PropTalk Magazine January 2023

Worth the Wait

The world never stops turning – and her infinite wonders remain. Now is the time to leave all your worries on the dock, let Mother Nature dazzle you with her beauty once more, and discover a truly unforgettable vacation on the water…

Features 22

Winter Boat and Fishing Shows

Head inside this winter for great deals on boats and boating equipment, along with seminars, great food, and fellow boaters.

By Staff

Boat Notes: Solara S-310 CW

This new boat proves that one hull can, in fact, do the job of three.

By Lenny Rudow

27

See the Bay: Irvington, VA

A small town with a big spirit, Irvington certainly deserves to be a stop on your next cruise to the Southern Chesapeake Bay.

By Kelsey Bonham

Trailering for the Long Haul Planning on trailering your boat long distances? Keep these considerations in mind.

By Joe Borrison

32

Annapolis Snowbirds ICW Adventure

Last month we covered how quick haul repairs saved the day. Now, the author shares his journey south.

By Mike Pitchford

Double Take Can you spot the differences between these two photos?

The Solara S-310 CW graces the cover this month. Read the full review on page 25. Photo by Brian Dickhaut, courtesy of Pocket Yacht Company

# Photo courtesy of The Tides Inn

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

PUBLISHER

Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@proptalk.com

A SSoCIATE PUBLISHER Chris Charbonneau, chris@proptalk.com

MANAGING EDIToR Molly Winans, molly@proptalk.com

EDIToR Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@proptalk.com

SENIoR EDIToR Beth Crabtree, beth@proptalk.com

CoNTRIBUTING EDIToR Lenny Rudow, FishTalk Editor, lenny@fishtalkmag.com

ADVERTISING SALES Eric Richardson, eric@proptalk.com

CoPY EDIToR Lucy Iliff, lucy@proptalk.com

EDIToRIAL ASSISTANT Kelsey Bonham

CUSToMER SERVICE MANAGER Brooke King, brooke@proptalk.com

DISTRIBUTIoN /BRokERAGE /CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER Beatrice M. Roderick , beatrice@proptalk.com

ART DIRECToR / PRoDUCTIoN MANAGER Zach Ditmars, zach@proptalk.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PRoDUCTIoN ASSISTANT Royal Snyder, royal@proptalk.com

CoNTRIBUTING WRITERS

Joe Borrison, Chris “Seabuddy” Brown, Eric Burnley Sr., Steve d’Antonio, Capt. Rick Franke, Charlie Iliff, Craig Ligibel, Capt. Michael L. Martel, Kendall Osborne, and Mike Pitchford

CoNTRIBUTING PHoToGRAPHERS

Paul Denbow, Dennis J. Falkowski, Al Schreitmueller, and Thomas C. Scilipoti

DISTRIBUTIoN

Martin and Betty Casey, Gregory G. Greenwell Sr., Dave Harlock, Ron and Colleen Ogden, John and Chrissy Wathen

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

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

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

© 2023 SpinSheet Publishing Company

It Takes a Village

As 2022 comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who makes all of this possible. We have 12 people who make up the SpinSheet/ PropTalk/FishTalk/ (SPF) team, and yes, those same 12 people put out three magazines a month, 12 times a year.

There are the names you know, but there might be a few you are less familiar with. I’m sure, for instance, you know me, but what you might not know is that I edit all three publications, not just PropTalk. You are probably also familiar with Molly Winans, editor of SpinSheet Magazine and managing editor of all three pubs. Senior editor Beth Crabtree manages the Club Notes section of PropTalk and SpinSheet, as well as writing and editing for both publications. She also writes a monthly column in SpinSheet called Start Sailing Now. Lenny Rudow, angler in chief of FishTalk Magazine, also writes the monthly Boat Notes and Fish News columns in PropTalk, as well as starring in some of the boat review videos on PropTalk’s YouTube channel.

Beatrice Roderick is our distribution, brokerage, and classifieds manager. So apart from managing our brokerage and classified ad listings, she also manages our magazine distribution for all three publications. And because our publications are free, having places all over the Chesapeake region for our readers to pick them up is critical. Beatrice also personally delivers magazines each month. Speaking of which, we are still looking for distribution drivers for a few of our routes. See page 61 for more information.

Brooke King is our customer service manager. She wears a lot of hats— Brooke does all of our billing; she works on PortBook, our marine services directory; she, along with Zach Ditmars, sets up each and every one of our boat show displays (that’s five a year); she is our

By Kaylie Jasinski

office manager and makes sure we are always stocked with supplies, whether in-house or at a boat show; and she even serves as Santa every year (sending out holiday cards and gifts to our contributors).

Associate publisher Chris Charbonneau also wears a lot of hats. Apart from working on big-picture items, he sells ads and develops marketing campaigns both in-house and for our clients. Eric Richardson is also a part of our sales and marketing team. He is always looking for new markets and developing new and exciting campaigns, including some recent video shoots (if you haven’t checked out the Solace 30 HCS video yet, visit FishTalk’s YouTube channel).

Lucy Iliff, who happens to be our publisher Mary Ewenson’s mother, recently retired as distribution/brokerage/classifieds manager but continues to be our favorite in-office grammarian. She copyedits all three publications and if an article gets the Lucy stamp of approval, you know it’s going to be a good one.

Speaking of our publisher, Mary Ewenson is our fearless leader. She started SpinSheet back in 1995, PropTalk in 2005, and FishTalk (along with Lenny Rudow) in 2017. While some print publications have scaled back over the years, we continue to put out three print magazines a month and continue to grow and adapt with the times. Mary is also the president of the Annapolis Boat Shows and the president of the nonprofit EWE Spirit Foundation, which honors the legacy of Geoff Ewenson (learn more at ewespirit.org). She is an inspiration to all of us, and we are so lucky to have her at the helm of SPF.

When it comes to a quality magazine, it doesn’t matter how great the writing is if the magazine itself doesn’t look visually appealing. That’s where Royal and Zach come in. Royal Snyder is our graphic designer/production assistant. She works on the layout of all three

publications, creates ads, and also designs marketing materials, both for our clients and for SPF. Zach Ditmars is our art director/production manager. So apart from working on magazine layout, he also creates ads and marketing materials, is often our unofficial in-house IT guy, and he shoots and edits videos for all three pubs. Remember that Solace video we mentioned earlier? Shot and edited by our very own Zach Ditmars. His video of the Weaver 41 center console won third place at the Boating Writer’s International awards in the 2021 Boating Videos category. Zach also occasionally writes for PropTalk and FishTalk, he designed our new boat show booth layout, and even serves as an unofficial copyeditor for all our magazines. Did I mention that all of us pretty much wear multiple hats?

Then of course we have our distribution drivers who are the real unsung heroes—many thanks to Martin and Betty Casey, Gregory G. Greenwell Sr., Dave Harlock, Ron and Colleen Ogden, John and Chrissy Wathen, and Abbey Iliff (also best wishes to longtime drivers Bob and Cindy Daley who recently retired—you will be missed!).

Our contributing writers help us bring varied voices to our pages each month. We would like to thank everyone who has ever submitted an article but would like to extend a special thanks to our recurring writers and monthly columnists: Chris “Seabuddy” Brown, Eric Burnley, Capt. Rick Franke, Craig Ligibel, Mike Pitchford, Capt. Michael L. Martel, Charlie Iliff, Joe Borrison, and our editorial assistant Kelsey Bonham. And of course, our advertisers, who make all of this possible, and our readers, because without such loyal readers, what would all this be for?

Thank you for reading, thank you for advertising, and thank you for joining us for another year of SPF!

19 Years of Lighted Boats

It’s amazing the amount of love this year’s entry into the Middle River Parade of Lighted Boats has gotten, near and far, including the shout out on 98 Rock Baltimore to somehow making the news in Florida. Even to the BGE Retirees who reached out saying how they worked at the (CP Crane) plant, and it made them tear up seeing the float.

The red and white iconic navigational beacon on the Bay that guided me home so many nights on the boat and was my night light from my bedroom window, was laid to rest earlier this fall. For years we would patiently wait for Thanksgiving night as they would light a small Christmas tree next to these monster 400-foot towering stacks in the night sky. This became the signal that Christmas was officially here on Seneca Creek. This Thanksgiving was different—no stacks and no tree, just darkness. That night the idea came to us: let’s give the old gal one last send off. In less than 38 hours we were parade bound: two towering stacks, four generators, smoke machines, gallons of fog, 16 flashing beacons, Christmas wreaths, and 7000 lights later and she was alive again in spirit. The final detail was that small tree just like what was put on top of the plant every Christmas.

While I can’t bring the real stacks back, it felt good to relive the past Christmases of my childhood with this year’s float. Nineteen years ago, we entered our first float into the parade. Since then, every year the parade has just grown and grown. While every year we try to be unique from creating fire trucks to fire breathing dragons and things in between, this one was even more special. Special thanks to my family and friends who always show up and just make it happen. Without them there would be no float: Jim and Joanne, Riley, Cathy, Phil, Greg, and Doug, to everyone who makes this parade happen. Merry Christmas to all.

~Nick Hock

# Photos courtesy of Nick Hock

Meet Phoenix

Meet Dodger

Dodger is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Madeline Vachon says, “He spends a lot of time at Hartge’s learning about boat parts.”

Jeff Stonehill at Machodoc Creek Marina shares these photos of Phoenix, a rescued German Shepherd, enjoying his new life patrolling the waters of Machodoc Creek, VA.

# Dodger will be 10 months old this month.

The Chesapeake National Recreation Area: What Do You Think?

Two years ago, we reported in PropTalk about the Chesapeake Conservancy’s advocacy work to establish some sort of a National Park unit on the Bay. Joel Dunn, Chesapeake Conservancy president, said, “This park would not be one continuous locale, but rather a collection of areas that celebrate the many stories of the Chesapeake from those of American Indians, to Black history, to watermen, just to name a few.” Thanks to a working group of lawmakers, community leaders, and non-profits, this idea is coming closer to fruition.

On November 14, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman John Sarbanes, other political figures, and non-profit leaders, including Dunn, gathered at the Burtis House next to City Dock Annapolis to announce the release of a draft of legislation for a Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA).

The concept is not new. The idea of creating some sort of National Park status to protect and enhance recreational opportunities on our nation’s largest estuary has brewed since the 1980s. In Congressman Sarbanes’s words this project “will direct more resources to the Bay, improve public access, and promote environmental stewardship.”

According to the CRNA web page, it “would utilize a collection of partnerships with states, localities, and private entities with the intent of highlighting the diverse landscape and national significance of the Chesapeake Bay.” The idea is to increase access and strengthen stewardship in the region, as well as “spurring economic growth.”

The proposal also outlines what it will not do. In short, the CNRA will not change your fishing, boating, or

safety regulations; acquire your property (unless you voluntarily sell or donate it); or impose regulations on your waterfront property.

The CRNA does aim to increase diverse access to the Chesapeake. Senator Van Hollen’s office noted: “[It] will highlight the stories that often go untold—those of Indigenous peoples; free and enslaved Blacks; the role the Bay played in the earliest days of the Maryland and Virginia Colonies; the key part the Bay has played, and continues to play, in the region’s economy; and the story of watermen and -women…”

The first sites within the CNRA would be Burtis House, Whitehall Manor, Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, and the North Beach of Fort

Monroe. More would be added in time. Through the draft of legislation, the National Park Service (NPS) will be permitted to acquire (by voluntary sales or donations) or partner with those four sites.

Whether you like this idea or not, make sure to let your voice be heard. Find the CRNA map, fact sheet, guiding principles, discussion draft, proposed sites’ background, and form for public comment at vanhollen.senate. gov/cnra. The CNRA working group will accept public comments on the proposal through February 12, 2023.

As regional boaters, you have a unique view and experience on the Bay. Please share it with lawmakers to make it a better place.

Members of the CNRA working group: Dr. kandis Boyd, director of the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program; Joel Dunn, president of the Chesapeake Conservancy; Vince Leggett, president of Blacks of the Chesapeake; Senator Van Hollen; Mayor Gavin Buckley; Congressman Sarbanes; and Johnny Shockley, founder of Blue oyster Environmental and third-generation waterman. Photo courtesy of Senator Van Hollen’s office

Where the Outdoorsy People Go on January 1

Whether it’s a day on the water or a hike on land, a lot of outdoorsy people will enjoy time outside on the first day of the year.

First Day Hikes (FDH), which have grown in popularity over the past years, aim to get people outside and exercising on January 1. You may participate by joining a guided hike or taking a self-guided trek. Guided hikes are a terrific way to explore a new area because they offer leadership by a ranger or volunteer who is familiar with the terrain and the history of the area.

State and local parks in the Chesapeake region will offer many FDH options for hikes of various distances and difficulties. As of this writing, 10 hikes are scheduled for January 1, 2023, by Anne Arundel County, Maryland’s Recreation and Parks Department, and that’s just on the county level! Last year, Maryland State Parks hosted more than 40 hikes, and in Virginia more than 60 hikes were scheduled for the first day of 2022. Check also with your local environmental nonprofits, which may also host hikes.

Of course, this is a boating publication, and for certain there are die-hard boaters who will choose to go boating to kick off the new year. The waterways can be lovely at this time of year, less crowded for certain. If you are out on the water, be sure to follow best practices for cold water boating. You may find such tips at proptalk.com/cold-water-safetydress-water-temperature and boatus. org/study-guide/prep/cold-water.

We recommend that as we get closer to the New Year you check the websites of your state and local parks and environmental nonprofits for updated information regarding January 1, 2023, hikes. Find cold weather hiking tips at: americanhiking.org/first-day-hikes.

HERRINGTON NORTH

389 Deale Road

Tracey’s Landing, MD 410.656.1518

HERRINGTON SOUTH

7149 Lake Shore Drive North Beach, MD 301.265.2122

Boating Made Easy

Discover it all at Herringtonharbour.com

# First Day hikers January 2022. Photo courtesy of Maryland DNR.

Boating Resolutions

If you asked 10 random boaters what their goals were for the New Year, we’d bet that more than half of them would say “go boating more.” Saying it is easy, making it happen is a little bit harder. That’s why you should make measurable boating goals for 2023 so that you can track your progress and stay motivated. Start small with goals you know you can achieve, such as going paddling 10 times, and then don’t be afraid to include a few larger bucket list goals as well, such as chartering in a new-to-you destination.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Go fishing X number of times.

• Catch a new-to-you species of fish. Are rockfish your bread and butter? If so, why not give pickerel or snakehead a try?

• Go sailing. If you’re a die-hard powerboater, consider going over to the dark side for just one day (we won’t tell if you don’t).

• Travel by boat to a Chesapeake town you’ve never been to before.

• Spend a night on a boat. It can be your boat, a friend’s, a charter, or there are even a few Airbnb boats if you do a little digging.

• Take a boating course.

• Take someone for a boat ride.

• Try a new watersport: standup paddleboarding, kiteboarding, foiling windsurfers, water skiing… the options are endless!

• Play hooky one day to go boating.

• Rent a boat on a body of water other than the Chesapeake Bay. When planning your next vacation, even if it’s not going to be a ‘boating trip,’ try and set aside one day to rent a boat and explore a new waterway.

When we asked the PropTalk staff, here’s what a few of them had to say:

It’s the 10-year anniversary of our Century Club, and I’ve never even tried to log 100 days. I’m going for it in 2023! ~Molly Winans

“To never turn down an invitation to go boating, sailing, or paddling, especially if it is with a new friend or on a new type of vessel.” ~Beth Crabtree

“To travel and go kayak fishing at a Chesapeake destination I have not visited before.” ~Zach Ditmars

“To travel to at least one new Chesapeake destination by boat and to take my dog, Bodhi, out paddling with me at least 10 times.” ~Kaylie Jasinski

“To get out on the water more because, ‘The waves of the sea bring me back to me.’” ~Beatrice Roderick

Oyster R&R on the Rhode—Research and Restoration!

In mid-November, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) announced a new partnership centered on oyster restoration, which includes relocating CBF’s Maryland Oyster Restoration Center to the SERC campus in Edgewater to produce spat-on-shell oysters and reef balls.

CBF and SERC will work collaboratively to expand research opportunities, train students, and promote Bay restoration through this new partnership. SERC’s research into the challenges facing coastal areas worldwide, including climate change, invasive species, and pollution threats to ecosystems, will help inform CBF’s ongoing efforts to restore oysters and increase reef habitat in the Bay.

“This new partnership of SERC and CBF brings a strong blend of research and public engagement for restoring oysters in the Bay—a crucial step in rebuilding the co-benefits of healthy oyster reefs,” said SERC director Tuck Hines.

“SERC’s base in the Rhode River provides ready access to new restoration sites on the Western Shore, where we can engage more people as citizen scientists in regenerating biodiversity and ecosystems

has added more than 332 million spat, or juvenile oysters, to reefs throughout the Bay. Previously, CBF’s Maryland Oyster Restoration Center was located at Discovery Village in Shady Side.

“The partnership between SERC and CBF is an oyster restoration match made in heaven,” said CBF president Hilary Falk. “Locating CBF’s oyster restoration activities at SERC will usher in a new era of collaboration between our organizations that will expand oyster restoration efforts, advance cutting-edge oyster science, and so much more.”

CBF and SERC leaders and staff celebrated the new partnership by planting more than 200,000 oysters on a reef near the SERC dock.

services for the Bay. Going forward, CBF’s spat on-shell production process and the R/V Patricia Campbell will allow SERC to apply rigorous experiments at a scale to test new ideas about the complex interactions of reef design.”

CBF has coordinated Bay oyster restoration efforts for more than 20 years and

Increasing oyster populations would be a boon for the overall Bay ecosystem, which benefits from oysters’ natural ability to filter water and build habitat. Fish, crabs, and other marine species often use the nooks in oyster reefs to hide from predators and scour the reefs for food.

Learn more at cbf.org and serc.si.edu.

# What are your boating goals for the New Year? Photo by Kelsey Bonham

# CBF and SERC staff adding oysters to the Rhode River to celebrate their new partnership. Photo by A.J. Metcalf/ CBF

Middle School Students Build Two SUPs

Acrowd of family, friends, and supporters gathered on a sunny November day near Fogg’s Cove on the campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) to celebrate the latest completed project for the Rising Tide after-school program.

Since last winter, a group of local middle school students has been working to build two standup paddleboards through the CBMM program, and during the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, they marked a job well done with a festive celebration on a chilly afternoon that included a ceremonial splashing of the boards as well as a sparkling apple juice toast.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work that these students have put into the build of these paddleboards,” said CBMM workshop education manager Kendall Wallace, who oversees the program. “With involvement at absolutely every step of the building process, the students learned many new skills, and those who had never used a plane,

clamp, or chisel quickly became masters of the craft. I sincerely hope that the lessons of dedication, persistence, and precision that were practiced through this project will serve as foundations for their futures inside and outside of the workshop.”

A dozen Rising Tide participants, led by CBMM staff and volunteers, worked together over approximately six months, with a summer break for camp programming, to bring the paddleboards to life. Constructing two boards meant twice as much action for the students, which kept all hands busy during class time. One SUP was recently auctioned off to help support the program, and the other will remain in CBMM’s fleet of paddle craft as an enduring reminder of the hard work of the students to take the project from start to finish.

After a holiday break, the program will return starting on January 23, when students will work alongside apprentices from CBMM’s shipyard on the build of a St. Michaels scow.

The program meets each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after school from 3:30-5:30 p.m at CBMM. Transportation is offered from the Easton YMCA and St. Michaels Middle/High School. Email risingtide@cbmm.org for more information.

Students celebrated the completed SUP project with a ceremonial splashing. Photo courtesy of CBMM

Get a Head Start on Winter Maintenance

By Kelsey Bonham

If idle winter months make you itch to get your hands on some projects, read on for some ideas on what you can do to keep busy and make your spring commissioning the easiest one yet… because even in the in-between season, there is always something to be done on the boat.

Gather supplies. Come spring, will you be doing a bottom paint job? Oil change? Zinc replacement? Go ahead and get everything you need, so you can get started the moment the weather turns.

Organize the boating section of your home. Spend time sorting through any miscellaneous boating-related items that you have stuffed into your garage or closet. Get rid of expired, leaking, broken, or otherwise unusable supplies and create a system for your remaining inventory.

Spruce up your cabin. If your boat’s interior has become a little less than inviting, use this time to make it feel like new again. Deep clean your cushions and other fabrics, reorganize

your drawers and lockers, wipe down those hidden corners, and destinkify the bilges.

Get that thing you wanted all summer long. Maybe it’s a bimini, a grill, new rod holders, a refurbished livewell, new speakers, or an embroidered captain’s chair. Many marine supplies and accessories go on sale in the winter, and adding that new toy will make you even more excited for the first day back out on the Bay.

Check your paperwork. Make sure you know when you need to renew your registration, insurance, fishing license, and any other odds and ends that need to be in order in time for spring. It’s boring, I know, but what a bummer it would be to discover that your boat’s registration is two months expired the day you launch.

Read a book. When you can’t get out on the water, the next best thing might be living vicariously through someone else. Find a book of salty

The Outlaw Ocean Podcast

By Kelsey Bonham

stories, settle in with a warm drink, and dream of sunny days on the water yet to come.

There’s a new podcast about life at sea, and it’s probably not what you’re expecting. The Outlaw Ocean, released this past fall, is a seven-part audio series that explores lawlessness on the high seas. Ian Urbina, a former New

York Times reporter, narrates tales of cold-blooded murder, modern day slavery, piracy, vigilante law enforcement, illegal fishing, and environmental crimes to paint the oceans as a frontier where the laws of the land cease to exist, inviting humanity to show its true colors. While the series falls under the genre of investigative journalism, its enmeshment with musical backdrops and narrative storytelling make it feel more like a true crime thriller and first-person travelog than an academic lecture. Personally, I found it so riveting that I would liken it to a bingeable Netflix series.

In addition to fascinating reporting about crimes at sea, the podcast also shows how Urbina’s relationship with his subject evolves over time. He reflects on how his investigation of outlaw seafarers began as simply another reporting beat, but that after spending months at sea living in close quarters with his interview

subjects, he was so enamored with the topic that he quit the Times to continue pursuing it. The last episode in the series, “Epilogue—The Spell of the Sea,” consists almost entirely of Urbina’s reflections on the strange hold that the sea can have on us, his respect for those whose hearts belong to it, and the changes in his own life that have been catalyzed by its spell.

While the setting of The Outlaw Ocean is, unsurprisingly, the ocean, Bay boaters may still find interest in and relate to its stories. It’s not often that tales of the sea and boaters break out of dusty ship’s logs and into the popular mainstream. It also gracefully discusses important social issues of our world today, making it a worthwhile listen even for the landlubbers among us. The Outlaw Ocean podcast is available anywhere you can get podcasts, as well as online at theoutlawocean.com.

# Ian Urbina, the journalist and narrator of the podcast, in the field. Image courtesy of The Outlaw Ocean Project.

HAPPY HOUR

Through Dec 24

christmas village in Baltimore

An authentic German Christmas market at West Shore Park/Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. There is no admission fee for Christmas Village on weekdays. The outdoor area around the majestic Glühwein Pyramide is always open and free to visit for the public. Adult admission for the heated festival tent is $5 on December weekends.

Through Dec 31

ocean

city Winterfest of lights

This year’s event will be an expanded walking tour that takes you through thousands of sparkling holiday lights and many animated light displays located along a paved path in Northside Park in Ocean City, MD. Admission is $6, free for children 11 and under. Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Pets are welcome on Wednesday evenings.

Through Jan 1

St. clement’s island museum christmas Doll & train exhibit

Enjoy a holiday exhibit of antique and collectible dolls, classic trains, and other retro toys in this festive holiday display inside the St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point, MD.

December

Through Jan 1

annmarie garden in lights

A family-friendly event to tour the outdoor gardens which have been transformed into an outdoor twinkling wonderland with glowing light sculptures, sparkling trees, holiday scenes, and so much more! In Solomons, MD. Non-members $15, ages 2 and under and members are free.

Through Jan 1

retro christmas at Piney Point lighthouse museum Enjoy tours in a family friendly retro holiday exhibit inside the museum and keeper’s quarters. At the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in Piney Point, MD.

Through Jan 2

lights on the Bay

An annual holiday light show featuring a two-mile scenic drive along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay through Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD, with more than 70 animated and stationary displays depicting regional and holiday themes. $20 per car, $5 for 3D glasses, $30 for large passenger vans, $50 for buses. Presented by the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

Through Mar 4

Sailing through the Winter Solstice

Every year, Carroll Creek Park in Frederick, MD, is filled with individually designed lighted sailboats. Vote for your favorite boat by making a contribution to the affiliated local charity to help determine the winner. You can view the boats anytime day or night; lights usually turn on at sunset.

15

midnight madness in annapolis Stroll the streets of Historic Annapolis among the festive holiday decorations. Even though it’s called “Midnight Madness,” for this third Thursday in December, shops will only be open to 11 p.m.

15

holiday candlelight Stroll

Welcome the holidays with an evening walking tour of Annapolis. Your period-attired guide will lead you by lantern as you stroll around Maryland’s state capital, trimmed in greenery. Hear holiday traditions of times past as you walk by colonial mansions, Victorian homes, and quaint shops. Upcoming dates include: Dec. 17, 23, and 30. Price: $25 adults, $14 ages 3-11. Tickets: watermarkjourney.com

presented by

Chesapeake Calendar December

(continued)

16 Jolly express cruises

Miss Anne will be adorned with reindeer spirit for an intimate 45-minute “sleigh ride” including hot cocoa, holiday music, and good cheer. Captain Santa is at the helm during this festive evening cruise on Spa Creek in Annapolis, MD. Upcoming dates include: 12/17, 12/18, 12/23, and 12/30. $25 adults, $13 children (11 and under). Tickets: watermarkjourney.com

17 maryland Safe Boating course

This is an eight-hour (one day) class, and by passing the course test, participants satisfy Maryland law to operate any motorized boat on Maryland waters. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at “Pip” Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, MD. Cost: $25. Ages 12 and up. Questions:  lmsimmons@annapolis.gov

18-31

christmastide in virginia

Offering a glimpse of 18th-century holiday traditions through interpretive programs and demonstrations. Outdoor living-history areas and expansive indoor exhibition galleries, interactives, and films are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Christmas Day) at the American Revolution Musuem of Yorktown, VA. Enjoy festive holiday musical performances at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

30 Sinking of uSS monitor In person and virtual event. 12 to 1 p.m. at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. Advance registration required whether you attend the lecture in person (cost: $1) or online (free). The USS Monitor left Hampton Roads in clear weather on December 29 but encountered a heavy gale the following afternoon. Heavy seas overwhelmed the ironclad. It sank in the early morning of December 31, 1862. Speaker: John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center. Register: marinersmuseum.org

For more events, visit proptalk.com/calendar

31 havre de grace nye annual Duck Drop

The Havre de Grace annual Duck Drop will take place at the waterfront at Concord Point Park, followed by a spectacular midnight fireworks display.

31 nye Fireworks in ocean city

The Town of Ocean City will be hosting a New Year’s Eve drive-in movie and fireworks show at N. Division Street to celebrate the beginning of 2023. The drive-in movie will begin around 9:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at midnight at the inlet parking lot, accompanied by music you can listen to on your car radio.

31 nye midnight muskrat Dive Ring in the New Year in Historic Downtown Princess Anne, MD. Marshall Muskrat welcomes 2023 as he descends to Somerset Avenue at midnight. Bring your family and friends for music, dancing, great food and drinks, and, of course, lots of quirky family fun! The celebration starts at 9 p.m. and admission is free. Free horse-drawn carriage rides from 9 p.m. until midnight.

January

14 north Beach vFD Fishing and outdoor expo and Flea market This inaugural event will feature tackle vendors, charter captains, boating and fishing supplies, door prizes, food and drinks, and more! 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department, 8536 Bayside Road, North Beach, MD. Questions: (410) 703-2549

20-22 the chesapeake Bay Boat Show

At the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Presented by the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County. Featuring over 30 Maryland boat dealers showcasing new boats and marine equipment, as well as entertainment, food and beverages, free educational seminars, and plenty of free parking.

11

Frederick Saltwater anglers club monthly meeting

Frederick Saltwater Anglers meet monthly at 7 p.m. at the Frederick Elks Club, the second Wednesday of every month. Food starts at 6 p.m. and we have speakers, vendors, and raffles with 50/50s. Call Rob at (301) 6060392 for more information.

12

Deadly gamble: the Wreck of Schooner levin J. marvel 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Van Lennep Auditorium at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. Part sea story, part courtroom drama, in this talk author Kathy Bergen Smith will recount the story of the most-deadly shipwreck on the Chesapeake, as well as the courtroom and legislative fall-out from the event. Cost: $8 per participant. Register: cbmm.org

13-15

48th east coast commercial

Fisherman’s & aquaculture trade exposition At the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. $15 a day, $25 for two days, $30 for three days.

21-22

online maryland Boating Safety course Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented by the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. This course satisfies the requirements for operating a vessel on Maryland waters and a Certificate of Boating Safety Education is issued upon satisfactory completion. Instructors teach two sessions. Attendance at both online sessions is required, followed by an online test taken at your convenience. Cost: $20 per student donation to support USCG Auxiliary and HDG Maritime Museum Education Programs. Free to: first responders, active military, sea scouts and all medical/hospital staff. Questions: (443) 504-3880. Register: hdgmaritimemuseum.org

26 get hooked Fishing Seminar 6 to 8 p.m. at Bosun’s Marine Maryland. “Jigging and Trolling Tips for Catching Middle Bay Rockfish” with Lenny Rudow. Free.

28 tri-State marine’s ‘early Spring’ open house 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tri-State Marine in Deale, MD.

28-29

kent island Fisherman’s 12th annual Fishing Flea market At the Kent Island American Legion Post #278 in Stevensville, MD. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission: $4 (ages 16 and under are free). Fishing rods, reels, lures and other fishing accessories, fishing charters, crabbing supplies, food, and more.

Winter Boat and Fishing Shows W

hen the weather gets too cold to be out on the water, head inside to stock up on boating gear, find deals on new boats, sit in on a seminar, and catch-up with fellow boaters and anglers. At print time, these were the shows that had been announced. We will continue to update our list at proptalk.com.

Be sure to check event websites for any updates and/or weather cancellations before heading out.

13-15

January48th east coast commercial Fisherman’s & aquaculture trade exposition at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. $15 a day, $25 for two days, $30 for three days. marylandwatermen.com

14 First annual Fishing & outdoor expo and Flea market at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department in North Beach, MD. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking at the firehouse and Kellam’s Field (shuttle provided). $5 entry for adults, kids 12 and under are free. Inshore/offshore tackle vendors, charter captains, boating and fishing supplies, marine artists, crabbing supplies and vendors, rod and reel vendors and repairs, used supplies, boat vendors and marine techs, custom rod builders, and more.

20-22 the chesapeake Bay Boat Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD. thechesapeakebayboatshow.com

28 tri-State marine’s annual ‘early Spring’ open house at Tri-State Marine in Deale, MD. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. tristatemarine.com

Spotlight on the Chesapeake Bay Boat Show

The Chesapeake Bay Boat Show, presented by the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County, once again returns to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD, January 20-22. Show times are Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets cost $10 (ages 13 and up), $7 for military with ID at door, and free for ages 12 and under.

28-29

kent island Fisherman’s 12th annual Fishing Flea market at the Kent Island American Legion Post #278 in Stevensville, MD. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs $4 (ages 16 and under are free). Fishing rods, reels, lures and other fishing accessories, fishing charters, crabbing supplies, food, and more. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook @kentislandfishermen.

February

3-5 the mid-atlantic Sports and Boat Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Tickets cost $10, children under 12 are free. vbboatshows.com

The show will feature over 30 Maryland boat dealers showcasing new boats and marine equipment, including sport fishing boats, performance boats, ski boats, cruisers, cabin cruisers, and more. It will also include entertainment, food and beverages, free educational seminars, The Fishing Pier, and plenty of free parking. Stay tuned for a full guide to the show in PropTalk’s February issue. Visit thechesapeakebayboatshow.com for more information and to purchase your tickets.

17-19 Philadelphia Fishing Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Free seminars, saltwater, freshwater, fly, trout pond, lodges and guides, charter boats, apparel and gear, boats, RVs, art, marine electronics, and more. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages six to 12, and free for kids five and under. phillyfishingshow.com

17-19

40th annual oc Seaside Boat Show at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, MD. Admission $10, children under 14 cost $1. ocboatshow.com

30th annual Pasadena Sportfishing expo at Kurtz’s Beach (2070 Kurtz Ave.) in Pasadena, MD. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. pasadenasportfishing.com

18-19

# Head inside this winter for great deals on boats, gear, informative seminars, and more.

Winter Boat and Fishing Shows February

(cont.)

77th national outdoor Show at 3485 Golden Hill Road in Church Creek, MD. Admission: $8 adults, $4 children. Held each year with the goal of preserving Dorcheste County’s heritage. nationaloutdoorshow.org

24-25

25 Fishing, hunting, and Boating Flea market at the American Legion Post 91 in Cambridge, MD. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 entrance fee, children 12 and under are free. Held by the Mid-Shore Fishing Club. mid-shorefishingclub.com

25 Saltwater Fishing exp at the Annapolis Elks Lodge. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presented by the Annapolis Anglers Club. saltwaterfishingexpo.com

11

great Bridge Fisherman’s association annual Fishing Flea market at Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, VA. 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. New and used rods and reels, fresh and saltwater gear, custom lures, boats and trailers, hot food and cold refreshments. Admission: $5, free parking. fishgbfa.org

MarchUpcoming Fishing Seminars & Club Meetings

January 11

Frederick Saltwater anglers club monthly meeting

18

maryland Fly Fishing and collectible tackle Show at West Village Commons in Towson, MD. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $5 for ages 10-16, and free for children nine and under. marylandflyfishingshow.com

7 p.m. at the Frederick Elks Club, the second Wednesday of every month. Food starts at 6 p.m. followed by speakers, vendors, and raffles with 50/50s. Call Rob at (301) 606-0392 for more information. wefishsalt.com

January 19 mSFc monthly meeting

25-26

mD Sportsman Show at the Howard County Fairgrounds will feature some of the most innovative hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor products and guides. mdsportsmanshow.com

Find more events at proptalk.com/calendar and a directory of fishing clubs at fishtalkmag.com and click on ‘Clubs.’

7 to 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge, MD. The Mid-Shore Fishing Club meets on the third Thursday of each month. mid-shorefishingclub.com

January 26 get hooked Fishing Seminar 6 to 8 p.m. at Bosun’s Marine Maryland. “Jigging and Trolling Tips for Catching Middle Bay Rockfish” with Lenny Rudow. Free. bosuns.com

Looking for a boat slip?

Find the perfect home for your boat in PropTalk’s Chesapeake Bay Marinas Directory! Scan this code or visit us online to view listings and to search by amenities.

Solara S-310 CW: Adaptive Personality

You say you can’t decide between a center console for its fishability, a walkaround for weekending aboard, and a bowrider for the additional social area? You’re not alone, because many boaters would like to enjoy the benefits of all these different designs. Some of us even own two or three different boats, one for each purpose. And while few boats can successfully fill all these niches at once, a new one that hit the market this year proves that one hull can, in fact, do the job of three: the Solara S-310 CW.

Before we delve into how this boat’s so darn adaptive, start by knowing that Solara is a new brand rolled out at the end of 2022 by Fluid Motion. That’s the parent company behind Cutwater Boats and Ranger Tugs. And if you’ve ever stepped aboard boats carrying either of these nameplates, you already know that they feature a huge element of creative design ranging

By Lenny Rudow

from hidden berths under a dinette to gunwales that fold into seats. With the Solara, they take such creative thinking to a new level.

The deck layout is the initial indication. The cockpit can be kept open for fishing (six flush rodholders, eight hardtop rocket launchers, a transom livewell, and an in-deck fishbox round out the angling accouterments) or provide seating aplenty with fold-out benches on the transom and inwale. Swim platforms flank the twin Yamaha F250 outboards and a cockpit sunshade can be put up for afternoon lounging on the water. It’s more or less right out of the Cutwater playbook.

When you move forward to the helm station, however, you’ll find it’s in a class of its own. Rather than incorporating a center console design with a centered helm, or a walkaround with sidedecks,

you’ll find a centered helm with a console that stretches all the way to the portside gunwale and has a sidedeck leading forward on the starboard side, only. As one might imagine, stretching the console to the side in this fashion creates one heck of a lot more room inside than a center console cabin can provide. Remember, this boat is under 31 feet in length. Yet when you go belowdecks you’ll find a cabin fully equipped for long weekends aboard and then some, with a V-berth that converts into a lounge, a refrigerator/freezer, a microwave oven, an LCD flatscreen TV, and a fully enclosed stand-up head. Boosting the comfort factor for cruisers, air conditioning with reverse-cycle heat and a hot water heater are both on the standard features list.

Now follow that starboard-side walkaround to the bow. Neither Cutwater nor Ranger Tugs offer bowrider-like

# Photos by Brian Dickhaut, courtesy of Pocket Yacht Company

Specifications:

LoA: 30’10”

Beam: 10’0”

Displacement: 10,500 lbs.

Transom Deadrise: NA

Fuel Capacity: 200 gal.

Water Capacity: 41 gal.

Max HP: 500

Price (base MSRP): $349,937

Local Dealer: Pocket Yacht Company in Grasonville, MD. (888)519-9120 or pocketyachtco.com

forward cockpits, but it doesn’t take long to figure out that the designers did their homework—and then added a dash of creativity—when they came up with the S-310 CW. A pair of spacious lounge chairs with fold-down arm rests face forward from the front cabin bulkhead, and large center-facing lounges with thick coaming bolster padding provide seat-

ing for four more people or kick-back lounging for two. When it’s time for lunch on the hook, set up the adjustable pedestal dinette table and bow sunshade.

Take a close look around in that bow cockpit and you’ll also discover there’s a folding bow boarding ladder for days at the beach, and cup holders and stereo speakers are integrated into the inwales. Then check out the standard features list and you’ll discover that each and every feature we’ve discussed here—along with more big-ticket items like a pair of Garmin 8612 xsv MFDs, a cockpit refrigerator, an anchor windlass, and a bow thruster—are all included on the stock boat.

You say you just can’t make up your mind when it comes to which boat design would be perfect for you and your family? Check out the Solara S-310 CW, and this boat might just make it up for you. #

Scan this QR code to check out our video walkthrough of the Solara S-310 CW.

Shopping for a new or used boat?

browse our catalog of in-depth boat reviews by visting proptalk.com or scan this code with your phone’s camera.

Irvington, VA

By Kelsey Bonham

The town of Irvington, VA, sits on the northern side of the Rappahannock River, about 10 miles from the mouth. A small town with a big spirit, Irvington was once a hub for steamboats in the early 20th century until a fire in 1917 destroyed much of the town. In 1947, however, The Tides Inn and Resort established itself in town and has since garnered national fame and helped bring a variety of other shops, restaurants, and attractions back to the area. Irvington is now a thriving town once again that exemplifies the beauty and culture of coastal Virginia’s “rivah” lifestyle, and certainly deserves to be a stop on your next cruise to the Southern Chesapeake Bay.

The Tides Inn & Other Places To Stay

The jewel of Irvington, The Tides Inn and Resort offers luxury accommodations and dining, a spa, pool, and a wide range of waterfront activities from river tours to paddleboarding. The marina includes 24 deepwater slips and can accommodate vessels up to 150 feet, complete with full access to the resort’s amenities. Even if you choose to stay elsewhere, check out their Chesapeake Restaurant & Terrace or

Fish Hawk Oyster Bar for fresh, local food, or their spa for a relaxing massage. Learn more at tidesinn.com.

Carter’s Cove Marina (carterscovemarina.com) also offers deepwater slips, and the plentiful creeks and coves around Irvington invite you to have a peaceful night at anchor with a front row seat to the ospreys,

# The Local is a beachy coffee shop with breakfast, sandwiches, and, of course, artisan coffee. Photo courtesy of The Local

eagles, herons, and other wildlife that call the Rappahannock River region home.

Things To Do

If you’re looking for history, look no further than the Steamboat Era Museum (steamboateramuseum.org). The museum has a range of exhibits detailing the history of steamboats on the Chesapeake Bay and their role in the development of Irvington by connecting the town with larger economic hubs on the Bay, specifically Baltimore and Norfolk. The museum’s most prized artifact is the pilothouse from the steamer Potomac, the largest surviving remnant of the Chesapeake Bay steamboat era. The Potomac was built in 1894 and served for 42 years in freight and passenger service. In 1936, after suffering damage from a collision with a freighter, she was sold to Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk where she was disassembled. The shipyard owners saved the pilothouse, however, and took it up the Rappahannock River on a barge where they used it as a summer cottage. In 2001, the Steamboat Era Museum purchased the pilothouse and began an

# The Steamboat Era Museum’s most prized artifact is the pilothouse from the steamer Potomac. Photo courtesy of the Steamboat Era Museum

This town exemplifies the beauty and culture of the "rivah" lifestyle.

extensive restoration project. Now, the Potomac’s pilothouse is open to the public and a great way to get a glimpse of life on a Chesapeake Bay steamboat.

If you’re looking for artisan beverages and tastings, Irvington is a gateway to Virginia’s wine region, and a great place to find local winery experiences. The Dog and Oyster Micro-Vineyard is located at the front and center of the Hope and Glory Inn in downtown Irvington. The owners of the Inn planted their micro-vineyard of Petit Manseng vines in 2021, allowing their wine experiences to be enjoyed in the center of town. If you’d like to venture out and explore the larger Dog and Oyster Vineyard, however, you can still make the trek to the edge of town and snap a photo with their iconic 40-foot corkscrew. If you go for a glass, flight, or bottle, make sure you get oysters, too—the owners claim that they are the only winemakers in the nation that specifically craft their wines to pair with locally grown Chesapeake Bay oysters. For more information, check out hopeandglory.com

If you’re looking for shopping, there are a multitude of local businesses. Objects, Art and More (objectsartandmore.com) is a former 1940s-era gas station that has been transformed into a gallery that houses works by over 200 artists from around the country. They feature artwork ranging from paintings to sculptures, jewelry, pottery, and glasswork. The gallery is a great place to admire art that spans genres, as well as pick up unique gifts for prices as low

as $20. One-of-a-kind clothing can be found at local businesses including The Dandelion (thedandelion.com) and Jimmy and Sook (jimmyandsook.com), while beautiful custom floral arrangements and bouquets can be found at Cathi’s Gardens.

On the first Saturday of every month from May through November, swing by the Irvington Farmer’s Market in the center of historic downtown for fresh local produce, homemade bread and baked goods, artisanal cheeses, local honey, meat, and seafood, handmade soap, furniture, and glassware, and artwork of all kinds. A variety of talented local musicians also perform live throughout the season, so bring a chair and take advantage of the lively atmosphere.

Places To Eat

Aside from the dining options available at The Tides Inn and The Dog and Oyster Micro-Vineyard at Hope and Glory Inn, there are plenty of other choices for quick bites or family meals. Vine (vinewineva. com) offers a wine bar and selection of small plates, The Office Bistro (theofficeirvington.com) has a diverse menu of salads, sandwiches, pizzas, signature crafted cocktails, and other creative entrees, The Local is a beachy coffee shop with breakfast, sandwiches, and, of course, artisan coffee, and Dredge (dredgeirvingtonva.com) is a restaurant and bar that boasts “Boat and Farm to Table” dinners.

Why Visit in the Off-Season?

While Irvington is undoubtedly busier in the summer, the off-season is a great time to visit, too. You can avoid the crowds and be assured of a grade-A slip or anchorage, enjoy a quiet stroll through town without the oppressive heat and humidity that is so pervasive in the summer, and in the fall, admire the beautiful fall foliage lining the Rappahannock River. If you have the time, you can also stray beyond Irvington and explore other towns in Virginia’s River Realm. Urbanna is only a few miles further up the river, and don’t forget to swing through Deltaville right where the Rappahannock meets the Bay. #

# The Dog and Oyster Micro-Vineyard crafts their wines to pair with locally grown Chesapeake Bay oysters. Photo courtesy of The Dog and Oyster

# Photo courtesy of The Tides Inn

Traileri N g for

The Long Haul

By Joe Borrison

B a N g ! Not a noise i wanted to hear at 4 a.m. as i exited the ramp off i -95 near r ichmond, and a noise i was to hear three more times on this journey.

Ihad left home at 1 a.m. towing my 28foot Grady-White to West Palm Beach, FL, where I would launch and head to the Bahamas for two weeks of fishing and cruising. The prior week found me completing a checklist of the normal tasks—checking trailer lights, tire pressure, brakes. My normal pre-check did not help me avoid four flat tires, and I hope I can help each of you have a better trip than I did.

I know what you’re thinking: another magazine article reminding you to check your lights and tire pressure? Not hardly. This is written to help those who trailer their boats long distances and for those who do not want to be sitting on the shoulder of the beltway at 9 a.m. with a disappointed crew staring daggers at you. My list might seem excessive but count how many boats you see sitting on the side of the road the next holiday weekend. So, let’s start!

First, buy the correct trailer, one that fits your boat. We know it is easy to overload a trailer with a boat full of supplies and a full tank of gas. But it is also important not to have too heavy duty of a trailer that will not allow enough give as you bounce down the highway. The Goldilocks trailer, if you will, but I do prefer a trailer that has a longer tongue to allow jack and spare tire mounting.

Now the work begins.

Step one: position the boat on the trailer so that the boat’s transom is flush with the end of the bunks. Easy enough but we are not done. Next, move the bunks outboard or inboard as needed. Outboard will lower the boat, which is great for towing, as the center of gravity is lowered but too low and you could cause the boat to hit the trailer fenders or the nose to hit the trailer frame upon launching. And you need to position the bunks to allow the boat to lie flat on each bunk and not rest on any protrusions or

stringers. I also suggest the addition of a set of poly bunk glides and eliminating the carpet most currently have. Launch and retrieval is 10 times easier with these installed. My boat

is 10,000 pounds, and I launch it solo with no difficulties. Another benefit of the poly glides is the ease of being able to grind depressions to accommodate thru-hulls.

# Cleaning brakes and replacing bad hubs.

The Long Haul

Step two: tongue weight. There are dozens of different methods to measure tongue weight and I will not address them in this article, but we can agree that most trailers require nine to 15 percent tongue weight to avoid fishtailing. The majority will move the boat forward or backward on the trailer to achieve this percentage, but if you shift the boat, you have changed where the transom sits on the bunk. Move the boat aft and the transom is unsupported. Move the boat forward and the bunks could hit the engines or the transom-mounted sonars. What you should do is move the axles. This requires more effort, but it will position the boat where it needs to be on the trailer and provide correct tongue weight. What is critical when moving the axles is to keep their ends the same distance from the hitch. A tape measure will allow you to line your axles and avoid pulling or tire wear. But not always. I own a tripleaxle trailer and find the front axle must be positioned off center for the tires to run true. How did I find this exception? My front tires were wearing differently than the other four tires and when the boat was off the trailer,

you could see they were not aligned. I used a straight edge placed along all three tires on each side to insure their proper alignment.

Step three: winch placement. Let’s begin by moving the front mount containing the bow stop to ride against the bow of the boat. Most trailers will provide an upper and lower rubber bow stop and most run the winch line between the two stops providing a secure set-up. Great! But you need to have the winch line pulling the boat straight ahead or pulling slightly up. Pulling down on the front of the boat while trying to winch it forward requires more effort than pulling it straight ahead.

If your bow stops require you to have the line pulled downward while winching forward to enable the boat’s bow eye to

rest between the stops, then remove your mounts for the bow stops and reverse them. Most brackets have a long and short side allowing you to properly position the winch for an upward or straight pull. I use an electric winch but have kept my manual winch mounted lower which allows for a back-up and serves to pull the bow eye down after it has been pulled forward.

Step four: straps. Earlier this year I saw a boat sitting on the side of the road after separating from the trailer. This is not uncommon. I spoke earlier about adding poly slides to the bunks to make launching easier. Unfortunately, they also make it easier for the boat to slide sideways unless the boat is properly attached to the trailer. I suggest straps with a winching capability to gain enough tension, and while I probably use more straps than required, I will go with better safe than sorry. The two unique straps I use go from the bow eye running back on each side that attaches aft on the trailer. These two straps are to prevent the boat from sliding forward during a quick stop. I found the bow stop does not provide the stopping power needed as the boat rides up and forward in a quick stop. Two straps will keep the boat on the trailer in those emergency stops. But our sharper readers will note that none of these steps would have prevented my four flat tires last summer. And so, I will offer further advice as these first steps are simply the basics of fitting and connecting your boat to your trailer. There is more!

Tires. My trailer is six years old; pretty new by most standards. The tires have some wear as I have trailered the boat to Wisconsin and three times to Florida along with weekend runs to the ocean,

Traileri N g for continued

# Shackle and eye bolt allowing a double-line pull to double pulling capacity

# Heavy-duty double U-Bolt supports along with white poly slides.

but each had plenty of tread remaining. Plus, I carry a spare, so I’m all set. If I were traveling 10 miles to the local ramp, I would have been fine, but I was driving over 1000 miles in 99-degree heat. Is there a difference in the stress a tire experiences long distance vs. shorter runs? As I learned, the answer was YES! This was explained to me by the Goodyear manager as they mounted new tires for me somewhere in South Carolina.

Towing long distances at high speeds in high heat does not allow the tires to shed heat, and the result was scrambling to find new tires during our vacation. The manager shared (which I later confirmed by research) that trailer tires should be replaced every five to six years if you plan on doing these types of trips. I now have seven new tires and will keep track of when they should be replaced. Brakes. Making sure they work is only part of the game. Your trailer brakes work a few times a month unlike your car that sees daily usage. Rust and grime can cause brake failure by either sticking and overheating or not providing braking power. This is not my favorite job, but I do clean my brake pads with brake cleaner along with each rotor. Two bolts hold each brake caliper, and their removal will allow for proper cleaning or replacement of pads. A little grease on the bolts when assembling them will help the next removal. Cleaning the rust from the calipers will allow easier movement, reducing overheating.

Rotors and hubs. Often connected in disc brake systems. Prior to each long haul, I jack up each side of the trailer and spin each tire. This year I was rewarded with two wheels that sounded like fingernails across a chalk board. I had choices. I could have removed the races and bearings along with the grease seal and beat new ones into place, or I could have bought an entire new hub which came with the complete set-up. Whichever way you choose to go, you will feel satisfied when that wheel spins smoothly with no grinding noises.

While at the trailer store I also purchased an extra complete hub set-up and an additional set of inner and outer bearings and races. Why the extra hub? Having changed bearings alongside a busy highway during rush hour I now carry a complete hub to allow for a quick and

much safer change. And make sure your grease is correct for high temperature disc brakes as disc brakes run much hotter than the older drum brakes and will turn grease to liquid and run out of the hub and will coat your shiny wheel.

One last item. I carry an eight-ton jack, large blocks of wood, grease gun, and everything needed to change brakes and hubs. These are dedicated tools and reside in a very greasy toolbox along with a roll of paper towels and waterless hand cleaner.

This was not your typical ‘check your tires and lights article’ and while all can benefit, those of you who trailer hundreds of miles each weekend heading to the ocean or other locations might add a few of these steps into your Thursday night prelaunch checklist.

Tight lines! #

# Multiple winches and power cords that reach the battery in the back of the truck.

# Shredded six year old tire. 100 degrees and 150 miles from home.

By Mike Pitchford

As you read this near the winter solstice, shivering, it may be hard to remember back a couple of months. But, back in early and mid-October, the Chesapeake region was blessed with unseasonably balmy weather. However, knowing that winter was approaching, scores of fellow Bay cruisers began taking their boats south. Eventual destinations ranged from Hilton Head to south Florida and the Bahamas, and any place where overwintering does not include pink and purple antifreeze.

For those cruising the ICW, trip times vary. The window between the Annapolis Boat Shows and Thanksgiving is peak ICW travel season. Some snowbird cruisers leave early and are already ensconced in a winter-season location before October ends. Some make the trip a bit later, even in December. All of them enjoy a warm respite when the coldest days reach Annapolis.

We were going south, too, but our boat needed some unexpected last-minute repairs. For a few days, our long planned ICW trip to Stuart, FL, for the winter was in question. Fortunately, the local boat yards came through and we only lost a few days (proptalk.com/quick-haul-boatrepairs).

Having lost some time, we scheduled a long day, our first day out, to catch up with our previously planned itinerary. We departed Annapolis on October 15, after breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s, and arrived in Hampton, VA, that evening. The Bay was cooperating!

The itinerary for this trip was fast and then slow. The fastest part would be a four-day push to Myrtle Beach, SC, about 500 miles from Annapolis. The boat would rest up there while we boarded a flight home for a few days. For this “delivery” push, my crew was

my ever loyal and boat ready college roommates/fraternity brothers (read more about some of our past adventures at proptalk.com/lifelongfriendships-built-around-boating). You’ve got to love these guys. They are always eager for a boat trip, have boat handling skills, and will slee almost anywhere (however, the adult beverage cost is substantial).

The second leg was from Myrtle Beach to Stuart, FL. For this leg my crew (well actually the boss) would be my wife, Sue. For this stretch of the ICW, about 650 miles, we would slow down and smell the roses.

The delivery leg with the “boys” was hectic but great fun. We stopped in downtown Hampton, VA, Belhaven and Wrightsville Beach, NC, and were in Myrtle Beach by noon the fourth day. Our typical day began early, after breakfast on the boat, and ended with a late afternoon marina arrival and dinner ashore. It all went like clockwork.

# Sunrise over the downtown marina in St. Augustine.

The “smell the roses” second leg was equally fun and very different. Sue and I flew down to Myrtle Beach and rented a car. We provisioned for a two-week trip and made the boat ready.

Our first stop was Georgetown, SC, about 50 miles from Myrtle Beach.

Georgetown is a quaint little town with a now faded commercial port history. We spent an extra day there and explored the town and its restaurants (and ice cream shops).

Cruising the ICW at a slower pace is often very social. In Georgetown we met up with fellow Annapolis cruiser Tom Muha. Tom was headed to Charleston for a few weeks and eventually to Stuart, FL, as well. We also met two other snowbird couples and enjoyed meals or cocktails with all. Ah, the pleasures of slowing down!

The next stop was Charleston, about 70 miles from Georgetown. Because of a couple of shallow spots in the ICW and the timing of low tides, we made the run to Charleston offshore. Offshore runs depend on your speed and good weather; both were in our favor for this leg.

In South Carolina and Georgia, tides can run eight feet. Significant currents can accompany a changing tide, and shallow spots along the ICW are to be avoided at low tide. Fortunately for us, high tide was generally mid-day along this stretch. This happy coincidence allowed us to cruise generally from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and made for easy passages.

Charleston likely needs no introduction to our readers. It is a magical town with some of the best restaurants on the southeast coast. As would become a pattern, we sampled those restaurants with our fellow snowbird cruisers. Relationships were being built!

Beaufort, SC, was our next layover destination. We have a lifelong friend there and looked forward to catching up with her. Beaufort is a larger version of Georgetown with historic buildings and some very good restaurants. We enjoyed both the town and visiting with our old friend for a couple of days.

Our next stop was the Savannah Yacht Club (SYC), about 50 miles from Beaufort. The former as-

# Sunset along the ICW in Beaufort, SC.

# The author’s boat in Hampton and loaded for Florida ICW trip.

# Savanah Yacht Club stop (L-R Mike Pitchford, Club GM and former Annapolitian Leo Luistro, Sue Pitchford)

continued

sistant general manager of the Annapolis Yacht Club, Leo Luistro, is the general manager. We happened upon SYC during their fall member BBQ cookoff. The parking lot was full of smoking cookers and that most excellent BBQ smell was in the air for almost our entire visit. On our lay day, the BBQ, in seven categories, was judged and the leftovers served to the assembled club members and visitors like us. It was a culinary opportunity, to say the least.

After Savannah, the Georgia stretch of the ICW is a serpentine path with good anchorages but a long stretch between good marinas. We executed a longer day, 100 miles, to get to Brunswick, GA, for the night. Like Georgetown and Beaufort, the marina slips in Brunswick afford cruisers a short walk to the downtown area. Though a little earlier in redevelopment, the downtown area offers restaurants and historical interest.

From Brunswick our short hop destination was the first stop in Florida: Fernandina Beach. It is about 30 miles from Brunswick. Along the way you will pass the Kings Bay nuclear submarine base. It is perhaps the fourth or fifth substantial US military facility along the southern ICW with more to come.

We arrived in Fernandina Beach on Halloween. It was a Monday and things were a little quieter than the weekend, no doubt. Still, we saw a fair selection of ghosts and goblins on our walk through the nearby downtown area.

At this point the snowbird weather is worth a mention. When we left the Bay in mid-October, we were wearing jeans and long sleeve shirts with fleeces and jackets in the evening. By the time we left Brunswick and crossed into Florida, shorts and T-shirts were the uniform of the day.

Florida is a long state. From Fernandina Beach, the ICW continues to Key

West and covers almost 500 miles. Just when you thought you had arrived, you discover you have mile after pleasurable mile yet to discover.

It was time for us to speed up a bit so we could get back to Annapolis. We made 100-mile-days with stops in St. Augustine and Cocoa Beach before arriving at our winter home port of Stuart.

What about you? Ever thought about heading south instead of winterizing? Okay, yes it may cost a bit more than winterizing, shrink wrapping, etc. However, it is both a journey and a destination. The experience and the memories will be priceless.

So, this cold winter, you should warm yourself by planning to bring your boat south next winter. The boat doesn’t matter so much. What you have probably works, from a small Downeast boat to a walkaround cuddy outboard. I have known folks who have done it on an open Boston Whaler (B&B to B&B). Whatever planning you do, start with a winter home in mind and do your homework on a seasonal marina slip (the pandemic and hurricanes have put a bit of a premium on slips in snowbird favored destinations). You won’t regret it. #

# The hungry BBQ crowd at SYC.

# Charleston restaurant visit with ICW cruisers (L-R Tom Muha, Ron Ricketts, Mike Pitchford)

As you’ll read in these pages, Chesapeake Bay powerboat club members enjoy many fun cruises, social events, and educational opportunities. Share your club’s fun excursions and other benefits of membership. Send appproximately 350 words (sometimes longer) and clear photos of pretty boats or happy people to beth@proptalk.com. If your club has had a change of watch or appointed a new communications person for 2023, please let us know. Remember, our editors are willing to help your team craft submissions that highlight club activities and attract new members. Again this season Argo navigation and social boating app (argonav.io) is sponsoring this section. Thank you, Argo!

Cruise and Rendezvous

Interrupted, but not Sunk, by Hurricane Ian

The Chesapeake Bay Grand Banks Owners Association (CBGBOA) concluded its 2022 season with a cruise up the Potomac River to Washington, DC, followed by the annual Rendezvous at Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club (ICYCC) in Kilmarnock, VA.

Debbie and Steve Lingsch aboard JAKL III, Bob Magee and Cathy Schwartz aboard 4th Quarter, Ardell and Linda Hoveskeland aboard Valkyrie, and Lynn and Austin Pritchard aboard Hooligan arrived in DC at various times over a couple of days. Tony and Julie Ennis, cruise captains, were landlubbers, staying at the Hyatt Hotel on the Wharf.

The DC portion of the cruise was interrupted by Hurricane Ian, which was forecast to track up the East Coast after devastating Florida’s West Coast. The flotilla of four boats departed the Capital Yacht Club in DC early on September 26, as most participants

had a two- to three-day transit to return safely to their home ports.

Located about halfway up the Potomac, the group took advantage of the hospitality of members Stu and Mindy Ashton at Colonial Beach as the layover port. It turned out the Chesapeake waters started to kick up Wednesday and did not settle down for over a week, so we made a good call thanks to the weather app named Windy. We were able to salvage our annual Rendezvous without boat participation. We reviewed the 2022 season and made plans for the 2023 season. One of the highlights was a virtual presentation by Shing Kong on

the history of Grand Banks from the early days to the present.

CBGBOA is an association for current and former owners of Grand Banks vessels or boats of similar workmanship and quality. Benefits of being a CBGBOA member include discounted membership to BoatUS, a membership directory to connect with other Grand Banks owners, active mentorship programs for new members, social events and cruises throughout the year, and finally a warm welcome from fellow, like-minded, Grand Banks owners and enthusiasts. If you would like to join or learn more about CBGBOA, visit cbgboa.org

Cruising Club Notes presented by Navigate, Explore, Connect.

Wow! What a Birthday Party!

Two bands, a great collection of classic cars and boats, and lots of food were the highlights of a fantastic party on a recent sunny Saturday afternoon.

The gathering was a birthday celebration for Howard Johnson, a long-time member of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter (CBC) of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. Howard and his wife, Cheryl, opened their doors to everyone who wanted to join the festivities.

Visiting Howard’s collection of old cars, boats, and historic memorabilia is truly a trip down memory lane. Roughly 30 Whirlwind classic boats are in the shop where Howard is lovingly restoring the old woodies. A variety of other period boats are also on display, including a classic Century. He even has an impressive Hurry Home

To enjoy the display, you don’t have to be a boat or car fan because there are also on display well-preserved items of interest to the general population. Examples are a tube of Lincoln Logs and rare vinyl records. You can see all of this at oldtimeworld.com.

All the many friends of Howard were in attendance to celebrate, including some members of the CBC club, and all were in a party mood. In a big room and multiple-car garage tables were set up everywhere to accommodate the many guests. The food was great. Chili, sausages, deviled eggs, and an entire dessert assortment of cakes, pies, and cookies were delicious.

Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society was founded in 1982. It hosts several events throughout the year for those who enjoy and appreciate classic boats. Learn more at chesapeakebayacbs.org

The

# Two of the many classic boats and cars in Howard Johnson’s collection.

The Marine Trawler Owners Association (MTOA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to those with an interest in the trawler lifestyle. You don’t have to own a trawler or even own a boat to join. The MTOA has members on the East, West, and Gulf Coasts, in the Midwest, on western rivers, and in Canada. The organization’s mission is to promote camaraderie, education, and safety among trawler enthusiasts.

On the Chesapeake Bay two regional MTOA groups are active: the Southern Chesapeake Bay chapter (SCBC), for members in the Southern Bay, and the

Not Just for

Trawler

Owners: The Marine Trawler Owners Association

maintenance tips for other members, discounts at certain marine businesses, and classified ads to buy and sell boat equipment and vessels. In addition, MTOA port captains around

the country and in Canada help visiting members with local information.

If you are interested in the trawler lifestyle and would like to learn more, visit mtoa.clubexpress.com

Thunderstorms on The Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay chapter (CBC), for members hailing from the Middle and Upper Bay. The two groups generally try to do at least one cruise together each season.

MTOA annually hosts a national rendezvous, which is often held on the Chesapeake Bay. In 2023, the national rendezvous is scheduled for September 11-17 at the Maryland Yacht Club in Pasadena, MD. The rendezvous traditionally includes dozens of seminars and an “open house” of boats for members to visit vessels and ask questions. Of course, lots of socializing and fun is part of the experience.

Benefits of membership include cruises and social events with likeminded boaters, a Listserv to ask questions, a quarterly magazine, engine and

Back by popular demand! An in-depth, threepart webinar with meteorologist and sailor Mark Thornton of LakeErieWX Marine Weather about how to recognize and avoid Chesapeake thunderstorms. The series will examine: • Various types of thunderstorms • Ingredients that lead to their formation • Timing and lifespans of storms • Resources for forecasting and monitoring storms all registrants will have access to the recordings for future reference

Te ST i M onial S f ro M The S T uden TS

Thanks for the great Chesapeake seminar, I’m sure this will be very useful for our sailing. - Michael

This past week I sailed for a week on the Chesapeake

presented By:

Celebrating the Chesapeake Bay Oyster

By Drew Davidson

The fall and winter months bring a Maryland favorite bounty out of its shell and one of my favorite foods to eat and serve—the Chesapeake Bay oyster, which is a treasure that has been enjoyed for centuries. Whether it be Chincoteague,

Rappahannock, Tangier, or one of the other many locations on the Bay, each has its unique flavor.

There are hundreds of ways to eat an oyster from raw, baked, grilled, fried, and with many chefs becoming more creative and adventurous each year, we have new ways to enjoy an oyster. Over the years, when I was the chef at the Chesapeake Yacht Club (CYC), I had opportunities to be creative and prepare oysters in every way imaginable, but two recipes truly stood out as my favorites: Oyster Rockefeller and Oyster stew. The creamy spinach mixed with the smokiness from the bacon and deep rich flavors from garlic and aged parmesan cheese truly makes for a special baked oyster. The stew is incredibly simple, always starting

with fresh oysters shucked right out of the shell directly into a saucepan, being sure to get all the oyster liquor. Followed by a quick steep in milk with a touch of butter, Old Bay, and fresh parsley, cook just long enough to see the edges of the oysters begin to curl. Serving the stew with perfectly buttered and seasoned baked oyster crackers takes the stew to the next level.

CYC is located on the West River and offers fixed and floating slips for boats up to 70 feet, along with onsite diesel, gas, and free pump-out service. Facilities include a river-view swimming pool and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Members enjoy organized cruising, youth programs, and social activities. Learn more at chesapeakeyachtclub.org

Buttered Oyster Crackers

T 1 cup oyster crackers

T 2 tbsp melted butter

T 2 tsp of ranch powder

Add all ingredients into a saucepan. Cook on medium heat stirring to coat the crackers with butter and ranch powder. Toast till golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool on a paper towel.

Oyster Stew

T 6 oysters

T 3 cups of milk

T 3 tbsp butter

T 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

T 1 tsp Old Bay

T 1 tsp salt

T 1 tsp ground black pepper

Shuck six fresh oysters directly into a medium size saucepan; be sure the juice from the shell is also collected in the pan. Add milk, butter, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat ingredients on medium high heat slowly stirring to incorporate all ingredients. It’s important not to scorch the milk. Heat the milk just enough to make the edges of the oysters start to curl and steam come off the pan. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Dust the stew with Old Bay seasoning and enjoy with Buttered Oyster Crackers.

Oyster Rockefeller

T 12 oysters on the half shell

T 4 slices of bacon

T 2 tsp minced fresh garlic

T 2 tbsp Pernod liqueur

T 3/4 cup heavy cream

T 4 cups fresh chopped spinach

T 1 cup parmesan cheese

T pinch of salt and pepper

Dice bacon and place into a large saucepan on medium heat. Sauté bacon until edges start to curl and grease from the bacon coats the pan. Next add the minced garlic.

Sauté until the garlic becomes aromatic, not brown. The bacon does not need to be crispy. Deglaze pan with Pernod. Add heavy cream. Once reduced by half, add the fresh chopped spinach, and cook for about five minutes until the spinach becomes tender. Remove from heat and add a half cup of parmesan to thicken sauce mixture.

Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Once the mixture is chilled, spread enough on each oyster to cover the meat and dust with parmesan cheese. Place oysters on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

# Oysters rockefeller

# Oyster stew

Powerboat Racing in 2023

In the racing section of PropTalk, we routinely share photos, profiles, race recaps, and results. We welcome submissions from race organizations around the Chesapeake Bay, from racers young and old. In 2023, if you would like to share your racing organization’s news, please reach out to kaylie@proptalk.com

Looking to see Team PropTalk in action?

# Photo by Dennis Falkowski at the 2022 Cambridge Classic.

Liquid Asset: A Spirited Classic Runabout!

By Chris “Seabuddy” Brown

She shone in the sun along the floating pier with a reflection that probably beat out the level of finish that ChrisCraft applied when she was built in 1951. Liquid Asset was completing her in-water test following a light yet complete refinish at Planks & Power Boat Restoration in Wantage, NJ.

I had a chance to experience her ride on the Antique & Classic Boat Society’s Delaware River cruise. I was invited aboard by Ed Andrews, the boat’s owner and president of the ACBS Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

The Philadelphia and Barnegat Bay ACBS Chapters merged and were re-named the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. The group hosts events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida throughout the year. Many of its members also participate in the annual classic boat festival hosted in St Michaels, MD, by the Chesapeake Bay chapter.

Ed was eager to become the second owner of this runabout when he purchased it in 1992. The seller was the original owner who bought it brand new from Chris-Craft.

Ed’s family owned a 21-foot Holiday when he was growing up. That boat played a major role in his life, whether he was helping with the regular maintenance projects each spring or enjoying the summer on the water.

Once we were on the main river, Liquid Asset all but leaped on plane after she was given some throttle. She handled the small chop from the wind with ease. Turns to the right or left yielded a nice, sharp response for each change in direction with that comfortable small transom slide that a good classic speedboat enjoys.

Making YOUR BOaT New Again!

Liquid Asset is Chris-Craft hull number H-19-027. The “H” refers to the Holiday model name, “19” represents her 19-foot length, and the “27” confirms that she’s the 27th boat of this model built that year. By the way, this 19-foot Holiday model’s length was new in 1951. Ed’s runabout was one of the 107 Holiday models produced that year. There was also a 23foot model that was new for 1951. At the time, Holiday models were offered in 19-, 21-, and 23-foot lengths.

In the off-seasons of 2017 and 2018, Liquid Asset’s 12-hp six-cylinder Chris-Craft engine was rebuilt and beautifully detailed by Van Ness Engineering of New Jersey at the same time that the hull and deck work of this last major restoration was being done in Katz’s Marina in Andover, NJ. This was the third restoration in the boat’s history. The first was by the

prior owner, the second by a shop in the Adirondacks (now out of business).

Chris-Craft’s entire production in 1951 generated sales exceeding $17,000,000, with about $850,000 in profit. That was certainly a healthy balance sheet since Chris-Craft had already paid $600,000 in capital stock during that fiscal year to Hercules, its major engine block and long block manufacturing source.

Chris-Craft’s Winning Race Hulls Joseph Napoleon Lisee (nicknamed “Nap”) was the main hull designer behind Chris-Craft’s race-winning days. He was born in 1891 and died in 1946. Nap started working for Chris Smith in 1905. He designed Smith’s 1916 successful Gold Cup raceboat, Miss Detroit

Gar Wood bought Miss Detroit from Chris Smith for $1000 cash along with an $800 note. Soon after, Gar Wood

410.263.8980 annapolisgelcoat.com

also bought a controlling interest in the C. C. Smith Boat & Engine Company, which we now call Chris-Craft. “Nap” as well as Chris’s sons, Jay and Bernard, joined with a percentage ownership interest in the company.

“Nap” designed another racer (Miss Detroit II) to use the 250-hp engine from the remains of the original Miss Detroit boat. Miss Detroit II set a speed record of 61.724 mph. Chris Smith’s son Jay was aboard as the riding mechanic when the record was set. All the Miss America hulls were a “Nap” design, including Miss America X, which set a record of over 124.42 mph.

Gar Wood hired “Nap” to design the hull of the famous “Baby Gars.” They were built on a 33-foot-long triple cockpit layout that came on the market in 1922 and were the cream of the crop in luxury runabouts. A shorter, 28-foot Baby Gar was introduced in 1927. #

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Two P/T Delivery Drivers Wanted for three-day-a-month magazine distribution routes in both Annapolis and Baltimore areas (one position per area available). Compensation based upon quantity of stops, plus fuel and mileage. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, reliable vehicle, and be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

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Brittney Parrish of Higgins Yacht Yard in St. Michaels, MD, sent us this report with some thoughts for the winter season. “Leaves are falling, cooler temperatures are coming in, and this can only mean one thing—winter is coming. This past week has officially kicked off our winter season here at the boatyard with a steady schedule of haul outs and winterizations. With some of the warmer days we experienced in the fall, we had quite a few people who chose to stay in the water longer and extend their boating season. This was great for our marina side, with transient guests still scheduled into the middle of December. On the boatyard side our haul out and winterizations jobs wrapped up around the end of December. So, going into the New Year we are getting a slightly late start with some of our winter projects, which we normally begin around the

By Capt. Rick Franke

middle of December. However, with our two heated shop buildings, we anticipate catching up and getting on schedule, without having to worry about inclement weather. This winter will bring us many repairs, varnishing, some hull painting, and deck work. Some upcoming jobs that the yard has on its schedule include varnish work on a Midnight Lace 44, installing a VacuFlush head on a Grady White Marlin 300, new solar panels on a Rainbow 24, and deck repair work and hull paint on a Tartan 30.”

The Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD, has just received a major gift in the donation of the 120-year-old sailing yacht Witchcraft The 1903 racing yawl was donated by David Butler Jr, of Pasadena, MD. Mark Wilkins, the curator of maritime history at the museum, outlined some of the possible plans for the boat.

“Dave Butler was the very generous person to donate the boat to us. He’s been on the boat since he was 14 years old and she’s part of his family. He invited us over to his house for a test sail and it is just filled with Witchcraft memorabilia. For the museum she represents a new chapter in recreational watercraft, heretofore not represented all too well here. We have working watercraft: skipjacks, draketails, buyboats, crab scrapes, that sort of thing. So she’s an exciting addition to our collection. We hope to use her for sail training, high end charters, maybe involve youth groups, organizations like the Sea Scouts or Outward Bound, and anybody who may be interested in working with this vessel to learn seamanship and those types of things. That’s an exciting departure for us. We’ll have a web page for Witchcraft, so people can learn about her programs and participate. We just got the boat last

#

Ken Weise, fleet manager at Chesapeake Boating Club in Annapolis, MD, working in the rigging shop.

Photo by Rick Franke

week, so we are scrambling to get a maintenance agenda for her, cost estimates, and the programs (those are growing as we speak). There is a lot to do. We have plans and an excellent survey which we have submitted to the Coast Guard to learn what changes they may require to certify her for carrying passengers,” Mark concluded.

Dave Butler chose the Calvert Marine Museum for his donation because his father had been a naval aviator assigned to PAX River Naval Air Station in the late 1950s. The family lived on base and sailed Witchcraft primarily on the Patuxent River and the Lower Chesapeake. Butler also commented, “This museum does a good job with active, hands-on exhibits rather than static ones. I’m hoping they can do cruises and charters and introduce many people to this beautiful boat.”

In other news, Mark reports that the museum’s Patuxent Small Craft Guild has completed the framing and timbering of the lighthouse keeper’s boat and will start planking soon. The guild also started on a 10-foot Chaisson dory tender. The design of this handy, small boat tender

dates from 1916. The tender will be raffled off as a fundraiser for the museum next summer.

Smokey Glover of Lake Assault Boats in Portsmouth VA, reports on two recently completed projects. “The City of Albany fire boat is undergoing sea trials following installation of a new HVAC system, FLIR, repaint and graphics, engine service, and fire pump service and recertification. Also, the Rockland County, NY, sheriff’s boat is ready for delivery following extensive structural repairs, generator service, and refinishing.”

David Jr. from Evans Boats in Crisfield, MD, sends us this update. “We have had a busy fall here with all of our local customers making the switch from crabbing to oystering, hoping for a promising year. We have been busy working on a new build for the Virginia Marine Police, as well as several restoration jobs. We put in a few floors for our local watermen, completed several repairs on boats damaged in the Smith Island tornado, and completely refit a few fishing vessels, one heading for Puerto Rico. Everyone seems to be adapting the best they can with the

economy in the tank, realizing that business must go on and money still has to be spent in order to make that happen. We are looking forward to a busy winter and wish everyone a Merry Christmas!”

Ken Weise, fleet manager and part time sailing instructor, is part of the new management team at the venerable Chesapeake Boating Club in Annapolis, MD. Ken reports that efforts are already underway to prepare the club’s fleet of 18 sailboats and eight powerboats for the upcoming season. “Right now, I’m redoing a lot of rigging and splicing; that’s what I was doing for the last two hours. At the moment, I’m installing new bearings in a roller furling swivel. I’m rebuilding it, trying to save a little bit of money where we can. I just started this job two weeks ago and I’m really excited to be involved in this operation.”

Joe Reid of Mast and Mallet in Edgewater, MD, reports some real progress on two long term projects. “I’m happy to see this 60s era 20-foot Bertram go outside. She has fresh paint inside and out, with Awlgrip sprayed by Ted from

Authorized d e A ler. Certified t e C hni C i A ns.

Seaside Boatworks. The boat

# Witchcraft, a 1903 Crowninshield designed racing yacht recently donated to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD.

# Witchcraft’s auxiliary engine, a 1990 Volvo Penta 2003T 43-hp fresh water cooled diesel, accessed via a locker on the port side of the main salon. Photo by Rick Franke

# The American Eagle under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

# Curator of maritime history Mark Wilkins displaying the electrical panel in the main salon on Witchcraft at the Calvert Marine Museum. Mark’s arm is on the motor box lid. Photo by Rick Franke

# A 2600-hp M94 MTU diesel being installed in hull number 34, Snafu, at F&S Boatworks in Bear, DE.

heads next to the mechanic for wiring, fuel tank hook-up, and center console dash arrangements. Also, from the 60s, the 32-foot Brownell is heading for the water, with a new fiberglass/epoxy bottom and fresh paint (Epiphanes) applied by the owner. There were also many upgrades made in the engine area and forward cabin. The shop welcomes a hot molded Lud-

ers 16 for a variety of wood repairs.”

Last month we reported on a major construction project underway at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. The latest news release, dated November 14, concerning that project from American Cruise Lines is reprinted below.

“American Cruise Lines (ACL) announced that construction has begun on

American Liberty, the third new Coastal Cat in the company’s Project Blue series. Announced in January 2022, the Project Blue series is a set of 12 small ships designed to cover almost any domestic cruise itinerary. The 105-guest American Liberty is built for coastal operation and features a similar innovative hull design as the company’s previously announced Coastal Cats.

Authorized

All ships are being built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

“The first two ships in the series, American Eagle and American Glory, are scheduled to begin sailing in 2023. American Liberty is scheduled to begin cruising in May 2024. American Cruise Lines has grown substantially since the pandemic and has led the resurgence of the river

cruise market. In just the past five years, the company has more than doubled its fleet by introducing its modern series of American riverboats. American Liberty and the ongoing series of Coastal Cats will feature many amenities including 56 staterooms and suites, each with a private balcony, spacious lounges, and multiple dining venues. The ship’s catamaran hull

form also allows for a wide activity platform at the stern, equipped with kayaks and a large tender for in-depth adventure directly from the ship.”

Since this is the last issue to be released before the end of the year, let us take this opportunity to wish one and all a happy holiday season. We will see you in the New Year. #

Authorized

The Rockland County Sherriff’s boat with repairs completed awaits delivery at Lake Assault Boats in Portsmouth, VA.

The 10-foot Chaisson Dory Tender and the Light House keeper’s Boat under construction in the small craft shop at Calvert Marine Museum. Photo by Rick Franke

The City of Albany Fireboat

her sea trials at Lake Assault Boats in Portsmouth, VA.

F ISH Ne WS

By Lenny Rudow, FishTalk editor

YOY

=

Why, Oh Why?

The juvenile striped bass survey results for 2022 are out, and yet again, are a major disappointment. The yearly index for Maryland was a paltry 3.6, well below the long-term average of 11.3. This marks the fourth year in a row of below-average results, and in fact, results that are less than half of the average. Virginia waters showed better results with a 2022 value of 7.95 fish, very close to the state’s 7.77 long-term average. This follows a pattern of more stable results in Virginia, where the past decade has produced near- or above-average results.

Unfortunately, white perch were also way down in Maryland, a trend that’s continued since 2019, and yellow perch saw a decline as well. On a bright note, spot have shown a continuing climb in abundance with the fourth year in a row of increased numbers.

Come See the AIC

Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow will be appearing at two venues this month: at the Chesapeake Bay Boat Show in Timonium, MD, on Friday January 20 at 4 p.m. and again on Saturday the 21st at the same time. The topics will be Fishing for Rockfish in the Shallows on Friday and How to Catch Speckled Trout in the Chesapeake on Saturday. These are just two of the how-to/where-to fishing seminars taking place during the show, and the full seminar schedule of speakers can be found at thechesapeakebayboatshow.com

On Thursday, January 26, come to Bosun’s Marine at 411 Winchester Creek Rd. in Grasonville, MD, at 6 p.m., to hear Rudow deliver Jigging and Trolling Tips for Catching Middle Bay Rockfish. The seminar is free for anyone to attend, and drinks and snacks will be included. Email Amanda at ahaddaway@bosuns.com for more information.

Here, Doggie Doggie

Maryland has a new state record for smooth dogfish, captured by Fay Ganster back in October. While fishing on the Bottom Bouncer out of Ocean City, MD, near Isle of Weight Shoals, Fay hooked and cranked up the 18-pounder. The shark beat Maryland’s old record by about three pounds, making Ganster’s Ocean City vacation a memorable one. One for the record books, in fact.

A Fresh One in VA

Virginia also recently saw a record set this fall, this one in freshwater: Michael Miller caught a six-pound saugeye, a hybrid between sauger and walleye. This species was just added to the state’s Record and Trophy Fish program in 2020, and Miller’s 26.25-inch fish is the first to qualify for the record. He caught the saugeye fishing in the Staunton River while casting a crankbait.

Philly Is Back

Alas, in 2022 there was no Greater Philadelphia Boat Show, but for 2023 this event is back in a big way. January 27 through 29 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, you’ll be able to peruse row after row of gleaming fiberglass with dealers in attendance from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. Added bonus: the Expo Center is easily accessed via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and has free parking. Show hours are 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit phillyboatshow.com to learn more.

# Where, oh where, have our little fish gone?

Bunker Bummer

While the 51,000-metric-ton cap on Chesapeake Bay menhaden harvest will remain in place for 2023, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to raise the coastwide harvest cap to 233,550 metric tons. That’s a 20 percent increase in the quota, equating to 514,889,613 pounds of bunker. Average weight for these fish is about two-thirds of a pound, so we’re talking about 772,411,660 flipping, flopping fish. At a conservative 10-inch average length, this equates to 643,676,383 feet of head-to-tail menhaden. Or to put it another way, 121,908 MILES of fish— enough to circle the globe 4.9 times. Enough to get about halfway to the moon. Enough that if you jumped in your car right now and drove continually at 60 mph it would take around three months before you finally reached the final tail on the trail (with no bathroom breaks). Excessive harvesting? Naaaah.

Tournamen T n ewS

Frigid Competition

As you may surmise, there’s not a whole heck of a lot going on in the way of fishing tournaments in our region this month. Bass anglers may want to give Sturgeon Creek Marina a shout (sturgeoncreekmarina. com) if they’re interested in partaking in the Lake Anna Winter Bass Series (Sundays through the month). And pickerel sharpies will of course be out on the water vying for a win in the CCA Winter Pickerel Championship (ccamd.org), which runs through the end of February. If you’ve been on the fence about this one, now’s the time to act — the largest fish of the tournament are usually caught late in the game, so you still have a great shot at a win. Beyond these two events, you tournament addicts will just have to wait for things to warm up a bit.

Fish For a Cure 2022

Is a Wrap

The Fish For a Cure 2022 tournament went off without a hitch, with 70 teams raising cash for the cause to the tune of over $575,000. Two boats set fundraising records, with the Captain’s Challenge winner, Reel Counsel, hitting $144,208 and second place Laxfish reaching $127,420. In the fishing division PYY Fishing took top honors with a stringer of three rockfish at 91 inches, and Sonar kings and Team Junebug on the Sporting Wood both hit 79.75. Team FishTalk/ PropTalk ended up in 12th with 74 inches, but more importantly, hit 11th place for fundraising with $13,930 added to the Captain’s Challenge tally. The shore party was a smashing success and the South Annapolis Yacht Centre proved to be an ideal venue. Don’t miss this one next year, people. Fish For a Cure is about as much fun as fishing tournaments get, and every penny raised in the event helps cancer patients at LH AAMC.

We’d like to thank all of you who helped out by pitching in for the cause, and especially those of you who helped support Team FishTalk/ PropTalk. Both FishTalk and PropTalk magazines will again be tournament sponsors in 2023, and we look forward to working with the angling community to make next year’s event bigger and better than ever.

Fishing superstitions

By Eric Burnley

Show me a fisherman who says he is not superstitious, and I will show you a man that you should not allow to date your daughter. Some fishermen, like myself, fully admit to our superstitions while others are in denial.

Let’s tackle the big one first. Bananas! Will you or won’t you let them on your boat? I will not because I have seen firsthand the damage they can cause.

Take for instance a trip I made when I had my TV show in Virginia. It was called “Virginia Outdoors” and we wanted to get two of the newscasters from the station out for some fishing. One was a gentleman who really liked fishing and the other was a young lady who had her own boat. They were chosen because their experience on the water lessened the chance of them throwing up on camera.

This was during a time when weakfish or gray trout were in good supply at a location called the Concrete Ships close to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The three of us were in my 24foot Albemarle while the camera boat was on a 21-foot walkaround.

I had rigged up both rods with Stingsilvers and as soon as the lady’s lure hit bottom, she was hooked up. The gentleman, not so lucky. I tried changing the color, size, and style of his lure, but nothing worked. Meanwhile, the lady kept on catching.

We took a break while I ran the boat back up to the ships and the gentleman asked me to get him a bottle of

water from his cooler. When I opened the cooler, guess what I found? A bright yellow banana!

Since this was television, I had to make a big deal about finding the offending fruit and then tossing it overboard. My cameraman, Mike Bibo, had me toss it overboard about a dozen times. It finally ended up on the camera boat.

As we began the next drift, guess who started catching trout? The gentleman.

angler, so I expected the film was made somewhere beyond the range of the banana’s mojo.

Disbelievers always question the believers saying our superstitions are just in our heads. Bananas, lucky rods and reels, lures, shirts, or whatever are not really lucky or unlucky. We just use them to make us feel better or as an excuse if we have a bad day and the lucky or unlucky object was or was not with us. These are the same nasty people who enjoy telling little kids there is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy. Avoid these people at all costs.

As I said in the beginning, I have certain superstitions that I always follow for any fishing trip. First, I always wear Brute aftershave and deodorant. I always stop at Wawa for coffee and Tastypies, and make sure I have my Grundens foul weather gear.

That’s right, once the banana was out of the boat, his luck changed for the better. This is a true story, and Bibo has it documented on DVD as proof.

I have seen non-believers show me videos of a man catching fish with bananas for bait. I could not identify the fish or the

Truth be told, my lucky system has not been so lucky lately. The last trip I made on the Angler out of Ocean City, MD, I changed things up a bit. I still went with the Brute but went with my Gore-Tex foul weather gear instead. Didn’t stop at Wawa for coffee. Made my own at home and bought my sugar-free pies at the Food Lion. Hate to admit it, but I had a fantastic day with a limit of sea bass by noon.

So, has this changed my mind about superstitions? No. It just proves some things lose their mojo over time and must be replaced.

# Bananas have been unlucky on fishing boats for a very long time.

Be Your Own Weatherman

We all know that NOAA marine weather often leaves a lot to be desired and the blow-dry boys and girls on TV seldom consider those big bodies of water that we like to play upon. If you are going out on the bays or the ocean, you must use what information you gather from all sources and then figure out your own weather forecast.

The direction of the current plays a big role in the wave height on even the smallest body of water, let alone the bays and ocean.

By Eric Burnley

These are the things you must figure out yourself. If the weather forecast calls for a northwest wind, you must know that the bays are going to be rough on incoming water, but the ocean will be

# These boys are looking at a rough ride home.

tions. If current and wind are together, smooth sailing; opposed, and you are in for a bumpy ride.

In the summer, if you fish in the ocean, you can run to the canyons on a hot day and enjoy beautiful weather. The run home will be good until you get close to the beach. Then the wind will kick up as the temperature difference between the hot land and the cool ocean causes a nasty chop on the ocean.

An old Eastern Shore joke goes: The Sunday school teacher asked Johnny if he knew what Hell was. Being the son of a waterman, Johnny said his daddy told him, “Hell was the mouth of the Manokin River on outgoing water with a southwest blow.”

calm close to shore. A northeast wind is going to allow you to fish close to the Eastern Shore but forget about the ocean.

Every location is going to be different with different current and wind direc-

Thunderstorms are the wild cards. They will usually come up in the afternoon, but I have been surprised by a few bad ones very early in the morning. When you are 15 miles out in the ocean and the VHF says for mariners to seek safe shelter, you know you are going to get wet. And we did.

Growth Milestone

Argo Navigation, the free navigation and social boating app, recently surpassed another growth milestone: reaching 100,000 users earlier this fall. Since its initial launch in September 2019, Argo has experienced tremendous growth in popularity, consistently adding new users across the US and Canada. Argo’s founder attributes its rapid growth to ease of use, positive user ratings and reviews, and word of mouth from loyal app users who rely on the easy-to-use app to navigate safely and to connect with other boaters to improve their experience on the water. “We are extremely grateful for all our users,” said Jeff Foulk, founder of Argo Navigation. “We continue to see new and seasoned boaters choosing our app for navigation and improved social connection. Once people discover us, they are excited about all our features and encourage their friends to join as well. After all, boating is better with friends.” Boaters can use the free Argo app to plan and take trips with routing based on a boat’s draft and depth data, making navigation safer and easier. They can also connect with friends on the water and tap into crowdsourced local boating knowledge for navigation advice, destination reviews, and more. The free app includes unlimited NOAA/USACE charts across North America and a Captain’s Log for tracking.

This fall, Argo introduced a Premium version, giving boaters the option to upgrade for advanced features. These include downloadable charts to use while offline if connectivity is lost while on the water and an extended seven-day marine weather forecast with daily and hourly conditions for weather, wind, and tides. Argo Premium is available at an introductory rate of only $19.99/year, making it one of the most affordable boating apps on the market. Additional advanced features such as GPX import/export, AIS traffic, and more will be added to the Premium version in the months ahead. Another factor pointing to the app’s popularity is its frequency of updates. “We are always listening to our users and incorporating their feedback,” Foulk said. “For example, we recently added marina and yacht club affiliations as well as ETA sharing while en route.” argonav.io

Rise in Female Angler Participation

Women now account for 37 percent of anglers in the U.S., the highest level on record according to the Special Report on Fishing announced at ICAST 2022 by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) in collaboration with the Outdoor Foundation. 19.4 million women went fishing in 2021, an eight percent increase in fishing outings since 2019. 1.6 million female participants were first timers. The total number of fishing outings for females in 2021 was 288 million. To attract and reengage women and families to the sport of fishing, Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing focuses on attracting women to fishing through educational hands-on programs with networking and fishing as well as online events and promotions. In 25 years, the organization has generated more than 9000 new female anglers, not including the others they bring to the sport. Their motto is: “Bring the women, get the whole family!” Fishing contributed 49.8 billion dollars to the US economy in 2018 (most recent report available). That spending contributed $63.5 billion to the National GDP and total economic impact, including all multiplier effects, was nearly $126 billion in 2018. Female anglers spend billions of dollars each year, creating tens of billions in economic impact dollars. For more information on Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing visit ladiesletsgofishing.com

Largest Cutwater Dealer

Pocket Yacht Company was awarded the 2022 Largest Cutwater Boats Dealer in the World. This award was celebrated amongst all four of its locations along the East Coast including Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland. “We are proud to receive this award,” says managing director and owner, Mark Schulstad. “We have a dynamic team that works hard to be the best in the industry and we are proud of this great accomplishment.” The Pocket Yacht Company has also celebrated three other awards this year including Top Dealer for Ranger Tugs, Top 100 Dealer Award from the Marine Retailers Association of America and has become a Marine Industry Certified Dealership. “The Pocket Yacht Company is an exceptional dealership and has an exceptional sales team,” says Jeff Messmer, vice president of Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats. “We’re proud to celebrate our partnership and their dedication to making Cutwater and Ranger Tug owners the happiest boaters on the water.” The Pocket Yacht Company is proud of its lifelong relationship with boat manufacturer Fluid Motion, builder of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats, and Solara Boats in Kent, WA. pocketyachtco.com

DONATIONS BROKER SERVICES

BOATs4HEROEs.ORg

Donate Your Boat, Planet Hope is a local 501(c)(3). Teaching youth from DC, Maryland and Virginia to sail for over 15 years. 800.518.2816 www.planet-hope.org

BROKER SERVICES

BROKER SERVICES

Yacht Brokers of Annapolis From cruising the Potomac River in his powerboat to racing sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay, Drake Bowers loves all aspects of boating. A native of Northern Virginia, he recently graduated from The College of Charleston, where he continued to enjoy life on the water. After returning home, Drake joined the YBOA team working to help clients realize their own boating dreams. Phone: 703.869.8162 Email: Drake@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

Yacht View Brokerage, LLC announces our new 8% commission, which may include complimentary Annapolis dockage (for yachts above 100K and up to 80’ in length) and 10% co-brokerage listing commission! We will successfully market your yacht from her current East Coast location or arrange delivery to our secure dockage for yachts from 30’-80’ (Power/Sail). Located 20 minutes from BWI airport, our listings are easily inspected and demonstrated to prospective buyers. Targeted print advertising & Yachtworld.com MLS internet exposure with wide angle/high resolution photos and video. 30 yrs proven customer service! Call/text Capt. John Kaiser, Jr. @ 443.223.7864. Email your yacht’s details for a full market appraisal to: john@yachtview.com www.yachtview.com

YaZu Yachting With a career in construction equipment rental and sales, thirty plus years boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and a twenty-year Gwynns Island resident, Bob Hoefer has taken his sales talents to the water with a new career at YaZu Yachting. “Understanding the importance of relationship building in any sales arena, I am eager to meet and get to know new people. Whether in the acquisition of their new boat or the sale of their current boat, it all starts with a relationship.” 804.241.8924 bob@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

POWER

Yacht Brokers of Annapolis A native of the Annapolis area, Matthew Sansbury has always had a love for being on the water. Prior to opening Yacht Brokers of Annapolis, Matt worked as a marine service technician as well as a commercial electrician. His passion for boating and his technical expertise make him a trusted resource for both buying and selling quality yachts. Phone: 410.206.2755 Email: Matt@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

S&J Yachts Full-service yacht brokerage. 5 offices, 10 locations from Maine to Florida. 23 full-time, experienced brokers to promote your boat & get her sold. S&J Yachts has established an outstanding reputation for integrity and service! We work to meet the goals of each of our clients by taking time to get to know what they want. Our wide reach helps find top buyers. Whether buying or selling, our services are professional and effective! Dealers for Makai Catamarans 37’-45’ and Bavaria Sail & Power 30’-55’. Ask us about free storage for brokerage listings! 410.639.2777 info@sjyachts.com www.sjyachts.com

Brokerage & Classified

Cutwater Boats C-24 SC

2018 $139,987 Powered with 300Hp Yamaha. Equipped & Clean. Radar, Auto Pilot, Generator & More. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

27’ Nimbus T8 ‘22 Hull # 185 - Walk Around Dayboat w/ Euro Modern Styling. Single 250Hp Marc, Bow Thruster and more.. Swedish design and quality build. Call Seattle Yachts 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com

(Lady Nicole) 33’ Bertram ‘80 $45,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Lady Lookout) 2004 39’ Silverton 39 Motor Yacht Extremely clean boat, 2 cabin 2 head, galley up, low hour 370Hp Volvo diesels, generator, fully enclosed flybridge and sundeck! Urbanna, VA. Call Bob Hoefer 804.241.8924 or bob@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

Ranger Tug R-25 2021 $139,937

“Tug Along II” is lightly used Ranger is well-equipped. With only 100 hours, this boat will give you many years of service. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

26’ Bluefin Custom Sportfish CC ‘07 S Diesel, tower, Mint Cond. $59,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com

26’ Pacemaker FB ‘86 New 350Hp Merc, Very Nice. $24,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com

Cutwater Boats C-28 LE 2020

$218,987 She boasts a very beautiful, comfortable, and useful set of options. Volvo Penta D4 260Hp Diesel Engine, A/C & Rev Cycle Heat, Autopilot, Generator, Macerator, Garmin Nav Package & More. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com

(Summer Recess) 33’ Wellcraft ‘03 $60,000 Tristan Weiser 609.420.0469 tristan@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

33’ Sea Ray Sundancer ‘92 T5.7 V Drives, Gen, AC. $25,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com

39’ Legacy 12 ‘23 Spring Delivery, brand new model - Twin Outboard 350s, Air Con, Genset, Thrusters, Loaded and ready for cruising 2023 season! Call Seattle Yachts 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com

(Dream Catcher) 27’ Rinker ‘05 $34,900 Wayne Smith 516.445.1932 wayne@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Spirit) 29’ Tiara ‘97 $44,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

29’ Dyer Picnic Boat ‘84 S Volvo diesel, Very nice condition $64,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com

2022 Chaparral 300 oSX Twin F300 Yamaha’s, Helm Master, LIFT KEPT, LOADED with Options. SALE $287,900 Waterfront Marine 443.949.9041 www.waterfrontmarine.com

34’ Mainship 34 Trawler ‘80 Fly Bridge Trawler Model. Perkins 160Hp Engine. Cruising or live aboard on a budget! PRICE REDUCED $43,000 Call Rob Summers 443.771.4467 or www.seattleyachts.com

39’ Mainship 390 ‘99 Aft Cockpit Trawler Twin Volvo Penta 200Hp Diesels. AC - Garmin - Island bunk forward/ Genset and more... Asking $85,000 Reduced. Contact Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or www.seattleyachts.com

27’ Cherubini ‘13 $195,000 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

30’ ocean Sport 30 ‘23 Brand New Arrival, hull #123 of this offshore fishing designed hull. Offshore capable - Twin 350 Mercury outboards. Quality build, fish or cruise! Ready to sea trial! Call Seattle Yachts 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com

34’ Nordic Tug 34 ‘14

Beautifully equipped and maintained. One owner, shed kept, shows like a 3-year-old! Cruise ready - low hours, Perfect Looper! Asking $375,000 Call Dan Bacot 703.813.0460 or www.seattleyachts.com

(Game Hog) 40’ Robbins ‘99 $139,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

To find more used boats, visit proptalk.com

43’ Tiara 4300 Sovern ‘09 High quality workmanship and performance & hard to find. Meticulously maintained w/ all service records are available to a serious buyer. IPS-600 Volvo, Joystick controls make her a joy for shorthanded yachtsman. $439,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

2022 Contender 44ST Tower w/ Triple 425 Yamaha, Dealer demo. SeaKeeper, Excellent Electronics. REDUCED to $839,000 Waterfront Marine 443.949.9041 www.waterfrontmarine.com

47’ Monte Carlo ‘11 NEW LISTING! Luxurious, Performance Top of the line Power Cruiser. Twin Volvo Penta Turbo IPS 600 Diesels 435Hp. Electric dinghy garage. Beautifully appointed salon and staterooms. Numerous areas indoors and out for gracious entertaining. Table converts to a lg sunbed. $435,000 S&J Yachts for more details 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

(Pokie Hokie) 2006 Seahorse 52 Pilot House Trawler One owner. Twin John Deere 135Hp Diesel Engines - 2500 hours on each. 2 stateroom, 2 head. All systems serviced, full of fuel and ready to cruise! $469,000 Burgess, VA. Call Bob Hoefer 804.241.8924 or bob@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

2008 Sea Ray 52 Sedan Bridge Tw QSM 11’s Hydraulic Platform, Fully Equipped and in Very Good Cond. ASKING $536,900 Waterfront Marine 443.949.9041 www.waterfrontmarine.com

52’ Monte Carlo 52 ‘20 Rare & nearly new. Fully loaded, ready-to-cruise, engine has fewer than 100 hours. Attractive options: upgrade to the IPS 650 propulsion, SeaKeeper stabilizer, joystick controls, transom windlass, hydraulic bathing platform, and two galleys on deck. $1,300,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

To find more used boats, visit proptalk.com

(Cygnus) 56’ Jakobson & Peterson ‘30 $195,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

EQUIPMENT

FINANCE

M ARINE E NGINES

TWo EPRoPULSIoN ELECTRIC oUTBoARD MoToRS FoR SALE NAVY6.0 EVO: Used motor only, very good condition. $2,900 -- NAVY6.0 EVO: New motor only, in box, never run. $3,199 Contact Annapolis Hybrid Marine 410.353.4348 or info@annapolishybridmarine.com

M ARINE S ERVICES

H ELP WANTED

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 today! info@spinsheet.com

TWo P/T Delivery Drivers - Annapolis & Baltimore for three-day-a-month magazine distribution route in Baltimore and Annapolis (one per area). Compensation based upon quantity of stops. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, reliable vehicle, and be able to lift up to 25 lbs. Contact Beatrice at 410.216.9309 or beatrice@spf-360.com

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

INSURANCE

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/flagboatyard@gmail.com www.flagharbor.com

SLIPS & ST o RAGE SLIPS & ST o RAGE S URVEY o RS

Can you spot 10 differences?

Eric Moseson captured this shot at the November 26 Pasadena Lighted Boat Parade. Can you spot the 10 differences between the two photos? Email your answers or a marked-up photo to kaylie@proptalk.com by December 28. We will do a drawing of all the correct submissions for a prize. Best of luck! If you would like to zoom in on the photos, visit proptalk.com/read-proptalk-online.

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