SpinSheet Magazine September 2025

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PROFESSIONAL GRADE PROTECTION AGAINST THE ELEMENTS

38

An Abundance of Cruising Options Along the Choptank River

If you point your bow towards the mouth of the Choptank River, you will find quaint towns and hidden gems along the way.

By Captain Cheryl Duvall

Presented by OsPrey Marine

42

Sneak Peek at the Annapolis Sailboat Show

A preview of what’s to come at this year’s big event October 9-12 (no Monday!).

48

Newbie’s Guide To Chartering

Pro tips on planning, executing, and enjoying a sailing charter whether in the British Virgin Islands, Mexico, Croatia, or beyond.

By Zuzana Prochazka

50

Bluewater Dreaming: New Horizons

After 26 years aboard, a cruising family makes a lifestyle change. And that’s okay.

By Cindy Wallach

Presented by M yacht services

53

Cruising Life: What’s Our Air Draft?

A tall-masted boat approaches a bridge…

By John Herlig

68

Racing Like a Champ

Championship racing season on the Chesapeake, a breezy Governor’s Cup, Oxford Regatta, Cape Charles Cup, Race to Baltimore, Olivia’s Team Race, and more racing news.

Presented by MOunt Gay ruM

Steven Birchfield of the Southern Maryland Sailing Association took this month’s cover shot on the Patuxent River.

Got a New Boat?

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

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@spinsheet.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Chris Charbonneau, chris@spinsheet.com

EDITOR

Molly Winans, molly@spinsheet.com

SENIOR EDITORS

Beth Crabtree, beth@spinsheet.com

Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@spinsheet.com

COPY EDITOR

Lucy Iliff, lucy@spinsheet.com

FOUNDING EDITOR

Dave Gendell

ADVERTISING SALES

Eric Richardson, eric@spinsheet.com

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Brooke King, brooke@spinsheet.com

DISTRIBUTION / BROKERAGE / CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER

Beatrice M. Mackenzie, beatrice@spinsheet.com

ART DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER

Zach Ditmars, zach@spinsheet.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Royal Snyder, royal@spinsheet.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kim Couranz, Chelsea Co, Captain Cheryl Duvall, Tom Guay John Herlig, Eva Hill, Pamela Tenner Kellett, Craig Ligibel, Gwen Mayes, Steven Toole, Cindy Wallach, Ed Weglein (Historian )

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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

DISTRIBUTION

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 beatrice@spinsheet.com.

The Sailing Spirit in Us All

By Molly Winans

At the Screwpile Regatta a dozen years ago, I had the good fortune of sitting in the breakfast room with John and Lin McCarthy of Hampton Yacht Club. John, who served as one of the principal race officers, and Lin, who also worked on the race committee (RC), tended to be in motion onshore and onboard at the event, so I’m not sure why they had time to talk to me at breakfast (race postponement?).

The conversation turned to bad backs, and John explained his tough decision to retire from racing because of his own back issues. I’d only known John as a race officer, and a top notch one at that: a race officer who taught others how to officiate races. I’d only known Lin as an enthusiastic, talented sailing reporter and RC volunteer. As they mentioned their sailboat racing days, I could feel the love and see the sparkle in Lin’s eyes.

Since Lin left this world last month, I’ve turned that conversation over in my mind several times. The McCarthys had learned to sail on dinghies at Norfolk Naval Base, raced the Hunter 28.5 Ulysses for eight years, and raced their beloved J/33 Sugar Bear for more than a decade. Then, they had to stop. Ouch. Luckily for sailors, the couple dove into race management with equal passion. Lin and John would spend 20-plus years volunteering on RC and teaching others those skills before retiring.

Since she was a regular SpinSheet contributor and our connection to the Southern Bay sailing scene, Lin and I talked and texted regularly about racing events and upcoming articles. Sometimes, we shot the breeze about cats or coastal flooding. Last year when touched by one of my editor’s notes she sent me a Snoopy notebook, encouraging me to write more.

To have a writer such as Lin compliment my writing felt like an honor. As well as hundreds of SpinSheet articles, Lin penned more than 1000 editions

of Southern Bay Racing News You Can Use (fondly known by the alphabet-soup acronym SBRNYCU), an independent, free newsletter she sent out on Mondays, to anyone who wanted it, to keep us all informed about upcoming events, Southern Bay sailors’ victories, and new boats on the scene.

As a word-count-obsessed editor, I couldn’t help but do the math. Editions of SBRNYCU averaged 1200 words, which means she wrote 1,200,000-plus words, the equivalent of writing 14 books, with no paycheck. Why? Racing brought her joy. She shared it.

Typical of her playful nature, Lin concluded her newsletter with “Murphy’s Law,” a joke or anecdote from Murphy the Racing Beagle aka the Murphster, “the

sailing spirit in us all.” I never knew why. I reached out to John who said, “Murphy was a beagle owned by a couple at Willoughby Harbor Marina when we raced there. Murphy loved sailing and hanging around the cockpit. After he passed, Lin wanted to keep his spirit alive.”

I am not alone in saying that I will miss Lin (see page 26 and 102). Through her volunteer work, writing, and photography, she gave abundantly and asked for nothing in return except that we all sail fast and celebrate one another. If you’d like to honor Lin’s memory, say “yes” to a volunteer gig, a sailing opportunity, or a chance to share your skills for free, and have fun while you’re at it. Be the beagle.

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Proud Sailing Dad

This photo shows (me) holding the July issue of SpinSheet at Marina Palmiziana near Hvar, Croatia. That cover photo (by Ted Morgan) shows my daughter Anna Flynn who was a national champion team sailor at Christchurch School and competed at St Mary’s College of Maryland. She went on to Team USA and the Olympic Trials and is currently coaching at Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami Florida.

Capt. Andy Flynn

A Reader Since the 1990s

Iwas fortunate enough to get from New Jersey to the U.S. Naval Academy in the 1980s. The Navy took me to the West Coast where I found Latitude 38 and 48 North. When I got back to the Chesapeake area in the 90s, I found Rags. When that disappeared, I was very happy to see SpinSheet pick up the winch handle (so to speak). I think I read at that point that Dave and Mary were carry overs but didn’t know they were the founders. Anyway, SpinSheet has been a staple in my monthly reading ever since, whether I had a boat or was in between. Like the two West Coast magazines, SpinSheet does a great job of balancing racing, cruising, and just daysailing. I look forward to every issue.

Randy Mahr

SpinSheet, the Bible for Sailing News

Happy 30th anniversary SpinSheet!

I’ve been reading your magazine since I started learning how to sail, which coincidentally was also 1995, your inaugural year. SpinSheet is definitely the Bible of mid-Atlantic sailing news. From racing to cruising to DockTalk, SpinSheet has guided all the way.

Cherie Kasch

Send your questions, comments and stories to editor@spinsheet.com

Cover Contest Confusion

Congratulations on an exciting SpinSheet Summer Cover this year! It no doubt brought a lot of attention to everyone’s favorite local sailing mag. I wanted to make sure you were aware that there are official rules on the cover contest page that were maybe not commonly known (including by the team responsible for culling the finalists). Per the official rules by Woobox (the contest software): “Anyone who has won a previous SpinSheet Summer Cover Contest cannot win a second time.”

This was a highly contested contest this year, with local Bay photographer David Sites coming in second. He was close to his third win, after winning in both 2024 and 2021. I think it is important in the future to enforce this rule, as it can avoid hurt feelings and provides others an opportunity to have their photos featured and inspire what I expect is the spirit of the contest, which is anyone can win, even those without huge social media followings or professional pages.

Thank you so much for everything you do!

Marianna Fleischman

We love how excited our readers are about the Summer Cover Contest! You are correct that I did not know that rule had been included; although our team had discussed it. It was I who let David’s photo stay in the running, as honestly, I thought I’d forgotten to include the “new rule,” and it seemed the fair thing to do. Oops. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. We will spell out the rules more clearly next year. ~M.W.

Let’s Rally

Ijust read your article “10 Sailing Tips for a Long Cruise Southbound” (by Captain Cheryl Duvall, August SpinSheet, page 41). I agree with all of the tips and probably would have only added one thing: participating in a rally provides comfort in numbers, not just safety from having other boats around that can help.

My husband and I have been cruising for most of the last two and a half years. We had crew onboard for our Salty Dawg Rally trip to Antigua, and for our 12day passage from Puerto Rico to Guatemala. The companionship eliminated any possibility of loneliness. Still, I found I liked the idea that there were companions just over the horizon. We only chatted with other boats a few times, but the rally provided a sense of community.

I found that on our trip from Guatemala back to the USA, with just the two of us onboard, that I really enjoyed communicating with the other couple of boats that left Rio Dulce around the same time. The fact that there were sailing colleagues nearby meant we had the independence of sailing without the isolation.

I look forward to your future articles.

Gail Inman S/V Oriole

September Is for Sailors!

While Labor Day may mean the end of boating season for some, Chesapeake sailors are gearing up for some of the best sailing of the season. September usually brings more breeze, cooler air temperatures, fewer nettles, and a lot less powerboat traffic.

There’s still time to join the SpinSheet Century Club for sailors who log 100 days on the water and SpinSheet Racing Team for racers who compete in a large number and wide variety of regattas on the Bay. Learn more at spinsheet.com. Here are some of the awesome sailing events happening this month. Find even more in the calendar on page 28.

Skipjack races: The new Skipjack Heritage Race (September 14) joins the Deal Island Labor Day Skipjack Race (September 1) and the Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race in Cambridge (September 27) as an opportunity for viewing and touring the skipjack fleet and watching these iconic boats compete for prizes. lastskipjacks.com

Log canoe races: Log canoe racing on the Miles River dates back to 1840, and the tradition continues today with most boats built in the 1800s or early 1900s

and listed on the National Historic Registry. You have three opportunities for viewing this month: the Miles River Yacht Club Labor Day Series, September 6-7, the MRYC Higgins/ Commodore Cup, September 13, and the CBMM Bartlett Cup, September 14. milesriveryc.org/chesapeake-bay-logcanoes

Shaw Bay Ratfup Concert: Raft up and relax with music by Eastport Oyster Boys and Wye River Band in lovely Shaw Bay along the Wye River. Bring your dinghy, paddleboard, kayak, or sailboat and enjoy the music and scenery from 3 to 6 p.m. on September 6. This free concert is held each year to raise funds and awareness for clean water efforts on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Consider making a donation to support the clean water initiatives of ShoreRivers. shorerivers.org/event/ shawbayraftup2025

Sunfish Challenge and Dinghy Distance Race: Pull that dinghy out of the garage or backyard, give it a rinse, and join this lighthearted race that has been a staple of the Hampton Roads area every September for nearly two decades. This year’s edition will unfold September

13. Historically the course goes around Middle Ground Light, and it’s not just for Sunfish. Almost any dinghy sailboat may participate. Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club. theclubspot.com

Ya’ Gotta Regatta: Looking to volunteer for a good cause? Ya Gotta Regatta on September 20 is the Downtown Sailing Center’s celebration of racers, cruisers, adaptive sailors, its Young Mariners program, camp staff, and volunteers. It is also the organization’s major fundraiser and the premier showcase of its accessible sailing program in Baltimore Harbor. Volunteers of all kinds are needed both on and off the water. downtownsailing.org

Seven Seas Cruising Association

Chesapeake Bay GAM: GAM with cruisers from circumnavigators to those who gunkhole the East Coast. This annual event runs September 26-28 at the Maryland Yacht Club and is open to everyone. Hundred cruisers of all levels show up for this exceptional learning and social opportunity, complete with seminars, happy hours, and potlucks. The keynote speaker will be Nigel Calder, noted author and wizard of boat mechanics and electronics. ssca.org/2025ChesapeakeGAM

ve things you should know about boat insurance

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

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

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

2. Accidents can happen to anyone

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

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

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

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

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

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?

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

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

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

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

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Go to progressive.com to learn more.

A Q&A With Kate Myers, Author of “Salty”

When we learned about a new novel called “Salty,” which was described as a “hilarious Caribbean page turner” and included a female luxury yacht captain, we were intrigued. When we discovered that the author, Kate Myers, grew up sailing in Severna Park, MD, we reached out to learn more about her boating and inspiration for her new book.

Did you come from a sailing family?

My dad is Mike Myers, who works at Bacon Sails. My mom is Anne Myers, who’s very active in the Annapolis Rotary and also used to travel all over the world in the boat business for One Design 48. My grandfather, Thomas Marshall Duer, was a founder of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Potapskut Sailing Association (PSA).

Did you sail as a child, and do you still sail or do other types of boating?

Yes, I went to sailing camps at PSA and Annapolis Sailing School and spent lots of time boating with my parents. Powerboating was more our family’s speed, and I spent a lot of time boating on the Severn River with my parents growing up. We have a powerboat now, an Edgewater, and love to take the kids out. I also love to standup paddleboard.

What sparked the idea for “Salty”?

The upstairs-downstairs elements of boating, the owners and the staff, and even the mechanics and marine engineers who work on boats: that professional mix is really interesting. My brother lives in Florida and has worked on charter fishing boats before, so that dynamic was part of it too.

What did your research for the book involve?

I had my second daughter right in the middle of writing and editing this book, so I wasn’t exactly boating in the Caribbean; but I drew upon my own family’s boating experience and did lots of online research. I also met with a local former marine engineer, Matt Jones (owner of Wildberry Market), who helped me a tremendous amount with his expertise. He told me so much about boat mechanics that I used in the book.

Did a licensed captain help you to write from that perspective?

I read a few memoirs of yacht captains and that helped me learn their perspectives and experiences. Luckily, with fiction, I didn’t have to be 100 percent accurate on all counts.

Have you ever sailed on a luxury yacht?

I have not, so if anyone out there has one, please invite me!

What would you like SpinSheet writers to know about your book and/or upcoming events?

I hope your readers enjoy “Salty” as a fun beach read, or as a book club choice. Find signed copies at Wyrd in Edgewater, Park Books in Severna Park, Annapolis Barnes & Noble, and of course online at Amazon.

Marine and Maritime Scholarships Awarded

Twelve amazing students have been awarded Eastport Yacht Club Foundation (EYCF) Marine & Maritime Scholarships for the coming school year. The group includes five new shining stars and eight returning high achievers that met the challenging criteria to continue in the program.

Now in its 11th year, the EYCF scholarship program supports the dreams of exceptional students with a passion for a career in the maritime world. It’s just one of the foundation’s annual programs that work to inspire and introduce students, starting as young as eight years old, to the marine and maritime world and all its exciting opportunities.

Scholarship committee chair, Mike Morris, truly enjoys the opportunity to

connect with students as they embark on the post-high school chapters of their lives. “It’s so encouraging to work with these smart, highly motivated kids and watch them evolve into successful adults traveling the world and living their dreams.”

Learn more about Marine & Maritime Scholarships and all the EYCF programs at eycfoundation.org

2025 New Recipients:

• Timothy “TJ” McClenahan will attend Massachusetts Maritime Academy and will major in Marine Transportation. At South River High School, he completed the two-year Marine Service Technology Program and worked part-time at Burr Yacht Sales.

• Maslen Bodgan is a rising sophomore at Florida Institute of Technology, majoring

in Ocean Engineering. His dream is to work in the emerging field that combines robotics and harnessing the ocean as a renewable energy source.

• Davison Naylor will attend Maine Maritime Academy and major in Marine Transportation. Post graduation he hopes to return to Baltimore and become a harbor ship pilot.

• Andrej Klema is a rising senior at Webb Institute studying Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. After graduation, Andrej plans to join the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program.

• Samuel Travis will attend Massachusetts Maritime Academy and major in Marine Engineering. He aspires to serve as a senior ship engineering officer on a merchant ship.

Sail Beyond Cancer Now Offers Sails on the Eastern Shore

Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis (SBCA) offers free three-hour private sails on the Chesapeake Bay for those being challenged by cancer and their loved ones. Each nominee, as they are called, may bring along five guests.

With the exception of a part-time executive director, SBCA is managed and operated by volunteers who coordinate with nominees to schedule the sails. Each sail is conducted by volunteer crew members consisting of an ambassador, first mate, and captain. SBCA volunteers dedicate many hours to ensure that nominees and their loved ones have the best experience possible.

Ian Diamond is one of SBCA’s new captain volunteers this season. Recently retired, Ian uses his own vessel, a 42foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, to conduct respite and memorial sails. While most of the sails originate in the Annapolis area, Ian has enabled SBCA to expand its reach and conduct sails from the Eastern Shore. Ian will be sailing from his home port, the Wharf at Handy’s Point, on Worton Creek, north of Chestertown.

Ian heard about the organization from a fellow volunteer captain, Bill Folkerts. While sailing with Bill, they talked about SBCA’s mission; Ian wanted to volunteer to make a difference. He saw it as a chance to provide some relief and joy to those suffering from cancer.

Ian’s most memorable sail was one with an eight-year-old boy and his family. The child had had more than 100 cancer treatments, and he and his family simply wanted a day to get away and create some lasting memories. Ian said, “My hope is that, when a participant gets off the boat, he says, ‘I hope I get to do that again.’”

SBCA is in its fourth year of operations on the Chesapeake. Anyone in treatment for cancer, any type of cancer, no matter where they reside or what age, is eligible to come sailing. Learn more at sailbeyondcancer.org/annapolis-md-chapter

F20 Years of Shaping Young Lives

or 20 years the Seafarers Yacht Club (SYC) Annapolis Summer Youth Program (SYP) has provided fun and education to local youth. Although it is designed and facilitated by sailors and boaters, the aim is to teach much more than seamanship. Academic and life skills are front and center too.

SYC board member and SYP committee chair Alice Mahan says, “The youth program, which began informally under the leadership of commodore Mel Wyche, now includes instruction in chess, swimming, citizenship, etiquette, kayaking, seamanship, and more. This year we accepted 40 children, ages 8 to 12, into the twoweek program. We provided lunch and snacks every day and gave them graduation gifts including a backpack filled with school supplies and a chess set. Ten exceptional students were awarded laptops made possible by a generous donor. As we mark 20 years of program-

ming, we now have past students who are college age and older. Seeing their growth is what is most rewarding.

“In addition to the growth of the children, the growth and development of our partnerships has been very important to us. We extend our deepest thanks to Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) for its grant supporting the 2025 program, which enabled us to continue offering life-saving swimming instruction, maritime education, STEM learning, and personal development, all free of charge. This generosity is more than a gift to our program; it’s an investment in the next generation of leaders.

“At our graduation ceremony, Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) Foundation members Maggie and Marty Roesch shared their inspirational and motivational sailing journey, and Peter Gibbons-Neff, Jr., a solo offshore racing sailor, shared his amazing adventures. Five SYP participants were

Linda “Lin” McCarthy, a Racer, Reporter, and Volunteer Extraordinaire

Lin McCarthy’s voluminous and immensely valuable contributions to SpinSheet originally arrived “over the transom,” which is a wonderful publishing term that every sailor will understand. We knew we had to cover the entire Chesapeake Bay—our readers and their boats were literally connected by the Bay, and a large percentage of our active and potential advertisers desired coverage and distribution through the entire region. Our magazine tagline, “The Chesapeake’s Own Sailing Magazine,” printed on the cover of every issue, literally promised as much.

However, securing a quality, reliable flow of original photos and reports from the Southern Bay proved challenging, especially in the earliest days of digital technology and internet. We had to find the right person, and it was a highly specific role. We needed a sailor who understood and was part of the scene; someone who could write accurately and smoothly and also take decent photos and

By David Gendell, SpinSheet Co-founder

caption them. A correspondent who was reliable, friendly, and well-respected were all highly desirable if not required traits. But that was not all. This may sound difficult to believe in 2025, but another part of the role was the task of packaging this information and getting it to Annapolis where we could turn it into magazine content.

Enter Lin McCarthy. Lin’s first reports began arriving from Tidewater Virginia in the late 1990s. I suspect that she began sending them, unsolicited, because she was frustrated with the quality and amount of Southern Bay coverage found in those early issues of SpinSheet and she, an active sailor who was organized, talented, and at the center of many Southern Bay sailing events, was perfectly positioned to change this. Lin’s early reports arrived in manilla envelopes sealed with metal clasps and shiny tape. “Do not bend” was marked on both sides.

Inside those envelopes were printed pages of race reports and results and a

collection of photo prints, usually with a carefully written caption taped to the back. Lin also included a 3.5-inch plastic computer disc in each package with digital versions of the reports and results burned onto it. We eagerly absorbed every bit of this content and began including it in the magazine under the heading “Southern Bay Report.” Lin’s name was added to the masthead. SpinSheet T-shirts and hats were regularly sent south; for Lin, her husband John, and a few extras for her to pass around on the docks and under the party tent. We also sent the computer discs back every month because they could be reused as Lin liked to do so.

This model—a valued, reliable correspondent covering an important but the faraway edge of our geographic scope— worked incredibly well. Eventually, the delivery of Lin’s content became all digital and her results, stories, and photos raced toward Annapolis through cables, wires, and the air itself. She started an email newsletter and called it “Southern Bay Racing News You Can Use,” and this proved tremendously popular and valuable to sailors. Yet even as technology improved, a human connection was forged and grew. Regattas and boats come and go, but the relationships we shape around and aboard them are the true treasures.

We first met Lin and John McCarthy in person at the Screwpile Regatta at Solomons, MD. In this era—late 1990s, early 2000s—the Screwpile was a massive annual gathering of the Chesapeake racing tribe. Located about 50 miles south of Annapolis and about 90 miles north of Hampton, the regatta emerged as a sort of neutral patch of water for braggingrights competition and as a yearly social convention of sailors from all corners of the Chesapeake. Lin and John were at the center of it all.

It seemed that everyone knew them, and everyone loved them. John was a fast-rising race management official who brought a thoughtful approach, a sailor’s expertise, and a wealth of good judgment to every assignment. He eventually became a leader of the Screwpile race management team, serving as principal race officer on Screwpile racing circles. He became a US Sailing-certified race officer

and judge. He led the race committee at the Hampton Yacht Club, with Lin working alongside, and was deeply involved in Southern Bay Race Week.

At those first Screpwile regattas we quickly learned that Lin—our Lin, she of the manila envelopes, printed photos, and plastic computer dics—was a warm and wonderful human being. We immediately realized that not only did we have a reliable and sharp correspondent, we had stumbled into a friendship with a very

special person. Over the years, from far corners of the Chesapeake, we celebrated wins, large and small, we mourned setbacks and losses, and we developed a real friendship built, as so many of the best ones are, on the water and along its edges.

Farewell Lin, and thank you. In your own unique, thoughtful, and warm way you left the sailing world and the world a better place.

Lin McCarthy will be missed but not forgotten.

The Southern Bay’s Go-To Person

We have heard so many kind words about Lin’s positive impact on the Southern Bay sailing scene. Scott Almond of Broad Bay Sailing Association summed it up perfectly: For what seemed like eternity:

• Lin was always the person to give you correct information about Southern Bay racing (races, CBYRA schedules, or contacts at other yacht clubs).

• Lin could tell you about rules workshops, US Sailing courses, etc.

• Lin was the source for information for Southern Bay Race Week and greeted you at the check-in with a smile.

• Lin sent out a weekly newsletter, SBRNYCU, that so many people couldn’t wait to read on Monday mornings... she was such a talented writer.

She knew and touched so many people; there simply isn’t anyone else like her. Above all, she was a kind soul, and everyone who knew her misses her.

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through Sep 1

Deal Island Skipjack Race and Festival Presented by the Deal Island - Chance Lions Club. Parade, food, live music, heritage and education exhibits, children’s activities, Skipjack Race, boat docking contest, and more.

5-6 Catamaran Central Open House

Come meet the Catamaran Central brokerage team at Anchorage Marina. They will be showcasing their local listings of boats ranging from 40 to 51 feet. A great opportunity to jump aboard your potential next boat and start living your catamaran dream. Questions: (802) 233-4773.

5-7 The Boaters’ Boat Show Celebrating classic cruising boats and the people who love them. No sales pitches, just real boats, real stories, and passionate owners sharing their pride, upgrades, and adventures. At Lighthouse Point Marina in Baltimore.

6 Ocean City Seafood Festival At Northside Park in Ocean City, MD.

6 5th Annual Portsmouth Paddle Battle

Participants will compete in SUP, kayak, and canoe categories on the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA, depending upon age/experience level. Music, good food, drinks, and special events for children, including the Junior Paddle Battle.

September

6 Shaw Bay Raftup Concert Raft up and relax with music by Eastport Oyster Boys and Wye River Band in lovely Shaw Bay along the Wye River. Bring your dinghy, paddleboard, kayak, or sailboat and enjoy the music and scenery. 3 to 6 p.m. Free. Consider making a donation to support the clean water initiatives of ShoreRivers.

9

CBMM Model Guild Sailboat Racing

These radio-controlled (RC) sailing races take place on CBMM’s Fogg’s Cove waterfront from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

11 Party in the Port

6 to 10 p.m. at Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis. Open to the public. Featuring live music by Misspent Youth. GA tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Rain or shine.

13 FamilyFest on the Potomac

Enjoy a full day of family fun along the Potomac at the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in Piney Point, MD, with live music, food, vendors, displays and a variety of kids and family activities. Free admission.

13

SS John W. Brown Living History Cruise

“Honoring Those Who Served.” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. aboard the SS John W. Brown World War II Liberty Ship on the Patapsco River. Each six-hour day cruise features: music of the 40s and 50s, period entertainment and historical re-enactments, fly-bys (weather permitting) of vintage World War II aircraft, tours of the ship, and more. Tickets: ssjohnwbrown.org

13-14 Maryland Seafood Festival

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. New this year: the festival is partnering with Skipjack heritage days to bring you an up-close look at the cultural heritage of Skipjacks on the Chesapeake.

18 A2B Happy Hour

Come mingle with past participants, registered crews, and organizers of the Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race. Whether you’re a seasoned offshore sailor or are contemplating the challenge as skipper or crew, come learn more about the 2026 A2B. From finding the right boat/crew, keeping seasickness at bay, to finding the best offshore gear and investing in your sailing safety! At Eastport YC.

19-20 Seattle Yachts

Annapolis Boat Show

Preview Open House

Friday 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seattle Yachts Annapolis. Nimbus T9, C9, W11, T11, C11, and 305 Coupe will be on display and available.

20 Boatyard Beach Bash

4 to 10 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Concert for a cause! Let yourself be whisked away to Key West as you immerse yourself in the incomparable talent of world-class musicians, and members of the iconic Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. General Admission Tickets: $150; includes drinks and delicious food plus six hours of entertainment.

20 Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Tour

The duration of the tour is two hours and includes a 30-minute boat ride to the lighthouse, a docent led tour of the interior, and a 30-minute return boat ride. Tours depart from Annapolis, Maryland. Two tours are offered each day. One at 9:30 a.m. and the other one at 12 p.m.

21 Dinner and a Cruise Series: St. Clement’s Island Museum

Cruise the waters of the Potomac River near St. Clement’s Island with fresh eyes, looking at the issues surrounding the local ecosystem and what makes this historic waterway unique and worth preserving. All cruises will leave the dock at 4 p.m.

23 CBMM Model Guild Sailboat Racing

These radio-controlled (RC) sailing races take place on CBMM’s Fogg’s Cove waterfront from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

23-27 TrawlerFest Baltimore

Seminars Sept. 23-Sept. 27 at Courtyard Marriott and Homewood Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor. In-water boat show Sept. 25-Sept. 27 at Harbor East Marina.

26-28 SSCA Chesapeake Bay GAM

GAM with cruisers, from circumnavigators to those with long seasons in the Bahamas and Caribbean and those who gunkhole the East Coast. Keynote speaker is Nigel Calder, wizard of boat mechanics and electrics. There will be presentations, hands-on sessions, and social events. New this year: Safety for Cruising Couples. The GAM is open to SSCA members and non-members.

27

4th Annual Havre de Grace Lighted Boat Parade

7 p.m. in Havre de Grace, MD. All registered captains will receive a free T-shirt and swag bag worth over $100. Registered boats will compete for trophies and prizes in five categories. Registration is $10 and can be completed at the HdG Visitor Center or on Eventbrite.

September Racing

through Sep 26

Oxford Amateur Racing Series “OARS” Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.

6

Navy Sailing Fall Oxford Race

Co-hosted by Navy Sailing and Annapolis YC.

6 Tri-Services Cup

Hosted by Old Point Comfort YC, Norfolk Naval Sailing Association, and Lynnhaven Yacht Club.

6-7

MRYC Log Canoe Labor Day Series

Hosted by Miles River YC, St. Michaels, MD.

6-7 Rappahannock Cup Regatta

Hosted by Rappahannock River YC, Irvington, VA.

6-7

Star Class District #2 Championships

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

The ‘Port Is Back And Bigger Than

7

Middle Ground Light Race

Hosted by Hampton YC.

13

BBSA End of SummerEquinox Race

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.

13

MRYC Log Canoe Higgins/ Commodore Cups

Hosted by Miles River YC, St. Michaels, MD.

13 Sunfish Challenge and Dinghy Distance Race

Hosted by Hampton YC.

13-14 Penguin Class International Championship

Hosted by the Corsica River YC, Centreville, MD.

14

CBMM Log Canoe Bartlett Cup

Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD.

14

CCVR Fall Series 1

Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake.

14 Hospice Cup

Hosted by Sailing Club of the Chesapeake with assistance from Storm Trysail Club and Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association.

19-21 Annapolis YC 3-2-1 Invitational

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

20 AYC Fall Race to Solomons

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

20 DSC Ya Gotta Regatta

Hosted by the Downtown Sailing Center, Baltimore.

20 OPCYC Yankee Station Series 5

Hosted by Old Point Comfort YC, Hampton, VA.

20 Pumpkin Patch Regatta at Tred Avon YC

Inaugural Pumpkin Patch Jr Sail Regatta for Opti Green, Opti RWB, Junior ILCA6. and Club 420 classes.

20-21 ILCA Regatta

Hosted by Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, Dewey Beach, DE.

21 CCVR Fall Series 2

Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake.

24-28 J/88 North American Championshiops

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

27 BBSA Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.

27-28 AYC Fall Series 1 Hosted by Annapolis YC.

October

2 The World Is Your Oysterfest Party at the B&O Railroad Museum, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Shucking Competition and Shuck Like a Pro workshop. Proceeds go to the Oyster Recovery Partnership.

2-5

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

3-5

Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD.

9-12

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

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.

16-19 RC DragonFlight95 Nationals

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

18 Oyster Festival

On the West River in Shady Side at the Captain Avery Museum.

21 Boater Education: How To Use GPS

Presented by Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron. Zoom 7-9 p.m. $15.

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.

25 CBMM OysterFest

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD.

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.

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

Date changed from August to October! 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.

17-18 J/22 and J/24 East Coast Championships

Hosted by Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD.

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 Champsionship

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.

tart

Where Are They Now?

As told to Beth Crabtree

For more than 10 years we’ve brought you inspiring stories of sailors who took up the sport as adults. This month we catch up with Harish Neelakandan and Bill and Patty Allman.

From beginner to instructor:

Harish Neelakandan

We originally interviewed Harish 10 years ago, when he had recently learned to sail at the Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) in Baltimore. Here is his update.

I have continued my day-sailing and cruising activities at the DSC as well as at the new Peninsula Sailors. In addition, I am a US Sailing Instructor and teach

# Sailing in Baltimore Harbor.

Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, and Coastal Navigation at the DSC and at J/World Annapolis. I’m also an ASA Instructor of 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 at the Annapolis Sailing School.

When I occasionally visit the West Coast, I sail and teach at Redwood City’s Spinnaker Sailing. I also coach some private instruction. I have a USCG Master’s 25-Ton Captain’s license with Sailing and Towing endorsements. Becoming an instructor greatly helped solidify my sailing skills; one has to really know and understand what one is teaching. I have learned immensely from my fellow coaches and even from my students. Since I learned to sail as an adult, I remember what it was like to be an inexperienced sailor, and that helps me tailor my teaching approach to my mostly adult students.

I primarily sail in Baltimore and Annapolis, but I also love cruising the Chesapeake Bay. I’ve been racing at the DSC’s Thursday Night one-design J/22 spinnaker class race series for 10 years. I’ve also raced off and on at BCYA’s Tuesday Night Races, AYC’s Wednesday Night Races, AYC’s Frostbite series, J/World’s Thursday Night Race series, and the Annapolis

Sailing School’s Sunday/Monday night racing. In addition to sailing with my fellow sailors, I very much enjoy taking non-sailor friends and family out on the water when they visit.

I started out sailing in Baltimore and branched out to Annapolis, and even a bit to the San Francisco Bay area, and the friends I’ve made along the way are truly special and lifelong. I remember one of the senior DSC skippers from years ago used to say that “sailing is the great equalizer.” At the time, I don’t think I fully appreciated the importance of that statement, but now I do. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from, what your socio-economic status is, how educated you are: once you’re out on the water with others, we’re all “in the same boat!”

Volunteering at the DSC is a joyful endeavor because we are truly helping make sailing accessible to everyone. Same goes with Peninsula Sailors, because both these sailing “clubs” are very, very affordable. I remember, growing up in India, dreaming about sailing, but not being able to afford the sport. Today, these community sailing centers have brought sailing to anyone and everyone who wishes to try it out, without having to worry about how expensive it may be.

From the West River to catamaran cruising and wooden boat school in Maine: Bill and Patty Allman

We first introduced Bill and Patty Allman in 2017, a year after they had taken a sailing course at West River Sailing Club in Galesville, MD, and purchased a Flying Scot, Rhapsody. In August Bill provided an update on the couple’s sailing journey.

Our sailing sights are now set in Maine, where we are staying for the summer. We recently took a course at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklyn, ME, which was terrific, and we are getting out on the water in a friend’s boat, a Bullseye. The boat, which is approximately 16 feet in length, has a lead keel—which is nice to have in the Maine winds!”

“Sadly, Covid, as well as a family health emergency, took us out of the U.S. for some time

and put a bit of a dent in our local sailing adventures (fortunately, both issues have subsided). However, while we were out of the country, we sailed on catamarans in the

Find a Sailing School

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

Azores, Panama, and Cuba... all wonderful adventures.

When we return to Washington, DC, in the fall, we hope to continue our sailing adventures.

Chesapeake Bay Sailing Schools

• 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 learn2sailwrsc.com

Stories of the Century Welcome to Spectacular September!

With its mild water temperatures, great breeze, and whiff of autumn in the air, SpinSheet Century Club members know that September is a spectacular month for boating on just about any vessel. It’s the time of year when we at SpinSheet receive numerous notifications from boaters who have reached their goals of 100 days on the water—and also the season in which those whose summers got busy start to focus on logging on-water days before it gets cold outside.

If you’re new to the club, know that the journey is more important than the destination. Even if you can only log half of the 100-day goal, it’s still gratifying to find more time on the water. It’s not too late to join our Century Club 2025 challenge. It’s free and open to all boaters: sailors, paddlers, powerboaters, anglers, and combinations of all of those. Find the rules at spinsheet.com/join-spinsheet-century-club.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

An Abundance of Cruising Options Along the Choptank River

By Captain Cheryl Duvall

Every season we look forward to pointing our bow towards the mouth of the Choptank River to visit the quaint towns and peaceful anchorages that line its shores. Oxford and Cambridge are obvious choices, but there are hidden gems along the way or within a short detour.

Along the Way

Approaching the Choptank from the North Boaters approaching the Choptank River from the north have a decision to make: take the shortcut through Knapps Narrows or the longer route around the south end of Tilghman Island? That answer may vary each journey, depending on draft, currents, tidal range, local knowledge, and courage. With our five-anda-half-foot draft, we have braved this passage a few times, holding our breath and being grateful for good advice.

If you go through Knapps Narrows, you may pass near Poplar Island, which is being rebuilt with dredged material. When the restoration began in 2001, the island had eroded to less than five acres. Now the island encompasses more than 1700 acres. Home to large nesting colonies, it is also a popular stopover site for migratory birds. I recently enjoyed a private group tour of the island and was surprised to discover the vast ecosystem that isn’t visible through binoculars as we sail by. To learn more, visit maryland-DMMP.com.

There are marinas and restaurants at Knapp Narrows, as well as suitable

anchorages up Harris Creek. We have stayed in Dun and Waterhole Coves, leaving our dinghy at a public dock to walk to Lowe’s Wharf on the Bay side for dinner. For provisioning, there’s a well-stocked country store on the main road just south of the bridge.

Are you aware that St. Michaels can be accessed “on the back side” from the Choptank rather than the Miles River? By sailing up Broad Creek, you can anchor in San Domingo Creek, about 10 nautical miles from Knapps Narrows

Bridge. It’s a wide and deep enough anchorage, with easy access to a public dinghy dock at the end of Chew Avenue. It’s a five-minute walk to the charming town with many shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Approaching the Choptank from the South

When approaching from the south, sailors often explore the Little Choptank River before continuing to the mouth of the larger river. Mind

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

your depths, especially near James Island, which may appear as shallows on your charts since most of the island is underwater. There is good news! James will soon be restored with dredge material, as Poplar Island has been.

The Little Choptank offers many gunkhole options depending on desired wind protection, with good depths and wide expanses. A few years ago, we enjoyed an idyllic anchorage in Hudson Creek on Labor Day weekend near Casson Point, a popular fishing hole. We were one of only two sailboats tucked just inside.

Great Towns Along the Choptank

When entering the Choptank River from the Bay, sailors will pass the imposing Sharps Island Light. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was struck by an ice floe in 1977 and now leans 15 degrees as it warns of shallow waters at the

mouth of the river. If buoys and depths are carefully observed, you may make a safe passage from either north or south of the light. Once inside the Choptank River, sailors have delightful choices for exploring several Eastern Shore towns and quiet coves.

Oxford

The quaint town of Oxford is just 11 miles away from the Choptank’s mouth, at the beginning of the Tred Avon River. Part of its rich history will become apparent as you near Red 2 and dodge the nation’s oldest private ferry that runs between Oxford and Bellevue every 20 minutes.

For a transient slip at one of several marinas in Town Creek, or a spot in the limited anchorage closer to town, turn to starboard through the narrow channel. You might be able to secure free dockage while dining at Capsize, or even an overnight slip for a nominal

fee. If you choose to anchor farther away, many tranquil coves along the Tred Avon can satisfy any forecasted winds. We’ve dropped the hook in Plaindealing Creek, Flatty Cove, and Goldsborough Creek, with the latter being our favorite.

We take the dinghy into Town Creek and tie up at the end of Market Street. It’s a short walk to Morris Street for lunch at the Oxford Market, gift shopping at the Treasure Chest, or dinner at the Robert Morris Inn. There’s a scenic park across from the Scottish Highland Creamery, perfect for eating hand-dipped ice cream while lazily watching sailboats on the river. We often shop for used books at Mystery Loves Company and enjoy visiting the Oxford Museum or Oxford Library for local culture.

Easton

We have never ventured the additional six miles up the Tred Avon to Easton, but we have sailing friends who rave about it. Stately homes line the river, including the estate that was in the 2000 film “The Wedding Crashers.” Our friends typically anchor in Peach Blossom Creek with generous space and depths. They dinghy farther up the river to Easton Point Marina, which is under new management. The marina has transient slips, sells ethanol-free gasoline, and allows dinghies to tie up. From there, it’s a 25-minute walk up Port Street to the historic town whose population of 17,000 enjoys

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

great restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Boat guests may join or depart via the Bay Runner Shuttle bus that operates between BWI Airport and other Maryland towns several times per day.

Cambridge

We have sailed to Cambridge at least a dozen times over the last 15 years. This historic city is about 16 miles from the mouth of the Choptank and is well worth the trip. Sailors may opt for a transient slip at the edge of town near Long Wharf Park, at the Cambridge Yacht Basin, or at the Cambridge Yacht Club. From there, they can watch competitive Wednesday night keelboat racing or Thursday night dinghy racing, and take a short walk into town for dining or shopping.

There is also an adjacent anchorage, just before these slips, but it only offers protection from southwest winds. For that reason, and for easier access to the walkable town, we typically turn hard to starboard before the fixed Route 50 bridge. We follow the well-marked channel of Cambridge Creek and tie up at the municipal bulkhead near Snappers restaurant, enjoying free dockage at the county wall for up to 72 hours. That’s ample time to explore the town, reprovision, or dine at one of 20 restaurants. For those in search of pampering, the waterfront Hyatt Regency is three miles away and offers spa treatments, golfing, and other resort amenities.

About 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

Amazing Options

Wherever you choose to sail along the Choptank, whether in search of peaceful anchorages or quaint historic towns, you will discover a range of experiences that only the Chesapeake can offer within a few short hours of sailing. Go explore! P

A Chesapeake Fairy Tale:

The Damselfly and Dragonlet

By Pamela Tenner Kellett

September is a lovely time to sail on the Chesapeake, as the humidity of summer fades and the winds begin to become brisker. This is the time of year that the dragonflies and damselflies of the Chesapeake’s rivers, wetlands, ponds, and marshes will lay their last set of eggs and conclude their life cycle.

Maryland has seven main families of dragonflies with names that seem like either fun types of fairy or a variety of dinosaur: spiketails, darners, petaltails, emeralds, river cruisers, and pond skimmers. North America’s only marine dragonfly is the tiny seaside dragonlet, and its larva can survive in the saline waters of the tidal marshes. If it hasn’t already been written, “The Damselfly and the Dragonlet” seems like a children’s fairy tale. Throw in some missing emeralds and a river cruise, and it is destined to be a classic.

The odonates are carnivorous insects with powerful jaws who spend the majority of their life in an aquatic larval stage. Molting from six to 15 times, dragonflies and damselflies can remain in their aquatic larval form called naiads from one to six years. When they emerge as adults with wings, they bypass the pupal phase and are considered “incomplete metamorphoses.”

Dragonflies have fixed horizontal wings and large bulging eyes, while damselflies’ wings are held vertically and their eyes bulge on the side. Aerial acrobats,

the dragonflies are an ancient predator with fossil records dating 325 million years. The largest of the flying insects, their lacy wings do not work in direct coordination which allows for great maneuverability. Clocking in at up to 30 miles per hour, these fierce predators eat small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic insects. They capture prey using their legs which they shape into a basket snare. Their large eyes can have as many as 28,000 facets compared to a housefly which has 4000. The six-sided facets register light and dark, and the larger the number of facets the more precise the image. With incredible distance vision

for an insect, dragonflies can detect motion up to 40 feet away. It is easy to imagine them in the time of the dinosaurs when the fossil record indicates they had a 30-inch wingspan.

Mating happens on the wing. The pair lands on a plant stalk or over the water, and the female deposits the fertilized eggs. Egg laying can occur several times over the summer and wraps up in September. Add a dragonfly field guide to your boat’s bookshelf, and learn to identify these fascinating insects which come in a wide variety of dazzling colors. Fairy tale submissions to SpinSheet will be appreciated.

It’s Almost Show Time!

Your sneak peek at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, the biggest in-water show of the year.

The Annapolis Sailboat Show is right around the corner, and now is the time to start planning your visit. The show will run Thursday, October 9 through Sunday, October 12 (no show on Monday). Whether you are seriously shopping for a new boat, poised to purchase some new gear, or simply want to walk the docks and dream, this show is the place for you and your family. Packed with boats of all sizes, products from the top manufacturers, and a variety of educational opportunities, the Annapolis Show is the biggest and best. Be sure to pick up the October SpinSheet for even more detailed information

Highlights

VIP Experience

Presented by LaVictoire Finance, the VIP Experience includes show admission and exclusive access to the VIP lounge, which features mimosas and bloody Marys at 10 a.m., a continental breakfast, full bar beginning at noon, buffet lunch, afternoon appetizers, comfortable seating, and live music. The perfect spot for show-goers who want to be pampered or escape the crowds. Valid for one day only.

Boats, boats, boats!

The show has a stunning line-up of boats making their North American debuts and world premieres. Be among the first to climb aboard. There will be hundreds of

vessels on display, both in-water and on land. Check annapolisboatshows.com for the complete boat list, which is regularly updated and searchable by size, type, or manufacturer. You’ll also find a few of them on pages 46 and 47.

Skill-builders

Did you know that the show brings a wide range of educational opportunities? From beginner courses to seminars for sailors preparing to go offshore, go to annapolisboatshows.com and reserve your space now. In addition, free daily seminars will cover everything from weather to fiberglass repairs to photography for sailors, and much, much more. No reservation is required. Find the whole lineup at annapolisboatshows.com/sailboat-show/ education

Gear and accessories

Stroll through the show tents and you will find every type of sailing gear and gadget imaginable. Whether you are looking for fenders, electronics, sunglasses, an anchor, foulies, navigation tools, sails, a new winch, or that veryspecific gizmo that no one seems to carry, we’ll bet you can find just what you need inside the show.

Paradise found

If you’ve ever wondered about taking a charter vacation or putting your vessel into a charter fleet, come to the show and visit Vacation Basin. Meet with charter companies, speak with tourism boards, learn about fractional ownership, and explore options for adventure travel and vacations in exotic destinations.

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Tickets

Visit annapolisboatshows.com to purchase tickets or head to the box office at Dock Street.

Preview Day: $55

General Admission: $32

Preview Day and General Admission Combo: $82

Child ages 7-15: $10; children age 6 years and younger enter for free

Two-Day General Admission Combo: $59

Military Personnel Day, Sunday only: $22, available to active duty, veterans, retired, and spouses. Must show ID at entrance.

VIP Experience: $251.75

When you go

Location: City Dock, Annapolis

Dates: Thursday, October 9 through Sunday, October 12

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

Sunday

Timeless Tender, Endless Memories

Premiering Boats and Amazing Products

New boats and cool products to put at the top of your must-see list. At print time these boats and products are planned to be at the Annapolis Sailboat Show. For the latest updates, visit annapolisboatshows.com. Turn to our October issue for more debuting vessels and exceptional products that you won’t want to miss at the show.

Inflatable Tender

TruKit’s inflatables balance portability with rugged build, ready to get you to shore or back to the mothership. A catamaran design makes them ideal tenders, balancing stability, capacity, and portability. New aluminum transoms provide a stiff yet lightweight structure to transfer the power of the outboard. Land space 62

Flipper, a foldable winch handle

Flipper by Easysea is the only winch handle that folds flat and locks directly onto the winch, so it never gets lost or dropped. Its patented design enables instant deployment and stowage with one hand, offering unmatched ease of use, space-saving storage, and enhanced safety in dynamic sailing conditions. Land space 19 at Brainbridge International

Annapolis Sailboat Show

Fountaine-Pajot 44

The new Fountaine-Pajot 44 offers a fully opening window, a central island, and a serving hatch at the front, plus generous relaxation space in the cockpit, on the flybridge, and forward of the coachroof. Available with three or four cabins, ODSea+ electric drivetrain, and solar panels. Dock B

Sirius 35 DS

This show is the first time for the Sirius DS to display at a North American boat show. Be among the first in our area to see the unique deck saloon concept offering a 360-degree view from the saloon. Twin keel configuration combines sailing performance with unmatched versatility and safety, especially for cruising near shoals and shallow water. Dock S

Sunrise Shade

The Sunrise Shade, by Sunrise Yacht Products, is a refined, tensioned canopy system designed to deliver effective sun protection for multihulls. Engineered with UV-resistant mesh and durable webbing, the Sunrise Shade installs securely across catamaran decks without flapping fabric or complex rigging and stays quiet and taut under tension. Tent D 84/ 85

Beneteau First 30

Built to deliver the exhilaration of planing, the ease of handling, and the comfort of cruising, the Beneteau First 30 is a planing cruiser with a wide cockpit and clean deck layout. Choose a racing or cruising cockpit configuration. Dock F2

COPPERCOAT

Newbie's Guide To Chartering

By Zuzana Prochazka

Tips for first-timers on a sailing charter.

Contemplating a vacation under sail? It’s easier than you think. Here are some pro tips on planning, executing, and enjoying a sailing charter whether in the British Virgin Islands, Mexico, Croatia, or beyond.

Bareboat or crewed?

First, decide how you want to sail. Will you be the skipper on a bareboat and have responsibility for navigating, anchoring, troubleshooting, and generally managing the charter, or do you prefer to let a captain handle the boat and maybe a chef do the cooking? Professionals aboard a crewed charter mitigate risk and stress, but they also make the charter less private and more expensive. No experience is necessary.

To bareboat charter, you must have some experience. It’s less expensive, but you’ll need basic sailing, anchoring, and docking skills. You’ll plan the itinerary, monitor weather, and tend to your crew. Some charter companies offer a midpoint solution by providing a “partial captain” who’ll stay aboard for one to three days until you learn the ropes.

Where to go, who to book with, and what kind of boat to choose?

There are many places to go and lots of charter companies to choose from, both regional and international. Both experiences can be good, but for the first outing you may want to stick with one of the “majors” because they offer booking advice, easy payments, loads of support onsite, and decent boats.

The Moorings, Sunsail, and Dream Yacht Charter may be a bit more expensive than local outfits, but they offer fewer surprises along the way. For example, vacation planners at Sunsail answer questions on the phone and handhold you through the process. Start with a company’s website for fleet information, destinations, packing tips, and sample itineraries

The British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean are the most popular destination for

# Sunset in Cuba.

beginners due to line-of-sight navigation, steady trade winds, and lots of shoreside entertainment like restaurants and bars. With greater skill comes more adventure, so soon you’ll be able to explore the farflung islands of Greece, the remoteness of the Sea of Cortez, or the beauty of Tahiti. Choose between a monohull and a catamaran. Monohulls are usually smaller, easier to handle, and typically cheaper. They’re also more plentiful in the Med. Tropical destinations tend to offer more cats that have a shallower draft and more room, separation, and privacy aboard.

When to book, when to go, and whom to bring?

Like tour companies, charter organizations operate on high, low, and shoulder seasons. The Mediterranean is busy in the summer while the Caribbean perks up in the winter. The key is to avoid hurricane, typhoon, and meltemi seasons, which bring strong winds to different parts of the world. Shoulder season is less busy, offers lower prices, and sees smaller crowds in anchorages and restaurants. Shoulder season in the Caribbean is May and June and early November, while the Med is less crowded in May and October. Some charter companies offer pricing discounts or extra days (such as 10 days for the price of seven), so ask about specials. Depending on the destination and time of year, plan to book six to 10 months in advance. If booking for peak season holidays such as Christmas or New Year’s or peak summer in the Med, make it 10 to 12 months ahead. For off-peak cruising, you may be able to book three to six months out, and if you have a flexible schedule, you may be able to take advantage of last-minute deals.

For your first time, target a few days or a week, and don’t over-plan your itinerary. Be flexible, stay in the present, and if you like a specific place, be spontaneous and take extra time. Rushing makes for a lousy vacation and a cranky crew. Speaking of which, choose your crew carefully. Bringing non-sailors, non-campers, young kids, and the seasick will definitely impact your vacation.

What about paperwork, briefings, and costs?

For bareboating, you’ll sign a contract, and you’ll need your sailing resume and crew list with the names and passport information of all guests. You’ll also complete insurance waivers and arrival information.

Technical and chart briefings are essential, so don’t plan to skip them. Some companies require you to watch online videos prior to arrival and attend onsite briefings as well. The chart briefing walks you through setting an itinerary and provides local knowledge. The tech briefing teaches you how to run the boat’s systems such as the generator, tank manifolds, electronics, and dinghy operation. Both briefings are invaluable.

TExpect to add insurance fees and fuel and provisioning costs to the charter base price. For crewed charters, plan a tip of 10 to 20 percent of the base cost of the charter for the crew. Consider adding toys such as SUPs and kayaks, but remember these are priced per day or per the length of the charter, and they’re not cheap. For best results choose the “partial provisioning” option if there is one where you have some basic foodstuff brought aboard by

the company, but you’ll also have the flexibility to dine out often.

Why not start now?

Chartering isn’t hard, and there are so many tools to help along the way. If you’re new to boating, consider a crewed charter. If not, take the plunge on your own. A bareboat sail in the BVI may open doors to a lifetime of adventure vacations around the world.

Charter Directory

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

New Horizons

By Cindy Wallach

After 26 years aboard, a cruising family makes a lifestyle change. And that’s okay.

Change is a constant for cruising sailors: the weather, the sea state, your location, what’s working and what’s not on the boat, the people you meet, and the food you eat. It’s part of the allure of the lifestyle. We celebrate the unknown beyond the horizon, feel the rush of handling challenges, and relish spinning those challenges into tall tales with other sailors. Sailors love to raise a glass and toast to the winds of change. When cruisers make the change to shift out of the lifestyle

though, it’s often spoken about in hushed voices and sympathetic looks usually reserved for a medical diagnosis.

There’s a long list of little things and big things that led to our family deciding to move off of our sailboat after 26 years aboard as full-time liveaboards and switch gears to try out land life for the first time since my husband and I were in our 20s.

Not being in our 20s anymore ranks high on that long list. With all respect to retired cruisers everywhere, we have

always known that we do not want to grow old on a boat. We enjoyed the thrill of living simply, off-grid, and by the whims of the wind when we were young. It was a challenge we welcomed when our children were brought home to the boat as newborns. And now? Well, now the physical part is noticeably taxing, the challenges are tiresome rather than invigorating, and frankly, the thrill is gone. And that’s okay.

It’s personal

Of course, there are more personal reasons, too. Our last hurricane season saw a big shift. Our oldest left the boat to strike out on his own adventures. We bought this boat 10 days before he was born. The boat felt empty without him.

I also injured myself in a dumb battle with a mooring ball in the BVI; the mooring ball won. The mooring ball always wins. It was months before

I was able to get proper care, months of pain and limited mobility. It was a wake-up call on how cruising life impacts the aging body. And in the theme of aging, our parents now face building challenges as they age. We want to be close by to help them and spend quality time with them because if there is one thing that living on a boat teaches you, it’s that family and relationships are more important than anything.

The kids are growing up, and that changes our perspective, too. Our oldest was always happy under sail, underwater, and fishing. Our youngest longs for chickens, cucumber plants, and friends who don’t sail away. When she was tiny, she was just as happy to hang with whatever kid we met next. She’s reached the age where forming attachments and relationships matter. And that’s okay.

My husband has been dreaming of a garden for a while now. He’s a very patient person. I was the last hold out

in the family. Between hurting myself and seeing our daughter so heartbroken when her friend group sailed in three different directions, I knew it was time.

This isn’t to say we no longer love to sail because, believe me, we still love nothing more than the pull of a solid vessel across a smooth sea. For the same reasons people give up land life in middle age for a life at sea, we are doing it backwards. We’re ready for something new.

A shift in the community

Stepping back from the personal, we also noticed a shift in the cruising community. This hotly debated topic is discussed at length in cockpits and rapid WhatsApp conversations. Pardon me for sounding like a geezer, but for us, it’s not like it used to be. Things change as they are supposed to in a healthy community, but we realized that this shift no longer suited us and

our values. And that’s okay.

Here is the part that may get me some hate mail. The post-Covid YouTube cruising crowd is not the cruising community we know and love that lured us 26 years ago. People doing this for “likes and follows” are not the same as those who consciously chose to break away from mainstream society to live close to nature and in a community where relationships matter more than episodes or social media posts. We still managed to find our tribe, but it was more challenging to relate to and connect deeply with most cruisers we met post-Covid. Is the shift in the cruising community, or is the shift in us? Yes, to both.

Moving off the boat doesn’t mean we will stop traveling or exploring. In 2024, we traveled more than 25,000 miles; less than half of that was under sail. There are other ways to see the world aside from the deck of a boat, and there are other ways to get time on the water without having your own boat.

What now?

We plan to spend more time collecting fresh eggs, taking long walks in the woods, and watching the bird feeder. Seriously, why didn’t any of my landlubber friends tell me about the addictive thrill of watching a bird feeder in middle age?

When we finally made the decision to stop full-time boat life, we were shocked at the language used in response. We heard it all when we shared with others: swallowing the anchor, quitting, giving up, can’t hack it, no more adventures, the end of travel, and even, “So you finally decided to grow up?” Ouch.

I found it shocking and, frankly, really odd. Our self-worth is not tied up in being a cruiser. It’s a tribe we love,

a huge piece of our hearts and souls, but our identity is not wrapped up in our lifestyle. It’s not important to us to be known as “the cruisers,” “the boat schoolers,” or “the liveaboards.” The only thing we want to be known as is, hopefully, “good people.”

A dear friend and incredibly skilled sailor named George Huffman passed away last year. He said it best when he told me about his “Three Pillars.” No matter where or how you spend your days, ask yourself: “Have I acted passionately about something? Have I had some fun? Have I helped someone?”

As we start a new chapter off our boat, we will continue to make new friends, nourish community, help others, learn all we can, travel near and far, and have adventures. Onward!

About the Author: After 26 years living aboard and 17 of them writing for SpinSheet, Cindy Wallach and her family

moved off their catamaran and to North Carolina. Find their Francis 44 Catamaran Majestic for

What’s Our Air Draft?

By John Herlig

A tall-masted boat approaches a bridge…

The problems from the first few days of the delivery were common ones: charging issues, an oil leak, and a feathering prop that didn’t want to feather. But hitting the Morehead City Bridge in Beaufort, NC, was a new wrinkle.

Despite the owner being onboard, responsibility fell on me, as I was the captain. As many times as I have tried, I can’t quite recreate the exact sequence of events that led to our mishap. We discussed our air draft before we departed Georgia and information about the 2013 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey was passed along from her new owner to me. Notes were made and plans were drawn. I knew we were a bit tall, but I

also knew that we were ICW compliant… on paper.

Cape Hatteras and the Graveyard of the Atlantic loomed large ahead of us as we sailed north under worsening conditions, and soon enough, bailing out into Beaufort looked inevitable. It was at the entrance to the inlet that one of my crew pointed out that it was Memorial Day Weekend, which marks the official beginning of the summer boating and fishing season and the day all unqualified boat operators decide to operate boats. Most of these folks appeared to be in Beaufort.

The first order of business was to take on fuel and water, which we successfully did after waiting for about 100 center consoles to drift this way and that so that we could turn into the current and tie off to the fuel dock. With our tanks full, we pulled off the town dock and anchored in Beaufort’s narrow basin where the crew napped, cooked dinner, and eventually all went to bed at a shamefully reasonable hour. The next morning our delivery switched from Mother Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway, bringing a relief that did not last long. In fact, it lasted only until the first bridge.

The details get a little murky as I try to recall approaching the Morehead CityNewport River Bridge, details that included how high I had been told the mast was, the unknown amounts of “stuff” atop the mast, and an impossible-to-read tide board

that showed something around 65 feet. Or maybe it was 63. Parts of my brain thought it was enough. None of my gut agreed. We approached the bridge at a crawl.

My junior crew was on the foredeck watching the masthead through a pair of binoculars while my second in command was in the cockpit next to me. I handed her the air horn. “Just in case,” I said. We approached the bridge’s fenders at forward idle, making just enough speed to maintain steerage. As we reached the fenders, I slid the boat into neutral, knowing she would glide. By the time the top of the mast approached the first bridge girder, I had her in reverse idle. Just in case, I told myself.

The crunch of the windex hitting the girder wasn’t terrible, all in all. The junior crew let out a shout to reverse course. I looked at my number two with the air horn. “Five blasts,” I said. “Now.” My right foot kicked the throttle astern. The prop bit, and the boat began extricating herself from the bridge as the airhorn wailed its warning. Looking up I could see that we still had a VHF whip, and we still had a mast. It could have been a lot worse. We limped a short distance out of the channel, dropped the hook on a short stretch of chain, and took stock of the boat, what we had done wrong, and what our options were.

We gleaned information from every possible source including a more accu-

Cruising Life

rate assessment of our air-draft from the owner’s manual, innumerable texts with friends who have similar clearance issues, and a more refined examination of the tide charts. The bottom line was simple: every option stunk. The high-masted folks are no doubt tsk-tsking me for being so naïve. I probably deserve that. I didn’t appreciate your challenges.

A couple of strangely relaxing hours at anchor by the bridge were enough to let the tide drop, and when we reattempted the bridge’s spans, we sailed through without incident. The telltale ting! ting! ting! of the VHF whip snapping under the bridge girders was the only evidence of our height issues. We carried on northward.

The promise of clearance issues at the Hobucken and Wilkerson bridges had none of us very excited. After a full review of our choices, the owner and I decided to try a challenging shortcut called The Old House Channel. This route runs through the Pamlico Sound past Pea Island and east of Roanoke Island, far removed from the scariest of the low-clearance bridges of the northern ICW, but through a seemingly endless stretch of shoaling waters that are sometimes virtually impassable. We both

preferred the thought of a soft grounding over a dismasting by bridge and so made the decision.

The timing left us transiting our shortcut in the dark of night, during which our junior crew picked out unlit day markers with the cordless spotlight while my second was just outside the cockpit reading water depth and communicating back and forth between me and the foredeck. We crept through the unforgiving channel, zigzagging around shallows, and shoaling in the darkest of dark. The owner sat at my elbow, watching the depth gauge with wide eyes.

Freedom was just around the corner as we approached the Washington Baum Bridge at sunrise. The bridge drill remained the same. We approached at forward idle, dropped her into neutral as we passed the fenders and into reverse idle as we neared the spans. The VHF whip didn’t go ting! ting! this time—it bent down almost horizontal. As we escaped the bridge’s spans, it sprung back, none the worse for wear,

apparently. The gauntlet had been run, and we were still in the game. With this challenge behind us the crew drifted belowdecks for sleep as an ecstatic owner and I shared the cockpit in the afterglow of a trying day. “John, that was amazing!” he said to me as we motored back toward the traditional ICW path. “I just don’t know if I should punch you or kiss you.”

About the Author: John Herlig is a delivery captain on the US East Coast and the Caribbean, a teacher at Cruisers University, and a boat driver for the Annapolis Boat Shows. Find him at john@avedelmar.com.

Marinas That Meet Your Standards!

Use the spinsheet online marina Directory to filter by top-tier amenities and specialized services. Be sure to mention PropTalk when you arrive.

Anchorage Marina

Annapolis Landing Marina

Bowley’s Marina

Broad Creek Marina

Campbell’s Boatyards

Casa Rio Marina

Coles Point Marina

Crescent Marina

Cypress Marine

Dennis Point Marina and Campground

Ferry Point Marina Talbot

These businesses are supporters of SpinSheet. If you're

Flag Harbor Boatyard

Harbour Cove Marina

Hartge Yacht Harbor

Herrington Harbour North

Herrington Harbour South

Lankford Bay Marina

Lighthouse Point Marina

Maryland Marina

Nomad Norview Marina

Port Annapolis Marina

Rockhold Creek Marina

Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort

Sailing Associates Marina

Sassafras Harbor Marina

Selby Bay Yacht Club

Shipwright Harbor Marina

Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort

Spring Cove Marina

The Wharf at Handy’s Point

The Wharf Marina

Whitehall Marina

Yacht Haven of Annapolis

Find the perfect home for your boat in SpinSheet’s Chesapeake Bay Marinas Directory! Click on the directory listings or map for marina information including available slips, transient slips, gas, diesel, pump outs, maximum boat length, water depth, maintenance, as well as other amenities such as restaurants, dock bars, and swimming pools.

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

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

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

Casa Rio Marina Cadle Creek, Rhode River Edgewater, MD casariomarina.com

Coles Point Marina Potomac River Hague, VA colespointmarina.com

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

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

Harbor Boatyard Just south of Calvert Beach and North of Long Beach St. Leonard, MD flagharborboatyard.com

Cove Marina Rockhold Creek Deale, MD harbourcove.com

Hinckley Bachelor Point Tred Avon River

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

Nomad Norview Marina Rappahannock River, Broad Creek, Deltaville, VA oasismarinas.com/properties

Port Annapolis Marina Back Creek Annapolis, MD portannapolis.com

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

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

Shipwright Harbor Marina Herring Bay Deale, MD shipwrightharbor.com

Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort Sassafras River Georgetown, MD skipjackcove.com

The Wharf at Handy’s Point Worton Creek Chestertown, MD handyspoint.com

The Wharf Marina Potomac River Washington, DC wharfdcmarina.com

Whitehall Marina Whitehall Creek Annapolis, MD whitehallannapolis.com

Yacht Haven of Annapolis Spa Creek Annapolis, MD yachthavenannapolis.com

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.

Sail and Learn Together

By Richard Lee

The Peninsula Sailors sailing club in Baltimore is growing!

New members join us to “Sail and Learn Together” (our club motto), and many current members (ranging from novice to instructor levels) participate in our weekly open sails every Wednesday and Sunday. Some of our members even come from as far away as Philadelphia and Gettysburg, PA, Easton, MD, and Fredericksburg, VA, to sail with us. If you are near Baltimore and want to learn to sail or just go sailing with a great group of sailors, come check us out and join us for a guest sail.

In July, we sailed to the Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island for an overnight weekend stay. The marina’s beautiful swimming pool was fabulous, and everyone enjoyed a refreshing swim before having dinner out on the deck watching the sunset at Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen. We continue our catamaran training for our skipper members and enjoy using it for day trips, such as our recent sail to Bodkin Creek for swimming and lunch onboard.

# Peninsula Sailors enjoying a Sunday Fun Race.

In late August we will do a sevenday circumnavigation around the DelMarVa Peninsula, giving many of our members an opportunity to learn about night sailing, ocean sailing, and being on a watch schedule.

Some of our members have completed the NauticEd International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC)

course and have earned certification for chartering sailboats and catamarans in the Mediterranean, as well as other parts of the world. If you are interested in pursuing this type of sailing expertise, contact Peninsula Sailors. We are a NauticEd partner and can help with this. Learn more at sailbp.com

Inaugural Youth Sailapalooza

Submitted by Beth Muller

On Saturday Aug 9, Herrington Harbour Sailing Association (HHSA) hosted 20 sailors and wannabe-sailors for a day of fun and racing on the water at its inaugural Youth Sailapalooza. HHSA Sailapalooza organizer, Kevin Hutcheson, noted that conditions were just about ideal for introducing the next generation of sailors to the Bay. Jayne Durden, HHSA commodore, remarked, “We hope to promote more of these activities, so we can share and inspire the love of sailing to all these enthusiastic—and did I mention energetic?—young sailors.”

The young people were divided into groups of two to four sailors on six boats, some with their family members, others with volunteer skippers. Jeff Bowen, HHSA member and head of The Sailing Academy located in Tracys Landing, MD, began the day with an overview of basic sailing skills, how a sailboat works, and key safety information.

The sailors spent the rest of the morning on their boats learning nautical terminology, positions on a boat, how to approach marks, and—the highlight for all—shooting water guns toward any boat that dared approach close enough to be drenched!

After lunch out on the Bay, there were two short races heading up wind, circling around a buoy, and returning to the start/finish line.

The young sailors had a wonderful time making this day a great introduction to sailing. Events wrapped up with pizza and sodas, announcing the order of boats finishing the races, and presenting each child with a memento from the day.

Learn more about HHSA membership and activities at hhsa.org

September Sailing on the Bay

By Susan Theuns

Compass Boating Club of the Chesapeake has had a busy summer, despite the heat and rain showers. The “Sail into Summer” mini-cruise chaired by Cynde Nordone and Nancy Hendrick was a lot of fun. The group toured Poplar Island and crossed the Bay for a potluck dinner in a nice screened-in gazebo at an Annapolis marina. Always a good time with this group! Many thanks to all who participated.

In August, club co-founder Rich Tull led another “Follow the Wind,” beginning in the Northern Bay in Worton Creek and headed for shady coves and restaurants with crabcakes on the menu. Of course, marinas to plug in for AC was also a must.

This month, we have our Annual Fall Cruise September 20-26, chaired by Hank Theuns. We will begin on the western shore at a favorite small marina with a waterfront restaurant. Those without boats can meet up for our opening dinner. Several boat captains are still looking for crew, so members should reach out if interested.

Our final water event of the season will be “Autumn Breeze Before the Freeze” October 12-17. Event chair, Laura Gwinn, has selected some wonderful ports-of-call in the Middle Bay, including an opportunity for a hike for those who are adventurous. There are a few land events and a lay day, so our drive-alongs can meet up for happy hour, dinner, and exploring historic towns and venues.

Members should check our Facebook page for details, itineraries, and to sign up for events. Don’t forget to save the date for our holiday luncheon on Wednesday, December 3. Details will be available this fall.

This month we welcome aboard new member Laura Keough! If you, too, are looking for a boating club that is tailored to you, please send a brief description of your experience, contact information, and expectations to CompassBoatingClub@ yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

A Commodore’s Sailing Journey

By Julie Day

Like so many sailors, Pentagon Sailing Club (PSC) commodore

John Spahn started young, sailing on lakes in Wisconsin first on Sunfish and later on Hobie cats. After college, he met his wife on trips to Mexico, and both became avid windsurfers. “After four or five years, we got into kids and life,” and sailing was placed on the back burner, he says.

Approximately 12 years ago, after moving to DC, John’s wife, Joanne, suggested sailing on the Chesapeake. “We were empty nesters at that point and needed a hobby we could share.”

Two days later, Joanne bought a Sunfish. They began taking keelboat classes at the Northern Virginia Sailing School and later moved on to the PSC, learning about navigation and diesel maintenance in 2016. While taking the courses, John was recruited into the Navy Command and Seamanship Training Squadron (CSTS), where he volunteered for five years.

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

In 2017, John and Joanne entered into a partnership on a 37-foot Endeavor but found their sailing time limited, so three years later, at the start of Covid, they bought a Lippincott 30 and have been sailing it ever since. At the same time John became vice commodore at PSC and helped move the club’s 22-foot Catalina Capris to the Washington Sailing Marina for the duration of the pandemic.

When John took over as the club’s river commodore in 2023, the PSC fleet had been depleted to two functioning Catalinas. Within 14 months under John’s direction the club’s river team managed to build the fleet up to five boats. “It was a ton of

Three Super Summer Cruises

By Celeste Streger

Hunter Sailing Association

Station-1(HSA-1) members enjoyed our annual pool party hosted by Blue Heron on Duvall Creek on July 19. This well attended event did not disappoint with approximately 28 people coming by land and sea to join in the fun. We had quite a spread of food and drinks, and Mark Streger took the time to smoke some pork for all of us to share. The three boats that overnighted, Dal Riata, My Pleasure, and Sea Whisper joined Blue Heron for breakfast the following morning.

Our Secretary’s Cruise, hosted by Zum Wohl on August 2, saw the best weekend weather in recent weeks. We cruised to the Rhode River and rafted up. HSA-1 invited all Hunter owners who are not members from the Herring Bay area to join us and see what the club is all about. Boats from as far north as Baltimore and Middle River and as far south as Solomons Island

gathered in the Rhode River in a surprisingly sparse anchorage. We welcomed Pier Pressure, Chasseur, Stargazer, Wind Rose, Fjord Explorer, Monarch, and Red Sky. Great food and, more importantly, great companionship made this a memorable evening. Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend in Rock Hall, MD, August 8-10, brought out many to join in the fun. Kicking off the HSA-1 get-togethers on Friday night, Blue Heron hosted a Rum Tasting Happy Hour. Somehow 19 HSA-1 pirates managed to fit in the cockpit and sample all types of rum! From sipping smooth to burning throat to coconut rums, we all found our favorites. Saturday several members joined the poker run and others walked downtown to the fair. That night we gathered

work. We had to cut up one old boat and refit the new ones,” John recalls.

In keeping with the PSC mission of developing the seamanship of its members, John remarked, “It is important not only to teach classes but to provide opportunities for people to build their sailing skills at their own pace. One might learn to sail on the Potomac River and move into the racing squadron before venturing out on the Bay. The next step at PSC might be to join a flotilla in Norway or possibly even the Alaskan Inner Passage or Thailand.”

Find more information about PSC at pentagonsailing.org or facebook.com/pentagonsailingclub.

on the beach to eat together, listen to the band, and watch the sunset. A good time was had by all.

Next up is our Labor Day Cruise which will include some local wineries. 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!

When I asked SOS member Kerry Siebein about using her photo for a SpinSheet Club Notes article, I proposed captioning the image “living her best life,” because in it, Kerry looked as if that’s what she was doing. Kerry’s immediate smiling response was, “Yes! That’s why I joined SOS!”

Some clubs or activity groups are special because of the events or activities they offer; others are special because of the people you meet. In SOS it is a frequent comment that the SOS people are “very welcoming and ready to help you do as much as you want to do, be it boating or socializing.”

With a mix of sailing (and some powerboating), training opportunities, and social activities (during the summer cruising season and through the winter months), there is something for everyone to find and enjoy.

Kerry said the more she has gotten involved in club events, the more she gets out of them. With 12 committees ranging from support systems such as Database, Safety, Skippers Advisory, Membership, and Newsletter to activity-focused committees such as Cruising, Education, Brunches, Bareboat, and Social, there are so many volunteer opportunities. It’s easy to find a niche that works for you.

Kerry also shared that she is “constantly amazed that the skippers welcome you on to their boats for day sails and overnight sails. [She] likes the way everyone works

Live Your Best Life!

By Janet Gonski

together and helps the newcomers while sailing.”

Sometimes it is a newcomer who helps a more veteran member. This summer during the multi-day extended Bay sail, one of our skippers’ boat experienced a recurring electrical issue. Well, one of our newest members was sailing with a friend who

had never sailed before and together they drew the electrical system of the boat, on a napkin, (yes, both engineers) and figured out the issue and how to resolve it!

To see photos of some of those activities and adventures, check out the SOS newsletter at singlesonsailboats.org, where you can also learn more about our club.

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

A Flea Market and a Crab Feast

By Carol Hanson

After weeks planning and clearing out basements in July’s searing heat, America’s Boating Club Wilmington (ABCW) members happily hosted their morning Nautical Flea Market and afternoon Crab/Chicken Feast at North Point Marina Pavilion in Rock Hall, MD.

Their work was not in vain! Approximately 50 marina and surrounding area folks flooded the flea market making it a success not only for ABCW members, but for those who purchased so many marine treasures. Members also provided ABCW education program information and conducted Vessel Safety Checks. To supplement funding for ABCW’s education programming, we offered basket raffles.

Later that afternoon, members enjoyed further camaraderie over chicken and crabs in the North Point Marina pavilion. Many thanks to the creative and thoughtful efforts of the ABCW social committee. Their diligence ensured the event’s success. Afterall, it takes a village! And we have an awesome village! Learn more about our club at wilmingtonpowersquadron.org

Welcome Aboard

By Anne Knab

Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) is a virtual club which means that our members are disbursed beyond the greater Annapolis area including several locations on the Eastern Shore as well as such inland spots as Ellicott City. Some members even call neighboring states home, such as Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Since we don’t have a brick-and-mortar clubhouse, we have no physical infrastructure to maintain, allowing us to keep costs reasonable, and we can choose when and where to get together. Bringing even more variety to the mix, our club members are both sailors and powerboaters.

BCYC enjoys a robust calendar of both on- and off-water events throughout the year, taking us beyond the greater Annapolis area as often as possible. Our water events are divided between points to the north with equal time spent cruising to marinas south of the Bay Bridge. Off-season land-based events can take place even farther afield, such as when commodore Chuck Kahle hosted the bridge officers for a weekend planning retreat at his farm in Carlisle, PA. He says the door is always open and with the price of eggs, several members just might take him up on the offer to visit.

In addition to a comprehensive website (check us out at backcreekyc. org), we leverage social media. We have a forward-facing Facebook page and streamline our internal communications via WhatsApp. This app makes being a virtual club easy because members join only the threads for activities for which they’ve signed up, cutting down on the number of posts while allowing members with a great idea for an event to let the group know before creating its own thread. Our event calendar is limited only by our imaginations, so if you’re considering yacht club membership, take a look at BCYC; there’s plenty of boating season left. At BCYC, it’s all about the people!

No Boat? No Problem!

By Marty Suydam

The Chesapeake Bristol Club (CBC) is a social and sailing club with a year-round calendar of events but no clubhouse. The cost of membership is minimal, and you don’t have to own a Bristol (or any boat) to join. Bristol sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay is the club’s nostalgic heritage, and building our Bristol fleet continues to be a club goal. However, membership is open to all who enjoy sailing or listening to old salts spinning yarns.

We recently celebrated the return of the annual Crab and Seafood event at the Bay Ridge Community Association clubhouse on Lake Ogleton in Annapolis on August 9. There were 35 members and guests in attendance. Six sailed in—two aboard the Moody 40 Knot 2 Bad and four aboard the Bristol 43.3 Albetross. The weather was delightful—a

crab-picking, shrimpeating, lobster-cracking perfect day. Doors and windows were opened wide, and a cross breeze of fresh air filled the room—no A/C required in Annapolis on this day.

The group nibbled on appetizers and socialized for the first hour.

The highlight of the event was the gift exchange supervised by Doc Johnson. Anyone (couple or person) who brought a wrapped gift not identifiable as to content or donor/player could participate. As usual there was lots of laughter, “blind grabbing” of gifts, and “stealing” involved. At 4 p.m. the assembled group dove into their preferred selection of Maryland crabs, shrimp, and lobster, along

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PortBook is

with sweet corn, delicious desserts, and a refreshingly juicy watermelon-carved sailboat.

We would enjoy the opportunity to introduce you to CBC members and answer questions you may have. Cruise to cbclub. info for more information or to make an inquiry. There you may also RSVP to any event this year. Use the email link on the “Joining” page to reach membership director Rebecca Burka.

Packed With Action: Dinghy Racing

With summer’s end in sight, the youth racing circuit has been packed with action, including the Maryland State Championship hosted by Rock Hall Yacht Club on July 24-25, the Miles River Junior Regatta hosted by Miles River Yacht Club on August 7, and the Oxford Annual Regatta hosted by Tred Avon Yacht Club on August 9-10. In the sidebar you will find the top three finishers at each event.

On July 30, a colorful edition of the annual Ranney Sunfish Challenge unfolded on Langford Creek, where competitors from the Rock Hall Yacht Club Sailing School racing team tested their skills in a fleet of 11 Sunfish. The race was held on a hot, sunny day, perfect for the Le Mans start which required the young sailors to start on land, run across the sandy beach, and splash through the water to reach their boats, before navigating the three-anda-half-nautical mile course around Cacaway Island. In the end, Opti sailor Colt Watson claimed victory, edging out several more experienced competitors.

Go Big!

Thanks to the efforts of dedicated adult sailors around the Bay, youth around the Chesapeake have opportunities for exposure to all kinds of sailboats. Turn to page 59 to learn how Herrington Harbor Sailing Association is introducing youth sailors to big boats with its Sailapalooza aimed at getting young people comfortable on keelboats. And on page 24, you’ll read how Seafarer’s Yacht Club and its Youth Summer Program partners have teamed up provide local kids an unforgettable experience on the Schooner Woodwind, while teaching life skills, seamanship, and more.

More Adventures!

Finally, a shout out to all those kids that just love messing around in boats. We see you too and are pleased that so many summer programs have tracks for youth who love to cruise, paddle, and explore. If you have personal experience with such a program, let us know by emailing beth@spinsheet.com

This month, look for young racing sailors to descend upon Tred Avon Yacht Club on September 20, when the club hosts its inaugural Pumpkin Patch Regatta for Opti Green, Opti RWB, Junior ILCA6, and C420 classes.

Top Three Finishers

Maryland State Championship C420 (17 boats)

1. Walter Daigle/Viana Johnston, AYC

2. Amelia Wire/Shane Churilla, WRSC

3. William Tweed/Parker Lefever Farino, AYC

ILCA 6 (10 boats)

1. Christopher Hanson, SSA

2. Andrew Hanson, SSA

3. Marucs Kozlowski, SSA

Optimist (43 boats)

1. Quillin Moran, AYC/SFYC

2. Sam von Schwarz, AYC/Carolina YC

3. James Hillyer, AYC

Miles River Junior Regatta C420 (17 boats)

1. William Tweed/Parker Lefever Farino, AYC

2. Walter Daigle/Viana Johnston, AYC

3. Maggie Dowling/Grace Wilcox, WRSC

ILCA 6 (8 boats)

1. Alec Berg, FBYC

2. Riley Clary, FBYC

3. Christian Merrill, RHYCSS

Optimist RWB (49 boats)

1. Brooks Crawford, AYC

2. Arthur Haneberg, AYC

3. Aubrey Marino, AYC

Oxford Annual Regatta

29’er (3 boats)

1. McKenna Bridgman/Liam McKenzie Peterson, SSA

2. Sophia Schmidt/Josephine Schragger, SSA

3. Mike Gilliland/Eliza Whitehead, SSA

C420 (20 boats)

1. Walter Daigle/Viana Johnston, AYC

2. Hartley Cooper/Louisa Kalinski, Tred Avon YC

3. William Tweed/Parker Lefever Farino, AYC

ILCA 6 (18 boats)

1. Christopher Hanson, SSA

2. Andrew Hanson, SSA

3. Andrew Shingledecker, SSA

Optimist RWB (59 boats)

1. Trey Waters, AYC/EYC

2. Daniel Skutch Tyson, AYC

3. Charlotte Sites, AYC

Opti Green (43 boats)

1. Owen Cal Tyson

2. Thomas Blanchard

3. Oliver Basile

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Racing Like a Champ Upcoming Championship Regattas on the Chesapeake

Beautiful sailing conditions, warm water, and myriad championship racing opportunities make the Chesapeake Bay an exceptional proving ground for racers in the fall.

One of the first upcoming championship events is the International Penguin Dinghy Class International Championship, which will unfold September 12-14 at the Corsica River Yacht Club. A dozen of these family-friendly dinghies competed at the recent Oxford Regatta, so we expect to see many of those competitors on the Corsica River this month. (Find

online registration at regattanetwork.com/ event/30156#_home).

Race organizers at Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) will power through back-toback and overlapping weekend events in September, starting with the Star Class District 2 Championship, September 6-7 (with the Navy Fall Race to Oxford also starting Saturday).

Four days after another distance race (the Race to Solomons, September 20), AYC will host the J/88 North American Championship September 24-28. At print time 13 competing boats had registered,

including locals Chris and Liz Chadwick on Church Key, Andrew Guhl on Blue, and Jack McGuire on M12. Competitors from the mid-west, Colorado, and New York will also be on the scene.

Hampton Yacht Club (HYC) will host three notable championship regattas this fall, starting with the Viper 640 North American Championship, October 1-5. HYC is a hotbed for Viper action and churns out champs like no other club. At print time 25 competing boats had already registered for the event, some coming from as far as New England and Canada.

HYC will also host the Albacore International Championship, October 11-17. Thirty-four competing boats have already registered, including National Champion Barney Harris on Gale Warning. Two weeks later, HYC will host the Hobie 33 Nationals, October 24-26.

Three more longstanding events are staples on the fall calendar for Chesapeake racing sailors: the Chesapeake Bay ILCA Masters Championship at Fishing Bay Yacht Club in Deltaville, VA, October 4-5; the J/22 and J/24 East Coast Championship out of Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, October 17-18; and the J/105 Chesapeake Bay Championship hosted by AYC October 18-19.

Did we miss one? Email editor@spinsheet.com, and we’ll put it on our calendar.

WhAT The ViPeR fleeT offeRS:

• A group of dedicated sailors that enjoy having fun, sharing their knowledge, and good camaraderie.

• Excellent events in great locations.

• A boat that is easy to trailer behind just about any car.

• Fast enough for a thrill seeker, stable enough for family sailing.

• Fleets in Annapolis and Hampton.

• Local sailmaker and professional sailor support.

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Surfing to St. Mary’s With Glee at the Governor’s Cup

By Capt. Steven Toole

August 1 was the start of the 52nd St. Mary’s College of Maryland Governor’s Cup Yacht Race, with courses starting from Annapolis, Solomons, the Potomac River, and a Southern Bay start. An initial total of 81 entries comprised the combined fleets, including six multihull entries and two Chesapeake Shorthanded Sailing Society (CHESSS) boats.

Strong winds of 15 to 20 knots from the northeast set the stage for the Annapolis start. On our J/120 Hot Pepper we set our A3 asymmetrical spinnaker at the start and rode the downwind angle all the way to Point Lookout without a single tack or gybe: a nine-hour nonstop joyride with winds building well into the mid-20s and heavy following seas to surf down with glee. With boat speeds topping 13 knots onboard, we knew it was going to be an early night for us in Southern Maryland.

A VHF radio distress call to the U.S. Coast Guard reported a racer without steering ahead of us at Point No Point, where we returned to offer assistance. Apparently, the heavy surf and following seas can push a steering assembly beyond the breaking point—an observation we’d come to appreciate later in the race.

A single gybe to starboard tack sent us up the Potomac River on a beam reach, still under 20-plus-knot wind speed. We shortened our headsail to keep Hot Pepper from being overpowered for that leg.

Turning the corner up the St. Mary’s River gave us our first upwind angle the entire race. The wind fell back to low teens to high single digits, with the wind direction enough off our nose to make it nearly all the way up the river on a single starboard tack.

As we approached the finish line, we were neck-and-neck with Magic Dragon to our windward, and Lucky Eights windward of Magic Dragon. Our bows were

nearly in perfect line with each other as we saw the light of the race committee aboard the anchored Dove opposite the Church Point cross at St. Mary’s City.

A shoal jutting out from the western shore kept us from making a straight line to the finish, forcing us to throw in a tack. “Helm’s alee,” I hailed to my crew, turning Hot Pepper to starboard, directly toward Magic Dragon and Lucky Eights As our bow turned us perpendicular to our rivals, the wheel felt sluggish. We had lost our steering 0.2 nautical miles from the finish line and heading directly toward Lucky Eights. I turned back to port to avoid collision with what little

One for the Record Books?

Josh Colwell and his crew on the trimaran OrgaZmatron raced from Annapolis to St. Mary’s in five hours and 50 minutes, reaching boat speeds over 20 knots and averaging over 13 knots. After some research, Colwell reports that he did not beat the record. In 2006 in similar sailing conditions, Tim Layne’s Reynolds 33 Wild Card finished the race in five hours and 46 minutes. Layne’s record stands.

Colwell says, “We came within four minutes… That’s the way it goes, but that didn’t take anything away from what we had just done. We had epic conditions which happen infrequently, maybe every 10-15-20 years!”

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First-place Finishers

Potomac PHRF Spinnaker: InPhase (X-412), Wayne Thayer

Potomac Non-Spin: Look Close (Sabre 362), Robert Ballard

Potomac CMA: Nice Tri (Dragonfly 28 sport), Thomas Hane

Solomons PHRF: Finn Gael (Swan 36-2), Mark Howley

Annapolis Classics: Delphinus (Lazyjack 32 schooner), Hayden Foy

Annapolis CMA: OrgaZmatron (Corsair F-31R), Josh Colwell

Annapolis CRCA Racer: Bad Cat (J/111), James Whited

Annapolis CRCA Cruiser: Moonlight Sail (Beneteau 49), Marshall Steele

Annapolis OCA Open: Time Machine (Corby 40), Bruce Irvin

Annapolis PHRF Spin A: Chessie (J/105), John Kircher

Annapolis PHRF Spin B/C: Orion (Hanse 371), Jon Opert

Annapolis PHRF Non-Spin: Quickbeam - no (Nonsuch 30 U), Robert Gehrman

Annapolis PHRF Cruiser: Kind of Blue (Catalina 42 MKII), Dave Sharp

Annapolis CHESSS: Revolution (CS 30), Douglas Ellmore

maneuverability I could reclaim, now heading back toward shallow water from the shoal and western bank of the river.

At this point we went into an involuntary 720. Crew member Matt Schaff jumped into action and secured our emergency tiller into position. The 720 had fouled our headsail around our headstay, taking a few moments to correct, now that steering was restored. Finally, we were on course for the finish, with steering and headsail under control, crossing at 11:28 p.m. Ultimately, the steering snafu cost us the fourth-place position in the Annapolis CRCA Racer division to Magic Dragon, but the quick response and resolution allowed us to maintain our corrected lead ahead of Lucky Eights

.

The cautionary tale of the earlier participant who lost their steering at Point

No Point now made perfect sense to us; heavy following seas can stress steering components to a point of failure. Our steering cable had just been replaced this past winter in anticipation of the Annapolis to Newport Race. What we didn’t realize is that the steering cable experiences normal stretching after installation, causing ours to pop out of the flywheel during that critical tack near the finish line.

We’re grateful that our steering didn’t fail earlier in the race, which could have been disastrous running downwind in 28 knots of wind under the load of a full spinnaker and mainsail.

Overall, it was an exhilarating race and certainly one we’ll never forget. We look forward to racing again in the 53rd annual Governor’s Cup race next year.

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Oxford Regatta 2025

he Tred Avon Yacht Club’s (TAYC) signature Oxford Regatta unfolded August 9-10. A new twist in the favorite summer regatta for 2025: 24 boats raced from Solomons to Oxford on Friday and enjoyed an evening at TAYC before the launch of the big event on Saturday. The weekend brought pleasant temperatures and light breeze for the two-day event as well as an annual highlight for sailors of all ages: the awards ceremony at the Harleigh Estate on the Tred Avon River. Find full results at tayc.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos

Top Three Results

Solomons to Oxford Race

1. Thomas Campbell, Nicole

2. Shane Myers, T-Bone

3. Dewey Melton, Dangerous Log Canoes

1. Sean Callahan, Billie P. Hall

2. Daniel North, Jay Dee

3. Mitch Grieb, Mystery

Shields

1. R.J. Cooper, Merlin

2. Michael Rajacich, Jr., Martin

3. Richard Griner, Freedom

Stars

1. Matthew Rajacich/Quinton Gallon, Manipulator

2. Robert Lippincott/Willem DeSimone, Fight!

3. Paul Owens/Xan Schlegel, Sneaky Duck Adult ILCA 6/7

1. Skylor Sweet

2. Luke DuFour

3. Noah Kullman

Penguin

1. William Lawson/Colette Preis, Family Ties

2. Jonathan Bartlett/Annie Bartlett, Sister Mary Stigmata

3. Charles Krafft/Cairn Krafft, Otter B Find junior sailing results for Opti, ILCA, 29er, and C420 on page 66.

As Good as It Gets: The Cape Charles Cup

Hosted by the Broad Bay Sailing Association (BBSA), the Leo Wardrup Memorial Cape Charles Cup (LWMCCC) took place August 16-17. This unique two-day distance racing event starts north of Thimble Shoals with an overnigth destination in Cape Charles, VA, and a Sunday race back.

This year’s 22nd annual LWMCCC was blessed with nearly perfect 12-knot northeasterly winds on Saturday. The sailing was as good as it gets for nearly 60 competing boats, and all boats in every fleet finished!

Jack Clayton on Melantho took first in the ORC Performance Cruiser fleet. Guy Sorenson on Vindr Dreki placed first in PHRF fleet, and Andrew Waddoups on Gambit topped the Cruising fleet.

We enjoyed a new awards dinner location in Downtown Cape Charles on the waterfront with dinner provided by Mallards of Onancock.

Sunday met with a light wind start, then calm, then with careful patience on the race committee’s part, a spinnaker finish for some fleets with Clayton on Melantho again taking first in the ORC Performance Cruiser fleet, Christian Schaumloffel on Myrage taking first in PHRF fleet, and Martin Minot on Rendezvous taking first in the Cruising fleet.

Overall results and the Perpetual Cup winners are: Schaumloffel on Myrage in PHRF fleet, Clayton on Melantho for ORC Performance Cruiser fleet, and Waddoups on Gambit for Cruising fleet. Congratulations to all.

Learn about the 2026 event at broadbaysailing.org

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BCYA’s Race to Baltimore

By Adam Podbielski

One of the best summer races north of the Bay Bridge is the Baltimore City Yacht Association’s (BCYA) annual Race to Baltimore, which runs from Baltimore Light at the mouth of the Magothy to Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor. Luckily, the record-breaking heat and humidity we’ve been seeing this summer took a bit of a reprieve, and despite a light wind forecast, more than 40 boats came out to take advantage of the relatively mild temperatures.

Racing started out promising, with the first few starts getting off the line in about five to six knots of breeze. The wind slowly died as the rolling starts progressed, leading to a stacked field as boats sailing the first upwind leg to round Baltimore Light as their first mark.

Conditions remained light, but sailable, as boats made their way up the Bay. The wind did end up being light enough that about half a dozen boats retired during the race. BCYA’s race committee kept an attentive eye on the fleet making its way north and went ahead to survey conditions inside the Patapsco River. The final leg into the Inner Harbor can be challenging, and the combination of light air and wind shadows from surrounding buildings proved to be too much of an obstacle. With the sailing instructions calling out a time limit that was steadily approaching, the race committee made the call to shorten course at the last rounding mark, right off Fort McHenry. This shaved off the last mile and a half of the course and luckily saved a handful of

First Place Finishers

PHRF A: Good Guy, Guy Tawney

PHRF B: Something Wicked, Michael Johns

Multihull: Patriot, Jeffrey Thompson

CRCA Racer: Hot Pepper, Steven Toole

CRCA Cruiser: Heyday, Shepherd Drain

ORC Open: Country Squire, John White

ORC Performance Cruiser: Miles to Go, Erik Halverson

boats from scoring “time limit expired” (TLE) as the wind dwindled.

Despite the fairly light day, it was all smiles at the awards party. The pool was open, the BBQ was delicious, and the drinks were flowing. There’s no better spot to celebrate a day of hard-fought victories than Anchorage Marina’s beautiful harbor-front patio. Join BCYA in October for the Baltimore Harbor Cup to close out the club’s regular season! Learn more at bcya.com

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2025 Olivia’s Team Racing Invitational

Olivia’s Team Racing Invitational (OTRI), one of the most creative and inclusive team race events in the country, was hosted by the Severn Sailing Association (SSA) on July 19-20 with 62 sailors enjoying team racing on the Chesapeake Bay. On the water, the regatta’s 31 skipper/crew teams raced SSA’s fleet of Flying Juniors (FJs) and were tested by classic Annapolis summer conditions. The event has been held annually since 2013 (with one exception during the pandemic), marking this year as its 12th iteration.

Both days of racing saw a light southerly wind bouncing between five and 12 knots. An unwelcome interlude of steamy afternoon rain showers resulted in a vacuum of breeze on Saturday, bringing day one’s racing to an early close.

Per the unique format of the regatta, the first day of racing consisted of 2 v 2 team racing with random pairs assigned. For every race, each skipper/crew duo raced with a new teammate and against two new opponents. By design, the pairings are random. This creates opportunities for sailors of all skill levels to race with and against competitors they might never share a racecourse with.

Sailors completely new to team racing had the chance to race alongside some of the area’s most experienced talent—in any given race, a team of young Opti sailors might be paired with a former national champion with decades of experience. At the Olivia, anything could happen on the water, but the most important rule is to have fun, because your competitors in one race might be your teammates in the next. We have it on good authority that this regatta has even led to at least one marriage!

For the second day of racing, 3 v 3 teams were formed based on the records from the previous day. The goal of this unique format is to spread the talent equally across teams to create exciting matchups and opportunities for less experienced team racers to learn from the top players. Like the random pairings used for 2 v 2 racing, this format also forces teams to quickly build camaraderie on the water and continue forming those bonds back on shore.

Due to the weather compressing the racing window on Saturday to only three rounds of racing, 14 teams ended the 2 v 2 series tied with perfect records, which meant the regatta organizers had their job cut out for them on Saturday to make the

teams as fair as possible for the 3 v 3 rotation with little data to aid in their decision making.

Six rounds of 3 v 3 team racing occurred in light but sailable conditions followed by a knockout round and a final round of team racing. While the teams may not have been perfectly equal, the competition was still stiff, with many races coming down to the wire on the final approach to the finish line.

This year also brought an exciting improvement: a beautiful perpetual trophy, engraved with the winners since the regatta’s inception in 2013, donated by the Olivia Constants Foundation. The trophy is on display in the SSA trophy case. It’s a great trip down memory lane to read the past winners and their creative team names. Olivia’s sister, Chloe Constants, presented the trophy to this year’s winners.

Many thanks to principal race officer John White for running 34 races over the weekend in challenging, shifty breeze, deputy race officer Bob Rutsch for mustering a top-notch squad of volunteers and keeping everyone organized on both the start boat and finish boat, and Pam

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Corwin and Megan Kelchner for herding all the cats on shore to keep the rotations rolling quickly. A huge bow of appreciation to the one, the only Ted Morgan for photographing all the action on Sunday, and the rest of the volunteers for contributing to a fantastic event! We’ll see everyone next year. Stay tuned to the SSA social media channels for the save the date for OTRI 2026.

The Olivia Constants Team Race was created as a memorial regatta for Olivia Constants following a tragic sailing accident in 2011. Per the Olivia Constants Foundation, Olivia’s Team Race represents the way Olivia would have liked to have a sailing event: lots of fun and some racing in-between.

RaCinG Results

Presented by Each month during racing season, SpinSheet will bring you the weekly Racing Results presented by Mount Gay Rum, an email summary of race result links from Chesapeake regattas and significant out-of-town regattas Bay sailors love.

1st Place:

Jon Jon Weed and Ty Ryan

Charlie Anderson and Emily Shioutakon

Marina Conde and Indiana Theurer

2nd Place:

Patrick Dolan and Reed Tindall

Hayden Clary and Taylor Collison

Conor Mastromarco and Lilly Coppelstone

3rd Place:

Jed Lory and Viana Johnston

Bradley Adam and Rachel O’Neill

Karina Bertelsmann and Tyler Philips

Additional awards were given to the following teams:

Best Team Name and Costume:

Brad Julian and Tyler Skibo Lei-Line

Youngest Combined Age:

Quillan Moran and Sam von Schwartz

Oldest Combined Age:

Bradley Brown and Josh Moan

Rescue Regatta: A Community Raises Their Sails

The third annual Rescue Regatta (RR25) held July 25-26 told the tale of a community’s generous heart and connection to the water. It is the story of people who appreciate their volunteers and rescue squad; the story of those with plenty and those with less than that, who united to lend a hand, score a race, share a laugh, and feast like family. An event born from a passion for sailing and helping others now has a life of its own as evidenced by the success of RR25.

First are the contributions of the 35 sailors who registered. Among them were 22 cruisers and 13 PHRF boats and members from four different yacht clubs: Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Stingray Harbour Yacht Club, Regent Point Yacht Club, and Dahlgren Yacht Club. Several nonaffiliated boats raced as well.

One of those non-affiliated boats, Colonial Seaport Foundation’s Luna, was in a class of its own. The crew of this 18th-century coastal trading sloop made waves by joining the race last-minute. Luna, flying three headsails and a gaff rigged main and firing a cannon at the start, was cheered on by all. The unexpected silhouette of a tall ship against so many carbon sails made for great shots by Bob Waldrop and Stephen Blue, two local photographers who graciously contribute their time and their art for our use.

Another unexpected delight was the number of enticing auction items from a sweet daysailer to beautifully crafted artwork and furniture that came to us unsolicited from some very gifted people.

On Saturday evening, Smokin’ Joe Davenport, The MCVRS Auxiliary, EmCee Dave Rockafellow, and that Michael Clark Band with Tracy Clark on Vocals brought the magic. The commodores danced, a live auction followed, and the Opti Bar kept everyone refreshed.

Members of the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad (MCVRS) are our heroes, whether called to help someone who had fallen or to save a life, just like the one saved in the county on opening night. On July 25-26 our sponsors, partners, and sailors were the heroes. Their generosity helped raise $30,000—a 43-percent jump from RR24!

These funds are a lifeline for the rescue squad which maintains six vehicles, three buildings, and myriad medical supplies and equipment. Running a rescue squad is not unlike owning a boat. Boaters know what this means. Every dollar raised fuels our mission to help others 24/7/365. Whether it’s funding new medical equipment, maintaining

Top Three Results

PHRF A

1. Craig Wright, Afterthought

2. Mayo Tabb, Excitation

3. David Clark, Corryvreckan

PHRF B/C

1. Brad Miller, Schiehallion

2. Steve Wirt, Makai

3. Miles Booth, Shenanigan

Cruising - Spin

1. David Hinkle, Perseverance

2. Anton Webre, Grey Lady

3. Mike Chesser, Red Sky

Cruising- Non-Spin

1. William Murphy, Last Boat III

2. Mark Maiocco, Victoria

3. Stuart Gregory, Lucky Star

what we have, or training volunteers, your contributions allow MCVRS to serve

We’re already planning the fourth annual Rescue Regatta. Come sail, pitch in, or simply share the joy at next year’s event. Stay tuned for details on how to get involved or reach out today at (804) 3139412 or connect@rescueregatta.life.

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HYC for the Win in Marblehead

Following his win the previous week at the Viper New England Championships in Booth Bay, ME, Hampton Yacht Club (HYC) member Henry Amthor’s Viper 640 E+A2 team proved victorious among 13 competing one-design boats at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Marblehead, MA, July 24-27. He sailed with his wife Barb Moss Amthor and Chris Pfrang.

Amthor says, “The conditions were quite variable over the three days. We had everything from a moderately warm breeze and sometimes hot conditions to a crazy squall that blew through the course with puffs into the 30s! We chose to set the kite late on the final run to the finish in the squall to avoid the J/70 carnage that was unfolding in front of us. Once we found a pathway through it, it was a blast sailing at 15-plus knots to the finish with a kite up for the R2 win!”

He describes Saturday’s conditions as “mostly soft and sunny” and Sundays as rainy and windy yet moderating to flat-water sailing by the end of the day.

“With the conditions on the racecourse changing so rapidly, Chris and Barb were really good at changing gears from our heavy-air setting to lighter settings. The class rules do not permit changing the rig tension after the four-minute gun; however, we are permitted to remove or add mast chocks which effectively change the rig tension somewhat. There are also a few other strings we can adjust to suit the changing conditions.”

Amthor notes, “The Viper class is highly competitive as the boats are very close in boat speed. We also share information with the fleet with regatta debriefs to help bring everybody up to speed. The top five boats were virtually tied going into the last day, as this regatta does not allow for a throw-out, so it was all on the line going into the final run in the last race.

Mike Deyett, sailing with Curtis Woodworth and Mike Hull, and co- skippers Kaila Phrang and John Ped (also of HYC), sailing with Liz Obermaier, were ahead of us at the last weather mark. We were lucky enough to get some separation in the heavy traffic, and Barb found velocity and a shift that went our way that allowed us to cross the fleet just before the finish line for the regatta win!”

Phrang and Ped’s HYC team placed second. Regional Viper sailors look forward to the Viper 640 North Americans October 1-5 at HYC.

What a Fiasco!

Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) hosted its Two Bridge Fiasco on Sunday, August

3. A doublehanded race conceived during Covid and modeled after San Francisco’s Three Bridge Fiasco, the event’s racecourse features rounding marks at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Naval Academy Bridge over the Severn River. Competitors on any type of sailing vessel may round the marks in any order they choose, making for a fiasco of boats finishing from both directions at the finish line. Find full results at annapolisyc.com/racing and photos at spinsheet.com/photos

Top Three Results

1. Swiss Miss (Farr 230), Gisela Shaughnessy

2. Buxton (J/24), Peter Rich

3. Riot (J/80), Bruce Rankin

Success and Sextants at the Marion Bermuda Race

Co-skippers Dave Tabor and Carol Vaughn won their class on their J/42 Dianthus at the 645-mile Marion Bermuda Race in late June. Their crew included Annapolis sailors Wendy and John Clarke.

On the event website, organizers reported: “The 2025 Marion Bermuda Race will certainly be remembered as a test of patience, perseverance, and precision. What many skippers might add to that is endurance. This year’s start will be remembered as one of the most challenging ever: 30 to 40 knots with wind against tide made it one extremely difficult run down the bay. As one skipper said in Bermuda, “There is not another ocean race that gives you the level of difficulty of Buzzards Bay… you have to be ready for it”

Vaughn says, “We are very proud to have won Class A against the 14 young racers on Redwood/Oakcliff. We were a boat with just four sailors with an average age of 64. We strategically decided together, before the race, to sail about 40 miles west of the rhumb line, as did just one other boat, Phoenix. This put us in the winning position, ultimately finishing just four minutes corrected time, ahead of Redwood, the line-honor boat.

“We were eighth out of eight boats in our class for the first four days. During the race, friends asked why we were sailing so

much farther than those sailing down the rhumb line, but in the end we actually sailed one of the shortest distances. We all four drove Dianthus well. We also won the trophy for best performing J-boat.”

The U.S. Naval Academy’s Varsity Offshore Sailing Team assistant coach Katy Zimmerman reports the following on another impressive performance by the Navy 44s at the event:

“Unique to the Marion Bermuda Race, all three Navy teams competed in the Celestial Navigation Division, where teams are required to navigate by the stars using a sextant. This posed an additional

challenge; the decision-making process is more difficult when you only think you know where you are. With large navigational features like the Gulfstream and the Sargasso Sea, both home to strong and dynamic currents, it felt at times that we were only able to “naviguess” rather than navigate.”

Even without GPS data, the three Navy teams pushed hard in light conditions for the entire race and managed to stay in the front of the fleet. Each Navy 44 took a different course after passing through the Gulfstream. Gallant sailed farthest east of the three teams and led the group for most of the race. Defiance mostly sailed the rhumb line, and Integrity trended to the west of rhumb.

The Navy teams converged when entering the Bermuda shoals and pulled off an incredible second, third, and fourth place line honors finish. Integrity, Gallant, and Defiance also placed second, third, and fourth in their division, respectively. Integrity won the Offshore Youth Challenge Trophy and the Bartram Trophy for best performance by a service academy boat. The three Navy 44s won the R&W Ropes Rigging Solutions Team Trophy.”

Learn more at marionbermuda.com

Wow—what an incredible, fun-filled weekend we had in Solomons for the first Patuxent Pursuit Race July 18-20. The Southern Maryland Sailing Association (SMSA) welcomed 30 boats and more than 120

Patuxent Pursuit Race

guests over three days of racing, camaraderie, and celebration.

Friday’s Jamaican jerk food truck was a crowd favorite, so much so, they ran out of chicken. Saturday’s Cantina Night was another standout, with multiple

guests asking who the caterer was. I was so proud to tell them it was entirely brought to life by SMSA members and volunteers. Friday’s American Affair was also a hit.

Many attendees expressed how much they appreciated the new event format. In fact, racers from the Old Dominion Boat Club in Alexandria, VA, told us they’re already looking forward to returning year after year.

Whether you were racing on the course, working tirelessly behind the scenes, or cheering from the shore, thank you for being part of this incredible journey. We look forward to welcoming you back for many more years to come. Learn more at

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

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

• Charity regatta/race - 5 points

• Volunteer day - 4 points

• Race committee day - 4 points

• Multi-day regattas - 3 points

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

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

• Single-day regatta - 2 points

• Take a new sailor racing - 2 points

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

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

USNA Class of 1984 Graduates Reunite on Chicago to Mackinac 333-Mile Adventure

Author By Craig Ligibel

The last time John Woods, John Stamos, and John Riley sailed together was over 40 years ago. In 1984, the threesome and their Midshipmen crew campaigned the Navy Frers 46 Vengeance up and down the East Coast, including races in Long Island, NY; Marblehead and Martha’s Vineyard, MA; Portland, ME; and Newport to Bermuda. No doubt the sailing bug had taken hold of the Midshipmen by the end of the summer, but a little thing like US Navy deployments to hot spots around the world and the demands of family life and careers kept the naval officers from reuniting on a sailboat for 40-plus years.

Fast forward to 2025 and the famed 333-mile Chicago to Mackinac Race where the threesome joined two other classmates, Hank Gibson and Mark Kalisch, and a “ringer” from the Chicago area, Michael Elam, who rounded out a crew of six aboard Woods’s newly purchased J/105 Exit Strategy.

True to Naval tradition each crew member had his unique moniker: Woods was called “Woodsy;” Riley, “Riles;” Stamos “Famous Stamos;” Gibson, “Hoot;” and Kalish, “Polar Bear.” All are in their early 60s and retired or looking forward to it shortly. Laughter comes easily to the fast friends. One gets the sense this would be a fun boat to take a sail on.

No two Macs are the same Boat owner Woods says he had always wanted to skipper his own boat in the Mac: “When the J/105 became available, I jumped at the chance to enter my own boat with a bunch of my USNA sailing buddies as crew. Retired Navy Captain Stamos served as co-skipper on the boat. It was a bucket list kind of thing. Even though this race was a slow slough, it was an experience well worth the trouble.”

The former Middies took off in intermittent rain around noon on July 19. They crossed the finish line at 4 a.m. on July 22,

two days and 16 hours later, cold, tired, and ready for a hot meal and a shower.

Chicagoan Elam could count over 30 Macs to his credit. This was Woods’s third Mac, his first as owner skipper. Stamos, Gibson, Riley, and Kalisch were making their inaugural run up the lake.

This year’s Mac reminded competitors that no two “Mac Races” are ever the same, delivering the kind of dynamic challenge that has made it an iconic offshore race and a fixture on every sailor’s bucket list.

Known as America’s Offshore Challenge, the 2025 Mac Race tested sailors’ tactical instincts, patience, and mental endurance over the 333-mile course up Lake Michigan and into Lake Huron for the finish at Mackinac Island.

This year’s race coincided with the Chicago Yacht Club’s 150th anniversary, bringing both tradition and forward momentum. With 285 entries—the largest fleet in recent years—the race marked its growth with several innovations, including the debut of the Skyline Sprint (a new spectator-friendly course feature near Chicago’s shoreline), an expanded FirstTimers Program ushering in the next generation of offshore sailors, and the return of the Multihull Division.

A rocky start

Unpredictable wind conditions made this year’s race especially demanding, with many boats taking longer than usual to reach the finish. On average this year, it took cruising division competitors approximately 68 hours to complete and the racing division 57 hours. In contrast, last year’s race was one for the record books as Maverick broke the 22-year-old monohull record (just over 22 hours). The former midshipmen completed the race in a little over 2 days and 16 hours. They finished 80th overall in the Mackinac Trophy Division and were 13th out of 18 J105s.

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

Exit Strategy got off to a rocky start as the crew took some time familiarizing itself with the peculiarities of the boat, even heading off in the wrong direction at one point.

“We finally got it together,” an embarrassed Woods confessed. “The first time we sailed the boat together was a couple of days before the race. (We) definitely could have spent more time learning how to sail her.”

Before the starting gun, Woods said, “There are two kinds of Mac racers: the guys who want to go all out to win and the guys like us who want to learn about the race, finish safely, and have a good time… although ask me again in a couple of days if going without sleep for a couple of days is worth it!?”

Because of their limited experience with the boat, the crew’s sail plan was pretty straight forward: minimal sail changes and a constant eye on the conditions to take advantage of any little shift in the wind. Despite their conservative plan, the boat did manage to hit nine knots for a stretch; although the doldrums did see the boat making zero progress for long stretches of time when it seemed they were almost going backwards.

Woods, Riley, Gibson, and Stamos all served the Navy as fighter pilots and/or flight officers. “Speed is how we defined our time in the Navy. This race was all about patience and timing,” said Woods.

“Get it right, and you’ll make good time. Miss it, and it’s pretty boring.”

While on active duty, Woods, Riley, and Stamos saw plenty of action in the Gulf War and the western Pacific. No strangers to high level maneuvers, the Exit Strategy crew have logged over 10,000 flight hours on Naval aircraft and have completed almost 2000 (successful!) carrier landings. Woods flies commercially for a US airline while Gibson flies for an investment group.

The Naval aviators aboard Exit Strategy recalled the famous quote from the film “Top Gun Maverick” when Tom Cruise’s character Pete Mitchell turns to his girlfriend Penny who is trying to

teach him how to sail her own J/125 and calmly says,“I don’t know how to sail boats, Penny. I land on them.”

Pretty good sailors after all

After their rocky start, the crew settled in for a long run up the lake. The trip was uneventful; with the exception of John Woods losing his phone overboard just as Exit Strategy came under the Mackinac Bridge.

The skipper says, “The sight of the sun coming up and the new moon rising over the Grand Hotel made up for all the little inconsistencies we faced on the trip. By the end of the trip, we had it going. We got to thinking maybe we are pretty good sailors after all.”

The crew was met at the dock by their loyal support team of wives, Bitsy Woods, Tanya Stamos, Susan Riley, Lisa Gibson, and Laura Kalisch with welcoming hugs and kisses. “Any sailor worth his salt has a girl in every port,” laughed Woods. “These girls are pretty special.”

If the group had it all to do over again, “We would have spent more time learning the boat, and we would have packed something better than MREs and power bars to eat,” says Woods. “You’d think that with over 70 years of combined naval shipboard experience we should have figured out how to eat better on the water.”

Will we see Exit Strategy on the start line at next year’s Mac? “Maybe so,” says Woods, “although we’ll make a couple of changes so the trip is more enjoyable.”

Sailfaster Podcast

Ken Read on Starts, Race Tech, and Making Regattas Fun Again

In a recent Sailfaster podcast episode, Pete Boland talked with sailing legend Ken Read about start line strategy, the role of new technology like Vakaros, and his ambitious plan to re-energize regattas through the New York Yacht Club.

Sailfaster: If you came aboard London Calling, our J/105, for the start of a typical windwardleeward race, what would you be talking to me about in the final minute?

Ken Read: First, we’d talk about where you’re comfortable starting. Some people always head for the boat end; others the pin end. If I try to put you somewhere you’re not comfortable, it’s not going to work. Let’s say you like the weather end— do you mind starting just below the pack? Maybe we think the first shift is coming from the left, so we plan to be there. We’d visualize the whole sequence together: here comes the pack, we’re going to do a last-second lee bow, a port-end approach, and play it in your mind so that nothing is a surprise. Sure, things will happen— someone might try to take our hole— but if we’re on the same page about the theory and the why, we have a good chance of success.

I know you’re keen on visualization. Why is this so important before the start? It helps the driver picture the “100 square meters of water” you want to occupy, even though there’s no physical line like the one on a playing field. Practicing that in advance is huge.

How will technology like Vakaros change the game?

We’re in a revolutionary time. Tech such as Vakaros and Velocitek is changing starting styles. Some classes are addicted and will never turn back. (This technology) can democratize starts by helping less experienced sailors judge distance and time better, which compresses performance across a fleet. Starts will shift from being about position to being about acceleration. If everyone’s close to the line and no one’s over early, the differentiator will be who accelerates better. No more midline sag. You don’t even need someone on the bow calling distances; you read the box, hit the trigger, and go. It’s going to change things.

In your current role, what would you like to see change in sailing or racing?

I think regattas need to be more fun. They’re expensive, time-consuming, and there are too many barriers to entry. I got tired of complaining, so I went to Commodore J. Cross at the New York Yacht Club and proposed a task force to improve the regatta experience. We’re using the Annual Regatta in June as a test platform.

What will you do differently at this pilot regatta?

First, manage expectations. The night before, everyone will know their racing circle and start time—maybe 1 p.m., so you can spend the morning with your family. If there’s a last-minute wind shift, we’re not postponing; we’ll start anyway. We’ll keep race circles closer so that we’re not motoring for 90 minutes before racing. We’ll invite families in—kids’ races, junior regattas alongside the main event. We’ll group boats sensibly (displacement with displacement, planing with planing) and remove the politics of owners lobbying for their advantage.

What’s the bigger goal here?

Make it fun for owners to show up again. Loosen rules to get more kids onboard. Keep pros from complaining about small imperfections. Bring back the energy and the joy. If it works in Newport, it could spread worldwide. We’ve got to do more of these things as a sport. Keep it fun, keep it entertaining, and get more people into it. There’s no reason why that can’t happen.”

Hear the full episode with Ken Read and many other top sailors on the Sailfaster podcast. Subscribe wherever you get your favourite podcasts, or on the Sailfaster YouTube channel.

Small Boat Scene What Kind of Sailor Do You Want To Be?

By Kim Couranz

It was the last race of a regatta about a month ago, and the breeze was dying but the current definitely was not. We were battling varying amounts of tide as we tried to make headway upwind toward the finish line. The finish was right at the entrance to a harbor, and current was swirling in odd eddies all over the course. The fleet had gotten rather spread out, so boat-to-boat interactions weren’t all that frequent. But there was a boat coming. She was on starboard, and we were on port.

Which side of the racecourse had less harmful current was really anyone’s guess. The other boat decided they wanted to try the right side of the course, and they intentionally and considerately tacked about two boatlengths ahead of us but a solid boatlength below our line, giving us the flexibility to continue on, trying to see if the right side worked along with her—or to tack away. We chose the latter and ended up picking our way up the lefthand side of the course. Turns out, there was less current on the left, and we ended up crossing the finish line perhaps eight boatlengths ahead of the other boat.

“Nice race,” she called over.

“That was hard!”

“You too,” my skipper hollered. “I guess we had a little less current on our side!”

Lowering her voice to an insidethe-boat rather than a way-acrossthe-finish-line volume, my skipper observed, “She’s really nice to sail against. Knowing that she makes smart, non-panicky decisions helps us plan ahead for what we want to do, because she’ll always choose a good, rational option.”

I agreed wholeheartedly. That interaction has prompted me to think about the qualities that make someone a sailor you enjoy having on the racecourse with you.

Unfortunately, we can also learn what kind of people we don’t enjoy sharing the racecourse with from negative experiences. A few weeks ago, I got to sail with some positive, smart, experienced, but chill sailors on the biggest boat I have raced on in a few decades for a super fun Wednesday night race. We had two interactions that kept me thinking about the topic.

One was sailing downwind toward a leeward mark. We were the leeward

Small Boat Scene

of two boats, both under spinnaker, converging while on the same tack— and as a sprit boat, our proper course was to sail higher than the other boat, which was a traditional pole boat.

Our skipper suggested, “Hey, looks like we want to sail higher than you do; let’s swap sides so that you can sail down to the mark.” But the other boat refused.

There was some low-key rules discussion (for the record, per Racing Rules of Sailing 17, it’s the leeward boat—that was us!—that gets to sail their proper course), but our skipper kept things appropriately Wednesdaynight mellow and didn’t push the issue. Seems like the other boat couldn’t see the forest for the trees. It was suboptimal for both boats.

The second was approaching a rounding mark at which the fleet needed to head up from a reach to roughly close-hauled; we were easing into the harbor in about five knots. A smaller boat was closing in on us, benefiting from better pressure that we had already left behind. As we (34 feet) entered the three-length zone (102 feet), there was

no overlap. More than a boatlength later, the smaller boat, with perhaps a foot of overlap, hollered for buoy room.

Nope! Racing Rules of Sailing 18.2.b clarifies that the zone in effect between two boats is defined by the length of the boat that first enters the zone, so in this case, the applicable zone was 102 feet (3 x 34 feet) rather than 69 feet (3 x 23 feet). Once again, it being Wednesday night and all, our skipper kept his cool (though he did note that if there hadn’t been kids on the other boat, he might have used a cuss word or two) and focused on sailing fast rather than taking any punitive action. I was more than a little surprised at how hard the other boat was willing to push their luck (and risk fiberglass damage) to swindle their way into an inside overlap on a weeknight race.

So, back to my thoughts on what kinds of sailors are delights to share a racecourse with:

• They are competitive but also collaborative.

• They use the rules as a shield, not as a sword.

• They know the rules, but if they don’t, they don’t just pretend they do.

• They value how well they sail more than whether they get a trophy or not.

• They come away with a lesson learned from every day on the water, and they are willing to share it.

• They support and affirm each other, on and off the racecourse.

• They bring new sailors along to help grow our sport.

Sailing against them helps make you a better sailor, because they are fast and smart, so you have to work to be even faster and smarter. And it’s fun!

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.

BROKERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

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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

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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. Semi-annual dues $550. Daily rate $130/day. Contact: 434.808.3512 or garudabuss@gmail.com

33’ Reynolds 1D ‘05 Ready to race catamaran. This boat is typically one of the first to finish in any race. Fastest Elapsed Time Race Record Governors Cup. $20,000 Financing available. No slip fees. Call 443.691.9587 or hyperships@yahoo.com www.tinyurl.com/Reynolds33

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 443.466.2986.

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

1998 Colgate 26 – Great Daysailer! 25.7’ LWL, 8.5’ beam, 3.5’ draft, 12’ cockpit, sleeps 4. Cabin w/ sink, cooler, porta potty, cushioned bunks. Sitting headroom. PHRF 156, single/twohanded setup, main, jibs, spinnaker/ pole. Upgrades: Mack Pack, Strong Track, short keel. 5hp Honda 4-stroke OB. Well-maintained, fast, fun, and ready to sail! Includes trailer. $14,800 or best offer. In-person only. 410.849.3466 – leave message.

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

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

(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

Brokerage & Classified

1976 30’ C&C Cruiser/Racer Immaculately maintained and cared for by 30-year Boat Partnership! EVERYTHING included: 8 Sails, Electronics, Galley, Walker Bay Dinghy, and more! Single Hand Rigged. **REDUCED $14,999** Annapolis area. Owner Sale. Call Mike: 410.533.3964

Catalina 30 Mark II 1988 Well-equipped 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

2002 Com-Pac 27/2 Well-maintained & owned since 2004; Westerbeke 20B diesel engine; new exhaust; dodger & bimini; bronze ports; cockpit seat cushions; Dutchman sail furling system; roller furling Genoa. Located at Coles Point Marina, Hague, VA. $30,000 Text or call Becky 540.533.1265 or email allanson1@earthlink.net

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

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

1977 Columbia 9.6 - Price Reduced! Beautiful, clean, well-cared for example of a cruising classic. Very good condition, freshwater boat. Recently repowered, fresh canvas, new 130 on roller furler. $8,000 Call 434.238.6026 or email mwswart@outlook.com - more info/ photos: www.tinyurl.com/Columbia96

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 Reducded! $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.

Honda 8Hp motor, hard finish bottom. 2 spinnakers, main, jib, and genoa. $5,000 call/txt 410.271.1170

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

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

Middle River, MD. Asking $16,000 Call 717.381.9084 for more info.

1980 O’Day 37 Center Cockpit Sloop Cruiser/Racer Classic blue water cruiser and award-winning racer. Upgrades include A/C, generator, icebox cold plate, radar, HF/SSB, faired bottom, plus halyards run inside the mast. Price reduced to $29,000 Contact Captain Kinard: RichKinard@usa.net. SEABEE’s Boat Information Book: www.tinyurl.com/SEABEE37 (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

(Yemaya) 2005 Hunter 41’ Deck Salon Sailboat Professionally maintained boat w/ many upgrades. $6,000 worth of cruising equipment and technical parts. Dinghy w/ new 9.9Hp Yamaha Outboard included. $139,900 Contact John Virginio @ Florida Coast Yachts: 207.671.0677. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/2005Hunter41

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2016 Lagoon 400 S2

2022 Excess 12

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

(Majestic) St. Francis 44 MKII 1999 Catamaran in. St. Augustine, Florida. Reduced to $189,000 For more details and photos, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/Majestic44

1973 Nautor Swan 44 This 1973 Sparkman & Stevens designed Nautor Swan is ready to be raced or cruised by her new owners. ‘Aura’ is a wellrespected and beautiful Swan 44 with classic lines, and a dream to sail. The boat is berthed in St. Mary’s County, MD and ready for inspection. $62,000 Call Piet Van Os, 305.928.1335, piet@dqyachts.com – For more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/NautorSwan44

1983 Little Harbor 44 Cruiser 2024 North main, 2023 electronics, 2023 HVAC, 2024 refrigeration, Maxprop, rebuilt transmission. Ted Hood design—furling sails and centerboard—only draws 5’. Price Reduced! $95,000 Call Rod Rowan at Crusader Yacht Sales, 703.593.7351 or Rod@CrusaderYachts.com For more info/photos, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/44LittleHarbor

1974 Scheel 45 - Price Reduced!

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, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Lagoon 40 Owners Version 2025

This is a brand new 2025 MODEL!! 3 cabin owners’ version!! OPTIONS INCLUDE: Upgraded Yanmar EnginesComfort Package-Generator, InverterAircon-SOLAR. MSRP $704,779 –YOUR PRICE $595,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.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, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Lagoon 42 Owners Version 2025 AVAILABLE NOW!! TARIFF PROTECTED This is a brand new 2025 MODEL!! 3 cabin owners’ version!! 1200W CUSTOM SOLAR ARRAYLITHIUM-ION BATTERY UPGRADE. MSRP $908,943 –YOUR PRICE $749,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

NEW 2025 Lagoon 43 Fully Equipped, Owner’s Version. Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

NEW Jeannueu Sun Odyssey 440 2024 Cozy and sporty, the Sun Odyssey 440 delivers extra comfort and accommodations to facilitate life on board! $449,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Yacht 51 2021 BEATRICE is extensively upgraded and optimized for blue water cruising, offering both performance and comfort. This highly equipped vessel is ready for long passages, single-handed sailing, and luxurious onboard living w/ premium aftermarket upgrades and enhancements. $795,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

Jeanneau Yacht 54 2021 Introducing GENESIS, a heavily upgraded and immaculately maintained 2021 Jeanneau 54’ 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. $695,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

FEATURED LISTINGS

60 Beneteau Oceanis 60 2016 .............................. $599,000

57 Southerly 57RS 2010 $899,000

55 Tayana 55 Sloop 1991 ..................................... $225,000

49 Beneteau 49 2007 $234,500

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

48 Beneteau Oceanis 48 2014 $299,000

48 Island Packet 485 ‘04, ‘07 ...................2 from $440,000

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 Island Packet 440 2006 $349,000

45 Jeanneau 45.2 1998 $168,000

44 Alden 44 1979 $89,000

44 Beneteau 44 CC 2000 $114,000

44 Catalina 445 2011 ........................................... $285,000

43 Beneteau 423 2003 $129,000

43 Broadblue 435 2010 ........................................ $375,000

43 Saga 43 1998 $176,000

43

Brokerage & Classified

Jeanneau Yacht 55 2024 NEW 2024

JEANNEAU YACHT 55-TARIFF

PROTECTED-Newly Crowned Cruising World Magazine-”2024 Overall Boat of the Year” Available NOW

(Confetti) 2016 Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 Meticulously maintained by detailed-minded cruisers. US Import Duty Paid. Great features include: Solar array, watermaker, Onan generator, Extensive Sailing Inventory (code 0, spinnaker, asymmetrical halyard, bowsprit. Location: Baltimore, MD. Asking: $899,000 Catamaran Central , 305.587.1311, Bill@CatamaranCentral.com , www.CatamaranCentral.com

Annapolis. MSRP $1,350,000 –YOUR PRICE

$1,099,000

Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

(Rima) 2018 Outremer 51 Exceptionally well-equipped bluewater performance catamaran fully outfitted for cruising: 1400w solar, Lithium batteries, A/C that runs off battery bank, Up-to-date on all service, ParaSailor, Genoa, Code 0, and Code D sail, Dual autopilots for redundancy. Location: Baltimore, MD. Asking: $899,000 Catamaran Central, 754.778.7245, Info@CatamaranCentral.com , www.CatamaranCentral.com

2024 Tartan 365 36’ Hull #8 - Boat of Year WINNER! Tartan 365 is proven coastal cruiser w/ an open layout and contemporary maple interior. New boat! Epoxy Hull, Carbon Rig, CCR Sailplan. Model year Clearance priced at $449,000 - over 550k to replace today. Trades considered. Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Excess 12 40’ “Artemis” is fully equipped for coastal cruising. Highlights include - Genset, Air Con, Dinghy, Code Zero and More! Lightly used on Chesapeake Bay only. Asking $499,000 Denise Hanna 410.991.8236 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2022 Excess 11 37’ Very wellequipped for cruising, Genset, Air, Etc… Competitively priced at $465,000 Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

$1,275,000

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.

Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com

(Amihan) 2023 Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 Loaded, low hours! Owner Version w/ all the goodies: 1400w solar, large lithium house bank to run Air Con off of, Watermaker, washer/dryer, Mantus anchor. Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay. Asking: $569,000 Catamaran Central, 305.587.1311, Bill@CatamaranCentral.com , www.CatamaranCentral.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

2005 Pacific Seacraft 40 40’ “Azure”Crealock design - quality build! One of the last 5 built - Air Con, Diesel heat, Newer standing and Running Rigging, Solar & Wind Generator. Extensive equipment - Ready for coastal or offshore cruise! Asking $235,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

2015 Tartan 4000 40’ Leisure Furl boom, Reversing electric winches w/ push button controls, under 175 hours! Immaculate - step aboard and go! This won’t last long! $385,000 Call Dave van den Arend 443.850.4197 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

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 $179,900 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 $875,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

(Spirit) 30’ C.E. Ryder Sea Sprite ‘83 $19,000 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

(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

(Blue) 46’ Beneteau ‘97 $125,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

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

1999 Beneteau Oceanis 321 Great Family Bay boat! Super clean. Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com

2002 Beneteau 393 Local boat. Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com

2019 Lagoon 42 B better than newloaded with upgrades! Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com

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

(Saga) 28’ Shannon ‘82 $39,000 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

Brokerage & Classified

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

32’ Hake / Seaward 32RK 2005

Versatile sailboat w/ retractable keel, bow thruster, trailer, A/C, & extensive upgrades. Shoal draft to deep water at the push of a button—perfect for cruising anywhere. $91,500 S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605, 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

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

42’ Manta 42 MKIV 2007 Bluewater Catamaran: owner’s version – never chartered. Just back from a 7-month cruise. Very well-equipped, maintained & upgraded by very attentive owners. Looking for a catamaran that can safely take you where you want to go? Call today! $278,500 S&J Yachts, 410.971.1071, www.sjyachts.com

42’ Bavaria Ocean 42 1999 New to the market & ready to sail! Slipped in Annapolis, MD - 2 cabin/2 head, motor new in 2020, now w/ 60 hours. $120,000 S&J Yachts, 410.571.3605, www.sjyachts.com

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

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

45’ Catalina 445 2011 Super clean! Comfortable accommodations; 3 cabins, 2heads. A/C. Easy to sail; furling main & headsail, electric winches. ICW Friendly. Shoal draft. Low hrs: Eng. 723, Gen. 204. New barrier coat May. Ready to go! $285,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, 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

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. $450,000 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

To find more used boats, visit spinsheet.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 $295,950 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

Anne & Jon Hutchings

17218 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA Anne: 804-567-0092 | Jon: 804-567-0093 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

42’ X Yachts X-412 2001 Stylish performer for racing, weekending or longer cruising, 2 cabin 1 head, Workshop, washer/dryer, Rod rigging, Yanmar w/ saildrive, FP genset, Good sails, New stack-pack. $114,000 Hampton, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

50’ 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

40’ Pacific Seacraft 40 1996 FULL REFIT. Beta Marine 50HP Engine, Standing rigging replaced, Solar Panels (810 W), Lithium Batteries (600 AH), Garmin Electronics (see ELECTRONICS), Bottom stripped, barrier coated & painted, upgraded wiring, Elvstrom Mainsail & Genoa. $249,000 Deltaville, VA. Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@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! Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne @yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

54’ Hylas 54 1998 Loaded w/ cruising gear and upgrades. Standing rigging & engine mounts(2024); Mainsail, Fridge & Freezer, Rocna 77 (2022); Custom davits w/ solar mounts, solar panels (2021); full enclosure, electric winches. Fantastic Value at $500,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

Chesapeake Bay Marina

MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES

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, and more. For more information, visit www.ChesapeakeHorizonsSailing.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

HELP 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

2022 Torqeedo Travel 1103 CS High-performance electric outboard motor - used 3 times, mint condition! Comes w/ 2 backup batteries, case for motor and one battery. $2,500Text/Call 302-379-5457

SCHOOLS

SLIPS & STORAGE

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

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

SURVEYORS

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.

Discover a career in

Boating

Get started at www.mtam.org

Welcome to the Team

Seattle Yachts Annapolis announces that Matt Weimer has joined its team. Matt is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker and a seasoned marine professional with over 30 years of experience spanning nearly every corner of the boating industry—from delivery captain and private yacht skipper to sailing instructor, commercial marine sales, and deck utility on tugboats. Since 2019, he has been a full-time yacht broker, combining hands-on expertise with deep market knowledge to help clients confidently buy and sell both power and sail vessels. A native of Annapolis, Matt grew up sailing the Chesapeake Bay. His boating resume includes offshore miles across the US, Caribbean, and Europe, and he continues to stay closely connected to the water and the lifestyle that surrounds it. What sets Matt apart is his commitment to customer satisfaction and lasting relationships. He is known for being responsive 24/7 and is most proud of the referrals he receives from satisfied clients—a testament to the trust he builds with every transaction. Seattle Yachts is excited to welcome Matt to the team! The company also shares an upcoming event, the Fall Boat Show Preview Open House, September 19-20 Team members will be on site to walk customers through in-stock Nimbus Powerboats, including the T9, C9, W11, C11, and 305 Coupe. The hours for the event are Friday 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seattle Yachts Annapolis at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard. There will be a Chalk Talk with Chris Humphries on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Topic: Adding Starlink, Solar, Lithium Batteries, and Generators: General information, Comparisons, and Installation—Which is right for you? There will be a Nimbus dockside reception beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday. seattleyachts.com

African Boating Conference

As Ullman Sails celebrates 58 years of global innovation in sailmaking, the company is reinforcing its leadership position by supporting and participating in the African Boating Conference, taking place in Cape Town October 21-22. To spotlight these developments and champion the African marine industry, Michael England, CEO of Ullman Sails South Africa, will join a high-profile panel at the conference. With extensive experience in international manufacturing and trade, Michael will offer insights into how local innovation and strategic global partnerships are reshaping Africa’s position in the world of sailing. “As a long-standing manufacturer in South Africa, we’ve seen firsthand the potential of Africa as a center of excellence in the global marine sector,” he says. “Being part of the African Boating Conference allows us to share our story, learn from others, and advocate for the policies and infrastructure needed to support further growth.” With operations spanning the United States, South Africa, Europe, and Australia, Ullman Sails is one of the world’s most respected performance sailmakers—supplying everyone from dinghy racers to superyacht owners. Central to its global strategy is its manufacturing facility in Cape Town, now in its eighth year under full Ullman ownership. This hub plays a critical role in ensuring quality, turnaround times, and supply consistency for clients around the world, while also serving as a model for how Africa can lead in advanced marine manufacturing. As the company marks this 58-year milestone, it is also launching two new products in September—TriTex and Axia. England stated, “These products represent the culmination of decades of design expertise, advanced materials research, and a deep understanding of what sailors need to perform at their best.” ullmansails.com

New Location

Potomac Sailmakers announces that in addition to its current Alexandria, VA, location, they will now be servicing boaters’ needs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore from an Easton, MD, location. As an agent for Neil Pryde Sails, they bring Neil Pryde’s 50 years of experience to the local sailing community. Services include new sails, canvas, shade-sails, and cushions and repairs to all. potomacsails.com

Send your Chesapeake Bay business news and high-resolution photos to kaylie@spinsheet.com

New Dealer

Signature Catamarans has been appointed as the official Lagoon Catamaran dealer for the Chesapeake Bay, Northeast United States and Great Lakes area, marking a major expansion of the company’s presence in the region. New offices are now open in Annapolis, MD; Hayes, VA; Sag Harbor, NY; and Newport, RI. Backed by decades of industry expertise, the team at Signature Catamarans brings a wealth of knowledge in yacht and catamaran sales, charter operations, marina management, and comprehensive after-sales and warranty support. As a Lagoon-exclusive dealership, Signature Catamarans is committed to delivering personalized service and expert guidance at every stage of the ownership journey—from purchase to ongoing care. A standout feature of this new partnership is Signature’s facility at the Severn Yachting Center in Hayes, VA. This full-service marina can haul catamarans with beams up to 27 feet and now serves as Lagoon’s new permanent U.S. showroom. Clients are welcome to view and sea trial new Lagoon models on site. The Annapolis office, located at Horn Point Marina, is open by appointment and will also feature select Lagoon models for viewing. The company has also partnered with Virgin Islands Yacht Charters (VIYC) and Symphony Yachts to offer turn-key charter management programs in the USVI and BVI. Whether owners prefer bareboat or fully crewed options, these boutique services—owned and operated by a partner of Signature Catamarans—prioritize high-level service, maintenance, and care. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact Signature Catamarans at info@signaturecatamarans.com or (929) 207-0001. signaturecatamarans.com

New Places To Pick Up SpinSheet

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

• Annapolis Harbormaster (new location: 4 Dock Street, Suite 100) in Annapolis, MD

• Priority Honda in Hampton, VA

SpinSheet 1999: The Relationship

By Lin McCarthy

In honor of our 30th anniversary this year, we’re printing articles from our archives. This one by the late, great Lin McCarthy, first ran in March 1999 in our spring commissioning section. It’s a bit backward seasonally but guaranteed to bring a smile:

Ah, what a glorious union! When first you met you could not bear to be apart. You shared friends and acquaintances with her and her with them. You ate together. You traveled together. Yes, you slept together. It was the best summer of your life.

Then came cold times on the hard. You left her. You said you’d support her financially—to ease your pangs of guilt, perhaps—but you told her not to expect to see much of you for a while.

That fall day you abandoned her. Wrapped her in a blue plastic tarp. Stripped her of her running rigging. You took away her rudder with promises to make it smoother, fairer, faster. Was the promise to ease the parting?

You wrenched out her innards. Could not leave the cushions in the main salon or vee berth, protecting against dampness and mildew you said. You tossed indiscriminately into the pickup truck all the carefully chosen charts, linens, and water toys.

You ripped out the heart of her electronics to prevent theft and drained her engine’s juices to prevent ice, you coldly rationalized. You allowed her a single light bulb for life support.

She existed sometimes patiently, always sadly, after that fall day. Her keel shamelessly exposed—held aloft by a platoon of jackstands that paraded across the boatyard. The indignity of being on the hill was beyond comprehension.

She suffered the loneliness of winter. A wall of surrounding office buildings or

trees prevented her escape. Utility wires draped and swung dangerously close to her still proud mast. She sat stranded—visited only by birds stopping to bask in the winter sun on her windex. You came once. And, you seemed to delight in publicly gouging out the few blisters that had popped up for all to see.

Now comes the warmth of spring. You, the prodigal son, return. You bring back all you took. You seek to restore the treasured memories of the past. You have come to your senses. She forgives you. Let the spring commissioning begin!

Do you have a memory from SpinSheet in years past you’d like to share? Send it to editor@spinsheet.com

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