Expert sail design, the finest sail making materials and our commitment to customer service make Bacon Sails one of the world’s top sail brokers, trusted by cruisers and racers alike. Our marina store features a large selection of new and used competitively priced boat equipment and parts.
Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are ve things to know about boat insurance.
1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents
With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected nancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.
2. Accidents can happen to anyone
When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to speci ed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.
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.
4. Most lenders require boat insurance
If you nanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.
5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages Ever worry about getting stuck on the water?
Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.
Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with con dence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and af liates. Product features are subject to policy terms and conditions and may not be available in all states or for all vehicles and coverage selections.
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Log Canoe Racing 2025
Celebrating a memorable log canoe racing season on the Eastern Shore and Island Blossom’s success.
By Pete Lesher
SpinSheet’s take on this spectacular gathering of sailors last month in the sailing capital.
Photos by SpinSheet and Larry French
Class results and photos from a breezy schooner race down the Bay.
Photos by Will Keyworth
Why winterizing your vessel is essential and tips on doing it right.
By Capt. Michael L. Martel
43
Whether it’s for personal enrichment, safety reasons, or working on commercial vessels, earning a captain’s license is rewarding for many.
By Capt. Cheryl Duvall
57
Bangor Packet at the J/24 World Championships, J/88 North American Championships, Viper 640 North Americans, Hospice Turkey Shoot, DSC Ya Gotta Regatta, and more Chesapeake racing.
Mark Hergan of Deadrise Marine Photography took this month’s cover shot of the late Judge North’s log canoe Island Blossom
Fuel System Monitoring & Control from the Helm
Warns of Problems Before Engine Shut Down
• Manage Fuel Systems in Both Hulls as One
• Monitors Complete Fuel System
• Polishes Stored Onboard Fuel
• Switch Filters without Stopping Motors
• Controls Tank-to-Tank Fuel Transfers
• Simplifies Diagnostic & Maintenance
• Detects System Air Leaks
• Works as a Backup Fuel Pump in an Emergency
Please Contact Us With Any Fuel Questions
413.569.3323 www.ktisystems.com
Allows for Twin Tank Fuel Transfer
Annapolis Sailboat Show Give Away Stop by Booth YB17 to Enter for a Chance to Win a MK60DP System
612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, MD 21403 (410) 216-9309 spinsheet.com
PUBLISHER
Mary Iliff Ewenson, mary@spinsheet.com
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Chris Charbonneau, chris@spinsheet.com
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Molly Winans, molly@spinsheet.com
SENIOR EDITORS
Beth Crabtree, beth@spinsheet.com
Kaylie Jasinski, kaylie@spinsheet.com
COPY EDITOR
Lucy Iliff, lucy@spinsheet.com
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Dave Gendell
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Walter Cooper, Ben Cushwa, Mark Hergan, Will Keyworth, Ted Morgan, Al Schreitmueller, Cindy Wallach
DISTRIBUTION
Keith Basiliko, Martin and Betty Casey, Jennifer and Al Diederichs, Gregory and Dorothy Greenwell, Dave Harlock, Crystal Mayes, Mark Schlichter
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.
SpinSheet is distributed free of charge at more than 800 establishments along the shores Chesapeake Bay. Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute SpinSheet should contact the SpinSheet office at (410) 216-9309 or beatrice@spinsheet.com.
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When SpinSheet Century Club superstar David Sites sent me this photo from Baltimore Harbor Light, I stared at it for a while. He was speaking my language with this image. Some SpinSheet readers may know that I’m a painter—a non-maritime-art painter. When I’m not working on an abstract creation in mixed media, I’m likely to paint windows, doors, or passageways.
The window can be a powerful symbol of a threshold between the interior and outside worlds or a transition. When I
look at David’s photo, of course, I see the sailboat ghosting along in calm waters and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and a barge in the background. The sunlight pours in, and I love the way it’s reflected on the wood at the bottom right. You can smell the wood, feel the warmth. Yet, that dark cloud showing at the top of the window arch adds tension. It foreshadows change. You may have to crank the window shut soon.
In November, as we watch the leaves change and drop, turn our heaters on and off, open and close windows, and set our
clocks back (November 2), we’re deep into the seasonal transition… and (gulp) time for boat winterization (see page 40). This month marks the end of sailing season for many but for others, the beginning of frostbite racing and a month of cruising south to tropical climes.
As an editor, I’ve noted that readers write more articles in this season. They have more time on their hands to ponder the summer season and write about it. I welcome reader articles about Chesapeake sailing adventures or those about local sailors sailing to new horizons. Just know that even when I find your articles fitting for SpinSheet, it takes time to fit them into our print schedule. Here at SpinSheet, we welcome:
• Monthly Chesapeake club notes submissions of 350 words plus a photo.
• Short sailing news articles of 350-500 words plus a photo.
• Feature-length cruising, daysailing, or racing stories of 750-1200 words.
• Monthly Chesapeake-focused racing stories of 350-750 words.
We don’t need fancy formatting; in fact, we prefer a simple Word document with the photos as attachments rather than embedded. Send submissions or story pitches anytime to editor@spinsheet.com
Our friendly photographer friend, David Sites, not only climbed to the top of Baltimore Light this summer but also stood on top of the SpinSheet Century Club leaderboard. At print time, he had logged 255 days on the water this year. If you’re reading this at the first of the month, there are 61 days left in the year to complete your 100-day on-water challenge (see page 30).
Wherever you are in your own sailing season transition, we at SpinSheet are grateful to you for reading, sending us photos and stories, and being part of our sailing family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
• In the May issue of SpinSheet, in my editor’s note “Zen and the Art of Getting Over It” (page 12), I misspelled the name of the Argentinian town El Chaltèn as El Chaten. Thanks to my two traveler friends who pointed it out… and thanks for asking about my broken wrist. It’s healed!
~M.W.
• In our October issue, our editor recorded the race boat on the cover as Andrew Guhl’s J/88 Blue. The boat featured was David McKee’s J/105 Relentless It seems that both boats have sail number USA 064! Thanks to our photographer for the Hospice Cup, Ted Morgan, for pointing out the error. I ran into Andrew at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, and we shared a laugh about it.
~M.W.
Three years ago, I sent you a photo of my granddaughter, Samantha, that you published. I even had the cover photo framed, and it hangs in a place of honor at our house.
Once again, I have another granddaughter, Ryan, who is an amazing sailor. Here we are out near Annapolis (in September). If you have a use for this, feel free to use it.
John Smith
Thanks for sharing your family sailing photos with us. We love how focused Ryan is on the horizon… and especially dig your sweatshirt motto, “Sailing: it’s cheaper than therapy.” Spot on. ~M.W.
Dear Mary and Molly, Iwanted to reach out to you from the other side of the world and congratulate you, Dave (Gendell), and all the team at SpinSheet for 30 fabulous years. You have all worked so hard, from humble beginnings, to create something truly special for sailors. What makes you stand out, and it is so apparent, is the culture at SpinSheet. You have created a “family” that sailors love connecting with, and you have done it brilliantly.
Thank you for helping me stay connected with my ‘second home,’ the USA. I look forward to reading SpinSheet every month.
Mary, I am still immensely proud that you and your selection committee chose to honour me with the inaugural “USA Sailing Industry Distinguished Service Award” at the Annapolis Sailboat Show back in 2014.
And Molly, I will never forget your great presentation at the International Sailing Summit in Amsterdam. You represented women in sailing wonderfully well. Cheers from down under. Keep up the great work!
Alistair Murray Melbourne, Australia
On October 15, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced a new agreement between the county and Discovery Village Shady Side, LLC to provide public water access by reopening the county’s boat ramp at Discovery Village. This new agreement provides public water access at Discovery Village through July 2027. Find more at aacounty.org/recreation-parks/parks/popular-activities/water-access.
Send your questions, comments and stories to editor@spinsheet.com
As Valhalla Sailing Project sails into its second decade, the Annapolis-based nonprofit is scaling up and aims to serve even more veterans. Recently SpinSheet sat down with board members Jeremy Dublon, Bo Darlington, and Amy Pantoja, to learn more about Valhalla’s current offerings, which promote Veteran well-being and address the issues surrounding Veteran suicide. We also talked with volunteer Chris Junge about his experiences racing with Veterans.
Junge, who has been sailing since childhood, says, “When I was a kid, I had high-caliber mentors who helped me at no charge, so giving back means a lot to me. When I saw the Valhalla boats out racing, I thought maybe they could use some help, so I connected with them via a boat slip-neighbor of mine who was already a volunteer. Racing with the Veterans has been really rewarding. The only thing that outdoes what they do on boats is what they did in the service. It’s a really impactful program, and being part of it has immensely increased my enjoyment of sailing.”
This season Valhalla hosted four learn-to-sail clinics, serving 80 participants in total, with several of the new sailors continuing to sail regularly on its boats. Over the years clinic participants have gone on to race, cruise, and do deliveries on the East Coast and beyond.
The organization has three boats in its working fleet: a J/80 and two J/30s.
The weeknight racing program consists of practice sails on Monday, competitive racing on Wednesday and Thursday, and non-spinnaker beer can racing for beginners on Friday. Boats also race in weekend events and offshore races.
Pantoja, who never sailed before joining the Valhalla crew, recently started a “ladies night sail.” She also took three boats of 24 women, including 12 Veterans, to the Herrington Harbour Women’s Regatta in July. As this issue hits the docks, she will be with Team Valhalla in New Orleans competing in the J/30 North Americans.
But it’s not all racing. Cruising excursions provide a peaceful platform for meaningful conversations, and Valhalla sees that as a growth area. Their first
raftup was a success this summer, and more cruising is planned.
On land, The Home Depot Foundation, which serves Veterans, recently built out Valhalla’s waterfront office space in Eastport, adding trophy cases in the front and work spaces in the back designed for boat maintenance projects.
Valhalla was founded in 2015 by Michael Wood and James McGinnis, both disabled combat veterans and competitive sailors who had experienced first-hand the benefits of competitive sailboat racing in their own transition to civilian life. Team coordination, integrated communication, and reliance on teammates are similar to aspects of active-duty service.
If you are interested in supporting Valhalla, skippers are needed to expand Valhalla’s cruising offerings, and volunteers are needed to help with boat maintenance projects and shore support. Monetary donations are always gratefully accepted. Learn more at valhallasailing.org or email vsp@valhallasailing.org
JAfter more than 30 years, Annapolis’s Schooner Woodwind Sailing Cruises has been sold to Andy Schell and 59º North Sailing, the company he co-founded with his wife Mia Karlsson. The Kaye family, who launched the business in 1993, will retire and pass the helm to Andy, a former Schooner Woodwind deckhand turned ocean sailing entrepreneur.
“Thirty years ago, if you’d asked us what would happen to the Woodwind in 2025, we wouldn’t have had an answer, but we’re proud of our accomplishments,” say Ellen and Ken Kaye. “What we do know is why we started it: to share the magic of sailing. Andy and Mia understand that, and they’ve been spreading that magic all over the world.”
Andy and Mia will set the vision behind the scenes going forward, while the daily operations will be managed locally by Ryan Ellison, Annapolis resident and experienced sailor who has been involved with 59º North since 2019 and is also part of the new ownership group.
Guests can expect the same Woodwind experience during the transition, with Captain Jen Kaye, who has run the family business with her parents since 1993, continuing in her role through spring 2026 before handing off daily operations to Ryan.
“Andy’s strengths in sailing, maintenance, and big-picture marketing make him the perfect person to guide Schooner Woodwind into its next chapter,” says Captain Jen. “He and I have always shared a similar vision and drive to turn dreams into reality. Having seen Andy’s leadership firsthand— especially during our Atlantic crossing two winters ago when he skippered the 64-foot Falken—I know his energy and passion are contagious. Ryan brings the kind of business expertise I wish I’d had when we first started as a family. Andy, Mia, and Ryan will make a fantastic team to keep Schooner Woodwind thriving in Annapolis.”
“My time working on the Woodwinds as a deckhand and in and
around the business office taught me how a successful small business is run,” says Andy. “The Kayes encouraged and supported my dreams of offshore sailing, and it’s in large part thanks to them that 59º North exists today. That it’s come full circle now with a chance for Mia and me to take over as the new owners is very exciting.”
Joining forces with 59º North Sailing, the company that Andy and Mia Karlsson started in Annapolis in 2015 to take people on long-distance offshore sailing passages—will provide opportunities for collaboration. Customers and staff will have the option to expand their horizons with familiar faces on new sailing adventures with 59º North.
“When I first came to Annapolis, I was new to sailing and spent that summer sailing on the Woodwind with Andy while he was working,” says Mia. “It was the start of my sailing journey and our life together. Since then, we’ve sailed thousands of miles and built 59º North, but Annapolis still feels like where it all began.”
“After sailing 30,000 miles with my wife Sophie aboard our boat Polar Seal, we settled in Annapolis in 2024 and were immediately struck by the Schooner Woodwind crew’s passion and connection to the community,” says Ryan.
“I’ve led small businesses my entire career, and the way the Schooner Woodwind has been run is unique. While Andy and I have ideas for growth, at its core the Woodwind will remain the same—the same team, the same spirit, and the same commitment to Annapolis. I’m honored to help lead this next chapter and carry the legacy forward.”
Since 1993, Schooner Woodwind has offered daily sailing cruises and private charters on the Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis. The two 74-foot wooden schooners, Woodwind and Woodwind II, have become an iconic part of the Annapolis skyline, providing unforgettable sailing experiences for thousands of visitors each year.
Learn more at schoonerwoodwind.com
Have you ever noticed that those who volunteer a lot of their time in their communities don’t expect any credit for it and may even shy away from the spotlight? But sometimes, highlighting a dedicated volunteer inspires someone else into action and creates a ripple effect of good deeds.
Back in 2016 we created the SpinSheet Volunteer of the Year Award. Our first recipient was Captain Aram Nersesian of Solomons, who takes patients and families from the Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health out for day sails each month, free of charge, on his 55-foot schooner Heron Thanks to him, children from this facility, who are battling serious and terminal illnesses, enjoy a day of sunshine on the water with their families and caregivers.
SpinSheet’s editor Molly Winans has volunteered on an array of non-profit boards along the waterfront in Annapolis. She says, “If you want to meet
interesting people in your community, there’s no better way than volunteering your time to a charity or non-profit, whether it’s by joining a board or volunteering to put wrist bands on guests at the door of a fundraiser. It’s a terrific way to make a difference.”
Who do you know who dedicates their free time to an organization in our waterfront community? If you know of an exceptional volunteer on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries—this includes the Potomac at Washington, DC, and Alexandria, VA, nominate them for the 2025 SpinSheet Volunteer of the Year Award by December 10.
We are open to all types of volunteerism: planting trees, picking up marine debris, monitoring water quality, helping with community sailing programs, sailing or fishing with veterans, raising money for your favorite waterkeeper organization, yacht club
foundation fundraiser planning, boat restoration, and more.
To nominate a volunteer, email editor@spinsheet.com by December 10. Include the person’s name, the volunteer organization, and why you think their volunteerism is outstanding. SpinSheet staffers will vote on a winner to be announced in our January 2026 issue. We will also make a donation to the winner’s favorite non-profit organization.
Author and historian Martin J. Bollinger will discuss his new book, “When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake: The Rise and Fall of the Ferry Era,” at a book launch on Thursday, November 6. The free event will be hosted by the publisher, Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC), at 610 Park Avenue in Baltimore and will feature Bollinger in conversation with Pete Lesher, chief historian with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and vice president of the Talbot County Council.
In this 400-page hardcover book, Bollinger chronicles the history of the ferry industry, exploring the trials and triumphs of establishing and maintaining ferries as a viable mode of transportation between Maryland’s Eastern and Western shores from 1867 to 1952.
“This story of Claiborne’s long-lost role as a major transportation hub serves as a window into the broader history of the Maryland region during periods of tumult and change from the Civil War to
the 1950s,” said Bollinger. “It illuminates the impact of the era of steam, the influence of railroads, the power of monopolies, and the consequences of technical disruptions on how people and products were conveyed across the Chesapeake Bay. The story encompasses failure alongside perseverance and success. The legacy of those days remains, and Claiborne itself bears witness to it.”
The ferry industry on the Chesapeake Bay from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century operated and thrived under five separate transportation companies: monopolies created by enterprising businessmen outside of Maryland looking to capitalize on passenger and commercial transport service in the region. Bollinger’s book goes into remarkable depth about the politics and the level of influence that Maryland governors, state legislators, and administrators wielded to shape the ferry industry until the Bay Bridge ended the need for ferry transportation.
“When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake” is available at the MCHC Museum Store, book retailers, and online through Hopkins Fulfillment Services. Attendees who RSVP for the November 6 event can pre-order the book through MCHC at a discounted price of $20 at mdhistory.org/events.
Paul Bollinger, president and CEO of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Annapolis Boat Shows Distinguished Service Award, which was formally presented to him on October 10 at the Sail America Industry breakfast during the Annapolis Sailboat Show.
This honor recognizes Bollinger’s extraordinary leadership, vision, and lifelong commitment to making sailing and boating accessible to all.
Bollinger has been at the helm of CRAB since 2016, following his service as a board member beginning in 2015. Under his leadership, CRAB has trans formed from a small nonprofit with four boats at Sandy Point State Park into an internationally recognized adaptive sailing organization. Today, CRAB operates out of the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center, the world’s premier facility designed to provide people with disabilities, underprivileged youth, and
recovering warriors access to the Chesapeake Bay.
In 2023, Bollinger oversaw the opening of the $3.1 million Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center, a state-of-the-art facility created through partnerships with the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, and the City of Annapolis, as well as significant private support. The center includes the Don Backe Learning Center, expanding CRAB’s offerings to year-round therapeutic programs such as yoga,
Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) held the biannual Recovering Warrior Sailing Regatta on September 20, out of the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center on Back Creek in Annapolis. The regatta was sponsored by Move United Sport.
A fleet of six Colgate 26s skippered by Fourth Class Midshipmen from the US Naval Academy and six Beneteau First 22As skippered by CRAB volunteers had a competitive day on the Bay in 10 to 15 knots of wind from the northeast. Race committee ran four races in a little over an hour, with a race countdown for Colgates starting prior to the end of the First 22A finish.
The winning Colgate 26 team of warrior Mike Imrich (Army) and Midshipmen
GDavid Hudry and John Renzy scored two second place and two first place finishes. Chris Rohrer (Coast Guard) with Midshipmen Sadie Burt and Jason De La Torre captured second place. Ed Rothstein, secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (Army), and Midshipmen Jonathan McNamera and Dan Silva took third place.
The CRAB Beneteau First 22A fleet was very competitive, but Mark Patton (Army) and Trey Warman and Nancy Fineberg scored four bullets for a top finish. Francine Goode (Air Force) and her all-women team of Anne Kaiser and Mimi Englesman captured second place, with Pedro Cruz (Air
Force) with Michael Manuzak and Lon Rosenberg taking third place.
Back on land at the adaptive boating center, lunch from Mission Barbecue preceded the awards ceremony. Secretary Ed Rothstein and CRAB Chair Will Crump presented medals to the top three finishers in each class. Bill Aucoin, Officer in Charge for USNA, expressed his appreciation to CRAB for working with the Academy on this great regatta.
Army Veteran Eric Ward received the Spirit Award for bringing his entire family to sail with him in the regatta, and everyone left with big smiles on their faces and a promise to come back next year.
overnor Wes Moore has commissioned Solomons resident and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science professor Thomas Miller as the 111th Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay is a lifetime achievement award bestowed upon individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
“Thomas Miller has dedicated his career to understanding and applying the best science available to support Maryland’s fisheries and the ecosystem,” said Governor Moore. “His work has helped to bring together the cooperative crab fishery that we have today in the Chesapeake Bay. The studies and policy discussions developed by Professor Miller are informing how we manage changing conditions in the Bay caused by climate change and invasive predators. His work will help ensure we have a sustainable long-term future for blue crabs as well as other culturally and economically important Chesapeake Bay species.”
Miller, who has served as a professor at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
in Solomons since 1994, has played a key role in developing the modern scientific understanding and management of Maryland’s recreational and commercial fisheries. He joined the laboratory in 1994 as an assistant professor and quickly became involved in emerging discussions about how Maryland and Virginia can better cooperate to manage the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab fishery using scientific surveys and data.
In 2000 and 2001, Miller served on the Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory Committee where he led meetings of researchers that reached a consensus that increasing fishing pressure could threaten the long-term viability of blue crabs in the Chesapeake. The 2001 Action Plan that came from the committee’s work was the first to call for the Bay-wide thresholds on the blue crab fishery that Maryland and Virginia now use to prevent overfishing.
Since then, Miller has been recognized as a leader in Chesapeake Bay research. His
insights have helped inform management approaches for key Bay species such as menhaden and dolphins as well as blue crabs.
Miller has long used his scientific expertise as a way to inform policymakers and find solutions to complex fisheries issues. He currently serves on the Scientific and Statistical Committee of the MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council, and as a scientific advisor to a number of federal and state agencies.
The Honorable John C. North II, known to family, friends, and colleagues as “The Judge,” was born on October 16, 1930, at Memorial Hospital, Easton, the only child of John C. North and Mary Elizabeth Lednum North. He attended local schools and graduated from Mercersburg Academy, the University of Virginia, and Harvard Law School.
A strong swimmer and trained lifeguard, during summer vacations from college he taught swimming for the Talbot County Red Cross at several locations on the Miles and Tred Avon Rivers.
After graduating from law school in 1954, he married the former Ethel Louise Towers. After serving two years in the US Coast Guard, he returned to Easton to begin the practice of law with his father under the firm name of North and North. In 1962, following in the footsteps of his father, he became State’s Attorney for Talbot County and served in that position until 1971 when he was named judge of the newly formed District Court of Maryland, where he served for 12 years. In 1983, he was appointed by Governor Harry Hughes as judge of the Circuit Court for Talbot County. Five years later, he resigned from the Court in order to receive an appointment from Governor William Schaefer as chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, the State’s principal environmental agency dealing with the Bay at the time. He served in that position until his retirement in 2000. Governor Schaefer named him “Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay” in “recognition of his lifelong personal and professional dedication to preserving
both the health of the Bay and its historic traditions.”
Active in community affairs, the many committees and boards he served on included Living Classrooms Foundation in Baltimore, the Maryland Historical Society, and Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. He was a founder of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, negotiating for the acquisition of much of its real estate, and incorporating the museum and serving as its first vice president and later president.
Judge North served as the commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club and for many years as its perennial fleet captain. In 2010 the club paid him a special honor in establishing a perpetual racing trophy in his name in recognition of his preservation of log canoes and his distinction of racing Island Bird as crew and skipper for over 70 years. To the surprise of many, the Judge proceeded to make his own trophy in the form of a hammered aluminum representation of Island Bird.
He started sailing small boats at an early age and graduated to log canoes in 1949 when his father acquired a canoe that he had long admired, the Island Bird, which had been built in 1882 by the Judge’s great-grandfather William Sidney Covington at Tilghman Island. In 1951 Island Bird’s larger sister, Island Blossom (1982) was purchased, and in 1970 Jay Dee (1931) joined the fleet and is captained by son, Daniel North. The Judge was a log canoe captain for more than 70 years and won every major
trophy several times over, including one remarkable win after losing a mast overboard. In 2020 he named grandson Dylan as captain of Island Bird
While not a large man, he was remarkably strong and once stepped and erected Island Bird’s 26-foot mast without any assistance. After a hurricane demolished his dock down to the bare pilings, he salvaged the timbers and planking that floated ashore and rebuilt the entire 120-foot structure with no outside help. He was in his mid-70s at the time.
Judge North’s wife of 64 years, Ethel Towers North, predeceased him in 2019. He is survived by his son David North and wife Joan Hoge-North and his son Daniel North and wife Margaret Enloe-North; his grandchildren Drew North, Dylan North, Campbell North, William Spencer North, and Nathaniel Vivian; and his former daughters-in-law, Sallie North and Carrington North. He is also survived by his devoted companion of later years, Comber McHugh.
Friends may make memorial contributions to TomCat Solutions (tomcatsolutionsonline.org), in Easton, MD.
through Nov 2
Sultana Downrigging Festival
The largest annual gathering of tall ships in North America plus a bluegrass festival, featuring music, sailing, ship tours, lectures, exhibits, and family activities. Hosted by Sultana Education Foundation, Chestertown, MD.
1
19th Annual Fish For a Cure F4AC is a fishing tournament and fundraising challenge. All funds raised directly benefit the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Shore Party 5 to 9 p.m. at Safe Harbor Annapolis.
1 The Mariners’ Park Fall Festival 1 to 5 p.m. at Harvey Field, The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. Family friendly activities, pumpkin decorating, live music, beer and cider tastings, food trucks. Entrance to the festival is $2 per person, children 3 and under are free (tasting tickets sold separately).
7-8 68th Annual Urbanna Oyster Festival
Virginia’s official celebration of oysters and one of the world’s oldest festivals dedicated to these prized shellfish. Entry is free; “pay-as-you-go” festival.
8
MRE Tug of War
The Maritime Republic of Eastport hosts a tug between Eastport and Annapolis, with parties on both sides, to benefit local charities. Starts at the crack o’ noon.
8
Yorktown Market DaysMaritime Festival
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, VA. Sample some of the best seafood in the area, artisans will be selling nautical-inspired jewelry and art, and pirates will invade the area to talk to kids about seafaring life. Enjoy deck tours, kids’ crafts, live music, and educational information for mariners of all ages.
12 CAPCA Members-Only Tour
10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tradepoint Atlantic Marine Terminal, Baltimore. $50 (pre-registration required, CAPCA members only). Join us for an inside look at Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA), the 3300-acre global logistics center located on the former site of Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point in Baltimore County. This once-historic steelmaking facility has been transformed into one of the East Coast’s most strategic multimodal trade hubs, featuring deepwater port access, rail connections, and direct highway links.
14-16
Easton Waterfowl Festival
Join family and friends to celebrate the traditions, music, art, and food that makes this area of the world so special. For over 50 years, the Waterfowl Festival, Inc. has staged an annual event that has raised $6 million for wildlife and habitat conservation, education, scholarships, and research.
15
Free Seminar: Offshore Racing Safety and Boat Preparation Presented by the 2026 Mustang Survival Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race. Free seminar and open to all. At Eastport YC.
22 Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival: Holiday Edition
Showcasing artisans and craftspeople, selling an array of unique coastal and sea glass goods, including jewelry, home decor, art, and more. Features food and live music at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
27 Thanksgiving Happy Turkey day!
28 Blue Friday
Held the Friday after Thanksgiving, Blue Friday is a day to spend time on or near the water celebrating the Chesapeake Bay. Take a walk, pick up trash, go for a boat ride, spend time with family and friends.
29 Colonial Beach Annual Lighted Boat Parade
5 to 7 p.m. on the Potomac River, Marker #2, just off the Colonial Beach Point, MD. Presented by Colonial Yacht Club. Registration required.
29 Middle River Lighted Boat Parade
The Mid-Atlantic’s largest lighted boat parade, and almost the largest in the USA! In Middle River, MD. To enter text name, address, boat type and size to (410) 4632686. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook.
HYC Frostbite Series
Hosted by Hampton YC.
BCYA Fall Series
Hosted by Baltimore City Yacht Association.
1
FBYC Winter Regatta 1
Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.
1 TAYC Frostbite Racing
Hosted by Tred Avon YC, Oxford, MD.
1-2
HYC Fall Fling Regatta One Design Series #4
Hosted by Hampton YC.
2 - Dec 14
AYC Frostbite Racing Series 1
Hosted by Annapolis YC.
8 BBSA Willoughby Hot Buttered Rum Race
Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.
8
FBYC Winter Regatta 2
Hosted by Fishing Bay YC, Deltaville, VA.
11 BBSA Little Creek Veteran’s Day Race
Hosted by Broad Bay Sailing Association, Southern Chesapeake.
28 SSA Turkey Tack
Do your 5K in an FJ at Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis.
29 EYC Leftover Bowl
Hosted by Eastport YC.
through Dec 7
St. John’s Lost at Sea (Ulysses) Exhibition
The sea can be a merciless foe. It is also a poignant metaphor for the human psyche. This exhibition tells the story of a subject set adrift in more ways than one. Features sculpture, painting, and prints by nine artists from North America and Europe. Free. Open Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays, 2 to 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s College in Annapolis.
1
CAPCA Members Fall Business Meeting and Dinner
5 p.m. at the Annapolis Elks Lodge in Edgewater, MD. Enjoy an evening of connection and engagement with fellow members for just $15 per person. Meeting also available on zoom. CAPCA members only.
4 Midnight Madness in Downtown Annapolis
Stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street from 4 p.m. until midnight to support local businesses. Find entertainment, holiday decorations, refreshments, and sales.
6
25th Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Parade starts at 5:30 p.m., dockside festivities 2 to 8 p.m. at the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront in Virginia.
6
Bohemia River Boaters Lighted Boat Parade
5 to 7 p.m. in Chesapeake City, MD. View From Pell Gardens, Chesapeake Inn, or either side of the canal. The boats will leave from the basin by Chesapeake Inn at roughly 5 p.m.
6
Holiday Boat Parade and Party at The Wharf
5 to 8 p.m. activities throughout The Wharf in Washington, DC, including a beer garden, s’mores, ornament decorating, karaoke, live music, visits with Santa, and more. 7 p.m. boats arrive in the Washington Channel. Fireworks finale at 8 p.m.
6
Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade
Pre-parade festivities start at 6 p.m. at the Yorktown, VA, waterfront and include caroling around illuminated braziers, a musical performance by the Fifes and Drums of York Town, and complimentary hot cider from the Boy Scouts of America. At 7 p.m. the boats will finish out the evening as they make their way down the river in a dazzling display of lights.
11
Midnight Madness in Downtown Annapolis Stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street from 4 p.m. until midnight to support local businesses. Find entertainment, holiday decorations, refreshments, and sales.
12-14 Christmas in St. Michaels
The event’s mission is to provide resources to help local nonprofit groups enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Bay Hundred community. Gingerbread house competition and display, marketplace, breakfast with Santa, Talbot Street Parade (Saturday at 10:30 a.m.), Lighted Boat Parade (Saturday at 6 p.m.) and more.
13
43rd Annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade
Dozens of boats in all shapes and sizes covered in thousands of colored lights parade through Annapolis Harbor for two magical hours. This year’s parade will feature new prize categories designed to welcome first-time and emerging skippers while still celebrating creativity at all levels. Skipper application is now live! Proceeds from the event benefit the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation.
14
Deale Parade of Lights Organizers are encouraging everyone to get to the parade viewing location by 5 p.m. due to high traffic; parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on Rockhold Creek in Deale, MD. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook.
18 Midnight Madness in Annapolis Stroll along Main Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, State Circle, Market Space, and Dock Street from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. to support local businesses. Find entertainment, holiday decorations, refreshments, and sales.
through Dec 14
AYC Frostbite Racing Series 1 Hosted by Annapolis YC.
7 HYC
Race Hosted by Hampton YC.
As told to Beth Crabtree
Not long ago, SpinSheet contributing writer Gail Marcus sent a note to our editor saying, “Thank you very much for providing a place for people to exchange stories about some of our shared experiences. In an article by Betty Caffo in the November 2024 SpinSheet, Betty reported how her sailing career started, writing that her first sail was on a Sunfish during her honeymoon in the Adirondacks in 1967. Wow! My first sail was on a Sunfish on my honeymoon in 1968. (In my case, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.) But the similarity in our stories doesn’t stop there. Betty alluded to the fact that she and her husband knew very little about sailing and had a problem getting the boat back to where they’d started. My husband, Mike, and I were also novices, and our inaugural voyage did not go completely smoothly, either.”
We reached out to Gail and Betty, who both stuck with sailing (and their husbands) and today are accomplished sailors on much bigger boats. Here they share more about their sailing journeys.
Inauspicious honeymoon sails.
Betty: It took me years to realize why Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks was chosen by my husband for our honeymoon in 1967. Al knew but didn’t mention the Sunfish we could use while there. He had a taste of sailing at Penn State and was hooked— but not skilled. My first-ever sail with him was decidedly unromantic. We were able to tack back and forth, but I noticed we were increasingly far away from the lodge. My new and optimistic husband said, “That’s okay, we have a paddle.” On the next tack, it went overboard, and my husband pleads forgetfulness about how we got back. Ah, young love.
Gail: In our case, while honeymooning in St. Thomas, an attempt to gybe a Sunfish went very wrong, and I ended up in the water under the sail. I wondered if my husband of one week was trying to kill me! When I freed myself, I announced that I would never get on a sailboat again. That’s one promise I’m glad I didn’t keep!
Advancing to big boats.
Betty: We went to grad school in Ohio where there was never mention of sailing—no real water there. But years later, we moved to Delaware, where Al and a friend went sailing at every chance. In 1986, we took our boys on a bareboat charter to the BVI; the only thing the boys and I knew was how
to tie a proper cleat hitch. I loved our charters but had little interest in learning how to sail.
However, in 2001 with the kids grown, I “announced” that we should buy a boat. I would have preferred a beach house, but I knew my husband who by then had earned his captain’s license. He resisted for 10 minutes, and then we went shopping. Our first and only sailboat was a new 36-foot Dehler. Before it even arrived, I was urged to try just one race, and I was hooked before the first upwind mark! When we recognized that sailing was a way of life for us, we moved to Havre de Grace, MD, and Summer Semester is kept just two blocks away.
Gail: We also went on to grad school, and the only boating we did was on a small outboard Mike’s father had for fishing. But after moving to Washington, DC, three years later, and becoming drenched in sweat just sitting outside to read the Sunday paper in June, we decided we had to do
something. We both had grown up near the Atlantic, but it was too far away to go there weekly, so I swallowed hard and said I’d try sailing—if we took some lessons. A one-weekend “instant sailor” course on a Rainbow (a stable boat, ideal for beginners) at Annapolis Sailing School removed some of my anxiety. We were then going to rent boats for a year to see if we really liked sailing, but after one rental, we bought a boat. We started small, a Leisure 17. The twin keel satisfied my need for stability. Soon boat envy got to us, and we kept looking longingly at boats with more features. Over time, we moved up to a Morgan 24, a Jeanneau Attalia (32 feet), and now, an Island Packet 350.
Still sailing, after all these years
Gail: Well, it seems that Mike wasn’t trying to kill me on our honeymoon because we are still together and still sailing on Silvergirl. We’ve never raced; we sail to relax, to commune with nature, and to enjoy the lovely small towns
along the Bay. We’ve often invited friends or foreign visitors for day sailing. We love to cruise, and we have been all over the Chesapeake Bay and up to Cape May as well as to New England aboard a friend’s boat. We’ve also chartered boats, usually in the Caribbean (once for the 1998 eclipse!), but we’ve gone day-sailing or had short charter cruises elsewhere, too, most recently in New Zealand.
Betty: We are now 79 years old with copious stories. We introduced our sons and most of our nieces and nephews to sailing, two of whom bought their own sailboats.
From the start, we balanced cruising with racing, although we took a hiatus from racing because we felt we were too old; but we are back at it, albeit with a change in attitude. We now teach others to sail and race and have been
having great fun as the senior sailors that we are. We have a crew of five novice sailors who jump at the chance to join weekly races.
We have explored and enjoyed the Bay for sure, but we still chartered boats: BVI and USVI, Turkey, Croatia, and Italy. We sailed to New
England four times. Our bucket list sail occurred in 2015 when we left our slip for a six-month sail to the Bahamas. With all of our adventures, the best one is still to anchor somewhere on the Bay, watch the sunset and the moonrise, and get awakened by Canada geese.
New sailors or those returning to sailing may want to seek instruction or coaching at a sailing school or club. Many such organizations exist on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. They offer certifications for beginners, returning sailors hoping to brush up on seamanship skills, cruisers seeking bareboat chartering or navigation experience, and racers wanting to hone their skills. The following is a sampling of schools and clubs that offer sailing instruction on the Chesapeake. For a more complete list of schools offering certifications outside this region, visit US Sailing or American Sailing.
• Annapolis Sailing School annapolissailing.com
• 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
By Carrie Gentile
Alarge-scale oyster restoration project is about to wrap up, and its success cannot be rivaled anywhere else in the world.
Over 2200 acres of oyster reefs have been restored in the Chesapeake Bay, as of this September. For perspective, that equates to an area larger than 1340 football fields.
“This is a huge deal,” Olivia Caretti, coastal restoration program manager at the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) said. “It is the culmination of decades of work among several partners. The Chesapeake Bay is now the gold standard globally for oyster restoration,” she said.
The multi-estuary project, spearheaded by the Chesapeake Bay Program, is breathing life into the Bay. Oysters are natural water filters. They remove some of the
nutrients and sediment polluting the water. The reefs, oyster upon oyster, provide habitat and food for fish, crabs, and more. Oysters drive Maryland’s commercial fishing industry. Watermen harvested an average of 475,000 bushels annually over the past five years, yielding over $18 million in dockside value.
The Manokin River, just south of Deal Island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, is the latest and final estuary of the Chesapeake Bay Partnership’s full restoration of 10 tributaries.
In late July the rebuilt oyster buyboat Poppa Francis, loaded with shells and spat (oyster babies) headed for the Manokin from the Horn Point hatchery of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) in Cambridge. The boat circled over the
derelict remnants of the reef and flung the mollusks into the water using highpressure fire hose.
That July planting of about 1.2 billion spat on shell marked one of the last needed to complete what participants proclaim is the largest oyster restoration project.
“It really is unprecedented,” Caretti said.
The Chesapeake Bay Program set and met a target set in a 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The program consists of several partners including the Maryland DNR, ORP, and other agencies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration supplied funds, expertise, and monitoring. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built reef foundations. UMCES’s Horn Point Laboratory produced billions of spat; and the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Chesapeake Bay Foundation distributed juvenile oysters.
“This restoration supports our commitment to bringing the oyster population back in five rivers by 2025 and the larger effort to support the repopulation of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, which has more than tripled in the past 20 years,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a statement.
Maryland’s rivers included in the oyster restoration effort are Harris Creek, the Little Choptank River, Tred Avon River,
Upper St. Mary’s River, and the Manokin River, which flows into Tangier Sound. Counted among Virginia Rivers were the Lafayette, Piankatank, Great Wicomico, Lynnhaven, and Lower York.
With conditions stacked against it, the mollusk has combated decades of over-harvesting, disease, habitat loss, and pollution. In the 17th century, oysters were so abundant that colonists reported enormous oyster reefs jutting up from the Bay’s bottom, causing navigational hazards. At the turn of the 20th century, the Bay’s oyster fishery was one of the most important in the United States.
In Cambridge, a crane lifts cages of spat on shell out of eight tanks submerged into the river, where millions of baby oysters have grown. In total seven billion spat have been planted in Maryland alone, Olivia said.
The cages are loaded onto historic buy boats, and watermen, using their knowl edge of the Bay, distribute these hopeful mollusk infants into the tributaries. More
recently, the ORP has employed the J. Millard Tawes, a former ice breaker and buoy tender, to transport the cargo.
The ORP works with area restaurants and shuckeries, paying them for the leftover oyster shells once the meat has been removed for consumption.
“They need a hard substrate to land on,” Caretti said. The shells and larvae are put into the tanks, where nature is replicated in a controlled setting.
She said the program is working, as evidenced by consecutive years of higherthan-normal oyster harvests.
“The ecosystem as a whole is beginning to recover. It’s all connected, and we are
The race to the finish line is on for aspiring SpinSheet Century Club members who aim to log 100 days on the water in the calendar year… and not freeze in the process. At the Annapolis Sailboat Show, at least a dozen Century Clubbers checked in with their progress logging days. Most were working hard toward their goal and weren’t going to let any cold weather get in their way.
At print time, the water temperature was just above 66 degrees. This means it’s time to break out your wetsuits and almost time to break out your drysuits if you’re a dinghy sailor or paddler. And of course, we encourage all of you to wear your lifejacket or inflatable PFDs at all times on the water.
We’re cheering you on—go get out on the water and reach your #spinsheet100 goal! Update the leaderboard if you have not done so recently. To learn more and join the SpinSheet Century Club, click to spinsheet.com/join-spinsheet-century-club. Send questions to editor@spinsheet.com
By Pete Lesher
The captain and crew of the venerable traditional sailing log canoe Island Blossom decisively extended their winning streak over nine weekends over the summer of 2025. Thirteen canoes competed between the start of the season on the last weekend of June and the final race in mid-September— a robust fleet with approximately the same number of competitors over the last two decades.
Island Blossom’s dominance dates back to its origin. Built in 1893 by Tilghman Island boatbuilder W. Sidney Covington, Island Blossom became the canoe to beat in the 1890s, when skippered by John Gibson of Oxford. After the canoe fleet established a seasonal High Point series in 1969, named for longtime owner and skipper George Wilson of the canoe Magic, Blossom became the first to grab the title for six consecutive seasons in the 1980s, sailed by Doug Hanks of Oxford. Since 2010, no other canoe has toppled Blossom from the High Point podium. At the end of the 2023 season, after leading this record streak, skipper Corbin Penwell announced his retirement. The canoe, under the leadership of Penwell’s longtime crew members Jeff Cox and Corbin’s son, Patrick Penwell, kept the title in 2024 and 2025.
The season started well for the Island Blossom crew with a breezy day on the Miles River, but races on the Chester River brought the light air more typical of summer on the Chesapeake. The unballasted centerboard canoes rely on live ballast moving delicately along two to four spring boards: the untethered plank hiking aids set to windward on each tack and gybe.
Spreading between 600 and 1200 square feet of working sail, canoes struggle when winds gust above 15 knots.
Back on the Miles River at the end of July, Island Blossom carried away the top of its foremast (though ketch-rigged, canoe masts and sails are named in schooner fashion: fore and main following the usage of the watermen who employed them first) in a breeze below that 15-knot threshold.
Heavy air arrived for the Myers Heritage Regatta at Tred Avon Yacht Club on Saturday, August 23. After a tough morning race, canoes returned to a building breeze in the afternoon. Three canoes capsized or suffered race-ending rig damage. Amid all the carnage, Island Blossom took the gun, ensuring a first-place finish where every other canoe owed them time on handicap. Rooted in tradition, the canoes use a rudimentary handicap system based only on hull length and breadth and fixed since the 19th century at six seconds per foot per mile.
The final race of the season, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Bartlett Cup, revived another 19th-century log canoe racing quirk: the standing start. Canoes lined up to the Miles River Yacht Club bulkhead, sails down, bows anchored out, and sterns tied to—with starts staggered by handicap rating. In this season finale, which is not counted toward the High Point, Mystery took the honors, winning the punch bowl for the first time since 1975.
The log canoe races begin again next season on June 27, 2026, when the water is sufficiently warm. Island Blossom will be defending the title again.
From the moment they opened the gates of the 2025 edition of the Annapolis Sailboat Show on a sunny Thursday, October 9, sailors flowed into the show in droves. Within minutes, lines began to form for boarding boats. The tents buzzed with boat talk. Free show seminars overflowed. Flags flapped in the breeze. It was, in short, everything sailboat dealers, gear manufacturers, and other sailing product and lifestyle experts hope for all year long.
The crowds on Friday and Saturday matched those from that exceptional Preview Day, giving exhibitors little time to catch their breath yet alone eat lunch, but rather than complain, they worked hard talking about their offerings to show attendees.
Dave Gendell, founding editor of SpinSheet who now works for Quantum Sails as the chief commercial officer, says, “Marine industry companies spend 51 weeks of the year chasing prospective customers. They spend a lot of money and burn a lot of calories trying to find new customers out in the world. This one week a year the prospective customers actually pay to come to them.
Therefore, every effort must be made to maximize that opportunity.”
Quantum hosted a number of events during the show: a retirement sendoff for longtime sailmaker (and SpinSheet columnist) David Flynn, a toast to American Magic and Quantum Racing teams (including locals Terry
Hutchinson and Greg Gendell), and a ClubSwan 28 coffee chat with Nautor Swan. Quantum also announced an exclusive partnership with S/V Delos, led by Brian and Karin Trautman, a leading creator of sailing and passagemaking content with nearly one million subscribers on YouTube.
At the Sail America breakfast on Friday before the show opened, Paul “Bo” Bollinger, the president and CEO of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) won the Industry Distinguished Service Award for his tireless efforts to keep boating accessible to all, including sailors with disabilities and recovering warriors (see page 17).
Team SpinSheet attended many press events, including the Annapolis Boat Shows’s media breakfast, Harken’s annual new-product introduction, a champagne toast at Pegasus Yachts for the premiering 50-foot bluewater boat, the Schooner Woodwind’s official new ownership announcement (see page 14), and an introduction to the new Current Yachts.
At the Beneteau press event company leaders focused on the evolution of the Oceanis and First models, specifically the debuting Oceanis 47 and 52 and the new First 30, a planing cruiser. They also briefly touched on their strategies to overcome industry-wide issues, including economic forces and consumer demand for better quality and features.
We at SpinSheet passed out magazines and PortBooks and talked to readers at our new booth right inside the show gates. The increase in booth space enabled us to have a kids’ table and official station for coloring, temporary tattoos, stickers,
and the EWE Spirit scavenger hunt, which has been a hit at shows for several years. We hosted a cupcake and beer celebration on Friday at happy hour time to celebrate our 30-year anniversary.
Other than noting the growing presence of enormous multihulls (a familiar refrain), several SpinSheet readers mentioned how large the new boats were in general and how they missed having smaller boats at the show. Hopefully these sailors took note of the pretty daysailer trend in the show (the Saffier 27 and 33 looked sleek!). We also hope they at least boarded one or two giant, yet impressive multihulls (such as the HH 52 or the Excess 13).
Overall, whether multihull or monohull sailors, our readers delighted in their annual walk down the docks in Annapolis… and Painkiller to end the day (thank you, Atlas, for keeping the tradition alive).
The show’s final day, Sunday, October 12, brought cloudy skies and big breeze, gusting into the high 20s, as the nor’easter played out; that crowds slimmed down was no surprise and, if anything, a relief as exhibitors and show staffers prepared for a safe ending to the show and safe exit for new sailing vessels heading back to their ports of call.
We will see you October 15-18, 2026, at the Annapolis Sailboat Show!
Photos by Will Keyworth
The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race 2025 took place on a breezy fall day, starting on October 16 and running through the night. Northerly breeze and a following sea made for an exciting run down the Bay.
Find more about the race and what happened onboard in our December issue. Check out more of Will Keyworth’s photos at spinsheet.com/photos
Class AA
1. Virginia
2. Lady Maryland
3. Pride of Baltimore II
Class A
1. Tom Bombadil
2. Adventurer (56)
3. Woodwind
Class B
1. North Wind
2. Resilient
3. Libertate
Class C
1. Norfolk Rebel
2. Sea Hawk
3. Farewell
Class N
1. Bennu
2. Tipsy
3. Rohirrim
Somewhere between the end of the sailing season and the holidays, you’ll find fun fall festivals for the whole family. Here are two sailors’ favorites on the Eastern Shore:
Rather than mourn as they took down the sails and tucked away their tall ships and other vessels for winter, the folks at the Sultana Education Foundation decided instead to celebrate the season with fellow sailors, live music, art, and history at the Sultana Downrigging Weekend, October 31 to November 2, on the waterfront at historic Chestertown, MD. What started as an interesting pairing of tall ships and top-notch bluegrass music has become a beloved autumn tradition with activities for the whole family.
The schedule includes tall ship tours on AJ Meerwald, Godspeed, Kalmar Nyckel, Maryland Dove, Lady Maryland, Pride of Baltimore II, Lynx, Sultana, and Sigsbee Festival attendees can also expect public sails, a Halloween party, a tall ship parade, music and more bluegrass music, vendors, and fireworks.
The inaugural public presentation of “Sultana, a Geographic History” will take place on Sunday, November 2 at 11 a.m. Sultana Education Foundation’s Chris Cerino will lead you through the history of the 1768 Royal Navy Schooner Sultana as she traveled the Atlantic Coastline between 1768 and 1772 enforcing the hated British tea taxes. Particular focus will be
given to Sultana’s travels on the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, including the schooner’s visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon where her captain, John Inglis, dined with the future President.
This presentation takes advantage of the Sultana Education Foundation’s innovative Swain GIS Theatre, which projects images and animations on a 1000-square-foot, high-resolution map of the Chesapeake Bay and Mid Atlantic. (The presentation is limited to 75 participants on a first-comefirst-served basis.)
Among the “book talks” to tune into, SpinSheet co-founder and local author David Gendell will discuss his book “The Last Days of the Schooner America” at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. At 3 p.m. Thomas Guay will talk about his new novel “Chesapeake Bound,” and Duncan Hood will present about the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.
Exhibits include works by Eastern Shore painter Marc Castelli, a model boat and ship display, and “Blacks on the Water.” The log canoe Silver Heel and Cocktail Class wooden race boats will be among the in-water exhibits, with racers on hand to talk about the history of the boats and the racing scene.
Bring the kids! The festival is familyfriendly and provides many activities
for young people: touring ships, making sailors’ hats, a “children’s buoyancy challenge” (building boats with materials such as popsicle sticks, foil, and duct tape), more crafts, and a petting zoo.
All festival proceeds benefit the Sultana Education Foundation, which provides hands-on educational opportunities that promote stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay’s historic, cultural, and environmental resources. By helping students of all ages develop an appreciation for the Chesapeake Bay, Sultana is working to create a community of individuals who are dedicated to preserving this irreplaceable treasure. Learn more at sultanaeducation.org; find the full festival schedule at downrigging.org.
For three days every November, nearly 20,000 visitors discover the best of local wildlife, nature, art, heritage, food, and fun at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD. While strolling along the lovely streets of Easton from November 14-16, visitors can discover a tradition that has been going strong for generations.
Art collectors find exceptional wildlife art from renowned master artists, along with a variety of events and vendors for all to enjoy that display fishing lures, allterrain vehicles, boats, and much more. Those looking for entertainment can take in retriever demonstrations, Dock Dogs competitions, goose and duck calling contests, and street musicians. Kids activities include a kids’ calling competition and decoy painting. Holiday shoppers can find unique items for everyone on their list. After an afternoon of fun and exploration, visitors can sample Eastern Shore cuisine.
From its founding in 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has been able to not only share the unique Eastern Shore heritage with visitors but also help to preserve it. More than $6 million in proceeds has been given away through grants for environmental, conservation,
and education projects throughout the DelMarVa Peninsula to preserve wildlife, waterfowl, habitat, and heritage for future generations.
The Waterfowl Festival is cashless, so bring your credit cards to the ticket booth. Learn more at waterfowlfestival.org.
"When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail." -Benjamin Franklin
By Capt. Michael L. Martel
Nobody likes to see the summer season end, of course, and preparing for winter, for the sailboat owner, can be a bit more complicated than it is for the powerboat owner because, essentially, one has two propulsion systems to consider: the sailing rig and the auxiliary engine. In warmer climates, there is usually no real winterization, only periodic maintenance, since the boat will probably be used year-round, but up in the mid-Atlantic states and New England, colder temperatures and freezing are added complications. To simplify matters, I treat the rig and the ‘iron jenny’ as separate worlds.
If you are keeping your boat at a marina or in a boatyard, and you know that the yard’s mechanic is competent and has a good reputation, it is wise, though not necessarily cheaper in the short term, to use the yard’s mechanic. Often, the yard will offer a checklist of services for the mechanic to perform, ranging from oil and antifreeze changes to flushing the raw-water system with non-toxic antifreeze to prepare the boat for out-of-water storage for the winter. Always remove the cap plate from the raw-water pump and remove the impeller. Check its condition. Always put a new one in come spring; if the impeller is in very good shape, put it aside as a spare, but don’t re-use it even if it looks fine.
If you live in a region where winter brings freezing temperatures, inadequate preparation can lead to cracked engine blocks, burst plumbing, mold growth, and a host of other costly repairs. Even if your boat will be stored in the water, freezing air and snow can inflict significant damage. Dedicating time to a thorough winterization process is an investment in your sailboat’s longevity.
Always keep a journal for your boat, a ‘nothing’ book of lined or blank pages outlining your sailboat winterization (and in the spring, commissioning) process steps as well as listing all the items that you’ll need, including optional items.
• Gather supplies: You’ll need antifreeze (marine, non-toxic), engine fogging oil, fuel stabilizer, cleaning products, lubricants, desiccants, plastic wrap or tarps, and plenty of rags.
• Select a storage location: Decide whether your boat will be stored in
the water, on a trailer, or on blocks. Each location may require slightly different preparations.
• Check the owner’s manual: Always consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular model and engine.
Remember to remove personal items, portable electronics, and valuables from the boat. Take home everything portable.
This prevents theft and damage from condensation. Store electronics in a dry, climate-controlled environment, and remove cushions, when possible, to store at home or in a dry, well-ventilated locker.
Give your boat a meticulous cleaning.
• Wash the hull and deck with mild soap; rinse thoroughly to remove salt and grime.
# The winter solstice feels far away, but it is only six weeks from the day this magazine comes out. Photo by SpinSheet
• Scrub away or power wash any algae or barnacles on the bottom.
• Clean the bilge, galley, and head. Remove all perishable food, drinks, and trash to prevent unpleasant odors and pests.
• Vacuum upholstery, launder fabrics, and wipe down all surfaces with a mildew-resistant cleaner.
Many sailors remove their sails and store them in the care of a sailmaker or sail loft; I found that to be a cost-effective way to keep them safe, dry, and out of the way. Sometimes small repairs might be needed, or the sails may need to be washed or spotcleaned. No matter what is needed, I know that in the spring, my sails will be all ready to go back on (or ‘bent’ on) for the new season.
Water left in tanks, pipes, or engines can freeze and expand, causing cracks and ruptures.
• Drain all freshwater tanks, hot water heaters, and lines. Open every tap and allow water to run out.
• Pump out the holding tank and flush the head with freshwater.
• Pour non-toxic, marine-grade antifreeze into all drains, toilets, and bilge pumps.
• If your boat has a pressurized system, pump antifreeze through the lines until colored liquid runs out of all faucets.
• Fill the fuel tank to 95 percent capacity to minimize condensation; leaving space for expansion helps prevent leaks.
• Add a fuel stabilizer and run the engine for at least 15 minutes to ensure stabilized fuel reaches all components.
• Change all fuel filters and water separators. Check for leaks or corrosion around the tank.
• If you don’t contract the yard to winterize your engine, there are a few procedures that you can perform yourself, such as flushing the engine with fresh water to remove salt and debris. Use “ear muffs” for outboards,
or follow the manual for inboards.
• Change the oil and replace the oil filter to prevent contaminants from sitting and sediments from collecting over the winter.
• Add non-toxic antifreeze through the raw-water intake and run the engine briefly until it exits the exhaust.
• For gasoline engines, spray some fogging oil into the carburetor while running to coat internal parts.
• Inspect the propeller; check for fishing line or corrosion. Check the stuffing box and grease ports, and lubricate all moving parts: steering cables, throttle controls, hinges, and latches.
• Remove and replace zinc anodes where necessary.
• Fully charge all batteries, disconnect and remove them from the boat if possible. Store batteries in a cool, dry place off the ground.
• Clean terminals and coat with petroleum jelly or dielectric grease.
• If you must leave batteries aboard, ensure that a trickle charger or solar maintainer is installed.
• Turn off all switches, breakers, and electrical devices. Remove fuses for added protection.
We discussed removal, cleaning, and proper storage of the sails, and to that we must add the following:
• Inspect all standing and running rigging for wear, corrosion, or fraying. Replace damaged lines. Remember that continuous exposure of halyards and running rigging to the elements (i.e., ultraviolet radiation) will cause them to slowly deteriorate, so check them carefully.
• Loosen halyards and lines to reduce tension on the rig.
• Prop open locker doors and set out moisture absorbers or desiccants to prevent mold and mildew.
• Leave interior cushions standing on edge to promote airflow.
• Open bilge access points if possible.
• Consider using a dehumidifier if the boat is stored indoors and power is available.
• Apply a protective wax to the hull to protect against dirt and UV damage.
• Cover your sailboat with a well-fitted tarp or custom canvas cover (If you use shrink-wrap, make sure your marina has a recycling system in place come spring). Ensure that the cover is secure but ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
• If on land, remove the drain plug and remember to reinstall it in the spring.
• For boats stored in the water, check dock lines and install chafe guards. Consider adding a bubble skirt or deicers to keep water circulating around the hull.
• Label all disconnected wires, hoses, and parts for easy reassembly in spring.
• Leave a note inside the cabin listing critical steps taken—this helps you or a future owner keep track of maintenance routines.
• If you have contracted with your marina for winterization services, request a written report of work completed.
Don’t forget to visit your boat!
Visit your boat periodically during the winter to check for problems, clear snow, and ensure covers remain secure.
Winterizing your sailboat is a labor of care. As with all boat maintenance, patience, diligence, and a little extra effort now will spare you from headaches when spring finally arrives.
# A very nice sail is laid out on the loft floor, while a technician replaces telltales and takes measurements at Thurston-Quantum Sails and Canvas in Bristol, RI.
When winterizing your sailboat, the best practice is to remove your sails and take them to a reputable sail loft or sailmaker, preferably the loft that made them. Sails are just as critical as your auxiliary engine, if not more so, and although the care of your sails is quite different than caring for the ‘iron jenny,’ it should be no less meticulous.
Your sailmaker can wash and dry your sails and inspect them for tears and chafe and make needed repairs that will make later repairs unnecessary, or at least minimal. Your sails will be properly folded and stored for the winter.
People who simply bag and store their sails in a backyard shed or garage are taking a real risk. Mice will nest in your sails, chew them up, soil them with urine and feces, and have their babies in there, all of which can result in irreparable damage to sails worth thousands of dollars.
Use the spinsheet online marina Directory to filter by top-tier amenities and specialized services. Be sure to mention PropTalk when you arrive.
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
By Captain Cheryl Duvall
Many of us began boating for recreational reasons. Maybe our parents had a sailboat, or we were introduced to sailing by racers who needed crew. Or we simply wanted to enjoy the outdoors and harness the wind. Whatever the reason, I doubt most of us began boating with the thought, “I’m going to get my captain’s license someday.” I certainly didn’t.
When I began sailing, I never considered recording days on the water. I was just happy to have access to small boats, whether my own or through clubs. I didn’t begin logging hours until I started cruising on larger boats, recording weather and destinations.
It wasn’t until my husband considered buying a boat for instructional purposes that we both thought about becoming licensed. After drafting a business plan, we decided not to pursue the commercial use of a personal boat for a variety of reasons. However, my husband decided to get his captain’s license to improve his boating skills. Several years later, I also decided to become licensed. I can still remember the moment it dawned on me that I had to act, and quickly. We had recently returned from a seven-month “sailbatical,” logging more than 100 days at sea (four hours or more underway). One of the licensing requirements for documenting 360 days of sea time is that 90 days must have occurred within the last three years. That meant I had a deadline! I was still working full-time and knew I wouldn’t have another opportunity to log 90 days until I retired, which was a long way off. I wasn’t sure if I would ever work my license, but I believed the process would expand my knowledge base.
A friend had recently obtained her captain’s license and enjoyed self-paced education through the Mariners Learning System (MLS). I visited the MLS booth at the Annapolis Sailboat Show and left with a discounted “captain-in-abox” 25-50-100 Ton Master edition.
I spent two months perusing the printed materials before beginning the online coursework on New Year’s Day. I was ready for the captain’s exam by early April. I passed all sections in one sitting. I completed the paperwork over the summer, and I had my license by autumn.
According to MLS, 80 percent of their students say that they don’t intend to make money by working their captain’s license. Instead, they pursue their credentials for other reasons. The number one reason that most give is to expand their knowledge and safety on the water.
Recently, the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association (CAPCA) surveyed its 340 members, asking why
they initially got their licenses, and how they are using them. Here are those results, in descending order:
Why did you initially get your license?
• 33% To make money on the water in the near future.
• 23% To make money on the water “someday” or after retirement.
• 20% To increase my personal knowledge and safety on the water.
• 10% For personal pride or evidence of skillset.
• 10% Other (write-ins)
• 2% To volunteer for a non-profit that needs captains.
• 2% To fulfill a family expectation or tradition.
• 2% To capitalize on sea time before expiration, e.g., 90 days within three years.
How do you use your license today?
• 40% I am retired but work my captain’s license for enjoyment or additional funds.
• 26% I supplement my primary income by working my captain’s license on a part-time basis.
• 14% I apply my captain’s license for my own personal use and safety on the water.
• 10% Other (write-ins)
• 9% My primary income is earned by working my captain’s license.
• 2% Being credentialed as a captain enables me to volunteer my services for non-profits or auxiliaries.
Many licensed captains work on charter boats or fishing vessels. Others enjoy teaching or delivering boats. If you want to work your license, there are primarily two types of captain’s licenses that can be obtained by recreational boaters:
• Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV), aka six-pack: allows a mariner to operate an uninspected vessel with up to six paying passengers.
• Master Mariner License: qualifies mariners to operate a USCG-
inspected vessel up to stated tonnage and maximum certified passenger capacity, with categories of 25, 50, or 100 gross tons.
If you have your own boat and are interested in carrying six or fewer customers, you may want to consider an OUPV license. If you don’t own a boat (or don’t want to use it for commercial purposes) or have a boat but want to carry more than six passengers, a Master Mariner License may be the better option for you.
Although I didn’t realize it eight years ago, I chose the right license for me. I decided to pursue a Master license, even though we had our own boat and I could have chosen just the OUPV license. Because it was just slightly more expensive and study-intensive to get the Master, I chose that path despite being unsure if I’d ever work my license. But now, after retirement from a 44-year non-boating career, I’m working for Watermark and driving Miss Anne, a USCG-inspected vessel that carries up to 22 passengers. I love working my license, and I’m glad that I decided to pursue my Master credential.
Think carefully about your current life and future goals. If there’s a small spark that says “maybe,” perhaps you should consider getting your captain’s license.
USCG National Maritime Center, dco.uscg.mil/nmc/merchant_mariner_ credential
Mariners Learning System, marinerslearningsystem.com
Annapolis School of Seamanship, annapolisschoolofseamanship.com Maritime Institute, maritimeinstitute.com
Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association, capca.net
About the author: Captain Cheryl Duvall is a USCG Licensed Master, Inland 100 GRT. When she isn’t sailing Belle Bateau, you might find her at the helm of Watermark’s Miss Anne in Annapolis. Email her at cherylduvall@mac.com.
By Per Struck
This summer, my wife and I joined the amazing clipper ship, Stad Amsterdam, on the last phase of the 2023-2025 World Tour, from Boston to the Azores.
Stad Amsterdam, designed by the renowned Dutch Dykstra Naval Architects, was first presented to the public at the 2000 edition of the SAIL Amsterdam tall ship parade. Later, in 2001, she won the Cutty Sark Tall Ships’ Race in northern Europe. The ship is a modern extreme clipper in historical perspective, combining the best qualities of clippers of the past and built with modern techniques but with a classic look and feel.
On ocean crossings the ship carries up to 28 passengers and 30 professional
crew members. Passengers have the option to participate in watches and to work alongside the crew with sail handling, mast climbing(!), steering, navigation, lookouts, and maintenance chores—plenty for a ship this size. Meals are shared with passengers and crew in the long room. Passenger cabins are nicely apportioned with comfortable bunks, desk, shower and toilet cabin, generous LED lighting, and AC/ ventilation (thanks to two large dieselpowered generators). It is a unique sailing experience: below deck with 21st-century comforts; above deck sending us back 150plus years.
On June 30, as the sun set on the Boston skyline, we set sails, ready for adventure with destination Ponta Delgada on the
island of San Miguel, some 2300 nautical miles ahead. The initial plan was an easterly rhumb-line heading, but after evaluating the forecasted weather pattern, the captain decided on a northerly great-circle route to increase the odds of staying with the wind. As such, we sailed across near the southern tip of the Grands Banks, off Newfoundland, a mere 30 miles north of the Titanic, and experienced the proverbial foggy conditions.
The decision to alter route paid off. The next four to six days were beam to close reach, full sails, sunny and dry conditions with 15 to 20-plus knots of southerly breeze pushing the boat speed up to 13 knots, helped along by the Gulfstream. We were steadily eating away at the remain-
ing nautical miles to San Miguel, and as it turned out later, the reward for the northerly route and keeping up the boat speed was sweet.
Stad Amsterdam’s length overall is 255 feet, with a beam of 35 feet and draft of 16 feet. Her main mast peaks 152 feet above the water with the foremast and mizzen mast slightly shorter. She carries 14 square sails, five staysails, four flying jibs, and an aft “spanker” sail: 24,000 square feet of sail area. In lighter winds, she can also fly “stun sails” off the square sail yards.
A clipper ship this size is in a completely different league from our regular sailboats. A square sail has a halyard, bracing lines, downhaul and “gear” (sheets, bunt, and leach lines), about six to eight lines total per sail. All lines are led to the classic “pin rails” along the port/starboard sides and around the masts, summing up almost eight miles of lines. Add the staysails and jibs, and you end up with well over 200 lines and pins, and they are not labelled!! However, there is an orderly system to these
seemingly endless rows of pins as the crew explained to us at each watch where sails were either dowsed, raised or trimmed to maintain optimal boat speed and steering.
At the end of the two-week crossing I still struggled to find the correct pins without crew supervision, for say, “the bracing lines for the mizzen topgallant sail,” especially in the dark night watch. I felt better knowing that it typically takes a new deckhand about three months, full-time, to master every line. Most of the line pulling on a square rigger is done by hand, many hands, as we line up four, five, or six people and pull in unison with a “two-six, two-six” battle-cry until the crew says “hold” and “belay” onto the pin and neatly coil the lines on deck and hang them back onto the pin rail.
On day 10, excitement and anticipation began to spread as we approached the westerly Azores Islands. First, it so happened that another similar size square rigger, the Norwegian Statsraad Lehmkuhl, was departing the Azores and heading straight towards us. The Lehmkuhl, part of the “One Ocean” program for sci-
ence and research, was headed north to Nuuk, Greenland, before preparing for a long Northwest passage. We managed to pass one another less than 400 yards apart in the early evening on July 10, two classic square rig ships, on the high seas in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, unplanned and timed by coincidence. An experience not soon to forget.
That same evening, the captain announced that because we had kept up the average boat speed, we were estimated to be two days ahead of schedule and that the plan was now to berth the ship in Horta on the island of Faial and spend a day and a half before the last leg to Ponta Delgada. Horta is the bluewater sailors’ Mecca, a convenient pit-stop as they cross the Atlantic at this latitude on their way to destinations in Europe. There is the famous “Peter’s Café” with the signature gin and tonic, the gin only produced and sold on this island, and the characteristic murals on the harbor seawalls painted by sailors during their visit.
We departed Horta and set course for Ponta Delgada, about 155 miles southeast. The weather forecast was sunny, with light air but on the nose, and the captain decided to motor to abide by the official schedule. Excitement rose again when he announced in the early afternoon that the “blue pool” would be opened for swimming. With the engine turned off, ship drifting in the light breeze, starboard side access platform lowered, gangway set from deck to platform just above the water, we jumped into the (very) deep and clear blue ocean, under warm sunny skies, in between the islands of Pico and San Jorge. It doesn’t get much better than that!
In the morning of July 14, we entered the harbor at Ponta Delgada, San Miguel. After spending the day in the town, a full barbeque farewell dinner was served on the main deck with crew and passengers reflecting on the experience of a special ocean crossing. The next morning, we disembarked, everyone scattering with different itineraries. My wife and I spent a few days
on the island, driving around among green lush pastures, with the ever-present magnificent hydrangea flowers and their dominant colors densely lining the roadsides and hills, the volcanic caldera lakes, quaint towns, and breathtaking ocean views at every turn, before flying back to the East Coast. It took less than a day to arrive physically back home in Baltimore, yet the spirit was still behind somewhere in the Azores.
What an unforgettable experience and a joy to work alongside and learn from captain and crew. These young men and women have energy, discipline, knowledge, and a passion for tall ship sailing and all the work that comes with it, not to mention their patience and hospitality towards us passengers, novice “tall ship sailors.” We would do it all over again tomorrow.
You could charter a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), do the usual round of islands and bars, and come home rested, tanned, and filled with stories and a phone full of selfies. What if there were an easy and affordable way to make the trip more memorable? Turn your charter into a treasure quest to make your Caribbean sailing escape more meaningful and fun.
Captain Deborah “Debs” Lewis, who’s lived on Tortola for 23 years, co-created Pirates & Ports, a self-guided, piratenarrated audio adventure that turns a BVI bareboat charter into a search for treasure, complete with a 50-question crew quiz and history at the classic stops such as Norman Island Caves, The Baths, Soggy Dollar, Willy T, and more.
Capt. Debs and her husband, who run day trips for snorkeling out of Tortola on a 26-foot boat, had a then-12-year-old
A fun, interactive adventure to spice up your charter escape… Arrgh!
daughter who was into pirates and treasure. They discovered an app called Action Band.
Having already considered creating some sort of geocache game, Debs thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to create a scavenger hunt? Especially in a place where that really happened, where there are lots of cool stories.”
Debs (who hails originally from England) and her sister, Alba, spent nearly two years compiling the information for the interactive game, now set up with a pirate voice telling the stories. They’ve also included quizzes and brainteasers to make the game more fun and challenging.
“This is for all ages, family travelers, or adult cruisers who want to learn more,” says Capt. Debs. “You might pull up to Norman Island, for example, and learn a bit more about it... It’s better than just going to the Willy T to drink.”
The game includes the five main islands in the BVI and 50-question quizzes and information about all the cool stops around those islands. There’s also a leaderboard on the app so that sailors can’t cheat.
Among the destinations included, treasure hunters will find history and quizzes about the following:
• Norman Island Overview, Willy T, the Treasure Caves, and The Indians
• Peter Island Overview, Dead Man’s Bay, and Peter Island Resort
• Dead Chest Island
• Salt Island and the Wreck of the RMS Rhone
• Cooper Island
• Ginger Island
• Fallen Jerusalem
• Virgin Gorda Overview, the Baths,
Coppermine, Bitter End Yacht Club, Leverick Bay, Spanish Town, Oil Nut Bay, North Sound, and Prickly Pear
• Saba Rock
• Anegada Overview, Cow Wreck Beach, Loblolly Bay, and Conch Island
• Great Camande, Diamond Reef
• Scrub Island Marriott Resort
• Marina Cay
• Jost Van Dyke Overview, Foxy’s Restaurant, and Sydney’s Peace and Love Restaurant and Bar, and Soggy Dollar Bar, White Bay
• Bline Beach Bar, Little Jost Van Dyke
• Sandy Spit
• Sandy Cay
• Tortola Overview, Sage Mountain National Park, Cane Garden Bay, Callwood Rum Distillery, North Shore Shell Museum, Carrot Bay, Smuggler’s Cove, Soper’s Hole Marina, Mount Healthy
• Trellis Bay and Bellamy Cay
Note to sailors: When Capt. Debs says this game is pirate-narrated, she’s not kidding. Get ready to slip into your most serious pirate persona and ye mateys and skallywags will enjoy yerselves!
If you’re ready for a fun adventure with your family or flotilla mates, click to viator.com and search for “Pirates and Ports, a SelfGuided Adventure for Sailors in the BVI” ($59.99). Send photos of your BVI adventure to editor@spinsheet.com
hese sailboat charter companies specialize in sailing destinations such as the Chesapeake Bay, Northeast United States, Northwest United States, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and South Pacific. Contact them and book your charter dream vacation today!
Attention, Sailing Clubs! Share your news and events in the SpinSheet’s Club Notes Section. Send a 350-word write-up and one or more clear photos of smiling faces or pretty boats to beth@spinsheet.com to let sailors around the Bay know about your club’s sailing adventures, social gatherings, and educational events. Find Club Notes section sponsor, YaZu Yachting, at yazuyachting.com and on Facebook.
By Marty Suydam
The Chesapeake Bristol Club (CBC) sponsored the fourth annual Bristol Rendezvous and Chili Raftup, October 3-5. The gathering brought an impressive fleet of 12 sailboats to Harness Creek for a weekend of sunshine, good food, and camaraderie.
The raftup included 10 Bristols ranging from 29.9 to 43.3 feet including four B43.3s (only 25 were ever built) and two B40s. The other two were a Moody 40 and Gulfstar 43. These 12 boats carried 35 avid sailors and young future sailors for the weekend. Not all sailed in; five drove to Quiet Waters Park and hailed the “CBC dinghy taxi.”
Saturday afternoon featured great company and an impressive spread of red, white, and vegan chili, cornbread, and lots of delicious appetizers and desserts. Special thanks to the four members who cooked chili and to all those who contributed to the feast.
After a Sunday morning of dog walks and discussion and expression of joy at the glorious weather, the raft departed in batches with several boats leaving late in the morning and a second batch in the afternoon following walks in the
park. Happily, the wind had built up, and our cruisers were able to sail to destinations north, south, east, and west.
The CBC is a social and sailing club with no clubhouse and a year-round calendar of events. Bristol sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay is the club’s nostalgic heritage, and building our Bristol fleet continues to be a club goal. However, membership is open to all who enjoy sail-
ing or listening to old salts spinning yarns; you don’t have to own a Bristol (or any boat). Dues are only $45 per year.
We would welcome the opportunity to introduce you to CBC members and answer questions you may have. Cruise to cbclub.info to join, inquire, or RSVP to any event during the year. Use the email link on the “Joining” page to reach membership director Rebecca Burka.
By Gray Shannahan
Growing up in Oxford, MD, everything revolved around sailing, and for many of us it was all about racing. We were groomed to be sailors through the Tred Avon Yacht Club (TAYC) sailing camp, and we rose the ranks of junior sailing through Optis, Lasers, and 420s. Many of us had parents that owned Penguin dinghies, and I have fond memories of racing with my dad against my friends and their dads.
Fast forward 30 years, and now these same Penguins are being raced in Oxford and in other regattas on the Bay. I have the fortunate opportunity to have the same Penguin that I raced with my father in the 90s, and now I’m enjoying it with my kids. This tradition continues with the same friends I raced against, who are now sailing with their kids as well.
The Penguin class is shrinking, but this is one of the only dinghy classes on the Bay that encourages a family racing environment. If there are Penguins available to be sold, there are people interested in buying them. Check out the International Penguin Class Dinghy Association Facebook page to get connected to the class. Get a boat and come join us! Learn more about TAYC at tayc.com
Fall has been busy for the Hunter Sailing Association Station1(HSA-1). We held our annual Crabfest in September. The event was hosted by Enavigare at a community marina located on Saltworks Creek off the Severn River. More than 30 HSA1 participants came by boat and car to enjoy Maryland blue crabs and other dishes during our afternoon party.
By Celeste Streger
Next, we hosted a fun Sail Without Your Partner event. The women sailed to Kent Narrows and had a lovely happy hour and dinner out. The men sailed to San Domingo Creek and had dinner ashore in St. Michaels followed by a short sail to Oxford where they shared ribs together.
In October at the Annual Meeting and Chili Cookoff we voted in our board for 2026, which will be an all returning board
made up of commodore Celeste (Blue Heron), vice-commodore Ed (RuffinIt), secretary Dan (Zum Wohl), treasurer Dave (Tide Together), and fleet captain Tom (Pinch Me). The Members of the Year Award went to JR and Renee (Peregrine) and Sailor of the Year Award to Earl (Adventure Bound). We had nine chilies with all the fixings to share for lunch, and the top prize went to Sharon (Chasseur) whose chili had the most votes.
This month we have scheduled a Frostbite Raftup.
If you have a Hunter or MarlowHunter in the mid-Chesapeake Bay and are not a member, please check out our club at hsa1.org or email commodore@ hsa1.org to learn more about the benefits of membership, which includes access to all club cruises and events and a direct connection to a network of Chesapeake Bay Hunter Owners. We hope you will join us!
By Susan Theuns
The Compass Boating Club of the Chesapeake completed its second full sailing season with the Autumn Breeze Before the Freeze event in October. Event chair Laura Gwinn made sure that there was something for everyone from scenic anchorages, happy hours, hiking, and dinner gatherings on deck and on shore. Many thanks, Laura! In September, we held our Annual Fall Cruise, chaired by Hank Theuns, who unfortunately had to switch from crew to drive-along. This meant Rich Tull had to also become a drive-along, and a crew switch-out in Chestertown for Boheme. Meanwhile, Deb Kuba (and pups) had to depart mid-cruise, allowing for a smooth crew change. Sound confusing? Thank goodness our club members are flexible and help one another out in times of trouble. New member, Laura
Keough, stepped in with a last-minute boat change as another member had engine issues. Way to pitch in!
Thanks to the drive-alongs who provided taxi service from the marina to Luisa’s in Chestertown, where we enjoyed a nice group dinner. Finally, kudos to Laura Gwinn for the impromptu dock yoga for those interested. Sometimes it takes a village, or in this case, a nice boating club.
Next month, we will end our calendar year with a Holiday Luncheon in Chesapeake City on Wednesday, December 3. Capri Ebright will chair the event, and we look forward to seeing everyone. Advance thanks to those for whom traveling to Chesapeake City is a
Tbit of a trek. Please sign up via email or on Facebook under the event tab.
Lastly, we continue to have a few new members in the pipeline for this year, and some spots remain open for 2026 as we drop off the inactive members to make room for new active members (we hold membership to 50 people). Not a member yet? If interested, please send a brief description of your experience, contact information, and expectations to compassboatingclub@yahoo.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
he goal of America’s Boating Club (ABC) is to improve boating skills not only through education and promotion of safe boating practices, but also through like-minded mariner strengths of camaraderie, teamwork, and togetherness. ABC-Wilmington accomplishes all of that!
By Carol Hanson
This fall our club’s events can be summed up by teamwork, socials, picnics, and warm sun on cool days. In early fall, members enjoyed a lovely member-hosted event on the Elk River. It was a BYO Everything picnic, and everyone enjoyed grilled steaks, sandwiches, and a scenic river view while basking in a cool day’s warm sun.
Later in the fall, members demonstrated unbridled teamwork with the annual North Point Marina “Sails Off” day, when they helped each other remove, fold, and bag genoa and main sails. Many hands made light work!
October featured a Wilmington supper social with guest speaker Dailey Tipton. A former senior corporate executive and current yacht broker, Tipton rehabbed and sold many boats, starting small and advancing to a sailboat that finished on the podium in the Annapolis to Bermuda Race.
All the while, the club’s executive committee has been working hard to upgrade the website and Facebook pages, prepare Lubber’s Line newsletters, manage budgets, and coordinate with ABC-National and 25 other District 5 Mid-Atlantic Commanders. And the social committee is planning the ever-popular December Holiday Social with a nautical gift exchange game.
To learn more, visit abc-wilmington.com or contact us at wspsboaters@gmail.com
By Chris Rogers
On September 20, five crews from the Mystic, CT, and Chesapeake Bay fleets of The Corinthians Association competed in the Corinthian Fleet Challenge on a breezy day. The Fleet Challenge is a one-design competition between crews from different Corinthian Fleets for bragging rights. Although the club’s activities normally emphasize sailboat cruising, many members have significant racing experience.
Four windward-leeward races were run, with the top honors going to Ted Corning and crew from Mystic. Kenneth Appleton of the Chesapeake Fleet and Lee Reichart of the Mystic Fleet, took second and third place honors, respectively.
The Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) supported this event by providing the J/22 sailboats and the race committee.
In its ongoing support of hospice care, The Havre de Grace Yacht Club (HDGYC) chose a new direction this year after Upper Chesapeake Foundation ended its annual hospice regatta. The club partnered with Gilchrist Hospice to hold a sailing regatta on September 13. No fancy party, but a really tasty meal from Mission Barbeque after the very sluggish, light wind race.
Coordinated by past commodore Jen Mellinger, we were tickled to raise nearly $9000 to support hospice care in Maryland. Donors came from Maryland, but sailors reached out to family and friends from across the nation— Vermont to California—in our competitive fundraising campaign. The high donor, Kevin Merriman, was awarded a 2016 framed hospice print, also donated by a member. This award was special because it was the poster from the year that our HDGYC won the National Hospice Regatta.
Following the racing, competitors and fellow Corinthians members gathered at EYC to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner. It was an opportunity for fellowship with other sailors and for celebrating a great day on the water.
The Corinthians Association is a US East Coast-based sailing association of amateur sailors who
By Betty Caffo
# Shannon Wollman from Gilchrist Hospice, event organizer Jen Mellinger, and commodore Chris Scholz.
have an interest and passion in boats, sailing, and all things involved with being on the water. Our mission is to promote sailing, encourage camaraderie among members and guests afloat and ashore, and connect skippers and crew. If you are interested in learning more, check out thecorinthians.org
By Sue Mikulski
The Sailing Club of the Chesapeake (SCC) hosted a “Royal Reunion Cruise” with the Royal Lymington Yacht Club of the UK (RLym YC). This unique friendship started out as a “no hard feelings cruise,” and this is the sixth time the two clubs have sailed together. Twenty-three UK sailors were guests aboard SCC members’ boats to experience much of what the Chesapeake has to offer.
After an elegant welcome dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club, our guests were treated to a five-boat raftup party on Grey’s Inn Creek, an event that is almost impossible to have on the Solent due to strong currents. The next day, at Haven Harbour South in Rock Hall, cruisers line danced to live music at a beach party, capped off with one of the most extraordinary sunsets of the year! Our UK guests had never experienced the sunsets we all cherish.
The fleet raced on route to Fairlee Creek to enjoy a traditional cookout with burgers, corn, Eastern Shore tomatoes, and s’mores at a member’s home
Small craft warnings did not prevent us from sailing to Baltimore Yacht Club. After a burgee exchange, the cruisers enjoyed an excellent dinner and listened to a live blue grass music concert. The RLym YC had given each SCC boat a rally flag commemorating this cruise which made it easy to find where our boats were docked at large marinas.
As we transited the Patapsco River, our guests were humbled seeing the remains of the Key Bridge. Harbor East Marina had all hands on deck greeting us. The fleet gathered to hear SCC member Dan
Kastor, a food scientist with McCormick Spices, who talked about the link between the spice trade and the City of Baltimore. After a Q&A session, we did some sampling of some “spice,” especially Old Bay! The closing reception was at the Gibson Island Boat House. It was a perfect venue to end a wonderful week on the Chesapeake. Julie Neaderthal and Joe Jackins, co-cruise leaders, thanked their many volunteers whose planning and execution exceeded their expeditions. Well done! Learn more about SCC at scc1944@clubexpress.com
By Jeff Short
What an excellent time we had at the America’s Boating Club/Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron (ASPS) first general membership meeting of the 2025-26 season. The Golf Club of South River was our venue. The meeting space was beautiful, the food was tasty, and the membership turnout was excellent.
We have some excellent meeting venues set up for this coming year. Our October meeting was a catered picnic at Selby Bay Yacht Club, and we plan on going back to The Golf Club of South River again in February. Most of our meetings will be held on Saturdays at lunchtime. I encourage everyone to join us. You will absolutely enjoy it.
ASPS is so much more than picnics and excellent social gatherings. We offer fantastic boating education and free vessel safety inspections. It is imperative that we get the word out about safety to the boating public, and if every single one of us participated, we could make a huge improvement in boating safety.
Our ASPS marketing committee has set us up for success. They have updated the ASPS fliers, put together packets of information to be displayed at boating venues, and scoured the map for places frequented by boaters, such as chandleries and marinas. I ask every member to pick up a packet or two, look on the map for venues near them, and drop off the fliers. David Tower has even written a short script that we can use to introduce ourselves and our mission of safe boating. David has gone to a few places already and has found that the managers are excited to allow him to display our fliers. They see the need for educating boaters regarding safety on the water. Contributing to the ASPS mission doesn’t get any easier than that. Each of us should do our small part. Learn more about ASPS at aspsmd.org.
2024 was not the first time David Kunselman won the Volunteer of the Year award at the Pentagon Sailing Club (PSC). From the moment Dave joined PSC in 2010, he became one of the club’s most active and valued
# Sailing with a young crew during the Gov Cup.
By Julie Day
sailing instructors. A Navy Commander, Dave initially taught the Navy’s Keel Boat Skipper class which later became the American Sailing Association basic sailing certification course. Dave also became one of the club’s first Bay Skippers teaching advanced ASA classes requiring overnight sailing experience. Dave learned to sail at an early age when he spent summers with his grandfather who was a sailing instructor at the Naval Academy. He began teaching sailing at the age of 12. In college he and a friend cruised a Hobie Cat, sleeping on beaches along the Chesapeake. Later, when stationed in Italy, he raced International 14s. He was not at the level of the Italians, but he was tall and knew how to balance the boat.
Teaching children is a particular joy for Dave. He took his kids and their friends on the Governor’s Cup race even though they knew they weren’t competitive. On another occasion, he
was “screaming along in a Hobie Cat” when his son decided to swing forward on the trapeze and the boat pitchpoled. When safely back aboard, they collapsed laughing. Dave said PSC was “a bit stodgy” early on, so he would bring the kids along to “liven everything up.”
When asked the difference between teaching kids and adults, Dave remarked, “You need to get kids wet, get them in the water by tipping over the boat to erase their fears. Adults don’t like that! Everything has to feel stable. You have to help them feel comfortable, build their skills, and encourage them to achieve their dreams.”
Dave spent four years as training commodore and four years as commodore of PSC. “I love the club. I have had a lot of fun with a wonderful group of people.” No wonder he is often the club’s Volunteer of the Year! For further information visit pentagonsailing.org or facebook.com/ pentagonsailingclub.
By Greg Shields
The sailing season is quickly coming to a close, which seems all too soon.
October was quite busy for the Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club. First up was the Fall Food and Spirits Tasting at Safe Harbor in Oxford. It was one of those famous north/ south wind weekends. Members from the Patuxent River had to motor the whole way while members from Herring Bay and the West River had great sails. Several boats rafted up in Trippe Creek off the Tred Avon on Friday night and moved to the marina on Saturday. Safe Harbor was gracious and let us use the Captain’s Lounge as the rain came late in the afternoon and continued during happy hour and dinner. On Sunday the skies cleared, and the north winds persisted. As we parted ways leaving the Choptank, Pax River members had their fun in the sun while our West River members had to beat
their way back home. This says something for Herrington Harbour being your home port—they had great sails both ways.
We next gathered for lunch at the Fleet Reserve Club during the Annapolis Sailboat Show. This is a Tartan tradition. Weather was cool and breezy as a blustery cold front moved through just two days before. Amelia Whitman and Jeff Nachreiner hosted a raftup in the Rhode River before and after the Show, and that will likely be the last raftup of the season. Boohoo.
Last was the Tartan Annual Business Meeting held at Pirates Cove in Galesville. This year was a changing of the guard year. Mike Swift handed over the wheel to Michael Mininsohn. Many thanks to incoming and outgoing commodores.
The only event left on our club’s 2025 calendar is “The Blue Lips Pop Up Cruise.” So far no one has taken on the leadership of the event, and why would that surprise anyone? (Sounds cooold!)
If you are a member or want to be, keep in touch with us over the winter through our online happy hours. Check cbtsc.org for dates and times.
Fun, learning, competition, and sailing friendships were all on deck September 20-21 at Tred Avon Yacht Club (TAYC), with two days of Opti fleet and team events. TAYC’s inaugural Pumpkin Patch Regatta was a big success, unfolding on Saturday (with ILCA 6 racing too), followed by a low-key Opti 4x4 round robin Fall Team Race Challenge on Sunday.
The overall winner was Team Sparkle Ponies from Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC). In addition to awards for the top three finishers, race organizers also recognized the highest scoring team with at least two siblings, the team with the best name, and the team representing more than one yacht club. Find full Pumpkin Patch results at tayc.com.
As this issue went to press, youth racers were prepping for the AYC Halloween Howl with the USODA Chesapeake Bay and C420 Atlantic Coast Championships and ILCA classes. Check back next month for results and photos.
OPTI GREEN
1. Jake Le, BCSC
2. Owen Cal Tyson, MRYC/SSA
3. Thomas Gazzolo, WRSC
OPTI RED
1. Liam Donaldson, AYC
2. Trey Waters, AYC/EYC
3. Robert Haneberg, AYC
OPTI BLUE
1. George Wyatt Tyson, AYC/SSA
2. Aubrey Marino, AYC
3. Archie Dove, AYC
OPTI WHITE
1. Arthur Haneberg, AYC
2. Jacqueline Smith, AYC
3. Heneage Baugh, TAYC/AYC
ILCA 6
1. Daniel Schwaninger
2. Christian Merrill, RHYCSS
3. Connor Geary, SSA
By Molly Winans
“How often does a world champion broach?” Annapolis sailor Tony Parker asks.
The second week of September, he witnessed Irish sailor Cillian Dickson on Headcase broach in heavy winds and waves, yet still win the race and overall J/24 World Championship out of Plymouth, UK. Parker’s Bangor Packet team placed second that last day and second overall.
Five days of spicy winds ranging from 20-25 knots with gusts up to 30, combined with 10- to 12-foot waves, made
for a gear-buster of a Worlds for 50 competing boats from a dozen countries, September 6-10. By day four, organizers noted five broken rudders and six broken booms among competitors.
A week later, looking out on the calm Chesapeake with the Bay Bridge as a backdrop, Parker shook his head and said, “They never would have run a race here in those conditions.”
Before the World Championship, Parker’s Bangor Packet team had practiced for eight solid days in the same challenging conditions that would
# The Bangor Packet team, bow 20.
carry through the event. Will Welles (two-time J/24 World Champion), Will Bomar, Emmet Todd, and James Niblock rounded out his crew.
Back in March, the same crew convincingly won the J/24 Mid-Winters. For the September Worlds, Welles acted once again as tactician.
“The regatta was great: great wind, big seas, two racing circles, one outside the breakwater and one inside—the inside one had shiftier conditions,” says Welles, a sail expert at North Sails in Newport, RI. It was his first time sailing in England.
“The only bummer was that it rained all the time. At least we had good wind the whole time.” He adds, “Tony’s such a pleasure to sail with. He’s really good to his crew. He’s got a great attitude. The people he surrounds himself with are all good people… The regatta was fun on and off the water.”
Parker says, “They were the best bloody crew I could have asked for. We were together for 17 days and were very disciplined practicing four hours per day. Luckily, we practiced in the same conditions we got for the Worlds. If we had not done that preparation, we wouldn’t have done so well.”
Parker has sailed the J/24 Bangor Packet for 47 years and competed in a dozen World Championships since
his first in 1979. For anyone doing the math, the lifelong sailor celebrated his 80th birthday the week after the Plymouth event.
“I’m a competitive light- to moderate-air sailor,” he says, also noting that he’d not sailed his J/24 with his jib or in the open ocean for several years. In Plymouth, “It was crazy! The weather changes every half hour. There would be shifts of 10, 20, 23 degrees, blowing 25… and the wind was never from the same direction as the waves, so technique was important.”
Turns out foulies were important, too. At the last minute, Parker had thrown his heavy offshore bibs into his kit. Although he attempted to get away with just wearing Rocky Socks and sneakers, he bought offshore seaboots after the first wet day of many.
“We were basically half under water all day in those waves. It was full on.”
Parker and crew were up against serious competitors, such as the English National Champion, the three-time and current European Champion, four Australian teams, and a Japanese team who were a formidable force (Kohei Ichikawa’s Gekko finished third).
“You never know who will sail well in these conditions. There’s a technique to sailing in them; Will Welles is really good at it,” he says.
“Sailing a boat is ballet. Every time I tack, I know where each person goes. If you do it right, if your ballet is good, you succeed.”
He credits the team’s ballet skills for their success—Bomar on bow, Niblock trimming, Todd trimming and helping the skipper manage the main (as he needed both hands on the tiller in the heavy waves), and Welles wielding his tactical powers (“yelling at me” says Parker with a grin).
“Our weakness, it turned out, had to do the black flags they used for general recall; that scared us. Our starts were terrible. The Irish guys’ starts were better. They didn’t sail faster than we did, but their starts were better.”
When asked how a worlds-level competition differs from others, Parker says, “The length of it. Five days; it’s relentless.”
He says that “the top of any game is all mental” and cites “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and “How Champions Think” by Bob Rotella as books that have influenced his approach in sailing.
His advice for one-design sailors who aim to sail at a higher level: “You must be open to learning from other people. I learn every day I go out. I must have learned a dozen new J/24 techniques (at the Worlds), and I’ve been doing it for 47 years. That’s what makes it fun.”
Will he compete in the J/24 World Championship 2026 in Melbourne, Australia? Parker wonders how long his body will let him carry on racing so hard. His pattern of finishing second at major events, including a different J/24 Worlds, has persisted since he was in college. He’s tired of “being the bridesmaid.” You can see the thirst for first in his eyes.
Chatting with him on his lovely porch about his offshore racing (he competed on his Morris 47 Reindeer in the Annapolis to Newport Race last June) and his workout routine (weight training, rowing, and stretching), it’s clear that the Annapolis octogenarian is living his best life. Second, schmecond. Tony Parker is winning.
The 2025 J/88 North American Championship, hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC), unfolded September 25-30 off Annapolis. Eleven teams competed, with out-of-town crews from Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York. AYC’s Dick Neville acted as principal race officer and provided the following summary:
“Racing began Thursday in strong conditions, with Race 1 featuring significant shifts. With MarkSetBots in use for the championship, the race committee was able to square the course each leg after the first beat, ensuring fair racing despite the moving wind. The day wrapped with three races in solid breeze, where Hiwassee (John Bell and Ray Wulff) dominated with three straight bullets.
“Friday delivered lighter air and more tactical racing, with three additional races completed. Conditions proved challenging, and Sin Duda! (Lindsey Duda) and Dutch (John and Jordan Leahey) pushed Hiwassee harder, though the Bell team again finished the day on top.
“Saturday began under postponement before two lightair races were completed. An ebb tide made for difficult choices as less current to the left battled more pressure to the right, frustrating tacticians across the fleet. Sin Duda! and Hiwassee traded 1–2 finishes, leaving the series poised for a close finale.
“Sunday’s forecast did not bring relief, with sunshine but only three to five knots over a lumpy sea state. With no signs of improvement, the race committee called racing and moved to the early awards ceremony.”
Find full results at yachscoring.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos
1. Hiwassee, Ray Wulff/John Bell
2. Sin Duda!, Lindsey Duda
3. Dutch, John and Jordan Leahey
4. Piranha, Dave Dennison
5. MI2, Jack McGuire
1. Piranha, Dave Dennison
2. Whirlwind, William Purdy
3. Exile, Andy Graff
“Wind, wind, my kingdom for some wind!” a sailor King must have offered long ago. The forecast on the weekend of October 4 and 5 was for sunny skies but little wind! And this year’s 30th anniversary Hospice Turkey Shoot Regatta based at the Rappahannock River Yacht Club and co-sponsored by local club Yankee Point YC, was special, dedicated to the memory of John McConnico, a wellloved co-founder of this regatta who crossed the bar this year.
Seventy-seven boats registered with 63 making it to the starting line on Saturday but had little wind to power their sails. The race committee announced that the warning would be delayed until 1 p.m. Patience! When the breeze finally came in—six knots at 115 degrees at 2:15 p.m., the race committee set up a B fleet (slower rated boats) triangle course with windward finish, of 3.4 nautical miles and an A fleet course of 5.7 nm (going around the same triangle course and finishing to windward). The first of six starts went off at 2:35 p.m. with winds building up to eight to 12 knots as the race progressed. Bombshell (John Congdon’s XP-44) won line honors and finished at 3:40 p.m, with all boats finishing at 4:30 p.m. Side note: mark roundings were unusually crowded, but good sportsmanship prevailed!
Luna, the Colonial Seaport Foundation’s 18th century Bermuda sloop, well-sailed by John Collamore and crew,
added a flair at the finish by firing their cannon: hear ye—cocktails, dinner, and music await!
After the wonderful meal Saturday night, there was a memorial tribute to John McConnico who had co-founded and brought this regatta into Hospice 30 years ago. Speakers included former crew leader and local racer Bill England and local sailor Norm Faulkner, who now races John’s Blackwatch 37 Country Woman. Well, sober Sunday’s forecast was for more of the same light wind, so the usually exciting Pursuit Race was canceled, and the committee, led by PRO Tom Chapman, set up the awards ceremony with all results based upon Saturday’s racing.
The Overall Winner of the Virginia Spirit Trophy, that giant silver bowl that often resides at the Rappahannock River Yacht Club, was Last Boat III, a Morgan 24, owned by Frank Murphy of the Fishing Bay Yacht Club (FBYC) with helm work by Scott Vail and trim by Chris Capel. Compliments of the Tides Inn, Murphy also received a prize of a free room and slip for the 2026 regatta. In addition, they will receive a plaque engraved with an image of their boat, compliments of AGA Correa and Sons.
Second Place Overall, was last year’s winner Lisa and Bob Fleck’s Thomas 35 Orion, also from FBYC. It is worth noting that on corrected speed, they only trailed Murphy by 1.1 seconds per mile, a barely detectible margin!
Third Place Overall, was won by another previous overall winner Dennis Hannick’s Goin’, a Tripp 26 also of FBYC.
The Corinthian Award, awarded for the best performing cruising boat, sponsored by Ed Tillett (director of Waterway Guide Media), was won by Russ Seltzer in Joie de Vie a Cape Dory 33.
The Most Beautiful Boat Award, voted by observers on the race committee, was won by John Bailey in Morgana, his Van Dam 32 gaff-rigged ketch.
Wobbly Compass Award, for best finish by a classic wooden yacht, was Krister Allen in Talelayo a Cape George Cutter.
The John and Carole Jean McConnico Trophy, presented by Carole Jean McConnico, awarded to the yacht club or marina with the best fleet finishes of their top three boats was a tie between RRYC and FBYC.
:
Division 1 was won by Bombshell; second Tom Richardson/Glenn Oxford in Skyelark; third Gary Hooper in Spirit.
Division 2: First, Irrational Exuberance, Jesse Swartz; second, Victoria, Mark Maiocco; third, Makai, William Wirt.
Division 3: First, Trilogy, Randy Alley; second, Endurance, John Pender; and third, Catitude, Louise Moore and Lew Thatcher.
Division 4: First, Orion, Bob and Lisa Fleck; second, Goin’, Dennis Hannick; and third, Clementine, Shaun Thaxter.
Division 5: First, Last Boat III, Frank Murphy; second, Freedom, Glenn Solt; and third, Yankee Point, Todd Patterson.
Division 6: First, Encore, Hal Starke Jr; second, Joie de Vie, Russ Seltzer; and third, Resolute, Jake Pender.
Division 7: First, John Bee, Marco Monti; second Acorn, Bill McHugh; and third Gypsea, John Tidwell (also the co-event chair.)
Division 9: (The Typhoon fleet) First, Ad Astra, Arabella Denvir; second, Slippery, Danielle Kuper; and third Friday’s Child, John Friday.
Division 10: First, Talelayo, Krister Allen; second, Morgana, John Bailey; and third, First Light, Chuck and Kathy Hall.
According to Co-Chairs John Tidwell and Tom Chapman, the regatta is a joint organizing effort of the Rappahannock River Yacht Club, the Yankee Point Yacht Club. It is supported by The Tides Inn, the Town of Irvington and Lancaster County community and Riverside and Northern Neck Hospice Services. This regatta is the high point of this annual fundraising campaign to benefit Hospice services and is a big success.
For more information and addresses for donations, go to hospiceturkeyshootregatta.com and more results may be found at yachtscoring.com
# Second overall, Orion, owned by Bob and Lisa Fleck of FBYC, speeding toward the mark. Right, first to finish and Division 1 winner Bombshell, owned by RRYC’s John Congdon.
Viper 640 class stalwarts Jay Rhame, Peter Beardsley, and Rachel Beardsley on Glory Days notched three bullets on what would become the last day of racing to overtake early leader, last year’s champions Mark Zagol, Drew Buttner, and Tim Desmond aboard NESS to win their first Viper 640 North American Championship.
Hosted by Hampton Yacht Club (HYC) October 1-6, 10 races were sailed over three days and a range of conditions on Hampton Flats in the James River at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay. The fleet of 29 boats saw breeze touching 20 knots for the first two races, 10 to 16 knots the second day, and six to 10 on the third day for what would be the deciding races.
The defending champions aboard NESS jumped out to an early lead, winning three of the first five races. Never notching below a top-five finish, it seemed they were cruising to another championship. However, Glory Days stayed close, never notching below a sixth, and the team from Shelter Island and Rumson, NJ, took advantage of the decreased wind on the third day to show off their trademark light-air speed.
Despite trailing by nine points heading into the final three races, Glory Days ran off three straight bullets to give themselves a one-point edge heading into Sunday. The race committee monitored conditions
closely on Sunday, but a ridge of high pressure over most of the East Coast, along with trademark strong tides in the Flats didn’t allow the fleet to leave the dock; so, the regatta was called and new North American champions were named.
At the Awards Ceremony, Peter Beardsley recounted sailing in the Viper North Americans for over 15 years: “We were very excited for the North Americans at our then home club, Larchmont, over 10 years ago. We ended up in the high teens.” Keep plugging, he advised.
While the title was the first for Jay and Peter, it was technically Rachel Beardsley’s second North American class title, after she won the Women’s North Americans at Gulfport YC in 2022.
As usual with the Viper Fleet, wellattended open debriefs were held after
racing every day over stocked coolers. The four-day regatta also featured an Annual General Meeting, a class dinner, and a party hosted by longtime Viper sailor Jane Moore at her home overlooking the racecourse.
HYC local Mark Wheeler took home the Masters Trophy, placing a strong third overall, and International Class president Steve Chapman won the Geoff Ewenson Memorial Award for outstanding service to the class, the first winner of the EWE Award since 2022.
Next year’s Viper North Americans are set for Pensacola Yacht Club September 30 to October 4, to be followed in 2027 by the North Americans at Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead September 22-26.
By Sharon Lacy
The Downtown Sailing Center’s (DSC) 23rd annual Ya Gotta Regatta on September 20 was nothing short of spectacular—sunshine, steady breeze, and so many smiling sailors. With 41 boats racing and more than 55 volunteers powering the event, this year’s regatta was one of the most successful yet.
The day was a celebration of community and the DSC’s core mission: sailing for everyone. Special guests such as Delegate Robbyn Lewis and Carla Cobbs, Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, joined the festivities, underscoring the inclusive spirit of the event. Boats raced across the harbor in perfect conditions, and the docks buzzed with joy and camaraderie.
The impact of the regatta reached well beyond the racecourse. So far in 2025, the DSC has served 610 unique individuals with over 4000 sailing experiences: a testament to its broad reach and unwavering dedication. This year’s regatta raised more than $155,000 (and counting!) to fuel these transformative programs. Notably, member giving soared from 16 to 42 percent, with a playful promise from the executive director: hit 100 percent by year’s end, and she’ll cannonball into the harbor.
Ya Gotta Regatta isn’t just an event—it’s a vibrant reminder of what makes DSC so special. Here’s to the wind in our sails and a community that believes in the power of access, joy, and, of course, a little friendly competition.
Learn more or donate at downtownsailing.org.
Hansa Adaptive Racers
1. Zoltan Pegan
2. Lionel Rogers
3. Jun Aggarao
J/22
1. Matt Alisch
2. Mike Mcnamara
3. Jenn Millar
PHRF
1. Bare Bones
2. Dark Crystal
3. KoKo Express
Sonar 23 Fleet/Adaptive Sailor
1. Kendall and Bonnie; Anthony Derosa and Ursula Young
2. Yusuf and Uchenna Egenti; Priscilla Henderer and Dan Zink
The Southern Maryland Sailing Association in Solomons kicked off its Women’s Race with a skipper’s meeting the night before, on Friday September 5. Saturday arrived in a warm and sunny fashion.
With five boats participating in the race, along with a total combined crew of 38, Barba Roja, Patriot, Rakali, T-Bone, and Wicked Good made their way to the course with crews of varying experience and a lot of spirit and enthusiasm. The total course length would be 9.64 nm. Rounding the first mark of the course ahead of all the others was Patriot and her crew. The first downwind leg to the bridge proved to be a little challenging for some, as the shifting breeze made for a tight reach and Rakali managed to move ahead of the competition and rounded the bridge first, while T-Bone worked to close the gap on Patriot. The velocity of the wind diminished slightly during the race and crew weight shifted from the windward to leeward sides with greater frequency. Boats continued to jockey for position during the remainder of the race, and T-Bone was able to pass Pa-
triot by mid-race, while the Rakali team continued to hold their lead.
As the boats finished, winning line honors was Rakali, helmed by Robin Witte, and some five minutes and 30 seconds later, T-Bone, helmed by Melissa Myers, crossed the finish line and won the race, correcting over Rakali by 10 seconds. Finishing third was Patriot, helmed by Ali Banholzer.
A post-race gathering took place at Spring Cove Marina, where the marina
Annapolis Yacht Club hosted its Fall Solomons Race from a start line near Thomas Point Shoal Light to the Patuxent River on September 20. Thirty-nine teams competed in the daytime distance race. Find full results at yachtscoring.com and photos at spinsheet.com/photos
staff provided a covered seating area for all to gather and eat, a small bar and a bartender serving up all of the ladies’ favorites, as well as a grill station and tables. Everyone had a wonderful time on and off the water. Cheers to all of the sailors who came together and showed skill, commitment, and enthusiasm, including our youngest of racers, Clara Gyorgy (age 11) and Evie Miller (age 13), and congratulations to Melissa “Mel” Myers and her crew aboard T-Bone for the win!
ORC Open 1 (13 Boats)
1. One Trick Pony, David & Jacki Meiser
2. Tenacious, David Bond
3. Zuul, Benedict Capuco
ORC Open 2 (7 Boats)
1. USA 38, John and Kevin White
2. Actaea, Michael M Cone
3. Delirium, David McCullough
ORC Performance Cruiser (11 Boats)
1. Lucky Eights, Keith Cole
2. Jane Says, Robert Dunigan
3. Cordelia, Nick Simpson
PHRF B/C (3 Boats)
1. White Cap, Dan Buan
2. Diablo, Russell Miller
3. Windrose, Amy Purves
Multihull (5 Boats)
1. Cheshire Cat, John Enderle
2. Triple Threat, Timothy Lyons
3. Cloud Splitter, Jeffrey Ackley
For three decades, Charleston Race Week at Patriot’s Point has united sailors from around the world for ‘A Regatta Unlike Any Other.’ Join us on April 16-19, 2026 as we mark 30 years of premier racing, lively shoreside festivities, unforgettable competition and the enduring spirit of sailing.
An alliance between Annapolis and Youngstown Yacht Club sailors captured the 2025 J/22 North American Championship, October 3–5 at the Rochester Yacht Club in Rochester, NY.
After finishing in the top 10 at the J/22 World Championships last year in Annapolis, Todd Hiller teamed up with longtime sailing partners Adam Burns and John Goller to race the event. The trio, who have been racing with and against each other for over a decade, combined their competitive experience to outperform a fleet of 25 boats from across the country.
The regatta was a challenging affair, with light and shifty winds defining the competition on Lake Ontario. Principal race officer Mark Foster and the race committee expertly navigated the fickle conditions, managing to complete eight races throughout the three-day event.
1. What? NoooWaaay!, Adam Burns, Todd Hiller (AYC), and John Goller
2. Yard Sale, Brad Julian (AYC), Matt Schubert (AYC), and Emerson Smith
3. Honey Badger, Travis Odenbach (RYC), Jay Miles, and Justin Damore
Annapolis sailor Dan Wittig’s Turbo Sloth team ended the J/80 North American Championship Regatta with a bullet and finished second overall at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, LA, October 7-12. James Buley’s Le Tigre finished first, with Jason Balich’s OverAchiever in third.
# Racing Comets on the Corsica River. Photo courtesy CRYC
he Corsica River Yacht Club hosted its 83rd Annual Regatta October 11-12. Learn more at cryc.org.
Wick Dudley
Rick Bisgyer
Elliott Oldak
Maxwell Penders
Roy Sherman
Ralph Sponar
1. Chris Bolton
Michael Love
Annapolis natives Greg Gendell and Terry Hutchinson played key onboard roles as the American Magic-Quantum Racing team won its seventh 52 Super Series overall season championship at Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy, in late September. Hutchinson served as the team’s tactician, and Gendell served as the team’s bowman. Earlier in the season the team won the Rolex TP52 World Championship sailed at Cascais, Portugal. Hutchinson has won 18 world championships in his career, and Gendell has sailed to 15.
At the Porto Cervo event, Gendell was presented with a new award from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda recognizing the top bowman in the 52 Super Series as voted on by the 13 bowmen in the series. The Challenge Trophy was created in honor of grand prix bowman Matteo Auguardo who lost his life in a skiing accident earlier this year.
When accepting the award, Gendell said, “Matteo was an amazing sailor and an even more amazing person, and this is a great way to remember him and celebrate his impact. The fact that this award was voted on by my fellow bowmen really makes it special. We are kind of a brotherhood up there. I am proud to be a part of it.”
After more than 80 years of family leadership, Melges Performance Sailboats turns the page to a new chapter. The iconic brand, founded by Harry C. Melges and nurtured across three generations, has been purchased by Cate Muller-Terhune and Allan Terhune Jr. of Annapolis. They are committed to honoring Melges’s heritage while guiding the company into its next era of growth.
An accomplished sailor and businesswoman, Cate began her marketing career in the sailing industry and went on to handle marketing and business development of her family’s architecture firm. She has spent the last four years as president of the firm, aiding and overseeing tremendous growth. In her sailing life, Cate serves in several leadership positions with the J/70 Class, Storm Trysail Club, and as a founding member of Spectrum Sailing.
Allan has an extensive background in competitive and professional sailing, as well as sail development and design. A three-time World Champion and PanAmerican Games Gold Medalist, he has led North Sails’ North American OneDesign division since 2007, while earning 14 National and Continental titles of his own. A graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, Allan has also been recognized with US Sailing’s One Design Leadership Award and is a three-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year finalist.
“Melges has always been about more than boats. It’s about the people, competition, and community,” said Cate and Allan in a joint statement. “We are excited to carry on this incredible legacy and join an amazing team that is expanding opportunities for sailors everywhere to experience the joy and excellence that the Melges brand represents.”
Melges Performance Sailboats will remain headquartered in Zenda, WI, with the same focus on high-quality design, customer service, and class support that has defined the brand since its inception. In addition, the Melges Watersports Center in Merritt Island, FL, will continue to operate as a hub for racing, education, and community building.
Andy Burdick continues as president of Melges, and Harry Melges III will remain with the company in his new role as board member.
By Kim Couranz
Every other year—in the off years for the biennial World Championship—outstanding Snipe sailors gather for two events. One brings together the best of the east for the European Championship; the other the best of the west for the Western Hemisphere and Asia Championship. This year’s “Westerns,” held out of San Diego Yacht Club in early September, was won by Justin Callahan and Trevor Davis of the United States. We’re proud to claim Trevor as a member of Annapolis Snipe Fleet 532!
Justin and Trevor topped a super tough fleet, featuring top teams from the United States, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and the Bahamas. All competitors had to qualify for the event, so there were no marshmallows on the starting line. Many competitors in international Snipe regattas have decades of experience in the class, but Justin and Trevor, as younger members of the fleet, have less time in the boat. How were they able to top such a talented fleet? Trevor recently shared some insights with me.
“The late summer in San Diego brought sunny, perfect weather and moderate, consistent breeze, setting the stage for ‘champagne’ Snipe racing conditions,” Trevor noted.
San Diego is unique as there are two areas where one-design boats race, and the
Snipes enjoyed two days in South Bay (south of the Coronado Island bridge) in 12 to 16 knots and three days out in the ocean with lighter breeze and big ocean swell. With wide open areas to sail in, wind was fairly consistent and not very shifty.
Identifying those conditions and developing a plan was key for Trevor and Justin. “We had mostly low-risk starts because there wasn’t ever a big line bias; our starting location was mostly a matter of which side of the racecourse we wanted to work towards because there were not a whole lot of shifts to tack on,” Trevor explained. “In a consistent ocean venue, checking course angles using the compass is critical.”
In the ocean, they focused hard on working the boat up, over, and down the long-period swells: “The apparent wind changes drastically with the steep swell, which can mildly confuse your sense of direction and relative angles. The apparent wind swings demanded constant sail trim adjustments to keep flow attached with each passing swell.”
Teamwork played a big role in their success, too. While Justin and Trevor have sailed several regattas together (including winning the 2024 Snipe Nationals), they are busy young sailors who haven’t had a lot of time to set aside for training outside
of regattas. To develop efficient and effective teamwork, they have identified each other’s skill sets.
“Justin is very strong tactically, executes confidently on the starting line, and carries strong driving and trimming technique, while I have accumulated a lot of experience with boat setup, mode changing for the conditions, jib trim, and weight placement relative to the sea state. We are able to communicate very effectively, and we have a lot of fun getting around the racecourse,” Trevor said.
While sailing skill and teamwork are critical for regatta wins, developing game plans and timelines for preparing for big regattas is a key part of the jigsaw puzzle of success.
“An ample investment in lead-up time yields a distinct advantage, especially in the early stages of a long event where everyone is still working out kinks and making adjustments,” he stressed.
For Westerns, Trevor and Justin were able to borrow Annapolitan Brett Davis’s Snipe. The duo had used this boat before, so they were familiar with how it is set up. Trevor got extra practice at the Westerns venue by sailing the North Americans in late August (with Diego Escobar; they finished second).
“I was able to gain an understanding of the prevailing gradient wind patterns and hone some fast-trimming techniques for the ocean swell during these 10 or so total days we spent on location,” he said.
Of course, getting to know the regatta venue is only one element of preparation. Dinghy sailing in a boat like the Snipe is physically demanding, especially of the crew.
“When I am in the gym working on fitness well before traveling for an event or practicing in the boat, some of my favorite exercises are the rowing machine or stationary bike with a focus on core engagement and cardio endurance.”
Building on their 2025 Westerns win, Trevor is looking ahead to the 2026 Snipe World Championship (in Menorca, Spain). It’s nearly a year away, but they are already working on plans for their boat, funding,
and training that will match the expected conditions.
“There will be stiff competition from Brazilian, Spanish, Argentinian, and fellow American teams at this championship, so the regatta starts now,” Trevor emphasized.
Even with his intense focus on sailing, Trevor finds great balance in his life. A 2024 graduate of Tufts University, he works for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Washington, DC, where he administers grants for conservation and ecological restoration projects.
“I am as passionate about ecological restoration as I am about Snipe sailing, and I feel very fortunate to spend my weeks gaining exposure to the funding mechanisms that support this incredible work being implemented across the country,” he explained.
Trevor’s experience highlights how sailors can support each other and give back to their class. Trevor crewed for Brett Davis a few times in 2021, and then Brett—busy with a young son—offered Trevor his boat for 2021 Snipe Nationals in Annapolis.
“I got to know our phenomenal fleet 532 and found a welcoming community of sailors with a balance of passions for fierce
competition and collaboration,” he said. Brett continued encouraging and supporting Trevor’s growth in the Snipe class. Trevor says that support is not surprising: “While his support has been exceptional, it is consistent with the opportunities that the Snipe fleet regularly provides, which is allowing our fleet to grow in popularity
among college and post-college sailors. I strive to pay this forward to all of my talented friends who are new to the class, especially when I get my own boat someday!”
Editor’s note: Learn about the Snipe fleet in Annapolis at severnsailing.org/snipe
Lloyd Cooper — Yacht Consultant, East Coast Yacht Sales – Annapolis
With decades of experience in yacht management, deliveries, and brokerage, Lloyd’s background spans custom builds, classics, and both power and sailing yachts. His hands-on expertise and market knowledge make him an excellent choice if you’re looking to list your brokerage boat. Meet Lloyd at our Annapolis Office or reach him directly at 443.852.0093 or lloyd@ecys.com. The Annapolis office of East Coast Yacht Sales is located at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard, 7320 Edgewood Road, Building 6, Annapolis, MD 21403.
Nathan Hesse — Yacht Consultant, East Coast Yacht Sales – Annapolis
As a USCG Captain with years of experience on both sail and powerboats, Nathan has worked everywhere from the Chesapeake to the Caribbean and trained midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. His practical knowledge and teaching background make him a trusted advisor for boat owners looking to sell. Connect with Nathan at our Annapolis Office or reach him directly at 301.730.5303 or nhesse@ecys.com. The Annapolis office of East Coast Yacht Sales is located at Bert Jabin Yacht Yard, 7320 Edgewood Road, Building 6, Annapolis, MD 21403.
S&J Yachts, Brokers for Fine Yachts With 10 locations from Maine to Florida, S&J Yachts is one of the largest full-service yacht brokerages on the East Coast. Our extensive reach & marketing helps find top buyers quickly. S&J Yachts has established an outstanding reputation for integrity and service! Our experienced team of brokers is committed to serving both buyers and sellers, ensuring fair practices and complete satisfaction with every deal. Whether sail or power, we’ll help you find the perfect fit! 410.639.2777 info@sjyachts.com www.sjyachts.com
Veteran Yacht Sales Headquartered in Annapolis, Veteran Yacht Sales serves clients 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 comprehensive marketing program, drone photography, ongoing market analysis, and meticulous attention to detail. Experience Mission-Driven Yachting. Call today: 443.512.2960 info@veteranyachtsales.com www.veteranyachtsales.com
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
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 well-crafted 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
2010 Hand Built Wooden Sailboat 12’ For sale by second owner; Excellent condition; Includes 13’ trailer, electric motor and wooden oars; Chestertown; $3,500 Call 765.717.0797. More pictures: www.tinyurl.com/WoodenSailboat 1982 Marshall Catboat, 18’ Sanderling, One Owner Lifetime Chesapeake Bay boat! 2017 Tohatsu 6Hp outboard/low hours, no trailer. Features: Awl-Grip painted spars; teak trim throughout; recent foam berth mattresses; self-contained toilet; Dacron sail/Sunbrella sail cover; full lazy jacks; 4” compass in bulkhead; bronze cleats for bow/stern/spring lines; flag halyard; bronze transom step, folding bronze step on rudder. $13,900 Lying Galesville. Broker: Geoff Marshall, Marshall Marine Corp: 508.994.0414, geoff@marshallcat.com. More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/MarshallSanderling
1981 Crosby 22’ Catboat Optional bowsprit and furling headsail. New head, sink, galley pump. Inboard diesel. Clean, many extras. $5,500 Potomac River. 704.425.4108
26’ Westerly Griffon Sloop 1984 Excellent Condition + Extensive Equipment List. 9’3” beam, 4’9” single keel draft. 20Hp Beta diesel. Mack Sails: main, pack system, roller furling Genoa, spinnaker/sock. Raymarine C120 electronics package. Full galley + head. Windlass/chain/rope. Pressurized hot/ cold water, 6-gal water heater. AC/DC electric. Asking $17,000 OBO –Floating dock slip, Bowley’s Marina $10,000 – 9’ CNC nesting dinghy (partially finished) $750 –Contact: duncmcelf@gmail.com or 443.904.0447
1985 Sabre 28 Universal diesel, professionally maintained. Deck needs paint. New sailcover. Interior in good shape. Currently at Calvert Marina. $7,000 Call Mark for details and photos, 508.648.2950
2015 J Boats J/88 Race-ready and professionally maintained w/ new Quantum class sails 09/2025, upgraded rigging 09/2025, custom Triad trailer (2022), race-finished bottom, B&G H5000 & Zeus2 electronics, custom canvas winter cover (2023), and much more. Proven performance, turnkey package. Located in Annapolis. Asking $130,000 Contact: John Bell 301.466.9550. For more information and photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/JBoats88
(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** $3,500 Call Branden 443.521.9675 or brandenspearconstruction@gmail.com - more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/Gabrielle1984
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
1979 Sabre 34 Centerboard Sloop Refrigeration, dinghy davits, solar panel, new AGM batteries, battery charger, new thru-hulls and seacocks, Petit Trinidad, Volvo Penta, Bowmar hatches, Lewmar winches. This boat is ready to sail TODAY! $16,000 Contact: 410.263.0299 or EGladd@yahoo.com More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/34Sabre
35’ J Boats J/35 1986 J/35 Maggie is for sale. She’s well-known and fast, has won a lot on the Bay and is a great racer/ cruiser, with an extensive practice and club racing-ready sail inventory, a custom V-berth and other amenities for cruising and many extras. $19,900 negotiable. Email Jim at J35ForSale@proton.me or call 41O.9O3.78O1. More photos: www.tinyurl.com/J35Maggie
Bayfield 36 1989 If you are looking for a well-equipped, bluewater vessel, put this boat on your list! S/V Ferrity is conveniently located in Annapolis, Maryland. Re-powered w/ Beta 43 (approx. 150 hours), Hydrovane steering, solar panels, and MUCH more! $44,900 Questions? Contact Arne at Annapolis Sailyard for full specs and/or to make a viewing appointment today: Arne@Sailyard.com For more photos/info, visit: www.tinyurl.com/Bayfield36
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. $29,000. Call Andrew 410.991.8119. More info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/1978Islander
1985 Endeavour 38 Sloop Yanmar 4JHE Diesel (Low Hours); Davits & 10’ Dingy AB; 8” B&G Plotter; Depth/Wind Instruments; 34-Gal Fuel Tank; 76-Gal Fresh Water; Warm Cabin (Teak Holly). Asking $39,000 (Negotiable). Please call/text: 301.751.9828
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.
$58,000 Call Piet Van Os, 305.928.1335, piet@dqyachts.com – For more info/pics: www.tinyurl.com/NautorSwan44
44 Cutter 1997 Belle Bateau just listed! Classic lines, open interior, bow/stern thrusters, hydronic heating, 6 solar panels, new standing rigging, washer/dryer, much more!
$290,000 Contact broker Hilary Howes: 202.701.8911 or hilary @integrityyachtsales.com For more info/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/BelleBateau
2000 Grand Soleil 46.3 Beautifully maintained Italian performance cruiser with new paint, updated systems, spacious 3-cabin interior, solar, lithium batteries, watermaker, Yanmar saildrive—fully equipped and offshore-ready for comfortable cruising. $169,000 Contact: matt@beaufortyachtsales.com . More info/photos: www.tinyurl.com/GrandSoleil46
1903 Wooden Yawl “Witchcraft II” A rare B.B. Crowninshield–designed yawl, built by Lawley & Sons. White oak/ cedar hull, bronze fittings, butternut interior, ipe decks. Volvo Penta diesel. LOA 59’6”, Beam 12’11”, Draft 6’. Perfect for collectors or organizations seeking a historic vessel. **Price Reduced $75,000** Located at the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD. Contact: 410.326.2042 ext. 8065. More information/photos, visit: www.tinyurl.com/WitchcraftTwo
2022 Saffier 33 LIFE Daysailor. Highperformance daysailer/racer. Carbon rig and boom, laminate Elvstrom sails, w/ A2 Spin and Code-0 on furlers. Ready to go very light Chesapeake use. Sporty, fast and modern design - Offers Encouraged! Annapolis/Jabin. Asking $349,000 - over 500k to replace. Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.crusaderyachts.com
2022 Excess 11 37’ Very wellequipped for cruising, Genset, Air, Etc… Competitively priced at $435,000 Call Mike Titgemeyer 410.703.7986 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
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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 $499,000 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
2007 Tartan 4400 Classic navy blue 4400 w/ new wire rigging, lifelines, mainsail, genoa, running rigging, solar panels, Starlink, inverter and more. Asking $349,000 Call Denise Hanna 410.991.8236 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2022 Jeanneau 440 44’ “Boat-Tox”220 engine hours, generator, A/C, inmast furling, bow thruster, radar, AIS, electric winches. Excellent condition. Annapolis. Asking $429,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2008 Jeanneau 45DS 45’ Bluefin is a single owner, 3 cabin, shoal draft. This boat has been well-maintained and chocked full of upgrades. Ready to sail away. Asking $198,000 Call Jeff Jordan 410.320.5183 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2005 Beneteau 473 47’ “Sanctuary” is a 2 cabin, 2 head with extra storage. Professionally maintained and consistently upgraded, she is ICW friendly, and set up for off-grid living. Asking $174,900 Call Matt Weimer 410.212.2628 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2020 Fountaine Pajot Sanoa 47 Three cabin catamaran ready for extended cruising w/ new Lithium bank, solar, generator, watermaker, washer/dryer, full cockpit enclosure, dinghy and outboard. At Jabins in the water. Asking $899,000 Call Denise Hanna 410.991.8236 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
2023 Jeanneau 490 Lightly used only one season - Delivered July 2025! Still has Warranty! FULLY LOADEDGenset, Thruster, Plotters/radar (2), Davits, Thruster, Air Con(3) and MORE! 3 Cabin - 2 Head ICW Mast - This boat is ready to go coastal cruising now. Asking $625,000 -- Will sell fast! Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
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 $749,000 Call Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
SpinSheet.com
2012 Jeanneau 57 Remedy is not your typical Jeanneau 57. She has been transformed into a true bluewater expedition yacht. From engineered running backstays to a fully integrated storm sail plan, watertight aft lazarette and expanded fuel tankage w/ 1,000+ NM motoring range. Asking $695,000 Call Jeff Jordan 410.320.5183 or www.CrusaderYachts.com
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(Lilly Pearl) 40’ Bristol ‘80 $37,500 Curtis Stokes 410 919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Shari) 40’ Freedom ‘95 $119,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Siddhartha) 41’ Hunter H41 Deck Salon ‘08 $137,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Blue) 46’ Beneteau ‘97 $125,000 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4900 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
Brokers for Fine Yachts Brokers for Fine Yachts Annapolis, MD 410-571-3605 Rock Hall, MD 410-639-2777
Deltaville, VA 804-776-0604 Charleston, SC 843-872-8080 Palmetto, FL 941-212-6121
www.SJYACHTS.com
28’ Bristol Channel Cutter 1985 If you are looking for a beautiful, tough, pocket world cruiser… it would be hard to find better! This legendary Sam L. Morse BCC is exceptionally wellequipped, very well-maintained & ready for serious cruising! Detailed records of all maintenance and upgrades available. $119,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
(Antilles Passage) 43’ Beneteau Oceanis ‘10 $144,500 Curtis Stokes 410.919.4500 curtis@curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
(Wonder) 44’ Wellington ‘80 $282,000 Jim Edwards 252.474.5000 jedwards @curtisstokes.net www.curtisstokes.net
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
2019 Lagoon 42 US Flagged, upgraded in 2024, owners version. Like new condition. Call Jay 410.977.9460 or Jay@Knot10.com www.Knot10.com
Seawind 36 2009 Spacious cruising catamaran w/ dual helm for easy shorthanded sailing & comfort living space. 3 private cabins, large cockpit w/ dining area seats 6 to 8. $149,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Sabre 402 2003 Jim Taylor designed performance cruiser; racing performance w/ triple spreader mast, bulbed wing keel & spade rudder. Luxuriously comfortable w/ 13’3” beam, 2 private cabins, huge saloon/ galley & lots of storage. $194,900 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
2023 Bavaria C42 BIG SAVINGS
$109,000 – European Yacht of the Year Winner! Fully commissioned and ready for your Summer 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… $399,500 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
42’ 2024 Southerly 420 Just completed the ‘24 ARC. Solid blue water cruiser w/ variable draft swing keel: draws 2’ 9” w/ keel up & 8’ 11” down. 2cabin/2head layout, bow/stern thrusters, in-mast furling main & more! $795,000 S&J Yachts, 843.872.8080, www.sjyachts.com
Trintella 42 1984 Legendary Van de Stadt design. Built by the renowned Dutch Trintella Shipyard to very high standards w/ old world craftsmanship. Powerful world cruising yacht. Striking lines and beautiful interior. New Listing. $110,000 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. $375,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
44’ Island Packet 440 ’06 NEW LISTING Highly regarded bluewater cruiser known for comfort, safety & performance. Meticulously cared for. 2 lg staterooms w/centerline berths, 2 heads, gourmet galley… Equipped with everything needed to begin your cruising adventures. $332,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Beneteau 49 2007 Always loved, never chartered. 2 cabin layout, 5’9” shoal draft. Generator, bow thruster, electric winches, full enclosure, dinghy & outboard, clean & ready to go. $219,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Island Packet 420 Well-equipped w/ davits and clean - no visible cracks in gelcoat and solid wood interior. ICW friendly w/ shoal draft and ready to sail offshore. Now $285,500 Contact Rick: 443.294.5161, rstcyr@veteranyachtsales.com , www.veteranyachtsales.com
Island Packet 445 2006 NEW LISTING As with all IP’s, the 445 has superior comfort & ease of use, safety & seakeeping, great accommodations, tremendous tankage & storage… An ideal yacht to cruise the Bay or the World. Very well-maintained! So many recent upgrades! $349,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
Hunter 49 2007 NEW LISTING A wellkept yacht to seriously consider. Easy to sail. In-mast furling, bow thruster, extensive electronics suite, 3 cabins, 2 heads, large salon; 6’ 9” headroom, large galley, nav station/office, very comfortable cockpit w/swim platform. $265,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.com
60’ Beneteau Oceanis 60 2016 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. $599,000 S&J Yachts, 410.639.2777, www.sjyachts.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 $425,000 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
30’ Maine Cat 30 2007 2 Cabin, 1 Head. New Garmin instruments. NMEA network. Full cockpit enclosure. 220W solar array. Roller-furling screecher w/ retractable bowsprit. Refrigeration/ freezer. (2) 2016 Yamaha 9.9Hp outboard engines w/ hydraulic trim/tilt (328 hours). $134,900 Deltaville, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
39’ Beneteau 393 2001 “Heron” Proven Trans-Atlantic cruiser, 2-cabin, 2-head, Solar, Lithium, Induction cooktop, Inverter, B&G Chartplotter (2021), Windvane, New through hulls (2021), KiwiProp, Diesel Heater, 220V/12V Electrical. $99,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
40’ Cabo Rico Northeast 400 1996 2 Cabin, 1 Head. Pilothouse cabin w/ dual helm stations. Reverse-cycle Air Cond. Refrigeration/Freezer. Rotating Aero Rig. 5000W generator (300 hrs). 400W Solar Array. Autopilot. $184,000 Deltaville, VA. Contact Matt Lambert 804.432.9037 or matt@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
40’ Pacific Seacraft 40 1996 “Fayaway” All new everything since 2021: Beta 50HP Engine, Solar, Lithium Batteries, Garmin Electronics, Standing Rigging, bottom barrier coated, upgraded wiring, Sails & Canvas. Cruising Ready! $242,500 Deltaville, VA. Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
42’ Beneteau 423 2005 “Autumn” Recent upgrades include Garmin Autopilot & Chartplotter, Solar, Battery charger, Mainsail and mainsail furler, Dodger, removable Davits, Bottom barrier coated, S/S Bruce anchor & Chain. $149,000 Urbanna, VA. Call Anne Hutchings 804.567.0092 or anne@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
54’ Hylas 54 1998 Loaded w/ cruising gear and upgrades. Standing rigging & engine mounts (2024); Mainsail, Fridge & Freezer, Rocna 77 (2022); Custom davits w/ solar mounts, solar panels (2021); full enclosure, electric winches. Fantastic Value at $489,000 Deltaville, VA. Call Jon Hutchings 804.567.0093 or jon@yazuyachting.com www.yazuyachting.com
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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
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
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
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
Advertising Sales Representative Are you on a search for a full-time sales position that requires you to get out and enjoy the water, where all your co-workers are super cool, and where flip-flops and shorts are considered business casual? SpinSheet, PropTalk, FishTalk, Start Sailing Now, and PortBook magazines are in growth mode, and we are looking for that special advertising sales rep who understands the marine industry and knows how to work and play hard. If you think you will excel in creating sales and marketing solutions for advertisers, then we would love to chat with you. Send your resume, a description of your boating experience and interests, and a cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit for our team to mary@spf-360.com today!
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
Tenero Tenders, LLC announced the debut of its new 12-foot tender at the fall Annapolis Boat Shows. Designed by the internationally acclaimed Farr Yacht Design, this vessel sets a new benchmark in performance, customization, and engineering excellence. The hulls are manufactured from fiberglass or carbon/glass hybrid laminates with foam cores and infused with epoxy resins by Ghostworks Marine of Holland, MI. The tender weighs just 218 pounds empty and supports a payload of over 500 pounds. The hull features a flat pad keel and low deadrise stern for efficient planing and stowage, while the forward sections and rocker distribution ensure smooth handling in short chop. Operational ease was a key priority. A flat, fendered bow surface allows for straightforward boarding, and the recessed outboard motor mount adds stern protection and buoyancy in turns. Wide side decks and a deep cockpit provide secure footing and easy trim adjustment for crew. The prototype on display was powered by a 30-hp four-stroke outboard, reaching speeds up to 22 knots with two passengers aboard. The hull is designed to accommodate up to 40hp outboards, offering flexibility for heavier loads or longer-range cruising. Tenero has also engineered the tender for electric propulsion, including compatibility with ZeroJet’s electric jet drive system. With next-generation batteries, the electric configuration delivers up to 40-hp and operates in less than a foot of water—quietly and cleanly. tenerotenders.com
Current Yachts announced its official launch with a mission to transform the yacht brokerage industry by eliminating excessive commissions and putting consumers first. The company’s innovative model is a service-based patent-pending approach where traditional eight to 10 percent commission structures are replaced with transparent, flat-rate pricing while maintaining the highest professional standards. Current Yachts also launched the beta version of a new seller platform designed to shorten the time to list, boost listing quality, and elevate the overall customer experience. Current Yachts is co-founded by industry experts Amanda Haley of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Maryline Bossar of Annapolis, MD, together with their technical co-founders Jeff Dorso and Sean Walsh, seasoned startup founders and developers with the deep know-how, technical expertise, and robust track record in scaling solutions to solve complex problems.
The firm’s consumer-centric approach delivers significant cost savings to sellers, facilitates faster transactions, and promotes unprecedented transparency throughout the buying and selling process. Another important differentiator of the Current Yachts model is the collaboration of two skill sets with every transaction: a yacht broker and a transaction manager. “This approach will allow the broker to focus on the customer and their vessel sale or yacht search, while the support team will oversee the entire transaction,” explained Maryline Bossar, co-founder of Current Yachts and the marketing lead behind the project. “We’ve surveyed hundreds of boaters and learned that the lack of urgency is a real concern to them. With our team approach, we expedite every step of the sale or purchase, from qualification and showings to trial runs and surveys, all the way to the settlement table.” currentyachts.com
Josiah Carbone has joined the sales team at Yacht Brokers of Annapolis Growing up a Navy brat, the water was never far from reach for Josiah. Frequent moves were part of life, but it was in Maryland where he first put down roots. During high school, he spent his evenings working at a family-owned sailboat marina in his neighborhood, the place where his passion for the marine industry took hold. After restoring several dinghies, Josiah came across an opportunity to purchase a 1989 Catalina 30. Though he hasn’t yet embarked on a long expedition, it’s on the horizon. He went on to earn his OUPV Captain’s License and spent several years sailing the Chesapeake Bay. His professional journey continued at Riverside Marine, where he sold Sportsman and Bayliner boats for four years. His performance earned national recognition, receiving Top 10 Salesman awards from Sportsman for two consecutive years. “We’re thrilled to welcome Josiah to our sales team,” said Matthew Sansbury, owner of Yacht Brokers of Annapolis. “His experience, energy, and customer-focused approach make him a perfect fit for our growing team. We’re confident he will help drive new opportunities and strengthen relationships with our clients.” Josiah is committed to continuing his growth in the industry, combining deep experience, authentic passion, and a lifelong connection to the water. You can reach him at (757) 510-0154 or josiah@yachtbrokersofannapolis.com yachtbrokersofannapolis.com
Let’s give a warm welcome to these new SpinSheet distribution stops!
• Captain Groovy’s Grill and Raw Bar in Hampton, VA
• Surf Rider Bay Point in Hampton, VA
• Baltimore City Harbormaster in Baltimore, MD
• Exxon in Chesapeake City, MD
• 410 Seafood in Chesapeake City, MD
Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute SpinSheet Magazine should contact the SpinSheet office, (410) 216-9309 or beatrice@spinsheet.com.
In honor of our 30-year anniversary, we’ve been sharing stories from the SpinSheet archives each month. This Eye on the Bay photo spread ran in our September 2006 issue. Since the photographer remained unnamed, we assume it was founding editor Dave Gendell.
Although color seeped into the pages of SpinSheet in the early 2000s, first with select ads and later in photographs on select pages, it wasn’t until 2006 that the entire magazine went from mostly black and white pages to color throughout. Within a few years, we upgraded our newsprint, making the pages slightly thicker, more white, and easier to read.
Do you have a memory from SpinSheet in years past you’d like to share? Send it to editor@spinsheet.com.
At Quantum Sails, the same world-class designers and advanced technology behind our Grand Prix victories power all of our sails Call your local loft to upgrade your sails and inquire about how our sail maintenance and fall service offerings can start your next season strong
