SpinSheet Magazine October 2025

Making Dreams A Reality For Over 20 Years!

JEANNEAU YAChTS 55

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Stories of the Century: Who Has Logged 100 Days on the Water?

We challenge readers to log 100 days on the water within the calendar year… and 25 have made it. presented by bacon sails and Marine supplies

58

SpinSheet Celebrates 30 Years!

Take a walk down memory lane in SpinSheet covers since our founding in late summer 1995.

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# Photo by Ted Morgan

Welcome to the Annapolis Sailboat Show

All the boats, gear, and events that we’re excited about at this year’s Annapolis Sailboat Show, October 9-12, and how to maximize your time at the show.

By Staff and Captain Cheryl Duvall

82

See the Bay: Annapolis

Top local tips on what’s new and what to do in town plus historical tidbits that may surprise you.

By Staff and Tom Guay presented by osprey Marine

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Bluewater Dreaming: Stuck in Bermudaful Bermuda

Arriving in Bermuda with a “go!” mindset, this cruising family had to turn it down a notch and relax.

By Jillian Greenawalt presented by M yacht services

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Charter Notes: The Flotilla That Wasn’t Charter sailors in Italy made limoncello out of lemons after learning that their planned flotilla route went the wrong way. By Betty Caffo

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Awesome Autumn Racing!

The Navy Fall Oxford Race, Hospice Cup, CRAB Cup, Stingray Point Regatta, J/105 Women’s Regatta, and more Chesapeake racing news. presented by Mount Gay ruM

Ted Morgan took this month’s cover shot of David McKee’s J/105 Relentless at the Hospice Cup off Annapolis September 13.

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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

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CUSToMER SERVICE MANAGER

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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

Keith Basiliko, Martin and Betty Casey, Jennifer and Al Diederichs, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock

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.

Low Friction. Big Savings.

Sailors share the same fundamental belief: ‘Do right by the boat and it will do right by you.’ Most Falls, only routine maintenance is required. But every few years, a larger initiative is needed. How can we make this boat easier or safer to sail? What do we do to keep up with the way the leaders are sailing today? Just because it wasn’t launched that way, doesn’t mean we can’t rig it that way. That’s what The Harken Fall Re t Sale is all about.

If you don’t see The Harken Fall Re t Sale price at a participating store, ask for it. If you’re shopping at Harken.com, you’ll now discover the lowest prices anywhere. Then, at check-out use the promo code FALL REFIT and see the discount applied.

Do right by the boat you have right now. And next season it will do right by you.

SAIL INTO SAVINGS

Blast From the Past

By Molly Winans

The cover of the May 1998 issue of SpinSheet shows a former fellow sailing instructor, Greg Gendell, on the bow of the Whitbread Ocean Race entry Chessie Racing. Greg had raced around the world and was about to sail back up the Bay; I was still teaching sailing on weekends at Annapolis Sailing School and driving a desk during the week. Seeking fun tidbits to share with readers for our 30th anniversary, all year long I’ve been digging into our archives, dirtying my fingers flipping through pages of fading newsprint, and bringing back memories from the magazine’s early days.

I remember seeing SpinSheet founders Dave Gendell and Mary Ewenson on the docks at their first Annapolis Sailboat Show in 1995, actively getting their new magazine into the hands of

future readers. I thought, They’re so cool, and also that they were lucky to have such cool jobs. I was too young and foolish to know that they created their own destiny with a vision, hard work, sleepless nights, and supportive family and friends. It took me awhile to realize just how very hard they worked to get SpinSheet up and running; to get the sailing community to embrace it and trust that it would last.

At the time, I penned occasional articles for local magazines, such as Inside Annapolis (now defunct) and What’s Up Annapolis?. In 1997 Dave commissioned me to write a “learn to sail” article for a tee shirt. I never got my shirt.

Flash forward a year to the spring of the Chessie Racing SpinSheet cover and one of the rainiest, best parties I’ve ever been to: the Whitbread Ocean Race party at Severn Sailing Association and Eastport Yacht Club. The clubs temporarily had taken the fence down to grow the space for the event. Rain flew sideways, monsoon-style. Every sailor in town came to the party anyway. The parking lot was packed. We all wore baseball caps and full foul weather gear and couldn’t recognize one another through our hoods and the rain pelting us, splashing in our beers.

I remember one of the Whitbread sailors on stage at the

microphone saying, “Wow, they told me this was a sailing town!” The crowd went nuts.

In the madness, I recall running into Dave who asked me what I was doing for a living and suggested that maybe there was more I could do for SpinSheet. It took us a few years to figure it out, yet we did. I freelanced for the magazine for a few years and came on full-time in 2006. Now, I was the one with a cool job.

In the 19 years since then, I’ve had the honor of collaborating with talented writers and professional photographers, interviewing sailing luminaries such as Gary Jobson and Terry Hutchinson, and using my creative skills daily. I’ve sailed on schooners, log canoes, dinghies, racing trimarans, sexy racing machines, and good old boats. Most importantly, I’ve met hundreds of sailors and fascinating, generous people. It does take a village to put a magazine together, and not all of them get a tee shirt!

As this 1998 photo and many others in our archives remind me, Walter Cooper has been an influential photographer and mentor to SpinSheet since the beginning. He’s been around Annapolis more than usual lately, and it’s been a pleasure to get to know him better and learn about his creative (and technical) journey as a pro photographer. I hope to see more of his excellent work in SpinSheet in the future (find old cover shots by Walter, Dave, and others on page 58).

And where is Greg Gendell? Living in Annapolis and (at print time) working on the bow of a TP 52 in Italy for Quantum Racing. I’m still driving a desk, but it’s this desk at the SpinSheet World Headquarters. Lucky me.

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.

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Readers Write

More on Air Draft

Ireally liked the September issue and look forward to seeing you at the boat show. It is ironic that the same issue had articles on (Cambridge and air draft) just 15 pages apart: “An Abundance of Cruising Options on the Choptank River” (page 38) and “What’s Our Air Draft?” (page 53).

The Choptank River Bridge, with 50-foot air clearance, is probably the most impactful bridge clearance on the Bay. There are certainly lower bridges, but this one is over a major river that is “navigable” for 45 miles, but not for many of your readers due to the bridge clearance.

This bridge was built as part of the crash “Reach the Beach” program announced in 1987 to get visitors to Ocean City faster. Previously, there was a swing bridge, parts of which remain and are used for fishing, so there was no clearance problem prior to the current bridge. This bridge has no signs or “boards,” as the air draft article mentions, so boaters have no easy understanding of what the actual clearance is at any time…

I urge you in any article on the Choptank to include mention of the limited clearance on this bridge, which impacts sailors and makes the marina at the Hyatt Hotel difficult or impossible for many to reach. The state of Maryland is not about to raise the bridge clearance, but perhaps you could advocate for a sign stating the surprisingly low clearance of this bridge and even “boards” showing the height at a given time.

Mike Marcus Silvergirl, Galesville, MD

Farewell to Friends

TThrough his Eyelet

David Sites sent this unique perspective of the Schooner Woodwind under sail.

Department of Corrections

McKenna Bridgman and Liam McKenzie Peterson, the 29’er sailors pictured on page 67 of the September 2025 issue, were misidentified in the caption as Sophia Schmidt and Josephine Schragger. McKenna and Liam captured first place in the 29’er division at the Oxford Annual Regatta August 9-10.

“Super Dave” kelsey

A helmsman without an ego? Unflappable? Impossible! Until you met Dave Kelsey.

he sailing world lost a great supporter and friend on July 26, with the passing of David on his family farm in Warrenton, VA, his hometown of 50 years. Also known by his crew moniker, Super Dave, he was a sailor and racer in class racing circuits. He was also a retired fighter pilot, flying F100s, F104s, and F4s.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Super Dave sailed as helmsman on two locally respected (in their time) PHRF racing boats, Electra and Fitikoko. During this time, he captured two Key West victories, one on each boat, as well as competing in Block Island Race Week and a huge number of races on the Chesapeake. He helmed Fitikoko to win the Labrot Trophy for best performance of a handicap yacht on the Bay. He was known for his concentration in

the face of adversity, and his crews knew him to be steady and unflappable. He was admired for the ability to fix anything (with nothing) and was the man during the (not infrequent) crises aboard.

Super Dave was tutored by Jahn Tihansky, sailing coach extraordinaire. Dave’s natural ability seamlessly meshed with Tihansky’s approach; though Dave did not always escape Jahn’s lash, particularly with regard to Navy planes in Key West, Dave’s good humor saved the day.

Dave was partial to Scotch whisky and Cuban cigars, so celebrate his life with one now, if you share the attraction. Super Dave is survived by his dear wife

of 58 years, Laura; his daughter Tiffany, who sailed with him for years, and her spouse, David Krebs. We will all miss you, Super Dave! Sail on, sailor!

The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

You might call it the fleet that can’t be beat. A fleet of majestic schooners will travel down the Bay this month when the Great Schooner Race (GCBSR) gets underway October 16. The race is a friendly competition that sends schooners and other traditional vessels from Baltimore to Norfolk, beginning at a start line set just south of the Bay Bridge, near Annapolis.

Some years, the skippers and crews are handed amazing conditions—fresh breeze from the north, an ebb current, a full moon, following seas. Other years they might be subjected to wind on the nose, a flood tide, or no wind at all (when the later two combine, vessels sometimes drop anchor just to keep from losing ground!).

No matter the conditions, year after year, schooner sailors look forward to

the festivities and the competition. The race and its ancillary events are an annual opportunity like no other, in which schooner racers, a very special group indeed, enjoy the camaraderie as much or more than the competition.

This year, the GCBSR race follows the Fells Point Fun Festival, which will unfold October 10-12. The festival is a weekend of music, food, shopping, and community spirit that supports the local waterfront community. Many of the GCBSR vessels will be taking out passengers for sailing trips from the docks at Fells Point.

Before and after the race, the public is invited to dockside viewing of the vessels in Baltimore (pre-race) and Norfolk (post-race). Spectators are encouraged to take in the Parade of Sail on Wednesday, October 15. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. and is best viewed

from Canton, Fells Point, Harbor East, and Inner Harbor shorelines.

For race scoring purposes, the fleet is split into classes roughly divided by rated vessel length. There are four schooner classes and the invitational non-schooner class. AA- and A-Class vessels race 118 nautical miles to Thimble Shoals. The official race for B-, C-, and N-Class vessels ends at Windmill Shoals (the 83-mile mark), but boats are welcome to race to Thimble Shoals for bragging rights and awardnight mention. The non-schooner class is open to traditional vessels (such as sloops, ketches, yawls, and workboats of roughly 1950s and earlier design) and to vessels operated by organizations with a mission that aligns with the GCBSR.

In addition to the on-water race, each year the GCBSR also hosts a Virtual Race, a fundraiser that seeks to promote awareness of the Bay’s heritage, encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources, support Bay education and clean-up efforts, bring historic schooners to the Bay, and encourage schooner sailing and preservation. This year the participating vessels, their captains, crew, and supporters raised approximately $72,000.

Schooner Race, Parade, and Shoreside Events

Dates: October 14-19

Baltimore Public Events, october 14-15

Tuesday: Open Docks from noon to 7 p.m. at Anchorage Marina

Wednesday: Expeditionary Learning

Experiences for students, Open Docks 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Parade of Sail at 5 p.m.

Race Start, october 16

Thursday: Race begins at noon, just south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Norfolk Public Events, october 18

Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Schooners may be viewed dockside at Freemason Harbor at the Pagoda. Some may be open for tours.

Learn more: gcbsr.org

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New Podcast: First Mate’s Log

Looking for a podcast about a reallife sailing adventure undertaken by a local sailor? If so, check out the new “First Mate’s Log,” a serial story from the sea by writer and photographer Krista Schlyer.

The series recounts a long-planned voyage from the Chesapeake Bay during the crush of the Covid-19 pandemic, when Krista and her partner spent three

years living aboard Maggie May, a 1986 Westerly Sealord, just under 39 feet in length.

Krista says, “It’s an adventure story about a real adventure that I lived. It’s not about one adrenaline rush after another but rather the day-by-day struggles, small victories, and navigating the hardest challenge—living on an unpredictable ocean in a tiny space with another human being.”

Krista explains, “The idea of a podcast appealed to me because I wanted to communicate the feel of day-to-day life on a sailing adventure, and with everything I had gathered during our voyage, a book just couldn’t incorporate the depth of the story I wanted to tell. I had collected photographs, videos, and audio all along the journey and kept a daily journal. I want people to be able to hear the magnificent frigatebirds nesting and see the octopus and eels and sea turtles.

“I want this podcast to be a space where people can step away from a world

that seems in constant crisis and rest for a while in a more slowly metered life, life at 7.6 knots. There will be excitement, and conflict—that comes with the journey—but there will also be times of perfect reflective calm. I think we all need that now.”

“First Mate’s Log” is hosted on patreon.com and streams on Spotify. Learn more about Krista, her projects, photography, and books at kristaschlyer.com

New Traveling Exhibits on Display at Captain Avery Museum

SPARK! Places of Innovation is officially on display through October 5 at the Captain Avery Museum in Shady Side, MD. Spark! the exhibit is part of Museum on Main Street (MoMS), a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, state humanities councils across the nation, and local host organizations.

In small towns across America people are creating new products, taking risks, meeting challenges together, and seizing upon exciting opportunities that change local life and sometimes reach far beyond. Spark! Places of Innovation highlights innovation in rural America from the perspective of the people who lived it.

The exhibit features stories from over 30 rural communities across the nation that reveal the dynamic relationship between place and creativity. Technical, social, cultural, artistic, or

a combination of all of these—every innovation is as unique as each community.

There is also a companion exhibit: “From Buyboats to Beaches: 100 Years of Resiliency on the Chesapeake Bay” celebrates the unique innovation shown by Black and Jewish groups in creating a proliferation of safe havens in our area to access and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay during the Jim Crow years. Visitors will experience these stories through audio and visual engagement including oral histories.

Also on display will be the 11-piece collection of Norman Gross, who creates intricately detailed boat models depicting the legacy of his family’s maritime heritage in Shady Side. This collection consists of workboat models

crafted in diorama form, with painted backgrounds, miniature workers, and finely detailed equipment, including cranes, oyster tongs, and crab pots. Many of these boats are accompanied by the artist’s written recollections, which offer keen insights into the work and family life of Black watermen in Shady Side during the middle of the last century.

To learn more, visit captainaverymuseum.org

The CRAB Special Olympics Regatta a Success

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) hosted the first ever CRAB Special Olympics Regatta September 5 to 7 at the CRAB Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center (ABC). Athletes from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania participated and represented CRAB, Special Olympics MD, and Special Olympics VA. Board members and their families welcomed the athletes from around the region, and the Bill Simpson Foundation sponsored the event. In the past, Special Olympics Maryland had hosted the regatta at St. Mary’s College. The two-day regatta offered beautiful weather on Saturday for the 18 boats to complete five races. The principal race

officer, Sandy Grosvenor, and Eastport Yacht Club race committee chair, Bill Levatino, managed a busy race schedule. Athletes with developmental disabilities skippered the four classes of boats: CRAB’s Beneteau First 22As, 420s chartered from the Annapolis Yacht Club, Hobie Cats from Virginia and Maryland, and O’Day Day Sailers courtesy of private owners from the Severn Sailing Association. Family members boarded the CRAB Dream Catcher catamaran to view their children racing off of the Severn River.

Timber Pizza Co. served delicious pizza on Saturday, followed by an ice cream social and a dance party. The

City of Annapolis fire boat provided a spectacular demonstration of its maneuverability and powerful water cannon on Back Creek in front of the CRAB ABC.

Following three races on Sunday, athletes and their skippers enjoyed a great lunch from Leeward Market. Participants received medals by performance and class, presented by CRAB board chair Will Crump. Many of the families were very complimentary and appreciative of the CRAB ABC facilities, experienced volunteers, and organization of the Special Olympics Regatta.

Learn more at crabsailing.org

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An Ultra-Cool Swimmer in Annapolis

Some people move to America’s Sailing Capital to sail. Carol Wortman moved here to swim. The 58-yearold ultra-distance swimmer started by swimming in the Potomac with a group organized by WaveOne before accepting an invitation to swim a few times a week with a group in Annapolis in 2020. Since

then, she has moved from Alexandria, VA, to Annapolis to be closer to the Bay and begun organizing weekly group swims, too.

Open-water distance swimming requires vast amounts of energy. A former runner whose injured knee led her into the pool, first for in-water walking, later for swimming, Wortman says, “A 10k swim takes the same output as a 26-mile run.”

Has she ever done a marathon? “No, but I’ve done adventure racing with some orienteering on foot and on water and mountain biking. A 100-mile adventure race was the longest run—maybe 40 miles.”

Wortman’s swimming accomplishments include the Triple Crown of open water swimming: Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (28.5 miles), Catalina Channel (21 miles), and the English Channel (21 miles). She has also completed the Lake Tahoe Full-Length Swim (21.25 miles, a high-altitude test

of endurance) and the Lake Memphremagog Swim (25 miles, completed in June 2025).

The Annapolis-based swimmer competes in the longer-distance events to benefit Mercy House, a nonprofit hospice care center in her hometown of Endicott, NY.

Her next big challenge will be swimming the North Channel from Ireland to Scotland (34.5k, or 21.4 miles). It’s cold! For comparison, she notes that the English Channel can be 60-65 degrees, while the North Channel is 10 degrees colder.

“There are huge jellyfish,” Wortman adds dryly. “It’s considered one of the toughest swims in the world.”

As a training swim, she’s also trying to obtain a slot for the Fastnet Swim (21k or 13 miles) off Ireland in July, also among the world’s toughest swims, which takes about eight hours.

She says, “I need an experienced pilot for that. I’m on the wait list for one.”

Wortman trains with Coach Dan Simonelli, whose nickname is Swimonelli. With his guidance, before a big event she does a four-week-cycle training program: after an initial week of speed swimming (five days for 1.5 hours) comes “build week,” in which she keeps increasing her distance to three four-hour swims. The next one is “bulk week, which starts with three four-hour swims, then four- to six- or even eight-hour swims. Next, there’s a recovery week in which she gets in the pool but lets her body recover. The next week, she starts the cycle again. Wortman will begin this cycle in November for her late July event.

“I am also buying an endless pool for my backyard that I can set to 60 degrees. When you do a long swim, you spend a lot of time doing flip turns in the pool, so this will make it easier.”

Anyone who’s read this far and dreamed of wetsuits can keep dreaming; for these grueling cold-water swims Wortman wears a regular bathing suit, silicone cap, earplugs, goggles, and

some eight-hour sunblock (a brand called P20). She doesn’t even wear a watch. She could not do these ultra-distance swims without reliable boats and pilots: “As a swimmer I am fully dependent on the boat. They guide me. They have these parachutes they stick in the water, which keep the boat running but at the pace of a swimmer… The best pilots can stay right next to the swimmer, but it’s really hard to do. The speed is so slow… In the English Channel for example, you will go way up

north with the tide, then south, then north again, so there’s this S curve. For the pilot, planning that route is a tricky skill to have.”

In 2027, Wortman hopes to enter the Loch Ness Swim in Scotland. In the meantime, if you sail near Bay Ridge on a chilly fall day and see a group of swimmers working their way up the Bay, know that Annapolis’s ultra-cool endurance athlete and her crew are “just warming up.”

Help Team FishTalk/PropTalk Fish For a Cure!

For the past several years, Team FishTalk/PropTalk has participated in the annual Fish For a Cure (F4AC) charity fishing tournament (this year’s event takes place on Saturday, November 1). While we would encourage anyone who likes to fish to sign up, we know this is a sailing magazine… But never fear, there’s more than one way to support a great cause! Speaking of worthy causes, all funds raised through F4AC directly benefit the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute.

The tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party have raised more than $6.5 million over the last 18 years. LHAAMC programs that are donor funded provide social, emotional, fiscal, and psychological support for patients and families as they navigate treatment and recovery from illness. Patients and their families gain

access to critically needed psychosocial services, including nurse navigation, nutrition counseling, psychosocial wellbeing, and oncology rehabilitation services.

So, this is much more than just a fishing tournament. Registration costs $500 per boat (for a captain and up to three anglers), and every team is expected to raise at least $1500. If you would like to support a good cause but aren’t into fishing, you may make a donation to a participating team (we hope you’ll consider us). Simply visit fishforacure.org/get-involved/ donate, click to the Open League, and type ‘PropTalk’ in the donation box. You can also attend the fabulous Shore Party, which takes place the evening of the tournament from 5 to

9 p.m. at Safe Harbor Annapolis, and you do not need to be registered for the tournament in order to attend. There will be food and beverages served from multiple bars, a dance floor, and more. Plus, the winners of the tournament and Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge will be announced at the party. Tickets cost $175 per person.

To register for the tournament, donate to a team, or purchase Shore Party tickets visit fishforacure.org

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Dock and Dine Guide to Fall Oyster Festivals

By Carrie Gentile

There’s little else that says “fall on the Bay” than fresh oysters. In October and early November, several waterfront communities celebrate the opening of oyster season by organizing festivals dedicated to the quintessential bivalve.   Pick a weekend, and boat or drive to one (or more) of these oyster extravaganzas. Expect a myriad of prepared oysters, local craft beers, live music, shucking competitions, and much more.

World Is Your oyster Fest, Baltimore - october 2

With the world’s largest human-made oyster reef soon-to-be completed and the tripling of the Maryland oyster population, the staff at the Oyster Recover Partnership (ORP) have cause to celebrate.

ORP hosts the World is your Oyster Fest at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, where attendees will try local oysters, sip craft cocktails, and cheer on the pros in the Tito’s Handmade Vodka shucking competition. The winner will have the opportunity to compete at the 2025 U.S. National Oyster Championship Contest in St. Mary’s County.

Organizers urge attendees to buy tickets early as they always sell out. It is a 21-plus event.

Yorktown Wine and oyster Festival - october 4-5

Shell-abrate life’s great moments with a glass of wine and a plate of oysters at the two-day Yorktown Wine and Oyster Festival! Enjoy spectacular views of the York River and delicacies from the sea and local vineyards. The event pairs the finest Virginia wines with the freshest local seafood—including succulent oysters served raw, roasted, and steamed. Sip and stroll along the scenic waterfront while enjoying live music, gourmet food trucks, and artisan vendors.

This is a closed-ticketed only event. Everyone must purchase a ticket to enter the event area.

Shuck It! Solomons

october 11

A brand-new oyster celebration in Solomons is in the works. Enjoy a variety of oyster and seafood dishes, live entertainment, special retail offers, themed boat rides, interactive demonstrations, and more. Don’t forget to pick up your Oyster Passport and explore participating Solomons businesses for a chance to win oyster-themed prizes. The event is still in the planning stages. Follow the Visit Solomons Facebook page for updates.

Poquoson Seafood Festival

october 17-19

Living up to its name, the Poquoson Seafood Festival offers a multitude of dishes including crab cakes, oysters, clams, and soft-shell crabs, along with local specialties like she-crab soup and clam chowder. For non-seafood lov-

ers, the festival also offers BBQ, fried chicken, gator bites, and classic carnival treats such as funnel cakes and corn on the cob. There will be live music on two stages all weekend; a kids’ zone with a petting zoo, rides and exhibits; and crab pot construction and net-making demonstrations, highlighting watermen’s skills and traditions.

The Poquoson Harbor, south of the wide York River entrance, is known for its fantastic fishing and recreational boating. Both York Haven Marina and Whitehouse Cove Marina have transient slips and are close to the festival grounds.

US

oyster Festival, Leonardtown - october 18-19

Attended by thousands, this beloved two-day festival celebrating culture culminates in the US National Oyster Shucking Championship, where top shuckers from across the nation compete for the title of US National Champion. The winner could represent the US in the World Oyster Opening Championships in Ireland.

As one would expect, there will also be live music, performers, beer, craft ven-

dors, oysters served every way you could imagine, and a national oyster cook-off.

If arriving by boat, there are nearby anchorages in Breton Bay and a 160-foot floating dock pier at the Leonardtown Wharf that holds up to 14 boats. Call (310) 475-9791 about docking.

Captain Avery Museum oyster Festival - october 18

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the banks of the West River in Shady Side, MD, at the Captain Avery Museum. Good community company, fine regional music, an array of choice gifts for purchase, a

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cash raffle, local food and drink, and the best oysters anywhere. This year there will be double the bands, more vendors, and more hours of fun for you to enjoy! Rain date: Sunday, October 19. Tickets cost $10 for members, $20 for non-members, and it’s free for children eight and under. Parking is off-site at Shady Side Park (1355 E. West Shady Side Rd.) or Clarks Landing (1442 Ford Rd., Shady Side). A shuttle service will run between the festival and the off-site parking lots.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s oysterFest, St. Michaels - october 25

The oyster extravaganza highlights oysters from the Talbot Watermen Association and several local oyster farms, with most bivalves having been harvested just hours prior to the event.

Local vendors serve ham and oyster biscuits, buttermilk fried oysters, oyster stew, and Bloody Mary oyster shooters. Buy an OysterFest mug, and join the judging for the perennial favorite oyster stew competition. Beyond slurping oysters, guests can dive into Chesapeake history through a slate of demonstrations, children’s activities, and more.

Boaters should know that the on-site marina is exclusively for CBMM members. Find docking information at cbmm. org/docking.

For those who want to venture into historic downtown St. Michaels, local restaurants outside of the venue will serve oyster dishes.

Urbanna oyster Festival November 7-8

The longest-running festival celebrating the Chesapeake’s oyster harvest is located in the postcard-perfect small town of Urbanna, along the Rappahannock River. This celebration is a town-wide effort, employing hundreds of volunteers to celebrate generations of oystermen and shuckers. Everyone pitches in to cook, shuck, and sauce-up delicacies on the half-shell. Expect oyster-shucking contests, multiple parades, children’s activities, three live music stages, wine tastings, arts and crafts, historic boats, and oyster ecology at the waterfront.

Docking for the event is at URBBY Marina or Urbanna Town Marina. Both are close to the village and the festivities.

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Drop by after the Boat Show

2 the World is Your Oysterfest 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. Enjoy a variety of oysters from around the Bay, gourmet seafood and cuisine, Shuck Like a Pro workshop, shucking competition, and more. Proceeds support the Oyster Recovery Partnership.

2-5 Annapolis powerboat Show

At City Dock, Annapolis. Tickets: annapolisboatshows.com

3-5 mid-Atlantic Small craft Festival

One of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s campus 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4 richardson maritime museum boatyard bash

To benefit the Richardson Maritime Museum. 1 to 5 (rain date, Oct. 5) at 103 Hayward St., Cambridge, MD. Live music, oysters on the half shell, food/ beverage trucks, silent auction, vendors, boat display by the Antique and Classic Boat Society-Chesapeake Bay Chapter, hands-on activities, free parking. Tickets: $25 adults (includes 1 beer ticket); $10 for ages 13-20; kids 12 and under free. Questions: (410) 221-1871 or  office@richardsonmuseum.org

October

4

Yorktown Wine and Oyster Festival

12 to 6 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. This two-day festival pairs the finest Virginia wines with the freshest local seafood, including succulent oysters served raw, roasted, and steamed. Sip and stroll along the scenic waterfront while enjoying live music, gourmet food trucks, and artisan vendors. One-day ticket: $50, two-day ticket: $85.

9-12

Annapolis Sailboat Show At City Dock, Annapolis. Tickets: annapolisboatshows.com

10

Wind versus Wi-Fi: the Future of Learning to Sail

Free one-hour lively panel discussion moderated by American Sailing Sr. Master Instructor Duncan Hood, featuring a diverse group of experienced instructors and sailing educators. Explore how technology, online learning, and social media are shaping the way new sailors approach the sport and where the digital world falls short. Historic Inns of Annapolis, 58 State Circle, Annapolis, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Advanced registration required.

11 party in the port: boat Show edition

6 to 10 p.m. at Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis. Open to the public. Featuring live music by Misspent Youth. This year, we’re celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Valhalla Sailing Project, honoring a decade of empowering veterans through sailing. GA tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Rain or shine.

11 Westminster Oyster Stroll

12 to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Westminster. Featuring local oyster farmers, live entertainment, delicious food, and fun for the whole family. The event is designed to raise awareness about Chesapeake Bay farm-raised oysters and directly supports CCA Maryland’s Living Reef Action Campaign. Tickets: $15.

11 Yorktown market DaysFall Festival

During this special, extended farmer’s market at the beautiful Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA, shop more than 60 different vendors and artists selling seasonal favorites.

12

Seminar: the mustang Survival Annapolis to bermuda Ocean race

The Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race (A2B) and Mustang Survival will co-host a free seminar during the Annapolis Sailboat Show. Learn how A2B blends navigation, adventure, and camaraderie in this iconic bluewater passage.

14-19 the Great chesapeake bay Schooner race

A 118-mile, overnight race for schooners and classic vessels from the start in Annapolis to Norfolk, VA. Featuring a Parade of Sail and Public and Educational tours in Baltimore, the overnight race itself, and a post-race Oyster and Pig Roast, Shanty Sing, and an Awards Ceremony in Norfolk.

18 maritime career Festival

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Mariners’ Musuem and Park in Newport News, VA. This family-friendly event is designed to educate and inform the public of exciting opportunities in the maritime world. No pre-registration is required, and admission is included in the $1 museum admission.

18 Oyster Festival

Featuring good community company, fine regional music, an array of choice gifts for purchase, a cash raffle, local food and drink, and the best oysters anywhere. Enjoy the day on the broad green lawn on the banks of the West River in Shady Side at the Captain Avery Museum.

21 boater education: how to Use GpS

Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron’s education course will teach how to choose a suitable GPS chartplotter, create waypoints, build and execute routes, monitor your progress, and integrate with other electronic systems onboard, including VHF marine radio, radar, and autopilot. Zoom 7-9 p.m., $15. Instructor: John Locke.

22

boater education: Winterization of Your boat

Learn about what you need to do to make sure your boat is able to survive the winter weather. Zoom, 7-9 p.m., $15. Instructor: Dick Radlinski.

25

cbmm OysterFest

Features live music, retriever demonstrations, oysters, and more at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s campus in St. Michaels, MD.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

27 cApcA Speaker Series 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. (virtual). Free and open to the public. Speaker: Captain John Wesley Nash, ABYC-CAPCA Coordinator and author of the “ABYC Happenings” column in The Log. Topic: American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) - A Resource for CAPCA Members.

31 - Nov 2

Sultana Downrigging Festival

The largest annual gathering of tall ships in North America plus a bluegrass festival, featuring music, sailing, ship tours, lectures, exhibits, and family activities. Hosted by Sultana Education Foundation, Chestertown, MD.

October Racing

1-5

Viper 640 north American championships Hosted by Hampton YC.

1-29 ccVr Oktoberbest Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake.

Party In The ‘Port Is Back And Bigger Than Ever!

3-5 hospice turkey Shoot regatta

Hosted by the Rappahannock River YC, Irvington, VA.

4-5 AYc Fall Series 2

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

4-5 chesapeake bay iLcA masters championship

Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.

4-5

tAYc Fall Wind-Up

Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.

5 - Nov 23

bcYA Fall Series

Hosted by Baltimore City Yacht Association.

8-12 tAYc Sonar regatta

Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.

10-12

corsica river Yc

Annual regatta

Open to Comets, Windmills, Albacores, Penguins, Hamptons, Hobie Waves, Lasers, A-Cats, and Cruising Catboats.

11

bbSA championship for the bold mariner cup

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake Bay.

11-17

Albacore international championship regatta

Hosted by Hampton YC.

16-19 rc DragonFlight95 nationals

Sail Newport will host the remotecontrolled DragonFlite95 Nationals. Newport, RI.

17-18

J/22 and J/24 east coast championships

Hosted by Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD.

Timeless Tender, Endless Memories

18-19 J/105 chesapeake bay championships

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

19

bcYA harbor cup

Hosted by Baltimore City Yacht Association.

19 tAYc Fall Series: Shields and Stars

Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.

24-25 hobie 33 north American championship

Hosted by Hampton YC.

25-26 AYc halloween howl - USODA chesapeake bay championship

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club

25-26

eYc Fall brawl

Hosted by Eastport YC.

26 - Nov 16

hYc Frostbite Series

Hosted by Hampton YC.

November

through Nov 2

Sultana Downrigging Festival

The largest annual gathering of tall ships in North America plus a bluegrass festival, featuring music, sailing, ship tours, lectures, exhibits, and family activities. Hosted by Sultana Education Foundation, Chestertown, MD.

1

19th Annual Fish For a cure

All funds raised for the fishing tournament benefit the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Shore Party 5 to 9 p.m. at Safe Harbor Annapolis.

1 the mariners’ park Fall Festival 1 to 5 p.m. at Harvey Field, The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. Family friendly activities, pumpkin decorating, live music, beer and cider tastings, food trucks. $2 per person, children 3 and under come for free.

8

mre tug of War

The Maritime Republic of Eastport hosts a tug between Eastport and Annapolis, with parties on both sides, to benefit local charities. Starts at the crack o’ noon.

8 Yorktown market Days - maritime Festival

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Seafood, artisans with nautical-inspired jewelry and art, pirates, deck tours, kids’ crafts, live music, and more.

12 cApcA members-Only tour 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tradepoint Atlantic Marine Terminal, Baltimore. $50 (pre-registration required, CAPCA members only). Join us for an inside look at Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA), the 3300-acre global logistics center located on the former site of Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point in Baltimore County. This once-historic steelmaking facility has been transformed into one of the East Coast’s most strategic multimodal trade hubs, featuring deepwater port access, rail connections, and direct highway links.

November (cont.)

14-16 easton Waterfowl Festival

Join family and friends to celebrate the traditions, music, art, and food that makes this area of the world so special. In over 50 years, this annual event has raised $6 million for wildlife and habitat conservation, education, scholarships, and research.

15

Free Seminar: Offshore racing

Safety and boat preparation

Presented by the 2026 Mustang Survival Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race. Free seminar and open to all. At Eastport YC.

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

22

eastern Shore Sea Glass & coastal Arts Festival: holiday edition

Showcasing artisans and craftspeople, selling an array of unique coastal and sea glass goods, including jewelry, home decor, art, and more. Features food and live music at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November Racing

through

Nov 23

bcYA Fall Series

Hosted by Baltimore City Yacht Association.

through

Nov 16

hYc Frostbite Series

Hosted by Hampton YC.

1

FbYc Winter regatta 1 Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.

WAY MORE THAN CRAB

1

tAYc Frostbite racing

Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.

1-2

hYc Fall Fling regatta

One Design Series #4 Hosted by Hampton YC.

2 - Dec 14

AYc Frostbite racing Series 1

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

8

bbSA Willoughby hot buttered rum race

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.

8

FbYc Winter regatta 2 Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.

11

bbSA Little creek Veteran’s Day race

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.

29

eYc Leftover bowl Hosted by Eastport YC.

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# Aboard Capt. Ahab in the Wye River

Meet Tom Guay

The Allure of Adventure

As told to Beth Crabtree

Novelist, musician, volunteer, environmentalist, reporter, citizen scientist. Tom Guay is all of these and a sailor, too. After “escaping” Washington, DC, to the Annapolis area in 1999, Guay and his family settled in a little cottage with a pier on the Magothy River. Tom recalls, “The pier looked rather lonely, and the idea struck… we need a sailboat!” Although neither he nor his wife, Karen, knew how to sail, or anything about sailboats, Tom was called by the allure of adventure, and the couple soon owned their first sailboat. Here he shares in his own words a brief summary of his 25-year sailing journey.

A boat built in the last century It was my wife Karen’s dream to live by the water, and once we moved to the shores of the Magothy, I soon began

# Guay as a habitat instructor.

to imagine the fun and adventures we could have on a sailboat. I assumed that such a boat would be prohibitively expensive, but my new local barber, a sailor, encouraged me to explore the possibility of buying a used boat. I discovered that sailboats built in the last century, without systems, without AC, without all sorts of amenities, are, indeed, very affordable. Since we had been big into camping during our DC days, I imagined such a boat as a moveable campsite—roughing it on the water.

We ended up with Capt. Ahab, a 26-foot Clipper Marine, and Karen and I became self-taught sailors (although we did graduate from a Power Squadron safety course). We took family trips to Dobbins Island, and Karen and I did our first circumnavigation—of Kent Island! Anytime we’d shove off our everyday troubles and worries would shrink as we puttered away from shore. I’d often be dreaming of sea stories both real and imagined. After a few years and a move

to the Severn River, we thought, “We’re of a certain age; wouldn’t it be nice to have a door on the bathroom instead of a port-a-potty in the V-berth?” and we upgraded to Salty Blue, a 1974 Tartan 27 (now in the hands of a younger sailor with the time and energy to restore her to glory).

Racing makes a better cruiser. My sailing mentor is my pal, Jim Mumper. I joined his crew on Diamond In The Rough, a Cal 36, for the Wednesday Night Races. These were invaluable experiences. I was part of the crew for 12 years and always a rookie. She was a happy boat—no yelling. And because the crew so appreciated Jim as captain, nobody ever graduated from the Diamond. I got pretty good at sitting on the high side when the wind was screaming and getting down low when the breeze was light. My favorite position was running the mainsail. Somehow, I just knew what Capt. Jim wanted before he asked.

Aboard our own boats, sailing was all about cruising and relaxing. It’s how I became an expert at fair weather sailing. Give me clear skies and 10 to 12 knots, and I’m your captain. We cruised to St. Michaels, overnighted in Shaw Bay, enjoyed day sails close to home, and rafted up with friends in Galesville. Early on we regularly cooked complicated, delicious meals aboard. Over time we slowly shifted to takeout. It was easy, living on the Severn, to bring home dinner, pick up a Navy mooring ball in a nearby creek, relax, and watch the moonrise. I loved singlehanding our boats and discovered the joys of sailing at night. Wow, it’s quiet on the water after dark—and breathtaking the way the stars fill the heavens on a moonless night.

How has sailing influenced you?

Sailing has been a huge influence. As I gained experience and confidence, I started working the ideas of sailing and adventure into my writing life.

First, there is the musical side of things. I’m a member of the Eastport Oyster Boys, known for original songs about life on the Chesapeake and the Maritime Republic of Eastport. I’ve contributed a few songs based on my sailing experience. “On the High Side” is a regular “hit” during Oyster Boys concerts.

Second, I’ve started a new career as a novelist. My first book, “Chesapeake Bound,” was published this year. It’s an 18th century nautical/historical novel that includes a risky ocean crossing. My sailing experiences show up in various

ways so the reader can appreciate what life was like on a crowded brig. (Editor’s note: “Chesapeake Bound” is available at local bookstores and on Amazon. Learn more at thomasguay.com )

Advice for adults who dream of learning to sail?

The closer you live to the water, the easier it gets. Lessons are a huge help and speed up the learning curve. The best sailing on the Chesapeake is after Labor Day. Finally, don’t enlist your children in travel sports; you’ll never have time to sail.

What kind of boating are you doing now?

This year I launched a new business venture, Eco-Ed Endeavors. I host students and adults for hands-on scientific river expeditions to track osprey, oyster, and horseshoe crab habitat, and we study how pollution affects water quality in the Chesapeake. You can’t do this in a sailboat, so I had to move over to “the dark side.” I kissed Salty Blue goodbye and bought a 1999 Grady-White Adventure. It’s perfect for hosting science expeditions for small groups.

ew 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.

• Annapolis Sailing School annapolissailing.com

• Annapolis Naval Sailing Association ansa.org

• Blue Water Sailing School bwss.com

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

• DC Sail dcsail.org

• Gratitude Sailing Institute gratitudesailing.com

• J/World Annapolis jworldannapolis.com

• SailTime sailtime.com/annapolis

• Sail Solomons sailsi.com

• West River Sailing Club westriversc.com Chesapeake Bay Sailing Schools

bye bye, So Long, Farewell to Our Osprey pals… Will They Return?

By Tom Guay

We are entering the best time of year to be out on the Chesapeake or one of its meandering rivers: cruising, paddling, racing, wandering, daydreaming, and reflecting. These warm Indian Summer days and coolto-chilly nights set the mood for sailing to a cozy cove, dropping the hook, and watching the harvest moon rise.

As I daydream about this overnight, I’ve got this refrain stuck in my head, “Bye, bye, so long, farewell… bye, bye, so long.” The story told in the 1966 hit song, “See You in September” by The Happenings, tells the story of young sweethearts parting ways at the end of the school year, wondering if their puppy love will survive summer vacation. Will they reunite when school starts in September? (Remember, back then, school always resumed after Labor Day!).

In my rewrite of the song, I’ve got different lovers in mind, and my seasons are reversed. For example, I’m wondering whether the osprey lovebirds we’ve been tracking all summer return to the South River Green 15 nest—in March not September—from their winter vacations in South America.

And, I’m enjoying the memories of working with Baltimore students who collaborated with The Osprey Project 2025 program.

Organized by my pal, Minister Brian Bordley, who runs One More One Less Mentoring, of Baltimore, the students help chart osprey nests in Baltimore’s

# There they are!

Middle River, Bear Creek, and Stoney Creek, and in the Severn and South Rivers surrounding Annapolis. The students joined a groundbreaking program to create a long-term database of osprey populations. This is outdoor field work! In a boat! They’re:

• getting their first on-the-water experience,

• participating in a valid scientific study,

• soaking up Vitamin D,

• enjoying the great outdoors, which is a salve for anxieties in a concrete world,

• getting a taste for the mariner’s life,

• and considering the various career opportunities that science, marine biology, and the environment offer.

Student mariners study osprey lifestyles

Armed with binoculars and data charts, with Minister Brian at the helm and yours truly serving as habitat instructor, we shove off and start charting osprey nests. Our student charges are now mariners and citizen scientists.

Easing away from the dock, we review the life cycle of osprey family-making: ospreys mate for life, return to the same nest every year to start a new generation, and are very territorial in defending their nests from solo osprey looking for their own mate.

They also learn how to tell mama from pappa osprey. Do you know how?

(Females have a ‘necklace’ of brown feathers around on their chest. Males have a solid white chest).

Discover it all at Herringtonharbour.com

One of our students, rising junior Natalia, loves science. She quickly volunteered to help record the data (GPS coordinates for each nest, what type of structure the nests are built upon, number of osprey in each nest, vacancy rates of nests, male/female, chicks). And, by joining in the process, Natalia experienced a key building block of the scientific pro-

cess—systematically recording data points.

“Why is recording data so important?” her habitat instructor asks.

“Because once you write it down, it becomes science!”

Excellent handwriting by the way. Thanks Natalia, this makes processing the data this fall so much easier.

key to survival: teamwork

Our young scientists also learned what it takes for mama and papa osprey to successfully raise a family, and it’s all about teamwork. Papa osprey usually returns first in March and starts fixing up the nest.

Then, mama returns. If she sees papa doing a good job, she’ll rejoin him to rebuild the nest. Their mating dances in the sky signal the start of a new generation. By late May, mama starts laying the first of three eggs.

At this juncture, mama is stuck in her nest. She’s nest-bound because a host of predators (crows, eagles, snakes, hawks, owls, raccoons, and even other osprey)

are always lurking about. It only takes a couple of seconds for a crow to swoop in to steal an egg. Eagles, owls, and hawks can easily carry away an unguarded chick.

It’s papa’s job to stand guard in a tree nearby to sound an intruder alarm. It’s also his job to feed the growing family. This is no simple task. He’s under constant pressure to hunt for more and more fish for mama and the chicks. The more chicks that are born, the more fish he has to bring home. Papa does occasionally take over the guardian role in the nest to give mama a break and hunt for herself, but these are short-lived reprieves.

It’s no wonder that by the time the chicks grow to become fledglings and can fly in mid-July, an exhausted mama osprey says, “My time is done. You’re on your own now, kids.” Off she goes, flying down to South America where she will winter until February when instincts tell her it’s time to return to her nest in the Chesapeake. Same with papa. He leaves once the young can feed themselves.

During a lunch break on Bear Creek outside of Baltimore, when reviewing what’s been learned on our three-hour cruise, a rising junior shared how the osprey lives reflect human families, that momma seems to do all the work in the nest (home), and that it takes team work and dedication to raise a family.

After the students paused to consider her remarks, another student, who lives in inner Baltimore miles from the water, admitted he’d never heard of osprey before. He was echoing a theme all the students shared. You don’t see osprey on the streets of Baltimore.

At their age, I had never seen an osprey along the banks of the Potomac River, where they once thrived. They had disappeared from US waterways due to DDT poisoning after World War II. DDT was used to kill mosquitos, but it also caused osprey and eagle eggshells to become so thin that their chicks could not survive to hatch. Populations crashed. It wasn’t until DDT was banned in 1972 that these birds slowly, very slowly, rebuilt their popula-

tions. In 2025, the devastation caused by DDT is over. Now, the osprey face new challenges caused by pollution, climate change, and resource management.

This summer’s experience empowers our student scientists to share the osprey story and the importance of protecting all the creatures that depend on a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

About the Author: Thomas Guay plays music with the Eastport Oyster Boys, shares tunes and tales about Annapolis’s golden era on the Schooner Woodwind, and is the author of the new historical novel, “Chesapeake Bound” (McBooks Press). Learn more at thomasguay.com

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Stories of the Century

Who Has Logged 100 Days on the Water in 2025?

For the past dozen years, SpinSheet has challenged its readers to log 100 days on the water within the calendar year on any type of vessel. At print time, 25 boaters had reached their 100day goal, making them confirmed SpinSheet Century Club 2025 members. Congratulations!

This count is likely inaccurate, as some Century Club members save up their days and log them in one big batch (aka sandbagging)—which does not break our rules, yet can be frustrating for those who diligently log their days on spinsheet.com. We like to say, “All’s fair in love and the Century Club!” We won’t know the real number of club members until 12:01 a.m. January 1.

If past is prologue, in the next three months, 85 more boaters will cross the finish line at 100 boating days. What will all of these Century

Club members get for the time and energy spent doing this challenge?

A coveted SpinSheet Century Club burgee and an invitation to our winter party to celebrate their achievements, with free beer and cake, a SpinSheet tradition. Of course, SpinSheet Century Club members create a wealth of on-water memories along the way.

Does this sound like your kind of challenge? It’s not too late to join the fun. The SpinSheet Century Club is free and open to all boaters: sailors, powerboaters, paddlers, anglers, and any combination thereof. Century Club friends living and/ or boating outside the Chesapeake region are welcome to join. Click to spinsheet.com/join-spinsheetcentury-club for details.

Here are some photos of Century Club members who seem likely to reach 100 by the year’s end.

Last month log canoe season came to a close after an active summer of racing on the Eastern Shore, from Rock Hall to Cambridge. Among the pack of photographers chasing these native Chesapeake Bay vessels every weekend, hoping to frame that perfect shot of these beautiful boats and their crew members in action on the boards, was St. Michaels photographer John Rock of Tidewater Images. John generously shares his images and love of canoes with SpinSheet readers. Find more of John’s work at tidewaterimages.com and more about log canoe racing in our November issue.

Celebrating SpinSheet’s 30th Anniversary SpinSheet Covers Over the Years

When SpinSheet started in the summer of 1995, founding editor Dave Gendell still used film in his camera, a Nikon N90s “that was an absolute workhorse,” he says.

“Digital started around 1999,” says Dave. “There was a delay from when you pushed the button to when the shot was made, so it didn’t work well for moving subjects. Once the Nikon D100 came out and we could use the same interchangeable lenses, that was a game-changer.”

Professional photographer Walter Cooper, an early cover-shot contributor and SpinSheet friend, advised Dave and team along the way. Our first digital cover came out in 2000. It would still be many years before we all walked around with quality cameras in our pockets and 20 years before an iPhone photo was used for a cover shot.

We don’t have much room in print for our favorite SpinSheet covers, but here’s a sampling from the early years. Find a full gallery at spinsheet.com/cover-shots-30-years

SpinSheet’S Guide to the

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Welcome to the 2025 Show!

Come to Annapolis October 9-12 (Thursday-Sunday, no Monday!) where sailors and would-be sailors can experience fun, friends, new boats and products, and educational seminars on-and-off the water. This is an experience like no other, and it’s not to be missed!

Nestled (or jammed?) into the heart of Annapolis, you will find well over a hundred gleaming, brand-new boats, 500-plus exhibitors offering almost anything and everything a sailor could desire, more than a dozen premiering boats, and seminars designed to take your sailing to the next level. As Annapolis Boat Shows states, “This is where sailing legends gather and new ones are born,” meaning whether you are looking to move up to a larger vessel or simply curious about learning to sail, this is the place for you.

In the following pages we offer suggestions for families, new sailors, those looking for charter vacations, and even advice for seasoned sailors. Turn to page 78 for Cheryl Duvall’s excellent article on the magic of the show and what to see and do there.

Be sure to stop by the SpinSheet booth at its new location, Land Space 22. Our staffers love to meet our readers, and you can get a free, temporary SpinSheet tattoo to sport throughout the show. On Friday, October 10 at 5 p.m., swing by the booth, and you can join the casual celebration we’re hosting to mark the magazine’s 30th anniversary.

There’s no better place to spend a fall weekend than historic downtown Annapolis, especially when it’s filled with enthusiastic sailors. We can’t wait to see you there.

P.S. You’ll notice this year that the show layout is slightly different due to changes to the City Dock area to transform it into a more resilient and inviting public space. The plan calls for the existing asphalt area to become an elevated active park with resiliency features throughout the park and promenade. Construction has begun, and the old Annapolis Harbormaster’s office has already been demolished. Its new location is 4 Dock Street, Suite 100. For more details, visit accessannapolis.com.

to view the show map, scan the QR with your smartphone or visit annapolissailboatshow.com

dates October 9-12 at Annapolis City Dock times

Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tickets

Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time at annapolisboatshows.com

The show’s box office will be located on Dock Street, exit bus at second stop.

thursday, preview day $55; youth ages seven to 15, $10; children six years and younger enter for free.

General Admission Friday–Sunday

Adults, $32; children aged seven to 15 years, $10; children aged six years and under are free.

two-day Combo tickets Preview Day Combo Ticket (Thursday plus one other day), $82; Friday-Sunday TwoDay Combo Ticket, $59.

Military personnel day Sunday only. Must present valid ID at gate, $22. Offered to Active Duty, Veterans, Retired, and Spouses.

Vip experience Show admission and access to the VIP lounge with food and full bar, $251.75

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Chart Your Course: Tips for Navigating the Show

parking

Show-goers are encouraged to park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Avenue) and take one of the free shuttles that run between the parking lot and the show gates, beginning one hour prior to show opening and going continuously through one hour after show closing. Online, pre-sale stadium parking is sold at a discounted rate of $23 per day. Online pre-sale closes at 10 p.m. on the evening prior to the day you plan to attend. After that, you may purchase parking onsite at the Stadium Gate 5 entry for $30, credit card only. Parking can be reserved at parkmobile.io. Oversized vehicle parking costs $45, paid for at the stadium. Parking will also be available on October 11-12 at Eastport Elementary School, 420 Fifth Street, Annapolis. Reserve your space at spothero.com. Additional parking is available in the parking garages in downtown Annapolis. Be sure to plan ahead as parking garages downtown fill up fast.

What to Wear

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing, so dress for success. October in Annapolis can be sunny and warm

or crisp and cool. Think layers, such as a short-sleeved shirt, warm mid-layer, and rain-repellent outer layer. You’ll be on your feet most of the day, so wear comfortable shoes that are easily slipped on and off (for boarding boats). Be sure to bring a hat to protect your head from sun or rain.

Bring this, not that

You are welcome and encouraged to bring backpacks, reusable water bottles (refill stations will be located inside the show), snacks, notepads, boat cards, pictures of boat projects, children of all ages, and your boating buddies. Loaner lifejackets are available for kids and are especially encouraged while on the docks and boats. Strollers are not permitted but may be brought inside the show gate to the “stroller park.” Pets are not allowed unless they are certified service animals. Printed tickets aren’t necessary—all tickets can be scanned from your phone.

Getting Around

On the water, we love the water taxis, and there is a stop inside the show, nestled between the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel

and Spa Creek Bridge. You can also call (410) 263-0033 or hail “water taxi” on VHF radio channel 68. Prices are $4 to $9 per person, depending on the destination (minimums apply in Back Creek and Upper Spa Creek). For cashless payment, download the Where in Annapolis app and click on the water taxi icon. For a route map with rates, visit watermarkjourney.com. Water taxis run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

On land, it’s easy to walk to restaurants, bars, shopping, and more. If you need a lift, try the Annapolis Free Downtown Shuttle, which connects parking with local restaurants and businesses. Find a full list of stops, hours of operation, and a route map at annapolisparking.com/ free-downtown-shuttle or download the mobile app. Another option is the City’s free electric trolleys, which run every 10 minutes and connect the Gotts, Whitmore, and Calvert Street parking garages to shops and restaurants along Maryland Avenue and State Circle Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except during inclement weather.

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Show highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

We could go on for pages and pages listing all the fantastic features of the Annapolis Show, but, alas, we’ve had to narrow it down. Here are more than a dozen items we suggest you put on your Must-See-and-Do list.

plan a Winter escape or next Summer’s Vacation

Explore options for adventure travel and sailing vacations in Vacation Basin, a dedicated hub for all things chartering. Meet with charter companies, speak with representatives of tourism boards, and find out the advantages of fractional ownership and/or putting your boat in a charter fleet. Whether you want to charter in an exotic locale this winter or cruise the Chesapeake next summer, step into Vacation Basin for expert advice and inspiring vacation ideas.

Lifelong Learner hub

The Annapolis Show offers a myriad of innovative and fun ways to step up your sailing game. From on-water sessions for beginners, to multi-day courses for long-distance cruisers, to free 45-minute talks by experts, this show goes way beyond boat buying. Learn more at annapolisboatshows.com; click on the ‘Highlights’ tab and scroll to Educational Opportunities.

Meet Sailing’s Video influencers

What is your favorite sailing channel? How many sailing vloggers do you follow? Meet some of sailing’s biggest influencers and content creators at the Cruisers Creating Content booth in Vacation Basin. Snap a photo and say hello to creators MJ Sailing, Capt. Glenn, David Shih, Lauren Landers, Sailing Catalpa, and many more. The creators will rotate through the booth, so stop back again and again to see new faces.

party in the port

Party with sailors at Eastport Yacht Club’s public block party on Saturday, October 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. Live music by Misspent Youth. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets may be purchased at eastportyc.org/party and cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Children ages five years and younger are free.

Weems and plath

tent Sale & Shuttle

Deep discounts on navigation tools, fine clocks and barometers, lamps, binoculars, compasses, and other quality items that have been discontinued, overstocked, or were sample items. Free shuttles run to and

from the boat show and can be picked up at 214 Eastern Avenue (Weems & Plath’s storefront in Eastport) and across from the 80 Compromise Street show entrance (near the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel). Shuttles run every 30 minutes. Inside the show visit Weems & Plath at Tent C, spaces 36 and 38.

300 Miles on a Beach-Launch?!

Expect to be entertained and amazed listening to a firsthand account of a crazy adventure challenge aboard a beachlaunch boat. Eleven-time Everglades Challenge participant (and three-time winner) and Chesapeake sailor, Jahn Tihansky, will share his experiences and tales through video, pictures, and his own words. With his partner, Jeff Linton, Tihansky has prepared, navigated, and persevered to overcome numerous obstacles and complete the 300-mile course more than 10 times. Saturday, 3 p.m. in the Seminar Tent.

Annapolis Sailboat Show

indulge in the Vip experience

The VIP Experience, sponsored by Axos Bank, is for the show-goer who appreciates a little TLC and a place to escape the crowds. A light breakfast with a Mimosas and Bloody Mary Bar will open at 10 a.m., with the full bar and lunch buffet starting at noon. Afternoon appetizers will be served daily. The VIP Lounge offers a comfortable place to relax, refuel, rehydrate, and enjoy live music performed by Annapolis sailor and musician, Shawn Owen. VIP tickets include admission into the boat show. All guests must be 21+ to enter the VIP Lounge.

ClubSwan 28 Coffee Chat

The ClubSwan 28 is making its Annapolis Sailboat Show debut. Join representatives from Nautor Swan, American Magic, and Quantum Sails to learn about an exciting new one-design class. Nautor Swan and American Magic have announced an eight-race 2026 circuit for the Club Swan 28 with events in Pensacola, Florida, and Newport. Sunday, 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the Quantum Sails Booth, Land Space 66.

Sailor-Friendly door prizes

Throw your hat in the ring to win awesome door prizes including a seven-day charter in the BVI with airfare for two, Gill offshore bibs and jacket, Spyderco Atlantic Salt knife, Weems & Plath Navmate and Aids for Rules of the Road, and other great items.

taking Fantastic On-Water photos

All-Women Allegiant Crew Recount historic A2n Race

Get the best hints for capturing a great on-the-water picture, whether it is of a boat or the nature surrounding you. Presented by Walter Cooper, who has more than 30 years of experience as a marine photographer, including staff photographer during the 1995 America’s Cup, when he worked for America3, the women’s team. Friday, 11 a.m. in the Seminar Tent.

In June, Team Allegiant Sailing was the first allwomen crew to cross the finish line of the legendary Annapolis to Newport Race. They made history and met their goal of inspiring new possibilities in offshore sailing, highlighting leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. Hear their A2N story, ambitions (and doubts!) as they prepared for this epic offshore adventure. Plus, hear their tips on how to start racing offshore. Presented by Captain Maryline Bossar and her team of Allegiant Sailing. Thursday, 3 p.m. in the Seminar Tent.

Windcraft Multihulls

Where Your Multihull Journey Begins

Windcraft Multihulls is your home for High Performance and Blue Water Trimarans. We focus on boats that deliver Speed, Safety, and Pure Sailing Joy. Our Trimaran Range: Corsair 20-32ft, Dragonfly 25-40ft, Rapido 40-60ft.

Why Windcraft.

Deep Experience: Owned and operated since 1995 by Don Wigston, Veteran Trimaran Racer and Owner.

Services & Solutions: Anything that has to do with our brands we can handle.

Thoughtful Guidance: We listen to your goals and match you with the right boat: Sport, Cruising, or Ocean Adventure.

Perfect Location: Based on Florida’s Emerald Coast near Destin and Pensacola , with excellent access to the Gulf of Mexico , Choctawhatchee Bay and Escambia Bay for demos and sea trials.

Let’s Talk Sailing.

Te ll us about your sailing plans and we’ll help you choose the trimaran that fits your life.

Sporty Trimarans for fast, fun sailing and easy trailering. Experience the thrill of sailing faster than the wind!

Visit the Corsair 880 represented by Windcraft Multihulls and meet Tom Clark at the Annapolis Boat Show October 9-12Dock A

Enjoy comfortable cruising and exhilarating sailing performance. The Dragonfly swing wing system quickly and easily reduces the overall beam to fit in a standard marina slip.

Visit the Dragonfly 28, 40 and the new 36 Performance Cruiser and meet Don Wigston and Jens Quorning at the Annapolis Boat Show - Dock C

Annapolis Sailboat Show

eWe Swag and Kids’ Scavenger hunt

Are you looking for some cool new swag that supports a good cause? Will you bring kids to the show who’d enjoy a scavenger hunt? If you answered “yes” to either, stop by the EWE Spirit table at the SpinSheet booth (Land space 22, near the main entrance). There you can grab your swag, join the scavenger hunt (if your kiddos find all the items, don’t forget to pick up their prize bag on the way out), and learn about the mission of EWE Spirit, which honors the legacy of Annapolis pro sailor, Geoff Ewenson, by helping those facing immediate hardship to bridge the financial and social support gaps. Learn more at ewespirit.org

Fishing From a Sailboat

How can sailors reel in amazing fish while going six knots or slower under sail? The always-entertaining FishTalk Angler-in-Chief, Lenny Rudow, will help sailors learn to catch more fish while cruising. Trust us; this will be both fun and informative. Lenny will give expert advice on types and sizes of fish to eat, what to do about a fishing license, setting up simple trolling lines, rules for fishing along the ICW, handling the fish once it’s caught, and tools and supplies to put in your tackle box. Thursday, 1 p.m. in the Seminar Tent.

Meet team SpinSheet

Stop by our new location! You’ll find us in Land Space 22, just inside the main entrance. We love to meet our readers and hear about your sailing adventures, story ideas, and what you love most about our publications (and what you’d like to see more of!). We will have tote bags, SpinSheet tattoos and stickers, PortBooks, and the latest issues waiting for you. On Friday, October 10 at 5 p.m., join us to celebrate SpinSheet’s 30th anniversary. We’ll be hosting an informal gathering of fans and friends at our booth (Space 22)—hope to see you there.

Consider Going to the dark Side

It happens to the best of sailors; they slip over to the dark side—powerboating. But seriously, if you missed the Powerboat Show and are curious about what a powercat can offer, Aspen Power Catamarans will be in Land Space 39.

premiering Boats at the Show

At print time the following boats are among the 20 or so brand-new vessels that are planned to make their North American debut at the show. Don’t miss the opportunity to be among the first to see them. Find more premiering boats at annapolisboatshows.com/ sailboat-show/new-premiering-boats

Z28 day Sailer

The Z28 day sailer showcases elegant and sporty lines, striking a perfect balance between versatility, comfort, and safety. The design takes advantage of the safety offered by a 28-foot vessel and the simplicity of a day sailer, achieving an unbeatable price/quality/length ratio. A lifting keel and rudder extend sailing opportunities—fixed keel version also available. A performance version racing model, Z28R, is also offered. dock S. austeryachts.com

Balance Catamaran 580

Making its North American debut, the Balance 580 model is designed for sailors with speed in their hearts but luxury on their minds. With long lean hulls and carbon reinforced structure, foam core hulls, and 100-percent epoxy construction, the 580 is a high-performance voyager. With high aspect daggerboards, she points high upwind, with little leeway, in the eight- to 11-knot range. Reaching in true winds between eight and 16 knots she’ll do wind-speed or better with ease. Put her in stiff winds and surf and let the excitement begin as she accelerates into the 20s. dock C. balancecatamarans.com

Bali 5.2

Making its North American debut, The Bali 5.2 is available in three, four, five, and six-cabin versions.

Below decks is a spacious U-shaped galley, a saloon table that can seat 12, and a chart table with a connected equipment management system. The solid foredeck creates a secure and spacious living area. The adjustable rooftop and aft platform provide more gathering spaces. An overlapping genoa enhances upwind performance, complemented by the square-topped mainsail, ideal for light winds. dock B.

bali-catamarans.com

Beneteau Oceanis 52

The all-new Oceanis 52 is the largest in the eighth generation of the Oceanis range and combines comfort with precision handling while delivering 30 percent more cockpit space than the Oceanis 51.1. Twin C-shaped benches form a welcoming diamond-shaped seating area, complemented by twin heightadjustable tables and a central island with a fridge and grill. At the helm, a 12-inch display ensures exceptional visibility and control in all conditions. Primary and secondary winches are separated to keep lines tidy and movement effortless. dock F2. beneteau.com

Contest 50CS

This latest design is created for performance up and down wind, stability for low angles of heel, and spacious accommodations.

The center cockpit has twin helm stations framed by surrounding coamings (for that extra sense of ocean safety), and expansive flush deck spaces with wellplaced handholds and grab points, plus sturdy, tall guardrails all around. Belowdecks is a generously sized saloon space and option for two or three cabins. Optional integrated photovoltaic panels and a range of alternative synthetic teak-style decking. dock F2. contestyachts.com

Annapolis Sailboat Show

excess 13

dragonfly 36 performance

The new Dragonfly 36 performance cruiser from Windcraft Multihulls is a cutting-edge sailing trimaran cruiser/racer crafted for seasoned sailors and adventurous families. A spacious dual-zone cockpit is designed for relaxation and functionality; every maneuver is within reach. Belowdecks the roomy main cabin offers panoramic views through large windows and a foldable dinette table that seats up to seven. Nominated for European Yacht of the Year 2026 in the Up to 12 Meters category. dock C. dragonfly.dk

Designed by a team of passionate sailors, the Excess 13 catamaran is the fruit of a long reflection on the pleasure of sailing, the pleasure of living aboard, and the pleasure of enjoying the playground that extends around the boat. This sleek, dependable, lively sailboat is ready for ocean passagemaking. The very direct helm allows the driver to feel the connection with the sea and fine-tune everything. The forward-facing chart table keeps the sailor in touch with the elements and allows navigation with pinpoint accuracy. dock C. excess-catamarans.com

Lagoon 38

Life aboard the Lagoon 38 is designed to flow naturally with a layout that encourages freedom of movement and the ability to savor every moment underway or at anchor. A generous saloon welcomes gatherings with family or friends, where a large dining table is designed to be the heart of shared meals and conversation. A wide sliding glass door connects the saloon to the cockpit, creating one expansive space where up to 10 guests can dine or relax, creating “in and out” living. dock B. catamarans-lagoon.com

hh 52

Making its international debut, the HH52 is an evolution of the awardwinning HH50, which has been redesigned with electrification in mind. Featuring a cabin top with custom solar array, a new deck plan, new interior layout, and increased sail area, this yacht brings the very latest design features and performance improvements to a luxury cruising catamaran.

The HH52 features parallel diesel/ electric hybrid propulsion, a large solar array on the cabin top, and hydro-regeneration while under sail. This “EcoDrive” system provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fume-free motoring, instant torque for maneuvering, and hydro-regeneration, while also providing the reliability of trusty diesel engines as backup.

The HH52 dual aft helm configuration can be ordered as a 50/50 e-glass/ carbon “Ocean Cruising” version or a 100-percent carbon-fiber “Sports Cruising” version. With helm stations aft, all sailing and steering are

managed with clear visibility of the sails or can be swung inboard for protection from the elements. The HH52 forward cockpit configuration is also available as an “Ocean Cruising” or a “Sports Cruising” version. The forward helm

station and pit provide a central, protected location from which to operate all sail controls, making for easy, singlehanded sailing. Learn more about the HH52 at hhcatamarans.com/hh52. Find HH Catamarans at dock K2.

Annapolis Sailboat Show pegasus 50

Nico Jonville of Pegasus Yachts called the SpinSheet headquarters while underway on his Pegasus 50 in 14 knots of breeze, sailing at nine knots of boat speed, in between New York City and Long Island Sound. After a trip to the Newport Boat Show, he would sail to Annapolis into Dock E2/F2 for the Pegasus Yachts grand premiere in a North American show.

When he first discovered the Pegasus 50, he’d not only been searching but “soul-searching” for the right boat to take him bluewater sailing in the Mediterranean in Europe, America, and beyond. When he saw this Slovenian-built beauty, he thought, “That is different, something special. I want a boat where I feel like when I go down below, I don’t feel so isolated.”

A sliding door and only two steps connect the cockpit and saloon into a single living space, “as opposed to going down to the cave as on many other monohulls.” This gives you “great visibility and lots of light.”

He also appreciates the all-weather protection the hardtopcovered cockpit offers. It, along with a fixed glass spray hood, ensures shelter and maximizes protection from sun, wind, and water while providing the most visibility. In warmer weather, the top half of the forward windows fold slide down, and the center part of the cabrio roof rolls forward to maximize airflow over the seating areas.

“Cruising the Med and crossing the Atlantic with great comfort, safety, protection, and at a fast pace was an amazing experience” added Nico.

He says, “When you’re in the saloon or the cockpit, you have a 360-degree view all around, as you do at the nav station. When it’s cold or you’re in bad weather, you can see all around. It’s perfect for sailing the night shift or on long stretches.”

Nico also noted how he doesn’t like to turn on the engine in light air. “I was excited by the performance. Pegasus uses lighter materials such as composites and carbon, which reduce the overall weight. Our boat is a little lighter than 26,000 pounds. In seven or eight knots of wind, we can sail at six-plus knots of boat speed without having to use the engine.”

The base price includes a generator, watermaker, hydro generator, solar panels, large LiFePO4 battery bank, heat and A/C, induction cooker, washing machine, navigation system, redundant autopilot, radar and much more.

Want to hear about the gimballed saloon table and settee? Visit Pegasus Yachts at the corner of dock e2 and F2 pegasus-yachts.com

Can’t-Miss products to See at the Show

Don’t miss the following boat upgrade products and gear coming to the show. This is your chance to see and touch the products in-person and ask the expert manufacturer’s representatives all your questions. Find more cool products on the show website.

BosunCloud Monohull trampoline

Transform your monohull foredeck into a comfortable, relaxing retreat with the BosunCloud trampoline for monohulls. It’s perfect for sunbathing, reading, or simply lounging while at anchor. This patent-pending product debuts in Annapolis. tent L 16. bosuncloud.com

Catamaran Fuel Filtration and Monitoring System

Keenan Filters’ most advanced catamaran fuel monitor system, the new CommandBOSS, features an industry-first full function control panel that remotely monitors and controls all fuel system functions from the helm, eliminating the need to enter the engine room for routine fuel maintenance. Non-catamaran single engine monohull boaters can get the same remotely operated safety and convenience from the Keenan FB Command system. tent YB 17-18. keenanfilters.com

dinghy Light

Raise the visibility of your dinghy with Show Me Your Dinghy Lights. They are waterproof, solar-powered, and affordable and can be mounted by using zip ties, screws, glue, or two-sided Velcro. tent L 5. showmeyourdinghy.com

eLite Longshaft

The eLite Longshaft is a 500W electric outboard motor, offering a lightweight and efficient alternative to small petrol engines. Weighing 7.3 kg (excluding bracket), it is ideal for small boats, kayaks, and dinghies. The eLite can reach speeds up to 4.7 mph, with a runtime of around 45 minutes, covering approximately 3.5 miles. dock F2. epropulsion.com

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Godu StartLok

The GoDu StartLok is an industry-first design to start and/or lock a dinghy outboard. The set-itand-forget-it starting solution comes with an internal 400-amp lithium-iron starter battery that is high and dry inside an aluminum enclosure mounted to your outboard. StartLok’s locking arm secures the thumb screws on your engine to help prevent theft. Add your own padlock. Tent O-22, tent d-68-69. GoDu Aluminum Dinghys, goduadventure.com

Shade tolerant Marine Solar panels

These solar panels provide high performance with boom and mast shading and are ideal for mounting on decks, rigid and canvas biminis, and dodgers. High power density LiFePO4 marine batteries provide high output draw capability in a compact and light weight case. The built-in battery management system provides complete information about the battery state of charge and operating performance through a powerful Bluetooth app. tent AB 11. custommarineproducts.com

Meris Waterproof Jacket

Mustang Survival’s Meris Jacket offers superior protection against driving water and wind. Waterproof, yet breathable, it is designed to withstand the rigors of saltwater sailing. A relaxed fit improves comfort and mobility, allows for easy layering, and makes the jacket compatible with various inflatable flotation styles. Land space 55. mustangsurvival.com

the Sailor’s pillow

Making its world debut, the Sailor’s Pillow is a multipurpose floating cushion. With a breathable mesh bottom, it drains quickly and holds its shape whether in the water or on deck. Flexible corner loops allow it to tie down securely to trampoline netting. Built for durability in sun, salt, and spray. tent d84-85. Sunrise Yacht Products, multihullnets.com

Rainman Watermaker

Rainman Watermakers proudly introduces its latest innovation—the Rainman Automated Control Panel—offering seamless integration across all new modular and framed systems as well as easy retrofits for existing customers, giving boat owners the ability to manage watermaking operations through an intuitive wired panel or smartphone app while retaining instant manual override for charter-hardened dependability. Rainman Watermakers also offers a complete line of portable, modular, and framed watermaker systems designed for simplicity, reliability, and low maintenance. This cutting-edge, automated solution will be showcased alongside the full range, which reflects an ongoing commitment to deliver rugged, userfriendly desalination systems for every type of voyage. Whether you need compact portability, high-capacity framed units, or the new convenience of automation, you can explore the complete lineup at tent C 12-14. Rainman, rainmandesal.com

tenero tender designed by Farr

Tenero Tenders debuts its new 12-foot tender designed by Farr Yacht Design, with operational ease as a key priority. A flat, fendered bow surface allows for straightforward boarding, and the recessed outboard motor mount adds stern protection and buoyancy in turns. Wide side decks and a deep cockpit provide secure footing and easy trim adjustment for crew. The hull is designed to accommodate up to 40-hp outboards and is engineered to accommodate electric propulsion. Many customization options are offered. For information call (667) 4951365. Land Space 28. tenerotenders.com

Annapolis Sailboat Show

enhancing Your experience at the Annapolis Sailboat Show

By Captain Cheryl Duvall

My “Christmas in October” is almost here! After several decades of my annual pilgrimage, I never grow tired of all the hype and fuss leading up to the Annapolis Sailboat Show. As mid-October approaches, I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve, anticipating new toys and days of celebrations with family and friends. And I never leave disappointed.

Like most things in life, you reap what you sow. As you attend the show, October 9-12, keep the following in mind to enhance your experience.

BLUEWATER LUXURY, LONG-RANGE PURPOSE

The Grand Soleil 52 Long Cruise is the evolution of comfort, performance, and Italian design for extended offshore voyaging. Created by Marco Lostuzzi with interiors by Nauta Design, the GS 52 LC blends modern hull shape with timeless elegance, making it the flagship of the Long Cruise line. Designed for passage-making and bluewater adventures, she delivers balanced handling, impressive stability, and efficient performance under sail. Two deck configurations are available: the standard Long Cruise version with raised saloon windows and protected cockpit, and the Sport version with a flush deck and sleek profile. Both versions prioritize safety and ease of handling, while reflecting the refined styling and craftsmanship Cantiere del Pardo is known for.

SPACIOUS, SERENE, ELEGANT INTERIORS

The Grand Soleil 52 LC offers a luxurious and serene interior layout, perfectly suited for extended cruising. Bathed in natural light from panoramic windows and skylights, the saloon features a spacious dinette and a fully equipped galley to port. Three cabins and two heads — both with separate showers — ensure all guests are accommodated in comfort. The master suite forward offers an island berth, abundant storage, and a peaceful retreat at sea. Thoughtful detailing, warm wood finishes, and intelligent space planning define the Grand Soleil 52 LC experience.

To learn more about Grand Soleil Yachts or schedule a private viewing, visit www.davidwaltersyachts.com

Shopping

Whether you are window shopping or seriously in the market for a sailboat, there is no better place than Annapolis to step onto boats to shortlist musthave features and compare brands. If you already have your dream vessel, there are plenty of vendors ready to answer questions or provide upgrades, often with a boat-show discount. Booths are often staffed by senior personnel, including inventors of specialty items, who are willing to share their expertise and in-depth product knowledge.

Last year, I wrote about the four stages of boat shopping and mentioned that I was preparing for Stage 4, downsizing (see spinsheet.com/buyboat-four-phases). And that stage has finally arrived. After 11 seasons with our Gozzard 44, my husband and I just put Belle Bateau on the market. While it’s a bittersweet occasion, I’m hopeful that her future owners will take her on new adventures just as I plan to find a smaller vessel that I can singlehand for continued Chesapeake cruising.

Although the Annapolis Sailboat Show is focused on new vessels, there are ample opportunities for potential buyers to tap into the used boat market or learn more about various brands and features to create their ideal wish list. By touring various brands at the boat show, I noticed that I tend to gravitate to boats with traditional details and medium-toned woods, and that rub rails and anchor wash downs are necessary options for my kind of sailing. Every sailor is different, as are their boats. What works for one may not be ideal for another. The boat show can help to hone your wish list.

Learning

One of the greatest benefits of the boat show is the abundance of educational opportunities. Free sessions are offered by Annapolis Sailboat Show and its sponsors, as well as other vendors. Additionally, for the week leading up to the show, Cruisers University offers individual or multiday packages for those wanting more intensive or themed education. There are also First Sail Workshops for hands-on education for aspirational sailors.

For further education, I suggest perusing the vendor booths to learn about various boat systems and components, especially recent advances in marine electronics. These booths are staffed by experts who are eager to educate visitors and provide cost estimates. Last year, during an impromptu booth visit, I inquired about the cost to add dinghy davits, in case my future boat didn’t come with them. On the spot, I received a viable estimate and added that to my lengthening list of possible after-market purchases.

Before attending the show, I always review the exhibitor list on the website or in SpinSheet and highlight the ones I want to visit. I use the show map to circle prioritized vendors, which then creates an efficient path. This shortlist keeps me focused, ensuring I don’t miss the must-visit booths before continuing my random wanderings. Inevitably, I stumble across a new-to-me exhibitor who has just the product I want and might even need. It’s always grand fun to discover new boat toys.

Speaking

Are you a subject matter expert, or do you know someone who is? If so, make it a point to introduce yourself to those who routinely host educational sessions. Tara Flanagan, the boat show program coordinator, often seeks new topics and presenters for both the spring and fall Annapolis Boat Shows, for either free sessions or Cruisers University. Additionally, vendors and boat manufacturers often host educational events at hotels or venues near the docks. If you have

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an expertise you are willing to share, take advantage of these rare in-person opportunities to make yourself known.

Volunteering

Volunteers are always needed during the boat show. Many non-profits need to staff their booths or offer brief sails to interested would-be sailors. Mission-focused organizations, like Sail Beyond Cancer and Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), are eager to introduce their programs to attendees who may not know about their services. Additionally, the boat show is a great place to meet not-for-profit and trade associations that impart helpful safety and boating information. I enjoy volunteering in the booth of the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association (CAPCA), where I often greet boat owners who need to hire a captain to instruct them on their newly acquired vessel.

Working

For the experienced or passionate mariner, there are many opportunities to get paid to work the boat show. For several weeks prior, and a few weeks after, even a casual visitor

to the Annapolis Harbor will observe the staging required to convert this historic city’s docks into two back-toback boat shows. Last year, as I crewed on several Watermark vessels near the mouth of the Severn River, I heard VHF announcements on Channel 16 about boat show personnel moving floating docks from Back Creek to their staging areas.

Our passengers would ask, “What is that? A submarine?” I enjoyed telling them about our upcoming boat shows and how unrecognizable the city dock becomes, even to those of us who are fortunate to reside here.

Whether you work the show or not, watching the setup or breakdown is something to behold (especially the latter). Unfortunately, this year, we no longer have Pusser’s Restaurant from which to watch the “real show” with a Painkiller in hand. Alas. There are other vantage points, of course, but I’ll miss Pusser’s for lunch as well as happy hours. (Editor’s note: stay tuned for the next chapter in this waterfront space.)

I have several friends who enjoy getting paid to work the show, either before, during, or after. Some physically move boats or floating docks. Others work security or staff the entrance gates. Many enjoy the added perks of free entry and swag that comes with the job. What’s not to love about that?

enjoying the show

Most of all, the sailboat show is to be enjoyed. I especially recommend Preview Day on Thursday, with fewer attendees and more serious buyers. Last year, due to speaking commitments and volunteering, I attended every single day of the sailboat show. I soaked in all of it. From listening to all the international languages to stepping onto beautiful boats, each moment was memorable.

But no moments were as serendipitous as being on the Pride of Baltimore during an after-hours party when the Northern Lights appeared. There are just some magical moments at the sailboat show that cannot be planned.

VAbout the author: Captain Cheryl Duvall is a USCG Licensed Master, Inland 100 GRT. When she isn’t sailing Belle Bateau, you might find her at the helm of Watermark’s Miss Anne in Annapolis. Email her at cherylduvall@mac.com #

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A NNAP o LIS : Always Something New, Yet Rich With History

With so many sailors in America’s Sailing Capital at Sailboat Show time, we like to do a refresher course on all things Annapolis. On the following pages, we offer some locals’ tips on things to do and where to go, where to learn about our history, and historical tidbits about Maryland’s capital that may surprise you.

Five Things Locals know

To get you into the locals’ frame of mind, here are five things Annapolis sailors know:

1 Where to find a great crabcake. First stop, the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Eastport, where the crabcakes win awards and are so popular, they send them all over the country. If you’re in the mood for an adventure (but you’ll need to drive), go to Jimmy Cantler’s Riverside Inn, but go early, as there could be a line.

2 Where to see the best sunset. Sailors see the best sunsets from the water sailing toward Annapolis. If you’re

in town for the Sailboat Show and don’t have boat access, we recommend the Schooner Woodwind for a two-hour sunset sail—or an hour-and-a-halflong one departing from the show (see schoonerwoodwind.com or find the crew on Dock F2 inside the show). The next best place to see the Annapolis sunset is from the Eastport Bridge at 6:33 p.m. The other place depends upon your luck in snagging a spot on the Main-Streetfacing upper deck of the Choptank Restaurant. Good luck!

3 Where to relax. Besides restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, where do you go

outside the boat show gates to take in the scenery? On almost every street end in the Eastport section of Annapolis, you will find a pocket park with a bench and a view. If you enter the Naval Academy, you may find benches along the seawall and in several pretty spots on campus (bring your REAL ID; you must pass through a metal detector). If you’d like to take a stroll in the woods, there’s a wonderful, four-mile paved trail at Quiet Waters Park and a gazebo overlooking the South River (3.4 miles from the show).

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

4 Where to find a table. It’s boat show time, which means packed restaurants on City Dock and Main Street—and you’re getting hungry, aren’t you? You don’t have to walk far to find something, just far enough away from the show hub. We locals like Galway Bay Irish Pub on Maryland Avenue. Another idea would be to walk up West Street and try Reynold’s Tavern, Ram’s Head Tavern, Tsunami (for sushi), or Picante (for Mexican); walk just a bit farther and you will find Sailor’s Oyster Bar, Metropolitan Kitchen, and Lemongrass (Thai). Your other option would be to continue reading this article until you see the title “Fourth Street Shuffle.”

5 Where to find the best events. If you’re in town for the Annapolis Sailboat Show, you’ve already found our best event, but wait, there are more! Annapolis specializes in quirky events, so come back for the Tug o’ War (aka the Slaughter Across the Water), where teams from Eastport and Annapolis battle with the longest tug-of-war rope in the world across the Annapolis Harbor for bragging rights. It’s a party not to be missed (November 8 at the crack o’ noon) and raises funds for local charities. Other SpinSheet favorites include the Annapolis Maritime Museum Oyster Roast and Sock Burning (in March), Bands in the Sand (in June), and the Boatyard Beach Bash (in September). We print as many fun events as we can fit in the SpinSheet Calendar (page 38 and at spinsheet.com/calendar).

Two new restaurants on the scene

At long last, the Rumhouse, a Caribbean restaurant on Sixth Street, is open (go straight across the Eastport Bridge and walk two and a half blocks). Our publisher gives it her seal of approval for interesting cocktails, great food, and a tip-included bill (no stress!). Find the menu and make a reservation at rumhouseannapolis.com. It may seem far away after a long boat show day, but it’s only a one-mile walk (or short shuttle ride) to SeaSalt Annapolis next to the Westin on West Street. SeaSalt sources fresh, seasonal, and sustainable fish, shellfish, meats, and produces craft cocktails. They offer an “Anchovy Hour” Monday through Friday from 3:30-6 p.m.

Learn more at seasaltannapolis.com.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Guided or self-led history tours

The first thing you should know about visiting the US Naval Academy (USNA) or the Maryland State House is that they’re both open to the public, yet you will need to present a photo ID and pass through a metal detector to enter. If that’s okay, read on!

To see the USNA campus or “the Yard,” enter the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center to watch the 13-minute film, “The Call to Serve,” which repeats every 15 minutes. The exhibit area is a mini-museum with several interactive screens, including maps and guidance to help you orient yourself on the Yard. There are several kiosks with interactive videos featuring midshipmen and recent graduates who discuss admissions, academics, student life, and career options. Be sure to check out the USNA gift shop and the museum.

If you would like to take an historical tour, USNA provides a number of guided tour options. When you’re exploring the Yard, you give back in a meaningful way, since 100 percent of the profits from tours, merchandise, and meals purchased go to support the Brigade of Midshipmen. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as is the USNA Gift Shop. Learn more and buy tickets at navalacademytourism.com/visitor-center.

The Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol (1779) still in legislative use, is open to the public every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Christmas and New Years Day. To help make your visit more enjoyable and to provide you with an understanding of its rich and historic past, self-guided tour information is available on the first floor. You may also download a free visitor’s guide at msa.maryland.gov/ msa/mdstatehouse/html/visitor.html

The Fourth Street shuffle

As locals, SpinSheet staffers frequent several restaurants and watering holes, almost all of them in Eastport! It’s not unusual to find one or more of our staff along Fourth Street at lunchtime, happy hour, or dinnertime any night of the week.

First stop: the Boatyard Bar and Grill. With an extensive menu, daily specials, a raw bar, consistently good food, award-winning crabcakes, pint-sized drinks, and coloring for kids, this restaurant is a must for any Annapolis visitor, especially one who loves sailing and fishing and will appreciate the Key West attitude and memorabilia on the walls.

Down Fourth Street a few doors, you will find Forward Brewing. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, and owned by local sailors, Forward brews craft beers and offers a creative, delicious menu. One door down, you’ll find Adam’s on Fourth, a new take on the more traditional Adam’s Ribs’ fare, offering craft beer and cocktails and good food.

Once you’re on Fourth Street, you might as well keep going to the “most local of local sailor’s bars” in town: Davis’ Pub, which faces Back Creek; the picnic tables outside are the best. You may tell yourself you don’t need the crab pretzel and all that cheese, but we beg to differ. Always get the crab pretzel.

SpinSheet staffers have three other favorite lunch spots: Bread and Butter Kitchen (on Second Street facing Annapolis) for the BBK breakfast sandwich, the Leeward Market (Second Street, on your way to AMM) for pizza and sandwiches, and the Eastport Kitchen for everything on the menu. This last one is at the Eastport Shopping Center (a long walk), but if you’re traveling out of town by car or bike, it’s worth your while. Not only are the owners sailors, but the food is also delicious, the service is exceptional, and they open for dinner Thursday through Saturday.

# Forward Brewing is owned and operated by sailors.

Don’t get lost at sea! (See some art for free)

If you’d like to see some interesting art, visit the Mitchell Gallery on the St. John’s College Campus, which is only a 10-minute walk from the boat show gates. The exhibit, “Lost at Sea (Ulysses),” is a story of adventure, courage, tragedy, and unspeakable loss. It is a grappling for direction and meaning, a yearning for communication and connection, amidst the erosion of both language and logic. But most of all, it is the story of humans face to face with the great unknown. The free exhibit features sculpture, painting, and prints by nine artists from North America and Europe and is open Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Fridays from 2–7:30 p.m. Learn more at sjc.edu/mitchell

We celebrate Annapolis today as a sailing Mecca, a genteel tourist town welcoming tourists and sailors and cruisers from around the world.

But in August 1765, Annapolis exploded when a mob of 300 angry protesters, led by Samuel Chase (future signer of the “Declaration of Independence”), marched to City Dock where Zachariah Hood’s ship had just arrived. While on business in London, Hood had accepted a royal Stamp Act commission, thinking it was a good idea to collect taxes from family, friends, and neighbors. Oops.

In one version of events, the mob dragged a wagon with gallows and effigy to the dock, set it afire, and let it fall into a crude coffin to welcome Hood home.

In other reports, the mob paraded through the city with the wagon/effigy ahead of Hood’s arrival. A few days later, the mob re-assembled at the harbor where a scuffle broke out when Hood disembarked.

In either case, Hood was chased out of town, never allowed to return, and the mob later ransacked his business office. He escaped to New York, only to be hounded again by the Sons of Liberty, who forced Hood to resign his commission. Things never worked out well for Hood after this crisis.

The cause of all this unrest: the colonists insisted they had the legal right to be represented in tax decisions. Colonials had offered to raise their own revenues to pay off the huge cost of the French and Indian War.

However, King George III and Parliament made it clear they were not going to share power and give colonists a say in lawmaking. Members of Parliament believed that only they were “born to rule.” American colonists were secondclass subjects, “born to-be-ruled,” and should obey like dutiful children. Result: Unrest, protests, war, and England losing her 13 colonies.

Note: The Stamp Act provides the backdrop for Thomas Guay’s historical novel, “Chesapeake Bound,” published this year by McBooks Press. Learn more at thomasguay.com.

Governor Sharpe's Stamp Act Nightmare

This was the final straw. A dangerous cargo had just arrived in the harbor, and tempers on the streets of Annapolis were hot, passions inflamed. Another mob action was imminent.

“And now this,” Royal Governor Horatio Sharpe grumbled as he read the front-page ‘death notice’ of the city’s newspaper, The Gazette. Its publisher, Jonas Green, had decorated the October 10, 1765, edition with mourning borders and a skull stamp that was typical of obituaries. The paper was shutting down.

The reason The Gazette was “expiring,” Green explained, was the Stamp Act, which would raise the cost of all legal, church, and business transactions. Everything had to be printed on royal stamped paper or bear an official revenue stamp. It would raise costs for everything: court documents, a deck of cards, recording a marriage… and printing a newspaper.

“Of course it’s necessary,” Sharpe would argue if anybody would listen, “to pay for our glorious victory in the Seven Years War.”

But that logic wasn’t playing well in Annapolis. Two months earlier, an angry mob full of impudent Sons of Liberty, middling merchants, and working stiffs had run Maryland’s authorized Stamp Act agent, Zachariah Hood, out of town. In September that same mob of hotheads ransacked his business office on City Dock.

Now Sharpe feared there’d be more mob violence if the stamp paper came ashore. He knew he couldn’t handle the mob. So, Sharpe did what he had to do to avoid trouble. He persuaded the captain not to unload the paper.

“But how are we supposed to conduct business without the paper?” he worried.

Ultimately, the western city of Frederick provided the solution. They would simply ignore the law and transact business with-

out stamped paper. Maryland and other colonies soon followed suit. The paper was now useless. Parliament rescinded the Stamp Act law but refused to give the protesters what they really wanted: respect. Troubles would continue.

~By Thomas Guay, author of “Chesapeake Bound”

Offshore Rigging Specialists

Stuck in Bermudaful Bermuda

By Jillian Greenawalt

Opportunity strikes in the oddest places sometimes. On the flip side, the need to increase adaptability always strikes at the most inconvenient time and place.

After months of research and work, my family of five departed the Caribbean island of St. Martin, where we’d spent the last eight weeks preparing our 1972 Bowman Mug Up for our trans-Atlantic crossing. The first leg to Bermuda was planned for five to seven days at sea to travel 985 miles.

The weather in late May and early June, 2024, between the northern Caribbean islands and Bermuda, was volatile. Heavy squalls kept rolling through the Sargasso Sea between us and our destination. Being patient was certainly the hardest part of the whole passage.

We finally left June 20, 2024, averaging six to seven knots the first 48 hours on a beam reach. Excitement and anxiety held my hands. Our week at sea saw the spectrum of squalls, no wind, stunning spinnaker sailing, and the always popular “beat the next low system into port.”

Bermuda, ever popular destination just 600 miles off the East Coast of the United States, is an archipelago of seven low-lying islands and 170 islets and rocks. Discovered in the early 1500s, it’s been a beacon and hazard for sailors for hundreds of years. And in modern times, the crisp Bermuda radio as far as 30 miles out to sea, is a welcome sound. Hearing them on the radio the night before landfall brought a smile to all our faces.

Given its profile and the heavy gray clouds of the low system we attempted to beat, we were closer than three miles to shore before I could identify the island against the horizon.

Docked at the customs dock of St. George’s, the kids stretched their legs while Jeremy checked us in, and we dropped the hook in St. George’s Harbor. We intended to spend five to seven days to clean laundry, visit Nelson’s Dockyard in Hamilton, rest, reprovision, and head east for the Azores.

When things get leaky

We felt reinvigorated after celebrating my eldest’s 14th birthday in conjunction with

landfall, texting our friends and family that we were anchored and safe and collapsing into bed for a well-deserved, uninterrupted sleep. After coffee and breakfast the next day, Jeremy did his customary check of the engine only to discover a transmission leak from the rear seal.

Our Perkins 4-108 is the workhorse everyone says it is. Rebuilt right before we purchased Mug Up in 2018, it has faithfully done its job, as has the transmission. A Hurth 360-2R, a now obsolete transmission, hadn’t given us any cause for concern. Discovering the transmission seal leaking—about eight ounces over a four-hour period—was a devastating, panicky blow to our celebration of being in Bermuda.

As we walked around St. George’s, loving the pretty white roofs and garden flowers and friendly people, we pondered our options. Both the Bermudian mechanics and those on the East Coast couldn’t assess anything without pulling the transmission off the engine: a concern as we make water and occasionally

charge the batteries with our engine. Studying the maintenance drawings, we deduced the leak was from a seal and an O-ring, with little interaction with anything else.

Before going to drastic measures of removing the transmission, Jeremy decided we would attempt to replace the seals ourselves. After confirming the size of seal we needed, we were able to source the parts on eBay. Jeremy spoke to customs to get an import number; we ordered the seal. Now, we just had to wait.

Also, we had made landfall June 27. We couldn’t forget that hurricane season was underway.

We stayed at anchor in St. George’s and kept an eye on the forecast. I made a list of things to do beyond the obvious tourist attractions. We bought bus tickets and became very familiar with the bus routes. Beyond the “popular” attractions of Nelson’s Dockyard and Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, we trekked to the library in downtown Hamilton; hiked the perimeter of St. George’s Island, visiting the forts and cemeteries; and walked to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.

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We even bought a membership to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, and packed picnic lunches to spend afternoons there bringing sketch books to draw the animals and plants. Inspired by “Swallows and Amazons,” our latest book read as a family, we kayaked to the little islands near the anchorage to cook over a campfire and roast marshmallows. When “go!” turns to “slow” Sometimes in cruising, we’re in a “Go! Go! Go!” mentality. See the things, get to the next place, repeat. Many times,

though, we travel at a slower pace, trying to savor the moment, dive into a place and really get to know it.

We arrived in Bermuda with the go! mindset. We were crossing the Atlantic Ocean; no time to dilly-dally! But now, we were forced, gifted the time, to slow down and savor it. It is hard sometimes to relax when feeling the strain of “what if,” and the clock working against us. We had to work hard to get unplanned work done and also enjoy the blues of Bermuda surrounding us.

The kids did their schoolwork. After reading “Trumpet of the Swan,” my youngest asked for a slate and chalk, which we found in Hamilton. Her spelling words were done (and are still done) on that slate. Our wooden toe rail looked worse for wear, so we sanded it, bought varnish, and got to work. A couple of cars on our mainsail broke on passage, so Jeremy carried the sail to the local sail loft to have it and the sail bag repaired.

As July ticked on and we checked in with friends after Hurricane Beryl plowed through Carriacou, we kept one eye on the

weather and one eye on the tracking for our transmission seal. Jeremy and I started to ponder if it would make sense to continue east, or if we needed to pivot—back south, or to the East Coast, or north to Nova Scotia. We had so many options before us. But in the end, it came down to the mail and the weather gods.

On July 18, Jeremy picked up our transmission seal from the customs office in St. George’s. It took him just a couple of hours to replace, and then a day of testing his work—driving Mug Up around the bay with a clean drip pan to watch for leakage.

When east is the way to go

Success! Though it was late July, our forecast to go east to the Azores, which would take us 14 days, was a green light. To the east and north of us, volatile, squally weather blocked our path. Clearly, east was the only way to go.

Final re-provisioning done—yes, the five of us had done a thorough job working though our passage provisions—we

checked out of Bermuda July 26, put the dinghy on the foredeck, and weighed anchor for the Azores. Hurricane Ernesto made landfall at Bermuda on August 20. We motored the first 24 hours out of the Bermuda high in order to catch the wind. Bermuda quickly faded into the distance, engulfed in blue, as we pointed our bow toward the volcanic mountains of the Azores. Our unplanned month in Bermuda was one of unexpected delight. We were able to savor our time there, and it will always have a place in our hearts.

About the Author: Jillian Greenawalt’s husband Jeremy learned to sail while in college on the Chesapeake Bay and taught her to sail. With a family of five, for four years they have cruised on their 1972 Bowman 46 Mug Up down the East Coast and Chesapeake, to the Caribbean, and now the Mediterranean Sea.

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Rowing AcRoss the AtlAntic

Four rowers aimed to beat an ocean passage record yet instead smashed the fundraising goal.

By Angus Phillips

It’s known among ocean voyagers that the key to success is the people you go with. The smaller the boat, the bigger the test. So, how about 3000 miles on a skinny, claustrophobic 24-footer with nothing for power but oars?

“If you’re not aligned, it’s a very small space,” said smiling Jack Jarvis. “With a good team you can do it. With the wrong one, it’s horrendous.”

Luckily, he chose well. On August 15, Jarvis and three mates completed a 56-day Atlantic crossing from the U.S. to Britain in a fiberglass cockleshell he found abandoned in the Bahamas and patched up for the passage.

It all started in Annapolis, where the lads gathered in June in Jack’s aunt’s backyard with paint pots and tools to refurbish the battered hull. They were noisy but not unwelcome.

“He makes us so proud,” said the beaming aunt, Adele Oliver. “Just a joy to have—so warm, kind and funny, yet so driven and committed.”

The crew, strapping Englishmen with nowhere else to stay, slept in the basement and hammered away by day, slithering on their backs and bellies in mud and gravel to strip and paint the bottom, among other indignities.

They’re no strangers to privation. Jarvis, 31, recently left the Army as a Royal commando. David Bruce, 29, and Sam (Nutty) Edwards, 32, were Royal Marines, and Adam Radcliffe, 28, is an adventure sport coach. Fit and heroically tattooed, broad of shoulder and narrow of waist, they looked the part.

The goal was to beat the 43-day record for fastest rowing passage from New York to the UK and to raise money (105,000 British pounds, in the end) for the British military charity Head Up, through donations.

“Men used to go to war,” Jarvis mused. “Today we row across the ocean for Instagram clout.”

They left New York in fair winds and high spirits, but any shot at the record went by the boards on day eight, just 300 miles out, when they had to deploy a parachute anchor and hunker down in wild winds. They capsized, went backwards 20 miles, blew out key electronics, lost some gear, and got to know each other all too well, jammed for 36 hours in the eight- by 10-foot stern cabin they dubbed “Barbie’s Dream House.”

The first blasts knocked Jarvis and Radcliffe off the boat, but they were tethered and clambered back aboard. Then, it was into the sweaty Dream House till the storm eased. Any thought of quitting at that point with the record unattainable?

“Morale was low,” Jarvis conceded, “but we had no choice. We were going home. We would never quit.”

Back at it they went when the winds abated, three hours on, three off, rowing in pairs 24 hours a day, fueled by

7000 calories of freeze-dried gruel and desalinated ocean water from a solarpowered watermaker. Jarvis had been there before. He completed his first big passage in 2022, rowing solo for 111 days from Portugal to Florida, setting a record and raising 76,000 British pounds for brain cancer research.

If his daily Instagram posts, sent by Starlink, were any indication, he led this trip by example. Jarvis popped up day after day on screen, increasingly bearded and weary, but with a smile a mile wide and a silly riddle to challenge viewers. He hit his chirpiest in the Gulf Stream, when currents helped propel the boat 140 miles in 24 hours, an ocean rowing record. But the grin stayed put when foul winds and tides pushed them nowhere, too, or even backwards.

Aunt Adele reckons he acquired his upbeat demeanor growing up in a pub. Her sister Deborah and husband Matt took over the family business, the Victory Pub in Hamble, England, when Jack was just two years old.

MaRINE sERVICE

“He was Matt’s little shadow, following him around, stocking bottles on the shelves. He’s always been that happy, good-hearted kid,” she said.

Despite the fact that Hamble is one of Britain’s yachting centers, young Jack wasn’t all that interested in boats. He didn’t take up rowing seriously until the Army, when he joined a competitive club and quickly rose to leading it. His first ocean passage was to raise money in honor of his granddad, John Stratton, the Victory Pub’s owner, who died of a brain tumor.

While no record was set this time, Jarvis more than doubled his initial fundraising goal of 50,000 pounds. Much of it rolled in during the late stages of the trip, when drama kicked in. First it was food. “We’re running out,” he reported with a few hundred miles to go. Well, not exactly. They were coming down to snacks and porridge, but why ruin a good tale with details?

Then, it was a looming storm and headwinds that would send them spinning backwards just a few miles from the finish at the Scilly Isles, which dangle alluringly off the bottom of Britain, its closest point to North America. That storm never materialized either. The boys made the finish in the black of night, at 2 a.m., with just the harbormaster and a few brave souls to greet them with shouts and horns.

They slept the sleep of the righteous weary that night on the cold floor of the harbormaster’s office. In the morning, they and the boat were trundled off to Hamble, where they restaged a finish for a proper crowd of hundreds, and everyone was wearing a smile.

“It was a bad day to be a beer,” crowed smiling Jack Jarvis. “Many were sunk.”

The Flotilla That Wasn’t

By Betty Caffo

Chesapeake sailors in Italy make a quick change of plan when they learn that their flotilla would go the wrong way.

Beginning, sulla terra

The Amalfi Coast for 15 glorious days; how lucky are we? The first week was, admittedly, a luxury land vacation with some good adventures for my husband Al and me as we traveled with our son and daughterin-law, Dave and Jen. Our home base was lovely Sorrento where we had a full view of Mt. Vesuvius from our rented condo balcony. We packed in all the experiences we had hoped for—private boat tours of the Amalfi coast and Capri, must-see Pompeii, a pasta and tiramisu cooking class, a crazy drive up to Ravello, vineyard tours, and all the pasta, pizza, and Aperol Spritz we could handle.

Did you say, “When we head south”?

We said, “Ciao” to our son and his wife in Naples for our second week that was to be decidedly more adventurous and rustic. Our nephew and niece, who sail their own 40-foot Beneteau on the Chesapeake Bay, traveled to Italy with their mother and three teenage daughters. While they toured Pompeii, Al and I went on to Salerno— about an hour south of Naples—to check out our flotilla situation. With a flotilla, you sail your own charter boat, but there is a lead boat and skipper who knows the region, the customs, and the marinas. We appreciate this arrangement for interna-

tional cruising, having joined one in Croatia a few years ago.

Herein started our adventure—the flotilla that wasn’t. Captain Al and I sat in an open-air bar at the very large and modern marina and called our flotilla captain. He off-handedly mentioned “when we head south in the morning.” What? No, no, our charter contract clearly had an itinerary for the Amalfi coast, basically west and north. No, he was certain we would head toward Sicily. This surprise plan (and agency mistake) was non-negotiable because our Maryland family had long yearned to sail on the Amalfi coast and particularly to Procida Island, which bears their family name. A quick sidebar resulted in our firm decision to do a bareboat charter on our own.

Setting their own course to adventure

Other than no local knowledge and infrequent experience with Mediterranean (Med) moorings, we felt confident we could manage. Med moorings are used widely in deep European waters; the boat is tied to an anchor rode fore and aft. In a mooring field the anchor rodes are already in place, but we discovered a quick call to the marina and help was always on the way to assist in this maneuver.

Our extended family arrived, alas with no luggage for four days (another story), but willing to go along with our plan, with an itinerary we would control. The weather was glorious, no rain for this part of our trip, pleasant breezes, and a boat that sailed well. Sailors don’t always appreciate self-tacking jibs, but on a vacation the Dufour monohull set up was just fine, as were the dual helm stations. We completed the boat orientation and had help dropping the four lines fore and aft, and off we went west towards Positano.

Our first sail was an easy beam reach the entire way. Our mooring field seemed pleasant enough, and we had a marvelous closeup view of Positano and the steep mountainside. We picked out a restaurant, took a launch to it, and had a tasty first dinner with some emergency clothing shopping afterwards. However, that was the only positive part of the night; we rocked and rolled all night long because of the continuous chop—and everyone woke up cranky.

Still no luggage, and delivery of it was made trickier by our boat being on the move every day. In addition, our family was required to complete customs forms before they could get the luggage. After studying the chart, we decided to go west around the point of the coast and head to Sorrento where Al and I had spent

the prior week. We scored a marina, the women were all thrilled to go off shopping, and nephew Brent took an Uber to Naples airport to pick up the luggage. A lovely summer night in this quaintest of towns, another excellent seafood and pasta dinner, gelato, and a stroll down the cliffs to the marina. We had made lemonade (or limoncello) out of the lemons dealt us.

The next day was a three- to four-hour sail to Procida Island, the destination of which was quite a thrill for our Family Procida. We anchored outside of a village and rigged lines and a gangplank for some daring swing-and-jumps into the clear water. These teenagers are not typical; they thrive on adventure, love the water, steer the boat, and actually talk to older adults. We shopped for dinner which first mate Brent would cook onboard. A quick sail in the afternoon took us to the island of Ischia where we picked up more supper items after anchoring in the large bay where everyone jumped in the water. We didn’t have time to explore that island because we were anxious to start heading back southeast the next day, and we did not want to miss lovely Capri.

The variety of experiences cannot be beat—sailing, of course, but wonderful cuisine, swimming off the boat in clear water, and gorgeous sights every day. “ ”

Capri (we learned to pronounce it as KAHpree) is gorgeous from the water, but the number of tourists was such that we did not want to go ashore. The “lesser” red, green,

and white grottoes on the south side are beautiful, each different from the last. One brave guy swam inside one of them. Continuing on, but under motor because the wind was in the

Charter Notes

wrong direction and the waves too choppy to sail, we rejoined the Amalfi coast and moored in Nerano for another wonderful supper, highlighted by zucchini spaghetti, a specialty in that region. The mooring this time around was thankfully calm.

On to Amalfi the next day. We stuck to a tour of the picturesque town by sailboat, picked up a mooring ball, and took a launch to a beachside restaurant that is accessible by water only. More pleasant sailing under a light breeze delivered us back to Salerno to enjoy the pool and pizzas.

If you go…

For sailors interested in Italy, the skipper is required to have and submit evidence of ASA 104 sailing certification. The water is deep, hence the use of Med moorings. The distances between towns and islands are fairly short although there are many choices if you want to sail the whole day. As always, sailors need to be ready for a change of plans. We did use our translator

phone app, but most Italians speak at least limited English. The variety of experiences cannot be beat—sailing, of course, but wonderful cuisine, swimming off the boat in clear water, and gorgeous sights every day. The weather in southern Italy in July is similar to Maryland, so a generator

for A/C is quite a nice boat feature. We learned that the Italians in this region dress beautifully, especially in the evenings. No Grateful Dead tee shirts!

One last note: the Italians are friendly and outgoing, and everyone really does say Ciao and Grazie Mille. So, practice up. P

About the author: Betty Caffo, a retired college educator and health professional, learned to sail at age 55, when she and her husband, Capt. Al, bought their sailboat, a 36-foot Dehler. The couple loved sailing so much that they moved from Delaware to Havre de Grace, MD, to have ready access to the Upper Bay.

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These 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!

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. Find Club Notes section sponsor, YaZu Yachting, at yazuyachting.com and on Facebook.

What a Sailing Club Is All About

By Greg Shields

The Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club (CBTSC) said goodbye to August at “Camp Shields” in Solomons, MD, with a Boaters Barbeque on Saturday night followed by a Crab Feast on Sunday. Thirty club members, including Mike, Tia, and Margot Titgemeyer of Crusader Yachts, plus five guests, picked crabs and enjoyed sides and desserts. Monday morning boaters were treated to crab omelets before heading off in all directions.

On Tuesday morning, Quetzal, Selkie, and AltaBird departed for the annual Southern Bay Cruise. The itinerary was pretty loose, and we had a boat or two playing catchup, so our first stop was Glebe Creek off the Coan River in the Potomac. The humidity was gone, and the temperature was cool. We rafted and slept well… even the anchor boat captain! From there AltaBird and Quetzal mostly motored to Mill Creek in the Great Wicomico where Bay Tripper joined us. The

weather was amazing! There were no jellies. A cool afternoon swim, prop check, and kayak tour were mandatory. A south wind of 10 to 15 knots was forecast for Thursday, so we decided to cross the Bay to Onancock rather than fight the headwinds south.

Onancock’s bakery, art and antique shops, and several very good restaurants are reason enough to stay a day or two. And friendly… we met a local at the Foggy Place coffee shop who offered to drive us to the grocery store if needed! Friday night, Bay Tripper and Quetzal decided to take advantage of the big southerly winds and headed north, while AltaBird stayed put for an extra day with the thought of going further south to Cape Charles. However, the strong southerly winds stuck around, and the waves exceeded the forecast, so AltaBird changed course and headed for Urbana and the Rappahannock. The Bay was pretty bumpy, but oh what a sail up the Rap! The others had a wild reach up the Bay, but we all made it safely.

This is what sailing is all about… friends, flexibility, wind, and happy hours! Learn more about CBTSC at cbtsc.org.

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

DelMarVa Circumnavigation Sail Training

By Richard Lee

Peninsula Sailors has had a busy summer with several new members joining the club and tons of sailing adventures including our DelMarVa seven-day circumnavigation with eight of our members aboard our catamaran and Beneteau.

This was a training exercise to include route planning, navigation, night sailing, watch schedules, provisioning, and ocean sailing. Our crew included an instructor, several senior skippers, and crew training to be skippers. For several of the sailors this was their first experience doing a voyage of this magnitude. As a bonus, one of our crew is a chef extraordinaire, who prepared scrumptious meals aboard the catamaran.

One participant, Joe, says, “This was a great opportunity to gain some experience on a long sail, especially the 30-hour leg in the Atlantic where we were required to do six-hour, partially overlapping shifts, with a four-man crew. The expertise of the skippers, camaraderie

Women Who Love To Sail

By Mary Ann Gordon

Sailing has been dominated by men for centuries. But starting in the early 2000s women began making strides by showing up, doing the work, and achieving the results. In the international arena, women gained parity at the 2024 French Olympic games. In the year 2000, only 92 women competed in a field of 400, or 23 percent.

In the early 2000s, when I joined The Sailing Club, Inc. (TSC) there were three female skippers. Now there is only one. Two left the club when they moved to other states. We really would love to have more women skippers. Gaining skipper status in the club is not that difficult; however, there is a skills review and two recommenda-

of the crew, and amazing five-course meals were an extra bonus to a week of great sailing.”

Our route was from Baltimore to Solomons to Fishing Bay to Cape Charles to Cape May, through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, and back to Baltimore. We took mooring balls for our anchorage at Solomons for training purposes. We anchored in Fishing Bay. From there we sailed to the Cape Charles City Dock to disembark for a day and enjoy the local area.

From Cape Charles we proceeded up the Atlantic coast for 30 hours to Cape May. Unfortunately, the winds were 15 to 20 out of the northeast tight on the nose for us. We had a rest day in Cape May at a marina, though some of the members took a sail out on the Atlantic Ocean to experience five-foot waves and great winds up to 25 knots!

At Shaeffer House Restaurant and Marina in the C&D Canal, one of our crew arranged to have his jet skis brought over,

and we enjoyed an afternoon of fun on the water.

If you would like to visit us, we are in the Port Covington Marina located at the Baltimore Peninsula. For more information visit sailbp.com

tions from club-certified Senior Skippers required as well as an evaluation of teaching skills.

A part of every trip is sailing education. With annual on-land training classes and an on-water weekend, TSC encourages safe sailing education. The club has a mentoring program to support and guide skipper candidates as well as a discount of 50 percent on all trips in return for the time and effort put into being a good skipper. Check out thesailingclub.org to learn more.

Data shows that women have been, albeit slowly, making gains in the sport of

sailing. We note from our social media accounts that women are more than half of the clicks on trip photos and shared information about upcoming trips and events. We want to encourage those women as well as any qualified men friends to come sail with us!

We recognize that good skippers invite questions and dialogue aboard. They have clear expectations, communicate those expectations, and are advocates for their crew with an eye on learning together. All of our current skippers are very good!

Despite the hot and humid weather this summer, Parklawn Sailing Association’s members made extensive use of its three sailboats, two Catalina 34 cruisers and a J/32 racer-cruiser.

The club sponsored several day and overnight sails to destinations and events far and wide. Most recently, the J/32 Glissade raced in the Navy Fall Oxford and Hammond regattas. The two Catalinas, Pisces and Summer Sun, went along to enjoy the festivities and compete against one another from our home port in Galesville to Oxford, MD. Glissade also participated in the CRAB Cup and Pirates Cove Race Club Wednesday evening series.

Other club trips included a weekend sail to Cambridge to watch the Governor Hicks Cup log canoe races, a July 4 overnight to catch the fireworks at Gibson Island, a day sail to Sandy Point to view

A Summer of Fun

By Bill Levitan

the skipjack parade and race as part of the Maryland Seafood Festival, and a circumnavigation of Poplar Island. We also continued our monthly full moon sails, and new this year had a couple of sunset dinner cruises with members bringing a variety of dishes to share while sailing from the late afternoon through dusk.

While all these club activities were taking place, private sails were ongoing as well. Since June, members have reserved our boats for more than 90 boat-days, including both single-day and multi-day sails.

Even though summer is behind us, we still have two more months of sailing since our three vessels remain operational until after Thanksgiving. Our members do much of the maintenance on our fleet, so we will be busy in December winterizing two of the boats. The third will remain

available for sailing until the temperatures require us to put that one into hibernation over the winter. If you are interested in finding out more about our club, check us out at: parklawnsailingassociation.org.

COPPERCOAT

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

Cruising to Wineries

By Celeste Streger

The Hunter Sailing Association Station-1 (HSA-1) members enjoyed our Labor Day Cruise hosted by fleet captain Tom (Pinch Me). We sailed to three water accessible vineyards in three gorgeous weather days.

On day one, four boats met at Lands Point Winery tucked into scenic Worton Creek, which offers a very protected overnight anchorage or a choice of three marinas, all close enough for an easy dinghy ride. The winery offers food, wine, and beautiful views of Worton Creek from its historic sloping grounds.

On day two, six boats anchored off Kent Island and met others who came by land to Love Point vineyards. The open day anchorage accommodates a lot of boats, and the vineyard has a small beach for dinghies. Many overnight anchorages or marinas are nearby off the beautiful Chester River. This busy winery offers huge food platters and a broad selection of local wines.

On day three, three boats navigated Kent Narrows and eight crews met at Cascia Vineyards off Cox Creek on Kent Island. The anchorage is bigger than it looks on charts, and boats can anchor a very short distance from the vineyard’s dock. Cascia serves excellent wine and food, and it is a great cruising stop.

In all, 11 boats participated by land or sea over the weekend. This outing is likely to be one the club will add to its annual list of must-do trips, and all the wineries are certainly worth a stop as you cruise the Bay!

If you have a Hunter or Marlow-Hunter in the mid-Chesapeake Bay and are not a member, please check out our club at hsa1.org or email commodore@hsa1.org to learn more about the benefits of membership, which includes access to all club cruises and events and a direct connection to a network of Chesapeake Bay Hunter owners. We hope you will join us!

SFall Fun and Cruising

By Anne Knab

pending Labor Day weekend at Lankford Bay Marina in Rock Hall is a bit of a Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) tradition, and this year saw about 50 attendees, including a number of guests, enjoying perfect 70-degree weather. There were 12 BCYC boats, with others attending by land yacht. Lankford Bay Marina is a great venue, and the staff is always welcoming. The marina even loaned commodore Chuck Kahle a vehicle to shuttle members into town to shop and enjoy live music at a local watering hole.

BCYC is a virtual club, comprising sail and power boaters, so the fleet rolled into Lankford as tides and winds allowed, while some met for a raft-up along the way. Such impromptu get-togethers are a snap with BCYC’s robust use of social media tools. By Saturday afternoon everyone had arrived for the crab feast at the marina’s pavilion where they enjoyed beautiful views of Davis Creek.

Our Beer, Brats, and Burgers event is celebrating its third year. The brats and burgers are pretty self-explanatory, but what really makes this event special is the beer tasting. All participants bring a six-pack of their favorite beer, contributing two to the tasting, two to the cooler, and two to the “Brew Basket.” Members vote for their favorite beer, so there’s bragging rights for the winner. Each participant gets a raffle ticket for a chance to win the coveted Brew Basket.

While Labor Day marks the traditional end of summer, with kids returning to school, BCYC maintains a fun cruising schedule through September and well into October when cooler temps make for a pleasant boating experience. Once the cruising season ends, whatever that means for individual skippers, BCYC still has us covered with a robust calendar of land-based events to keep us connected through the colder season. We gather for a monthly happy hour at bars and restaurants around the greater Annapolis area. Membership isn’t limited to the cruising season! New members can apply year-round, so if you’ve been considering yacht club membership check us out at backcreekyc.org #Welcome Aboard

Celebrating 50 Years

By Kristin West

The Eastern Shore Sailing Association (ESSA) was founded in 1974 with 76 charter members who shared a love of racing and cruising. By the late 1970s, fleets on both the Choptank and Tangier Rivers were thriving, and ESSA launched youth sailing programs, cruising traditions, and its first printed yearbook. Membership steadily grew, and the association quickly became known across the Bay for its racing and camaraderie.

Now celebrating over 50 years, ESSA continues the racing and camaraderie on the Eastern Shore by offering weekly racing, longstanding events such as the Choptank Cup and Captain’s Cup, and family-friendly gatherings like Small Boat Days.

In the most recent A2C Lighthouse Challenge from Annapolis to Cambridge, did you notice ESSA sailors on the roster? In the PHRF Spin class were J/29 The Doghouse, J/105 Rocket J Squirrel, and Blur. In the CRCA Cruising class ESSA was represented by Comet 111 Touche (placing third) and the Pearson 32 Flyer Paprika (placing fifth) in the CRCA Racing class.

Two weeks later, ESSA sailors made the trek back to Annapolis to participate in the Navy Fall Race to Oxford with ESSA boats showing up on the podium! Congratulations to Rocket J Squirrel for capturing first in the J/105 class and The Doghouse for taking second in PHRF B/C. Additional sailors on She Wolf, Blur, and Hobnob also represented ESSA in PHRF B/C as did Touche in CRCA Cruising Class.

Cambridge is a perfect six-hour cruise from Annapolis and can be broken up with a pitstop at the Knapps Narrows or a short diversion up the Tred Avon to Oxford. The town of Cambridge is rich in history with walking tours and lodging available, if needed. The Cambridge Yacht Club (cambridgeyachtclub.com) is available for transient slips, and protected anchorages are nearby. We welcome you to the Eastern Shore; let us know when you are in town! In the meantime, keep an eye out for our racers in your part of the Bay! Learn more about ESSA at essasailing.net

Our rigging department converted this Hood roller furling mast to a new Schaefer Gamma boom on this Bristol 47 that is currently cruising in the BVI’s. Our riggers also built new rod rigging and upgraded all the wiring and new light fixtures to LED. Our sail loft built a new full batten main & code 0 as well as a furling genoa to fit the existing Harken furler. Our extensive experience with off shore cruising boats and furling booms has provided our customers with a greatintegrated system. Every Mack Sail Is

Bristol 47 Project

Bristol 47

Our rigging department Hood roller furling Schaefer Gamma boom on Bristol 47 that is currently cruising in the BVI’s. Our riggers also new rod rigging and upgraded all wiring and new light fixtures sail loft built a new full & code 0 as well furling genoa to fit the existing Our extensive experience cruising boats furling has provided our a integrated

End of the Season, but Fun Has Just Begun!

By Carol Hason

This may be the end of boating season, but not social gatherings and fun for members of America’s Boating Club Wilmington (ABCW), who enjoyed some beautiful September boating weather on the upper Chesapeake Bay. We also enjoyed a lovely Elk River picnic hosted by fellow club members.

As we begin boat winterization plans, the ABCW social committee is working hard at proposing fall and winter entertainment and social and education activities. November will feature a supper social in Wilmington, DE, with guest speaker Daily Tipton, a sailor and yacht broker who has rehabbed multiple sailboats including his latest restoration of a vessel sailing in the Annapolis to Bermuda Race. December will feature the ever-popular holiday social complete with

a white elephant gift exchange. January and February socials will be held on Zoom and will feature speakers from all over the country. During the summer, ABCW

members enjoy monthly weekend raftups or cookouts. To learn more, visit us at abcwilmington.com or contact us at wspsboaters@gmail.com.

Autumn Cruise With Hike at Audubon Center

By Susan Theuns

The Compass Boating Club of the Chesapeake (CBCC) is winding down its second sailing season with our final on-water event to be held October 12-17. It is aptly named “Autumn Breeze Before the Freeze.”

Laura Gwinn has done a great job of putting together a mid-Bay itinerary that includes anchorages, plug-ins at marinas, and a visit to Pickering Creek Audubon Center with optional hiking and exploring. There are a few land events and a lay day, so our drive-alongs can meet up for happy hour, dinner, and exploration of some of our favorite historic towns.

Last month, we had our annual Fall Cruise which began at a marina and restaurant in a small cove off of Bodkin Creek. We enjoyed the sculptures and architecture of Chestertown with a lay day, with a finale in Swan Creek with the obligatory happy hour and dinner out. We had several drive-alongs at various ports and restaurants plus some new members who joined in.

Although we have no formal events scheduled for November, we will close 2025 with a holiday luncheon in Chesapeake City on December 3. CBCC member Capri Ebright is chairing the luncheon, so it is sure to be a fun time. Meanwhile, we continue to prepare for 2026.

Members should check our Facebook page for details, itineraries, and to sign up for events. Not a member yet? If you are interested in joining, please send a brief description of your experience, contact information and expectations to compassboatingclub@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

By Julie Day

Darryl Dennis’s sailing career began with a chance encounter. At a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation fair at the Pentagon, Darryl happened to pick up a Pentagon Sailing Club (PSC) trifold. “This certainly attracts my attention,” he thought and immediately signed up for a sailing course in early September 2001.

After attending the first week of a two-week course, all maritime activity ceased on 9/11. It wasn’t until October when the USCG lifted a maritime moratorium that Darryl was able to complete his on-the-water training.

Darryl’s sailing career was placed on hold immediately afterward that fall. PSC boats were stored on the hard for the winter, and military commitments kept Darryl away from sailing until 2011 when he joined a flotilla to the British

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Virgin Islands. Every year since, Darryl has sailed in at least one flotilla in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Indian Ocean.

Darryl served as maintenance crew from 2012 until 2018. In 2019 he became a boat captain, then PSC River Commodore until 2022 and finally PSC Commodore in 2023. When asked about the factors that contributed to his sailing career, Darryl mentioned the instructors he had had in 2001, both on the water and in the classroom. “A lot of information was packed into two weeks. Also, opportunities to sail on both the Potomac and the Chesapeake and the many classroom courses offered by PSC have proven to be invaluable.”

As commodore, Darryl has accomplished much in the past two years of his tenure. He guided the update of PSC’s

strategic plan, clarified the responsibilities of the club’s leadership, and focused on improving volunteerism. Darryl also served as a coach in a rigorous maritime experiential leadership program at the U.S. Naval Academy and assisted in a sail training program in Greece.

As Darryl and his wife, Valerie, continue their sailing journey, he commented, “Sailing has allowed me to follow my mantra to see the world and get off the beaten path.” For further information, visit pentagonsailing.org and/or facebook. com/pentagonsailingclub.

Sailing Club of the Chesapeake “BWE”

By Sue Mikulski

BWE (Best Weather Ever) defined the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake’s Labor Day Cruise with Michelle and Dan Kastor at the helm. Sixteen to 24 boats anchored in Meredith Creek, Duvall Creek, and Saltwork Creek over a glorious three-day weekend full of activities. Everyone received a welcome gift from the Kastors and Zoey the Westie. Jay and Lynda Megan hosted 65 members at their beautiful home overlooking the South River and Hillsmere Marina. We ate Red Hot & Blue and ice cream sundaes, and some members enjoyed the pool and hot tub. The Severn Grove clubhouse was an awesome addition and was the location for our Tequila and Tacos get-together. Colorful sombreros were offered for all, and McCormick goodies were fun to get in the Welcome Bag and to top off the tacos! The ‘chamber of commerce’ conditions made for awesome sailing and great sleeping at night. Besides the weather and good food, the friendships, new and old, are what makes SCC so special. The Kastors sure know how to put an amazing cruise together! Learn more about the club at scc1944.clubexpress.com

Got a New Boat?

Youth & Collegiate Focus

Coach Profile: Meet Bobby Lippincott

By Storrie Kulynych-Irvin

If you cross Spa Creek in the summertime, you’ll see them: small figures in multicolor lifejackets, moving, at various speeds, rigging bathtub-like boats. These summer camp sailors are setting out on what will, for some of them, develop into a year-round and perhaps decades-long pursuit. In the Annapolis area, the Annapolis Yacht Club’s (AYC) junior sailing program is the launch point for many of these youth sailors. The program’s director, Robert Lippincott, wants to maximize the fun and life lessons these junior sailors experience. Lippincott looks to take “what sailing’s done for me, and to make it even better…to provide a Walt-Disney-Worldlike experience for the next generation of sailors.”

Lippincott’s sailing started on the other side of the Bay, where he grew up in Oxford, MD, spending a large part of many days “sailing on the waters of the Tred Avon River (TAYC).” He comes from the Lippincott boat-building family, originally from Riverton, NJ, who constructed Stars, Comets, Lightnings, Snipes, and many other classes. Lippincott formally started at TAYC at age eight and moved through intro racing

to TAYC’s Green Fleet and Red, White, and Blue teams. Thanks to the late sailing director Diana Mautz, he sailed under coaches hired from other countries, including Maiken Kold from Denmark. Lippincott noted that sailing under coaches with non-American accents at different times in his career forced him to pay better attention to details and work harder on the water, and that he now seeks out foreign coaches for his sailors.

As an Opti sailor, he qualified for the Chesapeake Bay Optimist Team (CBOT). At that time CBOT was one of a few teams that “would travel all over the country,” Lippincott said, and “were very strong in the early ages before yacht club race teams existed.” His time on CBOT helped him learn independence, as he would travel between Norfolk, Hampton, the Eastern Shore, Gibson Island, and Annapolis to practice. He mentioned coaches Juan Carlos Romero and Molly and John Vandemoer as important influences.

Lippincott sailed youth 420s at both

AYC and Severn Sailing Association (SSA), while attending Christchurch School on the Rappahannock, and later Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. He started sailing the Star boat at age 18—a class that holds much history for his family, and in which he still competes. Lippincott began coaching at Fishing Bay Yacht Club in 2008. He coached Optis there and at TAYC, as well as high school sailing at SSA and Christchurch. In 2017, he accepted the “opportunity of a lifetime” spot as the Optimist Program Manager and head RWB coach at AYC. This happened to be the same year that my younger sister started sailing Optis under “Coach Bobby” at AYC, and she will start college sailing in the fall, along with several peers who started in Optis under his tutelage.

In 2021, Lippincott rose to director of Junior Sailing, taking on the task of managing one of the largest junior programs in the country. “I consider myself to be coaching coaches now,” he said. Participation continues to grow; there are currently 482 sailors in the summer program and approximately 716 junior sailors in the calendar year.

Lippincott said his goal as a coach and manager is to help people “find what their passion is and to love it and really devote themselves to it.” He emphasized the importance of “a fighting spirit” and refusal to quit for success in racing. “There’s going to be really tough days… but they have

to understand they have their whole life to do it.”

As director, Lippincott often has to manage parents’ expectations, and he emphasizes that with dedication and love for sailing, success will eventually follow. The coach’s dedication to cultivating his sailors’ love for the sport and Corinthian spirit showed when he was nominated for and named as the Sail One Design Coach of the Year in 2021.

I asked Lippincott about his goals for AYC’s junior program. In upcoming years he wants to host “red-carpet, world-class” events and high-caliber junior regattas. These include fun clinics allowing for “learning opportunities for

people that might not be able to do a full season.” He’s focused on providing the little things, like cool regatta swag and more affordable events, that will improve kids’ experience.

In 2025, AYC added a junior Snipe class thanks to two boats given by an anonymous donor. AYC sailors competed in their first Snipe regatta this June. The club also hosted a WASZP clinic this spring, and Lippincott says he hopes to introduce more classes, like keelboat sailing or wing foiling, that will keep young sailors on the water even as they move on to college. He said he’d be willing to consider restarting the Laser program someday if there

Twas more area demand than SSA could meet.

With all the logistics that come with providing these opportunities, Lippincott’s childhood at the marina serves him well. He’s been moving travel lifts and trailers from a young age and has experience navigating yacht clubs AYC travels to up and down the coast.

Lippincott says he always tries “to put the kids first” before his own sailing, but he does get out “in the off-seasons when time allows it,” usually the winter months. His favorite thing to do is to sail a Star boat out of Miami, and he does Star regattas over the summer, including Star Worlds when it’s in the US.

Snipe Junior Nationals

he Annapolis Snipe Fleet at the Severn Sailing Association hosted the Snipe Junior/Special Junior National Championships and Annapolis Snipe Invite U30 Challenge on August 16 and 17 under typical hot summer weather with relatively light breezes generally from the south. Though racing was cancelled on Saturday due to lack of wind, Sunday saw six races (one was dropped), beginning with a light breeze that built to approximately 10 knots. Eighteen boats made their way around the marks in tight competition. And guess what—U22 teams captured the top three spots overall, besting sailors in the U30 division. These teams qualified to compete in the 2026 Snipe Junior World Championship in Melilla, Spain. Find full results at theclubspot.com.

Top Three Results

U30 (11 boats)

1. Christian Filter/Kimmie Leonard, SSA

2. Owen Hennessey/ Thomas Walker, SSA/ AYC

3. Alfonso Garcia Bringas/ Lexi Pline, Porto Bravo

U22 (7 boats) – these boats placed top three overall

1. Owen Fretwell/Colin Krebs, Mission Bay YC

2. Mason Cook/Catherine Kammeier, AYC

3. Paige Tillson/Efe Derman, MBYC

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

A Gusty, Exciting Navy Fall Oxford Race

Saturday, September 6 made for an exciting Navy Fall Oxford Race for 95 competing teams racing from Annapolis to the Tred Avon River in Oxford. A well-attended event for 70 years, formerly hosted by the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, this year’s race was cohosted by Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) and Tred Avon YC (TAYC).

“The pre-race forecasts and weather models were in general agreement that it was going to be an upwind race with eight to 10 knots of breeze from the south and a very real probability of showers and thunderstorms during the race,” says Russ Matijevich, skipper of Widow Maker

“What the racers found on the course was a bit different. Saturday morning began with a rather stiff southerly breeze and a clear, but hazy, sky. As the racers congregated around the AYC check-in boat, the southerly breeze intensified to 10 to 15 knots with gusts to nearly 20.”

Jeff Halpern, sailing doublehanded with Julian Richards on the Farr 11.6 Synergy, crushed it. He says, “This was one of those races that was emblematic of the Dwight Eisenhower quote, ‘In war, all plans are worthless, but planning is everything.’ Before the race, we had a

clear-cut plan for our courses on each leg. Once in the race itself, we had to make several on-the-spot decisions that deviated from our plan, and it was those ad-hoc, toss-of-a-coin decisions that proved lucky and ultimately paid off big time.”

Halpern adds, “The race was challenging with its long, hard beat into the steep, short chop in the Bay, the gusty winds (trim like a crazy person), the edge of overpowered, close reach up the Choptank, and the spinnaker leg to the finish.”

# Dotty Holoubek’s J/105 Rocket J Squirrel topped the J/105 fleet.

Not only did the Synergy team top the Chesapeake Shorthanded Sailing Society (CHESSS) class, but they corrected over all fleets rated under PHRF, including fully crewed boats. For the team’s success Halpern wanted to ensure that Richards received equal credit.

“Doublehanded racing is different than fully crewed racing with a clearcut skipper and crew. In doublehanded racing, there isn’t one figurehead responsible for the win.”

The rain stayed away until the party at TAYC was well underway, notes Matijevich, and didn’t “dampen the spirits of those racers who decided to stay and have fun.”

Find results on page 106 and at annapolisyc.com/racing; find photos at spinsheet.com/photos

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Top Three Results

J/105 (5 Boats)

1. Rocket J Squirrel, Dotty Holoubek

2. Chessie, John Kircher

3. Dragonfly, Jamie Gregory

J/30 (4 Boats)

1. Bump, Pam Morris

2. Avita, Dan Watson

3. Cannonball 2.0, Doug Wallop

oRC open 1 (8 Boats)

1. Senatore, John Pica/ Scott Barnhill

2. Polaris, Will Passano

3. Querencia, Frank McGowan

oRC open 2 (11 Boats)

1. Teamwork, Robin Team

2. Tenacious, David Bond

3. Ma’m’selle, Ed Hartman

oRC open 3 (13 Boats)

1. Sugar, Elliott Crooke

2. Abientot, Roger Lant

3. (no name), John and Kevin White

oRC Peformance Cruiser (6 Boats)

1. Lucky Eights, Keith Cole

2. ReJoyce, Dennis Glackin

3. Alaris, Nick Iliff

CHESSS Spin (6 Boats)

1. Synergy, Jeff Halpern and Julian Richards

2. Specific Gravity, Michael Viens

3. Graybeard, Bill Walczak

PHRF A (13 Boats)

1. Bare Bones, John Tis

2. Warrior, Colin Caraher

3. Honor, Sammy Mentel

PHRF B/C (11 Boats)

1. Orion, Jon Opert

2. The Doghouse, Elizabeth Principe

3. Lucky 13, Samuel Parsons

CRCA Cruiser (7 Boats)

1. Heyday, Shepherd Drain

2. Valinor, Koralina McKenna

3. Jahazi, David Dodson

CRCA Racer (3 Boats)

1. Resolute, Francis Albert

Multihull (8 Boats)

1. Mikayla, John Nicholson

2. OrgaZmatron, Josh Colwell

3. Cloud Splitter, Jeffrey Ackley

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Hospice Cup 2025… Fun, Joyful, and Inviting

Local yacht racers hoisted their sails on Saturday, September 13 for the 44th annual Hospice Cup, an annual charity regatta dedicated to raising funds and awareness for non-profit hospice organizations. The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake (SCC), the event host, partnered with Storm Trysail Club and Severn Sailing Association (SSA) to manage three racing circles for the event.

SCC PRO Drew Mutch, whose club managed the distance race circle, says, “Storm Trysail helped us out with the J/105 fleet and SSA helped us out with the small boat river course. We had great breeze, thanks to our race meteorologist Dr. Gina Henderson who shared her predictions with us at the skipper’s meeting the night before.”

Ninety-nine boats registered for this year’s race, and together with sponsors raised more than $230,000, a record high for the annual regatta.

“My father went into hospice, and the care was indispensable when our family was going through the toughest time,” said racer and skipper of Stout Gear Alex Stout, who placed second in the Melges 15 fleet.

“This is my second Hospice Cup,” added J/105 racer Theresa Rosbeck, who sailed on Relentless with skipper David McKee. “The organizations that the race supports are near and dear to my heart, so I’m happy to come out here on a beautiful day and spend my time giving what I can on and off the water.”

For more than 40 years, Hospice Cup has supported local care programs for under- and uninsured patients with advanced and terminal illness. Partnering with Montgomery and Prince George’s Hospice, Talbot Hospice, Capital Caring, and The Lifecare Institute at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Hospice Cup has raised more than $31 million since the start of the race in 1982.

Following this year’s regatta, sailors and guests gathered at Horn Point Marina for an awards party where racers were treated to local oysters from Orchard

Point shucked by Baltimore’s Oyster Ninja, smashburgers from Burgers Period, and batch cocktails donated by the Bob and Peggy Seidel Foundation in memory of Harbor 20 racer Barton Goldenberg. Racers also had a chance to enjoy the great weather while they hit biodegradable golf balls off the dock, listened to music from steel drummer Lenny Rogers, and participated in a knot-tying contest sponsored by Bacon Sails.

“Raising awareness is just as important to our mission as raising funds,” said race chair Molly Wilmer. And what better opportunity for us to do that than at an event that’s fun, joyful, and inviting.”

The shore party also featured a live auction of Leah Bell’s “Racing Rhythms,” which won Hospice Cup’s annual art competition, hosted in the spring with the Maryland Federation of Art. Wilmer and the Lifecare Institute’s Becki Roemer presented the work to winning bidder John Pica, the skipper of Farr 40 Senatore, who also took home the third-place prize in PHRF A.

Perpetual Trophies were awarded to Peter Bowe’s Good Trade, who won the

Lesly and Pat Sajak Trophy for best performance in cruising one-design; Nick Iliff’s Muskrat, who won the Van Metre Family Trophy for best performance at the 2025 Hospice Cup; and Cedric Lewis and Fredrik Salvesen’s Mirage, who won the Hospice Cup for best performance across the last three years.

Additional perpetual trophies included the Geri Manning Memorial Trophy awarded to Roger Mason and the crew of the Solaris 44 Tradecraft for best team fundraising performance and the Donnybrook-Brendan Sailing Trophy, which went to Julianne Fettus aboard her 44-foot Cherubini Bennu for having the most youth sailors onboard. Fettus hosted Brendan Sailing camp alumni Johanni Guo and Logan Brock. Brendan Sailing, founded by Donnybrook skipper and Hospice Cup sponsor Jim Muldoon fielded a total of eight youth sailors racing on six boats this year.

Hospice Cup is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and funds for hospice care in our region. For more visit hospicecup. org. See results on page 108 and photos at spinsheet.com/photos.

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Top Three Finishers

Harbor 20 (18 Boats)

1. Sugar, Garth Hichens

2. Killer Rabbit, Jon Forst

3. Yellow Jacket, Scholz Sullivan Syndicate

J/22 (4 Boats)

1. Committed, Tracey and Warren Richter

2. Big Gulp, Brian and Kristen Robinson

3. Symmetry, Eric Johnson and Catherine Cotell

Melges 15 (7 Boats)

1. She’ll be right, Sara Morgan Watters

2. STOUTgear, Alex Stout

3. BrewJax, Britton Steele

Snipe (5 Boats)

1. Finale, Gavin OHare

2. USA31357, Eric Reinke

3. Her Fault, Devon Feusahrens

Cal 25 (7 Boats)

1. Chicken Little, Patrick Seidel

2. Alice, David Hoyt

3. Arctic Tern, H. Marie Harkenrider

CRCA (3 Boats)

1. Bay Retriever, Kevin Sherwood

2. Hot Pepper, Steven Toole

3. Jahazi, David Dodson

Hospice (7 Boats)

1. Ingenuity, Joe Lombardo

2. Tradecraft, Roger Mason

3. Sea Tango, Dennis Krizek

PHRF A (10 Boats)

1. Aunt Jean, James Sagerholm

2. Bingo!, Brent and Caroline Allen

3. Senatore, John Pica/Scott Barnhill

PHRF B (6 Boats)

1. More Cowbell, Mariah Leffingwell

2. Avita, Dan Watson

3. Valhalla’s Shamrock, Valhalla Sailing Project

PHRF C (6 Boats)

1. Roo, William Davenport

2. Cloud Nine, Paul Kaladas

3. Sisu, Madeline Henry

PHRF NS (9 Boats)

1. Muskrat, Nick Iliff

2. Orion, Jon Opert

3. Skimmer, Jack & Marti Detweiler

J/105 (13 Boats)

1. Good Trade, Peter Bowe

2. Patriot, Ray Wulff

3. Mirage, Lewis/Salvesen

Perfect Conditions for the J/105 Women’s Regatta

Eighteen boats on the line, 12 knots of steady breeze, and around 130 fierce female competitors—talk about perfect conditions! The fourth J/105 Women’s Regatta, hosted by the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, August 31, delivered what the event has now become known for: a competitive three-race regatta with tight racing, style on and off the water, and of course a fabulous awards party.

Racing was tight; just one point separated first and second, with third, fourth, and fifth all within a point as well.

Organizers kicked things off Friday evening with a clinic led by Quantum’s Scott Nixon. Starting practice and a debrief at the loft gave time for new crews to find their groove and traveling teams to get used to their boats. Marie Klok Crump raced with her 4Teenz team again this year, enlisting five junior sailors including her two daughters.

The J/105 Chesapeake fleet has experienced continuous growth, now including over 30 active boats, and the women’s regatta has been an important tool in getting more women on the course.

The Maggie Flanigan Spirit award for the ‘best dressed’ crew of the event was awarded to Rocket J. Squirrel. Maggie was a J/105 sailor who passed away in August 2024, just before the regatta. The award in her memory is based on her fun spirit and love of the event as well as costuming. Crews were grateful to have her brother Jacob Flanigan and former crew member Katy Zimmerman present the award.

The awards party held at Horn Point Marina has become a favorite among fleet members. Complete with Painkillers and views of the Bay, the party brings together an incredible sense of community this event has developed over the last four years.

Find full results at yachtscoring.com; find photos at spinsheet.com/photos

Top Three Results

J/105 (18 Boats)

1. 4Teenz aka More Teenz, Marie Klok Crump

2. Mayhem, Ashley Love

3. Firebrand, Eliot Caple

The CRAB Cup 2025

Light Air, Lighthearted Fun, and Record-Breaking Fundraising

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) hosted the 19th Annual CRAB Cup race and shore party on Saturday, August 16 at the Eastport Yacht Club (EYC). This family-friendly pursuit sailing race and a poker race for powerboats is organized by CRAB with support from founding sponsor Boatyard Bar & Grill.

CRAB Cup honorary guest Wendy Mitman Clarke expressed admiration for CRAB and the mission to provide equitable access to the Bay, something that has been central to her writing career and that she and her family have enjoyed for her whole life. Partygoers enjoyed fabulous music provided by Unified Jazz Ensemble and Misspent Youth. This year, CRAB broke its record for Skipper’s Challenge fundraising, with $122,000 raised by 31 skippers who competed for the Top Five Award.

CRAB’s six Beneteau First 22As (adapted for mobility-impaired sailors) participated in the pursuit race, highlighting the inclusivity of this sailing event. The boats were skippered by ath-

letes with disabilities and raced against 78 other boats in 18 classes. However, the lack of wind and a strong ebb tide necessitated shortening the race.

Top CRAB Beneteau First 22A

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finisher was Whoa Dudes skippered by Kevin Detwiler with Paul Van Cleve a former USNA All-American sailor. In second place was Little Bit skippered by Justin Disborough with John Enderle. Third place went to Lindy skippered by Brian Stodd and Steve Palmer. Will Crump on R80 was the pursuit race overall champion. The CRAB Cup permanent trophy was presented for the first time to Will along with a Weems & Plath desk compass and West Marine large Yeti Cooler. Patrick Hylant took second place on Moxie, and David McCullough placed third aboard Deep State

Liz Osborne was the champion of the Powerboat Poker Pursuit aboard Coral Flush. As has become a tradition at the CRAB Cup, the “Best Dressed Crew” winners were selected based on audience applause, and the “Buoys and Crab Pots” team was the winner and recipient of a Boatyard Bar & Grill gift card.

The Premier Sponsor of the event was I AM ALS that was well represented at the event. I AM ALS spokesperson Tim Abeska and Boatyard owner Dick Franyo expressed their appreciation for CRAB and its commitment to improving the quality of life of the people it serves.

Find photos at spinsheet.com/ photos

A2C Lighthouse Challenge

On August 23 the Eastport and Cambridge Yacht Clubs hosted the Annapolis to Cambridge (A2C) Lighthouse Challenge. Find full results at yachtscoring.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos

First-Place Finishes

oRC open 1: Zuul, Benedict Capuco

oRC open 2: Sugar, Elliott Crooke

PHRF Spinnaker: Rosalita, Tom Lloyd

Multihull: Mantis, Volodymyr Dolenko

Labor Day Fun at the Stingray Point Regatta

Fishing Bay YC hosted its annual Stingray Point Regatta over Labor Day weekend. Find full results at fbyc.net/events.

Top Three Results

PHRF A0/Sport Boat

1. Sitella, Ian Hill

2. One Trick Pony, David and Jacki Meiser

3. Wairere, Pete Hunter

PHRF A1

1. Voodoo 2, Leroi Lissenden

2. Afterthought, Craig Wright

3. Bad Cat, James Whited

PHRF A2

1. Myrage, Christian Schaumloffel

2. Sting, Mark Wensell

3. Excitation, Mayo Tabb

PHRF B

1. Shenanigan, Miles Booth

2. Goin’, Dennis Hannick

3. Whirlaway, Frank Walter

PHRF C

1. Cheeky Monkey, Paul and Julie Wash

2. Schiehallion, Brad Miller

3. Barba Roja, Steven Birchfield

PHRF CC Non Spin

1. Dauntless, Jim and Jody Keen

2. Makai, Steve Wirt

3. Second Wind, Brian and Anne Holdaway

PHRF CC Spin

1. Red Sky, Mike Chesser

2. Perseverance, David Hinckle

3. Dianthus, David Tabor

THE GOOD LIFE

Year #96 for the West River Annual Regatta

The West River Sailing Club (WRSC) hosted its 96th Annual Regatta August 29-31, which included the Annapolis to Galesville Race on Friday.

For Friday’s race, 18 boats signed up including four Nacra Inter 20s, three Chesapeake 20s, six A Class catamarans, one F18 cat, two F16 cats, plus a Flying Scot and an ILCA7.

All but the ILCA7 sailed up from West River for the race Friday morning and were treated to challenging conditions for both the ride up and the race back with puffy, shifty westerly winds between five and 20 knots.

Thanks to the Annapolis Sailing School and the Severn Sailing Association which provided beach and dock space for the fleet to catch their breath before starting the return race.

It was great to see local legends Charlie Scott and Will Keyworth team up aboard a Chesapeake 20 on loan from Xan Schlagel. Charlie and Will (with Casey Firth on the trapeze) put on a strong showing and led the pursuit style race for much of the way.

However, Colin and Phan Pitts aboard their F16 Prawn stole the show, passing Scott/Keyworth part way up the West River and finishing four minutes ahead of Jahn Tihansky who was sailing his A Class catamaran Off the Grid, to take the win.

For the weekend regatta, 45 boats were entered in six different classes including A Cats, Albacores, Chesapeake 20s, Flying Scots, International Canoes, and Wayfarers. The event served as the North American Championships for the Wayfarers and the Atlantic Coast Championships for the Flying Scots. Competitors traveled from all over including Canada, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida.

Conditions for both days featured shifty winds ranging between zero and 20 knots which challenged both competitors and the race committee. However, PRO Nat Barton and her WRSC race committee team did a splendid job managing the conditions and knocked out 10 races over the two days.

Following Saturday’s racing, competitors were treated to WRSC’s down home hospitality with live music and a sumptuous dinner overlooking the club’s beautiful waterfront. Find full results at westriversc.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos

Top Three Results

A Class Catamaran (5 boats)

1. Jahn Tihansky

2. Pat Stadt

3. Bill Kast

Albacore (7 boats)

1. Kaitlyn Lucey/Lars Rathjen

2. Lloyd Leonard/Jill Williamson

3. Robert Bear/Brandon Liu

Chesapeake 20 (6 boats)

1. Alex Shafer/Marty Kullman

2. Xan Schlegel/Court Garretson

3. Peter Bell/Joanie Apell

Flying Scot (11 boats)

1. Antonio Rebelo/Andre Rebelo

2. Tyler Egeli/Jill Barron

3. Bill Tucker/Bonnie Sylvester

International Canoe (7 boats)

1. Guillaume Vernieres

2. David Clark

3. Bill Beaver

Wayfarer (9 boats)

1. Ann Marie Covington/Gareth Ferguson

2. John and Mary Driver

3. Uwe Heine/Nancy Collins

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

Cate Muller-Terhune Prepares for 2025 J/70 Worlds with Clear Goals

By Paul Green

J/70 skipper and team owner Cate Muller-Terhune, a Chicago native turned Annapolis sailor, will soon head to Argentina, where she and her Casting Couch team will compete in the 2025 J/70 World Championship, October 24-November 1. This marks the second Worlds event in three years that Muller-Terhune’s team has earned an invitation to compete in.

In 2022, her team—Jackson Benvenutti, Nick Turney, and Jeff Hayden— secured a spot at the J/70 Worlds with a second-place finish at the North Americans in Canada, their second event together. At the Worlds in St. Petersburg, FL, the team was in sixth place with one race to go when a difficult race relegated them to 13th.

“There was a lot of emotion coming out of the event,” Muller-Terhune says. “Going into the last race, we had already used our drop race. The competition is so intense; you can afford to have a bad race, but you can’t have two.”

That same week, her husband, Allan Terhune, won Pan American gold in the Lightning class, achieving a lifelong goal. When the two reunited after these events, they both were a bit dazed about what would be next?

“I remember asking Allan, where do we go from here?”

Together, the couple decided to use 2024 to regroup, prioritizing fun on the water, and resolved that when Cate made another run at the worlds, they would do it together.

In 2024, two pivotal events set the stage for their 2025 Worlds entry. Allan was nominated for Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, and at the awards ceremony in Savannah, GA, Allan, Steve Hunt (also a nominee), and Cate began discussing the idea of sailing together in the future. Cate also sold her family business, enabling her to prioritize sailing moving forward.

A series of conversations between Steve and Cate about their goals, racing styles, and potential crew culminated in a commitment to building a world-class team. In their first event together, the team—Steve Hunt, Allan Terhune, Nick Turney, and Cate—won the single-race event at the December Bacardi Miami Winter Series, a strong indicator of their potential.

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Over the course of the year, Cate would continue to develop her team, including the addition of Will Ryan who brought experience and knowledge from his Olympic efforts that added not only intensity, but also fun. The team traveled to the UK for Cowes Week, where they finished second overall.

“Cowes became the catalyst for the team to have some crucial conversations. Each member of our crew can sail in any position and arguably do as well as anyone else on the boat, but to truly become a team we had to become comfortable asking one another for help.”

Cate added, “I remember saying to the team, ‘Sometimes I have moments where I get nervous, and when that happens, this is what I need from you.’”

Her candor sparked a team conversation that opened the door to aligning around their individual strengths while

offering mutual support. This, as they say, is where the magic is made.

“Together, we are learning to be mentally stronger so we can not only perform at our best individually but also support each other as a team.”

The team leveraged a variety of coaches throughout the year to enhance their on-the-water performance.

“We specifically sought out people who understand what it takes to win big regattas.”

Dave Ullman, Andrew Palfrey, and Chris Larson each, in their own way, helped the team develop the sail trim and boat speed required to compete for a win: “Each coach brought something different. Ullman was focused on sail trim and boat feel. Stylistically, he and Steve are a perfect match, as they are both very laid back. Palfrey, more commonly known as ‘Dog,’ was

Textremely technically oriented, using drones and data to identify ways to improve boat speed. Larson, who is also very technical, helped keep things fun, which created a bit of a breakthrough in how we were debriefing each day.”

With three wins, two seconds, and two thirds across the seven events they entered this year, Team Casting Couch is now making final preparations to travel to Argentina for the Worlds event. They are united around the goals of applying what they have learned, sailing fast, and taking the calculated risks required to secure a podium finish.

When asked what advice she would have for aspiring sailors, Cate said, “Don’t ever underestimate yourself. Surround yourself with smart and capable people. Make every time you go sailing worthwhile, and don’t forget... have fun.”

Tony Parker Crushes It at J/24 Worlds

his just in—Annapolis J/24 sailor Tony Parker and his team aboard Bangor Packet have placed second out of 50 in the J/24 World Championship Regatta in Plymouth, UK. Stay tuned for a full report in the next SpinSheet. Congratulations, Tony!

ILCA Masters Make Annual Pilgrimage to

Deltaville, VA

As you read this, ILCA Masters sailors from across the Chesapeake Bay and beyond are gathering at Fishing Bay Yacht Club the first weekend in October for a long-standing tradition: the 44th Chesapeake Bay ILCA Masters Championship. For the first time, the event will feature separate ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets, promising strong competition and plenty of fun in both divisions.

Saturday night, Chef Alain Vincey returns with another legendary meal and party, a highlight nearly as anticipated as the racing itself. And with good weather, the Piankatank River will deliver the kind of racing that makes this event a favorite. For singlehanded ILCA sailors over 30, this is the regatta you don’t want to miss. Learn more at fbyc.net

The Annapolis Cal 25 Fleet: Carrying a Legacy Forward

By Jay Smith

There’s a special allure to discovering a sailboat that has navigated the Chesapeake Bay for decades, its competitive spirit undimmed. In Annapolis, the Cal 25 fleet stands as a testament to this enduring legacy. This tight-knit group of classic one-design boats and passionate sailors has preserved the essence of authentic racing for generations.

Designed by C. William Lapworth in 1965, the Cal 25 quickly rose as a premier one-design racer, even hosting a National Championship in its first year. Just three years later, in 1968, the Chesapeake Bay Cal 25 fleet was formally organized, beginning an unbroken tradition of racing on these waters. In 1971, Annapolis hosted its first Cal 25 Regionals, and by 1978 the fleet welcomed its first Nationals, firmly establishing Annapolis as one of the class’s strongest homes. Fittingly, High Proof, the Cal 25 I now co-own, was launched in that founding year of 1968, tying today’s racing directly back to the fleet’s earliest days.

But history isn’t just written in championships and milestones; it lives in the

people who made the fleet what it is. Even as a newcomer, I felt the influence of legends such as Charlie Husar, remembered for his devotion to the fleet and legendary mixed drinks. That spirit lives on in today’s Cal 25 sailors: competitive on the water and generous on shore.

The character of the fleet is reflected in the boats themselves. More than half a century after their launch, Cal 25s are still lining up on the starting line, proving that solid construction and smart design can outlast trends. By modern standards they may lack high-tech flash, but they reward skill and seamanship, keeping racing both affordable and accessible.

I had no knowledge of the Cal 25 before climbing aboard one for the 2024 Hangover Bowl. On that foggy New Year’s Day, I was completely green and relied entirely on the patience of the crew aboard Arctic Tern. The thrill of that first race hooked me. Since then I’ve logged more than 30 starts-including a first-place finish in this summer’s Beer Can Series.

This summer, a friend and I took on the shared ownership of High Proof, a

1968 Cal 25. Restoring her has been a hands-on education in boat ownership, made possible by splitting responsibilities and leaning on the generosity of fellow fleet members, who offer spare parts, stories, and always a helping hand.

That mix of history and affordability makes the Cal 25 a perfect entry point for racing, but the fleet needs new energy to carry it forward. Our boats may be scattered across creeks and coves, but when it’s time to race, they still turn out. What we need most now are fresh captains and curious sailors ready to join the starting line and keep the tradition strong.

If you’ve ever thought about owning or racing a classic boat, now is the time. There are boats looking for skippers, crews eager to sail, and a tradition worth keeping alive. Age and experience don’t matter; what matters is showing up with a willingness to learn and race hard. The Chesapeake is calling, and the Cal 25 fleet is ready for its next generation.

To learn more, reach out to the Cal 25 fleet captain, Alisa Finney, at lisareck@verizon.net

Mount Gay Red Cap Photos of the Week 2025

For the second year in a row, we’ve challenged SpinSheet readers to send entries for our Mount Gay Rum Red Cap

Photo of the Week from May through the end of October. Weekly winners win fun Mount Gay swag, and at the end of the season, we will choose the grand prize winner… stay tuned!

Mount Gay cap lovers should know that you may still enter our contest by sending entries by Halloween. Send your red cap photos anytime to molly@spinsheet.com for a chance to win the weekly contest and fun swag (cap wearers must be 21 years of age). Here are some of our favorite entries from 2025. Find the full gallery at spinsheet.com/red-cap-2025

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Small Boat Scene

Enjoying Dinghy Racing While Staying Dry

By Kim Couranz

Abig part of the fun of smallboat one-design racing is being part of the community that makes it happen. In most cases, it’s a heck of a lot more fun to share an experience than to do something by yourself. While the core of this community is time together on the racecourse, things that happen on shore are critical to a vibrant experience as well.

Last weekend I spent some highquality time onshore with boats and people that reminded me how fun— and good for our sailing—it is to share time with fellow sailors on land.

The back story: due to a freak weather event (waterspout that came ashore as an EF-0 tornado; nope, not kidding!) that resulted in my ILCA hull landing and sliding on the boat park pavement, I had some significant scratches that needed some care. Doing some boat work on a busy day at my sailing club meant I got to talk with lots of people to help pass the time while wet sanding grumpy spots on the hull. These conversations fell into a few categories—can you bolster your sailing community through conversations like these?

Perspectives on boat work.

I’m pretty finicky about taking care of my 16-year-old boat. It gets a good rinse after every sail, and control line upgrades in recent years help keep it feeling fresh and happy. I’m careful putting it in and out of the water to avoid dragging it over any rough spots, and keeping it polished helps maintain it, too. So having a bunch of scratches—even if only surface-level—on my baby was pretty shocking.

At first, it seemed like a daunting task. I know it’s a small boat, but it seemed like a big problem—and one

I wasn’t confident how to tackle. What was the right way to get my boat back in shape? I asked my community. Folks shared suggestions for gelcoat repair sources, and friends and fellow sailors took a peek under the boat sitting on the dolly to diagnose the issues. The bulk of the opinions agreed: The vast majority of the scratches would likely come out with wet sanding and wouldn’t need any more technical work. Buoyed and informed by my community, I bought several different grits of wet or dry paper and headed on down to the boat to smooth things out. It will never be perfect, but it’s a heck of a lot better now.

Collaboration and support.

While I was sanding away, other sailors were out on the water participating in a clinic. One of the participants came back to the dock, wrestling with a bad tiller/traveler interaction that was making tacking a bit of a tangly mess. I was able to take an analytical look at the boat setup and thought about the geometry of how things were set up. I suggested a change and suggested that the sailor make the change and head back out on the water to make sure it worked. That way they’d be ready to go the following day for the second day of the clinic. I know tons of people have helped me over the years, and it felt good to help someone toward a better experience on the water. Sharing knowledge is a great way to build community.

Connections and laughter.

The fun stuff. I got to catch up with some friends I hadn’t seen in quite a while. I got to share some ideas and plans for an upcoming regatta. I heard about some great summer vacations and learned where a few junior program participants were starting college. These are the ties that keep us together!

Racing knowledge boost.

While I wasn’t part of the conversation, I did overhear some terrific chat among the sailors who returned

to shore after the clinic. They were tired after a long practice session, but their enthusiasm for learning from one another was still evident. They were talking sail trim, which side of their practice area had better wind and more current relief, and lots more. Sharing thoughts

and suggestions is a key part of making everyone get faster and smarter.

I sure hope the next time I’ll be out on the water rather than doing boat repairs. But even if I’m still on shore, I know I’ll enjoy and benefit from spending time with my sailing community.

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.

Racer’s Edge

Staying in Control in Breeze

By David Flynn of Quantum Sails

Argghh matey… there’s nothing like the leeward rail buried in the water, the tiller or wheel gripped firmly fighting the pressure, or is there? Actually, any top sailor who specializes in making a boat get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible will tell you that the real secrets to speed are balance and control. In fact, even sailors who may not particularly care about making their boat go a tenth of a knot faster upwind, can relate to the need for understanding sail trim and sailing technique as an aid to control. Ultimately, trim and technique allow you to be the master of your boat when it gets windy, instead of the other way around.

I will offer a few simple suggestions to control helm and heel, but first, let’s look at the question of how much heel is appropriate. In quantitative terms, the answer is probably somewhere between 20 and 25 degrees maximum for a displacement monohull, depending on boat-specific characteristics. Multihulls and high-

performance monohulls need to be sailed at minimal heel angles.

Practically, there is a simpler way to know when the boat is tipping over too far. If you have to fight the helm (a rudder angle of more than five to seven degrees), you are heeling too far and need to adjust trim or technique. Heel equals helm. When the boat leans over, it attempts to turn itself back up into the wind, which is referred to as “weather helm.” To keep the boat going straight, we compensate with the rudder, which is fine up to a point. But the rudder is really a brake. Use too much, and it’s just like dragging a barn door through the water, which is not a particularly fast or efficient way to sail.

All sailboats need an optimum of “X” amount of power. A certain amount of heel allows the boat to sail on her lines and gives the rudder bite and helps create lift. (That’s why you will see racing crews huddled on the leeward rail in light air to induce heel). More than “X” and the extra heel creates drag. Weather helm is the indicator. Sailing with more helm and

heel than the optimum can be likened to driving your car down the street on the doors, instead of on the wheels. So, as in all things, we need to strike a balance and find the middle way. And who said sailing wasn’t a religious experience?

So how does one remain in control?

Ease the Sails.

The quickest way to get a sailboat back up on her feet is to ease the sheets. This is especially true when sailing on a reach, when you are attempting to sail more or less in a straight line. Easing mainsail and headsail sheets turns sideways force into forward force. Ease far enough and the sail will luff, spilling excess power. When sailing on a reach, in every puff, the sails can be eased, in part because of the extra horsepower, but also because the apparent wind moves aft. To keep constant rudder pressure and consistent heel, ease in the puffs, and trim in the lulls when reaching. Remember, it is the sails that steer the boat; the rudder is just a fine-tuning device.

Feather, don’t fight.

Upwind, the problem is a little more complicated. If we ease the sheets every time we get a puff, we will not be able to sail as close to the wind as we would with the sails trimmed in. We’ll go fast but will not point well. Upwind, there is a powerful steering technique called “feathering” that makes all the difference. Feathering means sailing by angle of heel, instead of maintaining a constant angle to the wind as indicated to the headsail telltales. If steering upwind when a puff hits, let the boat head up slowly to balance the helm and maintain a constant angle of heel. Headsail telltales will lift, or “feather,” indicating a slight luff. That’s okay; we don’t need the extra power. As the puff lets off, and the boat begins to get too upright, bear off slightly to maintain heel angle. The telltales will begin to stream aft in their normal upwind position. Use the telltales in the lulls, but maintain angle of heel in the puffs by letting the boat head up.

Flatter sails are less powerful.

If you have to ease the sheets when reaching or do a lot of feathering to keep

the boat on her feet, it is time for flatter sails. For the headsail, add halyard tension to remove horizontal wrinkles (perpendicular to the headstay). If you have a backstay adjuster, add tension to minimize headstay sag. Move the sheet lead aft to flatten the bottom sections of the sail and allow the top to twist off. For the mainsail, add halyard tension to remove horizontal wrinkles (sound familiar?). Tighten outhaul to flatten the lower third of the mainsail. Add backstay to bend the mast if that is an option.

A little luffing is okay.

Remember, you only need “X” amount of power, so it’s okay to let the sail luff a little. Upwind, drop the traveler and allow the mainsail to backwind along the forward 20-30 percent. Move the jib lead aft and let the top of the jib luff slightly. If you need to drop the traveler to balance the boat, the jib lead should move aft to match the shape to the mainsail. Reaching, ease the sheets and allow the sails to luff slightly rather than allowing too much heel. If you have to luff both sails constantly (more than 50 percent of mainsail), it’s time to reduce sail area.

Some heel is good; too much is bad.

So, the ultimate answer is some heel is good; too much heel is bad. To paraphrase rather badly from an ancient Zen saying, “As in all things, the correct answer certainly lies in the middle way.”

A version of this article first appeared in SpinSheet in October 2015.

Thank you, David!

As David Flynn takes his leave from sailmaking and column writing, Team SpinSheet would like to express our gratitude for his decade of excellent racing articles. Join Quantum Sails at the Annapolis Sailboat Show as they host a retirement send-off for David on Friday, October 10 at 4:45 p.m. at Land Space 66.

BR ok ERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

S&J Yachts, Brokers for Fine Yachts

With 10 locations from Maine to Florida, S&J Yachts is one of the largest full-service yacht brokerages on the East Coast. Our extensive reach & marketing helps find top buyers quickly. S&J Yachts has established an outstanding reputation for integrity and service! Our experienced team of brokers is committed to serving both buyers and sellers, ensuring fair practices and complete satisfaction with every deal. Whether sail or power, we’ll help you find the perfect fit! 410.639.2777 info@sjyachts.com www.sjyachts.com

Veteran Yacht Sales Veteran Yacht Sales, headquartered in Annapolis, 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

Yacht Brokers of Annapolis Deanna Sansbury developed her love of the water when she and her husband lived aboard their 40’ catamaran, eventually taking a sabbatical to cruise the Islands. Upon returning, she began selling sailboats for a large brokerage in Annapolis, winning the Beneteau Top Gun award for most new sailboats sold in North America. By focusing on providing exceptional customer service and listening closely to her clients’ needs, Deanna is a top pick for buyers and sellers looking for outstanding results. Phone: 410.629.9186, Email: Deanna@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.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

Matthew Lambert – YaZu Yachting Since joining YaZu Yachting in 2023, Matt has played a key role in growing the sailboat side of the business. A lifelong sailor and active competitor, Matt has a deep appreciation for wellcrafted boats of all kinds—not just the fast ones! He combines his extensive on-the-water experience with a strong background in sales to effectively market boats for sellers and match buyers with the perfect vessel for their needs. Matt: 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

B o AT SHARING

Shared Sailboats Available Join one of the longest running sailing clubs in the region! Mid-Atlantic Sailing Association shares an O’Day 322 on the Bay and a Catalina 27 on the Potomac. Only a few slots available! Inquire at www.masasailing.org or call Karl at 301.467.9987.

SAIL CLUB ANNAPoLIS 32’ Hunter Vision Sloop, fully equipped. Semiannual dues $550. Daily rate $130/ day. Contact: 434.808.3512 or garudabuss@gmail.com

SAIL

MiniCat Inflatable Guppy for Sale 12-foot inflatable Guppy catamaran. Used 3 times. Perfect condition. Transport in small car. Assembles in minutes. $4,500 Email hobiewendy5@gmail.com OR leave message at 443.566.2986.

1982 Marshall Catboat, 18’ Sanderling, one owner Lifetime Chesapeake Bay boat! 2017 Tohatsu 6Hp outboard/low hours, no trailer. Features: Awl-Grip painted spars; teak trim throughout; recent foam berth mattresses; self-contained toilet; Dacron sail/Sunbrella sail cover; full lazy jacks; 4” compass in bulkhead; bronze cleats for bow/stern/spring lines; flag halyard; bronze transom step, folding bronze step on rudder. $13,900 Lying Galesville. Broker: Geoff Marshall, Marshall Marine Corp: 508.994.0414, geoff@marshallcat.com More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/MarshallSanderling

SALE PENDING

Astus 20.2 2016 Trimaran Furling headsail, mainsail, comes w/ gennaker fast. Small cabin w/ a V-berth & porta potty. Asking $22,000 Call 515.491.0995 or email wnmoll@aol.com

1981 Crosby 22’ Catboat Optional bowsprit and furling headsail. New head, sink, galley pump. Inboard diesel. Clean, many extras. $5,500 Potomac River. 704.425.4108

26’ Westerly Griffon Sloop 1984 Excellent Condition + Extensive Equipment List. 9’3” beam, 4’9” single keel draft. 20Hp Beta diesel. Mack Sails: main, pack system, roller furling Genoa, spinnaker/sock. Raymarine C120 electronics package. Full galley + head. Windlass/chain/rope. Pressurized hot/ cold water, 6-gal water heater. AC/DC electric. Asking $19,000 OBO –Floating dock slip, Bowley’s Marina $10,000 – 9’ CNC nesting dinghy (partially finished) $750 –Contact: duncmcelf@gmail.com or 443.904.0447

2022 Excess 12

Brokerage & Classified

1996 Catalina 27 Perfect for a variety of water activities. Buyer has the option to keep this perfect slip. Engine: Westerbeke Diesel. Located in Annapolis City Marina. $27,000 Contact: 410.303.5900

1985 Sabre 28 Universal diesel, professionally maintained. Deck needs paint. New sailcover. Interior in good shape. Currently at Calvert Marina. $7,000 Call Mark for details and photos, 508.648.2950

1991 Catalina 28 MkI Well-maintained w/ many upgrades! Wing keel, upgraded sails, rebuilt diesel, solar power, refrig, new cushions, autopilot, and more! Located North East River, MD. Turnkey, comfortable coastal cruiser. $24,000 Contact: 215.630.7471. More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/1991Catalina

1986 olson 29 Hull #12 of 25 Olson 29’s - Race ready- New main and Genoa in 2024. USCG reg. Located in Solomons Island, Maryland. $19,500 OBO. For more information, please email dionysiosk@outlook.com

2015 J Boats J/88 Race-ready and professionally maintained w/ new Quantum class sails 09/2025, upgraded rigging 09/2025, custom Triad trailer (2022), race-finished bottom, B&G H5000 & Zeus2 electronics, custom canvas winter cover (2023), and much more. Proven performance, turnkey package. Located in Annapolis. Asking $130,000 Contact: John Bell 301.466.9550. For more information and photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/JBoats88

CAL 29 1978 Great Lapworth design is fast and stable. 4.5’ Draft. Solid hull/ deck w/ molded-in keel (no keel bolts). Major Upgrade in 2017 – Replaced engine, furler, standing & running rigging – all in good condition. 2025 –New cutless bearing, stuffing box, head, VHF. Features include: Wheel Steering, Autopilot, Shore Power, Battery Charger, Stereo. Located Edgewater, MD. $8,500 Contact: johnstricklett@myyahoo.com. More info/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/CalJensen29

(Gabrielle) 1984 J Boats J/29 Excellent racer w/ many trophies! Rolling fuller, B&G ZEUS, 3 spinnakers, 1 of each: #1, #2, #3 jibs, and more. Located in Cambridge, MD. **Price Reduced** $3,500 Call Branden 443.521.9675 or brandenspearconstruction@gmail.com more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/Gabrielle1984

Catalina 30 Mark II 1988 Wellequipped for Bay/Coastal Cruising. Wing keel, Universal M25, Extra sails w/ Gennaker, Solar panels 140W ea. Refrigerator, stove, sink, HW heater, Bimini, Dodger, Davits, Anchor Windlass. **Price Reduced** $14,900 Magothy River. Contact: lehazel@aol.com

RARE FIND – 1978 30’ S2 9.2C Center Cockpit Aft Cabin On the hard at Northern end of Chesapeake Bay in sailaway condition. Edson steerer, Raymarine Instruments, Harken Winches & Furling Genoa, and more. For sale at $7,000 Contact pineyS2C@gmail.com

1968 Columbia 31’ A classic sloop from sailing’s golden age. Excellent Bay boat, 3.5’ board up, 7’ board down. Many upgrades: B&G wind, depth, speed w/ 2 displays, Yanmar <600h, 4 sails (inc. spin), fridge, summer and winter covers. 220 A/h Lifeline AGMs w/ Victron charger, MPPT, and battery management. **Reduced $19,500** Questions and more info call/text Eric 302.354.1163

1976 Bombay Clipper 31 Classic cruiser located in Arnold, MD. Wellmaintained. Yanmar diesel. Ample interior space and headroom. $6,000 Contact 410.279.6102 or karen.embser@gmail.com

o’Day 322 1987 Comfortable, wellequipped cruiser w/ upgrades. Reefing mainsail, furling 135 genoa, spinnaker. Rigging inspection 2023. Yanmar 18HP. Instrument package, Autohelm. Refrigerator, stove/oven, water heater. Owned and maintained 16 years. Price Reduced! $17,000 610.334.2177 or salderfer@comcast.net, More photos: www.tinyurl.com/ODay1987

1967 Pearson Vanguard 33 Sloop

Phillip Rhodes design, Hull #33. LOA 32.9’, Beam 9.6’, draft 4.6’. Solid reliable boat, perfect for bay cruising and/or restoration. Diesel engine serviced annually. Sails in good condition, including Genoa in bag. Lazy jacks for easy sailing. Depthfinder, AC, and all equipment included. Dinghy included! Priced for quick sale: $5,900 FIRM. For questions/more information, please call 410.991.7907 or email krisgjewell@gmail.com

1980 US Yachts 33 Doug Peterson IOR design. Great boat in need of updating for cruising or club racing. Second owner since 1988, sailed every summer, always dry stored. Super Spar mast w/ double spreaders, running backstays. Dry hull/decks, no leaks/blisters. Volvo MD13 w/ recent injector rebuild. Located Waukegan, IL. Contact Tom Vick at victe@juno.com for details and price/OBO.

1979 Sabre 34 Centerboard Sloop Refrigeration, dinghy davits, solar panel, new AGM batteries, battery charger, new thru-hulls and seacocks, Petit Trinidad, Volvo Penta, Bowmar hatches, Lewmar winches. This boat is ready to sail TODAY! $18,000 Contact: 410.263.0299 or EGladd@yahoo.com More info/ photos: www.tinyurl.com/34Sabre

34’ C&C 1982 Spend your winters in Daytona on your C&C 34! Set up for single-handed sailing. Yanmar 20Hp diesel w/ many new parts. $22,500 Call/text for more details and photos, call/text: 954.969.1323.

1976 Nicholson 35 British boat, great for offshore. Bimini, dodger and sail covers in excellent condition, sails in very good shape, multiple jibs, Perkins 4.108 diesel, hydraulic drive, sailing dinghy included. $20,000 Call 203.313.5263. More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/Nicholson35

1975

3GM30F Diesel, VHF, GPS, Depth, Autopilot, Refrigeration, Custom Teak & Mahogony Interior, Holding Tank, (3) Water Tanks, Dodger, Bimini & Connector, (3) Sails, (4) Deep Cycle Batteries, TV, Water Heater, Diesel Cabin Heather, and Usual Equipment. $20,000 Call 410.713.9669

FEATURED LISTINGS

60 Beneteau Oceanis 60 2016 $599,000

57 Southerly 57RS 2010 ...................................... $899,000

55 Tayana 55 Sloop 1991 $225,000

50 Beneteau 510 1992 .......................................... $146,300

49 Beneteau 49 2007 $219,000

49 Southerly 49RS 2009 ...................................... $499,000

48 Beneteau Oceanis 48 2014 $299,000

48 Island Packet 485 ‘04, ‘05, ‘07 ............3 from $425,000

47 Bavaria Ocean 47 2000 $178,500

47 Beneteau 473 2002 .......................................... $160,000

46 Bavaria Vision 46 2012 $269,999

45 Beneteau Oceanis 45 2015 .............................. $299,000

45 Jeanneau 45.2 1998 $168,000

44 Alden 44 1979 ................................................... $89,000

44 Beneteau 44 CC 2000 $114,000

44 Catalina 445 2011 ........................................... $279,000

44 Island Packet 445 2006 $349,000

44 Island Packet 440 2006 ........................2 from $332,000

43 Beneteau 423 2004 $149,900

43 Broadblue 435 2010 $375,000

43 Saga 43 1998 $169,000

43 Shannon 43 1988 $165,000

42 Bavaria C42 2023 $399,500

42 Bavaria Ocean 42 1999 $120,000 42 Catalina 425 2019 $325,000

Fountaine Pajot Venezia 42 1996 $169,000

Leopard 42 2021 ............................................. $660,000

Brokerage & Classified

1978 Islander 36 Classic BeautyPerfect Bay Boat! Beautifully maintained. 40Hp Yamar, runs like a charm (only 685 hours). New saloon windows + canvas, upgraded interior and flooring, sail pack. Slip paid until 4/30/2026. $38,000 OBO. Call Andrew 410.991.8119. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/1978Islander

Bayfield 36 1989 If you are looking for a well-equipped, bluewater vessel, put this boat on your list! S/V Ferrity is conveniently located in Annapolis, Maryland. Re-powered w/ Beta 43 (approx. 150 hours), Hydrovane steering, solar panels, and MUCH more! $44,999 Questions? Contact Arne at Annapolis Sailyard for full specs and/or to make a viewing appointment today: Arne@Sailyard.com For more photos/info, visit: www.tinyurl.com/Bayfield36

(BULLIT) 2011 Beneteau 40 Meticulously maintained. Many recent upgrades/updates! $167,500 OBO. Text/call 703.626.6786 or email aylucas@yahoo.com For more info/ pics, visit: www.tinyurl.com/2011Bene

1992 Sabre 425 Masthead Sloop Brand new ROD RIGGING, 46Hp Westerbeke, SeaPower 5kw generator, new Raymarine Auto-Pilot, three headsails, roller furling; cruising spinnaker, asymmetrical spinnaker, storm tri-sail. Sleeps seven. $79,900 Please contact Michael Johnson at 410.903.1830. More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/Sabre425

www.tinyurl.com/Majestic44

Gozzard 44 Cutter 1997 Belle Bateau just listed! 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/2s3z57y8

1974 Scheel 45 - Price Reduced! Largely refit last 8 years, over 100K invested. Many improvements. In water at West River Yacht Harbor, Slip B52. Ready to go, must sell, price firm. $29,000 Call Tom Aga, broker: 410.353.5335.

1983 Durbeck 50 Staysail ketch ‘On Eagles’ Wings’ is a well-equipped sailing yacht, loaded w/ upgrades and designed for long-range cruising and/ or living aboard. For full specs and photos, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/Durbeck50. Contact: Warren Campbell, Contemporary Yachts, 443.926.4712 or warren@contemporaryyachts.com

1903 Wooden Yawl “Witchcraft II” A rare B.B. Crowninshield–designed yawl, built by Lawley & Sons. White oak/ cedar hull, bronze fittings, butternut interior, ipe decks. Volvo Penta diesel. LOA 59’6”, Beam 12’11”, Draft 6’. Perfect for collectors or organizations seeking a historic vessel. $150,000 Located at the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD. Contact: 410.326.2042 ext. 8065. More information/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/WitchcraftYawl 801 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 info@atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Sun odyssey 350 2025 NEW 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 - THIS IS THE 2 CABIN PERFORMANCE VERSION W/ PERFORMANCE SAILS AND CODE 0 SAIL. MSRP $363,692 YOUR PRICE $327,323 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Sun odyssey 380 2025 NEW 2025 Jeanneau SO 380 - This is the 3 cabin 2 head version w/ Lithium Ion Battery 12-volt AC. Run AC all night away from the dock. MSRP $491,309 YOUR PRICE $442,178 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Sun odyssey 389 2017 This 2017 Jeanneau 389 has just arrived on the market!! A very popular cruiser in both design and size. She is a one owner vessel. Florida coastal cruiser that has been Well-Maintained! A wellequipped boat in the (2) cabin (1) head layout. She is Turnkey ready!! $205,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

Catalina 426 2025 Equipped w/ advanced sail-handling systems, a robust build, and an optimized keel design, the 426 delivers outstanding stability and ease of handling. Its thoughtfully crafted cabin features luxurious finishes, ample natural light, and innovative storage solutions, making it a perfect balance of functionality and style. MSRP $674,540 – YOUR PRICE $574,450

Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Lagoon 42 owners Version 2025 AVAILABLE NOW!! TARIFF PROTECTED This is a brand new 2025 MODEL!! 3 cabin owner’s version!! 1200W CUSTOM SOLAR ARRAYLITHIUM-ION BATTERY UPGRADE. MSRP $908,943 –YOUR PRICE $749,000

Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

2026 Lagoon 43 Available this Fall! Fully Equipped, Owner’s Version. Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

SpinSheet.com

Jeanneau Sun odyssey 440 2024 Cozy and sporty, this NEW Sun Odyssey 440 delivers extra comfort and accommodations to facilitate life on board! $449,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Yacht 54 2021 Introducing GENESIS, a heavily upgraded and immaculately maintained sailing yacht. No expense was spared setting up this boat for luxury sailing and entertaining. This Jeanneau 54’ has been meticulously cared for and is presented in excellent condition. $675,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

2026 Lagoon 55 Available in December! Fully Equipped, Owner’s Version. Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Yacht 55 2024 NEW, TARIFF PROTECTED, Newly Crowned Cruising World Magazine “2024 Overall Boat of the Year.” Available NOW in Annapolis. MSRP $1,350,000 –YOUR PRICE $1,099,000

Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

2015 Lagoon 620 TIGER LILY is a crafted owner’s version that boasts every available option, reflecting the discerning taste of its sole owner. Constantly tended to by a professional crew and nurtured w/ unwavering dedication, it has served as a cherished private retreat for countless family getaways with occasional light charters. $1,275,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Yachts 64 2020 4-cabin + crew, spacious cockpit/interior, electric furling genoa, Onan 17.5 kW generator, watermaker, bow/stern thrusters, Highfield tender w/ 20Hp Mercury. Elegant, safe, easy-handling bluewater cruiser. $1,200,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 305.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

2017 Hanse 345 34’ “Ahyoka” has a performance hull & keel, super precise steering and tall rig with performance sails/spinnaker. Asking $174,900 Call Dave & Erin Townley 410.271.5225 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Excess 11 37’ Very wellequipped

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 $499,000 Call Denise Hanna 410.991.8236 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2019 Catalina 425 43’ Lightly used; Extensive custom/cruising upgrades. Private staterooms/heads. Furling, selftacking; AC/heat; Gen; Watermaker; Thruster; Code-0; Dink; Raft. Much more… Asking $460,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2018 Tartan 4300 43’ “Bella” offers traditional styling coupled w/ a hull and rig designed to deliver optimal cruising performance. All in a very easy to sail yacht. Reduced $465,000 Call Bill O’Malley 410.703.9058 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Jeanneau 440 44’ “Boat-Tox”220 engine hours, generator, A/C, inmast furling, bow thruster, radar, AIS, electric winches. Excellent condition. Annapolis. Asking $429,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 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

2025 Excess 14 45’ NEW Excess 14 Hull # 68 is at our docks in Annapolis! Amazing opportunity on new boat w/ incentives still included. all today for a closer look - We take trades! Crusader Yacht Sales 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2005 Beneteau 473 47’ “Sanctuary” is a 2 cabin, 2 head with 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

2019 Royal Cape Catamaran 530 Superb build quality and offshore capability is just the beginning of this luxury equipped catamaran. Limited time opportunity, contact immediately for showing! Asking $749,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

“Numbers speak for themselves! Listing

-

a call

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

(Spirit) 30’ C.E. Ryder Sea Sprite ‘83 $14,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Talisman) 34’ Catalina ‘88 $22,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Confidante) 36’ Vancouver ‘82 $55,000 Jim Edwards 252.474.5000 jedwards @curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Native) 38’ Herreshoff ‘70 $22,000 Lin Earley 757.672.2778 lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

(Lilly Pearl) 40’ Bristol ‘80 $37,500 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

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

(Hannah Maria) 42’ Catalina ‘90 $59,500 Paul Simos 252.699.0311 paul@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Antilles Passage) 43’ Beneteau oceanis ‘10 $144,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4500 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Blue) 46’ Beneteau ‘97 $125,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net (Snowmane) 50’ Beneteau oceanus 500 ‘90 $125,000 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Brokers for Fine Yachts Brokers for Fine Yachts

Annapolis, MD 410-571-3605

Rock Hall, MD 410-639-2777

Deltaville, VA 804-776-0604

Charleston, SC 843-872-8080

Palmetto, FL 941-212-6121

www.SJYACHTS.com

Island Packet 349 2019 One-owner boat, clean & well-equipped for cruising the east coast & Bahamas. Bimini, dodger, davits, new genset, new sails, A/C w/ reverse cycle heat & jet bow thruster for quiet, close quarter handling. $369,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

Seawind 36 2009 Spacious cruising catamaran w/ dual helm for easy shorthanded sailing & comfort living space. 3 private cabins, large cockpit w/ dining area seats 6 to 8. $149,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

37’ Island Packet 370 2006 Low hours, bow thruster, davits, reverse cycle heat & air, full enclosure & factory upgrade package. Teak recently done. $199,500 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

Island Packet 40 1995 and 1997 Wellmaintained extremely popular cruiser! Ideal for comfortable, extended cruising in all conditions. Tremendous storage, great headroom, large tanks, 2 spacious cabins and 2 heads. Cutter rig, proper anchoring platform, spacious yet secure cockpit, A/C. Two boats from $147,500 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

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. $194,900 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

Jeanneau Sun odyssey 410 2020 Sleek performance & modern cruising comfort. Walk-around decks, spacious light-filled interior, 3 electric winches, dinghy w/ Torqeedo outboard—ideal for sailors seeking style, speed, & ease of handling. $319,000 S&J Yachts, 252.656.0906, www.sjyachts.com

2023 Bavaria C42 DEMO BOAT – BIG SAVINGS $109,000 – European Yacht of the Year Winner! Fully commissioned and ready for your Summer 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

Brokerage & Classified

42’ Leopard 42 2021 Never chartered – excellent condition 3 cabins/3heads. Equipped w/ solar arch, electric dinghy lift, Rainman 35 watermaker, 2-16,000 BTU marine A/C units, washer/dryer, a Northern Lights 6KW generator, cockpit enclosure, helm enclosure, ICW-friendly rig, full electronics suite. $660,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

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

Fountaine Pajot Venezia 42

1996 Solidly built cruising catamaran designed to handle the sea w/ confidence, offering a heavier, more robust construction for comfort & safety. New Electronics, Spacious Layout & Smart Storage! $169,000 S&J Yachts, 252.656.0906, www.sjyachts.com

Trintella 42 1984 Legendary Van de Stadt design. Built by the renowned Dutch Trintella Shipyard to very high standards w/ old world craftsmanship. Powerful world cruising yacht. Striking lines and beautiful interior. New Listing. $110,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

Broadblue 435 2010 Ocean-certified 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

44’ Island Packet 440 ’06 Ready to explore the world, this pristine Island Packet 440 features updated sails, offgrid power, and impeccable maintenance. Comfortable, spacious, and ocean-ready—your dream cruising yacht awaits. $349,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

46’ Bavaria Vision 46 2012 Wellmaintained, 1-owner boat: 3 cabin/2head layout. Built for extended cruising & shorthanded sailing. In-mast furling mainsail, autopilot, bow thrusters, & features the 5’7” shoal keel. $269,999 S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605, www.sjyachts.com

47’ 2002 Beneteau 473 New Listing! Well-kept 3cabin/3head ICW friendly cruising yacht. Recent updates include sails, house batteries, bottom paint, hull paint, & bow thruster. $160,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com

48’ Island Packet 485 2007 Exceptional bluewater cruiser w/ extensive recent upgrades; new electronics, rigging, sails, and cruising gear. 3 cabins/2 head, robust systems, and meticulous care. Turnkey and ready for world voyaging. $439,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com

Beneteau 49 2007 Always loved, never chartered. 2 cabin layout, 5’9” shoal draft. Generator, bow thruster, electric winches, full enclosure, dinghy & outboard, clean & ready to go. $219,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com

2010 Southerly 57RS Luxurious Bluewater Performance Cruiser! Cross oceans or sneak into shallow coves; variable push button swing keel 3’ 6”10’ 6”. Raised salon w/ panoramic views. 3cabins/2heads. Excellent cockpit for entertaining. New 150Hp Yanmar engine & complete bottom job. $899,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com

61’ 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 $290,500 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 $425,000 Contact Rick: 443.294.5161, rstcyr@veteranyachtsales.com , www.veteranyachtsales.com

410.629.9186

1992 Pacific Seacraft 32 Pilothouse $146,900 This Crealock designed pilothouse has been called the perfect ocean-going couples cruiser. This boat is nearly perfect w/ so many upgrades: New Beta diesel w/ 150 hours, New standing rigging, New AC Unit, New Fridge, New fuel tanks, and so much more! Call Tim Wilbricht at 410.507.4359 or Tim @YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

2014 Beneteau oceanis 34 $106,900

This sweet boat is a great couples cruiser that’s fun to sail and easy to handle. Features include: Lithium batteries, B&G Electronics, In-Mast furling mainsail, Asymmetrical Spinnaker w/ Whisker Pole. Call Deanna Sansbury at 410.629.9186 or Deanna@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

2005 Hunter 41 $115,000 This boat is perfect for cruisers and liveaboards! Fischer Panda 5K genset (2020), powerful 56Hp Yanmar, In-mast furling mainsail (like new), Quantum genoa (2025), Spinnaker (2024), Heat/AC, exterior just detailed and it shows great! Huge price drop to get her sold before winter! What a value! In Annapolis and easy to see. Call Deanna Sansbury at 410.629.9186 or Deanna@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

2005 Elan Impression 434 $189,900

This capable cruiser is built for offshore cruising or relaxed days on the Bay. Lot of great options including: Generator, Dinghy, Updated Electronics, New Interior & Exterior cushions, New Sails, New Canvas, Max Folding Prop, and so much more! Call Tim Wilbricht at 410.507.4359 or Tim @YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

2021 Vision 444 $820,000 The Vision 444 is an ideal cruiser for extended voyages and liveaboard cruising. This boat is fully equipped and passage ready to take you wherever your heart desires. 3 cabin/3 head owner’s version, watermaker, Lithium batteries, solar array, Yanmar engines, tender, inboom furling, great sail inventory and SO MUCH MORE! Call Deanna Sansbury at 410.629.9186 or Deanna@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

2004 Beneteau 473 $179,900

This well-equipped Beneteau is ready to take you on the adventure of your dreams! It’s the perfect cruising boat for living life at sea. Features include: Bowthruster, Watermaker, Solar, Custom Lounge Seating, Cockpit Enclosure, Max Prop and so much more!!! Call Tim Wilbricht at 410.507.4359 or Tim @YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

Rates for Classified/Broker Ads

$35 for 1-30 words | $70 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

Anne & Jon Hutchings 17218 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA

Anne: 804-567-0092 | Jon: 804-567-0093 www.yazuyachting.com

30’ Maine Cat 30 2007 2 Cabin, 1 Head. Refrigeration/Freezer. Bowsprit w/ furling screacher. Roller furling genoa. Autopilot. Solar. Yamaha outboards w/ hydraulic tilt (328 hrs). New Garmin electronics. Full enclosure. Dinghy w/ outboard. Davits. Great cruiser! $134,900 Urbanna, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

35’ Catalina 355 2013 2 Cabin, 1 Head. Reverse-cycle Air Cond. Refrigeration/ Freezer. Bowsprit w/ furling gennaker. In-mast furling main. Roller furling genoa. Autopilot. Solar. Dodger, bimini, and connecter. Only 865 engine hours! Raymarine electronics. Great turnkey boat! $184,900 Urbanna, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

38’ Maine Cat 2018 OceanVolt 48V Electric Motors w/ Lithium Batteries; Feathering Props; Sail Drives; Fisher Panda 6KW Generator; 790W solar; dagger boards; 2 bunk, 1 head, galley, dinette. $349,900 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

47’ Dehler 47 2005 Jodel & Vrolijk design, w/ vinyl ester hull. Ideal for passagemaking w/ excellent cruising gear, tall rig, deep draft; 3 cabin, 2 head layout, drop down transom, arch, solar. $199,000 Deltaville, VA. For more details, visit www.yazuyacthing.com! Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne @yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

Hunter 50 Aft Cockpit 2011 3 cabin, 2 head. 2 separate showers. (3) Air conditioning units. In-mast furling. Self-tacking headsail. Bow thruster. 700 engine hours. 6KW generator (400 hours). Refrigeration/Freezer. Deck shower. Tons of storage! REDUCED $254,900 Deltaville, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

500 SE 2021

Semicustom, 4-cabin. Generator, North Sails NorLam Main & Genoa, Electric Genoa Furler, 2000W solar, 720AH Lithium-Ion Batteries, Electric Dinghy/Dive platform, Watermaker, Washing machine. Duty Paid. $899,000 Shady Side, MD. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

To find more used boats, visit spinsheet.com

MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

A CC ESS o RIES

FoR SALE: Sextant, E-Wincher, Canvas, Highfield Dinghy, more! 1) Davis Mark 25 sextant, hardly used, w/ box and artificial horizon, $250, 2) E-wincher, lightly used, $1500, 3) Marinco 30Amp 50’ shore power cable, splitter, and adpapters, $180, 4) Custom canvas cover for a Tartan 40, $900, 5) 2020 Highfield 280 roll-up inflatable dingy (lightly used) w/ Suzuki 6Hp outboard (still in break-in period), $2500. Call Richard: 443.618.6469

ART

Seaside Treasures Shop for nautical decor, beach decor, and more for your lake cottage or beach home! A family run business since 2001. Use coupon “SPINSHEET10” for 10% off! ContactUs@SeasideTreasures.com www.SeasideTreasures.com

CAPTAINS

New Boat owner Training and instructional deliveries with a USCG-licensed captain and certified sailing instructor. Gain confidence handling your cruising sailboat. Personalized lessons, safety tips, seamanship skills, navigation, cruise planning, and more, for individuals, couples, or families. For more information, visit www.ChesapeakeHorizonsSailing.com or contact Capt. Bob at Bob@CpkSail.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

Marine Dynamics Yacht Delivery 50+ years on water experience with Sail & Power. US East Coast and Caribbean. Contact Kip Koolage at 410.241.8468 or email MDYachtDelivery@gmail.com www.MarineDynamicsLLC.com

H ELP WANTED

Advertising Sales Representative Are you on a search for a full-time sales position that requires you to get out and enjoy the water, where all your co-workers are super cool, and where flip-flops and shorts are considered business casual? SpinSheet, PropTalk, FishTalk, Start Sailing Now, and PortBook magazines are in growth mode, and we are looking for that special advertising sales rep who understands the marine industry and knows how to work and play hard. If you think you will excel in creating sales and marketing solutions for advertisers, then we would love to chat with you. Send your resume, a description of your boating experience and interests, and a cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit for our team to mary@spf-360.com today!

Marine Mechanic Port Annapolis Marina is hiring experienced marine diesel mechanics. Must have a strong work ethic, require minimum supervision and be able to be part of a team. Knowledge of outboards and outdrives is a plus. Our benefit package includes paid holidays, vacation/PTO, health insurance, 401K, profit sharing and incentive bonuses. Send resume to richard@portannapolis.com www.portannapolis.com

Seeking Part-Time Delivery Driver – Upper Shore Route Reliable driver needed for Maryland magazine deliveries, 3-6 days/month. Route covers Centreville, Chestertown, Rock Hall, Georgetown, Cecilton, Chesapeake City, Elkton, North East, and surrounding towns. Magazines are picked up in Annapolis. Compensation is based on the number of stops. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, a dependable vehicle, and ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Email info@spf-360.com for more information.

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

SLIPS & ST o RAGE

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

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

Boating

Welcome to the Team

East Coast Yacht Sales welcomes Nathan Hesse as its newest yacht consultant on the Chesapeake Bay. Nathan joins the team after having served as the acting director and deputy director of the command and seamanship training squadron at the United States Naval Academy. He brings a wealth of experience teaching safe sailing and navigation on both inshore and offshore waters. Nathan is excited to help clients find the right sailing yacht for their dream adventures, whether that means cruising the Chesapeake, heading off to the Bahamas, racing to Bermuda, or winning on the racecourse. Nathan holds a 100-ton Master’s License and has worked on both private yachts and sail training vessels across the Puget Sound, British Colombia, New England, Chesapeake Bay, and Caribbean. While he has spent considerable time sailing offshore, he has a particular passion for Chesapeake workboats, having captained a deadrise for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and a buyboat and skipjack for Echo Hill Outdoor School. Nathan has also been found sailing various schooners and other classic yachts. He enjoys sailing to his favorite anchorages on the Bay with his wife and friends. “Having cruised and raced a variety of sailboats, from schooners to racing Oyster Yachts in Antigua, Nathan shares his passion for sailing with those around him,” said Ben Knowles, owner of East Coast Yacht Sales. “Nathan’s experience makes him the right fit for our clients looking to list or buy a brokerage daysailer, cruising boat, one-design, or offshore racer.” ecys.com

Joining the Team

Retirement and Welcome Aboard

The crew at PKYS is excited to welcome John Levelle to the team as its new technical sales and support manager. John brings a wealth of hands-on experience and is already making a strong impact, helping customers find the right electrical solutions for their needs. Outside of work, John’s passion for boating runs deep. He’s a longtime Annapolis resident who once lived aboard a 28-foot sailboat for six years, even sailing to the Florida Keys with his wife. When he’s not troubleshooting power systems, you’ll likely find him on two wheels—riding bikes or coaching his daughter’s youth mountain biking team. Based in Annapolis, MD, he specializes in all aspects of marine electrical systems. Learn more at shop. pkys.com

Scott Croft, VP of public relations at BoatUS announced his retirement earlier this summer with this message: “My 23-year journey at Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) and my 35-year career in tourism/travel and recreational boating public relations will draw to a close on September 30, as I head into retirement. I am grateful for the friendship given to me, our professional experience together, and possibly the thousand acts of kindness and camaraderie that all contributed to my wonderful PR career. I have felt valued, made an impact, and most importantly, had fun. But as they say, one chapter ends, a new one begins. My wife, April, and I are headed to Saratoga Springs, NY, where I will continue my volunteer work on Hudson River boating issues. I also plan to explore Adirondack lakes and ponds on a small sailboat and maybe cruise the Erie Canal (now celebrating its incredible bicentennial). Yep, I’ll still be ‘messing about in boats.’ After September 30, I can be reached at dscroft3@gmail.com.” With this announcement, Croft also shares that Alisha Sheth is the new BoatUS manager of Public Affairs. He says, “Alisha would be more than welcome to help you with any BoatUS and BoatUS Foundation news and information, whether it be our TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet, helping to remove abandoned derelict vessels from the nation’s shores, speaking up on Capitol Hill, growing boating safety education and saving lives, or other myriad programs, policies, and advocacy that helps make boating better for the nation’s nearly 12 million boat owners and our more than 740,000 BoatUS members. Just like me when I came to BoatUS in 2002, Alisha has over a decade of public relations agency experience. I know she will carry on our Public Affairs mission with the highest service—listening, helping, brainstorming, and getting answers or interviews for the media we serve. Feel free to send her a short note to say hello!” She can be reached at alisha@boatus.com or (703) 245-2300. boatus.com

The Annapolis Sailboat Show is the largest in-water sailboat show in the world and is truly an international event. Quantum Sails has been deeply involved in every show since the company’s 1996 founding. At the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show, Quantum will host several special events, showcase a major partnership, and will reaffirm its commitment to sustainability. All sailors are welcome to join as Quantum sends-off one of its longest-tenured sailmakers, celebrates its most successful grand prix racing crew, and showcases an exciting new one-design class. Quantum is also exhibiting for the first time at the Annapolis Powerboat Show where it will showcase its canvas division. Quantum Sails chief operating officer Andrew Scott says, “Quantum Sails has deep roots in Annapolis. The company was founded here in 1996, and the Annapolis loft is one of our largest and most active. We always look forward to the Annapolis Boat Shows

Annapolis Boat Shows Programming

as it is a unique opportunity to connect with the sailing community from Annapolis and beyond. For the 2025 shows we are excited to host a slate of special events for sailors of all interests and, for the first time, be involved in the Annapolis Powerboat Show.”

On Friday, October 10 at 4:45 p.m. at the Quantum Sails booth (Land Space 66), join friends and customers of Dave Flynn as we raise a glass with him and toast his retirement after 40-plus years as a sailmaker. Dave has been a leading figure at Quantum Sails since the company’s launch in 1996. Dave is a longtime contributor to SpinSheet and other sailing publications; he has helped hundreds of sailors get the most out of their sails and boats, and he has been a

key crewmember aboard dozens of top racing programs. At 5 p.m. on Friday, October 10, join crewmembers and supporters of the American Magic/Quantum Racing TP52 Super Series team and raise a glass to their successful 2025 racing season, including the overall win at the 2025 TP52 World Championship. On Sunday, October 12 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. stop by for a ClubSwan 28 coffee chat. The ClubSwan 28 is making its Annapolis Sailboat Show debut. Nautor Swan and American Magic have announced an eight-race 2026 circuit for the Club Swan 28 with events in Pensacola, FL and Newport. Join representatives from Nautor Swan, American Magic, and Quantum Sails to learn about this exciting new one-design class. quantumsails.com

New Places To Pick Up SpinSheet

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

• Edwards Pharmacy in Centreville, MD

• Realistic Holistic in Hampton, VA

SpinSheet 1999: Chesapeake Sailing Through the Century

By Dave Gendell

To celebrate our 30-year anniversary, we’re sharing stories from the archives. Back in December 1999, when founding editor Dave Gendell penned these historical musings in his editor’s note, SpinSheet’s pages were still all black and white except for a few select advertisements. Astute Chesapeake readers will note that some of the longtime regattas noted have morphed into something new or sailed into the sunset:

Welcome to the final issue of SpinSheet of the year/decade/ century/millennium… While 1900 is a few generations behind us, some things have not changed in the last 100 years. Hartges still live along the shores of the West River. Oxford, St. Michaels, and Gibson Island are still centers of sailing activity. It is still tough to get into creeks after a hard northwest blow. The stretch of the Severn River where in 1879 Albert Michaelson first accurately calculated the speed of light is still 2000 feet long—give or take a 10th of an inch.

Have you ever seen the special Newport to Bermuda chart? This is the chart with the sliver of North America in the upper left corner and a sliver of Bermuda in the lower right corner.

On the edge of the chart is a picture of a boat. But it’s not just any boat; it’s Carleton Mitchell’s Finisterre. It seems odd to put a boat on a chart, but Finisterre was no ordinary boat.

The Annapolis-based Mitchell and the crew of his Annapolis-based “heavy, fat anomaly,” Finisterre, a 38-foot Sparkman Stephens-penned yawl, won an unimaginable three consecutive Newport to Bermuda Races (1956, 1958, and 1960). Finisterre was a shoal draft centerboarder with a comfortable cabin and amenities including a record player. She was extraordinarily well-sailed, and her legend will not soon be forgotten.

The honor roll of 20th century Chesapeake resident boats is chock full of names that helped define our sport: Eleanor, Kelpie, Finisterre, Freedom, Royono, Highland Light, Vamarie, Rubicon, Gaylark, Stormy Weather, Alaris, Running Tide, Constellation, Prim, Second Chance, American Eagle, along with a series of boats called Merrythought, Reindeer, Mist, and Babe

Boats with a 20th century Chesapeake pedigree include the Comet, Mobjack, Chesapeake 20, Penguin, Hampton One Design, various Owens and Dickerson boats, and more recently, the designs of Annapolis-based Farr Yachts.

volunteer organization that counts more than 70 member clubs in its ranks.

The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) was incorporated in 1914 and instantly provided a modicum of organization and efficiency to the Bay’s recreational sailors. Today CBYRA is a

The longevity of classes, clubs, and events is especially impressive. The Star class organized on Gibson Island and in Norfolk in 1923. CBYRA Annapolis Race Week has been contested 33 times. The Fall Naval Academy Sailing Squadron Annapolis to Oxford Race has been sailed 45 times. The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake’s Spring Race has been contested 50 times. The Corsica River YC has hosted an Annual Summer Regatta for 58 years. Potapskut SA has hosted a Queenstown Race and an Overnight Race for 60 years. The Hampton One Design class has sailed its National Championships 65 times. There has been a summer regatta on the Tred Avon River off Oxford for 68 years. And of course, there are a few log canoes that have sailed every summer of the century.

The advent of fiberglass production boats in the late 1960s and the early 1970s was certainly a watershed event that brought many individuals and families into the sport that would otherwise be watching from the shore. Fiberglass boats were affordable and required far less care and feeding than their wooden predecessors. Suddenly, sailing was accessible to a much larger group of people, and the energy and focus the masses brought to the sport have benefited everyone. Materials such as dacron and aluminum also contributed to this revolution as did events such as the Annapolis Sailboat Show and the boom in sailing schools. Now it was possible for anyone to “become a sailor in one weekend.”

We recommend Richard “Jud” Henderson’s book “Chesapeake Sails: A History of Yachting on the Bay." No sailor’s library should be without a copy. ■

PERFORMANCE FOR ALL

BECAUSE BETTER PERFORMANCE TRANSFORMS EVERY DAY ON THE WATER. Offshore campaign or weeknight warrior, at Quantum Sails, the same world-class designers and advanced technology behind our Grand Prix victories power all of our sails. Call your local loft to upgrade your sails.