SpinSheet Magazine March 2026

Expert sail design, the finest sail making materials and our commitment to customer service make Bacon Sails one of the world’s top sail brokers, trusted by cruisers and racers alike. Our marina store features a large selection of new and used competitively priced boat equipment and parts.

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Sailboat Review: Lagoon 38

Packing capability and comfort into a “smaller sized” catamaran. By Jahn Tihansky

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Choosing Your Offshore Crew Wisely

Veteran offshore skippers offer valuable insights about the importance of crew selection.

By Captain Cheryl Duvall

presented by Us spars

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A Spring Commissioning Primer

The thrill of getting out there comes only after the agony of doing the work here.

By Zuzana Prochazka

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New and Exciting at Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Tips on choosing marinas, news and events from Chesapeake marinas, plus an updated marina directory.

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Charter Notes: Bahamian Paradise Revisited

A family’s storied 1980 Bahamas charter and the 2025 version: different vessels and times, yet the enchantment with the islands remains.

By Craig Ligibel

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CBYRA High Point Standings 2025

High Point Standings for PHRF, more one-design classes, special awards, and Chesapeake racing news.

On this month’s cover, SpinSheet photographer Ted Morgan captures the spirit of spring frostbite racing in the ILCA one-design fleet out of Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis.

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612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD 21403 (410) 216-9309 spinsheet.com

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@spinsheet.com

A SSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@spinsheet.com

EDITOR

Molly Winans, molly@spinsheet.com

SENIOR EDITORS

Beth Crabtree, beth@spinsheet.com

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@spinsheet.com

COPY EDITOR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@spinsheet.com

FOUNDING EDITOR

Dave Gendell

ADVERTISING SALES

Eric Richardson, eric@spinsheet.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Brooke King, brooke@spinsheet.com

DISTRIBUTION / BROkERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER

Beatrice M. Mackenzie, beatrice@spinsheet.com

ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER

Zach Ditmars, zach@spinsheet.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@spinsheet.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kim Couranz, Chelsea Co, Captain Cheryl Duvall, Tom Guay

John Herlig, Eva Hill, Pamela Tenner Kellett, Craig Ligibel, Gwen Mayes, Steven Toole, Cindy Wallach, Ed Weglein (Historian )

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Walter Cooper, Ben Cushwa, Mark Hergan, Will Keyworth, Ted Morgan, Al Schreitmueller, Cindy Wallach

DISTRIBUTION

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

SpinSheet is a monthly magazine for and about Chesapeake Bay sailors. 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.

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

SpinSheet is distributed free of charge at more than 800 establishments along the shores Chesapeake Bay. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute SpinSheet should contact the SpinSheet office at (410) 216-9309 or beatrice@spinsheet.com.

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Photographer: offshorevisual | Location: IOW

Friends With Benefits

By Molly Winans

On a sunny Colorado Sunday last month, I rode a chairlift with a Minnesotan skier who learned I was an editor and asked what I liked to write about. “People,” I told him. I love writing about passionate people. That covers most sailors, making my job easy most days.

When interviewing sailors, one word crops up almost every time: camaraderie. You know what word has never popped up in two decades of SpinSheet interviews? Loneliness. In the outside world, I’ve read about a “loneliness epidemic.” Sailors don’t mention it. They’re too busy making friends.

I’ve been thinking a lot about friends; how mine keep me grounded and giggling, how one hour with a friend, having lunch or sipping wine on the porch, can lift my mood in a flash. Sailors get this. Walk down the docks after any sailboat race, and you’ll find sailing friends laughing together in the cockpit. Sail into any popular anchorage in season, and you’ll find sailors rafted up, sipping drinks, swapping salty tales, and laughing among friends. Even solo sailors connect to share singlehanding tips.

If you’d like to meet more sailing friends, we will host three SpinSheet Crew Parties this month: March 8 in Solomons, March 28 in Norfolk, and March 29 in Hampton (see page 71 for details, including our April 26 Annapolis party). Bring a friend; make a friend. Share this news with anyone you know who’d like to get into, or more into, sailing. All are welcome at these free parties (cash bar). Put on a nametag and start meeting sailors. “Friends with benefits” could mean “friends with sailboats.”

Last month for Valentine’s Day, we asked SpinSheet friends to share their stories of how they met their sweethearts through sailing or boat shows for a chance to win tickets to the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show. We received moving stories. Here’s the winning story from Marianna Fleischman:

“My husband and I met ‘in the wild,’ as we like to say. Right there in the line aisle in the local West Marine. I was pretty new to sailing at the time, having just bought my own little 24-footer. I didn’t know much, but I did know I needed new jib sheets, so off to West Marine I went. Standing in the back of the store near the running

rigging, a voice said, ‘You should get the Dyneema!’ I also knew just enough at this time to identify this as a joke. I chuckled, and we chatted for a second before I started back toward the front of the store to check out. Halfway there I thought, ‘eh, he was kinda cute,’ so I went back and introduced myself with a handshake… Romance!

“He followed me to the front and offered up his phone number ‘in case I needed help with my boat sometime.’ Yeah, sure. But the friendly store manager had his back, confirming he really did know his stuff and was in there all the time. I saved his number as ‘Jack WestMarine’ and have never changed it!

“We got married in 2023 aboard our 45-foot Van de Stadt we cruise together in the Bay. We are working toward bluewater cruising and a transatlantic sometime soon.”

Congratulations, Marianna and Jack WestMarine! We’ll see you and other new friends on the water.

ve things you should know about boat insurance

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

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

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

2. Accidents can happen to anyone

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

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

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

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

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

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

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

*No. 1 rating based on boat market share data from Rate lings.com.

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

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

Go to progressive.com to learn more.

SpinSheet Sailing Selfies

As we spring into another sailing season, remember to send pretty and fun photos to SpinSheet! We capture many racing photos from a distance but seek cruising photos, raftup photos, crew selfies, seasonal Chesapeake images, and potential cover shots anytime. Send photos to editor@spinsheet.com

One in Solomons

HSteven Birchfield

Join the Shuck It Tour Celebration With the Eastport Oyster Boys

If you hear the phrase “a good hat, a good dog, and a good boat,” and it makes you dance a little, you’ve probably been to a party, a Shaw Bay raftup concert, the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) Tug of War, or other event featuring the Eastport Oyster Boys. The “boys,” who were appointed the Musical Goodwill Ambassadors by the City of Annapolis and MRE, love to share their musical celebrations and stories of life on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. For three decades, the Eastport Oyster Boys have educated, amused, and delighted thousands with their wit, wisdom, and special message of stewardship and appreciation for the Bay and its unique maritime culture and history. Right around sock-burning season, which feels appropriate for these salty musicians, they will celebrate their 30-year milestone at 4 p.m. on March 22 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

Of the current four-man EOB lineup, sailors may recognize Kevin Brooks, who plays guitar and six-string banjo. A sailor and songwriter, Kevin brings a rich music heritage to the Oyster Boys, having performed as bassist and vocalist with top regional folk artists including Mack Bailey, the Shannon Tide, and other high energy folk and original groups. During Kevin’s 30-plus-year career in music, he has shared the stage with such musical legends as Glenn Yarbourgh, Chet Atkins, The Wolfe Tones, and Charlie Byrd. His song writing includes “Good Hat, Good Dog, Good Boat,” “Downy Ocean Hon,” “This Too Shall Pass,” and more.

SpinSheet readers know Annapolis sailor Tom Guay, who plays electric and acoustic guitars, fiddle, and hammer dulcimer—as well as penning the novel “Chesapeake Bound” and quarterly SpinSheet columns. Tom hooked up with the EOB after he escaped Washington, DC, in 1999 to come to Annapolis. His songwriting styles reflect a strong folk and Celtic influence as well as several new Oyster Boy standards.

Mike Lange, a well-known and respected keyboardist, uke and melodica player, and singer songwriter, has performed more than 1000 gigs throughout the Mid-Atlantic and overseas. Best known for his outstanding swing and boogie-woogie styles, Mike is equally adept at songwriting and arrangements.

Local marine electronics guru, Andrew Fegley, has been playing trombone with various Annapolis bands since the mid-1980s and with the EOB since the mid-1990s. Beyond his musical talents, Andy is an accomplished professional mariner with thousands of sea miles in his logbook, most recently on his custom 40-foot trawler Yes. The guy often seen in a tie dye shirt playing trombone? That’s Andy.

Join these local legends for their 30-year anniversary celebration, their “Shuck It Tour,” on Sunday, March 22 from 4-6 p.m. at Maryland Hall. This evening of EOB music and mirth will include special musical guests as well as memories of their travels as Goodwill Ambassadors from the City of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay.

Proceeds from the concert will help to support the mission of Annapolis Musicians for Musicians (AMFM), which provides scholarships and emergency support for local working artists. Buy tickets at marylandhall.org/events; pricing starts at $36 with a VIP reception add-on with premier seating.

Give Back, Feel Good

The sailing community is known for its volunteers who generously donate their time and share their skills to encourage and teach new sailors. Ask any volunteer about their experiences and they will likely tell you that giving back feels great and enhances their own lives.

One such volunteer is Beth Fincham, who was nominated by Hannah Garbee to be SpinSheet’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year. After moving to Baltimore at age 35, Fincham was looking for a way to add more peace and relaxation to her life and to make new friends. She discovered the Downtown Sailing Center’s (DSC) Women on the Water program through a quick Google search, and after her first sail with them was instantly hooked.

In 2022, Fincham began to volunteer with DSC’s Access-ability program, which provides Saturday open-housestyle sailing events for anyone with a disability. The free, volunteer-supported program allows individuals with disabilities to experience the freedom of sailing through therapeutic recreation, sailing instruction, and racing.

What inspired you to

volunteer at DSC?

Fincham: At first, I thought volunteering with the Access-ability program

would just be an extra opportunity to get out on the water and practice crewing, but it quickly became near and dear to my heart because of the people, the mission, and the community impact.

Describe your roles.

At DSC’s Access-ability Saturday events, there are a variety of volunteer roles. When I first started volunteering, I usually signed up to crew one of the Sonars or as a dockside greeter to help sign participants in and get them set up with lifejackets and ready for their morning on the water. After a while, I learned how to work the Hoyer lift to transfer participants from wheelchairs on and off the boats and learned how to rig the Hansa accessible dinghies.

What keeps you coming back?

I really cannot think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning than being on the water or on the docks sharing my love of sailing with others, especially those who might otherwise not have access. Sailing brings so much joy into my life, and it’s so much fun to help others experience it as well.

Do any standout days come to mind?

One of my favorite events was in the summer of 2024. It was a very windy day, and the accessible race team had a practice scheduled on the Hansa 303s (a specifically designed accessible sailboat for one or two persons). The Hansas were heeling so much that water was coming into the cockpits (the boats will not capsize!). Two newer sailors were in one boat together, and the cockpit got so filled with water that they were sitting in water. They came back to the docks, and I started getting organized to transfer them out of the boat; but to my surprise they asked if I could just pump out the water so they could keep sailing. So, with huge smiles on all of our faces, I grabbed a small pump, emptied out their cockpit, and pushed them off the docks! They had a blast enjoying the sporty conditions, and I had just as much fun watching them fall more in love with the sport.

INTRODUCING THE NEX GEN II MODELS 359 AND 459

ISLAND PACKET CONTINUES TO INNOVATE

The Next Generation II Series (“NEX GEN II”) started with the 42’ Motor Sailer, The new Island Packet 359 AND 459 Models represent the latest iterations of the NEX GEN II Fleet. The success of their first generation predecessors, along with the input and support of our owner’s, inspired our team to take these models to the next level. The changes are many but you can always rest assured the we stay committed to the core values of safety and quality. A few highlights of our NEX GEN II Series include 30” lifeline stanchions or optional 30” SS exterior solid hand rails, updated fiberglass hull grid system resulting in even better hull support, new transom design that provides even better accessibility. Also, standard will include 24-Volt lithium batteries and systems along with 5000 Watt inverter for HVAC, induction galley, etc. We have added Cherry to our wood choices of Light Maple or Sapele.

For a complete list and more information on the 359, 459 or the 42’ Motor Sailer, please contact us via our website, email or a direct phone call.

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing the excitement! Proudly

the USA.

Sailing and Climbing in Extreme Environments

Annapolis

Film Festival Showcases Gary Jobson’s 1995 Antarctic Expedition

Did you know that Annapolis sailor and renowned sailing commentator Gary Jobson led an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard a 54foot steel-hulled sloop Pelagic for 35 days in 1995? On Saturday, March 28, at the Annapolis Film Festival, viewers may see the footage of “Sail to Antarctica” with their own eyes as well attend a Q&A with Jobson afterward.

The expedition crew of nine included famous climber, the late Alex Lowe; four-time around-the-world racer and the steel sloop’s owner, Skip Novak; Susie Leech, an Annapolis native who sailed on the all-women’s America’s Cup crew in 1995; sailing camera operator Mike Audick of Arlington, VA; moun-

taineer camera operator Alun Hughes from Wales, U.K; the late John Thackwray from Annapolis; director Jamie Reynolds; Chuck Gates, an underwater expert from Chicago, IL; and Hall of Fame sailor, Jobson.

The team sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, and made a stop at the infamous Cape Horn before sailing across the Drake Passage; the Antarctica Peninsula is 600 miles from Cape Horn. The mission was to produce a film featuring the juxtaposition of sailing and climbing in extreme environments. Jobson introduced Lowe to sailing in rough ocean waters, while Lowe introduced Jobson to ice climbing and mountaineering on the frozen continent.

The expedition vessel, Pelagic, was built out of reinforced steel to withstand the ice and also featured a lifting keel and rudder, making shallow-water navigation possible. A diesel heater kept the crew warm below decks; the warmest temperature was 42 degrees and the coldest was five degrees. The wind ranged from zero to more than 50 knots.

A few highlights of the film to be screened at the festival include:

• Lowe scaled a 100-foot iceberg with ice axes and crampons without ropes.

• The crew explored an ancient ice cave, navigated through thick ice, and visited abandoned Antarctic research stations from the 1950s.

• Lowe, Novak, and Jobson scaled a 5200-foot mountain with Hughes filming the ascent. Jobson said it took 11 hours to reach the summit and eight hours to climb back down. The ascent was possible because the Antarctic has 24-hour daylight during the Austral summer.

• Gates captured remarkable underwater images of sea life, orca whales, seals, and penguins.

• The crew visited Faraday, a British research station that first discovered the ozone hole and met famous polar explorer, the late Wally Herbert, whom Jobson interviewed.

Jobson said, “Our Antarctic expedition was a trip of a lifetime, especially on a ‘small sailboat.’ We made the voyage before cruise ships started visiting the region. At one point we got stuck in a cove by an iceberg for eight days before the wind shifted and we could continue. We were amazed at the loud noises icebergs make as they make their way to the sea.”

The film, slated to show at noon on Saturday, March 28, is 78 minutes long and will be followed by a Q&A. The Annapolis Film Festival (March 26-29) will announce its full slate of films and details for the Jobson event March 1. Buy tickets at annapolisfilmfestival.com

Make an Impact Through Sailing (and Shopping!)

Spending time on the water is more than recreation—it’s restoration. Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis puts that belief into action by providing private three-hour sailing experiences for individuals currently undergoing cancer-related treatment and their loved ones. Each nominee can bring up to five guests aboard, transforming a simple day on the Bay into a powerful moment of connection and respite.

With chapters in Annapolis, Virginia, North Shore (MA), Newport (RI), and Vermont, Sail Beyond Cancer USA (SBC) continues to grow through the dedication of local volunteers. Board chair Dr. John Wojcik, who has volunteered with SBC Annapolis since 2022, emphasizes that there’s a role for everyone from sailors and crew to shore-based coordinators who help organize sails and support events.

Supporters can also make an impact on Sunday, March 8, at Helly Hansen in Annapolis, where a portion of all in-store sales will benefit Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis.

“We’re excited to partner with Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis,” said Cameron Kennedy, manager of the Helly Hansen Annapolis store. “I had no idea they have five chapters from Virginia to Massachusetts.”

Veteran skipper Rick Lober sums up the experience best: “When the wind fills the sails, you can see people let go.”

SBCA’s mission of “honoring those challenged by cancer by harnessing the healing powers of wind, water, and sail” comes alive with every sail. To volunteer, nominate someone, or learn more, visit sailbeyondcancer.org or call John at (517) 626-1283.

AMaryland Day Festivities: World Premiere of the “Voices of the Skipjack” Documentary

s part of Maryland Day Celebration week, on March 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., step into an evening dedicated to the rich maritime heritage of our region. More than a dozen organizations devoted to sharing the beauty and history of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, including SpinSheet, will be

on hand with ideas for experiencing the Bay in 2026: tour a lighthouse, sail on a skipjack or schooner, paddle a kayak, or volunteer to help preserve maritime heritage and our waterways.

The highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of “Voices of the Skipjack,” a documentary presented by Skipjack Heritage Inc. The video gives an inside look at Maryland’s State Boat through the eyes and voices of hearty oystermen that still work the Bay.

Event co-sponsors, who will be on hand to share their work and 2026 programs, include SpinSheet, Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse/US Lighthouse Society, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Galesville Heritage Society, EYC Foundation, NPS Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program, Watermark Tours, Schooner Woodwind, Annapolis Boat Shows, Smithsonian Environmental Center, Blacks of the Chesapeake, Captain Avery Museum, Pride of Baltimore, Seafarers Yacht Club , the Maryland Seafood Festival, and Preservation Maryland.

This March 23 event, which takes place at the AA County Nonprofit Center Theatre in Crownsville, MD, is supported in part by a grant from the Maritime Heritage Grant Program, administered by Preservation Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., attendees may visit with a host of nautical partners to learn about their missions and plan maritime events for the season. At 6:45 p.m. Chesapeake Crossroads Executive Director Jane Cox will kick off the evening’s presentations and invite partners to share their 2026 programs. Annapolis Maritime Museum docent Gwen Mayes will give an overview of skipjack history and heritage before the skipjack film at 7:30 p.m.

Since 2008, Chesapeake Crossroads and its heritage partners across Annapolis and Anne Arundel County have hosted Maryland Day events, often for free or just $1. Plan your visit for Maryland Day events all week, March 19-26, at marylandday.org

Sunday, Mar C h 22 | 3:30-5:30 P m Forward Brewing 418 Fourth St, Annapolis, MD 21403

Past registrants - bring a friend to register for the event for the first time and you both get 50% off entry fee. All 1st time registrants get 50% off entry fee.

To sponsor, fundraise, or register to race, visit ewespirit.org/ewe-spirit-cup

1

eYc racing rules Seminar Rules at the Rounding: RRS 18 Exploration. Free and open to the public at Eastport YC, Annapolis, MD.

7 herrington harbour online Seminar

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Herrington Harbour’s free online seminar, “Boater Safety and Crew Management,” 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 live stream will be sent prior to the seminar.

8 SpinSheet Solomons crew party

4 to 6 p.m. at Southern Maryland Sailing Association in Solomons, MD. Free and open to all experience levels. SpinSheet Crew Parties are for anyone who’d like to connect with other Chesapeake Bay sailors and sail more often.

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.

March

14

herrington harbour online Seminar

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Herrington Harbour’s free online seminar, “Spring Commissioning Tips,” will be presented by Captain Frank Lanier. He will share expert spring commissioning tips to help you start spring safely and smoothly. Drawing on decades of on-the-water experience, he walks through the critical checks and predeparture planning. A link to the livestream will be sent prior to the seminar.

14-15 rigging 101: Uprigging a Skipjack

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. When you arrive for the weekend course, the 1955 skipjack Rosie Parks will have no spars aboard, no push boat, no sails bent on. At the end of the day on Sunday, we will be ready to set sail on the Miles River.

21 haven harbour Seminar Series: Session 3

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

22 eastport oyster Boys 30th anniversary Shuck it tour celebration 4 p.m. at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. This is a special evening of Eastport Oyster Boys music and mirth with special musical guests, as well as memories of their travels as Goodwill Ambassadors from the City of Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay. Proceeds from the concert will help to support the mission of Annapolis Musicians For Musicians (AMFM), which provides scholarships and emergency support for local working artists.

22

eWe Spirit cup Kickoff party

3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Forward Brewing in Annapolis.

23 colonial chesapeake Maritime history

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

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SpinSheet norfolk crew party

3 to 6 p.m. at Rebel Marine Outdoor Breezeway (1553 Bayville St.) in Norfolk, VA. Free and open to all experience levels. SpinSheet’s Crew Parties are for anyone who’d like to connect with other Chesapeake Bay sailors and sail more often

Do you have an upcoming event? Send the details to: editor@spinsheet.com

28 Gary Jobson’s antarctic expedition Film and Q&a Noon at the Annapolis Film Festival at Maryland Hall. Find details and buy tickets at annapolisfilmfestival.com

28-29 Safety at Sea Presented by MTAM at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS), adjacent BWI Airport, near Baltimore, MD. This one-day course (choose which day) is the hands-on training portion for an International Offshore Safety at Sea certificate. Prior to the start you will need to: Complete an Offshore Safety at Sea course within the last year (such as MTAM’s one-day course at the Naval Academy on March 28, 2025) OR Complete the online Offshore Safety course (units 1-15) available through US Sailing. Questions: call (410) 269-0741 for more details, or email jstefancik@mtam.org.

29 eYc racing rules Seminar Wednesday Night Secrets: The Rules and Tactics that Make Wednesdays Unique. Free and open to the public at Eastport YC, Annapolis, MD.

29 SpinSheet hampton crew party

2 to 4 p.m. at Marker 20 in Hampton, VA. Free and open to all experience levels. SpinSheet’s Crew Parties are for anyone who’d like to connect with other Chesapeake Bay sailors and sail more often

March Racing

through Mar 29

iLca Frostbite racing

Hosted by Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD.

For more details and links to event websites, visit spinsheet.com/calendar

through Mar 15

aYc Frostbite racing Series 2

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

April

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

18 capt. henry Marx Memorial US Sailing international Safety at Sea course

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

(cont.)

20 - Sep 15

DSc’s Women on the Water (WoW) The Downtown Sailing Center’s WOW events, held the first and third Mondays of the month, offer two exciting levels to suit every stage of your sailing journey: beginner and racing. No membership is required; non-members can sign up for a small fee. Baltimore, MD.

24-26 annapolis Spring Sailboat Show Friday through Sunday at City Dock, Annapolis. Climb aboard new and brokerage sailboats, meet with boating clubs and charter companies, shop gear and equipment, and ring in the new season with fellow sailors and marine professionals. With live entertainment, seminars, and a festive tasting tent, the fun lasts all day.

26 SpinSheet annapolis crew party 4 to 6 p.m. at Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD. Free and open to all experience levels. SpinSheet Crew Parties are for anyone who’d like to connect with other Chesapeake Bay sailors and sail more often.

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

April Racing

1 - Sep 30 hYc

Wednesday night Series Hosted by Hampton YC, Hampton, VA.

8 BBSa Little creek Wednesday night racing Begins Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Bay.

9 BBSa Willoughby thursday night racing Begins Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Bay.

12

hYc tune-up race Hosted by Hampton YC, Hampton, VA.

16-19 charleston race Week at patriots point Charleston, SC.

19

ccVr Spring Series 1 Hosted by CCV Racing and Hampton YC, Hampton, VA.

22 - Sep 2

aYc Wednesday night racing Hosted by Annapolis YC.

25 aYc Spring one Design regatta Hosted by Annapolis YC.

25-26 hampton roads one Design regatta Hosted by Hampton YC.

26

ccVr Spring Series 2 Hosted by CCV Racing and Hampton YC.

A Door to a New World Meet Jeannie Martin

Interview by Beth Crabtree

If you dream of learning to sail, don’t let age, gender, or self-doubt deter you from giving it a go. Jeannie Martin’s story, shared here in her own words, proves that such perceived obstacles need not be barriers to entry. As Martin explains, you will find a sailors are a welcoming community and enjoy sharing their passion for boating with newcomers.

Captivated by a friend’s cruising adventure

I’ve always been adventurous and curious, so when friends Captains Kristin and Doug Sharpe took their highschool-age kids on a one-year cruise from Annapolis to New England and down to the Caribbean and back, it opened a door to a new world that captivated my imagination. Never having been exposed to sailing, I was fascinated by the idea of exploring the world this way and wondered, “How does one do that?”

I started by meeting Kristin for lunch. She told me about various sailing schools, and I found The Sailing Academy in Deale, MD. There I took American Sailing’s Basic Keelboat course (ASA 101) in 2019 on an O’Day 29. Learning the terminology felt like learning a foreign language. The physics were fascinating and mixed my romanticized impressions of sailing with the practical skills, science, and engineering.

The pandemic interrupted my sailing pursuits, but in 2023, I took ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising, at the Maryland School of Sailing in Rock Hall. My instructor, Yvonne Brandt, was wonderful and truly inspiring; she was the first female captain I’d sailed with, and she

has been my mentor ever since. Being in a class with two other women who noted I seemed like a “natural” gave me my first real boost of confidence.

Finding a sailing community

Yvonne recommended SailTime Annapolis, and I joined immediately. Along with access to ASA instructors, SailTiime provided an environment in which to learn, ask questions, and become part of a welcoming sailing community. In January of 2025 I took ASA 105, Coastal Navigation, taught by another fantastic instructor, Captain Rick Robey.

With SailTime I had the ability to try different boats, and I could focus on sailing without the burden of boat maintenance (Silas Denton takes amazing care of the SailTime Annapolis fleet and is on speed dial for anything members might need).

At that time, I was commuting 90 minutes to the boat in Eastport from Leesburg, VA, so for me another benefit was using SailTime’s boats as a place to stay. I’ll never forget the “badass” feeling of my first night sleeping alone on the boat in the marina.

My husband and adult children have earned certifications through SailTime, and they crew on the 2019 Beneteau Oceanis 35 Carbon that we have been

sailing. This year Carbon will be retired from SailTime’s fleet, and we will move to Little Bird

Taking a Big Leap

In March of 2025, I took a big leap and completed a week-long advanced course with LTD Sailing in Grenada (LTD stands for Living The Dream) where Yvonne teaches in the winters. There I earned my ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising and ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising certifications, which included a 24-hour sail with night watches and manual navigation. That experience truly made me feel like a competent sailor.

Just last month (February 2026), I participated in an LTD sailing flotilla in the Sea of Cortez on a Lagoon 45 catamaran. I was joined by two girlfriends who are experienced with powerboats but were new to sailing. During this trip I earned my ASA 111 Sailing Review certification and continued to firm up my skills.

Did you encounter any obstacles?

How did you overcome them?

I certainly had a romanticized impression of sailing and didn’t initially realize how technical and challenging it is. However, that challenge is now part of the enjoyment because there is

so much to know, making it a lifelong pursuit in that it is intellectual, sporty, and an opportunity for leisure, community, and socializing.

My main obstacle was self-doubt. Because I started in my mid-50s, I worried I was too far behind those who grew up on the water and around boats. I was also concerned about how a middle-aged woman from the suburbs would be received in a sport with such a “rich and storied” heritage. I’ve since learned that true sailors love to share their passion and teach others. I am so grateful to those who helped me, and I hope to pay that forward.

As mentioned, I had a 90-minute commute to Annapolis, where sailing had been drawing me. Life circumstances finally cooperated, and this year we moved into our new house, which is only 10 minutes from Eastport and the boat! We hope to join one of the yacht clubs here, and I hope to get involved in racing and volunteering with the youth sailing program. I am also signing up to be a crew member and skipper with Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) this season.

What would you tell someone interested in learning to sail?

Try it! There are so many entry points, whether through friends, charters, or the ASA series of courses, which are excellent steppingstones that will connect you with instructors and the wider sailing community.

Find a Sailing School

New sailors or those returning to sailing may want to seek instruction or coaching at a sailing school or club. Many such organizations exist on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.They offer certifications for beginners, returning sailors hoping to brush up on seamanship skills, cruisers seeking bareboat chartering or navigation experience, and racers wanting to hone their skills. The following is a sampling of schools and clubs that offer sailing instruction on the Chesapeake. For a more complete list of schools offering certifications outside this region, visit US Sailing or American Sailing.

# Photo courtesy of Chronic Sailing

Chesapeake Bay Sailing Schools

• Annapolis Naval Sailing Association ansa.org

• Annapolis Sailing School annapolissailing.com

• Blue Water Sailing School bwss.com

• Captain In You Sailing Schools, Inc. captaininyou.com

• Chronic Sailing chronicsailing.com

• DC Sail dcsail.org

• Gratitude Sailing Institute gratitudesailing.com

• J World Annapolis jworldannapolis.com

• SailTime sailtime.com/annapolis

• Sail Solomons sailsi.com

• The Sailing Academy thesailingacademy.com

• West River Sailing Club learn2sailwrsc.com

When Your Backyard Benefits the Bay

By Pamela Tenner Kellett

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America, and its watershed covers 64,000 square miles and includes six states. Beloved by local sailors for its excellent and extensive cruising grounds, it is important to consider how we can positively contribute to being good stewards of our home waters. Improvement of water quality, reduction of nutrient runoff, and habitat restoration are all being addressed at the federal, state, and local levels, but what can sailors do on their own properties if they have available land? Plant native!

In the booklet “My Backyard to the Bay,” produced by the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District, the Watershed Steward’s Academy, and the Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, there are many concrete examples of ways that homeowners can control runoff by planting a Bayloving yard with native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Plants native to the Chesa-

peake ecosystem are adapted to local soil types, rainfall, temperatures, and insects and diseases.

How do native plants impact water quality?

1. Stormwater runoff filtration: Deep rooted native plants act as natural filters. Reducing the amount of nutrient pollution to reach the Bay reduces algal blooms, which can result in hypoxic dead zones.

2. Soil stabilization: Native grasses, shrubs, and trees have more extensive root systems that can reduce erosion.

3. Reduction in fertilizer and pesticide use: Native plants don’t require special care and have the best chance of thriving in our watershed. This translates into less nutrient pollution and chemical runoff, which leads to better aquatic life for oysters, crabs, and fish.

Bonus impacts Native plants have the added benefit of attracting native bird and pollinator species. A native oak can host more than 500 species of caterpillars and insects which are critical for 90 percent of bird species for feeding their young, even if they are not insectivores as adults. In contrast, nonnative species may have only 10 species of caterpillars or insects. Native plants provide nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees as well as nourishing and nutrientpacked berries and seeds. If you plant natives, you will provide critical food and habitat for our native wildlife and support biodiversity. Native plants are also gorgeous! Go big and lose the lawn for maximum benefits!

Resources

• “Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants” by Dr. Doug Tallamy

• “Landscaping with Native Plants” Maryland Native Plant Society

• Audubon’s Native Plants database (enter your zip code)

• Grant Giving organizations: Anne Arundel County Unity Gardens: unitygardens.org

• Chesapeake Bay Trust: cbtrust.org/ grants/community-engagement

Lagoon 38 Packing Capability and Comfort Into a “Smaller Sized” Cat

By Jahn Tihansky

Last fall, I had the opportunity to get aboard the new Lagoon 38 for a comprehensive look at the boat as well as a test drive.

Designed by the renowned French naval architecture firm, VPLP, the Lagoon 38 packs a lot of capability and comfort into a boat considered to be at the small end of the cruising cat spectrum. Mathias Chouraki of United States importer Signature Catamarans provided my tour and gave me a full run-down of her features before we got underway for a quick test run.

At just under 38 feet LOA, there are not many peers her size on the market. However, after venturing around both

on deck and below, I was pleasantly surprised at how voluminous the various spaces felt. Our test boat was the “owner’s layout” version which has three staterooms, while the “charter layout” has four.

To port is the owner’s cabin which has a queen size berth forward, a huge head compartment with a large separate shower stall aft, and a spacious desk/office area amidships. A sliding door with bookshelves and other storage allows the cabin to be fully partitioned from the saloon for privacy.

To starboard are two double cabins, each with a queen size berth. There is a shared head with separate shower amid-

ships. All are adequately sized for having guests and/or kids aboard. The main saloon table also drops down for another double berth if your party guests need to sleep over.

All cabins have a surprising amount of storage in hanging lockers and drawers and on shelves. Each cabin also has huge windows mounted in the topsides that provide excellent natural lighting as well as an opening portlight and deck hatch for ventilation. My only concern with the large windows is their ruggedness in challenging conditions offshore, particularly those in the forward staterooms. For anyone looking to transit to the Caribbean or other far-off destination, I’d recommend being prepared with plugging kits just in case. Otherwise, they sure are nice.

Having been recently spoiled sailing offshore aboard some larger cats (Fountaine Pajot 50 and Outremer 55), I thought I would feel cramped on the 38. The only area that seemed small was the saloon and galley area. However, it is well designed and provides ample space for meal prep as well as for moving around between galley appliances, counters, dining table, and aft cockpit doors. You can only fit so much into a 38- by 21-foot platform.

The use of chined hull design makes for a wider hull beam above the waterline and expanded lateral volume in each cabin while maintaining a more efficient underwater hull shape for good performance. This feature has become common in many contemporary cruising multihulls as well as monohulls. Kudos to the bold naval architects who pioneered it!

One of the beauties of catamarans is having the saloon on the same level as the cockpit. With the sliding doors open, the cockpit area becomes part of the saloon, making an open and airy living space. For serving meals, the separate cockpit table easily adjoins the saloon table, providing legitimate seating for eight people.

In the cockpit, there is additional forward-facing sofa seating along the aft edge plus aft-facing couch seating on each side to provide excellent space for entertaining. The option exists to enclose the cockpit with canvas for weatherproofing in inclement conditions.

Once out of the cockpit, wide sidedecks allow plenty of space to walk forward with handrails along the cabin top. Forward, there is an expansive lounging area on the foredeck as well as trampolines port and starboard. On-deck storage is generous with large lockers under each of the cockpit seats plus forward in each hull through deck hatches. The anchor locker and windlass are on the port side just ahead of the cabin house with adequate room for additional ground tackle.

The single helm station is four steps up from the cockpit sole to starboard. Except for spinnaker sheets, all running rigging leads to jammers and a singlepowered winch directly adjacent to the helm. A canvas helm station enclosure provides the helmsman some protection in more boisterous conditions. There are dinghy davits off the aft deck with their block and tackle leading to winches mounted outboard near the aft end of the cockpit. These winches are also set up for trimming a code zero or spinnaker. Our boat was equipped with a square top main and a self-tacking, non-overlapping jib. There is no traveler for the mainsail but instead a dual mainsheet system that provides the necessary lateral adjustment and leech control. While this will take some getting used to for some, I’m of the opinion that its simplicity is ultimately a positive feature, particularly considering the casual cruising mode in which the boat will be operated. Even cats with travelers need to rig a downhaul/preventer when sailing at broad wind angles for optimum sail trim.

Unfortunately, the wind was calm for our sea trial, so I wasn’t able to evaluate her performance under sail. That said, we did raise and lower the main to check the rigging and hardware functionality. The boat comes with Harken gear which appeared properly sized for the application.

With their wide beam, shallow draft, and significant windage, cruising catamarans’ Achilles’s heel is upwind performance; I’m pretty sure the Lagoon

Specifications

LOA: 37.3’ (11.38m)

Draft: 4.16’ (1.26 m)

Beam: 21.83’’ (6.65m)

Displacement: 22,579 lbs. (10,263 kg)

38 will be no different. The boat’s twin Yanmars produce 29 hp apiece, which should provide sufficient power to move the boat upwind in light to moderate conditions. Adding mainsail assist should improve performance somewhat. In heavier upwind conditions, you’ll likely want to choose a more favorable destination or wait until the wind changes.

For fuel conservation while long range cruising, most cats opt to run on just one engine with only a marginal speed loss compared to running both. We dropped down to one engine during our trial and saw a speed drop of approximately 15 percent. The boat managed tight-quarters maneuvers easily under power and can circle in her own length. The motors are easily accessible through large aft-deck hatches, making for easy maintenance and troubleshooting.

Lagoon is part of the Groupe Beneteau companies and has a reputation for building high-quality, mid-market boats. The fit and finish are typical of a mass produced boat and are attractive and functional but not super refined. For sailors looking to move into a nice cruising catamaran at a price point not quite in the stratosphere, the Lagoon 38 is definitely worth considering.

For more information contact SpinSheet supporter Signature Catamarans in Annapolis, MD (929) 207-0001 and Hayes, VA, (948) 223-1540 or signaturecatamarans.com

Southern Bay Cruise Planner

In September 2025, SpinSheet Century Club member Tim Dull took a long solo cruise north from Norfolk, VA, aboard his Tartan 34 Skymark. As a retired Navy Captain, commodore of the Tartan 34 Classic Association, racing captain of Norfolk Sailing Association, and entry coordinator for the BBSA Leo Wardrup Memorial Cape Charles Cup, Tim is a serious Southern Bay sailor and volunteer. Below he shares his truncated log of the trip, focusing on four of his favorite Southern Bay cruising destinations:

Dawn in Cape Charles

I awakened to a glorious but foreboding dawn. The weather was going to turn again within 48 hours. After a fine breakfast of homemade fried eggs on toast, I walked over to the marina office to check in for two nights. Cape Charles Harbor is a very fine place with excellent facilities. I arranged for our club’s major cruising event to be held there again next Fourth of July.

Once I had the foc’sle cleared of the anchoring gear and cleaned, I planned my day ashore. I wanted to pick up my annual supply of teak oil; however, the General Store which had been here for decades has been closed and is up

for sale. The closest hardware-style store is now well up the road even beyond bicycle range. I stopped into the Cape Charles Coffee House for one of their ever-great chicken salad sandwiches. Sitting outside and people watching is another nice aspect of this town. And it was thriving with visitors.

My next stop was the Wine and Cheese Shop and its perfect mixture of excellent table wines, cheeses, homemade breads, and all the extras one would wish for. They carry Brown Dog Ice-cream just in case you are in town when Brown Dog is closed, which happens often in the offseasons. Sadly, the ice cream there is only sold in pint containers, and with no freezer

onboard Skymark, I was forced to eat the whole thing in one sitting!

I did find a brand-new K-Coast Surf Shop, owned and operated by my good friend Spencer, who was the previous dockmaster at Cape Charles Harbor. For a good price, I found a spring surfing outfit to dive on my boat when it is a little cooler out.

Across the Bay to Deltaville

With winds at 14 to 17 knots out of the east, I raised the main while I was in the harbor and was soon motor-sailing along at about five knots into the northbound current. With the winds on the beam, I unfurled the genoa and quickly came up to five and a half knots, building to seven. I contemplated sailing all the way to the Solomons, but after calculating an arrival at 10 p.m., I thought better of it and settled in for a nice easy five-hour trip across to Deltaville.

As I passed Wolf Trap Light and angled to the west along my track north, the winds from the east stayed steady and while the waves were building, the course angle along Gwynn’s Island kept them from getting too unpleasant. I was soon sailing into the entrance of the Piankatank River and turning toward my old waypoint for the Jackson Creek channel. By 3:30 p.m., I was at the

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

entrance to Jackson Creek and lowering my sails to motor in. Twenty-five nm in three and a half hours! What a ride! Soon, I was anchored back in Jackson Creek in my favorite spot in what was now 12 feet of water instead of the usual nine. Quite a tidal surge.

Jackson Creek Marina is now the new name for the marina side of what used to be Deltaville Marina and Boatyard. I usually drop by in the dinghy and take their daily charge of $10 to use the showers and facilities. Nice lounge there that is open 24/7 with books and TV and WiFi. The pool is great when in season. The great addition a few years ago is the Deltaville Tap and Raw Bar which is right on the end of the marina docks. They have great seafood and stay busy with locals and travelers.

Sailing into Solomons

After sailing at five and a half to six knots, surprisingly good boat speed despite an ebb tide that should have affected me, and some rain, I turned up the Patuxent.

I slowly threaded my way into the Solomons entrance at 5 p.m., something I had done numerous times before. Leaving the triangle dump ground island to port and passing the fuel docks to port I wound my way sharply starboard into Mill Creek, where I could see a couple of catamarans anchored already. I made my way between the two yachts, finding a spot well enough clear that they would not mind my anchoring there.

The next morning felt like the first day of vacation! No plans, nowhere to be until next weekend and a nice day for a few boat chores, ahhh! After a slow rise with an easy breakfast of fried eggs and potatoes with cheese and a pot of hot coffee, I got underway for the Spring Cove Fuel docks, where I topped off my fuel tank and bought a block of ice. I motored over to Safe Harbor Zahniser’s Yachting Center and picked up my favorite mooring ball, “G.”

After inflating and launching the dinghy I rowed ashore to check in with the dockmaster and get a nice shower in their modern bathhouse with individual bathrooms for each guest. I spent the afternoon biking out to West Marine to pick up a running light bulb and installing it. I wandered around Main Street and sampled the ice cream along the boardwalk; nice to see things here do not change much. That evening, I had a great meal of Norfolk Seafood Sampler at Coast to Coast (previously Kingfisher Bar and Grill), sitting inside, as the evening breeze on their back patio was a bit brisk and damp.

South to Reedville

Once at Smith Point and back into Virginia waters, I adjusted “auto” a couple of degrees to compensate for the currents there and continued to the

Great Wicomico entrance buoy. The tides had finally shifted, and Skymark was back to making closer to six knots good for the first time in a while. I rounded the new channel marker Red “WR 4” for the entrance to the Great Wicomico River, and by 3 p.m. I arrived at our friends’ dock on Buzzard Point in Reedville.

I continued past their dock and around the creek behind it to the Buzzard Point Marina. The marina has pure gasoline, which my Atomic 4 loves, and has shoveled bags of ice for 20 pounds for $3, a great deal anywhere on the Bay. By 4 p.m. I was snuggled into the slip in front of my friends’ house, all ready for a cold beer after an eight-hour trip. That evening, I joined Ray and Linda for a seafood feast in the crab house around the corner from their home; about four miles away by car but a short hop of about 500 yards by boat.

Up early in the morning, with fresh coffee in hand, we were off to a Coffee and Car gathering in Reedville. One never knows what treats are in store in each port you visit! Reedville also has a very well-established Maritime Museum, focused on the seafood industry that is ever present still.

Next stop: Onancock!

~By Tim Dull, Edited by Molly Winans

SparS

Offsh O re s eries Part 3

Choosing Your Offshore Crew Wisely

By Captain Cheryl Duvall

Whether you are crew or seek crew for offshore adventures, veteran skippers offer valuable insights about the importance of crew selection. In part three of our Offshore Series, I continue my conversation with circumnavigators Andy and Heej Wescoat (find parts one and two at spinsheet.com) and also interviewed a few other skippers, who either cruise or race offshore in vessels ranging from 36 to 52 feet.

Crew options for circumnavigators

Andy and Heej were prepared to doublehand their journey with the World Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Adding crew became a bonus, providing more rest and shared adventure. As avid racers, the Wescoats had an extensive network of competent sailors who could crew. Matching individuals with passage requirements was key. Andy noted that they chose crew with offshore and watch experience for long passages, while less experienced sailors could join for coastal hops.

They also met more sailors through ARC. Some had joined the rally for just a portion and decided to continue. Others were using the rally to travel globally, moving from boat to boat.

One of those known sailors was a young woman.

“We met Mahina early in the rally. When we reached Cape Town, she was looking for a berth across the Atlantic. She had sailed on other rally boats and her fam-

very happy she joined us.”

Initially Mahina doubled-up with Heej from Cape Town to Namibia to learn her way around Kaja, a Farr 50. She took her own watch and cooked during the 3000-nautical-mile voyage to St. Helena and Recife, Brazil.

Andy and Heej noted that many ARC boats found crew through online boards, including the World Cruising Club’s list. Generally, this approach was successful, though occasional mismatches occurred. They emphasized the importance of meeting crew beforehand, checking references, and setting clear expectations on expenses, boat duties, watches, and alcohol use.

Crew for offshore racing teams

Captain Lynn McClaskey, an Annapolisbased racer on her J/110 Cimarron, values

crew compatibility over experience for offshore races such as the Mustang Survival Annapolis to Bermuda or Annapolis to Newport Races. She is a firm believer that the crew must bond before leaving the dock.

Lynn has different crew each year and uses a two-step process when recruiting for offshore races. In step one, crew must demonstrate: investment in themselves, taking courses in safety and first aid; commitment to the whole passage, including helping to prepare the boat; a realistic view of life onboard, heeling, cold, wet; and the ability to take feedback.

During this first step, Lynn says she gets a vibe. If the candidate feels like a good fit, she moves to step two, where she asks for relevant experience, such as navigational skills, including those in

Masts, Booms, Beams, Rigging

reduced visibility; safety practices; special skillsets, such as weather; and personal references, since sometimes personalities change offshore.

Lynn reiterated that there are no wrong answers. She’s just looking for the right fit. It must work for both parties. As the skipper, she decides what she is willing to accept. Crew can decline. There should be no hard feelings. “Something about trusting your life to another person…”

Flexible crew for offshore passages

After a brief career in the U.S. Merchant Marine, Chesapeake-based Captain Adam Yearwood enjoys sailing his 42foot Lagoon catamaran Starsplitter III and utilizing his 1600-ton USCG license skippering chartered yachts or providing private instruction. He has sound opinions about crew selection.

“Crew must be flexible in two areas: attitude and timing. Having crew with offshore experience is beneficial, but more important are their adaptability and cooperation in close quarters. Flexibility and helping without being asked are important attributes.”

Adam also prioritizes crew who have flexible schedules. Arranging crew changes mid-voyage can be difficult, with unpredictable factors such as weather and crew transfer locations.

When asked about watch experience, Adam described a recent offshore passage from Annapolis to New Bedford, MA: “We had three experienced offshore crew including myself. Our fourth crew had limited sailing familiarity and no offshore experience. For watches, I suggested the

fourth to shadow the other crew so that we would not be depending on him. When he suffered seasickness, it didn’t impact the rest of us.”

Crew for ocean passages

Michael Delage and Glenda McDonald agree with the importance of flexibility in attitude and timing. Since 2021, they have been cruising long-term on their Gozzard 36 Innisfree, from Canada to the Caribbean. Last summer, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean and began cruising the Mediterranean.

should be thoroughly vetted, with expectations clearly stated. She emphasized an honest assessment of skills to prevent safety issues or damaged friendships, noting that strong emotions can arise during tough passages.

When choosing crew, they prioritize knowing how someone handles adverse situations and close quarters. Michael explained, “We’re a small monohull, so it’s tight below. For our passage to Antigua, our crew was a college friend whom I knew well. He was a sailor and lacked offshore experience, but he was also an engineer and could help with repairs.”

Glenda emphasized two additional considerations about their crew: 1) he committed to preparing himself with safety training and practice drills, and 2) he was flexible with timing.

“The 2022 Salty Dawg Rally was delayed two weeks, and many boats had challenges with crew not being able to wait. In some cases that meant complete cancellations. We were fortunate that for our crew the delay was just part of his adventure.”

Crew for long passages

Beth and Peter VandeGeijn annually cruise 5000 nm on their Passport 515 Lasata, typically between the Chesapeake and the Caribbean. They recruit crew for passages over 1500 miles.

Beth advised choosing crew carefully, preferably known friends with proven skills. Any new crew

She says, “Crew should be an asset, not a liability.”

Beth also recommended practicing with crew on short Chesapeake Bay trips, using challenging weather and overnight sails as preparation for longer offshore passages.

Additional considerations for crew and skippers

The Wescoats added further considerations for both crew and skippers. They recommend all crew have evacuation insurance and advise skippers to consult their insurance, especially before hiring paid crew. They cited an example where a medevac flight for a badly injured sailor cost $150,000 from Niue to New Zealand.

As a regular practice, Andy and Heej require each crew member to submit a medical history form along with copies of health and evacuation insurance cards, sealed in a labeled envelope.

Andy described, “All the envelopes go into the ditch bag. If needed, I can hand the envelope to medical professionals. At the end of the voyage, I return all envelopes to the crew.”

Finally, with a twinkle in his eye, Andy offered one more thought about crew selection, quoting author and three-time circumnavigator Eric Hiscock: “The only way to get good crew is to marry one.”

Andy did that, as did a few others I interviewed. As did I.

Stories of the Century Let’s Get This Party Started

With the deep freeze at the end of January into February, one would think the SpinSheet Century Club 2026 would be off to a slow start. Guess again! Fifty-eight boaters have already posted on-water days at spinsheet.com/100-days with the goal of logging 100 days by the year’s end.

For anyone new to this challenge, don’t fret if you’ve yet to log any days on the water. We have plenty of time once the water warms up. All boaters—sailors, paddlers, powerboaters, and anglers—are welcome to join this inclusive club. We count any boat ride as a “day” on the water, even if it’s just a short water taxi ride. Find the rules and sign up at spinsheet.com/100-days Welcome to the 2026 challenge!

At the end of February when this issue had gone to print, we hosted a party at Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies, our awesome sponsor, for our 2025 Century Clubbers and SpinSheet Racing Team. Find the photos from that event in our April issue.

Some watery updates from aspiring 2026 Century Clubbers:

Alan Batcheller—29 Days

Alan took a Caribbean cruise on Holland American’s Zuiderdam with stops in Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, Tortola, Sint Maarten, Antigua, Martinique, Barbados, Tobago, Grenada, Aruba, Curacao, Jamacia, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Grand Turk, and Key West. He writes, “One of the highlights of the trip for me was the 12-meter challenge in Sint Maartin where Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes raced against True North. I was a main grinder on True North, and we beat Stars and Stripes by a nose.”

Tim Ford—8 Days

On February 4, Tim wrote, “Cabin fever at home. Cabin fever on the creek… I was hoping there would be an open lead to kayak for more than 45 seconds in one, or many, directions. But there wasn’t. All is not lost, though. I got the remaining snow and ice off the decks and chipped a thick layer of ice out of the cockpit. My cockpit drains are now open!

Stories of the Century

A Spring Commissioning Primer

The thrill of getting out there comes only after the agony of doing the work here.

By Zuzana Prochazka

It’s time to get your baby out of mothballs. How you tackle annual commissioning tasks is up to you, but it’s an unavoidable part of boat ownership. You must budget for it, both in time and money. If you don’t already have a checklist, here’s a primer on where to focus your attention.

Washing, Waxing, and Detailing

Hopefully, you washed and waxed the hull before you stowed the boat for winter. It does make spring cleaning easier, but dirt still builds up even under a cover. Rinse the hull and all surfaces and tackle tougher stains with cleaners. Remarkably, toilet bowl cleaner can do wonders on decks. Just test a small area first. Wax the gelcoat to look its shiny best. For good results, buff the cabin top and hull with an abrasive polisher first and apply wax. Waxing over chalky gelcoat won’t look great or last long.

Don’t forget to deep clean cockpit cushions and fabric structures such as dodgers and isinglass enclosures. Most fabrics have recommended cleaners, but mild soap and water are usually safe. Check the entire boat, inside and out, for mold and mildew, which is inevitable after the boat is laid up. Sprays are available, but at least wipe down the areas with a damp sponge to remove the worst of the stinky stuff. Polish the rust off the stainless (it’s stainless, not stainfree), and do the brightwork or varnish on wooden surfaces such as toe rails and companionway trim.

For DIY, remember that the cost of cleaning supplies and varnish will run at least $200. Professional cleaning services charge by size of the boat but can easily be $25 per foot and more for catamarans which have two hulls and more deck surface. Polishing and waxing are expensive due to the amount of labor needed, and they’re also estimated by length of the hull and the complexity of the superstructure.

Buff Your Bottom

Boat hulls kept in the water year-round attract growth both soft (grasses) and hard (creatures). Growth adds weight and friction which makes the boat slower and

more fuel hungry, so don’t even think about racing until the bottom is cleaned which can run $2 per foot for a professional diver. Boats stored on the hard need to be inspected for bottom condition as well.

Spring is a great time to add a coat of anti-fouling paint. This is usually not a DIY project, especially on larger vessels. A boatyard will power wash the hull, repair any osmotic blistering, and charge by the linear foot and the type of bottom paint. While the boat is hauled out, inspect the shaft and shaft seal/packing gland, the prop, and the exhaust manifold, which are easier to access if the boat is on the hard.

Engine(s), Systems, and Batteries

Engines save the day when the wind is nil, so inspect the inboard diesel. Change the oil and check the belts, pump impellers, and hose clamps. For small outboards on little sailboats, replace the sparkplug, change the oil, and grease the lower unit. You may need to flush the engine cooling system and check the transmission fluid. Don’t forget the generator, which is basically another engine.

Depending on the complexity of your boat, you may have just a few or quite a few systems to test and troubleshoot. Start with a bit of safety equipment such as the

windlass. While you’re at it, lay eyes on your fire extinguisher and flare expiration dates. Test all pumps including your electric and manual bilge pumps. Look at the steering cables; they should be clean and move smoothly. Turn on electronics to burn off condensation, try all the lights and fans, and run the refrigerator and stove so that there aren’t any surprises on your first overnight.

Unless your batteries are sealed, as with AGM or lithium banks, top up fluid and measure cell health. If there’s a voltage drop under load, you may have a failing cell. Ensure that all batteries, regardless of type, are secured in their compartment and have a fire extinguisher nearby.

Sails and Rigging

Inspect all sails and wash or mend them. Dacron cruising sails can last years with normal use while hardworking laminated racing sails are more fragile and expensive to replace, so take a close look to see if the layers are showing breakdown or mold. Restitching Dacron is good insurance against a catastrophic tear during the season.

The running rigging (the lines that manage the sails) is subject to UV damage and stretching. You may need to whip the ends or over-end the sheets and halyards to move chafe points. While you’re at it, soak all lines in fresh water so that they’re salt-free, pliable, and ready for use.

Standing rigging, comprised of the stays and shrouds that support the mast, should be tuned and inspected. Most boat owners will use a professional rigger, but you can tune a rig yourself if you have the proper tools and skills. Check for any loose hardware, especially around turnbuckles and lifeline stanchions. They’re called lifelines for a reason.

Getting it Done

DIY commissioning is an option, but you’ll need the skills, patience, and time. Professional services may cost

Got a New Boat?

you three to 10 times more than doing it yourself, but for some tasks such as applying bottom paint or repairing sails, it’s best to leave it to the pros. Start early, and you’ll be summer-ready before the breezes warm and the anchorages fill up. #

C HESAPEA k E B AY M ARINAS

What Do You Need in a Marina?

Asailing friend used to joke that the best way to gauge the quality and price of a marina is to use the head. It’s rather true, isn’t it? Jokes aside, finding your own comfort zone in a marina may cover a range of qualities from clean showers to the marina’s distance to the open Bay, from floating docks to having an easy slip to sail into with your boat.

Aside from being a slip for your sailboat, marinas can be our weekend retreats, the place where we spend quality family time and make new friends, and our home away from home. Finding the right marina means figuring out what your needs and tastes are and doing a little dock to dock shopping around to ensure a good fit.

There are several things your marina should do well:

• Docks must be in great shape—no loose boards or nails poking out.

This is for the safety of sailors and sailboats.

• Finger piers need to be stable and easy to step onto from your boat. No wobbly planks.

• A marina should have ample parking and easy access between your car and the dock.

• There should be clean bathrooms and showers and laundry, too.

• The water coming from the faucets should be clear, the toilets should flush, and toilet paper should always be available.

• Management should be accessible and clear on the rules and what happens when slipholders break them.

Which amenities matter to you?

Some marinas are like resorts, complete with nice restaurants, club rooms, and a happening bar scene. They have manicured lawns and work hard to keep up the place. The upsides to a place like this are amazing amenities and service. The downsides can be a high price tag and a low tolerance for stepping outside the lines. It’s a good idea to walk the docks, talk to current slip holders, and get a good idea of the day-to-day scene. Some marinas are working yacht

yards: places with dry storage, Travelifts, and well-stocked chandleries with spare parts. There are often marina trade businesses right there on site, which means you can get things fixed a lot faster. The downside is that working yards may not be as attractive or great for kids or pets out playing.

If you can still find a mom-and-popstyle marina, they tend to be familyoriented. They may not have a tiki bar, pool, or rigger on site, but they keep things affordable, running well, and friendly.

Some questions to ask yourself about amenities: do you need a place for your dogs or kids to run around? Will you or your boat guests ever actually take a swim in the pool? Do you need a good place to launch your dinghy, kayak, or standup paddleboard?

Liveaboards like having picnic tables or a community gathering spot, barbeques, and someplace to get their mail. When seeking a new marina, it’s a good idea to make a list of things you might want in your dream marina, and call and visit with that in mind.

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Get to know the people

People can make or break a marina experience. Being able to shoot the breeze and share a drink with other people who love sailing makes the season sweeter. If at all possible, walk the docks and chat with people who already keep their boat there. Ask them if the other slip holders help watch over others’ boats when they’re away, adjusting lines if necessary. Do slip holders get together for happy hours or group meals? Is it noisy there? These are all good things to ask on a visit.

Management matters, too. Have a talk with the dock master and see how they are with customers. What do they do if slipholders bend the rules? Is there any kind of slipholder loyalty incentive for boat owners that come back season after season? Do they work with long time slipholders to keep them year after year?

It takes a little research, visits, if possible, as well as the effort to ask around to really find a good marina

for your needs. Once you do find one, be sure to read your marina agreement carefully. Know what you’re signing up for so that the only

surprises will be pleasant ones and the friends you meet on the docks.

~Reporting by Cindy Wallach

What’s New and Exciting at Marinas Around the Bay?

Changes to Campbell’s Boatyard at Bachelor Point

The Hinckley Company broadens 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. This milestone represents a continued commitment to building enduring relationships with boaters through world-class service, thoughtful stewardship, and a shared respect for craftsmanship.

Located at Bachelor Point in Oxford, Campbell’s Boatyard has long been recognized for its deep-water access, expert technicians, and highly personalized approach. The partnership brings together two like-minded organizations with a common philosophy: prioritize the customer, uphold the highest standards of quality, and foster deep, lasting connections within the marine community.

As part of the transition, the full Campbell’s team will remain in place,

# Photo courtesy of facebook.com/campbellsboatyards

ensuring consistency in relationships and quality of service. Customers will benefit from immediate access to Hinckley’s national service network, technical resources, and future infrastructure investments. The goal is to enhance—not replace—what makes Campbell’s so special: a loyal customer base, a talented crew, and a culture centered on trust.

“We’ve built our reputation on attention to detail, honesty, and knowing our customers by name,” said Tom Campbell, owner of Campbell’s Boatyard (and active sailboat racer). “Joining Hinckley allows us to keep those values intact while expanding what we can offer. It’s a perfect fit—and an exciting step forward for our employees and our clients.”

Visit campbellsboatyards.com for more information.

The latest news is that Bay Bridge Marina in Stevensville, MD, has also become part of the Hinckley family.

Enhancing the Marina Experience at Herrington Harbour

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

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

For more information, visit herringtonharbour.com

Nestled up Back Creek in Solomons

Anyone who’s ever been to an event at Spring Cove Marina remembers its lovely location nestled up Back Creek in Solomons. General manager Addison Bishop says, “At Spring Cove Marina, our friendly, attentive team creates a welcoming boating community where every guest feels at home. With resort-style amenities like our sparkling pool, lively pool bar, beautiful picnic grounds, and easy walkable access to Solomons restaurants and attractions, we offer far more than just a place to dock. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Chesapeake Bay, our well-maintained facilities and unbeatable location make Spring Cove Marina the premier resort destination for cruisers and families alike.”

Spring Cove is a full-service marina and boatyard. Learn more at springcovemarina.com

A Busy

Boatyard up Whitehall Creek

Whitehall Marina recently negotiated an early termination date for Hinckley’s lease of its boatyard facilities at Whitehall. They have changed the company name back to the original Whitehall Yacht Yard and 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

Sailgate Baltimore

Sailgate Baltimore is a waterfront gameday experience hosted by Inner Harbor Marina in downtown Baltimore. Designed for boaters looking to skip traffic and celebrate on the water, Sailgate offers prime dockage just a short walk from Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. Participants can cruise in, tie up, and cheer on the Orioles and Ravens with Baltimore’s skyline as a scenic backdrop. Special perks include 20 percent off dockage (night before and night of select games) and fuel discounts, making Sailgate a unique blend of tailgating spirit and harbor life on Maryland’s Inner Harbor. In addition to football and baseball home games, the marina will sprinkle in additional Sailgate dates around major downtown events and concerts, including Morgan Wallen’s July tour stop in Baltimore, giving boaters even more reasons to experience the city from the water.

Learn more at sailgatebaltimore.com

Breezy Point Marina Is Open for Business

On the Western Shore of Maryland about halfway between the South River and the Patuxent, you’ll find Breezy Point Marina, which is under the new ownership of Frederick Vermillion.

“There aren’t that many Bay-front marinas over here, so when you run into trouble, you learn that pretty fast,” says Vermillion, who took over six months ago. “It’s a staple of the community here. All the neighboring communities are excited about the new ownership and have been very welcoming.”

The 50-acre marina can accommodate 400 to 500 boats on land and 220 of them in slips. Vermillion admits that it had been a decade since there had been any changes or updates to the marina, and it was even closed for a spell. When he arrived, they re-opened right away; he and his team are busily improving the place.

In addition to the neighbors being enthused by Breezy Point’s new ownership, there has been interest from the other side of the Chesapeake, too.

“Just as lots of boaters look for a destination such as Cambridge, sailors from Cambridge (right across the Bay from Breezy Point) want a destination, too. We’re in the process of putting in a bar and restaurant to make it more of a destination. The marina really needed to be dredged, so we are undergoing a big dredge operation now (ice has slowed us down).”

He notes that the new dredged depth will accommodate most sailboats, “but because of the long channel to get to deep water, I always tell sailors to watch the tides and take caution.”

Find the marina at 5230 Breezy Point Rd, Chesapeake Beach, MD, or call (443) 968-8346.

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

All Things Shiny and New at 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 commodore Claire Brechter to discuss what’s new and what transient boaters (i.e. non-club 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 SpinSheet and PropTalk that we will have an entirely new clubhouse and bathroom/shower facilities by early

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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.

“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 sailboats and powerboats.”

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 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 powerboaters and sailors, 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!

“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).”

To learn more about NERYC, visit neryc.com

Find the perfect home for your boat in SpinSheet’s Chesapeake Bay Marinas Directory! Click on the directory listings or map for 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.

If you are interested in having your marina appear in our print and online directory please email advertising@spinsheet.com or call us at 410-216-9309 and ask to speak with an advertising representative.

Anchorage Marina Baltimore Harbor, Patapsco River Baltimore, MD anchoragemarina.com

Annapolis Landing Marina Back Creek Annapolis, MD annapolislandingmarina.com

Annapolis Town Dock Ego Alley Annapolis, MD annapolistowndock.com

Bowley's Marina Middle River Middle River, MD bowleysmarina.com

Breezy Point Marina Chesapeake Beach Chesapeake Beach, MD facebook.com/breezypointmarina

Broad Creek Marina Magothy River Pasadena, MD

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

Clinton Street Boatel Patapsco River Baltimore, MD clintonstreetboatel.com

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

all restaurants/bars/food are on-site or are owned/operated

Marina Directory

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

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

Inner Harbor Marina Patapsco River Baltimore , MD baltimoreinnerharbormarina.com

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

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

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

Port Covington Marina Patapsco River Baltimore, MD portcovingtonmarina.com

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

Sailing Associates Marina Georgetown Harbor on the Sassafras River Georgetown, MD sailingassociates.com

Offshore Rigging Specialists

# Sailing with dolpin friends.

Bored Kids on an Ocean Passage

By Jillian Greenawalt

The small voice disturbed the gentle sounds of our 1972 Bowman 46, Mug Up, slicing through the waves, and interrupting my count of Portuguese man-o-wars as they floated by. There are a few phrases, when said on a sailboat on passage, that will strike terror in everyone’s heart. This wasn’t quite that level, but nonetheless, they were words I’d been dreading since we started preparations to get underway for our 14-day passage from Bermuda to the Azores: “I’m bored.”

Boredom is inevitable on any passage. Truly, a boring passage is a good passage—dolphin and whale sightings aside. But on Mug Up, the children outnumber the adults, and as their ages spread from eight to 14, their interests and attentions are varied and many.

One of the unique challenges of sailing and cruising with kids is keeping them occupied and engaged. We are conscious of the fact that this life is not what they would have chosen on their own. It could be argued they wouldn’t choose broccoli with dinner, either. And so, I go out of my way to ensure that everyone is having a good time.

There are still chores, still school, still watches to stand with help. But keeping morale high ensures they (and the parents) are more likely to have fond memories of our time at sea. It makes us all more receptive to finding the magic in the little moments, such as finding a hidden chocolate bar when I thought we were out, having a Brown Noddy (new lifer bird!) rest on our kayak for part of the night, scratching our heads at the dolphins that never surfaced, only to discover they were giant tuna! Or turning on our favorite dance playlist for a cockpit dance party.

Now, let me be clear: safety of the crew and boat is always our utmost concern every time we weigh anchor. For every preparation we did to ensure the boat was ready—up-to-date safety equipment, life vests tested for holding air, preventer and jacklines run, and enough nutritious food to get us across the Atlantic Ocean—I also made preparations to ensure our three children would be not only safe, but hopefully… not bored.

We hold by the standard that boredom is good for the kids— adults, too. It creates space for them to be creative and figure things

out for themselves. Read or listen to books. Or just nap. Passage is the perfect opportunity to unplug from the noise of the world, even if we have Starlink on to check the weather and text with our weather router and friends.

Sometimes though, my “mom guilt” shines through all the logic I repeat to myself. When I’m tired after days of broken sleep due to standing watch, I’m not feeling particularly creative. I’m happy to stand watch with one earbud in and listen to a pre-downloaded audiobook or podcast. Occasionally, I journal. Otherwise, I’m very happy to check the sails and watch the water for dolphins. Turns out, I’m very boring on passage.

To combat the children’s inevitable boredom and avoid trying to think on my feet, I packed a small bag to keep in the cockpit with easy to do activities: coloring/drawing, Uno cards and Yahtzee dice, Shashibo cubes (like Rubik’s cubes but better in my kids’ opinions), and the marine mammal field

guide. I kept a list of knots for everyone to practice tying and some trivia questions.

But when my eight-year-old, with her giant blue eyes, asked me to play Lego with her, I knew I was doomed. Not doomed in the way of “abandon ship!” but more in the way of, “Oh dear, we’re out of salsa,” and

I knew I wasn’t going to get to finish my podcast. What else is there to do but play Lego and make silly voices with your kids? Thankfully, not much! Make food, eat food. Check the sails, adjust. Double check for chafe. Clear the decks of unfortunate

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flying fish. Check the weather, adjust waypoints.

The kids made a cake to celebrate reaching the halfway point in mileage from St. George’s, Bermuda to Flores, Azores, which is the easternmost island where we would make landfall. We quizzed each other on movie and Disney tunes as they played at random over our cockpit speaker. We played a long game; if the kids made up a joke and a parent laughed, they could have a piece of candy. They told a lot of horrible jokes and a few gems!

It’s silly stuff, little stuff, but we live in a little space, and we’re a tiny boat on a great blue ocean. It’s okay for it to seem small and silly and unimportant. The big stuff was the adventure of a lifetime; being together, being safe.

My daughter didn’t brush her hair once. We saw one sperm whale, who followed behind us and brought to mind thoughts of “Moby Dick.” Dodged one massive low system by diverting south 60 miles, only to point

back northeast once it passed. Saw one cargo ship per day. Lost count of Portuguese man-o-wars. Squealed in delight every time a pod of dolphins came to say hello—there were five overall. We flew the spinnaker during several light-wind days, and reefed as we approached Flores, trying to beat another low system into port. Our heavy boat trying to beat low systems seems to have become a sort of hallmark of ours.

Fourteen days at sea in a 46-foot sailboat with three kids was indeed an adventure I’d only had fleeting maybe thoughts of when we stood in Annapolis at the boat show year after year.

When we set foot on shore in Flores, my daughter declared she was never doing that again! I said “okay,” but that we couldn’t stay here. We hiked the steep hill to town to celebrate with ice cream. After a month of floating amongst the Azorean islands, she was indeed ready to push on. Another seven days didn’t seem so bad. After all, we had more shores in our sights we wanted to visit.

About the Author: Jillian Greenawalt’s husband Jeremy learned to sail while in college on the Chesapeake Bay and taught her to sail. In 2021, as a family of five, they cast off the lines to cruise on their 1972 Bowman 46 Mug Up down the East Coast and Chesapeake, to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean Sea, and now back to this side of the pond.

Bahamian Paradise Revisited

By Craig Ligibel

A sailing family discovers its nautical roots on a Bahamas cruise that parallels a voyage almost 50 years ago.

Almost 50 years ago my pregnant wife and I were marooned on a deserted island in the Bahamas. We camped on the beach. Watched the stars. Cooked over an open fire and patiently waited for the tides to push our 90-foot sailboat, The Yacht Dolphin, free of the sandy bottom that held her tight for three days.

Eventually, the tides came up. The winds blew in the right direction, and our captain managed to sail the boat off the bottom into the welcoming confines of Staniel Cay Marina. It was quite an adventure.

Almost five decades later, the sandy shores of some of the Bahamas’ most isolated and intriguing islands were once again home to the Ligibel clan, the 2025 edition of the family: Betsy Ligibel Lewis, her Australian husband Bohdi, and their two seafaring kids, Charlie (seven years old) and Ava (four).

The Lewises can’t claim a grounding off Little Farmer’s Cay as the centerpiece of their Bahamas cruise, but the memories made by the young Aussie family in one of the most pristine areas of the Caribbean are sure to stoke tall tales as the kids get older and set out on sailing adventures of their own.

Betsy has been sailing all her life. First on my 15-foot Sunfish in the friendly confines of Lake Quivira, KS, and later as first mate on my 43foot center cockpit ketch Winds End, plying the West Coast of Florida, the Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala, and most recently as crew along with her family on my 20-foot catboat, Mystic Wind, as we gunkholed around the western reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.

“Dad’s always included me in his sailing adventures, sometimes whether I liked it or not,” the 40-something sailor

recalls. “It was special to relive some of his nautical haunts in the Bahamas with my kids and husband tagging along.”

Betsy has lived in Australia for the past 13 years. She splits her time between being a mother of two active young Aussies (soccer, swimming, dancing, Nippers on the Beach, rugby) and juggling her job at Adobe Systems where she runs a team of customer success specialists across the Asia Pacific region. The young family lives a stone’s throw from some of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world on Australia’s Northern Beaches.

Halfway around the world to charter

The Lewises’ decision to charter a catamaran and make some of their own Bahamas memories was occasioned by a family reunion in Nassau. As Betsy put it, “As long as we were traveling halfway around the world for a family gathering, why not spend a little more time in the Bahamas and do a little cruising?” Enough said.

“We narrowed our charter company search down to Cruise Abaco, which offered the option to have a captain drive the boat by day and leave the boat to us at night. A perfect situation for us,” said Betsy.

“We knew enough about boating that we were confident we wouldn’t get into any trouble with the anchor set and being close to shore with a dinghy at the ready.”

The newly minted cruisers met their captain, 68-year-old Paul Werbin, in Marsh Harbor where they provisioned the boat for a week of onboard dining.

“We figured we’d eat lunches out and cook dinner on the boat. With the kids finicky eating, we thought that would give us the most choices. We were excited to spear a lobster. Unfortunately, the lobsters were as elusive this time around as they were for my dad 50 years ago. Thank goodness for a well-stocked larder,” said Betsy.

The daytime captain

Captain Werbin has been bumming around boats and small planes up and down the US East Coast and the Bahamas for most of his life. He spent 30 years as a nurse anesthetist with time off to cruise his own boat and as a fill-in captain on a schooner in Yorktown, the Alliance 2, skippering sailing tours of the area.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, Werbin flew 18 missions delivering medical supplies, food, and water, and making parachute drops to places in need.

Werbin likes Cruise Abaco’s arrangement where he leaves the boat at night and returns in the morning. The veteran skipper thinks that one- to two-hour legs with stops during the day work out great for families traveling with young children.

“I believe that there were many special moments for the family during the week,” he says. “A big part of my job is to stay out of the way for ‘family together’ time, so I didn’t join them for snorkeling and beach walks. Often during the sailing time underway, I stayed at the wheel so that they could enjoy time together.”

Young sailors in tune with the boat

Charlie and Ava were natural sailors. Both spent as much time underwater chasing schools of fish as they did coloring beautiful pictures and playing games on deck. While keeping busy on the boat, they didn’t have time for screentime and only watched two movies the whole week.

“I was impressed with the maturity of Charlie and Ava,” said Werbin. “For children this young they seemed very much

in tune with life on the boat. They often entertained each other, and when they needed something, their patience was excellent. The cards they drew for me are in a place of honor on my boat right now.

“The whole family seemed to be very happy with all the stops we made. Every day it seems they told me, “This is the best place yet!” There are a lot of great places for cruising in the Abacos. I tried to find the places that matched best what Bohdi and Betsy wanted. I tried to keep Charlie and Ava as involved as possible. They made great lookouts at times. They were able to drive the dinghy with their parents. We talked about sea creatures. At their age most of the snorkeling was a bit overwhelming.

“I usually stayed on their boat as ‘lookout’ while they were swimming. But when the little ones got scared, it was surely nice to see them ‘rescued’ by Mom and Dad. I know they all travel quite a bit, but I hope this trip becomes one of their favorites.”

Betsy recalls the look on Charlie and Ava’s faces as they surfaced after their first reef snorkel adventure: “We were swimming with turtles, and I knew they were hooked from that moment on.”

Charter Notes

Exploring the Abacos

Werbin charted a meandering course with minimal sailing and maximum beach and exploring time.

“We ducked into Hopetown for a looksee, found it pretty crowded, and headed out for a more peaceful anchorage. Our voyage included stops at Great Guana Cay, Hopetown, Tahiti Beach, Tilloo, Mermaid Reef, and a sunken boat near Lubbers Cay. We found the islands pristine, the people welcoming, and the food delicious,” said Betsy.

Werbin has seen a lot of development, “but most of it has been focused on limited areas,” he says. “There are so many uninhabited islands and parts of islands that I’m not ever bothered by crowds. Over the years, I have seen the Exumas become much more crowded than the Abacos.”

In a strange twist of fate, the deserted island where the senior Ligibels were marooned, Little Farmer’s Cay, has blossomed into quite the tourist destination as it hosts the annual Five Fs Festival also called the Farmer’s Cay First Friday Festival. It’s a fun weekend featuring Bahamian culture, a traditional free

Tbuffet, local art sales, music, games, and a significant regatta with sailboat races for cruisers and locals. Werbin estimates that the tiny island’s population of 60 swells manyfold with cruisers and participants. A far cry from the deserted stretch of beach the Ligibels called home years ago.

Betsy and her husband of nine years were enchanted by the islands and by their onboard routine: “Our captain knew when to ask for help and was very eager to show Charlie and Ava everything there was about our boat. The kids had little chores to do every day. Lots of free time. Lots of time in the water. Will we do it again? You bet.”

The smiles on the faces of Ava and Charlie said it all. Several evenings were spent huddled around a beach fire safely away from the wind on deserted Cays.

“You can still find places like this if you know where to go’” said Captain Werbin. Tilloo Cay was a favorite spot for beaching it day or night.

An enchanted place then and now

The Lewis campfires reminded me of my time on Little Farmer’s Cay more than 45

years ago. One night Betsy Facetimed us from the beach, and memories of camping out years ago flooded back.

The contrast between those two experiences was significant. The beach and azure water were the same, but in our previous incantation we slept under a sail fashioned into a tent and dined on whatever our cook could rustle up to grill on an open fire. Nights were star-studded while the thrill of sleeping at jungle’s edge kept some of us awake through the night. Occasionally one of us would roll over in our sleeping bags and squish a land crab out looking for a meal.

Fast forward 46 years to find the Lewis family enjoying some of the same simple pleasures we enjoyed decades earlier.

A conch shell I plucked from the surf in 1980 enjoys an honored position in my office next to a similar shell the Lewises found only weeks ago. My hope is that this beachcombing interlude will spark even more nautical adventures among the Lewis family as they learn more about the sea and take advantage of nearby Australian cruising opportunities.

Charter Directory

hese sailboat charter companies specialize in sailing destinations such as the Chesapeake Bay, Northeast United States, Northwest United States, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and South Pacific. Contact them and book your charter dream vacation today!

CRUISING CLUB NOTES

Attention, Sailing Clubs! Share your news and events in the SpinSheet’s Club Notes Section. Send a 350-word write-up and one or more clear photos of smiling faces or pretty boats to beth@spinsheet.com to let sailors around the Bay know about your club’s sailing adventures, social gatherings, and educational events.

CBCC Readies for Spring

By Susan Theuns

The Compass Boating Club of the Chesapeake had a very productive planning meeting and luncheon in January at the home of co-founder Hank Theuns. Everyone got down to business with the goal of planning out the sailing season and beyond. It was a snowy day, and some opted to “call in” rather than drive—but mission accomplished! Many thanks to our host and members who volunteered to head up this year’s events and provided input. We also continue to add new members with Jim Hontz being our first newbie for 2026. Welcome

aboard, Jim! Several members are anxious to get their boats in the water in 2026 as repairs, injuries, and illnesses cut short last season. We look forward to jump-starting with our Get R Done early season raftup on April 25 and 26 to try out our spring commissioning efforts. Even if you don’t have time to get your sails on yet, motor over and join in. It’s always a fun event with lots of camaraderie and hot-coffee-clutching in the cool morning. This year’s chair for the event is Sean Hollis. Stay tuned for more information on our events as we continue to finalize plans and details to include some old fa-

vorites and new anchorages to enjoy. Please keep an eye on your inbox and the event tab on our Facebook page for our tentative calendar and updates. Until then, stay healthy and warm! If you are interested in joining a boating club that is tailored to you, please send a brief description of your experience, contact information, and expectations to compassboatingclub@ yahoo.com. We are a no-fee club where like-minded people share a love of the water and help plan activities to explore the Bay, raftups, ashore gatherings, and more. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hope You Enjoyed Your Down Time

By Greg Shields

For much of winter, the weather outside was anything but sailing weather. Here in the Solomons Island area, one day the only boat I saw was a hunting skiff… and that did not look like fun to me. January and February are always good months to clean out that back berth, re-read your manuals, start a punch list for spring, and get some of those “home projects done so that when the weather breaks this month or next there’s nothing holding you back.

Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club (CBTSC) members got together in January for happy hour and in February for our annual planning meeting (held at the Selby Bay Yacht Club). Thinking about the coming season’s events always gets the juices flowing. This year we are considering a few changes to the “traditional” outings, but nothing drastic.

We would like to welcome Margie and Bill Ailes (Tartan 4100 #49) to the club. If you are a Tartan owner but not a CBTSC member, you should consider joining this year. We

Planning our Escape From Winter

By Andy Campbell

Considering the winter we just endured, I’m sure many of you, like us at Hunter Sailing Association Station 1 (HSA1), are looking forward to the upcoming sailing season here on the Bay. I for one, cannot wait! HSA1 is busy planning our season, and an extended cruise out of the Bay is high on the list. Our fleet captain, Tom Fox, is still working out the details, but this cruise will likely include a trip north through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, sailing up the New Jersey coast into the Upper New York Bay with a stop by Lady Liberty and into Long Island Sound, with a final destination of Block Island. We are planning for a late May departure and a mid-June return. This is the perfect trip for our greenhorn members (myself included) to gain experience in planning and executing longer cruises away from the relative safety of the Chesapeake Bay with the capable guidance of our more experienced members. For my wife and me

specifically, we want to range further afield as we move closer to retirement, and we love the fact that we have so many capable sailors to help us and provide guidance. I think that is the best part of HSA1. Don’t get me wrong, I love our get-togethers and social functions, such as eating blue crabs at Crabfest in the fall or eating fantastic chili at our annual meeting/ chili cookoff (we like to eat), but when I need help with something that is boat and/ or Hunter related, I love being able to rely on other club members for their expertise. They are simply awesome!

have a lot of knowledgeable sailors who are a great resource for “been there, done that” questions. All the information you need to join can be found at cbtsc.org

# Dreaming of summer raftups.

Anyone with a sailboat should join our club for the camaraderie and educational experience. If you own a Hunter or Marlowe-Hunter sailboat and you would like to join us, please head

to HSA1.org and click on the ‘Join or Renew’ link on the lower right side of the landing page. We welcome all Hunter owners and have members with boats from 25 feet up to 50 feet concentrated in the middle Chesapeake Bay.

Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) commodore Kris Chappell and the other 2026 flag officers took the reins in January during the annual commodore’s dinner at St. Andrews Swim and Tennis Club in Severna Park, MD. Kris assumed the position in time for the club’s 25th anniversary and jokes that she’ll brand all club events “The 25th Anniversary [event name].”

Although she was joking, Kris does hope to keep this club milestone front of mind throughout the year by bringing a modern twist to the background that longtime members provide. The club has functioned as a virtual organization ever since its inception, when 40 individuals met at the Eastport Democratic Club and formed committees to accomplish the tasks needed to stand up a yacht club. Technology and social media

BCYC, 25 Years Young!

By Anne Knab

make communication much easier than it was 25 years ago and help us to keep costs low. Our group of sailors and powerboaters have no physical structure to maintain either, which also helps keep down expenses.

Commodore Kris and her husband Jerry (current BCYC rear commodore) found BCYC in 2019 after they’d

learned to sail the Magothy River in their “indestructible” Catalina 25. They were looking for camaraderie as well as ongoing boating education and decided BCYC was a perfect fit. With the week-long ASA International Cruising course in San Diego under their belts, they have been enjoying the fun cruises with BCYC in their 32-foot Catalina Top Cat II and are happy to take on club responsibilities.

Mindful of the work the founding members put into making the club a reality, Kris is looking to make our 25th anniversary a time to both remember our roots as well as to pay it forward. The founding philosophy was “to have everyone contribute, keep the cost low, and most of all have fun.” Very little has changed in this regard. Look for us on the water or check us out at backcreekyc.org. #WeConnect

Getting the Fleet Ready for Spring

By Rick Lee

If you’ve ever wanted to learn about boat maintenance, Peninsula Sailors is a great place to get hands-on experience.

Peninsula Sailors is a sailing club with four cruising sailboats that we maintain ourselves. As we thaw out from winter and prepare for spring, we’ll be getting our boats ready for the sailing season. Each boat has a volunteer boat manager who ensures our vessels are ship-shape.

We change the oil each season, check fluids, flush the freshwater system, and teach members how to winterize and de-winterize the boats. Our maintenance team can handle most repairs, including engines, fiberglass, and rigging.

Members enjoy a hands-on, do-it-yourself approach while learning how boat systems work. Our club focuses on sharing knowledge, building skills, and growing a real sailing community.

For less than the cost of a single day charter, you can join Peninsula Sailors for a full year and gain as much sailing and maintenance experience as you want. We also offer a free guest sail if you’d like to learn more.

Visit us at Port Covington Marina on the Baltimore Peninsula or online at SailBP.com

The Shorthanded Adventure Continues

By Jeff Halpern

Rust never sleeps and (metaphorically) neither does the Chesapeake Shorthanded Sailing Society (CHESSS) board of directors. With CHESSS’s continuingly growing membership, the board has been busy this winter looking for new ways to connect the CHESSS community.

With that in mind, CHESSS has added a new winter lecture and roundtable discussion series. The first in the series featured Peter Gibbons-Neff, Jr. discussing his Mini-Transat campaign and his future single-handed racing objectives. CHESSS is very grateful to Potapskut Sailing Association (PSA) for co-hosting the successful event, which was held on February 15.

The second event in the series will feature a round table discussion with Golden Globe single-hander, Guy deBoer. The discussion will include preparation strategies for short-handed sailing on older boats. This is seen as a very relevant topic since many of our members sail older designs, and the Golden Globe is limited to pre1968 designs and technologies.

Returning to our roots, CHESSS will premiere a new CHESSS-sponsored race in 2026. Dubbed the “Solo-Cup,” the new point-to-point race will be limited to spinnaker and non-spin singlehanded sailors. In part, this format was chosen to offset the choice of some clubs to forbid singlehanded boats from competing in their shorthanded classes. The Solo Cup is slated for May 30. Other CHESSS-sponsored races this season will be the ever-popular Poplar Island Race (April 26) and the Last Hurrah Race (November 7). In addition to the CHESSS sponsored races, an increasing number of clubs have been adding CHESSS class starts.

For the non-racers, there will be the usual number of CHESSS rendezvous. For more information on CHESSS and its events, please visit chesss.clubexpress.com

New Commodore at West River Sailing Club

Jahn Tihansky, well-known sailing pro on the Chesapeake and beyond, has recently taken on a leadership role close to home, serving as commodore of the West River Sailing Association (WRSC), an organization that’s clubhouse is literally just a couple of miles down the road from his home.

Tihansky has dedicated his professional life to building skills as a mariner and sharing his knowledge and experience with others. His most recent professional endeavor is operating Chesapeake Sailing Solutions (chesapeakesailingsolutions.com). As commodore of WRSC, Tihanksy’s two goals are to enhance the membership experience for all and to strengthen the club community. He notes that all members wish to maximize their enjoyment from the time they spend at the club.

Tihansky and his wife Patty own an A Class catamaran and a J/37 cruiser and are active in a wide range of sailing activities. When they joined WRSC in 2010, the features that most attracted them were the club’s stunning location, protected waters,

and proximity to the Bay, but they soon came to appreciate the club’s rich history and keen and diverse membership.

WRSC offers a complete range of friendly and relaxed sailing activities as well as high caliber racing to suit all sailors. From cruising to racing, learn-tosail for all ages, WRSC strives to serve every sailor and prides itself on being one

of the most affordable sailing clubs on the Bay that offers a full suite of facilities and programs. One such membership offering is subscription access to a shared boat program on one of three boat types (Laser, Flying Scot, and Albacore) for a low yearly fee. Learn more at westriversc.com. To read Tihansky’s latest SpinSheet sailboat review, flip to page 30.

Cruising Club Notes

Women on Water Kickoff Event

By Julie Day

Pentagon Sailing Club (PSC) will host its Women on Water (WoW) sailing season kickoff event on Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Dominion Hills Recreation Association in Arlington, VA. All women are welcome to attend.

The WoW commodore, Joanne Spahn, has invited three women, all accomplished skippers, to address the gathering. All three will talk about their personal sailing histories and share their insights, methods, and experiences in working with women who want to become better sailors.

Annapolis-based Captain Cheryl Duvall is a tour boat captain for Watermark and the president of the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association (CAPCA). She is also a SpinSheet contributor, see her article on page TK. Cheryl and her husband have logged more than 5000 nautical miles aboard their 44-foot Gozzard, Belle Bateau. Cheryl recently chartered a canal boat in France with an all-women crew. Her advice to women: “Be confident, be proactive, take responsibility, and don’t default to men.”

Captain Amy Skillman is a sailing instructor and folklorist who gathers stories about how women handle challenging situations. To further her research, Amy won a fellowship from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to study how women captains manage storms at sea. “Research shows that women ‘tend and befriend’ in dangerous situations.

Sharing their stories helps to reinforce a sense of community and dispel fear of the unknown.”

Chloe Wawerek began her sailing journey in 2022 at PSC. Her career has since taken her to Augusta, GA, and Canberra, Australia. She found vibrant sailing communities in each city. Now back in DC, Chloe continues to race, instruct sailors, and seek additional ASA certifications. Her advice to sailors, “Your location may change, but wherever you are, try to find a sailing community. You’ll always find a home on the water.”

Come meet with fellow sailors, swap stories, learn about sailing opportunities at PSC, discuss sailing aspirations, and make plans for the coming season. The event price is $10 for PSC members and $15 for nonmembers and includes lunch. Register at pentagonsailing.org/ event-6557060. For further information visit pentagonsailing.org and/or facebook.com/pentagonsailingclub

Enjoy Winter Social Activities!

By Carol Hanson

Members of America’s Boating Club Wilmington (ABCW) recently enjoyed warm winter socializing, friendly Super Bowl posturing, and a fascinating Zoom presentation by Chris Hopkinson, founder of Chesapeake Bay Paddle.

Hopkinson discussed his effort to stand and paddle 180 miles of the Chesapeake Bay to bring attention to the importance of the oyster population. Completing this strenuous commitment over nine days in September 2020, he raised significant funds for the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Paddling in some of the most spectacular and remote parts of the Bay, areas most boats can’t get to because of the depth, he felt like an explorer navigating uncharted territory. Given the generous support he received to benefit oyster restoration, he was determined to sustain the Bay Paddle initiative. More people could experience a similar journey, plus more could be done to protect our national treasure. That’s the mission of Chesapeake Bay Paddle. It was a fantastic and stunning

adventure story. Find a 25-minute documentary about his experience, Power of the Paddle, on pbs.org. Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club continues to sponsor Bay Paddle events to support its mission. You can learn more at baypaddle.org

For 87 years, ABCW members have proudly served Northeastern Chesapeake Bay boaters! Their pride is second only to appreciation for strong and enabling helm leadership. Year-over-year, the ABCW Nominating Committee ensures leadership continuity by recommending exceptional

Bravely Battling Orcas

By Hank Recla

Members of the Chesapeake Bay Fleet of the Corinthian Sailing Association met at the Eastport Yacht Club on February 7 to hear a fascinating story by Bob Osbourne and his wife Brenda of their adventures sailing to the Azores and how they bravely battled the orca whales attacking his sailboat Pandora during his passage through the Straits of Gibraltar. Bob, also a member of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, spoke of how the younger orcas were trained by the elder orcas to ram the rudders on boats (at least that’s what Bob said) to disable them. In any event, Bob and Brenda made safe passage to the shores of Spain with half a rudder and a broken self-steering hydrovane.

This marks another of our winter series events. As evident from the photo, the attendance left standing room only. After a Q&A session, most members stayed for dinner

Bridge and Executive Committee officers. Its 2026-2027 nominations were no exception. On Sunday, March 15, ABCW members will witness officer swearing-in and enjoy a delicious brunch at Country House in Wilmington. ABCW continues to improve boating skills through providing education and promoting safe boating practices. Members enjoy being together as likeminded mariners. To learn more, visit abc-wilmington.com or contact us at wspsboaters@gmail.com.

and wonderful camaraderie. If you are interested in learning more about our club, please visit thecorinthians.org or email membership@thecorinthians.org.

CBYRA High Point Winners and Qualifiers

The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) announced its High Point standings for 2025 to recognize excellence among its members racing on the Chesapeake. Last month we ran the standings in Cruising One Design and Junior Awards as announced by CBYRA. This month we cover the remaining one-design and handicap classes, followed by special awards.

In addition to the usual annual honors, CBYRA will award the 2025 Marcia B. Grosvenor Trophy posthumously to Mike Wagner for his vast contribution, dedication, and love for sailing, the sailing community, and CBYRA.

Congratulations to all 2025 CBYRA High Point qualifiers and winners! We look forward to following your on-the-water scores in 2026.

In the following list, if a class or region is missing, there were insufficient qualifiers for an award in 2025 or the class had not yet reported its tallies. Sailors must be members of CBYRA in order to qualify for High Point standings. Besides providing awards for the best and most active sailors on the Chesapeake, CBYRA also organizes the racing calendar (Green Book) and offers educational opportunities and grants for competitive sailors and teams. Learn more at cbyra.org

CBYRA Annual Awards

LaBrot Trophy: Country Squire, John and Kevin White, ORC Open (Annapolis Yacht Club)

J. F. Healy Memorial Trophy: J/105 Warbride, Ben duPont (AYC)

Decker Magothy Memorial Trophy: Split Decision, Michael Johns (PHRF B) (Glenmar Sailing Association)

Lady Anne Arundel Trophy: Country Squire, John and Kevin White (ORC Open)

Marcia B. Grosvenor Award: Mike Wagner (posthumous)

John and Kevin

Country

CBYRA High Point Winners and Qualifiers

Albacore (7 qualifiers)

1. Gale Warning, Barney Harris

2. Albaschizzlerizzledizzle, Michael Heinsdorf

3. Albacore, Gregory Jordan

4. Penelope, Lloyd Leonard

5. Indefatigable II, Robert Bear

Chesapeake Multihull Association (CMA) (3 qualifiers)

1. Itinerant, Larry Forgy

2. Gemini, Jere Glover

3. Dual Force, Drew Conboy

ORC Open CBYRA HP/ORC Championship (9 qualifiers)

1. Country Squire, John/Kevin White

2. Tenacious, David Bond

3. Ma’m’selle, Ed Hartman

4. Zuul, Ben Capuco

5. Sugar, Elliott Crooke

PHRF A 4N (5 qualifiers)

1. Afterthought, Craig Wright

2. Orion, Bob/Lisa Fleck

3. Nanuq, Glenn/Rebecca Doncaster

PHRF A 4S (5 qualifiers)

1. Voodoo 2, Leroi Lissenden

2. Vindr Dreki, Guy Sorensen

3. Bump in the Night, Maury Niebur

PHRF A Baywide (10 qualifiers)

1. Voodoo 2, Leroi Lissenden

2. Afterthought, Craig Wright

3. Orion, Bob/Lisa Fleck

4. Nanuq, Glenn and Rebecca Doncaster

5. Excitation, Mayo Tabb

PHRF B R2 (3 qualifiers)

1. Diablo, Russell Miller

2. The Doghouse, Elizabeth Principe

3. Dangerous, Dewey Melton

PHRF B Baywide (7 qualifiers)

1. Diablo, Russell Miller

2. The Doghouse, Elizabeth Principe

3. Dangerous, Dewey Melton

4. Orion, Jon Opert

5. Rumble, John Henry

PHRF C Baywide (3 qualifiers)

1. Schiehallion, Brad Miller

2. Callinectes, Benjamin Cuker

3. Luna Blu, Keith Midgette

Sailing and Sailmaking to the Top

Q&A With Andrew Scott, President of Quantum Sails

In January, Annapolis native Andrew Scott was named president of Quantum Sails. With more than 70 lofts around the world and four state-of-the-art production centers, Quantum is the world’s second largest sailmaker. We caught up with Andrew at Quantum’s Eastport loft last month to learn more about growing up in a sail loft, high-end racing campaigns, and weeknight racing fun at home in Annapolis:

Tell us about working in your dad’s sail loft as a kid.

I was an employee on the (Scott Sails) loft floor and learned the old-school trade with thumb tacks and string lines on the floor, one guy on one side and me on the other rolling fabric back and forth to create the cross-cut sail. I remember it fondly.

What kind of sailing did you do when you were young?

My dad (Jim Scott) always had race boats, such as a Camper Nicholson 30 and a Farr 40 One Tonner. I did my first Governor’s Cup when I was eight years old. I was a bow guy for a long time but moved aft as I got older, as you do.

I grew up downtown and had a 420 on the dock. I went sailing every day up Spa Creek. Every few months my boundary got bigger until I could sail all the way to the Eastport Bridge. I did sailing school at Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) and Severn Sailing Association (SSA) and later started the high school sailing team at the Severn School.

Then what?

In the 90s, starting at the age of 20, I worked for my dad, running the sail loft. I started dabbling in pro sailing in about 2000 and did so for the next 10 years. In 2003, the America’s Cup Stars

and Stripes opportunity came. We shut down the loft. I started working as the VP of Operations and Quality Control at Quantum in 2009.

You’ve done some high-end racing from America’s Cup and Olympic (Star Class) campaigns to the TP52 Super Series (Quantum Racing). Can you highlight some moments from those years?

The Star Worlds in Portugal (2007) with George Szabo was memorable: racing in 20 knots in Portugal every day. My wife came over, and it was an amazing experience.

Coming in second at the Olympic Trials (with Szabo in 2008) was the biggest heartbreak of my career; we were winning going into that last day. It’s one of the few trophies I have kept over the years.

I have so many great memories of the TP52 Super Series. We won multiple World Championships and season titles.

Can you name one of your favorite positions on a race boat and explain why?

I really liked doing the runners on the TP52. You work in unison with the trimmers and work with the tactician,

too. It’s not a static thing. It’s part of the acceleration package on the boat. I enjoyed being part of the speed team.

What kind of sailing do you do these days?

I race in AYC Wednesday Night Races with Kevin Elion on the J/105 Key Players. It’s fun, intense racing. I trim main and do tactics. I really like sailing with friends and people I enjoy socially. We’re serious competitors with a beer-canracing attitude.

Do your children and wife sail?

My wife grew up sailing here, and the kids took sailing classes at AYC. These days we just enjoy the water together on our family’s center console. That my family loves being on the water as much as I do is the important part for me.

How has sailmaking changed since you were a youngster on the loft floor?

Dramatically! It was all done by hand back then with a drafting table and no CAD software. We went from printed sail plans to building a sail with chalk on the floor. It was more of a boutique industry in Annapolis, filled with smaller businesses. It’s still a local thing, even though it’s more industrialized and all digital now (with production facilities in Sri Lanka and Malaysia).

How is your new position at Quantum going?

It’s been great. I’ve met new people and visited some new-to-me lofts and will visit more in France and Spain next month. The responsibility for the company, our team, and our customers is something I take very seriously, and I work every day excited to meet that responsibility.

To qualify, you must acquire 25 points by the end of the year by participating in any of the following:

• Series (fall, weekinight, frostbite) - 5 points

• Charity regatta/race - 5 points

• Volunteer day - 4 points

• Race committee day - 4 points

• Multi-day regattas - 3 points

• Distance or point-to-point race - 3 points

• Attend a racing or rules seminar or class - 3 points

• Single-day regatta - 2 points

• Take a new sailor racing - 2 points

• Donate $50 or more to a sailing charity - 1 point

Meridian XI Wins Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race

By Mark Wheeler

The Hampton, VA-based Carkeek 40 Meridian XI won this year’s ORC division of the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race (January 15-17), sailing against 22 other very competitive boats. The race starts just to the south of the Fort Lauderdale inlet and proceeds south, honoring the Miami MOA buoy, to Fowey Rocks Light. From there, it follows the reef down along the keys, gradually bending around to the west to the Key West MOA Buoy before turning north to finish just off Mallory Square.

A unique rule in this 160-nauticalmile course is that besides honoring the marks along the reef, the boats must stay outside the line between those marks keeping navigators on their toes.

The wind came through as predicted with a strong westerly gradually veering to the north. The timing of the veer matched up with the turn to the west, making it a reach all the way to the Key West Sea Buoy before the seven-nm, “short beat” to the finish. Wind speeds were consistently around 25 knots and at times into the 30s. This allowed the Meridian crew to fly their new genoa staysail inside their #3 jib for most of the race. For about an hour following Miami, the code zero was added to this combination; later in the race the #3 jib was changed to the #4 along with a reef in the main.

It was a wet, wild, and tough race with lots of green water flowing over the deck. Sledd Shelhorse’s stepson, Graham Garrenton, has taken over as the skipper of Meridian. The rest of the crew included Greg Gendell (bow), Max Plarr (midbow), Mark Stephens (pit), Jeremiah Dull (headsail trimmer), Jono Swain (headsail trimmer), James Golden (mainsail trimmer), Hayden Bennett (grinder), Will Van Cleef (boat captain), Jason Currie (tactician), and Mark Wheeler (navigator).

There are numerous beautiful historic perpetual trophies awarded for this race

Ithat are kept at the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club. Besides the crew winning the first in class and first overall awards, Garrenton was awarded the Committee’s Trophy as the skipper of the boat with the best overall performance and Wheeler was awarded the Edward A. Powers Memorial Trophy as the navigator of the winning ORC boat. Meridian’s finish time was 25 minutes after midnight.

This article first appeared in the Hampton YC Mainsheet.

Sitella Tops Class at Southernmost Regatta

an Hill’s Hampton, VA-based Sitella sailed to the top of the 10-boat ORC Performance Class at the Southernmost Regatta, January 19-23 in Key West, FL.

Charleston Race Week Turns 30

Sailors are getting fired up about the 30-year anniversary edition of Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point (CRW), April 16-19, in Charleston, SC. At print time, 130 teams had registered, including more than a dozen from the Chesapeake Bay.

CRW organizers welcome back US Sailing Hall-of-Famer Greg Fisher to lead its daily post-race debriefs in 2026. Fisher’s world-class perspective and onthe-water insight have become a favorite part of the race week experience, breaking down key tactical moments, evolving conditions, and strategy that matter most to competitors. Expanded panel discussions with top sailing professionals will dive deeper into race management, sail selection, boat handling, and more— adding a valuable learning dimension to your week in Charleston.

Updated launch and haul procedures from James Island Yacht Club (JIYC) are now available. Competitors planning

The EWE Spirit was in full force in Key West in January at the Southernmost Regatta and annual Key West Half-Marathon and 5K. Sailors, runners, and friends of EWE

to use JIYC facilities are encouraged to review the latest information in advance to ensure smooth scheduling, efficient boat handling, and a seamless start to race week.

Circle 2 racing will feature Vakaros live tracking for the J/70, Melges 24, and VX One fleets, giving sailors and fans real-time visibility throughout the event.

EWE Spirit in Key West

raised more than $15,000, crushing the team’s $10,000 goal!

EWE Spirit Foundation president Mary Ewenson was on site at the Southernmost Regatta to offer a

With QR codes issued for each fleet, competitors, coaches, friends, family, and followers can quickly access live race data, track progress on the course, and stay connected as the action unfolds on site or from anywhere in the world. Find more news, details, and registration information at charlestonraceweek.com

presentation to youth sailors about “sailing like EWE” and to handdeliver a $10,000 grant to Keys AHEC Health Centers, who provide medical and dental care to schoolaged children who would otherwise go without.

Four Team EWE Spirit runners made it on the podium, including the Matthews kids, aged six and nine, who have run for EWE Spirit for the past three years! Sailing like EWE. Running like EWE. Living like EWE. What’s better than that?

The EWE Spirit Foundation’s mission is to honor the legacy of Geoff Ewenson by helping those facing immediate hardship bridge financial and social support gaps through mentorship, outreach and financial assistance, thus creating a kind world where everyone has the resources and opportunity to live with dignity, hope, and joy. Learn more at ewespirit.org

Sailfaster Podcast

The

Mental Edge:

How Brian Swingly Helps Sailors Win When It Counts

From “saboteurs” to “presence drills,” leading performance coach Brian Swingly explains to the Sailfaster Podcast why mindset—not mechanics—separates champions from the fleet.

Sailfaster: Brian, you grew up sailing without formal coaching. How did that shape your approach to performance?

Swingly: I learned early that improvement comes from deliberate repetition and personal curiosity. I didn’t know the “right” way to train, so I made up drills—100 tacks, 100 gybes, surfing every possible wave coming out of the marina. That self-directed practice taught me to observe patterns, figure out what worked, and build confidence without external validation. Looking back, that naïve curiosity is what set the foundation for how I coach now: the idea that most of the wisdom sailors need is already within them

You work with top sailors: Olympians and pros. At that level, what separates the top performers?

The mental game for sure. By the time you’re competing at the highest level, everyone can trim, start, and execute a game plan. But sailors who can recover quickly from pressure, stay clear-headed after a mistake, and make consistent decisions across an entire regatta; that’s the true separator. I spend a lot of time helping sailors become aware of their “saboteurs”—the internal judge, the hyper-achiever, the restless mind—and shift into what we call the “sage” mindset of creativity, clarity, and resilience. If you can quiet the negative noise, you access better performance.

How much do poor communications within a team impact performance?

It’s huge. Yelling, frustration, or poorly delivered feedback instantly trigger the saboteurs in everyone else on the boat. Suddenly, you don’t just have one sailor stressed; you have a full “saboteur fest,” as I call it, where everyone is distracted or defensive. High-performing teams build communication norms long before leaving the dock: how they give feedback, how they acknowledge mistakes, even how they reset their energy when tension rises. The goal is to create a culture where people stay in their lane, stay present, and support each other’s focus.

How can sailors mentally recover from a bad start or major mistake during a race? First, normalize mistakes. Say it out loud in the morning: “We will make mistakes today. When they happen, don’t debrief them in real time. Immediately shift to “What’s important now?” One useful analogy is imagining your boat being dropped

from a helicopter into the middle of the course. You don’t know how you got there, and it doesn’t matter— you just start racing from that exact moment. Great teams rehearse this skill. Individuals can practice it, too. Observe the negative self-talk, interrupt it, and re-center attention on the next actionable decision.

What simple mental exercises can any sailor start using this weekend?

Practice presence. Spend the first five minutes of your morning without your phone, taste your coffee, look outside, breathe. Training presence in calm moments is what makes presence possible in stressful ones. Then, set intentions. Before a start or team meeting, take 20 to 30 seconds to ask, “How do I want to show up? What does my team need from me today?”

Don’t forget the “MEDS-Rx” checkin: Mindfulness, Exercise, Diet, Sleep, Relationships, and your personal X-factor (whatever activity restores you). These are the real foundations of performance, not just for sailing but for life!

To hear the full episode head over to Sailfaster Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Want to learn more from Brian Swingly? He’s available on LinkedIn and will launch small-group “mental performance pods” for sailors and coaches. His core work is one-on-one coaching, helping individuals identify their personal saboteurs, build new mental habits, and develop sustainable high-performance systems.

# Remember when we used to swing by the notice board at the sailing club each morning to look for any amendments to the sailing instructions? Now we learn most details digitally before we hit the racecourse.

Small Boat Scene Sharing Information With Competitors in the Virtual World

By Kim Couranz

It’s been a while since we all crammed together around a bulletin board after racing to check out who was at the top of a handwritten list of scores on paper. Remembering to swing by the notice board at the sailing club each morning to look for any amendments to the sailing instructions (SI) is a practice that seems to be fading into memory, too.

Nowadays, it’s much more likely that sailors are walking around the boat park hitting “refresh” on their phones as they check out results on the regatta website or hearing pings as they get chat notifications that racing is being postponed ashore. Both old school and new school methods have pros and cons, but as we go increasingly high tech, there are best practices to keep in mind for regatta organizers and competitors alike.

Before the Regatta

Hosting a notice of race (NoR) and registration online is pretty much the bare minimum for a regatta these days.

Make sure the venue or sailing club has the regatta on its calendar, and that NoR and registration information are easily linked from that calendar. While some sailing clubs’ websites have built-in methods for creating “events” that can include regatta documents, others don’t. That likely requires building those materials on a separate platform such as Regatta Network, Clubspot, Upwind24, or a handful of other providers.

Having a home page for your regatta makes spreading the word easier, as you have one URL to share with your fleet and other potentially interested sailors via good old word of mouth, links on fleet and class websites and calendars, email lists, and social media. And there’s where it gets a little tricky and a little demanding. There are so many social media options these days, and different people and age groups prefer different platforms.

Here’s where event organizers and competitors need to meet in the middle: Organizers should share news and

reminders about upcoming events via multiple relevant social media platforms (to offer the opportunity to the broadest suite of sailors). But potential competitors should always use looking at the NoR online as their fallback (in case the event organizers don’t share information on their preferred social media platform—or if the “algorithm” doesn’t deliver the information to them).

During the Regatta

The best regatta organizers and race committees communicate well on and off the water. Traditionally, this has taken place thanks to sound signals and flags and hard-copy information on the official notice board. Today, where and how the official notice board exists is evolving. For many regattas, it is now virtual, often as a section on the event’s website.

An even newer option is to have a dynamic official notice board, perhaps as a WhatsApp group or a text group. Whether it’s results, SI amendments,

or protest hearing schedules, having information shared virtually can make it more accessible for competitors. That’s especially helpful at large, multiclass regattas when competitors may be sailing out of multiple sailing clubs.

Note: The location of the official notice board must be specified in the NoR so that event organizers must think through how they want to post notices well before the event actually happens! This lets competitors make sure they have the right technological setup before they arrive for the event— for example, to make sure they have the current version of WhatsApp on their phone. And it makes it official and puts the onus on competitors to ensure they are prepared to access the information. WhatsApp is a great way to share information with sailors. If you’re an event organizer dipping your toe into this option, there are a few best practices to ensure your sailors have a good experience:

• In addition to having the WhatsApp chat link in the NoR, have a QR code with the WhatsApp chat link on site at registration so that people can easily sign up for the chat when they arrive at the event. Include language that notes that competitors are responsible for signing up for the chat if that’s the route you take.

• Don’t piggyback the chat group for your regatta onto another chat. For example, don’t simply have your local fleet’s WhatsApp chat serve as the chat for a regatta you are hosting. Trying to multitask a chat is a recipe for confusion.

• Only allow administrators to post in the chat. The official notice board should only include information that’s being shared by regatta organizers and/or race committees; it is not a

place for competitors to weigh in on how awesome they thought the regatta dinner was. Keep information here streamlined—you can restrict who is able to share in your group’s settings.

• Want to stoke the social side of things? You can create a parallel WhatsApp chat for fun items!

• Be sure to give any WhatsApp groups you form clear and concise names—for example, “2026 One-Design Nationals Official Notice Board” vs. “2026 OneDesign Nationals Social Updates.”

About the Author: Kim couranz has earned several national and world titles in Laser radials (iLca 6), Snipes, and Lightnings. She has also raced J/22s, J/24s, and Ynglings on an international level.

BRO k ERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

Crusader Yacht Sales is a full-service sail and power brokerage located in Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. We proudly represent Tartan Yachts, Jeanneau Sailboats, and Excess Catamarans. Our experienced team of professional yacht brokers, along with our in-house closing, service, and parts departments, supports every step of your ownership journey. Visit us at 7350 Edgewood Road, Annapolis, MD 21403, call 410.269.0939, or visit us online at www.CrusaderYachts.com

S&J Yachts, Brokers for Fine Yachts

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

Veteran Yacht Sales Headquartered in Annapolis, Veteran Yacht Sales serves clients throughout the East Coast and beyond, connecting discerning buyers with exceptional yachts. Our seasoned professionals, rooted in military and first-responder communities, ensure every transaction is transparent, trustworthy, and tailored to your needs. Whether buying or selling, rely on our comprehensive marketing program, drone photography, ongoing market analysis, and meticulous attention to detail.

Experience Mission-Driven Yachting. Call today: 443.512.2960, info@veteranyachtsales.com , www.veteranyachtsales.com

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

BOAT SHARING

SAIL CLUB ANNAPOLIS 32’ Hunter

Vision Sloop, fully equipped. Annual dues $950/year. Daily rate $100/day Contact: 434.808.3512 or garudabuss@gmail.com

POWER

2003 Wesmac 38 Custom finished lobster style cruiser. Volvo 473 HP. Diesel. Original owner/yard maintained. Inside storage. Asking: $300,000 Contact Bruce: 860.235.5035 Photos/more info, visit: www.tinyurl.com/Wesmac38

SAIL

1985 Sabre 28 Universal diesel, professionally maintained. Deck needs paint. New sailcover. Interior in good shape. Currently at Calvert Marina. PRICE REDUCED **$5,500** Call Mark for details and photos, 508.648.2950

1979 S2 9.2A, 30’ Sloop 2005 Volvo D-Engine. Sleeps 5 comfortably, has head, galley, shower. 5-foot draft. Located: Georgetown Yacht Haven, Maryland. Asking $9,900 – or best offer! Pls contact by email: bodo.wolters@outlook.com More info/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/1979Sloop

(Nelly) 1980 Sabre 34 keel/ Centerboard Sleeps 5, Edison Wheel Steering, Lewmar Two-Speed Tailing Winches, Cabin Heater, Newer Batteries, Yanmar 24HP Diesel (~1670 hrs.), 110% Jib, 130% Genoa, Mainsail. $15,900 Located: Worton Creek Marina. Contact: surftuf@aol.com or 610.299.3598.

(Blinding Fury) Schock 35 1985 If you’re looking for a boat to race in the Beer Can Series or day sail faster than most, this is the boat for you! Masthead rig, roller furling, and an easy-to-handle layout make her a smooth ride in the Bay’s summer light air. Moored in Back Creek, paid through April 30, 2026. Motor needs a little TLC. $7,000/OBO Contact: eric@spinsheet.com or 2O2.247.8852. For more info/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/BlindingFury

(Gendarme) 1973 Pearson 35 Shoal draft sloop w/ centerboard. Upgrades: 2017 – Universal Diesel 25 XPB, new mast/boom, standing/running rigging. 2020 – Solar D/C refrigeration. 2023 –New prop/shaft. $17,500 Contact Cabot: 410.708.1027 or lodge2@verizon.net

35’ J Boats J/35 1986 J/35 Maggie is for sale. She’s well-known and fast, has won a lot on the Bay and is a great racer/ cruiser, with an extensive practice and club racing-ready sail inventory, a custom V-berth and other amenities for cruising and many extras. $19,990 negotiable. Email Jim at J35ForSale@proton.me or call 41O.9O3.78O1. More photos: www.tinyurl.com/J35Maggie

spinsheet.com

2022 Saffier 33 SE LIFE

2022 Excess 12

Brokerage & Classified

38’ Irwin CC MkII 1989 Well-kept, Records/receipts, Many new replacements – canvas, full enclosure, fuel tank, air head, H2O heater, GPS, etc. Many accessories – dingy davits, anchors, air conditioning, parts, etc. Survey 2023. $35,000 Contact: 443.223.9365

Gozzard 44 Cutter 1997 Belle Bateau is ready to cruise now! Classic lines, open interior, bow/stern thrusters, hydronic heating, 6 solar panels, new standing rigging, washer/dryer, much more! $290,000 Contact broker Hilary Howes: 202.701.8911 or hilary@integrityyachtsales.com For more info/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/BelleBateau

2022 Saffier 33 LIFE Daysailor. High-performance daysailer/racer. Carbon rig and boom, laminate Elvstrom sails, w/ A2 Spin and Code-0 on furlers. Ready to go very light Chesapeake use. Sporty, fast and modern design - Offers Encouraged! Annapolis/Jabin. Reduced $329,000over 500k to replace! Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2002 Jeanneau 37 37’ “Opie Bea”Repowered Beta diesel, lithium/Victron system, 660W solar, new Quantum sails, updated B&G electronics. Proven, dialed-in Chesapeake cruiser ready to sail. Asking $95,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Tartan 245 24’ Like-new Tartan Caraluna 245. Freshwater-kept, modern, trailerable performance daysailer w/ carbon rig, Torqueedo, brand new Triad trailer. Available in Annapolis. Shows like new and available now! $58,500 Call Matt 410-212-2628 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2001 Beneteau 331 33’ “Maho Dreams” - The Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a versatile 33-foot cruising sailboat offering comfortable accommodations, easy handling, solid performance, economical design, family-friendly interior, and reliable capability. Asking $59,500 Call Jeff Jordan 410.320.5183 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2005 Pacific Seacraft 40 40’ AC; boom-furling, cover, varnished teak; Many upgrades; Recent: sails, rigging, electronics, blue ‘awlgrip.” $315,000 Call Rod Rowan 410.593.7531 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Excess 12 40’ “Artemis” is fully equipped for coastal cruising. Highlights include - Genset, Air Con, Dinghy, Code Zero and More! Lightly used on Chesapeake Bay only. Asking $475,000 Call Denise Hanna 410.991.8236 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2023 Excess 12 40’ “Sea Señora”Bought new, used once, one trip. Low hours, loaded from the factory. Amazing opportunity to grab a like-new boat for $$$$ less than new! Asking $599,000 Call Dave Townley 410.271.5225 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2006 Beneteau 423 43’ “Plein Air” is a popular 2 cabin, 2 head model with a bow thruster, davits, MaxProp, A/C, new exterior canvas and genoa in 2019, new interior cushions, AIS, Triradial light air sail and more. Asking $154,000 Contact Denise Hanna at 410.991.8236 or ww.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 42’ Immaculate and well-equipped cruiser w/ spacious layout, shoal draft, and ICW friendly. Turnkey condition. On the hard at Jabins. Call Matt Weimer 410.212.2628 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2008 Jeanneau 45DS 45’ “Bluefin” is a single owner, 3 cabin, shoal draft. This boat has been well-maintained and chocked full of upgrades. Ready to sail away. Asking $198,000 Call Jeff Jordan 410.320.5183 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

To find more used boats, visit spinsheet.com

2005 Beneteau 473 47’ “Sanctuary” is a 2 cabin, 2 head w/ extra storage. Professionally maintained and consistently upgraded, she is ICW friendly, and set up for off-grid living. Asking $174,900 Call Matt Weimer 410.212.2628 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2012 Jeanneau 57 57’ “Remedy” is not your typical Jeanneau 57. She has been transformed into a true bluewater expedition yacht. From engineered running backstays to a fully integrated storm sail plan, watertight aft lazarette and expanded fuel tankage w/ 1,000+ NM motoring range. Asking $695,000 Call Jeff Jordan 410.320.5183 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

Chester Avenue, Suite A Annapolis, MD 21403 1.855.266.5676 | info@curtisstokes.net

Sabre 402 2003 $181,000

45

43 Shannon 43 1988 $165,000 43 Slocum 43 1984 $190,000

42 Bavaria C42 2023 $399,500 42 Bavaria Ocean 42 1999 $120,000

Island Packet 380 1999 ...................................

Brokerage & Classified

(Red Sky) 37’ Hunter ‘98

$64,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Little Wing) 38’ Beneteau ‘98

$62,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Aurora) 40’ Nauticat ‘85 $145,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Shari) 40’ Freedom ‘95 $119,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

SpinSheet.com

(Siddhartha) 41’ Hunter H41 Deck Salon ‘08 $137,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Antilles Passage) 43’ Beneteau Oceanis ‘10 $124,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4500 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Wind kist) 43’ Hunter ‘91 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Blue) 46’ Beneteau ‘97

$125,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

35’ Island Packet 350 2003 Proven cruiser w/ updated hull design, easy sail handling, and a spacious two-cabin layout. Comfortable, bright interior, excellent ventilation, & Island Packet’s renowned build quality. $129,900 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

(Wonder) 44’ Wellington ‘80 $269,000 Jim Edwards 252.474.5000 jedwards @curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Leave 10% Brokerage Fees in Your Wake Jay Porterfield • Knot 10 Sail (410) 977-9460 • jay@knot10.com

2005 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40.3 Well-maintained, 3-cabin layout, Annapolis area. $97,900 Knot 10 Yacht Sales – Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com

Hunter 44 Deck Salons TWO available – 2005 & 2006. Call for details. Knot 10 Yacht Sales – Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com

2009 Hunter 50 CC Extremely wellmaintained, comfortable cruiser. $284,000 Knot 10 Yacht Sales – Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com

38’ Lagoon 380S 2005 NEW LISTING! S2 catamaran—owner’s layout, Yanmar diesels, generator, A/C, solar, watermaker, spacious salon and cabins. Safe, comfortable family cruiser. Ready for fun adventures! $215,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

Rates for Classified/Broker Ads $40 for 1-30 words | $75 for 31-60 words *Add a 1” photo to your boat listing for $25 Deadline is the 10th of the month

Email beatrice@spinsheet.com, call 410.216.9309, or list your boat online at: spinsheet.com/spinsheet-buysell

40’ Sabre 402 2003 Jim Taylor designed performance cruiser; racing performance w/ triple spreader mast, bulbed wing keel & spade rudder. Luxuriously comfortable w/ 13’3” beam, 2 private cabins, huge saloon/ galley & lots of storage. $181,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

41’ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 2013 Lightly used, thoughtfully equipped, & cared for. Offers the perfect balance of performance sailing & comfortable cruising—ideal for couples, families, or anyone ready to enjoy coastal or offshore adventures. $189,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

42’ 2023 Bavaria C42 BIG SAVINGS $109,000 – European Yacht of the Year Winner! Fully commissioned and ready for your enjoyment. Modern hull shape provides increased stability, performance & space below deck. 3 cabin/2 head w/ attractive mahogany interior. ICW rig, furling mainsail, B&G electronics, Autopilot, Bow thruster, A/C & more… $399,500 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

42’ 2024 Southerly 420 Just completed the ‘24 ARC. Solid blue water cruiser w/ variable draft swing keel: draws 2’ 9” w/ keel up & 8’ 11” down. 2cabin/2head layout, bow/stern thrusters, in-mast furling main & more! $795,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com

42’ Catalina 425 2019 The 425 has a functional, spacious cockpit, a comfortable, carefully detailed interior, & all the 5 Series features that have redefined the Catalina brand. Lightly used, meticulously cared for, and thoughtfully equipped for serious cruising or liveaboard life. $325,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

43’ Broadblue 435 2010 Oceancertified 43’ catamaran, ideal for bluewater cruising. Features twin 40Hp diesels, cutter rig, 776 sq. ft. sail area for impressive light-wind performance. Spacious, well-built w/ watertight bulkheads and EU Category A certification. Rare U.S. opportunity. $375,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

43’ Slocum 43 1984 Just Listed! Trouvaille offers dependable systems, generator, solar, quality joinery, excellent storage, and proven cruising capability—an elegant, well-built Slocum 43 ready for serious passage making. $190,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

45’ Allures 45.9 2011 Aluminum centerboard bluewater cruiser combining performance, safety, & liveaboard comfort. Shoal draft versatility (max: 9’10”/ min: 3’5”), new canvas, new electronics, generator, diesel heat, & numerous recent upgrades. Ready to cruise anywhere. $430,000 S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605, www.sjyachts.com

49’ Hunter 49 2007 A well-kept yacht to seriously consider. Easy to sail. Inmast furling, bow thruster, extensive electronics suite, 3 cabins, 2 heads, large salon; 6’ 9” headroom, large galley, nav station/office, very comfortable cockpit w/ swim platform. $235,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

60’ Beneteau Oceanis 60 2016 Powerful & Elegant! A joy to sail. Spacious cockpit. Luxurious interior. This 3 cabin/3 head version of this flagship accommodates friends & family in premium comfort. Many amenities. $599,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

2000 Island Packet 420 Well-equipped w/ davits and clean - no visible cracks in gelcoat and solid wood interior. ICW friendly w/ shoal draft and ready to sail offshore. Now $284,900 Contact Rick: 443.294.5161, rstcyr@veteranyachtsales.com , www.veteranyachtsales.com

2023 Catalina 425 Cruise-ready w/ extensive factory options and offshore safety upgrades. Features solar arch, watermaker, Starlink-ready, generator, A/C, and more. Now $409,000 Contact Shawn: 843.284.3373, swaggoner @veteranyachtsales.com , www.veteranyachtsales.com

MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

Seaside Treasures – Bring the Coast Home Shop charming nautical, beach décor and more for your lake cottage or seaside home! A family-run business since 2001. Use coupon “SPINSHEET10” for 10% off! Visit online at www.SeasideTreasures.com or email ContactUs@SeasideTreasures.com!

CREW

Offshore Passage Opportunities Your Offshore Sailing Network. Celebrating thirty years helping sailors sail offshore for free. Learn by doing. Gain Quality Sea Time! Call 800.4.PASSAGe (800.472.7724). Keep the Dream Alive for the Price of a Good Winch Handle! Since 1993. admin@sailopo.com, www.sailopo.com

DELIVERIES

Endurance Yacht Delivery Local and long distance. Twenty-five years of experience with clean insurance approved resume. Power and sail. Please call Captain Simon Edwards 410.212.9579 or email stredwards@gmail.com www.enduranceyachtdelivery.com

EQUIPMENT

H ELP WANTED

Get Paid to Sail! Now Hiring Captain & Crew **RARE full-time captain position!** Live in Annapolis all year round, sail on two beautiful 74-ft schooners all season and keep them maintained in the wintertime. 50-ton, INLAND license. **Crew/Deckhands** Looking to staff up with 4 or 5 fantastic crew. Starting date can range from early March through late April. Working through October is preferred. (Winter work opportunities exist.) More info here: www.schoonerwoodwind.com/employment

Head instructor for Magothy River Sailing Association (MRSA) Junior Sailing Program, July 1317 and July 20-24. Must have prior experience working with children and a US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 certification. Contact: 410.598.9815 or juniorsailing@magothysailing.org

Junior Sailing Instructors – Summer 2026 Cambridge Yacht Club is hiring sailing instructors for our Junior Sailing Program, June 8–August 9. Candidates should have prior sailing instruction experience, enjoy working with children, and prioritize safety on the water. Competitive pay, supportive team, and a well-run Chesapeake Bay program. Email: sailing@cambridgeyachtclub.com

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

Boating

Top 20 Dealer

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

Send your c hesapeake Bay business

Educator of the Year

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

Event Space

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 BOE 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-of-the-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 E-Line 22kW is available now for vessels up to 15 m (50 ft) or 20 ton. vetus.com

Capt. Jan Miles of the Pride of Baltimore

As history converges in a once-ina-generation moment for Pride of Baltimore, Inc., the organization announces the appointment of Jan Miles as executive director and senior captain, formalizing a leadership role he has carried with distinction for decades.

The coming years will mark the 40th anniversary of the loss of the original Pride, her captain, and three crew members; the restoration and rededication event; America’s 250th anniversary celebrations nationwide; and the 50th anniversary of the vision that launched Pride’s enduring legacy. Within this historic arc, this year also marks more than four decades since Captain Miles first joined the organization, underscoring a career long intertwined with Pride’s mission as the organization looks ahead to its next chapter.

As executive director, Miles will guide the organization’s mission to promote Maryland to the nation and the world through the living history of Pride of Baltimore II, a full-scale reproduction of a War of 1812–era privateer. His leadership will focus on stewardship, public engagement, and long-term sustainability.

“My focus is on ensuring Pride of Baltimore remains mission-driven, financially stable, and publicly relevant,” said Miles. “Pride of Baltimore II is not only a ship, but a powerful platform for sharing Maryland’s privateering history and maritime identity wherever she sails.”

Miles’s priorities include the stewardship of Pride of Baltimore II as safe, seaworthy, and compelling, as well as strengthening her public presence through storytelling, partnerships, and ambassadorial leadership that reflects Maryland’s maritime heritage.

An Annapolis High School graduate, Captain Miles has been with Pride of Baltimore, Inc. since 1981, when he

joined as one of rotating captains on the original ship Pride of Baltimore. He was the first to sail the original Pride across the North Atlantic to Europe and later captained Pride of Baltimore II’s maiden voyage in 1988.

A tall ship master with more than 50 years of professional sailing experience, Miles has completed six Atlantic crossings, three Pacific voyages of more than 5000 miles each, and more than a dozen transits of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 500-Ton Ocean Master License for Power and Sail, along with numerous additional certifications. His service as master or mate includes vessels such as Lady Maryland, Californian, Clearwater, Elissa, Oliver Hazard Perry, and others. He has also helped develop model sailing programs for youth at risk.

Miles’s accomplishments and leadership have been recognized both within and beyond the maritime community. In 2013, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award

from Tall Ships America. He was named Sail Trainer of the Year in 2004 and Marylander of the Year by the Maryland Colonial Society in 2001. In 2005, while serving as master aboard Pride of Baltimore II during a catastrophic dismasting, the crew’s conduct earned Sail Training International’s Special Seamanship Award.

“Jan’s appointment reflects the board’s confidence in his leadership and his unparalleled ability to connect people to (our) mission,” said Mac Passano, chair of the board of directors. “He embodies the spirit of Pride of Baltimore and the maritime heritage we are proud to share.”

Pride of Baltimore, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Maryland’s maritime heritage through education, outreach, and worldwide voyages aboard Pride of Baltimore II Learn more at pride2.org.

Congratulations to Capt. Miles from your friends at SpinSheet! #

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