A roundup of fireworks displays and other festivities on and along the waterfront.
38
Stories of the Century: Past the Halfway Point!
How many days have you logged on the water thus far toward your 2025 SpinSheet Century Club 100-day goal?
presented by bacon sails and Marine supply
40
See the Bay: Sailing to Philadelphia: Turning Left After the C&D Canal
From strong currents to restaurants: what to consider if you plan to sail to Philly.
By Captain Cheryl Duvall
presented by osprey Marine
45
Charter Notes: Anchoring Under the Southern Cross in New Zealand
A seven-boat club flotilla from the Chesapeake Bay enjoys the clear, warm waters, pretty sights, and amazing stargazing in New Zealand.
By Staff
58
Breeze On! Summer Racing Fun
Annapolis to Miles River Race, Southern Bay Race Week, EWE Spirit Cup, Snipe Colonial Cup, Annapolis to Newport Race, and more summer racing to come! presented by Mount Gay ruM
74
Small Boat Scene: Are We on Final?
What makes a good start? The decision when and where to start your final approach to the line is one of the top factors.
By Kim Couranz
Ted Morgan took this month’s cover photo of Preston Senior and Anna Flynn on Senior Moment at the Snipe Colonial Cup May 31 to June 1 out of Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis.
# Photo by David Sites
# Photo by Capt. Cheryl Duvall
# Photo courtesy Maryline Bossar
Got a New Boat?
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SpinSheet is a monthly magazine for and about Chesapeake Bay sailors. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the officers of SpinSheet Publishing Company. SpinSheet Publishing Company accepts no responsibility for discrepancies in advertisements.
SpinSheet is available by first class subscription for $45 per year, and back issues are available for $4 each. Mail payment to SpinSheet Subscriptions, 612 Third Street, Suite 3C Annapolis, MD, 21403.
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1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents
2. Accidents can happen to anyone
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3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments
Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
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ve things you should know about boat insurance
Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are ve things to know about boat insurance.
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No Buy July for Sailors
By Molly Winans
AWashington Post article about “No Buy July,” a social media challenge to stop spending money this month, got me thinking about sailing and consumerism.
Anyone who’s ever attended the Annapolis Sailboat Show knows that sailors know how to swipe a credit card. Sailors love to buy accessories for their sailing life ranging from electronics to better binoculars, yet they also purchase extra sailing jackets (when they have a full gear locker), anchor pendants, pillow covers with their boat names embroidered on them, and rum drink mix. It’s not just yacht owners. I, a sailing magazine editor of modest means, have been known to walk into West Marine to buy new sailing shoes and walk out with a sundress (quick-dry, love it). What I have never done is shop while sailing Have you?
I’m sure someone has. Certainly, while motoring on the Chesapeake on a flat-calm day, a bored sailor has searched the internet on their phone or tablet and
clicked “purchase”—cringe-worthy if that something was as frivolous as a sundress, but feasible. I suppose a purchase underway would make sense if you had broken something on the boat, for example, and were headed toward a port with a chandlery and needed to ensure said part was available upon arrival.
Have you purchased anything while under sail? I bet you haven’t, as sailing and spending, simultaneously, seems awkward on many levels. As you board a boat, no one ever says, “One hand for the boat and one hand for your phone.” There’s a reason so many phones go “plop” into the drink. It’s physically challenging, if not impossible, to keep a boat sailing—steer, adjust sheets, halyards, and controls—while looking at your phone or tablet screen. Forget being able to read it in sunshine. Perhaps you could sit down below clicking away online while someone else does all the work on deck, but if that’s your jam, why bother sailing?
The Post’s “no buy” article noted ways to curb spending, such as removing your credit card information from websites to make purchases take longer, stashing money you would have spent on an impulse purchase into savings, and sharing your successes with #nobuy devotees. To resist consumerist temptations, I’d like to add “go sailing” to the list. During those hours spent sailing, you won’t buy dumb stuff.
Before you criticize me (“Little Miss OPB Sailor not spending boat bucks!”), note that such a challenge could be scaled to suit your own situation. No Buy July does not have to be full-bore. You could restrain your spending by prioritizing purchases. Choose to spend on boat necessities and stop buying home décor. Yes to the new sails; no to the patio furniture. Buy the sailing shoes; skip the dress. Read free sailing magazines!
See you on the water,
# Who has time for shopping anyway?
Photo by Will Keyworth
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Just Wow
Wow. I just finally got around to reading the June issue (we just sailed back from Rio Dulce, Guatemala, so it’s taking some time to catch up). I have to write to say that it was the best written, produced (edited) issue of a sailing magazine I’ve read in years (and we get them all, even the UK ones when we can find them). Thank you for providing such a valuable local resource.
Rich Inman
Happy To Share
Iwas in Baltimore for a family wedding last weekend and was very happy to pick up a copy of your June issue. I live in Amelia Island, FL, and sail/race with the Amelia Island Sailing Club. I’m always looking for ways to encourage others to participate in club events as captain or crew. So, when I read your Editor’s Note section about the article “Seven Ways To Be a Great Crew Member on a Race Boat” (page 12), I knew I had to look it up online and see if I could learn or improve my own skills.
It was a good and concise overview that I think would help some of our less experienced members. The suggestions would be applicable to racing and any sailing because characteristics such as being communicative and prompt are always good behaviors. Could we have your permission to reprint that article in our electronic newsletter and give credit to you and SpinSheet?
Geoff McKnight Fernandina Beach, FL
Yes, Geoff! We are always happy to share our content with other sailors with proper attribution. Thank you for asking and for reading SpinSheet. ~M.W.
Good Advice
Just a short note to say how much I enjoyed your article about your exciting trip and the message you conveyed with the story (Editor’s Note, “Zen and the Art of Getting Over It,” page 12 May SpinSheet). Certainly good advice from your friend—“It’s all part of it”—and how you applied it to our sport of sailing. Nicely done! In the big picture, it’s such a life lesson to relish every part of the journey.
The saying reminded me of a line I hold dear for an old Townes van Zandt song, “To Live Is To Fly:”
“Where you been is good and gone. All you keep is the getting there”
It’s the journey that counts. Also a very nice article for Rob Ladd’s “Farewell to Friends” (page 24 May SpinSheet). I am going to miss that one.
Will Keyworth
SpinSheet Summer Cover Contest Deadline July 10
Don’t forget to submit your favorite Chesapeake sailing photo to our Summer Cover Contest! Remember, we prefer vertical shots over horizontal ones and those of sailors having fun on the Bay. Find the details and upload your photo at spinsheet.com/cover-contest by July 10. Readers will have a chance the following week to vote on the winning photo for our August cover.
# Nancy Harrison holding the April issue of SpinSheet in Ra’iātea, French Polynesia.
# Anthony Tomassetti claims that his SpinSheet hat makes him sail faster!
# 2024 winning photo by David Sites
Six Summer Survival Tips
1 Hydration nation.
We all know not to wait until you’re thirsty to start drinking. Fluid intake is really important to feeling good while you’re on the water. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after any type of summer boating. If you feel that you’re beginning to wilt, try a sports drink or other electrolyte mix for a midday pick-me-up.
2 Don’t be a drag.
Dropping the hook to go swimming is a great way to stay cool, and spending the night anchored in a quiet cove is quintessential summer cruising. Avoid dragging anchor by using a scope of 7:1, meaning that for every foot of water depth, you should use seven feet of rode. Find more anchoring tips at spinsheet.com/cruising/10-tipsanchoring-sailboat
3 The mothership.
A summer raftup with friends is hard to beat. Have the heaviest boat drop anchor first to serve as the mothership/ anchor boat. When rafting sailboats,
ensure that the masts are offset. If they are not, wake on the raft could cause the masts and shrouds to “lock up.” Find more pro rafting tips at spinsheet.com/cruising/ summer-sailboat-cruising-raft-pro
4 Look up!
Any seasoned Chesapeake sailor will tell you that late afternoon and evening thunderstorms are part of the drill when it comes to summers on the Bay. Keep an eye on your favorite weather app, and, just as importantly, keep an eye toward the sky.
5 Cover up!
Reapply sunscreen more often than you think you need and go for UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing. Choose lightweight, sweat-wicking long-sleeved shirts, and remember to bring a hat
and sunglasses. For even more protection, outfit your boat with a bimini or temporary sun cover.
6 Dodge the nettles.
Most summers sea nettles are the price we pay for warm water. But did you know that often you can avoid jellyfish by sailing north in July and August? The Northern Bay has more freshwater and lower salinity, which makes for fewer or no jellyfish or nettles. If you do get stung, tried-and-true home remedies include rinsing with salt water or vinegar and applying meat tenderizer, baking soda, and, yes, some swear by urine. During heavy jellyfish infestation periods these pesky creatures can actually clog a boat’s sea strainer for the AC or engine freshwater intake, so it’s a good idea to check your strainers regularly.
# Beating the heat during a 2024 Summer Sailstice cruise. Photo by Julien Hofberg
# Photo courtesy of Sailing Club of the Chesapeake
Summering in the Great Lakes
Maryland’s floating ambassador, the tall ship Pride of Baltimore II, is spending her summer in the Great Lakes. The top sail schooner departed her home port of Baltimore on May 30 to participate in the Tall Ships Challenge, an annual event organized by Tall Ships America.
As part of the Challenge, Pride II will sail more than 6000 nautical miles and make eight official port stops across all five Great Lakes. Visitors at each port will have the opportunity to board the ship and meet her crew.
The public was invited to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for a Farewell and Fairwinds sendoff, featuring musket and cannon salutes and on her bow deckhand Ben Heyer playing the bagpipes. The majestic ship was escorted by a Moran tug, a Baltimore fireboat, and Lady Maryland. Her ports of call will include Brockville and Toronto, Ontario; Duluth, MN; Detroit and Boyne City, MI; Sturgeon Bay, WI; Buffalo, NY; and Erie, PA. The ship and crew are expected to return to the Chesapeake in September.
Guest crew are aboard for various legs of the passages between ports. Would you like to be a part of the voyage? Spots are still available. Learn about guest crew opportunities at pride2.org.
Those who can’t join the trip in person may follow along on Pride II’s Facebook page and on YouTube, where Johns Hopkins of the nonprofit organization Baltimore Heritage posts daily live updates.
The mission of the Pride of Baltimore organization is to promote historical maritime education, foster economic development and tourism, and represent the people of Maryland in ports throughout the world. Pride II sails around the US and overseas to share the rich maritime history of Baltimore and to promote Maryland’s economic development opportunities. Learn more at pride2.org.
BLUEWATER LUXURY, LONG-RANGE PURPOSE
The Grand Soleil 52 Long Cruise is the evolution of comfort, performance, and Italian design for extended offshore voyaging. Created by Marco Lostuzzi with interiors by Nauta Design, the GS 52 LC blends modern hull shape with timeless elegance, making it the flagship of the Long Cruise line. Designed for passage-making and bluewater adventures, she delivers balanced handling, impressive stability, and efficient performance under sail.
Two deck configurations are available: the standard Long Cruise version with raised saloon windows and protected cockpit, and the Sport version with a flush deck and sleek profile. Both versions prioritize safety and ease of handling, while reflecting the refined styling and craftsmanship Cantiere del Pardo is known for.
SPACIOUS, SERENE, ELEGANT INTERIORS
The Grand Soleil 52 LC offers a luxurious and serene interior layout, perfectly suited for extended cruising. Bathed in natural light from panoramic windows and skylights, the saloon features a spacious dinette and a fully equipped galley to port. Three cabins and two heads — both with separate showers — ensure all guests are accommodated in comfort. The master suite forward offers an island berth, abundant storage, and a peaceful retreat at sea. Thoughtful detailing, warm wood finishes, and intelligent space planning define the Grand Soleil 52 LC experience.
To learn more about Grand Soleil Yachts or schedule a private viewing, visit www.davidwaltersyachts.com
GS 52 LC
# Pride 2 sailing in Cape Cod Bay, June 2. Photo by Shevawn Innes
# Capt. Jan Miles (L) at the Farewell and Fairwinds spendoff. Photo by Ruth Toomey
From Canine Canopy to Canvas Tote: Mast & Boom
By Maria Bellos Fisher
Rescue dogs, recycled sails, and Covid combined to create Mast & Boom, boating totes made out of discarded sails. When makeup artist Lynne Lewis ran into a sailor at Herrington Harbour who was tossing his sail, she thought the canvas would make a nice canopy for rescue dog events. She asked him for it, had her seamstress make a few edits, and had a new canopy.
The canopy worked well for a year and a half. When Covid hit and people were spending less time in public and more on their boats, Lynn had an idea for tote bags. She designed the bags, had them sewn, and told the marina’s owners about them. They offered to put them in their gift shop, and Mast & Boom was born.
Lynne spent weekends at Herrington with a table and a slew of bags, interacting with boaters. She was happy to be among
people, six feet away and outside. Raised sailing at Camp Letts in Edgewater, MD, and teaching waterskiing during her summers, Lewis said “Any opportunity I have, I’ll sail.” A Silver Spring resident, she enjoys the atmosphere near the Bay. “It’s like a day of vacation.”
She still gets her materials from sailors at Herrington Harbour and sells her products there. Her portfolio has grown, and every year she introduces a new bag silhouette. So far, she’s got a large tote, small tote, wristlet, pillow cover, and a new bucket bag. If her customers care to test her theory, she says, “The outside pockets might fit a bottle of wine and a loaf of French bread.”
The bottoms of the bags are made of canvas windshield covers. They have a grommet sewed into the bottom so that
wet towels and bathing suits can drain. Bags sell for around $175.
All designs are one of a kind. She made some stenciled bags that say, “What Happens on the Boat Stays on the Boat.” The process was so labor intensive she vows “never again.” We’ll call those limited edition. She uses garden decor to adorn the bags with the Maryland flag. “I never cut up flags,” she emphasizes. She experimented making purses with Velcro closures, but says, “People really want totes.”
Lewis didn’t forget the dogs she sought to shade. She donates 10 percent of the profits from Mast & Boom to animal rescue. “It’s important to give back,” she said.
For more information, check out the Mast & Boom Facebook page or drop by Herrington Harbour South.
# Photos courtesy of Lynne Lewis
CRAB Recovering Warrior Regatta: A Test of Wills and Skills
Challenging winds set the stage for an exciting day on the water during CRAB’s semi-annual Recovering Warrior Sailing Regatta (RWSR), held Saturday, May 10. Despite the very windy conditions, the recovering veterans and CRAB volunteers came ready to race in this competitive regatta sponsored by Move United.
The regatta kicked off with a moment of reflection and honor, as CRAB volunteer Joel McCord played “Taps” on his trumpet with the U.S., Maryland, and CRAB flags flying from the yardarm. Racing started with a “bang” as the ceremonial Larson Memorial cannon blasted a shockwave across Back Creek.
The course was set up with windward and beam reach marks taking the racers to the mouth of the Severn River before returning for the finish line. Sailors faced gusty winds and sporty sailing conditions with rails buried in the water on some tacks.
Colonel Eric Goldie with CRAB volunteers Bill Levatino and Jane Pelly sailed to
victory on Lanie with two firsts, one second, and two third-place finishes despite brushing up against the race committee boat. Longtime CRAB regatta competitors Jay and Dee Streit cruised into second place on Club Mac with volunteers Vickie Saporta and Maude Laurence. The resilient duo also won the Spirit Award Medal for their perseverance in completing the race while battling a bout of mild seasickness.
Rounding out the top three were Steve Palmer on Whoa Dudes alongside Tim Mooney and Skip Wallace. This was a great practice race for Steve as he
prepared to represent CRAB at the Robie Pierce Regatta at Larchmont Yacht Club at the end of May.
Following the races, sailors and supporters gathered at CRAB’s Adaptive Boating Center (ABC) for an awards ceremony and a fantastic barbecue lunch generously provided by Mission BBQ. Smiles, stories, and camaraderie filled the air, highlighting the spirit of resilience and community that defines this event. CRAB organizers look forward to welcoming sailors back in September, alongside the US Naval Academy Sailing Team, as they continue to unite for this inspiring cause. crabsailing.org
Taking in the SailGP Experience in the Big Apple
By Beth Crabtree
When the Rolex SailGP Championship brought its exciting highperformance foiling multihulls to the East Coast on June 7-8, we encouraged Chesapeake sailors to go see the racing—and we took our own advice. As fans poured onto Governor’s Island in New York Harbor for shoreline viewing, a lively race village, and all the buzz one would expect from a fast-paced international sporting event, SpinSheet was there to take in the sights and sounds.
If you are not familiar, SailGP is a nation versus nation, close-to-shore, high-speed sailboat racing series founded in 2018. The one design F50s are lightweight carbon-fiber catamarans with hydrofoil technology that can reach speeds of 60 mph. Each team must have at least one woman among its six sailors onboard. The series is now in its fifth season.
# Though the skies were overcast and the winds light, the backdrop was inspiring. Ferries transported spectators to Governor’s Island where they cheered on SailGP racers and soaked up the race village festivities. Photo by SpinSheet
I was curious about the attraction to these high-tech boats and the elite athletes who sail them. Of course, I wasn’t the only one who traveled to see these rocket ships up close and in person. At our hotel were fans from around the region decked out in sailinglogoed clothing, and back at my desk in Annapolis I learned after the fact that one of our SpinSheet Start Sailing Now alums was there too.
The SailGP spectator experience is more than just race viewing. First off, it’s hard to beat the venues they select. For the New York stop at the tip of Manhattan, fans hopped aboard ferries to Governor’s Island for waters-edge viewing. The backdrop included the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and with a glance to the left from the grandstand spectators could glimpse the Verrazano Bridge. Behind us towered One World Trade Center. Pretty cool.
Second, in the week leading up to the event popular culture helped stir more buzz when the Australia team announced new celebrity co-owners Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. Meanwhile, on the sports betting scene, it was announced SailGP would work with DraftKings and Bet365, among other platforms, beginning with the NYC races, to allow live betting.
Finally, DJ Khaled, the recently named SailGP ‘Chief Hype Officer,’ and his big personality were in the house, pumping up the crowd in the race village and from the water. An American DJ and record producer, DJ Khaled’s popularity with young people has helped introduce the sport to a new audience and dramatically grown SailGP’s social media exposure. For fans on Governor’s Island, the dynamic race village set the stage. A brass band entertained those waiting for the gates to open, then made its way throughout the village. The shoreline promenade to the grandstand brought opportunities for fans to try model boat racing, drive an F50 race simulator, handle the wing of a wing surfer, purchase SailGP merch, and much more. For those willing to pay, the luxurious adrenaline lounge provided the
best views, fancy cuisine, and entertainment, but the majority of fans picnicked in a grassy field enjoying tasty food from a variety of vendors before taking their seats for the races. When the rain arrived on Saturday, and boy did it, fans took it all with good humor and racing continued.
SailGP says that more than 10,000 viewed the action from the race stadium and the official spectator fleet. Over two days of racing, 12 international teams competed in six races. Big screen monitors with replay capabilities and broadcast announcers narrating the event helped fans follow the action, explaining race tactics and racing rules, while generally pumping up the crowd. As racing concluded late Sunday afternoon, defending champion Spain came out on top, handily defeating New Zealand and France in the winner-take-all final.
The teams and fans now turn to the European leg of the global championship. The inaugural Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix event will unfold July 19-20 in Portsmouth, England. Find full race results and more information at sailgp.com
Inspiring and Supporting Future Stewards of the Chesapeake
For the 10th year, Eastport Yacht Club Foundation’s (EYCF) STEM on the Water program gave real-life meaning to lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The program, developed in cooperation with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, teaches STEM by way of marine and maritime principals.
Across three days, May 29-31, 108 local fifth graders visited Eastport Yacht Club. Mornings were spent rotating in small groups through hands-on learning stations about tides, navigation, wind, mechanical advantage, and ecosystem health. Students worked with anemometers, compasses, navigation charts, mini sailboats, and pulley systems.
In the afternoons, kids embarked on powerboats and sailboats captained by EYCF volunteers. Out on the water the morning lessons were put to practical use. While cruising, students got up close with anchored cargo ships, identified a weather station, saw channel markers (some with osprey parents guarding their nests), used navigation charts, and conducted waterclarity tests.
Retiring 38-year teaching veteran, Ann Winters, was part of the early brainstorming that led to this successful program. She’s seen the new enthusiasm her students have after attending the EYCF event.
Reflecting on this year’s STEM day, she said, “I haven’t seen that many smiles all year.”
Event co-chairs Meghan Hryniewicz and Nadine Chien enjoyed seeing the transformations that took place during STEM on the Water. Visiting fifth graders from surrounding neighborhoods discovered a new way to use their STEM learning, and some went from a fear of the water to a newfound joy about it.
Hryniewicz shared, “It’s great to see students connect their classroom learning to our hands-on stations and the awesome adventure we provide out on the Chesapeake Bay.”
EYC Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that works with eight-year-olds
through young adults in programs such as STEM on the Water, the high school Marine & Maritime Career Expo, Marine & Maritime Scholarships to trade schools and colleges, and junior sail-
ing scholarships. It’s all in an effort to inspire and support future stewards of the Chesapeake Bay.
Learn about EYCF programs at eycfoundation.org
Wire Rigging Reimagined
Introducing L S Photon, a revolutionary fiber rigging system designed to easily replace wire rigging. Incredibly strong, durable, and ultra light, it offers all the high performance benefits of fiber rigging while using common wire fittings.
• Up to 85% Lighter than Wire Rigging
• Fully UV and Chafe Resistant
• Corrosion Free
• No Risk of Fatigue - Lasts in Excess of 10 Years
• Uses Exclusive LS Photon Terminal Connections
• Works with Continuous or Discontinuous Rigging Configurations
• Specifically Engineered to Meet Your Boat’s Loads
# Longtime teacher Ann Winters sees new enthusiasm in her students after the EYCF event.
Hurricane Prep: Don’t Wait To Formulate a Plan
With the Atlantic hurricane season having already begun, boaters can turn to BoatUS for free hurricane preparation information (no membership required) including downloadable guides, videos, in-depth articles, and live tracking tools. Your hurricane preparedness plan will be unique to your vessel, your risk tolerance (or that of your marina owner), your location, and the forecasted storm conditions. You may choose to move your boat to a nearby hurricane hole, haul and block it ashore, or secure it in its regular slip. If your boat lives at a marina, the operator may require that boats be moved to a hurricane hole or hauled and blocked. If your boat is to be hauled, consider extra blocking or perhaps strapping it down. Ensure (as much as possible) that the jack stands won’t slip when the water rises and the wind howls for hours on end. If your boat is trailerable,
moving it to your driveway, an open field, or a protected area may be the simplest solution. Place it away from trees. Put the bow up and remove the drain plug.
Wherever your boat rides out the storm, strip from it anything that might be ripped off by high winds or damaged by driving rain. This might include electronics, bimini, sails, extra fuel tanks, dinghies, important papers, and any loose gear. Add extra lines, larger lines, chafe protection, and fenders. Also make sure that scuppers and drains aren’t blocked.
Storm surge can be devastating, and surges of 10 feet are not uncommon with hurricanes. Bear in mind that high surge can lift floating docks from pilings and overcome barriers such as seawalls or spits of land that normally provide protection. Boats with wide open cockpits or low freeboards can be particularly vulnerable to high waves. One loose boat in a marina
can cause damage to other vessels and the marina docks. If you see proper steps haven’t been taken to secure nearby boats, bring it to the attention of your marina operator.
Looking for more preparation information? Visit boatus.com/ hurricanes.
We know we’re amazing... but we’d love to hear it from you! Have we blown your mind with our amazing stories? Maybe we’ve made you laugh, cry, or given you something to humblebrag to your sailing friends. Either way, it’s time to shower us with your praise. (You know you want to!)
Perks for your kind words:
If we use your testimonial in our editor’s note or letters page, for example, we will send you a cool hat as a thank you (or a bribe)
Thanks for being the best audience ever! Now, tell us how great we are!
Email molly@spinsheet.com or scan code and tell us why we’re your favorite.
# Whether you have a sailboat or a powerboat, you’ll want to add extra lines and fenders if your boat will be riding out the storm in a slip. Photo by Amy Beth Krisanda/BoatUS
Celebrate the Fourth of July With Fireworks on the Bay
Be sure to visit event websites for last-minute detail changes or weather delays:
# Photo by David Sites
Wednesday, July 2
Kent Narrows
Hosted on the lawn next to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center. Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy the complimentary family activities (face painting, a photo booth, bounce house), along with food trucks. Free parking at the “old outlets” located at 59 Piney Narrows Road in Chester. Parking opens at 5:30 p.m. and a complimentary shuttle service starts at 6 p.m. The Visitors Center parking lot and Ferry Point Park will be closed to the public. Fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. (rain date July 3). qac.org
Thursday, July 3
Chesapeake Beach, MD
5:30 to 10 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial, Kellam’s Field, Bayfront Park. chesapeakebeachmd.gov
North East, MD
The Salute to Cecil County Veterans runs from 4 to 10 p.m. at North East Town Park. There will be veterans service organizations raising funds, military equipment, family-oriented activities, and fireworks around 9:20 p.m. stoccv.org/our-event
Oxford, MD
Stay tuned for more details on the Town of Oxford website: oxfordmd.gov.
Rock Hall, MD
Fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m. On Friday, July 4, there will be a flat five run/walk at 8 a.m., Independence Day parade at 10 a.m., and Civic Center festivities at 11 a.m. rockhallmd.com
Friday, July 4:
Annapolis, MD
The Independence Day Parade runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting at Amos Garrett Boulevard and West Street and ending at Susan Campbell Park. Annapolis launches its fireworks from a floating barge in the harbor at 9:15 p.m. For the best views, be sure to claim your spot around 8 p.m. visitannapolis.org
Baltimore, MD
The Inner Harbor Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with an afternoon picnic at West Shore Park followed by a kickoff celebration at 6 p.m. with DJ C. James at the Amphitheater. There will be live music by Avenue 66 at 7 p.m. on the Waterfront Promenade, a Star Spangled celebration concert by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Rash Field at 8 p.m., and a drone and fireworks show over the water at 9:30 p.m. baltimore.org
Our All Killer, No Filler Crab Cakes Ship www.goldbelly.com/boatyard-bar-and-grill
July
2 Kent Narrows Annual Independence Day Celebration
Rain date July 3. Family activities start at 6 p.m. on the lawn next to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center. Free parking is available at the “old outlets;” complimentary shuttle. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
3
AMM Tides and Tunes Concert:
IlyAimy With Ryan Keith Band Free concert series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Zero waste; bring or buy a cup. Food trucks and beverages on site. 7-9 p.m.
3 Oxford Fireworks
Stay tuned for more details on the Town of Oxford, MD, website.
3 Rock Hall Fireworks
Fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m. On Friday, July 4, there will be a flat five run/walk at 8 a.m., Independence Day parade at 10 a.m., and Civic Center festivities at 11 a.m.
3 Town of Chesapeake Beach Fireworks Display 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial, Kellam’s Field, Bayfront Park. Chesapeake Beach, MD.
4
Annapolis Fourth of July Celebration
The Independence Day Parade runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting at Amos Garrett Blvd and West Street and ending at Susan Campbell Park. Annapolis launches its fireworks from a floating barge in the harbor at 9:15 p.m.
4
Annual Solomons Fourth of July Boat Parade
All are invited to show up on Mill Creek in Solomons, MD, at noon on the 4th. Show your American pride and dress up your boat or your person and join in on the fun. 38.331264 by 76.450065 is the start. There is no registration, just show up and jump in line. For more information, please contact melissa.mccormick101@gmail. com and stay on channel 68 the time of the parade. Please follow all navigational aids and rules of the road.
4 Cambridge Fourth of July Fireworks are set off from Gerry Boyle at Great Marsh Park at dusk on the Choptank River.
4 Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks
5 to 10 p.m. at Town Point Point Park at the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. An evening of All-American fare, live music, and fireworks over the Elizabeth River at 9:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.
4
Fourth of July in Baltimore Inner Harbor Festivities begin at 3 p.m. Drone and fireworks show over the water at 9 p.m.
4
Fourth of July in Yorktown
A full day of activities in Historic Yorktown, VA, including a run/walk, parade, live music, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and fireworks over the York River at 9:15 p.m.
4 Newport News Stars in the Sky 6 to 9 p.m. at Victory Landing Park in Newport News, VA. great food, live music, festive entertainers, and a spectacular fireworks display over the James River at 9 p.m. sharp. Admission and parking are free.
4 Washington, DC, Fourth of July Celebration
The National Independence Day Parade kicks off on Constitution Avenue between 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW at 11:45 a.m. Fireworks on the National Mall at 9:09 p.m.
5 CBMM Big Band Night
7 to 10 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. Bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an evening of music, dancing, and fireworks along the Miles River (scheduled for shortly after dusk). Rain date July 6.
5 Havre de Grace Independence Day Celebration
2 p.m. parade, 5:30 p.m. concert at Hutchins Park, 7:30 p.m. concert at Concord Point Park, and fireworks will be launched from a barge in the Susquehanna River just off Concord Point Park at 9:15 p.m.
5 Middle River Annual Fireworks Extravaganza
Presented by the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County. Details TBA. Visit mtabc.org to help support this annual event.
10
AMM Tides and Tunes
Concert: One Night Only Band Classic Rock
Free concert series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Zero waste; bring or buy a cup. Food trucks and beverages on site. 7-9 p.m.
10
CMM Waterside Music Series
7 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Live music by Darius Rucker.
10-13
Potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival
A four-day extravaganza of nationally acclaimed jazz artists, delectable Southern Maryland seafood, and breathtaking Potomac River views in St. Mary’s County, MD. Proceeds from this event go towards funding the non-profit Friends of St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museum’s missions.
17
AMM Tides and Tunes
Concert: Reverend Smackmaster & the Congregation of Funk Free concert series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Zero waste; bring or buy a cup. Food trucks and beverages on site. 7-9 p.m.
18-20
SMSA Patuxent Pursuit Race
Hosted by the Southern Maryland Sailing Association, Solomons, MD.
19 Antique Outboard Motor Club Meet
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Flying Point Park (511 Kennard Ave.) in Edgewood, MD. Everything vintage outboard motors and associated marine. For more info, contact Lee at (410) 833-6152.
st 8-10, 2025 Augu
Come by land or sea to the Town of Rock Hall for a Pirates & Wenches Theme Party you won't soon forget
Chesapeake Calendar presented by
July (cont.)
20 Tides and Vibes
3 to 7 p.m. at Baltimore Peninsula’s Port Covington Marina. Theme: Conservation and Cuisine - take part in the culinary bounty the Chesapeake Bay has to offer. An afternoon of free waterfront fun for the whole family. Food, drinks, games, music.
26 Maryland Marina Nautical Flea Market
Buy, sell, or trade boat-related gear, with tables available for individuals and vendors. Kids’ activities, food truck, raffle for prizes, and free transient slips for the weekend. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maryland Marina.
26-27
SMBC Leonardtown Bash On the Bay Vintage race boat exhibition presented by Southern Maryland Boat Club at Leonardtown Wharf Park. Free admission, food truck on-site, free pit access during lunch.
31
AMM Tides and Tunes
Concert: Timmie Metz Band Featuring Tambo Free concert series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Zero waste; bring or buy a cup. Food trucks and beverages on site. 7-9 p.m.
July
Racing through Jul 16
AYC Wednesday Night Racing Series
2 Hosted by Annapolis YC. through Jul 27
HYC Junior Annual Regatta Virginia State Championship for the Optimist, ILCA 6, and c420 Class. Hosted by Hampton YC.
1 AYC Junior Annual Regatta Hosted by Annapolis YC.
6 Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race
Hosted by Boston Yacht Club and the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.
11 Hobie Friday Night Beach Cat Racing Begins
Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association Hobie Fleet 32.
11-13
US Sailing Match Race Qualifier
Hosted by Eastport YC.
12
CCVR Moonlight Triangle Race Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake.
12
HHSA Women’s Regatta
Hosted by Herrington Harbour Sailing Association, Herring Bay.
12-13 CRYCC/CRYC Log Canoe Series
Hosted by the Chester River Yacht and Country Club and Corsica River YC.
12-13
HYC Annual One Design Regatta #3 of One Design Series. Hosted by Hampton YC.
13
OPCYC Yankee Station Series 3
Hosted by Old Point Comfort YC, Hampton, VA.
18-20 Patuxent Pursuit Race
Hosted by the Southern Maryland Sailing Association, Solomons, MD.
19
BCYA Race to Baltimore Hosted by Baltimore City Yacht Association.
19
NYCC Dink Vail Memorial Regatta
Hosted by Norfolk Yacht and Country Club.
19-20 FBYC One Design Regatta
Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.
19-20 Olivia Constants Team Race
Invitational
Hosted by Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD.
19-20 RHYC Log Canoe Series
Hosted by Rock Hall YC, Rock Hall, MD.
23 - Aug 27AYC
Wednesday Night Racing Series 3
Hosted by Annapolis YC.
25-26 Rescue Regatta
Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.
26
BBSA Midsummer Race
Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.
26
FBYC Rescue Regatta
Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.
26 Log Canoe Boardman’s Challenge
Hosted by Miles River YC, St. Michaels, MD.
26-27 AYC Annual Regatta
Hosted by Annapolis YC.
26-27 MRYC Log Canoe
Governor’s Cup Series
Hosted by Miles River YC, St. Michaels, MD.
27 Hampton Sprints
Hosted by Hampton YC.
August
7 AMM Tides and Tunes Concert: Area 301 and 8 Ohms Band
Free concert series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Zero waste; bring or buy a cup. Food trucks and beverages on site. 7-9 p.m.
8-10
Rock Hall Pirates & Wenches Weekend
A town-wide family friendly event in Rock Hall, MD. Rum tasting, shanty sing-a-long, performers, dinghy parade and poker run, live music, activities for kids, and more.
9 150th Anniversary Celebration of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
6 to 9 p.m. at the Navy Marine Corp Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD. Presented by the US Lighthouse Society and Visit Annapolis. Dinner, guest speakers, live music, wine pull, door prizes, and more. Tickets $150 per person.
For more details and links to event websites, visit spinsheet.com/calendar
9-10
Portsmouth Powerboats at the Park Vintage Regatta Presented by the Portsmouth Power Boat Association at the Portsmouth City Park boat ramp.
10
Watermen’s Appreciation Day
A thrilling boat-docking contest, steamed crabs straight from the Bay, live music, family activities, and more unforgettable fun for all. Tickets will be available online and at the door. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
14 AMM Tides and Tunes Concert: A Classic Case Free concert series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Zero waste; bring or buy a cup. Food trucks and beverages on site. 7-9 p.m.
16
CMM Waterside Music Series
7 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD. Live music by Sam Hunt.
16 Sassafras River Docking Contest and River Days 10:30 a.m. at the former IJK docks at the north end of Georgetown Yacht Haven, MD. Centered around the docking contest, this event will include dozens of local vendors as well as food trucks, live music, drinks, and more. Serves as a fundraiser for the annual Georgetown Labor Day Fireworks and the local community.
17 Tides and Vibes
3 to 7 p.m. at Baltimore Peninsula’s Port Covington Marina. Theme: Splashdown - cool off with some classic backyard games. An afternoon of free waterfront fun for the whole family. Food, drinks, games, music.
22-23 Friends of Navy Sailing Weekend
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.
August Racing
through Aug 20
Little Creek Wednesday Night Racing Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association Little Creek racers.
through Aug 28
J/World Thursday Night Racing Hosted by J/World Sailing School with assistance from Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis.
through Aug 29
EYC Beer Can Races Friday nights. Hosted by Eastport YC.
through Aug 27
AYC Wednesday Night Racing Series Hosted by Annapolis YC.
1-2
Governor’s Cup Yacht Race Hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD.
2
BBSA Championship for the Bold Mariner Cup Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.
Join us for an exciting day on the water followed by an award-winning shore party at Eastport Yacht Club. Sailors, powerboaters, and partygoers alike—there's something for everyone:
• Pursuit Race or Poker Run 12pm-3pm
• Shore Party 4pm-9pm live music by UnifiedJazz Ensemble and Misspent Youth. Enjoy Mount Gay cocktails and Boatyard Bar & Grill cuisine. Not a boater? Come for the party or take part in the Skipper’s Challenge, a fun, peer-to-peer fundraiser supporting CRAB’s mission to provide exceptional sailing experiences for people with disabilities. Proceeds ensure that CRAB's programs remain free of charge for guests with disabilities. For more information go to https://crabsailing.org/crabcup/
Chesapeake Calendar
2 Tom Brady Masters Race
3
3
Hosted by Hampton YC.
AYC Two Bridge Fiasco
Hosted by Annapolis YC.
CCVR Founders Race
Hosted by CCV Racing, Southern Chesapeake Bay.
8 NEW Solomons to Oxford Race
As part of the Oxford Regatta, Tred Avon YC.
9
NERYC Moonlight Run Sail Race
The race this year falls on the night of the full moon and finishes at approximately midnight. Member boats escort visiting boats back to North East River Yacht Club in North East, MD, direct them into their complimentary slips, and supply access to the facilities. An early breakfast and award ceremony completes the event.
9 Plantation Light Race
Hosted by Hampton YC.
9-10
Oxford Regatta
Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.
14-15
Leo Wardrup Memorial Cape
Charles Cup
Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake Bay.
16 CRAB Cup
Hosted by Eastport YC.
16-17
Corsica River YC Annual Regatta
Open to Comets, Windmills, Albacores, Penguins, Hamptons, Hobie Waves, Lasers, A-Cats, and Cruising Catboats.
16-17 CYC Log Canoe Hicks Trophy Series
Hosted by Cambridge YC, Cambridge, MD.
16-17 Snipe Junior Nationals
Hosted by Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD.
23 Annapolis to Cambridge (A2C) Lighthouse Challenge
Hosted by Eastport YC and Cambridge YC.
23
OPCYC Yankee Station Series 4
Hosted by Old Point Comfort YC, Hampton, VA.
23-24
TAYC Heritage Regatta
Hosted by Tred Avon YC.
29-31 FBYC Stingray Point Regatta
Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.
30 EYC Labor Day Invitational
31
Hosted by Eastport YC.
J/105 Women’s Regatta
Hosted by Sailing Club of the Chesapeake.
Summer Cover Contest
Here’s How it w orks:
• Visit spinsheet.com/cover-contest and submit your Chesapeake summer sailing photo by July 10
• Vertical photos work best, with room for our header and cover lines.
• Only high-resolution (i.e. not blurry) photos will be considered for the cover.
• Once the submission period has ended, SpinSheet staff will select finalists. We will then open voting up to readers who will choose the winning image for our September issue cover.
• By entering you will be subscribed to our email newsletters. You may update your preferences at any time.
• Voting runs through July 20
New Trash Wheel To Come to Back River
By Tim Wheeler
The family of googly-eyed trash wheels keeping Baltimore’s harbor tidy is about to get a new relative next door—on Back River in Baltimore County.
That litter interceptor stood out among 21 environmental restoration projects announced recently to honor settlement of a lawsuit over a string of pollution problems at Baltimore city’s two wastewater treatment plants, one on Back River and one on the Patapsco River.
Officials with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the city, and county joined community activists at a riverfront park in Essex in April to mark the awarding of $1.7 million for the projects and to report major progress in the treatment plants’ performance.
As part of a 2023 consent decree, Baltimore agreed to pay $4.75 million to settle lawsuits brought by MDE and the nonprofit Blue Water Baltimore over repeated violations at the two plants. Blue Water had alerted state regulators to problems with the Patapsco plant, which prompted an investigation and ultimately a temporary state takeover of the Back River facility.
Under the decree, 40 percent of that sum was to go to environmental restoration projects, while MDE was slated to collect $1.4 million in penalties. The city would be able to avoid paying another $1.4 million if it complied with the terms of the settlement.
According to MDE, nitrogen and phosphorus discharges from the two plants have declined by 60 to 80 percent since 2022.
The biggest recipient of the funds was the Back River Restoration Committee, which joined Blue Water Baltimore to press for state action to fix the plants’ maintenance and treatment problems. It is to receive $655,363 to design and build the wheel, which will replace a floating trash boom that must be constantly cleared manually of litter.
The remainder of the funds went to 20 other civic, neighborhood, and religious groups around Baltimore for a variety of projects, including stream cleanups, rain barrels, permeable pavement, youth education, workforce development programs, and native plantings. The Chesapeake Bay Trust is handling disbursement of the grants.
This article first appeared in the May 2025 Bay Journal (bayjournal.com).
# Mr. Trash Wheel is fueled by solar and hydroelectric power to carry trash out of the Jones Falls River before it enters the Chesapeake Bay. Photo By Kaitlyn Dolan/Chesapeake Bay Program
seen the screaming on race teams, and screaming on boats brought up PTSD of childhood boating with my father who was career USCG and a screamer. But I had also heard that the fastest way to learn to sail well was to race. So, I joined the team (which did not scream) and asked one of the team members to mentor me to achieve my skipper’s certification at the club.
I began to race at other clubs, on larger boats. Early on I was a little terrified and lost in all the tactics, horns, guns, and start and finish lines. As I kept showing up, my skills improved, and I began to love racing more and more. The competition can be exhilarating.
Cruising, chartering, deliveries, and boat ownership.
American Sailing’s 101-105 courses and Safety at Sea at the US Naval Academy. I also attended a National Women’s Sailing Association Race Conference and various sailing club classes focused on weather, race tactics, boat maintenance, and systems failures and fixes.
Recently I became a part owner of a small race boat, a Goman Express 30M, Diet Sprite. It’s nothing fancy; in fact, it’s quite ‘rustic’ to include a bucket and some kitty litter, but she’s a fun racer. She is kept in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Future sailing plans
I gained more skills with additional classes and certifications. My partner, Kenny, and I joined SailTime on an Oceanis 35.1 in Annapolis to experience cruising the Chesapeake. We’ve chartered boats in the Bahamas, the BVI, Galway to the Aran Islands, and in Monterey Bay, and I’ve started crewing on deliveries. I completed
This year I plan on making some deliveries, racing Tuesday nights with Baltimore City Yacht Association and Wednesday nights with Herrington Harbour Sailing Association (HHSA), participating in some weekend regattas, taking a couple of summer weekend cruises... and enjoying whatever interesting, fun sailing opportunities present themselves.
This month I am registered for the HHSA’s Women’s Regatta, a must for any woman sailor, whether she considers herself a racer or not.
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.
Advice for would-be sailors. Let me take you out to try it! If you like it, I suggest a structured sailing program such as one of the American Sailing or US Sailing classes. A weather class will always be helpful, and once you find your interest niche, perhaps take a class or two to firm up some knowledge and skills. Don’t be shy about asking for help, advice, guidance, or mentorship. In October, take a trip to the Annapolis Sailboat Show; it’s an excellent resource-gathering spot.
Women will likely encounter a good deal of ‘mansplaining’ and sexism. Dealing with it head on helps me cope, and getting women on boats has become part of my passion for sailing. Such experiences have made me more sensitive to other sailors that are not from the Old Guard of sailing. Finally, get out there and sail! It’s going to be the greatest adventure of your life.
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
• Gratitude Sailing Institute gratitudesailing.com
• J/World Annapolis jworldannapolis.com
• SailTime sailtime.com/annapolis
• Sail Solomons sailsi.com
• West River Sailing Club learn2sailwrsc.com
# Photo courtesy of Gratitude Sailing Institute
I'm Hip! Sailing to the Rhythm Charlie Byrd and the Chesapeake Bay
By Capt. Mark Einstein
This September marks the 100th birthday of jazz guitar virtuoso Charlie Byrd, a musician whose melodies resonated far beyond the concert halls, drifting into the gentle breezes of the Chesapeake Bay. While Byrd’s contributions to music are welldocumented, from pioneering bossa nova in the United States to recording over 100 albums, his deep connection to the Bay and its sailing community adds a unique and personal dimension to his legacy.
Byrd’s journey into the annals of jazz history is marked by innovation and a distinctive blend of classical guitar technique with jazz improvisation. His collaboration with Stan Getz on the 1962 album “Jazz Samba” introduced bossa nova to American audiences, sparking a movement that reshaped the soundscape of American jazz. That fusion of rhythms and styles showcased Byrd’s versatility as an artist deeply rooted in tradition, yet always willing to chart new waters.
By the early 1970s, Byrd had found the place that would become his permanent port: Annapolis. In 1973, he moved from Washington, DC, to the city known for its historic charm, vibrant music scene, and deep maritime heritage. Though he continued to tour internationally, he became a beloved fixture close to home, performing regularly at DC venues such as The Showboat and the cozy King of France Tavern in downtown Annapolis.
Beyond the stage, Byrd found another kind of peace aboard his 23-foot O’Day sailboat, aptly named I’m Hip. Moored in Back Creek, I’m Hip was more than just a boat; it was a refuge. Sailing offered Byrd a way to disconnect from the demands of a busy performing life and reconnect with nature’s quiet rhythms. Friends recall that he was as relaxed and joyful at the helm as he was with a guitar in his hands, savoring the breeze, the sunsets, and the gentle sway of the Chesapeake’s waters, often guiding his boat into its slip under sail. For Byrd, sailing was not just a pastime; it was a complement
to his music, both requiring an intuitive sense of timing, improvisation, and respect for the forces around him.
Across the Bay in Rock Hall, The Mainstay, an iconic non-profit music venue, became another important chapter in Byrd’s later life. The Mainstay was founded in the mid-1990s by retired Washington College professor, Rock Hall’s own “Banjo Man,” Tom McHugh, as a labor of love to support live music on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The concert room quickly became a favorite for top-tier musicians who preferred the intimate settings and attentive audiences found off the beaten path. Byrd graced its stage multiple times, performing to sold-out rooms filled with listeners who understood they were witnessing something rare and special.
Today, The Mainstay continues to honor its memories through The Byrd Room, a warm, inviting space curated by Charlie’s wife, Becky Byrd. Becky, a beloved figure in her own right, has kept Charlie’s spirit alive and strong through a collection of photographs, recordings, memorabilia, and personal stories. Visitors to The Mainstay’s Byrd
# Charlie and Becky Byrd cruising the Bay 1990s.
Room get more than just a history lesson; they glimpse the humor, humility, and humanity of a man whose musical reach was global but whose heart stayed close to home.
To celebrate what would have been Byrd’s 100th birthday, The Mainstay will host a Gala Event on September 14. This special evening will bring together an all-star ensemble of musicians, including jazz great Chuck Redd, a world-renowned vibraphonist and drummer who toured extensively with Byrd, along with
other talented artists who have been touched by his enduring influence. Fans and newcomers will gather to celebrate not only a singular musical legacy but also a man whose love for sailing, community, and creativity left an indelible mark on the Chesapeake region. You can find out more about the gala and Byrd by visiting mainstayrockhall.org.
Byrd’s story is a testament to the seamless integration of passion and profession, art and environment. His ability to find inspiration both on stage and on the water reminds us that
creativity thrives when we remain open to the winds, to the tides, and to the changing currents of life. As we navigate our own journeys, his legacy encourages us to seek that same harmony, to listen for the music not just in concert halls, but in the everyday world around us.
In the end, Charlie Byrd didn’t just play music. He lived it and left us a treasure trove of inspiration, with a sailor’s heart, a guitarist’s hands, and a soul tuned to the rhythms of the Bay.
# Charlie Byrd. Photos courtesy of Becky Byrd
# The Byrd Room at the Mainstay in Rock Hall.
# The “I’m Hip” plaque in the Byrd Room.
# I’m Hip, an O’day 23, underway in Annapolis.
Stories of the Century Past the Halfway Point!
Wait, what?! When did we pass the halfway point in 2025?
How many days have you logged on the water thus far toward your SpinSheet Century Club 100-day goal?
Don’t fret, aspiring club members— as of July 1, there are still 184 days left in the year, so reaching 100 days on the water, with 84 buffer days in case of foul weather, should be feasible even if you’ve just splashed your boat.
For the more practical among you, meaning those who don’t like to freeze their buns off sailing in wintry months, the 123 days before Halloween are the most critical ones to focus on if you’d like to comfortably sail, paddle, or power your way to 100 days.
If you’d like to join the SpinSheet Century Club challenge or brush up on the rules, visit spinsheet.com/joinspinsheet-century-club
We welcome powerboaters, paddlers, sailors, and anglers. If you leave the dock on any type of vessel 100 times during the calendar year, you qualify for our inclusive club!
Enjoy this sampling of photos of our club members enjoying summertime on the Bay. Send questions or photos anytime to editor@spinsheet.com
# Karen Southern (53 days) sailing out of the Downtown Sailing Center.
# Greg Brennan (50 days) is a sunrise kinda guy.
# Bill Carruth (45 days) took this photo of Linsley.
# Jim Beaudry sailed with friends aboard Old Crow, a Hunter 37.5, during Southern Bay Race Week.
# Five-time Erewhon Award winner Dave Nestel has hit 101 days! Photo by David Sites
# Dave Ohler (46 days) out sailing with his kids and his dad, Bob (35 days).
# Casey Firth (41 days) on the AYC Spring Race to Oxford.
Making YOUR BOaT New Again!
Sailing to Philadelphia TURNING LEFT AFTER THE C&D CANAL
By Captain Cheryl Duvall
Throughout our 15 years of cruising the Chesapeake region and beyond, we have yet to meet another sailor who has sailed to Philadelphia. We’ve met plenty of cruisers who have endured Delaware Bay black flies to sail to Cape May, NJ, or Lewes, DE. But not once have we heard anyone mention pointing their bow north after the C&D Canal to visit historic Philly.
A few years ago, we blocked off 10 days to cruise somewhere new to us. We were both working at the time, so we wanted a destination where we could work remotely while also enjoying some local attractions. A transient slip for a week would allow either of us to easily step off the boat while the other finished up a conference call. We had already explored Havre de Grace and Cape May to the north and Hampton to the south. Where should we go?
How about Philadelphia? It had been years since we were truly tourists in that city. The last dozen times we had visited had been for work, taking Amtrak in and out in one day. It would be fun to spend some quality time there. Plus, we had friends and family in Philly and figured it would be great to invite them for cocktails.
We checked the charts and noted there weren’t any obstacles after exiting the C&D canal. After all, it’s a major shipping channel, so water depths and bridge clearances were good. There was ample space and depths to stay just outside the channel to avoid any ship traffic. The biggest factor that required advanced planning was the current.
For previous C&D passages, we had timed the currents in our favor to transit the canal and continue southbound on the Delaware Bay. It’s not uncommon to see two and a half knots or more in the canal itself. For this journey, we’d have to coordinate a few other tidal considerations, including the current at our ultimate destination.
There are only two publicly accessible marinas in Philadelphia, and we selected Penn’s Landing Marina rather than Pier 5. Both marinas are available for seasonal and transient dockage from May 1 through October 31, but we preferred the views and location of Penn’s Landing.
# Entertaining Gensler Philly coworkers in BB’s cockpit.
# Flying the spinnaker as we approached Commodore Barry Bridge.
Making YOUR BOaT New Again!
When reserving our slip for the week, the dockmaster advised that our five-foot, five-inch draft would need to carefully navigate a shallow spot at the entrance. We had also noted that currents could run strong, so we wanted to time our arrival to be near slack tide. That meant we may not be able to enjoy ideal currents in both the Delaware Bay and the canal. We were willing to trade speed for a less stressful arrival.
IF YOU GO:
• Transient dockage at Penn’s Landing Marina or Pier 5 Marina (just south of Ben Franklin Bridge)
• Independence Seaport Museum: phillyseaport.org. Note: Members of related maritime museums can get reciprocal entry, including Annapolis Maritime Museum and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum members
• More info: delawareriverwaterfront.com
# Belle Bateau in a transient slip across from Moshulu ship/restaurant.
Making YOUR BOaT New Again!
For most of the passage, we stayed just outside the busy channel, dwarfed by massive cargo ships in both directions. The scenery was more interesting than the southern part of the Delaware Bay. It was fun to pass under the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295), observe aircraft approaching PHL, and watch Amtrak trains pass on the west as we approached Wilmington.
Finally, we arrived at Penn’s Landing near slack tide. We radioed for our slip assignment and successfully navigated the shallow spot in negligible current just as a storm was kicking up. In retrospect, we were glad we timed slack tide, just to lessen the stress especially as we eyed the adjacent boats that we had to squeeze between for our port-side docking.
After settling in, we reviewed nearby attractions and made a list of hopeful activities for the week. As the sun set, we enjoyed dinner at a restaurant called Moshulu, a four-masted tall ship directly across from our slip. Returning to our boat, we meandered through Spruce Street Harbor Park, with its hammocks and colorful lighting. What a nice Philly welcome!
Before we knew it, the week flew by. We were able to work mornings and enjoy the city and friends in the afternoons and evenings. We spent one full day at the Independence Seaport
Museum and onboard the USS Olympia. We visited the Rodin Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Collection, and the Franklin Institute. My favorite attraction by far was completely unexpected: Eastern State Penitentiary. Never thought I’d enjoy a former prison so much!
Alas, our week in Philly drew to a close. We had to plan for those currents again, though it always seems less daunting when successfully navigated once. Soon, we were on our way home, but I vowed to return. If you haven’t been to Philly by boat, make this the year you do!
About the author: Captain Cheryl Duvall is a USCG Licensed Master, Inland 100 GRT, and program director for the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association (CAPCA). When she isn’t sailing her Gozzard 44 Belle Bateau, you might find her at the helm of Watermark’s Miss Anne in Annapolis. Find her at cherylduvall@mac.com. #
Marinas That Meet Your Standards!
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Anchorage Marina
Annapolis Landing Marina
Bowley’s Marina
Broad Creek Marina
Campbell’s Boatyards
Casa Rio Marina
Coles Point Marina
Crescent Marina
Cypress Marine
Dennis Point Marina and Campground
Ferry Point Marina Talbot
Flag Harbor Boatyard
Harbour Cove Marina
Hartge Yacht Harbor
Herrington Harbour North
Herrington Harbour South
Lankford Bay Marina
Lighthouse Point Marina
Maryland Marina
Nomad Norview Marina
Port Annapolis Marina
Rockhold Creek Marina
Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort
Sailing Associates Marina
Sassafras Harbor Marina
Selby Bay Yacht Club
Shipwright Harbor Marina
Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort
Spring Cove Marina
The Wharf at Handy’s Point
The Wharf Marina
Whitehall Marina
Yacht Haven of Annapolis
# Spruce St. Harbor Park with lights and hammocks.
Offshore Rigging Specialists
Mesmerized by Maine
Working as a team on an enchanted, yet imperfect, sailing journey.
By Tom Mitri
The shark cut calmly through Maine’s cold waters. Cloaked in darkness, he was in no rush. I could hear him swishing the water, tufts of white foam following his every move. Simply circling our sailboat, just waiting for us to make a mistake. He was in charge, and he knew it.
It was 3 a.m. I was on watch alone, my wife, Mary, asleep below. If the shark got his way, Mary would wake in the morning, and I’d be gone. Panic would overtake her. But she would reason, as desperate people do, that I probably just fell off and swam to shore. No one would ever know the gruesome end I would have.
The companionway hatch jolted open, shaking me out of my stupor.
“Get some rest. You’re exhausted,” Mary commanded.
“But there’s a shark,” I warned.
“Those are waves. You’re hallucinating; get to bed.”
Mary didn’t have much experience sailing in those days, but money couldn’t buy a better first mate.
We had dreams of far-off lands. Palm trees, warm sand, and rum. But first, we needed to get some experience, our sea legs. So, off to Maine we ventured. With its rocky shores and lobster pots enshrouded in fog, “vacationland” can be unforgiving. We approached it with the spirit of youth, meaning stupidly and without considering all the risks. Talk about baptism by fire. Maine’s fog is like being deep in a coal mine without a headlamp.
Somehow, we survived, though radar and AIS are the real heroes here. Without them as crew there’s a very good chance Mary and I would have ended up dashed upon a rocky shore or snarled in an unending train of lobster lines and pots. In complete contrast, we also had days of warm sun, crisp air, and stoic pine trees calmly keeping watch. We pursued puffins off Egg Island, anchored on the back side of Mount Desert Island, and spied bald eagles towering over Tenant’s harbor. We even scored a couple of two-and-a-half-pound lobsters for a grand total of 15 bucks right off a family-owned lobster boat.
Our days followed the rhythm of the sun. Up with the light, cocktails in the bow at sunset with hiking, swimming, and exploring in between. And then, we’d raise anchor and sail to yet another of Maine’s endless enchantments. It was fantastic, what I had dreamed of, until it wasn’t.
On a beautiful beam reach headed for Vinalhaven, the aft end of our outhaul track on our in-mast furling system decided to pop free from its boom bolts. Once again, I was startled out of my stupor. It was a fresh day, southwest winds blowing 15 to 20 knots, and we were getting rolled under by gentle yet large swells. Of course the full main, yankee, and staysail were set at the time. At first, we froze. Our brains didn’t process the image our eyes were presenting. As if glancing at a mangled car wreck, I thought, “What am I looking at exactly?” After a moment, without exchanging a word, we both knew what needed to be done.
Mary pointed Glory’s bow into the wind to release massive strain on the sails. We didn’t have a lot of time. The wind and waves would soon conspire to knock the bow off the wind, hit us broadside, fill the sails, and make it nearly impossible to reef the main. With the sails flapping like thunder, Mary quickly handled the outhaul line while I winched in the main until the car was over a secure section of track. Just like that, we were on our way again, albeit
with a reefed main and a looming yard repair bill.
A couple of days later we dropped the anchor into the deep, dark waters of Boothbay Harbor. We awoke the following morning to find ourselves drenched in a thick fog. While Mary made coffee, I toured the decks, wet and slick, looking for anything awry—chafed lines, an unfastened clevis pin, or tangled anchor tackle.
Handing me a fresh cup, Mary looked up and said, “That doesn’t look good.” The topping lift to our spinnaker pole was old and fraying. Mary has an eagle eye. She doesn’t miss a thing.
“Get the chair. I’ll go up,” Mary volunteered.
It was just to the first set of spreaders, but still. She’s petite, and cute, but don’t let that fool you; this woman is fearless. And badass.
We made more anchorages, soaked in more sunsets, and consumed more cocktails, but we were making our way home now, back to the sandy shores of Buzzard’s Bay, MA. Back to the world. Back to bills. Back to obligations and commitments.
On the final night, we sat in silence, savoring a pink streaked sky in the gloaming. I reflected on our trip. We were often mesmerized by Maine’s striking coastline, blue waves constantly crashing against majestic rock formations, surrounded by an endless army of deep green pine trees. Our
days were filled with breathtaking hikes, casual bike rides, and many candlelit dinners in our cozy cockpit. We listened to live music on street corners, strolled through charming towns, relaxed on rocky beaches, jumped off the boat, and laughed a lot. On that basis alone, it was a fantastic trip. But I believe there was something greater afoot that made this so special.
Because to do all these things, Mary and I had to navigate through fog several times, sail at night, battle fatigue, find secure anchorages, manage boat repairs, and tend to the unique day-to-day requirements of life on a boat. We had to be a team. We had to trust and be patient with one another, think ahead, and consider one another’s situation and efforts when verbal communication was difficult or simply wasn’t feasible.
By this measure, this wasn’t simply a vacation. It was a retreat of sorts, an outward-bound journey that ministered to inward yearnings. These are the deep treasures of the sea that pleasure alone lacks the power to access. It was the adversity that led to quiet connections. The trials that supplied substance. This is where the marrow was.
We were three weeks out. Mary stared off into the afterglow and flatly declared, “I could keep going.” My heart was full. #
Charter Notes
Janet Gonski writes, “While in New Zealand, do as New Zealanders do and meet a local author of multiple sailing books, Lin Pardey. She and her late husband, Larry Pardey, had circumnavigated both eastward and westward, worked in many marine industries, and had plenty of fodder for their books; Lin shared several of those adventures and stories with some of our SOS skippers and crew.”
The group, which rented seven boats over a two-and-a-half-week period, was divided into Week One (two boats) and
Week Two (five boats, some of which went for seven days and others for 10 days).
Deb Kaufman, current SOS bareboat committee chair, reports, “We departed from the Bayswater Marina outside of Auckland and used a charter company named CharterLink. We used them because they were the only charter company we could find after months of searching. However, they were lovely to work with and were very knowledgeable about the area. CharterLink Bareboat Yacht Charters Auckland (charterlink.co.nz)
T“This was true bareboat cruising, no cooks or any other crew. In the second week, we had beautiful sunny days and were able to sail every day. Most of the participants who chartered extended their trips, either before or after, by doing other touring, either on the North or South Islands. We met a lot of people who were intrigued by our sailing club (as described by us) and by the fact that we traveled this far to sail.”
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# Meeting author Lin Pardey was a highlight of the trip. Photo courtesy of Janet Gonski
Memories from Skipper Gabi’s crew (week one)
Favorite anchorages
Elephant Cove and Kawau
Conditions summary
The week of February 21-28 was a little low on wind. We had only two sailing days. The rest was motoring, but we still had a great time on the beautiful water.
Memorable excursions
• Catching red snapper for dinner—fresh as fresh gets.
• Stoney Batter Tunnels in Waiheke.
• A fun filled afternoon and the BBQ with Lin Pardey and David Haigh on the Kawau grounds of Lin and Larry’s home and seeing Taleisin and Sahula anchored right in front.
Highlights
On the water: the clear warm waters and the raw landscapes of the Coromandels; and the stars at night... sleeping with open hatches under the Southern Cross and Milky Way is just once in a lifetime.
On land: Cape Reinga and the waterline from the Tasmanian Sea and the Pacific; the 150-meter high dunes; the Hundertwasser House in Whangerei.
Did anything surprise you about the trip?
The subtropical climate with huge palm and fern trees 30 meters high.
Would you do anything differently if you could do it over?
Spend more time in the area after the charter for more exploration.
AAlthough our loosely organized Jeanneau Sailboat Owners (JSO) group has fewer organized meet ups scheduled for this summer, we did have a fun, last minute event on Memorial Day weekend. The Sunday destination was a favorite anchorage at Eagle Cove. The weather was cool but warmed up to a very comfortable level on Monday as participants enjoyed each other’s company.
Four boats attended: Rik Raphael (Shibumi), Sue and Mick Meckler (The Office), Mary Jane Church and Jeff Porter (Gypsy), and Nancie Merritt and Bill Hunsinger (Wind Dragon). The raftup began late Sunday afternoon as soon as sailors arrived. The group enjoyed talking about their off-season activities and plans for summer sailing adventures.
The JSO group call number on VHF is a way to contact other JSO members while out on the water. It’s an excellent way to see who is out there and to possibly meet up with fellow sailors. It’s always
A Fun, Impromptu JSO Event
By Nancie Merritt
fun being on the water and anchoring out. It is even more fun to share time on the water with fellow sailors.
June 6-8 we held an Annapolis rendezvous packed with fun activities. We called it Camp Jeanneau at Port Annapolis Marina.
We have scheduled group activities for each month throughout the summer sailing season. Members who are interested in arranging a get-together should reach out to Mary Jane Church brunetteisbet-
termjc@gmail.com or arrange a meet-up by publishing the event on the group calendar. Just create an entry and notify the group; it’s that easy!
We are a loosely formed group of Jeanneau owners who enjoy boating and socializing together. We welcome new members! If you are new to JSO or a new Jeanneau sailboat owner and would like to join us, please contact Mary Jane Church at brunetteisbettermjc@gmail.com. Learn more at groups.io/g/JSOChesapeakeBay
# JSO sailors Bill Hunsinger, Sue and Mick Meckler, Rik Raphael (standing at rear), Mary Jane Church, and Jeff Porter.
It’s All About the People
By Anne Knab
According to the old saying, March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but this year it seemed like June also brought the wind. Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) members scrambled to adjust our itinerary for the annual spring cruise scheduled to kick off on May 30 because of the high winds (not to mention rain) forecast for the first day. Some opted to ride out the weather at Osprey Point Marina in Rock Hall, MD, as planned, while others joined the cruise later. These decisions were highly individualized since our club has both sailors and powerboaters. By Sunday evening it was all smiles for happy hour as the sailors compared stories of being under sail the entire way, while the powerboaters were just glad that the west winds pushed them along for a smoother ride than anticipated.
BCYC is a virtual yacht club with no physical infrastructure to maintain which means that in addition to lower dues we rely on events like the annual cruise to get together and enjoy various activities. On this year’s cruise we enjoyed a good oldfashioned game of show and tell which, unlike in kindergarten, had the skippers showing (and demonstrating) a tool they keep on their boat and why. Learning from other like-minded individuals is one of the perks of yacht club membership. The fleet settled into the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, where line throwing practice was open to captains and first mates who competed for titles such as Line Whisperer and Throw Pro. The week’s fun included much socializing, happy hours, and tours, as well as plenty of downtime to just enjoy boat life.
During our raftup at Drum Point, the fleet received an impromptu visit from a local homeowner who wanted to see what all the fun was about. If you would still like to learn more about BCYC membership, take a look at backcreekyc.org and consider joining us at an upcoming event; there’s plenty of boating season left! #welcomeaboard
COPPERCOAT
# BCYC boats at anchor in the Wye River.
Quality Cruising Yachts | Deltaville, VA
Unforgettable Sailing on Memorial Day Weekend
By Celeste Streger
The Hunter Sailing Association Station-1 (HSA-1) took advantage of the three-day Memorial Day weekend to do a lot of sailing. Blue Heron, Pinch Me, Aeolus, Stargazer, and Summer Breeze began an eight-day circumnavigation of the Delmarva Peninsula, while seven HSA-1 boats did a mini-cruise on the Chester River. Read about the circumnavigation on page 52. Details of the mini cruise are below.
Sea Whisper from Rock Creek off of the Patapsco, Sweet Pea from Solomons, and Windrose from Rock Hall began the weekend on Friday with a fast sail in strong (15-20 knots gusting to 30) west wind. No one claimed it to be a relaxing day, but it sure made for some unforgettable moments.
The wind stayed up on Saturday but shifted to the northwest, making it a slog for White Out coming from Annapolis and Bootlegger and Ruff’N It from Herring Bay. Peregrine had a beam reach much of the way from Rock Hall. Peregrine and Sea Whisper found good anchorages a short dinghy ride from Lankford Bay Marina,
and the other five boats docked at the marina.
Sunday morning White Out departed while Bootlegger, Ruff’N It, and Sweet Pea relaxed at the marina. Peregrine, Windrose, and Sea Whisper sailed to Reed Creek. Eight-knot winds from just the right direction made for a peaceful five-mile sail. Once in the creek the three boats rafted and enjoyed a splendid, extended happy hour.
Monday morning the boats from Reed Creek and the fleet from Lankford Bay
Pwere all on their way, either to continue their cruising or head home. Thanks to new members JR and Renee of Peregrine for hosting their first HSA-1 happy hour, to Carl of Windrose for coordinating the Saturday cookout, and to all 14 members and four dogs that made this Memorial Day Weekend Mini-Cruise a success. If you have a Hunter or MarlowHunter in the mid-Chesapeake Bay check out our club at hsa1.org or email commodore@hsa1.org to learn about the benefits of membership.
Peninsula Sailors Adds a Catamaran
By Richard Lee
eninsula Sailors recently added two new members and a Fountaine Pajot 44 to the fleet!
We welcomed two new members this month, and one of them has brought us our first catamaran. Varuna is a 2016 Fountaine Pajot Helia 44. As part of the fleet, this boat will allow our members to learn how to sail and operate a catamaran. To expand Peninsula Sailors training program into catamarans, our head sailing instructor will attend the Royal Yachting Association instructor training in England this summer.
Our first member sail aboard the catamaran allowed some of our members to get their first look at our new addition. This brings our fleet to five boats. It will be an exciting summer at the Peninsula!
We held our first overnight raftup
the weekend of June 7-8. We sailed on two boats from Baltimore to Whitehall Bay and up Mill Creek. Even though the weather wasn’t the best, with some showers, everyone still had a great time. Some went swimming, while others relaxed for happy hour. We cooked dinner onboard for both boats, as well as breakfast the next morning. We are now planning our next overnight at Kent Island for the end of July.
If you want to learn how to sail or improve your sailing skills, you can try one of our member sails as a guest aboard the Peninsula Sailors boats. You will also get to see the new Baltimore Peninsula area. We have a sailing community that works together to accomplish our motto “Sail and Learn Together.” Learn more at sailbp.com.
# Peninsula Sailors recently added a Fountaine Pajot 44 to its fleet.
# Seven HSA-1 boats did a mini-cruise on the Chester River on Memorial Day Weekend.
Kedg•ing:
Lessons in Kedging
By Julie Sage Day and Jonah Brewer
to move (a ship) by means of a line attached to a small anchor dropped at the distance and in the direction desired.
This past spring the Pentagon Sailing Club chartered a Dufour 430, skippered by club vice commodore Jonah Brewer, to train and certify a crew for the ASA 118 onthe-water docking class. The boat was just entering Whitehall Bay from Mill Creek with six crew aboard when the student helmsman slowed and deviated slightly to allow paddleboarders to pass. Unfortunately, the channel is extremely narrow at that point, and the Dufour ran aground, lodging securely in the
mud. Moreover, it was low tide. Efforts to move the boat failed. Even when the crew dropped the anchor in the hope of kedging off, the boat held fast.
Jonah called the charter company and was told to wait for high tide; if that didn’t work, the company would come to the rescue. Crewmembers Mike Vergeer and Michael Naylor suggested swimming out to a nearby day mark to attach the anchor rode. Both wore PFDs and were attached by a line to the boat, but the rode wasn’t long enough to reach the day mark. The next attempt was to float the anchor supported on two PFDs out as far as the rode would go hoping it would set. No luck.
Finally, a powerboat came by and offered to help. With only a little tugging on both ends, the Dufour was freed. Curi-
ously, the powerboat showed a depth of nine feet whereas the Dufour registered only five feet under the keel. Apparently, the boat had dug into a soft mound at the edge of deeper water. Even the chartplotter showed plenty of water where the boat ran aground, but passing boats verified that one must stay very close to the green day mark when entering or exiting Mill Creek to avoid the shoals.
The good news: all six crew members passed their ASA 118 certifications and got hands-on kedging experience. For further information about our club, visit pentagonsailing.org or Facebook.com/pentagonsailingclub
The Friday Night Sailing Club at Cutter Marina recently organized an exhilarating late May circumnavigation of the DelMarVa Peninsula, bringing together sailing enthusiasts from around the Bay for adventure, camaraderie, and a memorable journey. This year’s event provided some of the best sailing weather on the Delaware Bay, offshore, and Chesapeake Bay throughout the eight-day cruise.
Two planning meetings, hosted by Tom Schmidt, Tom Fox, and Charles Murray, covered essential topics such as safety inspections, equipment procedures, and the sailing schedule. Prior to departure Greg Guthman, who singlehanded his 40-foot Stargazer the entire trip, conducted two weather briefings, focused on the 70-mile run from Bohemia River into Delaware Bay to Lewes, DE, and the 145-mile offshore run from Lewes to Hampton, VA.
This year’s fleet consisted of 15 sailboats that enjoyed wonderful sailing on all three legs, often in broad reach and downwind conditions, with some of the best wind conditions on the Delaware Bay, offshore from Lewes to Cape Charles, and up the Chesapeake Bay.
The route took the fleet from the Bohemia River to Lewes, DE, and offshore into the Atlantic, bound for Hampton, VA. The journey began on Friday, May 23, with boats anchoring together at Veazy Cove on the Bohemia River. The next day at daybreak, the fleet rose anchor and motored through the C&D Canal. Upon exiting the canal, boats were greeted with wonderful winds out of the north at 15 to 20 knots and sailed south down the Delaware Bay to the Harbor of Refuge at Lewes, DE, where the fleet anchored overnight. The following day, the circumnavigators headed offshore into the Atlantic for a 24-hour run, arriving on Monday, May 26. The crews gathered for a celebration dinner at Safe Harbor Blue Water Marina.
The trip was more than just a sailing event; it celebrated the Chesapeake Bay sailing community’s spirit, dedication, and love for adventure. This year’s circumnavigation was an unforgettable experience for the crews of Aeolus, Blue Heron, Frequent Win, Julia, Maverick, Never Say Never, Optimystic, Pinch Me, Silver Star, Sozo2, Stargazer, Summer Breeze, Windhover, and TBD.
MThe Reality of Boating
By Greg Shields
ost Club Notes are full of the “fun” aspects of sailing, showing multiple boat raftups and glorious sunsets. However, sometimes life gets in the way, and we have to adjust and adapt to present circumstances.
When a Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club member had a hip replacement postponed, they went ahead and launched their boat only to have the engine overheat (and repairs could be a ways off). Meanwhile, government layoffs caused financial doubt. But they kept a positive outlook, didn’t do anything stupid that could make the hip worse, hitched a ride on a fellow member’s boat, and used severance payments to get the boat back in shape.
Another member had to push back their launch date due to unforeseen circumstances. (When this happens, take care of whatever trumps boating, so that when you do launch, your conscience will be free to enjoy whatever time you get on the water.) This member was at their boat and feeling a bit distressed that it was taking so long to finish the pre-launch punch list when they saw another sailor whose boat also was still on the hard. They struck up a conversation. ‘Ah, I am not alone…’ and therein lies a wee bit of lemonade and perhaps a new friendship.
While we make lemonade out of lemons, our club also has three happy cruising stories to share. First, Jeff and Amelia took a birthday cruise with a great sail from the West River to St. Michaels. The pair anchored on the south side of the harbor and the next day, after a fun time in town, sailed up the Wye to Shaw Bay, where they anchored for the night.
Second, Pam and Michael headed south from the West River to Solomons with following winds of 20 knots and gusts to 26. At the Rappahannock they discovered for the first time all Urbanna has to offer.
Finally, Jeff and Darlene cruised for three weeks with stops in Cape Charles, Crisfield (where they took the ferry over to Smith Island), and Solomons. For upcoming CBTSC events, log into cbtsc.org.
# Jeff and Amelia celebrated Jeff’s birthday with a cruise to the Eastern Shore.
Cruise Uses Proven Formula and Adds New Activities
By Carol Hanson
Members of America’s Boating Club Wilmington (ABCW) embarked on our weeklong Annual Cruise adventure from Rock Hall, MD, on June 7.
This year’s cruise again focused on beautiful anchoring locations and interesting educational venues on the Upper Bay.
New for this year, the “pre-cruise itinerary” included music at the Mainstay in Rock Hall on Friday night. On Saturday, Selkie Book Store held a mystery book event, an author presentation, and a scavenger hunt. Saturday afternoon was the official start of the cruise with the Commander’s Kickoff at North Point Marina. A fine event to start the week!
On the first night of the cruise, a traditional shared dinner was hosted by an anchor boat. Our river anchorages included raftups in Shaw Bay on the Wye, Almshouse Creek on the South River, Dividing Creek on the Magothy, and Bodkin Creek on the Patapsco. Scheduled tours and activities included the Historic London Town and Gardens followed by a presentation by the riverkeeper for the South River, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, and Hancock’s Resolution plantation.
ABCW extended cruise invitations to other America’s Boating Club groups. As always, our goal was to provide opportunities for fun and camaraderie, while enjoying our beautiful Bay and possibly even learning something new about our fellow boaters, the Chesapeake Bay and/or our boats. The annual cruise continues to be a highlight of the summer boating season! Many thanks to the ABCW 2025 Cruise Committee for all their planning. To learn more about ABCW, visit abc-wilmington.com or contact us at wspsboaters@gmail.com.
Sailing Season Opens With Plentiful Winds
By Bill Levitan
Spring winds were kind to the opening of Parklawn Sailing Association’s 2025 season.
Refresher and new member training sessions on our two 34-foot Catalinas and 32-foot J/32 were held in April. Several of these sails had elements of heavy weather sailing with winds of 15 to 20 knots, gusting to 25-plus knots. Since the start of the season, we also have had our first full moon club sail, in-season member maintenance day, and weekend day and overnight club sails.
Our overnight sail involved all three of our boats and 14 members. Departing a couple of hours after gale warnings had expired, we sailed from our homeport of Galesville on the West River to Swan Creek. We had 15 to 20 knot winds, gusting to 25 along the way, and also encountered a violent thunderstorm with hail and winds in the 40-plus knot range. Once anchored in Swan Creek, the sun reappeared, and we motored to the Waterman’s Crab
WHouse in Rock Hall for dinner. After a peaceful night and breakfast at anchor, we sailed home under moderate breezes.
The Wednesday evening Pirate’s Cove Race Club season has likewise begun with the J/32 participating in nearly every race, including two in mist, rain, and cool temperatures. Unfortunately, it was poor visibility on one of these days that resulted in the cancellation of the Blue Angels performance for US Naval Academy Commissioning Week and thus our annual club sail to view it.
While all these club activities have been taking place, private sails have been ongoing as well. So far, members have reserved our boats for about 30 boat-days, including both single-day and multi-day sails. With summer upon us, much of the season remains with more club sails to be offered and plenty of dates open for private sails. Training sails will also continue to take place. If you are interested in joining our club, check out parklawnsailingassociation.org.
Growing the DC Sailing Community
hen Matt Smith moved to Washington, DC, in 2015, he quickly joined DC Sail, where he began teaching adult sailing on Flying Scots, but Matt noticed very little social interaction between members of the several sailing clubs in the DC area. Moreover, none of the clubs appeared to offer opportunities for large format group sailing beyond the occasional overnight or long weekend on the Chesapeake Bay. To bridge that divide, Smith formed the DC Sailing Community (DCSC) in 2017.
Smith says, “At the heart of our mission lies a profound desire to bring sailors together, to create lasting bonds within the thriving sailing community of the Washington, DC area and beyond. Each year DCSC organizes two flotillas that give DC, area sailors a valuable opportunity to develop their sailing skills in a way previously unavailable to them. Many of our sailors have become bareboat skippers in their own right through our mentorship and ASA certification program, in partnership with Chronic Sailing School in Annapolis.
“We sail the stunning waters of the Mediterranean in the late summer, and each February we leave the cold behind and travel the globe to find warmer climates and equally beautiful sailing locations. We take between six and 10 boats, which we skipper ourselves. Our flotillas are a wonderful blend of sailing, exploring, and social time. One of our boats hosts a themed party for the entire flotilla during the week, and on another night we organize a group dinner for all boat crews to come together to thank our skippers for their commitment to ensuring a safe and fun experience for their crews.”
Past flotillas have taken sailors to the Caribbean, Belize, The Seychelles, French Polynesia, Spain, and the San Juan Islands, in addition to extended sailing trips on the Chesapeake. The most recent winter trip was in Thailand. Read about it in the June 2025 issue of SpinSheet.
Upcoming flotillas include Sicily, BVI, Croatia, Mexico, and, in summer 2027, Tahiti, where DCSC plans to celebrate 10 years of building friendships and camaraderie one stunning sailing location at a time. Learn more at dcsailingcommunity.com.
# DCSC sailors in Thailand. Club founder Matt Smith is third from left.
# Club raftup on Swan Creek.
April showers bring, well, apparently, more showers. A little rain fell on our May event in Annapolis but what glorious sailing weather in the preceding days! Members sailed down the Bay for the rendezvous. Several sailboats took slips in Annapolis to enjoy watching the Naval Academy’s Commissioning Week Blue Angels air show rehearsal (the actual show was rained out) followed by a nice dinner at Main & Market Cafe. Members also came by land to join in the festivities, including event chairs, Wayne Steeves and Donna Pike. Many thanks for a fun time!
Bring on the Summer Sailing
By Susan Theuns
time Museum. Docent Peter knows all things when it comes to building wooden boats and Maryland maritime history.
On June 1, members departed Dun Cove on a 10-day Bay cruise. We went to Solomons and ended in Annapolis. Ports also included Cambridge, where the group had a private tour of the Richardson Mari-
This month, Cynde Nordone and Nancy Hendrick have a fun itinerary for a mini cruise; “Sail into Summer” will include some breezy anchorages, plug-in opportunities to cool off, and a three-hour tour of Poplar Island. We are looking forward to
this event and welcome drive-alongs for those just interested in the tour or participating in the potluck dinner in Annapolis. Please check our Facebook page for details and sign up. Space for the tour is limited and on a first-come basis.
Our boating club listens to our members, who participate in many ways, including chairing events that they design to suit their interests. We welcome our two newest members, Mike Troiani and Carol Longacre! If you are looking for a boating club that is tailored to you, please send a brief description of your experience, contact information, and expectations to CompassBoatingClub@ yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you and having you join us this sailing season!
# Enjoying dinner in Annapolis.
Youth Scene
July is packed with opportunities for junior sailors around the Chesapeake to compete in regattas and grow skills in summer camps, junior sailing programs, and other clinics.
As this issue goes to print in late June, summer sailing camps at yacht clubs and community sailing associations around the Bay are getting underway. The Miles River Yacht Club reports a record number of junior sailors registered this year, and in Annapolis, Severn Sailing Association (SSA) is completing week two of its 29er Development Team clinic, in which youth sailors learn the basics before moving onto the finer points of hiking off a trap wire. In July, more youth clinic opportunities at SSA will include two 420 clinics to teach boat-handling, spinnaker, and trapeze skills. The club will also host two ILCA 4 clinics.
Attention, parents. According to CBYRA, several member clubs have offered to support youth sailors who need “on the water coaching” at junior events. Parents or guardians must get their youth sailors’ boats to the events, but the clubs would support your sailor on the water for safety and some coaching. Contact jrsailing@cbyra.org for more information.
# Junior sailors in Annapolis Yacht Club’s Bay 420, Adventure Boating, and Intro to Keelboat classes got offshore sailing and safety training in mid-June thanks to volunteers from Storm Trysail Club. Photo courtesy of AYC/Facebook
July CBYRA Junior Sailing Events
Annapolis Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta, Annapolis, July 1; Severn Sailing Association Sandy MacVickar Junior Regatta, Annapolis, July 2; Cambridge Yacht Club Admiral Byrd Regatta, Cambridge, MD, July 12-13; Baltimore County Sailing Center Junior Annual Regatta, Baltimore, July 17; Gibson Island Yacht Squadron Junior Annual Regatta, Gibson Island, July 18; Fishing Bay Yacht Club One Design Regatta, Deltaville, VA, July 19-20; Lewes Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta, Lewes, DE, July 23; Maryland State Championship, Rock Hall Yacht Club, Rock Hall, MD, July 24-25.
Turn to the August SpinSheet for more youth and collegiate sailing news. Do you know a standout youth coach worthy of a short Q&A in SpinSheet? Send your suggestions and other youth sailing news, such as regatta recaps and photos, to beth@spinsheet.com
# Week one of Tred Avon YC junior sailing camp 2025. Photo courtesy of TAYC/Facebook
ICollege Sailing Fleet Race Nationals
n May, St. Mary’s College of Maryland hosted the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ISCA) College Sailing Nationals, with Women’s Fleet racing May 2023 and Open Fleet racing May 27-30.
Local teams from the Chesapeake region included St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, Georgetown University, and the US Naval Academy. Thirty-six teams competed. Stanford came out on top in both the Open Fleet and Women’s Fleet Championship, while the US Naval Academy captured second place in the Open Fleet. T2PTV, with Chesapeake sailor Ashley Love, produced a daily recap show that can be viewed at collegsailing.org. Full results are available at scores.collegesailing.org/s25/
In other collegiate news, Nathan Smith, US Naval Academy class of 2026, whose hometown is Yorktown, VA, was elected to the ISCA 2025 All-America Teams in the Open Skippers Division. Smith sailed in high school with Christchurch School.
Meanwhile, Thomas Sitzmann of Severna Park, MD, sailing for Stanford, was recently named a finalist for the Everett Morris Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the “Best Intercollegiate Sailor” by the US Naval Academy and the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association executive committee.
For more college sailing news, turn to collegesailing.org.
# Severna Park, MD, native Thomas Sitzmann sailing for Stanford with Ellie Harned captured the Robert M. Allen Sr. Trophy. Photo courtesy ICSA/Facebook
# Heavy rain befell the the Open Fleet on day two. Photo by Mark Hergan/ Deadrise Marine Photography
# Light, shifty winds and thunderstorm threats defined day one of the College Sailing Women’s Fleet Race Championship hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Photo by Mark Hergan/ Deadrise Marine Photography
Breeze On for the Annapolis to Miles River Race 2025
On a beautiful, breezy Saturday, May 24, 53 teams competed in the Annapolis to Miles River Race. This springtime favorite point-to-point race, hosted by the Miles River Yacht Club with assistance from the Eastport Yacht Club, proved to be a sporty start to the Memorial Day weekend on the Mid-Bay. Find full results at yachtscoring.com and photos by Will Keyworth at spinsheet.com/photos.
# Ed Tracey and Tim Polk’s Incommunicado team placed first in the seven-boat CRCA Racer division.
# John White and team sailed to victory among 10 competitors in ORC Open 2.
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
Miles River Race Top Three Results
Cal 25 (3 Boats)
1. Fahrvergnugen, Alisa Finney
2. White Cap, Dan Buan
J/105 (4 Boats)
1. Inigo, Jim Konigsberg
2. Breakaway, Richard Hinds
3. Chessie, John Kircher
J/24 (3 Boats)
1. Lucky 13, Samuel Parsons
2. Spaceman Spiff, Pete Kassal
3. Buxton, Peter Rich
ORC Open 1 (11 Boats)
1. Tenacious, David Bond
2. Querencia, Frank McGowan
3. Allegiant, Albert and Maryline Bossar
ORC Open 2 (10 Boats)
1. no name, John White
2. Hero Squad III, Andrew Eyring
3. Mayhem, Doug Stryker
CRCA Cruiser (7 Boats)
1. Merlin, Joshua Nealy
2. Cordelia, Nick Simpson
3. Liberty, Robert Richardson
CRCA Racer (7 Boats)
1. Incommunicado, Ed Tracey/Tim Polk
2. Blur, Trevor Carouge
3. Resolute, Francis Albert
CHESSS non-spin (3 Boats)
1. Revolution, Douglas Ellmore
2. Old Blue, John Zseleczky
3. Firth of Tay, Peter Dezendorf
PHRF (5 Boats)
1. Orion, Jon Opert
2. Avita, Daniel Watson
3. One Love, Jamie Gregory
# Trevor Carouge’s Blur team placed second in CRCA Racer.
# Alisa Finney’s winning Cal 25 Fahrvergnugen.
# Jim Konigsberg’s Inigo team topped the J/105 one-design fleet. Photos by Will Keyworth
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
From Light Air to White Knuckles: Southern Bay Race Week 2025
Sixty-five racing teams gathered at Hampton Yacht Club (HYC) May 31 to June 2 for its signature event, Southern Bay Race Week (SBRW). Dave Revill of HYC says, “We went from light-air racing, postponements waiting for wind, to white-knuckle 20- to 30-knot winds with gusts even higher. Well, the average was perfect!”
He continues, “It was delightful to see so many boats return to SBRW from prior years, but not only this, there were entries from all over the Bay and even the midwest. We once again had the honor to host two boats from the US Naval Academy, the Swan 45 Poseidon and Navy 44 Tenacious. Of course they were prominent with their awards, and we hope they will have the opportunity to return in 2026.”
Racing took place on three separate race areas: PHRF Super A, A, and B fleets off Craney Island; One Design and PHRF C fleets off Hampton Flats; and ORC Performance Cruiser, PHRF Cruising NonSpinnaker, and SBRW Non-Spinnaker off Buckroe Beach.
SBRW was the host for PHRF of the Chesapeake Southern Bay Regatta. Trophies for PHRF Super A, A, B, and C were co-branded SBRW and PHRF of the Chesapeake. Mayo Tabb, president of PHRF of the Chesapeake, came to present the awards and provide some words to the competitors.
# Photos by Jay Cook
At the final awards ceremony, John Henry on Rumble was presented with two special awards: Boat of the Week/Black Seal Cup and the Kenny Saylor Award. Ben Ritger on Argo received the Sportsmanship Award.
Henry says, “It was an honor for the J/29 Rumble to be selected SBRW big boat of the week. PRO Brian Diebler credited it to our fleet’s tight competition. First and second place was decided by the fourth tie breaker; so was third and fourth. The point spread throughout our fleet was minimal.”
After many years of his team sailing together, he says, “I can always count on them for excellent teamwork and sound advice on tactics and wind/tidal current strategy.”
Bill Stallings, Dave Washburn, Steve Woodward, Tom Wood, Dr. Chauncey Wu, Mike Poveromo, and Meaghan Allard rounded out the crew.
“The weather presented some challenges this year,” Henry notes. “On Friday, the wind was so light, we were only able to complete one race. On Saturday, the wind started at 18 knots and built well into the mid-20s. The highest gust we recorded was 34 knots. The wind and the current were in opposite directions, so the waves compressed into tall chop with a short wavelength, (which) made it difficult feathering upwind in the puffs, particularly on starboard tack.
“My crew barber-hauled the jib out a bit and slid the fairlead aft to power us up through the waves and keep us moving. Our team took it all in stride. Nobody got hurt. We did not break the toys, and we just hung in there while doing our best. The race committee managed to run four races in those conditions. I imagine it was far more comfortable racing sailboats than it was rolling around at anchor.”
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
On Sunday, “The wind teased us a bit and died altogether. The old wind and new wind held a tug of war until both sides finally gave up and racing had to be abandoned. Oh well, more time for the party.”
Doug Bird, who topped the six-boat Melges 24 One-Design fleet on Joybird, sailed with Ryan Kozoriz, Kevin Swisher, Anna Patterson, Richard O’Leary, and James Baldwin.
From Bird’s perspective: “Day two was phenomenal—we had a steady 20 to 27 knots of breeze throughout the day. The strong wind made sailing demanding but also incredibly rewarding, with speeds exceeding 17 knots downwind.”
When asked what was most challenging, Bird says, “The competition itself: we were up against a group of boats that all sailed at a very high level.”
As to what his crew did well, Bird says, “They put up with me, which I appreciate! More seriously, the crew sailed consistently with no major errors and only a few minor ones. They executed flawlessly throughout the regatta, and our communication was strong and effective.”
And the race committee? Bird says, “The RC did a brilliant job managing very changeable and difficult conditions.”
Henry says, “We want to thank our race committee for working so hard to give us a good series in spite of the fickle weather. The starting lines were square, and the mark boats kept the course aligned with the wind.
“As usual, the shoreside events were awesome. It was fun to visit with old friends and new acquaintances from around the Bay. There was plenty of action under the party tent in the evenings, and many boats set up dockside hospitality stations in the afternoon for those on walkabout.”
Revill says, “It’s the volunteers, along with the top-notch HYC staff, who make SBRW the success it is. This year 120-plus shoreside and on-the-water volunteers were the key. Visitors and regulars alike repeatedly commented on the friendly attitude and hospitality demonstrated by everyone they encountered. Kudos to all!”
Volunteers included the event chair, Bettyrene Pope; principal race officer, Brian Deibler; one design race officer, David McConaughy; and cruising race officer, Sergio Deihl.
Find full results at yachtscoring.com Mark the weekend following Memorial Day on your calendar for SBRW 2026.
SBRW Top Three Results
PHRF A (11 Boats)
1. Tenacious, Colin Caraher
2. Remedy, Willis Roberts
3. Voodoo 2, Leroi Lissenden
PHRF B (6 Boats)
1. Rumble, John Henry
2. Wham Bam, David Taylor
3. Shock, Chris Whately
PHRF Super A (7 Boats)
1. Sitella, Ian Hill
2. Poseidon, Sawyer Barnard
3. Fleetwood, Jeremy Alexis
ORC Performance Cruiser (Spinnaker) (9 Boats)
1. Jammin, Dan Berger
2. Red Frog, Randy Goodman
3. Coeur d’ Alene, Hank Giffin
PHRF Cruising (Non-Spin) (10 Boats)
1. 41 North, Ron Ruszala
2. Dauntless, James Keen
3. Incentive III, Steve Snaidman
SBRW Cruising (5 Boats)
1. Puff Card, Walter Boatwright
2. Old Crow, Scott Nielsen
3. Black Widow, Gade & Girardin & Copeland
Melges 24 (6 Boats)
1. Joyride, Douglas Bird
2. Jocko Flocko, Carter Miller
3. This is Cool, Rusty Burshell
Viper 640 (6 Boats)
1. Vapor Trails, Mark Wheeler
2. Caterpillar, Peter Ill
3. Rolling Thunder, Vir Menon
PHRF C (5 Boats)
1. Roundabout, Alan Bomar
2. Callinectes, Benjamin Cuker
3. Schiehallion, Brad Miller
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
EWE Got This!
The fifth EWE Spirit Cup took place May 17, a picture-perfect breezy racing day off Annapolis. Forty-two teams competed in a pursuit race, plus windward-leeward racing (for Harbor 20 and Melges 15 classes), followed by a lighthearted party at Horn Point Marina.
Organizers at the EWE Spirit Foundation in partnership with the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake put together this fundraising regatta to give back directly to the community, and the teams compete in raising funds as fiercely as they race sailboats. They also have a lot of fun together!
The winner of the top fundraising award and the coveted red Vans (Geoff Ewenson’s signature shoes) was Jamie Fontanella of Brass Monkey. Team Viper 315, led by Robert Ranzenbach, took home top team honors and a handstitched EWE Spirit battle flag. Ranzenbach also won a bottle of Casamigos Silver Tequila, presented by Craig Ligibel, for having the most individual donors support his fundraising efforts.
When outfitting sailing teams for events, in addition to providing on-thewater gear, Geoff always found a fun shirt for the crew, dubbing it their “steppingout shirt.” Each year, at the EWE Spirit party, a bottle of Casamigos Reposado is presented to the sailor with the best shirt. This year, the award went to Team Zuul, who donned their stepping-out shirts before sailing bringing loads of color to the racecourse!
Awards included La Spirit beer, brewed in honor of EWE Spirit and provided by Forward Brewing for all sailors of legal drinking age, collected after finishing from a separate committee boat near the finish line.
At the party, Mary Ewenson awarded two significant gifts from the
EWE Spirit Foundation: $10K for the Anne Arundel Food Bank and $10K for the Light House, a homeless prevention support center. Sarah Reilly from the Food Bank and Mary Houser from the Light House both said a few words about how these gifts would positively impact their communities.
The EWE Spirit Foundation’s mission is to honor the legacy of Geoff Ewenson by helping those facing immediate hardship bridge financial and social support gaps through mentorship, outreach, and financial assistance, thus creating a kind world where everyone has the resources and opportunity to live with dignity, hope, and joy. The organization has given $500,000 to the community in its first four and a half years.
Learn how you can get involved at ewespirit.org
# Ben Capuco’s Zuul team won top honors for their “Steppin’ Out” shirts.
# Tracey and Warren Richter on the J/22 Committed won the 15-boat pursuit race. Photos by Will Keyworth
EWE Spirit Cup Top Three Results
J/105 (11 Boats)
1. Mayhem, Doug Stryker
2. Good Trade, Peter Bowe
3. Velvet Hammer, Reid McLaughlin
Pursuit (15 Boats)
1. Committed, Tracey Richter
2. Zuul, Benedict Capuco
3. Hot Toddy, Jeffrey Todd
Harbor 20 (9 Boats)
1. Yellow Jacket, Scholz Sullivan
Syndicate/Jeff Scholz
2. Sugar, Garth Hichens
3. Despacito, Jose and Crissy Fuentes
Melges 15 (6 Boats)
1. She’ll Be Right, Dillon Paiva
2. 2Toasty, Zack Kelchner
3. Miss Evie, Bonnie Van Sciver-Steele
# Doug Stryker on Mayhem strikes again by placing first in the J/105 division.
Big Fleet, Big Breeze, Big Fun
The first weekend of June saw another record-breaking Colonial Cup with 48 registrants. This event has become a premier East Coast spring Snipe regatta in the last few years as Annapolis has a strong local fleet that is welcoming to competitors, a great venue at the Severn Sailing Association (SSA), and interesting and challenging sailing conditions. This year’s regatta was a qualifier for the
2026 Snipe World Championships. This all came together for some Serious Sailing, Serious Fun!
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate for any racing for the fleet on Saturday. The race committee reported sustained winds over 25 knots with some gusts reaching 30. The fleet was postponed for an hour to see if the breeze would abate. It did not… and the thunderstorms came! Sailors
enjoyed socializing at SSA, getting an early jump on the evening’s festivities. Maryland crab cakes from The Boatyard were served at 4 p.m. before a nice regatta dinner, and the bar was open all evening.
Sunday’s conditions made up for Saturday, with PRO Steve Podlich running four quality races in a puffy and shifty northwest breeze of 10-20 knots. Racing got quickly underway with U
# Three-peat Colonial Cup Champ Ernesto Rodriguez with super-crew Taylor Scheuermann. Photos by Ted Morgan
# Carol Cronin and Kim Couranz of SSA finished at the top of the women’s fleet.
# Lisa and Lexi Pline placed third in the women’s division.
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
flags keeping the hard-charging fleet in check. The racing was exciting, and staying in phase with the 30-degree shifts was paramount. The downwind legs brought great rides in the puffs but were manageable with a flat sea state (though several highly skilled boats did capsize).
Locals Trevor Davis and Diego Escobar thrived in the challenging conditions, notching first-place finishes to go with
a 16th in race three, while Ernesto Rodriguez and Taylor Scheuermann of Miami kept it consistent with a 2, 2, 1, 4 scoreline.
Rodriguez and Scheuermann took the top overall spot: a third straight Colonial Cup win for Ernesto! Davis and Escobar took second, followed by Enrique Quintero/Lorena Fundora in third. The top three clinched qualifica-
Oxford Regatta 2025
New For 2025! Solomons to Oxford Race
Friday, August 8, 2025 | First Warning 13:00
Boats in ORC Open, ORC Performance Cruiser, CHESSS (Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker), PHRF A, PHRF B/C, PHRF N, and PHRF Cruiser classes are invited to participate. Boats in the Boats in an ORC class shall have the pertinent valid ORCi, ORC Club, or ORC Non-Spinnaker rating certificate for the class entered. Boats in a PHRF class shall have a valid PHRF of the Chesapeake rating certificate.
Tred Avon Yacht
Club
102 West Strand | Oxford, MD
TAYC invites all skippers, crews, and friends to the Awards Ceremony and after-regatta party on shore.
tion for the 2026 Snipe World Championships in Menorca, Spain, September 21-26, 2026.
Rounding out the top five were Augie Diaz/Madeline Baldridge in fourth and Peter Foley/Rees Tindall in fifth. The top Junior team was Owen Fretwell/Colin Krebs from San Diego in 14th, and the top Women’s team was Carol Cronin/ Kim Couranz in 11th to complete the trophy winners. Not only was this a recent record for total teams, but also highs of five all-junior teams and six all-women teams. The fleet also included four married couple teams and two parent-child teams. How cool is that?
A new addition to this regatta was four local Junior boats competing with three crews from Annapolis Yacht Club Jr. Sailing and one from the SSA Juniors. Two new Snipes have found a home at AYC, through a new program designed to elevate junior sailors into adult racing using the Snipe as a platform.
As this was their first Snipe regatta, the Juniors were helped by Coach Bruno Mello and also received a plethora of advice from the class experts; the Snipe fleet has a great culture of teaching and helping new sailors. The Juniors found the Snipe to be technical, tactical, athletic, and fun to sail and are excited for the Snipe Junior Nationals at SSA in August!
The Sportsmanship award went to Lexi Pline and Lydia McPherson, who assisted a bachelorette party on a rental electric Duffy that was caught in the thunderstorm Saturday afternoon. They received a blade bag donated by North Sails. The competitors were also met above the finish line by the Geaux Fast Sailing Beer Boat for a post-race carbohydrate recovery beverage for the sail in on Sunday.
Packing up ensued in a swarm of activity, as much of the fleet was continuing on to the Snipe US National Championships in Atlanta beginning in a few days. The Severn Sailing Association hosts Snipe racing all summer, with TESODs, Spring and Summer Series events, the ‘Dick C’ Cup (Richard C. Bartlett Memorial) A/B Division Regatta, and the Snipe Junior National Championship and Annapolis Snipe Invite U30 Regatta (for sailors under 30) August 16-17.
Tred Avon Yacht Club and Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club
Photo by Ted Morgan
Annapolis to Newport Race 2025 – Part One
The 40th biennial Annapolis to Newport Race (A2N) kicked off with great energy as 37 boats in four classes set sail in light southsoutheasterly winds off Annapolis June 6 for the 475-mile race down the Bay and offshore to Newport, RI. For the second “faster boat” start on Saturday, June 7, after a 40-minute delay following a storm, the weather cleared, and a southeasterly breeze filled in; 34 boats across three classes launched down the Chesapeake Bay.
Among the standout participants in the first start was Maryline Bossar’s all-female crew aboard the J/42 Allegiant,
who four days later would become the first all-women team to finish the race.
The race also featured a growing ORC Doublehanded class, where Paul Parks made a notable return after 30 years, sailing his well-equipped J/124 Sundog with co-skipper George Saunders. The Sundog team proved victorious in the class.
The PHRF class included 14 entries, among them 2023 winner Cookie Monster, skippered by Stephen Hale, who finished third this time. The U.S. Naval Academy maintained its proud tradition with three boats competing internally as well as within the larger fleet; Defiance topped the class.
Starting Saturday in ORC 1, Temptation/Oakcliff, skippered by Arthur Santry and crewed by Oakcliff Sailing program students and sailing legend Gary Jobson of Annapolis, quickly took the lead and emerged as the favorite for line honors, which they achieved four days later.
Other notable entries included Dark Storm, the defending ORC Open 2 class champion skippered by Ken Comerford, with his sons as watch captains; the team finished second. Annapolis sailor Ben Capuco and his team on Zuul topped ORC Open 3.
At print time, Chesapeake crews were delivering boats and returning to their lives and work after this long A2N Race with stretches of very light air. Stay tuned to the August SpinSheet for post-race analysis. Find full results on yachtscoring.com and news at annapolisnewportrace.com
# Ken Comerford’s Dark Storm placed second in ORC Open 2.
# Maryline Bossar’s J/42 Allegiant became the first all-women crew to complete the 475-nautical-mile race.
Photo courtesy Allegiant team
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
A2N Top Three Results
ORC Double Handed (7 Boats)
1. Sundog, Paul Parks
2. Abientot, Roger Lant
3. Thin Man, Todd Aven and Todd Diffee
ORC Performance Cruiser - 1 (8 Boats)
1. Blue Skies, William Gunther
2. Legacy, Nick Carter
3. Divide by Zero, John Lanigan
ORC Performance Cruiser - 2 (8 Boats)
1. Twiga, David Esseks
2. Bay Retriever, Kevin Sherwood
3. Bellatrix, Hattie Warwick-Smith
PHRF (14 Boats)
1. Defiance, Sammy Mentel
2. Alibi, John Sartorius
3. Cookie Monster, Stephen Hale
ORC Open - 1 (7 Boats)
1. Temptation/Oakcliff, Art Santry
2. Velocity, Martin Roesch
ORC Open - 2 (13 Boats)
1. Arcadia, Eliot Merrill
3. Windborn, Richard Born # The J66 Temptation/Oakliff
3. Dream Crusher, Devin McGranahan
2. Dark Storm, Ken Comerford
3. Phantom, Chris Schoen
ORC Open - 3 (14 Boats)
1. Zuul, Benedict Capuco
2. ZIG ZAG, Andrew Clark
Sailling took line honors and first place in ORC 1.
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
A Smokey, Yet Successful Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta
Agrey day due to wildfire smoke started off with 61 racing teams waiting for wind at the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta June 14 off Annapolis. A steady eight- to 10-knot breeze rewarded sailors’ patience, making for a pleasant, however low-visibility racing day. Find full results at yachtscoring.com and photos by Ted Morgan at spinsheet.com/photos
PHRF Cruiser - Spinnaker (2 Boats) Calypso’s Spell, Leon Bloom
PHRF N (4 Boats) Muskrat, Nick Iliff
Viper 640 (3 Boats)
Plymouth Satellite, Mary Ewenson Harbor 20 (8 Boats)
Brilliant, Kenneth Appleton
PHRF NS (4 Boats) Blew Bayou II, Jim Bradshaw
# Mary Ewenson’s winning Viper Plymouth Sattelite team.
mountgayrum.com
# Peter Bowe’s Good Trade topped the J/105 division. Photos by Ted Morgan
A Thrilling Santa Maria Cup
After a thrilling week of world-class match racing, spirited sportsmanship, and unforgettable moments on and off the water, the 2025 Santa Maria Cup, hosted June 4-7, came to a close. Organizers at host club Eastport YC announced that Team Baam (USA), skippered by Allie Blecher and crewed by Beka Schiff, Rose Edwards, and Ali Blumenthal Stokes, were the 2025 champions.
Following a mostly breezy week, in Saturday’s light and tactical conditions, Team Baam defeated Vela Racing (USA), led by Nicole Breault with crew Evan Brown Cahill, McKenzie Wilson, and Julie Mitchell, in three straight races to secure the title. With patience, precision, and poise, Blecher and her team found the speed when it mattered and stayed a step ahead in each match.
“It was super light and very stressful in each match, but I’m fortunate to have a
team that keeps me calm and collected,” said Blecher. “We were just able to keep our bow down and stay ahead. We’re thrilled with this win!”
Breault graciously reflected on the match: “The better team won (on the final day). It was tricky out there, and although we were close, Team Baam found a little extra where it counted. Congratulations to them!”
Earlier in the afternoon, defending champions Team Wings from Sweden, skippered by Anna Östling, bounced back
from their semifinal loss to beat Juliet Costanzo’s Easy Tiger Racing (AUS) 2-0 in the petit-final and secure the final podium spot.
This year’s regatta brought together an impressive field of athletes representing Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Every team pushed the racing to a higher level and brought their own style and energy to the week. Congratulations to all competitors! Learn more at santamariacup.org; Find photos by Ted Morgan at spinsheet.com/photos
# Team Baam (USA), skippered by Allie Blecher and crewed by Beka Schiff, Rose Edwards, and Ali Blumenthal Stokes are the 2025 Santa Maria Cup Champions. Photos by Ted Morgan
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
More Than 100 Compete at ILCA Atlantic Coast Championships
Severn Sailing Association hosted 103 competitors and eight coaches for two days of epic conditions for the 2025 ILCA Atlantic Coast Championships May 17-18. Winds ranged from 10-25 knots, making for exciting sailing.
Top Competitors
ILCA 7 (33 boats)
Will Rucker (6 points)
Mats Braaten (13 points)
Granger Osborne (31 points)
Reed McAllister (32 points)
ILCA 6 (42 boats)
James Pine (7 points)
Jackson Wilcox (8 points)
Jackson Bjorklund (10 points)
Cole Fanchi (17 points)
ILCA 4 (17 boats)
Alessandro Mazzi (15 points)
Gabriela Mascarenhas (18 points)
Lachlan Duer (19 points)
Marcus Durlach V (20 points)
There’s no other one design class in the world that attracts such a wide range of sailors. Of the 92 sailors who competed: there were 44 Junior Sailors (18 and under) across all fleets, 10 U21 (under 21), 10 U30 (under 30), and 36 Masters (with more than a few Grand and Great Grand Masters in the mix). And just like the sailors, the boats racing in these conditions greatly varied in age.
Finishing Under the Moonlight
By Bob Aaron
Another Postapskut Sailing Association
(PSA) Moonlight Race has been carefully completed. The weather predictions on the morning of the race June 7 were worrisome: rain and possible thunderstorms. While that did come true for the general area, it did not occur in the north of the bridge area of the Bay. There was just enough wind for a proper start for 15 competing boats.
Each leg of the race had a mixture of wind speeds of zero to five miles per hour. On the final leg to the finish line, the moon was out and the sun was behind clouds before it slid below the horizon.
White Lightning was a little late to the party, as we ran out of gas while entering Black Hole Creek. The post-race jubilations sounded welcoming as we walked to the clubhouse on the hill. What, we’re out of bacon?
You are formally invited to Solomons Island! Summer racing in the Middle Bay is on! With the end of the Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge in 2024, the Southern Maryland Sailing Association (SMSA) has decided to keep on doing what we love to do: go sailing! We have organized a new regatta called The Patuxent Pursuit to be held July 18-20.
The Patuxent Pursuit starts with a pursuit race on Friday for all competitors and shifts into two courses for Saturday and Sunday with windward/leeward racing for PHRF and One Design classes and more pursuit-style racing for the Navigator/ Cruiser classes.
Off the water activities will include classic SMSA parties with daily awards, food, and entertainment. This year we’ve decided to return the parties home and will host shore activities at the SMSA clubhouse on Solomons Island, MD.
How can you join the racing and fun? Head to the SMSA web page (smsa.com) for details and information including registration, pre-purchase meal tickets, swag, and more. For those looking to just join the shore activities, you are also invited to be part of our event.
We’ve placed our “special order” for great weather and wind for all three days and are proud to continue bringing the best we have to offer to the Middle Chesapeake. We truly hope to see you out there on the water with us this summer.
The Patuxent Pursuit, where the river meets the race!
The New Solomons to Oxford Race
As part of the Oxford Regatta, a new point-to-point race called the Solomons to Oxford Race will unfold Friday, August 8. The 29-mile course with government marks will run from Drum Point to “R3” near the Tred Avon Yacht Club (TAYC).
Boats in ORC Open, ORC Performance Cruiser, CHESSS (Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker), PHRF A, PHRF B/C, PHRF N, and PHRF Cruiser classes are
invited to participate. Boats in an ORC class should have the pertinent valid ORCi, ORC Club, or ORC NonSpinnaker rating certificate for the class entered. Boats in a PHRF class should have a valid PHRF of the Chesapeake rating certificate.
TAYC invites all skippers, crews, and friends to the awards ceremony and after-party on shore. Enter online at tayc.com
# The Patuxent Pursuit Race will be held July 18-20. Photo by Steven Birchfield
# A new way to get to the Oxford Regatta will be via the Solomons to Oxford Race August 8. Photo by Will Keyworth
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
A J/29 Class Resurgence
By Pat Seidel
After a 30-plus year hiatus, the J/29 was back racing on the Bay at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Series with an impressive array of boats coming from Riverton, NJ, to Cambridge, MD. Seven boats made the annual trek—not bad for the idea of a J/29 resurgence born on the back of a bar napkin over the Christmas holiday.
Cambridge and Oxford were well represented with Liz Principe and her tricked out, The Doghouse (who let the dogs out!).
The Godfather of the Cambridge Wednesday night racing, Joe Brooks, and family brought Nothing Artificial. They own the Choptank Wednesday night series with more wins than blue crabs in the Bay. Mike Baugh brought his J/29, Persephone from Oxford, truly with his family, and Matt Rajacich driving the boat. Mike and his wife, Sarah, brought the rockstars for the regatta, Roddy and Heneage, seven and 10 respectively.
Tom Lloyd and John Stefancik rounded out the class with the only Annapolis-based boat, Rosalita. John and Tom have been neighbors and sailing buddies for over 20 years in Round Bay, making a very strong racing team.
Principe together with Papa Will Keyworth hosted a Welcome to Annapolis reception on Thursday evening after registration. This was a tremendous opportunity for all the crews to get acquainted. This event started the regatta with smiles and camaraderie that only got better over the weekend. Jim Hayes, a longtime supporter, played a critical behind the scenes role in supporting the out of town boats (thank you, Jim).
Racing was intense for all three days with close mark roundings and finishes with multiple boats overlapped. Four of the seven boats took a first place over the series, and five boats took a second as well. Great closequarters racing with no bumps, bruises, or protests!
The final tally for the podium boats were: 1. Persephone, 2. Shadowfax, and 3. Rosalita
The next J/29 one design event will be the Annapolis Yacht Club Annual Regatta on Sunday, July 27. Time to get a J/29 and join the fun!
# The cool kids on a J/29. Photo by Will Keyworth/ SpinSheet
Small Boat Scene Are We on Final?
By Kim Couranz
What makes a good start? To vastly oversimplify, it’s crossing the line at full speed, heading in the direction you want to go, with clean air and little traffic, ideally at or near the favored end of the line if one exists, as the gun goes off. Lots of elements go into getting a good start, and I’ll offer that the decision when and where to start your final approach to the line is one of the top factors.
Getting this timing down is tough. Set up too early, and you’ll end up a sitting duck with no momentum, and other
competitors can take advantage of you. Set up too late, and you risk not finding a spot. What variables affect when to set up?
Length of the line relative to the size of the fleet.
If the race committee has set a line that’s too short for the number of boats in your fleet, it’s like playing duck-duck-goose: You’ve got to get to your chair before the music stops. If you usually start lining up around 45 seconds to go, push it back another 20 seconds or so to reserve your spot on the line. You’ll need good boat
# Photos by Ted Morgan
handling to maintain your position, and a keen eye and quick reaction time to fend off any interlopers, but being able to stay in a spot where you’ll have clean air as the gun goes off is important.
Yes, it’s always nice to start near the favored end of the line (if there is one), but remember that the headstart you get from starting near the favored end is smaller on a short line than on a longer line. It’s often worthwhile to forgo some of the “favoredness” in lieu of being able to be on the line: I’d much rather be on the line not at the favored end than second row at the favored end in traffic.
The opposite is true, too: In multifleet regattas, where different-sized fleets use the same starting line sequentially, the race committee will often set the line long enough to support the largest fleet. If you’re in a smaller fleet, that means there will be more elbow room for your start.
Size of the fleet in general. Often, we one-design dinghy sailors race in local fleets of 10 to 15 boats. It’s not too challenging to keep an eye on the trend of the fleet and to match when they get on final approach. But when fleets get bigger than 25 or so, it’s a lot more complex. Batches of boats may convince each other to head toward the line sooner or later than other groups. That makes it a lot easier to miss opportunities. To avoid losing out, it’s usually best to establish your turf a little earlier in the starting sequence than you might usually do.
Sailfaster Podcast: Big Boat Data with Steve Hunt
A recent episode of Sailfaster podcast featured top racer/coach Steve Hunt. Here’s an extract from the podcast episode in which Steve talks about some of the differences between racing on a TP52 and smaller boats such as J/70s or Etchells. Hear the full episode by listening to Sailfaster on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch it on YouTube. To get more of Steve’s advice and tips for racing sailors go to stevehuntsailing.com
Sailfaster: Has your time on TP52s changed how you race other boats?
Steve: It has definitely changed communications on other boats that I sail, like Etchells and J/70s. Because you fall in love with the TP52’s data, you want to replicate it elsewhere, such as having ‘burn time’ to the start that really frees you as a tactician to make decisions. If you have a minute to burn, you can do a circle, gybe, and head to the line. If you have five seconds to burn, you’re pretty much racing. If you have 30 seconds to burn, maybe you have time to do a double tack and go.
I’ve asked team members on other boats to pretend they have a box and call lengths to lay lines, burn time, or estimate time to the line. Having someone tell you lengths to the pin lay line as you’re coming into the starting box on port, means knowing when you can tack and lay the pin. Or if you’re heading towards the boat lay line, having someone say, “four lengths to boat lay line, three lengths to boat lay line,” knowing that you can now tack underneath it and you won’t be closed out by someone else. Whereas if you pass it and tack, maybe another boat hooks you and closes you out, so you can’t start. Having that data is great. That’s been a change which I think has helped us on other teams with smaller boats.
Does having all that data on a TP52 make your job easier or harder? Sometimes harder! The instrumentation is great, but I still force myself to get my eyes out of the boat and use my own judgment. True wind direction can be screwed up after a tack. Also, it doesn’t work well in reaching in the prestart—you trust the display, head up to win the pin, and then don’t lay! We now practice starts without instruments, and I drive by feel for time and distance. We add them back. That seems better than just fully trusting them, but I still use it with a grain of salt!
That’s really interesting as a way of thinking about doing that. My team will tell you that we’ve had our best results when our instruments have failed!
Totally. That’s how I learned! One day they all just crashed, and I had my best day and my lay lines were great. I thought, “What have I been doing listening to this box the whole time?!” It’s just a computer making guesses. It might tell you time to layline, but you’re three quarters of a mile away and you gybe on what it thinks is layline, and if there’s any shift, you’re not on it anymore.
Another difference between the small boats and big boats is that there’s ‘no man’s land’ in a TP-52 where you’re 25 seconds away from the leeward mark; that’s not enough time to gybe, get the jib up, and douse the kite; so you’re in this quandary of “what do we do?” Whereas in a J/70, you can just gybe, boom. Kite down. It’s easy; it doesn’t really matter. So, there are other constraints on a big boat, and yes, sometimes the instruments get you in trouble.
Listen to the full episode on Sailfaster podcast!
# Photo by Anna Suslova/ 2025 GL52 Southern Show
A Primer on the Racing Staysail
By David Flynn of Quantum Sails
As we swing into the distanceracing season, I thought it would be useful to talk about the staysail, little used in course racing, but an important weapon when going point to point. If you are lucky enough to do a true distance race such as the Trans-Atlantic or Trans-Pac, this is a sail (or sails) that you will probably have up a majority of the time. It has been a while, but the first time I did an Atlantic crossing we had our genoa staysail up for 11 of the 14 days. It was pretty much a constant.
While they come in all sizes and flavors, racing staysails are basically deployed inside reaching sails to augment horsepower and aid in balance. They can also help with generating flow between sails. Depending on size and shape, they can be used at tight angles as close as 60 degrees true wind angle (TWA)—as soon as the primary headsail is eased out—and aft to TWA’s as broad as 140 degrees.
The design range of a given staysail is determined by size (where it is tacked in the foretriangle) and shape (how full or flat the design is). An easy way to think of reaching staysails is that they come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. In Quantum terminology this translates into the Inner Genoa Staysail (IGS), an all-purpose or Squaretop Genoa Staysail (SGS), and an OGS or oversized genoa staysail.
The smallest or IGS is tacked at approximately 45 percent of the J (dimension between forward face of mast and
where the headstay intersects the deck). It sheets very far inboard, usually to the same inboard tracks for the jib. It can be tacked to weather of the centerline, but usually it is on centerline. Small and flat, it can be sheeted hard and is almost capable of going upwind with the primary headsail. It comes into range as soon as sheets are eased or at about 60 degrees TWA. This is the staysail capable of being used at the closest angles.
As with all staysails you need a certain amount of apparent wind (usually 10 to 12 knots) to make it work. If you try to fly in too little apparent wind, it will just suck in the bigger sail you have up and close off the slot. The IGS sheets right up to the mainsail profile and actually helps flow across the bottom part of the mainsail.
The medium size staysail all purpose or SGS tacks at around 65 to 70 percent of J. It also sheets primarily to the inboard jib tracks but may have its lead moved outboard at broader angles. It is also tacked to the centerline with the option to move tack to weather at wider angles. Bigger and more powerful than the IGS, it is not quite as close winded. Typically, it becomes effective at TWA angles greater than 75 degrees. This sail is flown under reaching, high-clewed headsail (jib top or blast reacher) and under Code Zeros and A3 reaching spinnakers. It helps increase the range of the A0 and A3 reaching asymmetrical. The added horsepower lets you sail deeper angles effectively.
Both the IGS and SGS can be built as a square top (like a square top mainsail) with battens or as a furling sail with verti-
# Photos courtesy of Quantum Sails
cal battens. Full-length battens provide structure to optimize and preserve sail shape and allow for a reduced hoist while maintaining area and power. The square top configuration is generally considered more efficient from a shaping perspective. Furling sails, however, provide another level of ease of use. They can be set furled and left up until the angle and velocity are right and quickly deployed. Furling staysails are the choice for shorter races.
Hanked-on sails with battens are for true long distance. Sails with conventional battens are usually hanked on to a “carrier stay,” a light Dyneema stay not intended to handle load but merely to guide the sail up when hoisting and dropping so that it is not flailing and flogging. Both sails use a big torsional rope in the luff to handle the actual loads, and the boat must have a system for getting plenty of tension on the rope so that there is no sag.
The big (OGS) staysail goes further outboard, usually at around 80 to 85 percent of J. It is usually found on boats using sprits, so it has more room and will
not interfere with the asymmetrical. The OGS is used at broader angles usually aft of 110 degrees TWA and can cross the gap to a full downwind A2 asymmetrical. It is also not uncommon to be able to use two or more staysails together if you are at the right angle and have enough velocity. This double or triple head rig is very cool looking and trendy. It also can work very well if the conditions are perfect. One of the other side benefits of using reaching staysails is balance. On a close reach or whenever you are at the closest angles a spinnaker can be carried, they help shift the center of effort forward and unload the helm. Oftentimes, in combination with a reef in the mainsail, they can help balance the helm and make the boat much easier to drive.
Staysails broaden the range of your sails in your crossover charts. For exam- r crossover ple, if you’re using a double staysail setup with a genoa-style boat, the staysails allow you to bring the range of the genoa down to a deeper angle so that you can avoid having to put your code zero up
at too tight of an angle, preserving efficient flow. If you’re using the staysail with your code zero up, it causes the code zero angle to widen, allowing you to sail at a deeper angle, until you get into your soft sails. Working together, these sails help in the flow of the slot for more power and open up the angles of the other sails to reduce gaps in your crossover chart.
The bottom line is that reaching staysails have a number of advantages that make them worth the effort.
Number one is that they can make the boat tenths of a knot faster. They also augment sail power, creating more slotting without excess sail area up high, which can close the slot on larger sails. They help break down the total sail area into smaller working components; and the shorter sails allow for more efficient slotting and minimize ventilating between headsails and code zeros or other reaching headsails.
For long distance races with lots of reaching there is no substitute!
Questions? Email dflynn@quantumsails.com
RaCinG Results
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YachtView.com wants to be your concierge Annapolis brokerage to sell your power or sailing yacht. We offer complimentary, secure dockage with electrical hookups for vessels ranging from 25’ to 80’ until sold. Our commission is 8% for direct sales or 10% co-brokered. We advertise on YachtView.com, YachtWorld. com, YachtTrader.com, and Yachtr. com for excellent MLS exposure. Located 15 minutes from BWI and downtown Annapolis for easy customer access. Visit YachtView.com or contact Capt. John Kaiser, Jr. for a detailed yacht appraisal today! Yacht View Brokerage, John Kaiser, Jr., Full-time yacht broker since 1988, call/text: 443.223.7864, John@YachtView.com, www.YachtView.com
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Matthew Lambert – YaZu Yachting
Since joining YaZu Yachting in 2023, Matt has played a key role in growing the sailboat side of the business. A lifelong sailor and active competitor, Matt has a deep appreciation for wellcrafted boats of all kinds—not just the fast ones! He combines his extensive on-the-water experience with a strong background in sales to effectively market boats for sellers and match buyers with the perfect vessel for their needs. Matt: 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
Veteran Yacht Sales At Veteran Yacht Sales, we're not just selling yachts— we're delivering dreams. Headquartered in Annapolis, our reach extends throughout the East Coast and beyond, connecting discerning buyers with exceptional yachts. Our seasoned professionals, rooted in military and first-responder communities, ensure every transaction is transparent, trustworthy, and tailored to your needs. Whether buying or selling, rely on our targeted marketing, deep market insight, and meticulous attention to detail.
Shared Sailboats Available Join one of the longest running sailing clubs in the region! Mid-Atlantic Sailing Association shares an O’Day 322 on the Bay and a Catalina 27 on the Potomac. Only a few slots available! Inquire at www.masasailing.org or call Karl at 301.467.9987.
SAIL CLUB ANNAPOLIS 32’ Hunter Vision Sloop, fully equipped. Annual dues $950. Daily rate $100/day Contact: 434.808.3512 or garudabuss@gmail.com
33’ Reynolds 1D ‘05 Ready to race catamaran. This boat is typically one of the first to finish in any race. Fastest Elapsed Time Race Record Governors Cup. $20,000 Financing available. No slip fees. Call 443.691.9587 or hyperships@yahoo.com www.tinyurl.com/Reynolds33
SAIL
1981 Crosby 22’ Catboat Optional bowsprit and furling headsail. New head, sink, galley pump. Inboard diesel. Clean, many extras. $5,500 or best offer. Potomac River. 704.425.4108
1984 O’Day 26 New galvanized trailer. 9.9Hp outboard, new mainsail, refurbished furling jib, spinnaker. Swing keel, 2.5-foot min. draft. Used in freshwater only. Lancaster, PA. $9,500 Contact: stevenk353@gmail. com More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/1984ODay
1974 O’Day 27 Looking for a New Home Ready to Sail. Sails in good condition. Genoa needs replacing; however, it is still functional. Halyards were replaced last year. Powered by Yanmar YSB-8. Runs great. $2,000 OBO. Contact: Tspearson@yahoo.com
(Gabrielle) 1984 J Boats J/29
Excellent racer w/ many trophies! Rolling fuller, B&G ZEUS, 3 spinnakers, 1 of each: #1, #2, #3 jibs, and more. Located in Cambridge, MD. **Price Reduced** $4,999 Call Branden 443.521.9675 or brandenspearconstruction@gmail.com - more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/Gabrielle1984
1967 Rawson 30 Cutter No coring so no squishy hull or decks. Longtime liveaboard. Needs new fuel tanks and some TLC. Tons of sails. **PRICE REDUCED $11,500** Currently West Palm Beach, FL. For more information and pictures, visit: www.tinyurl.com/1967Rawson Contact: John - john@avedelmar.com
1976 30’ C&C Cruiser/Racer Immaculately maintained and cared for by 30-year Boat Partnership! EVERYTHING included: 8 Sails, Electronics, Galley, Walker Bay Dinghy, and more! Single Hand Rigged. **REDUCED $14,999** Annapolis area. Owner Sale. Call Mike: 410.533.3964
Brokerage & Classified
Catalina 30 Mark II 1988 Well-equipped for Bay/Coastal Cruising. Wing keel, Universal M25, Extra sails w/ Gennaker, Solar panels 140W ea. Refrigerator, stove, sink, HW heater, Bimini, Dodger, Davits, Anchor Windlass. **Price Reduced** $14,900 Magothy River. Contact: lehazel@aol.com
RARE FIND – 1978 30’ S2 9.2C Center Cockpit Aft Cabin On the hard at Northern end of Chesapeake Bay in sailaway condition. Edson steerer, Raymarine Instruments, Harken Winches & Furling Genoa, and more. For sale at $7,000 Contact pineyS2C@gmail.com
1976 Bombay Clipper 31 Perfect boat for cruising the Chesapeake Bay! Wellmaintained. Yanmar diesel. Ample interior space and headroom, and much more! **PRICE REDUCED** $9,000 Located in Arnold, MD. Contact 410.279.6102 or karen.embser@gmail. com. More info/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/BombayClipper31
1985 Bavaria 960 One owner sloop - 31.5’ LOA. Good condition but needs TLC. Nearly new sails. Back Creek slip available. Contact: John Halstead, 410.336.3575 or jhalstead@mindspring.com
1985 Hunter 31 Comes w/ a new genoa and 7y/o main. The galley is equipped w/ alcohol stove, sink, and ice box. Cockpit comfortably seats six people. Powered by Yanmar 2GM20. $10,000 OBO Contact dickson. charlie@gmail.com. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/1985Hunter31
Hobie 33 For Sale Fast, light, great in light air. Fixed keel version, Lewmar 2spd self-tailing winches, Honda 8Hp motor, hard finish bottom. 2 spinnakers, main, jib, and genoa. $5,000 call/txt 410.271.1170
1967 Pearson Vanguard 33 Sloop Phillip Rhodes design, Hull #33. LOA 32.9’, Beam 9.6’, draft 4.6’. Solid reliable boat, perfect for bay cruising and/or restoration. Diesel engine serviced annually. Sails in good condition, including Genoa in bag. Lazy jacks for easy sailing. Depthfinder, AC, and all equipment included. Dinghy included! Priced for quick sale: $5,900 FIRM. For questions/more information, please call 410.991.7907 or email krisgjewell@gmail.com
1978 Islander 36 Classic BeautyPerfect Bay Boat! Beautifully maintained. 40Hp Yamar, runs like a charm (only 685 hours). New saloon windows + canvas, upgraded interior and flooring, sail pack. Slip paid until 4/30/2026. $38,000 OBO. Call Andrew 410.991.8119. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/1978Islander
36’ S2 11.0 Center Cockpit 1982 Masthead sloop rigged sailboat. Yanmar diesel – runs well. Clean inside and out. Good sails. Dinghy w/ 8Hp outboard. Middle River, MD. Asking $18,000 Call 717.381.9084 for more info. More photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/S2Sailboat
1980 O’Day 37 Center Cockpit Sloop Cruiser/Racer Classic blue water cruiser and award-winning racer. Upgrades include A/C, generator, icebox cold plate, radar, HF/SSB, faired bottom, plus halyards run inside the mast. Price reduced to $29,000 Contact Captain Kinard: RichKinard@usa.net. SEABEE’s Boat Information Book: www.tinyurl.com/SEABEE37
(BULLIT) 2011 Beneteau 40 Meticulously maintained. Many recent upgrades/updates! $167,500 OBO. Text/call 703.626.6786 or email aylucas@yahoo.com For more info/pics, vist: www.tinyurl.com/2011Bene
(Yemaya) 2005 Hunter 41’ Deck Salon Sailboat Professionally maintained boat w/ many upgrades. $6,000 worth of cruising equipment and technical parts. Dinghy w/ new 9.9Hp Yamaha Outboard included. $150,000 Contact John Virginio @ Florida Coast Yachts: 207.671.0677. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/2005Hunter41
(Majestic) St. Francis 44 MKII 1999 Catamaran in. St. Augustine, Florida. Reduced to $189,000 For more details and photos, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/Majestic44
1973 C&C 44’ For Sale Commutercruised from San Francisco through the Caribbean and up the Eastern Seaboard for 15 years. Ridden hard and put away wet? Yes. A screaming deal? Also yes. Make a fair offerContact: bendoolittle24@gmail.com or 916.470.9446
1973 Nautor Swan 44 This 1973 Sparkman & Stevens designed Nautor Swan is ready to be raced or cruised by her new owners. ‘Aura’ is a wellrespected and beautiful Swan 44 with classic lines, and a dream to sail. The boat is berthed in St. Mary’s County, MD and ready for inspection. $62,000 Call Piet Van Os, 305.928.1335, piet@dqyachts.com – For more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/NautorSwan44
1983 Little Harbor 44 Cruiser 2024 North main, 2023 electronics, 2023 HVAC, 2024 refrigeration, Maxprop, rebuilt transmission. Ted Hood design—furling sails and centerboard—only draws 5’. Price Reduced! $115,000 Call Rod Rowan at Crusader Yacht Sales, 703.593.7351 or Rod@CrusaderYachts.com For more info/photos, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/44LittleHarbor
1974 Scheel 45 - Price Reduced! Largely refit last 8 years, over 100K invested. Many improvements. In water at West River Yacht Harbor, Slip B52. Ready to go, must sell, price firm. $29,000 Call Tom Aga, broker: 410.353.5335. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/Scheel45
2022 Alubat Ovni 450 Aluminum Sailboat Excellent condition, variable draft center board, less than 4’ draft board up, twin helm, double rudder, air conditioning, heat. Cutter. Highfield tender, Suzuki 6Hp. $780,000 Contact for inventory: 630.258.0132 or allegr456@aol.com – more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/2022Alubat
Brokerage & Classified
45’ Lagoon 450F 2017 Owner’s Version (3-cabins,3-heads). Meticulously maintained outside and inside, live off the grid boat: 1920W Solar, Watermaker, 11KW Generator. Hard Top on Flybridge w/ full Enclosures and Sunshades (and on Cockpit), Bowthruster, Medmooring Passerelle, New Chartplotter, Radar, Wind (10/24), Code Zero Sail (4/23), Trampolines (1/23), Dynema lines (10/24), plus many more. $549,000 Annapolis. Contact Carol at 501.960.1621 or abcdmcclain@ windstream.net More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/Lagoon2017 801 Seabreeze Blvd.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389 2017 This 2017 Jeanneau 389 has just arrived on the market!! A very popular cruiser in both design and size. She is a one owner vessel. Florida coastal cruiser that has been Well-Maintained! A wellequipped boat in the (2) cabin (1) head layout. She is Turnkey ready!! $205,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Lagoon 40 Owners Version 2023 Great opportunity for a well-equipped 4-cabin Layout. New Bottom paint, July 2025. $364,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 2025 NEW 2025 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 THIS IS THE 2 CABIN PERFORMANCE VERSION W/ PERFORMANCE SAILS AND CODE 0 SAIL. MSRP $363,692 –YOUR PRICE $327,323 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 2025 NEW 2025 Jeanneau SO 380 This is the 3 cabin 2 head version w/ Lithium Ion Battery 12-volt AC. Run AC all night away from the dock. MSRP $491,309 –YOUR PRICE $442,178 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Lagoon 40 Owners Version 2025 This is a brand new 2025 MODEL!! 3 cabin owners’ version!! OPTIONS INCLUDE: Upgraded Yanmar EnginesComfort Package-Generator, InverterAircon-SOLAR. MSRP $704,779 –YOUR PRICE $595,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Catalina 426 2025 Equipped w/ advanced sail-handling systems, a robust build, and an optimized keel design, the 426 delivers outstanding stability and ease of handling. Its thoughtfully crafted cabin features luxurious finishes, ample natural light, and innovative storage solutions, making it a perfect balance of functionality and style. MSRP $674,540 – YOUR PRICE $574,450 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Lagoon 42 Owners Version 2025 AVAILABLE NOW!! TARIFF PROTECTED This is a brand new 2025 MODEL!! 3 cabin owners’ version!! 1200W CUSTOM SOLAR ARRAY-LITHIUM-ION BATTERY UPGRADE. MSRP $908,943 –YOUR PRICE $749,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Lagoon 46 Owners Version 2025 AVAILABLE NOW!! TARIFF PROTECTED This is a brand new 2025 MODEL!! 3 cabin owner’s version!! 1200W CUSTOM SOLAR ARRAY-LITHIUM-ION BATTERY UPGRADE. MSRP $1,300,000 –YOUR PRICE $1,099,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Beneteau Oceanis 48 2012 Great opportunity to get into a capable cruising yacht! $315,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Jeanneau Yacht 51 2021 BEATRICE is extensively upgraded and optimized for blue water cruising, offering both performance and comfort. This highly equipped vessel is ready for long passages, single-handed sailing, and luxurious onboard living w/ premium aftermarket upgrades and enhancements. $795,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Jeanneau Yacht 54 2021 Introducing GENESIS, a heavily upgraded and immaculately maintained 2021 Jeanneau 54’ Sailing Yacht. No expense was spared setting up this boat for luxury sailing and entertaining. This Jeanneau 54’ has been meticulously cared for and is presented in excellent condition. $695,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
Jeanneau Yacht 55 2024 NEW 2024 JEANNEAU YACHT 55-TARIFF PROTECTED-Newly Crowned Cruising World Magazine-”2024 Overall Boat of the Year” Available NOW Annapolis. MSRP $1,350,000 – YOUR PRICE $1,099,000 Atlas Yacht Sales, 304.390.2999, www.atlasyachtsales.com
(Amihan) 2023 Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 Loaded, low hours! Owner Version w/ all the goodies: 1400w solar, large lithium house bank to run Air Con off of, Watermaker, washer/dryer, Mantus anchor. Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay. Price: $579,000 Catamaran Central, 305.587.1311, Bill@CatamaranCentral.com , www.CatamaranCentral.com
(Gray Ghost) 2022 Leopard 42 3 cabin owner version, low hours. Just had a fresh bottom job, saildrive service, and hulls polished. Upgraded generator, awesome dinghy and many other fine upgrades. Location: Brunswick, GA. Price: $670,000 Catamaran Central, 305.587.1311, Bill@CatamaranCentral.com , www.CatamaranCentral.com
(Haven) 2015 Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 Owner version, proven circumnavigator, and ready to go again. Large solar array, bowsprit and Code 0, upper lounge area, dinghy. Meticulously maintained. Location: Location: Baltimore, MD. Price: $519,000 Catamaran Central, 305.587.1311, Bill@CatamaranCentral.com , www.CatamaranCentral.com
Brokerage & Classified
2024 Tartan 365 36’ Hull #8 - Boat of Year WINNER! Tartan 365 is proven coastal cruiser w/ an open layout and contemporary maple interior. New boat! Epoxy Hull, Carbon Rig, CCR Sailplan. Model year Clearance priced at $475,000 - over 550k to replace today. Trades considered. Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2022 Excess 11 37’ Very wellequipped for cruising, Genset, Air, Etc… Competitively priced at $465,000 Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2005 Pacific Seacraft 40 40’ “Azure”Crealock design - quality build! One of the last 5 built - Air Con, Diesel heat, Newer standing and Running Rigging, Solar & Wind Generator. Extensive equipment - Ready for coastal or offshore cruise! Asking $235,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2015 Tartan 4000 40’ Leisure Furl boom, Reversing electric winches w/ push button controls, under 175 hours! Immaculate - step aboard and go! This won’t last long! $385,000 Call Dave van den Arend 443.850.4197 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2022 Excess 12 40’ “Artemis” is fully equipped for coastal cruising. Highlights include - Genset, Air Con, Dinghy, Code Zero and More! Lightly used on Chesapeake Bay only. Asking $525,000 Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2015 Beneteau 41’ 3 cabin, 1 head model w/ new spinnaker, solar panels, dinghy and davits, A/C, new dodger, bimini and bottom paint. Asking $197,000 Call Denise Hanna 410.991.8236 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2019 Catalina 425 43’ Lightly used; Extensive custom/cruising upgrades. Private staterooms/heads. Furling, selftacking; AC/heat; Gen; Watermaker; Thruster; Code-0; Dink; Raft. Much more… Asking $460,000 Call Rod Rowan 703.813.0460 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2008 Beneteau 43’ Shoal draft, 2-cabin, A/C, watermaker, solar, new sails, spinnaker, dinghy, and more. Well-equipped, comfortable cruiser ready for the Bay, Bahamas, or beyond. Asking $160,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2018 Tartan 4300 43’ “Bella” offers traditional styling coupled w/ a hull and rig designed to deliver optimal cruising performance. All in a very easy to sail yacht. Asking $485,000 Call Bill O’Malley 410.703.9058 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2008 Jeanneau 45DS 45’ Shoal draft, well-maintained, upgraded, gen/air, bow thruster, windlass, canvas and more. Asking $210,000 Call Jeff Jordan 410.320.5183 or www.CrusaderYachts.com 2025 Excess
2019 Royal Cape Catamaran 530 Superb build quality and offshore capability is just the beginning of this luxury equipped catamaran. Limited time opportunity, contact immediately for showing! Asking $875,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
Leave 10% Brokerage Fees in Your Wake Jay Porterfield • Knot 10 Sail (410) 977-9460 • jay@knot10.com
1999 Beneteau Oceanis 321 Great Family Bay boat! Super clean. Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com
2002 Beneteau 393 Local boat. Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com
2009 Lagoon 420 Equipped for Cruising. Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com
37’ Island Packet 370 2006 Recently featured at the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show! Low hours, bow thruster, davits, reverse cycle heat & air, full enclosure & factory upgrade package. Teak recently done. $225,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Island Packet 40 1995 and 1997 Wellmaintained extremely popular cruiser! Ideal for comfortable, extended cruising in all conditions. Tremendous storage, great headroom, large tanks, 2 spacious cabins and 2 heads. Cutter rig, proper anchoring platform, spacious yet secure cockpit, A/C. Two boats from $149,900 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
2023 Bavaria C42 DEMO BOAT – BIG SAVINGS $109,000 – European Yacht of the Year Winner! Fully commissioned and ready for your Spring enjoyment. Modern hull shape provides increased stability, performance & space below deck. 3 cabin/2 head w/ attractive mahogany interior. ICW rig, furling mainsail, B&G electronics, Autopilot, Bow thruster, A/C & more… $299,500 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
42’ Leopard 42 2021 Never chartered – excellent condition 3 cabins/3heads. Equipped w/ solar arch, electric dinghy lift, Rainman 35 watermaker, 2-16,000 BTU marine A/C units, washer/dryer, a Northern Lights 6KW generator, cockpit enclosure, helm enclosure, ICW-friendly rig, full electronics suite. $670,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Catalina 425 2019 NEW LISTING. The 425 has a functional, spacious cockpit, a comfortable, carefully detailed interior, & all the 5 Series features that have redefined the Catalina brand. Lightly used, meticulously cared for, and thoughtfully equipped for serious cruising or liveaboard life. $350,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
43’ Shannon 43 1988 Shannon Yachts are wonderful, no compromise, world voyagers. A classic, beautifully built blue water passage maker. The 43 design combines excellent offshore sailing characteristics w/ good speed in even light air. She has had many important upgrades over the last few years. $165,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Broadblue 435 2010 Ocean-certified 43’ catamaran, ideal for bluewater cruising. Features twin 40Hp diesels, cutter rig, 776 sq. ft. sail area for impressive light-wind performance. Spacious, well-built w/ watertight bulkheads and EU Category A certification. Rare U.S. opportunity. $395,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2 1998 NEW LISTING. Preferred owners layout. Extensive updates. Shallow draft, ICW-friendly, In-mast furling w/ new mainsail, Bow thruster, Electric winch, A/C, Diesel heat, Lithium batteries, New water maker, New running rigging, Arch/davits… Asking $185,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com
2010 Southerly 57RS Luxurious Bluewater Performance Cruiser! Raised salon w/ panoramic views. 3cabin/2head. Great cockpit for entertaining. Variable swing keel from 3’ 6” to 10’ 6” at the push of a button. New 150Hp Yanmar engine & complete bottom job. $899,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com
1993 Beneteau Oceanis 400 Wellequipped and clean - no visible cracks in gelcoat and solid wood interior. ICW friendly w/ shoal draft and ready to sail; nice davits w/ Caribe dinghy. $79,900 Contact Jon: 443.294.5248, jvandrent@veteranyachtsales.com, www.veteranyachtsales.com
2023 Catalina 425 Cruise-ready w/ extensive factory options and offshore safety upgrades. Features solar arch, watermaker, Starlink-ready, generator, A/C, and more. Now $460,000 Contact Rick: 443.294.5161, rstcyr@veteranyachtsales.com, www.veteranyachtsales.com Anne & Jon Hutchings 17218 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA Anne: 804-567-0092 | Jon: 804-567-0093 www.yazuyachting.com
60’ Beneteau Oceanis 60 2016 NEW LISTING – Powerful & Elegant! A joy to sail. Spacious cockpit. Luxurious interior. This 3 cabin/3 head version of this flagship accommodates friends & family in premium comfort. Many amenities. $665,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
36’ Beneteau First 36.7 2002 Best cruiser-racer Beneteau produced. SHOAL DRAFT. Recent upgrades –Garmin GPSMap Chartplotter, Solar & Dodger/Bimini (2021), Genoa (2023), several sails, RaptorDeck in cockpit. Deltaville, VA. $69,900 Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
36’ Catalina 36 Mk II 2000 Classic Catalina w/ loads of upgrades. Tall rig, classic mainsail, shoal keel. Full enclosure, Axiom 9 Chartplotter, KATO Davits, Dinghy & Outboard, new aircon 2022, hull waxed & painted June 2025. Deltaville, VA. $89,900 Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
41’ Hunter 410 2000 2 Cabin, 1 Head. Large aft stateroom with queen berth. Reverse-cycle Air Cond. Refrigeration/ Freezer. Full enclosure. In-mast furling main. Roller furling genoa. Solar. Autopilot. Bowthruster. Dinghy/ outboard.$109,000 Deltaville, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
42’ Beneteau 423 2003 2 cabin; 1 head. Just returned from Grenada fully outfitted for cruising. Inmast furling, watermaker, Honda generator, Solar, Firefly batteries, Davits, Dinghy and outboard, new canvas. $128,500 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
42’ X Yachts X-412 2001 Stylish performer for racing, weekending or longer cruising, 2 cabin 1 head, Workshop, washer/dryer, Rod rigging, Yanmar w/ saildrive, FP genset, Good sails, New stack-pack. $126,000 Hampton, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
50’ Hunter 50 Aft Cockpit 2011 3 cabin, 2 head. 2 separate showers. (3) Air conditioning units. In-mast furling. Self-tacking headsail. Bow thruster. 700 engine hours. 6KW generator (400 hours). Refrigeration/Freezer. Deck shower. Tons of storage! $279,000 Deltaville, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
8’ Thompson Cedar Ribbed Rowboat 5Hp Mercury OB. In reasonable shape, motor needs tuning. Circa 1950s. No title or registration. $1,000 OBO. Annapolis. Contact 443.949.7707 or craig.ligibel@vml.com. More photos/ info: www.tinyurl.com/8Thompson
MARKETPLACE & CLASSIFIED SECTIONS
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
CAPTAINS
New Boat Owner Training and instructional deliveries with a USCG-licensed captain and certified sailing instructor. Gain confidence handling your cruising sailboat. Personalized lessons, safety tips, seamanship skills, and more. For more information, visit www.ChesapeakeHorizonsSailing.com
CREW
Offshore Passage Opportunities Your Offshore Sailing Network. Celebrating thirty years helping sailors sail offshore for free. Learn by doing. Gain Quality Sea Time! Call 800.4.PASSAGe (800.472.7724). Keep the Dream Alive for the Price of a Good Winch Handle! Since 1993. admin@sailopo.com www.sailopo.com
DELIVERIES
Endurance Yacht Delivery Local and long distance. Twenty-five years of experience with clean insurance approved resume. Power and sail. Please call Captain Simon Edwards 410.212.9579 or email stredwards@gmail.com www.enduranceyachtdelivery.com
EQUIPMENT
contact beatrice@spinsheet.com
HELP WANTED
Seeking Part-Time Delivery Driver – Upper Shore Route Reliable driver needed for Maryland magazine deliveries, 3-6 days/month. Route covers Centreville, Chestertown, Rock Hall, Georgetown, Cecilton, Chesapeake City, Elkton, North East, and surrounding towns. Magazines are picked up in Annapolis. Compensation is based on the number of stops. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, a dependable vehicle, and ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Email info@spf-360.com for more information.
Marine Mechanic Port Annapolis Marina is hiring experienced marine diesel mechanics. Must have a strong work ethic, require minimum supervision and be able to be part of a team. Knowledge of outboards and outdrives is a plus. Our benefit package includes paid holidays, vacation/PTO, health insurance, 401K, profit sharing and incentive bonuses. Send resume to richard@portannapolis.com www.portannapolis.com
The Annapolis Boat Show is Hiring Come work at the event of the year in Annapolis! Flexible schedules and job descriptions from August to October. Can you smile and greet vendors? Can you lift, bend and carry? Can you welcome patrons and answer their questions? Enjoy hourly wages, free entry to the shows, free food and a completion bonus. For additional information and to apply, please visit www.annapolisboatshows.com/job-opportunities or www.annapolisboatshows.com
Yacht Sales - Curtis Stokes and Associates, Inc. is hiring new salespeople for our Chesapeake area operation. Candidates must be honest, ethical and have boating experience. This is a commission only position. Contact Curtis Stokes at 410.919.4900 or curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
SLIPS & STORAGE
30’-50’ Deepwater Slips for Sale & Rent Flag Harbor Condo Marina on western shore of Chesapeake in St. Leonard, MD. Slip sales & rentals 410.586.0070/ fhca@flagharbor.com. Storage & Repairs 410.586.1915/ flagharborservices@gmail.com www.flagharbor.com
35’ Boat Slip For Sale: Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbour, Bohemia River Easy access to northern Chesapeake Bay. Includes: electrical hookup, dockside water, WiFi, basic cable TV. T-end of dock offers easy docking for a sailboat. $5,000 302.345.5899 rtmoody@me.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
Spa Creek Marina Slip for Rent Located at 300 Burnside Street in Annapolis – Slip # 23, 34’ LOA. $1,250/quarterly or $5,000/annually Text 443.744.9452
For Rent: Deep-Water Slip on Mill Creek Mouth of Severn. $350 per month, annual rentals preferred. Call 703.405.3277 (cell)
Got a New Boat?
Find the BEST people to take care of her at PortBook.com
PortBook is the resource boaters use to find service providers they can trust.
Reliable driver needed for Maryland magazine deliveries, 3-6 days/month. Route covers Centreville, Chestertown, Rock Hall, Georgetown, Cecilton, Chesapeake City, Elkton, North East, and surrounding towns. Magazines are picked up in Annapolis. Compensation is based on the number of stops. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, a dependable vehicle, and ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Email info@spf-360.com for more information.
Boating
Welcome to the Team
Partnership
VETUS, creator of complete onboard boat systems, has appointed Arnau Lloansí as international sales manager of maneuvering systems, a key strategic position that underlines the company’s commitment to strengthening its presence in this dynamic product category worldwide. Arnau will be responsible for driving global sales of VETUS maneuvering systems, including bow and stern thrusters, control panels, and related accessories. He will also work closely with international partners to provide training, technical support, and tailored solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of boat builders, dealers, and end users. A qualified naval engineer, Arnau most recently served as head of the technical department at VETUS Hispania which involved overseeing complex technical solutions, supporting dealer networks, and ensuring seamless system performance, particularly in the field of thrusters and maneuvering technologies. Arnau’s progression within the company reflects his strong technical acumen and commercial focus. “I am honored to take on this new challenge,” said Arnau. “Having worked closely with these systems for several years, both technically and commercially, I understand the critical role they play in modern onboard experiences. I look forward to collaborating with our global network to further elevate the reach and impact of VETUS maneuvering solutions.” Arnau will continue to be based in Spain while working closely with VETUS headquarters to implement the company’s global strategy for maneuvering system growth. vetus.com
Helly Hansen and the Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive Team announce their partnership for The Ocean Race. As the official clothing supplier, Helly Hansen will provide the IMOCA team with professional grade, performancedriven gear for an entire race cycle—including The Ocean Race Europe in 2025, The Ocean Race Atlantic in 2026, and The Ocean Race around the world in 2027. Often described as the longest and toughest professional team sporting event, The Ocean Race challenges the world’s best sailors, putting them and their gear to the test in some of the most extreme ocean conditions. Additionally, the team is championing the Be Water Positive initiative, using their global platform to raise awareness of water scarcity and sustainable solutions, and through the team’s Pathway Program, they’re inspiring and supporting the next generation of Canadian offshore sailors. “We are proud to partner with the Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive Team in support of their mission, taking on one of the toughest team sporting events in the world, The Ocean Race,” said Gabriele Galaverni, brand partnerships director at Helly Hansen. “Working with professionals is at the core of everything we do and being able to partner with a team that’s not only committed to pushing their own performance boundaries but also to raising the profile of offshore sailing is an honor and inspiration. We look forward to collaborating with the team to give them the best possible technical gear as they compete across the world’s harshest waters.” hellyhansen.com
Account Manager
Rightboat.com, the global online marketplace transforming how people buy and sell boats, announces the appointment of Jamie Tate as account manager, USA. With an extensive background in the marine industry and a reputation for client-focused service, Jamie brings invaluable experience and insight to Rightboat’s continued growth across North America. She joins the company following several years in yacht brokerage and marine business development. Her experience spans dealer relations, inventory management, and digital marketing support for marine clients, having worked with top-tier brokerage houses and service providers. Jamie’s depth of knowledge in both sail and powerboat sectors—combined with a passion for building long-term partnerships—makes her a natural fit for the fastgrowing team. “We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to the team,” said Josie Tucci, VP of marketing and GM USA at Rightboat. “Her industry expertise, client-first mindset, and dedication to innovation will be key assets as we expand our support for brokers, dealers, and manufacturers across the U.S.” In her new role, Jamie will focus on supporting Rightboat’s U.S.based B2B partners—helping them increase visibility, capture more leads, and streamline their online sales presence using Rightboat’s powerful listing and analytics tools. Reflecting on her appointment, Jamie Tate shared, “I’m excited to join a company that truly understands the needs of modern marine professionals. Rightboat offers a fresh, transparent, and resultsdriven approach to online boat sales—and I’m looking forward to helping our U.S. partners thrive in an increasingly digital world.” rightboat.com
New Places To Pick Up SpinSheet
Let’s give a warm welcome to this new SpinSheet distribution stop! The Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD
The SpinSheet Rites of Spring Regatta 1998
If You Build It, They Will
Come
To celebrate SpinSheet’s 30th anniversary this year, we’re sharing stories from the archives. This regatta recap comes from our July 1998 issue: Imagine sitting around with your sailing buddies and talking about the perfect sailing event…
“Gotta be in boats everyone has access to. Cheap and plentiful boats for easy participation.”
“A ton of races… just keep them going… bang, bang, bang.”
“Get a bunch of sponsors onboard and give out stuff for prizes.”
“Include T-shirts, drinks, food, and everything in the entry price. I don’t want to be carrying my wallet around getting nickeled and dimed at every turn.”
“Pick a killer venue… plenty of room for rigging, trailers, and parking… social activities nearby.”
“Lots of water and other fluids available on the racecourse.”
We were in this fortunate position and had a conversation just like this early last year. The result was the SpinSheet Rites of Spring Regatta for Lasers and BYTEs. The 1997 regatta saw 34 boats compete off Annapolis. It was a winner. The 1998 event was sailed May 30 and included more boats, the aforementioned qualities, and much more.
SpinSheet’s second annual Rites of Spring Regatta saw 39 boats and sailors participate in the event, which was open to all sailors. More than a quarter of the sailors were juniors, and nearly a third were female. Sailors came from all points around the region, including five from Deltaville/Richmond; two from Hampton; and one each from Washington, DC, Ocean City, MD, and Delaware.
The Laser turnout was considered excellent for a local event, thanks in part to the West River Saling Club’s moving their Crystal Bowl Laser Regatta to May 31 to accommodate the event. The BYTE turnout was far and away the largest ever on the Bay and one of the largest-ever BYTE events in the United States.
The on-the-water portion of the event was managed by PRO Alden Bugly and a team of volunteers. Bugly and the race committee banged off multiple races at a blistering pace while the wind was up and the racing area relatively uncrowded. A humid southeasterly breeze topping out at 10 knots but never dipping below six made for good competition. The rapid pace of races enabled the organizers and competitors to return to the stable with a fair and complete regatta under their belts when the wind started dying and the powerboat-generated washing machine cranked up mid-afternoon. The races were all short and sweet windward/leeward affairs, and no protests were filed.
Top Three Results
BYTEs (19 boats)
1. Parker Garrett
2. Caroline Garrett
3. Mary Iliff
Lasers (20 boats)
1. Alden Shattuck
2. Chris Legg
3. Mike Schmidt
# Parker Garrett came up from Virginia and dominated the BYTE class.
# Alden Shattuck cruised to Laser class top honors.
PERFORMANCE CRUISING & RACING SAILS
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ANNAPOLIS | HERRINGTON HARBOUR | MAINE | NEWPORT | NORFOLK | SOLOMONS ISLAND
