SpinSheet Magazine March 2023

1985 38’ Wauquiez - $64,500 Mary Catherine Ciszewski - 804.815.8238

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

2006 33’ Hunter - $69,900 Steve Horinek - 239.887.0898

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

1985 30’ Baba - $59,500 Tristan Weiser - 609.420.0469

1982 36’ Vancouver - $69,900 Floyd White - 252.764.1222

1983 40’ Passport - $138,000 Crystal Hanley - 407.247.8733

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

1977 41’ Morgan - $40,000 Lars Bergstrom - 910.899.7941

2003 42’ Catalina - $165,000 Joe Evans - 843.813.8324

1990 43’ Slocum - $250,000 Jim Davis - 386.871.4959

1989 42’ Endeavour - $124,500 Jason Hinsch - 410.507.1259

Luxury Reimagined

Walking a beach where the only footprints in the sand, are your own. Enjoying a refreshing drink from an island bar only accessible by boat. Waking up each morning with the flexibility to sail anywhere you wish. These experiences redefine luxury -- and are the hallmark of any yacht charter vacation.

This year, we invite you to discover unbridled freedom and authentic travel experiences with The Moorings. Unforgettable moments await.

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Features

36

See the Bay: The Potomac at Washington, DC

Places to explore in or near the nation’s capital on shore and on the water.

By Beth Crabtree and Captain Steven Toole

40

Safety Series Part 3:

What a Career Firefighter

Would Like Sailors To Know

Battalion Chief John Muhitch of the Annapolis Fire Department on sailors and fire emergencies.

By Beth Crabtree

43

Chesapeake Bay Marinas 2023

News from regional marinas, tips from a liveaboard that can help weekenders choose the right marina, Clean Marina news, and our marina directory.

By Staff and TJ Butler

54

Spring Commissioning Your Sailboat

It’s not what you remembered to do that’s important; it’s what you forgot to do that matters.

By Captain Mike Martel

58

How To Service a Winch

Winch failure is a recipe for disaster, so you’d better learn to service them annually.

By Kelsey Bonham

86

Getting Beyond the Numbers

While numbers are important in normal conditions, Mother Nature throws us curveballs…

By David Flynn of Quantum Sails

Tom Sliter captured this month’s cover photo of sailors from DC Sail enjoying the cherry blossoms from the Potomac.

presented by switlik

# Photo courtesy of DC Sail

# Photo courtesy of Annapolis Fire Department

# Photo by LYC/ Matias Capizzano

Cruising Scene

60 Bluewater Dreaming: A Little Cruising “Vacation” in Culebra By Cindy Wallach

presented by M yacht services

63 Cruising Life: Passage Planning and Its Many Variables By John Herlig

65 Charter Notes: “Boys Sail” in the BVI By Mike

Pitchford

68 Cruising Club Notes

presented by yaZu yachtinG

Racing Beat

76 Racing News

presented by Mount Gay ruM

88 Small Boat Scene: Stretching for Success

By Kim Couranz

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

The top sailing school in the country, J/World teaches all course levels. You’ll love learning on J/80s - the boats are fast, fun, and easy-to-sail. Certified instructors make sure all students leave highly skilled, and smiling!

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An annual membership to Chesapeake Boating Club allows you unlimited sailing to really hone your skills. With our knowledgeable staff on hand to assist, you can use the perfect boat to suit your mooddaysailing, cruising, or powerboating. 410.280.8692 • ChesapeakeBoatingClub.com

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Blossoming

On February 11, while walking along the National Mall in Washington, DC, on a sunny 55-degree-day, I spied cherry blossoms. I took a photo of them. I cringed as I did, hoping that all the blossoms wouldn’t open, later freeze, and droop before the “peak bloom.”

“It always snows here in March,” a friend pronounced. Always is inaccurate. Sometimes, more like it. In 1891 it snowed a foot in DC on the last weekend in March. Annapolis historian and SpinSheet cofounder, Dave Gendell, has written in these pages about the fate of the fabled Schooner America. During a heavy Annapolis snowstorm on March 29, 1942, the sadly neglected yacht was crushed by a collapsed boatshed across the peninsula from my office. Other March snowstorms of note were the 1993 “superstorm” and a decent amount of snow, in the five-to-10inch range, in early March 2015.

Sometimes along the Chesapeake, we just see a few snowflakes in March, if any. Today, following this snowless winter, looking at the extended forecast to see whether March would “come in like a lion,” I learned that it’s more likely to tiptoe in lamb-like. Seeing a forecast of 74 degrees for February 23 makes me wonder if we will hear our first reader report of an osprey returning to the Bay before this issue hits the docks!

By Molly Winans

I’m keeping my eye on DC cherry blossom predictions, as I love walking around the Tidal Basin when they’re in full bloom. I especially enjoy when photographer Tom Sliter gets out on the water to capture DC Sail members sailing with the blossoms as a backdrop, as he did (a few years back) for this month’s cover shot.

DC Sail, the community sailing program of the National Maritime Heritage Foundation, was mentioned twice in this month’s issue, once in Beth Crabtree’s See the Bay article, “Planning a Maritime-

“lifelines” to the DC sailing scene. If you know someone in the DC area who wants to learn to sail, teach sailing, or do some on-water volunteer work, send them to dcsail.org.

If you regularly sail in Washington, DC, or Alexandria, VA, we at SpinSheet would like to hear more from you. We welcome your photos and story ideas anytime (send to molly@spinsheet.com), as well as monthly Club Notes submissions of 350 words plus one photo (send to beth@spinsheet.com).

Themed Visit to Washington, DC,” (page 36) and also in Captain Steven Toole’s piece, “On the Water: Potomac River” (page 38).

I’m a huge fan of DC Sail and its mission “to promote and sustain affordable educational, recreational, and competitive sailing programs for all ages in a fun and safe environment.” They’ve been longtime supporters of SpinSheet, have excellent programming, and are one of our

If our articles spark or renew your interest in the nation’s capital and remind you to head there for blossom viewing or sightseeing, stroll down to the Potomac River, take a photo, and send it to SpinSheet. If you visit a coffee shop or waterfront restaurant that seems like a place that should carry SpinSheet, shoot us a note to tell us about it. If you discover a new onwater or waterfront activity in the Washington, DC, region you haven’t read about here, tell us about it.

Because it’s so far to travel by sailboat up the Potomac to the District, some may forget it’s part of our beloved Chesapeake. Help SpinSheet grow our coverage of this wonderful, soon-to-be-blossoming waterfront destination. Email me anytime: molly@spinsheet.com.

# Sailors from DC Sail enjoying springtime on the Potomac River. Photo by Tom Sliter

Stumbling Upon the ocean Race in Spain

The Ocean Race started in midJanuary. I just happened to stumble upon the Expo in Alicante, Spain. I knew nothing about the race, but quickly discovered that it is the old Volvo Ocean Race, previously known as the Whitbread, now celebrating its 50th year. The town was buzzing with sailors, vendors, and support teams. There is nothing more welcoming to an Annapolitan overseas than to be greeted by Helly Hansen signs.

The Ocean Race is taking on a mission more meaningful than just a round-the-world race. Their advocacy tagline “Racing with a Purpose” is a voice for ocean restoration:

“We want to be a catalyst for change by accelerating the protection and restoration of our seas.” Each member of the 11 teams racing has signed the Race Team Sustainability Charter; each boat carries scientific equipment to gather vital data on the ocean’s health.

One partner in the forefront of this sustainability initiative is 11th Hour Racing, skippered by American Charlie Enright. He talked to a small group of us outside their tent, explaining the makeup of their diverse team of sailors and support

refitted with more sustainable materials and nature-based solutions such as flax, recycled plastics, and bio-based resins. In the bright Mediterranean sunshine, we watched their high-tech boat with underwater foils getting all geared up for the race that would be taking off in just a couple days.

members; men and women from US and European countries. The 11th Hour display included large photos of each of the sailors with fun profile information, along with technical information on the vessel. After launching in 2021 the boat was

If you need to get your sailing fix during the Chesapeake off-season, following The Ocean Race is a good place to start. There are two classes in the race to pique your interest: The IMOCA class which allows foils for added lift and speed and the more traditional VO65 one-design class. You can follow the tracker and get live updates of this sixmonth race at theoceanrace.com. And no winter sport would be complete without a “fantasy football” aspect, so check out the Virtual Regatta E-race for added entertainment.

Caroline Foster

“The Wizard of Zenda” Documentary World Premier at the Annapolis Film Festival

Imagine yourself at sailing school as a kid: the joys, laughs, sense of freedom and fun with your friends on the water. Envision the parents shoreside cheering you on, one of them in particular a largerthan-life personality, well-loved at your hometown yacht club and internationally. Now imagine him in his 90s and you having a platform to share his story with the world.

This is what happened to Anne Peterson, a former news anchor turned film producer, who grew up sailing out of Lake Geneva Yacht Club (LGYC) in Wisconsin with champion sailor Buddy Melges’s children.

“Buddy and my parents were close friends, so I grew up with him as a sailing mentor,” says Peterson, who still races on Lake Geneva in Sonars. “When Buddy won the America’s Cup (1992), they had a big reception at the yacht club; it was over the top. We were so proud of him and his accomplishments. He really influenced a lot of sailors in our club—Rolex winners and world hall of famers. Buddy was their mentor and sailed against them.”

Fast forward to 2014. LGYC planned to raze the old building and construct a new one called the Buddy Melges Sailing Center. Peterson aimed to create a legacy video (as had become her specialty) to honor the history of the club and Buddy. She called film director Mark Honer, her

“go-to person” for film and editing and “an incredible storyteller” with whom she’d collaborated on projects for more than a decade. They interviewed Buddy in 2014 (when he was 80) and others for what was intended as a video for the local community.

Peterson says, “I was going to give it to the yacht club and sailing school as my gift so that young sailors would always know the history, Buddy’s legacy, and what he has meant to our community at Lake Geneva and worldwide.”

Fast forward a few years (life got in the way). Peterson says, “In 2018, Mark called me and said ‘We have more than one video. We have the makings of a documentary… we need to go beyond Lake Geneva to see the scope of how Buddy impacted people’s lives and what made him tick as a competitor, why he was so successful in the eyes of his competitors.’”

Hence the birth of “The Wizard of Zenda,” a documentary about the life of Buddy Melges, native of Zenda, WI, Olympic gold medalist, national and world champion in multiple classes, and America’s Cup winner. The world premier is set for March 25 at the Annapolis Film Festival (AFF).

What did the director learn about Buddy Melges? “After he beat you, he’d go up to you and tell you why he beat you and tips for how you could have

beaten him,” says Honer. “That’s why he’s beloved in the sailing community. When we’d call someone like Dennis Connor to give an interview, he’d do it because it was Buddy! They all had great stories about him. From a producer-director perspective, it made it easy since everyone wanted to be interviewed and talk about him.”

It wasn’t all easy. Honer says, “Finding the footage to help detail his career was very challenging but very rewarding and fulfilling.” Among significant finds was footage from the Mallory Cup in the 1960s, 16 mm film footage from 1946, and Olympic coverage from 1972.

What will a sailing audience love about this film? Peterson says, “This is more than a film about sailing, it’s a film about leadership, what it takes to succeed in life and your career, overcoming adversity, and striving for perfection and excellence, and with humility, credibility, and passion. It’s about character. That’s who Buddy Melges is. When you hear him talk about his life and what drove him to succeed, it’s textbook in entrepreneurship and leadership.’

Buy tickets for the March 25 world premier of “The Wizard of Zenda” at annapolisfilmfestival.com. Join our discussion with Gary Jobson about the film and his own Buddy stories on the SpinSheet Happy Hour on Facebook and YouTube Live at 5 p.m. on March 3.

# Buddy Melges won the Gold Medal in Solings at the Olympics in 1972.

Photos courtesy of Quicklier Film Partners

# Buddy Melges and Bill Koch hold up the America’s Cup 1992.

Artificial Intelligence Maps Wetlands

Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be finding its way into more and more areas of our lives, and research into environmental conservation is no exception. AI can save time for environmental researchers and others concerned with environmental impacts by reducing time spent on manual field mapping and time consuming data processing and analysis.

At the Chesapeake Conservancy, its Conservation Innovation Center (CIC) was established in 2013 to use cutting-edge technology to empower data-driven conservation and restoration. Just as the use of technology changed the corporate world and made it more efficient, technology can do the same for the conservation movement.

Through national and international partnerships, the CIC makes this data accessible for restoration professionals to practice precision conservation, yielding greater impact with fewer resources.

The Chesapeake Conservancy announced earlier this year that its researchers have recently had success using AI to map wetlands. Its data science team developed an artificial intelligence deep learning model, which resulted in 94 percent accuracy.

The team trained a machine learning (convolutional neural network) model for high-resolution wetland mapping with freely available data from three areas: Mille Lacs County, MN; Kent County, DE; and St. Lawrence County, NY.

This method, which could deliver important outcomes for protecting and conserving wetlands, was supported by EPRI (an independent, nonprofit energy research and development institute), Lincoln Electric System, and the Grayce B. Kerr Fund.

“When this highly accurate model is scaled up to predict wetlands in much bigger geography such as the Chesapeake Bay or the contiguous United States, this will be a game changer. It obviates the need for manual mapping of wetlands as well as mapping wetlands with traditional machine learning which require a lot of data processing, curation, and manual feature engineering, both of which are time-consuming, labor intensive, and very expensive,” said Chesapeake Conservancy’s Data Science Lead/Senior Data Scientist Dr. Kumar Mainali.

Read more at chesapeakeconservancy. org; type “artificial intelligence” into the search bar on the homepage.

# Calvert Cliffs State Park wetlands. Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program

SpinSheet Century Club and Racing Team Party

On February 4, about 75 sailors gathered at the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis for the SpinSheet Century Club and Racing Team party. Club members got their burgees, Team members received their tech racing shirts (donated by Team One Newport), and we celebrated some of the Bay’s most active sailors.

It was an inspiring and heartwarming celebration of all things sailing. Hardcore racers, confirmed cruisers, old salts (and we mean that in the nicest way), and kids not yet old enough to drive, let alone cross the street by themselves (yep, a two-year old made the Century Club) are all part of this group.

At the party we got to meet a fatherdaughter Centurion duo, a Centurion couple who’ve sailed together for decades, retired men and women, and young professionals. Three generations came to support first-time Centurion Bob Ohler. There were distance racers and round-the-buoy types. SpinSheet

staff loved meeting them face-to-face and watching them meet and swap stories with one another. Mostly, we loved hearing how your lives are more enriched because you get out on the water so often.

We had a new Erewhon Award winner this year: Robert Alusic, who at last year’s party declared that he’d beat multi-year winner Dave Nestel—and then did it (though it should be noted that Dave logged a whopping 298 days in 2022). Alusic topped him at 345 days on the water! What advice does Alusic have for would-be Centurions? “Other than retiring, which is the key to it all, becoming a snowbird for a few months is next. If possible, move to an island. That way you can get on island time, which is helpful when it comes to boating all day, every day!”

If you’re up for the challenge and want to be part of the 2023 SpinSheet Century Club or Racing Team, go to spinsheet.com and put century club or

racing team in the search bar and join the challenge.

A big thank you to Team One Newport for powering the SpinSheet Racing Team and showing up with a 100 percent donation of the cool, tech Racing Team shirts.

# Robert Alusic logged 345 on-water days in 2022.

The Changing Chesapeake Exhibit

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) exhibition, “The Changing Chesapeake,” will open to the public on Wednesday, March 1 in the Steamboat Building gallery.

Artists were asked to reflect on how climate change and the impact of humans on the environment shapes their Chesapeake community, how the way they identify with and are inspired by the Chesapeake has evolved, what they

would want someone 100 years from now to know about life and community traditions in the Chesapeake, and their vision for the future of life in the region.

The Changing Chesapeake will invite guests to explore the perspectives of artists from across Maryland and surrounding areas. The 75 works were selected through a community panelist review process and include traditional media such as photography and painting, as well as stop-motion animation, foundobject art, quilting, original songwriting, embroidery, poetry, and sculpture.

Just a few of the unique works featured: Peter Panyon’s music video, “Can’t Work the River,” presents the first-person perspective of a waterman facing a disappearing livelihood. Laura Guertin’s fiber artwork, “Ghosts of the Coast,” portrays a window that frames its titular spirits, which are trees dying from saltwater intrusion. Writer Anna Marhefka’s creative nonfiction piece, “And still, she beckons,” reflects on her relationship with the Bay as a child and adult through memories of boating and fishing.

Sharon Dennis’s painting “Anchor of Hope Cemetery” portrays graves dating to the Revolutionary War falling into the water along an eroding shoreline. In his photo-artistic montage “Tangier Abandoned,” Tom Payne presents a fantastical depiction of Tangier Island underwater, which may become its eventual fate.

“Our concept for The Changing Chesapeake was to break down barriers and encourage artists of all types and experience levels to find their voice, share their personal histories, passions, fears, and hopes, and convey how the Chesapeake shapes and is shaped by individual and community identities,” said curator and Folklife Center manager Jen Dolde.

The exhibition will run through February 25, 2024, with public programming slated for spring 2023. CBMM members and the selected artists will be invited to view the exhibition and mingle during an opening event on Thursday, March 2 from 5-7 p.m. CBMM members can register now at bit.ly/ChangingChesapeakeOpening

# Stephen Walker’s oil painting, “Bay Life,” is among the works featured at the new exhibit. Image courtesy of CBMM

Chesapeake Passenger Ferry Service: Will It Return to the Bay?

On January 3, a five-county tourism consortium spearheaded by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) began accepting proposals to determine the feasibility of initiating sustainable passenger ferry service to connect key Maryland destinations along the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study Consortium’s requested proposals (RFP) invite interested parties to submit bids for determining the financial and operational viability of providing passenger ferry service as well as conducting cost-benefit and economic impact analyses for such a system. Proposals were due by February 15.

The RFP that has been in the works since the consortium, comprised of VAAAC as well as Calvert, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and St. Mary’s Counties, accepted a $125,000 Local Technical Assistance matching grant from the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) on October 18. Consortium

grantee, VAAAC executive director Kristen Pironis, applied for and accepted the grant on behalf of the consortium.

The five members of the consortium, Anne Arundel County, and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation will provide the required $125,000 in matching funds via a seven-way split. Pironis says issuing the RFP is the next step in a quest to help ensure that area residents and visitors to Maryland have access to North America’s largest estuary.

“It’s a transformational moment,” Pironis says, “Members of the consortium are excited to be working together on a regional project with far-reaching ramifications. It’s not just about connecting destinations. It’s about being connected to the Chesapeake Bay. If the study determines passenger ferry service along Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay is feasible, we’ll be one step closer to providing equal and equitable access to the Bay, and that would be a game changer.”

Several consortium members expressed their excitement about the concept and hopes that it could enhance tourism and the visitor experience, increase public water access, and strengthen local economies.

The consortium expects to award the job to a qualified bidder on or before March 15.

Learn more at visitannapolis.org/ about-us/our-team/employmentopportunities

# Will this again be a sight you see from the Bay Bridge? In this 1951 photo, the ferry John M. Dennis motors alongside the bridge for its dedication celebration, as Maryland Governor Theodore McKeldin and others cross by car. Collection of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, 0941.0001

Historic Golden Rule Peace Boat Comes to the Chesapeake

The Golden Rule, a 34-foot Angelman A30 wooden ketch, will come to the Chesapeake Bay in April as part of a unique Great Loop circumnavigation. The vessel, known as a “peace boat,” is owned by Veterans For Peace, and the Great Loop voyage is intended to spread her message of nuclear disarma-

ment, peace, and sustainability. Golden Rule’s 11,000-mile, 15-month voyage includes stops in more than 100 cities and towns. Look for her striking red sails north of Solomons in mid-April as she makes her way through Annapolis and up to Baltimore in early May.

“We will have events in 28 big cities and 68 smaller towns along the way,” said Gerry Condon, president of the Golden Rule steering committee and former national president of Veterans For Peace. ”

At each port-of-call, Golden Rule members pair with local schools, churches, and other organizations for events and actions. There are plans for Peace Poles, city resolutions in favor of nuclear disarmament, petitions, articles, and letters to the editor. In addition, there are opportunities to schedule presentations, potlucks, dinners,

music, dancing, daysails, and boat tours for any group that would like to participate.

The Golden Rule was built in 1956-58. Her first owners were Quakers who sailed her in an effort to stop nuclear weapons tests. Subsequent owners used her for a pleasure boat, sailing in the south Pacific, through the Panama Canal, and back, and up and down the West Coast. By 2010, in terrible condition and with no engine or masts, she sank in a gale in Humboldt Bay in northern California.

The owner of the boat yard where she sank, Leroy Zerlang, considered burning her, but Zerlang’s friendship with Veterans For Peace member Chuck DeWitt resulted in a five-year reconstruction project. She was relaunched in 2015 with modern equipment, and her owners, Veterans For Peace, sailed Golden Rule along the West Coast and all around the Hawaiian Islands before deciding to take on the Great Loop.

The Golden Rule is looking for volunteers, including crew. Learn more at vfpgoldenruleproject.org. Find the sailing schedule at bit.ly/GRStops.

Photo by David Sites

# Photo courtesy of the Golden Rule Project

New Artificial Reef Site Near Kent Island

On Wednesday, February 8, TowboatUS Kent Narrows and Knapps Narrows (TBUS KN) worked in conjunction with the Maryand Department of Natural Resources to sink a 52-foot Ferro-cement ketch in the waters north of Love Point, Kent Island. She will serve as a new artificial reef site for the Chesapeake Bay.

We caught up with Captains Sarah and Adam Lawrence of TBUS KN to discuss how this all came about.

Sarah says, “It was awesome! Normally we’re raising boats, so it was kind of ironic, but it was really neat.”

In regards to the history of the cement sailboat, Adam explained how “No one knows exactly who the owner was. She had been there for a few decades at Cedar Point Marina; came in between 20 and 30 years ago. The gentleman who owned her had sailed her once, put her on the hard, and for the next two decades the marina received a check every month for that boat. But as it sat there, it literally sank into the marsh on that side of the marina. About

two years ago, those checks stopped coming, and they believed the gentleman had passed away. The marina then began the process of getting the sailboat deemed an abandoned vessel.”

Adam and Sarah are currently in the process of researching who built the vessel, as someone has come forward who believes she may know more of its backstory. Stay tuned to see what they find out!

TBUS KN worked with Cedar Point Marina, who essentially gutted the whole boat. They also worked with Mike Malpezzi, the Maryland DNR artificial reefs coordinator, who thought the cement boat would be great structure for an artificial reef. TBUS KN towed the boat to its final resting place, which was already an artificial reef zone on NOAA charts. Cement and steel structures have been dumped there over the years, so the cement boat was a nice addition.

The night before the sinking, she was put in the water with pumps to see how she

would float. Water was seeping through the cement, and it began to take on two feet of water that the pumps were working to remove.

They left the marina just after noon on February 8, and started sinking her around 2:50 p.m. It took just less than an hour for her to go down. She had two large holes underneath the water line, and TBUS KN put plugs in so that she could be towed. When it was time for her to sink, they had a diver in the boat who popped out those plugs.

Once the boat actually went down, they put two divers in the water to check her position and found that she was sitting perfectly upright on her keel in about 27 to 29 feet of water (with about 19 feet of water on top of her). Visibility is about three feet.

The coordinates of the new artificial reef site are N39° 04.096’ W076°17.370’. To watch videos of the sinking, visit: facebook.com/TowBoatUSKentNarrows

# It took just under an hour for the sailboat to sink. Photo courtesy of Capt. Sarah Lawrence

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

March

2 aYc Foundation event With aspiring olympic competitors

The event will feature Paul Cayard, executive director of US Sailing Olympic Sailing, Gary Jobson, and three aspiring Olympic sailors from the Chesapeake Bay: Leo Boucher, James Golden, and Casey Cabot. Youth Event: 4 to 5 p.m. Free and open to sailors ages 9-22. Main event: 6 to 8 p.m. $200 fundraiser cocktail party and program for adults. VIP Dinner: 8 to 9:30 pm. A $500 fundraiser VIP dinner with Paul Cayard and Gary Jobson. VIP tickets include reserved seating at the main event.

2 Sea turtles: Lessons on Sustainability from the cayman islands to chesapeake Bay

A century ago, sea turtles were once an extraordinarily desirable commodity both for food and decoration throughout the world. In this lecture, participants will learn why the Caribbean turtle fishery ended and how efforts to save turtles reveal important lessons about sustainability for other waterscapes, including the Chesapeake Bay. Presenter: Dr. Sharika D. Crawford, Professor of History, U.S. Naval Academy. 7 p.m. at Annapolis Maritime Museum. $10.

3

SpinSheet happy hour Facebook LiVe: Gary Jobson

Join us at 5 p.m. on Facebook or YouTube Live as we welcome sailing commentator Gary Jobson to discuss the new Buddy Melges film at the Annapolis Film Festival at the end of March and tell salty sailing stories! Presented by Mount Gay Rum.

4 Yorktown Winter market

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors and artists will line the waterfront in Yorktown, VA, selling locally grown, produced, and crafted products. Food trucks on-site.

8 hurricane agnes – 50 Years after catastrophe

2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Agnes, a storm that brought the most rain and wreaked the worst damage in U.S. history up to its time. Author Gary Letcher will recount the Agnes story, sharing a compelling narrative that brings home the power of nature and of ordinary people in the face of epic catastrophe. 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. $8.

11 eagle Festival

At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, MD. Live birds of prey programs, refuge tours and eagle prowls, children’s activities, and more.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Send the details to: kaylie@spinsheet.com

11 capt. henry marx memorial US Sailing international Safety at Sea course

This hands-on training course is to prepare you for survival offshore in demanding situations and emergencies. Presented by The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA, and Landfall Navigation. Cost: $300. Space is limited to 60 participants.

15 old Line plate: Uncovering the Stories Behind maryland’s historic recipes

For generations, cookbooks have raised money for churches and charities, while also documenting regional food traditions. A recipe inside one of these books can tell the story of a meal, a cook, and even a community. In this talk, culinary blogger Kara Harris will dig deeper into the stories of the lives lived between the meals, and the culinary legacies left behind. 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. $8.

15 Understanding and avoiding thunderstorms on the chesapeake Bay Webinar

Three-part webinar for all boaters by weather expert Mark Thornton about various types of thunderstorms, how they form, their timing and lifespans, and resources for understanding more. Participants will have access to the recordings in case they miss a session or want to review it later. March 15, 22, 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Chesapeake Calendar presented by

18

capca captain’s License renewal

Captain’s License Renewal for OUPV and Master up to 100 tons. You must already hold a US Coast Guard license. Time: 7:30 am to 5 pm. Location: Annapolis Elk’s Lodge, 2 Pythian Drive, Annapolis, MD. Cost: CAPCA Members $200; all others $240. Register: capca.net/classes Course cost includes instructor-led class, student guide, examination, and certificate of completion. This class is presented by the National Seafarers Academy (NATSEA) in conjunction with CAPCA. Questions? education@capca.net

18

haven harbour Seminar Series

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Inn at Haven Harbour’s Manor House Great Room (20950 Rock Hall Ave, Rock Hall, MD). Free and open to the public (roughly 35 attendees per class). Coffee and pastries will be provided. Session III will focus on coatings and bottom painting, paints and varnishes. Seminars led by Haven Harbour Yacht Services’ very own Erik Lostrom. Questions: 410.778.6697

18 Yorktown Winter market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors and artists will line the waterfront in Yorktown, VA, selling locally grown, produced, and crafted products. Food trucks on-site.

20 - Apr 16

national cherry Blossom Festival

In Washington, DC. Opening ceremony

March 25. Parade Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Portions of the parade (Constitution Ave between 9th and 15th Streets) are free to the public along the route and are first-come, first-serve.

25 Deltaville Sock Burn and oyster roast

At Evolution Sails Loft in Deltaville, VA. Help celebrate the beginning of the season with oysters, music, and beer. Meet the sailmakers, catch up with old friends, and make new ones. Bring a pair of socks to burn. This is a customer appreciation event brought to you by the Deltaville marine industry community. Questions: 804.776.6151 or jerry@latellsails.com

25 eca appraisal road Show community Fundraiser

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for food truck and cash bar. Appraisal show 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Eastport Democratic Club in Annapolis, MD. Find out if artifacts you own are treasure or trash—and support the work of the Eastport Civic Association, a community group that serves local residents and charities. The appraisal cost is $10 per item, and you can bring as many as you want.

22

Understanding and avoiding thunderstorms on the chesapeake Bay Webinar

Three-part webinar for all boaters by weather expert Mark Thornton about various types of thunderstorms, how they form, their timing and lifespans, and resources for understanding more. Participants will have access to the recordings in case they miss a session or want to review it later. March 15, 22, 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

24 cmm maritime performance Series

7 to 9 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Doors open at 6 p.m. Beer, wine, soda, and water available for purchase. Tickets: $20 online, $25 at the door. Live music by The Eastman String Band.

Chesapeake Calendar

presented by

March (cont.)

25 maryland Day at St. clement’s island museum

Celebrate the founding of Maryland at the state’s birthplace. Free admission 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Clement’s Island Museum. Free water taxi rides, official ceremony featuring guest speakers and program including the exchange of ceremonial gifts between the Piscataway and the English settlers (10 a.m.), and more. A commemorative mass on St. Clement’s Island will occur shortly after the ceremony. Music will be provided by students from local Catholic schools. Food truck, kids’ activities, and more.

29 Understanding and avoiding thunderstorms on the chesapeake Bay Webinar

Three-part webinar for all boaters by weather expert Mark Thornton about various types of thunderstorms, how they form, their timing and lifespans, and resources for understanding more. Participants will have access to the recordings in case they miss a session or want to review it later. March 15, 22, 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

31 - Apr 2

maryland Day in annapolis and anne arundel county

Celebrate Maryland’s birthday weekend! Enjoy 60 events at historic homes, museums, and cultural sites in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County all weekend with free and $1 admission events. Find events at marylandday.org

March Racing through Mar 19

iLca Frostbite racing Series 2 Sundays out of Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis.

through Mar 19

aYc Frostbite Series Second half Sunday afternoons out of Annapolis Yacht Club.

April

1-2 mtam Safety at Sea

Three US Sailing-sanctioned certificate courses and one cruising course will be offered. Held at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Presented by MTAM.

1-2 Safety at Sea Seminarannapolis

Three US Sailing-sanctioned certificate courses: Offshore Sailing Course (April 1), International Offshore Course with Hands-on Training (April 1-2), and International Offshore Hands-on Only Training (April 2). Hosted at the US Naval Academy.

14-16 Bay Bridge Boat Show

One of the largest in-water shows north of Florida, the Bay Bridge Boat Show marks the beginning of the boating season on the Chesapeake Bay. Stevensville, MD. Tickets: annapolisboatshows.com

15 capca cpr/aeD & First aid for Boaters

The program is taught by American Heart Association Certified Instructors who are all experienced boaters. Upon completion of the training, students will receive an American Heart Association Course Completion Card in CPR, AED and First Aid. This certification card has a two-year expiration date, and it is accepted by the USCG for captain’s license requirements. An AHA-approved CPR face mask is required for this course. If you do not have one, a mask will be available for purchase at the class for $15. Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Selby Bay Yacht Club in Edgewater, MD. Cost: $100 for CAPCA members and SBYC members and their families; $115 for all others. Register: capca.net/classes. Questions? alan@ safetyinstituteofmd.com

22 SpinSheet hampton crew party

Sailors of all levels are welcome to come to our crew party to find a boat to sail on or crew for your own boat. 5 to 8 p.m. at Marker 20 in Hampton, VA. Free entrance. Cash bar.

22-23 eastern Shore Sea Glass & coastal arts Festival

At the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. This event brings

artisans and craftspeople—many from the local DelMarVa area, and others traveling from as far away as New England—who will exhibit and sell coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home décor, art, and more.

22 - May 6

Boater certification course Boater Certification course offered by America’s Boating Club-Wilmington. Three consecutive Saturdays beginning April 22, 9 a.m. to noon in New Castle, DE. Certification is mandatory for boaters born after Jan. 1, 1978, on Delaware waters and after July 1, 1975 on Maryland waters. $35 per person. For information and to reserve a seat call 302.307.3426 or email matkinsonseo@gmail.com

23 earth Day, our Future planet

At Elk Neck State Park in North East, MD. Stop by the nature center to pick up an Earth Day kit, then enjoy a self-guided walk through the park. Look for local flora and fauna with a scavenger hunt sheet and pick up any litter you may encounter along the way.

23 SpinSheet Solomons crew party

Sailors of all levels are welcome to come to our crew party to find a boat to sail on or crew for your own boat. 4 to 6 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Sailing Association, Solomons, MD. Free entrance. Cash bar.

28 cmm maritime performance Series

7 to 9 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Doors open at 6 p.m. Beer, wine, soda, and water available for purchase. Tickets: $20 online, $25 at the door. Live music by Lulu’s Fate.

28-30 annapolis Spring Sailboat Show

Ring in the new season with sailing enthusiasts from around the Mid-Atlantic for an in-water show showcasing the industry’s latest boats, gear, and tech. Tickets: annapolisboatshows.com

29 all about maryland Festival

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gunpowder State Park (Hammerman area) in Chase, MD. Featuring a live demonstration crafter village; butterfly exhibit; crab cake challenge; “Taste of Maryland” vineyard, brewers, and distillers garden; classic car show, and children’s activities. $10 (ages five and under are free).

Meet Prag Katta

The Importance of Opportunity and Attitude

Prag Katta knows firsthand the importance of community sailing programs. He grew up competing in field sports and didn’t start sailing until he was in his 30s. Community sailing programs offered him the opportunity to get time on the water in a variety of sailboats, as well as connections with sailors who could help him grow his skills. Now an accomplished sailor, sailing instructor, and the owner of an Inland 20 Scow, Prag shares here in his own words a brief description of his sailing journey.

Getting started: lessons, community sailing programs, clubs, and OPBs

In my teens and 20s I had two sailing experiences, one on a Sunfish and one on a keelboat with some heavy weather rolling in. I loved both experiences but was busy competing in soccer and lacrosse. When I finally had the time to focus on sailing, I took a course at Annapolis Sailing School. Then I looked for as many opportunities as possible to sail. Friends and I regularly rented a boat out of Solomons, and the owner was a great resource. I got into racing when a friend invited me to be part of his race crew.

By luck I got connected to DC Sail, the community sailing center on the Potomac River. There I learned to sail FJs and Flying Scots. DC Sail needed volunteers; I got instructor certified and began teaching. My connections there led to racing at nearby Daingerfield Sailing Club, and I began receiving invitations to crew on more boats and bigger boats. I was fortunate to be aboard a series of well-run racing campaigns where I gained more experience and confidence. Ocean racing and offshore delivery opportunities began to come along.

tor. I’ve taken diesel and weather classes at the Annapolis School of Seamanship. What would you tell someone interested in learning to sail?

I tell people that the sport is hugely varied, and there is a niche for nearly anyone, whether you like big boats or small boats, racing, day sailing, or cruising. I advise against rushing to buying gear until they evaluate what they really need and want, and I caution new sailors that anyone who acts like they know it all probably isn’t someone you want to sail with. To become a great sailor requires effort, opportunity, and humility.

Did you encounter any obstacles or barriers when you began sailing? There are two broad categories of barriers that I have experienced: opportunity and attitude.

My experiences at several community sailing centers and coaching high school sailing have impressed upon me that interest in sailing is high, but many people simply don’t know how or where to get started. Developing more community sailing centers and public clubs is the way forward, and everyone, including private owners and clubs, benefits from that.

Regarding the other category, attitudes, that subsumes a lot of different elements. As a person of color, it is not uncommon for me to be the only person who looks like me in a lot of environments. In sailing it is even more pronounced. There are things that I have experienced including prejudgements and racist comments that no one should have to deal with. Historically, sailing was far more diverse than the current conceptions. Attitudinal barriers just diminish us all and hurt our sport.

Did you take formal classes

or earn formal certifications?

In addition to the class at Annapolis Sailing School, I’ve earned US Sailing Keelboat and Performance Cruising certifications, and I am a certified US Sailing Basic Keelboat and Performance Sailing Instruc-

Regarding opportunity, the world of sailing is quite small. Once you’re in it, it’s not uncommon to have one or two degrees of separation from just about everyone, but for those of us who didn’t grow up with it, who don’t know the culture or the venues, this can be the biggest barrier. For me, getting tapped into places to sail was the biggest primary barrier to opportunity.

I’m profoundly grateful to have so many friends in sailing who are actively working to minimize those negative influences. There are people I’ve met through sailing who are lifelong friends and even chosen family. So, I’m grateful for sailing for giving me all of that, and I want that for anyone who gets the itch to step on a boat and see what they can do.

As told to Beth Crabtree

Rope on a Boat… Nope!

Like many other sports, sailing and sailors have their own language. While it may seem confusing in the early days, those new to our tribe will likely find that sailors are a welcoming bunch, ready to help you master the lingo with a smile and a nod.

When you begin sailing, you will likely notice that no one on the boat refers to “rope.” Sailors call it “line.” Lines may have more specific names based on the job the line does on the boat.

If the line is attached to and controls a sail, it is referred to as a “sheet.” Sheets are identified by the sails to which they are attached. The mainsheet controls the mainsail, and the jibsheet controls the jib (the foresail attached to the pointy end of the boat).

Lines that raise, lower, shape, and adjust the sails are part of the boat’s running rigging. A line used to raise a sail is called a halyard. A line to pull the sail down is the downhaul. When you get more advanced, you’ll also learn about the line called the outhaul.

Not all lines are attached to sails. When a sailboat is tied to a dock or brought into a boat slip, sailors use docklines to keep the boat tied up. Docklines usually wrap around cleats on both the boat and the dock. Docklines can be more specifically identified based on where they are attached to the boat.

A line running from the back of the boat is a sternline. A line from the pointy end of the boat is a bowline.

Welcome to the wonderful world of sailing lingo, with all its quirks. You can learn more sailing terms at the Start Sailing Now section on spinsheet.com

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 Association.

Chesapeake Bay Sailing Schools

• Annapolis Sailing School annapolissailing.com

• Annapolis Naval Sailing Association ansa.org

• Blue Water Sailing School bwss.com

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

• DC Sail dcsail.org

• J/World Annapolis jworldannapolis.com

• Rock Hall Yacht Club Sailing School rhycsailingschool.org

• Sailtime sailtime.com/annapolis

• Sail Solomons sailsi.com

• West River Sailing Club learn2sailwrsc.com

# Photo courtesy of Annapolis Sailing School

Purple Loosestrife, One of the Top Five Invasives

By Pamela Tenner Kellett

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb in the Chesapeake latitudes. This can lead to some chilly spring sailing days as well as an opportunity to start those long-delayed cleaning projects. This transitional month led me to contemplate the status of a different type of spring cleaning: the removal of invasive species from our Chesapeake Bay watershed.

In past columns I have investigated the success of the nutria eradication program and the challenges of removing invasives from Chesapeake forests. Blue catfish, northern snakehead, and zebra mussels all have been explored. What was left? I decided to check in on the top five on the list of 200 invasive species: nutria, mute swan, phragmites, water chestnut, and purple loosestrife.

While I had briefly mentioned purple loosestrife in a broader article on invasive plants, I was interested to learn how it came to be on the top five list. A perennial wetland plant native to Eurasia, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) arrived in North America in the early 1800s along a pathway that is familiar to many plant invasive species: it was brought purposefully as both an ornamental and a medicinal herb, and it also travelled over in ballast sands.

With striking spikes of bright purple or magenta flowers, it is clear why it was transported as an ornamental. The plant can grow to six feet and has a variety of spreading mechanisms: seeds (up to 2,000,000 to a single plant), roots (asexual production of new shoots), and

stems (new plants can grow from stem fragments). The seeds are tiny and light enough to be dispersed by wind and water as well as by mammals. Like many invasives there are no natural predators.

The plant favors brackish non-tidal and freshwater wetlands and quickly made it itself widespread in the Chesapeake Bay. Inland wetlands make up 86 percent of the wetlands in the Chesapeake watershed. In Maryland, purple loosestrife is now found in 17 of the state’s 24 counties. When invasive plants take over marsh systems, the many species that depend on native plants are impacted. Because it colonizes so well, purple loosestrife has displaced up to 50 percent of native species such as

bulrushes and cattails. These native plants provide better quality habitat and nesting sites and are more nutritionally dense for native grazers.

While many tactics (mechanical, chemical, and biological) exist for natural resources managers to control purple loosestrife, the most successful one has been biological control using two different species of leaf and stem feeding beetles.

Restoring our wetlands not only benefits native species, but it also preserves critical habitats that buffer sea level rise and storms. Wetlands are more effective than forests at carbon sequestration and are a critical component of the fight against climate change. Food for thought during a sail on a windy March day!

# Purple loosestrife favors brackish non-tidal and freshwater wetlands. Photo by Rachel Rahm, courtesy Maryland Department of Natural Resources, used with permission

R IC h ARD C UC é, L IG h T h OUS e V ISIONARY

Interview by Gwen Mayes

Rich Cucé has taken on restoration of the decaying Hoopers Island Light at the auction price of $192,000. “Why” might you ask? The same reason we all look longingly at the Bay and wonder, “What if?”

Why a lighthouse?

I’ve been attracted to restoring historic properties most of my life, and there’s not much more historic than a 120-year-old lighthouse in the middle of the Bay. Some folks think I’m crazy to take on such a project, suggesting that I’ve romanticized the idea a little too much.

What line of work has prepared you for this?

My whole life I’ve been in the industry painting business working with all kinds of metal structures. I have also restored and rebuilt old houses. Hooper Island Light is basically a tall iron house, so I think it is a perfect project for me to take on.

Why is the lighthouse in disrepair?

In 1902, when it was completed, lighthouses were a necessity for safe navigation on the water. Manpower was needed around the clock to light the lamp with oil and keep watch for ice, fog, and other vessels. Much of its function was automated over time, and modern navigation tools have emerged. Lighthouses that remained were often restored by surrounding communities. Others, like the Hoopers Light, in the water and hard to reach, were left to rust.

What’s first on the punch list? The first is an inspection to determine what will be needed. We’ll also build a dock for easier access from the water and to serve as an area for loading equipment and materials.

What do you expect to be the easiest part?

Restoring the exterior will be the easiest part for me. I have done that kind of work all my life, so I have the knowledge, equipment, and experience to do it, even though it is a large job.

What do you think will be the hardest part?

I think just getting out there and back and on and off the lighthouse during rough weather will be the hardest. I am a naturally optimistic person, so I am trying to expect the worst; but also, in many ways, I don’t know what to expect!

# Photos courtesy of GSA Auctions

Any idea how long the restoration will take?

I am hoping by 2024 we can allow access to the general public for tours and special events. A lot depends on how much help I can get and the final cost of all the different phases of restoration.

Give us an idea of its size.

It would take about 100 adults standing shoulder-to-shoulder to make it around the first railing. From the waterline to the light is about 65 feet. The rooms are small, but remember, it was inhabitable in the early part of last century.

Is your plan for it to be functional or purely a restored piece of history?

It is my dream to repurpose the lighthouse into an environmental center where people can come and learn about the Bay and the creatures that live in it. That’s why we came up with the mission: “Restore the lighthouse, Restore the Bay.”

Sounds like a project with a purpose, yes?

Most definitely. I have always been environmentally conscious. There is no better

indicator of the state of our environment than our bodies of water. When I first visited Hoopers Island, I immediately fell in love with the area and wanted to do my part to save its beauty and history. Being from Pennsylvania, I spent time on the Susquehanna River, a major tributary to the Bay. I want to be part of the great work others are doing to help improve the health of the Bay.

How do folks follow the restoration? Videos of the restoration will be posted on social media: Facebook @Hoopers Island Lighthouse; Instagram @hooper_ island_lighthouse, and YouTube channel @hooperislandlighthouse. Find more information at hooperislandlighthouse.org. How do people connect with you? Contact me at info@ hooperislandlighthouse.org

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

# Rich Cucé looks out upon the lighthouse he just purchased. Phoot by Thomas Cucé

Planning a Maritime-Themed Visit to Washington, DC

By Beth Crabtree

Spring is a terrific time of year to visit Washington, DC. The famous cherry blossoms draw thousands of visitors, but beyond the pink blooms you’ll find that the nation’s Capital and Northern Virginia across the Potomac River are jam-packed with fascinating places to explore—the national monuments, of course, but also a revitalized riverfront with loads of on-water and shoreline opportunities for fun and learning. here are a few suggestions for a (mostly) waterfront, maritime-themed visit.

The Potomac River

As Bay sailors, we tend to think of the Potomac River as beginning in the Chesapeake at its wide mouth between Point Lookout in Maryland and Smith Point in Virginia. Sailors and boaters traveling upstream from the mouth to Washington, DC, will face a 100-mile-plus passage. Technically, though, the river ends at the Bay and in its entirety runs 405 miles, from West Virginia to the Chesapeake.

In Washington boathouses dot the Potomac shoreline, and you’ll see all manner of boats on the river: power, sail, paddle, and even rowboats. Fletcher’s Boathouse and The Wharf Boathouse are good places to start when looking for a rental. For a more complete round-up of your options, visit boatingindc.com.

If you’d like to hike near the river, from the Georgetown area heading west is the 184-mile C&O Canal Towpath, a dirt and stone trail originally built for mules as they towed the canal boats through the waterway. Today, it is a popular recreational greenspace for biking, hiking, and jogging. Georgetown is also known for its terrific shopping and dining. Learn more about the canal trail at canaltrust.org.

The Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring means cherry blossoms in Washington. The famous trees, which surround the Tidal Basin and produce glorious pink blooms each spring, were a gift from Japan in 1912. This year the official Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 20 to April 16 and includes festivities such as a kite festival March 25, live performances and concerts, and a huge parade April 15. You can follow the National Park Service’s website for peak bloom updates or sign up for email alerts. Learn about all the festivities at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

Schooner Sailing

DC Sail, the community sailing program of the National Maritime Heritage Foundation, operates a 65-foot schooner American Spirit, which is docked at The Wharf. The schooner offers public cruises to view the cherry blossoms, for Mother’s and Father’s Day, Independence Day, and its special Boating and Baseball sails. Sunset cruises sail every other Friday night in season. Cherry Blossom Cruises will sail Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2. Registration, which usually opens in late February or early March, and more details can be found at dcsail.org/cherryblossom

# Lady Josephine water taxi. Photo courtesy of City e xperiences

# Photo courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival

# Take a cruise aboard the schooner American Spirit. Photo courtesy of DC Sail

Museums

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History currently has two interesting maritime-related exhibits: The Gunboat Philadelphia exhibit tells the story of a Revolutionary War vessel that sank to the bottom of Lake Champlain in 1776 and was raised, remarkably intact, in 1935. In the same building a more general maritime history exhibit is On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, which traces the maritime trades from the 18th century to the present. The exhibit even includes a photo and description of the infamous 2018 sailboat/fishing charter boat collision on the waters off Annapolis. Learn more at americanhistory.si.edu.

Capitol Riverfront Neighborhood and Yards Park

Not far from The Wharf you will find the revitalized Capitol Riverfront neighborhood, home to Washington Nationals’ baseball park, restaurants, bars, and outdoor spaces such as the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and Yards Park. The area is also home to the US Navy Museum, which holds scale models of Navy ships, interactive exhibits, and naval equipment installations. Learn more about the museum and other area attractions at capitolriverfront.org.

The Wharf

The Wharf is a mile-long stretch along the Potomac that features restaurants and bars, boutique shops, 10 acres of parks, residences, and a marina. From the waterfront you can launch your own boat, and in season you may rent kayaks, paddleboards, and electric boats. A sailboat charter may be reserved for brunch or a sunset cruise (season begins March 15) or try a dinner or sightseeing excursion on one of the riverboats here. Learn more at wharfdc.com.

Ten Waterfront Sightseeing and Boating Suggestions From a DC Liveaboard:

1. City Cruises operates several vessels appropriate for large parties and special occasions, as well as the Potomac Water Taxi with access to Georgetown, The Wharf, Old Town, VA, and National Harbor. A water taxi day pass can be a great way for a family or small group to get around, experience several neighborhoods, and enjoy the water. cityexperiences.com

2. Check out an electric boat rental in the Washington Channel—an excellent small group and date night option. floatdc.com

3. Rent a small sailboat, paddlecraft, or small powerboat at Belle Haven Marina (saildc.com) or Washington Sailing Marina (washingtonsailingmarina.com). Proof of sailing experience may be required, so call ahead.

4. Kayak from the Key Bridge Boathouse to Three Sisters Islands and back. It will feel as if you are no longer in the city. boatingindc.com/ key-bridge-boathouse

5. Try a privately captained boat tour. Reflections DC (reflectionsdc.com) and others offer such tours.

6. Join the fun, waterborne convoy in your own two-person rental catamaran for a small-boat tour that operates out of National Harbor. Learn more at monumentalboattours. com.

7. Take a pontoon pedal-powered booze cruise from Georgetown, National Harbor, or Old Town, VA. seasuitecruises.com

8. Visit the Jones Point Park and Lighthouse. Situated at the southern

point of the diamond where DC, Maryland, and Virginia meet, the light is one of the last river lighthouses in the country and the only one still standing in the Chesapeake Bay area. nps.gov

9. Visit the US Navy Memorial Plaza, which sits between the U.S. Capitol and the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. It contains the largest map in the world, known as the ‘Granite Sea’ and is home to the iconic Lone Sailor statue.

10. Read about the 1848 ‘Pearl Incident’ when 77 enslaved people attempted to escape to freedom aboard a 65-foot schooner docked on the Potomac. At The Wharf, visit the plaque memorializing the incident, and then see the sculpture of The Edmonson sisters (who attempted the escape) located on Duke Street in Alexandria, VA.

# Photo by Sam Kittner courtesy of the Capitol Riverfront BID

# Museum exhibition entrance featuring a model of the tobacco ship Brilliant. Photo courtesy of the National Museum of American history

on the Water:

By Capt. Steven Toole

With the Cherry Blossoms drawing an estimated 1.5 million visitors to the tidal basin from midMarch to mid-April, it’s befitting to focus on sailing and boating on the Potomac this month. Second only to the Susquehanna River in length and mean annual flow, the Potomac River snakes 405 miles from Fairfax Stone, WV, to Point Lookout at its mouth on the Chesapeake. This means ample opportunity for sailors, powerboaters, and other various small craft enthusiasts to explore her waters and shorelines. Over the past 30 years of living within five miles of her shores, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the Potomac River in many of these ways.

Potomac River Racing

Last summer, I joined Daingerfield Island Sailing Club (DISC) in order to participate in their weekly regattas taking place between Reagan National Airport and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Living in Fairfax County, it’s an hour drive to my J/120 Hot Pepper which I race on weekends and Friday nights in Annapolis. After learning about DISC in SpinSheet last summer, I was intrigued by the idea of racing in the middle of DC on Tuesday nights, less than half the commuting distance to Hot Pepper on the South River. I was fortunate enough to be invited to crew on a J/70 named Valor, owned by skipper John Brock.

Racing on the Potomac is a lot of fun! It’s almost surreal to beat upwind toward a channel marker, using the Washington Monument or the Old Post Office tower as landmark reference points on the horizon. During the fall series I participated in, 26 boats competed across three PHRF spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes. Compared to buoy races on the Severn, there was very little chop to contend with and very few powerboats slicing through the fleet. Perhaps the most unique challenge to racing with DISC is the jetwash effect from planes approaching DCA, momentarily collapsing our sails until the wind fills back in.

Potomac kayaking and Rafting

The Potomac provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water by kayak, especially during the cherry blossom season. Years ago, my oldest son and I did a kayak excursion from Chain Bridge to Memorial Bridge and back, circumnavigating Roosevelt Island along the way, where we stopped for a lovely picnic lunch. It’s a spectacular way to take in the beauty of DC’s unique low-profile skyline from the water, taking in Georgetown, the Key Bridge, and Arlington on a brilliant summer afternoon. For rental information visit boatingindc.com

On a slightly more courageous outing, I once had the pleasure of whitewater kayaking from Mather Gorge just below Great Falls to Lock 10 takeout point near the Old Angler’s Inn. These rapids were no joke, so I highly recommend taking whitewater kayaking lessons before venturing out. But the scenery is so breathtaking, you’ll completely forget you’re less than 10 miles away from the center of the free world.

A safer way to enjoy whitewater on the Potomac is by doing a whitewater rafting tour, further upriver. Several tour companies operate in the Harper’s Ferry, WV, area, where the Shenandoah River spills into the Potomac. Rapids along that stretch of the river are much tamer, as I experienced with my sons’ Boy Scout troop several years ago. For the even less adventurous, relaxing water tubing floats gently carry participants of all ages down the beautiful Potomac River for a fun family outing.

# Sailors from DC Sail enjoy the cherry blossoms from the water. Photo by Tom Sliter

Following in the true spirit of racing, of course, is the after party, which DISC typically holds on the deck of the Washington Sailing Marina. Complete with adult refreshments, the AfterDeck Café serves burgers and dogs, and the club also provides music of some sort such as a DJ or something similar, as most racers exchange various excuses as to why they didn’t win that night. If you get a chance to crew in a DISC regatta, I highly recommend you take the opportunity to do so.

Washington Sailing Marina

Beyond the DISC racing that’s run from here, the marina provides options for drysailing and wet slips, as available. A rental office provides access to dinghy sailboats such as Flying Scots, Hobie Cats, and Sunfish-like Aqua Finns, as well as kayaks and standup paddleboards by the hour. A sailing camp gives young mariners a way to learn the ropes firsthand in season. For more information, visit boatingindc.com

Potomac River Sailing Association

For those who prefer one-design racing, Potomac River Sailing Association (PRSA) races on the Potomac with fleets of Albacores, Buccaneers, Inland-20s, Lasers, and Lightnings, also based at Washington Sailing Marina. They host over 150 races per year. If you’re without a boat, the club provides a “Crew Connection” on its website, where you can respond to skippers looking for crew. Visit potomacriversailing.org for more information.

DC Sail

With its mission to promote and sustain affordable educational, recreational, and competitive sailing programs for all ages in a fun and safe environment, DC Sail offers membership levels ranging from

total beginner to experienced sailors. Memberships include sailing lessons, access to the sailboat rental fleet of Flying Scots, and 18 Flying Juniors. Its high school racing program runs in the spring and fall seasons and is open to middle- and high-school students in the area. The club hosts its annual Cantina Cup regatta and fundraiser in September, generating more than $20,000 for youth scholarships. DC Sail operates its lessons, summer camps, and high school racing programs from its Diamond Teague Park Piers location and sails its 65-foot schooner American Spirit out of her slip at The Wharf/Gangplank Marina. Find more at dcsail.org

Capital Yacht Club

With its history dating back to its founding in 1892, The Capital Yacht Club is located at The Wharf in Washington, DC. A clubhouse and marina provide members and guests with a comfortable and friendly atmosphere, as well as waterside and landside amenities. Transient slips are available. capitalyachtclub.com

Belle Haven Marina

Just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Alexandria, VA, Belle Haven Marina offers adult sailing classes and youth summer camps, a launch ramp and slips, and rentals. Visitors can take out a Flying Scot, Sunfish, kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard for two to four hours. Find more at saildc.com

Northern Virginia Sailing School

Located on the western shore of the Potomac at Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge, VA, Northern Virginia Sailing School provides lessons and rentals of its Catalina 22 fleet from April through October. Click to sailnova.com

Farther Downstream

I’d be remiss if I didn’t touch on the mouth of the Potomac, where the St. Mary’s River empties out less than eight miles from the northern mouth at Point Lookout State Park. Rounding Point Lookout to enter the Potomac under the veil of darkness meant the finish line wasn’t far away in the many Governor’s Cup races I’ve participated in since the early 1990s.

Sailing up the Potomac

I’ve always wanted to sail Hot Pepper up the Potomac, dock at the Wharf, and watch the Capital Fourth Fireworks Show from the boat. From Annapolis, that’s a 175-mile journey, which is about 30 miles farther than sailing from Annapolis to Norfolk, by comparison. Not exactly a day trip! One for the bucket list.

No matter how you decide to spend your time on the Potomac, it’s sure to be a great experience of quality time outdoors with friends and family. Safe boating.

# Twilight on the Potomac.

# The author crewing on a J/70 on the Potomac.

When You Need To Be Seen,

A Head Above!

Sa F e T y Ser I e S : Par T 3

What a Career Firefighter Would Like Sailors To Know

By Beth Crabtree

On an unusually warm February day, I met Battalion Chief John Muhitch of the Annapolis Fire Department at a local coffee shop to learn about the department’s fireboats and ask what firefighters with the department’s marine operations unit would like sailors and boaters to know. Muhitch has been with the Annapolis Fire Department 24 years and a firefighter and paramedic for 30 years. We appreciate him sharing his perspective based on his years of experience.

What kind of boats does the Annapolis Fire Department have?

We have two boats. The larger one, fire boat 36, pumps water and sprays foam for fire suppression. The smaller vessel, rescue boat 37, is primarily for search and rescue.

Fire boat 36 is a 2006, 36-foot jet drive vessel that is docked in downtown Annapolis and cross-staffed by the Eastport station. It has twin Cummins diesel engines with 490 HP, pumps 1750 gallons per minute, and has 35 gallons of foam onboard. It has side sonar, GPS,

and a davit, and it’s equipped with wireless communications to help us communicate with one another, since it can be noisy onboard. It also has a dive/swim platform, an AED, first aid kit, and FLIR maritime thermal imaging systems to see at night.

Rescue boat 37, which is primarily used for search and rescue, is a 2018, 17-foot RIB. It is more flexible than the 36-footer and is used for navigating tributaries and going under lower bridges. It has 70 HP, a four-stroke motor, a depth finder, and FLIR maritime thermal imaging. It is cross-staffed by the Taylor Avenue station, where it is kept on its trailer.

What should a sailor communicate when making a distress call?

• How many souls are onboard?

• How many lifejackets do you have and has everyone put them on?

• Your location with as much specificity and accuracy as possible.

What happens when a call comes in for a boater in distress?

Whether you call with your cell phone or VHF radio, or both, rescue personnel from various agencies will coordinate seamlessly

to find you. Responders might include career or volunteer fire departments, the Coast Guard, and/or the state natural resources police. A cell phone’s ping can identify your position for fire rescue boats; the Coast Guard could use triangulation from your VHF call. The various agencies that send responders will communicate with each other and will take into account wind and current to determine whether and where you may be drifting. Whoever reaches you first will let the others know what kind of help is needed. Often when distress calls come in, a boater is experiencing bad weather and/or is in the dark with limited visibility. We are trained for that.

Do you have special training for distress calls from the water?

Training is a big part of what we do. Graduating from the Fire Academy is just the beginning. We continuously train and upgrade our skills; it’s a really important part of the job and takes significant time. There are special schools for all kinds of rescue situations, such as training for ice or swift water rescues. Just as extra training is needed to drive a fire engine, we go through special training to be boat crew

# Battalion Chief John Muhitch is with Annapolis Fire Department Special Operations, which includes Marine Operations.

and further training to be a boat operator.

Thoughts on safety equipment and education?

Although the fire department doesn’t do code or regulation enforcement on the water, we are responsible for fire code enforcement in the City of Annapolis. I can say from experience that safety isn’t a place to cut corners. Purchase the best quality equipment that you can. Then, proper maintenance and upkeep are the keys to preventing a lot of problems.

Beyond carrying the minimum required equipment, consider additional items. As sailors and boaters know, help is not as readily available on the water as it is on land. Have a good tool kit onboard with spare parts for your model

vessel, and in addition to a first aid kit, consider keeping an AED (automated external defibrillator) onboard too.

When it comes to fire extinguishers, again, consider going beyond the minimum. Step up to the next larger size and/or carry more extinguishers

You Log 100 Days On

than required. Keep them in easyto-reach places. Make sure everyone onboard knows where they are located. Be sure they are in good working order. Even if the gauge reads in the “green” zone, if it’s past its expiration date, it needs to be replaced. They do go bad.

# Fire boat 36. Photo courtesy of Annapolis Fire Department

In the same vein of doing more than the minimum because help might not be immediately available, I suggest safety education beyond the required boater safety course. It would be ideal for sailors and boaters to take First Aid and CPR classes and to continually upgrade their skills and knowledge. Be especially careful with heaters, and if you’re sleeping on a boat, think about carbon monoxide. You can buy detectors for smoke, fumes, and carbon monoxide. If you raft with other boats,

fire or fumes can spread to your vessel. If a fire does start, isolate it, and shut off fuel and power leading to it. Use a fire extinguisher and call for help right away. The best part of the job Firefighters help people on some of their worst days, and we aim for unfortunate events to have a positive outcome. Beyond that, “details” are some of the best parts of the job: on-water experiences that aren’t rescue calls. The Annapolis fire department’s marine operations unit gets out on the water

for some of the most quintessential Annapolis events: July 4 fireworks over the harbor, the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade in December, and the Blue Angels demonstration for the US Naval Academy Commissioning Week. These events take a lot of preparation, behind the scenes work, and paperwork, but you get to see things and have access to events that other people don’t necessarily experience. It’s really something to look around and realize you’re out there for work.”

Boating Fire Safety Resources:

For articles on boating fire safety: BoatUS and BoatUS Foundation: boatus.org and boatus.com

For federal guidance: US Fire Administration: usfa.fema.gov

For Coast Guard regulations for recreational vessels: US Coast Guard: uscgboating.org

Required safety equipment, Virginia: dwr.virginia.gov/boating

Required safety equipment, Maryland: dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/pages/boatingsafety/home.aspx

Jobson on the New Sailing Film and More

Chesapeake Bay Marinas 2023 How Sailors Evaluate Marinas

Asailor once told me that you could guess the quality of a marina by checking out the bathrooms. It made me laugh, as I agreed—but that’s just me. Another sailor may say, “You could learn all you need to know about a marina by inspecting the docks.” They would be partly right, too.

A different boater may be focused on how close the docks are to one another, whether there’s ample room to maneuver near their slip, or the distance from the marina from their home and/or to the open Bay. Yet another slipholder may want to rate the ship’s store, restaurant, lounge, laundry facilities, or pool. A new sailor may prefer to be surrounded by slip-mates who are mostly sailors (who may teach them the ropes), rather than powerboaters. Others may prefer a wide variety of boating neighbors for social reasons. Multihull sailors must stay focused on their marina providing slips wide enough to fit in.

One thing all sailors can agree upon is how important a marina staff is and how crucial it is that they be available, professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. It’s the marina staff who will be there during hurricanes, gales, and ice storms. When you’re back at the office or at home inland, it’s the marina staff who keep an eye on your boat and keep you abreast of any issues that may crop up in your absence.

Over years of interviewing marina managers, we learned that they work long hours, holidays, and weekends. Their jobs tend to be multifaceted and range from “property manager” to “permit expert.” No work day is the same. One moment they’re tying up boats and fielding customer requests, and the next they’re buried in regulatory or environmental paperwork. They’ve always told SpinSheet that they love their work because they enjoy working mostly outdoors and having the chance to be around boaters and boats all day and all year long.

When choosing your new marina for the season, reevaluating your current one, or just eyeing weekend getaway options, get to know marina staffers. Ask questions. Ask them what brought them into the marina business and what they think of their marina. You might find that the marina is a family affair, as many Chesapeake marinas are, especially the smaller ones. The larger marinas are also filled with knowledgeable staff members who love boating and are eager to get to know their customers.

In this year’s marina section, we share some recent news from Chesapeake marinas, general “clean boating” tips, regional Clean Marina programs, a liveaboard’s thoughts on choosing a marina that may equally benefit weekend sailors, and an updated marina directory, which we also post online at spinsheet.com ~M.W.

# Photo courtesy of haven harbour Marina

What’s New at Chesapeake Marinas?

Haven Harbour Marinas Sell and Service Yamaha and Mercury Outboards

Last summer Haven Harbour North and South added Mercury’s proven brand and product line to complement the marinas’ longstanding relationship with Yamaha. Boaters may shop their wide selection of Yamaha and Mercury outboards in stock and take advantage of exclusive sales events on select model purchases. With two locations, Haven Harbour’s dual-brand, full-line dealerships are some of the upper Chesapeake’s most reliable outboard sales, service, and re-power centers. Learn more at havenharbour.com/service.

New Floating Pier and New Team Members!

222 Severn/W&P Nautical is preparing for climate change with the installation of its new floating pier at the foot of Third Street on Spa Creek in the Eastport section of Annapolis. With a specially designed gangway connection and extended utilities, it will function with tides well above those that Hurricane Isabel brought in 2003. The dock is under construction and will be ready for this spring’s boating season.

The company also announces two new team members: Greg Horne (pictured) joined the team as property and facilities management director, and Charlie Hatcher is the new facilities and maintenance technician. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say “hello.” Learn more at 222severn.com.

Summer Music at Yankee Point

The staff at Yankee Point Marina in Lancaster, VA, is finalizing plans for their inaugural “10x10” summer concert series. Co-owner Kara Patterson writes, “Starting Memorial Day weekend we will host 10 consecutive Friday-night concerts, with each event benefiting a different charity. If the weather permits, the bands will be set up looking out over Myer Creek so boaters can enjoy the music on the creek.”

In other news, Patterson notes, “We expect to have some very exciting news to share with catamaran owners in the next few weeks and invite them to join our email mailing list (yankeepointmarina.com/newsletter) and/or follow us on Facebook to ensure they don’t miss it!

# Yankee Point Marina in Lancaster, VA.

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Take the Helm, Son

Patrick Grieb, who has been at the helm of Sailing Associates Marina in Georgetown, MD, since 1979, has announced his semiretirement and has passed his duties as general manager to his son, Andrew Grieb.

Andy, as the Sailing Associates family knows him, has been with the marina since he could push a lawn mower at the age of eight. After graduating from Washington College in 2007, Andy became a fulltime employee at the marina and advanced to assistant manager as well as service manager a few years later. He is factory-trained in diesel engines, ABYC-trained in marine electrical systems, and trained in rigging and electronic installations.

Patrick will continue as president of the marina, take on special projects, and will be available in a consulting capacity. Learn more at sailingassociates.com.

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Clean Boating Tips for Sailors

Contain Trash

• Do not let trash get thrown or blown overboard.

• If trash blows overboard, retrieve it— consider it “crew-overboard” practice.

• Pack food in reusable containers.

• Buy products without plastic or excessive packaging—plastic is deadly to fish and birds.

• Do not toss cigarette butts overboard— they are made of plastic (cellulose acetate).

• Purchase refreshments in recyclable containers.

Recycle

• Recycle cans, glass, plastic, newspaper, antifreeze, oil, and lead batteries.

• Call 1-800-4-RECYCLE or click on menv.com for oil and antifreeze recycling locations.

• Bring used monofilament fishing line to recycling bins at your marina or tackle shop.

Fuel Cautiously

• Remember, fuel expands as it warms up.

• Fill your tank just before leaving on a trip.

• If you fill your tank upon your return to port, fill it only 90 percent.

• Use oil-absorbent material to catch drips from the fuel intake and the vent overflow.

• Fill portable fuel tanks ashore.

• Add a fuel conditioner to your tank if you use your engine infrequently.

Control oil in the Bilge

• Keep your engine well-tuned—no leaking seals, gaskets, or hoses.

• Place oil absorbent material or a bioremediating bilge boom in the bilge.

• Place an oil absorbent pad under the engine.

• Replace oil absorbent materials regularly.

• Check fuel lines for damage—replace with alcohol resistant hoses.

• Secure fuel hoses to prevent chafing and leaks.

• Never discharge bilge water with a sheen—it is illegal.

Properly Dispose of oil Absorbent Materials

• If the pad is saturated with gas, allow it to air dry. Reuse.

• If the pad is saturated with diesel or oil, double bag it in plastic—one bag sealed inside another. Dispose in your regular trash.

• Bioremediating bilge booms should not be sealed in plastic bags—the microbes need oxygen to function. Discard in regular trash.

Clean Gently

• Wash your boat frequently with a sponge and plain water.

• Use detergents sparingly.

• Use phosphate-free, biodegradable, and non-toxic cleaners.

• Clean wood with a mild soap powder and a nylon brush, not harsh chemical cleaners.

• Conserve water—put a spray nozzle on your hose.

Maintain Your Vessel Wisely

• Collect all paint chips, dust, and residue. Dispose in regular trash.

• Share leftover paint and varnish.

• Bring used solvents and waste gas to local hazardous waste collection day.

• Keep your engine clean so that you can spot leaks.

• Slip a plastic bag over used oil filters before they are removed to capture drips.

• Use premium two-cycle engine oil.

• Use alternatives to toxic bottom paints.

Sewage

• Never discharge raw sewage in Maryland waters.

• Use restrooms onshore.

• Under way, use approved Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs).

• Discharge Type I or II MSDs over deep water—avoid discharging in swimming areas, marinas, anchorages. or over oyster bars.

• Establish regular maintenance schedule for your MSD based on manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Pumpout and rinse hold tanks regularly.

• Use enzyme-based products to control odor and reduce solids in holding tanks.

• Avoid holding tank products that contain quarternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and formaldehyde.

Protect Sensitive Habitat

• Proceed slowly in shallow areas.

• Do not disturb wildlife.

• Avoid contact with submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV).

• Watch your wake—it can lead to shoreline erosion and disturb wildlife.

Be a Responsible Boater

• Learn about products and practices which are environmentally safe.

• Share the information with other boaters.

• Help guests understand that, on your boat, no trash is thrown overboard.

• Obey laws governing speeding, littering, and discharge.

• Encourage boating facilities to provide trash cans, recycling bins, and pumpout stations.

• Support marinas that are environmentally responsible.

Courtesy of Maryland’s Clean Marina Initiative, here are some tips for boaters for use around marinas and while on the water anywhere.

# As the winter light turns brighter and spring arrives, let’s think about how we can keep our beloved marinas and waters cleaner.

Voluntary Clean Marina Programs on the Chesapeake

Maryland Clean Marina Initiative

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ exciting Clean Marina Initiative offers marina and boatyard operators and recreational boaters the opportunity to participate in efforts to protect Maryland’s natural resources.

This initiative recognizes and promotes marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs of any size that meet legal requirements and voluntarily adopt pollution prevention practices.

The department has certified nearly 25 percent of Maryland’s estimated 600 marinas as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners. The DNR aims to continue increasing this number moving forward. To that end, the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative offered three free informative seminars in February for anyone interested in learning more.

Boaters are encouraged to patronize certified Clean Marinas and to adopt clean boating habits. The collective effort of individuals and businesses will improve the quality of Maryland’s waters from Deep Creek Lake to the Chesapeake Bay, to the coastal bays!

Find an abundance of detailed information at dnr.maryland.gov/ boating (click on the “Clean Marinas” tab at the top of the page).

Contact Donna Morrow at donna. morrow@maryland.gov.

Virginia Clean Marina Program

Under the leadership of the Marine Advisory Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the Virginia Clean Marina Program (VCMP) was founded in the fall of 1999 to assist marinas in the Commonwealth with technical issues. The Virginia Clean Marina Program (VCMP) is designed as a voluntary program to address a broad range of issues related to the potential environmental impacts of marina operations. The VCMP was initiated as an implementation element of the Virginia Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.

The VCMP is a cooperative effort that brings together public and private interests through the Marina Technical and Environmental Advisory Committee, including representatives from state agencies, the marine trade industry, recreational boating stakeholders, and members of the planning, design, and environmental community.

The VCMP provides information, guidance, and technical assistance to marinas, local governments, and recreational boaters in Virginia on how to minimize their impacts on water quality and coastal resources. To accomplish this task, a Marina Technical Advisory Program was established; it focuses on working with marinas to achieve voluntary designation as a Virginia Clean Marina. Visit vims.edu and search for “Clean marinas” to find informative links and a PDF of the complete program.

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

Founder and Owner of Herrington Harbour Marinas Honored for Environmental Contributions

In January, on one of his final days in office, Governor Larry Hogan named E. Steuart Chaney of Herrington Harbour Marinas a Chesapeake Bay Ambassador. This lifetime achievement award is the highest honor the Governor of Maryland can bestow on an individual for their environmental contributions. Only two Marylanders received this prestigious honor during Governor Hogan’s tenure.

Since the Chaneys bought the dilapidated property 45 years ago, Herrington Harbour Marinas have been family owned and operated and are continuously awarded the Best Marina Resorts on the Chesapeake Bay. Chaney says, “We consider the environment in every decision that we make at Herrington Harbour.”

Forty-five years ago, “All the shorelines were eroding and

unprotected, and the existing bulkheads were failing. Over the years, we removed the bulkheads and replaced them with tidal wetland buffers which serve three critical roles: shoreline erosion protection, storm water filtration, and the creation of native, natural wildlife habitats. This was long before critical area legislation. It’s just what we wanted to do.”

Environmental efforts at Herrington Harbour Marinas include:

• Sustainable landscape design that creates a balance between nature, boats, and people.

• Tidal wetland buffers, which are designed to flood, have created a “living shoreline” around Herrington Harbour South along the 1.1 mile eco-trail.

• Partnered with the EPA to establish Herring Bay as the first “No Discharge Zone” on the Chesapeake and earned voluntary certification as Maryland Clean Marinas for both Herrington Harbour North and South Marinas.

• Trees are planted annually, and Chaney placed 600 acres of contiguous property into permanent preservation in the 1990s.

In a letter of support to the governor for the award, Charles Deegan, chairman of the

Critical Area Commission, notes that these enhancements took place during redevelopment to put modern piers throughout the marina. He says, “All of the environmental improvements Chaney made were made on his own initiative and at his own expense.”

Back in the 1990s, Chaney was told they’d never see diamondback terrapins in a marina because all marinas are dirty. “A month later, we had a nest of hatchlings,” he said. “A lot of the wildlife has returned to the area, such as Maryland’s state reptile, the diamondback terrapin, yellow-crowned night herons, and many other forms of wildlife. The water is cleaner, and the entire shoreline is stabilized. The saltwater marsh has made a big difference.”

Steuart, who owns and manages the marinas along with his son Hamilton, says “I am deeply honored by receiving the Chesapeake Bay Ambassador Award. Running Herrington Harbour is a passion for our family… It’s a good thing, too, because we work all the time!”

To learn more about Herrington Harbour Marinas, visit herringtonharbour.com. For more information about the marinas, call (301) 855-5000.

# Steuart Chaney at herrington harbour. Photo by Kristen Rutkowski Photography

What Liveaboards Look for in a Marina

By T.J. Butler

Learning how liveaboard sailors seek their marinas may be helpful for weekenders, too.

Whether you’re a liveaboard or planning to be one, your marina is almost as important as your boat. In fact, your marina is your neighborhood. It’s the place you’ll come home to every day and the place your land friends will envy you for. Whether you’re planning for liveaboard life or thinking about relocating to a new marina, there are a few important things to consider before you sign a contract.

If you’re new to sailing and looking at marinas for the first time, the following information will help you select the best marina to meet your needs.

Not every marina accepts liveaboards. You’ll want to know this first so you don’t waste time reviewing marinas that aren’t a good fit. Ask this question at the beginning of your initial call.

Consider the location. How close do you want to be to exciting downtown areas with shopping, dining, and events? Or, you may prefer a quieter neighborhood with more nature, where grocery stores and restaurants are a little farther away. As you would when buying property, get to know the local area.

Consider your slip’s logistics. You’ll need to maneuver your boat through the channel and into your slip easily. If docking isn’t your strong point, make sure it doesn’t involve tight turns. Even with a bow thruster, this can be challenging for some. Also, consider your finger pier; in inclement weather, especially narrow finger piers might be difficult for kids, dogs, and those with limited mobility to navigate if you don’t have a ramp.

Here are a few more things liveaboards may consider when selecting a marina:

• Liveaboard Fees: Pay them. The folks at the marina office know more than you think.

• The Facilities (laundry, restrooms, and showers): Many liveaboards do their laundry during the week when the marina is quiet and there isn’t a line for the machines. Visit the restrooms before you sign an annual contract. Some marinas have private restrooms with a shower, sink, and toilet. Others are similar to a gym locker with a row of showers and toilet stalls. Consider how much privacy you like and whether you’ll mind getting dressed next to your dock neighbors, transient weekenders, and their children.

# Sunrise at the marina is always a peaceful time of day. Photo by TJ Butler

# Marinas may sponsor fun family events, such as movies on the lawn, open to all slipholders. Photo courtesy of herrington harbour North

# Marina lounges offer a well-appointed place to relax and unwind. Photo courtesy of herrington harbour North

# Some dock neighbors call this a marina but liveaboards call it home. Photo by TJ Butler

Chesapeake Bay Marinas

• The Lounge or Clubhouse: Our sailboats are our happy places, but sometimes we need a change of scenery. Having access to a lounge or clubhouse has multiple benefits. If the lounge has a large table, you can spend an afternoon spread out with your Sailrite sewing machine. The lounge also makes a good occasional work-from-home space. If the lounge has a television, you’ll likely find fellow liveaboards there for Sunday

night football games. The lounge might also house the lending library. Marina libraries contain everything from old bestsellers to sailing how-to guides. Leave a book, take a book.

• Wifi: Yes, some marinas offer free WiFi. No, it’s not always fast, even when your slip is next to a hotspot. Some marinas allow slipholders to contract with outside vendors for DirecTV and cable, while others don’t

Sli PS

or can’t offer this. Liveaboards may consider Starlink if fast internet speed is essential to your work or lifestyle.

• The office Staff: Make friends with the office staff. If the marina is your home, it’s better to have them on your side than to butt heads with them. They’re great at thinking outside the box to solve problems, and most marinas take special care of their liveaboards.

• Winter at the Marina: You’ll need to consider the logistics of spending the winter aboard if the Bay is your home year-round. Dock water is turned off around mid-November, but there are typically frost-free spigots nearby. Filling up your water tank may involve hundreds of feet of hose, depending on where your boat is located.

Pro tip: drain your hose thoroughly and store it in a lazarette between uses so that water doesn’t freeze inside. Many liveaboards wrap their boats in the winter, often costing more than $1000. The benefits of wrapping are many, including keeping the cabin much warmer and preventing snow and ice from damaging the deck.

Living aboard is one of the best ways to improve your outlook; regardless of how things are on land, coming home to a beautiful marina and enjoying an al fresco dinner in the cockpit can cure almost everything that ails us. Waving goodbye to the weekend dock neighbors as they head home on Sunday evenings is one of the best parts of the week. It looks as if we’re in for a fantastic sailing season this year. See you on the Bay!

About the author: TJ Butler spends her time aboard a vintage sailboat south of Annapolis which she shares with her husband and dog. Find her writing at TJButlerAuthor.com.

Looking for a slip for your boat?

Find the perfect home for your sailboat in SpinSheet's Chesapeake Bay Marinas Directory! In the listings below you will find marina information including available slips, transient slips, gas, diesel, pump outs, maximum boat length, water depth, maintenance, as well as other amenities such as restaurants, dock bars, and swimming pools.

Marina Directory

Every year, we follow the same pattern: winterize the boat in the fall and fit her out in the spring. Retrieve the clean, nicely folded, and bagged sails from storage at the sailmaker’s shop around the time that the birds begin chirping, and make certain that the yard mechanic has run the checklist for the engine. There is plenty to be done at both ends of the season, and the workload seems to be pretty well equal, including flushing out the freshwater system, generally a messy business, in the spring.

When the sailing season is about to begin, there is much anticipation, as well as some cleanup of accumulated dirt, leaves, and twigs from winter storms; but occasionally there will be a surprise. Last year, in early April, my oldest son Kevin and I were removing the canvas cover from his C&C Selkie when I heard him exclaim from well up on the ladder, “Oh, S*@!” More an expression of surprise than of fear. He’s a big guy and not easily frightened, but startled is startled, after all.

“What is it?” I asked, calling up to him. “Is it bad?” I was thinking that perhaps the cabin sole was somehow afloat and the cabin itself full of accumulated water. I have an unfortunate tendency to always imagine the worst possible sce-

By Captain Mike Martel

nario. But that couldn’t be so, I reminded myself; the drain plug was out.

“We have a tenant. Looks like the Lone Ranger.”

“Oh, good God.”

A raccoon had somehow over the winter taken up residence in the boat, and was now just as startled as we were.

I’ve learned to expect the unexpected with boats, even when all the proper checklist items have been attended to. And I keep in mind the old rule that whatever you forget to do in the fall will come back in spades to haunt you in the spring, whether it’s a cracked hose, a forgotten fuel treatment or filter change, or something else. An animal living aboard with or without its own family (and mess) is simply a bonus to being a boat owner.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s not what you remembered to do that’s important; it’s what you forgot to do that matters. Always.

After a few years of owning a boat, or rather the same boat, the fall and spring preparation routines become just that— routine, almost automatic—but it’s the small things that can be overlooked. I can get my water system online and unpickled, test my electronics, and perform a thorough cleanup belowdecks, but in the springtime, more effort and attention

are focused on my boat’s bottom than anywhere else. I’m going to check and replace zincs or anodes, pay special attention to my propeller and the condition of my cutless bearing, and clean and inspect my electrical grounding plate. My boat’s lightning protection system grounds to that plate, so it is critical that its conductivity is good.

Unless my propeller whacked a mooring ball, chain, piece of wood, or other solid object the previous season, I have no reason to suspect damage, but if it has, I inspect it carefully, looking for dings, pitting, cracks, and distortion. Damaged propellers can cause unwanted vibration and wear, particularly to the cutless bearing and shaft log, possibly resulting in leakage. When in doubt, remove the prop, even the prop shaft if need be, and take them to be straightened and propeller pitch re-set.

I always inspect any and all fire extinguishers aboard for loss of charge, and also for the expiration date. That’s one of the first things officials look at during a boarding and inspection.

Remember to refurbish exposed teak, sanding, oiling, whatever you do, because the beginning of the season is the best time to apply teak care products.

Check safety equipment, especially life jackets or PFDs. Check for mildew, rot, and other conditions that may have developed over the winter and could com-

promise the strength and integrity of the material. Make sure that you have enough aboard for every potential passenger, and that they are the correct size.

Springtime is a great time to thoroughly wash the hull and perform a careful inspection for blisters, distortions, and cracks, especially before painting on antifouling.

Make sure the drain plug is securely in place before launch. It’s amazing the number of sailors who forget this simple detail, with predictable results!

For any enclosed or semi-enclosed engine area, ensure that you have at least one properly installed and working carbon monoxide detector.

Electrical System

Inspect all electrical connections to ensure clean, tight, corrosion-free connections. Remove corroded terminals and use a wire brush to clean them, along with all cable ends. Charge the house and starting batteries and have them tested to ensure that they can hold a charge.

Fluid Levels

Check all fluid levels including engine oil, power steering, and coolant. Be sure to change the engine oil, oil filter, and drive lubricants if these tasks were not done prior to winterizing your boat. Inspect the fuel system for leaks or damage, and be sure to pay special attention to fuel hoses, connections, and tank surfaces. Evidence of

a damaged fuel hose includes softness, brittleness, or cracking. Replace components when necessary and verify that all fittings and clamps are properly secured. Never reuse hose clamps; they are treacherous.

Belts, Cables, and Hoses

Check belts, cables, and hoses because they can become brittle and may crack during winter storage. Belts should fit tightly around pulleys to prevent slipping. Black powdery residue near the pulley and a looseness in the belt may indicate a worn belt that is prone to failure. I always keep two spare belts aboard. Cracks or swells on the outer jacket of the throttle, shift, and steering control cables may be indicative of internal corrosion, resulting in eventual failure.

What I have found in my experience with sailboat rigging and blocks in terms of lubrication is that nothing seems to work better than spray ‘Dry’ lubricant with PTFE (a.k.a. Teflon). It provides excellent lubrication and long-lasting corrosion protection with no oily residue. It does not attract dirt, dust, or oil, which is perfect for modern blocks. Once sprayed on, it dries quickly and leaves a lubricating film. There are several brand names available.

Thinking that I might put together a short checklist of things that boaters tend to forget, but that should not be forgotten ever, I reached out to Vaughan Scott at Diversified Marine Systems in Annapolis.

He replied with a short but excellent list of things that are frequently overlooked:

Mechanical Systems

• Review the raw water system from the thru-hull intake to the strainer, through the engine, and proper discharge from the exhaust.

• Verify all engine fluid levels, coolant, oil, and gear oil.

• Verify fuel flow and quality.

• Max props need to be greased once every two years.

• Lubricate shaft seals (or repack the stuffing box).

• Check zinc anodes.

• Check hose and clamp conditions.

• Inspect and exercise seacocks. Verify that they are functioning.

• Tape and spreader boots tend to degrade, so checking for things that could snag sails is recommended.

• Check the condition of all lines.

• Check the sea strainer lids to make sure that they are tight and not leaking and confirm that all lids were removed when winterizing. In the spring, we find a fair amount leaking or pulling air into the system.

About the Author: Capt. Mike Martel holds a 100-ton Master’s license and is a lifelong boating and marine industry enthusiast. He enjoys delivering boats to destinations along the East Coast and to the Caribbean and writing about his experiences. Find him at CaptMikeMartel@yahoo.com.

# Shamrock awaiting some love...

# Shamrock back in her happy place. Photo by Al Schreitmueller

Ebb & Sew

Madison Trotman, 26, has been making her mark on the Chesapeake marine industry with her flawless canvas and upholstery work, adorning several local vessels with her creations. Originally from Florence, AL, Trotman came to Maryland to attend the Maryland Institute and College of Art where she majored in photography.

Trotman’s natural creativity and innate sewing skills have guided her along a diverse path that has led to her current position as lead technician for the canvas team at Diversified Marine Services (DMS) in Annapolis, MD.

What is your current role in the marine industry?

I make custom marine canvas and upholstery for boats, such as dodgers, biminis, enclosures, sail covers, interior and exterior upholstery, and cushions. I have been working at DMS for two years. I jumped completely into the deep end when I started, and now I’m the team lead on a team of three.

What was the path that brought you to your current position?

Back in college, I was already sewing things and would practice alternative processes in photography so that I could print on fabric. I started sewing for a company that made hiking gear for dogs, but I was interested in continuing with sewing, just on something that was more interesting than small bags and products that are made over and over again.

I came into the marine industry during Covid because I was working at a restaurant and making the canine hiking gear on the side, but Covid shut everything down. Working in canvas presented bigger challenges, as it was working on a much larger scale; I wanted

to have a career where I made things, but not necessarily as a fine artist.

What do you love about your job?

I like how it changes every day. Each day is something different. I love being out on boats and working outside, at least half the time. It doesn’t feel like a nine-to-five job and we are a great, small team. Matt Jones, my manager, is hilarious, and he’s always there to help me if I need

it. I also think it’s fun getting to see what types of technical or mechanical projects other departments have, most of which I know nothing about, and I can ask them questions.

My fiancé and his whole family live here in Maryland. In fact, I work with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law at DMS.

What are the most challenging parts of your job?

There are always going to be things that happen that you don’t expect. One day

Interview by Chelsea Co

Q&A With Madison Trotman, Marine Canvas Professional

you’ll be templating when it’s windy, so the finished product won’t fit quite right. Learning that although it may look like it, there are no boats that are perfectly symmetrical. When I have to start from scratch, it can be hard to design an entirely new piece for someone instead of using their old frame; it really makes you think!

What is your relationship with sailing and boating?

I’ve lived on a lake or river my entire life, and we had boats growing up. I occasionally get out on the water here when my friends invite me on their boats. Recently, I went out on my friend’s boat, and he let me be the skipper. Driving the boat for a while, I got to learn how the sails react. I don’t have a lot of experience sailing so that was a great experience. I would like to take sailing lessons so that I know how to sail. I’ll figure out the next steps from there.

What’s something you hope to see in the future of the marine industry?

More women working in the industry, so I can have more friends! Women can do pretty much all this work, but I think in general we’re not taught to do trade skills. I think you’re more likely to see women working in canvas in the marine industry, because women are more likely to have been taught how to sew than to work on engines or do electrical work. Even though it is where you’ll see women in the marine industry, most of the time, it’s men who are running the canvas shops. So, it would be great to see more diversity. It’s great being on a team that has three women working together.

Any last words of wisdom you’d like to share?

If you think you need repairs or a replacement on your canvas, you probably do. Start budgeting for a brand new one because if you’ve started thinking you need a new one, then you definitely need a new one. And lastly, Makrolon always looks better than flexible glass!

Spring DIY:

How To Service a Winch

The inner workings of winches can easily slip our minds, given the multitude of other maintenance items that demand a sailor’s attention. But winches are integral to the safe operation of any sailboat, and while it doesn’t happen often, winch failure is a recipe for disaster. Winches should be serviced annually to maintain performance and safety. What’s one more thing to add to your list, really?

Opening up a winch can be daunting, but following these steps will ensure that you don’t lose any parts or put grease where it doesn’t belong.

What You’ll Need

A bowl or cloth for organizing parts, perhaps several.

Screwdrivers. Check the screws on the top of your winch for guidance on what type you’ll need.

A small scrub brush. If your winch has frozen up or it has been a while since the last service, you may need a wire brush. If you’re just doing an annual checkup, you may only need a toothbrush or something similar.

A small (one inch or less) epoxy or paint brush for grease.

Winch grease.

Winch/pawl oil.

Clean rags.

Acetone or another solvent (mineral spirits, bike degreaser, etc).

Gloves.

Spare pawls and pawl springs, especially if you suspect an issue or it’s been a while since the last service.

Disassembling Your Winch

These steps should be applicable to most common winches. However, it may still be helpful to reference a diagram of your specific winch. Before you start removing

By Kelsey Bonham

parts, make a plan for organization. I recommend taking pictures of your winch at each stage of the disassembly process and laying out your parts in rows.

Every winch will have some type of top plate that holds the selftailer on, and it is likely attached with several screws. There may also be an O-ring or a pair of collets (small C-shaped metal pieces) underneath the top plate that prevents the self-tailer from spinning with the winch. Remove the screws, top plate, self-tailer, and any other hardware involved in these parts and set them aside. If you have a non-self-tailing winch, it may just have a metal ring that should be removed using a fingernail or flathead.

Now you should be able to slide the main drum off. Grip the drum where the line usually wraps it, and gently pull straight upward. If you’re doing this aboard, take extra care that any bearings that may come off with the drum don’t fall out and roll overboard.

If you have a larger winch, there may be an inner drum assembly. It should have screws at the bottom that secure it to the base of the winch. If so, remove these screws, and slide the inner drum off the same way as the outer drum. Now you should be able to see gears near the bottom of the winch and bearings stacked on the main stem. Remove the bearings by sliding them up and off.

Next, remove the gears and the main center stem (the piece that the winch handle fits into from the top). This will be a slightly different process depending on the winch. My winches have a pair of oversized cotter pins that drop down vertically to keep the two sets of gears in place, so all I have to do is lift those pins out before I can slide the gears out horizontally. If it is not immediately evident how to remove yours, consult a diagram of your specific winch for some insight.

# Applying grease to the gears.

# Removing a bearing.

Lastly, take apart the gears themselves. They should be in stacks, with one of the gears in each stack having pawls and springs inside. To separate the gears, simply pull them apart. Remove the pawls and springs very carefully—the springs, especially, like to jump out of your hand and disappear.

Servicing & Reassembling Your Winch

The most time-consuming aspect of winch service is cleaning. If your winches are relatively new or serviced regularly, this part may be easy. If your winches are older, rarely serviced, or frozen up, this part could take an hour or more. Break out your gloves. Clean each part that has grease, oil, or salt buildup using your wire brush/ toothbrush and solvent. This includes anything with teeth—the inside of the drum, the main stem, and the gears—as well as pawls, springs, and bearings. Some parts, such as the bearings, may only need a rinse in your solvent and a rub down with a clean rag. Others, such as the gears, may need dedicated time with the brush to get all of the gunk out from tight spaces.

As you clean, inspect each piece. Bearings should be free of cracks, and each rod should spin freely.

All the teeth on the gears, drum, and the main stem that the winch handle locks into should be sharp and not worn down. If any of your pawls look dull and rounded, replace them. Your springs should also still be “spring-y.” Many sailors choose to replace all of their pawls and springs each time they service their winches, just to be safe.

After you have removed all of the old grease, oil, and salt buildup from each part, wipe everything down with a clean rag.

Before I break out the grease, I like to do a bit of reassembly first. I place the pawls and springs back into their gears, put the gears back together (this is easier if you squeeze the pawls into a closed position first), and secure them back into the

winch before any grease becomes involved. Put a little bit of winch/ pawl oil on your pawls before they become inaccessible again. Do not put grease on your pawls.

Now it’s time for the grease. Use your epoxy brush to spread grease onto all of the teeth on the gears, the inside of the drum, and the main stem. Make sure you get all the way into the crevices between the teeth. There should be an even coat that is not too thick nor too thin—the exact amount is perfected over time, but if in doubt, add a little bit more.

Now you can work backwards to reassemble the rest of the winch. Put the main stem that the winch handle locks into back into the center, oil or lightly grease your bearings (all-metal bearings can be greased, plastic ones should be oiled), and slide them back on, slide the inner drum assembly back on and screw it down if you have one, slide the main outer drum back on, reassemble the self-tailer and top plate in the backwards order from how you removed them, and screw the top plate back down. Give your winch a spin. It should spin more freely, and the clicking of the pawls may be crisper and clearer.

If you’re having trouble figuring out how exactly to disassemble your winch, whether or not a part should be replaced, or the best grease or oil to use, reach out to your winch’s manufacturer or check its website. Many manufacturers have their own guides on how best to maintain their winches. Happy trimming!

# Cleaning one of the gears and its pawls.

# Removing the top plate from the winch.

# Preparing to remove a set of gears.

Rigging Specialists

A Little Cruising “Vacation” in Culebra

Cruising mainland Puerto Rico was a mad dash of to-do lists, from stocking up at big box stores to getting our mail forwarded and refilling prescriptions. Worn out from the grind, we got a weather window and pointed our bows towards the Spanish Virgin Islands. Vieques, Culebra, and Culebrita are still technically part of Puerto Rico, but they are smaller island communities with their own personality and a different pace. Mainland Puerto Rico is cars and strip malls and big box stores, and while it’s surrounded by beautiful nature, it still has a more modern pulse. Heading to the Spanish Virgin Islands is like stepping back in time.

By Cindy Wallach

A couple of decades ago, my husband and I spent time on Vieques on a vacation. We loved every minute and looked forward to taking the kids there by boat. We got several firsthand warnings from liveaboards in the area saying that we should be wary about anchoring there, lock up your dinghy, lock up your boat, lock up everything. After some thought and a look at the weather, we sadly decided to skip Vieques on this part of our voyage. We heard later from another boat who had spent some time on Vieques a few weeks later that the locals and liveaboards spread that rumor on purpose to steer people away. Sigh. Mission accomplished.

Culebra is closer to St. Thomas than the Puerto Rican mainland, yet it feels a world away. Entering the Ensenada Honda harbor, we noticed how protected the anchorage was with plenty of space and good holding. There are free mooring balls along the outer edge at the reef where you can tie up to snorkel. In settled weather, you could even spend the night there.

Because we cruise with dogs and kids, getting ashore is always a top priority once our anchor is set. There are three places to easily get ashore. The town dock is a solid concrete pier, but it’s a little high and it can be

tricky climbing up and down from the dinghy. There is a small canal spanned by a bridge that divides the island, and you can dinghy under the bridge and tie up inside the canal to easily get ashore. You can also tie up at the Dinghy Dock Restaurant, even if you’re not eating there, but really you don’t want to miss eating there.

We enjoyed a few days exploring as far as we could on foot. We chatted with an abuelita on her porch, watched some young men ride beautiful horses bareback through town, and noticed the island cats scurrying into corners as we walked our dogs. We found the local ice cream place that offers ice cream tacos, which we may have had more than once. We even found a little place called Culebra Coffee owned by two guys from Maryland. It was nice to talk about the Chesapeake while sipping strong Puerto Rican coffee and staring at the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea.

Wanting to see more of Culebra, we rented a golf cart and hit the road. First stop was the famous Flamenco Beach. The beach lives up to the hype, with pristine powder white sand and sparkling blue waters. While it’s a popular tourist destination, it’s also quite large. If you’re willing to walk a little in one direction or another, you can have a slice of sand all to yourself.

For history buffs, rusting, graffiticovered tanks sit awkwardly against this tropical scenery. They were once used by the U.S. military for target practice and now sit waiting for the next Instagram moment.

From the beach we meandered to a quirky, local museum on the other side of the island. The docent was excited to show us around

the one-room collection and brought us out back to learn about their beekeeping operation.

After that we just drove and drove on whatever random roads struck our fancy. At one point we ended up high enough that we could see Culebrita and St. Thomas. The swells didn’t favor a stop in Culebrita this time, but peering from the hill tops we could see why this nature sanctuary is a popular destination with beautiful green hills, crystal clear water, and a clean crescent beach.

Sometimes in cruising, you are so focused on passagemaking that you forget to just exhale and enjoy where you are. You’re always looking for the next weather window, the closest grocery store, or the easiest place to fuel up. With full tanks and a stocked pantry from mainland Puerto Rico, Culebra was like a little vacation stop where we could just wander and relax. #

The alarm rang, a gentle yet persistent electronic beep beep beep that I allow in my life only for early airline flights and sailing departures. Alarms are the devil’s work, if there is such a thing.

I watched the contrails of my breath curl up into the air of the v-berth from under the fleece top crust of my bed. I peeled the blankets back abruptly—there was simply no other way to do it but to do it and to do it suddenly. A string of involuntary commentary escaped from my mouth as I greeted the day.

I have not been graced with much naturally occurring insulation, and the number of layers of clothing that I adorn in cold weather is somewhat shocking. On came the base layer, the long underwear, and more layers—innumerable additional layers. Woolen socks clamped the cuffs of the underwear to my ankles. Foot warmers were added, followed by a second set of thick fleece socks.

Cruising Life

By John Herlig

As water went on for coffee and a pot of oatmeal simmered, I slinked down into the engine compartment for the pre-departure check: oil, coolant, transmission fluid, alternator belt tension, and a twirl of the prop shaft to make sure it felt free. Back out I emerged like a bundled-up Jack-in-the-Box puppet. The Freeman hatch latched behind me with a heavy and satisfying clunk like a submarine hatch. The sheer heft of it brought a smile to my face.

Fuel lift on. Engine panel key on. Hold the preheat button, count to 10, hit the starter. The old Kubota V1305 that I had acquired from a retired golf course lawnmower roared instantly to life. The Kubota, I could only assume, missed its Florida lawn mowing days. Sorry about that, little guy, but you’ve got a new role now. I was doing my best to get it back to warmer latitudes.

I was anchored in Godfrey Bay, just inside the mouth of the Piankatank River in Deltaville, VA, in the early stages of a journey to St. Martin in the Caribbean. Making day-long hops from anchorage to anchorage didn’t feel like a passage because, of course, they weren’t. But the passage itself couldn’t begin without a beginning. Getting down and out of the Bay was a beginning of sorts. You can’t start a road trip unless you back the car out of the garage.

The decisions that abound during passage planning can easily slip you into the quicksand of information overload. It had been so easy to say I am headed to St. Martin because that was in fact the goal, but every step of how rendered new layers of challenges, and each one had thousands of plausible solutions.

The basics suggested that I would scratch my way down to Norfolk in order to depart the Chesapeake and creep out into the Atlantic. In a juicy departure window that might lead to southward sailing along North Carolina and a turn towards the east at 34ºN latitude to cross the stream. Fat and juicy windows are rare, so the plan morphed into a sail to Beaufort, NC, for yet another staging. As I arrived in Norfolk and checked the weather, this part of the plan solidified.

St. Martin itself was yet another goal, the ultimate goal, scratched in the sand with a stick and a smattering of hope. I am going to St. Martin remained the theme. The myriad of realities danced about in front of my eyes like so many colored lights from a disco ball. If the weather cooperates, and if nothing untoward occurs on the trip, then St. Martin it will be. But…

But what if the weather doesn’t cooperate? What if I can’t make 62º W for my turn to the south? I watched so

The many layers of “what if” that complicate a cruiser’s best laid plans.

# To go somewhere where you can collect coconuts...

# The decisions that abound during passage planning can slip you into the quicksand of information overload.

many friends depart on similar journeys over the past few months. Some made it where they intended, some ended up in unplanned anchorages, safe but with all their crayon marks far outside the lines. So, you scan west from the Leewards and look. Now is the time to make bailout plans, not out in the high seas with weather on you and trouble afoot.

There, just west of the Leewards, lie both the British and US Virgin Islands: Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, St. John. If I were to get pushed down to St. John I wouldn’t even have to clear in. You could do worse.

West a bit more brings Culebra and Puerto Rico, and I have never been to either. Jamie Bryson—circumnavigator, Cape Horn singlehander, and previous owner of Ave del Mar—loved nothing more than he loved Culebra after his lap around the globe. If falling off means ending up in Culebra, I think I’ll be able to handle the disappointment. From there I would be able to make a new plan with new information gleaned from the new people I would meet.

If I am driven even farther west than this, things get more complicated. Hispaniola could be next, with the Dominican Republic (DR) to the east and Haiti to the west. I have sailed to both but wouldn’t be deeply inclined to end up there on this passage. Entering the

DR comes with a decent little price tag attached, and Haiti has fallen yet again into anarchy. Nothing breaks my heart more than this. I count my experiences cruising Haiti among the most memorable of my life. But the country in general, and the north coast for sure, are just not currently viable landing options outside of a full-on emergency.

Hispaniola lies just south of the Turks and Caicos, and arriving there at all would mean passing through the Mouchoir or Turks Island passages— both doable, but hard to picture not just clearing into Turks along the way and getting on with life.

As I sit at the salon table in Ave scrolling charts it occurs to me that if 73º W is all I can reach, my old friend the Windward Passage awaits, a watery red carpet that leads me straight to Port Antonio, Jamaica: one of my favorite places in all of the Caribbean. It is not humanly possible to not have a good time in Port Antonio. How had I never seen this option before?

Oh, that’s right—St. Martin is why. I am not headed to Port Antonio or to the Mouchoir Passage or Culebra or St. John. I am headed to St. Martin. The rest is just details. #

# The author making plans at anchor on the Chesapeake.

About the Author: John herlig lives aboard his Rawson cutter Ave del Mar, teaches at Cruisers University, and is the host of the podcast Remarkable Stories. Find him on Instagram at @sailingave.

Once or twice a year, for 30 years now, I have hosted my college roommates/fraternity brothers, four of us together, for a boat trip. Our “Boys Sails” actually began in college in the 70s. These were day sails on a Cape Dory 25 owned by one of us. Clearly, we should have actually been in class, which we skipped regularly to sail, or doing homework. However, boys will be boys.

By Mike Pitchford

Despite skipping classes, we all graduated, got married, and had kids; you know the story. Raising young kids will keep you busy. However, by 1992, the kids were a little older and our long-suffering spouses allowed us to reinstitute our Boys Sails on my then new-to-me Sabre 32.

At first it was long weekends with the boys taking Friday off and sailing into

Sunday. Together we explored the upper Chesapeake sailing out of Annapolis. Along the way we occasionally stretched to four days and often added a baseball game (a cruise to downtown Baltimore for an Orioles game).

The boats progressed from the Sabre 32 to a Catalina 380. In 2015 we went to the “dark side” (see March issue of PropTalk). I had traded my Catalina 380 for a North Pacific 43 trawler (later superseded by a Back Cove 37). The trips also got longer and included some routine ICW legs, as the powerboats went to Florida every winter. Collectively, we have shared a lot of miles together. We still love sailing, but we also enjoying powerboating. Mostly we enjoy being together.

About 15 years into our now 30year Boys Sail history we made a trip to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) for a weeklong Boys Sail Charter. That was so much fun that we did it again in 2010 and 2013. Those trips were always in June as we attempted to sandwich in a trip between school ending and hurricane season starting (one of the crew was a high school teacher and so tied to the academic calendar).

I am not sure what happened next. Maybe it was the press of demanding jobs in the peak of our working

Charter Notes

careers (all of us are now retired). Maybe it was the pleasure of longer ICW trips. Whatever the cause, the BVI fell off our collective radar.

I am likewise not sure what brought sailing in the BVI back to our collective conscience. Early in the Covid pandemic we began talking about going again, so maybe it was pandemic isolation? In any case, we evolved a plan to go in the early days of 2022. However, the ups and downs of Covid brought us to a postponement to January of 2023. And so, 2022 became a year of planning and anticipation.

In the 10-year gap between our visits, the BVI had been hit by several significant tropical systems. Irma in 2017 was

the most impactful. Most of the shoreside stops in the BVI were damaged as was the charter fleet. Well known places from The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda and the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke were out of business for a year. The facilities at Saba Rock were wiped clean down to the concrete slab foundation. Every roof on Marina Cay was gone. The pandemic added to a potentially slow recovery.

We used pandemic popular technology to plan our trip. Our Zoom calls over a year plus were part planning, part update on BVI Covid restrictions, part hurricane recovery reporting, and part happy hour. As we got into 2023, the Covid restrictions and protocol in the BVI were

dropped completely. Yeah!

Allow me to cut to the chase. The BVI is well, but not completely recovered.

The Cooper Island Beach Club, the destination restaurant serving the Cooper Island mooring field, had two to four feet of water throughout with the storm surge, but enjoyed shelter from the worst storm winds. It was back in operation in eight months. We stopped there twice enjoying their craft beers and excellent dinners.

The Bitter End Yacht Club has fully rebuilt their bars, restaurants, and shops. Their lodging options have a way to go to reclaim their past glory. The work is clearly slow and methodical, showing a great focus to details.

Nearby Saba Rock is in much the same condition with lodging a bit behind but a great bar and restaurant operating as before. The hurricaneinduced rebuild opportunity seemed to push these three resort facilities a notch upscale.

The restaurants at Trellis Bay on Beef Island and Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda were angled away from the worst wind and wave action. They survived pretty much as past visitors will remember them: beach sand under the tables and casual food choices. The same can be said for the restaurant serving the Bight on Norman Island. The shoreside restaurant is pretty much as I remembered it as was the Willie T. The boys enjoyed an afternoon happy hour on the Willie T (a pirate ship replica) complete with the jump from the second deck, as is the custom for cruisers there after a few rum-laced Painkillers.

The island of Jost Van Dyke has three overnight stops and one legendary day stop, White Bay, the home of the rebuilt Soggy Dollar beach bar. There is a reason it is called Soggy Dollar. It is genuinely a beach front with no dinghy dock. So, you either anchor the big boat and take the dinghy ashore, or you swim in. The bar itself has a clothesline with clothespins to dry your cash out.

In typical weather there is a modest swell moving to the beach making landing a dinghy a bit of a challenge. On our visit the first off the dinghy

# Sunset from the newly rebuilt Bitter end Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda.

# Rainbow welcoming the crew back to their home dock.

# Docking drinks!

stepped into deeper water than expected, rolled on his side, and nearly got run over by the broaching dinghy. It was all good, but his dollars were clearly soggy.

I have already confessed to moving to the dark side some years ago. Still, sailing is a great way to go in the BVI. The distances are so close that even powering at six knots gets you from place to place in a couple of hours. As a bonus, you can also sail in crystal clear water with usually reliable winds out of the east.

On our first sail I was remined of the joys of sailing and the reasons I moved to power. The joy was shutting the engines down and reveling in the quiet motion of sail power. I even remembered how to read the telltales. The reason I moved to power came later that evening as I noticed how sore my shoulders were from all that winch action!

All in, it was a great trip. Memories were built and the bond of friendship renewed by our common experience. If you have any trailing concerns about whether the BVI is ready for you, trust me, it is! #

About the Author: A regular contributor to PropTalk, Annapolis boater Mike Pitchford has also been a SpinSheet Century Club member for two years in a row.

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!

# Kevin and Mike at the helm of the Sunsail 454.

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.

The Corinthians Chesapeake Bay Fleet’s 2023 Spring Events

Spring is almost here, so the Chesapeake Bay Fleet of The Corinthians (CB fleet) is spending the pre-sailing season with on-land events to prepare.

On March 4 (the command date), there will be an educational GAM. Topics will include good seamanship, what happens if you call May Day, some technology updates, and testing your boating acumen. It will be held at the Eastport Annapolis Neck Library and led by Coast Guard Auxiliary boating experts Adam Yearwood, Jim Farrell, and Dave Sire. Registration fee includes the program and buffet luncheon. This event is open to our members and their guests with a $15 fee and preregistration. Interested prospective members should contact us through our website for registration.

Meanwhile, our fleet’s snowbirds and other members of The Corinthians from across the fleets held a luncheon at the Vero Beach Yacht

By Susan Theuns

Club in January. Many thanks to CB fleet members Corky Rittenbaugh and John Miller for putting this snowbird event together. It looks as if a fun time was had by all!

Activities chair, Janice Cannon, and team are putting the finishing touches on the dates for the Non-

Procrastinator event for spring launch maiden voyages, the Spring Cruise, and themed raftups. Information will be sent out to members as soon as the calendar is updated.

Want to learn about our organization? For information, please check our website at thecorinthians.org.

# Club luncheon in January in Vero Beach, FL, hosted by The Corinthians Chesapeake Bay Fleet members Corky Rittenbaugh and John Miller.

Thunderstorms on The Chesapeake Bay

Back by popular demand! An in-depth, threepart webinar with meteorologist and sailor Mark Thornton of LakeErieWX Marine Weather about how to recognize and avoid Chesapeake thunderstorms. The series will examine:

• Various types of thunderstorms

• Ingredients that lead to their formation

• Timing and lifespans of storms

• Resources for forecasting and monitoring storms

All registrants will have access to the recordings for future reference

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

My husband and I enjoyed your wellorganized, clear, accessible presentation. We look forward to going over the presentation again. Thanks! - lynn

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

This past week I sailed for a week on the Chesapeake and knew how to spot cold fronts, monitor their timing from various data sources and avoided all sorts of bad storms! - laura

scan this code to register today or visit: SpinSheeT.coM/ThunderSTorM-weBinar

presented By:

Eastport Yacht Club Foundation Contribution Award Goes to Tim Wilbricht

Tim Wilbricht recently received the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation (EYCF) 2023 Contribution Award (see photo on page 75). Wilbricht, who has more than two decades of experience in the marine industry, is the sales director at The Pocket Yacht Company. He began volunteering with EYCF in 2013 and has served on every foundation committee, ultimately serving as chair of the foundation from late 2017 through 2021. In 2022, Wilbricht remained on the board in the role of past foundation chair.

The EYCF’s programs and participation have experienced impressive growth during Wilbricht’s time with the foundation, likely due to his infectious enthusiasm. Whenever the foundation has an

unfulfilled need, it seems that Wilbricht fills the gap or knows someone who can jump right in.

In 2022, EYCF provided junior sailing scholarships for students in need, hosted approximately 90 fifth graders from three local elementary schools for the STEM Through Sailing and Boating Program,

awarded 13 scholarships for marine or maritime study at universities or trade schools, and presented Outstanding Marine Wizard awards to five people chosen to be best of the best in the marine industry. The foundation looks forward to continued growth. Learn more at eycfoundation.org

HHSA Kicks Off 2023 With a Bang!

The 2022 Herrington Harbour Sailing Association (HHSA) sailing season was amazing—36 races, 12 cruises, monthly dock hops. To celebrate all that, HHSA held its annual gala on January 27 at the Mount Vernon Inn.

Nearly 90 of our members packed the venue dressed in cocktail attire rather than their usual sailing gear. Awards

were given to our fantastic cruising captains who make sure our program is successful each year. Special mention was given to Paula Grenier (Eclipse) and to Andrea Heintzelman and Stefan Leader (Diva II) who helped lead pick-up cruises to get many of our members out on the water.

Racing prizes were awarded to our three boats of the year: Jeff Bowen (Salute)

for spinnaker class; Eunice Lin (Liberty Prevails) for non-spinnaker racing class; and Jayne Durden (Happy Place) for non-spinnaker cruise class. Eunice Lin (Liberty Prevails) was our Wednesday night boat of the year, and Doug Ellmore (Revolution) was the winner of the 2022 Commodore Cup.

An exciting addition this year was the award of the Storm Trysail Award to HHSA for our distance racing members’ (Lynn McClaskey, Cimarron, and Albert Bossar, Allegiant) results in the 2022 Annapolis to Bermuda race.

One of the things our HHSA members do best is have fun, and that they did! The DJ cranked it up, and the dancing started.

Looking for a sailing club where you can cruise, race, and have great fun with great sailors? Come and join us at Herrington Harbour Sailing Association. Check out hhsa.org or email our vice commodore at membership@hhsa.org We’d love to see you.

# Tim Wilbricht volunteering with eastport Yacht Club Foundation. Photo courtesy of e YC Facebook page

# hhSA racing awardees eunice Lin, Jayne Durden, and Doug ellmore.

Rendezvous Planned to Celebrate 50 Years of Hunter Sailing

Did you know that Warren Luhrs founded Hunter Marine in 1973?

The company’s first boat was a Hunter 25 designed by John Cherubini. Fifty years later some of those original Hunters are still on the Bay. The Hunter Sailing Association Station #1 and Northern Star Hunter Sailing Association are planning a massive 2023 Hunter Rendezvous, “Celebrating 50 Years of Hunter Sailing,” in Baltimore on June 15–18. Additional details and event registration can be found at hunterrendezvous.com

This rendezvous will be the first Hunter Rendezvous since 2016 and one of the largest yet. It will take place at Baltimore’s Harbor East Marina, which is surrounded by the upscale Harbor East neighborhood and close to many Inner Harbor attractions, Fell’s Point, and Little Italy. The three-day program will offer unprecedented opportunities to learn about Hunter sail-

boats from industry experts and fellow Hunter owners.

The keynote luncheon features Glenn Henderson and Rob Mazza, who have been responsible for designing numerous Hunter models over the past five decades. We will also have experts from Quantum Sails, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the U.S. Coast Guard, and more.

The weekend includes two evenings of live entertainment including a gourmet dinner with open bar featuring Wheelhouse Rock Band, which was voted the best band on the Eastern Shore three years in a row by What’s Up magazine. There will also be a cocktail and dessert reception, rum tasting, children’s activities, optional tours of the National Aquarium and Fort McHenry, and much more.

Don’t miss out on this party!

Registration is now open at hunterrendezvous.com. Register before April 1 for special early bird rates. You can also sign up for discounted slips and hotel rooms on the website.

We are grateful to Spinsheet for its platinum sponsorship of this amazing event.

Build it your way

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

Chesapeake Sailors Receive Ocean Cruising Club Port Officer Service Award

Chesapeake Bay sailors Chris and Bill Burry will be recognized in April with an Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) Port Officer Service Award.

The Burrys have welcomed many OCC members to Mathews and Deltaville, VA, when they cruise the Chesapeake Bay. Members can count on the Burrys to assist them in finding haul-out yards for hurricane season, and they encourage members to stop at their dock to provision, fill water tanks, and prepare for offshore passages.

Often there are several OCC boats on the Burry’s dock, and the couple makes sure all have a good time, opening their house and offering “southern hospitality.” Bill and Chris will have an oyster and crab cookout for cruisers to give them a taste of local food. Since they were appointed as port officers, Chris and Bill have provided local knowledge to visitors about mechanics, and other amenities in the area, as well as sharing their considerable knowledge of Chesapeake Bay anchorages and places to visit. Prior to their appointment, they were already offering members one of the best free docks for visiting boats, allowing parcel deliveries to their address, which is also convenient to rental car services, groceries, and propane refills.

By Daria Blackwell, edited by Beth Crabtree

The Burrys plan and host the annual OCC Southern Chesapeake Bay Dinner at Mathews Yacht Club (MYC), typically in October. MYC offers reciprocal privileges to OCC members, and the Burrys encourage MYC attendance at the dinner to foster ties between the two sailing communities. All MYC commodores support the OCC and speak at the annual dinner; they are always enjoyable, interesting evenings and are a great way to meet other cruisers. The highlight of the 2022 dinner was a presentation by OCC Commodore Simon Currin on cruising the waters near Iceland and Greenland.

The Burrys tell Spinsheet, “It was a pleasant surprise to wake up one morning in January to notification from the OCC Commodore, Simon Currin, that we were being recognized with a Port Officer Service Award. We were nominated as port officers for Deltaville and Mathews, VA, in 2018. Several years prior to that, not long after we retired to Mathews from Northern Virginia, we got involved sponsoring OCC boats at our dock. It was a great way to meet fellow bluewater cruisers and we have met numerous sailors along the way, many of whom have become life-long friends.

“We will travel to Poole, England in April to receive the award and attend the OCC annual general meeting and will return to the U.S. on a seven-day trans-

Atlantic passage aboard the Queen Mary 2, sailing out of Southampton, UK to New York City—leaving the navigation to someone else for this trans-Atlantic crossing!”

Chris and Bill moved to Mathews after retirement, Bill as an electronics engineer and Chris as a senior executive from the U.S. Department of Defense. Bill served for two years as fleet captain at MYC. It was under his stewardship that OCC and MYC put in place a permanent reciprocal agreement between the two clubs, one of a handful of yacht clubs that offer such privileges.

In addition to their years of sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, the Burrys have extensive experience sailing offshore to the Caribbean, the Canadian Maritimes, and Newfoundland. They have completed two trans-Atlantic crossings on their Dickerson 41-foot ketch, Plover, which served as their qualifying passage for membership in the OCC. Both hold USCG Merchant Marine Licenses with sail endorsements and amateur radio licenses. They cruise with Flaco, their sailing dog, who writes a blog.

The OCC, oceancruisingclub.org, is a club of over 3000 international sailors from 86 countries around the world that promotes bluewater cruising. The club has a worldwide network of port officers.

# Bill and Chris Burry. Photo by Phil Dunn

Photography, courtesy of Chris and Bill Burry

# The Burry’s Plover. Photo by OCC commodore Simon Currin

Change of Watch-Trophy Dinner Dance

The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake (SCC) held its 62nd Change of Watch-Trophy Dinner Dance at the Kent Island Resort on January 28 with 95 people in attendance.

Committee co-chairs Elaine Lodge and Sandra K. Libby planned a weekend event filled with fun social events, local Kent Island activities, and a black-tie dinner at the Farmstead with cocktails and dancing to music by the Doug Segree Band.

Past commodore Tony Torres passed the helm to incoming commodore Charles Lawrence. The executive committee is comprised of: Charles Lawrence, commodore; Frank Martien, vice commodore; Jonas Lodge, rear commodore; Arthur Libby, fleet captain; Drew Mutch, secretary; John Murray-treasurer; Joanne Mitchell, member at large; Kathleen Keeney, member at large; Drew Fleming, member at large.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of trophies and awards:

Ralph H. Wiley Award, Laury Deschamps; Lowndes Johnson Memorial Trophy, Frank Martien; Spirit of Cruising Award, Graham and Linda Jones; Charles S. Dell Perpetual Award for Outstanding Committee Service, John Murray and Jill Hansen; No Hard Feelings II Impressment Tankard Award, John and Julie King; Commodore’s Special Award went to Molly Wilmer for her efforts in initiating the J/105 Women’s Regatta (participants in the regatta were recognized as well— Elaine Lodge, Jacie Swenson, Sandra K. Libby, Lisa Simpkins, Lilla Salvesen, Michael-Anne Ashford, Beth Scheidt, and Missy Salvesen); Commodore’s Award, Dave and Lois Zeyer; The Chesapeake Award, John Murray.

Two prestigious trophies are on display at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and the recipients this year are: Armada Trophy, Frank Martien; and the Medway Trophy, past commodore Joe Morris.

Got a New Boat?

The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake is a memberonly organization founded in 1944 with more than 150 members focused on the promotion of and participation in the sport of sailing. The club hosts five major regattas, including the Hospice Cup, EWE Spirit, and Women’s J/105 events. Additionally, the club hosts four major cruises and other social events around the Bay each year. Membership information is available at scc1944.clubexpress.com

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# Laurent Deschamps with the SCC Ralph h. Wiley Award.

Spring Training by SOS

By Janet Gonski

Though April may shower us with lingering snow, our sun shines later in the day and our body clocks begin to tick, “get that boat ready… get your body ready!”

We know it is time to check our boat systems, review our knots, refresh our navigation skills, and so much more. To prepare for all the sailing and boating moments you plan to enjoy, come to a day of education and camaraderie at Anne Arundel Community College as the Singles on Sailboats club hosts its Spring Training for Sailors and Boaters on Saturday, April 1.

Starting with a continental breakfast as you pick up your registration packet you will have three morning sessions to choose from. A full lunch is provided, and there are two more sessions.

Topics range from basic navigation and electronic chart plotting to celestial navigation; from rigging and diesel engines to rules of the road, anchoring, and outboard motors. We also have sessions

Boater Certification Course

America’s Boating Club Wilmington will offer a boater certification course running three consecutive Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon starting April 22 in New Castle, DE. It is open to members and non-members. The course introduces boat types, boat handling, rules of the road, aids to navigation, charts, handling emergencies, trailering, and more. Classes promote the sharing of real-life experiences. A proctored exam is given at the end of the third class. This course is recognized in all states requiring certification. The fee is $35. For more information or to register call course administrator Mark Atkinson at (302) 307-3426 or email him at matkinsonseo@gmail.com.

Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA

on prevention and treatment of emergencies on the Bay, packing and provisioning for a weekend aboard, night sailing, tides and currents, photography on the water, and more.

There will be a total of 30 sessions aimed at a range of skill levels from basic

to highly experienced, from crew to veteran skipper. This day is open to anyone: members, non-members, single, or married individuals. For more complete information, to see the schedule of sessions offered, and to register, go to singlesonsailboats.org and look for the Spring Training information.

BCYC Snowbirds Meet in Florida

With a growing list of snowbirds in both Annapolis and Stuart, Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) members hold events and social activities in both Annapolis and Stuart, FL. Ginny and Gene Browning hosted the BCYC-South 2023 kickoff with a happy hour at Mulligan’s Beach House in January. See photo on page 75. When the snowbirds return to Maryland, they will re-join Annapolis-based members for on the water activities and events. Learn what makes the club so special at backcreekyc.org

Deltaville Dealer Days Hits the “Pause” Button

The organizing dealers of the annual Deltaville Dealer Days event, traditionally held on the first weekend of May, have hit the “pause” button for 2023. The past two years have been phenomenal for the boat brokerage and new boat markets, and local dealers have all experienced record sales. However, at the start of 2023 they are low on inventory and unable to provide a quality boat-viewing weekend. Watch this space in February and March 2024, when hopefully they will have full inventory and hit the “resume” button.

# Catherine Fox and Phil Smith in a Navigation session at a previous year’s Spring Training. Photo courtesy of SOS

# Tim Wilbricht receives the Contribution Award from eastport Yacht Club Foundation president Becky Ranzenbach. Photo courtesy of e YC Facebook page

# Sailing Club of the Chesapeake J/105 Women’s Regatta participants elaine Lodge, Molly Wilmer, Jacelyn Swenson, Sandra Libby, Lisa Simpkins, Lilla Salvesen, Michael Anne Ashford. Beth Scheidt, and Missy Salvesen.

# The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake executive committee (L-R) commodore Charles Lawrence, Kathleen Keeney, Drew Fleming, John Murray, Drew Mutch, Arthur Libby, and Jonas Lodge. Photo courtesy of SCC

# Rob and Aubrey Marino with their SpinSheet Century Club burgees.

# Back Creek Yacht Club members gathered in Florida in January.

CBYRA High Point Winners

The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) announced its High Point standings for 2022 to recognize excellence among its members racing on the Chesapeake. Following are SpinSheet photos and a list of standings by region as announced by CBYRA. If a class or region is missing, there were insufficient qualifiers for an award in 2022 or the class had not yet reported its tallies or paid its dues.

Among the special awards given for last year’s performance are the following: David Conlon on Victorine won the Lady Anne Arundel Award for having the highest High Point score residing in Anne Arundel County and Jon Opert on Orion won the CRCA Boat of the Year. More awards will be announced following the March awards ceremony in April SpinSheet.

Congratulations to all 2022 CBYRA High Point qualifiers and winners! We look forward to following your on-the-water scores in 2023. Sailors must be members of CBYRA in order to qualify for High Point standings. Besides providing awards for the best sailors on the Chesapeake, CBYRA also organizes the racing calendar (Green Book) and offers educational opportunities and grants for competitive sailors and teams. Learn more at cbyra.org

# Jordan Tacchetti’s Split Decision, shown here at the BCYA harbor Cup, placed first in PhRF A for Region 1. Photo by Will Keyworth

Photo by Al Schreitmueller

CBYRA High Point Winners

# Barton Goldenberg’s team on Love Shack placed second in Cal 25 One Design for high Point 2022. Photo by Will Keyworth

# Josh Colwell’s Corsair F-31R OrgaZmatron topped Multihull A. Photo by Will Keyworth

# David hoyt’s Zephyr placed first in the Cal 25 One Design division for CBYRA high Point. Photo by Ben Cushwa

# David Adams and team on the Tartan 3500 Resolute placed first in PhRF B (Region 3AW) for 2022 high Point.

Photo by Al Schreitmueller

# Julianne Fettus placed first in PhRF C (Region 3AW) for CBYRA high Point 2022. Photo by SpinSheet

# Jon Opert on Orion won the CRCA Boat of the Year.

Photo by Al Schreitmueller

2022 CBYRA High Point Standings

Region 1

PHRF A

1. Split Decision, Jordan Tacchetti

2. Kristany, Glenn harvey

PHRF B

1. Witch’s Flower, Michael Johns

2. Liquid Limit II, David Kozera

Region 3AW

PHRF A2

1. Victorine, David Conlon

2. Mama Tried, Andrew Noel

3. Cimarron, Lynn McClaskey

4. Cookie Monster, Stephen hale

5. Jubilee, Keith Mayes

PHRF B

1. Resolute, D.L. Adams

PHRF C

1. Bennu, Julianne DeGraw Fettus

Region 3SE

PHRF A

1. Blur, Trevor Carouge

Non-Spinnaker

1. Orion, Jon Opert

Region 4N

PHRF A

1. Nanuq Glenn Doncaster

2. Sting, Mark Wensell

3. Battle Rhythm, Todd Blekicki

PHRF B

1. Mad Hatter, Bob Fleck

2. Goin, Dennis hannick

3. Shenanigans, Miles Booth

PHRF C

1. Schiehallion, Brad Miller

Region 4S

PHRF A

1. Danger Paws, Neil Ford and Lis Biondi

2. Wairere, Pete hunter

3. Feather, Phillip Briggs

4. Voodoo II, Leroi Lissenden

PHRF B

1. Bad Habit, Bob Archer

2. Ali-Ru, John Lones, Jr.

3. Beeswax, Bryan Davis

Multihull

Multihull A Fleet

1. OrgaZmatron, Josh Colwell

Multihull Elapsed Time

1. Mikayla, John Nicholson

One Design

J/30

1. Shamrock, Bruce Irvin

2. Avenger, David Johnson

3. Avita, Dan Watson

4. One Love, Jamie Gregory

J/105

1. Tenacious, Carl Gitchell

2. Mayhem, Doug and Amy Stryker

3. Smoke n’Oakem, David and Beth Scheidt

4. Bat IV, Andrew Kennedy

Alberg 30

1. LinGin, Tim Williams

2. Laughing Gull, Pat Seidel

3. Argo, T.C. Williams

4. Windswept, Lanny helms

Cal 25

1. Zephyr, David hoyt

2. Love Shack, Barton Goldenberg

3. Chicken Little, Charlie husar

4. Harlequin, Leo Surla

# David Conlon on Victorine topped PhRF A2 (Region 1) and won the Lady Anne Arundel Award. Photo by SpinSheet

# Carl Gitchell’s winning J/105 Tenacious team. Photo by Al Schreitmueller

Mitch Brindley Awarded Herreshoff Trophy

On February 2, the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) president and head coach of Old Dominion University (ODU), Mitch Brindley, was named recipient of the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy. The Herreshoff Trophy is US Sailing’s most prestigious award. After being donated by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association in 1957, this award is given out annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in the United States.

After having been president of the ICSA for 21 years, Brindley will step down at the end of the spring season. He has guided the ICSA through unprecedented and uneasy times from which the organization has emerged stronger than ever.

Adam Werblow, head coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, said, “For the past two decades, Mitch’s selfless and calm leadership has guided the passionate coaches, student athletes, and dedicated volunteers to continuously improve the sport of college sailing. His balanced approach helped our sport to grow and thrive. Simply put, he has helped to make our amazing game even better!”

Brindley has supported many different initiatives throughout his time as ICSA president. He oversaw the development of the Women’s Team Race National Championship, the transition from a berth-based national championship qualification system to a competitive at-large selection-based system, and the hiring of the first full-time executive director of the ICSA. His support of student leadership within the ICSA has allowed for current college sailors to have a significant say in how the sport is governed and supports each of its sailors. This has led to the development of The Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity Task Force (ICSA TIDE) which has been at the forefront of the sailing community’s efforts to strive towards becoming more diverse and inclusive. He has enabled student leaders to confront and guide the ICSA on other difficult subjects such as sexual assault and harassment.

Coach Brindley is widely respected across all parts of the sailing community. Reflecting on her time as one of his sailors, Bridget Groble said, “Mitch perfectly exemplifies what a coach should be. He is as committed to producing strong sailors as he is well-rounded young adults… Mitch’s legacy is evident in how his alumni con-

tinue to give back to the sport of sailing.”

Brindley has produced numerous AllAmericans and several Olympic sailors through the ODU program. ODU has secured seven national championships during his tenure.

Dillion Paiva, Navy associate head coach and ODU alum, had this to say about Brindley’s legacy, “I’ve known Mitch for 15 years, while I was a recruit, athlete, and colleague. The entire time I’ve known him, Mitch has also been the leader and figurehead of College Sailing. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has given more to our sport.”

Congratulations, Mitch!

Sailing it Forward With Race Officer Education

Over the last 13 months CBYRA has invested more than $12,000 into training new Race Officers at three levels of competency all over the CBYRA Region. The objectives were to double the number of trained officers and hope that many of them became certified following US Sailing Guidelines.

When we started the planning, US Sailing had 82 Certified Race Officers, Judges, and Umpires in Area “C” which encompasses all of the CBYRA Region of Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, and Virginia. By the time we finish we estimate that we will have had 140 people trained up far exceeding our initial goals of 80.

This training idea all came about last year after in-depth conversations with several key race officers and promoters of the sport in the region. I want to person-

ally thank them and if you see them at your event, please take the time to thank them for their service to the sport. They include the following people:

• Sharon Hadsell, Area Race Officer, US Sailing Area C.

• Barbara Beigel Vosbury, PRO, Chair Sailing Committee, Severn Sailing Association (SSA).

• Taran Teague, International Race Officer and Chair of the US Sailing Race Management Committee, Advanced and Basic Race Officer Instructor.

• Bruce Bingman, National Race Officer and CBYRA board member liaison to US Sailing.

• Thomas Stalder, Club Race Officer, US Sailing Instructor.

• Bill Simon, Eastport Yacht Club (EYC), Chair US Sailing Judge Education Training and Testing Committee.

• Angelo Guarino, US Sailing Regional Judge, J/105 Fleet Measurer, J/105 National Measurer Committee.

• John and Lin McCarthy, Hampton Yacht Club (HYC). John is a long time Regional Race Officer and Instructor, and Lin is an organizer extraordinaire and author of Southern Bay News You Can Use.

• Jerry Thompson, National Judge, Regional Race Officer, Umpire in Training, Member US Sailing Race Management Committee

• Judie McCann, US Sailing, Race Administration Coordinator.

# Photo by Lexi Pline/ US Sailing

I would be remiss if I did not point out that there are many CBYRA race officers, judges, and umpires who have contributed mightily for decades to sailing it forward by writing, digitizing, creating, and editing inperson and online courses. A special thanks to all the seven host clubs for offering space.

The three types of US Sailing Seminars CBYRA sponsors include course fees and lunch:

Basic Race Management Seminars hosted by SSA, Maryland Yacht Club, Eastport Yacht Club, HYC, Tred Avon Yacht Club, and Gibson Island Yacht Squadron (six seminars).

Club Judge Training hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) and Eastport Yacht Club (two seminars).

Advanced Race Management Seminar hosted by AYC.

A special thanks to the host clubs for providing space, the instructors, US Sailing Race Administration, and most importantly all the regional volunteers who volunteer to run our races. No race officials equal no races. Sail it forward: join CBYRA, volunteer, and contribute. Learn more at cbyra. org or email president Jon Anthony at president@cbyra.org.

Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association

# US Sailing Basic Race Management Seminar at hampton Yacht Club, February 4. Photo by Lin McCarthy

Exciting Changes Are Coming to Charleston Race Week

Organizers of Charleston Race Week (CRW), April 20-23, are excited about the new venue for the Regatta Village on the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, conveniently located just 52 yards from the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. A mixture of history and modernity and a unique event venue, the USS Yorktown offers unparalleled views of Charleston Harbor and the city skyline and Saturday evenings PRO-AM Regatta from the flight deck.

Competitors can expect all of the other elements that CRW is known for: convenient launch and haul, topnotch race management, three days of unrivaled competition among 20 classes, educational opportunities and race debriefs sponsored by Quantum Sails, and regatta parties featuring an abundance of Goslings Rum and craft beer from Plankowner Brewing Co. B&G will be onsite for service and

have their latest instruments on display. Team One Newport will also be at CRW with all the gear you will need for the upcoming season.

Now in its 27th year, the event continues to evolve. Several new classes have been added, including the Hobie 33s who

RS21s are available through RS Sailing. If you’re interested in learning about foiling, the 69Fs will be back. Other boats are available for charter as well. Check the Yacht Scoring event page and charlestonraceweek.com for the latest information. At the core, CRW’s mission is to help participants become better sailors.

are hosting their National Championship in conjunction with CRW.

If you are not able to bring your own boat, charter boats are available. The College of Charleston has J/22s available, and

The event, known as a “Regatta Unlike Any Other,” attracts top sailors from around the world. Race conditions in Charleston include challenging tidal patterns, a variety of wind strengths, and warm weather. The new venue will bring a fresh new vibe to the event. Being held in America’s #1 destination city makes it the perfect opportunity to combine world-class racing with a family vacation.

Further details about Charleston Race Week will be announced in our April issue. Register at charlestonraceweek.com or yachtscoring.com

Santa Maria Cup, a Women’s Match Race Regatta

Match racing events: The Santa Maria Cup is one, and so is the America’s Cup. In match racing, the athletes sail in a one-on-one environment—and that is where the similarities between the America’s Cup and the Santa Maria Cup end. In the Santa Maria Cup, the teams are comprised of four women, all four from the same country, and they sail in identical boats.

Santa Maria Cup athletes are predominantly amateurs: engineers, accountants, mothers, sales reps, etc. They do this for the pure enjoyment of the sport and the challenge brought on by the close competition.

Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) became the organizing authority for the Santa Maria Cup in 1993 and grew the event to become the premiere women’s match race regatta in the United States. In 2004 EYC was recognized by the international governing body for the sport of sailing, World Sailing, and awarded the World Championships, which were hosted with 32 teams (instead of the usual 16). The event was televised on ESPN two different years.

The discipline of women’s match racing faded after it was in the Olympics in 2012, but in the past few years has seen a great resurgence. There is even now a Women’s World Match Race Tour: a

series of events across the globe that teams get points for doing well in. The return of the Santa Maria Cup will be one of the tour stops this year, bringing in the top talent as well as a global focus.

The event is very volunteer intensive. Organizers feed the teams breakfast and lunch and house them as well. They will also use the EYC’s J/22s (along with some others from around the creek); it takes a good-sized pit crew to get them up to snuff and keep them running all week, as match racing is very hard on gear.

May 1-4 are the race dates, so that it backs up to a new St. Francis YC event in San Francisco, CA, allowing the teams to get more bang for the travel dollars as they come from Europe and Asia. Teams from Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States will compete.

Learn more at santamariacup.org or email smc@easportyc.org.

# The SpinSheet-sponsored boat at the Santa Maria Cup 2011. Photo by Al Schreitmueller

# Patriots Point - home of the USS Yorktown.

Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association News

The Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association (CRCA) held its annual meeting on January 14, which included the election of the 2023 CRCA executive committee, presentation of awards for the 2022 racing season, and voting on amendments to the CRCA bylaws.

2022 was a busy season, despite the loss of a race or two due to weather. CRCA boats competed in a variety of races up and down the Bay, hosted by many clubs and associations that work hard to organize events. CRCA expresses its highest appreciation to every organizing authority for their efforts and for welcoming CRCA racers to their regattas.

Series awards and the 2022 CRCA Boat of the Year trophy were presented to members at the meeting. This is the second year in a row that Jon Opert has earned the North Sails CRCA Boat of the Year trophy, presented at the meeting by Jonathan

Bartlett of North Sails. CRCA is extremely grateful for North’s support of the CRCA fleet.

For the Annapolis Series Opert placed first overall and first in CRCA A. Ed Tracey and Tim Polk’s Incommunicado team placed second overall and second in CRCA A.

For the North of the Bridge Series, Shepherd Drain on Heyday placed first overall and first in CRCA B. The Tracey/ Polk Incommunicado team placed second overall and first in CRCA A. John Anderson on Swellville placed third overall and second in CRCA B. Antoinette Wilkins on In the Red placed fourth overall and second in CRCA A. Congratulations to all CRCA 2022 trophy winners!

CRCA also voted in its executive Committee officers and fleet captains for the 2023 season: president, David Dodson; vice president, Steven Toole; treasurer, Jim

Save the Date!

EWE Spirit Cup May 20

On Saturday, May 20, the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake (SCC) will once again host its spring regatta in Annapolis in support of the EWE Spirit Foundation and its mission to honor the legacy of Geoff Ewenson by helping those facing immediate hardship bridge financial and social support gaps.

This fun pursuit-style race is open to any sailing vessel. Anyone looking to Sail Like EWE and live like EWE should register to sail, fundraise, and join in the postracing fun! There will be awards for the top fundraising individual and team and special Forward Brewing beer for all finishers. Any individual who raises at least $100 for the foundation will receive a EWE Spirit Cup tech shirt from Team One Newport.

A peer-to-peer fundraising competition—open to anyone, whether sailing or not—will be held in conjunction with the regatta to benefit the EWE Spirit Foundation and new this year will be the Vans and Stepping Out shirts party following racing.

Forward Brewing will have a special run of La Spirit beer in honor of Geoff Ewenson and in support of the EWE Spirit Foundation. Learn more at ewespirit.org

Whited; and secretary, Lee Budar-Danoff. The fleet captains will be David Dodson for Annapolis (XO Frank Albert), Rob Michaelson for the Northern Bay (XO Lee Budar-Danoff), Jim Whited for Southern Maryland, and Hattie WarwickSmith for the Delaware Bay.

CRCA is the second largest handicap fleet on the Bay, with 104 members in 2022. CRCA uses one of the most accurate VPP handicap systems, ORREz, to provide cruising boats and racing boats with the fairest racing possible by factoring windspeed and angle as well as individual boat metrics in determining race handicaps. Racers may join at a participant level for free after purchasing an ORR-Ez certificate or become a full member for $35 per year to have voting privileges and to qualify for CRCA series trophies. Learn more at sailcrca.org or email info@SailCRCA.org

Getting Beyond the Numbers

Mastering the Fine Art of Boat Speed

Numbers are great. Don’t get me wrong. Every boat should be well marked at every sail control. Halyards, sheets, vang, and more should all be clearly marked. It is the only way to get repeatable trim setups once the fast ones are found. Marks are also super helpful when it comes to the madness of mark rounding when a lot is happening and you can’t always see what you are trimming.

For one-design sailors, top sailmakers in the class have developed guides to tuning and trim, making boat speed much more of a “paint by numbers” exercise. These are great places to start.

By David Flynn of Quantum Sails

For handicap boats of varied design, you will have to create your own set of reference numbers. Collecting data is the key to building your own setup and trim guide. Once you find what works, write it down!

There comes a time, however, when just “putting it on the numbers” doesn’t work. Tuning and trim setup systems are geared for “normal” conditions. But sometimes Mother Nature throws us a curve. It is the ability to recognize and adapt to unusual conditions that makes the game of boat speed so much of a challenge.

This year’s annual race from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West provided a

classic example. The start was a refreshing seven-hour beat into the teeth of the Gulf Stream; plenty of time to get things figured out in terms of what was fast. The breeze started out in the mid-teens and gradually dropped until it pretty much disappeared. The problem was the waves.

It had been blowing pretty hard for the proceeding 24 hours, so there were some good-sized, short, choppy waves. Starboard tack took us offshore and pretty much straight into them. Port tack was far kinder and took us toward the beach. Fortunately, the basic strategy was to go right and stay on the shore to get out of the effects of the south-to-

# 2022 Melges 24 World Championships.

Photo by LYC/ Matias Capizzano

north flowing Gulf Stream as much as possible. But you had to come out sometime. On port tack our normal upwind settings for the wind velocity worked just fine. Lead position, sheet tension, luff tension, traveler, etc. were right where we usually were. Plenty of speed and height. No trouble making target speed.

Starboard tack was a different beast. There was nowhere to hide from the waves. Only so much could be done by steering. Eventually you were going to hit one square and watch the boat speed drop two knots. Since the first rule of good upwind performance is “speed first, then height,” we had to do something very different to avoid stopping the boat in every set of waves.

Both jib sheet and mainsheet had to be eased significantly from “normal.” Jib leads were moved outboard and traveler dropped to let the boat bear off without heeling too far. The jib lead was pulled down from normal to accommodate the eased sheet and keep the top of the jib from luffing. Both sheets had to be played aggressively; letting out until we were almost reaching as we prepared to go through a set, trimming on if we could find a flat spot.

We let the target boat speed go well up and just didn’t worry much about the wider angle we had to sail. Normally with the breeze in the low to mid-teens, the jib is cleated once you are up to speed. In this condition it had to be played constantly, even though it meant a body off the rail. This low and fast mode worked, but we still could not wait to get back on port.

Sometimes you find the key to a boat speed puzzle by accident. In the early days (first year) of the C&C 30 one-design class, everybody was learning fast. Good setups were beginning to become clear. We had worked hard as a team and probably had more time on the water than most. Key West Race Week was the first major regatta for the class, and our numbers seemed to be working. After four days we were leading the standings by a small margin and feeling good.

The last day was all to play for and different. The breeze was howling. It was by far the most wind we had sailed in (on the C&C). We were slow from the start. We struggled up the first beat at the back of the pack. The first run was exciting, and we learned some lessons about gybing. Arriving at the leeward mark for round two, we headed upwind. In the process of a fevered rounding, the jib lead was kicked out of the cleat and the clew flew up in the air. The additional twist let the whole top half of the jib

luff. Before we could pull the lead down and make the sail “look right,” we suddenly realized the boat was much more manageable with half a jib. We took off. It sure didn’t look good, but the radical setup worked. With newfound wheels, we clawed our way back and barely managed to hang on.

So, keep track of all your settings and work on repeatable speed solutions. Don’t forget to stay open-minded and ready to adapt to unusual conditions. Desperate times may require radical solutions. #

Small Boat Scene

Stretching for Success

By Kim Couranz

Isaid it last month, and I’ll say it again: dinghy racers are athletes. That’s why last month I focused on adding a few plyometric exercises into your fitness routine to help you develop the explosive power dinghy sailing demands.

But there’s a flip side to power: flexibility. Power and speed are key to success, but the work it takes to build them often leads to tightness. And anyone who has ever tried to fold into just the right position to leeward on a light-air Chesapeake downwind or to keep hiking out while simultaneously reaching all the way across the cockpit to adjust a control line knows that flexibility lets you accomplish a lot on a dinghy. If you’re flexible, you’re less likely to be sore at the end of a day of racing, and that means a much more enjoyable social time onshore!

There are a number of routes we can take to develop tightness in our bodies. Overdoing some physical work can do it, but our routine postures can, too. One of the subtle but highly effective ways to get your body out of whack these days is spending lots of time sitting. And while there are people who don’t have to spend time in an office setting, many (most?) dinghy sailors like me spend the “9-5” sitting at a desk, clacking away at a computer.

Certainly, working on spending less time sitting can help. Take breaks and stand up every 30 minutes. Try a standing desk. Add in movement “snacks,” which seem to be 2023’s fitness craze. But sometimes, you just have to use a chair.

Sitting and typing makes for a very different posture than standing and being active. Think about the way your body folds when you sit down and consider how all the different parts of your body are connected. It’s easy to understand how problems can pop up.

Sitting lengthens your hamstring muscles and lets your hip flexors contract and get tighter. Hunching over a keyboard often lets your shoulders droop forward. And sitting curves your body, stretching your back relative to the front of your core.

Chair-sitters and other folks with tight parts, try these stretches to put you on the way toward being a more nimble sailor:

kneeling hip flexor stretch. Counteract tightness in the front of your hips by opening things up.

• Kneel on the floor with your left knee on the ground (with your lower leg pointing straight behind you) and your right foot flat on the ground in front of you (so that your knee is bent at a 90-degree angle).

• Keeping your posture as tall as you can, put your hands on your hips, focus on tucking your pelvis under you, and slowly shift your weight forward—you may end up bending your right knee a bit. You should feel a stretch through the front of your left thigh and groin.

• Want a deeper stretch? Reach your left arm up.

• Hold the stretch 10-15 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Front core stretch. Ease away those hours of leaning forward at your desk.

• Find a nice clean floor area—ideally with a mat or rug for a little added comfort.

• Lie down on your belly with your legs stretched out straight behind you.

• Put your elbows under your shoulders and your forearms parallel to each other. Gently lift your head and upper torso up into a light backbend. Take a few breaths here and feel how this is stretching not only your upper back, but also your belly area.

• Want a deeper stretch? Straighten your elbows a bit.

Shoulder-chest-posture stretch. Counteract hours of hunching your shoulders over your keyboard… and that too-familiar texting pose.

• Find a not-too-wide doorframe. With each elbow bent at a right angle, lift your arms up and settle your forearms into the doorframe.

• Slowly step through the door a bit until you feel a stretch in your chest. Hold this for 10-15 seconds before stepping back to ease off the stretch.

• Can’t find the right size doorframe? It’s okay to do one side at a time.

Getting yourself into better balance can really help your time in the boat. These three stretches can get you started, but don’t stop here! Think about how you spend your time. Be sure to balance things out with relevant stretches. If it hurts during the week, it will hurt even more at regattas. Preventative maintenance can go a long way.

# Marge Fowler demonstrates a hip flexor stretch. Photo by Annapolis Athletic Club

Welcome to the Team

YaZu Yachting welcomes Arabella Denvir to the team in Deltaville, VA. Her knowledge of yachts and sailing, combined with a lifetime on the water, make her a valuable addition to the YaZu crew. She joins owners Jonathan and Anne Hutchings, office manager Rachel Dickerson, and powerboat specialist Bob Hoefer. Arabella grew up in a sailing and boatbuilding family in Kinsale, Ireland. She spent summers on the water in all weather conditions (it’s Ireland!) and captained the Trinity College intervarsity sailing team. After marrying, she and her husband Philip moved to England where they raced regularly out of Plymouth and cruised their 38-foot classic sloop Rowena along England’s south coast. They moved to Malta in 1993 to open a sailing school. In 1998 the Denvirs moved to Virginia and established another sailing school, Premier Sailing, located in Irvington, which ran successful programs for adults and children for 24 years. During that time, they were dealers for Sunfish, Lasers, and RS boats. Arabella closed the doors of Premier Sailing at the end of 2021 and took a year off. Arabella’s sailing activities in the US include many years on the Women’s Match Racing Circuit. She has regularly cruised on a 46-foot catamaran and crewed on an ocean passage to the Caribbean on board a Hylas 70. In local waters she enjoys racing Cape Dory Typhoons and her J24. For many years Arabella has enjoyed sharing her love of sailing and enjoyed helping people to find the right boat to fulfil their small boat sailing dreams. In joining YaZu Yachting as a broker, she can now extend this activity to bigger boats and bigger dreams. Welcome Arabella! yazuyachting.com

New Location

Yacht Brokers of Annapolis announce their new location in Port Annapolis Marina, located across from the pool in the heart of the marina. “We are very excited to announce our new location in Port Annapolis Marina! We’re happy to join the marina community and provide our clients with exceptional services in a beautiful waterfront location,” says owner Matthew Sansbury. Yacht Brokers of Annapolis is a boutique yacht brokerage specializing in quality used power and sail boats. yachtbrokersofannapolis.com

Top 100 Dealer List

Riverside Marine has been named one of the Top 100 Dealers in North America by Boating Industry. The recreational boating industry’s elite members celebrated the launch of the reimagined Boating Industry Top 100 Awards during a black-tie gala on November 16 in Orlando, FL. Entering the 18th year of the Top 100 in 2022, the program now honors the best of the best across the entire boating industry. “This year’s Top Dealers program brought on a stack of new applicants and new competition to the program along with very strong returns from multi-year winners. And we’re very excited to highlight the accomplishments of all, as new dealers join the ranks and others join forces to become one,” Boating Industry editorin-chief and Top 100 program director Adam Quandt said. “Our team is very excited to be honored with the Top 100 Dealer Award again this year. Each year we strive to better our business to provide the very best experience for our employees and customers. I encourage all dealers to get involved; it will change the way you do business,” says Dave Baumgartner. The Top 100 is the only independent ranking of boat dealers in North America. The list recognizes dealerships that are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service, and more. The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top dealers in North America every year since 2005. riversideboats.com

Distinguished Tower Award

TowBoatUS Kent Narrows and Knapps Narrows (TBUS KN) were the proud recipients of the 2022 BoatUS Foundation’s Distinguished Tower Award at this year’s TowBoatUS Conference in New Orleans. The Distinguished Tower Award for Leadership in the Boating Community aims to recognize a tower for exceptional work in the areas of boating safety and environmental stewardship. For 34 years, Tow Jamm Marine DBA TowBoatUS Kent Narrows and Knapps Narrows have offered marine towing and salvage assistance to boaters on the Chesapeake Bay. Along with providing on-water assistance towing services, their mission is to educate and grow safe boating in their local community and beyond. They have opened Chesapeake Boating Academy, an on-water training school that offers hands-on boating courses with instructor captains in the Kent Narrows. Along with teaching and growing more confident and safer boaters, TowBoatUS Kent Narrows has also partnered with the nonprofit Inspired By Hannah (IBH). IBH was founded after 23-year-old Hannah Ash died in a tragic boating accident in 2020 on the Corsica River when her boat hit a sandbar and she flew forward and under the boat. IBH and TBUS KN partnered to create “Tide Guide” signs that are now installed at five boat ramps around Queen Anne’s County. These signs have QR codes that boaters can scan to get free boating resources such as NOAA marine weather, tides and charts, Maryland fishing rules and regulations, and the link to the free state boating education course offered by the foundation.

From May to October 2022, the QR codes were scanned over 900 times by local boaters. The signs will now be expanding nationally to boat ramps and marine areas around the country. In addition, TowBoatUS Kent Narrows promotes clean water and environmental stewardship through its support of its local river keepers at Shore Rivers. They also support the annual Bay Paddle that contributes to replanting oysters and working with Chesapeake Dolphin Watch to support scientists with deploying and recovering hydrophones to study underwater wildlife. This is the second consecutive year that TowBoatUS Kent and Knapps Narrows have received this award and they would like to dedicate it to everyone who supports the safe boating and clean water movement. Your actions, whether big or small, have a great and lasting impact that is creating change. If you are looking for ways to get involved in your community, please reach out to Sarah Lawrence at info@towjamm.com

BR ok ERAGE & CLASSIFIeD SeCTIONS

Do NATI o NS

DONATE YOUR BOAT

Help a Wounded Veteran 240-750-9899

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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!

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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

DINGHIES

Little River Heritage 18 Rowboat 2008 heritage 18 sliding seat rowboat. Convertible single/double config w/outriggers & 4 carbon hatchet oars. In Calvert City with MD-licensed trailer. Great for exploring and for good exercise! $4,800 Text 703.498.1602 or email pvalesky@gmail.com

B o AT SHARING

30’ Bristol Sailboat Partnership on South River Two weekend and five weekdays each month, May - October. Spring / Fall maintenance days. $2,200 Call John: 202.341.4483/ jruthrauff@democraticed.org

ok ER S ERVICES

Mike Coe, North Point Yacht

Sales Looking for an upgrade? Spring is the best time to sell your boat, especially in this fast-paced market. Mike Coe at North Point Yacht Sales is an experienced yacht broker who brings outstanding service and dedication to each client. With Mike’s 15 years of experience working as a broker, sailmaker and boatbuilder’s factory representative, he brings technical expertise and broad market reach to each listing. To list your boat, contact Mike today at 410.387-8859 or Mike@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

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

Cell: 410.629.9186

Deanna@YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com www.YachtBrokersofAnnapolis.com

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

Sailboat Partnership Available 1983 hunter 34 partnership looking for new member. Sails great and roomy for its size. Fully equipped. Great value at $3,000 buy-in, $750 annually. Contact Floyd 443.454.8210

SAIL

(Bon Chance) 29’ Paceship Chance ’74 Lively, actively sailed and well-loved cruiser/racer. Dependable Atomic 4 engine, new exhaust, newly replaced windows, harken roller furling. early April launch, ready to sail! $8,900 Call 443.822.4096 or artholtjr@gmail.com

Catalina 30 ’90 1990 Catalina 30 Tall Rig, Wing Keel. Free slip until spring at current owner’s private dock. Virginia, lower Potomac. New main. Cream color hull. MX25 engine. $19,000 703.963.8611

Brokerage & Classified

1981 Cape Dory ’33 TURNKeY CONDITION. Immaculately clean refurbished interior. New engine 2022. Updated in 2018: Propane stove, battery charger, auto helm, depth finder, VhF, faucets/freshwater pump, mainsail, standing and running rigging, all canvas. Jib replaced 2020. $45,000 Call 410.200.6157

Good Old Boat, May 2015. Located in Virginia. $32,500 410.490.1191 studioda35@gmail.com

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

410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

40’ Pacific Seacraft 40 ’97 & ’06

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

47’ Catalina 470 ’05 2 cabin - 2 head (and shower) layout. Large spacious layout with lots of cruising gear. Genset, Air, plus more! Asking $250,000 Won’t Last Long! Call Dave van den Arend 443-850-4197 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

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

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 $295,000 ReDUCeD, won’t last long! Call Rod Rowan 703.593.7531 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

1979 Gulfstar 37 For Sale By Third owner Year old 125% headsail, hood808SL furler on 3/8" forestay. Two-yearold mainsail, new stackpack and lazy jacks. New self-tailing, Lewmar#46 main winches. Lofrans-Royal-horizontalManual Windlass. 44#Bruce and 20#Danforth anchors. Dodger, full Bimini over cockpit. Price negotiable, dependent if desired as a bare boat or fully equipped cruiser: $40,000 to $50,000 USD. Details link below or contact owner: John Maliszewski 410.353.8115 (M) or jrmalis@verizon.net https://bit.ly/3xAgTHE

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

Dan Bacot 757.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

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

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

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

with your favorite Broker! $650,000 410.269.0939 or www.CrusaderYachts.com

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

7078 Bembe Beach Rd., Annapolis, MD 21403

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

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

38’ Sabre 386 ’04 Quality build midsize cruiser. Cruise equipped, Air, Solar, Updated electronics and moreNew Main. Asking $215,000 Call

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

Brokerage & Classified

409

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(karen Marie) 36’ Union ’84 $70,000 Floyd White 252.764.1222 floyd@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(kalena) 38’ Hunter ’03 Wayne Smith 516.445.1932 wayne@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

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

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

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(Sojourn)

Tristan Weiser 609.420.0469 tristan@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Confidante) 36’ Vancouver ’82 $60,000 Floyd White 252.764.1222 floyd@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(kepler) 38’ Wauquiez ’85

$64,500 Mary Catherine Ciszewski 804.815.8238 marycatherine@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

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

7330 Edgewood Road, Suite 1 Annapolis, MD 21403

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

(Zephyrus) 37’ Irwin ’74 $19,000 Floyd White 252.764.1222 floyd@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

(Chaucer Blue) 41’ Morgan ’77 $40,000 Lars Bergstrom 910.899.7941 lars@curtisstokes. net www.curtisstokes.net

2020 Dehler 30 one Design Without question, the most innovative production level boat to come on the market in some time. Contact David Malkin at 410.280.2038 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2003 J Boats J/109 A proven winner with Full Range of North Sails, B&G electronics, Polars and Sail Charts. Contact Bob Oberg at 410.280.2038 or Bob@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

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

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

(N2Deep) 42’ Catalina ’03 $165,000 Joe evans 843.813.8324 jevans@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

1998 Tartan 3500 Very well cared for performance cruiser/racer with upgraded electronics, up to date service and more! Ready to Sail. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

1995 Sabre 362 A great sailing yacht, well-maintained and upgraded. Contact Bob Oberg at 410.280.2038 or Bob@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

(Chanticleer) 42’ Endeavour ’89

$124,500 Jason hinsch 410.507.1259 jason@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

1996 Dehler 37CR Well-maintained and ready to sail away for a coastal cruise. Contact David Malkin at 410.280.2038 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

1994 Hunter 37.5 Perfect for the casual sailor and has been lovingly cared for by the current owner. Contact David Cox at 410.280.2038 or DavidCox@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

SpinSheet.com

Chester Avenue, Suite A Annapolis, MD 21403

| info@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net

30’ Baba ’85 $59,500

2016 Hanse 415 Very nice performance cruiser, well-equipped with spacious accommodations. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

1977 Baltic 42 Newly finished restoration project. Whether racing or high-performance cruising, she is a must see! Contact Mike Coe at 410.387.8859 or Mike@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2013 Dufour 45E Performance racer/ cruiser. Nicest, most well-equipped 45e you will ever find. Single owner and professionally maintained since new. Contact David Malkin at 410.280.2038 or David@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

1985 Pearson 530 Rare opportunity for an excellent blue water cruise; Several upgrades and meticulous maintenance. Contact Chris Beardsley at 804.885.4090 or Chris@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

2001 J Boats J/145 Turnkey example of one of the best J Boat designs. Vast list of new upgrades on this unique and sought after boat. Contact Grady Byus at 410.280.2038 or Grady@NorthPointYachtSales.com www.NorthPointYachtSales.com

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’ excellent cruiser liveaboard w/ tremendous storage/comfort. S&J Yachts is the world leader in selling IPs. No team knows these boats better! We have many buyers looking now. List your boat with 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. $298,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777

www.sjyachts.com

Bavaria Yachts NeW 2023 C42 In Stock Now. Quality Performance Style. enjoy the expertise of German engineering. More models available/enroute for 2023 delivery. Thinking of a new boat or wanting to sell your Bavaria? Contact S&J Yachts 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. $205,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Southerly Yachts 37’-57’ NeW & Brokerage. Best shoal draft, bluewater boats for over 40 yrs. Sail the Bay or cross Oceans. Push button variable draft swing keel completely retracts inside hull. Several brokerage boats available: 37’, 42’, and 57’. S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

2002 Moody 38 Well-equipped and ready to cruise. Bow Thruster, Roller Fulling Boom, Arch, Dingy, New electronics, New Sails & Full enclosure Canvas, Much More. $220,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

43’ Hans Christian 43T ’91 Custom design. Modified sail plan, Mark ll interior; forward stateroom, queen pullman berth, Telstar keel w/ cutaway forefoot & skeg hung rudder for improved speed, safety and maneuverability. $135,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

1994 Hylas 45.5 Nice list of upgrades & prepped for long-distance cruising. Available w/ a six-month-old survey - all survey findings have been addressed. 2 cabin/2 head. Classic, functional teak Sugar Scoop transom. $198,500 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Custom Islander 56 ’92 equipped for your adventures! Lloyd’s construction, sailplan options deliver safe, efficient passage-making. Belowdecks, warm, rich cabinetry & luxurious fabrics create elegant social areas. Generous storage. Secure accommodations. Reduced $299,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

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. $349,999 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Alden 44 ’79 A dream yacht, wellproportioned overall, slender at the beam, sturdily built, big enough to sleep 8, seaworthy & exceptionally pretty! NeW eNGINe INSTALLeD 2020. $129,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Beneteau 473 ’06 Above average condition & ready to leave the dock. 3cabin/2head. Many recent upgrades include Sunbrella (Storm) dodger/ bimini w/ custom covers, new standing & running rigging. $265,000 S&J Yachts 410.639.2777 www.sjyachts.com

Read boat reviews online at spinsheet.com

2017 Beneteau 41.1 Original

Anne

17218 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA

Anne: 804-567-0092 | Jon: 804-567-0093 www.yazuyachting.com

40’ Norseman 400 ’87 This much sought after boat gives great sailing in both light and heavy airs. New rigging 2016. Spacious interior. Deltaville, VA. $75,000 Call Arabella Denvir 804.815.0150 arabella@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

41’

2-head. 220V/12V. Never Chartered. Solar, Volvo 30hp (upgrade), Flexofold prop, ROCNA 33KG, Anchor Camera, Asymm Spinnaker, Davits, Liferaft, Garmin instruments, Dinghy & Outboard. $345,000 Mathews, VA. Call Anne hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

41’

sailing

w/ flush deck! Spacious below, very well maintained. Standing Rigging 2016, 37hp Beta Marine engine & Autostream Prop, new mainsail 2018. $49,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

42’

425 ’91 Loads of recent upgrades! Rod rigging 2020, new sails 2022, B&G instruments 2019, new stove & fridge 2019, MaxProp solar, & lots more. $138,000

spinsheet.com

& Jon Hutchings

Fountaine Pajot Lipari ’13 4-Cabin,

Tartan 41 ’74 Sparkman & Stephens design - sporty,

machine

Sabre

Deltaville, VA. Bob hoefer 804.241.8924 bob@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

46’ Bavaria 46 Cruiser ’16 3 or 4 Cabin/3 head Layout. Tall rig, Shoal draft, Genset, Watermaker, Wind Generator, Davits, electric heads, New refrig (2022), Dinghy & outboard. $249,000 hayes, VA. Call Jon hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com

47’ Catalina 470 ’00 Fresh water until 2019, cruised 2019/20. 2 Cabin, 2 head. Updated Raymarine electronics, washer/dryer, aircon, 5’10” draft. $176,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Anne hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@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

CHARTERS

ELECTR o NICS

EQUIPMENT

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. 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

P/T Delivery Driver

Three-day-a-month magazine distribution route in Baltimore city. 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.

For more info visit spinsheet.com/join-our-crew, call 410.216.9309 or email info@spf-360.com

Find

EQUIPMENT

spinsheet.com

H ELP WANTED

Dock Hand/Dock Staff FT & PT April-October. hourly pay plus tips $$ to tie-up boats located at a busy dock bar location in Annapolis. Boating knowledge is a plus. 410.263.1981 Download application at www.schoonerwoodwind.com/employment/

Electronic Marine Annapolis is looking for a Full- or Part-Time installation technician and an installation assistant to install and service marine electronic and electrical systems on boats. Prior boat maintenance experience preferred. Our Full Time Tech’s work Monday to Thursday, 10-hour days. Pay and benefits based on experience. Our office is located at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis. Please email your resume to Sales@ElectronicMarine.com

Electronic Marine Annapolis is looking for a Full- or Part-Time Sales/Office Manager or Assistant. Duties include meeting with customers, scheduling projects, boat shows, preparing invoices and estimates. Prior QuickBooks and boating experience preferred. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Pay and benefits based on experience. Our office is located at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard in Annapolis. Please email your resume to Sales@ElectronicMarine.com

Get Paid to Sail! The Woodwind schooners are hiring crew/deckhands. Some sailing knowledge is necessary. Fun people and guests - avg. $27/hour, and lots of great sea time. FT & PT. 410.263.1981 Download application at www.schoonerwoodwind.com/employment/

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

Quantum Sails - Canvas Fabricator We are looking for an experienced Canvas Fabricator to join our evergrowing team in the heart of eastport. Competitive pay, with benefits. email your interest to resumes@quantumsails.com www.quantumsails.com

Quantum Sails - Receptionist We are looking for an organized and outgoing individual, who is passionate about sailing, to join us at our new loft in eastport. Competitive pay, with benefits. email your interest to resumes@quantumsails.com www.quantumsails.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

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

M ARINE S ERVICES

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

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

David "Toots" John Dunigan III 1948-2023

David John Dunigan III, 74, Annapolis yacht captain, photographer, film maker, and noted yachtsman, died of natural causes January 31 aboard his yacht Kingfish in Annapolis.

Eldest son in a renowned Annapolis sailing family (his father David J. Dunigan Jr. was a Star Class champion at the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron), David III was best known for his photography work with several magazines, including SpinSheet, and for his films recording sailing fleets up and down the East Coast and as far afield as Cuba. On film he helped record many of the racing activities of local sailing and yacht clubs in association with Bruce Nairn, the founder of T2PTV, the premier Annapolis sailing television channel.

Born in Washington, DC, he graduated from Mercersburg Academy and attended the University of Colorado. After spending his early adult years in San Francisco, he returned to the Chesapeake Bay area splitting time between Annapolis and Deltaville, VA.

David’s seabound career included a period as an instructor at St. Mary’s College where he ran the ocean sailing program. He was an active ocean racing participant in the fleets of the New York Yacht Club and the Annapolis Yacht Club, was a member of the Storm Trysail Club of Larchmont, NY, and for many years was captain of the Fishing Bay Yacht Club’s Albemarle Pippin and Fatal Attraction, familiar Chesapeake Bay and East Coast racing competitors.

David’s knowledge of a wide range of boat types and sail trim technique and expertise, gained over thousands of miles of ocean sailing and two transAtlantic voyages, made him a “go-to” man for many owners of ocean racing yachts. As a delivery captain, he was the founder and president of On Time, Every Time, a local yacht delivery service which moved yachts large and small up and down the East Coast year around.

“Over the last 20 or so years I’ve covered a lot of miles with Toots,” says SpinSheet cofounder Dave Gendell. “Between the yacht racing and making films of the racing we went together to Bermuda, Newport, Florida, and a bunch of spots in the Caribbean. When there are boats involved and gear, unexpected challenges pop up and there are

strange plot twists. Toots was The Best Guy to be with on these adventures. It was a joy. He was unflappable. He was fearless. He would talk to anyone. He was quick to dive in to fix something.”

The caption for Dave Dunigan’s February 2008 SpinSheet cover photo (above) read: “On a Hinckley 51 bound for Tortola in December 2005, Duncan Spencer, Seth Miniger, and photographer Dave Dunigan sailed through seven-degree conditions for 20 hours on the stretch from Annapolis to Hampton. ‘Good ride,’ notes Dunigan.”

David is survived by his mother Virginia Bell; his brothers George, Bruce, and Peter Dunigan and his sister Ginna Quinn; his nephews Zack, Peter, Foster, and Jack Dunigan and his niece, Caroline Dunigan; his great nephews Ryder, Tilghman, and Ridgely Dunigan; and his sisterin-laws Betsy and Maddy Dunigan.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Atreeum at Soaring Timbers (610 North Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401) on Friday, March 10 from noon to 3 p.m. Friends may make memorial donations to CRAB at crabsailing.org #

# Photo by Pete Carriço

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!