Hereshoff Replica

Burt Winchester of Annapolis has recently completed the restoration of a Gaff-rigger that I think may be the pretiest boat on the Chesapeake Bay! I caught her sailing to Galesville in 15 to 18 knots with a following sea. I especially appreciate the fact that he has "no fear" in letting the big mainsail "breath downwind"!

Eatbay 47 "Triple Play"

November on the Chesapeake Bay is without a doubt "prime time". I was on the Severn River yesterday and found Paul Borssuck headed to the Eastern Shore with his 2005 Eastbay "Triple Play". This will be the fourth winter running that he has used indoor storage to protect the boat.

"Triple Play" is a Ray Hunt design that offers the ultimate handling in rough water!

Thanksgiving Boat Sales

Two boats selling this Holiday week @ CYS are the 29 BackCove "Sweet Eld" and the Passport 40 "Thalia". The BackCove will remain in Annapolis on the Severn River while "Thalia" is headed to deeper latitudes.

Both sets of sellers have been remarkably patient, selling their boats in a tough market. "Sweet Eld" was first offered for sale in April and "Thalia" in September. Both boats were in great condition and required only the most minimal attention to post survey punch lists.

Thanks to Bill Watson, Suzanne Welch, Kirk Nelson, and Lisa Ruff for their business and best wishes for a great Thanksgiving Weekend!

Hinckley Bermuda 40 Arrival

"Ondine" sailed in over the weekend and was hauled to the Crusader Yachts display deck. She is a MKIII Bermuda 40 built in the heyday of Hinckley Yachts in Southwest Harbor Maine. "Ondine" is a fine example and has been kept in Bristol condition by her owners of ten years. Twice in that time frame the boat has been back to the builder for refitting and yacht quality restoration.

Sailing "Ondine" is made easy by means of an electric roller furling mainsail, electric primary winches, and a centerboard that can be raised and lowered (again with electrial power) from the helm station. I look forward to finding this fine yacht a new caretaker!

Sabre 42 Downeast 2004 model

Port Annapolis Marina is doing some nice paint jobs these days. Pictured is a 42 footer that is just leaving the paint shed with 3 coats of Awlgripp with a clear coat over. The overall effect is stunning compared to the chaulky gel-coat that went into the shed!

2009 Leukemia Cup on S&S 58' "Windlier"

The crew of Windalier raced the old girl from Baltimore Light to Ft. McHenry on October 24th,for the second time participating in a worthy fundraiser. We had twenty five knots sustained at the start from the SSW and rollers up the Bay with a flood tide. A large part of the fleet was having control problems but owner Thad Bench kept Windalier nicely on her feet with a big A-Sail flown from the headstay. Thad was assisted on mainsail trim by John Shannahan of Oxford Yacht agency. John is fresh from a two year Shields One-Desigh program and brought us some new insight as to sailing an Olin Stephens design from 1962!

The photos attached were taken from the transom of Windalier just prior to the finish line. The monster "A"-sail belongs to "Escape Plan" the 38 Ericson (currently listed with Crusader) belonging to Ted& Carla Reshetlioff of Annapolis. They sailed beautifully in the big breeze!

Also attached is a picture of the very comfortable and "like new" Eastbay 43 that served as Windalier's tender for the weekend.

Bruckman Yachts 50' Motorsailor

Nancy Cann, principle of Crusader has arrived at an agreement with custom yacht builder Mark Bruckman to represent his line of custom yachts! We will be concentrating on a 50 footer (there is currently one under build) that was designed by Mark Ellis.

This is a boat that sails well, has good visiblitiy from both helms, and has remarkable cruising range when factoring in the John Deere 150hp auxillary diesel.

Nancy and husband Craig visited the Bruckman 50 at the Newport Boat Show and were "wowed" by the design, fit, and finnish. Craig spent some time in the engine "hole" and was plesantly surprised by the acsess to vital systems...

Current owners of these boats come from the ranks of sailor's experienced in sailing boats like the J46 and Mason44; crusing boats that sail well! The BRuckman 50 is a great boat to consider for the couple looking for more creature comforts without crossing over to the "dark side"!