapter. We wish him well and can’t wait to see how he takes on the role.”

Budden was raised in Chestertown, MD, on the banks of Langford Creek and graduated from Bucknell University in 2007. After a 10-year stint in Washington, DC, as a corporate financial analyst for The Atlantic and Booz Allen Hamilton, he founded an oyster farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 2015. Within a decade, he helped scale Orchard Point Oyster Co. into a nationally distributed brand. With his passion for aquaculture and familiarity with both the business and

nonprofit worlds, Budden is a natural fit for ShoreRivers.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization that has meant so much to me—both personally and professionally—for years. To be at a helm that has been deftly steered by previous executive directors is a privilege,” says Budden. “Our rivers hold different meanings for each of us. For me, they represent our shared cultural history and, thanks to the continued work of ShoreRivers and our generous funders and partner organizations, their future is in good hands.”

ShoreRivers also wishes the fondest of farewells to outgoing executive director Isabel Hardesty, who has been with the organization for 14 years, five as its leader. During her tenure, the organization saw a significant growth period. Leading a culture of trust, transparency, and tenacity will be a lasting hallmark of her service to ShoreRivers and the communities it serves.

Learn more at shorerivers.org.

Boatyard Bar & Grill Enters Partnership With Atlas

Last month, Dick Franyo, owner of the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Annapolis, announced a partnership with Atlas Restaurant Group.

In a message to friends of the Boatyard, Dick shared that two years ago he began searching for a way to keep the Boatyard tradition alive, as he approached his 80th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the business.

He says, “In this process, I spoke with a number of individuals and restaurant groups, hoping to find that partner who understands what makes the Boatyard great and is willing and able to carry on the tradition as an integral part of the Annapolis community.”

The Boatyard has a long history of community involvement and philanthropy, dating back to its opening in 2001.

We’ll take care of your boat’s every need and have her ready for the 2026 season.

Our schedule is filling up, so call us at 410-228-8878 discuss and schedule your project.

Well-known events include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Bands in the Sand, the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Boatyard Beach Bash, the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) Regatta, and their first event, the Boatyard Opening Day Fishing Tournament (which eventually ended due to new rockfish regulations). The Boatyard has also been an active sponsor of Maritime Republic of Eastport’s (MRE) events over the years and provides and funds the Boatyard film boat with the T2P video team.

“Since the day we opened our doors in 2001, we have run the Boatyard caring and obsessing deeply (we call it ‘agonizing’) about every guest experience. We have generously and fairly compensated our staff, we unfailingly treat our service and product suppliers with respect, and we have invested in a long-term culture of actively and purposefully giving back to the community in many ways,” says Dick.

In his search, Dick says, “I became totally convinced that Atlas Restaurant Group was the best partner to keep the Boatyard ‘the Boatyard.’ Alex Smith and his team are fully committed to continuing the Boatyard in the same spirit and tradition that we have worked so hard to build. I thoroughly trust Alex and his team. As a result, I am excited to announce that effective mid-February, Atlas will become our majority partner to carry the Boatyard into the foreseeable future.”

To help with the transition, Dick will remain a part of daily life at the restaurant as both a partner and active participant, alongside Boatyard veteran GM Kevin Schendel and his management team and Chef Scott and his kitchen crew.

Stay tuned for updates at boatyardbarandgrill.com

Batten Down the Hatches!

When was the last time bad weather ruined your day on the water? Hopefully it was merely inconvenient and not dangerous, but having a better understanding of the weather can make our boating days both safer and more enjoyable.

That’s why our sister publication SpinSheet will once again host an upcoming three-part webinar titled “Understanding and Avoiding Thunderstorms on the Chesapeake Bay” with Mark Thornton of LakeErieWX.

Thornton has been boating for more than 35 years and currently owns Osprey, a Mainship 34 Pilot. He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters. Thornton publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the offseason. He serves as the race meteorologist for the Bayview Mackinac Race and is an instructor at Annapolis Boat Shows’

#

Cruisers University. He is also employed as a teaching assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.

This webinar is designed for all boaters (sailors, powerboaters, anglers, etc.) who would like to reduce their chances of a hair-raising encounter with a thunderstorm. Part one will cover basic weather principles, how to decode forecast maps, and how to use Doppler Weather Radar. In part two, Thornton will discuss the different types of thunderstorms, the conditions that lead to their development, how to recognize weather patterns, and

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The live webinar will combine classroom instruction, case studies, and exercises to create an engaging learning experience. It runs for three consecutive Wednesdays, March 12, 19, and 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Each session will be recorded and made available to all registered attendees until July 1. The cost for the complete series is $90. Reserve your spot now at spinsheet.com/weather-webinar

Portsmouth, Virginia • Phone: 800.440.VANE aspencarboncat.com

www.vanebrothers.com • sales@vanebrothers.com

Through Feb 28

CCA Pickerel Championship Register any time before the end of tournament. Open to MD, DC, and DE tidal and nontidal waters. This is a catch-photo-release tournament using the iAngler Tournament app. CCA membership is required to enter.

Through Mar 31

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

13-16 Ocean City Boat Show

At the Ocean City, MD, convention center. Featuring approximately 350 boats, over 140 exhibitors, over 50 boat dealers, and more. Tickets cost $10, children under 14 cost $1.

16-24 Small Diesel Familiarization and Maintenance February 16-17 and 23-24 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. This four-evening seminar will cover basic diesel engine operating theory and will take participants through basic maintenance tasks using a working diesel engine simulator. Preregistration required.

February

18 Annapolis Anglers Club Monthly Meeting

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

19 AMM Winter Lecture Series

7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Available virtually and in-person. Pre-registration required, $10 per person. Topic: Columbia Beach - “Gem of the Bay” with Mimi Giguère, principal investigator and historic architect Faye Belt, long-time Columbia Beach resident and former HOA president.

20 Mariners’ Museum Lecture

12 to 1 p.m. at The Mariner’s Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. In-person and virtual. Topic: Alabama Ironclads (USS Monitor Legacy Program). Free for museum members, $1 for guests. Free to watch online.

21 Herrington Harbour Online Seminar

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Herrington Harbour’s free online seminar, “Seamanship,” will be presented by Tate Westbrook, a USCG-licensed Master and retired U.S. Navy Commodore. This practical, safety-focused class covers critical real-world skills including man-overboard procedures, safety response at the helm, internal and external communications, essential onboard electronics, collision avoidance strategies, and effective anchoring techniques. A link to the livestream will be sent prior to the seminar.

21 Herrington Harbour Online Seminar

1 to 3 p.m. Herrington Harbour’s free online seminar, “Navigation,” will be presented by Tate Westbrook, a USCG-licensed Master and retired U.S. Navy Commodore. The Navigation seminar will dive into modern navigation practices with updated content reflecting the latest changes in electronic navigation charts and apps. Topics include multiple methods for determining your position, proper setup and use of your boat’s navigation equipment, updated aids to navigation, and comprehensive voyage planning. A link to the livestream will be sent prior to the seminar.

21-22 Pasadena Sportfishing 33rd Annual Fishing Expo 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days at Kurtz’s Beach in Pasadena, MD. New and used fishing tackle, crabbing supplies, nautical crafts, artisan distilleries, hunting and gun sportsmanship vendors, food (including oysters), full bar, and more. The biggest local expo in Maryland! Tickets cost $5 each day, children 12 years and under are free.

26 AMM Winter Lecture Series

7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Available virtually and in-person. Pre-registration required, $10 per person. Topic: Ospreys on the Patuxent with Alex Pellegrini: Avian Ecologist.

Chesapeake Calendar

February

(continued)

28 CCA Southern Maryland Chapter Annual Fundraising Banquet 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Oyster bar, dinner, open bar, live music, raffles, and more. This fundraising dinner directly supports CCA Maryland’s focus on ensuring the health of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them, and our objective to conserve, promote, and enhance our marine resources for the benefit of the general public.

28 Herrington Harbour Online Seminar

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Herrington Harbour’s free online seminar, “Chesapeake Bay Destinations and Anchorages,” will be presented by The Herring Bay Yacht Club. Meet seasoned Bay captains who love to share their local knowledge. The seminar will cover the best boating destinations and the most breathtaking places to drop anchor. A link to the livestream will be sent prior to the seminar.

28 Haven Harbour Seminar Series: Session 2

Haven Harbour Yacht Services will host monthly educational seminars from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Haven Harbour South’s Ark & Dove Restaurant. Free and open to roughly 35 attendees per class. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Guest speaker: Vetus Company. Topic: Thruster maintenance, installation, best practices. Windlass equipment, installation, maintenance, and service. Solid state batteries and applications.

28 Sea Kayaking 101

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cult Classic Brewery in Stevensville, MD. Presented by Chesapeake Paddlers Association. This popular event highlights kayaking safety as it guides participants through everything from the purchase of their first true sea kayak to opportunities for adventures throughout the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond. This is the perfect venue for a beginner to launch a voyage toward more advanced skills and equipment and a lifetime of enjoyment of the sport. Cost is $40; lunch, snacks, and beverages provided. Pre-registration is required as this event is always a sell-out.

March

4 Free State Fly FIshers Club Meeting

Cody Rugmer, Tochterman’s Fly Shop manager, will speak about his experiences fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the lower Susquehanna River. 7 p.m. at the FSFF Club House, Davidsonville Family Rec Center (3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, MD).

7 17th Annual GBFA Fishing Flea Market

8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Field House (2020 Landstown Centre Way). Presented by the Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association. New and used rods and reels, fresh and saltwater gear, custom lures, boats and trailers, food, and more. Admission: $5 cash (children 12 and under are free).

7 CCA Kent Narrows Chapter Annual Fundraising Banquet

5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department in Chester, MD. Oyster bar, dinner, open bar, live music, and more. This fundraising dinner directly supports CCA Maryland’s focus on ensuring the health of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them, and our objective to conserve, promote, and enhance our marine resources for the benefit of the general public.

7 FSFF Club Fly Tying

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Free State Fly Fishers Clubhouse at the Davidsonville Family Rec. Center (3789 Queen Anne Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, MD). Tying: Stealth Bomber. All materials will be provided. Bring your vise and tools. Limited availability of tools for new fly tyers.

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

14 CCA Virginia’s Save a Fish - Build a Reef Banquet

6 to 9 p.m. at Arlington Fairfax Elks Lodge in Fairfax, VA. Enjoy dinner, appetizers, beer, wine & farm raised oysters while ensuring the health and conservation of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them.

14-15 Essex-Middle River Fishing Club Fishing Flea Market 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company (8037 Philadelphia Rd, Rosedale, MD). Admission $5, under 13 are free. New and used freshwater, saltwater, and offshore fishing tackle, boating supplies, crabbing supplies, charter captains, nautical crafts, fishing apparel. Plenty of great food and beverages.

18 Annapolis Anglers Club Monthly Meeting

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

21 Haven Harbour Seminar Series: Session 3

Haven Harbour Yacht Services will host monthly educational seminars from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Haven Harbour South’s Ark & Dove Restaurant. Free and open to roughly 35 attendees per class. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Guest speaker: Vetus Company. Topic: Spring commissioning, products, services, est. practices. Guest speakers to attend.

21 Maryland fly Fishing Show

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

22 Annapolis Saltwater Fishing Expo

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge in Edgewater, MD. Presented by Annapolis Anglers Club. Local tackle dealers, charter captains and guides, seminars, and more.

28 Free State Fly Fishers Hands-On Session

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

Formula 360 CBR: Discover the Magic Formula

By Lenny Rudow

They say you can’t please all the people all the time, but you might be able to toss that saying overboard if those people are pleasure boaters and the boat you’re talking about is the new Formula 360 CBR. In fact, unless you can find a boater who doesn’t like maximum luxury, spiffy performance, sleek lines, and day-boating and weekending abilities all rolled into one, making someone “pleased” will probably be an understatement.

The 360 CBR is termed a crossover boat (CBR stands for Crossover Bowrider), because it crosses so many of the usual boating borders. The biggest is its aptitude as both a day-boat and as a cabin boat. With a bow cockpit forward and an open aft cockpit the day-boating abilities are obvious, but you’ll have to dig a bit deeper to discover its overnighting accommodations. When we walked through the boat at the Annapolis Powerboat Show, it became apparent Formula had disregarded the old-school bowrider playbook as we walked up to the bow cockpit. Rather than a split helm station with a center fold-over windshield, we went through a walkthrough along the port side. This allows Formula to dramatically expand the helm

DISPLACEMENT (APPROX., WITH STERNDRIVES): 18,000 LBS | MAX HP: 36 FUEL CAPACITY: 200 GAL. WITH STERNDRIVES; 275 WITH OUTBOARDS TRANSOM DEADRISE: 21 DEGREES | WATER CAPACITY: 36 GAL.

console both forward and athwartships beyond the centerline. Step down below, and you’ll discover that they expanded the accommodations even further by carving out a mid-cabin berth under the helmdeck, adding additional space aft of the galley, settee, and head compartment. And note that this head is no

shoe-horn-in version; it’s transverse, full height (there’s six feet, two inches of headroom down below), and has a shower.

Another red line this boat crosses is between pleasure boat and performance boat—especially if you redline those engines. The 360 CBR comes in both twin sterndrive and twin or triple outboard flavors, ranging from a total of 600 to 900 horsepower. Even with a middle-of-the-road power choice (a pair of 380-hp MerCruiser sterndrives) the boat boasts a cruising speed of over 40 mph and pushes near the 50-mph mark at wide open. Jump up to triple outboards, nail the throttles, and you’ll be crossing the Bay at speeds that would earn you a ticket if you were crossing via the Bay Bridge.

For more boat reviews, visit proptalk.com or scan this code with your phone’s camera.

Boat Review

Ready to break through yet another barrier, this time between bowrider and luxury boat? Again, the Formula 360 CBR makes the crossing with aplomb. Plop down in any of the contoured multi-density foam-filled seats, and you’ll naturally find a drink holder close at hand. Plop down at the helm, on the cockpit lounge, or even on the head, and you’ll also find a wireless cell phone charger within reach. And

you won’t be perspiring during all that plopping, because you can enjoy the cool breeze of air conditioning not only in the cabin but also on the helmdeck. When it’s time for stretching out you’ll find that an entire crowd can kick back, too. The bow cockpit can be cushion-filled to turn into a “playpen,” there’s a lounger built into the passenger’s side of the helmdeck, the cockpit dinette table can be lowered and filler

cushions added to convert into a gigantic lounger, and the seatback of the aft cockpit lounger folds back to expand the relaxation zone even more.

While we’ll leave it up to you to determine if the boat’s racy graphics and curvaceous lines are pleasing to the eye, we guarantee that taking a close look at the detail work will be. Those graphics provide a great example of why, because they aren’t like those found on other hullsides. Formula uses a unique application of gelcoat, pigments, and Imron clearcoat, which you can personalize to match your own tastes. Or, check out the way the cockpit wet bar unit is finished. The grab rail is blind-fastened, the refrigerator frame is inset into a recess, and the flush-fastened hatch swings up on friction hinges.

Sure, there’s bound to be a few curmudgeonly captains out there who won’t find the 360 CBR pleasing. There are also some folks walking the face of this planet who don’t like neither Old Bay nor steamed crabs (shudder!). The rest of us, however, would be beyond pleased to cross over to the 360 CBR Crossover Bowrider. #

Exploring Captain John Smith’s Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Part Two: Trail Sections

By John Page Williams

Captain John Smith’s two longest voyages of exploration took place in the summer of 1608. Over the space of three months, he and his crews traveled to the Upper Bay twice, with a turnaround of only three days in between. What follows are summaries of those explorations.

The Eastern Shore

On the first voyage, a ship outbound from Jamestown to England took the Discovery Barge in tow to the Virginia Capes, from which Smith briefly explored the lower seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and then traveled up the bayside of the same, mapping harbors and visiting the Chief

of the Accomac. The crew endured a summer thunderstorm around Tangier Island and then went up the Pocomoke River in search of fresh water, reaching the site of today’s Pocomoke City. Returning to Tangier Sound through Cedar Straits, where the Virginia-Maryland state line lies today, Smith and crew explored the east side of the Sound until another thunderstorm blew out their sails and broke their mast. They spent a nasty, hot, and buggy few days on Bloodsworth Island repairing their boat’s rig and then headed up the Nanticoke and visited that river’s people. There Smith learned of a powerful tribe

to the north called the Susquehannock who lived on a great waterway. Sensing the possibility of a Northwest Passage, Smith immediately headed west, through Hooper Strait and across the Bay to the Western Shore around Calvert Cliffs before heading north. Except for some time spent with the Tockwogh people on today’s Sassafras River later that summer, he never returned to the Eastern Shore. Today, there is much for modern explorers to see, especially on the Pocomoke and Nanticoke Rivers, which have been important to the maritime history of the Chesapeake ever since,

and the island chain that runs from Watts and Tangier in the south to Bloodsworth in the north. Some parts of both the islands and the two rivers look very much the same as they did in Smith’s time.

The Upper Bay

On this first voyage up the Bay, Smith followed the Western Shore until he found a tributary he thought large enough for the ships of the day. He turned the Discovery Barge west and followed it to its head of navigation. That location would be today’s Elkridge, MD, and the river he named Bolus Flu would become the Patapsco. He mapped it carefully and even went up to the mouth of the next river, which would become the Gunpowder, but the crew ran out of stores and grew increasingly dispirited. A stirring speech from their captain inspired them, but the weather shut them in for several days. Smith reluctantly turned south. By the time they reached the mouth of the Potomac, however, they had regained their spirits enough to spend three weeks up that river before heading back to Jamestown to restock supplies.

On the second voyage, Smith made straight for the head of the Bay, finding that it divided four ways (from west to east, today’s Susquehanna, Northeast, Elk, and Sassafras Rivers). Here captain and crew encountered several canoes of powerful Massawomeck warriors off the mouth of the Sassafras, where they had just done battle with the Tockwogh. Although cautious, the Massawomeck traded food, furs, and weapons with the English. Later they disappeared, while Smith steered up the Sassafras.

The Tockwogh, seeing Massawomeck weapons, concluded that the English had fought with and beaten their enemies, and the wily Smith did not disabuse them of that notion. The Tockwogh welcomed the crew and told Smith about a great people they called the Susquehannock who lived up the great river that now

bears a variant of that name. They helped Smith arrange a parley with the upriver tribe, probably on today’s Garrett Island, just inside the river’s mouth. Having met these tribes, mapped the head of the Bay, and discovered that it did not lead to a Northwest Passage, Smith turned south, headed back to Jamestown. On the way down, he and his crew explored the Patuxent, mapping it as far up as today’s Lyons Creek, just below Jug Bay.

If Smith were to visit today, he would be stunned by changes to the Patapsco, but he might recognize Garrett Island. The head of the Bay has become a playground for people from Wilmington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, but there are still interesting sections of these waters for the enterprising explorer. Likewise, the upper tidal Patuxent is remarkably well preserved, despite its proximity to Washington, DC.

The Western Shore

On the first voyage of 1608, Smith and his crew ascended the Potomac all the way to today’s Little Falls and walked to Great Falls. In the process, they converted an ambush at today’s Nomini Creek into a friendly visit, explored a rumored silver mine in the headwaters of Aquia Creek

with members of the Patawomeck Tribe, and visited over a dozen American Indian towns on each side, taking notes for the map as they went.

On the first voyage, they started to explore the Rappahannock after visiting the Potomac, but Smith suffered his famous encounter with a stingray and found it

prudent to head for home. On the second voyage, they traveled all the way to the falls at today’s Fredericksburg, surviving three ambushes by members of the Rappahannock and Mannahoac tribes. They were assisted by wise counsel and supplies from the friendly Moraughtacund people at the site of today’s Morattico, on Lancaster Creek.

After the Rappahannock, Smith and his crew explored the Piankatank and Elizabeth Rivers but found few people. Just before returning to Jamestown early in September, they survived an ambush by Nansemond warriors in their river, winning a victory that bought them corn to take back to the colony.

Smith did not go up either the James or the York Rivers on the two summer voyages. He didn’t need to, because he spent a good deal of his time in Virginia traveling up and down them at all seasons, meeting the people along them, trading for corn, and negotiating with Powhatan, the paramount chief of the region. His journals record much that happened on these trips.

Today, these rivers lend themselves well to water trail explorers. While the Potomac obviously looks quite different around Washington, DC, Smith would still recognize many of its tributaries, such as Nomini and Nanjemoy creeks. Though clouded by sediment runoff, the Rappahannock retains stunning natural views, especially between Tappahannock and Fredericksburg.

The Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers, headwaters of the York, remain largely wild, as does the Chickahominy, a large tributary that enters the James just west of Jamestown. Finally, the James offers much to explore, from wild creeks like Powell’s to the historical exhibits at Henricus Historical Park, upriver near Richmond.

For more information, visit nps.gov/cajo. If you missed Part One, you can catch up at proptalk.com. And stay tuned for Part Three in our April issue!

# Choosing a marina for the season can be a tough decision, but choose wisely, and you might just find your new home away from

How To Choose, News From Around the Bay, and Marina Directory

By Staff

Let’s face it—rarely is boating affordable. But can you honestly say any hobby is truly affordable? Golf? Heck no. Skiing or snowboarding? I wish. But at the end of the day, what’s more important is how these hobbies make us feel. In the world of boating, choosing a seasonal marina is a big (and pricey) decision, but if you choose wisely, you might just find your home away from home.

Let’s say you are starting your search from square one. Ask yourself a couple of questions:

1 Does distance matter? Would you prefer to only be a short drive from your marina, or are you willing to travel farther so that your boat is in a more desirable area of the Bay?

2 Do you want to be up a river (where it’s calmer and quieter) or much closer to the main stem of the Bay?

3 Do you want peace and quiet or a lively atmosphere with tons of activities and amenities?

4 What kind of slip do you need: wet slip, boat lift, indoor storage, etc.?

We know there are many more factors to consider, but hopefully this will help you start to narrow down some locations and properties. Let’s say you get it down to three. Now comes the hard part. It’s time to make a list of amenities you need, would like to have, and don’t need (and thus don’t want to pay extra for). For example:

Need To Have:

Boat lift

Showers

Like To Have:

Have you narrowed down your list yet? Hopefully you have, but if you’re still stuck, you absolutely should visit each marina you’re considering in person before making any decisions. You can learn a lot about a marina by simply walking the docks and grounds. If there’s a particular slip you have in mind, see how it looks from shore and check to make sure you would have enough room to dock your boat and get in and out of the slip easily. You’ll also want to note if the piers and walkways are in good condition and if the grounds are neat and tidy. Come prepared with any questions you may have for the marina manager, and if you see other slipholders out and about, ask them what they think of the marina.

When you have a few locations narrowed down, be sure to compare prices to similar marinas in the vicinity. Some marinas may even be willing to give you a break on slip fees, particularly if they have a lot of unfilled spaces. Go over exactly what you will be paying for and determine if it’s a good fit.

When it comes time to signing an annual contract, be sure you read the fine print, so you know what your re-

sponsibilities are as a slip holder, as well as the responsibilities of the marina. And make sure you are aware of the marina’s rules.

After that, it’s time to put the pen to paper and sign the dotted line. A marina that checks all of your boxes can truly feel like a home away from home. Treat it almost like you would a time-share— spend time hanging out before and after launching your boat, meet the neighbors, participate in slipholder events… You might just find that your marina allows you to see the Chesapeake Bay in a whole new light.

News and Insights From PropTalk Supporters

You’ll find our Marina Directory on pages 44-45 with information such as max LOA, whether or not a marina has a boat ramp, gas, diesel, transient slips, a restaurant, and more. We reached out to our list of marinas to hear what’s new this year, and a few even shared what they love most about their corner of the Chesapeake.

Whitehall Yacht Yard

Whitehall Yacht Yard shares that they recently negotiated an early termination date for Hinckley’s lease of its boatyard facilities. They have changed the company name back to the original Whitehall Yacht Yard and as of January 6, are once again owner-operated. Currently, many facility projects are underway, and they will be back in operation in the months ahead. In addition, a new Marine Travelift has been ordered, and delivery is scheduled for August in preparation for Whitehall to return to capacity for haulout next fall at a protected marina location with good equipment and experienced staff.

Additionally, 12 new aluminum boat lifts are currently being installed for boats up to 27 feet LOA. Crane service will also return for mast stepping, motor installations, etc. Whitehall’s crew is in place and ready for Whitehall Yacht Yard to become an increasingly busy boatyard as 2026 progresses. Learn more at whitehallannapolis.com

Herrington Harbour

Herrington Harbour has two locations: North, in Tracys Landing, MD, and South in North Beach, MD. Melissa

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Kapper shares that Herrington Harbour South reinvests in the marina each winter to enhance the marina experience for slipholders and to improve daily operations. She says, “In early 2025, we completed a major dredging project of the entrance channel. Dredging must be done when natural sand silts into the channel, which can obstruct navigation.

We removed approximately 5000 cubic yards of sand from the channel, which equates to over 40 dump truck loads.

“After completing the dredging, we began a breakwater project to protect the beach from erosion. It consists of continuous stone structures extending 616 feet, with open sections designed to allow natural water flow.

| RESTAURANT | EVENTS

• Waterfront dining with seasonal specials

• Year-round social activities, live music

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

• Floating docks, moorings and transient slips

• Club cruises, sail racing and junior sail camps

• Regional and national yacht club reciprocity

“The largest project currently underway is the renovation of the Marina Office, the central hub of our daily operations. These upgrades will provide additional space and enhance the building’s exterior appearance. In addition, several private bathhouses are being fully renovated and modernized for slipholders. Additional upgrades and landscaping will begin as we near springtime. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to enjoy the coming season.”

Regarding what she loves most about the marina, Melissa had this to say:

“The resort amenities, hospitality, and marine services at Herrington Harbour Marinas provide everything a boater needs to enjoy and maintain their vessel. Our team cares about the boating community and the relationships we share with our members and guests.”

For more information, visit herringtonharbour.com.

North East River Yacht Club

North East River Yacht Club (NERYC) is located at the head of the Bay in North East, MD. We spoke with past com-

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modore Claire Brechter to discuss what’s new and what transient boaters (i.e. nonclub members) might not realize.

“Currently I am on the executive committee for our Centennial Fund Campaign, a capital campaign launched in the spring of 2025 to raise funds for several improvements in time for our 100th Anniversary in 2030! The improvements were identified as part of the club’s strategic planning,” Claire explains.

“We are very excited to share with readers of PropTalk and SpinSheet that we will have an entirely new clubhouse and bathroom/shower facilities by early spring of 2026! This is the first initiative of our campaign. The new bathrooms and showers are great improvements for all members, transient visitors, and those looking to host events (weddings, showers, private parties, etc.) at NERYC. Our next project will involve updating our veranda and expanding outdoor restaurant areas to make the most of NERYC’s unique view on the upper Chesapeake and the amazing sunsets. While facility improvements are underway, the NERYC restaurant team is in the process of revamping our offerings. Details are not yet available but should be soon!

“Although NERYC is a private membership club, we welcome visitors to stop by and enjoy our facilities as a way to get to know our welcoming community. We are one of only a few marinas in the area with floating docks (a huge advantage!), with water deep enough to accommodate both sail and power boats.”

We also spoke with rear commodore Keely Childers Heany about what sets NERYC apart.

“NERYC is an all-volunteer run club,” says Keely. “My role is rear commodore, which is one of the officers in charge of planning all of the club’s social activities and events. I volunteered for the job after helping to plan a Commodore’s Ball, as there was a vacancy and need—and it seemed like a natural fit as I own and operate an event venue. I love my volunteer role at the club which allows me to share my event planning experience, while bringing joy and fun experiences to our members.

“One of my favorite things about NERYC is the convenient, one-hour country drive from our home in Lancaster, PA, down to the charming town of North East, MD, and the spectacular

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

sunsets from the club’s veranda or the back of our boat. But most importantly, it’s the people. The intergenerational relationships between members who have been boating on the Bay for 40-plus years with so much experience to share who also bring levity and their own funny stories to the inevitable boating mishaps, to the new boat owners, young families figuring it out (like us starting out when our youngest was two), and even junior sail members.

“We also love NERYC’s club cruises. They’re a great way to experience different places as a group of both power and sail boaters, which is especially helpful navigating new areas. Plus, it’s a bonus to travel with friends and share in dockside happy hours and potluck picnics wherever we go!

“There’s just so much our family loves about our home away from home and the members who have become like family, too! We spend almost every weekend at NERYC starting opening weekend the first weekend in May with our annual Margaritaville Party, Derby Party and Hat Parade, and Progressive Dock Brunch Sunday (all are welcome to visit with free transient slips!) through the first weekend in November when we take our boat out after the Commodore’s Ball.

“Our kids especially love the little beach area where they can play, swim, and paddleboard. Both of our daughters are learning to sail at Junior Sail Camp (registration is now open!). We all are endlessly amazed at the wildlife around the docks—from the ospreys that come to nest in early spring, the herons that glide in silently on the docks around sunset, cormorants in a row sunning themselves on pilings, to the bald eagles that return in the fall. It’s such a gift to share this special place in nature,” concluded Keely.

We’ve said it many times before, but finding a marina or yacht club that fits your needs (and your personality) can be an amazing experience. Slip neighbors become friends, children become ‘boat kids,’ and lasting memories are made. To learn more about NERYC, visit neryc.com

Hinckley Chesapeake In the acquisitions department, The Hinckley Company is broadening its

Chesapeake Bay presence with two new locations: Oxford and Stevensville, MD. This past year, they first announced the acquisition of Campbell’s Boatyard at Bachelor Point in Oxford, MD. The latest news is that Bay Bridge Marina in Stevensville, MD, has also become part of the Hinckley family.

Mike Bickford, general manager of Hinckley Chesapeake, shared details on the transition for marina customers:

“Over the next few months, Hinckley will bring our regional service operation, presently based in Easton, to Bay Bridge Marina. We will enhance the current team by offering mechanical, electrical, painting, rigging, carpentry, varnishing, and detailing services. We will be able to quickly and thoroughly address any maintenance you require. When the time comes, we will be working with the crew on seasonal storage.

“Hinckley will provide professional attention to all slip holders, transient boaters, and clubs utilizing the amenities adjacent to the marina. We will be running the fuel dock and managing the pool. We will rely on the experience and customer relationships of the existing marina team to manage slips. We’re preserving what makes Bay Bridge special while adding resources and capabilities to deliver an even better customer experience.

“Please be aware there will be ongoing construction along the eastern end of the marina. A 32-room hotel and 14 duplex townhomes are scheduled for completion in early 2026. Hinckley is not affiliated with the developer for this project. Future homeowners will be able to rent slips, but they will not be prioritized in any situation. We will be the advocate for the marina’s slip

holders and will actively monitor this building site. Please use caution and exercise patience. The developer and Hinckley are committed to making this situation as low impact as possible.

“I’m very excited to meet everyone who calls Bay Bridge Marina their homeport. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and working together to make Bay Bridge even better. If you have any questions or would like to contact me, don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to an exciting 2025 boating season!”

Stay tuned for updates at baybridgemarina.com and hinckleyyachts.com.

Dennis Point Marina

We wanted to end our news section with an update from Dennis Point Marina and Campground in Drayden, MD, about a very cool restoration project.

Rick Carter of Delmarva Craft, LLC reached out to share that work is underway on the Maryland Dove, a recreation of an early 17th century English Ship. But first some background.

Maintaining Maryland History

By Rick Carter

How can you tell the tale of Maryland’s origin without the journey of the Ark and the Dove? It’s a tale of grit, high-seas drama, and the search for a place where “sanctuary” wasn’t just a nice idea, but a lived reality.

The expedition set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, on November 22, 1633. Led by Leonard Calvert, brother to Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, there were approximately 140 passengers crowded onto the two ships.

The Ark was a massive 400-ton galleon carrying the bulk of the supplies and passengers. The Dove was its much smaller, but quite nimble, 40-ton pinnace, intended for exploring the shallow waterways of the Chesapeake once they arrived.

Their mission was unique: to establish a colony where Catholics and Protestants could live in “peaceable commerce” together, a radical concept in the 17th century.

During the perilous voyage, a massive storm battered the ships. In the howling dark, the crew of the Ark watched the Dove’s lanterns vanish beneath the waves. They feared the little pinnace had foundered. The Ark sailed on, taking a long, southern route via the Canary Islands and the West Indies to avoid the harshest winter gales.

In January 1634, while anchored in Barbados, a small, battered sail appeared on the horizon. It was the Dove. The little ship had survived by turn-

ing back to take shelter in the Scilly Isles before eventually chasing the Ark across the ocean. The reunion was celebrated with tears and cannon fire.

The ships finally entered the mouth of the Potomac River in early March 1634. The settlers were awestruck by the “most mighty river” and the blooming dogwoods. They landed on St. Clement’s Island on March 25, 1634. Shortly after, they negotiated with the Yaocomico people

Fun For The Entire Family

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

to purchase land for their first settlement, St. Mary’s City.

While the massive Ark was the muscle of the 1634 expedition, the Dove was its heart. A 40-ton pinnace—small enough to be dwarfed by a modern tugboat—she was never meant for the open Atlantic. She was built for the rivers, the shallows, and the secrets of the Chesapeake.

The Dove’s story ends with a touch of mystery. In 1635, she was loaded with pelts and timber, bound for England to bring word of the colony’s success. She sailed out of the Chesapeake, past the Virginia capes, and into the Atlantic mists.

She was never seen again. No wreckage was found, and no survivor ever returned. It was as if the little ship, having fulfilled her destiny of delivering Maryland to the map, simply dissolved back into the sea she had so bravely crossed.

The replica Maryland Dove isn’t just a ship; she’s a living museum made of white oak, tar, and thousands of hours of human labor. Constructed at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, and operated by the Historic

St. Mary’s City Commission, the Maryland Dove serves as a floating ambassador and educational exhibit. She represents the historic vessel that accompanied the first settlers in 1634.

When this mighty vessel is in need of care, she makes the journey to a place where time seems to journey back to meet her: Dennis Point Marina in Drayden, MD.

At Dennis Point, the work is a delicate dance between 17th-century shipcraft and 21st-century engineering.

The Haul-Out

The process begins with the “haul-out.”

The Dove is a heavy girl and bringing her out of the water is a breath-holding moment. As the massive 75-ton Travelift slowly hoists her boyer-rigged hull from Carthagena Creek, she looks like a beauty from another era suddenly transported into the modern world.

The Rhythm of the Work

The service team at Dennis Point Marina has extensive experience maintaining

a wide variety of watercraft and has proudly taken care of the current Dove as well as her predecessor replica for many years. The boatyard crew moves over her hull with practiced hands. The 2026 work is physical, rhythmic, and detailed:

• Pressure Washing: Remove the “beard” of barnacles and algae that slows her down in the water.

• Bottom Paint: Apply two coats of bottom paint after preparing any bare spots with a priming coat.

• The Brightwork: Polish running gear and grounding plates to include: propeller shafts, struts, rudder gudgeons, and forward and aft grounding plates.

• Anodes: Replace anodes on these items and add additional anodes on the gudgeons.

• Winterization: Prepare the engines for incoming snowstorms and freezing temperatures.

The Relaunch

When the maintenance is finished a new season awaits. The Dove will be lowered back into the water. For a moment, she’ll sit high and dry, but as the river takes her weight, she’ll awaken. Her timbers will swell, her rigging will tighten, and she’ll be ready to return to St. Mary’s City, looking as sharp as she did when she first cleared the English Channel.

At Dennis Point Marina, we are honored to take care of the Maryland Dove. We don’t just maintain this boat, we’re keeping a piece of Maryland’s soul afloat and remain grateful for the trust Historic St. Mary’s City Commission has placed in us, to help her carry on her mission.

To learn more, visit dennispointmd. com and hsmcdigshistory.org.

Don’t forget to check out our Marina Directory starting on page 44 and our online interactive directory at proptalk. com/chesapeake-bay-marinas

Looking for a slip for your boat?

The perfect marina for you and your boat might not be so perfect for someone else. The first thing you should consider is which amenities are a must, which are a ‘like to have,’ and which amenities you don’t need (and thus don’t want to pay for). In PropTalk's Chesapeake Bay Marinas Directory you will find marina information including available slips, transient slips, gas, diesel, pump outs, maximum boat length, water depth, maintenance, as well as other amenities such as restaurants, dock bars, and swimming pools.

These marinas are proud advertising supporters of PropTalk.

Anchor Marina North East River North East, MD anchorboat.com/marina

Annapolis Landing Marina Back Creek Annapolis, MD annapolislandingmarina.com

Annapolis Town Dock Ego Alley Annapolis, MD annapolistowndock.com

Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina Patapsco River Baltimore, MD baltimoreinnerharbormarina.com

MD brickhousecove.com

Broad Creek Marina Magothy River Pasadena, MD

Campbell's Boatyards Town Creek Oxford, MD campbellsboatyards.com/dockage

Clinton Street Boatel Patapsco River Baltimore, MD clintonstreetboatel.com

Cypress Marine Cypress Creek off Magothy River Severna Park, MD cypressmarine.net

Dandy Haven Marina Back River Hampton, VA dandyhavenmarina.com

Deep Creek Boatyard Deep Creek Onancock, VA deepcreekboatyard.com

Dennis Point Marina and Campground Carthagena Creek Drayden, MD dennispointmarinaandcampground.com

Forked Creek Yacht Club Marina Severn River Severna Park, MD forkedcreekyachtclub.com

Harbor East Marina Baltimore Harbor Baltimore, MD harboreastmarina.com

Cove Marina Rockhold Creek Deale, MD harbourcove.com

Harbour Marina Swan Creek Rock Hall, MD havenharbour.com

*Not all restaurants/bars/food are on-site or are owned/operated by marinas.

Haven Harbour South Rock Hall Harbor Rock Hall, MD havenharbour.com

Herrington Harbour North Herring Bay Tracys Landing, MD herringtonharbour.com/north

Herrington Harbour South Herring Bay North Beach, MD herringtonharbour.com/south

Hinckley Bay Bridge Marina Bay Bridge Stevensville, MD baybridgemarina.com

Lankford Bay Marina Lankford Bay Rock Hall, MD lankfordbaymarina.com

Legasea Marine Yorktown, VA Yorktown, VA legaseamarine.com

Maryland Marina Frog Mortar Creek, 1 Mile north from Middle River Middle River, MD marylandmarina.net

Middle River Landing Marina Middle River Essex, MD chesapeakemarine.net/ middleriverlandingmarina

National Harbor Marina Potomac River Oxon Hill, MD nationalharbor.com/directory/ national-harbor-marina

North East River Yacht Club Eastern Shore of the North East River North East, MD neryc.com

Piney Narrows Yacht Haven Chester River Chester, MD pineynarrowsyachthaven.com

Pleasure Cove Marina Main Creek - Bodkin Creek Pasadena, MD pleasurecovemarina.com

Port Covington Marina Patapsco River Baltimore, MD portcovingtonmarina.com

Riverside Marine Marina Back River Essex, MD riversidemarine.com

Rock Hall Marine Railway Rock Hall Harbor Rock Hall, MD rockhallrailway.com

Rod 'N' Reel Resort Herring Bay Chesapeake Beach, MD rnrresortmd.com

Selby Bay Marina Selby Bay Edgewater, MD selbybaymarina.com

Spring Cove Marina Solomons

Rocks Marina and Boatyard Southern side of Rock Creek at the mouth of the Patapsco River Pasadena, MD

Avoid Those Annoying Leaks

The importance of bedding deck and hull fittings properly for a leak-free vessel.

By Erik Lostrom

We all have hardware and hull fittings on vessels, but often these are not properly installed or bedded properly. For those not familiar with the term, ‘bedded’ or ‘bedding’ refers to the process of applying a sealant or adhesive compound between two parts—such as hardware and the deck—before fastening them together. The primary purpose of bedding is to create a watertight, flexible seal that prevents water from entering the boat’s structure.

There are some things you need to consider:

The location of the fitting to be installed determines the correct type of bedding sealant and appropriate fasteners.

Mounting: thru fasteners or surface mounted with screws.

Surface preparation and clean up. The core material must be addressed to prevent mounting failure. There are special considerations for highly loaded hardware.

Unfortunately, there is normal maintenance that needs to be done when it comes to bedded hardware and fittings; they will need rebedding depending on age and flexural stresses. This may be at least every 10 years to once a season depending on how stressed they are in normal operations.

Let’s look at the different sealants available in the marine industry. We need to understand the best product for the application; unfortunately, there is not one for all applications.

Marine sealants primarily use polyurethanes, polysulfides, silicone, and hybrid (SMP/polyether) chemistries, each suited for different jobs. Polyurethanes offer powerful bonds (3M 5200) but can be tough to remove when something is serviced and may cause damage to substrate material adding additional repairs. A good use for this type would be for hull to keel joints and struts. It’s not a good choice for deck hardware, thru hull fittings, and plastic fittings as it can damage them due to the chemistry of the product. Most of these at some point will need to be replaced or removed for service.

Polysulfides are flexible, saltwaterresistant, and generally good for bedding hardware above and below the waterline— anything that is thru fastened and relies on that clamping force to stay in place. You just need a good sealant to act as a gasket. Silicones can be a great gasket type of sealant but are not good at bonding to surfaces, causing separation of the product and leaking. One other issue with silicones is that you cannot paint them, and they can contaminate surfaces causing “fish eyeing” when repainting or gel coating. Hybrid sealants offer good UV/ water resistance and easier removal when something needs to be serviced, which makes them versatile.

Again, most of the products won’t last forever and need to be visually inspected from time to time, requiring rebedding to prevent water intrusion.

When installing hardware, we also need to reinforce the mounting holes when

going through cored materials. The best method is to oversize the mounting holes and refill with a thickened epoxy and then drill for the proper size fastener, thus isolating the core material from moisture if bedding fails. This also provides a crush bushing, so when bolts are tightened or stressed innormal operations, it won’t crush the cored surface and allow water to enter and damage the deck or hull materials.

Backing blocks should be used for high loaded fittings to spread loads out over a larger area. They should be made of plastic materials with high density modules and should also be a larger shape than the fitting with all rounded corners to prevent hard spots on corners that can lead to surface cracking.

We often forget about the importance of proper bedding and maintenance of hull and deck fittings. Maintaining these items properly will give you better service life and enjoyment from your vessel.

About the Author:

Erik Lostrom is a naval architect, third generation professional boat builder, and a graduate of The Landing School. He has worked in the marine industry for over 40 years and currently serves as the marine technology coordinator at Chesapeake College.

Winterizing the Captain

By Gary Armstrong

You have probably read several boating magazine articles on how to winterize your outboard, diesel engine, freshwater system, head, air conditioning, and so on. But what about the captain? Doesn’t the captain need some winterization to keep him in shape throughout the long, dark winter? Of course he does. If you haven’t made arrangements for laying up the captain, he may get rusty and stiffen up, freeze up, or in the worstcase scenario, sink (into a post-boating depression, that is). The following tips and tricks should be utilized to keep the captain happy and healthy until it’s time to take off that shrinkwrap and splash the boat in the spring.

Storage on the Hard

About mid-winter, having not been in the water for a while, the captain will eventually dry out, which is generally not a good thing. Special care must be taken to make sure the captain’s “hull” does not sag or distort while confined to the hard. Seek out a solution that provides adequate support and will not cause dents or scratches in the captain’s delicate finish. A leather Barcalounge or a La-Z-Boy is ideal for this purpose. If the captain has an especially broad beam or water-line length, other options, such as reclining loveseat or sectional sofa, should be considered.

Antifreeze

Make sure you have laid in an adequate supply of Captain Morgan and Budweiser to keep the pipes from freezing when the thermometer dips below the freezing mark. Also consider Makers Mark, Gray Goose, and Patron. The best practice is to fill up a 16-ounce glass container on November 1 and check fluid levels continuously until April 15 or so. Top off when the levels drop below 50 percent.

Batteries

The captain’s batteries are sure to run down over the long winter, so steps must be taken to top off the charge every so often. This is especially true for older captains because their batteries don’t hold a charge for very long. Each captain

is different, so the recharging may be different whether he is a cranking or deep cycle sort. Many captains get recharged by watching football, going to the movies, or going out to dinner. Some captains need to do all of these things in order to stay charged until the spring. Ask your captain what works for him and get to it!

# Our editor may be suffering from NO BOAT Syndrome. (While this photo was taken in jest, always be sure to use extra precaution when navigating snowy docks.)

Dealing With Boat Odors

At some point the captain’s closet might start to smell like the boat, and it’s probably because he has brought the boat shoes home from the stateroom closet. Be they Sperry or Top-Sider, after eight or 10 summers sporting them with no socks, they will start to, let’s say, make themselves

# Defiance is the name of the game - don’t sink into the dreaded post-boating depression! Spring will be here before we know it.

known to anyone within about 30 feet of the closet. So, what to do? The captain is loath to give them up because “they are just getting broken in.” I have developed a sure-fire test to determine when to toss them and buy some new ones. *Note that, despite his protestations, the captain is NOT the best judge of this.

Level of Stink To Keep or

Replace:

• Gym locker: Keep

• Litter box: Keep

• Spoiled milk: Keep

• Limburger: Keep

• Garbage scow: Keep

• Swamp gas: Replace (maybe)

# How do you know when it’s time to toss those old, smelly boat shoes..?

flashlight, a socket wrench (with a 10 mm socket attached), and a screwdriver and come back in about an hour to help him climb out. Bonus points if he doesn’t lose the 10 mm socket.

• Go on Amazon and buy a jar of dead mayflies, strew them around the kitchen floor and, using a rolling pin, smush them into the linoleum. Hand him a brush and a spray bottle of Formula 409. Come back from time to time and helpfully point out the ones he missed.

• Empty all the ice cubes from the freezer and hide his car keys. Tell him you are out of ice for your gin and tonic and suggest that the Wawa a half-mile mile away has lots of ice.

• Disconnect the cable from the television and hook it up to rabbit ears. Try to watch your favorite show through the snow on the screen.

Stabilizer

The captain must be stabilized to make it through the long, cold winter. Many captains suffer from a condition known as “NO BOAT Syndrome.” (Not-OK, Bored, Out-of-Sorts, And Tired). Any or all of the following procedures will help stabilize the captain and avoid institutionalization.

• Every once in a while prop him up on a bar stool, have him grasp a dinner plate at 10 and two, and splash water in his face while rocking the stool back and forth and blasting him in the face with your blow dryer on the highest setting.

• Hang him upside down in a laundry chute and blow hot air up the chute with a space heater. Hand him a

• Place an empty refrigerator box at the head of your bed and sleep for a week with your feet hanging off the bottom of the mattress.

• When the Captain is backing into the driveway, blindfold him and assist his effort by yelling commands like “left,” “right,” “stop,” etc. at the top of your lungs.

• Flush a disposable diaper down the powder room toilet and send him in to unclog things armed with a pair of rubber gloves and a coat hanger.

By taking these very simple steps your captain is assured of making it through the winter no worse for wear and he will be ready come springtime to once more hit the waves with a renewed enthusiasm and energy.

A Team Boat Chesapeake Sailors Turn to Power for the Great Loop

How did the dream begin?

In 2016 my husband Bill Cabrall and I were living in Colorado and had recently retired. For years we had been travelling extensively around the US to race our Lightning sailboat. That particular year, we went to Rochester, NY, for a Lightning National regatta, and on to Maine. During the trip we saw an advertisement for a short cruise on the Erie Canal that included going through a lock and at some point learned about the Great Loop, which has more than 100 locks. I have always loved cruising and became inspired to do this trip.

As time went on, the idea grew on us. We are nautical people. We like nautical things, and we thought it sounded interesting. After we moved to Annapolis in 2018, we started looking for a Loopcapable boat, and eventually we found and purchased Gratitude, a Vista 43. This was the biggest boat we had ever owned or operated, and we realized immediately that we would need to acquire some new skills despite our many years of boating.

We took diesel and electrical introductory courses through America’s Boating Compass so that we could troubleshoot together. Bill took advanced courses in diesel and electrical systems at Annapolis School of Seamanship. I took their navigation courses to refresh my rusty skills. We both took a first aid course for boaters. We mostly taught ourselves to handle the boat based on previous experiences, but we also hired a training captain for some refinement.

As Told to Beth Crabtree by Raeyane Farrell

What was your boating background?

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, but my family had no boating interests at all. I went to summer camp for two years in my mid-teens and learned how to sail and about powerboating. I loved it; however, boating was mostly sidelined for about a decade until I joined a sailing club and took sailing classes to charter boats up to 36 feet. I mostly sailed afternoons on the local bay and on other people’s boats on the weekends. I also cruised in the Caribbean and Greece. When I moved to Colorado, cruising was just not going to work, but I needed to be sailing. There I met my husband, who was a racing sailor, and I got into racing a Lightning with him. Bill comes from a family with a long sailing and racing heritage. He says he began sailing at age three! His grandfather had a 50-foot wooden schooner that he raced in San Francisco Bay and sailed around the world. Bill has owned and raced small sailboats since he was 12 and is currently a measurer in the Lighting Class.

What was your timeline and strategy?

We originally thought we would complete the circumnavigation in one year’s time, but we were open to putting the boat away for a winter and taking more time. We had planned to cruise the Chesapeake for a year before starting the Loop, but instead we spent two years giving money to mechanics. We might have worked our

spreadsheets and checklists forever, but finally in 2023, we looked at each other, asked ourselves if we were ready, loaded the boat, and left.

Regarding our house in Annapolis, on the surface it looked like a great financial idea to rent it, but there are costs to that. HOA restrictions would have required us to rent for a full year, and we would have incurred additional liability insurance expenses. What would we do with our personal stuff? Pay for a storage unit? In the end, it didn’t make sense for us. We hired a concierge service to check on the house regularly, and our neighbors kept an

Bill and Raeyane purchased Gratitude, a Vista 43, for their Loop adventure.

eye on it, too. We found it useful knowing that the house was available to us if we needed it—and we did. We came back for the first winter and two more times, once for a semiannual set of doctors’ appointments that most of us have at our age, and once when Bill came back to race in the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta, which was being held for the first time at our yacht club.

We started in June of 2023 and went as far as Spring Lake, MI. We loved Michigan and the North Channel and wanted to spend more time there, so we were happy when I found winter storage in the area, allowing us to return to Annapolis and break the adventure into two parts.

We headed back to the boat in July of 2024. After making our way to Killarney, Ontario, we paused so Bill could go to Crystal Beach (also in Ontario, but near Buffalo, NY) to race in the Lightning Masters Championship. After the regatta, we turned the boat around and headed down Lake Michigan, through the inland rivers, around Florida, and up the ICW to Annapolis to complete our Loop on June 9, 2025.

What was your division of labor for life aboard?

Raeyane: navigation, weather, planning, logistics, reservations/rescheduling... rescheduling again… more rescheduling, and finance. Taking the boat out from the dock.

Bill: engineering, maintenance, and repairs. Docking—from his years of Lightning sailing, Bill can do the changing physics and geometry in his head way faster than I can.

Joint: weather, driving, problem solving, trouble shooting, and line handling.

Did friends and family join you along the way?

Many people said they wanted to come. A few did. We loved having them! I’m told that it is common for people to express

interest and equally common that fewer show up. We made it clear that we could tell them when we could meet them or where we could meet, but not both; that was part of the adventure. We also set clear expectations for life aboard. The guests that did come were wonderful. They included some of our sailing friends, two of my high school friends (who really bought into the adventure and took on many tasks despite not being boaters), and our son who was with us for 10 days, much of which seemed to be spent turning wrenches with his dad in our engine room, both of them grinning ear to ear.

Any unforeseen challenges?

How did you overcome them?

For me, a big challenge was the ongoing logistics—having to plan safe navigation and gather local knowledge through an unknown area every single day. Another challenge was getting boat parts or a skilled mechanic in a timely manner. However, with teamwork, we overcame many obstacles and challenges.

Here is one example. In Michigan, we had Gratitude pulled to have some prop work done while we went to a wedding.

When we got back, Lake Michigan proper was very rough, so we decided to go out in the inner lake for a test run. After about a half hour, the starboard engine quit. Bill quickly dove down into the engine room and got it started again. It stalled again. Several times it started and stalled. Meanwhile I was holding station. As it became apparent that the engine would not run and the wind was beginning to pick up, I started working us back to the marina. I drove while Bill handled the lines, since by that time I had more hands-on experience maneuvering the boat on one engine. We have two-way headsets, affectionately called “marriage savers,” and they were very helpful. On the first approach, the wind caught us when I turned to go into the slip, so I had to back out and try again. It wasn’t pretty, but on the second attempt we docked without hitting anything. The key was to work as a team and get hyper focused.

What would surprise most boaters about the Loop?

It’s MORE. More of everything. More beautiful sunsets, interesting places, wonderful people, and sense of community; and the feeling of

accomplishment is so much more, too. It’s also more work, more challenging, more expensive, and more tiring.

We spent about 50 percent of our time traveling. The other 50 percent was spent on sightseeing and exploring, administrative tasks, cleaning, and boat maintenance and chores. There were also times when we didn’t get underway simply because we were waiting on a good weather window or because we were tired and needed a lay day.

Top destinations and why. That’s a tough one! I think we can get it down to five!

1 Rideau Canal side trip in Canada. Beautiful, charming, and peaceful. The locks are manually operated, and the lock staff are super friendly, cheerful, helpful, and really nice.

2 North Channel of Lake Huron. Stunningly beautiful, remote and quiet, with charming small towns and very friendly people.

3 Michigan. What a surprise!! Beautiful aqua blue water. Charming towns, wonderful people, and easy navigation.

Thoughts for someone considering the Loop:

• The Loop is a series of about 200 day trips.

• Plan, prepare, do it!

• Attend an America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA) Rendezvous to learn about the Looper lifestyle. The Looper community is astoundingly helpful and supportive.

• Two ways to help narrow your search for a Loop boat are to participate in an AGLCA boat crawl (touring others’ Loop boats) and chartering. When you find your boat, it’s worth the investment to hire your own surveyor before closing the deal.

4 Florida Keys. Warm! Interesting things to see. We stopped in Marathon for a month. It was the only part of the Loop that felt like a vacation.

5 The Chesapeake Bay. Yes, after 7000 miles, it is still one of our favorites. So pretty, so many places to go, so much variety. Spa Creek, where we kept the boat on our return, is one of the most beautiful places we saw on the whole trip!

• Both of you need to learn how to handle the boat. One person may drive most of the time, but both need to be able to do some basics in an emergency. Hire a training captain if you need to.

• Everyone’s Loop is different. Do what works for you, your boat, and your relationships.

• Buddy boating is very enjoyable. We tended to “Loop Frog” and see people again down the way.

• Many Loopers meet up again after completing their Loops. We are fortunate to live in Annapolis, and many of our favorite Looper friends came through last summer.

• Remember it’s a pleasure cruise. If the weather isn’t good, don’t go! Build your “go” and “no-go” criteria before you leave—and stick to it.

• Get your boat in the best possible shape before leaving, or the trip can become one long maintenance challenge. The Loop is the equivalent of 10 years of normal cruising compressed into one to two years. Things will happen, and must be dealt with, but anything that can minimize problems is worthwhile.

• New boaters should get some training and build some skills, including a good set of docking skills. The more you know your boat, the more fun you’re going to have.

• Most importantly: We were (and still are) a team. That was the only possible way for it to work for us. We are a great team!

Learn more about the Great Loop and America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association at greatloop.org Find more Great Loop adventure stories at proptalk.com.

CRUISING CLUB NOTES

As you’ll read in these pages, Chesapeake Bay powerboat clubs offer members cruises, social events, and educational opportunities. In these pages you may share your club’s excursions and other benefits of membership. Send approximately 350 words (sometimes longer) and clear photos of pretty boats and happy boaters to beth@proptalk.com.

The off-season is a good time to recognize standout members. Send us a write-up or email beth@proptalk.com for help with an interview.

Meet Back Creek Yacht Club’s Commodore

By Anne Knab

Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) Commodore Kris Chappell took the reins, along with the other 2026 flag officers, in January during the annual commodore’s dinner at St. Andrews Swim and Tennis Club in Severna Park, MD. Kris and her husband Jerry (current BCYC Fleet Captain) moved to the area in 2013 and with a house on the water decided they might as well be boaters, buying their 26-foot Sea Ray bowrider, A Sales Call, for day cruising on the Magothy. They subsequently added a sailboat for more overnight adventures and fit right in with BCYC’s hybrid fleet of both powerboaters and sailors. Owning two boats is by no means a requirement

among this like-minded group of boaters, because it’s all about the people. Before they found BCYC in 2019, Kris says they received one piece of advice early on that has served them well: decide who is the captain before they step aboard, and with two boats in the family they each get a chance.

A team player, Kris knows that any social organization only succeeds through its volunteers and expected that she’d eventually take on club responsibilities after she got a feel for club life. Once she decided to join the bridge, she opted to skip the fleet captain position since she was still learning her way around the Bay and jumped in as rear commodore because “you just have to step up.”

Overseeing membership during her vice commodore year, Kris helped several new club members aboard and says she’ll still focus on the people as she fulfills her commodore duties this year as BCYC celebrates its 25th anniversary. Kris jokes that she’ll brand accordingly, with all club events bearing the moniker “The 25th Anniversary [event name],” although she promises to not hit us over the head with the theme. Kris hopes to ensure a fun year by bringing a modern twist to the deep background long-time members can provide. For example, resurrecting the midweek outings has been a snap with the club’s robust use of social media to get the word out. Look for us on the water or check us out at backcreekyc.org. #WeConnect

Cruising Club Notes

How I Got Involved With SMBC and APBA Vintage Events

By Tocky Lawrence

The winter months were busy for the Southern Maryland Boat Club (SMBC). I am often asked how I got involved with SMBC and vintage racing exhibitions.

Growing up in St. Mary’s County at Coltons Point meant lots of days on the water, boating, swimming, fishing, crabbing, and hunting. My brothers, Teeny and Chris, and I were always on the water with my parents. My dad loved watching the boat races be it by land or on the water in the family boat anchored out at the racecourse whenever the weather permitted. I can’t remember ever missing a race. If there was one within driving distance, you could be assured we’d be there. As kids, the sound of the engines roaring, the drivers, the boats, the races were a thrill to watch and left us dreaming of someday driving race boats. But alas, time passed and we never had the opportunity to do so until the Southern Maryland Boat Club resurrected as a Vintage and Historic participant in the American Powerboat Association (APBA).

Fast forward to 2015-2016 when word went out that SBMC was putting on a Vintage and Historic event at Leonardtown Wharf. My brothers and I had to see it, to relive the glory days of boat racing in Southern Maryland. Just like the olden days, my wife Darlene and I launched our deck

boat at Coltons Point Marina and made the trip up Breton Bay accompanied by Teeny in his boat. Chris made the trip by land. What an exciting event it was!

Immediately after the event, Teeny and Chris were on the hunt for vintage race boats. I wasn’t ready to make the leap until I knew this would be something that would continue for more than a year. And it did! With Teeny and Chris participating in the following year’s event at Leonardtown Wharf, Teeny volunteered the use of his deck boat to the club with me agreeing to be captain. My duties for the weekend event were courtesy boat (shuttle spectators to and from their boats during lunch break). Little did I know the courtesy boat gig lasted less than an hour as I was informed by Beale Tilton, head referee, that I was now commandeered as a Patrol/Flag boat on the course.

then being promoted to Patrol/Flag boat captain, to setting the course layout would lead to becoming vice president of SMBC? It happened, and I’m very proud to be a part of a great organization!

The second year of volunteering, Teeny and I watched Bill Edwards setting the racecourse buoys and saw he needed help, so we jumped in to assist. Bill extended a gracious thank you and after providing guidance on the proper way to set the exhibition racecourse, he passed the baton by saying “you boys got it now.” Who knew at that time volunteering as a courtesy boat,

Finally in 2020, I broke the ice as an owner/driver with the debut of a 1959 Glasspar G3. The boat ran the vintage circuit for four years. It was replaced with a 1973 Allison 13R in 2025. Next up on the docket is the restoration of a 1970 14-foot GW Invader. The dreams of being a race boat driver did come true!

SMBC will be at Piney Point on June 6 and 7 and Leonardtown Wharf on July 25 and 26. Come out to join the vintage fun! Find details and learn more about the SMBC at southernmarylandboatclub.com.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Avalon, 1993 Shannon Downeast 36

Interview By Kaylie Jasinski

Bruce Ogden is no stranger to classic boats—he currently owns several, including a 1973 Lyman Hardtop Sleeper, a 1975 Boston Whaler Newport, and a 1974 Cape Dory Handy Cat. A few of these have even been covered in past Classic Boat articles. This month, we’re taking an in-depth look at Avalon, Bruce’s 1993 Shannon Downeast 36.

In 2013, Bruce and his wife Jill started searching for another boat. They had been sailing for years but knew they were going to eventually transition to the ‘dark side’ (power). They knew what they were looking for: a downeast flybridge cruiser. After three years of searching all the websites, they saw a listing for a Shannon Downeast 36 that looked promising. The builder had acquired the boat from the original owners and was in the process of completing a hull-up refit.

“We fell in love with the sheer at first sight. The boat had the dimensions, features, and the galley down layout we wanted. It had everything we were looking for with exception of a centerline queen berth, but the Pulman queen works out very well. The price was right and it seemed like a great opportunity, so we went for it,” says Bruce. Unfortunately, all did not work out as expected or promised.

“It turned out to be a much more arduous process than I was expecting, accompanied by several surprises and disappointments along the way. If anybody wants to know what not to do when they’re buying a boat, have them give me a call because I

made every mistake possible. And I know better!” added Bruce.

One of his best pieces of advice on buying a used boat is to get a marine survey. “Never rely on what the seller tells you, even if they built the boat and have a ‘stellar’ reputation,” he says. Bruce and Jill learned through this ‘adventure’ that critical details had been omitted or withheld from them that would have influenced their purchase decision significantly. Then to add insult to injury, the vessel wasn’t completed as prescribed in the contract; all work stopped and the boat was moved out of the facility. “We were stuck and well past the point of no return, so we took possession, transported the boat to Maryland, and completed the refit locally.”

Avalon had initially been fitted with a marinized Caterpillar 3116 truck engine. Bruce realized there were problems, so he talked to the guys at T&S Marine in Crisfield, MD, and replaced it with a remanned Caterpillar 3116. “They were awesome to work with,” he says. “Just golden.”

“Thankfully, things worked out. The boat is complete and everything is new— every mechanical system, every electrical system, all instrumentation, the engine, the upholstery, everything.” So, in the end, Bruce says, they got the boat they wanted in the beginning, and they truly love it.

just don’t make boats like this anymore,” he added. “Avalon is literally a custom, hand-built boat. There is no fiberglass inside. All the bulkheads, cabin soles, and cabinetry are wood (real wood). We like the classic stuff. It’s just us.”

With the boat completed, they were finally ready to go cruising. “We had completed many sailboat deliveries to and raced around Downeast Maine but somehow, we never stopped to see what we were sailing by. On Avalon, we were able to spend six weeks cruising up to New York, through Hell Gate, Long Island Sound, Mystic, Newport, Gloucester, and all of Downeast Maine, stopping to visit many of the places we had previously just waved at as we passed along the way.”

Classic Boat presented by

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Bruce described it as an absolutely wonderful experience, so naturally they started looking for the next place to take Avalon. Some friends suggested trying the French version of the Triangle Loop, a popular route that combines parts of the Great Loop with Frenchinfluenced areas in Canada. They cruised 1750 miles and ‘locked through’ 100 locks, from New York City, all the way up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal, the Oswego Canal, across Lake Onterio to Kingston, Ontario through the Rideau Canal to Ottawa, down the Ottawa River and to Montreal, down the St. Lawrence to the Richelieu River and the Chambly Canal, down Lake Champlain to the Champlain Canal and back to the Hudson. “It was an incredibly rich trip,” says Bruce. And Avalon performed magnificently. This year will find them heading back to Maine.

“

end of the day, we’re going to get a slip, plug in, enjoy the AC, and go out to dinner. It’s just easier, more comfortable, and not as noisy.”

Another feature that sold them on this vessel is the second helm station in the sa-

lon. “When the weather gets crummy, we come down from the flybridge, get inside, and drive from there; it’s comfortable and dry,” says Bruce.

Regarding typical yearly maintenance, Bruce says it’s the standard stuff every

” We are fortunate to live on one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world, and for us, it only makes sense to have beautiful boats.

More about Avalon. With teak toe rails, grab rails, cockpit coaming, flybridge ladder, and aft bulkhead, the boat is just beautiful—38 feet overall, 36 feet on deck, 35 feet at the waterline, a beam of 12.5 feet, and a draft of three feet. Vertical clearance is 18 feet with the mast up and 15 feet, six inches with the mast down. Power is provided by a 350-hp Caterpillar 3116. “It’s old school, but it’s simple,” says Bruce. “You don’t need a computer to tune it so once it’s set up, it just goes. It’s been very reliable.”

With the right engine, gear, and wheel, Avalon cruises at 12-14 knots, runs at 17 knots at WOT (wide open throttle), carries 220 gallons of fuel, and 80 gallons of water. Cruising at eight knots, she burns three-and-a-half gal/hr. which gives her a maximum range of about 500 nm. They opted not to put a generator in because as Bruce says, “when cruising, we enjoy the flybridge and if it’s that hot at the

#

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

year—oil and filters, cleaning, etc. But he says the biggest maintenance is “the loving care and feeding of the teak.” The aft bulkhead is teak, the coaming all around the cockpit is teak, the toe rails are teak, the grab rails, the eyebrow, the pencil line are all teak, which requires annual attention to keep it looking good. When we spoke back in December, Avalon was getting laid up at Herrington Harbour. In the past, she has spent her winter “spa” months at Campbell’s Boatyard (now Hinckley) in Oxford. “There’s a lot of teak on this boat, and it’s absolutely stunning when finished properly,” says Bruce. “We used to do it ourselves but just couldn’t achieve the results we were looking for. There are a couple of guys at Campbell’s who are absolute magicians with varnish, and they did a fabulous job bringing her back to life.”

Bruce shared a bit more about the boat’s pedigree. “Avalon is not your typical production boat; she’s a one-off, so you don’t see boats like her every day,” he says. “This hull was drawn by Royal Lowell, who is considered by many to be the godfather of downeast boat design. There’s some interesting history on where the hull mold came from and how Avalon came to be.

“The mold originally started life in the 1970s as a Bruno & Stillman 35. Then it was acquired by Harris Cuttyhunk, who stretched it a foot to 36 feet. Nauset Marine rescued the mold out of bankruptcy to build lobster work boats. Shannon had a

customer who wanted a custom downeast cruiser, so they used the mold to build this boat.”

Bruce posits that Nauset laid up about 35 hulls in the late 80s and early 90s, so there aren’t too many still out there and even fewer Bruno & Stillmans and Harris Cuttyhunks. Most were built as workboats, so they didn’t get a lot of interior finish work. To his knowledge, there are only a handful of hulls, in various configurations, that have been finished and fitted out as custom cruising yachts.

# They opted not to put a generator in because if it’s that hot, they’re going to get a slip, plug in, and enjoy the AC. It’s easier, more comfortable, and less

“It’s pretty cool,” added Bruce, “describing the history of the boat and the lineage of the boats it came from. It’s a great conversation starter. They just don’t build boats like this anymore.”

As mentioned earlier, Bruce and his wife own five boats. Their Lyman is the only one that is all wood but there’s wood on all their boats (except the RIB). “There is just something very special about wood on a boat. Wood gives a boat soul.”

As we usually do in this column, I asked Bruce if he had any advice for someone considering purchasing a classic boat. His number one suggestion: follow your passion. “If you’ve always dreamed about having a beautiful, classic boat, get one! Life is short and there is no ‘round two.’ Buy the boat!”

We also discussed the costs, which as we’ve heard from several other classic boat afficionados, require a bit of a different mindset.

A boat—any boat—costs money to buy and takes time to maintain. To look at it one way, he explained, a new boat will cost many times more than a classic boat. “All boats require maintenance, but a classic boat will depreciate far less (some actually

appreciate), so in the long run, the total cost of ownership of a classic boat can actually be less than that of a new boat. The best part is you’ll have a beautiful classic boat that will turn heads and start conversations. There’s just no better way to make new friends. How do you put a price on that?”

For Bruce and Jill, that makes all the difference. “Everywhere we go, people stop and tell us what a beautiful boat she is. This is one of the truly gratifying aspects of owning a boat like Avalon,” he says. “This is partly because the boat is so lovingly maintained, but mainly because she is just a very pretty boat!

“A boat like this may not be for everyone, but we get as much pleasure out of keeping her looking good as we do cruising on her.” There are always things to work on, but as Bruce says, that’s to be expected. “It’s a boat!”

“We use our boats a lot, and we get as much enjoyment out of looking at them as we do using them. They bring a lot of joy to our lives. We are fortunate to live on one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world and for us, it only makes sense to have beautiful boats. Life is too short to have an ugly boat!”

It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

Boatshop Reports

By Capt. Rick Franke

At any gathering of boatshop and boatyard folks, the subject of the lack of younger workers often comes up. A lot of us talk about the problem, but Tim Krause of Annapolis Gelcoat and Restoration in Annapolis, MD, has instituted a program called “Giving Back to the Next Generation of Marine Techs” to help do something about it. As Tim explains, “This season, we donated a boat to CAT (Center for Applied Technology) South through Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). Each week, Mike Welsh heads into the classroom to teach hands-on fundamentals—from fiberglass repair to tool skills to understanding boat structure and safety. We’re proud to support young marine professionals and continue growing the future of our industry. Invest in your craft. Invest in your community.”

Jake Glover of Ferry Point Talbot Marina in Trappe, MD, sends us this update. “Our shop has remained busy with a steady stream of collision repairs. We currently have a small Grady-White and a large commercial vessel nearing completion after fiberglass repairs and fresh topcoats. A Carolina Skiff has just received a new Awlcraft hull finish and may also be getting a Yamaha repower ahead of spring. On the mechanical side, our team is fully engaged with routine service work, repowers, and driveline projects. A Hydra-Sport is in for a new Yamaha VF200XB V MAX SHO, which has proven to be an excellent option for customers transitioning from two-stroke to modern four-stroke power. Additionally, a 38-foot deadrise will receive new Caterpillar power, while both a Jarrett Bay and a Cabo are scheduled for complete driveline service, including new

shaft seals, cutlass bearings, and related components. We’re already seeing strong demand for spring slips, and availability is filling quickly. To support the upcoming season’s workload, we’re also actively working to bring on a couple of additional staff members.”

It is aways a pleasant surprise when my inbox dings with a new contributor. Ken Overton from Chesapeake Yacht and Property Management in Chestertown, MD, who describes himself as a longtime reader and first-time contributor, sends us news of a busy winter. “After prepping seven boats this fall to head south to the Carolinas, Florida, and the Bahamas, the crew is busy with numerous winter projects. Along with standard winter tasks of jet services, 1000-hour services on engines with Shore Power Solutions, there are multiple refits in the

works. A full suite of Garmin electronics including Starlink was installed on a 2026 Back Cove 390 for an Annapolisbased customer, with Yacht Interiors of Annapolis handling all of the soft goods projects. A Grady-White Freedom 307 for a Delaware-based owner is also getting a heavy hit of new Garmin equipment including a Garmin Kraken trolling motor supported with a lithium battery package installed by Horton Marine Service. Brown Dog Marine is working through the potential installation of a DC powered SeaKeeper 2 to assist with stabilization for “non-boater”

guests. A custom Albin 46 Flybridge suffered multiple engine failures and Outstanding Marine is assisting with a full repower. New Volvo IPS600’s, pods, control systems, and Garmin Glass Cockpit multi-function displays are in process. Thankfully, engine access was a breeze requiring no structural work to get the original equipment up and out. A full bilge repainting has transpired to get the new iron properly situated. A custom fiberglass hardtop is being considered on the boat and planning is in the works with a St. Petersburg, FL, outfit.

Got a New Boat?

“Unfortunately, a customer’s Viking 48 Open suffered a catastrophic failure on the port V8 MAN 1200 engine, so that fairly involved project is unfolding currently. This has led to a loss of the southern fishing season but come spring she will have two new 1200s in her belly to attack the Mid-Atlantic. Another Annapolis-based customer’s Azimut 43 is getting all new interior wall coverings as the original fabrics have delaminated over the years. Yacht Interiors of Annapolis is driving the bus on that project. As is always the case, time is slipping by too quickly, but they are pushing full bore ahead!”

Rob Hardy of Composite Yacht in Trappe, MD, sends us a brief report to remind us that in addition to new construction they also do repairs: “A 50-foot Post almost looks small in building one! This one is here for all-over paint and a few other odds and ends. Composite Yacht has placed an emphasis on quality finishes from the onset, and our well-trained and dedicated team remains committed to the craft. If you are thinking about putting a new shine on your boat, give us a call!”

Laura Shackleford from Tiffany Yachts in Burgess, VA, sends us this quick update. “In the shop we currently have Emerald Sea in for annual maintenance and pampering for spring! We’ve sanded and varnished all her beautiful brightwork, painted the bottom, and waxed the topside and hull. She’s now being shrinkwrapped and will be ready to hit the water in the spring. Need help with your boat’s annual maintenance? Give us a call today!”

Andy Dize of Roudebush Yacht and Engine Works (RY&EW) in Dundalk, MD, shares this newsy update with us. “Our current workload is full; however, we are taking orders for new projects for the spring and summer seasons. The 41-foot Utility Boat engine replacement for Aberdeen Proving Ground is making great strides with the old engines removed and system development underway for the new engines. Several additional work items were identified for this project once we started the dismantling process. Other booked repair projects include a 43-foot Chris-Craft in for topside fiberglass refurbishment and hull repairs, a 38-foot Egg Harbor starter replacement and various system repairs, a 19-foot Sea Fox electrical system repair and engine tune up, and a Soling Trailer repair and Sail Box installation. A future project being discussed involves building two

additional aluminum 28-foot Dive Boats for Marine Solutions, this time with enclosed operating stations. RY&EW is a full-service repair yard able to build and repair boats up to 45 feet. For inquiries, reach out to Andy to discuss your repair or new construction projects.”

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St Micheals, MD, helps to wile away these cold winter days by presenting a whole program of Bay related speakers and programs. According to a recent news release from the museum, “Although the program kicked off in January, there are still some interesting events scheduled for late winter. On Monday, February 23, “Women at the Helm” at 5:30 p.m. offers a celebratory send-off for CBMM’s special exhibition, “Her Helm,” which closes at the end of February. Folklorist Amy Skillman will share highlights from her oral history project documenting women

at the helm, including Bay captains. She will focus on storm stories, which are more often tales of communion with, rather than conquest of, the sea.

“Also, mark your calendar for “The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life: An Evening with Cory McCray, on Thursday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. A journeyman electrician and Maryland state senator, McCray details how mentorship,

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skilled trades, and second chances create powerful pathways to success for individuals and communities in his debut book, “The Apprenticeship the Saved My Life,” during National Apprenticeship Week. CBMM is proud to host Senator McCray for an in-depth conversation on building stronger foundations for the next generation of workers and leaders, followed by a book signing.

“Additional speakers and programming will be announced in the coming months. Find more information about all CBMM’s upcoming events at cbmm. org/events.”

As I look out at the frozen snow outside my window it is hard to believe that the first day of spring is only a little over 30 days away! Until next month; stay warm and safe and be careful out there.

Complete Yacht Services

FISH NEWS

By Lenny Rudow, FishTalk editor

Regulation Roundup

At its winter meeting the MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council addressed the regulation of several items of interest to anglers in our area. Flounder were considered, with no change in coast-wide regulations expected for the 2026 and 2027 seasons (Maryland has already announced that 2026 flounder regs will mirror 2025). Individual states may make minor changes to their seasons, but the overall harvest remains the same.

The council approved a liberalization of black sea bass harvest, allowing for an increase of 20 percent since biomass has been increasing and remains well above target levels. Individual states will determine seasons, minimum sizes, and bag limits, but this is one of those rare cases where we can hope for an increase in fishing days or limits rather than a cut.

The council also addressed the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment for flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. This regards separate management (read: catch limits) for recreational and for-hire (charter boat) anglers. Although recreational and for-hire anglers are all currently alleged to be managed as one, the for-hire segment of the sector already enjoys more liberal catch limits for blue-

fish. (In Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia recreational anglers on for-hire boats are allowed two fish more than recreational anglers on their own boats, or anglers fishing from shore). The council essentially punted on the issue to “further refine draft alternatives.” They also discussed modifying or eliminating the tilefish reporting framework, with action planned for the spring 2026 meeting, and approved a draft 2026 Implementation Program outlin-

He’s Number One! He’s Number One!

The first Virginia fisherman to claim the title of Master Angler VI made the grade this winter, when Stephen Miklandric caught a four-pound, threeounce saugeye on the Appomattox River in January. Hitting Master Angler VI means you’ve caught trophy-sized fish of all 30 species listed by the state—and nobody’s ever hit that mark before. The Saugeye is an extremely unusual catch as they’re only present in a handful of far southwest rivers and were only added to the Online Virginia Angler Recognition Program in 2019. In all, Miklandric has recorded an eyepopping 1816 citation-worthy freshwater fish.

Ting anticipated work over the next year in context with the council’s five-year plan.

In addition to the MAFMC announcements, the state of Maryland has made a change in yellow perch regulations. Excluding reservoirs, lakes, ponds, and impoundments, the daily catch limit has been halved to five fish due to low recruitment over the past six years. The season remains open year-round with a nine-inch minimum size.

March Mayhem

here are some great events to check out as we get ready for spring and the 2026 fishing season. On March 7 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association Fishing Flea Market takes place at the Virginia Beach Field House in Virginia Beach, VA. Fly anglers will want to head for the Maryland Fly Fishing Show on March 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Village Commons at Towson University in Towson, MD. And on March 22 the Annapolis Saltwater Fishing Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge in Edgewater, MD. FishTalk will be on hand for this one, so stop by and say hi to the crew.

Susquehanna Salmon

The water discharge permit requested by Norwegian company AquaCon to build an indoor salmon aquaculture facility in Port Deposit, MD, five miles upstream from the Susquehanna Flats, has been put on pause for review—but not for the reasons one might think. After the Chesapeake Bay Foundation filed a lawsuit challenging the discharge permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), AquaCon submitted a permit modification request asking the MDE to strengthen six different provisions. Yes, you read that right, the permit’s on hold because the applicant asked for tighter requirements, not the MDE, and it took a lawsuit to make it happen.

Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 9 AM -3 PM Annapolis Elks Lodge #622 n on- p ro F i T Fundrai S er 2517 S OLOMONS I SLAN d Rd., Edg E wATER , M d 21037 Admission is only $5 per person! Kids 14 and under are FREE! 30 T h a nnual

• Informative Seminars from expert anglers share their tips and techniques

9:30 AM Shawn Kimbro: Fishing in the Chesapeake bay

10:45 AM Mike and Nate Berkheimer: Small boat Swordfishing

12:00 PM Tim Sughrue: “School of rockfish” presentation

1:15 PM Lenny Rudow: Targeting alternative Species in the Chesapeake bay

• Expanded previously owned fishing tackle and boating equipment sale!

• Tackle for River, Bay, Inshore, and Offshore Fishing from local dealers!

• Book your next fishing trip with top charter Captains and guides!

• Enjoy BBQ Everything, Always Ice Cream, Raw Oysters, and Full-Service Bar!

• 2 St. Croix PS66MH rods w/ Stradic 3000xg reels ($800 value) • Yeti 45 Cooler prize package ($400 value)

• $100 AllTackle gift Card

• 50th Anniversary Ruger 10/22 rifle & scope package ($600 value)

BROKERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

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

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POWER

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Bentley New Legacy DL Navigator 22’ 2026 AT PHILLY BOAT SHOW Mar 13-15. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. 4-reclinable chairs, white/blue panels, Bimini, Garmin, Ski locker/ Towbar, Lillipad Ladder. #BP-157 Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Bentley New Legacy Navigator 22’ 2026 AT PHILLY BOAT SHOW Mar 1315. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. blue/silver panels, gray/blue interior, Bimini, Garmin, Ski locker/ Towbar, Lillipad Ladder. #BP-166 Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Bentley New Legacy Swingback 22’ 2026 AT PHILLY BOAT SHOW Mar 1315. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. Swingback bench, blue/silver panels, gray/orange interior, Bimini, Garmin, Ski locker/Towbar, Lillipad Ladder. #BP-153 Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

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

Bentley New Fish-N-Cruise 24’ 2026 AT PHILLY BOAT SHOW Mar 13-15. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. 2-Fish Seats, Livewell, Garmin, White/ blue panels, Gray interior, DoubleBimini, Lillipad ladder, Ski towbar. #BP-167 Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Twin Vee 24’ Catamaran DC GFX 2024

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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

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

Bentley Elite Quad-Swingback 25’ 2026 AT PHILLY BOAT SHOW Mar 1315. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. 4-swingback benches, 2-tables, green/black panels, tan interior, Bimini, Ski towbar. #BP-148 Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Bentley Elite Swingback 25’ 2026 AT PHILLY BOAT SHOW Mar 13-15. New triple-pontoon, Yamaha engine. Swingback bench, black/champagne panels, tan interior, Bimini, Ski towbar. #BP-156 Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

Ranger Tug 25’ R-25 2023 Pre-owned well-kept. Yamaha F250, DES, Heat/ AC, Full Head. Full Galley. Garmin, Lithium batteries & charger, Solar Panel, more. $157,140/OBO (#U-489) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

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

Cutwater 26’ Cruiser WA 2016 Pre-owned, excellent condition. New custom-fit trailer, Volvo Penta Diesel 200HP (585 hrs.), digital gauges, GPSMAP, Solar Panel, Heat/AC, full galley, full head. $135,500/OBO (#U395) Rudy Marine, 302.945.2254, www.RudyMarine.com

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

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

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

2023 Nimbus T9 30’ New - Hull #121Twin Mercury V6, Foiled Hull, Thruster, Radar, Underwater Lights, Zipwake Dynamic Controls, Extra Fridge. Just Reduced $240,000 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com

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

Jeanneau 34’ NC 1095-FLY 2021 Preowned, loaded. Twin 300HP Yamahas, 3-cabins, flybridge, HelmMaster300, Autopilot, Bow Thruster, Garmin, Fusion Audio, Diesel Generator, AirCondition, Galley, Head. $359,900/OBO (#U-481) 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

1995 Bayliner 3587 – COMING SOON! Twin 250Hp Hino Diesels w/ low hours, Westerbeke diesel generator. Must sell due to medical issues. Please call to schedule a viewing. $38,500 Contact: 302.382.9248

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

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

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

Spring Is Calling — Start Your 2026 Boat Search Now

32 Fratelli Aprea 32 HT 2020 ...................... $550,000 32 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 ‘05, ‘06....... 2 from $69,000 29 Hunt Surfhunter 29 2017 ........................ $324,000

Fratelli Aprea Sorrento 7.50 2022

Brokerage & Classified

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

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

36’ Bavaria S36 2015 Perfect weekender for the family! 2 cabin/1 head layout. 2x Volvo Penta Diesels w/ low 382 hours. Joystick, Generator, Massive sunroof, 4 televisions. Fully enclosed w/ triple track glass doors. $249,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

36’ Judge Chesapeake 36 2009 –NEW LISTING Experience the perfect fusion of luxury, performance, and rugged reliability. Whether you’re chasing trophy fish or cruising the coast in style, this vessel delivers. 480Hp Cummins QSB 5.9 common-rail diesel inboard… $249,500 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

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

38’ Sea Ray 38 2007 – NEW LISTING 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

(Yinzer) 39’ Mainship ‘03 $129,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

2024 Nimbus T-11 41’ New - HULL #283 - Twin 400 Mercs. Joystick, Thruster, Open day boat layout w/ yacht construction quality. 2 Cabins and enclosed head. $599,000 Wellequipped! Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com

2025 Nimbus W11 41’ New - Hull #46. Foiled Hull, Twin Mercury Verado V-10 400XXL, Mooring Sunshades, EcoTeak, Zipwake & Bow Thruster, Windlass, Air Con, Simrad Electronics Package and More. $625,000 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com

41’ Menorquin 120 2003 – NEW LISTING 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

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

42’ Nordic Tug 42 2008 – NEW LISTING Beautifully maintained & upgraded; Naiad Hydraulic Stabilizers, New Axiom plotters - two at each helm, the list goes on... $675,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

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

2017 Tiara 44C Brokerage - Rare straight shaft 44c. Powered by Cummins QSB 550’s, lightly used and well taken care of. Priced to sell. $679,900 Contact Matt Weimer at 410.212.2628 or www.seattleyachts.com

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

(Paddy Wagon) 45’ Sterling ‘00 $155,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

45’ 2005 Albin 45 Very well-maintained and cared for. Spacious design and smart interior. 2cabin/2head. New electronics & low engine hours. Twin turbocharged and intercooled Yanmar 6CXMGTE2 engines. Onan generator & 2 zone heat/AC. $235,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

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

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

2015 Prestige Yachts 500 S 50’ Stevensville, MD. Asking $599,000 Award Winning 3-Stateroom Layout. Tender Garage. IndoorOutdoor Salon/Helm. Excellent Condition and ready for her next home! To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

2016 Prestige 500 S 50’ Stevensville, MD. Asking $599,000 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 Prestige Yachts 500 Fly 50’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $649,000 SEAKEEPER Stabilizer, low-hour Volvo IPS 600s, bow thruster, 3 staterooms/2 heads plus crew. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Chuck Meyers: 703.999.7696 or chuck@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.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 Yachts 500 S 50’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $645,000 Grey Oak Wood. Well-Maintained. Ready for Spring delivery. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

2006 Hatteras 64 Motoryacht 64’ Hilton Head, SC. Asking $899,000 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

Thanks to the ad in PropTalk, I’ve sold the boat! There was a lot of interest. Most people cited the print edition, though many also cited the on-line ad. Very nice doing business with you.

Sincerely, Frank Royal Oak, MD

MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

Help Get Our Magazines into Local Hands – SPF Seeks Annapolis 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.

Seasonal WATERFRONT Jobs – Dock Hands and Ticket Sales/Customer Service Full-Time & Part-Time positions available, April–October. Dock Hands earn hourly pay plus tips $$ tying up boats at a lively Annapolis dock bar. Office role handles ticket sales and provides customer service for Schooner Woodwind guests. Boating and customer service experience a plus. For more info or to apply, visit: www.schoonerwoodwind.com/employment Yacht Sales - Curtis Stokes and Associates, Inc. is hiring new salespeople for our Chesapeake area operation. Candidates must be honest, ethical and have boating experience. This is a commission only position. Contact Curtis Stokes at 410.919.4900 or curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

MARINE FABRICATION

Discover a career in

Boating

Get started at www.mtam.org

New President and CEO

Riverside Marine, Inc. announces the promotion of Jason Baumgartner to president and chief executive officer. As a third-generation owner, Jason personifies the boating lifestyle with a passion for the marine industry. Launching his career at Riverside when he was 14, he learned the operations of a successful boat dealership and marina from the ground up. With nearly 25 years of experience, he developed skill sets concentrated on operational excellence, successful team building, and quality control. Family meant everything to the founders of Riverside Marine, Bob and Veenie, which holds true today. David Baumgartner, president and CEO for the past 35 years stated, “Our family-owned

company proudly carries on its legacy spanning three generations. The third generation actively contributes to the growth and success of Riverside through their innovative approach and dedication. With Jay at the helm as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026, I am proud the next generation will continue our legacy of family fun on the water.”

And that wasn’t the only bit of big news from Riverside Marine. The company

Event Space

was recognized with the 2025 Marina of the Year–Business Operations Category award by Marina Dock Age Magazine and the Docks Expo for all of the hard work they have put into the marina over the past few years. Scott Baker was also announced as the Top Salesman for Sportsman Boats for the third consecutive year. And to top it all off, the company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Congratulations to Riverside Marine! riversideboats.com

BOE Marine announces the opening of its newly expanded boat outfitting showroom. The showroom features upgrades that any boater would love from marine electronics, to lights, to trolling motors. Please drop in to get ideas for your next boat upgrade. The showroom is located on Kent Island at 325 Cleat St, Stevensville, MD. Subscribe to Boe Marine’s Facebook page to get alerted on events throughout the year, including seminars, industry representative presentations, and boating get-togethers. BOE would like to make its showroom available for any boating related groups, clubs, or fishing tournaments to use for FREE. The showroom features lots of open space for presentations, and both an indoor and outdoor bar for hospitality. It is a really cool space and they would like to make it available to the industry. Please contact jim@boemarine.com to check availability and schedule your event. boemarine.com

New Product

VETUS, a global leader in marine propulsion and onboard systems, announces the all-new E-LINE 22 kW, extending its established E-LINE electric propulsion range. E-LINE motors are designed to deliver an exceptional boating experience, offering the same intuitive control and performance as a traditional combustion engine but with the additional benefits of zero emissions or noise. With the highest output power in the VETUS electric range (22 kW), and a maximum torque of 130 Nm, the E-LINE 22 kW provides powerful, responsive acceleration from the moment you apply the throttle and immediate deceleration when needed. The latest technologies in range management enable boaters to get the most out of the battery bank in any situation, plus the Sailing Assist firmware ensures efficiency, comfortable acceleration, cruising, and emergency stop. The VETUS E-LINE 22 kW is a complete system out-ofthe-box, only to be completed with the control lever and cooling system of choice: keel cooling or fresh water. Compact and easy to install, it can be mounted on almost any existing engine foundation. Boaters can upgrade their system at their own pace, enhancing the boating experience any time thanks to the E-LINE modular design architecture. With different options in control levers, shunt, and displays, fully customized configurations tailored to the specific requirements of different boats are possible. The ELine 22kW is available now for vessels up to 15 m (50 ft) or 20 ton. vetus.com

New Places To Pick Up PropTalk

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

• West Marine in West Ocean City, MD

• Larry’s Outdoor Store in Rock Hall, MD

• Betty’s Bar in Chestertown, MD