The Annual Bay Bridge Boat Show kicks off the boating season April 27-29 on the banks of the Chesapeake in Stevensville, Maryland.
The Annual Bay Bridge Boat Show is the largest in-water boat show on the Atlantic coast north of Florida. The show will display more than 400 powerboats from 7 to 70 feet, including fishing boats, center consoles, trawlers, express cruisers, pontoon boats, luxury cruisers, jet skis, jet boats, ski boats, bow riders, inflatables, kayaks, SUPs, and canoes.
More than 100 exhibitor booths, a large variety of food vendors and a children’s area make it fun for everyone. Show organizers will also conduct Cruisers University at the U.S. Naval Academy April 19-22. It’s a great opportunity to learn information about safely cruising abroad.
The 47th United States Powerboat Show is set to be the largest of the Annapolis Boat Shows.
In 2017, there were 570 boats, and for 2018, more than 650 are expected to show their best at the 47th Annual United States Powerboat Show. Luxury motor yachts, Downeast-style boats, offshore fishermen, and water toys of all types will be on display October 11-14 at the City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland.
Get a head start before the rest of the crowd and take advantage of VIP Preview Day on October 11th. Be the first to browse the new boats making their debut and the latest from established manufacturers as well as previously owned boats with a personal tour and the unique opportunity to talk with industry reps about opening day specials and all the aspects of boat ownership. VIP parking at the Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is included and a limited number of tickets are available.
Much to See
Don’t worry if you can’t make the VIP day because there are miles of docks to see boats of every style from 8 feet to 80 feet, including trawlers, express cruisers, power cats, trailerable tugs, center consoles, ski boats, pontoons, and inflatables. Another special aspect is the display of more than 150 fishing boats from 50 builders side by side. No other show offers the chance to compare boats so easily.
And then there are all the accessories and gear. “Visitors will explore acres of boating products and services, including the latest in navigational equipment, high-tech electronics, boating accessories, clothing, gear, and related services, such as boating clubs, charter companies, insurance firms, and lending institutions,” says Heather Ford, managing director of the Ford Group, who represents the Annapolis Boat Shows.
If you long for that VIP Experience, LH-Finance offers the Red Carpet VIP Lounge each day. Take a break from the show or discuss their innovative prequalification program for boat buying in a luxury space that includes comfortable seating, complimentary light fare and appetizers from top-tier restaurants and a happy hour that features Papa’s Pilar Rum. The $100 cost includes admission to the show on the day you attend.
Much to Do
But wait, there’s more! “Power cruisers might consider coming to Annapolis a day or two early and attend Cruisers University, which offers a comprehensive curriculum on cruising and boat preparedness,”
Ford adds. “The expert instructors help plan a cruise as well as equip and maintain a boat. There are more than 50 courses offered.” Speaking of cruising, be sure to stop by Aspen Power Catamarans’ Knot Wafflen’ to hear stories from the Jenkins’ 10,000 Mile Tour.
Want to try before you buy? Dealers and manufacturers will be offering demos and sea trials for visitors to see new models, engines and stabilizing systems. Over in Brokerage Cove, an easy, one-block walk (or ferry ride) from the show to a floating marina just past the Spa Creek Bridge, regional boat brokers have a plethora of previously owned boats available. The price of admission includes entry into Brokerage Cove. In addition, seminars on docking, Chesapeake Bay fishing and getting your captain’s license are held Friday and Saturday afternoons. Last but not least, one lucky boat show attendee will win an exotic seven-day, six-night Caribbean charter vacation on board a luxury MarineMax 362 Power Catamaran in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.
Thursday, October 11 (VIP Day): 10 am to 5 pm
Friday, October 12: 10 am to 6:30 pm
Saturday, October 13: 10 am to 6:30 pm
Sunday, October 14: 10 am to 5 pm
Admission
VIP Preview Day- $35
VIP Preview Day + Additional Day- $48
Adult One Day- $18 in Advance/ $20 at Gate
Adult Two Day Combo- $31
Children- $5 (6 and younger FREE)
Aside from having a boatload of historical colonial charm, Annapolis is blessed with an abundance of everything cruisers treasure.
It’s late in the afternoon near the end of a warm and clear summer day as you idle past Green Can “1SC” (Spa Creek) and enter Annapolis Harbor. Port side, small sailboats from the youth sailing programs at the Severn Sailing Association and the Eastport Yacht Club are drifting in or being towed slowly in to their respective harbors. Golden evening light bathes the kayakers, standup paddleboarders, tourist-laden schooners, water taxis, power cruisers, and sailboats that populate the harbor. A little farther ahead in the fairway, heavenly smells of grilled fish and beef drift out over the water from the Chart House, one of several worthy waterfront and numerous non-waterfront restaurants around the harbor.
To starboard, the city mooring field beckons to those who wish to spend the night in full view of the Annapolis skyline. The vista sweeps west to north: from the Spa Creek lift bridge past the spires of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church to the tall dome of the Maryland State House and the distinctive collection of buildings comprising the United States Naval Academy (USNA). A hard turn to starboard at the end of the mooring field steers you into City Dock, the manmade inlet that leads you into downtown Annapolis’ city center. The free dinghy dock at the end of this watery runway—nicknamed “Ego Alley” for the passage of visiting and local boats wanting to see and be seen—opens up a world of restaurants, specialty shops and on-shore activities for visitors who come here to experience “Camelot on the Bay,” as the city was described in a 1988 National Geographic feature.
I was fortunate enough to relocate to Annapolis in 1982 and, acquiescing to its Siren-like charms, am determined to stay. I’ve owned and operated all kinds of boats in this area since and continue to be swayed by its seasonal attractions, both watery and terrestrial. The Chesapeake Bay is an uncommonly interesting and varied cruising ground, and Annapolis remains a jewel in the crown of waterside cities and towns waiting to be explored.
Cruisers strolling the brick sidewalks of Main Street and its offshoots will discover a pleasant mix of historical buildings, great restaurants, galleries, and shops.
Two must-see historical destinations are the Maryland State House and the William Paca House and Gardens.
Annapolis City Marina houses one of two fuel docks in Annapolis Harbor proper.
The annual Rotary of Annapolis Crab Feast, usually held in August, features all-you-can-eat steamed and Old Bay seasoned crabs, part of a complete menu
Susan B. Campbell Park at the harbor end of City Dock is a gathering place for strollers, as well as the site for free concerts and special tours of visiting vessels.
Cruisers who take the tour of the United States Naval Academy witness the pageantry and tradition of the Noon Formation of Midshipmen.
Water taxis make getting from a mooring or marina to shoreside pleasures quick and easy.
Two must-see historical destinations are the Maryland State House and the William Paca House and Gardens.
Pussers Caribbean Grill has an outstanding view of boats transiting City Dock
Music of all kinds is on tap in Annapolis, including outdoor concerts of Colonial and Revolutionary eras at the William Paca House.
Situated on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and served by a deepwater channel leading to the mouth of the Severn River that even megayachts find easy to navigate, Annapolis offers a plethora of anchoring or mooring options, an active water taxi service, numerous marinas, and a wealth of restaurants and specialty shops—all closely bundled near the waterfront. There are two fuel docks and a handful of marinas in the harbor proper nearly within throwing distance of the mooring field. Additionally, there are more facilities on nearby Back Creek, a 10-minute boat ride around the tip of the Eastport Peninsula just south of Annapolis Harbor.
Once you’ve picked up a city mooring, tied up in a nearby slip or dropped a hook in the anchorage off the USNA just outside of “1SC”, launch the dink or hail a water taxi (410-263-0033, VHF 68), and set a course for the outdoor waterfront bar at Pusser’s Caribbean Grill for one of their trademark “Painkillers”—a tasty blend of Pusser’s rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple and orange juice. If you’ve decided to get off the boat for a night or two, you’ll appreciate the fact that Pusser’s is on the site of the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel (a Marriott Autograph Collection property). Save some time to admire the historic black and white prints in the hall connecting the restaurant and shop to the hotel’s entrance.
Upon leaving the hotel, head left across the Spa Creek lift bridge to enjoy Eastport Peninsula restaurants on or near the water, including the new Blackwall Hitch with its upstairs outdoor dining with views of the harbor, Carrol’s Creek Café with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the harbor near the bridge, or the Chart House for magnificent views of the harbor from its enclosed dining area. Just down 4th Street you’ll find the Boatyard Bar & Grill, a true sailor’s hangout, and Lewnes Steak House—the antithesis of crowded, noisy restaurants and a purveyor of excellent beef.
Take a right turn instead, and you’ll wind up at the traffic circle at the base of Main Street, which is lined with shops and restaurants of all kinds. If you like fresh sushi, Joss Café and Sushi Bar is two-thirds of the way up Main Street. You can also explore other restaurants that surround City Dock. For hearty pub fare and a great raw bar, don’t miss McGarvey’s—a true local watering hole. There are many other restaurants from which to choose, both in Eastport and in downtown Annapolis—these are just some of my favorites.
There’s always something happening on City Dock. If you visit in July, for instance, musical groups from the USNA perform free concerts every Tuesday evening from 7PM to 8PM. Many of the restaurant bars feature nightly bands, including the Rams Head Tavern, which is located just one block west of Church Circle at the head of Main Street. Next door to the restaurant, Rams Head On Stage hosts national and regional musical groups of all kinds throughout the year (ramsheadonstage.com/calendar). In June alone, two-time Grammy Award-nominated American saxophonist Mindi Abair brings smooth jazz and rock to town, the Oak Ridge Boys will perform their four-part harmonies and country hits, Gregg Allman will play soulful and dynamic blues, and The Temptations will croon their hits from the 1960s and onward. This is a small venue that most musicians truly appreciate, and the performances I’ve enjoyed there live brightly in my memory.
If you’re looking for a bit of exercise, there are a couple of good walks that won’t disappoint. The USNA offers guided walking tours of the grounds, including a memorable museum of naval history and a visit to the crypt of John Paul Jones (usnabsd.com/for-visitors/public-tours). Colonial Tours Annapolis (colonialtoursannapolis.com) and Annapolis Tours by Watermark (annapolistours.com/our-tours/colonial-stroll) both offer tours through the Historic District of Annapolis, which was the country’s Colonial Capital for two years beginning in 1783. Docents in colonial dress introduce you to colonial life in Maryland, show you where two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence resided, and the inside the Maryland State House where George Washington resigned his commission.
If artwork is your passion, Annapolis has a mixture of sites and galleries worth your time. The Annual Annapolis Art Walk takes place during August in case you’re in the neighborhood while moving a boat south for the winter (artinannapolis.com).
If you’re in Annapolis earlier than that, create your own tour starting with the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery adjoining City Dock, which displays outstanding nautical works from noted national artists such as John Barber. The McBride Gallery on Main Street is absolutely a must-see for local and regional artists across a wide range of media.
Want to know more about Annapolis? A detailed guidebook and identical interactive online guide is free for the asking at visitannapolis.org. It’s your best source for events, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, shopping, and services. If you’re downtown enjoying a meal, sipping a frosty drink, listening to music, or exploring Annapolis by water this summer, perhaps I’ll see you there!
With classic Chesapeake Bay deadrise lines, the new Eastport 32 OBX (outboard express) traces its heritage to a waterman’s working boat. But Eastport, an Annapolis-based company, uses modern composite materials and an innovative design to produce a performance that would set a waterman’s head spinning. Indeed, with twin 250-hp outboards, the Eastport 32 cruises at a steady 33 knots and tops out at 40 knots. And with a deep-V entry, a soft flare in the bow, a transom deadrise of just 12 degrees, and hard chines and lifting strakes, the Eastport 32 OBX gives a comfortable, dry ride whether you’re fishing in the bay or heading for a cruise off shore.
The Eastport 32 OBX has a large open cockpit for fishing, diving or entertaining. Originally designed with inboard diesel engines, a 300-gallon fuel tank now occupies that space, while under the cockpit sole aft, there’s room for a genset. An extended hardtop protects the pilothouse; an Eisenglass roll-down curtain can complete the enclosure aft. Eastport specializes in customizing each boat, but in this model there’s a settee on the port side; the galley to starboard comes with stainless sink, fridge, microwave, Corian countertop, and storage. Below, the cabin has a head with shower, sink and storage, and a V-berth with a filler cushion. eastportyacht.com
New Bern, North Carolina, hosts Mumfest on October 8-9, a fantastic fall destination for Mid-Atlantic cruisers filled with the vivid colors of the season and family activities. The festival includes street performers, ticketed and free music, children’s entertainment, crafts, rides, and delectable food in the beautifully restored downtown and waterfront. This year’s entertainment includes the Xpogo team—a stunt team on next generation pogo sticks. Their stunts reach incredible heights, and they hold 15 world records and several Guinness records. The Tryon Palace Gardens are free and open to the public during the weekend with country music artists performing on the South Lawn. Galley Marina has more than 400 feet of day dockage and 400 feet of transient dockage with 25 slips for boats up to 100 feet. If you arrive ahead of the festival, take part in the Eastern North Carolina Boat Show hosted by the New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club and Hatteras Yachts on October 1-2. mumfest.com
Chestertown docking Historic Chestertown, Maryland, on the banks of the Chester River plans to revitalize its town-owned marina right after Downrigging Weekend in late October. Money for the first phase of the two-year project comes from a real estate sale to Washington College and from the state’s Waterway Improvement Fund. The work will focus on the bulkhead and boat ramp. A second phase, scheduled for the fall and winter of 2017-18, includes demolishing the existing marina store and replacing it with high tide flooding mitigation in partnership with the Fish Whistle restaurant. The town has applied for a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is also asking $1.5 million from Governor Hogan’s capital budget.
Rally to the Cup Registration is now open for Offshore Passage Opportunities’ Rally to the Cup, which departs from multiple east coast ports including Annapolis on June 7, 2017. This allows enough time for arrival in Bermuda before the June 17th start of the 35th America’s Cup finals. The rally will provide dockage at St. George’s Dinghy and Sports Club for the first 20 to 25 boats registered and a designated anchorage area (with launch service) or a berth along the wall in St. George’s. The rally fee includes planning and logistics, three socials, weather forecasting by WRI, Radio Net, and help with customs and immigration as well as logistics in Bermuda, a rally burgee and T-shirts for the crew. sailopo.com
Take the Wheel in Annapolis City Dock in Annapolis will transform into a gigantic boat extravaganza with the annual sailboat show October 6-10 followed by the powerboat show October 13-16. Among many attractions at the sailboat show is an on-and-off the water learning opportunity entitled Take the Wheel Interactive Workshop designed to fast-track boating knowledge and to narrow boat search lists. During the afternoon on-the-water part of the program, registrants can sail aboard mono and multihulls and get a stem-to-stern look with wind in the sails. There’s also the opportunity to try before you buy at the powerboat show’s Demo Dock.usboat.com
By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016
The annual Mt. Harmon Lotus Blossom Art & Nature Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th, from 10AM to 4PM. The historic Tidewater Plantation near Earleville, Maryland, offers docking for cruisers visiting the 200-acre nature preserve. Arriving by boat on Back Creek, a branch of the Sassafras River, is a much more pleasant ride than trying to navigate the long, winding, unpaved, single lane road leading to the property. The festival showcases the rare American Lotus, which is usually in full bloom along the shallows bordering the plantation. Artisans and vendors display nature-inspired fine arts and crafts, and historic reenactors entertain visitors with old-time cooking and homesteading. For a full list of exhibitors and activities, email info@mountharmon.org; mountharmon.org
Gone fishing!
This year’s Dare County Boat Builders Foundation fishing tournament will honor Sonny Briggs, one of the most experienced boatbuilders on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Proceeds from the offshore fishing tournament promote awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of boatbuilding in Dare County, North Carolina, and support educational opportunities for students. This year’s 30 deserving students received a total of $27,250 to help fund the cost of their education. Lines can go into the water beginning at 8:30AM on Thursday, July 28th, and will be pulled out by 2:30PM on Saturday, July 30th. Sign up during registration night at the Pirate’s Cove Marina Tournament Pavilion in Manteo on Wednesday, July 27th, from 5-8PM, mingle with fellow anglers while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres beginning at 6:30PM, and attend the captain’s meeting at 7:30PM. An advance registration form can also be downloaded from the event’s website. The tournament is open to all boats—custom and production. An awards banquet caps the tournament on Saturday night from 6-8PM. Complete rules and entry information can be found on the official tournament website. dcbbf.org
City purchases tall ship
Mariners get to see the schooner Virginia sailing along the Elizabeth River for many years to come as the Norfolk City Council approved a plan for the Nauticus Foundation to buy the tall ship. Docking for the 122-foot vessel is planned to be near the battleship USS Wisconsin, and the public may tour it for free. The foundation received $1 million in state funding—rebated money from a city roads project—to buy the ship. They plan to use it to teach underprivileged children how to sail. Launched in 2005, Virginia is a reproduction of a ship that first set sail in 1917. nauticus.org
Funding for the Hall
The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) announced that the Merrill Family Foundation donated $250,000 to match a state grant for the planning, design and permitting of a new facility at the site of its current location at the Annapolis City Dock adjacent to the Naval Academy. The new facility intends to boost the educational and public programming of NSHOF, which includes curricula for middle/high school students, a free public sailing program, boat exhibitions, regattas for injured veterans, and public access to Spa Creek. nationalsailinghalloffame.org
Anglers have another opportunity this month to score large migrating striped bass and win large prize money at the inaugural Rocksgiving Tournament on November 15th. The tournament is headquartered in Annapolis at the Chesapeake Harbour Marina, which accommodates boats up to 110 feet in length and has a basin-wide depth of 8 feet (MLW). Any angler who is lucky and skilled enough to reel in a Maryland state record fish during the tournament will win the Grand Prize of $100,000. The tournament is also offering $10,000 to any angler weighing in the first striper more than 55 pounds. More modest yet substantial payouts are also planned for winning fish. Sam’s on the Waterfront will host an awards party from 4-8PM.
Tournament entry fees will fill the prize money pot and also help fund two local causes: The Bowen Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Trust. The mission of the Bowen Foundation is to raise awareness and funds for the prevention, treatment, education, and research efforts related to autism spectrum disorders. The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a nonprofit, grant-making organization focused on the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Maryland. Call (410) 268-1969 or visit rocksgiving.com.
Carolina angling
This month the water temperatures are cooler, the crowds are gone and the weather is usually still nice with daytime temperatures averaging in the 60s. Fish are also more active making them easier to catch; the shallow-water bite is particularly exciting this time of year. North Carolina’s coastal rivers, estuaries and sounds are typically filled with stripers, redfish, spotted sea trout, king mackerel, and more. Many charter boats offer both half-day and full-day runs, and the captains can put you on fish fast. It’s a prime time to catch and release, or take home the legal catch limit.
The Field Guide to the Natural World of Washington, D.C. by Howard Youth is not only informative and practical, but also full of beautiful wildlife art. Photo: Johns Hopkins University Press
Books on board
Gift-giving season is approaching and the gift of knowledge is often a thoughtful choice. One recently published book by Johns Hopkins University Press is a great book to have on board. The Field Guide to the Natural World of Washington, D.C. by Howard Youth is not only informative and practical, but also full of beautiful wildlife art. It’s superbly illustrated by Mark A. Klingler and includes fine color photos by Robert E. Mumford, Jr. If you’re visiting D.C.—by boat, preferably—it’s a great guide to have on hand, since a stroll along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers can reveal bullfrogs, largemouth bass, ducks, snapping turtles, herons, and much more flora and fauna. Youth is a natural history writer and former associate editor and communications manager for the Friends of the National Zoo. Two other books by JH Press I have in my cabin and highly recommend are Life in the Chesapeake Bay by Alice and Robert Lipsson, and The Field Guide to Fishes of the Chesapeake Bay by Edward O. Murdy and John A. Musick.
By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating November 2014
