SpinSheet Magazine August 2023

Worldwide Yacht Sales | Yacht Charters

1979 37’ Tartan - $58,500 Lin Earley - 757.672.2778

1888 35’ George Lawley & Sons - $249,000 Fletcher Bauman - 410.263.2000

1998 28’ Hunter - $27,900 Dan Tisoskey - 267.784.7229

1985 38’ Bristol - $69,000 Jason Hinsch - 410.507.1259

2012 37’ Custom - $300,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

1998 45’ Bruce Roberts - $110,000 Jason Hinsch - 410.507.1259

1985 40’ Tartan - $80,000 Dan Williams - 502.881.7475

2011 49’ Hanse - $295,000 Curtis Stokes - 410.919.4900

1993 42’ Kelsall - $89,500 Daniel Fosso - 360.929.0845

1977 41’ Morgan - $60,000 Justin Lawrence - 802.272.5208

1980 53’ Bruce Roberts - $175,000 Curtis Stokes - 410.919.4900

1990 43’ Slocum - $185,000 Jim Davis - 386.871.4959

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45

Features

38

See the Bay: Cape Charles by Land and by Sea

So much to see and do at this charming town at the tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

By Storrie Kulynych-Irvin and Beth Crabtree

40

The Right Gearing for Your Steering

How do people steer superyachts, and what can this teach us about the boats we own and sail?

By Dave Kirkpatrick of Edson Marine

41

SpinSheet Summer Cover Contest Favorites

The winner of our annual contest is on the cover of this issue… find runners-up inside.

45

30 Days to Charleston and Back

One couple, five friends, 30 sailing days, and a myriad of conditions and memories made.

By Keith Donald

47

Bluewater Dreaming: Someday Is Here

Commit, set a date, make a plan, and cast off your lines… By Cindy Wallach

presented by M yacht services

60

Light Air Technique for Cruising Sailors

Our racing guru shares some light-wind sailing tips to help cruisers sail better.

By David Flynn of Quantum Sails

64

Summer Racing Fun

Boomerang, Screwpile, Block Island Race Week, the “Slow Boat” in the Governor’s Cup, and more summer racing.

presented by Mount Gay ruM

Kristen Cooper’s photo of a bunch of young sailors sailing in an Eastport YC Friday Night Race was voted by SpinSheet readers as the 2023 Summer Cover Contest winning image. Find other favorite entries on page 41.

# Photo by Will Keyworth

Cruising Scene

50 Cruising Life: Being True to Yourself as You Sail By John Herlig

52 Charter Notes: 9 Best Boating Movies for Charter Downtime By Zuzana Prochazka

54 Cruising Club Notes presented by yaZu yachtinG

Racing Beat

62 Youth and Collegiate Focus: ILCA Class Sailing Together By Storrie Kulynych-Irvin

64 Racing News presented by Mount Gay ruM

76 Small Boat Scene: The Start Before the Start By Kim Couranz

For breaking news, photos, and videos, visit spinsheet.com

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

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CoNTRIBUTING WRITERS

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DISTRIBUTIoN

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

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

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The Joys of Summer

By Molly Winans

One of the joys of summer afternoons here at the SpinSheet World Headquarters is hearing kids squealing and splashing in the pool next door. We’re up three floors, so as I descend the outdoor staircase, where I can see these kids in action, I imagine jumping off the rail and cannonballing into the middle of them, making some new friends.

The Seafarers Yacht Club (SYC) owns the neighboring pool, and the young swimmers participate in Sea Scout Ship 1959 activities or the Seafarers Foundation Summer Youth Program. I’d noticed an uptick in swimmers one week in July, and a few days later photographer Eric Moseson sent me these terrific pictures of young sailors on the Woodwind. I recognized SYC vice commodore and sailor, Dr. Derrick Cogburn, in the photos and reached out to him about their sail.

The young people pictured on the July 13 sail off Annapolis were enjoying the Summer Youth

Program. The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and Schooner Woodwind sponsored the event in addition to the Seafarers Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of SYC.

Cogburn noted that 38 boys and girls and six adults, including Benny, Bill, Ashley, Aliya, Denise, as well as the Woodwind staff and Moseson sailed together for a few hours. The crew studied navigation, piloting, and marlinspike seamanship.

“In addition to this outing on the Woodwind, participants in the program were able to participate in 90 minutes of daily chess instruction, 90 minutes a day of swimming instruction, and various other on-the-water experiences such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and field trips to the Naval Academy,” says Cogburn. He adds, “This summer youth program is one of the key beneficiaries of the Seafarers Regatta.”

The second annual Seafarers Regatta will give racing sailors something to look forward to September 23, as the first event, with on-water support by Eastport Yacht Club, proved to be a smashing success. Racing sailors may find the registration page and details at seafarersyc.com/regatta

A big thanks to Eric Moseson for sending these photos. Almost as much as hearing happy swimmers, receiving wonderful photos of events I didn’t even know were happening also brings me joy, in all seasons. What memorable experiences has your club or organization offered young people on the Chesapeake and its tributaries this summer? We at SpinSheet would love to hear about them and see photos. Email me anytime at editor@spinsheet.com.

# Captain Jen gives some steering instruction.

# Photos by Eric Moseson

Share Your Spare

With a Local Sailor

Local sailor, marine trades educator, marine service technician, and Eastport Yacht Club Foundation Marine Wizard, Erik Lostrom, needs a kidney donor to live. Last year, after more than 25 years struggling with diabetes, Erik went into full renal failure and needs a kidney transplant.

Erik continues to work full-time as a service technical lead at Haven Harbour Marina Resorts in Rock Hall, while spending four hours a day, three days a week in dialysis in Chestertown.

Unfortunately, racing his Ultimate 20 sailboat Moe Foe (and life in general) is limited to when his energy level permits. But he is hopeful there is a donor out there, so some day he and his wife can return to their life of boating on Chesapeake Bay.

For more about Erik’s campaign, kidney donation, and your eligibility to donate, visit Erik’s microsite at the National Kidney Registry at https://nkr.org/GAR257

Spot on and Hilarious

We have been tooling around the Bay for 23 days now, and I’m sure there is a story or two brewing around… I had to write to tell you how much we enjoyed reading John Herlig’s “Lessons for 10 Years-Ago John” in the July issue (page 43). He is spot on and absolutely hilarious. We just figured out how to start the oven after having the boat for five years and teasing each other about who is going to start baking bread. Ten years from now I’m going to write about how dumb it is to tow a dinghy without bottom paint for three weeks only to spend two hours scraping away barnacles and slime.

Steve Allan

From Undisclosed Anchorage

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 | 4:30 - 10:00 PM

(Doors open at 4:00 PM)

Tickets on sale at www amaritime org

Enjoy Fabulous food & fun

Soak in the sounds of Key West with musicians that shaped a lifestyle. Peter Mayer, Doyle Grisham, and Eric Darken (touring and recording members of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band) along with world-class musicians Scott Kirby and John Frinzi. And new this year, the Floating Collective band comprised of three legacies of the Coral Reefer Band - Mick Utley, Brendan Mayer, and Erin McAnally will start the fun. JD Spradlin, host of Radio Margaritaville will, once again, be our emcee of this year’s spectacular night of great music.

$150 General Admission

Great music, waterfront campus, signature cocktails, dinner, and open bar included! Boatyard Beach Bash raises funds for the Museum’s environmental programs. Rain or Shine.

Send

Why Libertad’s Visit Captivated Us

Maybe it was the impressive, goldpainted figurehead that juts out below her enormous square rig. Perhaps it was the slightly romantic blue and white striped uniforms worn by her crew. Maybe she intrigued us because she is flagged from Argentina. But whatever it was, many of us were captivated when the Fragata Ara Libertad came to the Chesapeake Bay last month.

SpinSheet Century club member and Bay photographer David Sites put it this way, “It was a surreal moment as I sat in my boat in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, MD, USA, and watched this beautiful vessel change from the colors of our flag to the colors of the Argentina flag. I really enjoyed listening to the crew members on the deck singing songs and having fun. I didn’t want to leave. It’s a night that I will remember forever.”

Tall ship enthusiasts in Baltimore greeted Fragata Ara Libertad, one of the biggest and fastest tall ships in the world, as she arrived in Baltimore July 6, after anchoring in the Bay just off Annapolis. While anchored, midshipmen training on the vessel visited the US Naval Academy and Argentinian dignitaries, and the ship’s captain received onboard a visit from the Superintendent of the Naval Academy. The Fort McHenry Guard gave a cannon salute as she passed the fort headed to the Inner Harbor, where a welcome ceremony took place on the promenade. More than 3000 visitors came aboard for deck tours July 7-9 before its departure on July 10.

Built in the 1950s and launched in the 1960s, Libertad is steel-hulled, three-masted, and approximately 340 feet in length. She is used as a training vessel for Argentina’s Navy and is an ambassador for her country. Baltimore was the only US port on her schedule this summer.

If you love tall ships and schooners, you will have more opportunities this season to visit several of them.

The Maryland Dove will be at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD, September 1-3, and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The vessel is a representation of the ship that sailed with the Ark from England to the colony of Maryland in 1634. Its mission is education about the waterways of the region and the interaction between cultures going back to the pre-colonial era. Learn more at marylanddove.org

The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, which takes a fleet of schooners from Baltimore to Norfolk, will unfold October 3-8. Educational and public events will take place in both cities. The vessels parade in Baltimore Harbor before racing from just off Annapolis to Norfolk. Learn more at gcbsr.org

Make your way to Chestertown, MD, October 27-29 to enjoy the Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Weekend, one of the largest tall ship gatherings in North America. The festival features tall ship sails, tours, live bluegrass music, lectures, exhibits, family activities, and more. Learn more at downrigging.org

“It was a surreal moment as I sat in my boat in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, and watched this beautiful vessel change from the colors of our flag to the colors of the Argentina flag.”

# Photo by David Sites

# Photo by Deadrise Marine Photography/Mark Hergan

Water Access With Accessible Design

Public water access, or the lack of it, is frequently in the news. The number of water access points is important. So too is the number of water access points that are ADA compliant. In the Annapolis area, the recent opening of the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating’s new accessible boating facility and dock has garnered much praise. We would also like to share news of updates for accessibility to the wharfs in Galesville and Leonardtown, MD.

The renovation to the Galesville Wharf on the West River included a rebuilt 170-foot-long, two-level pier. It is now fully accessible, with ADA fishing stations and an improved canoe/kayak launch and parking lot. Galesville Wharf is a public county park in Anne Arundel County.

In Leonardtown, MD, in St. Mary’s County, an accessible kayak launch opened this season, giving more individuals access to McIntosh Run and Breton

Bay. The Leonardtown Wharf also features a waterfront promenade.

In 2018, a 448-square-foot floating fishing pier and gangway was opened in Queen Anne’s County, MD, at the Unicorn Lake Fisheries Management area. This location offers freshwater fishing on state land.

Two examples of accessible access in the Southern Bay are the ADA accessible kayak/canoe launch located in Great Bridge Lock Park in Chesapeake, VA, and the accessible kayak launch leading to restored wetlands of the Elizabeth River at Paradise Creek Nature Park in Portsmouth, VA.

ADA compliance requires specific criteria to be met. In general, such facilities require modest slopes, handrails, adequate room for maneuverability, and appropriate equipment for the transition from the pier/dock/gangway to the watercraft.

Escape, Relax, and Enjoy at Chesapeake Yacht Club! Nestled on the West River in Shady Side, MD, your oasis awaits with:

™ NEW state-of-the-art floating docks

™ River view pool, clubhouse and restaurant

™ Family and pet friendly facilities

™ Boating and non-boating memberships

™ Cruises, oyster roasts, live music, dinner parties, happy hours and more!

Do you know of other recently renovated ADA-compliant or accessible water access sites? Share them with us by emailing details to beth@spinsheet.com Schedule

# Galesville accessible pier and launch. Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Facebook page

Her Helm Project: New Book and Museum Exhibition

Anew book celebrating Chesapeake boat captains who are women is scheduled to be released this month. “Her Helm: Chesapeake Bay” is part of the Her Helm project founded by portrait photographer and artist Kristin Rutkowski, who lives on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

The beautiful fine art, hardcover book features portraits and biographical stories of 51 women around the Chesapeake. Rutkowski photographed and interviewed her subjects, who have a wide range of maritime experiences. All captain boats, but not all own their vessels or hold a USCG captains’ license. They have diverse experiences on boats of all types, both power and sail. The book also includes poems, stories, and paintings from other women around the Bay that share their perspectives of water, life, and womanhood.

In conjunction with the book’s publication, an exhibit, “Her Helm; Portraits of Women on the Chesapeake,” will open

September 8 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD. The photographer and author will give an opening artist talk September 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the museum.

Rutkowski says the Her Helm project, which she began in 2020, has evolved. “It began as a personal project, a page on my regular website (kristinrutkowskiphotography.com) and grew to have its own website and social media. The impetus, my goal, was to break down stereotypes and normalize women operating boats. Lots of people know one or two woman who are in charge of a boat, and they assume that it is rather rare. But many women are doing amazing things on the water.”

She continues, “The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has been wonderful to work with, and I have a lot of gratitude for their recognition and support of this project. I am very appreciative that with their support we can bring the project to a bigger audience.”

Pre-orders of the book are available at a reduced price of $100 and will be signed by Rutkowski. Ten percent of the sale price of each pre-ordered book will be donated to CBMM. Learn more about the project and place orders at herhelm.com. Learn more about the exhibit and artist talk at CBMM at cbmm.org/ special-exhibitions

# Self portrait by Kristin Rutkowski

Four Questions for MTAM Executive Director John Stefancik

When lifelong Chesapeake sailor John Stefancik was recently selected as the executive director of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM), few were surprised. He’s served as a dedicated MTAM board member for 20 years during his 24-year career at Chesapeake Bay Magazine, including nine as co-owner of the Annapolisbased media company. Last month, we reached out to Stefancik to talk sailing and marine trades. Here’s what he had to say:

1. Tell us about your sailing history on the Chesapeake. I started sailing on the Severn River on my parents’ Grampian 23 when I was three months old. They put me in a laundry basket on the cabin sole. Sailing was our family’s biggest activity, so we went out once a month or so for the weekend or longer on a series of boats: Seafarer 24, Catalina 27… up to a Catalina 36 (my parents were a boat dealer’s dream clients). I was always very comfortable on the water. Believe it or not, when I was nine, my mom let me sail by myself in our dinghies on Round Bay. I never wanted to leave the water… and started going to sailing school at nine at the West River Sailing club, where I learned how to race. After that, I did the sailing program at Severn Sailing Association.

2. What kind of sailing do you do these days?

The majority is racing. I don’t have as many opportunities to go cruising, which is why when I get to go sailing overnight for a race, that’s really special. I mostly sail with Round Bay Sailing Association. I take care of a J/29 (for a friend). I do work on it and set it up for racing. One of the best nights I’ve had sailing this

year was Wednesday (July 12). It was blowing eight to 12 from the south. When it’s 90 degrees and you get a nice breeze like that, it feels great. It was a beautiful night.

3. What are your top priorities in your new job as MTAM executive director?

Two things: to elevate the profile of recreational boating in Maryland and to expand our activity with workforce development to get more young people or people looking for a second career to consider marine trades as a viable career. There’s a big need for workers. We started asking marinas

10 years ago, “How many of you would hire a mechanic?” All hands went up. Finding new people is a big priority. (The marinas) can train them. All these marinas want new employees to train.

4. Anything else you’d like SpinSheet readers to know about MTAM?

The Chesapeake Bay, especially Maryland, is packed with marine facilities. There are as many right here as you’ll find coastally between here and Maine. Boating here in Maryland is special for many reasons, but important ones are the density of facilities and availability of work.

Learn more at mtam.org

# John (at far right) enjoying a Wednesday night race on Round Bay. Photo by Will Keyworth

Hampton Yacht Club Time Capsule Includes SpinSheet

In June, a crane lifted the eight-ton Braddock Cannon located on Victoria Boulevard in front of the Hampton Yacht Club (HYC) and dropped it nearby on a new foundation. The move has freed up space to construct a new columned entrance more befitting the club’s role in the local community and the sailing world.

The club’s juniors were asked to contribute mementos to a time capsule that has been placed under the hardscape surrounding the memorial. They had fun accumulating various sail ties, the current Racing Rules of Sailing, artwork, an HYC Mainsheet newsletter, and of course, the June 2023 edition of SpinSheet.

Many Bay sailors may have seen the Braddock Cannon and wondered about its connection to the club. In 1755 British Major General Edward Braddock landed his troops in Hampton near the presentday HYC to begin a march against Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh), part of a four-pronged attack to defeat the French in the French and Indian War. But

Braddock did not fully trust advisors, who warned him of the Native Americans and their profound knowledge and use of the continent’s wild terrain in warfare. He proceeded heedlessly and was killed before accomplishing his goals. However, Braddock’s folly shone a bright light on a young volunteer officer named George Washington, imbuing him with confidence and poise. Eventually the colonists helped Britain gain victory in the war.

In 1916, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia dedicated bronze plaques in Braddock’s memory, and the Common Council of Hampton asked Fort Monroe for a surplus cannon on which to place the plaques near Braddock’s approxi-

mate landing site. The first location of the monument was at the very foot of Victoria Boulevard, close to the club’s current day flagpole. When HYC moved ashore from its on-water clubhouse in the late 1960s, club members relocated the cannon to its most recent location. This summer’s relocation has fulfilled club and city planning goals and provided a well-lit and safe environment for the public to enjoy this monument to the cocky General Braddock.

Reported by Leigh Chapman

The popular East of Maui – Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) Chesapeake Standup Challenge unfolded on a sunny, calm, and pleasantly wake-free Saturday morning, July 8, off Annapolis. Standup paddleboard (SUP) competitors chose one of three course options: a sevenmile challenge, a 3.5-mile challenge, and a one-mile “just-for-fun” race.

Races were followed by a lively party at EYC, featuring breakfast burritos, coffee and beverages, and live music by Doug

SUP Racing in Annapolis!

Segree. EYC and East of Maui volunteers helped to direct traffic, move SUPs in and out of the parking area efficiently, do scoring, and run an awards ceremony that was quick and well-organized enough to make sailors wonder why they aren’t all that easy.

East of Maui co-owner Mark Bandy says that at 91 registrations and 10-plus years of races, “It’s one of the larger standup-only races and one of the longest running SUP-only races in the region!”

The 2023 edition of this race was dedicated to the late Geoff Ewenson, who in years past had been a competitor and podium finisher in the event. A portion of the registration fees plus additional donations totaling $800 were donated to the EWE Spirit Foundation (ewespirit.org). The organization’s mission is to honor Geoff’s legacy by helping those facing immediate hardship bridge financial and social support gaps through mentorship, outreach, and financial assistance, thus creating a kind world where everyone has the resources and opportunity to live with dignity, hope, and joy.

Find a link to photos of this event by Ted Morgan at spinsheet.com/photos.

Photo by David Sites

# Find more photos of the East of Maui - Eastport YC Chesapeake Standup Challenge at spinsheet.com/photos. Photo by Ted Morgan

Watermen’s Appreciation Day in St. Michaels

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) will host Watermen’s Appreciation Day on Sunday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on its waterfront campus. This annual celebration of the men and women who make their living on the Chesapeake Bay and their heritage features a boat docking contest, steamed crabs by the dozen, live music, family activities, a silent auction to benefit the Talbot Watermen Association (TWA), and more.

The always-spirited watermen’s rodeo is a boat docking contest along the Miles River near CBMM’s 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Bleacher seating will be provided for spectators to enjoy all the action, which begins at noon. Also at noon, steamed crabs, served by TWA members, will be available for purchase, in addition to hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and more. Crabs will be sold at $35 per dozen and come with two ears of corn.

As well as live music by Bird Dog and the Road Kings, there will be a variety of children’s activities offered throughout the day, including a junior watermen crab race, baiting contest, jigger throw, lawn games, and more. The Phillips Wharf Environmental Center will also be on site with its Fishmobile traveling aquarium.

Guests may also explore all the exhibitions and historic structures across CBMM’s 18-acre campus, including its working Shipyard that is currently home to several projects spotlighting the construction, care, and preservation of traditional Chesapeake Bay workboats. Purchase tickets in advance online or at the door. Admission costs $19 for adults ages 18 to 64, $16 for seniors (65+), college students (with ID), and retired military members; $10 for active military members, and $8 for children 6 to 17, with all children 5 years of age and under admitted free. CBMM members and licensed watermen and their immediate families get discounted admission at $10 per adult and $6 per child ages 6 to 17. All food and beverages are an additional charge. Free parking and shuttle to the event.

For more information, visit cbmm.org or call (410) 745-2916.

aritime Plastics

# Watermen’s Appreciation Day returns to CBMM on Sunday, Aug. 13, highlighted by a boat docking contest, steamed crabs, live music, and family activities. Photo by George Sass

Chesapeake Calendar presented by through

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

Aug 31

Free summer concerts in the park

Hosted by St. Michaels Community Center at Muskrat Park on the waterfront.

3 Amm tides and tunes summer concert series

Live music by Wheelhouse Rock Band. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted. Food and spirits are available for purchase. Beverage sales support the Museum’s education program. No outside alcohol is permitted. Bring a chair or blanket.

3 Yorktown sounds of summer concert series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. through August 10 (no concert on July 6) at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Slapnation. Guests are permitted to bring their own blankets, chairs, and small coolers. There will be a dance floor, friendly games of cornhole, and food trucks.

August

5-6 national Lighthouse Weekend at piney point

Lighthouse museum

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in Piney Point, MD. Head to Piney Point for a fun and free open house weekend in recognition of National Lighthouse Day. Enjoy tours of the museum, Potomac River Maritime Exhibit, lighthouse tower, the Keeper’s Quarters, and grounds.

6 Annapolis First sunday Arts Festival

Sundays 11 to 5 p.m. May through November, thousands of visitors enjoy the festival featuring over 100 vendors, live music, and cafe dining along the first block of West Street in Annapolis.

10 Amm tides and tunes summer concert series

Live music by Loose Ties. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted. Food and spirits are available for purchase. Beverage sales support the Museum’s education program. No outside alcohol is permitted. Bring a chair or blanket.

10 Yorktown sounds of summer concert series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. through August 10 (no concert on July 6) at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by The Main Event Band. Guests are permitted to bring their own blankets, chairs, and small coolers. There will be a dance floor, friendly games of cornhole, and food trucks.

11-13 pirates & Wenches Weekend

Come by land or by sea to the town of Rock Hall, MD, for a town-wide family theme party you won’t soon forget.

12 explore the smithsonian by canoe

Join Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) naturalists for a tour of the Rhode River. We’ll cover basic paddling and provide canoes and PFDs. While on the water we’ll look for wildlife and discuss SERC research. For ages 8 and older. A minimum of 1 adult per child is suggested. July 1, July 8, August 12, and August 26 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Advance registration required: email SERCOutreach@ si.edu ($20 adults, $18 children 8-13 years).

13

Watermen’s Appreciation Day

This annual celebration features a boat docking contest, steamed crabs by the dozen, live music, family activities, and more.

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

17 Amm tides and tunes summer concert series

Live music by Mike McHenry Tribe. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted. Food and spirits are available for purchase. Beverage sales support the Museum’s education program. No outside alcohol is permitted. Bring a chair or blanket.

19 children’s Day at st. clement’s island museum

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point, MD. Families can enjoy lots of kids’ activities including games, crafts, outdoor fun, and lots more throughout the day.

20

cmm Waterside music series

Live music by The Concert: A Tribute to Abba. At the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Tickets: calvertmarinemuseum.com

26

cmm Waterside music series

Live music by Brett Young. At the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Tickets: calvertmarinemuseum.com

28 charter captain’s course

100-ton master’s, OUPV, towing, sailing. Classes start August 28 at Milford, DE, Fire Dept. Coast Guard approved to teach and test. Call Capt. Ken, (410) 2280674 or visit chartercapt.com

31 charter captain’s course

100-ton master’s, OUPV, towing, sailing. Classes start August 31 at Kent Island Fire Dept. Coast Guard approved to teach and test. Call Capt. Ken, (410) 2280674 or visit chartercapt.com

31 Lessons from America’s Flatboat era

7 to 9 p.m. in-person and virtual event at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. Rinker Buck built a wooden flatboat from the bygone era of the early 1800s and to journey down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, illuminating the forgotten past of America’s first western frontier. A book signing follows the Q&A. Advance registration required at marinersmuseum.org. Cost: $10 for in-person, free to watch online.

August Racing through Aug 30

AYc Wednesday night Racing

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD.

through Aug 11

Fawcett’s Friday night Beer can series

Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD.

through Aug 31

J/World thursday night Racing

One-design racing off Annapolis.

through Aug 3

2023 simmons Boatworks optimist us national championship

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

4-5 smcm governor’s cup 70-mile distance race from Annapolis to St. Mary’s City, MD, with legs starting at other southern points as well. Hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

August Racing

5 plantation Light Race

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

Aug 5-6 WRsc governor’s cup Hosted by the Ware River YC, Gloucester, VA.

11 tAYc oxford Race

Hosted by Tred Avon Yacht Club, Oxford, MD.

11-13 hampton one Design nationals

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club, Hampton, VA.

12 opcYc Yankee station series 4

Hosted by Old Point Comfort Yacht Club, Hampton, VA.

12-13 oxford Regatta

Hosted by the Tred Avon Yacht Club, Oxford, MD.

13 ccVR Founders Race

Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake Bay.

18-20 us Women’s match Racing championships

Hosted by Annapolis YC.

19 cRAB cup

At Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD. The largest fundraiser of the year for Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating. Pursuit race for sailboats, Poker Pursuit for powerboats, and Shore Party. Tickets: crabsailing.org/crabcup

19-20 Leo Wardrup memorial cape charles cup

Hosted by the Broad Bay Sailing Association.

26 A2c Lighthouse challenge

Annapolis to Cambridge Race, co-hosted by Eastport YC and Cambridge YC.

26 opcYc Yankee station series 5

Hosted by Old Point Comfort Yacht Club, Hampton, VA.

26-27 tAYc heritage Regatta

Hosted by Tred Avon YC. Eligible classes: Log Canoe, Star, Shields, Comet, and Penguin.

September

8-9 havre de grace Waterfront Festival

The festival will kick off with a Lighted Boat Parade on Friday evening: $10 registration fee at boatparadehdg. eventbrite.com or call (410) 939-2100. The boats will cruise along the shoreline from the Amtrak bridge to the Concord Point Lighthouse Park. The festival runs from 5 to 11 p.m. and the boat parade starts at 8 p.m. On Saturday, enjoy the festival at Concord Point Park from 3 to 9 p.m. Live music, food trucks, beer garden, vendors, demonstrations, and a thrilling acrobatic show by The Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean. Fireworks will begin at 8 p.m.

9 Blue Water Bash

2 to 5 p.m. at Barcocina in Baltimore, MD. Three hours of celebration that also provides vital support for Blue Water Baltimore’s programs across the watershed. On this 15th anniversary, they hope to raise $120,000.

9 third Annual portsmouth paddle Battle

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA. SUP and kayak categories. New race option this year for tandem kayaks and canoes. The race course will once again be from High Street Basin in Olde Towne to the Hammerhead Crane on the Shipyard and back. Live music, food and drinks, prizes, events for children, and more. Proceeds will help The Friends support the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Lightship Portsmouth Museum. Register: friendsofportsmouthnsm.org

10 Free Kids Fishing tournament

Hosted by North Bay Fishing Club from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration at 8:30 a.m. at North East Community Park, 250 West Walnut St., North East, MD. For age groups 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16. Loaner fishing rods and bait available, or bring your own. Free picnic lunch for all with hot dogs, water, and snacks. RSVP to Daniel R. at dano5191@aol.com or Stan C. at stanleycebula@gmail.com

16 31st Annual native American Festival

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 214 Middle St., Vienna, MD. Under the Water Tower. $7 pp, four and under are free. Bring your lawn chairs and spend the day. This is a one-day only, rain or shine event. Presented by the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Inc.

26-30 trawlerfest Baltimore

At Harbor East Marina in Baltimore, MD. In-water boat show with new and pre-owned cruising powerboats, first-class education and demonstrations, the latest in marine products and services, and opportunities to share cruising adventures with fellow cruisers and industry experts.

30 - Oct 1

sscA conference and gam

Seven Seas Cruising Association hosts its annual event at Maryland Yacht Club in Pasadena, MD. Slips and anchorage available. Registration opens July 15.

September Racing through Sep

BcYA tuesday night series

Hosted by Baltimore City Yacht Association.

1-3 FBYc stingray point Regatta

Hosted by Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA.

26

2 Annapolis Labor Day Regatta

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club.

9 tri-services Regatta

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

9-10 iLcA Laser masters championship

Hosted by Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA.

10 hYc middle ground Light Race

10

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

tAYc hammond Regatta

Hosted by the Tred Avon YC. Open to ORC, PHRF, CRCA, CHESSS, Multihull, J/105, and Alberg 30.

16 hampton Roads sunfish challenge and Dinghy Distance Race

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

16 hospice cup Annapolis, MD

23

23

AYc Fall Race to solomons

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club.

opcYc Yankee station series 6

Hosted by Old Point Comfort Yacht Club, Hampton, VA.

23 seafarers Regatta

Hosted by the Seafarers YC, with on-water assistance from Eastport YC

24 ccVR Fall series

Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake Bay.

24

tAYc Fall open series

Hosted by the Tred Avon YC. Open to PHRF, One-design Melges 24, and Star.

27 - Oct 25

BBsA oktoberfest

Wednesday evenings. Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Norfolk, VA.

29 - Oct 1

RRYc hospice turkey shoot Regatta

Hosted by Rappahannock River Yacht Club, Irvington, VA.

30

BBsA neptune’s Atlantic Regatta

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Norfolk, VA.

30 - Oct 1

AYc Fall series

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club.

“Cool Winds” by Brenda Larson

# Sailors prepare for the 2022 CRAB Cup. This year’s edition unfolds August 19. Photo by Will Keyworth

Unbridled Enthusiasm for Sailing

Meet Eli Lehrhaupt and Melissa McNulty

There was a time when Melissa McNulty was intrigued by sailboats and looked longingly at them from shore, but she had no idea how to get involved in such a world. Sailing seemed inaccessible. Then she tried a social sail open to the public at DC Sail, which she and husband Eli enjoyed very much, but it just wasn’t the right time to pursue it. As Covid released its grip on us all, one of the couple’s first trips was to Puerto Rico, where they booked a charter day sail on a J/boat. That changed everything.

So this is what my life will look like…

Before the charter, Melissa was told it was a race boat and would heel quite a bit, but that didn’t deter her at all. Neither did the busy shipping area they sailed into after slipping the lines. After a while the captain let her take the tiller, and at that moment she thought, “So this is what the rest of my life looks like.”

Back home in the DC area, the pair enrolled in ASA 101 at Annapolis Sailing School and Seamanship and learned the basics in the school’s sturdy Rainbow fleet. They became members of DC Sail, the Pentagon

Sailing Club, the Sailing Club of Washington, and Selby Bay Sailing Center.

For more instruction they returned to Puerto Rico for ASA 103. They found an instructor with a Beneteau First. The captain was an older

gentleman, but he was a racer. “Slow on land, but with the energy of a 20-year-old on a boat,” says Eli. Melissa explains, “We sailed on the east side of the island, which is beautiful with good, predictable wind, and we learned a lot about sail trim.”

As told to Beth Crabtree

Back on the Chesapeake they completed ASA 104 at Maryland School of Sailing in Rock Hall. The five-day course took them to Annapolis and St. Michaels with course-mates from Chicago and Richmond, VA. “It was serious learning. We covered how to handle emergencies and other important topics, but it was also a lot of fun,” says Eli.

Next up was docking certification. They signed up at a new sailing school, but there was an issue with the boat and heavy breeze, and soon after the course got underway, they had to abandon the instruction. “The instructor was dismayed and concerned with keeping us all safe, but the students saw it as a great learning opportunity,” says Eli. “We were like medical students geeking out with a sick patient. How did this happen? How do you solve the problem?”

Experiencing lots of types of boats

Sailing on lots of different types of boats is a great way to learn, and Eli and Melissa have had that opportunity by taking classes at multiple sailing schools, chartering, and joining multiple clubs.

In addition to the classes and charters above, last August they chartered a 42-foot boat with a captain and mate in Cornwall, England. The crew surprised Melissa on her birthday with a cake and anchored the boat where they knew England’s Red Arrows (similar to the US Navy’s Blue Angels) were performing. Last spring, they took another charter, this time with friends on a 52-foot catamaran with a captain and chef out of Sardinia. This summer they began racing at Daingerfield Island Sailing Club, which is located on the Potomac and run entirely by volunteers. What do you love about sailing?

Melissa: The feeling of sailing; harnessing the power of the wind; the magical dynamic of boat, wind, and water. For me, it’s physically addicting.

Find a Sailing School

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

• Annapolis Sailing School annapolissailing.com

Eli: The life-long learning aspect that includes intellectual challenges and real-world, immediate feedback; seeing cities from different vantage points; and connecting with nature— sunsets, sunrises, dolphin sightings.

What would you tell someone interested in learning to sail?

Melissa: Sailing is way more accessible than you might think. For the price of a nice dinner, you can get an annual membership at a sailing club. Sailors are helpful, friendly, outgoing, and always willing to talk about sailing, and they usually need more hands on their boats.

Eli: Joining a club is a great way to get on lots of types of boats, and clubs bring in a social component. There’s usually a happy hour or similar gathering after sailing. We’ve made lots of friends through our sailing clubs.”

Chesapeake Bay Sailing Schools

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

• SailTime sailtime.com/annapolis

• Annapolis Naval Sailing Association ansa.org

• Blue Water Sailing School bwss.com

• DC Sail dcsail.org

• J/World Annapolis jworldannapolis.com

• Sail Solomons sailsi.com

• West River Sailing Club learn2sailwrsc.com

# Photo courtesy of Captain In You Sailing Schools, Inc.

Keep Your Cool When It’s Hot

Sailing under a clear blue sky is the dream, right? But in the summer when it’s hot, staying cool on the water can sometimes be a challenge. However, it is important for your comfort as well as your health to avoid overheating. Over the years sailors have developed all kinds of ‘home remedies’ to keep cool, such as wrapping ice in bandanas and tying it around our necks or rubbing ice cubes on our wrists. Here are a few other ways to beat the heat.

Protective clothing keeps the sun off your skin and head. Modern fabrics have SPF and wick moisture. Sunglasses will protect your eyes, and a bandana or buff will shield your neck from the sun. A hat adds more protection.

Cooling towels are awesome. If you haven’t tried one, you should. Made of synthetic fibers, when they are wet, they feel cool to the skin and pull heat from the body. Soaking them in cold water or storing them in a cooler or refrigerator will enhance the effect. They come in lots of sizes and fun colors.

Hydrate early and often. Drink before you feel thirsty. Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. Adjust outdoor time and activity levels. When it’s very hot, you may need to limit your time outdoors or arrange to be on the water early in the morning and in the evening. Moderate activity levels during the hottest part of the day.

A word on heat related illness: Heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, and heat exhaustion, are common forms of hyperthermia. If you suspect that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness, have them lie down in a shady or air-conditioned place, sponge them with cool water, or apply cold, wet cloths to wrists, neck, armpits, and groin. Offer fluids or fruit. Heat stroke is a more serious condition, and symptoms may include confusion or combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, or coma. Seek immediate emergency medical attention.

# When the doldrums set in, a tent over the boom can protect the crew from the sun. Photo by Will Keyworth

Stories of the Century

As we enter the eighth month of the year and “late summer,” aspiring SpinSheet Century Club members work hard to log their 100 on-water days while it’s still warm. According to our leaderboard, we have at least 10 who have reached their goals for 2023. Below find a progress report of several Centurions. Learn more about the SpinSheet Century Club, presented by Bacon Sails & Marine Supplies, at spinsheet.com/century-club We welcome all sailors, boaters, and anglers to join our free club and get more time on the water.

RJ Bay — 42 Days

I proposed to Krissy on the foredeck of our Alberg 30 Firestorm on October 14, 2022, while on an evening motor cruise on the West River. We purchased our 1971 Alberg #460 in May of 2022 and over the last year have fallen in love with the boat and the Alberg 30 community. Our boat had one foot in the grave before we rescued it. (We) have spent the last year overhauling all aspects of the boat, rounding off a long list of items this past spring with a full overhaul of the bottom and all thru hulls. During that time we made sure to enjoy a lot of day sailing and a few multiday cruises including a cruise to Oxford and St. Michaels last year. The boat’s first ever regatta will be (July 22-23) at the Annapolis Yacht Club Annual where five Alberg 30s are registered to race. We took our engagement photos this past spring that we used on our wedding save the dates. Our wedding will be in October at the West River Sailing Club.

Should This Count as a Day on the Water?

Karen Wood (54 days) writes, “My husband and I are arguing this and thought you could settle it once and for all. I have a floaty blow-up chair that I very frequently get on, paddle around off our dock in the Potomac, and anchor onto a buoy we have a ways off the dock. This is my happy place. Beer is almost always involved. My husband, Alan (who is also in the Century Club), says this does not count as a “day on the water” since it is not a “boat.” I say it should because I am on the water on a “raft” (well, a floaty chair), and more importantly, if it counted, I could definitely surpass Alan’s current 66-some days on the water. Not that it’s a competition or anything.” Our editor thinks perhaps we should allow a few days… What do you think, Century Club members?

Hannah Dickmyer—59 Days

Hannah and Team CBYRA, which included Centurions Ashley Love (71 days) and Michael Anne Ashford (78 days), placed second at the Thayer Cup. See page 71.

# She said “yes!” Photo by Bryan Bay

Eric Packard—97 Days

What are your top three 2023 summer memories thus far?

1. Jug fishing with my grandson Isaac on the Potomac River;

2. fishing with friends Cliff and Julian on the Piankatank River in Virginia;

3. catching a 34-inch striped bass off Point Lookout back in May. Something new you’ve learned on the water this year.

It’s a lot more fun to fish with friends. Favorite wildlife sightings?

Deer, beaver, otters, and those water birds. Oh yeah, the goats on Goat Island off Smith Island.

Tips for newcomers to the Century Club? Just keep at it! You’ll get there. Anything else to share with SpinSheet readers?

Find new locations and areas to explore. Helps keeping the fire lit and wanting to find that next adventure.

Mike Christman—54 Days

What are three top memories from this season?

1. The downwind leg first race of the Eastport Yacht Club One Design Regatta on the J/105 Relentless—great boatspeed and great gybes, crew clicking;

2. Paddling over a ‘formation flight’ of five-plus cow-nosed rays on Weems Creek;

3. First surf of the year in Daytona Beach—no crowds and water was so clear. Something new you’ve learned on the water this summer?

Re-learned the value of good crew chemistry. It’s so much fun and great to be out of “retirement.” Thanks to Dave McKee for getting me out!

Tips for newcomers to the club? Getting out on anything becomes muscle memory, and you start to “jones” when you’re not out!

Note: The attached pic is on my buddy Thad Vayda’s Hylas 54 Rominy Life with their border collie, Lucy, quite the seafarer. Thank you again for keeping the club going. We live in a special place and the Century Club helps me from taking it for granted.

Find your per F ect Chesapeake Bay Marina

Brian Deming—39 Days

What are your top 2023 summer memories thus far?

I took a trip to San Francisco Bay to sail in the Great Vallejo Race: two solid days of racing. We didn’t win, but the crew made it worth it. At Southern Bay Race Week, we took home the pickle dish for PHRF B/C on Dark Star, and the weather threw all sorts of challenges at us; blew up the mainsail on the ride in Saturday after racing. Thankfully, the tear was below the reef points. (We did) a quick repair on the docks Saturday night, and heavy wind Sunday worked in our favor. A reefed main and #3 turned out to be the right call for us. The race committee called for a change mark, and for whatever reason, the rest of the fleet missed it. Some would argue we only won because of that. For me, it reemphasized the need to double- and triple-check the sailing instructions, flags, and signals.

Something new you’ve learned on the water this year. There are rays in the Chesapeake. I never had seen one prior to this year. Now, I see them nearly every week.

Storms? Gear failure? Anything kind of scary happen on the water?

Blowing up the main at SBRW was alarming, but it was the second one we broke this year.

The first was Tuesday Night Beer Can racing on the Potomac (with Daingerfield Island Sailing Club). Most recently was getting hit by a squall, boat heeling, and promptly dunking right leg up to the knee while trying to corral the main.

Favorite wildlife sightings? Rays, dolphins, and whales (San Francisco Bay).

Tips for newcomers to the Century Club? Feed the addiction to be on the water. Pay attention to weather, but enjoy the moment… even the scary ones.

Anything else you think SpinSheet readers would find interesting about your journey?

Regardless of the boat, finding the proper crew is the most important thing. Don’t sail with a crew whose only means of communication is yelling. There’s a fair chance the screw-up is a result of something the “yeller” did. I hated every second of it, and they nearly drove me away from sailing altogether. Give me a crew I trust with my life and get along with, and I’d be happy to sail a plastic tub with them. If you’re DFL every race, you haven’t earned the right to yell. Sail smart; then sail fast.

The Kelsey Calise family joined Keith Donald on Mystic for Fireworks in the Annapolis harbor.

Sitting Down With Senator Elfreth

By Thomas Crabtree

Maryland State Senator Sarah Elfreth represents District 30, which includes Annapolis City and parts of Anne Arundel County. She was first elected to the Senate in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. Her campaign garnered endorsements from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, and the Maryland Farm Bureau. Elfreth chairs the subcommittee that manages the budgets for the Departments of Natural Resources, Environment, and Agriculture. She serves on the Chesapeake Bay Commission and was chair in 2022.

Isat down with Senator Elfreth to discuss three environmental bills she sponsored during Maryland’s 2023 legislative session that became law.

“We’re just stewards (of the environment) for a period of time, and it’s our obligation and my responsibility as a senator to make sure that we’re leaving it better than we found it. So, that’s why easily 30 percent of my legislative agenda is environmental,” said Elfreth.

Natural Resources - Forest Preservation and Retention is the bill the senator worked the hardest on during her five-year tenure in the senate.

The bill updates the Forest Conservation Act (1991), to ensure there will be no net loss of forests while also providing flexibility to local communities and prioritizing forests based on their ecological importance. Forests located along rivers are a high priority for conservation because of their natural ability to filter water.

“We wanted to raise the bar in terms of forest protection, but at the same time, create more tools for our local partners to actually meet that higher bar, because right now they only have so many tools to meet it. It’s clearly not

enough,” said Elfreth. Passing the bill was a “long, long journey.” She is proud that advocacy groups, legislators, and community members were willing to sit at the table and negotiate an outcome that was best for the state.

Maryland the Beautiful Act makes the goal of preserving 30 percent of lands by 2030 and 40 percent by 2040 the law.

Senator Elfreth said, “It’s really important to establish ambitious policy goals, because that’s going to help us have an aim and focus. At the same time, we need to make sure that we’re providing tools within the law and the budget that are going to help us achieve it.”

A $10 million rapid preservation fund that land trusts can tap into through a revolving loan fund is one of the tools included in the bill to make the goals achievable.

“It’s really hard for a nonprofit to cobble together millions of dollars rapidly to preserve and purchase land compared to the private market,” said Elfreth.

This legislation promotes rapid land acquisition by providing nonprofits access to capital so tthat they can bypass the slow fundraising process that currently impedes land preservation efforts. When the money is paid back, it will be used to finance more projects.

# Senator Sarah Elfreth at Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse.

The bill also includes technical assistance and training to improve the management of preserved lands. The Maryland state senator gave the example of using drones to improve management and monitoring for large properties with small staffs.

Buy Clean Maryland Act “is really about meeting our ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. “People who spend time on the water, understand better than anybody that we’re seeing rapid shifts in weather, the climate, and water temperature.”

Cement production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. This bill aims to reduce those emissions by incentivizing the state procurement system to

choose construction materials that emit the least amount of planetwarming gasses.

“This is a bill that really is going to help Maryland be a leader in connecting our behavior and our manufacturing back to the idea that we can make a difference and we can actively reduce our carbon footprint,” she said. Going forward, Elfreth hopes to address invasive species in the Bay, create a strategic plan for using the Waterway Improvement Fund, better preserve maritime history, and increase public water access. “We have to do a better job ensuring people have access to their Chesapeake Bay,” she said.

“It’s hard when we constantly get C’s and D’s on the [Bay’s] report card. I wouldn’t be happy

with that if it were my report card, but at the same time, this is a marathon. It’s not a sprint. We’ve got to keep going.”

Learn more and find contact information at sarahelfreth.com. #

Cape Charles: By Land and by Sea

By Storrie Kulynych-Irvin and Beth Crabtree

Bay sailors in the Leo Wardrup Memorial Cup August 18-20 will race to Cape Charles, VA, a rapidly growing seaside town near the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Even if you’re not participating, Cape Charles is the place to go if you want to enjoy a quaint Chesapeake port that offers majestic sunsets over the Bay, a relaxing beach, a charming Main Street, and proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway.

A little history

Cape Charles was founded in the 1880s as the southernmost stop of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The town prospered in the Victorian era and early 20th century before experiencing an economic downturn due to the decline in railroads. In recent years, Cape Charles has experienced a dramatic revitalization. New businesses have been opened and historic homes have been restored.

Arrival by land or sea

If you approach by boat, Cape Charles Town Harbor has transient dockage year-round in a protective basin. It is also home to commercial vessels. More slips for visiting boaters are available at Cape Charles Yacht Center by Oasis Marinas, which has partnered with Snag-a-Slip for reservations. To the north of the Cape, transient slips are available at Oyster Farm Marina at Kings Creek, where you’ll find a pool, restaurant and bar, additional amenities, and bike and golf cart rentals.

Perhaps you will arrive at Cape Charles trailering your boat and are looking for a launch site. You will have several options: Wise Point Boat Ramp is located in the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge; the ramp at Kiptopeke State Park (with access to good fishing) is nearby; Cape Charles Harbor has a ramp (no fee); or try Oyster Harbor if you’re heading offshore to explore the Barrier Islands.

If you plan to arrive by car sans boat and want to explore the waterways, Poseidon Watersports

(poseidonwatersportsva.com) offers boat, kayak, jet ski, and paddleboard rentals. All sailors and boaters should watch out for the area’s tidal marshes, underwater grass flats, and strong winds.

Swim, fish, hike, relax

Crewmembers young and old will find lots of ways to stretch their legs and relax in the Cape Charles area. The Town Beach is a great hangout spot, where kids can splash around in the beach’s tidal pools. The community fishing pier is right next door. There is no entrance or parking fee for

# Cape Charles offers small town charm and big, beautiful views of the Bay.

either destination. Near the pier, snap a photo in front of the “LOVE” sign, made with an old tire, oyster shells, kayaks, and crabbing pots.

The 29-acre Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve is situated just south of Cape Charles’s historic area and harbor. The preserve includes a pine forest, prime birdwatching spots, and a boardwalk that takes pedestrians to a bluff with expansive water views of the Bay. More inland, Cape Charles Central Park has a playground for kids and a bandstand with live music concerts on Saturdays at 7 p.m. throughout the summer.

Food and libations

There are many good choices for dining, snacks, and adult beverages. The Bakery on Mason is a great spot to satisfy your pastry craving or grab lunch. Oyster Farm at Kings Creek houses the Seafood Eatery and the C-Pier bar—with outdoor seating, a sunset view over the water, and live local music on summer weekend evenings. Also at Oyster Farm, a farmer’s market unfolds on Saturday mornings.

Another sunset view can be found at The Hook @ Harvey, but you’ll need to plan ahead; reservations with a $10 deposit are required. A third waterfront seafood option is The Shanty, which opened in 2012 after the local harbor master convinced a visiting boater to follow his dream of owning and operating a restaurant.

Sailors who seek adult beverages will want to visit Cape Charles

Brewery for beer, Buskey for cider, Cape Charles Distillery for stronger spirits, and Chatham Vineyards for wines.

Pick up a sweet treat at Brown Dog Ice Cream, Coastal Baking Co., or Peach Beach Shave Ice (served out of a cool, fun trailer that is often parked by the beach). Learn more about Cape Charles at capecharles.org and on Facebook and Instagram.

Don’t Miss Onancock!

Situated about an hour’s drive north of Cape Charles is the town of Onancock, VA. The name comes from the Algonquin word, “auwannaku” meaning foggy place. The community, which was established in 1680, is quaint, walkable, and has several historically and architecturally interesting homes. To arrive by boat, make your way to the head of the five-mile-long, windy, yet well-marked, Onancock Creek, where you will find the Onancock Wharf and Marina, which has 12 floating dock slips, amenities, public boat ramp, dinghy dock, and a kayak/canoe launch. Arriving by car, the hamlet is not far off of Route 13, the main artery down Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Stop at Mallards at the Wharf (eastmallards.com), for an awardwinning crab cake, as well as full bars both inside and on the waterfront deck. Learn more at onancock.com

# The Cape Charles Town Beach is large and welcoming.

# On Main Street, find shops in historic buildings and a modern hotel.

The Right Gearing for Your Steering

By Dave Kirkpatrick of Edson Marine

Grab the helm on a well-tuned 35-footer and you feel the slightest pull on the helm in normal conditions and a bit of load as the boat heels in a puff until the mainsheet trimmer wakes up and puts the boat back on its feet. Add 100 feet to the boat and do the same thing, and you might have your arms ripped clean off. So, how do people steer these superyachts, and what can this teach us about the boats we own and sail?

Helm load has several inputs, with boat size and displacement prominent but not necessarily dominant among them. Even an ILCA Class Dinghy (formerly Laser) helm loads up massively as the breeze comes up, so you struggle to keep the boat flat. In the case of an ILCA, that mostly has to do with helm balance. Extend a line down from the pintles (the rudder’s turning axis) and see how much rudder surface area is in front of that line. In the case of the ILCA rudder, no surface area is even close to the turning axis—an ILCA rudder is very unbalanced. Put some rudder surface in front of the turning axis and that surface will help you to turn the boat, rather than resisting your efforts to turn.

Rudder shape plays a big role, with higher aspect rudders being generally less loaded. Eventually, though, a big enough boat is going to present a lot of load, no matter how balanced and efficient the rudder. The next time your boat is on the hard, turn the rudder and see how much area there is in front of the turning axis. The more balanced your rudder is, the less power you’ll need from the steering.

A tiller is just a lever that gives advantage in turning the rudder. Steering a J/105 with an Opti’s tiller would be impossible as you wouldn’t have the leverage you need to control the boat. The quadrant on a wheel steering system plays the same role as a tiller, and the bigger it gets the better the leverage it provides. Your typical 35-foot racer/cruiser would have an eight- or 10-inch radius quadrant. A 150-foot superyacht’s quadrant radius would typically be in the one meter range. This is the same leverage advantage as going from a four-foot tiller to a 16- or 17-foot-long tiller. Our typical 35-foot racer/cruiser would take a bit more than one turn of the wheel to go from hard over to hard over; while on the 150-footer

it would generally be around eight turns from hard over to hard over.

Sail trim and tune still play huge roles in letting the helmsperson get the most out of the boat, and helm feel provides critical feedback for sail trim. A steering system with too much power can leave the helmsperson with little tactile feel for the rudder load and requires a bigger turn to give the desired steering input. This can give a vague and unresponsive feel to the steering. Many cruiser/racers are specified with steering at the more powerful end of things to accommodate less experienced owners who might not get things as balanced as a race team will, and for whom a highly responsive steering system might not be preferred.

If you find yourself looking for a more direct feel from the helm, decreasing the gearing in your steering with a larger sprocket in the pedestal (if it’s feasible) or a smaller quadrant could be the answer. Conversely, if you’re “turbo’ing” the boat with a square top main and giant “asyms,” you might find yourself looking for a bit more power out of your steering system.

Questions? Email dkirkpatrick@edsonintl.com

# How do people steer these superyachts, and what can this teach us about the boats we own and sail?

Photo courtesy of Edson Marine

SpinSheet Summer Cover Contest 2023

As is our summer tradition, we launched our Cover Contest in June, asking readers to upload their photos on spinsheet.com. When we closed the entry period on July 10, our team of graphic designers and editors narrowed down the selection to those that fit our shape and resolution needs. We opened voting up for readers, who chose this year’s winning image by Kristen Cooper, which is on the cover of this issue.

Please know that we appreciated all of our wonderful reader entries and seeing the Chesapeake through your lenses. Just because a photo doesn’t fit the cover well doesn’t mean it’s not a great sailing photo! We welcome reader photo submissions all year long at editor@spinsheet.com. Here are some of the runners up and others we loved in this year’s contest:

# Photo by Geoffrey Voigt

# Photo by Heather Mann # Photo by David Sites

# Photo by Mischelle Wilbricht

# Photo by Michelle Greenhalgh

# Photo by Alisha Song

# Photo by Timothy Osburn

# Photo by Tom Sliter

# Photo by Ray Tomassetti

# Photo by Paul Almany

# Photo by Jim Nicholas

# Photo by Patrick Hylant

# Photo by Patty Moss

It’s a flat calm Friday night, and the work day is over. The water calls, so we take the seven-minute drive over to our marina, hop aboard, and head over to Harness Creek to anchor for a happy hour or two. As the sun sets, we head back to the dock, tying up before twilight descends into darkness. An evening made possible only by the fact that we’ve acted on our blasphemous thoughts of adding a powerboat to our fleet.

We firmly continue to identify as sailors and continue to own our Sabre 402 Calypso and a half share in Mofongo, a Harbor 20. But even though we’d moved closer to the water during the pandemic, we found we weren’t getting out on the water as often as we thought the move might have enabled (not counting kayaking and paddleboarding). Work and family demands continue, and either the weather has gotten less windy overall, or as we’ve aged (or become wiser), we’ve become less tolerant of motoring in dead calm or watching our sails flog haplessly.

For nearly two years, we dallied with the inconceivable: buying a powerboat. We consoled ourselves with the knowledge that many of our sailing friends also own motorboats to supplement time on the water, and for many sailors, switching to power is something of an inevitability. Over

By Eva Hill

those two years, we carefully outlined what we call “The Paradigm”—the requirements for our new vessel. Aside from meeting our budget, she would need to double our speed under power compared to the sailboats, have an enclosed head with standing room, have a roomy cockpit, and be large enough to allow us to sleep aboard for a night from time to time. Being pretty was non-negotiable. Above all, she needed to not be so attractive overall that we would prefer her over Calypso when we had the time and wind to sail. Were we asking too much?

As we zeroed in on potential acquisitions, whenever we looked at a boat, we couldn’t help but approach apologetically: “We’re sailors… but we want to add a boat we can use when there’s no wind.” The working name for our next boat was Unwind or Windless. The brokers didn’t care, but we felt it important to confirm (if only to ourselves) the priority of sailing.

Eventually, we found her this spring. A classic (antique?) 1984 Dyer 29 with a grey hull we named Heron. She mostly met The Paradigm (hey—it’s a boat—compromise is inevitable!). She came in only little over budget, and the enclosed head featured a LectraSan unit, which cannot be

used in Anne Arundel County waters anymore (setting us on an odyssey of finding holding tank solutions, which my husband Rick ultimately worked out and installed himself).

I’ve been carefully keeping a log of when we use Calypso and Heron and why we chose one over the other. So far, the sailboat has the edge. Of 28 days on the water through the Fourth of July, 10 of them were aboard Calypso versus eight for Heron. Of the powerboat days, the majority of them were on occasions when using the sailboat wouldn’t have made sense: a Friday night concert in Lake Ogleton, fireworks in Almshouse Creek, lunch in Galesville on a non-sailing day, and those happy hours in Harness Creek. So far, The Paradigm is being followed, and in the dog days of summer to come, I expect that will continue.

As a nod to the time I’ve spent in New Orleans, we’d considered yet another name—Lagniappe—for our boat, which is a Cajun-French expression for “a little something extra.” Ultimately deciding not to use this as a name, owing to its obscurity and the difficulty of its pronunciation, we’ve nevertheless found that Heron provides us with lagniappe.

You can own a powerboat and still identify as a sailor. Really.

# Heron.

30 Days to Charleston and Back

By Keith Donald

It was early April as we roared up the Neuse River in 35-knot winds gusting to 44 knots with the full 50-nautical-mile fetch of the Pamlico Sound in our wake. Our jib was reefed to the size of a bed sheet; our engine provided additional control as we surfed down steep waves at 11 knots.

Our ride barely lasted two hours as we rounded the corner coming out of the Bay River and returned to the shelter of Adams Creek on our way to Beaufort, NC. I was secretly grinning ear to ear but thought twice about whooping it up until we were safely in shelter. It was days like this that I had practiced for, choosing to go out in gale force winds to hone my skills and exploit any weaknesses in Mystic, our 2005 Beneteau 373. That day, there were no weaknesses. Dave later said it was the most exciting day he had experienced since racing Corvettes over 50 years ago.

Debbie and I decided to share our cruise with our good friends, Dave Strauss, Lynn Donches, Kris

Wilson, Keith Kersey, and Peter Bruns. We changed crew weekly, twice in Beaufort, NC, and once in Charleston. Our friends Lynn and Dave were no strangers to cold weather with extensive biking and winter camping experience, so they joined us during the first week in April from Annapolis to Beaufort. Granted, we experienced cold wet weather but had the benefit of a 12-volt heating system that provided 12-15 hours of uninterrupted heating or cooling between recharge cycles. Between weekly crew exchanges, we anchored almost exclusively in remote coves or creeks along the way.

During our first week, the trip through the Dismal Swamp was quite the journey. As we waited for the 1:30 p.m. lock opening, we nudged ashore instead of anchoring, only to find as the tide eased out, we barely got free when it was time to move on. The Dismal Swamp journey is very scenic and challenging with numerous trees that overhang the canal, many fallen trees that partially blocked the passageway and the occasional USO (unidentified submerged object) that we bounced over. We encountered no traffic on the canal route but did meet a powerboat and trawler heading north at the welcome center. This center is the only one of its kind in the country that caters to both automotive and boating traffic.

After a weather delay in Beaufort, Kris joined us for our five-day journey to Charleston. We both liked driving so much that I quickly adopted an houron, hour-off watch system with Debbie pitching in as well. No more wide-open bays separated by canals; this is the true ICW with a well-marked channel. We often crossed minor rivers with inlets not considered ICW accessible; however, the current was influenced by these inlets. It was not unusual to have 1.5 knots of current, sometimes more. Our traveling time passed quickly because of the variety of scenery and obstacles. Low bridges to open and barges to avoid, sand dunes and swampland, houses on high ground, and houses on stilts. Pelicans, dolphins, osprey, and herons.

Often, we departed around sunrise and ate breakfast underway, giving us plenty of evening daylight to enjoy at anchor. Nice evenings were topped by grilling and stargazing. The occasional late morning departure was preceded by

It was the ride of a lifetime.

# Debbie, Keith, and Kris enjoyed grilled steaks in Enterprise Passage.

# Keith enjoys his first day in shorts on the way to Hampton, VA.

a full course of bacon and eggs, fruit, and muffins. Our trip down the Waccamaw River was scenic and fast due to the raininduced favorable current. Our final leg into Charleston was under full sail.

After two days in Charleston, we proceeded north, retracing our original route but avoiding our original anchorages in the interest of variety. Our trip up the Waccamaw was now dominated by a two-knot opposing current. One of the highlights of the return trip was our decision to anchor behind Bird Island, near the Little River Inlet and set sail in the ocean. The transition between river water and ocean water was abrupt and startling.

After our ocean sail, we proceeded to walk the dunes and beaches of Bird Island. As we continued north, we encountered the four-knot adverse current of the Cape Fear River, avoiding the channel and seeking shallow water as far as we dared. Upon our approach to Swansboro Harbor, the roller furling mainsail became hopelessly jammed, halfway furled. This was due to a spare halyard used to hoist Christmas lights also rolling up inside the mast with the mainsail. After two hours, that jam was released. What a nightmare that would have been in windy conditions. That spare halyard has now been retired.

At the end of the week, we arrived in Beaufort to meet Peter and continue our final week north. Strong winds again greeted us in Beaufort with wicked thunderstorms passing through overnight. Our final week started off pleasantly enough but turned cold as the week

progressed. Peter and I enthusiastically continued the hour-on, hour-off watch system that Kris and I had adopted two weeks earlier. We had significant sailing or motorsailing opportunities every day.

We stopped for lunch in Coinjock and met some Norwegian sailors on a Hanse 415 with a seven-foot draft and a mast height just two inches shy of 65 feet. We felt fortunate to be on a smaller boat and figured we’d been having enough adventure without the added anxiety of dodging sandbars and squeezing under bridges.

After lunch we had a delightful sail up the Currituck Sound right up to our anchorage in Blackwater Creek. I’m sure the Currituck to Knots Island Ferry had some choice words for us as we crossed their bow, but we’ll never know since we had left our radio on channel 68 after we contacted the marina in Coinjock. Two days later we holed up in Cockrell Creek, just south of the Potomac River, waiting for a gale to pass through. Two hours in the Neuse River under gale force conditions was enough; no point in spending eight hours in brutal conditions crossing the Potomac and beyond.

Despite our cruise planning, we often departed from that, even while underway, if the sailing was especially enjoyable or the following day was full of doom and gloom. Our return to Annapolis in full foul weather gear included a pleasant sail despite the rainy conditions. The 24-nm, four-hour trip from Dunn Cove was a fitting end to a great week with Peter and a great month with our other sailing companions.

Even with the comfort of downbelow heating, the month of April can be chilly on the Chesapeake. When not on deck, we had plenty of opportunity to drink wine, tell tall tales, play games, listen to music, drink more wine, and occasionally plan tomorrow’s destination. The variety of weather, scenery, wildlife, and sunrises and sunsets, pairing up with family and friends along the way can’t begin to be expressed in these paragraphs. For those seeking more information on our experience and anchorages along the way, visit the author’s SpinSheet Century Club posting from April 1 through April 30 (spinsheet. com/century-club-leaderboard). All in all, a great trip, made even more enjoyable by having good friends along to share the experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat. #

# The dunes of Bird Island, NC.

# Debbie’s favorite pastime and much appreciated contribution.

# The crew’s Dismal Swamp route.

Someday Is Here

Commit, set a date, make a plan, and cast off your lines…

By Cindy Wallach

Their motto says it all. The “Someday Is Here” tour kicked off for Lisa and Alex Tarlecky on Hahalua last fall as they cast off their lines for a long-term cruise into the Caribbean.

These two are not newbies to this life—this is year 10 living aboard and cruising shorter hops between the East Coast and Bahamas. They started on a Cabo Rico 38 called Tiki Trek, which they sailed for seven years, living aboard full time and cruising part time as work allowed. The couple upgraded to a Manta 42 catamaran two and a half years ago. They named her Hahalua which means Manta in Hawaiian. Everywhere they go other cruisers call her the prettiest boat in the anchorage. She’s clad in a Polynesian-inspired wrap with bright greens and blues all over, standing out in a sea of white hulls and beige canvas.

Starlink allowed the Tarleckys to unleash into longer term cruising, both in terms of how far they sail and how long they will be away without returning to the United States. Lisa is the official planner onboard and says she knows how to stock up for the long haul.

“I tend to provision so that I can ‘shop my boat’ for most anything I might need that’s not fresh,” says Lisa

from Grenada where they’re spending hurricane season. “For the Bahamas I have a six-month figure in my mind. For the Caribbean I had the challenges of provisioning in the Bahamas ingrained in my head. I am a couponer and sale shopper, so I sourced a minimum of one year of toiletries, a year of medications, and so on. Alex stocked multiples on any kind of filter we might need. We carry back-ups on a good majority of our boat parts.”

Stocking up was the right thing to do, but the crew of Hahalua quickly learned that unlike the Bahamas, the rest of the Caribbean is better stocked with everything from basic ingredients to specialty foods to boat parts.

“When you get to Puerto Rico, you have access to Walmart and Costco. You can restock there. St. Martin is another great place to stock up, and duty free.”

Good food and boat parts aren’t the only things needed to make long-term cruising work. Every part of your life requires teamwork and perseverance. Alex has always worked remotely in a traditional 9-to-5 job as a program manager for a computer software company. He says it takes discipline to stay focused on work when you know your friends are out snorkeling and hiking.

“We’ve found that when he has an extended lunch period or a break in his day that a 30-minute swim off the back of the boat can make a world of difference in being able to enjoy where you are,” says Lisa.

Lisa’s work as a social media manager is more flexible, but they try to balance the work and play. The couple makes it a point to savor the little things that make the cruising life special, such as sitting out on deck to watch the sunset at the end of the day. As a former event planner, Lisa is the ringleader for setting up outings with other cruisers. She makes sure that when the

workday is done, they make the most of having fun wherever they are.

Alex and Lisa have many resources they lean on to make the most of long-term cruising. There are apps, paid weather services, social media groups, and gadgets that all make the cruising life easier and more enjoyable. Lisa jokes that sometimes it’s as simple as a good coffee pot and a working autopilot. Despite the explosion in tech and gadgets, they still feel more than anything, it’s the people you meet.

“Like-minded people who share their experiences have been invaluable. I try to do the same to keep our karma bucket balanced,” says Lisa. “It’s true on social media groups and more so via personal interactions with friends.”

Lisa and Alex understand how difficult it is to cast off the dock lines

for long term voyaging. Their first piece of advice is to get Starlink (satellite internet access). At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s a game changer. Their other advice is to commit: set a date, and make a plan. Lisa is a natural planner,

and not every crew has that gift. You can hire a cruising coach, such as Sailing Totem, to help you get rolling. Or you can do something as simple as write it on the calendar, start making lists, and tell people your goal so they can support you.

# A celebratory champagne toast in Grenada with friends from s/v Carlina, Flying Whale, Hahalua, Tico Time, and Oceanaire.

Lisa and Alex are known among the cruising community for leaving a clean wake and helping others along the way. One tradition they came up with is to have a champagne toast for each new country they enter. Sometimes it’s just the two of them, salty and tired. Sometimes they toast with a group of buddy boats who arrived

at the same time. Each toast is a reminder of how far they’ve come. Nobody ever feels “ready” to cruise long term. But someday is here for Hahalua, and that’s a reason to raise a glass and be grateful. You can follow their champagne toasts and their cruising adventures on Instagram and Facebook @SVHahalua.

Kickstart Your Long-Range Cruising:

• Subscribe to PredictWind and learn how to use it.

• Subscribe to Noonsite.

• Get familiar with Active Captain.

• Subscribe to Chris Parker weather services. There are many levels from group reports to custom passage planning. Long range cruisers have used them all at one time or another.

• Check the cruiser›s nets. There are VHF nets in many harbors and online groups on Facebook.

• Talk to other humans. Online groups are great, but other cruisers will always be your greatest resource.

Being True to Yourself as You s ail

By John Herlig

In 1984 I was on an extended stay in a hostel in Bergamo, Italy. Every morning, after a croissant and cappuccino in the hostel’s dining room, I would stroll down to a small park on Via delle Valli, a tiny but lush oasis dense with trees and flowers that was somehow hidden right in the middle of the city. In the shade of the park’s tree canopy I would take a spot on a bench, lean back, and watch the morning slowly pass by.

While I could speak enough Italian to buy groceries or a newspaper, I was not remotely conversational; yet sitting and listening to the chatter of the people who came through the park made me happy. Mothers arrived in pairs and trios, excitedly tending to their kids and talking among themselves. Old men would nod a greeting to me before getting engrossed in conversations on benches nearby. The best days were when the men would play chess, lost one moment in a hushed concentration and alive the next in what sounded like animated debate. The nuance may have been lost on me, but the time flew by. As afternoon approached, I would leave the park and walk to the market to find some lunch.

What I didn’t do in Bergamo was to go to one of its museums or take a guided walking tour of its amazing città alta. Not one time did I eat in one of its restaurants or amble through its glitzy retail stores. Yet I felt connected to the heartbeat of the city. My experience was genuine, and my routine made me happy.

Forty years later my travel style has changed little beyond my mode of transportation and the color of my hair. Fellow cruisers tell me the best spots to visit. While they go for snorkeling and spearfishing, I go, make a friend or two, and sit at the edge of town with a coffee while I watch life pass by. In St. Martin the “park” was picnic tables outside a gas

# The author with fellow crew member, Jess, in Boston Beach, Jamaica.

# Port Antonio, Jamaica, sunset.

station, the Italian was French, and yet little else was different from Bergamo— there were people living life, speaking a language I didn’t understand, and there was me listening and writing backstories in my head.

In Staniel Cay, Bahamas, I was told it was imperative to snorkel the grotto and to have a cheeseburger at the Yacht Club. I did one of the two—the grotto, believe it or not—but I was more interested in the small outcropping’s geological formation than in the behavior of its colorful tropical fish. The fish made me sad as they drifted dormant in their murky water probing every human hand in hopes of Cheerios or frozen corn. I bet it was quite a sight to behold before we ruined it.

I did stop into the Yacht Club bar for a cold beer and wandered up and down the island’s hilly back roads. I met a man working on his house. When I stopped and said hello, he paused his work and talked to me about tourists and hurricanes and the challenges of

island life. On that same walk I lost an hour at the laundromat where I took a seat on a folding chair and listened to the owner tell his story. I can no longer recall what his name was or exactly what we talked about, but it doesn’t matter. It wasn’t a tour. It wasn’t docile fish begging for food. After he told me about his life and his struggles and his joys, I left the laundromat feeling fuller than a yacht club burger could ever have made me.

It took me three trips to Port Antonio, Jamaica, to finally get out of the city and go to Boston Beach, birthplace of Jamaica’s famous jerk market and home to a positively idyllic lagoon. Why? Because Port Antonio was too fun in its own right. The walk to town from my dinghy landing was full of faces that grew to know me over time— from the Rasta man by the bridge who tossed me fresh almonds and a “Yah, mon” every morning to the street hucksters who no longer talked to me at all. Evening jam sessions in the cockpit

of the massive Italian-built sloop Adriatica weren’t listed in the cruising guides but seemed a fine way to pass the time. So did making purple-potato gnocchi in the galley of Good Run with my Brazilian friend Thiago and negotiating banana prices with the woman in the roadside fruit stand.

I spent a month in George Town, Bahamas, with my friend Ross Gannon and his wife and kids. Not once did we go to Volleyball Beach. I like volleyball, too, and beaches, and cold beer, but finding ourselves climbing through abandoned houses on seaside cliffs or touring the workshop of boat builder and local regatta legend Hughrey Lloyd were days better spent for me.

So, while you are spearfishing and snorkeling, I’ll be off doing my thing, whatever it may be. It’s complicated, this cruising life. Just like middle school, it’s full of people eager to be different and wondering why your different is different from their different

About the Author: John Herlig lives aboard his 1967 Rawson cutter Ave del Mar and teaches at Cruisers University. Find him on Instagram @sailing.ave.

9 Best Boating Movies for Charter Downtime

By Zuzana Prochazka

Not every day on charter is sunny and packed with adventure, and that’s when a crew is really tested. If you’re trapped inside a boat on a rainy day with a restless bunch of adults or bored kids, you may be tempted to jump in and swim to shore. Once you’ve played all the card games you know and have mistakenly loaded up the kids with sugary snacks, it may be time to resort to more passive entertainment in the form of movies. Here are nine that can inspire (or terrorize) your crew and will at least keep them from organizing a mutiny.

True stories or at least loosely based on real events

“Maiden”—This 2019 documentary has it all: competition, drama, victory, and heartbreak as it paints a picture of Tracy Edwards and her all-woman crew that campaigned their boat,

Maiden, in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Race. You can’t beat this true story for sheer grit and an impressive history lesson. Not just a tough tale of perseverance, there’s also lots of humor, and the flashbacks to the 1980s fashions and bad mustaches are priceless.

“Adrift”—Loosely based on a true story from 1983, “Adrift” is the tale of a young couple on a yacht delivery. They become dismasted when they sail into the path of a hurricane and the rest is a tale of the will to survive. Shailene Woodley dials in a solid performance, so you’re all in with her plight right down to the surprise ending.

“Captain Phillips”—This awardwinning portrayal of leadership stars Tom Hanks who plays the captain of the US-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama which was boarded and taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009. Hanks does a superb job as he struggles to make the right decisions for his crew in what seems to be a hopeless situation.

“The Mercy”—This 2017 story is highly stylized, but it’s based on the very real and totally disturbed Donald Crowhurst, a contender

in the 1968 Golden Globe Race, the first singlehanded, non-stop circumnavigating competition. Colin Firth captures the misery of impending failure. The film puts the rigors of sailing in context as Crowhurst faces the open ocean and an uncertain future alone.

“White Squall”—Also highly fictionalized but with a whiff of a true story, this film is based on a real tragedy from the 1960s. Jeff Bridges is the salty captain in charge of a training vessel crewed by a bunch of wealthy and entitled newbie sailors. When disaster strikes, it’s a thoughtprovoking if sad study of what it means to be the captain.

Not at all true but really fun

“Jaws”—Some may not see this movie as a comedy, but there’s plenty of humor in this horror film that was Steven Spielberg’s iconic directorial debut in 1975. It’s guaranteed that much of the film’s dialogue will stick with you well past the time the credits roll. If you’re really inspired, seek out the two-hour movie about the making of this movie which is even more entertaining.

# “Maiden” debuted at the Annapolis Film Festival in 2019. Photo courtesy of AFF

“Captain Ron”—If you haven’t seen this film, you probably don’t belong on a sailboat. Kurt Russell stars as a Caribbean captain on an unlikely delivery, and what’s remarkable about this silly story is that it’s fairly accurate from a sailing standpoint. Memorization of some of the more quotable lines is mandatory. The whole story is just a fun romp that you’ll want to watch again and again.

“Wind”—A mixed cast of real America’s Cup racers and actors including Mathew Modine and Jennifer Grey comes to life in this competitive drama that is a work of complete fiction. The plot is thin. The dialogue is silly. The acting will make you cringe, but the cinematography is unbeatable in this visually arresting film. It’ll make you want to raise the sails even in the rain.

“Dead Calm”—For complete guilty pleasure silliness, “Dead Calm” with Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill hits the spot. Dish out the popcorn and settle into the cushions with this cruising couple as they get into trouble in a remote stretch of the South Pacific.

Evil Billy Zane is a great, if sketchy, villain. Improbable scenarios, sailing inaccuracies, and Kidman’s bizarre perm will provide a few laughs.

Movies are a welcome treat whether you hit a weather snag, need an evening of peace, or have to entertain people

while you engage in a long day of boat preparations. Download a few to your tablet before your next adventure. Who knows? Maybe your crew will learn something or feel inspired, but if that’s your goal, you may want to skip the more frightening choices on this list. #

Charter Directory

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

# Onboard movie night on a catamaran. Photo by Cindy Wallach

Attention Chesapeake Bay sailing clubs: share your club news and events in SpinSheet’s Club Notes section by sending a 350-word write-up and one or more clear photos of smiling faces or pretty boats to beth@spinsheet.com. Thanks to Club Notes section sponsor, YaZu Yachting! Find them at yazuyachting.com and on Facebook.

Wing on Wing

By Karl Scible

Singles On Sailboats (S0S) is sailing “wing on wing” into the summer. We celebrated our 45th anniversary as a club and sailed to Langford Marina on the Eastern Shore. There was a pool and catered meal. We shared stories and argued who was the longest club member;

I think “Spud” won with 44 years of membership (in a 45-year-old club!).

The traditional champagne toast to former commodores was spoken by our current commodore, and she announced several members in attendance who had been members for 30 years or more, which is how I found out about Spud!

The DJ got us off our seats and onto the dance floor, and the sunset was almost Norman Rockwell quality, as you can see from the photo. Morning came and we cleared the decks and headed back to our home marinas.

Future weekend sails will find us at Haven Harbour South for a monster seafood feast in late August and at the Oyster Fest at St. Michaels in October with a stop at the Eastport Oyster Boys concert in Shaw Bay mid-September. Daysails and weekend sails fill our calendars until early November.

Year-round throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, SOS holds monthly (unofficial) happy hours where members and interested potential members gather. When we put our boats on the hard for the winter, the clubs starts making dates for our fireside chats and winter brunches.

We are always looking for new members to fill our crew assignments! Sailing experience is not required. The friendships will start in the cockpit and last forever. For more information on our club, check out singlesonsailboats.org and skim through our Newsletters which include photos of prior events and listings of upcoming events.

# Sunset at Langford Marina. Photo by Emil Becker

Dickerson Regatta and Rendezvous

The Dickerson Owners Association (DOA) held its annual regatta and rendezvous June 16-18 in Oxford, MD.

Congratulations to Ken and Maggie Bernholz of Morning Light who captured the Dickerson Commodore’s Cup. There was a small fleet of four Dickerson 37s (Crew Rest, Starry Night, Troubadour, and Morning Light) plus one classic Cape Dory 32 (Impromptu).

The rendezvous weekend began with the traditional Commodore’s Cookout on Friday evening at Safe Harbor Marina Oxford. Approximately 30 members attended the cookout.

New members, David and Donna Boothman, of Vancouver, British Columbia, flew in from the West Coast to attend for the first time. They are not new to owning Dickersons and are owners again of the wooden D36 Sea Bliss.

Following the regatta on Saturday morning the Dickerson awards dinner was held at the Robert Morris Inn.

We had a wonderful presentation by Chris Lewis, the young man who went around the world with his parents Neville and Louise Lewis on Southern Cross from 1975 to 1979. He told stories of what was like to be a teenager sailing around the world and the impact that it had on his life.

DOA’s next event will be a Western Shore Round-up September 15-16. Learn more at dickersonowners.org

Hunter 50-Year Rendezvous

Hunter and Marlow Hunter Sailboat owners from the Chesapeake Bay and beyond gathered in Baltimore June 15-18 to celebrate 50 years of Hunter sailing.

Warren Luhrs founded Hunter Marine in 1973, and the first boat was a Hunter 25 designed by John Cherubini. Fifty years later some of those original Hunters are still on the Bay. Luncheon keynote speakers Glenn Henderson and Rob Mazza, who are responsible for designing numerous Hunter models over the past few decades, discussed Hunter designs, innovations, and protype testing.

Quantum Sails’ David Flynn and Larry Clarke discussed the benefits and use of downwind and reaching sails. Pierre Henkart with the Pride of Baltimore II spoke about the ship’s construction and tall ship sailing. Mike Montgomery with Diversified Marine discussed marine engine maintenance. SpinSheet’s Nathan Younge spoke about the magazine’s online and print resources Safrika O-Neal with The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission highlighted sights to see in the BVI. Pete Lesher with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum reflected on the early days of yachting on the Bay. Finally, US Coast Guard Petty Officer Matthew Mitchell discussed safety at sea.

Thursday evening, we had a rum tasting event hosted by Lyon Rum. We enjoyed a pizza lunch with Heavy Seas beer on Friday and live music by Wheelhouse Rock Band that night. Starcrush Duo played on Saturday night. Several attendees toured the National Aquarium and Fort McHenry. Harbor East marina is beautiful, and the staff was incredibly helpful. Door prizes included a TV, Weems and Plath binoculars and navigation tools, Helly Hansen dry bags, and a BoatUS membership. A 50-50 raffle raised $500 for the Annapolis chapter of Sailing Beyond Cancer, which takes cancer patients and their families sailing as a respite from medical treatments.

We appreciate the hard work of numerous volunteers from the Hunter Sailing Association Station #1 and Northern Star Hunter Sailing Association and the support of: platinum sponsor SpinSheet; gold sponsors Shiver Me Timbers, Quantum Sails, and the British Virgin Islands Tourism and Film Commission; silver sponsors Herrington Harbour North and Oasis Marinas; and bronze sponsors Lankford Bay Marina and Weems and Plath.

# A post-rendezvous cruise raftup on Trippe Creek. Cape Dorys Navigamus and Impromptu, and Dickersons Crew Rest, Southern Cross, Morning Light, and Troubadour. Photo by Richard Shuppert

Cruising Club Notes presented by

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

Annapolis: A Sailing and Cycling Town

By Sue Mikulski

Alarge RV backed into the driveway next to our house. There was also an SUV carrying three bikes with microphones and spotlights on top. Both had Race Across America (RAAM) stickers and ‘Isa Pulver’ all over them. My husband Paul is an avid cyclist and was a kid in a candy store when he learned that the woman who won the RAAM cycling event from California to Annapolis, Isa Pulver, was staying next door!

Isa and her crew, Team Isa Pulver Ultra Cyclist Elite Women, used our grill to barbeque steaks, and Paul’s favor in return was, “can you fix my flat?” That led to us joining them for a team dinner. Isa showed us her RAAM bible and taught us some of the logistics of this race, which requires massive preparation similar to a long-distance sailing race, such as Annapolis to Bermuda. Her husband Daniel is her coach, and there were

eight others who each had a team role, similar to a sailboat race. The bike tech was a sailor and was super excited to hear we had a sailboat. We adjusted our plans and became their local support team for five days. The highlight was taking them sailing June 25.

We boarded, reviewed safety, and they all took off their shoes, (much to Paul’s dismay), put on sunscreen, and sat forward to take it all in and soak up the rays after a long couple of weeks. One by one they took the helm and got a crash course in sailing and trimming the sails. The Bay Bridge, Thomas Point Lighthouse, and sailing past big ships were fascinating to the team. We dropped the sails and motored by downtown Annapolis and Susan Campbell Park where the RAAM finish line was located. Welcoming this team from Switzerland, who we continue to keep

in touch with, was a unique and wonderful opportunity. They truly experienced Annapolis on the water, and Paul and I were the lucky ones to share it with them. Annapolis is not just a sailing town!    Sue and Paul Mikulski are members of the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake and Annapolis Yacht Club.

Ice Cream Social in Eagle Nest Cove

Amonumental yum! These words summarize the Pearson Sailing Association (PSA) ice cream social raftup hosted by the always-lovely Bob and Elaine Leigh, who kindly hosted seven boats! The

By Martina Sestakova

weather was perfect—sunny and breezy on June 17 and the morning of June 18, when our raft broke up.

A little bit of excitement: Our raft-up of seven boats was anchored a bit too close to shore and in shallow water. When it swung Dolce Vita, our anchor boat, needed to be moved to keep us all safe for the afternoon and night. Bob Leigh orchestrated a move of the entire raft with his masterful knowledge of the anchorage. He expertly barked orders for boats to increase and decrease engine speed to maneuver our group as other boats in the anchorage watched in amazement. Finally, it was time to eat ice cream!

In good company and with a lot of laughter, Bob and Elaine provided 4-plus gallons of delicious ice cream with a decadent variety of toppings including nuts, chocolate, and fruits. It’s no surprise that many PSA members asked for

seconds! Light appetizers were shared on boats as well. Several people jumped into the Bay to cool off. Even the swimmers ended up with an appetizer or two handed down to them from the boats! Commodore Jordan Snyder enjoyed the inflatable pink flamingo raft Joan Criscuolo received as a gift from her daughter. Jaylen, Ron Harbin’s grandson, couldn’t stay away from the water. Nobody knows how many times he jumped into the Bay. There were a lot of splashes!

Another highlight was the members who traveled from far and away. Scott Hughes with crewmate Andrea sailed all the way from Philadelphia, and Michael McFeeley with crewmate Dave sailed all the way from Coles Point Marina on the Potomac River.

What a fantastic time of sharing and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay!

# Swiss cyclist Isa Pulver sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.

# Elaine Leigh serving up ice cream.

JSO Sailors Complete DelMarVa Loop

Submitted by Nancie Merritt

In May, several members of Jeanneau Sailboat Owners (JSO) completed the DelMarVa Loop. With Larry Kaufmann (Helvetica) as leader, Ian Diamond (TBD) and Mick Meckler (The Office) also completed the circumnavigation. A fourth boat was forced to turn back when its autopilot failed (a must-have for a solo sailor.)

Along the way the boats encountered other JSO boats, Opie Bea and Ma Bro By late afternoon, Helvetica joined The Office and TBD at an anchorage across from Solomons, MD. Sunday’s early morning was rewarded by a beautiful sunset and a group dinner in Cape Charles, VA. Monday featured dolphin sightings and a lovely offshore sunset.

Wednesday started out uncomfortable, but after things calmed down, they had a good trip up the Delaware River, mostly motoring and motor-sailing. Thursday saw some quick jibes as the

three boats got wedged between barges in the shipping channel and active firing exercises at Aberdeen Proving Ground. After this excitement, the Bay broadened out and everyone set course for their home port. The group reports that completing the DelMarVa Loop was a fun experience despite some less-than-ideal conditions at times.

Earlier in the season, five JSO boats rafted in the afternoon on the West River for socializing and appetizers before going to Hartge Yacht Harbor for dinner from Adam’s Rib on the lawn under the chestnut trees. The event was hosted by Lauren and Larry Vanderveen (R2). Owners from as far away as Nashville (Doc Holiday), Chicago (La Mistinguette), and Canada (Balandra) attended. Allure sailed from Rock Hall, MD, to join the fun.

In June the sailors of Wind Dragon, The Office, Shabumi, and Margaritaville had a delightful evening and raftup at the Marlett’s dock on Bodkin Creek. This is an example of members joining for impromptu evenings. JSO has a group call number on VHF to contact other members while out on the water for spur of the moment gatherings.

We welcome new members! Contact Paul and Karen Novak at svopiebea@ gmail.com. We are a loosely formed group of Jeanneau owners who enjoy boating and socializing together. See our website at https://groups.io/g/JSOChesapeakeBay.

Philadelphia Sailing Club Charters in the Leeward Islands

By Ray Enger

The Philadelphia Sailing Club charters sailboats for a variety of trips, from weekend sails on the Chesapeake Bay to weeklong trips in other parts of the United States and abroad. This spring, from March 11 to 18, we went to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.

On Saturday 18 club members met at Marina Fort Louis in Marigot Bay on the French side of St. Martin. By mid-afternoon we were settling in to our three boats. Creole was a 44-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey with four Cabins. Caribbean Queen II was a 42-foot Beneteau with three cabins. Maguy 3 was a 46-foot Beneteau Oceanus with three cabins and a self-tacking jib. Each boat had five crew members and one ECM (Experienced Crew Member.) The boats were chartered through Moorings.

Each boat had a boat briefing and a chart briefing. Due to unusually light winds, the ECMs finalized our itinerary to focus on St. Martin and St. Barts. Sunday and Monday nights we anchored at uninhabited islands Tintamarre and Ile Fourchue. Wednesday we anchored at Gustavia and Thursday at Anse du Colombier. Thursday we sailed to Grand Case, and Friday we spent the night at the marina.

Gustavia was preparing for the annual Bucket Regatta, and we were treated with the sight of many beautiful mega yachts. We were able to take our dinghies into town for dinner, breakfast, and sight-seeing. When in Marigot we also had dinner in town and did more exploring, including the ruins of Fort Louis.

To see a 15-minute video about our trip, head to our website, philadelphiasailingclub.org. You can also learn more about our club, and better yet, become a member! No boat, no experience? No problem! We’ll be happy to show you the lines, sheet, sails, and everything else you may need to know to pitch in and help sail a boat. You can also find us on Facebook.

I’ll report back after our trip to Maine in August!

# JSO DelMarVa group.

# The Maguy 3 crew.

Cruising Club Notes presented by Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

Dear Chesapeake Bay Sailboat Racers,

My name is Michael Johns, and I’m proud to serve as the fleet captain for the Glenmar Sailing Association. I was introduced to sailboat racing in 1977 by Dr. Alan Harquail, I and developed a lifelong love of the sport for which I am eternally grateful. I drove from Towson to Annapolis countless times to race, on my own boats and with others. Clearly Annapolis is the epicenter of sailboat racing on the Chesapeake Bay, and there is a lot to be said about the experiences and opportunities of racing there. I still greatly enjoy racing under the AYC burgee with the Born family on their J-120, Windborn, but I now have a different perspective.

In 2014 my wife and I moved from the Towson area to our current home on Middle River. That same year an iconic Annapolis racer, John Sherwood, reached out to offer me his Metalmast 30, Witch’s Flower… for free! I just had to promise to fix her up and race her with my sons. My life, and my son’s lives, have been enriched by these events and by my discovery of the Glenmar Sailing Association (GSA).

The GSA is just a little club. It doesn’t have any clubhouse or property. It’s modest in every way, and yet there’s no place I’d rather race. When we first

started racing with Glenmar, we had an expectation of winning—we were from Annapolis! Turns out it wasn’t so easy. In fact it took half a season before we won our first race and then an amazing thing happened; I got emails from my fellow competitors congratulating me and my team and wishing us further success. In over 35 years of racing in Annapolis that had never happened to me. The other skippers at Glenmar wanted us to be successful because it made racing more fun and challenging and competitive for all of us. Wow!

There’s a comradery and sportsmanship that is so refreshing. The boats are all a little older and no one has any interest in getting the newest hot “rule breaker” so they can win at every cost. We rarely have protests that go to “the room” and we are generally able to resolve rule infractions on the water (with just one penalty turn). Most important to me, the racing is incredibly fair and competitive. Our B class is comprised of a J/29, two S2 9.1s, a Kirby 30, an Express 30, a Catalina 38, and my Metalmast 30, and each week nearly every boat shows up and the margin of victory is measured in just seconds.

As members of Glenmar we share other experiences together. We recently

hosted an event at the Downtown Sailing Center where we sailed a series of one design races with their fleet of J/22s. We call it our Star Wars Championship. There are no handicaps and no excuses and afterward. The competitors gather to enjoy each other’s company at a local watering hole. It truly is special. We host a nighttime pursuit start distance race that we call the Black Cat... just something a little novel and interesting for our racing skippers and their crews. The first boat across the finish line wins! As the season winds down for most weekday racing, we have our AARP Series that runs from midSeptember through October. We race at 4 p.m. (hence the name) and race nonspinnaker. There is no committee boat, just a dropped mark for a starting line and a five-minute alert. Skippers submit their finish times, and we share glorious fall sailing, often beer in hand.

We have a lot going for us at Glenmar. If I could have just one wish, it would be that some new boats would join our club and come out and beat us and give us the opportunity to send them a congratulatory email… and mean it. Go Glenmar!

This article was submitted by Tod Herrick, past commodore of GSA. Learn more at glenmarsailingassociation.org

# Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club members at Selby Bay Yacht Club. Members are taking to the nooks and crannies of the Bay for events and raftups, including a Wye River multi-club rendezvous, Summer Sailstice event at Selby Bay Yacht Club, and a July 4 weekend at St. Michaels.

# On the first day of sailing camp, Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club kids learn how to right an Opti.

# Mill Creek Sailing Association’s winning ‘Race for the Mop’ team. Photo courtesy of Kent Eanes.

# The biannual Race for the Mop between Sailing Club of the Chesapeake and the Mill Creek Sailing Association, sailing MCSA’s sunfish fleet. Photo by Hartley Gardner

# During a Summer Solstice cruise, a peaceful morning anchored off Gibson Island. Photo courtesy of The Sailing Club Inc.

Light Air Technique for Cruising Sailors

By David Flynn of Quantum Sails

Yes, I know this is usually the “Racers Edge” column, but last month’s article on tips for light air racing drew requests from the other part of our sailing community. You may not race, but you still love to sail and don’t want to give it up just because it is summer and there are more light-air days. It is even harder for the cruising sailor to sail well in light air. The boats they are probably sailing are inherently hobbled. Beam, wetted surface, shallow draft, smaller rigs all make it more difficult. Finally, we have to remember that we are carrying our house around with us. One of the most critical factors in light-air performance as noted in last month’s column is horsepower-to-weight ratio. The bicycles onboard don’t help!

Specialty sails

As a sailmaker you knew I would bring this up. Yes, this is a wee bit self-serving, but you are going to need to look at your sail inventory. Generally speaking, I always recommend that for the one primary furling headsail you leave up all the time that you go as small as possible. On older boats with overlapping genoas a bigger sail makes tacking and trimming hard work. You want to go small to make your sailing easier.

On most modern boats the overlapping genoa has been eliminated (hooray!), and a large jib with minimal overlap is used. This of course creates problems in light air when we are starved for horsepower. Many with more traditional rig setups just put on the big genoa for the summer months. For the modern boat with smaller headsails, a specialty reaching sail, often referred to as

a Code Zero, will be a huge asset. These “Code” sails come in all sizes and flavors, so you need to do some homework to figure what is best for your rig proportions and angles you want to optimize for.

Boats with big overlapping genoas don’t need specialty sails capable of upwind and close reaching work; they will need to address broader angles. For broader angles there is no substitute for an asymmetrical

# The right tools and a little patience increase your chances of enjoying light-wind cruising. Photo courtesy of Quantum

spinnaker. No working headsail or even specialty reaching sail will work when you want to really sail downwind in light air.

Upwind

Never easy at the best of times, going upwind in light air is hard. The reality is that most cruising boats will struggle, and the tacking angles will be wide. The thing to keep in mind is not to force it. The same mantra that I preach to racing sailors applies. Speed first, and then try to point. Start at a close reach and gradually trim sails in ever so slowly.

You will find your headsail is well eased from what you would use in medium conditions. Your mainsail should have plenty of twist (leech open at top). The top batten needs to be open to create flow. The top telltale should be flowing. Twist is created by easing the mainsheet and letting the boom rise. Once you have the top batten set, you can pull the boom up to the centerline with the traveler for maximum power. To help add power make sure halyard tension on both sails is not too tight. Ease the halyard until you get just the hint of horizontal wrinkles perpendicular to the luff.

Finally, in light air headsail telltales are critical. Hand steer using the telltales as a guide. Make sure they are flowing straight aft. If the inside telltale is lifting, you need to bear off. If outside telltales are spinning or both telltales are hanging down, you can head up or ease the sheet. Unfortunately, you have to pay constant attention and steer to the telltales if you are going to keep the boat in the groove.

Reaching

This is the easiest point of sail to generate speed in light air. From a close to a beam reach you will generate maximum power. The key is to make sure sails are not overtrimmed. Ease until they luff and trim just enough to take the luff out. For the headsail use the telltales as

a guide. Trim until they stream straight aft. A powerful tool when reaching is to add a second sheet led to a block on the rail just slightly forward of normal upwind position. As the headsail is eased out, the load should be taken up by the outboard sheet. This allows the top of the sail to be trimmed in without over-trimming the whole sail. It also opens up the gap between the sails, allowing you to ease the mainsail further. Finally, add horsepower. This is where those specialty reaching (Code) sails are worth their weight in gold. They are trimmed just like any headsail.

Downwind

This is the hard part. The first thing you have to recognize is that you really can’t sail straight downwind in light air. In under 10 knots a displacement boat has to “tack” downwind even though this means extra distance. Heading

up is the only way to generate the apparent wind that we need to fill our sails. How far you have to head up is a function of true wind velocity. A little bit of extra breeze can change that angle dramatically.

A simple test is to head up until the headsail fills and there is pressure on the sheet. You can bear off slightly once you build up apparent wind. If you get too low, the sheet will go soft and the headsail will begin to collapse. Obviously, this all works much better with a light, powerful asymmetrical spinnaker. Your heavy, all-purpose working headsail will not work. You will have to head way up to generate the apparent wind necessary to get it to lift and fill, and suddenly you will not be going downwind at all but will be back to reaching.

If you have the right tools and a little patience, light-air sailing can be a blast even when you are carrying your home with you!

# Photo by Will Keyworth

ILCA Class Sailing Together

By Storrie Kulynych-Irvin

On a late July day with a fair breeze, Brooke Bogdan fought to hold her line downwind against a competitor. Both ILCA 6 Class Dinghies (formerly Lasers) were racing to the same mark off the Pacific coast. Bogdan beat her competitor to the inside, but couldn’t avoid blocking the other boat, as they raced for the 2022 US Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship in Marina Del Rey, CA.

The edged-out sailor protested Bogdan and won. Bogdan learned, “If there’s a dispute about who has room, then you don’t have room.” Bogdan got to drop the protested race. She went on to place highly as one of three Chesapeake youth sailors who went 3/4/5 in last year’s Junior Women’s Championship: my sister, Alders Kulynych-Irvin (Annapolis), Rebecca Schill (Norfolk), and Bogdan (Forest Hill, MD).

The Junior Women’s was “the most fun regatta I’ve ever been to,” says Schill. “We made a lot of friends… all of the coaches were awesome, and I really liked the structure of the regatta and how US Sailing ran it.”

The regatta offered a chance to sail on the ocean, spot some seals between races,

and an all-female ILCA race (most are coed). All three sailors have spent most of their lives training to reach the top of the ILCA 6 Class, where most sailors are male and competitors must be strong enough to control the boat in heavy air.

Kulynych-Irvin first took the tiller as a six-year-old on her dad’s Herreshoff 12.5 in Spa Creek and moved into local Opti racing. She credits Bobby Lippincott, her coach at Annapolis Yacht Club, with helping her move up in Optis.

“My last year in Optis I got better,” she says. “He definitely helped teach me a lot more about what sailing actually is and prepared me for the next class.”

Schill started in Optis at Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. “My first nationals regatta was my friend’s and my first USODA regatta ever in Optis; we qualified for team trials,” she says.

Schill, who competed for Norfolk Academy, and her friend, Marin Soderberg, have trained with the same coach, Tom Etheridge, for the past eight years.

Bogdan grew up sailing at North East River Yacht Club. A four-year natural resources magnet student, her love for nature and the water drew her to sailing: “I

am the only person in my town who even really knows about sailing,” she says. “I was up there until two years ago and then I started sailing at Severn Sailing Association (SSA) with (ILCAs).”

When Bogdan was 12, her club wanted her to sail 420s, but the club had also hired a coach and former Olympian from Argentina, who encouraged Bogdan to start in ILCAs. “I transferred to that in just a good old club boat. A few years later I got my own sailboat,” she says. “During Covid I would sail and do Zoom coaching.”

Without a coach the following year, Bogdan transferred to the ILCA team at SSA. Both Kulynych-Irvin and Schill left Optis before they aged out of the class. The pandemic prevented KulynychIrvin from competing in an international regatta for which she had qualified at USODA team trials. Both sailors felt they’d outgrown the smaller Opti. Like Bogdan, they started in Lasers on their own during the shutdowns. Kulynych-Irvin sailed briefly in 4.7s, a developmental ILCA with a smaller sail. She decided to move to the Radial once she turned 15.

The bigger sail was difficult initially,

“But sometimes you just have to suck it up and keep trying at the Radial,” she says. “The (ILCA) is a very physically demanding boat,” says Kulynych-Irvin. “The harder you work the boat the faster you’re going to go in heavy wind.”

Schill notes, “You’re super connected to the boat all the time” and are hiking out almost continuously. Bogdan also says that, unlike some boat classes, “Laser sailors are known to be very competitive.”

Kulynych-Irvin, a rising junior at Christchurch School, competed against Schill, a Norfolk Academy graduate, in the Virginia Interscholastic Sailing Association. All VISA teams sail doublehanded dinghies. Schill and KulynychIrvin both skipper, and the latter also sails as crew. Competitions include fleet

and team racing, which Kulynych-Irvin likens to “playing three-on-three chess while sprinting down a track.”

Schill adds that level-headedness is especially helpful “in team racing when things can get heated.”

Bogdan and Kulynych-Irvin competed at the highest level last year at the ILCA 6 Women’s Worlds at Texas Corinthian Yacht Club. Since the world championship was in the States, US sailors received extra berths. The younger sailors met Olympians and raced in the Silver Fleet, as the top female sailors in the world raced for the title.

“I just remember us struggling to keep up with everybody,” Bogdan says. “It was such a crazy experience to be around your idols and be able to sail against them. We were improving every day.”

As Bogdan recovers from knee surgery,

Schill and Kulynych-Irvin will take on a full championship schedule this summer. They will meet again in competition at ILCA races including Junior Nationals and Women’s Juniors. This fall, Schill will sail for Bowdoin College, while Bogdan will join the team at College of Charleston.

Asked about future goals, KulynychIrvin says she’ll take the summer “race by race,” while looking toward sailing in college. Schill will seek continued success in individual and team racing, and says, “It would be cool to see more women get into sailing, especially as skippers.”

Bogdan anticipates her return to the water. “You really have to love it,” she says. “All the bruises, all the cuts, all the scrapes, all the rope burn… that’s all a reminder of the work I put in.” #

# Photos by Lexi Pline/US Sailing

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

EYC Boomerang Race Makes for a Fantastic Night!

Thirty-six racing teams showed up in Annapolis on July 8 for the 2023 Boomerang Race, starting off the docks of host Eastport Yacht Club and “boomeranging” back into the wee hours of July 9. Light-air, a race postponement, and some swapping around of courses led to the final course chosen for each of seven classes: 33 nautical miles for most; 44 nm for ORC 1. Southeasterly breezes held in the seven- to 12-knot range through most of the race.

Doug Dykman’s Corsair 31R multihull Temple of the Wind was the first to cross the line at 1:56 a.m. Dykman and team captured the F. Peter Weber Trophy and also the Patriot Cup for veteran-crewed boats.

Brian and Kristen Robinson earned the overall Boomerang Trophy on the J/105 Velvet Hammer. The team finished in super light conditions at 3:01 a.m., just one second ahead of Dave and Beth Scheidt’s Smoke N’ Oakum. PRO Lee Maynard reported, “Less than three feet separated the bows as they inched across the finish line.” After 33 nautical miles of racing, that’s close!

SpinSheet columnist Capt. Steven Toole called it “a fantastic night” after topping the PHRF class in the overnighter aboard his J/120 Hot Pepper. David Dodson, Antoinette Wilkins, Jayne Durden, Mark Burrows, Janet

Neves, Patrick Dowling, Sean Rogers, and Steve Barilaro rounded out the crew.

After a lot of tacking and some dodging of barges, the crew rounded R84 off Poplar Island. Toole notes, “We set for the run all the way back to the finish just as the moon rose over Eastern Bay. The wind was steady right up to R2 for the final 2.5-nm leg, when it dropped to two knots around 2:30 a.m. We ghosted along for the final leg and finished at 3:13 am.”

After a “turn and burn” back to the South River where he keeps his boat,

the team headed to EYC for breakfast. “There was a guy there playing light guitar music while we downed breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and Bloody Marys, as more boats crossed the finish. I came back around 2 p.m. for the awards ceremony just as the steel drum musician was wrapping up.”

About his teamwork, Toole says, “We were well organized with really good communication all around. Apart from a kite momentarily snagged on spreaders during a gybe or two, our execution was largely without incident.

# Dan Watson’s winning J/30 Avita team (at left), with Jamie Gregory’s One Love.

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

We practiced every method of safety, from hooking into jacklines at all times forward of the cockpit, to having radios tuned to channels 13, 16, and 73 (RC). I’m incredibly proud of my crew and our overall performance that night, and I can’t wait to do it again next year.” #

Boomerang Race Results

J/30 (5 Boats)

1. Avita, Dan Watson

2. Avenger, David Johnson

3. Shamrock, Bruce Irvin

J/105 (9 Boats)

1. Velvet Hammer, Brian and Krissy Robinson

2. Smoke ‘n Oakum, Dave and Beth Scheidt

3. Crescendo, Angelo Guarino

oRC open 1 (4 Boats)

1. Zuul, Benedict Capuco

2. Moxie, Patrick Hylant

3. Katsu, Jamie Wright

oRC open 2 (8 Boats)

1. Abientot, Roger Lant

2. Wild Thing II, Ben and Briana Jatlow

3. Split Decision, Jordan Tacchetti

oRC Racer/Cruiser (4 Boats)

1. Lucky Eights, Keith Cole

2. Snow Day, Richard Snow

PHRF (4 Boats)

1. Hot Pepper, Steven Toole

2. Revolution, Douglas Ellmore, Sr.

3. Five O’clock, Michael Jewell

Multihull (7 Boats)

1. Temple of the Wind, Douglas Dykman

2. Itinerant, Larry Forgy

3. Triple threat, Timothy Lyons

# Steven Toole and his crew on the J/120 Hot Pepper topped the PHRF Division. Photos by Will Keyworth

# Doug Dykman’s Temple of the Wind took line honors and captured the F. Peter Weber Trophy and Patriot Cup for veteran-crewed boats.

# Boomerang Trophy and J/105 class winner, Brian and Kristen Robinson’s J/105 Velvet Hammer (right), with Angelo Guardino’s Crescendo (third place).

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

Summertime Fun at the Screwpile

When racing sailors head to Solomons, as 37 teams did July 14-16 for the Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge (SPLC), they expect a few things: sunshine; a mix of light-wind, dead-air, and decent sailing conditions, plus at least one storm; and three great parties among lighthearted sailors, wearing Mount Gay Rum red caps. This year’s SPLC rose to the challenge.

Friday greeted sailors at the mouth of the Patuxent River with good conditions of a steady seven- to nineknot breeze, while after a wind delay on Saturday, winds piped up to 14 knots, gusting even higher, making for an excellent three-race day. For the final day, the forecast was shaky. With heavy incoming weather on the

radar, the race committee abandoned racing, and teams arrived back on the dock before a torrential downpour (reportedly three inches in two hours!).

Afterward, the sun came out, and racers enjoyed a final afternoon awards party at Safe Harbor Zahnisers. Robert Michaelson and his team aboard the Gulfstar 40 AnnaMae won the Calvert Cup as overall winner of the regatta.

Following are top-three regatta results by class, plus first-place finishes for the PHRF Mid-Bay Championship Regatta which ran concurrently.

Thanks to the Southern Maryland Sailing Association for hosting this terrific summertime event. Find photos by Will Keyworth at spinsheet.com/photos

# Mark Gyorgy’s Wicked Good team placed first in PHRF 3.

# Clarke McKinney and Hawk Caldwell’s team on the Melges 32 Wild Horses placed third in PHRF 1.

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

Screwpile Results

CRCA Spinnaker (9 Boats)

1. Bad Cat, James Whited

2. Pursuit, Norm Dawley

3. Barba Roja, Steven Birchfield

CRCA Non-Spinnaker (8 Boats)

1. AnnaMae, Robert Michaelson

2. Swellville, John Anderson

3. Miss Fira, Michael Turner

J/70 (7 Boats)

1. Progress, Paul Green

2. MicroBurst, Thomas Moulds

3. JRay, Lawrence Ray

PHRF 1 (8 Boats)

1. One Trick Pony, David and Jacki Meiser

2. Zuul, Benedict Capuco

3. Wild Horses, McKinney and Caldwell

PHRF 3 (5 Boats)

1. Wicked Good, Mark Gyorgy

2. Goin’, Dennis Hannick

3. Diablo, Russell Miller

PHRF Mid-Bay Championship

First Place Finishers

Non-spin

Stingray, Elliott Peterson

PHRF A One Trick Pony, David and Jacki

Meiser

PHRF B

Wicked Good, Mark Gyorgy

PHRF C

Barba Roja, Steven Birchfield

# Paul Green and his team on Progress placed first in the J/70 one-design division. Photos by Will Keyworth

# Steven Birchfield and his crew of SpinSheet Century Club members on Barba Roja placed third in class and first in the Mid-Bay Championships for PHRF C.

# Following a tie breaker with Robert Ballard’s Look Close, Elliott and Alexa Peterson’s Stingray team placed first in PHRF Non-Spin for the Mid-Bay Championships.

# David and Jacki Meiser’s Melges 32 One Trick Pony crew placed first in PHRF 1.

Chesapeake Sailors at Block Island Race Week

What sailor doesn’t enjoy a Rhode Island pilgrimage in summertime? Among the 174 teams at Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Race Week (BIRW), June 19-23, Chesapeake sailors represented well, and many sailed to podium finishes.

Annapolis sailor J.R. Maxwell and his family team on the J/80 Scamp placed first in the one-design class, posting five bullets in seven races. Due to work schedules and watching the nine kids at their house on the island, the Scamp crew rotated from day to day. The full crew included: Brit Bischoff (brother-in-law), Emily Maxwell (younger sister), Henry Maxwell (brother), Wes Maxwell (father 78 years old), Laura Kim (the skipper’s wife), Wes Maxwell (son, eight years old), Alice Bischoff (niece, nine years old), and Sankett (sister’s boyfriend).

J.R. Maxwell says, “We had a lot of fun together, great teamwork. Much of the time we were in phase upwind hitting the shifts, and much of the time we had good boat speed downwind. We had a mix of people onboard in terms of experience

sailing J/80s, so we had to synchronize our crew work and improve on every leg to maximize our strengths and help ‘upskill’ newer members of the team where needed.”

Maxwell says, “We broke our rudder on the Wednesday round-the-island race but didn’t realize it until the next day. Thank goodness there was a lay day on Thursday when it was really windy, or we would have had a major breakdown that day and been unable to sail. The J/29 Dirty Harry was in our class around the island race and also broke their rudder, but theirs was so bad they had to retire. It was a rough set of water around the south side of the island going up wind. Huge waves.”

When it comes to race committee work, he says, “They did a great job overall. They front-loaded the regatta well with races, picked the best day for the round-the-island, and made the right calls on the lay day and the last day with no wind. It was a tough regatta to organize well, so hats off to them for a spectacular event.”

Maxwell adds, “BIRW is one of the best regattas in the United States and my favorite regatta of all time. This is the third time I’ve done it. I highly recommend doing the Off Soundings Regatta the weekend prior as a tune-up for it.”

Annapolis racer Beth Berry and her team aboard the Tartan 4100 Kyrie placed second to Brandon Flack’s Mad Blue/MudRatz Youth Offshore in the Performance Cruising 3 Spinnaker class. Berry raced with Andres Acosta-Rodriguez, Sue Davidson, Julianne DeGraw Fettus, Bill Krafft, Tim Mangus, Pam Morris, Clay Smith, and Stephanie Sweeney.

Berry says that the crew “meshed early and well. Two years ago, in my first year campaigning this boat, I came up and raced with a complete pick-up crew. This year, half of that crew returned and was very dialed in. Combined with other regulars onboard, we created an excellent team. Tim called outstanding tactics that took advantage of the boat’s strengths, the prevailing currents, and wind conditions. On day one we tacked

# Photo by Steve Cloutier

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

out of the current right away and that gave us a huge advantage. Most of all, we had fun.”

Berry noted that the race committee work was “exceptional” and echoed Maxwell’s comments on their making good calls. And her crew had a great time at the shoreside events.

She notes, “This is an extremely wellrun, fun regatta in an incredible destination with top-notch competition. The facilities are first rate, and as a skipper who stays aboard, much appreciated. We had a great Annapolis contingent that grew from two years ago, and I hope this continues to grow!”

In the 24-boat J/105 one-design fleet, Kristen and Brian Robinson and their crew aboard Velvet Hammer came in third, with Bill Zartler’s Déjà Voodoo and Bruce Stone and Nicole Breault’s Arbitrage@Trifecta in first and second respectively. Tim Borland, Gordon Gurnell, Brian Burke, and Ben Fransen raced aboard Velvet Hammer.

As for what the team did well, Kristen says, “Stayed positive, never gave up, and laughed. It was a strenuous week, and we worked as a team. Also, we all stayed in our lanes. We knew our jobs and

responsibilities on the boat and did them without questions or interreference.”

In the “didn’t expect that” department, she adds, “Megs Bryant, our bow person, injured her leg on the last practice day. We discovered Gordon through our Doyle sailmaker and met him on the docks on Monday morning before racing. He had never done bow before but was an experienced dinghy sailor. We got lucky that he fit right in and was an awesome last-minute addition to the team.”

The Robinsons are happy to share with SpinSheet readers their tips on planning for BIRW. Kristen says, “Go! It is a fun event that requires a lot of planning, but I am happy to share my tools.”

First place in PHRF 4 went to Jack McGuire (Annapolis) on Dirty Harry and second to Robert Bruno’s Arabesque. Ed Tracy (Severna Park, MD) on Incommunicado placed third with his team: Jill Bradley, Yvonne Dedrickson, Yann Palmore, Tim Polk, Chuck Shoenfelt, Angela Ward, and Dewey Ward.

Of their performance, Tracy says, “Our spinnaker work both setting and downwind boat speed was great all week (to make up for my marginal driving upwind).”

The race committee work was “Awesome,” he says. “They did a great job communicating the race sequence and what they were thinking and were able to set fair courses. The use of the MarkSetBots was pretty cool, and I’m sure they help them easily re-configure the racecourse before each race.”

As to what else he wanted SpinSheet readers to know, Tracy says, “Hats off to (Jack McGuire’s) Dirty Harry from Annapolis.” The team placed first in PHRF 4.

“They just had such great upwind speed and height and didn’t make any mistakes. We were glad they didn’t lose first place in our class when their rudder broke in the Round-the-Island race as they deserved to win the class. The results were close as the top four boats were within three points of each other.”

Also note-worthy was the first-place finish in PHRF 2 by Kevin McNeil on his Farr 30 Seabiscuit; David Conlon and team aboard Victorine placed third. In PHRF 1 the US Naval Academy team aboard the Farr 40 Zephyr skippered by Midshipman 1/C Rick Irving placed second. Rick Hanson on the J/120 No Surrender placed third in Performance Cruising 2 Spin.

# JR Maxwell accepting an award on the Round-the-Island race day at BIRW.

# The Velvet Hammer team in action. Photo by Steve Cloutier/ Gowrie Group

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

100 Years of Star Sailing at Gibson Island

Sailors came from far and wide to join the 89th Annual J. Rulon Miller Series at Gibson Island Yacht Squadron (GIYS) and celebrate 100 Years of sailing Stars on the Chesapeake June 23-25. Ten Gibson Island families hosted sailors in their homes, all who appreciated the ability to stay on the island for the weekend. Sailors came from Miami, Chicago, Ottawa, New York, Charleston, and the Eastern Shore.

Jane and Bob Dunigan hosted a fantastic welcoming party on Friday evening at their beautiful home overlooking the harbor. It was a great way for all the sailors to get together and enjoy the comradery of the sailing community, especially after the need to abandon Friday’s highly anticipated Long Distance Race.

On Saturday morning, the teams were rigged and launched for the tow

out to the start area by Baltimore Light. Finally, out of the leaden skies, a light but steady breeze appeared from the southeast and a clean start saw 25 Stars with brilliant white hulls and sails contrasting with low grey clouds, working their way to windward.

Ben Sternberg won race one, followed closely by Alan Campbell and Bobby Lippincott, setting the pace for the regatta. Some periods of rain, hardly noticed by the racers, punctuated race two, taken by Bert Collins who led all the way around after a perfect start. At that point a nasty storm cloud threatened to both kill and upend the wind direction, so all boats accepted a tow in just as the storm broke.

Sunday morning broke brilliantly clear and calm, but the fleet hopefully towed out, accompanied by a few dolphins at the mouth of the Magothy. After a one hour wait, a very optimistic southerly replaced the hopeless northerly breeze.

Lippincott was fast this time, followed by the perennial District 2 winner, John MacCausland. The sea breeze kicked in, reinforcing and veering the southerly for a dandy final race with most crews fully hiked out and thinking about depowering a bit. Johnny Mac showed us how it’s done, winning race four in style followed by young, fast, Matt Rajacich.

As is typical in the Chesapeake, some very large ships passed by during the races! Sunday was highlighted by a sighting of the USS Carl M. Levin, the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, returning from commissioning in Baltimore. The fleet headed back into the Magothy River under storybook cloud formations that seemed ordered up perfectly for photographs. A beautiful day of racing and a fitting end to the century of Gibson Island Star boat racing… and the beginning of the next.

Find Will Keyworth’s images at spinsheet.com/photos.

# Find more photos from this event by Will Keyworth at spinsheet.com/photos

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

Team CBYRA Takes Second at the Thayer

The National Women’s Invitational Team Race, honoring the Thayer family, is not just any sailing event. With the provided boats and therefore higher entry fees, the Thayer brings sailing back to a sport with actual teams that people can root for. Teams, as opposed to individuals, spend months, maybe years, proving themselves to their clubs, associations, alma maters, or area yachting associations to get grants; practice time in boats; support from their areas in terms of race committee, coaching; and ultimately teammates.

Team racing makes sailing the vehicle for yacht club, school, foundation, and yacht racing association name recognition, and that builds momentum and draws in more members, more donors, more volunteers, and more participants. In the end, humans want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. We want to feel ownership, teamwork, and responsibility in making that “bigger thing” successful.

The Thayer event, June 24-25, brought all of those pieces together. Seven teams from across the country that included firsttimers, teams that have attended all three years, like the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) team, the reigning champs from 2022, Bristol Yacht Club, college sailing all-Americans, world-ranked match racers, ROLEX Yachtswomen of the year, and so many other accomplished sailors from every corner of the sport to the stage set by the Corinthian Yacht Club. Two days of racing, with PRO Will Bailey leading the race committee and

umpires from around the country, saw everything from drifting conditions in the rain to sun and wind. Through it all, two round robins were completed.

Team CBYRA 2023 consisted of: Michael Anne Ashford, Jennifer Calhoun, Hannah Dickmyer, Gwynie Dunlevy, Alli Gutenkunst, Ashley Love (team captain), Jane Millman, Sara Morgan Watters, Saidee Price, Katja Sertl, Sunny Sturmer, and Janel Zarkowsky.

Team CBYRA had a strong first round robin with clear evidence of practice in Sonars thanks to Tom Price and the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron. Boat handling was on point and team racing communication, but as every team got used to the boats and the choppy seas and strong current, the second round robin became more of an even playing field; and the record for the team suffered. Each skipper and boat did what they could to keep spirits high and hopeful.

Event organizers, this year, decided to opt for a gold and silver division after two round robins instead of a semis, petit finals, and finals to keep all seven teams racing for as long as possible.

After dominating the first-round robin, Newport Harbor Yacht Club from California, newcomers to the event, were shoe-ins, with Bristol Yacht Club making a strong effort in the second round robin to tie them up at eight points. The next three teams were tied with six points, but there were only two spots left in gold. MIT was announced as the third seed with a long pause in the radio transmis-

sion. “The fourth team in the gold round is… Team CBYRA.”

Wow—any grief we were giving ourselves for points lost here or there were firmly pushed to the talk-about-it-later when we debrief the event, because the battle was on. Fist pumps between our team and hollers made it feel like “Let’s go!” and “Let’s have fun while doing it!”

The gold and silver rounds, where winning a race counted as two points instead of one, began and Bristol Yacht Club continued their flex and won their first two races to get them to 12 points. Team CBYRA managed to best MIT and Newport Harbor in heated matches, giving them 10 points and Newport Harbor 10 points, having beaten MIT. Team CBYRA was done with their racing. Their fate was held by the last race on the schedule: Bristol and Newport Harbor. Their race was one with many lead changes and was capped off with a finish that came down to millimeters. Bristol came out on top and won the event with 14 points. Team CBYRA broke the tie with Newport Harbor to claim the second spot.

Team CBYRA hoisted some Rumson Rum and celebrated not only at the venue, but also back in Annapolis with everyone who made this result a possibility: Gibson Island’s fleet of Sonars all spring, the Eastport Yacht Club’s presence on the sparring field and winter-time chalk talks, and the grant from CBYRA that drew in some of the best talent on the upper Bay.

# Team CBYRA in purple. Photo by Bruce Durkee

Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta

Cape Charles Cup

Leo Wardrup Memorial Saturday Aug. 19th & Sunday Aug. 20th, 2023

Seventy-seven racing teams competed in the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta, hosted at the Eastport Yacht Club June 24. The regatta benefitted the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, the new home of the University of Maryland Marlene and Steward Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the top treatment and research centers in the country. Find Ted Morgan’s photos at spinsheet.com/photos

First Place Finishers

J/30

Avenger, David Johnson

J/105

Crescendo, Angelo Guarino

oRC

John and Kevin White

CRCA Racer

In the Red, Antoinette Wilkins

CRCA Cruiser

Legacy, Philip Maiese

PHRF N

The Cruising Event For Serious Racers!

The Racing Event For Serious Cruisers!

Cruising, PHRF, and ORC Class victors get a beautiful Weems and Plath Lamp Trophy.

Saturday: Little Creek, VA to Cape Charles, VA

Post-race dinner on Saturday evening at beautiful Oyster Farm Marina at Kings Creek!

Sunday: Cape Charles, VA to Buckroe Beach, VA

Entry Fee - $135 if received by July 21st, otherwise $195. Includes registration, hat, tee shirt, two Saturday dinner tickets, and a skipper’s bag.

For more information, visit: www.CCCup.net

Muskrat, Nick Iliff

PHRF Cruiser NS

Ingenuity, Joe Lombardo

Cure Cruising

Pukalani, Lance Tressler

Jobson Spinnaker

Evil Hiss, Mary Ewenson

Heintz NS

Rhea, Stephen Grimm

Cal 25

Fahrvergnugen, Alisa Finney

Harbor 20

Sugar, Garth Hichens

PHRF NS

Uncloudy Day, Beda Brichacek

CRCA Cruiser

Etoile, Barbie and Marcel Klik

# Eric Richardson’s Blinding Fury team placed third in the Jobson Spinnaker class and second in fundraising at the MD Cures Cancer Regatta. Photo by Ted Morgan

The Slow Boat in the Governor’s Cup A Memorable Night Sail Among Friends

By Bruce McKenzie

As we entered the St. Mary’s River on the morning of Saturday, July 30, 2022, I saw something I almost couldn’t believe: a couple of boats a mile or two ahead of us.

“If we can see them, it means we’ve got them,” I said. “Keep sailing hard guys!”

The start 20 hours before was a drifter. I thought I’d botched it when the Pearson and a couple of other boats ghosted windward ahead of us to the line. But with 30 seconds to go, they were early and fell down the line while we crossed just after the horn. One of them was flying a green Whole Foods bag.

When I graduated from registered nursing school in May 2020, I took the signing bonus from my rural Midwest hospital and put it in the bank, plan-

ning on sitting on it until I was back on the coast to buy a boat. I worked through the first wave of Covid and then another. It was grueling. By spring of ’22, I was back in the Washington, DC, area and bought an S2 9.2a I’d come across as a way to decompress and recover from working through the pandemic.

I replaced every inch of running rigging, upgraded the radio and other things, and ordered a new 140-percent

jib. I decided on the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Governor’s Cup because that race usually draws some casual boats like mine. I entered La Chancla in the ORR-ez cruising class. I was the slowest out of 78 boats entered.

On Wednesday night a couple of modest boats like mine joined the race, and La Chancla was put in a class of five. Jay, the class officer, must have broken a few pencils trying to get the classes together because around 15 cruising boats entered; they ranged from mine to a 50-foot pilothouse. I’d ordered the white pennants for class flags, but they changed ours to green. The next day on the way to my marina I was wracking my head on how to get a green class flag. I hit a fabric store and found some sort of greenish rip-stop fabric. I took it to get cut and tried explaining that I needed some little flags by drawing a sad picture of a triangle that I aimed to zip-tie to the stay. I was ready.

Back at the start we watched the green Whole Foods bag slipping away. We settled in for a fluky, light go. Boats farther west parked, and a boat farther east drove into a hole. We were keeping eyes on the boats in our class.

Near Thomas Point Shoal Light, I said, “Let’s take a hitch to follow them in about five or 10 minutes.”

# The team at left in the light-air start of the 2022 Governor’s Cup. This year’s 50th anniversary edition unfolds August 4-5. Photo by Al Schreitmueller

That hitch would be close to three hours later. We found ourselves doing 0.0 knots of boat speed with a piece of cardboard floating by us. I’d blame myself and think a lot about that hole because it would turn out that we would have corrected over the boat that won our class if we had zigged when we zagged. We sat in that hole long enough for despair to set in. I tried keeping up crew morale by telling them the story of the guy that came into the ED with a bright orange “spinnaker pole,” but it was an obvious ploy.

Eventually, the breeze filled. Around 8 p.m. we hoisted the symmetrical kite and started to haul a** with amazing pressure. Suddenly the pole exploded into the sunset, as the foreguy cut loose. The butt of the pole came off the mast because I’d messed up and not put in a stopper on the bottom of the track. We had a 13-foot pole thrashing six feet off the deck and hunting for something or someone to bash. I loosened the topper

and scampered forward. The crew began to douse the kite. I saw it go in the drink but didn’t have an idea of how bad things were because I was getting the pole back on the foredeck and trying to find out what failed. With the soggy kite stuffed in the companionway

and the headsail up we took stock.

“What failed?” Nothing was broken on the pole end.

“Think it just came out of the cleat.”

“Well, we were screaming. Let’s repack it and get it back up,” I said and headed below with my red head lamp

# La Chancla crew in action. Photo by Al Schreitmueller

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE

and started running the tape. We had the kite up again within 15 minutes with the fore guy on a horn cleat, and we held that kite until 6:30 a.m. with one gybe.

It was the night after a new moon, an inky, Stygian darkness, overcast with drizzles. The wind built and clocked to a reach. We lowered the pole tip, put it forward, and strapped the kite. I knew that the only chance we had was a willingness to turn that three-quarter-ounce kite into confetti and push the boat hard enough to break stuff.

“Just hold the line, and I’ll dump the sheet when we need to. The only thing we have going for us is carrying a kite when others don’t,” I said.

Near Cove Point we saw a sailboat’s tricolor running lights to port and another to starboard and realized we were passing boats. It was not the fastest sailing I’ve done, but it was about the hardest I’ve pushed a boat. Every minute was work, as the kite hurtled us down the track with the trimmer letting out the sheet and cranking it in. The driver had to stay focused.

The next day our GPS showed a maximum speed of more than 10 knots. A pale sunrise like a large blister saw us rounding Point Lookout. I had papayas below to surprise the crew with papaya boats for breakfast. They’d flown out of the glow-in-the-dark hammock my wife had crocheted and been flung around the cabin. They were pummeled and dented, bruised, and lying on the cabin sole.

The pressure died. The north wind that had given us an all-night kite run made us beat for every inch to the finish line. We tacked on top of our tacks and pinched when we had to. I toyed with shallow water as the St. Mary’s River constricted. Just over 20 hours after we started, the breeze held enough for us to take a final tack and cross the line. We tucked the boat away and dropped the hook. I lifted my wife into the air with a hug when she met the water taxi on the dock.

Out of the five in our class one did not start, and we corrected over another to come in third. I had never raced my boat and truthfully, wasn’t even sure

it should be raced. Jumping through hoops, gathering gear, and figuring out logistics had taken weeks. My biggest fear had been that we wouldn’t finish in

time or even have a race we could really be proud of. Instead, three friends and I had an adventure and pushed ourselves, and La Chancla, to a liminal experience.

The 50th Anniversary St. Mary’s Governor’s Cup takes place August 4-5. Learn more at smcm.edu/annual-events/govcup.

small Boat scene

The Start Before the Start

By Kim Couranz

Before you can go racing, you have to get to the racing area. Sometimes that’s right off the dock, but in most venues, there’s a bit of a sail out. Getting there in time to warm up, do your racecourse reconnaissance/homework, and handle any final preparations before racing gets your day off to a good start.

So, when do you leave the dock? Having served on race committee for a few events recently, I’d say in general, “sooner than you have been!” Watching boats show up just a few minutes before the first start—or even later—is frustrating.

Sure, there are times where there are extenuating circumstances: The hoist has a mechanical issue; the wind dies on the way out. Often sailors are just taking their sweet time—and when that causes the race committee to postpone, it’s disrespectful to your fellow sailors and especially to your regatta volunteers.

In many fleets, a known cast of characters heads out to the racecourse on the early side. If you know who those folks are, you can always follow their lead. Watch when their sails go up, or when they roll over to the hoist, and follow suit.

But what if your fleet is a little more loosey-goosey? Learn a few key items,

and be ready to shift a little earlier or later given the day’s conditions.

One key item is an easy one: What time is your first start? Be sure to read your Notice of Race/Sailing Instructions to learn what Plan A is for the first start time. Remember it may be different each day of a regatta. Keep track of any amendments that may alter this time.

Figure out when you want to arrive at the racecourse to get ready. Perhaps this is a half hour, giving you enough time to do some tacks and gybes, get some headings, do a few lineups with competitors to check your speed, and do your starting line homework.

Then, how long does it take to sail there from where you’re getting in the water? Checking with locals is your best bet. If you get a range of times, err on the longer side of that range. If nobody has a clear answer, use a chart to figure out the distance and extrapolate how long it would take.

Also affecting your time: What’s the wind doing that morning? If you have a nice 10 knots and you’ll be reaching to get there, you might be able to trim a little time off your plans. Upwind in five knots? It will take you longer. How about the tides? Are you sailing against the current to get there? Add some

cushion to your time. You are checking the forecast the night before your regatta anyway (right?), so you can put it to immediate use!

Consider your on-land portion of the morning. How long does it take to rig your boat, move it over to where it gets into the water, and get it in the water (and return dolly/ trailer to a spot out of the fray). Are you ramp launching, or using a hoist, which usually takes a little longer. How big is your fleet: just a few boats launching, or a cast of thousands?

Communicate your timeline to your whole crew, so everyone’s on the same page. For example, “Our first start is at 11 a.m., so I want to be out there at 10:30 a.m. That means we need to be leaving the dock at 10 a.m., no later. So, let’s start pushing the boat over to the hoist at 9:45 a.m. Let’s all get to the club at 9 a.m. so we can rig up and get all our gear in the boat well before then.”

One important caveat to the “get out there a little early” theme. If it’s super windy, you may want to conserve both body and boat by trimming your pre-start warmup time. You still need to be there a bit before your first gun… but perhaps not too much!

# Which boats in your fleet head out to the race course on the early side? Why not follow their lead? Photo by Al Schreitmueller

the 11 Commandments of sailing Like

1. I will commit to making sailing better for everyone.

2. I will mentor young sailors and help them gain access to big boat sailing.

3. I will help people in the boat park and on the dock.

4. I will welcome new boat owners to the fleet, introduce them to other owners, and help them learn the fleet culture and how to make their new boats go better.

5. I will learn the racing rules of sailing.

6. I will put safety first and wear my lifejacket when I should.

7. I will make time to connect with anyone I got into it on the racecourse with and shake their hand, buy them a beer, etc. Even if we are headed for the room, I will remember we are all out there for the same thing—to have fun—and that we just saw things differently.

8. I will thank the race committee, volunteers and sponsors and will go to the regatta party to interact with them and other sailors.

9. I will fly the EWE flag (or sport other EWE gear) to show that I sail like EWE did, and I will always be watching, ready to catch others sailing like EWE did. When I do, I’ll thank them.

10. I will support the mission of the EWE Spirit Foundation on and off the water.

11. I will not forget how lucky I am to be able to sail like EWE did.

Dress Like EWE!

New Sales Director

Dream Yacht Sales & Ownership welcomes Amanda Haley as the new yacht sales director for North America. Amanda joins the company with years of industry experience in both yacht brokerage and most recently charter ownership sales for Navigare Yachting. Living aboard a 50-foot monohull herself, Amanda found her passion in helping other individuals find just the right boat for them and educating boaters about the vast possibilities charter management programs offer to make their sailing dreams a reality. She now brings this expertise to her new role where she continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams on the water. Her experience is also welcomed for expanding retail sales in the East Coast U.S. and Florida, where Dream Yacht is the exclusive dealer for Bali Catamarans. Amanda Haley is a dream-chasing sailor, renowned for her unwavering passion and expertise in the yachting industry. With her USCG 50-Ton Master License and a wealth of experience as a captain, she has successfully completed numerous 700+ nautical mile deliveries along the East coast of North America, Central America, and throughout the Caribbean. She is also an American Sailing Association (ASA) instructor certified in levels 101 to 114 and a mother of four. dreamyachtcharter.com

Authorized Dealer

Legasea Marine announces its new partnership with Contender Boats, as the brand’s exclusive authorized dealer for the state of Virginia and Dare County, NC. This exciting collaboration brings together two highly experienced boating families, ensuring a first-class experience for customers seeking top-quality, high-performance center consoles and exceptional customer service. Contender Boats takes pride in delivering a premium center console that boasts uncompromising durability, seaworthiness, and unmatched performance. Whether customers are avid anglers or casual boaters, Contender’s versatile lineup of boats from 24 to 44 feet caters to a wide range of on-water activities, ensuring every outing is both enjoyable and memorable. By partnering with Contender Boats, Legasea Marine further solidifies its position as a premier marine dealer in the Mid-Atlantic, catering to the diverse needs of boating enthusiasts and avid fishermen alike. “We could not be more proud to announce our affiliation with another family-owned company in Contender Boats. The well-respected Contender brand, now heading into its 40th year of business, has an outstanding reputation for service and quality craftsmanship. It is this premise that aligns with our core values and makes for an exciting partnership,” said Chris Hall, coowner of Legasea Marine. “This partnership is a testament to our continuous pursuit of excellence in the marine industry.” legaseamarine.com

Partnership

Tri-State Marine (TSM) announces an exclusive partnership with Annapolis School of Seamanship (ASOS). While Tri-State Marine has always provided boaters with access to the boat brands on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis School of Seamanship has provided boaters with expert skill and safety training through their on-the-water courses for more than 20 years. When combined through this exclusive partnership, TSM and ASOS now offer Chesapeake boaters a unique combination of skill, expertise, and access. From new boaters getting out on the water for the first time to hands-on expert level courses in marine systems, electrical, navigation, first-aid/CPR, and more, this partnership will have you covered. All summer you will find TSM’s new Grady-White 180 Fisherman boats in ASOS’s fleet on Spa Creek where their captains will lead onboard training courses every week, including Junior Captains 1 and 2, Basic Boater Operator, Docking Training, Women Behind the Wheel, and more. TSM is also offering free on-the-water training through ASOS with every boat purchase, course reimbursements with the purchase of a new boat from TSM, new boat purchase discounts for all program graduates, and special end-of-season pricing on all fleet training boats. “It’s really incredible to think how two top Maryland maritime small businesses can combine in a unique way to the benefit of so many Chesapeake Bay boaters. We’re thrilled with our partnership with Tri-State Marine, and we look forward to working with the team for many years to come—including the potential of expanding to new locations,” said John Martino, owner of Annapolis School of Seamanship. “Keith and the team there are great to work with, and now it’s even more exciting that they have a new location at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard on the waterfront in Annapolis. That makes it even better!” tristatemarine.com/asos

National Heritage Area

The Northern Neck officially launched the Northern Neck National Heritage Area with a celebration at Stratford Hall on July 17, more than two decades after the Northern Neck Planning District Commission—working with numerous stakeholders, elected representatives, and the National Park Service—began the effort to earn National Heritage Area (NHA) designation for the region. A National Heritage Area, said the Northern Neck Planning District Commission’s executive director, Jerry W. Davis, defines “‘places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape.’ That perfectly describes the Northern Neck.” Erik S. Kreusch, National Heritage Area coordinator at the Northeast Regional Office of the National Park Service in Philadelphia, addressed the next step in the process. “We have three years to develop a Management Plan,” said Kreusch. Its goal is to make the organization sustainable to allow the Northern Neck National Heritage Area to honor the history of the Northern Neck, engage museums, the community, and the region’s tribes to tell their stories. All this “aligns very much with the mission of the National Park Service,” he added.

Elizabeth S. Vehmeyer, assistant coordinator for the National Heritage Area Program at the National Park Service in Washington, DC, explained that although the first National Heritage Area was designated in 1984, and today there are 62 of them in 36 states, the Northern Neck became one, in January of 2023, along with the establishment of a system of National Heritage Areas across the country. “NHAs are grassroots efforts,” Vehmeyer said, “community-driven public-private partnerships that support, preserve, promote, and celebrate our nation’s history, its cultures, its peoples, and places. They are partners with the National Park Service.” A National Heritage Area does not create ownership by the Federal Government, she added, the way a National Park would. “NHAs are administered locally, making your participation and your voice in this process welcome and essential for the success of the National Heritage Area,” she said. northernneck.org

BR ok ERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

Help a Wounded Veteran 240-750-9899

S&J Yachts, Brokers for Fine Yachts

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

410.639.2777 info@sjyachts.com

www.sjyachts.com

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

Deanna@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

DINGHIES

2022 AB Inflatable RIB 10’ AB Lammina 10 AL Superlight RIB. Never used. New W/20 HP Suzuki engine. $9,500 Annapolis. Call 443.994.2094 or denis.seynhaeve@gmail.com

SAIL

1998 American Sail 14-6 Day Sailer, Quantum Main Sail, Hank-On Jib, Jib sail bag, main sail boot, bench cushions, 2018 anti-fouling paint, stored on lift, trailer, 2HP Honda motor. $2,600 marteng2@comcast.net

Yacht View Brokerage, LLC

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

john@yachtview.com

www.yachtview.com

B o AT WANTED

Wanted – 30’ Shoal Draft Sailboat

< 3 feet WTB - shoal draft sailboat, swing or lifting keel with less than 3’ draft board up. Beneteau 311, 323 or Island Packet 31 would be ideal. Contact diving-entire-0k@icloud.com

Jon and Anne Hutchings established YaZu Yachting in Deltaville in 2020. They’ve been Deltaville based ’Dream Merchants’ since 2005. They lived the dream cruising across the Atlantic from South Africa to the Caribbean on their 35’ sailboat. They worked as captain and mate on charter catamarans, before settling on the Southern Chesapeake. They are committed to helping people realize their dreams and establishing relationships that last long after the purchase or sale of a boat. 804.567.0092/3 anne@yazuyachting.com jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

DINGHIES

2019 Zodiac Hypalon 290 RIB

Excellent condition, very little use. Includes pump and cover. $1,950 Call 301.717.0274

The F101 is the newest, simplest design perfect for first-time foilers to experts. Nearly impossible to capsize, almost guaranteed to foil on your first day, and a blast on the Bay. Mint condition hull with Code Zero, Self-tacking Jib and hand dolly. Purchased for $25k, taking best offers, looking for a happy home with an eager foiler! eric @ejkessler.com www.bit.ly/44a5ooZ

(Bon Chance) 29’ Paceship Chance ‘74

Lively, actively sailed and well-loved cruiser/racer. Dependable Atomic 4 engine, new exhaust, newly replaced windows, Harken roller furling. Ready to sail! $8,900 Call 443.822.4096 or artholtjr@gmail.com

2021 F101 Foiling Trimaran 17’

SAIL CLUB ANNAPoLIS 32’ Hunter Vision Sloop, fully equipped. Annual dues $900. Daily rate $100/day. Contact 434.808.3512 or garudabuss@gmail.com

Brokerage & Classified

C&C 30 MkII ‘88 S/V Papillon, a welloutfitted racing/cruising vessel, perfect for the Chesapeake, 4.5’ draft wing keel, roller furling genoa, spinnaker pole kit, extra sails. Can be sailed single-handed. Galley w/ icebox. Sleeps six. Yanmar 16Hp w/ feathering prop. 20-gal diesel and two water tanks. Head and shower. Bottom painted, spring 2022. Teak cockpit table, and more. $18,000 OBO Text 240.731.6891 or email JLEsker1@gmail.com

Hunter ‘89 Cherubini 33’ Sloop Cherubini designed masthead sloop. Actively sailed, lively cruiser. Roller furling jib. Lazy jacks for main. Reliable 15Hp Volvo diesel. New head, hot water heater, battery charger. Recent Raymarine Evolution autopilot. I’ve moved on to a larger boat. Located in Eastport. She needs a new caring owner. $7,500 Contact Bill: 202.327.3404 or Billredd1@aol.com

Restored Dickerson 36 1972

Chesapeake Bay built. 3 cabins, sleeps 6. Fiberglass hull, deblistered/epoxied, decks/bulkheads epoxied, AWLGRIP fiberglassed/painted. North Sails in very good condition, roller reefing, Genoa, windlass, Westerbeke Diesel, new HWH, refrig, new battery charger, powered fuel cleaning system. Extra anchors, chain, line, fenders. Has awnings, bimini, wind scoops, dorade boxes, and funnels. Custom boat cover. Dinghy on davits. Magothy River. $28,500 Randy Bruns 443.994.8844 rbbruns@verizon.net

Sabre 38’ Mark 1 Divorce sale. $10,000 Boat needs work. Sails included. Make this boat your summer project! Call 410.703.5699 or email 21401naptown@gmail.com

37’ Excess 11 ‘23 Model Year, Boat of the YEAR winner! This new catamaran has won awards around the worldCome see what it’s all about! 37-foot Performance cruiser! Hull #75 IN STOCK 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

Pearson 30 - Many Upgrades! Renovated Atomic 4, wiring, wheel, large bimini, new rigging, roller furler, mainsail, traveler, toilet, batteries, depth finder, cabin carpet, tiller box, Galvanic Isolator, Garmin plotter, Gel coat. $12,000 Call 410.268.1058

Hunter 33.5 1989 Excellent condition. Yanmar 2GM20F, North sails, Doyle Cradle Cover (2019), Hawkeye Depth gauge (2023), and other upgrades. Boat is ready to sail. $25,000 Contact: sbailey128@gmail.com

Pearson 30 1977 Good old boat. Well maintained. Recent 130 Jib and new main. Good Atomic 4. New bottom paint. Everything works! $12,000 Located in Annapolis. Call 240.367.7977

32’ Allied Seawind ketch ‘76 Five sails, 30Hp Yanmar, C&G stove and oven, depth and speed log, 2 chart plotters. $16,500 Mike 410.446.7258

1974 Carter 33 Two owners, commissioned for offshore racing, hull 5/10, 1985 FWC engine low hours, 1993 double tapered mast, cruiser ready, inventory and pics https. Jeff 804.690.2214. $8,500 YPM Lancaster, VA. Photos: www.ritual.piwigo.com

(No Surrender) 1998 J/Boats J120 Offshore ready, J 120, USA 77. Fully equipped and ready for offshore racing. Well maintained and in great shape. Full complement of racing sails. Excellent electronics package. Email - ricksailscnc@hotmail.com

Vineyard Vixen 34’ Diesel auxiliary sloop, Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard 1984. Traditional beauty, strong, seaworthy, excellent condition. Accommodation for 4/5 in 2 cabins. $22,900 Located in Virginia. Contact Chris Barton 508.994.5700 scyacht11 @gmail.com www.sailboat.guide/ce4hbc

Fully equipped Racer/Cruiser in pristine condition. Meticulously maintained and boasts exceptional race record. Includes full set of racing sails, newly coated race bottom, water ballast, and Garmin electronics. Contact: 718.764.7215 or michaelb@mcmyacht.com www.bit.ly/42OIUZJ

37’ Pacific Seacraft 37 ’03 Extensive recent refit. Full-width forward bunk. Newer canvas and sails. Beautiful teak interior. Asking $190,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

38’ Sabre 386 ‘04 Quality build midsize cruiser. Cruise Equipped, Air, Solar, Updated Electronics and moreNew Main. Asking $198,500 Call Dan Bacot 757.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

(Jangada) 35’

‘90 Solar. Wood stove. Cozy interior. Wellmaintained. Freshly painted hull. Ready to sail! PRICE DROP $32,000 Located in Pasadena, MD. Call Dave at 240.285.4016 www.jangada.info

34’ Jeanneau 349 ‘23 Model Year #841 IN STOCK! Limited edition, Performance pack, Sails fantastic, A true performance cruiser, Great for the bay! Call today to schedule a showing/ Demo sail. 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

38’

38 Mk II ’88 Classic design. Lightly used, professionally maintained. AC/Heat, windlass and more. Mostly freshwater sailed. Asking $120,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

39’ Excess 12 ‘22 Another Excess Boat of Year Winner! Cruise Ready Excess 12 #29 is ready for delivery NOW! Call CYS offices and speak with your favorite Broker! $650,000 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

Hunter Legend

(Wings) 2020 J Boats J/121

7078 Bembe Beach Rd., Annapolis, MD 21403

Sabre

CR34, C38, C42, C45, C50

41’ Jeanneau Sun odyssey 410 ‘23 Hull #242 IN STOCK! Very wellequipped! Call your Favorite CYS broker today for more info! Available now for Spring delivery! 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

51’ Jeanneau Sun odyssey 519 ‘17 Great equipment list on this late model Jeanneau. All set for coastal or offshore cruising. Blue Hull, Davits, Genset, Thruster,

Water Maker, Solar and more! 3 Cabin, 2 head layout. Price reduced, asking $395,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

(Confidante) 36’ Vancouver ‘82 $60,000 Dan Williams 502.881.7475 d williams@curtisstokes.net ww.curtisstokes.net

(Native) 38’ Herreshoff ‘70 $29,900 Lin Earley 757.672.2778 lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

44’ Jeanneau 44DS ‘14 3 Cabin, 2 Head layout on this late model Beauty! Thruster, Watermaker, Solar, Low hours, lightly cruised. Dink and Davits are SOME highlights! Asking $275,000 REDUCED, won’t last long! Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

(karen Marie) 36’ Union ‘84 $70,000 Dan Williams 502.881.7475 d williams@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Pride) 40’ Tartan ‘85 $80,000 Dan Williams 502.881.7475 d williams@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Adventure) 37’ Tartan ‘79 $58,500 Lin Earley 757.672.2778 lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Chaucer Blue) 41’ Morgan ‘77 $60,000 Justin Lawrence 802.272.5208 jlawrence @curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

49’ Excess Catamaran 15 ‘23 Pulse Line Rigged. Loaded with cruising gear and elegance not yet seen in family cruising cats! Hull #14 IN STOCK!! Deposit NOW - Close/Deliver in Summer 2023! Call your favorite CYS Broker for more info! 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

(Zephyrus) 37’ Irwin ‘74 $19,000 Dan Williams 502.881.7475 d williams@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Quetzalcoatl) 45’ Bruce Roberts ‘98 $110,000 Jason Hinsch 410.507.1259 jason@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

49’ Jeanneau Sun odyssey 490 ‘23 Performance Cruiser, Furling mast, Air, Gen, Thruster, and more, ready to go cruising! Hull #168 IN STOCK!! Deposit NOW - Close/Deliver Summer 2023! Call today to schedule a showing with your favorite CYS Broker 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

(Anna May) 38’ Wauquiez ‘86 $65,000 Brent Anderson 651.528.4198 brent@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Artful Dodger) 49’ Hanse ‘11 $295,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4500 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

Air Con,

66’ CNB 66 ‘21 Well-equipped for offshore/distance cruising comfort. 4 cabins/4 heads with Captain/Crew cabin in bow. Asking $2,550,000

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

(Cloud 9) 34’ Catalina ‘88 $37,500 Lin Earley 757.672.2778 lin@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Elf) 35’ George Lawley & Son 1888 $249,000 Fletcher C. Bauman 410.263.2000 fletcher@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

2001 Lagoon 380 3-stateroom owner version. Generator, ac/heat. Call Jay 410.977.9460 jay@knot10.com www.knot10.com

43’ Jouet 1280 Most well-designed motor sailor I have ever seen! Perfect condition. This is a must see! Visit Knot10.com and look at her! Call Jay 410.977.9460 jay@knot10.com www.knot10.com

2005 Jeanneau Sun odyssey 54 DS Captain’s layout. Full B&G Yacht Electronics. Call Jay 410.977.9460 jay@knot10.com, www.knot10.com

Pacific Seacraft 31 ‘19 Nearly new, well-equipped w/ optional equipment, incl. cutter rig, shoal draft keel (4”), bow thruster, anchor windlass, inverter/ charger, reverse cycle AC/heat, and custom hard top dodger. $288,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

2013 Marlow-Hunter 40 Stunning

freshly painted blue hull, new bottom paint, hard bimini, 760 engine hours, bow thruster, clean interior, two cabin layout. Beautifully kept boat! $249,000 Charleston, SC. S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Catalina Morgan 440 2005 Superb galley-up Deck Salon shoal draft cruiser, great views & all the options; 3 elec winches, generator, bow thruster, laundry/workshop… great 2 cabin accom’s & centerline fwd berth. $230,000 S&J Yachts 252.864.9111

www.sjyachts.com

Brokers for Fine Yachts Brokers for Fine Yachts

Annapolis, MD 410-571-3605

Rock Hall, MD 410-639-2777

Deltaville, VA 804-776-0604

Charleston, SC 843-872-8080

Palmetto, FL 941-212-6121

www.SJYACHTS.com

Island Packet Yachts 27’-52’ List your Island Packet with the Experts! S&J Yachts is the World leader in selling IPs. No team knows these boats better! We have buyers looking now for these excellent cruising yachts. Call S&J now for a free market evaluation. 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Bavaria Yachts Quality Performance Style. Enjoy the expertise of German engineering. C42 & C45 In Stock NowCR34, C38, C42, C45, C50 arriving this summer for 2023 delivery. Thinking of a new boat or wanting to sell your Bavaria? Contact S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

2019 Blue Jacket 40 Lightly used, nearly new condition & ready for a new owner & new adventures. Solar, arch, A/C, & shoal draft keel make it ideal for fast cruising just about anywhere! $499,900 Palmetto, FL. S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

2008 Island Packet 465 in St Petersburg, FL – Super clean, center cockpit cruiser, loaded with equipment! 2021 electronics, water maker, generator, arch/davits, thruster, and plenty of space/storage. $445,000 S&J Yachts 843.872.8080

www.sjyachts.com

2009 Catalina 375 Many wonderful features: Reverse cycle heat/air, beautiful cockpit canvas w/ sunshades, ocean air shades & screens for all overheads. Separate stall shower, convertible salon table, center-line queen forward converts to traditional v-berth. $167,500 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

41’ Island Packet SP Cruiser ‘08 Switching from sail to power? Sit inside in comfort & trim all sails at the push of a button. Enjoy sailing or power like a displacement trawler. Large centerline berth. Spacious galley. Shoal draft. $259,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

1987 Bristol 47.7 Spacious 2cabin/2head, ICW friendly design, comfortably suited for 6 aft cockpit, keel centerboard, A/C, Volvo diesel, plus many sail combinations and modern upgrades. $155,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777

www.sjyachts.com

2008 Beneteau oceanis 423 Extremely well-cared for, superoptioned 2stateroom/2head layout. Lots of privacy for 2 couples. Roller Furling Mainsail, varnished cherry cabinetry, teak flooring in cockpit; one of the newest 423 models on the market. $178,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Southerly 57 ‘10 Luxurious Bluewater Performance Cruiser! Raised salon with panoramic views. Great cockpit for entertaining. Variable swing keel from 3’ 6” to 10’ 9” at the push of a button. Large transom platform/garage. $998,000 S&J Yachts 410.971.1071

www.sjyachts.com

Anne

17218 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA

Anne: 804-567-0092 | Jon: 804-567-0093

www.yazuyachting.com

27’ Hunter 27 ’05 Tidy pocket family cruiser with a lot to offer for its length. Great starter boat. In-mast furling, microwave, new forestay 2020, Autopilot, 1 cabin, 1 head. $33,000 Irvington, VA. Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

28’ Telstar 28 ‘08 Renowned trailersailer. Retracting amas, centerboard, lifting rudder, Honda 20Hp Outboard, tiller pilot, marine head, electronics, Trailer. $49,500 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

41’ Tartan 41 ‘74 This Sparkman Stephens designed hull is a classic performance boat. Sporty to sail, Simple systems, Spacious interior, Newly painted decks. $49,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

Opportunity to acquire a large modern catamaran needs some investment. Four cabins. Office. Spacious galley. Dive compressor. New unused sails. Solar. Dinghy/OB. Needs new engines and saildrives. $275,000 OBO. Cardinal, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

40’ Norseman 400 ‘87 This much sought after boat gives great sailing. Standing rigging and lifelines replaced 2016, Westerbeke, Maxprop, Propane Heater, Spacious walk-in shower. $69,500 Deltaville, VA. Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

45’ Lagoon 450F ’11 Solar, In Boom Furling, new sails 2018, all electric winches, new upholstery, Lithium batteries, davits, SD60 saildrives 2022, flybridge hard top w/ full enclosure. Great Value at $465,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

50’ Voyage 500 Catamaran ‘05

& Jon Hutchings

MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

EQUIPMENT

H ELP WANTED

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

CREW

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

DELIVERIES

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

EQUIPMENT

CBF Seeking Port Isobel Captain/Educator field based in Tangier, Virginia. Required to live on-site from March through early December for education field programs. Minimum 50-ton Master of Inland Waters USCG Captain License w/ FCC certification required to operate & maintain 50-foot USCG inspected vessel that provides educational experiences for participants. Position is fulltime with generous benefits, please email resumes to: employment@cbf.org www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/ port-isobel-captaineducator.html

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

Yacht Sales - Curtis Stokes and Associates, Inc. is hiring new salespeople for our Chesapeake area operation. Candidates must be honest, ethical and have boating experience. This is a commission only position. Contact Curtis Stokes at 410.919.4900 or curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

M ARINE S ERVICES

ToRQEEDo Travel 1003S Electric outboard Long range battery, 3 Hp. Perfect for daysailers up to 3,000 pounds, tenders, dinghies, duck boats. Quiet and lightweight, perfect condition. Used twice. Includes carrying bag for motor/battery. $1,800 703.869.1663 2000Annapolis@gmail.com

M ARINE S ERVICES

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

34' Slip for Sale on Spa Creek - at the end of Burnside Street in Eastport. Swimming Pool, clubhouse, parking included! $48,000 OBO Call or text 717.554.8432

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

Jellyfish of the Bay Chesapeake Creatures

By Capt. Steven Toole

Of the countless things you may love about the Chesapeake Bay, chances are pretty good that jellyfish aren’t among them. Believe it or not, they are actually an important part of the Bay ecosystem. Here’s a crash course in what makes these spineless creatures at least tolerable, if not somewhat interesting.

If you like oysters, you’ll love jellyfish! No, not with lemon and cocktail sauce. But jellyfish actually eat predators that eat oyster larvae. So, in theory, more jellyfish means more oysters. Since oysters filter and clean our Bay water, jellyfish are like the sentinels that keep our oysters working hard at cleaning the water. Go jellyfish!

What are they? There are several types of jellyfish, but bay nettles are the most common in the Bay (Chrysaora chesapeakei). These spineless, gelatinous creatures pulse through the water, using their stinging tentacles to stun their prey for consumption.

Where are they? NOAA publishes a report called “The Sea Nettles Probability of Encounters,” which maps the most likely areas of the Bay to find jellyfish. Currently those areas include the Middle Bay from the Chester River to Smith Island and the major tributaries in that range. According to NOAA, jellyfish are most likely found when the water temperature is between 79 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit and the salinity is 10-16 PSU. Areas with more fresh water and less salt water tend to have lower jellyfish concentrations, particularly after a period of heavy rainfall.

When do they come? Jellyfish are always in the Bay, year-round, unlike our osprey, cownose rays, and countless other migratory species. We tend to see them more in warmer months such as July and August, because they spawn in mid-late summer.

Why they sting. Like most dangerous creatures, jellyfish sting as a way to capture food. While jellyfish don’t eat people, their sting can be felt just the same.

Preventing a sting If you want to be in or near the jellyfish-infested waters of mid-late summer, covering up with a wetsuit or even pantyhose, can help provide protection from a sting. Just remember, a jellyfish could end up on your face, which would be rather unpleasant.

Treating a sting. If you do get stung by a jellyfish, you should find the pain to be relatively mild. My most recent sting felt as if I had been scratched by a kitten. Common methods to relieve the sting include baking soda, meat tenderizer, vinegar, alcohol (hand sanitizer), hydrocortisone, and yes, it’s true—even urine.

Effect on boating. Jellyfish can actually clog a boat’s sea strainer for the AC or engine freshwater intake, so it’s a good idea to check your strainers regularly during heavy jellyfish infestation periods.

What eats them. Believe it or not, some fish and turtle species eat jellyfish, making them an even more important part of our Bay’s ecosystem. In several Southeast Asian countries some jellyfish species are considered a delicacy, with global harvesting estimated to exceed 300,000 metric tons. Personally, I prefer Smucker’s in a jar, but that’s just one man’s individual preference. Like it or not, jellyfish are here to stay. Hopefully these fun facts might help them gain some appreciation among us two-legged creatures who share their home on Chesapeake Bay.

SALE SUMMER

From basking in vivid sunsets, to exploring uncharted waters, or creating unforgettable memories, our team is here to empower your season. Ignite your summer adventures with Quantum sails, designed to elevate your experience on the water.

Request a quote now to take advantage of the best prices of the season and explore options available for delivery this season.

SCAN