Sirena Yachts is committed to the creation of distinctive cruising yachts that elevate the experience of their owners. We set high standards from concept and design, to construction, to delivery and beyond, and each new model serves to redefine our goals.
The Sirena 58 is designed to perform efficiently at a wide range of speeds, with a displacement mode that allows extensive range for long cruising legs, but also a planing speed that allows faster cruising speeds to optimize time. We have created a hull that can take her owners on long passages, and the stability and comfortable ride means they will enjoy the voyage.
AUTHORIZED DEALER
PRESTIGE creates exceptional yachts, timeless and always contemporary. The luxury of a family yacht designed as a home on the water, a second residence. A comfortable, reassuring yacht, a timeless, private island. A yacht promises a dream, that of taking to sea, yet always feeling at home.
Life on board is easy, enhanced by numerous clever details. Conducive to relaxation, the L-shaped saloon includes an immense integrated storage locker. Intensely bright, the inviting saloon evokes a sense of well-being. Facing sofas and a modular cockpit bench seat, which can pivot to face the saloon, create the perfect space for entertaining.
Learn more online at www.cyc.yachts
The PARDO YACHTS brand was born to CANTIERE DEL PARDO in 2016. The Shipyard boasts more than 40 years of experience, having built over 4000 yachts. it’s passion and success have allowed it not only to invest in Innovation and new technologies, but also to develop new models and dedicate more attention to the customer.
The PARDO 38 has been designed for a sophisticated owner who appreciates high quality design, luxurious comfort, and much more. Thanks to careful studies of its hull shape and engineering, the PARDO 38 is noted for outstanding performance and speed.
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Boat Review: New PWC Offerings from Sea-Doo
The RXP-X 325, RXT-X 325, and GTR-X 300.
By Kaylie Jasinski34
See the Bay: Easton Waterfowl Festival
A three-day festival celebrating the culture of the Eastern Shore. By Staff
38
Winterization
Thoughts about putting your boat away at the end of the season.
By Capt. Michael L. Martel42
A
of Kent Island
Jimmy Buffett passed away on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend. “Come Monday” I wanted to be on the water.
By G. Steven Martin44
Painting Underwater Metals
Perhaps the most difficult task for a boat owner is attempting to make paint adhere to metals that are subject to the adverse conditions found below the waterline.
By Drew Maglio
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Charter Series Part III
Chartering through history in Croatia. By
Zuzana Prochazka
Vulgaris
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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.
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Maryland has some finicky weather. For the past few days (in late September), it has been quite cold and gray. Tropical Storm Ophelia brought rain and flooding, but luckily it wasn’t as bad as some expected. To this day every time the tide starts rising over the bulkhead, I can’t help but feel a little tremor of fear, remembering Hurricane Isabel. Hard to believe that was 20 years ago. But thankfully, this storm only brought enough of a high tide for my dog Bodhi to enjoy playing around in the flooded yard.
Next week is the Annapolis Powerboat Show, but this issue will hit the streets a week after it’s passed. The forecast is calling for high 70s and sun. Remember when I said Maryland weather is finicky? But at least the weather Gods will be smiling on the boat show.
Lately I have been stuck between mourning the end of summer and wishing for the start of fall and crisper days. I managed to sneak in a professional development day recently aka taking the day off to go fishing with my Fish for a Cure (F4AC) team. The bluefish bite was on fire, but the wind and waves were angry (this was the day before Ophelia was supposed to reach the Bay).
On the ride out to Poplar aboard Lenny Rudow’s Caymas 26, sitting on the stern bench seat, it was all I could do to keep the spray out of my face. My “proven method” was curling up in the fetal position with my back to the “wet” side. Later in the day I just embraced it, with a Twizzler in my mouth (my go-to boat snack), as the spray hit my face and Lenny’s music blasted from the speakers. So the Twizzler’s were a little salty… And I remember thinking a photo/video just wouldn’t do this justice. It was a little wet and miserable, but also so dang fun. It’s always an adventure fishing with the PropTalk/FishTalk F4AC crew.
Since then, I’ve snuck in a few crisp paddles and pier fishing evenings after work, taken some beach-side strolls with
my pup, and walked the docks at TrawlerFest Baltimore on a beautiful early fall day. With how pleasant the weather has been, it’s hard to believe it will be cold soon, that the boats will need to be pulled, and possibly, the waters will freeze. But I’m not ready to accept that just yet.
I’ll be here listening to Jimmy Buffett’s new album along the water’s edge, determined to soak up every last bit of warm weather before it’s too late. And if you haven’t yet listened to his new
song “Bubbles Up,” recorded shortly before his death, look it up now. It might bring a tear to your eye, but it will also help soothe the sadness of his passing. And if you find yourself mourning the end of summer, just ask, “What would Jimmy Buffett do?” You already know the answer—get out there and enjoy every minute of boating on the Bay before the cold weather hits (and when it does, just head south!).
Walking a beach where the only footprints in the sand, are your own. Enjoying a refreshing drink from an island bar only accessible by boat. Waking up each morning with the flexibility to sail anywhere you wish. These experiences redefine luxury -- and are the hallmark of any yacht charter vacation.
This year, we invite you to discover unbridled freedom and authentic travel experiences with The Moorings. Unforgettable moments await.
Jim Lathom shares this adorable photo of his dog, Shiloh, on a dinghy ride in Annapolis Harbor. He says, “She’s a 13-year-old Chihuahua and Dachshund mix (often call a ‘Chiweenie’).”
Kaylie,
Since you asked (October Editor’s Note, pg. 20)—our favorite Jimmy Buffett song is “It’s Been a Lovely Cruise,” played many times as we navigated the inlet to Flag Harbor Yacht Haven, our home port, after trips up to Maine, Canada, and many wonderful spots on the Chesapeake Bay.
~Tom
and Jane Surles St. Leonard, MDAlthough I live in New Jersey, I grew up “on the beach” as a boy at Long Beach in Calvert County just north of Solomons Island on the Western Shore, where my parents’ beach house was literally on the beach near Flag Harbour. I have been a subscriber for a long time and read your publication back-toback each month.
~John S. CookIwanted to email Mr. Ligibel about his recent article “In Search of the Perfect Oyster” (in the October issue of PropTalk and at proptalk.com/search-perfect-oyster) that I read this morning. I thought the article was well done and well written. However, since it started out talking about the closure of a seafood market in Annapolis, I felt the author was remiss in not mentioning the Maryland Dept of Agriculture Seafood Marketing Department (seafood.maryland.gov). This page has a listing of businesses in Maryland that produce and sell Maryland oysters. In addition, many oyster growers in Maryland have come up with nontraditional sales outlets.
I personally have ordered oysters directly from Orchard Point Oyster Company and had them delivered fresh and cold to my doorstep. True Chesapeake Oyster Company has partnered with MOM’s Organic Market to offer oysters delivered to a MOM’s location for customer pick up at certain times of the year. I have also used this option, and it is very convenient. Others such as Hoopers Island Oyster Company have operated a small retail market and have sold oysters at farmer’s markets. Hollywood Oysters offers online sales and can direct you to a market down the street from their farm for larger oysters. Toby Island Oysters in Virginia sells oysters almost exclusively at farmer’s markets in the DC region.
While I specialize in helping the aquaculture industry in Maryland, there are a number of reputable wild oyster harvesters in Maryland as well. Some watermen harvest wild oysters during the wild oyster season and harvest from their leases in the summer to ensure year-round cash flow. An interesting fact is there is very little overlap between the wild oyster harvest and the oysters produced in Maryland on bottom-culture oyster aquaculture operations. I have compiled data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources since 2012 into a Maryland Oyster Aquaculture Dashboard which can be found here at go.umd.edu/OysterAquacultureDashboard for anyone looking for historical information on the Maryland Oyster aquaculture industry.
Virginia also has a similar seafood marketing program (virginiaseafood.org) which should also be noted since your primary audience is boaters in the Chesapeake Bay.
Keep up the good work, and I hope Mr. Ligibel’s article spurs more people to eat fresh local seafood from the Chesapeake Bay.
~Matt ParkerMasterful job you and the staff do each month getting both publications out and on the street.
~Mac NelsonIhave attached a photo of our grandson, Danny DePasquale (eight years old), with a very large crab caught on the Bay on August 18. His smile says it all!
~Tom and Jill Green
Lori Receski shares this photo of her two labradoodles, Rocksea (white) and Jetta (black), on a boat ride through the Kent Narrows after a weekend in St. Michaels.
For some boaters, fall is the best time for boating. Summer’s steamy days have surrendered to more comfortable temperatures, angling improves, and winds are stronger for sailing. It’s also time to embrace extra boating safety efforts for the season. The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has three boating safety tips to consider. Take safety seriously. If you ask the U.S. Coast Guard about boating safety and drowning, they’ll tell you that three out of every four boaters who drowned in 2022 were using vessels less than 21 feet in length at the time (when boat length was known in the accident statistics). The BoatUS Foundation says that small boats in particular are more susceptible to the effects of stormy weather. During leaf-
peeping season there’s also more solo boat operation, which means it’s wise to wear a lifejacket and file a float plan so someone can raise the alarm if you fail to return. A self-boarding ladder, such as a length of multi-looped rope anchored to a cleat, should be easily grabbable from the water. Keep up with maintenance. For many boaters, enjoying summer boating season was primary. Secondary was toiling over the things that broke, leaked, or came apart. Ensuring your vessel remains reliable is important as there are fewer potential good Samaritan boaters—generally your closest rescuers—to provide help, if necessary.
# Fall is a great time to increase your boating safety precautions, as waters have cooled and there are fewer potential boaters to potentially render assistance.
Use your engine cutoff switch. While all states require an engine cutoff switch (ECOS) use for PWCs, seven states and the U.S. Coast Guard also require ECOS devices for boats. The Coast Guard’s rule requires ECOS wear when aboard vessels less than 26 feet traveling on plane or above displacement speed. The ECOS can be located at the helm of the boat or on the tiller or body of an outboard engine and typically connects to the boat’s operator with a lanyard. Some ECOS devices eliminate the lanyard and rely on wireless proximity devices to shut down an engine if the operator goes overboard. Regardless, an accidental fall overboard could quickly turn dangerous. Make your ECOS your boating friend this fall.
Fall is a great time to get in those last mild boating days of the season, just make sure you are prepared to do it safely. Find more safe boating tips at boatus.org
Annapolis boater and photographer
David Sites has broken all Century Club records by logging 265 days on the water in 2023, and he’s not done yet! We reached out to him about his on-water journey: What motivates you to get out on the water, even on those days that aren’t picture perfect?
I don’t need much motivation to go out on the water even when the weather is not great. Some of my favorite photos have been taken in less than perfect conditions. “It’s like a box of chocolates…”
265 days on the water is extraordinary! How many more do you think you’ll get?
This all started out as a fun challenge after some prodding by a friend. After the first 100 consecutive days on the water, it became a bigger challenge for me. I just
couldn’t bring myself to break the streak; 265 days was a benchmark for me. I would hate to jinx myself, but after 265 days I started counting down from 100. What tips do you have for our readers about taking photos from boats?
Photography on the water is fun and sometimes challenging. My main tip would be to keep an eye on the camera/phone. I have taken videos when the boat was rocking side to side, but you would never know it because I learned to compensate with a steady hand. If one of our readers were to ask you about the Century Club, what would your advice be?
The Century Club is just fun. It’s interesting to see how others spend their time on the water and
motivates me to share the things that I see through my photos.
Our club welcomes all boaters: powerboaters, paddlers, anglers, and sailors. Learn more at: spinsheet.com/century-club
Boats end up abandoned or derelict on our nation’s coasts for several reasons. Irresponsible owners abandon vessels when they can no longer afford to care for them or pay for their disposal. Poorly maintained, “at risk” anchored boats combined with the increasing frequency and severity of storms leave shorelines littered with wrecks after each hurricane. A fouryear, $10 million grant from NOAA’s Marine Debris Removal Program to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water aims to rid our nation’s shores of abandoned and der-
elict vessels (ADVs), and remove the associated pollution, navigation, and safety hazards that can harm waters for years.
The grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is part of NOAA’s larger mission to address marine debris, which not only includes fiberglass boats but derelict fishing gear, plastics, and other types of debris.
The majority of funds will kickstart a one-stop-shop competitive grant program to seek out and complete marine debris removal projects on our nation’s coasts (saltwaters) and in the Great Lakes for funding and support. Under the guidelines, any organization—public or private—will be able to apply for ADV removal funds.
To help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention
and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris removal, with an added focus on how ADVs impact waters in underserved communities.
“This is a coordinated, once-in-alifetime investment to remove abandoned and derelict vessels, and we’re proud to help NOAA carry out this important mission to rid our shores of marine debris,” said BoatUS Foundation president Chris Edmonston. “Our goal over the next four years is to focus on the immediate issue—the substantial number of ADVs that need removal. In the future, we hope to expand the program to inland freshwater lakes and waterways and reach a point where ADV removals diminish as educational and preventive efforts have greater impact. It’s much more cost-effective to stop it before it happens.”
The Foundation, which drew more than 60 letters of support for the grant application, expects to announce the opening of ADV grant program applications in early 2024. Updates will be posted to BoatUS.org/ADVGrant as they occur.
On Friday, September 22, the PropTalk office was quiet… too quiet. Several of our staff took advantage of the last quiet week before “boat show madness” to take the day off, and email traffic was markedly low. During this calm before the predicted storm churning up the coast from North Carolina, we kept ourselves busy refreshing weather apps and contemplating the rain-soaked weekend. Everyone else in Chesapeake country busily secured their boats!
The 12th named storm of the 2023 hurricane season, Ophelia, entered Virginia on Saturday evening as a
post-tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. The day before, the governors of Virginia and Maryland had declared a state of emergency so that resources and equipment would be prepared for the storm. As of Saturday afternoon, power outages had impacted 73,000 Dominion Energy customers in Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina. BGE in Maryland reported lower numbers around 23,000.
Ophelia led to moderate flooding on the Chesapeake Bay; some of it reported on the James River constituted “major.” Any of us living in low-lying
coastal areas (most of us) are vulnerable to flooding and fluent in flood-speak. “Moderate” flooding is not ideal, as it generally means some structures and roads have been covered with water; there will be possible evacuations. “Major” flooding ranges from disruptive to disastrous.
As we heard many along the Bay say after this last tropical storm, “It could have been worse.” And it has been worse, as any Chesapeake boater living here during Isabel remembers. September 18 marked the 20th anniversary of that infamous tropical storm. Isabel’s wind and rain were typical enough to make one shrug in memory, but its damaging storm surge of seven to eight feet above normal high tide made history and raised the bar of what locals consider “major” in flood terms.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum’s (AMM) McNasby Oyster Company building suffered severe damage during Isabel in 2003; a piling rammed a gaping hole in the side of the structure. Years later the building was renovated into the lovely exhibit space and museum office central to the now-expanded campus. The renovations took future flood incidents and subsequent cleanup efforts into account. AMM reported its Ophelia flooding to social media. Although it was not the highest water mark since Isabel, it was substantial. It took AMM staffers a few days to clean up and restore the museum to business as usual.
Annapolis boater, angler, and Century Club member, James Ronayne, saw Ophelia as an opportunity. Ronayne had logged 191 days on the water in 2023 on all types of vessels, and he logged a memorable day 192 on the weekend of the storm.
“As Ophelia blew in, I knew we should expect some intense chop on the Bay,” says Ronayne. “I tossed a board in my car, gathered some friends, and headed to Bay Ridge (neighborhood near Tolly Point off Annapolis). Between the pelting rain, chilly wind, and crazy currents, it made for one awesome day on the water!” ~M.W.
When we saw photos of a beautiful 1960 GradyWhite 174 Hatteras Deluxe from our advertiser Tri-State Marine (TSM), we had to learn more. She was built in 1959 for display at the Miami Boat Show and to this day is all original—original factory paint, motor, and trailer—and is in nearly perfect condition.
We caught up with Keith Rhodes, owner of Tri-State Marine, who says: “I have always wanted an antique Grady-White. I recall when I was younger going into a Chevy dealership and seeing a classic Corvette and thinking how cool it was. So, when I bought Tri-State Marine, I wanted to evoke a similar feel with customers when visiting us. The problem is that many of these (boats) simply don’t exist. For years I’ve been searching online for a classic Grady-White but have never found one that was for sale. I have visited the Grady-White factory
and admired the one they have there. So, recently, I asked Grady-White again about it and they mentioned that an older gentleman who has owned this boat for decades now wished to find a new home for it. I reached out to him to learn more about this special boat.
“For years, it had been on loan to galleries and substantial GradyWhite dealerships in Florida. But, when Hurricane Ian took out Ingman Marine in Fort Meyers, FL, the owner of the boat placed it in an enclosed trailer. Yes, this boat survived Ian, roof collapse and all… He swears that the only water this boat has ever seen is from that storm—it’s never been placed in the water as it was always a show boat.
“Following several weeks of discussion, we were able to arrive at a selling price and I agreed to buy the boat. The seller wasn’t as interested in the money; he was more interested that
we would be a great custodian of the boat, protecting its legacy for many years to come. Given our history and the size of our showroom, he determined that we would be a great fit.”
Tri-State Marine was launched in 1957 and has been selling Grady-White boats since the 70s. They will be the third owner in this boat’s history and are thrilled to welcome it to their showroom where it will be on permanent display to connect the GradyWhite brand heritage with the company’s history. Learn more at tristatemarine.com
Around the Chesapeake Bay, fall is synonymous with oysters. Here are five oyster festivals for bivalve lovers. Did we miss your favorite? Email beth@proptalk.com.
Oyster Stroll in Westminster, MD. Designed to raise awareness about the importance of oyster aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay, Oyster Stroll supports CCA Maryland’s Living Reef Action Campaign. Stroll downtown streets for live music, fresh oysters, and samples of wine, spirits, and beer. October 14, noon to 4 p.m. VIP tickets available. Find more information at ccamd.org.
Poquoson, VA, Seafood Festival. This festival is Poquoson’s salute to life in a coastal city and the working watermen of the Chesapeake Bay. Live music, arts and crafts, a cooking contest, and many working watermen exhibits. The festival runs October 20-22. Admission is free. The parking fee is $10, cash only. Festival hours and details are at poquosonseafoodfestival.com.
U.S. Oyster Festival in Leonardtown, MD. Held at the St. Mary’s County fairgrounds, this festival offers entertainment, a shucking contest, an oyster cook-off, and oyster tastings, all to benefit the local community. October 21 and 22. Tickets are $15 per day. Kids 10 years and younger are free. Parking onsite is free. For hours and to learn more, visit usoysterfest.com.
CBMM Oysterfest. Sip, slurp, and savor at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Oyster Fest October 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, retriever demonstrations, boat rides, and plenty of oysters. Non-member ticket prices are $19 for adults. Discounted tickets for military, seniors, museum members, and students are available; children under age six are free. cbmm.org
Urbanna Oyster Festival. Head to Urbanna November 3-4 for an oyster shucking contest, antique car show, parade, beer tastings, wine and oyster tastings, and live music. Learn about local aquaculture and preservation of the Bay. No ticket is needed to enter the festival, but certain areas may have a fee. The day before the festival is Oyster Festival Education Day for local students who learn about watershed history and science. Festival hours and details may be found at urbannaoysterfestival.com
Oyster Festival at the Captain Avery Museum. The museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year will unfold Saturday, October 14 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members; $15 for non-members; children under age 13 are free. Expect live, local music, delicious food, beer and wine for purchase, and kids’ activities. Members of the Anne Arundel County Watermen’s Association will shuck oysters right in front of you! Tickets and festival details (including the shuttle from the parking area) are at captainaverymuseum.org
Ahouse crossing a river looks out of place, akin to Dorothy’s Kansas home sitting at the start of a yellow brick road in Oz. Such was Steve Schwat’s impression as he escorted an old cottage across the West River.
Several years ago, Steve and his wife Lisa had acquired the small cottage, which was situated next to their home in Shady Side, MD, on the West River. It was an old house and had never been upgraded. It was still very much in the style and condition as when it was built. To better meet their needs, the couple considered demolishing it and building a new structure.
Their plans changed when Steve, a partner in Parish Creek Landing Marina, was asked if he had considered donating the house, given that it is a
the structure out of the landfill. Steve and Lisa connected with Galesville Community Properties (GCP), a 501(3)(c) nonprofit, and successfully reached an agreement for the house to be donated and moved to Galesville, MD, just across the river.
In mid-September, Wolf House Movers raised the home, placed it on a large dolly, and rolled it onto a barge from a local company, Smith Brothers. After crossing the river, the old home was rolled onto land in Galesville. Nearby, friends gathered at Stan and Joe’s restaurant for a watch party and to witness the unusual and remarkable affair.
Steve and Lisa, in their boat, escorted the home across the river. “It was a surreal
thing,” Steve recalls. “Other boaters, also amazed, honked their horns and shouted lighthearted comments to us. I’m a developer in Washington DC, and I like to say that I renovate old buildings for sport, but never have I been involved so close up in something like this. It was an incredible experience.”
Ferry
Marina is a full service yard. Our technicians take pride in completing all projects, properly and efficiently. We are members of the ABYC and continually offer additional training to all employees to ensure projects are completed up to our high standards.
Veterans Day, November 11, is a good time to thank a veteran or active duty miliary person for their service and consider the sacrifices they have made. Team PropTalk recently connected with Mark Eustis, from Project Healing Waters, to learn about the impact of its programs for disabled veterans and active-duty military.
Project Healing Waters takes participants fly fishing and offers regular meetings. Veterans tell stories, learn to cast, build rods, and practice tying knots. No angling experience is needed, and participants don’t pay anything.
Eustis, who has worked with disabled veterans since 2005, says, “Healing Waters is the most rewarding thing I’ve done in life. We have helped tens of thousands of disabled veterans and active-duty military over the past 18 years. The demographics of the participants have shifted over the years, and today we see far, far fewer of the teenagers and twenty-somethings that we helped at the beginning of our program. Doctors are learning that effects of traumatic brain injuries can be permanent, and post-traumatic stress may take years to work through. Healing Waters is there to help disabled veterans with whatever the disability. Its 200-plus programs aren’t just a fishing club—though there’s some of that in what we do—it’s a VA-recognized therapeutic activity.”
Eustis, who manages Stars & Stripers, Project Healing Waters’s only saltwater fly fishing event, says, “Healing Waters has contributed to substantive and fundamental changes in the lives of thousands of individuals. I have found it to be profoundly rewarding to help change someone’s life so significantly with something as easy as going fishing.”
Here is a list of several organizations doing good work locally. Most use boats, kayaks, and
fishing as their platforms for healing, but a couple on this list offer sailing opportunities. If we missed one that you would recommend, tell us about it by emailing beth@proptalk. com: Heroes on the Water, Fish Redeemer, Valhalla Sailing Project, Warrior Events, Chesapeake Region
Accessible Boating, Wounded Warriors Day on the Bay, Take a Warrior Fishing (an adult program of Cast for Kids), and Heroes Outdoor Therapy. Learn more about Project Healing Waters and Stars & Stripers at projecthealingwaters.org and starsandstripersflyfishing.com
Our Crab Cakes Make Great Gifts!
www.goldbelly.com/boatyard-bar-and-grill
the Great chesapeake Invasives count
In this unique free competition platformed on the iAngler app, each time you log a snakehead, blue catfish, or flathead catfish, you get another entry in the monthly prize drawings. The data collected helps fishery managers understand which invasives are being caught and where, their sizes, and more. Register: ccamd.org
5-15 Weems & Plath tent Sale
Huge savings on discounted, overstock, and sample items. At 214 Eastern Avenue in Annapolis. October 5-15 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
12-15 annapolis Sailboat Show
Sailors from around the globe gather on miles of docks in historic Annapolis to experience hundreds of new and premiering boats, boating gear and accessories, financing options, all while enjoying tasting tents and connecting with fellow boaters.
13-15 riverside marine Demo Weekend
20+ boats in the water and ready for demo rides at Riverside Marine in Essex, MD. Call for reservation: (410) 686-1500
17 Winterizing Your boat online Seminar
7 to 8:30 p.m. No cost. Presented by America’s Boating Club Kent Narrows. Contact: Richard Radlinski at (937) 4070106 or radlinskid@gmail.com
20 maryland reef ball building
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD. Volunteers will assist Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff by assembling and disassembling fiberglass molds. These reef balls provide instant habitat when placed into the water. This activity involves kneeling, lifting, and bending. Registration (free) required at cbf.org
21 maryland reef ball building
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD. Volunteers will assist Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff by assembling and disassembling fiberglass molds. These reef balls provide instant habitat when placed into the water. This activity involves kneeling, lifting and bending. Registration (free) required at cbf.org
21 54th Upper Shore Decoy Show
Hosted by the Upper Bay Museum. Celebrating its 54th year! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Minker Banquet Hall (920 Principio Furnace Road, Perryville MD 21903). $5 general admission. $10 early bird admission at 8 a.m. Learn more: upperbaymuseum.org/decoyshow
21-22 57th annual U.S. oyster Festival
Home of the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship and the National Oyster Cook Off. At the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown, MD. Tickets are $15 per day. Kids 10 years and younger are free. Parking onsite is free.
22 Fly School USa Fly School USA (FSUSA) clinics will help you master the basics or get to the next level of fly fishing. At the Rod and Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach, MD. Combination of classroom knowledge with hands-on instruction on fly casting techniques; rods, reels, lines, and fly selection; knots and tying; hook setting and fish sighting. There’s also an option to add a guided fishing trip after your classroom session (10/23 and 10/24). Register: flyschoolusa.com
23 Her Helm: the oxfordbellevue Ferry tale
5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Van Lennep Auditorium in St. Michaels, MD. Captain Judy Bixler will share a bit of ferry history and stories of her experiences operating the ferry alongside her husband since 2001. $8 per person. Register: cbmm.org
24
america’s boater courseboater certification course
America’s Boating Course, an eight-hour presentation open to the public on boating safety, equipment, rules of the road, buoys, and safe operations. This course meets on four consecutive Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in Pasadena, MD. Price is $35. Contact Lou Kates at lmkates@comcast.net or (410) 937-0338 or (410) 272-0079 for registration. Presented by the Patapsco River Power Squadron/America’s Boating Club Patapsco River.
27-28 the Haunting at Piney Point: a Family Friendly Halloween experience
5 to 9 p.m. each day at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in Piney Point, MD. This self-guided Halloween-themed tour is free to the public and appropriate for all ages. Exhibit features mild Halloween fun with low lighting and spooky sounds, but no gore, jump scares, or any other shock value. Stairs are present in parts of the museum, but the rest of the exhibit is wheelchair accessible.
27-29
Sultana Downrigging Festival
One of the largest annual tall ship gatherings in North America. A long weekend of Tall Ship sails, tours, live bluegrass music, lectures, exhibits, family activities, regional food, and more. Chestertown, MD.
28
cbmm oysterFest
Get ready to sip, slurp, and savor at this annual fall event, featuring live music, retriever demonstrations, oysters, and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD.
November 3-4
66th annual Urbanna oyster Festival
An oyster shucking contest, antique car show, parade, beer tastings, wine and oyster tastings, and live music. Learn about local aquaculture and preservation of the Bay. No ticket is needed to enter the festival, but certain areas may have a fee. In Urbanna, VA.
3
maryland reef ball building
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD. Volunteers will assist Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff by assembling and disassembling fiberglass molds. These reef balls provide instant habitat when placed into the water. This activity involves kneeling, lifting, and bending. Registration (free) required at cbf.org
4 maryland reef ball building
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD. Volunteers will assist Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff by assembling and disassembling fiberglass molds. These reef balls provide instant habitat when placed into the water. This activity involves kneeling, lifting, and bending. Registration (free) required at cbf.org
4
17th annual Fish For a cure
Catch and release fishing tournament and Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge to raise funds for Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Registration: $500 for a captain and three anglers (or a four-person kayak team). Shore Party 5 to 9 p.m. at South Annapolis Yacht Centre (tickets: $150). To register or donate, visit fishforacure.org
10-12 Waterfowl Festival
A three-day festival celebrating the culture of the Eastern Shore. Featuring artisans, kid’s activities, delicious food and drink, World Waterfowl Calling Championship Demonstration, DelMarVa dock dogs, retriever demonstrations, and more. In Easton, MD. $25 for all three days. Tickets: waterfowlfestival.org
11-12 colonial Yacht club Fall tournament
Colonial Beach, VA.
15 Facing our Unfinished challenge: Saving the bay in the 21st century
5:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Van Lennep Auditorium in St. Michaels, MD. For more than 50 years, CBF has created broad understanding of the Bay’s poor health, engaged public leaders in making commitments to restore the Chesapeake, and fought successfully to create and maintain a cleanup approach that features real accountability: the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. Tickets: $8 per person. Register: cbmm.org
16 mariners’ museum evening lecture Series
7 to 8:30 p.m. virtual and in-person event at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. Topic: Churchill’s American Arsenal with Larrie D. Ferreiro - engineer, historian, and a 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist. Free to watch online, $10 for in-person ticket (includes one drink ticket). Advanced registration required at marinersmuseum.org
18 eastern Shore Sea Glass & coastal arts Festival: Holiday edition
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. Artisans and craftspeople will exhibit and sell coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home decor, art, and more.
25 colonial Yacht club lighted boat Parade
5 to 7 p.m. Potomac River, Marker #2, just off of the Colonial Beach Point, MD. Decorate your boat with festive lights and be part of this season’s holiday wonderment.
25 Pasadena lighted boat Parade
Find a map of the parade route at facebook.com/PasadenaBoatParade.
PYY Marine is having a viewing party this year from 5 to 9 p.m. This is a ticketed event: $60 per person (includes food, drinks, music, 50/50, parade viewing) and can be purchased at the PYY Marine office. To purchase tickets or regiser for the parade, call (410) 2551771.
25 Irvington lights on the creek lighted boat Parade
Hosted by the Rappahannock River Yacht Club (RRYC) on Carters Creek in Irvington, VA. Parade forms at 5:30 p.m. near Custom Yacht Service on the eastern branch of Carters Creek. Boats will travel west passing RRYC on starboard, continuing to the Tides Inn. They will travel a total distance of 1.7 nautical miles. Multiple prize categories. Post parade party at RRYC at 7 p.m. Open to any type or size of boat. Learn more: rryc.org
Back in September I had the opportunity to travel to Arkansas to test out some new PWC offerings from Sea-Doo. Full disclosure, I also come from a Sea-Doo family. We’ve owned several over the years (most recently an RXT-X 300), so I was pretty excited to experience these new models in person.
The big news is of course the new supercharged Rotax 1630 ACE 325hp engine. This is currently the highest horsepower rating from a factory built PWC engine. It allows for an increase in peak RPMs from 8000 to 8250, thanks to a more robust cylinder block and crankshaft improvements paired with new coated pistons and forged rocker arms in the valve train. It also comes with a redesigned air intake system—a new intake grate and larger diameter intake hose enable higher burst pressure capability and a larger volume.
The supercharger design features a new booster with planetary gear drive for improved lubrication, which allows for faster rotation and increased efficiency of boost production. Precise control comes from a more robust engine management system ensuring efficient, predictable power delivery.
With this new 325-hp engine, 0-60 acceleration is clocked at 3.4 seconds. So, it’s not only the most powerful but the
quickest engine on the market to date, and it features the highest PWC horsepower to weight ratio in the industry. Currently you’ll find the Rotax 1630 ACE 325 on the 2024 RXT-X and the RXP-X.
Sea-Doo also announced the launch of the GTR-X with its supercharged Rotax 1630 300-hp ACE engine, signaling what they considered the rebirth of accessible high-performance PWCs.
So what are the main differences between these three models? Sea-Doo describes the GTR-X as “playful and predictable,” the RXT-X as having “superior stability and control,” and the RXP-X as having “unparalleled high-performance control.”
The GTR-X features the lowest costper-horsepower in the industry. For those looking for a mix of performance, versatility, and price accessibility, this model would check a lot of those boxes. While it has 300 instead of 325-hp, it still achieves a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around four seconds thanks to an extended VTS, launch control, and polished impeller. It also features low-rise handlebars, an Ergolock two-piece racing seat, angled footwell wedges, and the GTR hull, which delivers even more playful and nimble handling while remaining stable and predictable. A larger fuel tank, swim platform with LinQ attachment capabil-
ity, spacious seating, and extensive storage allow riders to spend even more time on the water.
On the RXP-X, a high-performance supercharged engine is paired with an impressive hull design for superior handling. Utilizing the T3-R ultra-deep V design enables pinpoint precision, especially in rough water. A unique shark gill design at mid-hull regulates airflow under the hull giving the rider more predictable handling at high speeds. Aggressive X sponsons further improve confidence in tight turns. One of my favorite features was the adjustable Ergolock R seating system—an adjustable rear saddle offers five inches of front to back range, allowing riders to “lock in,” which is essential when hitting those eye-watering speeds up to 70 mph.
The RXT-X is all about stability and control. A lower center of gravity improves rider confidence in rough water, at high speeds, at rest, and with three passengers. The platform is also wider for easy boarding and movement around the watercraft. The deep-V ST3 hull increases performance in rough water and provides better control while cornering, giving riders the best of both worlds. It has the same 325-hp Rotax engine, but it is fully configured for offshore speed, stability, and control.
For more boat reviews, visit proptalk.com or scan this code with your phone’s camera.
loa: 130.6 in.
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
rider capacity: 3
Weight capacity: 600 lb.
Storage capacity: 42.5 gal.
max HP: 300
Hull type: GTI Hull
mSrP: Starting at $14,099
But what exactly do they feel like out on the water? I had the chance to ride all three of these models, but I focused on the GTR-X and the RXP-X. I hit top speed on both, rode in both flat calm water and in rougher wakes, and was able to ride both extensively through a tight buoy course. Personally, the RXP-X was my favorite. Don’t laugh as I quote the film “Pretty Woman” here but, “it corners like it’s on rails.” It took a few laps through the course before I felt confident enough to
loa: 130.6 in.
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
rider capacity: 2
Weight capacity: 400 lb.
Storage capacity: 40.6 gal.
max HP: 325
Hull type: T3-R Hull
mSrP: Starting at $19,199
increase my speed and fully lean into the sharp turns, but thanks to the Ergolock seat with the “lock in” feature, I felt completely stable.
The best word I can use to describe the GTR-X is, in fact, playful. After hopping on this model from the RXP-X, which felt as though you were banking around turns on rails, I had to get used to the looser handling. And loose does not mean bad; it’s just a completely different feeling. I was not quite as confident going through the buoy course
loa: 135.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
rider capacity: 3
Weight capacity: 600 lb.
Storage capacity: 26.1 gal.
max HP: 325
Hull type: ST3 Hull
mSrP: Starting at $19,999
at a higher speed, but that being said, I never actually fell off of either model and both were incredibly fun to drive. The GTR-X likes to slide through the turns while the RXP-X cuts and holds tight. Like the difference between a sports car and a sport bike. Each model offers a different riding experience, and it’s up to the rider to determine how they will primarily use their watercraft, in order to find the best fit.
For more detailed specs, visit sea-doo.com
This year’s Easton Waterfowl Festival takes place November 10-12 in Easton, MD, with a variety of events and activities for the entire family, along with delicious food, music, and world-renowned artists. The idea for the festival was conceived in 1970, when a group of sportsmen and women came together to develop an event that would share with visitors the unique Eastern Shore heritage that they treasured, with the ultimate hope of persevering that heritage. They wanted to raise funds to protect the wildlife and habitat that were integral to the area’s way of life. The very first event was held in November of 1971, and it was timed to coincide with the opening of goose hunting season. It was described as an event that would “capture the true romance, the excitement, engendered by the [area’s] wild birds and the hunting sport they create.”
Today, the festival has grown from a few small exhibits in downtown Easton to more than a dozen venues throughout the town. The nonprofit organization’s contributions to conservation have also increased over the years. What started as a $7500 donation to Ducks Unlimited has grown to a total of more than $5.7 million in conservation grants to hundreds of projects by more than 50 organizations. Here’s what you can expect from this year’s event.
Dates: November 10-12
Location: Sites throughout Easton, MD
Parking and Getting Around: On-street parking in Easton is limited during the festival. Several public lots are serviced by festival buses, which run continuously from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A festival ticket is required to board the bus. You can find public parking lots, handicap parking locations, along with bus routes and stops on the festival map, in the pocket guide available at any ticket kiosk, and in the festival app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Visit waterfowlfestival.org/ festival-map for more details.
Tickets: $25 general admission (good for all three days of the festival); no tickets necessary for children under 10. The festival is now cashless. Ticket booths will only accept credit/debit cards.
Veterans Day discount tickets are available on Friday, November 10 at one of the festival’s ticket booths. Active-duty military, reserve and National Guard, retirees, and veterans who are or have served in defense of our country pay just $20 for all three days.
Additional fees are associated with some events, including:
• Tasting Pavilion on Harrison Street: $15 for a glass gives you unlimited tastings.
• Beer Wetland on Dover Street: beer can be purchased by the glass.
• Yappy Hour: entry fee includes doggie goody bag and one craft brew.
VIP Tickets: All VIP packages include admittance to the festival’s daytime activities, an invitation to the festival’s Premiere Night, access to the VIP Hospitality Suite at the Bullitt House where you can relax with refreshments in between exhibits, and exclusive discounts. Prices vary and range from $200 up.
To purchase GA tickets and/or VIP packages, visit waterfowlfestival.org/ festival-tickets
A three-day festival celebrating the culture of the Eastern Shore.
Antique Decoy Competition: Here is your chance to display a favorite decoy or two from your collections. Judging will take place on Saturday, November 11. Registration is 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Location: Easton High School cafeteria.
Beer Wetland and Gardens: The festival now has three venues to relax with a local brew. The “Beer Wetland” features an open-air tent with heaters and cocktail tables and is a great spot to take in the sights and sounds of downtown. The Elk’s Beer Garden is another popular spot. Grab a beer and watch the DelMarVa DockDogs demonstration or browse through the latest sporting goods. There will also be music playing on the Sportsman’s Pavilion stage. The new beer garden is located at the VFW location. There will be food, a mud truck show to browse, and a breathtaking raptor show from falconer Brian Bradley. You can even try aerial archery courtesy of Big Truck Brewing.
Breeo Steak Grilling Competition: Friday and Saturday at the Sportsman’s Pavilion at the Elk’s Lodge. Buy, Sell, Swap: Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Easton High School. Whether a dedicated collector, first time buyer, or browser, any visitor can find something of interest.
DockDogs: At the Sportsman’s Pavilion at the Elk’s Lodge. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The schedule includes Outdoor Big Air (a long jump), Extreme Vertical (a high jump), Speed Retrieve (a timed event), and Iron Dog (which incorporates all three of the DockDogs competitions).
Fly Fishing Demonstrations: Joe Capozzoli will show visitors the special techniques of casting with a fly rod. Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. at the Bay Street Ponds.
Keynotes and Cocktails Lecture
Series: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. Speakers include Imani Black, founder of Minorities in Aquaculture and Captain Wade Murphy of the skipjack Rebecca T. Ruark, among others.
Kids’ Activities: The Waterfowl Festival takes great pride in passing on the Eastern Shore’s sportsmen’s heritage and traditions to the next generation of duck and goose callers. Events for kids include a children’s calling clinic for ages four to 14 (Saturday), decoy painting and soap carving (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), Kids’ Fishing Derby (Saturday and Sunday), and Quack N’ Craft at the Talbot County Free Library (featuring crafts, readings by local authors, face painting, the Chesapeake Mermaid Show, and more).
Live Music: There are plenty of musical offerings to suit any taste throughout the weekend, so enjoy strolling around the exhibit venues during the festival. Performers and locations will be posted soon.
Raptor Demonstrations: Watch hawks, falcons, and owls sharpen their hunting skills during an exciting flight demonstration with Sky Hunters in Flight. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Retriever Demonstrations: You don’t have to be a hunter to appreciate the intelligence demonstrated by the retrievers and the training skills of their handlers who are members of the Talbot Retriever Club. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. at the Bay Street Ponds.
World Waterfowl Calling Contests: The premiere calling championships in the world!
Preliminary rounds Friday and Saturday, finals Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Easton High School Auditorium.
These are just a few of the many great events and venues at this year’s Waterfowl Festival. Find a full schedule, more details, a show map, tickets, and more at waterfowlfestival.org.# The Easton Waterfowl Festival celebrates the culture of the Eastern Shore. # Shop from world-renowned painters, sculptors, carvers, and photographers. Courtesy of the Waterfowl Festival # Joe Capozzoli will demonstrate fly fishing techniques at the Bay Street Ponds.
It was another great year for TrawlerFest! The seminars (September 26-30) and in-water boat show (September 28-30) took place at Baltimore’s Harbor East Marina. If you’re a cruiser, definitely stay tuned for next year’s show.
Photos by PropTalk
Summer is officially over, and every year it seems to fly by faster and faster! It’s once again time to (regrettably) put the boat away for the winter, to winterize the engine, and cover her over until spring. For many, winterizing their boat has become fairly repetitive; we do it every year, and there are comprehensive and helpful guidelines and checklists
available from reliable sources, including BoatUS, for example. If your boat is cared for and regularly serviced by a long-established boatyard, that yard will have many of its own procedures and recommended checklists in place and will take care of those details for you. Those checklists are great, but let’s take a moment to talk about a few of the other things that may also be im-
portant to consider when putting your powerboat away for the season. People engage in different practices that vary often by region. I learned a few things this year during some of my travels south while ‘scouting’ for a new boat.
A broker whom I spoke to in a boat town in Tidewater Virginia told me that most boat owners today don’t opt to shrinkwrap their boats anymore due to the expense and the amount of plastic waste generated that must be disposed of. They will instead opt for a tarp or fitted canvas cover that can be reused again for several years, rather than the one-time use for shrinkwrap. In many cases, for boats stored in boatyards south of the snow line (wherever that may be), boat owners with low-maintenance surfaces may opt for no cover at all; the only issue will be sun and UV radiation that will oxidize gelcoat and painted surfaces and degrade non-skid decking. There are a number of products that can be applied to a boat that will protect against UV degradation, but they must be applied every three to five weeks, according to one manufacturer. 303 Products is one popular label, providing a spray-on DIY product labeled “Aerospace Protectant,” and there are others; simply spray on and wipe off any excess. This is especially helpful for protecting inflatable dinghies; I use it on my RIB.
The advantage to covering a boat with canvas is that it will protect a boat from water getting in at the deck level over the course of the winter and causing problems. I’ve seen water get into a
deck, particularly around deck hardware and fittings, aided by the temperature fluctuations over the winter months, even if you don’t have snow or ice on your boat. Deck hardware can be subject to stresses that will allow water to creep in over time. A moisture meter can identify the problem of moisture getting into deck and gunwale laminates, and it’s a sad discovery because it means an expensive repair. If the water in the laminate should freeze, then you will have an even more serious problem with delamination and structural weakening. So, although it is a task to canvas-cover a boat over the winter season if it is stored outside, the protection against the elements is arguably well worth the hassle of covering to prevent potential problems later on.
There are a number of storage options, of course. The most common choice is a boatyard or marina. Storing your boat ‘on the hard’ allows thorough inspection of the bottom and power washing, as well as installing fresh zinc anodes, cleaning out through-hull fittings, coating propellers and shafts with spray antifouling (zinc compounds), painting, and careful examination of the hull for any damage that may have occurred during the season. Working with a yard or marina may also make available the talents of engine mechanics and yard personnel who can help winterize the freshwater system with non-toxic antifreeze. You’ll also want to make sure that you drain the water tank(s) and water heater, and fully charge the starter and house batteries. Nowadays, unless you winter in a yard in northern New England, there is no need to remove your batteries; just make sure that they are fully charged.
In more southern waters, you may be able to keep your boat in a slip at a marina, one where there is little danger of ice forming. In New England waters, ‘bubble skirts’ discourage the formation of ice around the hull, hardly a concern in the lower Chesapeake. Recently, I traveled to charming Deltaville, VA, to look at a boat that I had interest in. While there I noted, once again, the presence of boat dock roofs, a type of structure that we don’t see very much in northern waters. With a boat dock roof, the boat is accessible and usable
practically all year ‘round, while being solidly protected from the effects of the brutal sun, as well as from precipitation. But protection from above does not include protection from below. My broker-friend in Deltaville informed me that the water there is somewhat brackish, and there is still plenty of marine growth including grass and barnacles in those waters. A boat docked there needs hauling once a season for bottom cleaning and attention to the other items mentioned earlier, i.e., zincs, mussels, or growth inside through-hull ports, and more. The propeller might need cleaning and attention two to three times during the course of the season, especially if the boat doesn’t go out much.
Of course, owners who plan to keep their boats in a slip year-round also need to be aware of the electrical characteristics of the waters around them. Electrolysis from stray currents can eat up zincs and other metals quickly in a crowded harbor or marina. The more crowded
the marina, the more significant the concern for damage from electrolysis. I used to hang a solid zinc ‘guppy’ over the side of my boat when it was on its mooring and I wasn’t using it, because the harbor was notorious for electrolysis issues. The ‘guppy’-shaped anode was attached to a cable, which in turn fed below through a port and clipped onto the block of my engine. I would simply reel it in and stow it whenever I took the boat out for the weekend. In this way, I protected my propeller and other metals below my boat’s waterline, including the other zincs.
If your boat is practically trailerable, of course, you can simply bring it home and store it on your property as I do with my 10-foot inflatable RIB. It spends all summer high and dry on a dinghy float down at the boat club, and in the fall hops up onto its trailer to come home. On the way home, I stop at Stanley’s Boatyard to drop off my Old Faithful 9.9-hp two-stroke outboard. I leave it with them for
winterization, and they do a good job of it every year. In a few weeks they will call me to come pick it up to take home where it will wait out the remainder of the off season in my dry backyard shed. Once the RIB is home and tucked into the backyard, similar rules apply; I block the trailer wheels, unhook the trailer, remove the drain plug, and give the bladders a coat of 303, then cover the boat with a canvas tarp for the winter. A three-inch by three-inch by 12-foot oak beam serves as a ridgepole so that the canvas can drain properly without sagging if there is snow. Drain and discard the old mixed gasoline in the tank; never carry it forward to the next year. I deflate the RIB’s bladders somewhat to ease pressure on them, but I keep them mostly ‘soft’ inflated so that they will retain shape over the winter and after all, support the canvas cover.
These are just a few of the tips and tricks that I have learned over the years when preparing my boat (and dinghy) for the off season. #
EnginE(S)
G Fill fuel tanks and add stabilizer to gasoline
G Change oil and filter
G Change fuel filters/separators in engine(s)
G Check coolant level in freshwater-cooling system and add coolant if necessary
G Run antifreeze through raw-water-cooling system
G Make sure water strainers are filled with antifreeze
G Fog cylinders in gasoline engines
G Top up battery electrolyte level and put batteries on marine charger
EnginE(S)
G Change oil and filter
G Change fuel filters/separators
G Check coolant level in freshwater-cooling system and add coolant if necessary
G Run antifreeze through raw-water-cooling system
G Make sure water strainers are filled with antifreeze
oTHER SYSTEmS
G Flush and fill air conditioning and refrigeration system with antifreeze
G Run antifreeze through watermaker and pickle as per owner’s manual
G Fill installed fuel tanks and add stabilizer
G Flush engine with muffs and fresh water
G Turn off fuel supply and fog while running (Note that some newer outboards have
G an automatic winterizing feature)
G Drain gear case and add fresh lubricant
G Store unit in lowest position
G Inspect/replace anodes
G Empty fuel from portable 4-stroke tanks into car tank and take them home for storage
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging boaters to try a reusable cover or “go bare” this year. According to the DNR, semi-custom covers cost the same as shrink-wrapping boats around 30 feet for two seasons and can last five to 10 years. Canvas shops can repair and clean reusable boat covers which extends their life even further. If you opt to skip a covering completely and go bare, the DNR recommends deep cleaning your boat the following spring (for DIY cleaning tips, visit dnr.maryland.gov/boating/ Documents/ts1vesselm.pdf ).
While shrinkwrap does a great job keeping boats clean and protected, it also is a single use plastic that generates tons of waste. To learn more about shrinkwrap recycling, visit dnr.maryland.gov and type ‘shrinkwrap’ into the search box.
Jimmy Buffett passed away on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend. “Come Monday” I wanted to be on the water and was determined to affect some sort of rum-based toast to commemorate the “Son of a Son of a Sailor” while on the water.
The forecast for Monday, September 4, Labor Day, was mostly sunny, with temperatures expected to reach over 100 degrees, low wind at five to eight knots, and waves less than one foot. Except for the typical Labor Day boat traffic, it promised to be a fantastic day for a boat trip.
On the boat with me was my wife Neile, my daughter Emma, and our border collie Cap. We planned to circumnavigate Kent Island, and this would be the first big day trip for us on our 25-foot Sea hunt CC Blue Pearl. I figured it would be about a 38- to 45-mile cruise and take approximately two to three hours with a stop for lunch.
By G. Steven MartinWe departed the dock at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard around 12:30 p.m. We plotted our course across the Bay to the Bay Bridge, continuing north to the approaches of Rock Hall toward R N “2” and, staying west of any shallows, turning south around Love Point. Then, we would head to the mouth of the Chester River and the entrance of Kent Narrows channel.
We arrived at the channel entrance about one and a half hours before low tide. The chart says it is 60 feet wide and four feet deep at MLW. With two-way traffic, the passing boats create the illusion of a narrower passage. We were following a 30-foot trawler in, and my depth sonar showed three and a half feet of water. Our boat draws about 30 inches with the motor down, so I raised my motor up about three to four inches as a precaution.
My mind flashed back to when we had the 20-foot Trophy CC motoring south of Sarasota on the ICW. Before I had an electronic chartplotter, I missed a slight dog leg in the waterway. The boat slowed some. When I looked back, there was a brown sandy colored cloud plowing up behind the Trophy. I raised that motor and turned left back into the waterway. Idling through Kent Narrows, I looked back a few times as well. No issues.
People who live and work around Kent Island and boat the Narrows regularly tell me that there’s always plenty of water there. (Next time maybe arrive at the channel closer to high tide.)
Approaching the bridge at Kent Narrows and passing serval dockside bars, you could hear the sweet familiar sounds of Jimmy Buffett music: “Fins up” at Red Eye Dock Bar to our left and
“fins up” at Dock House bar to our right booming an homage to the old troubadour.
We continued out of Prospect Bay and opened up the throttle on the smooth waters of Eastern Bay, making our way toward the Chesapeake Bay. Boat traffic seemed light for Labor Day, but there were still a few boats to deal with.
Our plan was to come out of Eastern Bay, head north into the Chesapeake, and stop and anchor off Thomas Point Light. We would have lunch there and, with Thomas Point Light in the background, snap a few pics of us sharing a splash of rum hoisting a glass and tossing one into the Bay in memory of Jimmy Buffett.
The Annapolis anchorage was packed with ships. One loaded container ship was heading north toward the bridge, and a barge was pushing south. After the barge and push boat passed, we turned west and motored over to the lighthouse. But with the movement of those big boats creating a long tail of a wake and a few recreational boats playing around Thomas Point Light it made the water a bit too choppy to comfortably anchor for lunch, so we continued north toward Back Creek.
We arrived back at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard around 4 p.m., docked the boat, flushed the motor, did a quick top-side wash down, and then
sat on the boat and enjoyed our lunch. After lunch we poured four shots of a Key West rum. With Jimmy Buffett crooning “Mother,
Mother Ocean, I have heard you call…Yes I am a pirate…” from our boat’s speakers, we hoisted our glasses and tossed a shot of rum into Back Creek for the Old Salt.
By
“…When the last Hand comes aboard. look sharp! that hand is you, old Sailor… you’ll be sailing out on heavenly seas.
may the wind be ever at your back.”
~ “When The Last Hand Comes Aboard”
Richard John Scarr# “Come Monday,” we wanted to be on the water. # Shots of rum in honor of Jimmy Buffett were enjoyed back at the dock.
Perhaps the most difficult task for a boat owner is attempting to make paint adhere to metals that are subject to the adverse conditions found below the waterline. Throughout the course of many years of boat ownership, I have discovered and refined a painting process that works well and is able to be completed by a handy boat owner.
The first step toward a successful paint job is determining the type of metal to be painted. On a boat, most underwater metals are either aluminum or bronze and each respective metal requires a vastly different painting process. The former, in particular, is exceptionally difficult for paint to adhere to because of its chemistry, as aluminum and its derivative alloys are not considered a noble metal and therefore corrode easily. However, the corrosion process causes aluminum oxide to form on the surface of aluminum parts which makes the metal harder, stronger, and tends to slow further corrosion (except when submerged underwater which is an oxygen depleted environment) What makes oxidized aluminum precarious to paint, however, is that neither paint nor primer adheres well to aluminum oxide. Therefore, painting aluminum includes much sanding and a process known as chemical etching, whereby the oxide layer is converted (i.e. etched) via a chromate conversion process.
Etching is a nasty, complicated, and cost-prohibitive process for the average boat owner. The chromate conversion of aluminum is typically accomplished by washing aluminum parts with a chemical known as alodine. In essence, alodine bonds tenaciously to, and converts, the
aluminum oxide layer into a substrate that will bond tenaciously to primer and paint. As the reader may gather by now, a professional quality paint job of a corroded aluminum part is an incredibly arduous task, which includes sanding, cleaning, degreasing, etching, priming, and finally painting. The sheer difficulty and labor required for such a process has led me to seek alternatives.
Step 2: Determine how much time is to be invested.
While a proficient amateur may be able to achieve a professional quality paint job, the time and toolage required to do so is
prohibitive. I have found that despite my best efforts, a paint job for something like a sterndrive leg that moves through the water at over 35 mph lasts—at best—one year. Thus, the method that I am going to detail below is one suitable for handy boat owners who do not wish to dedicate the time, effort, and money required to achieve an OEM paint finish. Doing so in an uncontrollable environment (as would be found in a typical boatyard), typically results in frustration and only marginally better results due to the inherent difficulties of preparing surfaces perfectly in the face of a multitude of airborne contaminants exacerbated by wind, humidity, etc.
Step 3: Accept that the painting of underwater metals is routine maintenance and not a one-time project. The only exception to this rule is of course, a professional factory paintjob which entails extensive sanding, etching with alodine (if aluminum), washing, fairing, priming, and finally applying two or three coats of a hard and tenacious (albeit extremely toxic to inhale) two-part polyurethane paint (like Dupont Imron) via spray gun. With that said, the steps to achieving a presentable paint job are outlined below. While my painting methodology will provide some level of corrosion protection for metals immersed in saltwater, installing properly bonded aluminum or zinc anodes (for saltwater) will abate electrolysis and galvanic corrosion (from stray current in marinas) to a much greater degree.
Step 4: Preparation
Typically, if one is to paint something, its current coating of paint has worn and/ or flaked off. In such a case, I recommend soaking the metal to be painted with degreaser before power washing. Afterwards, a light sand to smooth the surface and remove any remaining paint flakes, followed by another wash with degreaser or solvent is necessary. After allowing the metal surface to dry completely, it is time to prime.
For priming underwater metals, there are a plethora of options including spray can zinc chromate, liquid epoxy primer, and various barrier coatings made for underwater metals. If painting aluminum however, the only viable option without etching with alodine is zinc chromate (or
zinc phosphate if unavailable due to local environmental regulations). Zinc chromate, which typically is green or yellow in color, bonds fairly well to aluminum—lightly corroded or otherwise—as it contains chromate which etches the aluminum oxide to allow it to accept paint. Professional critics would be correct to point out that self-etching primers—of which zinc chromate is the best—are not ideal because etching primers cure with some level of surface contaminants in the primer layer which theoretically impacts paint adhesion. In practice, I have not found this to be the case to a discernible degree. Nonetheless, I recommend applying two even coats of zinc chromate to all aluminum parts to be painted.
For bronze, stainless, and other underwater metals, an epoxy barrier coat made for priming underwater parts would be a better choice, but for aluminum only zinc chromate will suffice without completing the extensive alo-
dine etching process outlined above first. If one decides to treat aluminum parts with alodine first, an epoxy barrier coating may be used on aluminum as well.
Zinc chromate typically comes in a spray can, while a two-part epoxy primer will generally have to be mixed in the proper ratio before being applied via roller, brush, or spray gun. Whatever method one employs will depend on what one is painting. In most cases, the manufacturer’s directions should be followed as closely as possible. For the zinc chromate on aluminum method, the two coats should be applied within an hour of one another in order to achieve a chemical bond. If this is done, sanding between coats—with the exception of runs and drips—is superfluous. Because zinc chromate cures into a powder that dries quickly, it will generally be ready to accept paint soon after application. The reason I recommend two coats is to seal and protect the metal (zinc is less noble than aluminum and provides
some degree of anodic protection). Epoxy primer is a whole different animal and will generally apply thicker and take longer to dry, meaning it will likely need to dry overnight before being sanded in preparation of topcoat.
After priming it is time to begin the painting process, the first step of which is to lightly scuff up and level the primer surface if outside of the specified recoat timeframe. Paint and primer typically have a finite amount of time that if followed, will allow for a chemical bond between coats. If this is exceeded substantially by allowing for a full cure of the previous coating, the surface must be lightly sanded to ensure proper mechanical bonding. Once the surface is primed and prepped for paint, it is time to choose a paint coating. If doing a DIY job in imperfect conditions, I would not overthink this step one bit: on something like an outdrive that moves through the water—in addition to the likelihood that it will touch bottom in shallow waters—nothing will last forever if applied in non-static conditions.
While there are many options for paint, I personally have found Rustoleum to be the best spray can paint by far. While the High Performance Enamel will work satisfactorily, something like Arcylic Enamel (also offered by Rustoleum) is better. Better still is the Arcylic Lacquer also offered by Rustoleum; however it cannot be applied over existing enamel paints because it contains stronger solvents than the average enamel which could cause existing coatings to bubble and peel.
While a transom assembly with its various hard to reach nooks and crannies is best applied via spray of some form, something
like an outdrive, metal hull, running gear, keel, or other large and relatively flat surfaces, may be painted with a brush or roller. In these cases, liquid paint is preferable because it allows for a thicker coat of more robust paint. For the typical DIYer, something like Rustoleum Enamel, Topside Paint, Petit EZpoxy, or equivalent would be a good choice. To make the paint harder, glossier, and more tenacious, an enamel hardener like Valspar Enamel Hardener or Petit EZpoxy Hardener may be added.
Once the painting methodology is decided upon and a product is selected, it is time to paint. If applying spray paint from a can, three or four coats applied lightly and evenly within an hour of one another is the best method. While painting, the can should be around six inches from the surface being painted and the can should be shaken and rotated frequently to avoid splattering. While applying, the applicator should move the can back and forth while ensuring overlap of the paint coating. Applicators must not dally in one spot however, as that will lead to runs and a poor paint job. In the first few coats, do not be alarmed by frosting which is caused by not enough paint being applied. Many thin coats are better than fewer thick coats, which take forever to dry—if they ever do dry properly that is. I recommend starting at the top of a surface and working downwards so that the paint has a chance to level as much as is possible with spray paint.
If rolling or brushing, the paint should be mixed with the enamel hardener to the proper ratio and thinned with the proper
# Finished
thinner in the ratio recommended by the manufacturer which is contingent upon atmospheric conditions. Whether applying via roller, brush, or spray can, it is pertinent to paint in dry, warm (but not hot), and stagnant conditions, because wind, dust, and moisture will ruin any paint job no matter how extensive one preps.
While a brush may be used, a foam roller is a much better choice. Foam rollers cause a slight stipple or orange peel, but runs, drips, and brush hairs will be non-existent. For the foam rollers, West System Epoxy solvent-resistant rollers perform the best. Paint thinner will similarly, help the paint “flow” or self-level, thereby creating a monolithic layer of paint with minimal imperfections, but it accomplishes this by slowing the drying time which will allow for insects, dust, and other debris to contaminate the paint job.
If using a brush for either “rolling and tipping” or brush-only, a fine badger hairbrush is widely considered the best (and most expensive) option. When rolling or brushing paint, typically only two or three coats will be required. Still, more numerous light coats are preferable to fewer, thicker coats. Liquid paint will typically take longer to dry (though enamel hardener helps to a degree), which increases the likelihood that this type of paint job will turn into a multi-day affair that requires a light sanding between coats. If one wishes to achieve excellent—rather than satisfactory—results, an average liquid paint job will typically look better and last longer than most spray paint jobs. Either way, the painting of underwater metals is bound to be annual maintenance for the discerning boat owner. P
About the Author: Drew Maglio is a writer, marine surveyor, and the owner and operator of Capital Boat Works, a marine repair, detailing, consulting, and training company based in Annapolis, MD. Hailing from South Florida, a love of boating and the ocean was ingrained in Drew from an early age. Drew attended Palm Beach Atlantic University for his B.A. and St. John’s College for his M.A.
By Zuzana Prochazka
Croatia is a strange place. It’s part Eastern Europe and part laidback Mediterranean. Then, you mix in a heaping helping of Byzantine and Roman architecture, add some Egyptian relics “borrowed” from pharaohs, and top it off with medieval castles that served as backdrops in “The Game of Thrones,” and you have a country that’s just perfect for a yacht charter which winds through the centuries and past dozens of historysoaked islands on the Dalmatian Coast in the Adriatic.
A few charter companies including Dream Yacht Charter offer powercats from their bases in Trogir which is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Stroll along Trogir’s waterfront and check out the gulets (large tourist barges) stacked three and four deep on the quays as professional crews scramble to trade out visitors each week. An old walled town, Trogir can take a day of sightseeing on its own, and its markets are great places to provision.
Just up the road is the magnificent town of Split, another UNESCO site. Diocletian’s Palace (which is
not so much a palace but rather the entire boundary of the old town) is surrounded by a mix of temples, statues, and houses. The palace itself was built by a fourth century Roman Emperor. It’s been “repurposed” dozens of times since and now is a busy mishmash of all the cultures that left their mark on Split over the centuries.
The peristyle at the center of the palace blends neoclassical architecture with the Roman temple of Jupiter on one side and the Cathedral of St. Domnius on the other. In the middle are Egyptian granite columns and a sphinx. It’s like Disneyland but real.
A one-week charter is pretty short in these beautiful waters, but that’s where a powercat comes in handy. When you cruise from island to island at 20 knots, you can cover serious distances and maybe even get down to the worldrenown Dubrovnik while checking in on a half dozen islands along the way.
First, head to Vis Town, on Vis Island, and tie up Med-moor style to the wall. You can’t be shy when you’re snuggling in tight between a bunch of other boats, fenders squeaking against your neighbors. Nobody seems to mind.
On Vis, there’s a heavy trade in all things pertaining to Yugoslavian dictator Josip Tito. Croatians seem to have recovered from being a part of Yugoslavia and now market that history with gusto. You can tour old gun embattlements and learn about partisan resistance while firing a Kalashnikov (thankfully, not a real one). Best of all, you can dinghy inside Tito’s submarine tunnel which is a huge draw.
Next to Vis is Bisovo Island, the home of Modra Spilja (Blue Cave). You can’t take your own dinghy inside, but for a small fee, pangas will blast in to check out the eerie blue light which reflects off the sandy bottom. It’s a brief but interesting visit.
Make your way south to Hvar Town on the island of Hvar, a bustling little place packed with cafes and beautiful people who are chauffeured ashore from superyachts.
This is an international destination where Onassis-type yachts tower over humble local fishing craft. The fortress that hangs over the city is worth the hike up if only for the views and the ice cream up top.
From here you can go around the corner on the same island to Stary Grad (Old City) on the north shore. It’s much less glitzy than Hvar Town, but it’s much more charming and mellow. No longer a part of the dour Eastern Bloc, Croatians now make excellent entrepreneurs as is evident around every corner in Stary Grad where cafes and gourmet food shops offer everything from lavender candy to exotic olive oil.
The holding in Hvar Harbor is poor, so you can either Med-moor on the wall in Stary Grad or head over to the nearby Pakelni Otoci which loosely translates to “Hell Islands.” There’s nothing hellish about them. The anchoring is easy in 30-50 feet over sand, the beaches are white, and sunsets are spectacular.
From Hvar you can pick your way south all the way to Dubrovnik via Brac, Korcula, and Sipan Islands. Once in Dubrovink you can take what seems like a million steps as you make your way around the walled city. It’s a great place to spend a day,
# Next to Vis is Bisovo Island, the home of Modra Spilja (Blue Cave). # On Vis, you can dinghy inside Tito’s submarine tunnel.have fabulous cocktails overlooking the Med, and maybe even take in an evening of traditional dancing.
In Croatia you can’t drop anchor in anything but a beautiful harbor with a historic town and charming restaurants. You can lounge on plush, curtained sofas perched on a rocky beach, relaxing with a glass of “rakija,” Croatia’s answer to grappa or slivovica, a plum brandy that will take paint off your car.
The food and wine in Croatia are excellent and affordable. Every menu features fish and the Croatian national specialty of cevapcici, which are sausages made of minced meat that are eaten at all times of the day.
To most anglophones, the Croatian language is a mess of more consonants than vowels, but the locals love to practice their English. Tipping in restaurants is about 10 percent. The
local currency used to be the kuna which made everything affordable. As of January 2023, the country runs on the euro. May to July and September to October are the best times to visit. Steer clear of August when it’s beyond crowded and prices climb. Be sure to check charter licensing requirements ahead of time.
Bring your sense of humor because Croatia is the Wild West of yachting. Right-of-way rules are mere suggestions, and toxic masculinity is a sport. Poorly
# Hvar is an international destination where large yachts tower over humble local fishing craft.
trained sailors would rather collide than lose face, and personal space is nonexistent. Lots of yachties feel the need to go naked on their boats, especially visiting Germans and the French, so if you don’t want a show with your morning coffee, stay below.
Croatia is a perfect charter destination, especially for powerboats that can reel off the knots. The people are friendly, the prices are reasonable, and there aren’t many places where you can charter so much history in so short a time. P
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 excursions and other benefits of membership. Send appproximately 350 words (sometimes longer) and clear photos of pretty boats and happy boaters to beth@proptalk.com. Again this season Argo navigation and social boating app (argonav.io) sponsors this section. Thank you, Argo!
On their recent cruise up the Potomac River to Alexandria, VA, and Washington, DC, cruisers from Indian Creek Yacht Club encountered Tropical Storm Ophelia, but the system could not dampen their enthusiasm for part two of the club’s American History Cruise series.
Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club is located in Virginia’s Northern Neck in Kilmarnock, VA. The Northern Neck is a peninsula on the Western Shore and is bounded by the Potomac River to the north and Rappahannock River to the south. Members enjoy cruising, educational programs for boaters, and an annual member regatta. Owning a boat is not a requirement for membership. Learn more at icycc.com
The weekend of September 15 and 16 marked the last vintage race boat regatta on the East Coast for this year. Several members of the Southern Maryland Boat Club (SMBC) made the 10-anda-half-hour trip to Wolfeboro, NH, to display the rooster tails on Lake Winnepesaukee, with fellow vintage inboard hydroplanes.
Registration and safety inspections of the antique hulls commenced on Thursday with old friends reacquainting and preparing the craft for the on-water activities all day Friday and Saturday. Friday was a beautiful, fall-like New England day. The lake had excellent water conditions that all drivers enjoyed, presenting their wooden and fiberglass hulls that raced competitively many years ago.
While SMBC is an all-outboard club, the wooden hydroplanes sport various race modified automobile engines. There was truly something for everyone interested in powerboat racing. The highlight of this visit for the outboarders was a racecourse inspection ride in a 1930 HackerCraft. There were many former Gold Cup race boats doing demonstration runs to the amazement of all spectators. Those glistening restored beauties, manufactured by HackerCraft, Chris-Craft, and Garwood and their classic sound is forever etched in everyone’s mind. Unfortunately, Hurricane Lee canceled activities planned for Saturday.
Two weeks prior to the Wolfeboro event, club members traveled to Wheeling, WV, for the largest of
the East Coast vintage regattas schedule. Over 50 meticulously restored, and some original condition boats, showed up to roar down the Ohio River in downtown Wheeling. What a beautiful spot to have an event. This event benefits the local Easter Seal chapter. Two full days of heats having various sizes of boats and diverse horsepower ranges echoed in Ohio River canyon. An Appreciation Dinner and ceremony was held Saturday night. Maryland’s own Larry Lauterbach, builder of many of the hydroplanes in attendance, was the emcee for the award ceremony.
The club is now preparing for a cold weather rest in the action of vintage raceboat events. Fans are encouraged to attend one of our two local events in 2024. Learn more at southernmarylandboatclub.com
The quaint Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) Classic Boat Festival has been a Saturday-inmid-September boating event for 39 years. Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the ACBS, it offers free admission (including free off-street parking) and was open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It was held at the Johnson Bros Boat Yard in Point Pleasant, NJ. The way that the piers and land area are situated is great for this classic boating event.
On this sunny, but not too hot day, all types of classic boats were on display. Boats were on display both in-water and on trailers across the grounds. Marine vendors, a flea market, classic boating books for sale (I bought two), plus classic American cars, food trucks, the New Jersey Boating Museum, and the Vintage Auto Museum of New Jersey were all right there.
By Chris “Seabuddy” BrownJoyce Turner (with a special call-out to Christina Williamson Donnelly) and their supporting team did an outstanding job in making a great, full-featured, classic boating event happen. It takes almost a year of planning for this event.
After the show, my wife and I went over to Red’s Lobster Pot to have their incred-
ibly delicious and generous lobster rolls and were pleasantly surprised to see they were the same price as last year (where else does that happen these days!) Last but not least, we visited Hoffman’s with its mega store of ice cream flavors and had a small scoop for dessert. Both of these eateries are also in Point Pleasant—just minutes from the boat festival—offering a perfect end to our visit. Learn more about the ACBS at acbs.org.
Boating season is winding down, but not the club activities at Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC).
On Labor Day Weekend, BCYC held its annual Crab Feast at Lankford Bay Marina just off the Chester River. The event was well attended by members and guests, who arrived by land and sea. The event was catered by Chester River Seafood. They delivered bushels of very large crabs which were fresh out of the steamer, delicious, and super easy to pick. On top of that, a Turks Head bracelet workshop was held where members were taught how to make their very own nautical wristwear. Not wanting the fun to end, the next day, members got together for our inaugural “Burgers, Brats, and Brews Party.” This was not just a cookout, but also a beer tasting. Participants brought a pack of their favorite to share and everyone got to sample a large assortment of IPAs and other craft beers while enjoying grilled brats and burgers. Hopefully, “Burgers, Brats, and Brews” will become an annual event on our calendar.
Upcoming events include our annual fall cruise called the “Goose Cruise” which includes stops on the Rhode River and Herrington Harbor South. If you’re looking to have nautical fun in, on, and around the water with like-minded mariners, check us out at backcreekyc.org
Recaps and Photos
By Paul DenbowOn Saturday August 26, the Smith Island Crab Skiffs held their annual race in Oxford, MD. A small field showed up led by John Pepe in Slippery Eel, Ralph Justice in Twisted Oyster, and Paul Emely in Fat Oyster. While the field was small, the three skiffs entertained the crowd that had gathered along the beach on the Strand. Local favorite John Pepe took home the honors in race one with Ralph Justice winning races two and three.
The 76th National Hard Crab Derby marked the 25th anniversary of the Smith Island Crab Skiff Association. It all started when a challenge was issued from the town of Oxford to Crisfield to see who had the fastest crab skiff. Oxford showed up with Slippery Eel while Crisfield had Renegade Crab. Crisfield won that challenge even if there were some suspicions that Renegade Crab was not a legal challenger. That challenge led to the formation of The Smith Island Crab Skiff Association.
This year’s Hard Crab Derby featured a rematch of sorts with skiffs from Oxford and Crisfield racing at Wellington Beach on Saturday September 2. Representing Oxford was John Pepe in Slippery Eel with Crisfield being represented by Peyton Emely in Fat Oyster, Ralph Justice in Twisted Oyster, and Joe Strohmer in Rock My Fish. Exciting racing ensued as Peyton Emely took race one with Ralph Justice taking races two and three. The Smith Island Crab Skiff Association would like to thank the National Hard Crab Derby Committee and all the fans that showed up.
Visit Facebook.com and search ‘Smith Island Crab Skiff Association’ to learn more.
The 12th annual Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association (CCWBRA) Nationals continued the Cocktail Class’s amazing luck with the weather in a year marked by climate disasters. August 19 could not have been better for skidding Skuas at Rock Hall Yacht Club. Humidity was low, temperatures topped out at 82 degrees, and the offshore breeze never exceeded 10 mph making for flat mill pond water. It was as if the Chesapeake summer decided to take a quick vacation. It was muggy and nasty in the days prior, and the steam returned on Sunday, the same pattern as Camp David and the Commodore’s Cup. By Monday the area was blanketed by Canadian wildfire smoke.
The Nationals produced some great racing with impressive showings by new drivers in new boats. The Post ’79 and 8-hp classes both featured headto-head battles among veterans, and the ever-growing Tohatsu 6-hp heats produced mob-at-the-line starts and close finishes. All in all, it was a nearly perfect day.
Early Classic started out the day with a three-boat heat that shrank to a duel between Sara Orthwein in Snafu, #1314, and newcomer Rusty Gaines making his first appearance in the newly constructed Moonshine, #142, when Tom Kerr in Rajic, #46, scratched. Likewise, the second heat was down to two entries when Bill England, another new competitor in
#280, Bill-n-Tonic, and Rich Wittich’s Pink Lady, #109, scratched for engine problems. The apparent difficulty of fielding the earliest generation of OMC motors is causing many to consider combining Late and Early Classic classes. Art Gompf in Snafu and Russ Bowler, in the Flyin’ Kiwi, #40, settled the matter with Bowler taking two firsts to advance to the final
with Gompf, and Orthwein withdrawing to let her dad occupy the Team Snafu ride in the final. Bowler dominated with two firsts and a second followed by Gaines, who got his first trip to the podium in his first day of racing, and Gompf pulled third.
Late Classic Mixed was taken by Tom Kerr, Rajic, #46, in a hat trick, but he had to fight off Jack Pettigrew in Havin’ Fun, #82, with two second place finishes and a third. Sara Orthwein in Snafu took the other second place and two thirds, finishing in that order. England in Billn-Tonic took fourth while Russ Bowler scratched for want of a functioning motor. Late Classic Heavy had but two entries this year with Cam Walker in Tennessee Moonshine, #888, taking all three sprints and John Rigdon ran second in Snafu.
Post ’79 was smaller than usual with only four entries after the Grand Poobah in #28 Swamp Rocket withdrew: Vice Commodore Tom Kerr, aka The Ancient Mariner, Russ Bowler and Art Gompf, all three octogenarians, and Lou Linden, Mrs. Smirnoff, #66, playing the part of the punk kid at age 76. Linden was looking for revenge after Kerr tied with him for first place on points at last year’s Nationals and was awarded the Big Cup by the tie-breaker rule. Alas, it was not to happen. Bowler, in another fit of mechanical heartbreak, failed to make the start and was out of the running. Kerr took the first sprint with Snafu right
behind. Then the two traded places and Gompf took the next two sprints, holding Rajic in second place. Mrs. Smirnoff was never able to break through, finishing third in the first two sprints and failing to start in third due to a shorted kill switch. That left Team Snafu on top and Kerr in second with a frustrated Linden being towed back to the pits in third place.
Another new driver this year, Art Gilbert, in Screwdriver, #270, swept the first heat of the Tohatsu class with Commodore Emeritus Curt Bluefeld right behind him in Peter Urbani’s Stoli NFL, #35. (Bluefeld’s Rum Runner, #10, was MIA among the legion of boats suffering from motor malfunctions.)
Rich Faulkner pushed Mother’s Ruin, #10, to third place in all three sprints.
In his first race, Myrt Gaines in his newly finished White Lightning, #5938, took fourth in the first sprint but mechanical problems put him out of the rest of the heat. Five boats contested the second heat. Rusty Gaines swapped motors into his dad’s White Lightning, and Bill England borrowed Screwdriver to race against Richard Wittich in Pink Lady, Todd Steffes in a newly painted Maize & Brew, #6, and Triple Nickle, #555, piloted by John Wagner. England would have taken the heat with two first place finishes and a second but for three over early penalties which swamped him back into last place. Triple Nickle took the heat with two second place finishes and a first. The
Gaines family enterprise beat Steffes by a bare two points for second place. Gilbert, Bluefeld, Faulkner, Wagner, Rusty Gaines, and Steffes advanced to the final.
The final produced densely populated starting lines and close racing in the penultimate final of the day as has become the standard for the Tohatsu class. In the end, Race Director Steffes’ Maize & Brew swept the heat, winning the first sprint and placing second in the last two sprints. Gilbert’s Screwdriver was right behind Steffes in the first sprint and won the third sprint to take second place in the Tohatsu class, barely beating out (by one point) John Wagner who won the second sprint in Triple Nickle. A mere two points separated Wagner from Gaines who finished fourth ahead of Faulkner and Bluefeld; an excellent showing for a first-time racer.
By the start of the 8-hp class, the wind had dropped to almost nothing and the water had only the barest ripples visible. Darryl Kepler in Silver Bullet, #777, slammed the door on the rest of the first preliminary heat, taking all three sprints by substantial margins. The next three competitors, Sara Orthwein in Snafu, Tom Harms in Happy Hour, #68, and Pete Urbani pushing Shrimp Cocktail, #350,
# Cocktail racers float randomly in the calm before the racing.
had eight, nine, and 10 points respectively, an index to how close the racing was. Rich Faulkner took fifth place in Boulevardier, #13. Likewise, Cam Walker in Tennessee Moonshine scored a hat trick in the second preliminary heat with Russ Bowler hot on his heels in a revived Flyin’ Kiwi. The race director then reappeared to take two thirds and a fourth in Hot Toddy, #20. The heat was rounded out by John Rigdon in Snafu
Sara Orthwein withdrew from the final heat leaving Kepler, Walker, Bowler, Harms, Urbani, and Steffes in the ultimate race of the day. All three sprints produced close finishes with as little as two or three feet separating finishers at 25 mph. Once again, the top scorers were separated by a single point. The Flyin’ Kiwi grabbed two first place finishes and a third place to win the Papa Bear cup while Cam Walker took all the second place spots to win the Mama Bear cup. The Baby Bear cup went home in Silver Bullet after Kepler won the second sprint and placed third in the others. Urbani and Harms tied for fourth, and Hot Toddy went hors de combat after the first sprint.
Nat ION al S Ra C e Re S ult S
LATE CLASSIC 6-HP MIXED
1. Tom Kerr - #46 Rajic
2. Jack Pettigrew - #82 Havin’Fun
3. Sara Orthwein - #1314 Snafu
LATE CLASSIC 6-HP HEAVY:
1. Cam Walker - #888 Tennessee
Moonshine
2. John Rigdon - #1314 Snafu
POST ’79 6-HP MIXED:
1. Sara Orthwein - #1314 Snafu
2. Tom Kerr - #46 Rajic
3. Lou Linden - #66 Mrs. Smirnoff
POST ’79 6-HP HEAVY:
1. Cam Walker - #888 Tennessee
Moonshine
2. John Rigdon - #1314 Snafu
3. Todd Steffes - #20 Hot Toddy
EARLY CLASSIC 6-HP MIXED:
1. Russ Bowler - #40 Flyin’ Kiwi
2. Rusty Gaines - #142 Moonshine
3. Art Gompf - #1314 Snafu
TOHATSU 6-HP MIXED:
1. Todd Steffes - #20 Hot Toddy
2. Art Gilbert - #270 Screw Driver
3. Art Gompf - #1314 Snafu
8-HP MIXED:
1. Russ Bowler - #40 Flyin’ Kiwi
2. Cam Walker - #888 Tennessee Moonshine
3. Darryl Kepler - #777 Silver Bullet
The Capri model was built by Chris-Craft from 1955 to 1958. They produced 786 of these boats during that period. This particular 19foot wood boat was produced during the 1956 model year.
Although Chris-Craft referred to this model as a 19-footer, it was actually 18 feet, seven inches in length, with a beam of six feet, three inches. The freeboard is 31 inches at the bow and 20 inches at the stern. She weighs about
By Chris “Seabuddy” Brown2200 pounds and has an in-line, sixcylinder engine. The gas tank capacity is 20 gallons. She is an all-mahogany planked boat, although her framing and the keel are made from oak.
Chad Brenner (a long-time member of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) Mid-Atlantic chapter) and his Philadelphia-based crew at Classic Restoration and Supply/ Vintage Craft Boats performed a topnotch, full restoration of this classic. Brenner also builds classic boats at the same business location “from the ground up” that are typically replicas of historic craft. These photos illustrate the showboat quality of the work his team delivers.
In this Capri’s restoration process, the entire original hull and all of the deck planks were removed. New battens were fashioned to fit between
the planks and then the planks were reinstalled and refinished. Last but not least, all of the hardware was refinished, and all the upholstery was replaced.
Meanwhile, Joe Gartner on Chad’s crew rebuilt the carburetor so it would run well at the complete range of engine speeds. Joe also detailed the engine and rewired the boat.
Let’s take a closer look now at the structure Chris-Craft used to build its runabouts. Batten seam construction means that each plank has a smaller piece (the “batten”) that backs up each plank seam along the full length of the boat. So, the planks are fastened not only to the boat’s frames but also to the battens. The only exception to this process in the Chris-Craft line of runabouts was the Cavalier series, which used plywood instead of individual wood planks in their construction.
The batten seam method offered a lot of other advantages, too.
Batten construction is extremely strong and still relatively light compared to double plank boats. So, it enabled single planked boats to be built with thinner planks.
It was the preferred construction for runabouts in cold climates since those boats are typically out of the water for so long. The seams on a carvel-planked boat can dry up and open wider between planks when the boat is out of the water.
The durability of Chris-Craft’s technique with batten-seam construction and long-term endurance was a winning solution. Although the boats were often the price leader compared to other brands, Chris-Craft’s offerings were also the most popular of the wooden boat builders. As a result, Chris-Craft achieved a great deal of success and was the leader in production volume among all wooden boat builders for many years.
In 1926, A.W. (Bill) Mackerer joined the company and soon became ChrisCraft’s top designer, yet he was also in charge of being frugal to ensure that the company made a profit. He was highly regarded since he had studied and/or worked under some of the best designers, including John L. Hacker, George Crouch, and Gil Purdy.
Laying out their new manufacturing process in a new building while following the style of Henry Ford and
others, the Smiths launched what would become an empire by building boats that streamlined the production line and drove down prices.
Chris-Craft was the most popular boat builder in the 1950s, and the Capri was among their most popular models. The company was very much a leader within the wooden boat building industry and operated several plants to accomplish this.
Chris Smith’s family later sold the company to the NAFI Corporation in 1960. NAFI actually changed its company name in 1962 to ChrisCraft. Fast-forward 26 years later, under new ownership, the company was
losing an estimated two million dollars each month by the second half of 1988. Their financial situation was so bleak by the end of 1988 that Chris-Craft filed for bankruptcy.
Since then, there have been a series of owners. Winnebago Industries (the RV manufacturer) has been Chris-Craft’s owner since 2018.
Authorized
By Capt. Rick Franke
The fall boat shows have come and gone. The boating season is coming to a close, and it’s been a good one by all reports. Some lingering supply issues and the constant search for qualified workers still linger, but it looks like the winter season is going to be a busy one for area boatshops.
Allen Flinchum of Cypress Marine in Severna Park, MD, reports on a very interesting project that his shop just completed. “Coastal Resources Inc. of Annapolis, MD, commissioned us to design and build a davit and a stabilizing ring for the bottom sampling device on their research vessel.” Since the research boat was on a trailer in the shop, Allen demonstrated the davit and also demonstrated how the stabilizer, or guard, kept the bottom sampling scoop upright to allow it to pick up bottom samples.
Self-taught builder and designer Mike Lohr is building a 26-foot custom Carolina style center console boat in the shop at Cypress Marine. “I
designed the boat myself with some help from some CAD applications from one of the local designers,” Mike explained. “It’s being built for a previous customer whom I built a 36-foot Carolina style sportfishing boat for in Norfolk, VA. The boat’s currently being chartered out of Rudee Inlet. The gentleman called me pre-Covid and told me that the boat next to his in the marina at Rudee Inlet had caught fire and scorched the side of his boat. He called me to get advice about repairs. Toward the end of the conversation he asked if I knew anyone who could build a center console boat for him and his son to fish in the Chesapeake. He told me what he was looking for. He wanted a custom
Carolina style boat with the flare and some of the amenities that production center console boats have. So, I told him I know a guy who can do that. He asked who and I told him, ‘You’re talking to him. I built you a boat almost 20 years ago, so let’s do it,’ Mike laughed.
I asked what he would use for power, and he said, “We’re putting a fabricated outboard bracket on the transom and hanging a 400R Mercury motor on it.” Mike has also been rebuilding a 16-foot skiff that he saved from the dumpster at Cypress Marine. “Allen was going to get rid of it; it was an abandoned orphan, and I asked him if I could have it.” Mike and his wife will be moving to
Tidewater Virgina soon, and he wants to use the skiff for shallow water fishing.
Andy Dize of Roudebush Yacht and Engine Works in Dundalk, MD, reports on the completion of a seven-month restoration of Rosebud, a 1988 Tom Fexas Midnight Lace express cruiser. The boat was launched and sea trialed on the Patapsco River near Baltimore, MD. “We were able to get Rosebud out on the water for about two hours yesterday; spooled her up to about 20 knots. We also tested systems, engine ops, and calibrated the autopilot.”
On the subject of sea trials, we wanted to pass on this online report from Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD, about the on-time delivery of the first of 12 ‘Coastal Cats,’ as these small catamaran cruise ships are called. “One of the last steps in the construction and positioning of a vessel is the sea trial or shakedown cruise. Approximately a month before a ship is scheduled to travel with our guests, representatives from Chesapeake Shipbuilding, where all our vessels are built, and American Cruise Lines come onboard to measure a new vessel’s performance and general seaworthiness. During this time, which typically runs between 12 and 24 hours, the new ship’s speed, maneuverability, equipment, and safety features are tested. Checks are made on propulsion and navigational systems, as well as on fuel flow and exhaust. Though this is called
a sea trial, our fleet is vetted on the Intracoastal waterways and rivers in which we travel.
“Most recently, American Eagle passed an extensive sea trial and is now sailing her inaugural season in New England. American Eagle, the first ship from our brand-new Coastal Cats fleet, was officially christened on August 16 while docked at the prestigious Massachusetts Maritime Academy. For the remainder of the 2023 season, American Eagle will sail our Cape Codder itinerary, roundtrip from Boston, as well as our Maine Coast and Harbors cruises, round-trip from Portland, ME, and our Historic South and Golden Isles cruises operating between Charleston, SC, and Amelia Island, FL. In 2024, American Eagle, along with a series of sister ships, will operate numerous new US itineraries exploring the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, including a new Florida Gulf Coast and Keys cruise round-trip from St. Petersburg, FL, and a new Yankee Seaports cruise between New York City and Boston, MA.
“Accommodating just 100 guests, American Eagle features four decks and showcases a unique bow as well as an activity platform at the stern, equipped with a large tender for local exploration. The new ship showcases elegant interior design
and private balcony accommodations, including spacious single and doubleoccupancy staterooms, as well as suites. American Eagle also offers a beautiful top deck for amazing views, comfortable lounges both inside and out, a main restaurant, a casual outdoor café, and a fitness center.” There are two more Coastal Cats under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding and scheduled for completion by the end of the year. They will be delivered on time, no doubt.
Brittney Parrish from Higgins Yacht Yard in downtown St Michaels, MD, reports a very busy summer and early fall and reminds us all that storage and service space is booking up quickly for the winter. “The only and oldest operating full-service boatyard in St. Michaels, MD, Higgins Yacht Yard ensures that the upmost care is taken when handling your vessel. Our equipment on-site includes a 30-ton travel lift, a 10-ton crane, and a hydraulic trailer. We have a 10,000 square foot main building, where we can work on vessels inside without weather causing a delay or issue. We also have a separate 2500 square foot carpentry building for specialty woodworking. Customers also have the option to have their boat hauled-out and blocked, where they can work on their own boats. For this service, we give first priority to watermen for use of our yard space.”
From Richard Hawse’s backyard in Pasadena, MD, we have an update on his progress on My Way. “The cover boards have been installed, the fuel tank has been installed, the mezzanine has been built and is going into fairing, and the lazarette is going into paint. The engines have been assembled. They are going into the boat in the next couple of months.
That’s not the priority. Right now, I’m concentrating on getting the aft deck all sealed up and ready for paint. That’s a huge project. I’m focused on the outside of the boat. In the winter I’ll focus on the engine installation.”
Asked when he expected her to be in the water, Richard replied, “Same as before, next summer. I’m not going to rush it. When she’s ready,
she’ll let me know. I’ve never rushed a boat as I built it. I’ve only got one shot to do this. Anything I can do to make it better, if it takes a couple of extra weeks, I don’t care. It’s not about the deadline; it’s about the end result. My old friend Mike Lohr told me at the very beginning of this project, ‘No one is telling you have to have this done by a specific date. So don’t rush it; do it
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the way you want. If you don’t, you won’t be happy with the result when you’re done,’ and you know, he’s right about that.”
Hawes is also the proprietor of Maryland Marine Electronics. His outlook for the winter season is upbeat and optimistic. “Business is great, I can’t complain. I’ve got a few big projects to keep me busy during
the winter: two big ones down in Ocean City, and I’m going to install one of these big Omni systems down in Gingerville. That’s a pretty neat project, installing one of those retractable sonar systems on a 57foot Island Boatworks.
Experienced Bay boaters know we still have a lot of good boating weather until winter really arrives, so
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enjoy. But remember that our Bay is shallow and with short days and cool nights the water temperature goes down quickly. So, enjoy it but be careful and we’ll see you next month.
The summer hypoxia report for the Chesapeake Bay is in, and the news is good. This summer the dissolved oxygen content throughout the Chesapeake was significantly better than average through both Maryland and Virginia waters. In fact, hypoxic water volume (that with less than two mg/l of oxygen) in July averaged 1.1 cubic miles, versus the long-term average of 1.62 miles. Scientists are crediting reduced river flows from January through May and a reduction of nitrogen (nitrogen and phosphorus fuel the algae blooms which result in hypoxic conditions) for the improvement.
NOAA Fisheries has finally come to admit that the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) is troubled… something the fishing community has been screaming about for years. You may remember that MRIP fallacies played a role in the red snapper season fiasco in the Gulf of Mexico, the inexplicable “calculations” of reduced release striped bass mortality “accomplished” by closing spring catch and release fishing in the Bay, and the tightening of black sea bass restrictions even as fish populations grew on the Mid-Atlantic Coast. You may also remember that in Ocean City, MD, where every boat fishing for black sea bass must pass through the single inlet, video monitoring was used to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that MRIP’s estimation of the number of sea bass fishing trips for the state was vastly overinflated. Just this summer, news was released that video showed approximately one fifth the number MRIP was using (see Ridiculous MRIP Numbers: Notes from the Cockpit, at FishTalkMag.com).
Finally, NOAA has admitted that MRIP’s Fishing Effort Survey has been inflating the numbers. By their estimation, saltwater participation in the Gulf and Atlantic is likely overestimating effort by 30 to 40 percent. However, the “Evaluating Measurement Error in the MRIP Fishing Effort Survey” claims that this overestimation is the result of the order of questions in MRIP’s mail survey and does not even address overestimation resulting from other issues (that are clearly present thanks to a video camera proving an error of more like 400 percent). So, the real inflation of the numbers is 30 to 40 percent, plus… what?
The Kent Island Fishermen Club’s annual Youth Fishing Derby went off in fine form this year, with a whopping 119 registered kids casting their lines. The catch of 244 critters included perch, spot, cownose rays, crabs, flounder, horseshoe crabs, and puffer fish. All the kids also enjoyed receiving goodie bags and T-shirts after they completed casting from the Romancoke fishing pier. Thanks and congratulations go out to the Kent Island Fishermen for once again bringing out those fishing kids and showing them a great time!
The Colonial Beach Fall Rockfish Tournament takes place November 11 and 12 at the Colonial Beach Yacht Center. Prizes are awarded based on entries (40 percent to first place, 20 percent for second, 15 percent for third) and all Potomac River Fisheries Commission rules and regs apply with fishing hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a by-weight tournament with each boat presenting their largest two fish per day. Visit colonialyachtclub.clubexpress.com for more information.
Yes, people we know you’ve been hearing about this one and November 4 is the big day. Fish for a Cure runs 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. with fishing taking place throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. This is an all catch-photo-release tournament for 2023, platformed on the iAngler app. Awards will be given in four different categories:
• Rockfish—longest stringer of three.
• Grand Slam—longest stringer of three different sportfish species.
• Perch—longest stringer of three.
• Invasive Species—longest stringer of three invasive catfish and/or snakehead.
There are prizes and cash calcuttas for each category, and don’t forget, the Shore Party from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the South Annapolis Yacht Centre is one heck of a cool bash. The real prize, however, is participation in the fundraising competition. Your entry and all the money you raise goes to the cancer survivorship program at the JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute at the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. If you haven’t signed up already, do so now, and if not, we ask you to help support Team FishTalk/PropTalk in our efforts with a donation—visit fishtalkmag.com/f4ac to find our team page.
The first tournament was actually the 50th White Marlin Open that ran from August 7 through 11. Boats could fish any three of the five days, giving them two days of rest.
I was aboard Ken Moss’s Moover with Jim Motsko on the first day of that very first White Marlin Open way back in 1974. Jim had the idea that would grow from the first Open with a $5000 first prize to today’s top prize of $6,200,000. While I have not attended all 50 White Marlin Opens, I have covered more than half, the last one being the 45th. I had hoped to cover the 50th by riding on one of the boats, but none were available; a first for me. Considering the sea conditions, I am sort of glad I didn’t get out. For most of the days the seas ran three to four feet, and some days they were six to eight feet.
I was at the weigh station on Monday when the first boats came to the scales. It was one yellowfin after the other with weights between 50 and 60 pounds. I do a daily radio fishing report, so I know that bigeye tuna have been pretty common in the canyons. I expected to see the yellowfins topped before the day was over and that is exactly what happened. By the end of the tournament all four tuna prizes went to bigeye tuna well over 200 pounds. The Reel Tight took the top prize with a 265-pounder worth $1,019,441.
The next three days saw lots of tuna, a few dolphin, and a couple of wahoo. What we didn’t see were any billfish. There were 400 boats out there fishing and not one had caught a blue or white marlin large enough to qualify to bring to the scales.
Friday I was back at the weigh station when the Skirt Chaser finally brought in a white marlin long enough to weigh. Unfortunately, the 70-inch fish topped
the scales at 67.5 pounds, two and a half pounds short of the minimum weight.
The next boat to the scales was the No Limit, and they had a blue marlin aboard. The official weight station crew jumped onboard the boat to measure the fish, and it came up two inches short.
Finally, the Floor Reel brought in a blue marlin that was long enough and weighed 640.5 pounds, and that was enough to claim both the white and blue marlin money.
The Mid-Atlantic Tournament was an entirely different story. Beginning August 21 and ending August 25, this tournament out of Cape May, NJ, and Ocean City, MD, saw all marlin categories filled beginning on day one and ending on Thursday, day four, as the weather on Friday was not suitable for fishing.
On Day One, Pat Healey’s Viking 80 Demonstrator came to the scales with a 70-pound white marlin to take first place. A short time later Big Oil came in with a 69-pound white to move into second place.
Day three saw big movement on the blue marlin board. First Tighten Up came to the scales with a 528-pound blue marlin to take first in that category. He would only hold first for a short time as the Pipe Dreamer pulled in with their 889-pound blue. Later the Amarula Sun brought in a 548-pound blue to take second place. The Max Bet caught a 66-pound white marlin to fill out all three spots in that category.
Day Four saw all the white marlin places replaced. The Common Sense weighed an 87-pound white marlin to take first place, the Boss Hogg checked in with a 76-pound white for second, and NBA Hall of Fame player Michael Jordan placed third on his boat Catch 23 with a 75-pound white marlin.
I find it interesting that two offshore tournaments held just one week apart could have such different results. With 400 boats fishing for three days, the White Marlin Open only weighed in two billfish, and only one of them was heavy enough to qualify.
The Mid-Atlantic Tournament only had 181 boats fishing for three days, and they weighed in 23 billfish filling all six white and blue marlin categories. I guess that’s just fishin’.
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18’ Sea Ray ‘98 $21,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
2022 G3 18SC Camo Jon Boat 90 VMax Yamaha, Yamaha Warranty until 3/2/2025, Bear Galvanized Single Axle Trailer, Bimini Top w/ Boot, Electric Trolling Motor, Garmin MFD DF-FF-GPS, Stereo, Rod Storage, and more! $27,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20525
2016 Sportsman 19’ Island Reef
F90XA Yamaha Outboard, Hours - 109, Trailer, Ice Blue Hull, T-Top, Garmin Echo Map Chirp 54DV DF-FF-GPS, Cooler Seat, Leaning Post, Rod Storage, No Bottom Paint, Clean and Sporty! $24,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, ales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20602
2018 Grady-White 236 Fisherman
Superior fishing boat; perfect for rivers/ creeks. Well-maintained. 300Hp Yamaha OB. Comfort for up to 10 passengers w/ bow seating. Livewell, Enclosed head, Swim platform. $89,900 S&J Yachts 843.872.8080 www.sjyachts.com
2021 Sportsman Open 232 CC F200XB Yamaha Outboard, Y.E.S. warranty until 3/16/26, Hours - 377, Venture Trailer, Under Leaning Post Tackle Storage, Yeti Cooler w/ Slideout Track, Second Garmin GPSMAP 942xs MFD 9”, Garmin Fantom 18 Dome Radar, Garmin Ultra HD SideScanning System GCV20 w/ TM34UHD, Trolling Motor System and Harness, On-Board Battery Charging System, and more! $83,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com
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23’ Cape Horn 2020 $99,000
Just 53 hours of total time. Loaded w/ extras, GARMIN 8612 w/ radar, Fusion stereo system, AquaTraction flooring, black hull. The boat comes w/ a custom Magic Tilt trailer. Call Jeremy 410.507.4150 or jblunt@bwys.com
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Read boat reviews online at proptalk.com
2022 Grady White 257 Fisherman Twin 200 Yamha’s, LESS than 20 hours, 2022 Tandem Trailer. ASKING $171,000 Waterfront Marine 443.949.9041 www.waterfrontmarine.com
23’ Tidewater 2020 $83,900 Powered by F250 Single Yamaha w/ 386 hours! Loaded w/ options. Dual axel trailer included in sale! Many extras: full boat cover, Garmin GPS, 6 speaker sound, Windlass, Trim Tabs, and more! Call John for your tour 301.991.3308 or jprather@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
25’ Everglades 253 CC ’21 Yamaha 300, blue hull, power poles, Garmin electronics, trailer - Ready to go! $164,500 Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.seattleyachts.com
25’ Maxum 2500 ‘04 250Hp 5.0 MPI Mercruiser w/ Bravo III Outdrive, AC, Trailer, Very Nice. $19,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com
(Bill Collector) 27’ Grady White 2015 $139,500 This one is LOADED! A must see to believe. Powered w/ twin 200 Yamahas. You will not find a better outfitted 271 Canyon on the market. Boat sits on a 2019 Load Rite Trailer. Ready to GO! Call Jeremy 410.507.4150 or jblunt@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
2001 Legacy Yachts 28 Perfect small Down East cabin cruiser w/ nice size cockpit for entertaining, regular maintenance, prepped and ready to go. Contact David Cox at 410.310.3476 or DavidCox@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2017 Regal 28 Express Recent Price Drop! Very competitively priced and motivated seller. Full of popular options such as bow thruster, generator, and more. Contact Anthony Flake at 443.994.4328 or Anthony@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
28’ Bertram FB Sport Fish ‘86 T Cummins Diesels, AC, Mint Cond. Two boat owners. $49,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com
2005 Boston Whaler 240 Everything on this boat is new… Garmin electronics, Mercury Verado 300 (under 100 hours), custom wrap, T-top, Sea Deck throughout. New wiring, plumbing, batteries, etc. $120,000 S&J Yachts 410.571.3605 www.sjyachts.com
2016 Seaway 24 Hardtop Sport One of the most well-equipped pocket cruisers you will find w/ flexibility for any kind of boating. Contact Grady Byus at 410.533.9879 or Grady@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2017 Chaparral 246 SSI ONE owner, ARCH, NO BOTTOM PAINT. ASKING $58,900 - Accepting Offers! Waterfront Marine 443.949.9041 www.waterfrontmarine.com
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2021 Sportsman Open 252 CC Boatel Kept. Twin F150XCA Yamaha Outboards, Yamaha Extended Warranty until 2/2/2026, Hours - 631, (2021 Venture trailer available $5,000), Hardtop w/ Electronics Box, Rocket Launchers, Spreader Light, and Outriggers, Windlass, Underwater Lighting, Trim Tabs/Trim Gauge Auto Pilot, (2) 12” Garmins, Minnkota Ultera 10› Power Pole, and more! $129,995 Riverside Marine, 410.686.1500, sales@riversideboats.com www.riversideboats.com #20628
25’ Everglades 2019 $148,000 Luxury center console bay boat! Top of the class design innovation and construction quality. Single engine 2019 Yamaha 150. Scott is waiting for your call! 703.307.5900 or smacdonald@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
2012 Chaparral 264 Sunesta LIFT KEPT, Volvo 320Hp V-8, Recently Detailed and in Great Condition. ASKING $48,900 - Accepting Offers! Waterfront Marine 443.949.9041 www.waterfrontmarine.com
2021 Sea Fox 368 Very well-equipped w/ twin Yamaha 425’s w/ less than 100 hours, genset, Seakeeper and more. Contact David Malkin at 443.790.2786 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
(Dream Catcher) 27’ Rinker ‘05 $32,900 Lin Earley 757.672.2778 lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
28’ Carolina Classic 1998 $54,900 Diesel power and great ownership. Splashed and ready! Rigged w/ Dual Garmin 7607xsv GPS w/ side scan and a tower. And the gear to get you offshore in the canyons. Call Chase 410.507.5247 or csutton@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
27’ Cherubini ‘13 $195,000 Jack Kelly 609.517.2822 jack@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
27’ Grady White ‘18 $209,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
28’ Regulator 2015 $258,000 Exceptional condition! Only 289 hours on her Yamaha 300’s. Plenty of room for your fishing adventure. Cushioned bow and loaded console. T-top too. She’s waiting for her new owner! Call Scott 703.307.5900 or smacdonald@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
26’
Enjoy
w/ 350Hp. New
Top. This boat is being offered at $19,900 If you would like to see this boat, call Joe Smith at 410.708.0579 for an appointment. Sassafras Harbor Marina Yachts Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
27’ Nimbus C8 ’23 New ArrivalNimbus C8 #63 - Mercury 300, Zip Wake, bow thruster, windlass and more. Nice, enclosed pocket cruiser. $210,589 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
(Dress Blue) Ranger Tugs R-29 Sedan 2020 $299,987 - Meticulously maintained by the owner. Includes weaver davits, inflatable & 6Hp Yamaha. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
1997 Tiara Yachts 2900 Coronet
Clean and very original w/ new vinyl seat coverings. Very motivated seller. Engines run very well. Contact Anthony Flake at 443.994.4328 or Anthony@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
1998 Tiara Yachts 2900 Coronet Set up for both fishing and/or a cruising couple for extended weekends. This boat is a must see. Contact Jack McGuire at 401.290.7066 or Jack@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
(Water
$119,000 Legendary Hydra-Sport dry ride and is known for their Kevlar hull construction! She is a one-owner highly maintained rig! 1160 hours on reliable 300 Yamahas. Economical Fuel burn! Call John for more information now! 301.991.3308 or jprather@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
30’
Repowered Suzuki 250s (in 2022 w/ only 5 hours and full warranty remaining) and new Garmin electronics package to include radar, plotter and sonar. Autopilot installed in 2018. Fully equipped and ready to fish! Make an offer! Call David Black 443.944.6122 or dblack@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
(Afishinado) 31’ Ocean Master 1988 $59,995 This center console offers a tremendous amount of fishing space, w/ a spacious cockpit, foredeck, and wide side decks. There is an in-deck live well located in the cockpit, and a large in-deck fish box/storage box forward. Call Blake for your personal tour! 757.870.3854 or btice@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
2020 29’ Monterey 295 Sport Yacht
One Owner, Mercury 8.2 Mag 380Hp Engine (48 Hours) w/ Bravo III Outdrive, Westerbeke 3.5KW Gas Generator (30 Hours) A/C w/ Reverse Cycle Heat (8000BTU), Raymarine Electronics Package, Full Cockpit Canvas, PRICED TO SELL!! $155,000 Urbanna, VA. Call Bob Hoefer 804.241.8924 or bob@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
1979 30’ Scout 30 Kubota 37.5Hp Diesel engine w/ 800 Hours, Consumption: 1/2 GPH at 1850RPM running at 6 knots, new coat of varnish on all the teak, 2 straight bunks w/ storage below. Don’t miss out on this gem! $52,500 Deltaville, VA. Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
arrived
Great day boat and weekender design for family pleasure and on the water fun! Single 300Hp Mercury, Thruster, Radar and More... $278,663 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
(Elba) 31’ Ocean Master ‘98 $89,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
29’ Monterey 2018 $119,000 Beautiful and well maintained, one owner is a must see and priced to sell! She has all the right options, lift kept, low hours. Equipped w/ twin 250Hp Merc 4.5L DTS CAT engines and Bravo 3 outdrives all w/ warranty remaining. Call Chuck for more information! 703.999.7696 or cmeyers@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
(Parisea) 31’ Bertram ‘72 $69,900 Lin Earley 757.672.2778 lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
30’
30’
Hull #95 - Single Mercury 450R, Foiled Hull-Graphite, Thruster, Radar, underwater lights and more. Yacht quality in a modern daybook design. $309,777 Visit Seattle Yachts Annapolis for a closer look. 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
3060 Commodore ‘03 Wellkept interior w/ ample amount of space for growing family. Kohler generator. SS Propane Grill, swim platform. $46,000 Call Joe for a showing at 410.708.0579! Sassafras Harbor Marina Yachts Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
(Ramblin Rose) Ranger Tugs R-31 CB 2021 $398,987 - Well-maintained Luxury Edition 31 Command Bridge. Features: 320Hp Volvo Penta D4 w/ 5yr extended warranty, Garmin GXM, A/C w/ reverse cycle heat & much more. Call John Osborne at 410.490.6250 or john@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
(Scout)
30
Classic Downeast design; blue hull; extensive recent electronics; low hours on Cat 3116; full enclosure; varnished teak. $138,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or www.seattleyachts.com
# 123 of this offshore fishing designed hull. Offshore capable - Twin 350 Mercury outboards. Quality build, fish or cruise! Ready to sea trial! $519,000 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
Cutwater C-30 Sedan 2022 $349,987With only 76 hours, this is an opportunity to own a like-new boat. Features A/C, Onan Generator, Volvo Penta 435 w/ warranty, Bow/ Stern Thruster, Radar, Autopilot, and more! Call Lee Cook at 410.703.9911 or leecook@pocket-yacht.com www.pocketyachtco.com
To find more used boats, visit proptalk.com
410.227.1066
32’ Four Winns 328 Vista Cruiser ‘05 New top and canvas enclosures, swim platform, Volvo Penta engine. Galley and wet bar. $75,900 Call Joe to view this boat at 410.708.0579. Sassafras Harbor Marina Yachts Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
33’
T-MerCruiser
375Hp, Galley w/ microwave, eating area, head. Open outside seating. New impellers in 2022. $64,900 Call Joe Smith at 410.708.0579 for an appointment. Sassafras Harbor Marina Yachts Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
35’ SeaPiper 35 ‘24 Hull #16 January 2024 delivery - New build, manufactured at our production facility in Washington. Creative pocket trawler, trailerable and customizable. Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis for more details 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
(Paraduxx) 32’ Boston Whaler 2006
$110,000 Beautiful Boston Whaler that has been kept indoors before making her way south. Well cared for by the second owner since 2007 and ready to hit the water for some fall fishing or weekend adventure. The cabin has been kept well and provides great comfort for hanging out or sleeping. Call Chase for your showing! 410.507.5247 or csutton@bwys.com www.bluewateryachtsales.com
(Lady Nicole) 33’ Bertram ‘80 $45,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
34’ Formula 34 PC ‘97 T-MerCruiser 454, Generator, Galley, eating area. Head w/ shower, outdoor seating. $36,500 Call Joe for a showing at 410.708.0579! Sassafras Harbor Marina Yachts Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@ sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
2004 Chaparral 350 Signature
(Eltinar) 36’ Kadey-Krogen ‘86 $149,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Restless Spirit) 32’ Nordic Tug ‘85
$119,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Summer Recess) 33’ Wellcraft ‘03 $60,000 Tristan Weiser 609.420.0469 tristan@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
Excellent cruising boat ready for the water. Very well-maintained and recently detailed inside and out w/ mechanical service up to date. Contact Chris Beardsley at 315.447.1251 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2008 Tiara 3600 Open Well-suited for cruising, entertaining & fishing. Clean, one-owner w/ twin 380Hp Cummins, shaft drives, & bow thruster. Lightly used, engines under 700 hours. $198,000 S&J Yachts 843.872.8080 www.sjyachts.com
2019 32’ Back Cove 32 Volvo D6 435Hp Engine, 7.5KW Onan generator, Easy Dock System, Cabin/Helm AC/ Heat, Inverter, All New Cushions/ Covers and Batteries. Garmin Electronics Package. $449,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
32’ Chaparral 320 Signature Express T280Hp Volvos, Gen, AC. $34,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com
33’
33 ‘23 IN STOCK NOW. Perfect for day/weekend fast cruising. Twin Mercury 300Hp OB’s surrounded by a hydraulic swim platform providing comfort & safety! Axius joystick, retractable sunroof, large cockpit, galley, A/C, enclosed head, lounge w/ table & seating. Call S&J Yachts for details 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com
33’ Bertram FB Convertible ‘86 Repowered EFI T340Hp FWC Mercs, New Gen, Electronics and interior, AC, Very Nice. $59,900 Upper Chesapeake Yacht Sales 610.299.3598 www.UpperChesapeakeYachtSales.com
Great deck seating, spacious interior, very clean. T-MerCruiser 7.4 MPI 310Hp engines. Kohler generator. XL swim deck, full canvas enclosure. $49,500 Call Joe Smith at 410.708.0579 for an appointment. Sassafras Harbor Marina Yachts Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
Exceptionally maintained cruising & liveaboard vessel. Low engine hours & ample outfitting. Her current owners have ensured she is cruise away ready. $169,000 S&J Yachts 410.571.3605 www.sjyachts.com
(Game
40’ Robbins ‘99 $110,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855
david@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Last Item) 40’ Nimbus 405C ‘21 Just completed partial Loop. Cruise equipped. Needs nothing. Less than 300 hours. Asking $769,000 Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
2006 Sea Ray 40 Motor Yacht 40’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $280,000
Massive, spacious interior. Full-Beam master stateroom. Priced to sell. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Cam Smith: 301.502.5379 or cam@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
2021 Sea Ray 400 SLX Outboard
Fresh water boat, stored inside a heated building in winter. Only 130 engine hours on triple 350Hp Mercury Verados. Contact Rick Casali at 410.279.5309 or Rick@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
40’ Nimbus T11 ‘23 New Arrival - T11 #186 - Twin 400 Mercs. Joystick, Thruster, Open day boat layout w/ yacht construction quality. 2 Cabins and enclosed head. $450,000 Well-equipped! Call Seattle Yachts Annapolis 410.397.7323 or www.seattleyachts.com
(Reel Time) 40’ Chesapeake Bay Built
Custom J. Allen Fish/Cruise/Charter. 375Hp Caterpillar, Twin disc trans w/ trolling valve (Rebuilt 2022), All Glass Hull, 2 Stations, Heater, Shore power, Autopilot, GPS, Side scan, Radar, E-Z anchor puller, 16kt cruise. $125,000 Call/text 301.758.3475 or goreeltime@comcast.net www.bit.ly/3PhvQIn
2009 40’ Monterey 400 Sport Yacht
Twin Diesel 370Hp Volvo Penta 500 IPS Pods Joystick Control, Fischer Panda 8KW Generator, Cockpit Helm AC, Cockpit Grill and Refrigerator, 2 Stateroom, 2 Heads w/ Separate Showers, Custom Cockpit Awning. $219,950 Whitestone, VA. Call Bob Hoefer 804.241.8924 or bob@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
40’ Bavaria R40 Coupe ‘23 IN STOCK
NOW! Wonderful Great Loop boat! Elegant Sportiness! Large retractable sunroof. 2 large staterooms, 2 heads, hydraulic swim platform. Light-filled salon w/ large galley space & dining table. S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com
410.397.7323
1 George Street, Georgetown, MD 21930 shmys@sassafrasharbormarina.com www.SassafrasHarborMarina.com
2023 MJM 4 Looking for an opportunity to purchase a Like New MJM 4, then this is your boat. Bow rider that provides an all-weather yachting experience. Contact Ken Comerford at 410.280.2038 or Ken@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
40’ Carver 396 ’04 Beautifully maintained 396 Motoryacht style cruiser. Great layout and lot of space for live aboard to cruising. Asking $190,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or www.seattleyachts.com
41’ Bavaria SR41 HT ‘23 RARE OPPORTUNITY! Owner’s plans changed. Must Sell. Loaded w/ options and ready for the “Loop.” 2 large staterooms. 2 heads. Galley up and down. Hydraulic swim platform w/ Highfield dinghy, Canvas enclosure, Generator, A/C, large electric sunroof, much more. $609,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com
42’ Legacy 42 ’18 Freshly painted Flag Blue hull, superbly equipped, single 660 Cummins, genset, davits, flybridge and more. Asking $699,000 Call Dan Bacot 757.813.0460 or www.seattleyachts.com
2022 Pardo Yachts 43 Walkaround, OUR TRADE 43’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $1,199,000 Minimal hours, likenew, turn-key trade-in. Factory and engine/pod warranty remaining. Save over $300,000 off brand-new. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts
www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
(Sea
410.507.1259 jason@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
41’ Menorquin 120 ‘04 NEW LISTING! Powerful yacht w/ semi-displacement hull will do 20 knots. Twin Volvo 285Hp. Old-world tradition w/ sophistication & technology. Stands out in any harbor! Luxurious accommodations. Excellent fuel economy. $219,000 S&J Yachts 410.571.3605 www.sjyachts.com
42’ Ocean Alexander 42 Sedan Flybridge ‘95 NEW LISTING! Twin 3208 cats & additional tanks - only 1210 hours on each, well-maintained and ready to go! S&J Yachts 410.639.2777
www.sjyachts.com
43’
‘09 Enroute to Solomons, MD. 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. $395,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777
www.sjyachts.com
44’ Seahorse CN44 ‘05 Excellent boat for long-distance travel - perfect for a couple or family. 2cabin/1head. Very spacious widebody design w/ extralarge main saloon & panoramic windows. $395,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com
1981 Custom Julian Guthrie 49 A must see for wooden boat lovers. A true classical custom-built sportfish cruiser w/ single owner and 2012 repower w/ 950 hours. Contact Troy Waller at 804.885.4090 or Troy@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2018 Prestige Yachts 460 Fly 46’ Edgewater, MD. Asking $799,000 Turnkey single-owner yacht. Remaining factory warranty. Predominately freshwater usage. Upgraded w/ current factory aesthetics options and custom upgrades. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
49’ Krogen Express ‘99 NEW LISTING! Excellent condition, beautiful classic commuter looks. Semi-displacement hull allows trawler economy and semi-displacement speed. $675,000 S&J Yachts 410.571.3605
www.sjyachts.com
2020 Prestige Yachts 460 Fly, OUR TRADE 46’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $924,900 Immaculate Condition. Remaining Volvo Engine and Pod Warranty. Well-maintained. Ready for her next owner now. We take trades. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
50’ Viking Convertible ‘00 New to the market! Well cared for example of this classic sport fisher model. Twin 12-cylinder MAN diesels, outriggers, trolling valves, fighting chair w/ teak table option. Not into fishing? She would make a great liveaboard! $450,000 S&J Yachts 410.353.7423
www.sjyachts.com
46’ Maxum 4600 ’01 Well-maintained, fully outfitted & ready to go. Bottom painted, stored canvas, updated & maintained equipment w/ owner records. Offers comfort, luxury, safety & stability at anchor or underway. $199,900 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com
2019 Prestige Yachts 520 Fly 52’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $979,000 Low Hours, Well-maintained. Outfitted for year-round Chesapeake yachting. Priced to sell. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts
www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
2021 Prestige Yachts 520 Fly 52’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $1,299,000 Beautifully maintained yacht, extremely low hours, available for immediate delivery. Remaining factory and engine warranty. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts
www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
53’ Island Pilot 535 ‘11 New to the market & loaded w/ luxury. Low hours on twin Volvo 700Hp D11 IPS diesels, Seakeeper stabilization, three joystick stations, 2 gens, washer/dryer, & more. $695,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com
2006 Carver 56 Voyager Very wellmaintained w/ many recent upgrades. Spacious for extended cruising or entertaining large groups, she is ready to cruise w/ new owners. Contact Chris Beardsley at 315.447.1251 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com
2020 Prestige Yachts 590 Fly, OUR TRADE 59’ Baltimore, MD. Asking $1,499,700 Amazing Condition. Outfitted w/ ALL factory options and upgrades. Remaining engine/pod warranty. Custom flybridge enclosure. Available for immediate delivery. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
60’ Jefferson Marquessa MY ‘89
Excellent choice for all-weather capability. New bridge canvas, decks, Westerbeke 22KW Generator. Fully equipped galley, 4 staterooms w/ 4 heads. 2015 Tender w/ 40Hp outboard. $244,900 Call Joe Smith at 410.708.0579 for an appointment! Sassafras Harbor Marina Yacht Sales, 410.275.8000 shmys@ sassafrasharbormarina.com www.sassafrasharbormarina.com
2021 Prestige Yachts 690 Fly 69’ Newport Beach, CA. Asking $3,499,000 Immaculate Yacht. Original Chesapeake Bay boat. EastCoast delivery available. Like-New. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
2022 Prestige Yachts 590 Fly 59’ Annapolis, MD. Asking $1,950,000 Like-New Condition. Single-Owner Yacht. Remaining Prestige and Cummins Warranties. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
2016 Prestige Yachts 680 Fly 68’ West Palm Beach, FL. Asking $1,795,000 Great Condition. Nearly $500,000 in refurbishments/upgrades/ maintenance since 2021. Most beautiful 68’ Prestige on the market. To schedule showing or for more information, please contact Ian Dimka: 410.693.7386 or ian@cyc.yachts www.chesapeakeyachtcenter.com
21’ Chris Craft 215 Scorpion Cuddy Cabin 1986 GM 305cu in/230Hp, 784 hrs.; I/O Merc Alpha 1; Wired for two batteries; Bimini top & cushions like new; 2015 ‘Elite’ Load Rite trailer, 24’ and 5,400lbs capacity, new tires. $11,500 410.320.1747
Marine Dynamics Yacht Delivery 50 years on water experience with Sail & Power. US East Coast and Caribbean. Contact Kip Koolage at 410.241.8468 or email MDYachtDelivery@gmail.com www.marinedynamicsllc.com
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
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
Sailor’s Wharf Marina on Mill Creek off White Hall Bay, 20-to-45-foot slips with water & 30-amp electric. 1651 Orchard Beach Road, Annapolis, MD 21409. For more information, please call 443.336.3615 or email sailorswharfmarina@gmail.com
Find
Grady-White Boats and Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, U.S.A. entered a new multi-year exclusive financing agreement on October 1. Yamaha Financial Services is set to become the exclusive dealer inventory finance and retail finance provider for Grady-White Boats. The Grady-White-Yamaha partnership vows to bring forth only the best dealer and customer experiences in the industry by leveraging strong finance programs, protection products, customer relationship management (CRM), and digital platforms. “Our decades-long partnership with Yamaha has contributed to our mutual success and industry-leading customer satisfaction. This new venture with Yamaha Financial Services will continue that valuable tradition and will benefit our dealers and our customers for years to come with the synergies created,” stated Joey Weller, vice president of sales. “Grady-White’s long-term relationship with Yamaha Marine has improved our marine products, services, and our brand position,” said Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha Marine Business Unit. “This is another step that will continue to enhance our brands through better support for our valued dealers.”
Craig Hewitt, president of Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, U.S.A. says, “We are very excited to continue our journey in delivering high quality services to the marine segment with the Grady-White relationship. It’s an honor to support their incredible brand and dealer network.” gradywhite.com
David Walters Yachts would like to welcome Mark Andrews to its team. Having spent his youth in Marblehead, MA, Mark gained a love for the water and a life-long fascination with all things nautical. At 10 years old, a Boston Globe newspaper route along the harbor earned him the funds to purchase his first fixer-upper boat, and the passion became real. After spending the first half of his career pursuing his other passion, working in the snow ski industry, Mark came full circle over 20 years ago, moving to the Chesapeake Bay and venturing headfirst into the nautical industry. In addition to working for a couple of the region’s premier yacht brokerages, Mark also ran marinas and hospitality properties on the Eastern Shore through his hospitality consulting business. As the manager at Bay Bridge Marina, he gained the opportunity to become a partner in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier sailboat and catamaran dealerships, and he set course on a new adventure here in Annapolis.
According to Mark, although he very much enjoyed assisting his talented team and steering the day-to-day business operations, he found he missed working directly with boat buyers and sellers and helping families make their nautical dreams a reality. When the opportunity came to retire from his ownership role, he set his course toward working with a brokerage house he held in the highest regard for their professionalism and reputation: David Walters Yachts. Mark knows he will enjoy representing high-quality sailboats, powerboats, trawlers, and catamarans and assisting various owners and brokerage clients. As a full-time broker, Mark is very much looking forward to catching up with past clients, to meeting some new friends, and to working closely with each customer, assisting them in every aspect of buying or selling their dream boat. If you are in the market to purchase or sell a quality yacht, or if you want to trade boating stories, please reach out to Mark at mark@davidwaltersyachts.com davidwaltersyachts.com
Sagamore Blue has just invested in a 75-ton Travelift and 40-ton hydraulic trailer for Anchor Yacht Basin in Edgewater, MD, which will be arriving in January/February. Improvements will also include a new bulkhead and new Travelift well, expanding the marina’s lifting capacity out to a 29-foot beam. sagamoreblue.com
Mike Titgemeyer, national sales manager for Seattle Yachts, announces the addition of Bill O’Malley as the new regional manager for Seattle Yachts Annapolis and Crusader Yacht Sales. Mike says, “Bill is a long-time marine industry professional and experienced boater. His professional approach and sales experience are a welcome addition to the Annapolis team. Bill has strong roots in Annapolis, so give him a call to congratulate him or to buy a boat!” seattleyachts.com
Formula Boats announces the new Formula 457 Center Console, which will be officially announced at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show and debut at the Miami International Boat Show. The Fish and Sport models will again push the boundaries of design, engineering, and construction in the offshore center console world, celebrating the finish and amenities of Formula’s renewed entry into the center console market. At 45 feet, seven inches with a 13 foot, nine-inch beam, it is powered by triple Mercury 600 Verados. Built to the owner’s preference, from hard-core fishing to upscale sport cruising, or a little of both, the 457 will match your boating style. Opt for foldaway aft seating and pressurized baitwells or a sculpted aft lounge and spacious swim platform for sporting adventures. Fish or Sport, both models come with the triple 22-inch monitor dash and air-conditioned threeposition helm. All will enjoy the bow seating with elevated sun lounge and wraparound seating with a power-adjust table. Below, the cabin brings you six feet, six inches of headroom with a full aircraft galley with microwave, fridge, sink, and abundant counter and cabinet space, as well as U-lounge seating with a table for dining or entertaining, convertible to a two-person berth. A well-appointed, spacious head features a separate, stand-up shower. formulaboats.com
Living and working on the Chesapeake Bay, all of us at PropTalk have a lot to be thankful for. If you would like to share what you’re thankful for this year, especially if it has to do with boating, fishing, and/or the Chesapeake Bay, email kaylie@proptalk.com.
I am grateful for my family, especially my mom and dad. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support. I am also thankful for my fiancé, Ridgely, and our pups, Kona and Shackleton, who put a smile on my face every day.
~Beatrice RoderickI am thankful for on-water opportunities to learn about the history, ecology, and commerce of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as recreational boating time with friends and family.
~Beth CrabtreeGrateful for a job that encourages me to get on the water as much as possible as well as the family and friends that join me.
~Brooke KingI am thankful for being a part of a great team, good health, loving family, and close friends.
~Chris CharbonneauI am thankful for making the time to be very close to achieving my goal of reaching 100 days on the water this year.
~Eric RichardsonI am grateful that I got to travel to two new places for work this year—Wisconsin to learn about commercial fishing and Arkansas where I got to play around on Sea-Doos all day (best workday ever!). I’m also super grateful that my office allows me to bring my trusty boat dog to work with me.
~Kaylie JasinskiI’m thankful that cutlassfish came up into the South River this year - boy, was that fun! I am also eternally thankful for Old Bay.
~Lenny RudowI am thankful for the Chesapeake Bay, PropTalk, FishTalk, and SpinSheet, the Annapolis Boat Shows, and our awesome team! I can’t think of a better place to live and work. And I am thankful for all the love in my life— Geoff, my family, my friends, and my dogs.
~Mary EwensonSeeing
sunset of the summer from a boat; sitting dockside and laughing with friends; and never once falling off my paddleboard into the jellyfish-infested waters this season.
~Molly
WinansI am thankful to be attending the fall boat shows, because it’s so much fun to walk around with friends and look at the boats and vendors. I am also thankful for the sweet and savory treats my co-workers bring in from time to time!
~Royal
SynderThis past summer a friend of mine hooked me up with a sweet deal on a Carolina Skiff J16, and I am very thankful to finally have a boat to call my own.
~Zach Ditmars