SpinSheet Magazine June 2023

AFFORDABLE SAILING

on new model boats for a simple monthly membership fee that includes dockage, maintenance, and insurance.

SEASON OF MEMORIES

with guaranteed time every month that can be bundled for a multi-day voyage.

TOTAL FLEXIBILITY

SailTime’s innovative mobile app, EMBARK allows you to schedule boat trips on your time frame, up to a year in advance.

Learn

1986 38’ Wauquiez - $65,000 Brent Anderson - 651.528.4198

1970 38’ Herreshoff - $29,900 Lin Earley - 757.672.2778

2006 33’ Hunter - $64,500 Steve Horinek - 239.887.0898

1988 34’ Tartan - $38,000 David Robinson - 410.310.8855

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

1984 36’ Union - $70,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

1982 36’ Vancouver - $60,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

1985 40’ Tartan - $89,500 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

1977 41’ Morgan - $35,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

1981 47’ Vagabond - $50,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

2003 42’ Catalina - $159,500 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

1990 43’ Slocum - $195,000 Jim Davis - 386.871.4959

Explore the world with us

Soothing salt air, the whisper of waves sweeping the shore, soft sands under foot. There’s no better way to reconnect with all that matters most. Wherever you want to go, and whatever type of escape you’re looking for, we have your dream sailing vacation. With 50+ destinations around the globe and over 900 yachts, no one else can take you farther.

Reserve your yacht in one of our many idyllic destinations in the breezy Bahamas, sun-soaked Caribbean or enchanting Tahitian islands. Or sail a bit closer to home and discover our U.S. destinations including the scenic Chesapeake from Annapolis, or beautiful Newport from our base in Rhode Island. Don’t let summer slip away. The sea, a land to discover.

Features

34

Inspired by the Chesapeake: Judy and Tom Bixler have written their own “ferry tale” of how to best cross the Tred Avon River as the owners of the Oxford Bellevue Ferry.

By Gwen Mayes

38

High and Dry on the Fourth of July

Two licensed captains walk into a (sand) bar…

By Cheryl Duvall

40

See the Bay: Music Venues on the Chesapeake

While traveling by boat, what’s the best place to hear some live music?

By Captain Steven Toole

58

Offshore Sailing Part 3: Fixing Your Boat in Exotic Places

If you’re resourceful and mechanically inclined, you can work miracles with duct tape and makeshift parts.

By

Captain John Bouma

presented by Us spars

62

Spring Racing Scene

The Helly Hansen Sailing World Series Annapolis, Charleston Race Week, the Annapolis to Newport Race, and more popular events for Chesapeake sailors. presented by MoUnt Gay rUM

79

One-Designs Welcome Women

More women joining sailing events makes our community more inclusive, diverse, and exciting than ever.

By Molly Wilmer

On a breezy Wednesday evening, Will Keyworth captured this month’s cover shot of junior sailors out practicing in Annapolis Harbor.

# U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Recruit Isaac Esposito

# Photo by John Bouma

# Photo by Will Keyworth

Departments

30

By Pamela Tenner Kellett

Cruising Scene

42 Postcard From Antigua

By Cindy Wallach

44 Bluewater Dreaming: Apologies to Beaufort for Anchoring Nearby and Not Visiting

By John Herlig

presented by M yacht services

47 Charter Notes: Where To Charter in June, July, and August

49 Cruising Club Notes

presented by yaZU yacthinG

Racing Beat

62 Racing News

presented by MoUnt Gay rUM

81 Small Boat Scene: Picking the Right Cover: Tight, Loose, or None?

By Kim Couranz

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

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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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© 2023 SpinSheet Publishing Company

What’ S Y O u R Big Adventure ?

By Molly Winans

Kirsten Neuschäfer. I couldn’t possibly get through the June issue without mentioning her name. Perhaps you’ve heard of her? Perhaps you hadn’t heard of her before April 27? Admittedly, I was late to the game learning about her achievements as I’d taken two separate vacations this spring and returned to the madness of SpinSheet Crew Parties and spring boat shows. I was struggling to keep my focus on the Chesapeake sailing scene, let alone the globe-trotting one. I started to see the chatter on social media that a woman may win the non-stop, around-the-world Golden Globe Race.

Wasn’t that the race in which the odd British guy fabricated his route? I thought. Yes, that’s the race Donald Crowhurst failed to finish; he disappeared. It’s the one Frenchman Bernard Moitessier may have won but decided to sail past the finish line and take another lap around the world to save his soul. British sailor Robin KnoxJohnson won; he was the only one of nine to finish that first race in 1968. Now, Neuschäfer has joined the ranks of such sailing legends.

Apparently, no one ever told the 41-year-old South African adventurer she couldn’t do certain things as a woman—or if they did, she ignored them. She has worked as a wilderness guide, traveled the Arctic, bicycled through Africa, and led sailing expeditions to Antarctica. She has sailed non-stop, unassisted around the world in 235 days, finishing a full day ahead of the next competitor (11 of 15 of them retired; one boat sank and Neuschäfer rescued him from his liferaft).

Neuschäfer has been on my mind for a few weeks now. Her victory inspired me. It brought to mind my last conversation with the late, great Annapolis photographer Dave Dunigan. We’d been chatting on the street corner in front of the Leeward Market in Eastport, talking about crazy

sea adventures. He posed the question to me, “What’s your big adventure?” I know he didn’t mean it in a “What’s up this summer” kind of way but rather significant life adventure.

Let me pose the question to you, SpinSheet friends: What’s your big adventure? Maybe it’s not sailing-related. Maybe you aspire to go backpacking or run your first marathon or move to France. If it involves sailing, perhaps it’s a regional adventure such as circumnavigating the DelMarVa Peninsula with friends or competing in your first overnight race on the Chesapeake. If your adventure does indeed involve sailing, send me a note to tell me about it: molly@spinsheet.com

In this issue, you’ll find plenty to inspire you from our Start Sailing Now profile of a Baltimore sailor (page 28) to the first-ever all-female team competing in the Annapolis to Newport Race this month (page 71). Two of our cruising columnists share impressions from their travels: Cindy Wallach gives her non-racer take on Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (page 42), and John Herlig notes what

he missed by anchoring near rather than visiting Beaufort, NC (page 44). If you do dream of an extended sailing cruise one day, perhaps around the world, don’t miss circumnavigator John Bouma’s story, “Fixing Your Boat in Exotic Places” (page 58).

When planning June adventures big and small, keep in mind that the Summer Sailstice takes place June 24 (see page 20). A handful of Chesapeake clubs are planning Sailstice raftups. If you plan to race that day—in the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta, OPCYC Veterans Cup, or the Broad Bay Regatta among other events—make sure to sign up at summersailstice.org. All you have to do is sign up and go sailing, solo or with friends, to qualify for prizes. SpinSheet Century Club members may qualify for a bonus “double day” by registering and sailing on that one special day, June 24.

Let’s go sailing!

# Kirsten Neuschäfer. Photo by Golden Globe Race/ Facebook

No Chatter on Channel 68

Iread Kelsey Bonham’s article “Start the Season With Safety in Mind” in the May issue of SpinSheet. I take issue with her statement: “Working channels 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78A are all good channels for extended conversations.” There shouldn’t be any extended conversations on VHF channels, except with the US Coast Guard. Even the USCG asks for a boater’s cell phone number… Keeping communications short and concise is always the best on VHF radio channels. After all, the radio can be your number one safety device onboard. Use it wisely and safely.

Paul “Bo” Bollinger Annapolis

Farewell to Friends

Captain William Stoddard Blades, a well-known and admired professional captain of Rock Hall, MD, died peacefully at Compass Hospice on Thursday, May 11, just short of his 78th birthday. Cap’n Bill, as he was affectionately known, was a highly respected delivery and charter captain as well as an active and fun-loving member of the tightly knit Rock Hall community. Capt. Bill grew up in the Philadelphia area, attended Muskingum College in Ohio, and built a career first as a social worker with troubled youths, and as a partner with various non-profits, and urban development and general contracting firms.

Capt. Bill chose to retire in Rock Hall, where he sailed and resided with his golden Lab, Sadie. He also loved the mountains, especially the Adirondacks, spending as much time as he could paddling in a small guide boat with his beloved dog. As an active community volunteer in Rock Hall, Cap’n Bill served on the Mayor’s Waterfront Committee, Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend Planning Committee, and most recently, the Municipal Building Advisory Board.

Rock Hall, MD

Captain Mark Einstein

CRAB’s New Adaptive Boating Center Is Open to All!

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center on May 2. The Adaptive Boating Center (ABC) is a $6 million project supported by funding from the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, and CRAB donors. The new facility is an essential part of CRAB’s strategic plan to increase accessibility to the Chesapeake Bay for people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities.

The ceremony was standing-room only, with many supporters, including SpinSheet, coming out to show support for the project. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said, “I salute the work that has been done here. This project is setting an example for the state and nonprofits across the country by building a facility and running a program that is all about inclusivity and resilience. This project will help ensure that all Marylanders reach their full potential.”

Other speakers included the top elected and appointed leaders that have supported the project for the past several years. The list includes Anne Arundel

County Executive Steuart Pittman; Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley; Maryland State Senator Sarah Elfreth; Delegate Dana Jones; Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty; Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Woods; Superintendent of the US Naval Academy Vice Admiral Sean Buck; Annapolis Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles; and Annapolis Alderman Rob Savidge.

The ABC is performing as expected with more than 70 guests enjoying therapeutic sailing in the first two weeks of the 2023 season. More than 65 percent of the guests have a disability. This demonstrates the center’s commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for people of all abilities. Guests’ comments upon seeing the ABC have been inspirational. They knew about it during construction and had seen pictures, but the actual building and grounds have been considered awe inspiring because of their 100-percent accessibility.

Lynne Marra, a guest on a family sail, said, “The ABC is the best thing that Annapolis showcases.”

CRAB chair of the board of directors, Jim Nolan said, “The Adaptive Boating Center is an exceptional facility that truly goes above and beyond the requirements set by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). It is a pioneering example of how sailing can and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. By prioritizing the needs of all sailors, the ABC has raised the bar for what is possible and has cemented Annapolis’s position as the Sailing Capital. This remarkable facility shows that when it comes to sailing, everyone can be included, making it an even more rewarding and enjoyable experience for all.”

CRAB started as a small nonprofit with a big vision to give people with disabilities opportunities to sail and boat with their neighbors on the Chesapeake Bay. Founded in 1991 by Don Backe, who was paralyzed in a car accident in 1987, CRAB has grown from serving a few hundred guests per year to over 1200 in 2022.

To learn more about CRAB, volunteer, donate, or register for the 2023 CRAB Cup on August 19, visit crabsailing.org

# Supporters celebrated CRAB’s longawaited Adaptive Boating Center opening May 2. Photo by CRAB

Marine and Maritime Career Expo: Connecting Future Leaders with Industry Experts

On April 27, the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation Marine and Maritime Career Expo brought together local high school students, job seekers, and industry leaders for a day of networking and exploring career opportunities. Hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation (EYCF) and Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the event was held at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis and featured a wide range of exhibitors from across the marine and maritime industries.

The Expo featured more than 30 booths where students could connect with representatives from organizations such as the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, Military Sealift Command, and SUNY Maritime College, just to name a few. These organizations shared information about job opportunities, training programs, and the many benefits of pursuing a career in the marine and maritime industries. Multiple students received offers for summer jobs while attending the Expo!

“We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to host this event and connect future leaders with the many exciting opportunities available in the marine and maritime industries,” said Wendy Madden, Chair of the EYCF Marine & Maritime Career Expo. “These industries are vital to the economic health of our region, and we need talented, dedicated individuals to help us continue to grow and innovate.”

In addition to the exhibitor booths, the students had the opportunity to experience a working yacht yard during the busy spring season. Throughout the day students could tour businesses, observe boat launch demonstrations, and view a variety of sailboats and powerboats throughout the yard.

The event was a tremendous success, with students from six Anne Arundel County High Schools in attendance visiting the booths and connecting with industry experts. Thank you to our volunteers, marine and maritime organizations, local

businesses, schools, and sponsors for bringing the event together. The EYCF Marine and Maritime Career Expo was a reminder of the incredible opportunities available in these industries and the importance of supporting and investing in the next generation of marine and maritime leaders.

For more information about the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation Marine and Maritime Career Expo, visit eycfoundation.org.

# Photo courtesy of Eastport Yacht Club Foundation

Boat u S Foundation President Chris Edmonston Named to the Boating Safety h all of Fame

Making boating safety education more accessible by bringing courses online, growing the availability of on-water training programs, and developing national on-water boating safety standards are just some of the accomplishments cited when Chris Edmonston, president of the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, was inducted into the prestigious Boating Safety Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes individuals who have made, or continue to generate, substantial and lasting contributions toward the advancement of recreational boating safety.

Edmonston was feted during the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC)’s annual gathering April 16 for his relentless push over a 25-year career to make waterways safer for all. He helped lead the nation’s foremost membership-based boating safety organization in its efforts to create on-water boat control training

grow the ranks of NSBC-certified instructors that follow a national, uniform on-water skills training course standard.

“Chris has made boating safety education more accessible for thousands of America’s boaters,” said Robert Newsome, NSBC chair. “We are grateful for his leadership.”

“NSBC wouldn’t be where it is today without the efforts of Chris Edmonston,” said NSBC executive director Peg Phillips. “His work not only further equipped the council to educate and train safe boaters but also advanced the work of the industry as a whole.”

“I am humbled to receive this honor,” said Edmonston. “I just love boating and want to get people on the water safely. I’ve always focused my efforts on growing our boating safety community, and I look at this honor as much as a partnership award with all the groups BoatUS has worked with over the years. We have a special community, and I’ve always felt

is to work together in a way that ensures everyone’s success in making America’s waterways safer.”

Some previous NSBC Hall of Fame inductees have included BoatUS and BoatUS Foundation presidents, state wildlife agency staffers, national boating organization and industry leaders, and

MarylandDove to tour the Chesapeake Bay

This year, the Maryland Dove will be sailing to different ports-ofcall around the Chesapeake Bay thanks to a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. After being built in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the state-funded ship was commissioned and delivered to Historic St. Mary’s City in August of 2022.

During the Bay Tour, Maryland Dove will be open to the public for free deck tours at each of the heritage areas for one to three days at a time. “We look forward to partnering with fellow heritage areas to help connect the traveling exhibit with communities further away than our typical audience,” said HSMC director of education, Peter Friesen.

Maryland Dove and its dockside exhibits emphasize the waterways of the region, pre-colonial heritage, and interactions between different cultures. The ship and its exhibits are designed to elicit

conversation, highlighting the depth of history represented in the area and the interactions between Native peoples and European colonists. The Dove is a unique representative of the complicated history, representing colonization and the effects on those that called the land home.

The first stop on the Bay Tour will be Baltimore. The Dove will be docked in Fells Point at the Broadway Pier (920 South Broadway Street) for three days: June 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; June 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and June 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Street parking and parking garages are available.

From there, the ship will sail to Havre de Grace and be open to the public on June 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. The Dove will be docked at Hutchins Memorial Park (100 Congress Avenue).

The next stop will be Cambridge on

June 30 and July 1, both days open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Long Wharf (2 Yacht Club Drive). The final stop is Crisfield September 1 to 3 for the town’s National Hard Crab Derby. The Dove will be docked at Somers Cove Marina (715 Broadway Street) and open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days.

Maryland Dove sails as a steward of Historic St. Mary’s City and a representation of a cargo vessel that arrived, along with the passenger ship Ark, in 1634. When not traveling, it can be found docked in southern Tidewater Maryland at the living history museum.

For a full schedule of port visits, click to hsmcdigshistory.org

# Photo courtesy of HSMC

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names New Maryland Executive Director

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has named Dr. Allison Colden as its new Maryland executive director. Colden enters the new role after six years at CBF as Maryland Fisheries Scientist. She is among the leading advocates for sustainable fisheries policies to protect important Chesapeake Bay species such as rockfish, oysters, and blue crabs.

Josh Kurtz, CBF’s previous Maryland executive director, was appointed secretary of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources by Governor Wes Moore in January.

Colden has led advocacy efforts to pass state bills such as 2019 legislation that permanently protected Maryland’s five large-scale oyster restoration sanctuaries. For the past two years, Colden has overseen CBF’s Maryland oyster restoration program, which adds tens of millions of oysters to the Bay each year to sanctuary reefs. She also serves as Maryland’s legislative representative to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and as an appointed member of Maryland’s Oyster Advisory Commission, where she

advances sustainability through regulation and cooperative fisheries management. Her work on fishery issues has given her a broad understanding of the water quality problems that affect the Bay as well as the need for clean water.

“It’s my pleasure to announce Allison Colden as the new leader of CBF’s Maryland team,” said Alison Prost, CBF’s vice president for environmental protection and restoration. “Since joining CBF, Allison has proven she can use her scientific expertise to work through controversial issues with grace. Allison has earned the respect of partners and decision-makers alike through a cooperative approach and thoughtful policy recommendations.”

Colden, an Annapolis resident, received a doctorate in marine sciences from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in 2015. Before coming to CBF, she worked in the U.S House of Representatives as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow and later as the senior manager of external affairs at Restore America’s Estuaries.

“We’re in a time of change for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup as several states in

the watershed struggle to meet their pollution reduction requirements,” said Colden. “In Maryland, we must do more to address agricultural and stormwater pollution. As we approach the 2025 deadline, there is an opportunity to reflect on what has worked, what hasn’t, and to advance proven and innovative solutions to restore the Bay’s health. We must ensure the next phase of the cleanup supports communities harmed by water and air quality issues, mitigates climate change, and furthers pollution reductions. I’m excited for this opportunity and look forward to advancing the important work of the Maryland team.”

# Allison Colden. Photo by Caroline Phillips, CBF

Volunteer Captain Needed at the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum

The Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, located in Reedville, VA, on Cockrell Creek, is looking for a volunteer captain for one of its four vessels at the museum, the Claud W. Somers

The mission of the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum is to share the maritime history of the area through educational programs, exhibits, and community activities while enhancing the lives of the area’s residents and visitors. The museum’s fleet of four vessels is comprised of:

Claud W. Somers: Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this skipjack is also registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark. She is owned and operated by the museum and managed by an all-volunteer crew. Today museum visitors can experience sailing on this historic working sailing vessel when it is fully staffed. To apply or request further information regarding the captain position, call the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum office at (804) 453-6529 or

email office@rfmuseum.org. Captain’s requirements: USCG Masters License (minimum of inland route, 25-ton, with auxiliary sail endorsement); FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit/higher-grade license; CPR/FA certification; significant experience on sailing vessels.

Elva C: This “deck boat” was built in 1922 in Westland, VA, for pound net fishing and moving freight. She was donated to the museum in 1989. Deck boats, also called “buy boats,” were used for fishing or to carry seafood or produce to market.

John Smith Barge ‘Spirit of 1608’: This is a replica of the boats used by John Smith during his exploration of the Chesapeake Bay in 1608. Volunteers at the museum designed and constructed this boat using trees that fell during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Work was completed at a donated sawmill. She was christened in 2006 after more than 4000 hours of labor.

Foggy River: This deadrise boat was designed and built by local residents. After being donated to the museum she served as a floating classroom until the spring of 2021, when she became a land exhibit. Volunteers are needed to help scrape, paint, and repair Foggy River. For information call the museum at (804) 4536529.

Learn more about the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum at rfmuseum.org.

RACING IS WHAT YOU'RE RACING FROM

Element Blocks . Harken, for people who don’t need Harken .

You are precisely the opposite of a racer. In fact, you might be accurately termed ‘the antiracer.’ This is fine. Because at Harken, we make products for sailors. For example, our Element blocks: aluminum forged for strength, with a proven bearing system to work simply for years. Metal, priced like plastic plain-bearing blocks. We make racier blocks. There are faster boats too. To each, their own.

# The Claud W Somers. Image courtesy of Reedville Fisherman’s Museum

Sailors for the Sea Launches Clean Class

In May Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana launched its Clean Class initiative, which recognizes entire classes of boats whose members are committed to sustainability. The initiative encourages one-design fleets to implement Clean Regattas best practices into classwide operations and events, expanding the positive impact sailors can have on our oceans and waterways.

The Clean Class initiative is open to any interested one-design fleets, regardless of membership size or number of events. All that is required is a desire to lessen the class’s environmental impact. Clean Classes rely on the Clean Regattas framework, which encourages events to eliminate single-use items, protect sensitive habitats, and work with local organizations. For Clean Class recognition, 25 percent of a class’s events need to achieve at least a Bronze-level Clean Regatta certification.

The Thistle Class, which has more than 50 active fleets across the United States, worked with Sailors for the Sea to develop

and pilot the Clean Class initiative. The class’s dedicated leadership and volunteers worked to determine the steps necessary to scale up the sustainability success of individual regattas. During the first full year of the pilot in 2021, the Thistle Class registered 21 new Clean Regattas, a 420-percent increase in Thistle events participating in the program. In 2022, six additional events registered, with many of the recurring regattas achieving higher levels of sustainability certification.

“The Thistle Class has been a longtime advocate of sustainability. We wanted to take it to the next level by having sound common practices, and a process to share ideas and set class goals,” says

Mike Ingham, Thistle Class champion and Sailors for the Sea Skipper. “Our goal is to reduce the environmental impact at as many Thistle events as possible. Because of this initiative, we see a deepening ‘clean’ culture throughout the class, top down, from class leaders through event organizers, clubs, and sailors.”

Emily Conklin, Sailors for the Sea’s program manager, says, “Working directly with one-design classes creates consistent expectations for all participants and provides resources for organizers and class leadership when addressing sustainability challenges.”

To learn how you and your sailing class may participate, visit sailorsforthesea.org/ programs/clean-regattas/clean-class

# The Thistle class developed and piloted the Clean Class initiative. Photo courtesy of the Thistle Class

Join the Summer Sailstice June 24!

The annual, international summer celebration of all things sailing, the Summer Sailstice, takes place June 24. Gather your crew, family, and friends and get out on the water to enjoy the longest day of the year.

Let’s up the Chesapeake Bay participation! Join an event or register your own gathering at summersailstice. com. When you do, you’ll also be registered for a chance to win lots of fabulous prizes. Among the good stuff you might score are a two-day sailing course in the San Juan Islands, a West Marine gift card, a new set of foulies, Wichard hardware and safety products, or a $200 Gill gift card.

We know of a few Chesapeake sailing clubs that participate each year, including Hunters on the Chesapeake and the Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Association. These two clubs and a few others are already registered for the 2023 edition, as is Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), which has boats participating in the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta hosted by Eastport Yacht Club June 24 (yachtscoring.com). If your club members raft their boats, snap a photo and you may enter the Summer Sailstice 2023 Raftup Contest.

So come on, Chesapeake sailors and sailing clubs, join the celebration! Register and learn more at summersailstice.com

Bonus Points for Century Club Members!!!

Hey, Century Club participants. This year SpinSheet is offering two days of credit for those who get out sailing for the Summer Sailstice. To earn the extra credit day, you must sail on June 24 and register at summersailstice.com. Good luck!

# A 2022 Summer Sailstice raft on the Magothy River. Photo courtesy of Laurie Underwood

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

1 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by The Uptown Band.

3 1st Annual Janes island State park paddlefest

Guided paddle tours, poker run paddle, campfire on the beach, vendors, music, children’s activities, and sunset paddle. Family-friendly event. Event is free, however registration is requested at dnr. maryland.gov. Participants are responsible for supplying vessels. Boat rental reservations can be made in advance.

3 herrington harbour north marina Resort Boater Yard Sale

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Herrington Harbour North in Tracys Landing, MD. Come find great deals on all things boatingrelated including boats, boating gear, outboards, rigging, sails, and more! Do you have boating gear to sell? Reserve a spot by contacting David at david@ herringtonharbour.com or (410) 867-4343. There is no fee to sell, but registration is required.

3 mmhF classic Boat and car Festival

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wilmer Park in Chestertown, MD. Presented by the Maryland Maritime Heritage Foundation. Free admission for spectators.

June

3 national Women’s Sailing conference

The National Women’s Sailing Association will host its conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sail Newport Marine Education and Recreation Center (and virtually). The event welcomes women sailors of all levels and ages.

3 St. clement’s island heritage Day

Celebrate the history and heritage of St. Clement’s Island with free activities: games, lighthouse tours, traditional music, vendors, and much more. Free water taxi rides. The reconstructed Blackistone Lighthouse will be open and available for tours.

8 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Strictly Bizzness.

8 - Aug 31

Free Summer concerts in the park

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

9-11 47th Annual norfolk harborfest

At Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk waterfront, VA. Free and open to the public. Friday: noon to 11 p.m. (Parade of Sail at noon). Saturday: noon to 11 p.m. (fireworks at 9:30 p.m.). Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

10 Bands in the Sand

Each summer 1600 guests gather on the beach, dance the night away, and raise a drink to a saved Bay. 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis. Benefits CBF.

10-11 SmBc Rumble on the River

Exhibition-only event with vintage race boats. At Piney Point Landing in Piney Point, MD. Southern Maryland Boat Club.

11 colonial Yacht club Annual Boat parade

1 to 5 p.m. on the Colonial Beach waterfront, VA.

11 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 John P. at poepoe090900@gmail.com or Daniel R. at dano5191@aol.com

15 Amm tides and tunes

Summer concert Series

Live music by Timmie Metz featuring Tambo. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront McNasby campus.

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

Chesapeake Calendar presented by

Chesapeake Calendar

presented by

June (cont.)

15 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Blackout.

15-18 hunter Sailing Rendezvous

Celebrating 50 years of Hunter sailing. At Harbor East Marina in Baltimore, MD. Includes two evenings of live entertainment, kids’ activities, educational seminars, and more. Register: hunterrendezvous.com

16-18 Antique and classic Boat Festival and the Arts at navy point

Wooden classics, vintage race boats, and other antique and Chesapeake Bayrelated boats come to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD, along with artisans and craftspeople for this annual Father’s Day weekend event.

22 Amm tides and tunes Summer concert Series

Live music by Sweet Leda. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.

22 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Tidewater Drive Band.

29 Amm tides and tunes Summer concert Series

Live music by Grilled Lincolns. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront Mcnasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.

29 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Band of Oz.

June Racing

1 Annapolis to newport Race

Two starts for the 475-mile race: Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club

1-4 Southern Bay Race Week

Registration Thursday followed by three days of racing in Hampton. Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

10

Don Backe memorial cRAB Regatta

A one-design regatta for Beneteau First 22As skippered by CRAB sailors. Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club.

10 opcYc Yankee Station Series 2

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

10 Scc ted osius memorial twilight Race

Hosted by the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, Annapolis, MD.

17 hhSA Women’s Regatta

Hosted by Herrington Harbour Sailing Association, Tracys Landing, MD.

17 pBc cock island Race

Hosted by Portsmouth Boat Club, Portsmouth, VA.

19-23 Stc Block island Race Week

Presented by Margaritaville, hosted by Storm Trysail Club, Block Island, RI.

24 maryland cures cancer Regatta

Formerly known as the Maryland Leukemia Cup, the event now will benefit a broader range of cancer research. Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club.

24 opcYc Veteran’s cup

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

24-25 Broad Bay Regatta

Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association and Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Norfolk, VA.

25 hYc Doublehanded Race

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Send the details to: editor@spinsheet.com

July

4 Solomons Fourth of July Boat parade

12 p.m. start in Mill Creek (coordinates: 38.331264 by 76.450065) in Solomons, MD. Dress up your boat and passengers; patriotic music is a plus. Anyone can join! No need to register. Please obey all rules of the road and organizers ask that slower boats (less than 6 mph) stay at the end of the parade. Questions: email Melissa McCormick at pickncrabs@yahoo. com with subject line ‘Boat Parade.’

6 Amm tides and tunes Summer concert Series

Live music by Weird Science. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront McNasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.

7-9 potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival

Along the shores of the Potomac River in the charming Town of Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County, MD, the festival will feature jazz artists. Proceeds go towards funding the nonprofit Friends of St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums.

8 east of maui - eastport Yacht club chesapeake Standup challenge Standup paddleboard races: seven-miler, 3.5-miler, and a one-mile “just for fun” race, followed by a fun party with food, drink, and live music. Hosted at Eastport Yacht Club.

13 Amm tides and tunes Summer concert Series

Live music by One Night Only (ONO). 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.

13 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Brasswind.

20 Amm tides and tunes Summer concert Series

Live music by Kevin Walker and the Jazz Chronicles. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront McNasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.

July (cont.)

20 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. through August 10 at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by The Deloreans.

27 Amm tides and tunes Summer concert Series

Free live music by John Frase Project. 7 p.m. at the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s waterfront McNasby campus. Concerts are free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.

27 Yorktown Sounds of Summer concert Series

Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Free. Live music by Cat5 Band.

29-30 SmBc Leonardtown Bash on the Bay Exhibition-only event with vintage race boats. In Leonardtown, MD. Southern Maryland Boat Club.

July Racing

8 ccVR moonlight triangle Race

Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake Bay.

14-16 Screwpile Lighthouse challenge

Hosted by the Southern Maryland Sailing Association, Solomons, MD.

15 BcYA Race to Baltimore

Hosted by the Baltimore City Yacht Association. Starts off the Magothy River.

15 Dink Vail memorial Regatta

Hosted by Norfolk Yacht and Country Club, Norfolk, VA.

22-23 FBYc one Design Regatta

Hosted by Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA.

23 opcYc Yankee Station Series 3

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

26-28 Zim Sailing optimist team nationals

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club, Hampton, VA.

29 hampton Sprints

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club, Hampton, VA.

30 AYc two Bridge Fiasco

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club.

31 - Aug 3

2023 Simmons Boatworks optimist uS national championship

Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club.

Celebrating 50 Years Of Hunter Sailing

June 15 – 18, 2023 | Harbor East Marina, Baltimore, MD

Performance by:

Hosted in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the 2023 Hunter Rendezvous will include two evenings of live entertainment, gourmet food and drinks, kids’ activities, educational seminars, lunch with Hunter sailboat designers, optional tours of the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and much more. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this epic celebration!

Register today at HunterRendezvous.com

A world-class gathering of Hunter and Marlow-Hunter owners in a stunning locale

50th

Yacht Race Governor’s Cup

Governor’s Cup

Yacht Race Governor’s Cup 50

AUGUST 4-5, 2023

AUGUST 4-5, 2023 Yacht Race

ANNAPOLIS TO ST. MARY’S CITY

AUGUST 4-5, 2023

ANNAPOLIS TO ST. MARY’S CITY

Register for the race or festivities at www.smcm.edu/events/govcup. For information email us at govcup@smcm.edu.

ANNAPOLIS TO ST. MARY’S CITY

Register for the race or festivities at www.smcm.edu/events/govcup. For information email us at govcup@smcm.edu.

Register for the race or festivities at www.smcm.edu/events/govcup. For information email us at govcup@smcm.edu.

Meet Karen Southern

Growing Her Own Skills and the Sport of Sailing Too

Karen Southern was first introduced to sailing in the early 1980s in Los Angeles, where she took a basic class on a small boat, similar to a Sunfish. Fast forward 30 years and Karen was living in Rhode Island, where she again took a basic course. This time she followed up with a little bit of sailing, but it wasn’t until Karen moved to Baltimore that she really immersed herself in the sailing scene. She says she has sailed more in the past two years than her entire previous life combined.

h ow did you get into the Baltimore sailing scene?

Before moving to the area, a little more than a year ago, I was here on a visit and from my hotel room saw sailboats on the water. I was intrigued and just a few months later I took an introductory sailing class at the Downtown Sailing Center (DSC).

Baltimore Harbor sailing offers plenty of opportunities for learning! There are lots of wind shifts, requiring us to constantly adjust our sail trim. I’ve learned to anticipate and adapt to them. At the DSC the boats don’t have motors, so we learn to bring them into the dock under sail. The next sail training course I did, in Annapolis, I got a little bit of a different experience. I took a keelboat certification class at SailTime, where the boats had motors and all the bells and whistles. It was much different from the smaller boats in the Inner Harbor. In addition, I do some cruising with friends on a 35-foot Sabre. t

aking the leap to racing

I was honored to be invited to join a DSC Thursday night race team this season. My position on the boat will be jib and spinnaker trimmer. I had heard racing can make you a stronger sailor and offers

opportunities to work on specific skills. My first race showed me just how much I need to learn about tactical moves, the mechanics of sail and spinnaker trim, and racing rules in general. It is an exciting, fast-paced experience, and since I am competitive and like to get my adrenaline going, I am looking forward to the rest of the season. I am also looking forward to the camaraderie of the race team. t he importance of giving back I am so blessed to be able to sail as much as I want, and I feel a sense of responsibility to give back and help others get exposure to this sport. For me, it’s not enough just to enjoy sailing.

I volunteer for the adaptive sailing program at the DSC, which is a no-cost, volunteer-supported program that allows individuals with disabilities to experience the freedom of sailing. The DSC has specially designed boats and docks that are equipped with accessible ramps and special lifts.

I also volunteer for the DSC’s program with the Wolfe Street Academy, a charter school in the Baltimore City public school system. Two afternoons a week, we sail from the DSC docks in Federal Hill to meet the children in Fells Point and introduce third through fifth graders to

sailing. The program, which also has a classroom component, serves children from underserved communities who might not otherwise be exposed to the sport.

Growing sailing

There’s not a lot of people who look like me in this sport. That is one of the reasons why I joined the Universal Sailing Club, a group of sailors who are black. Seeing other sailors who look like you helps foster a sense of belonging. The club, formed in 2001, aims to cultivate a community of Black sailors on the Chesapeake Bay. Boat ownership is not a requirement There are opportunities to crew with members who sail their own boats, or to charter boats with other members for day sails or weekend cruises.

What would you tell someone who is considering learning to sail?

I would tell someone interested in sailing that I like it for many of the same reasons that I like to ski. It’s healthy and good for the soul. It brings freedom and the unlimited opportunity to continue growing, and you’re outside in the fresh air, working with nature, not against it. It’s an amazing, rejuvenating experience that recharges the batteries. Please try it at least once!

As told to Beth Crabtree

What is the Summer Sailstice?

The idea for Summer Sailstice is simple: on the longest day of the year, go out sailing. Twentyfour years ago, John Arndt, owner of the San Francisco-based magazine Latitude 38, decided to dedicate one day a year to bring sailors together and celebrate the sport. He chose the summer solstice, and the Summer Sailstice was born.

Since its inception, the Summer Sailstice (June 24, this year) has grown into an international day to celebrate sailing. Around the world, individuals on their own boats, sailing schools, charter companies, yacht clubs, sailing and outdoor clubs, and community sailing programs get in on the action.

What do you have to do to participate? Go sailing. What does it cost? It’s free. Celebrate the summer, enjoy being on the water, and just find some time to do something that you love. There are plenty of other days in the

year to get work done, so get outside on the longest day of the year!

All you have to do is visit summersailstice.com and sign up with your email address. Signing up will qualify you to win great prizes, from lifejackets and foul weather gear to weeklong sailing vacations

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

in tropical ports. At the Sailstice website, you will find an interactive map with information about those who are already participating. When you’re out on the water, snap a photo, post on social media, and share it with us by emailing editor@spinsheet.com. Happy sailing, and happy summer!

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 Blue Water Sailing School

# Photo courtesy of Julien Hofberg

SpinSheet Crew Parties 2023

We hosted three successful crew parties in late April in Hampton, VA, and Solomons and Annapolis, MD, to connect sailors with boat owners on the Chesapeake and its tributaries. Thank you to sailors who attended and helped to organize these events—especially to the team of SpinSheet Ambassadors who made themselves available to answer new sailor questions in Solomons and Annapolis. If you missed our events, you may always log onto spinsheet.com and sign up for our Crew Finder. The most successful crew members and boat owners are the ones who not only register, but also actively seek out boats to sail on and/or crew members and send a lot of notes to potential boat owners or crew members. Anytime you have questions, just reach out to editor@spinsheet.com. Our Crew Finder is free and open to all. Happy spring!

# The “boat board,” featuring local boats seeking crew, is a popular feature at the Annapolis event. Sailors may find these boats on our Crew Finder page at spinsheet.com.

# Jeremiah and Monica, owner of the Bread and Butter Kitchen, a staple of SpinSheet staffers.

# Captain Boomies, Kate, and Julianne discuss their SpinSheet Century Club 2023 strategy.

# Henry, Jacki, and David Meiser (Southern Maryland Sailing Association commodore) at the Solomons Crew Party.

# Allison and Dan.

# SpinSheet’s Chris Charbonneau, Jeff Bach, and Jessica and Matt Johnson of the MJ Sailing YouTube channel.

# Mark, Marsha, Jayne, and Heather.

# Brock, Megan, and Kimon.

# John and Liz.

Stories of the Century

It’s Not too Late to Start Counting Your Days

We’ve hit that halfway mark in 2023… how many days on the water do you have? In this 10th year of the SpinSheet Century Club, boaters along the Chesapeake have embraced our challenge to log 100 days on the water within the calendar year on any type of vessel. Our club includes sailors, paddlers, powerboaters, and anglers. All must go to spinsheet.com/century-club and register and keep their log online.

If you are reading this on June 1 and have not yet registered or started counting your on-water days, you could still qualify for our 2023 club, as there are 214 days left in the year. You only need to go on the water for half of them. Sign up now!

FaQ

Three frequently asked questions for aspiring Century Club members: Why do I keep getting duplicate entries on the leaderboard?

Our website is slow, so sometimes your entry won’t show up on the Century Club leaderboard right away. Go make a cup of iced tea and maybe go for a paddle before trying again. It’s the “trying again” too quickly that leads to duplicates. If you need help, email editor@spinsheet.com

how to Earn Bonus Days

All prospective Century Club members qualify for 10 total bonus days which may consist of a combination of the following.

1. For a “two-fer” day, sign up for and sail on the Summer Sailstice June 24. You must sign up at summersailstice.com to qualify for the bonus day. You will also qualify for prizes (see page 20).

2. Count boat-work days. Within the past couple of years, a rumor spread around that we were no longer offering bonus days for working on your boat. False alarm! All boat owners and hard-working crew members qualify for 10 land-based boat-work days to reach 100. Just plug them into your online log.

3. You may count one day of landbased boat decorating for a lighted boat parade toward your yearly total. Specify which parade you will enter.

4. We will allow for 10 days of remote-control (RC) sailing or RC powerboating or 10 days fishing from a pier.

5. Remember—If you sail for the Summer Sailstice (1), count 10 boat-work days (10), decorate for a lights parade (1), and do some RC racing 10 times (10), you do not earn 22 points! You only get 10. The Century Club police, a voluntary team of leaderboard watchers not employed by SpinSheet, will report violations to our editor, so keep it honest.

Can someone just come out of nowhere and log 90 days? Is that legal? Yes. All Century Club members are welcome to log their days as “batches” rather than single days. It’s easier, especially for our cruising members who are traveling or our members who rarely do computer work. If you would like to log your days as batches—for example only posting once a month to report your days for the month—go right ahead. Other boaters prefer to record each outing. Whatever works best for you is okay by us. Email questions to editor@spinsheet.com.

Do professional mariners qualify? No fair!

Yes, fair! All sailors, boaters, paddlers, and anglers may qualify for our club regardless of where or if they work. Tugboat captains, water taxi skippers, and sailing coaches have qualified in the past, and professional mariners are every bit as welcome as those who do something else for a living. Retired boaters, kids, and even dogs qualify, too. It’s all in good fun!

# Photographer David Sites is at the top of our leaderboard at 135 days. He took this photo from his powerboat on May 5.

Russ Borman and Kelly Smith - 115+ Days

Kelly and I have both reached the century mark for 2023! As of April 28, we’ve been actively on the water 115 days and counting. We are still in the Bahamas, having arrived here more than two months ago, but we’ll be heading back to the United States soon.

It seems many of our most memorable days on the water involve other sailors. For the last two weeks, we’ve been buddy boating with a great couple from Nova Scotia. Our adventures have taken us all over the Abacos and have included snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, swimming with rays and sharks, and of course sailing. Every other night we take turns hosting sundowners and dinner. While exploring old and new places in this tropical paradise is very rewarding, we find that sharing the experience with like-minded sailors truly makes the trip more enjoyable.

Next week we begin our slow journey back to Annapolis, but we won’t spend as much time there this summer. Bliss intends to sail up to and around New England before returning to the Chesapeake in time for the October Annapolis Sailboat Show. Maybe we will see you then!

# Ursula Fernandez del Castillo took this one sailing in Baltimore.

# Russ and Kelly (at right) have been buddy boating with friends.

M

EET J UDY AND T OM B I x LER , O WNERS AND C APTAINS OF THE Ox FORD B ELLEVUE F ERRY

Interview by Gwen Mayes

As stewards of the nation’s oldest privately owned ferry service, Judy and Tom Bixler have written their own “ferry tale” of how best to cross the Tred Avon River in Talbot County, MD.

Where and when can you catch the ferry?

You can catch the ferry at the wharf in Oxford (end of Route 333 or Morris Street) or at the end of Route 329 in Bellevue. It’s an easy ride for less than 20 minutes across three quarters of a mile and a short cut to the St. Michaels area. Rides start at 9 a.m. and run until sunset, so the time of the last ferry varies. We run from mid-April until the second week in November and take bicycles, RVs, trailers, cars, and passengers. No reservations are needed.

What can passengers expect to see?

Along the way, passengers can see ospreys, eagles, fishing boats, and a working waterfront. We’re also a great vantage point to watch the log canoes races. Some simply make the trip to go to the Scottish Highland Creamery in Oxford, a popular destination in the summer.

How has the need for the ferry changed over time?

This year marks the 340th anniversary of the ferry’s operation and a milestone for us as its owners and captains. The ferry’s history dates to 1683 when it began with sails and sculling as a barge to transport animals. Next came a wooden boat towed by a coal fire steam tug and a larger scow pushed by a gasolinepowered tug. Modern adjustments were made over time, and the current ferry built in 1980, Talbot, is made of steel and has two propellers, two wheels, two rudders, or essentially, a complete boat on each end.

Who were the earliest passengers on the ferry?

Originally, it was to bring workers back and forth to the packing houses. We used to start at 7 a.m. in the morning just to get commuters across the water to work, sometimes shuttling back and forth nonstop. Today, some passengers are simply managing personal properties. One woman brings her lawn

back and forth to cut grass at her two homes, one on each side.

What do you tell those worried about getting seasick?

The Talbot is flat underneath. The more weight she carries, the more stable she is. We are US Coast Guardtested for compliance with the average weight of a 225-pound person and have a ‘big tonnage vessel’ designation. People don’t feel the sway that often causes them to get seasick, and the short trip makes it an easy ride.

mower

# Photo by Kristin Rutkowski Photography

# Tom and Judy Bixler, owners and captains of the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry. Photo by U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Recruit Isaac Esposito

The ferry seems to be a hub of festivities. What’s next?

On June 3, we have the “Full Moon in June” fundraiser with beverages and food onboard. It’s a festive evening. People come from all around to support the ferry and retell its history. Reservations are needed for the evening’s event.

What do you hope passengers remember from their time on the ferry?

The beauty surrounding us. Talbot County has 700 miles of shoreline. It’s a very special place, and we are fortunate to call it home. We like to say we ‘dance with the sailors’ who take part in the culture and unique history of a time when working on the water involved everyone in our communities.

What’s next for you as captains?

We took early retirements in 1998 from our businesses in New York to buy the ferry. We’ve loved the experience more than we could have ever imagined. We don’t plan to leave the area, but we are looking for our successor. When people inquire, we tell them we’re eager to find the right person to keep the ‘ferry tale’ alive. Where can we get more details?

More information on ferry rates, hours, and history can be found at oxfordferry.com Call (410) 7459023 for the time of the last ferry of the day.

About the interviewer: Gwen Mayes, is a writer, life coach, workshop host, and docent for the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park. Find more about her work at anchortoself.com.

# Passengers ride the Talbot in Oxford April 29, 2019. Photo by SR Kaylianna M. Genier/ Defense Information School

The Trash Wheel Family

By Pamela Tenner Kellett

If your summer sailing plans take you up the Patapsco River (and they should!) to Baltimore’s Inner and Outer Harbors, you may notice a cleaner river than in years past. Baltimore is a beautiful city for sailors, and for the past nine years, its tributaries have been cleaned by a suite of four river-cleaning machines, fondly known as the Trash Wheel Family.

You can glimpse Captain Trash Wheel in the Middle Branch at Masonville Cove. It is the smallest of the four Trash Wheels and is owned by the Maryland Port Administration. After you pass Fort McHenry, keep your eye out for Professor Trash Wheel in Harris Creek in Canton and Mr. Trash Wheel at the mouth of the Jones Falls River. Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West will be difficult for sailors to view as she is tucked at the mouth of the Gwynn’s Falls, upriver from the Hanover Street Bridge. The latter three wheels are owned by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. All four are built and maintained by Clearwater Mills, LLC. (Full disclosure: my husband John Kellett is the inventor and builder of the Trash Wheels, so we talk a lot of trash around the dinner table!)

Water-wheel-powered trash interceptors or “Trash Wheels” use hydro and solar power to sustain-

ably collect floating debris. River mouth collection has proven to be one of the most effective ways to keep trash out of our oceans. The most effective way is to not have it enter the ocean at all! Floating trash booms that are anchored to the edges of the river guide the trash to a conveyor which is powered by the river current. If the current isn’t strong enough to power the wheel, water pumps driven by solar

powered batteries pour water on to the wheel to make it turn. The wheel is geared to a conveyor that moves the trash up into a dumpster on a separate floating barge, which is taken ashore for disposal. The primary pathway for trash entering the rivers is through storm events washing trash in the watershed into the rivers. Collectively the four wheels have removed more than 2500 tons of trash since their installation.

# Mr. Trash Wheel has eaten a lot of garbage in his nine years in Baltimore Harbor. Photo by JHU Sustainability/ Facebook.com

Starvation. Extinction. While these are normally negative topics when it comes to conservation, the goal is to “starve” the Trash Wheels by turning off the pollution tap. This can happen in a variety of ways. On Earth Day 2023

Mr. Trash Wheel celebrated his ninth birthday, so it is a good moment to reflect on the positive outcomes that have come from not only cleaning the river, but from the trash composition data that has driven policy change on the state and local level.

Early on in his life, Mr. Trash Wheel picked up numerous fat “bergs,” gelatinous balls of grease ranging in size from a golf ball to a grapefruit. These bergs travelled downstream through the sewer system, which hadn’t yet undergone its headworks repairs, clogging the pipes up and causing sewage spills. The fat bergs have become extinct with grease-trap monitoring programs for restaurants that have been put in place by the city government.

Mr. Trash Wheel has also been the voice of the polystyrene ban, the plastic bag ban and anti “butt” initiatives. The data collected during storm events not only demonstrates the magnitude of the problems, but also allows for a “before and after” analysis once policy change has been implemented. The amount of polystyrene collected has dropped 80 percent since the ban! Prior to the ban Mr. Trash Wheel collected more than 100,000 foam containers per year; so we can see that legislative change has reduced the amount of single-use plastics that harm our rivers, bays, and oceans. While the plastic bag ban is relatively new, there is already evidence that the volume of bags has dramatically decreased.

If you are interested in updated data, the Waterfront Partnership maintains a data dashboard at mrtrashwheel.com. The newest

Trash Wheel, “Wanda” resides in the Juan Diaz River in Panamá City, Panamá. She is one of eight global river capture devices, funded by the Clean Currents Coalition, working to enact change in Panamá and around the world. Find the cumulative data dashboard at cleancurrentscoalition. org/coalition-projects

The eight projects have collectively removed over one million kilograms of trash and floating debris from rivers. While you can’t see Wanda from the Pacific side of the canal as she is upstream from Panamá Bay, you can visit her as soon as the new on site education center has been completed. While intervention systems aren’t the solution to the plastics crisis, they are powerful tools to clean rivers and drive behavior and policy change. Hopefully, sailors will start to see the difference! #

Photo by David Sites

High and Dry on the Fourth of July

Sometimes you watch the show, and sometimes you are the show.

Everything was pointing to a great Fourth of July weekend on Belle Bateau, our Gozzard 44. Winds from the south on Friday would make for a great sail from our Annapolis slip across the Chesapeake Bay to Swan Creek. We planned to anchor for a few nights, watch Rock Hall’s fireworks on Sunday evening, and return on the Fourth of July with northerly winds that would push us back home.

We arrived in Swan Creek late Friday afternoon and found another sailboat already anchored in our intended spot. After noting nearby depths for our 5.5foot draft, we anchored near red 14 in eight to nine feet of water.

On Saturday, we loaded our folding bikes onto our dinghy to explore Rock Hall’s charming shops and restaurants. We ate dinner outside at a waterfront favorite while keeping an eye on distant darkening skies. We managed to return to Belle Bateau just minutes before a major line of storms tore through our anchorage. Thunder, lightning, and downpours continued for much of the night.

By Cheryl Duvall

Sunday morning dawned bright and peaceful, with our bow now facing north. We left for town at 11:20 a.m., and as we dinghied away, I noticed more barnacles on our stern and commented that we needed to get our hull cleaned soon. We biked to town, had lunch, and decided to return earlier than planned due to the heat.

On our ride back, we observed a couple on a dinghy pointing to Belle Bateau. Our eyes followed, and horror hit! Oh no! She was aground! But how? We had been in the same spot for three days! And it was only 2:15 p.m. Low tide wouldn’t be until 5 p.m. OMG!

Belle Bateau was already listing eight degrees. She would continue to list to a high of 13 degrees. Walking on her was like heeling on a close reach but without ever tacking or going anywhere. High tide wouldn’t come until 10:30 p.m. The highest tide wouldn’t arrive until 11 a.m. the next day.

In the anchorage we were quite the center of attention on this busy weekend. As they say, “Sometimes you watch the show, and sometimes you are the

show.” As two licensed captains, we were especially aghast that this had occurred.

Several concerned boaters came by in their dinghies, kayaks, and paddleboards to ask if we were okay. We lightheartedly explained we had been anchored for three days and had no problem until the evening storms spun us around. And because we let out 75 feet of chain due to forecasted storms, the distance we swung was quite large.

Deciding the best course was to be patient and wait for the rising tide, we set off again in our dinghy. It was only 4 p.m., and we had time to kill and embarrassment to overcome. We ate an early dinner onshore and returned around 6:30 p.m. Yep, Belle Bateau was still aground, but at least the tide was rising. She crept down to just 10 degrees of list, then seven, and five. Progress!

Before the fireworks, we tried to kedge off with a second anchor. After several unsuccessful attempts, we abandoned that idea and decided to

wait until 10 p.m. to try to power off during high tide.

After the fireworks, we were no longer listing and were a bit more hopeful. We tried to power through the mud with 2750 RPMs to no avail. Ugh. We decided to wait until morning for the highest high tide that would add several inches. We also knew our boat would begin to list again during the night, so we had to prepare to sleep that way. Should we use lee cloths? (Laughing.)

We also debated what time we would need to call TowBoatUS to arrive at the morning’s high tide to pull us off if we couldn’t do it ourselves. It was a holiday, so would they need two hours’ notice? If we waited to call after learning we didn’t float off, they might miss the tidal window.

We woke at 6 a.m. feeling more hopeful. Our listing decreased from seven degrees to five to one, and finally, to zero at 9:15 a.m. Our boat was starting to respond to wakes from passing boats and was acting “loose.” We started the engine and noticed 0.2 feet under our keel. Yay! We raised the anchor and turned the wheel to deeper waters. We got away. Phew! Being patient and waiting for extra inches of tide proved worthwhile!

This was our first grounding in 14 years of big boat sailing, including the Chesapeake Bay and 2100 miles of the ICW. I keep insisting, “We didn’t run aground. We were spun aground.” And that’s a distinction I’m going to stick with for a while.

What we did right:

• We didn’t panic. We were embarrassed, but we took the time to assess. What’s the worst that could happen? Nothing. We would list, but we wouldn’t take on water or damage anything.

• We checked the tide tables and plotted a course of action that began with DIY and would end with a tow if necessary.

• We exercised patience amid embarrassment and anxiety. It helped to get off the boat for a few hours to wait it out.

• We talked through options, weighing the pros and cons. We listened to each other, no matter how silly the idea might be.

What we could have done better:

• We could have used our dinghy and a depth sounder following the storm to understand the depths in our new position.

• We could have reduced scope to 5:1 rather than 7:1 after the storms passed through.

• We could have paused to understand why we noticed more barnacles than the previous day.

• We tried to laugh about the situation, but not nearly often enough. Humor eases tension.

About the Author:

Cheryl Duvall lives in Annapolis and enjoys sailing on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband on their 1997 Gozzard 44. Cheryl holds a USCG 50-ton Master and RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate.

Live Music Venues

By Capt. Steven Toole

Music and the Bay seem to go hand-in-hand—whether running a favorite playlist under sail, enjoying an orange crush to the sound of a solo musician at a dockside bar, attending the annual Boatyard Beach Bash in Eastport, or watching bands like Chicago perform at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Fortunately, the Bay offers so many ways to enjoy the sound of live music while we take in everything the Bay has to offer, on water and on land. Here is just a sampling of live music venues of all shapes and sizes within a few steps of the Bay and its major tributaries, assuming that boat travel is the preferred means of transportation.

Havre de Grace – The State Theater is a converted cinema turned into an intimate music venue, offering a variety of acts from tribute bands to music and comedy open mic nights, and even current showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show, for the throwbacks among us. The Star Center also puts on tribute acts for popular bands such as U2 and Queen (billed as “Almost Queen”). Coakley’s Pub, Backfin Blues Creole de

Graw, Tidewater Grille, and MacGregor’s are known for their live music and dining experience. Havre de Grace also offers a free, Friday night summer concert series at Millard E Tydings Park during the months of June and July.

Baltimore – With quite possibly the widest range of music venues on the Bay, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and neighboring areas give every music lover numerous ways to take in a live show. From nearby arenas such as CFG Bank Arena to the much more intimate Rams Head Live or Pier Six Pavilion, this is where the larger headliners fill the seats. Acts like Lionel Ritchie, Queen, and Andrea Bocelli are all scheduled for CFG Bank Arena this summer. For more of a bar scene live music experience near the Inner Harbor, check out spots like Ottobar, The 8x10, Tin Roof, or Waterfront Hotel.

Rock Hall – Be sure to check out the live outdoor bands on weekends at Harbor Shack or Waterman’s Crab House, or take a short stroll down Main Street to catch some great live jazz at the Mainstay.

Annapolis – Rams Head On Stage is perhaps the most notable Annapolitan music venue, featuring well-known acts such as Little River Band, Jefferson Starship, Bruce Hornsby, and tribute bands for Prince, Jimmy Buffet, and the Eagles on the lineup for this summer. Around the harbor, you’ll find live music at Market House, Choptank, and Middleton Tavern, just to name a few. In summer, check out the free Thursday concerts at the Annapolis Maritime Museum.

# At Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore you can choose regular, covered seating, throw a blanket in the grass, or stay on the water and listen from your boat. Photo courtesy of Pier Six Pavilion Facebook

# Music venues of all shapes and sizes are within a few steps of the Bay and its major tributaries. Photo courtesy of Tidewater Grille Facebook page

St. Michaels – So many bars and restaurants provide live music in this small historic town, including Carpenter Street Saloon, Foxy’s Harbor Grille, The Galley Restaurant & Bar, Blu Miles, Eastern Shore Brewing, and St. Michaels Winery, among others.

South and West Rivers – Three notable dockside bars for weekend live music on this part of the Bay include The Pier Restaurant on the South River, and Pirate’s Cove and Stan and Joe’s Riverside on the West River.

Solomons – Farther south to Solomons, several bars and restaurants host live musicians on the weekends, including the Tiki Bar & Grill, The Lighthouse Restaurant, The Pier Restaurant, Charles Street Brasserie, and occasionally Bugeye Grill. Also of note is the PNC Waterside Pavilion at the Calvert Marine Museum which features a Waterside Music Series including performances this summer by Ziggy Marley, an ABBA tribute band, and others.

About the Author:

Captain Steven Toole covers cruising, interesting destinations, and other Bay-related topics for SpinSheet. He is an active racer and cruiser of his J/120 Hot Pepper on the Bay, holds a USCG Master Captain’s License, and currently serves as vice president of the Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association (CRCA).

Hampton – Numerous bars, pubs, and restaurants in the vicinity of Hampton offer live music options, including Marker 20, Fox Tail Wine Bar & Gastropub, Sly Clyde Ciderworks, and STUFT Restaurant. Larger music venues in the area include The American Theater, Victorian Station “The Big Pink,” and Hampton Coliseum hosting the Hampton Jazz Festival this June.

Whether your musical tastes lean more towards jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock, country, blues, or anything else, the Bay is sure to provide the live music you’re looking for. Check local listings for upcoming music schedules at any of the venues listed here or on the SpinSheet Calendar (page 21).

# Concerrts at the Calvert Marine Museum tend to sell out! Photo courtesy CMM

# Foxy’s Harbor Grille in St. Michaels has an awesome, laid-back feel. Photo courtesy of Foxy’s Facebook page

Postcard from Antigua

By Cindy Wallach

There are regattas, and then there is Classics Week in Antigua. It’s not just another race week; it’s a blend of history, sport, beauty, and camaraderie like no other. We were lucky enough to drop the hook in Falmouth Harbor just in time for the 34th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Cruising boats timed their entire Caribbean season around being here for the regatta, so we wanted to find out why.

Everything central to the event was held in Nelson’s Dockyard. This UNESCO World Heritage site is dripping with maritime history. Built by enslaved Africans, its function was to maintain Royal Navy warships as they protected Britain’s valuable sugar-producing islands. Today it’s an architectural time capsule worth visiting any time of the year. During Classics Week it’s buzzing with boats and crews from around the globe.

Hailing from Annapolis, we might have a little chip on our shoulders about historic seaports and beautiful sailing vessels. My kids walked around ready to not be impressed, and they were quickly left with their jaws on the ground. We got to drool over the boats that had just gone through the Concours d’Elégance judging at the beginning of the regatta. This is sort of like a beauty pageant for boats. How stunning to see Adix, an elegant 178-foot threemasted gaff schooner; New Moon, a brightly painted 32-foot Carricou sloop; and Eleanor B, a sturdy Cornish Lugger. The crews were all milling about the dockyard swapping stories and proudly answering questions about their vessels to anyone who asked.

What makes a sailing boat a “classic?” According to the regatta’s website, entries must have, “a full keel, be of moderate to heavy displacement,

built of wood or steel, and be of traditional rig and appearance. Old craft restored using modern materials, such as epoxy or glass sheathing, or new craft built along the lines of an old design are acceptable. Vessels built of ferrocement may be accepted if they have a gaff or traditional schooner rig. Fiberglass yachts must have a long keel with a keel-hung rudder and be a descendant of a wooden hull design.” Basically, they are the boats that make you stop in your tracks and say, “Ooooo that’s a great looking boat.”

Spectators line the cliffs and hillsides of Falmouth and English Harbors in Antigua to do just that, as these boats swiftly ride the trade winds around the racecourse. Whether you’re the sort of person who can spot a Herreshoff design from a mile away, or just someone who likes “pretty boats,” this is the regatta to attend. The week is laid back, packed with events, and offers ample opportunities for the general public to get involved. You can watch the Parade of Classics glide through the Dockyard, cheer on the gig races, or attend the Caribbean-themed evening hosted by the Antigua National Parks with steel drums, stilt walkers, and fire dancers.

# Charm III Richard West’s 1928, 50-foot staysail schooner who won the single handed race and was awarded Most Spirited Yacht.

Photo by Clairematches.com

# The Blue Peter Matt Barker’s 1930, 65-foot cutter who won the Vintage and Classic division. Photo by Clairematches.com

Antigua is definitely a destination for sailors of all types. We came here as cruisers and found everything easy and welcoming. The dinghy docks are well maintained and sturdy, people are welcoming, and everything smells like flowers. We found loads of good spots to anchor, and unlike other Caribbean islands who shall remain nameless, Antigua isn’t overrun by charter boats and packed wall to wall with over-priced mooring balls.

There are lovely protected harbors with good holding and often a sea turtle welcoming committee. You can get away from it all in Barbuda or Green Island, or you can sit in the middle of a world class regatta and watch the yacht eyecandy come and go while sipping locally distilled gin from Antilles Stillhouse.

If you’re planning to come here by land or sea, coming during Classics Week is icing on the cake. Regatta founder Kenny Coombs said his original vision was for “like-minded people getting together to share their passion in racing stunning yachts in superb sailing conditions.” That spirit lives on today.

About the author: Annapolis sailor and longtime SpinSheet columnist Cindy Wallach is cruising full time in the Caribbean with her husband, two children, and two dogs aboard their St. Francis 44 Majestic

Shopping for a new

# After the Parade of Classic Yachts at Nelsons Dockyard English Harbour. Photo by Clairematches.com

Apologies to Beaufort for Anchoring Nearby and Not Visiting

By John Herlig

We all find our own paths to happiness, and in my ICW days my path to happiness rarely meant going ashore in the towns where I would anchor at night. My budget was small, and my dinghy lived on the foredeck. The disruption of either of those states of balance rarely felt worth the effort. In all, I missed a lot of towns but got a lot of free sunsets.

One of the towns I never saw was Beaufort, NC, a place that sits among the more popular stopping points on treks north or south along the waterway. A small southern town with marinas, boardwalks, shops, and boats all nestled together, Beaufort is, at its core, a simple old fishing town.

# Photo by Rachel Johnson/ Town of Beaufort

# The author usually anchors in his 30-foot cutter.

On my recent trip from Norfolk to St. Martin, I stopped in Beaufort to regroup and lick a few wounds after a rough rounding of Hatteras. My batteries had been brutalized by the Chesapeake summer heat and needed replacing: a fact that made itself clear offshore. My boat’s rigging needed tuning as well, and everything belowdecks needed to be straightened out and better stowed. So, Ave del Mar and I settled into the anchorage and got to work.

I got busy on the to-do list, working on systems and using the town’s free WiFi to connect and search for parts while the southern sun dried soggy gloves on the lifelines. After a week or so, the work was done, and it was time to go ashore to reward myself.

I rowed into town and tied off Margot, my dinghy, at the town dinghy dock. A couple of young men were watching boats come and go. We chatted a while about life. It wasn’t that long ago that I stood on docks and yearned for adventures at sea, and their wide-eyed curiosity touched that

dreamer in me. They asked me where I was headed in town.

“A friend told me there’s a bar that I have to visit if I’m here,” I said.

“Backstreet!” they cried in unison. “Everyone goes to Backstreet.”

A few short blocks away I came upon the bar, easily identified by the amassed locals sitting at the outdoor tables. I ducked

in to order a beer, claiming a seat at the bar and listening to the conversations around me. Backstreet is everyone’s pub, that bar from every town, where you know the bartender and the bartender knows you. It is comfort in bar form. When my stomach growled, it was time to move on and find food, so I asked where a poor sailor might find an affordable dinner.

# Main Street. Photo by Rachel Johnson/ Town of Beaufort

“The Royal James,” said my bartender. “You can’t go wrong at the James.”

Out the door I went, and as instructed, I walked another short bit until the James was right in front of me. I ducked in the front and picked a stool at the bar. The menu was on a blackboard on the wall, and I stared at it a bit too long thinking I had gone not through the door of a dive bar but in fact through a portal to another dimension. Double cheeseburger $6. Side of fries $2. I had two of the burgers, an order of fries, and two IPAs and didn’t spend $20. What year was this? A man came in the door and sat to my left,

getting back to finishing a half-full PBR and telling me about his life as a liveaboard sailor. Small world. A few days later a friend from the Outer Banks dropped by for a visit. We wandered the streets, catching up and telling tales, looking at the old houses and letting her dog sniff trees and make friends with passersby. When lunchtime came, we dipped into Front Street Tacos on the west end of the strip where we were served amazing, traditional tacos. I hadn’t expected decent Mexican street food in Beaufort. In fact, there were a lot of hidden reasons to stop here.

When all the projects were done, it was time to prepare for departure. I took an Uber to provision at the Piggly Wiggly—can you even say that with a straight face?—with a driver who was as pleasant and chatty as a human could be. Dropping me back at the dinghy dock, she made sure I was safely on the curb with my goods and wished me fair seas on the trip to St. Martin before pulling away. Beaufort, I offer you my apologies for all of the years I dropped the hook and ignored your charms. I know better now. #

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.

Where To Charter in June, July, and August

Even when you live in the Land of Pleasant Living as we on the Chesapeake do, you might crave a mid-summer escape. Perhaps you seek travel deals, or a week unexpectedly opens up in your busy schedule. Why not plan a quick escape? Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW) shares its recommendations for an unforgettable summer of travel and a deal for charter sailors worth a look:

Endless Summer in June

For endless summer days. June is one of the best months to set sail in Sweden and Norway. DYW’s Scandanavian Yacht Charter brings a new meaning to long

summer nights. In Sweden, the longest day of the year is celebrated nationally in June allowing travelers to take advantage of a sunny midnight sail. From bases in Sweden and Norway, travelers head to the serene Stockholm archipelago or Stavanger’s wooded islands, all while enjoying long summer nights, big city culture, expansive beaches, and some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery.

By-the-Cabin in July and August

Social Island Hop in Croatia this summer. DYW has launched a new summer sailing offer perfect for an introduction to

sailing trips and curated for those who might not have thought a sailing vacation was possible. This new Sail Share Dubrovnik offer allows travelers to discover the joys of sailing Croatia’s famed Dalmatian coast from enchanting Dubrovnik with this ultimate islandhopping adventure that includes a skipper to show travelers the little-known secret spots mostly known among local sailors. Rather than renting the entire boat, you rent by the cabin and will be paired with up to 10 other guests.

Dream Yacht will offer a 10-percent discount on the first two cabins per boat. The charter includes daily breakfast and lunch, opportunities for

# Saint Pierre, Seychelles.

# Sardinia.

Charter Notes

swimming, paddleboarding, and sightseeing along the way. Evening anchorage allows travelers to seek out local restaurants offering an array of traditional dishes and Croatian wines. Guests sail aboard a 47-foot Sun Loft sailing yacht, designed for comfortable onboard living and plenty of outdoor space for dining and lounging. Rates start at $1449 per person.

Islands in August

Although many like Mediterranean destinations such as Greece and Italy, sailors may take advantage of “less popular” but equally stunning destinations such as the French Island of Corsica. With its striking volcanic terrain, wildlife, and enduring connection to Napoleon Bonaparte, there’s no other sailing vacation destination in the Mediterranean quite like Corsica. Those interested in a sustainable sailing option

can take advantage of DYW’s newly launched electric catamaran option in Corsica. Passionate and committed to sustainability and reducing ecological impact, DYW is expected to bring more than 22 electric yachts to the fleet by spring of 2024.

Sailing the islands of Seychelles is also an under-the-radar summer vacation destination. The Seychelles

are comprised of 41 of the earth’s oldest granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands which embody the phrase “tropical paradise.”

August is also the perfect time for travel to Tahiti since it is one of the country’s driest months with the lowest rainfall.

Find more about summer charter destinations at dreamyachtcharter.com. #

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!

# Opatija, Croatia. Photos courtesy of Dream Yacht Worldwide

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.

SOSers Connect at SpinSheet Crew Party

At the Spin Sheet Crew Party great fun and connections were made as recent and brand-new members of Singles on Sailboats (SOS) met veteran members and enjoyed the day.

With tent-cover from the day’s dreariness, the energy within was anything but dreary (you might even call it palpable). I enjoyed watching from our SOS club table as members scanned the postings of boats for cruising or racing and were able

to point out a couple of possibilities I had seen. With a few of our club’s veteran skippers in attendance, we could introduce new and interested persons and address their questions. In fact, one of our skippers was like a magnet; he brought at least a half dozen interested sailors to our table for a brochure and more information.

Joining a club that sails the Bay as well as organizes bareboat

charters nationally and internationally, a club you can join as a novice or fully experienced, a club that offers activities and opportunities year-round… well, it is a great find!

As I watched the joy of friendship— long-time, recent, and brand new—I reflected on the truth of our SOS tagline, “Come for the Sail, Stay for the Friendship.” Learn more at singlesonsailboats.org

Story and photo by Janet Gonski

# L to R: Andrea Decke, Genienne Navarro, Cindy Gross, Melinda Zimmerman, and Dona Sturn

Looking Back and Looking Forward

By Mary Ann Gordon

In August 2016, The Sailing Club, Inc. ran a sailing trip in the Solent, the strait between the Isle of Wight and mainland Great Britain. It was a great trip; even the weather cooperated. We only used our foul weather gear as we pulled our bags off the boat at the base in the rain, with temperature in the 40s. One of the charter company staff welcomed us back with “Welcome to the real summer weather in England.”

We arrived in Cowes on the Isle of Wight at the tail end of race week. As we entered the harbor, the way was clear, although many boats were coming our way in the distance. Looking back to check our course, to check the weather, and to monitor boat traffic behind us had been drilled into us for years. It is a good habit.

However, looking back to the way things were when planning for the future can be a rabbit hole of nostalgia. Our membership was a lot younger then, and the world we traveled in felt less threatening than the world we live in now. In addition, charter boats and airline fares were less expensive.

In order for a club like ours that does bareboat charters with our own skippers and first mates, we need to attract younger members and encourage them to become the board members, skippers, and first mates of the future. I’m sure this is true of most of the sailing clubs on or near the Chesapeake. We need people willing to volunteer their time to work on the various club committees, put in the time to

Mainsail

research and lead trips, and provide safety and sailing training.

The current board of trustees is endeavoring to utilize more social media in order to reach younger people interested in sailing. We’ve been fortunate this year to have a few new members and hope to keep learning new ways to reach out for more.

But we will continue to look back often because it has all been so good! To learn more about The Sailing Club visit thesailingclub.org

# Jerry, at the helm in Cowes, UK, on a club charter trip in 2016.

hunter Sailing Community: Lots of activities and June Rendezvous

Despite the rainy weekend, the Hunter sailing community was well represented at the Spring Sailboat Show in Annapolis on April 28–30. Many of our members volunteered at the SpinSheet-sponsored sailing club booth. We had several folks come by to learn about the Hunter Sailing Association Station #1 (HSA-1), and we are pleased to welcome several new members to the club. On Saturday, 25 club members joined our club dinner at Latitude 38° restaurant, just outside the boat show entrance. Thanks to SpinSheet for sponsoring the club booth. We hope it will become an annual tradition.

On May 5-7, the club met at newly renovated Hartge Yacht Harbor in Galesville, MD, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. On Friday night, we enjoyed margaritas aboard Freedom. On Saturday, we celebrated at Stan and Joe’s Riverside. Looking forward, we have a packed summer that includes several events, among them is our Memorial Day Cruise.

In June we welcome Hunter owners from across the country to join us for a momentous event: the 2023 Hunter Rendezvous, Celebrating 50 Years of Hunter Sailing, June 15-18, at the Harbor East Marina in Baltimore. Our keynote luncheon features Glenn Henderson and Rob Mazza, who are responsible for designing numerous Hunter models over the past five decades. The event also features experts from Quantum Sails, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the U.S. Coast Guard, and much more. The weekend includes two evenings of live entertainment including a gourmet dinner with an open bar featuring Wheelhouse Rock Band, voted the best band on the Eastern Shore three years in a row. We will also have a cocktail and dessert reception featuring a duo from Starcrush, one the premier party bands in Baltimore, rum tasting, a beer and pizza party, children’s activities, and much more. Additional details and event registration can be found at: hunterrendezvous.com.

If you have a Hunter in the mid-Chesapeake Bay and are not a member, please

check out our club at hsa1.org or email commodore@hsa1.org to learn more about the benefits of membership, which includes access to all club cruises and events and a direct connection to a network of Bay Hunter owners.

treasure Swap and Sock Burning

By Martina Sestakova

Thanks to all who gathered to celebrate the beginning of this year’s Chesapeake Bay Pearson Sailing Association (CBPSA) sailing season.

Joan Brandt and Ron Harbin, our hosts, organized a lovely get-together and secured an indoor space at Bowleys Marina. Even persistent rain did not stop us. More than 20 club members gathered at the annual Sock Burn and Treasure Swap. We excitedly traded anything and everything boat-related, and let’s just say some of us scored real treasures! The food spread was wonderful too: so much delicious food and delightful dessert. Coffee warmed us up, and we chatted and mingled for hours.

As for the sock burn… Well, that didn’t happen. The rain kept us indoors, so we took our socks back home. Maybe next year. Again, thanks to all who came to this gathering. What a nice time of sharing and planning for a successful sailing season on the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.

CBPSA is an informal group of owners of sailboats built by Pearson Yachts. Founded in 1969 as the Pearson 35 Association, the membership was gradually expanded to include all classes of sailboats made by Pearson. Learn more at cbpsa.org

# From left: Bob Lee, Joan Brandt, John Martin, Ron Harbin

america’s Boating Club Wilmington Members Explore KalmarNyckelReplica

In April, after a delicious lunch at the Iron Hill Brewery in Wilmington, DE, more than 20 members of America’s Boating Club Wilmington enjoyed a detailed deck tour of the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel and a tour of the Copeland Maritime Center, the modern riverfront home of today’s full-scale replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, located on the shoreline of the Christina River, just off the Delaware River.

In 1638 the Swedish Crown chose to compete with the Dutch and English powers by successfully sending the Kalmar Nyckel across the Atlantic in pursuit of trade relationships and new territories. It was fascinating to learn how seamen lived onboard and set sails in the 1600s! Our guides shared information about Delaware Valley’s rich maritime and industrial history, and its Swedish roots. The Center houses an interesting collection of 73 model ships and boats.

America’s Boating Club Wilmington, formerly known as Wilmington Sail and Power Squadron, is all about “Fun, Friends and Better Boating.” We learn as we play! Check out our website, abc-wilmington.com or contact us at wspsboaters@gmail.com.

THE BEST SUMMER OF SAILING

# ABCW members Carol Hanson and Gail Russell aboard Kalmar Nyckel.

a two-fer happy hour

On April 22 The Corinthians Chesapeake Bay Fleet held its opening event for the 2023 sailing season at Pirates Cove Restaurant in Galesville, MD. It was a “two-fer” happy hour that included the annual Non-Procrastintor Raftup and a Potential New Member Social.

Foul weather did not deter more than 70 members and their guests from showing up. For those few brave (or foolish?) sailors who sailed over, it was an exciting adventure. There were 30- to 40- knot gusts on the Bay and grey threatening clouds ahead. One boat, Dolce Vita, wouldn’t have made it in without the help of several fellow Corinthian members as well as assistance from Pat, the ever-patient and ever-helpful dock master at Pirates Cove. The excellent staff at Pirates Cove served a variety of delicious hors d’oevres along with excellent libations.

We have signed up several Corinthian members since the event.

Now that we’ve held our kick-off event with such success, we are excited about starting our 2023 season with a line-up of good times. Sailing cruises and adventures are planned. As this issue goes to press, we will celebrate Memorial Day weekend on the Wye River. The weekend will include a barbeque, games, and even a rum punch contest. Several other boating groups will join us for this event. We also have a Spring Cruise planned for June 1-10.

For questions about this event or new membership contact our Fleet Master, Deb Kuba, at (410) 310-9360. We currently have 140 members in the Chesapeake Bay Fleet. If you are interested in joining the Corinthians, you can find more information at thecorinthians.org.

Back Creek Yacht Club welcomes new members who are enthusiastic about enjoying the beauty of the Bay.

We have experienced club and cruise organizers, outstanding members, and great fun at land and sea events.

We Don’t Have a long waiting list, pricey initiation fees, or expensive dues.

# Eric Langer comes aboard Dolce Vita to borrow a cup of sugar and cream for his morning coffee.

Own a tartan Sailboat? Join the Fun this Season!

As April showers ended, Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club (CBTSC) sailors were busy getting their boats ready for that first glorious day on the water!

Two such members were Hal McClure who polished Scot Free and Tim Critchfield who gave Wendolene a fresh bottom coat. After the club’s symposium in April, the scramble was on to get recommissioned and get out for a shakedown sail.

CBTSC has fun seasonal events planned for Tartan owners. We held two events in May: The Blue Angels Commissioning Week viewing May 24; and the InterClub Cruise to Wye Island on May 26. In June we have the Summer Sailstice gathering in the South River on the weekend of June 24.

So, enough with the virtual gatherings. CBTSC is going LIVE! If you own a Tartan, look us up at cbtsc.org and join us for an event. Newcomers are welcome.

Expires July 31, 2023

# Tim Critchfield gave Wendolene fresh bottom paint this spring.

Photo by Linda Critchfield

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

# Members of the Chesapeake Bay Pearson Sailing Association at the annual Treasure Swap. From left: Lynn Lanham, Martina Snyder, Karen Ellner, and Anne Martin.

# Under the leadership of sailing master Debby Hoyt, the boats that will be used in Indian Creek Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing Camp were scrubbed and rigged on May 10. Past commodores Len Engstrom, Steve Bedford, Dan Hoyt, Bob Wayland, and George Fentress readied the 420s and Optis for campers, along with Vicki Murray, Jeff Heller, Mike Byrne, and Dee Byrne.

# Jack Naglieri, of The Corinthians Chesapeake Bay Fleet, at the helm of Dolce Vita with crew, Laurie Duncan, and Beverly Billins. An hour later, the skies went dark, the winds picked up, and six people on the deck had to help bring Dolce Vita into the dock!

# Hal McClure of the Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club polishes Scot Free. Photo by Cindy McClure

# Members of America’s Boating Club Wilmington touring the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel.

Farewell to Friends: Mike Wagner

On March 29, Mike Wagner set sail for eternity. His final moments were spent in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loved ones. Junior sailors he mentored lovingly called him ‘Big Mike,’ and he filled his 64 years to the gills.

Mike was born in Southern California. Following his father’s death his family relocated to Costa Mesa and spent their summers sailing on a catamaran. Mike graduated from California State University, Long Beach. In 1986 he married Stephanie. Together, they sailed competitively, traveled, and made several states home. After their daughter, Rachel, was born, they moved to Delaware, where Mike started Flashpoint Marketing.

Over the past 14 years, Mike shared his love for sailing and Corinthian spirit with young people across the Chesapeake. Along with Sharlene Wilkins, his friend and junior sailing partner, Mike trans-

formed a weeklong summer camp into the North East River Yacht Club’s (NERYC) Junior Sailing program, an officially recognized summer camp that serves hundreds of children each year. Additionally, Mike helped bring the University of Delaware Sail Club to NERYC, where they practice regularly and host inter-collegiate regattas. He also served as the sail race chair on NERYC’s board of governors and joined Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association’s leadership as the junior sailing division chair and the vice president of communications. Finally, Mike led the charge to create the North East Bay Racers, a traveling race team that has granted dozens of children and young people the opportunity to hone their skills and develop a life-long love for the sport.

While Mike mentored dozens of junior sailors, one truly became a part of the Wagner family. At only eight years old, Skylor Sweet joined Mike and Rachel

as they sailed the bright-red J/24 Solaris around the Chesapeake. To continue his sailing Skylor lived with Mike and Stephanie for five years and became Mike’s longtime crew, road-trip companion, mentee, and the son that Mike never had.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the North East River Youth Sailing Foundation (nerysf.com or PO Box 694 North East, MD, 21901), or the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc. (virtualtrials.org/index. cfm). Mike passed due to an aggressive and malignant brain tumor.

Mast, Booms, Hardware, and All Your Rigging Needs

U.S. SparS

Offshore Sailing Part 3

Fixing Your Boat in Exotic Plac E s

By Captain John Bouma

Anyone who has spent any time bluewater sailing will agree that anything onboard can (and probably will) break without warning. Your ability to enjoy this sport we call cruising will hinge on your resourcefulness, tenacity, and preparation you’ve put into your vessel.

There are a couple of truisms that are universally applicable: “Nothing lasts forever” and “When something breaks, it’s going to happen at the most inopportune time.” Anyone

who’s ever owned a boat can attest to both, and every cruiser who’s gone more than 50 miles from home will eventually find themselves needing repairs before continuing. When that happens, instead of enjoying rum drinks under a bimini, you’ll find yourself knee deep in boat repairs. As you venture farther and farther from the metropolitan areas (where repair facilities are readily accessible), sooner or later you’ll visit places where you’re more likely to find chickens on the beaches than sunbathers.

It was almost by accident that I completed a circumnavigation. It hadn’t been one of life’s goals, but when a friend of mine did it solo, on a 29-foot sailboat, I figured my boat was a much better and safer platform, so why not? I spent an obscene amount of time (and money) on the preparations, doing all of the upgrades myself; so I was fortunate in that I knew all systems of the boat like the back of my hand. If you’re thinking of cruising, my first word of advice is “know your boat.” You need to have the manuals for every system onboard, and

If you’re resourceful and mechanically inclined, you can work miracles with duct tape and makeshift parts.

# A view of the Atlantic Ocean from St. Helena.

you’re better off if you’ve personally become familiar with the location of every component. The time will serve you well if (when) you’re forced to effect repairs to those components.

Duct tape, zip ties, and parts

Most sailors know the world is held together with zip ties, duct tape, J-B Weld, electrical tape, hose clamps, and the ability to tie a bowline. If you have nothing else onboard, fill a locker with those components. They’ll most likely get you to a landfall, but once ashore, now what?

It’s impossible to predict what system or component will need attention, and only if you’re a certified hoarder will you have everything onboard to fix all problems. How about a couple of gallons of hydraulic oil for that autopilot seal that you noticed had started dripping? Or how about gasket material to replace the cover of a leaking plate on a seawater system? The list

of repair parts you should have onboard is too exhaustive to list, but let your imagination run wild.

Once you’re back in port, don’t count on pulling in and hiring a local mechanic to set you right. Those out-of-the-way places don’t understand sailboats, so you’ll either need to effect repairs yourself, or spend a lot of time explaining

why this broken component can’t be fixed by simply bracing it with a piece of wood.

When you’re in that remote location, what’s the chance they have the exact bearing (or seal) for the seawater pump on your Panda generator? That’s when you have to appreciate that the folks who

# The mast was removed in south Africa in preparation for replacing all standing rigging.

Offshore Series presented by

Z-Spar Masts, Booms, Beams, Rigging

make Panda generators probably don’t manufacture the bearings; they buy them from a bearing manufacturer, and that bearing is probably used elsewhere. This means you might consider heading for an auto parts store with some dimensions. (Hint: carry a micrometer onboard). When in that out-of-the-way place, your top priority is to return systems to service, and if necessary, make more permanent repairs later. I experienced this exact issue with my Panda generator, and I was able to get a perfect replacement from a local auto parts store.

Something else worth knowing is that you’re going to find you’ll not always have the wonderful selection of nuts and bolts you’d find in the local hardware store. It’s quite likely you’ll have to settle for something other than that perfect stainless steel, panhead bolt. If you’re looking for 316 stainless, forget it. You’ll be lucky if you find stainless.

a closer look at seawater hoses

Depending on the age of your vessel, I’d highly recommend that you take a close look at all of the seawater hoses prior to departing. I thought all of my seawater hoses were in good shape prior to departing on my circumnavigation, so I was somewhat dismayed to discover while crossing the Indian Ocean (solo) that my bilge pump was running continually— eventually diagnosed as a seawater hose that had deteriorated so badly a section almost two feet long was essentially paper thin. Seawater was leaking through.

The temporary fix could be to shut the seacock, but it’s something that can’t be

.

ignored, especially if you have to run the engine periodically to recharge the batteries. In my case, I was able to minimize the leak (duct tape to the rescue), expecting I’d be able to get a replacement hose on arrival in port. Nope, not so lucky. There wasn’t even one foot of seawater hose available anywhere on the island. I was able to locate a section of 1.5-inch hydraulic hose. I could have used reinforced plastic tubing, but seawater hoses must function under a suction; so plastic hose wasn’t an option. Hydraulic hose worked okay. I say okay, because if you’ve ever had to bend a 1.5-inch hydraulic hose around tight bends, you’ll appreciate the difficulty.

honing your jury-rigging skills

Not everything is as simple as replacing components. Sometimes you have to “fix” the broken part. For example, the gooseneck broke as I was approaching Panama. There was zero possibility of continuing to the Pacific until the gooseneck was repaired. What was the possibility I could find a machine shop that had the slightest clue of what a gooseneck was? Zip! I finally found a shop who said they could make repairs. I watched with misgivings as chickens were pecking on the dirt floor around

the welder, who created as much spatter as there was aluminum flowing into the enlarged bolt holes.

Sometimes you’re lucky in those outof-the-way places, and you can call those repairs “done and dusted.” In the case of my gooseneck, about 10 days later I discovered the repairs were essentially void. I limped into Oahu with lots of line (and half hitches) on the boom, where I was able to find a “real” welder (also a sailor), whose repairs are still in place today. If you have repairs done in remote places, keep an eye on them!

Nothing is simple in those idyllic, outof-the-way places. Boat-repair difficulties are magnified if you’re a solo sailor. While transiting the Indian Ocean (solo), between the island of Reunion and South Africa, I woke one morning to find I’d broken a shroud on the rigging. Over the course of the next 18 hours, two more shrouds broke. Saying I was concerned would be an understatement, so I headed for the nearest landfall (Madagascar), keeping my fingers crossed that I’d not lose the mast before I got there.

Upon my arrival in this remote bay, it was readily apparent there would be no permanent repairs. The best I could do was to jury rig the mast. New problem: how was I going to climb the mast solo? In some of these places, you’ll find no re-

# A “weeping wall” on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

# The author completed a 27,000-mile circumnavigation on his 51-foot Little Harbor ¾ Time.

sources, and the best you can do is figure out a way to jury rig the system enough that you can get to a “civilized” port. All this isn’t to deter the person contemplating the cruising life but rather to say you’re much more prepared if you’re smart and mechanically inclined. If that’s you, you can move mountains with duct tape and zip ties. I encourage you to cast off lines and head for those places. The rewards are amazing. #

About the author: Retired naval officer and submariner John Bouma has a USCG 100 Ton Master’s license. He completed a circumnavigation aboard his 51-foot Little Harbor ¾ Time and wrote a book about his adventure, “Around the World in ¾ Time,” available at Amazon.

You Log 100 Days On The

# The author in Richards Bay, South Africa.

a Current Event

The Helly Hansen Sailing World Series Annapolis 2023

For the 2023 Helly Hansen Sailing World (HHSW) Series Annapolis, 154 teams of racing sailors came to the Sailing Capital for the popular spring regatta held out of Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC). Light, squirrelly breezes and a fierce current posed challenges to the 11 one-design classes for windward-leeward races and the PHRF and ORC class in the distance races.

The performance of Bruce Irvin and his J/30 Shamrock crew stood out, as they won their one-design division one point

ahead of local competitors on Bebop, earning the title of J/30 East Coast Champions 2023. As if that weren’t enough, in the final random drawing at the end of the awards ceremony, the Shamrock crew was selected to compete in the HHSW Caribbean Championships in British Virgin Islands in the fall.

“Our team has worked together for many seasons and has developed a solid routine, which is a huge benefit to getting consistent and repeatable results,” says Irvin. “I know we will get around the marks cleanly, and when the inevitable issues arise, the crew is great at putting the fires out quickly. “

The team consisted of: Nathan Thompson (bow), Shane Kilberg (mast), Rachel Weitman (spinnaker trim, jib), Efe Brock (spin trim, jib), Amy Kuhl (pit), and Charlie Carpenter (main).

“The current was ripping out all day Friday, and it made getting to the top mark challenging. Normal tactics took a back seat to getting north enough to take a shot at crossing the Bay. The ebbing current was also coupled with light winds making concentration critical,” says Irvin.

“We traded multiple port-starboard crossings with Bebop on the upwind legs on Friday, and with their multiple North American Championship titles and experience, Bob Rutsch and Mike Costello and the crew on Bebop always keep maximum pressure on the fleet. The pivotal first race on Sunday really stands out as Bebop caught us above the boat-end layline at the start. We had to spin out prior to the committee boat’s transom and take a last place start.

“With only two points separating us in an eight-boat fleet, that was an expensive

# Sara Morgan Watters and Laura Dennison placed first in the Melges 15 Mixed+ one-design division.

# Bryan Stout (510) placed first in the Melges 15 division.

mistake on my part; but we put the fire out and rounded the top mark in fifth place. Attacking from behind with a filling breeze downwind gave us a window. We gained first place at the gate and held that spot on the second lap. Overcoming that early deficit was a key to the series and is definitely the stand-out memory.”

When asked if he learned any lessons the hard way at this event, Irvin responded, “In the sixth and final race, I chose to gybe too early on the final downwind leg giving Bebop and Avita an opportunity to close. After gybing back, the damage was done. In the dying breeze they both did a great job of squeezing by to leeward at the finish. Lesson: keep focus.”

Ray Wulff and his team on Patriot topped the 22-boat J/105 fleet. Wulff sailed with Mike Komar, Sam Vineyard, Eliot Caple, Tyler Raven, and Jonathan Quigley.

“Throughout the regatta our communication just got better and better across the board,” says Wulff. “The last two races were pretty magical, and when we needed the chips to fall in place, the sailing gods were shining on the team between wind shifts, current, and positioning. Finishing the regatta with a 1,5,1,1,1 was amazing.”

The team made mistakes, of course. Wulff says, “The second race of the regatta, I pushed the rounding of the weather mark too close and fouled two boats concurrently. We did our (penalty) circles and had a significant hole to climb out of and salvaged an eighth-place finish. We had the boat speed, and we shouldn’t have had to push the situation like that.”

Jimmy Praley and his team of Austin Powers and Max Vinocur placed first in the 14-boat Viper 640 fleet aboard Robot Flamingo.

About teamwork onboard his boat for his first major win, Praley says, “We always communicated about speed. Keeping the boat moving through the light stuff was imperative. Also, before every race we set a game plan on where to start and what side of the course looks best and do our best to stick to it… The biggest challenge was staying consistent. There were several extremely light races where anything could happen (and it did). From wild shifts on other sides of

# Bruce Irvin’s J/30 Shamrock team won their one-design division and the East Coast Championship, as well as being chosen to do the HHSW Caribbean Challenge in November in the BVI. Well done!

the course, to complete shut offs in the breeze, it was wild.”

Pete Kassal topped the J/24 fleet on Spaceman Spiff. Mike Oh, Steve Meyers, Caroline Haddaway, and Bill Smith rounded out his “fantastic” crew. “Two of the crew were first time Spiffernauts, including one I met at this year’s SpinSheet Crew Party. Score!”

What did the team do really well?

“They helped me keep the boat moving in challenging conditions with great trimming, movement of crew weight, boat handling, constant feedback on speed and point, and tactical input. Everything needed to paint the picture for me, so I could focus on the telltales.”

TC Williams and his crew on the Alberg 30 Argo won their fleet for the sixth time at the HHSW Series, narrowly beating the second-place Firestorm/Laughing Gull by one point. As the top Alberg 30, Argo also earned the class’s coveted Maple Leaf Trophy,

# Ray Wulff’s winning team aboard the J/105 Patriot. Photos by Will Keyworth

which has been awarded annually since 1965.

“We have great chemistry onboard, my wife Elizabeth was trimming the jib and my son Austin onboard doing bow for the first time,” Williams told Sailing World.

Bryan Stout and Lizzy Chiochetti narrowly won the Melges 15 fleet. “We had to sail the boat with what we had and not what we wanted,” Stout told Sailing World. “A lot of the time, especially when we were around other people, if I could just focus on the telltales and make my boat go fast, we would have a lot of success.”

Ben Capuco and his team on the Aerodyne 38 Zuul topped the ORC Division for the two distance races. Christina Lizza, Denis Hope-Ross, Chris Higgins, Carter O’Neill, Brad Skorepa, Michael Rutler, and David Ginsburg were on his team.

“(They) kept the boat moving in some really light air and difficult conditions. Great transitions at marks including sail changes,” says Capuco, who noted “some very close encounters with moored ships” as a challenge. “There seemed to be a gravitational pull that kept putting us in positions where we just barely made it around them.”

Capuco is pleased that “popularity for handicap boats entering the event seems to be improving. Hopefully we will see more next year and maybe the organizers will add a third day, perhaps with a short course windward leeward day?”

Of the race committee work in trying racing conditions, all of the skippers we spoke to applauded their performance; “stellar,” “great job,” and “fantastic” were among the comments.

Irvin adds, “The HHSW has long been synonymous with the best in onedesign racing. From the coveted Mount Gay red hats to daily awards, rum drinks, race videos, photos, sponsors, and great parties, It’s a three-day marathon of nonstop competition and fun. Thank you to AYC, race committee, volunteers, and the Sailing World team.”

Find complete results at yachtscoring.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos. #

# T.C. Williams’s Argo team placed first in the Alberg 30 one-design division and the Maple Leaf Championship.

the helly hansen Sailing World Series annapolis 2023 Results

Alberg 30 - Maple Leaf

Championship (One Design - 6 Boats)

1. Argo, T.C. Williams

2. Firestorm/Laughing Gull, Raymond Bay

3. Constance, Jonathan Bresler

J/22 (One Design - 16 Boats)

1. Yard Sail, Brad Julian

2. Rhythmic Pumping, Aden King

3. Hot Toddy, Jeffrey Todd

J/24 (One Design - 5 Boats)

1. Spaceman Spiff, Pete Kassal

2. Rush Hour, Patrick FitzGerald

3. SISU, James Bonham

Wayfarer (One Design - 6 Boats)

1. Sirocco, John Driver

2. Blew by You, Peggy Menzies

3. Intrepid, AnnMarie Covington

Etchells (One Design - 6 Boats)

1. Cash Money, Matt Lalumiere

2. Marge, Jamie Carter

3. Hat Trick, David Pryor

J/30 - East Coast Championship (One Design - 8 Boats)

1. Shamrock, Bruce Irvin

2. Bebop, Bob Rutsch & Mike Costello

3. Insatiable, Ronald Anderson

Melges 15 (One Design - 11 Boats)

1. Force Sensitive, Bryan Stout

2. BrewJax, Britton Steele

3. N/A, Sara Morgan Watters

Viper 640 (One Design - 14 Boats)

1. Robot Flamingo, Jimmy Praley

2. Life of Riley, Martin Casey

3. Brass Monkey, Jay Sterne/ Jamie Fontanella

J/70 (One Design - 25 Boats)

1. Yonder, Douglas Newhouse

2. Casting Couch, Cate Muller-Terhune

3. Savasana, Brian Keane

J/80 (One Design - 22 Boats)

1. Black Sheep, Mike Beasley

2. Kopp-Out (aka The Lasso Way), Thomas and Jennifer Kopp

3. Meltemi, Mike Hobson

J/105 (One Design - 23 Boats)

1. Patriot, Ray Wulff

2. Good Trade, Peter Bowe

3. Jester, Hugh Bethell

Beneteau First SE

(One Design - 2 Boats)

1. JEF, Sebastian Vallee

2. The Electric Mayhem, Pete Lalli

ORC (ORC - 8 Boats)

1. Zuul, Benedict Capuco

2. Aunt Jean, James Sagerholm/ AJ Syndicate

3. Wild Thing, Ben Jatlow

PHRF Spinnaker

(PHRF - 2 Boats)

1. Cloud Nine, Paul Kaladas

2. Whirlwind, Gary Jobson

Find complete results at yachtscoring.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos

OAKCLIFF GRADS GO EVERYWHERE

Sara Stone, one of the brightest talents in sailing, traded a “traditional” job for sailing in 2018.

“At first it was intimidating to recognize that I had this dream. Sometimes I heard myself describing it, and it sounded insane, but mostly it was an exercise in project management of the best kind, because I was the project”.

Sara a finalist for the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year races in the TP52 Super Series on Quantum Racing and won the Bermuda Short-Handed Return Race. Windquest, the GL52 team she sails with, remains undefeated.

Sara, attributes much of her success to the supportive and challenging atmosphere provided by Oakcliff, which consistently pushed her to new heights. She adds “there is no substitute for hard work and time on the water. Start by saying yes to everything: shore work, sailing, on any team and any boat.”

Sara plans to race around the world but is currently campaigning for the first Women’s America’s Cup in 2024!

Sweet Success for Chesapeake Sailors in Charleston

The wind generously gave its all for the last race of Charleston Race Week 2023, bringing smiles to many faces and success across all 15 fleets racing in the annual event April 20-23.

Chesapeake-based PRO Taran Teague commented, “We had some weather challenges. We were lucky to get four races in on day one, and we had an incredible front come in on day two, which was beautiful to watch, and we managed to get two races off. On the final day, we started an hour early, so all classes got their full complement of racing in. It’s been another great Charleston Race Week!”

One of the larger fleets racing this year was the VX:One with 29 boats. After 10 races sailed, first place went to John Porter (Savannah, GA) on Far Side Annapolis sailor Paul Murphy finished fourth in the fleet on A 5-0-5 for Old(er) People with Russ Silvestri.

As for memorable on-water moments, Murphy comments, “No fun: hitting a

rock (perhaps a cannonballl?) near Shutes Folly Island. Much fun: going from sixth to first on the final run of Saturday’s final race.”

Jonathan Bamberger (Ontario, Canada) drove his Melges 32 Spitfire to first in class with a three-point lead over Fearless sailed by Charleston local John Lucas.

Annapolis sailor Scott Nixon with Quantum Sails, who sailed on Spitfire, commented, “I couldn’t be prouder of Jonathan and his team for embracing the challenge and coming out on top. Racing came down to the last day. Spitfire was super-fast with their new Quantum class upwind sails. It was really challenging to beat the local team on Fearless!”

Solomons skipper Clarke McKinney on the Melges 32 Wild Horses placed third with Hawk Caldwell, Stephanie Caldwell, and Neal McKinney onboard.

Virginia Beach sailor and Hampton Yacht Club member Ian Hill on the Cape 31 Sitella placed first in the ORC D Sport Boat fleet with a solid lead of eight points over second place Sailing Inc, also a

Cape 31 skippered by Ryan Ruhlman. Annapolis sailor Jason Currie served as Sitella’s tactician.

Skippering Travis Weisleder’s Melges 24, Laura Grondin (Manakin Sabot, VA) made good on her promise to keep Lucky Dog’s winning streak alive. Grondin, a two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year nominee, skippered Lucky Dog to a fourth consecutive Charleston Race Week win finishing with 11 points, eight points ahead of second place Zingara helmed by Richard Reid (Ontario, Canada).

“Travis and I are competitors, but also friends, and coming here this week to sail his boat has been a reminder about what is important. I am proud to have kept the Lucky Dog streak alive,” Grondin said. “I give lots of thanks to the team: John, Jackson, Alex, and Chandler. The first race was a nail biter and the shiftiest of the weekend. The last two were more about boat speed. It was really a fun time for us this weekend.”

# Henry Filter and his Wild Child team placed first in the J/70 Corinthian division. Photos by Priscilla Parker/ CRW

Chesapeake sailors who are devoted SpinSheet readers may be having a déjà vu when we tell them that Henry Filter sailed to a win in the J/70 Corinthian fleet aboard Wild Child, as he has done a few times in recent months. Alex Stout, Will Wagner, and Tom Murray rounded out his team.

“Our team had been in Florida most of the winter. With five events under our belt since last November, we were better prepared for CRW than we have been in quite some time,” says Filter. “We executed very well with good starts, good tactics, and a good job turning the corners. Our hoists and douses were solid with no major mistakes. It was the little things that all

add up to putting together a good series in the end. The crew deserves all the credit: they were on top of their game, and it showed!”

As for what he will remember about this edition of CRW, Filter says, “The turning point for us was on Sunday, the last day of the regatta. We were in eighth overall against all the professional teams, but with three races still to sail that day, it would have been quite easy to slide out of the top 10. In the first race on Sunday, we sailed an excellent first beat and rounded the top mark in second, with a few of the top teams right behind us. Luckily, we held our position all around the course and finished second in the race. With two solid finishes after that,

we solidified our overall finish in the top 10 and won the Corinthian Division by almost 60 points. It was a good day for Team Wild Child!”

One more boat of note: Rob Marsh (Queenstown, MD) placed third on Blow Boat! in the 10-boat J/105 division.

The new event venue, the Naval Air Craft Carrier Yorktown “was spectacular,” says Filter. “A good time was had by all.” He and other sailors we spoke to thanked the race committee for their great job in sometimes challenging conditions.

See you at CRW April 18-24, 2024. Click to charlestonraceweek.com #

# Rob Marsh’s J/105 Blow Boat! placed third in the one-design fleet.

# Paul Murphy on his Vx-One A 5-0-5 for Old(er) People placed fourth.

# Laura Grondin kept the Melges 24 Lucky Dog’s winning streak alive.

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!

NaSS Spring Race to the Lighthouses

On April 29, the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron hosted its Spring Race to the Lighthouses off Annapolis. Twenty-eight boats in seven classes competed. SpinSheet photographer Will Keyworth was on the scene. Find full results at yachtscoring.com and photos for purchase at spinsheet.com/photos.

# Photos by Will Keyworth

NaSS Spring Race to the Lighthouses Results

ORC (ORC - 4 Boats)

1. Cimarron, Lynn McClaskey

2. WAR Wagon, William Walker

3. Skadi, Todd Berget

CRCA Cruiser (ORRez - 5 Boats)

1. Jahazi, David Dodson

CHESSS Spinnaker (PHRF - 4 Boats)

1. Starbird, Frank Martien

2. Revolution, Douglas Ellmore, Sr.

3. Specific Gravity, Michael Viens

PHRF A0 (5 Boats)

1. Reindeer, Tony Parker

2. Chaos, MIDN 2/C Rick Irving

3. Poseidon, MIDN 2/C Rowan Suarez

PHRF A1 (3 Boats)

1. Victorine, David Conlon

2. Bay Retriever, Kevin Sherwood

3. Whatshername, Dave Sossamon

PHRF A2 (6 Boats)

1. Defiance, MIDN 2/C Phil Pacheco

2. Cookie Monster, Stephen Hale

3. Mama Tried, Andrew Noel

Multihull A (1 Boats)

1. Cheshire Cat, John Enderle

Skipper Maya Hoffman Leading an all-Women team in annapolis to Newport Race

History will be made during the 2023 Annapolis to Newport Race (A2N). For the first time, an all-women crew will compete. Leading the Change!, a program in alignment with the renowned Magenta Project, is a team consisting of seven young and talented female sailors. They will race aboard Annapolis sailor Beth Berry’s Tartan 4100 Kyrie.

This mission-driven project is rooted in the values of equity, inclusion, environmentalism, and youth development. Skipper Maya Hoffman organized the Leading the Change! program with assistance from boat captain Emma Janson and navigator Chelsea Carlson Freas. Other members of the crew include Callie Dawson (bow), Lily Flack (trimmer), Ellie Menezes (trimmer), and Leah Sweet (speed coach). The average age of the crew is 26 with Dawson the youngest at age 16. Dawson was a member of Team Bitter End, which became the first all-female youth team to complete the Newport to Bermuda Race.

Flack, 20, is a product of the acclaimed MudRatz program that provides high-level racing opportunities for youth sailors and is currently a member of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland intercollegiate dinghy team.

The Magenta Project is a collective of passionate, dedicated sailors committed to creating equal access and opportunities for women in sailing. Established by crew members of the successful Team

SCA campaign for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, the Magenta Project mission is developing pathways and generating opportunities for more equity and inclusion in sailing, leading with gender.

Now in its fifth year, the Magenta Project Mentoring Program provides opportunities for aspiring female sailors to excel and reach their potential in the sport. Each year, the program selects talented female sailors from across the world and pairs them with a mentor that is a highly accomplished and experienced sailor.

“What we’re doing is aligned with the Magenta Project mission. Women are underrepresented in positions of leadership in offshore racing,” Hoffman said. “We are fully committed to advancing women in the sport by gaining more access and becoming more competitive. Our intent with this A2N program is to give young women with experience, skills, and talent a chance to be leaders offshore.”

Hoffman spent summers living with her grandparents in Monterey, CA, and learned to sail at age eight. She started racing dinghies at Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club and graduated to keelboats. She attended Mount Holyoke College and was a member of the MassachusettsAmherst intercollegiate sailing team. After graduating, Hoffman lived in the Washington, DC, area and got involved in racing on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. She competed in buoy

racing out of Herrington Harbour and raced Lightnings out of Severn Sailing Association and the Potomac River Sailing Association. She did several pointto-point distance races, including the Governor’s Cup.

Hoffman spent six weeks with Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay, NY, and served as an onboard coach for Team Bitter End, a team consisting of seven students ages 16 to 18 from Lincoln High in Providence, RI. They trained aboard and raced a Farr 40 in Newport to Bermuda Race under the direction of Libby Greenhalgh, navigator for TeamSCA and is one of the founders and directors for the Magenta Project.

Hoffman, who served as captain of the Farr 40 for the return delivery from Hamilton to Newport, moved back to California to attend graduate school at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She applied and was accepted to the Magenta Project Mentoring Program and paired with Carlson Freas, a meteorologist and founder of Sea Tactics. Carlson Freas is well known on the grand prix sailing circuit as a top-flight weather forecaster. She serves as meteorologist for the US Sailing team and recently provided forecasting for the International Etchells class world championships in Miami.

“I’ve been so fortunate to be working with her for the past eight months learning about weather routing and navigation,” Hoffman said.

# Skipper Maya Hoffman.

# Lily Flack.

# Chelsea Carlson Frease, navigator.

# Beth Berry, owner of the Tartan 4100 Kyrie.

This past December, Hoffman met with Hanson and Lindsay Gimple, the Americas Mentee Representative for the Magenta Project. Their lunch discussion turned to offshore sailing, and they talked about how cool it would be to eventually put together an all-women campaign for a major distance race.

“It seemed like a far-out dream, but I went home and started reading through the Notice of Race for the A2N,” Hoffman said. “That race has always appealed to me because of the layers of navigational thought that goes into sailing that route.”

She launched into putting together a crew and finding a boat. A huge part of the equation came together when Janson agreed to serve as boat captain and Freas signed on as navigator. Berry provided the final piece of the puzzle when she agreed to allow Kyrie to be used as the platform for the campaign. Berry, who skippered the Tartan 4100 in four previous A2N Races, will be aboard in a consulting role.

“Beth has been very helpful as far as pointing us in the right direction as we get organized,” Hoffman said. “She’s very supportive of the mission of advancing women in the sport and is letting us have ownership of organizing the campaign.”

Team members are planning to gather in Annapolis this month for some practice sessions aboard the Tartan 4100 to begin the process of building chemistry.

“We have a lot of blue water ocean miles on the boat and there is considerable collective experience even though individually we’re all young,” Hoffman said. “The challenge is what drew us to this race. It’s going to push us and test us to be competitive in this environment.”

Hoffman and Janson are both pursuing master’s degrees in environmental fields and are skippers for Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana. They work with the organization to develop and test offshore sailor sustainability practices on and off the water. They will document the journey of upholding those best practices dur-

ing the A2N campaign for Leading the Change!

Janson and Hoffman will also create materials and give educational presentations to community members on the areas of environmental concern and interest along the A2N route. They aim to use existing data collection methods to understand the water and its properties along the race route and map the debris the boat comes across using GIS.

“We want to use A2N as a platform to start a conversation and effect change. It’s really a gender equity mission designed to generate opportunities and develop pathways,” Hoffman said. “Hopefully, these women aboard this boat will use this experience for future projects that will advance themselves and others in the sailing industry.”

The A2N will have two starts: Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3. SpinSheet will be on the scene and keep you posted on the progress of the race. Learn more at annapolisnewportrace.com #

Southern Bay Race Week, Where Sailors Race to Win the Black Seal Cup

By Lin McCarthy

Things happen at Southern Bay Race Week (SBRW). One of the best things is that SBRW racers, families, and friends keep coming back. Look around. You are bound to see familiar faces. A high percentage of SBRW racers come back year after year.

SBRW provides a well-known awards program. And, winning any of the SBRW popular fleet dailies, Boat of the Day flags, and overall awards, is an especially nice experience. This year the special awards include the Atlantic Coast Championship for the Viper Class. PHRF of the Chesapeake Bay will offer special fleet overall awards, as well as the Top Dog overall award, all in addition to the SBRW extensive program. And, then comes the frosting on the cake: the Black Seal Cup award.

From 1986 through the year 2000, the prize awarded to the Best Boat of SBRW was the Southern Bay Race Week Trophy. In 2001, Goslings Rum took up a significant sponsorship, and the name of the award changed to the Black Seal Cup. There have been 22 Black Seal Cups and 15 Southern Bay

Race Week Trophies contested over the last 37 years of racing. Each year the contenders raced to be the best boat on the southern Chesapeake Bay… for that three or four-day period of time.

Highlighting this year’s field are seven former Black Seal Cup winners. Over the past 37 years 20 different skippers have picked up the ultra-coveted trophy. The remaining 15 have been distributed among five winners, who repeated victories, taking the Cup home on two or more occasions. The winner of the 2022 Black Seal Cup was Ian Hill, sailing his J/111 Sitella, against stiff competition in the PHRF Super A fleet. The defending champion is back, still racing in Super A, but his new boat, also named Sitella, is a Cape 31. She’s a rocket ship carrying a 30 handicap rating. This Sitella recently finished first in a small fleet at Charleston Race Week in April, where skipper and crew handled a Mumm 30, a GP26, and another Cape 31. Ian logged five first-place finishes in nine races at Charleston. Last year, Ian won his first SBRW Black Seal Cup.

Seven former Black Seal Cup winners returning to SBRW:

Ian Hill (2022)

Cape 31 Sitella, PHRF Super A, Virginia Beach, VA

Mary Ewenson (2016)

Viper Evil Hiss, One Design, Annapolis, MD

Ben Weeks (2012, 2010, 1998, 1997) J/29 Rumble, PHRF B Yorktown, VA

Pete Hunter (2007,2009 ) Thompson 30, Wairere, PHRF Super A, Kill Devil Hills, NC

Sledd Shelhorse (2006,2005,1992,1988) Carkeek 40 Meridian, XI, PHRF Super A Virginia Beach, VA

Rusty Burshell (1995)

Melges 24, This Is Cool One Design, Yorktown, VA

John McCarthy (1996)

J/33, Sugar Bear, PHRF A, SBRW PRO Hampton, VA

All the skippers and crews will race like there is no tomorrow for that ohso-hearty Goslings seal with the barrel of rum balanced on his nose. Every racer would like to “Seal the deal” at SBRW… Y’all come racing!

Register at yachtscoring.com.

# Sledd Shelhorse, a four-time winner of the Black Seal Cup on Meridian. Photo by Photoboat.com

# Craig Wright (L), skipper of Afterthought, is presented SBRW 2011 Black Seal Cup award by SBRW Chair Jack Pope (R).

Victory for team Wings in annapolis

Sweden’s Team Wings won the all-women Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Santa Maria Cup (May 1-4) in Annapolis, the second stage of the 2023 Women’s World Match Racing Tour. Skippered by Anna Östling with Annika Carlunger, Anna Holmdahl White, and Linnéa Wennergren, the Swedes defeated New Zealand’s Celia Willison and Edge Women’s Match team 3-0 in the finals and in a turnaround from the previous week’s event in San Francisco.

The route to the podium was no easy task for the Swedish team. They started the final day trailing New Zealand’s Megan Thomson/ 2.0 Racing 0-2 in their semi-final pairing and needed three straight wins against Thomson to secure a spot to the final. By the day’s end, the team had accomplished their mission.

“We are so thrilled to win here in Annapolis,” said a jubilant Östling. “We knew we had a lot of work to do (on the final day), but we knew we could do it as a team. That was some very close and extremely difficult racing against Celia Willison (NZ), but we are so pleased to have come through to win the event— fantastic!”

Event co-chair Jeff Borland said, “The Women’s World Match Racing Tour has brought women’s match racing back to the world stage. For the City of Annapolis to host the second stage and with Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) running the racing right out in front of its docks, it put the city and EYC back on the world stage where it belongs. Thanks to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and the Maryland Sports Commission for their support.”

Co-chair Sharon Borland adds, “EYC did a fantastic job in hosting the Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Santa

Maria Cup, bringing it back after a 12-year hiatus as if it had never stopped. The volunteerism was incredible, and the club was buzzing with enthusiasm and purpose that has not been seen in some time.”

After the May event, the Women’s World Match Racing Tour headed to Normandy, France, for the Normandie Match Cup in Le Havre, May 25-29 and on to Skovshoved, Denmark, for the KDY Women’s Match Race, September 21-24.

Final Standings

1. SWE - Anna Östling, Linnéa Wennergren, Annika Carlunger, Anna Holmdahl White

2. NZL - Celia Willison, Charlotte Porter, Alison Kent, Serena Woodall

3. USA - Nicole Breault, Dana Riley Hayes, Maggie Bacon, Molly O’Bryan Vandemoer

4. NZL - Megan Thomson, Anna Merchant, Maeve White, Lisa Dartnall

5. USA - Bridget Groble, Morgan Collins, Katherine Klempen, Samantha Foulston

6. AUS - Brooke Wilson, Tiana Wittey, Emily Keg, Gemma Burns

7. USA - Janel Zarkowsky, Rose Edwards, Meaghan MacRae, Abigail Preston

8. USA - Allie Blecher, Alicia Blumenthal, Beka Schiff, Katja Sertl

9. GBR - Sophie Otter, Hatty Ward, Amy Sparks, Hebe Henning

10.DEN - Kristine Mauritzen, Katrine Munch Ejlev, Christina Andersen, Emilie Nordby Lauritzen

# Team Wings. Photos by Walter Cooper

# 2023 Santa Maria Cup – Annapolis

aYC Spring Race to Oxford

On May 13 Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) hosted its Spring Race to Oxford for 38 registered boats. Although the race started in light air, competitors reported winds building up to 15 knots on their way to the Choptank. Find photos by Will Keyworth at spinsheet.com/photos

Results

ORC 1 (8 Boats)

1. Windborn, Richard Born

2. Skadi, Todd Berget

3. Zuul, Benedict Capuco

ORC 2 (12 Boats)

1. USA38, John and Kevin White

2. Nicole, Thomas Campbell

3. Mayhem, Doug Stryker

ORC Cruiser (3 Boats)

1. Liberty, Robert Richardson

ORC Racer-Cruiser (3 Boats)

1. ReJoyce, Dennis Glackin

2. Lucky Eights, Keith Cole

3. Sodalis III, Jim Demarest

CHESSS (Spinnaker 5 Boats)

1. Revolution, Douglas Ellmore, Sr.

2. Nomad, Seth Winnick

3. Allegiant, Albert Bossar

PHRF (7 Boats)

1. Moxie, R. J. Cooper

2. Blinding Fury, Eric Richardson

3. Bay Retriever, Kevin Sherwood

Want Weekly Chesapeake Racing Results?

Our new SpinSheet Racing Results email, presented by Mount Gay Rum and sent every Monday morning from now until Halloween, has been a big hit in its first few weeks. It’s filled with links to the previous week’s race results, including weeknight racing results, for the Chesapeake and its tributaries. If you have not yet received the email and would like to, visit spinsheet.com/email-signup and update your email preferences by checking the box that says, “Racing.”

You may also email editor@spinsheet.com to be added to the list for inclusion and/or your club’s racing results.

# Photo by Will Keyworth

# Photos by Will Keyworth

Let’s Foil! Waszp Buzz in annapolis

By Tom Sitzmann

On April 15-16 Severn Sailing Association (SSA) hosted the Spring Annapolis Waszp Regatta, and turnout for this new addition to SSA’s fleet was really great with 15 boats entered.

The Waszp is a singlehanded foiling monohull designed by Andrew MacDougall in 2016. One main goal of this class was, and is, to make monohull foiling more accessible and more affordable for more people. The boat is essentially a derivative of the International Moth. Aluminum foils, simple rig/sail, and very strict one-design rule restrictions have successfully controlled price and cost to maintain. While the class is waiting for take-off here in the United States, the Waszp has absolutely exploded around the world; major

events attract more than 100 boats with ease, and quite often entry to major events fills quickly.

The recent Annapolis regatta started off with a very promising southerly on Friday’s practice day. Everyone was up and flying around the mouth of the Severn River and into the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, winds on Saturday

and Sunday did not cooperate, and a few non-foiling races (known as “low-riding”) were held on Sunday.

Despite this, enthusiasm for the fleet is growing. Four new Waszp sailors had a go with the boat at the event! For more information on Wazsps, please contact the author by visiting sail1design.com/waszp-s1d

First Stop in the triple Crown of Charity Sailing: The Maryland Cures Cancer Cup

In its sixth year, the Triple Crown of Charity Sailing challenges racing sailors who love charity events to not only raise

money for their favorite one, but to raise money for Annapolis’s top three charity regattas and sail fast in all three, too!

The first stop in this threeregatta series is the Maryland Cures Cancer Cup, formerly known as the Maryland Leukemia Cup, to unfold June 24 out of Eastport Yacht Club. This year the regatta will benefit the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, the new home of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), one of the top cancer treatment and research centers in the country. Regatta organizers have chosen to broadly support UMGCCC’s innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating all types of cancer.

The other two events to register for are the CRAB Cup (August 19) and the Hospice Cup (September 19). Stay tuned—and sign up today!

# Photo by Will Keyworth Photography

# The Annapolis Harbor 20 fleet has always been a huge supporter of the Triple Crown of Charity Sailing events, with John Heintz (left) winning the honor a few times. Photo by Will Keyworth

One-Designs Welcome Women

Using a variety of different formats, several local onedesign fleets are recognizing the inclusion of women as the formula for fueling growth. From women’s regattas to mentoring women’s teams to encouraging mixed teams, more women are being recruited to race. Here on the Chesapeake Bay, J/105, Snipe, Melges 15, J/70, and ILCA classes are among the leaders in welcoming women.

On the class level, J/105s are encouraging local fleets to develop female talent. Toronto had the first women’s regatta in 2021, joined by San Francisco and Annapolis in 2022.

“We encouraged each fleet to come up with their own way to celebrate women that race on J/105s, and if they have other agenda items, like encouraging more female owner/drivers, and fleet/class leadership, that was up to them,” said Nicole Breault, vice president of the J/105 Class.

In Annapolis, the inaugural J/105 Women’s Regatta was held in May 2022, with 13 boats. With most of the boats

By Molly Wilmer

sailing with all-women crews, the decision was made for the 2023 edition to limit the number of men onboard to one optional owner’s representative. As of press time, 12 boats are already pulling

together crews for the September 3 event. Longtime skipper and organizer in the Snipe Fleet, Lisa Foulke Pline reflects, “Do we *need* separate women’s events?

No. The Snipe Class has a long his-

# Sarah Alexander at the Snipe North Americans.

Photo by Matias Capizzano

# Alli Gutenkunst sailed to victory with two bullets in the recent Annapolis Yacht Club Spring One Design in the J/70 class. Photo by Will Keyworth

tory of being accessible to women skippers and crews.” Pline continues, “Do we benefit from hosting them? Absolutely. They are a different species of events: very fun, very inclusive, and a great way to promote the sport!”

Another benefit of the women’s events that Sarah Alexander, a newer member of the Snipe fleet, has noticed is that the fleet can offer more support. “For us there were fewer people sailing, there was a lot of focus on coaching and boat preparation, and people were really excited about women’s sailing.”

With the support of the local Snipe fleet, Alexander did the 2021 Women’s World Championship Regatta in Brazil. She says, “The experience in Brazil helped build confidence. I then got to sail in more regattas and get more experience in competitive fleets.”

Lorie Stout won the Melges 15 class at the St. Petersburg Helly Hansen Sailing World Series. “My experience in the Melges class is that with the optimum crew weight being 275-300 pounds, it leaves lots of room for one or two crew members being female. The Melges class has also embraced the Mixed+ division, which turns out to be more than half of the fleet racing.”

Alli Gutenkunst sailed to victory with two bullets in the recent Annapolis Yacht Club Spring One Design in the J/70 class, which has also added a Mixed+ division. “I have noticed more women at events, which is awesome! I think it’s great that the crews have to be 50/50; women are also getting opportunities to trim sails and call tactics.”

The ILCA class welcomes women, leveraging not just size but also culture. In

the ILCA Sunshine Open held the last weekend in April at Severn Sailing Association (SSA), 14 of the 19 competitors were women, with SpinSheet Century Club and SSA member Dorian Haldeman and two other women topping the leaderboard.

Fellow Century Club sailor Koralina McKenna has been racing the ILCA 6 for nearly five years. She says that at her first regatta, “On one of the first downwind legs, another woman sailed by me and said ‘Hey! So glad you’re out here—by the way, you don’t have to pull your daggerboard up so high downwind. That’s a pretty old move, and it will just make you feel more unstable...’ I said ‘thanks,’ and she sailed away. Later that day another woman sailed by and said I should try to adjust my sail placement on the downwind legs to help with my boat speed. This seemed friendly. There was no malice or condescending tones. I felt respected, yet also seen as a first time ILCA sailor who could definitely use a few pointers.”

McKenna adds, “How often do you get 14-plus women skippers out for a casual sailing event that doesn’t even have ‘women’ in the regatta title? That’s what so special about our corner of the Chesapeake Bay. Every ILCA 6 event is a women’s event, but to us and all the guys who race against us, it’s just another day of racing on the Bay.”

The benefits of these women’s events go beyond simply promoting the sport, offering a supportive environment for female sailors to build confidence, gain experience, and learn from others. With more women joining the ranks, the sailing community is becoming more inclusive, diverse, and exciting than ever before.

About the Author: Molly Hughes Wilmer is an executive coach, J/105 racer, powerboat cruiser, J/105 Women’s Regatta chair, and Hospice Cup board president. Find her at oysterinsight.com

# Koralina McKenna of the ILCA fleet says: “When our sails are rolled and the covers strapped down, we stand around a fire pit and recap the day. We laugh and ask questions; we high five and look up rules. We never stop learning.” Photo by Deniz Cirivello

Small Boat Scene

Picking the Right Cover: tight, Loose, or None?

By Kim Couranz

If things are going pretty well for you on the racecourse, you’re likely ahead of a few boats. When you cross paths on the windward leg while on opposite tacks (and you’re ahead), that sets you up to make some decisions: Should you tack to cover them… and if so, how?

First, a few definitions. To oversimplify a bit, covering is maneuvering your boat so that you are between your competition and the weather mark or weather finish line. There are two primary ways to cover: tight and loose.

In a tight cover, you tack into a spot ahead and slightly to windward of the boat you are covering so that they are in your wind shadow. You must be within a few boat lengths and situated so that your apparent wind affects them. If their masthead fly is pointing at you, you’re in the right spot! This position not only helps you stay in front of them, but it also may help you increase your lead by giving them dirty air.

In a loose cover, while you are still between your competition and the mark, you are not aggressively stealing their breeze. Instead, you are often to windward with your bow closer to even with their bow, more abeam of them than in front of them. This is a kinder, gentler cover: You are in touch with them, but you are not affecting them (except probably mentally!). Tacking into this spot requires looking over your shoulder to make sure you have let the other boat progress forward enough so that you aren’t tacking onto their breeze.

The two different types of covers have very different flavors: Tight is aggressive and offensive; loose is collaborative and defensive. As such, they are used in different situations. How best to apply these two actions?

Tight cover: Putting a tight cover on another boat makes them choose between two undesirable options—tacking away or sailing in your bad air. If you

want them to go the other way or to slow down, this is the right thing to do.

For example, if they are near layline, and you would prefer to have them tack short of layline (thus forcing them to do two extra tacks), a tight cover can make that happen. Another spot is if you are sailing on a header: Tacking into a tight cover on them would then force them to tack onto that header (you’re essentially swapping spots) or sail in your dirty air if they want to continue on the lifted tack. A tight cover can also encourage a “lone ranger” boat to tack back toward the pack if you’d like to herd the group back together again.

But note—tight covers are aggressive actions. They are not for frequent use. Apply this option too frequently, and you’ll get a reputation—and not a good one. Last leg of one of the final races of a series? Sure, use it. Racing to determine who will represent your country at an international regatta? Okay. First leg of a weeknight series? Nope.

Loose cover: Covering a competitor loosely is more like gently herding them in a direction of your choosing. Because you are not affecting their wind, they can continue unhindered.

Essentially, use a loose cover if you don’t want them to tack. This might be if they are part of a larger group of boats

that you want to keep together—and keep in front of. By loose-covering, you stay in touch with (and in front of) them but don’t scatter them due to some deciding to tack and others not.

Think a bit ahead on your positioning, too. If you anticipate that, while you are loose-covering, you and the boat(s) you are covering will sail into a lift, know that you will essentially be even more ahead of them. But if you sail into a header, depending on how far ahead of them you were to start, they may eventually be able to tack and cross you.

Another option: Remember, just because you can apply either a tight or loose cover doesn’t mean you should! Are you sailing toward the favored side of the course, while a boat you are crossing is headed off into la-la land with less breeze or unfavorable current? Let ‘em go! Is your boat speed superior, and you’re pretty close to the finish? Just send it and get there!

The decision to cover or not to cover upwind is one of the situations on the racecourse where decisions need to be made promptly. Thinking through all the options as the scene unfolds just doesn’t work. Gather your crew or other people who sail in your one-design class and talk through some situations. Having a plan in your back pocket can really help.

About the Author: SpinSheet Small Boat columnist for more than a dozen years, Kim Couranz has earned several national and world titles in Laser Radials (ILCA 6) and Snipes. She has also raced J/22s, J/24s, and Ynglings on an international level.

# There are tight and loose covers happening in this photo. Can you pick them out? Photo by Al Schreitmueller

Biz Buzz

Award

Argo Navigation LLC, developer of the popular navigation and social boating app Argo, and Salisbury University have been selected to receive a Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) award to fund Argo’s Bathymetric Mapping of Lakes project. Argo will work in partnership with Dr. Arthur Lembo, professor of geography and geosciences at Salisbury University and internationally known expert. “Currently, the app relies primarily on NOAA and USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) for its bathymetry data,” said Jeff Foulk, founder of Argo Navigation. “This project will bring large amounts of new bathymetric data into the Argo app from a range of data sources in various formats and will help us process and integrate it into Argo. We are targeting the lakes and inland waterways with the most recreational boaters to serve the widest possible community and supplement what we have from NOAA charts and USACE data. Upon completion, the app will have a proven process and expanded bathymetry on which to grow our navigation service and increase boater safety.” Argo’s project directly supports MIPS’ program goals to promote the commercialization of advanced technology through university/industry partnerships, and to strengthen the economy of the state of Maryland. argonav.io

Board of Directors

Brendan Sailing, a nonprofit organization that helps youth with learning differences build confidence, selfesteem, and skills while learning to sail, announces the election of Susan M. O’Brien to its board of directors for a three-year term. A longtime resident of Anne Arundel County, she spent several years at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation where she was able to combine her love of outdoor education with her professional skills. She also served as a media and legislative consultant to several organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. “Brendan Sailing has significantly transformed the lives of hundreds of children with unique needs through its innovative and groundbreaking approach to sailing and I cannot wait to help more families discover the lasting benefits of this organization and its dedicated volunteers and instructors,” said Susan. “The years I spent helping individuals with disabilities gain access to greater services are some of the hallmarks of my career. This community has incredible unmet needs for recreation and engagement outdoors, and I cannot wait to help grow this life-changing organization.” brendansailing.org

Boat Maintenance Guide

Yacht coatings provider AkzoNobel has put together the ultimate guide to keep your surfaces ship shape this summer. Step one: start with the right equipment. A summer topcoat maintenance program will ensure that the aesthetic of your boat remains pristine all the way through summer and beyond. Aim to select cleaning products that are PH neutral, as anything too acidic or alkaline can have detrimental effects. Most household cleaners are not PH neutral. Every boat owner considers their environmental impact, so it is vital to ensure the equipment and products chosen are safe. Products containing bleach may leave permanent stains, even from splashes, so take extra care if these are being used anywhere in close proximity. Metal polish will also damage painted surfaces. If a metal polish is used, ensure it is fully rinsed off before proceeding with further cleaning. Brushes should have soft bristles, while natural sponges are best. Avoid abrasion pads at all costs. This might be difficult to avoid in the summer, but higher temperatures can soften paint, leading to damage when routine cleaning takes place. If you can, carry out cleaning and maintenance when the temperatures are a little lower in the early mornings or after dusk.

Once you have the correct equipment and conditions, you’ll need the right products to use on your surfaces. Awlwash is a gentle detergent cleaner. It washes and cleans to prevent dirt and grease build-up. Depending on the job to be done, it can be diluted as required. After cleaning, always rinse thoroughly. Step two after using Awlwash is to apply Awlcare, a protective polymer sealer, that polishes to a gleaming shine while containing no harsh abrasives. It is non-yellowing and its effects will last through multiple washes. For best results, repeated use of Awlcare builds up protection against the harshest conditions. Safety and environmental impact are key for every product in the Awlgrip range, from raw materials to disposal and recycling. yachtcoatings.com

New Representation

Groupe Beneteau announces new representation for the Lagoon Catamaran and Beneteau Sailing Yacht ranges in the United States’ mid-Atlantic region. Clarks Landing Yacht Sales, a dealership with impeccable reputation and deep roots in the Chesapeake’s boating community, will strengthen its ties with the Groupe by adding the Beneteau sailing yachts portfolio to their current Beneteau powerboat and Wellcraft lineups, as well as cater to the ever-growing cruising catamaran market with the addition of the flagship multihull brand Lagoon. Announced as an exclusive dealer for Beneteau powerboats in 2016, Clarks Landing has since upheld an unwavering dedication to exceptional customer service and expertise in the boating industry. This year they were named 2023’s top outboard retailer for Beneteau powerboats in the Mid-Atlantic region. “As a dealership located in the sailboat capital of the Americas, we are excited to now offer a diverse selection of new Beneteau sailing yachts and Lagoon catamarans to our customers,” Michael Longhi, vice president of Clarks Landing explains. “With our team’s extensive expertise in sailboat brokerage and over 40 years of experience in the boating industry, along with our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service, we are confident in delivering a seamless experience for Mid-Atlantic boaters looking to purchase sailboats and catamarans.” In order to offer strong support to their future sailboat owners, Clarks Landing recruited Chris Humphreys as lead rigger. Chris is a professional sailor who has dedicated his career to sailing and has extensive knowledge and 40 years of experience in the field. clarkslanding.com

BRO k ERAGE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

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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

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YaZu Yachting YaZu Yachting is delighted to welcome Arabella Denvir to the team in Deltaville, VA. Arabella grew up in a sailing and boat-building family in Kinsale, Ireland. She has shared her passion for sailing over the past 30 years through teaching; she has owned & run sailing schools in Malta and Virginia. Arabella has always enjoyed sharing her love of sailing and helping people find the right boat, fulfilling their small boat sailing dreams. In joining YaZu Yachting as a broker, Arabella can now extend this activity to bigger boats and bigger dreams! 804.815.0150 arabella@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

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Catalina 30 1985 Tall rig, shoal draft; great for Bay cruising. Single loving owner, good condition, universal diesel, low hours, runs well & ready to sail; needs caring owner. $15,000 Call 443.223.1165

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

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

8’ Fatty knees Sailing Dinghy Trailer. Cover. Only used 4 times. $3,500 Chestertown, MD. 207.266.5493 or flaxhermes@yahoo.com

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

Catalina 20 Project boat. FREE TO GOOD HOME. No trailer. No motor. Decent sails. Contact: Don at 410.320.0140

1981 Crosby 22’ Cat Diesel, head, galley, with optional furling jib. Fresh bottom paint. $23,000 Michael: 704.425.4108

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. Call 410.268.1058

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

To find more sailboat listings and boat reviews, visit spinsheet.com

B RO k ER S ERVICES

B RO k ER S ERVICES B RO k ER S ERVICES

Brokerage & Classified

Hunter

1978

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

31’ Pearson MkII 1988 Excellent condition. Deck’s balsa core totally replaced (2016) with synthetic honeycomb (impervious to water) and topped with new non-skid deck. New 130% Genoa 2023. Like new 2010 fully battened main. Wing keel 4’. Autopilot. Recent Raymarine VHF, depth, and speed. Clean below decks. Superb solid family cruiser, single hander. Bottom painted March 2023. Offers over $35,000 Contact petert3@outlook.com

designed masthead

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. $9,500 Contact Bill: 202.327.3404. or Billredd1@aol.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

40’ Pacific Seacraft 40 ‘00 Beautifully equipped & maintained, ready for next offshore adventure! Great maintenance & upgrades. Asking $275,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 today! www.CrusaderYachts.com

32’ Allied Seawind ketch ‘76 Five sails, 30Hp Yanmar, C&G stove and oven, depth and speed log, 2 chart plotters. $17,500 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

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

1995 33’ Dragonfly 1000 Foldable Trimaran for Sale New sails 2023. Two new 9.9Hp Honda outboards. Located in Ocean City, MD. $98,500 Call John for more pictures and info at 410.726.0075 or jscollins111@comcast.net

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

34’

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

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

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

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 $285,000 REDUCED, won’t last long! Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

‘04 Quality build midsize

38’

Cruise Equipped, Air, Solar, Updated Electronics and moreNew Main. Asking $215,000 Call Dan Bacot 757.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

To find more used boats, visit spinsheet.com

‘89 Cherubini 33’ Sloop Cherubini

sloop.

(Jangada) 35’ Hunter Legend ‘90 Solar. Wood stove. Cozy interior. Well-maintained. Freshly painted hull. Ready to sail! $38,700 Located in Pasadena, MD. Call Dave at 240.285.4016 www.jangada.info

35’ Chris Craft “Sail Yacht” Classic Sparkman Stephens design, fiberglass hull built by Chris Craft in Michigan. Kubota diesel, Isotherm refrigeration, new head. Featured in Good Old Boat, May 2015. Located in Virginia. $32,500 410.490.1191 studioda35@gmail.com

(Wings) 2020 J Boats J/121

Palmer Johnson NY40 Modern classic with PHRF90. Fully equipped for blue water or bay. New engine, life raft, roller furling, etc. Lovingly maintained. $29,000 for quick sale. Call 410.830.1176

7078 Bembe Beach Rd., Annapolis, MD 21403

Jeanneau

Sabre 386

cruiser.

FEATURED BROKERAGE

Brokerage & Classified

46’ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469 ‘13 Lightly used on Chesapeake only, 3 Cabin, 2 Head layout, Genset, Electric Halyard and Primary Winches, Raymarine Electronics and more. REDUCED! $319,000 Call Dave van den Arend 443.850.4197 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

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 Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

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

(Chaucer Blue) 41’ Morgan ‘77 $35,000 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@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 Spring 2023! Call your favorite CYS Broker for more info! 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

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

www.curtisstokes.net

(Confidante) 36’ Vancouver ‘82 $60,000 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(N2Deep) 42’ Catalina ‘03 $159,500

www.curtisstokes.net

(karen Marie) 36’ Union ‘84 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@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

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 Spring 2023! Call today to schedule a showing with your favorite CYS Broker 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

www.curtisstokes.net

(Zephyrus) 37’ Irwin ‘74 $19,000 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

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, Air Con, 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

www.curtisstokes.net

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

To find more sailboat listings and boat reviews, visit spinsheet.com

(Sandalo) 33’ Hunter ‘06 $64,500 Steve Horinek 239.887.0898 steve@curtisstokes.net

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

(Wimsey) 34’ Tartan ‘88 $38,000 David Robinson 410.310.8855 david@curtisstokes.net

Brokerage & Classified

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

Island Packet 380 2001 Great cruiser w/ excellent accommodations & centerline forward berth. Nice galley, large roomy head. Wide side decks, incredible storage and tankage. $180,000 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

35’ Catalina 355 ‘14 Nicely equipped & very well kept. 2 spacious cabins, 1 head, AC, solar, in-mast mainsail furling, AIS (transmit & receive), dinghy & outboard, professionally installed lithium batteries w/ new wiring & invertor/charger. $195,000 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

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

2001

CE category “A” ocean cruiser with 3 double cabins, two heads, a large galley, a salon with panoramic views, and a spacious cockpit. Stable, shoal draft 3’ 4” and ICW friendly. $125,000 Savannah, GA. S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

2017 Beneteau 41.1 Original owner boat. 3 cabin/1 head. New Upgrades: Lithium Batteries, Quantum FUSION MC 6000 main sail and genoa, Gennaker and Code 0, Solar Panels, Watermaker, Bow Thruster, Folding Prop, Dinghy & Liferaft. Full B&G Instrumentation including AIS. $315,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

2019 Island Packet 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

41’

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

Southerly 42RST ’12 You can beach this boat or cross oceans. Imagine a shoal draft of only 2’ 9” and variable draft up to 8’ 11” at the push of a button. Large raised salon w/ panoramic views. Master stateroom with centreline berth. Asking $399,900 Other models available: 37’ – 57’. 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

Prout 38

Island Packet SP

17218 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA

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

www.yazuyachting.com

Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

45’ Beneteau Oceanis 45 ’18 TURNKEY! 3 cabin, 2 head, Low hours Yanmar, ICW mast, Solar 1080w, Generator, Arch, Davits, Dinghy, Outboard, EPIRB, Enclosure, Fresh bottom paint & wax. $399,900 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

56’ Dufour Center Cockpit ‘92 3 cabin/3 head, Superb family cruiser w/2 bunk cabins, Hard dodger, Solar, Generator, Aircon, Arch, Davits, Watermaker, Just back from Bahamas, VALUE! $169,000 OBO. Deltaville, VA. Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

27’

This tidy pocket

cruiser has a lot to offer for its length. Easy sailing with in-mast furling. Two owners only. $35,500 Deltaville, VA. Call Arabella Denvir 804.815.0150 arabella@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

a delight to behold! $69,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Arabella Denvir 804.815.0150

Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

46’ Bavaria 46 Cruiser ‘16 3 or 4 Cabin/3 head Layout. Shoal draft, Genset, Watermaker, Wind Generator, Davits, Electric heads, New refrig (2022), Dinghy & outboard. $242,500 Hayes, VA.

Anne & Jon Hutchings

Hunter 27 ‘05

family

28’ Telstar Trimaran ’08 Trailerable w/ unique folding amas, Carbon sails plus spares, Venture trailer, Honda 20Hp outboard, Full instruments plus autopilot. $49,500 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon

32’ Tillotson Pearson Custom Pilothouse Motorsailer ‘96 This absolute gem is loaded with classic features. Meticulously maintained,

arabella@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

MAR k ETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

ART

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

EQUIPMENT

H ELP WANTED

CBF Seeking Port Isobel Captain/Educator

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks Captain/ Educator in the Education Department, field based in Tangier, Virginia. Required to live on-site for education programming during the Summer and Fall field program seasons. Responsible for operating & maintaining the 50-foot USCG inspected vessel and providing educational experiences for participants.

Minimum 50-ton Master of Inland Waters USCG Captain License with an FCC certification. Email resumes to employment@cbf.org www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/ port-isobel-captaineducator.html

Gibson Island, MD - Boat Works - Full Time Jobs

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

Northern Lights Marine Generator Model M673LD. 185 hours. Excellent condition. 5KW with all accessories. Asking $8,500 Call 410.216.6681

H ELP WANTED

Canvas Department Manager - Quantum Sails We are looking for an experienced Canvas Fabricator to join our ever-growing team in the heart of Eastport. Excellent pay, with benefits. Email your interest to resumes@quantumsails.com www.quantumsails.com

Captain Wanted - Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Weekends and charters during the week. Our boat is an 86 passenger Pirate boat, twin diesel powered. Flexible hours and competitive pay. Go to urbanpirates.com and apply via the Crew Wanted link under Contact Us. admin@urbanpirates.com www.urbanpirates.com/baltimore_crewwanted.html

We seek several skilled marine technicians and yard staff to diagnose system issues, perform seasonal maintenance, lead repair and restoration projects: varnishing, carpentry, woodworking, or to operate the Travelift. M-F 8am-4:30pm. Benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, STD, FSA, HRA, 11 paid holidays plus vacation & sick time. Join a professional crew of 20! Contact Boat Works: 410.255.8777. Submit resume to: jobs@gibsonisland.com

Marine Mechanic, Port Annapolis - Port Annapolis Marina is hiring marine diesel mechanics. Must have a strong work ethic, require minimum supervision and at least 2 years of experience on power and/or sail. Knowledge of outboards, outdrives, and sail drives is a plus. Salary commensurate with experience. Our benefits package includes vacation days, health insurance, 401K, profit sharing, and incentive bonuses. Send resume to richard@portannapolis.com www.portannapolis.com

The Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) is hiring Head, Lead, and Assistant Sailing Instructors for the 2023 Summer Program. Please send your cover letter and resume to the Waterfront Manager at waterfront@eastportyc.org

Volunteer Captain for Skipjack Claud W. Somers Owned and operated by the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum in Virginia, managed by an all-volunteer crew. Captain’s Requirements: USCG Masters License (minimum of inland route, 25-ton, w/auxiliary sail endorsement), FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit/ higher-grade license, CPR/FA certification, Significant experience on sailing vessels, Subject to pre-employment drug test/ongoing random testing. For more info or to apply, call 804.453.6529 or email: office@rfmuseum.org www.rfmuseum.org/claud-w-somers

Waterfront Director on San Francisco Bay Richmond Yacht Club (richmondyc.org), will fill this new position by September 1st or sooner. Please visit this link for full job description: www.bit.ly/3VUIA9H

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

CREW

H ELP WANTED

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

DSC Now Hiring Summer Camp Sailing Instructors! Must be at least 17 y/o and able to safely handle sailing while instructing. Compensation: $16-20/hr DOE. Dates: 6/12 to 8/25, M-F, 8:30am to 4:30pm. For further questions, contact Josh@DowntownSailing.org www.DownTownSailing.org

M ARINE S ERVICES

M ARINE S ERVICES

REAL ESTATE

For Sale: 80 Acres – 2 Lots – Septic Approved Golf cart marina area; Chincoteague Bay at your footsteps; 4 buildings allowed; 2 ponds; incredible wildlife. ONLY $498,000 Preservation Opportunities w/ more acres available. Video sent upon request. Text 410.458.9069 or stephsteinmetz38@gmail.com

RENTALS

Waterfront Cottage in West Ocean City for Rent DEEP waterfront w/dock, privacy, easy parking, vintage original 2/3-bedroom, 1 bath, outside shower, July-Sept/Oct Rental. Close to Sunset Grille, Berlin, Assateague & local business owners’ neighborhood. Call/text 410.458.9069 ASAP for rental or stephsteinmetz38@gmail.com

SAIL

STORAGE

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

For Sale: Magothy River Boat Slip Boat slip for sale in beautiful condo marina in Severna Park on Magothy River. Gated, pool, complete bathroom, laundry facilities, fuel dock. 26’ x 12’ deep water. Call Holly 301.325.7247

Galesville – West River Deep Water Slips with water and electricity, 20 to 40 feet. $1,200 to $3,500 per year. 410.212.4867

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

Wanted: Swap dock for a month summer 2023 We have a 45’L by 40’W by 6’D dock in Cambridge near Oxford and St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore. We want to swap slips in Virginia or DC. We need 4’D, 45’L, 25’W or a T-Head slip. If interested, call 678.230.9429

PortBook is the resource boaters use to find service providers they can trust.

Summer Cover Contest

Have you ever dreamed of having one of your photographs on the cover of SpinSheet? Now is your chance! Every year we host a Summer Cover Contest, and the winning image is on the cover of the August issue. The winning photographer also receives a SpinSheet hat and, perhaps most importantly, bragging rights!

We prefer images of people on sailboats having summer fun on the Chesapeake Bay. The best images will be one to 10 megabytes in size. We choose clear images over blurry ones and photos with level horizons over crooked ones.

Vertical shots work best, so tilt your camera and snap away.

image should have enough space for our logo/header

Vertical photos make the best covers. horizontal photos may work if there is enough image to be cropped vertically.

image should have enough space for date/footer

You must upload your photos online at spinsheet.com/cover-contest by July 10. Send questions to molly@spinsheet.com We look forward to seeing the Chesapeake Bay sailing through your eyes. Remember: sailboat + Chesapeake Bay + smiling sailors + vertical shot = potential SpinSheet cover. You must upload your photos

2022 Summer Cover Contest Winner. Photo by Trevor Perkins

WHATEVER IT TAKES.

OCEAN CROSSINGS. FAMILY MEMORIES. MAGICAL SUNSETS. WHATEVER IT TAKES TO POWER YOUR ADVENTURES.

SCAN TO CONTACT A QUANTUM LOFT