Education

Everyone says sailing is about the journey. But how do you stay sane enough to actually enjoy it when your crew constantly thinks about their stomachs? Whether you have an ice chest or a full-size fridge, a solar oven or induction, join me to learn old and new tricks to keeping food fresh, and methods to plan, purchase, and store the right quantities. Whether planning an overnight or thirty-day passage to Tahiti, you’ll cast off your lines well prepared and provisioned.

Presented by Captain Nina Preuss of Enjoy Sailing and author of the Captain Nez novel

Are you curious about cruising to New England? Have you ever wondered how it would feel to sail past Lady Liberty? Do you doubt that lobster pots really outnumber Chesapeake crab pots? Join us for a candid presentation by Captain Cheryl Duvall as she shares highlights and a few lowlights from a recent 101-day cruise from Annapolis to Maine and back. Her image-rich slide deck features 42 destinations along the 1,820 nautical mile journey, through Long Island Sound, the Cape Cod Canal, and across “Down East” Maine. She will share recommendations for anchoring, mooring, and docking between here and there. And she even has detailed latitude and longitude coordinates for those who are interested. Spare parts, tools, and safety measures will also be reviewed. From dodging ferries near the Statue of Liberty to redefining “lobsters rolls,” her sea tales are sure to inspire your future maritime adventures.

Presented by Captain Cheryl Duvall

Navigate in open waters without a GPS with the ‘EZ Sextant’ app. The phone’s camera is used to take sightings of the sun, moon, Venus, or Mars. The sighting results are automatically plotted on your device as running fixes, no sextant skills required. You can also use your sextant and take advantage of the built-in almanac and plotting tools. Mike will demonstrate the app and cover some celestial navigation and GPS basics.

presented by Michael Novey developer of EZ Sextant

Join boaters in New England and the Mid-Atlantic for a program dedicated to preparing boaters and sailors in the Greater Atlantic (Maine through Virginia) to safely navigate through waters shared with protected marine species, especially large whales, for the safety and wellbeing of both boaters and marine species.

If you are a recreational boater in Atlantic waters, and you want to take proactive steps to ensure your safety at sea while around whales, this is the course for you!

presented by Briana Gibbs of NOAA Affiliate

Are you ready to purchase a used sailboat?  Do you know what to look for when you finally set eyes on your dream boat?  What questions should you ask the buyer or broker about the history of the boat?  Scott Berg, who is a member of The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, is here to answer all the questions and to give you his professional tips to get the best boat for your money.

Presented by Captain Scott Berg of CBW LLC Marine Surveyors, Consultants, and Captains

Join Capt. Howes and a panel of other expert women sailors as they respond to audience questions about their most pressing boating questions. Do you want guidance on how to build your boating expertise? Do you know what to do as a crewmember if the captain is incapacitated? Sailboat racing is an excellent way to build skills: learn how to get involved in the local racing community. What are the most critical factors in effectively planning a Chesapeake Bay or coastal cruise? Bring the topics you most want to learn about for honest answers in this supportive, judgement-free zone.

Capt. Howes is an experienced sailboat owner, broker and instructor who works frequently with women, couples and families to improve their sailing experiences. She will be joined by Capt. Lynn McClaskey, a frequent local and offshore racing captain with thousands of nautical miles of experience; Capt. Vicki Saporta, an experienced captain who has cruised the Bay and destinations around the world; plus an additional panelist to be announced.

Presented by the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association

The Chesapeake Bay has nearly 12,000 miles of shoreline, characterized by hundreds of shallow creeks with undeveloped coves and hideaways ripe for exploring by sailboat. Capt. Zahl has been exploring those precious anchorages for more than 30 years and will share his thoughts on “the best of the best” in this illustrated presentation. He’ll discuss why, where and how to enjoy the unique settings for anchoring out — including several dog-friendly destinations — that help make the Chesapeake Bay such a valuable resource for sailors.

Presented by the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association

Lithium Batteries are the present, not just the future. They are appearing on vessels from 15’ Bass Boats to Ocean Cruising Sailboats. We will discuss selection, installation, and the changes you will need to make to your existing charging systems to accommodate your new battery bank. Special attention will be paid to the rapidly changing ABYC Standards and what you need to know when you make the jump to LiFePO4 batteries on your boat.

Presented by Captain Scott Berg of CBW LLC Marine Surveyors, Consultants, and Captains

Ever dream of sailing away with your family? How about just an afternoon together on the water? Bring the whole family for a casual panel discussion/Q&A with parents whose kids love sailing and learn why the sport is fun and exciting for all ages.

Presented by an expert panel from SpinSheet Magazine