Officer of the Deck

The weather is finally nice. It seemed like the cool damp weekends of the spring would never go away. As the weather has improved, the activities have improved with an increased frequency at SMSA, both onshore and on the water.

A local institution, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, is showing improvements at the waterfront.  The wet spring created a mess at the construction site of the new sailing/ educational center along the waterfront.  Therefore, the Vice Commodore’s Cup is being rescheduled to take place on Friday, August 1, 2008, the same day the Governor’s Cup starts in Annapolis and heads to St. Mary’s City. 

St. Mary’s College has agreed to assist SMSA again by offering free launch service to all that make it to the raft up in Horseshoe Bend on the St. Mary’s River.  Onshore, there will be various performers during the day with the evening entertainment being a band that rocked the house at Sloppy Joe’s this past January in Key West.  The music will be great and there are plenty of food and beverage vendors on site to take care of all your needs for the entire day.

There will be a couple of benefits that the Governor’s Cup racers have that won’t be offered to the Vice Commodore’s Cup racers/raft up.  You won’t be allowed to tie up to the dock, rent dorm rooms, pitch tents or purchase tickets to the Governor’s Cup formal dinner.  Yet arrangements for dinghy storage and launching as well as the use of a skiff to transport crew from the raft until the launch service runs (around 7:00 a.m. – midnight), are being formalized.

For those members not sailing from Annapolis, be a part of the Governor’s Cup by joining the Vice Commodore’s Cup race and raft-up on the St Mary’s. Why should only a few SMSA racers experience the great time in St. Mary’s City, when all cruisers and racers can be there for the festivities.  You’ll love the sight of all of the boats finishing the race and gathering for the day long festivities. I hope to see everyone there.

Another event that should be entered into your schedule is Herrington Harbor Sailing Association’s “Integrity Yacht Sales Summer Invitational” on Saturday, June 28, 2008.  Keith Mayes, the Herrington Harbor Sailing member that has been sailing his Beneteau 36.7 Jubilee in SMSA events, has expressed his confidence that any SMSA members making the trip will have a great time. The event will be based at Herrington Harbor South, a marina that has great party facilities as well as dining and lodging on site.  More info can be found through CBYRA, Herrington Harbor Sailing Association, or call me or Keith at (301) 503-4634. It would be nice to grow the camaraderie between SMSA and Herrington Harbor. Let’s support one of the closest groups to Solomons.

The Junior Program is expanding this year to offer sessions for the young in the Optimist Prams and also sessions for high school students in the Flying Juniors.  If you have an interested young sailor, please contact Shawn Stanley soon, for these instructional sessions are sure to fill up fast.

Social - Fireworks!

I hope everyone had a great time at the Luau and Cinco De Mayo, I know I did. We have the 4th of July Fireworks Party coming up so mark your calendars to join us and I'll see you there or on the water. The VC Cup Rendezvous is being rescheduled to August.

Fireworks Party - Friday, July 4, 2008

This is the second annual Fireworks Party. The fireworks will again be launched for perfect viewing from the clubhouse. We will kick off this event at 3:00 PM and expect to have it run until the fireworks kick off. Due to the length of this event, we could use a few extra helping hands later in the evening. We will have hamburgers and hot dogs available for a small fee, along with some fun toys for the kids (of all ages) who don't mind getting a little wet. Special drinks will be available along with the normal bar set up. The Club will provide non-alcoholic beverages and the grill will be ready for those who would like to use it. Members are asked to bring a dish to share. So join us and watch the fireworks from the comfort of the clubhouse.

As a side note, we recently performed an inventory and found that many of the cloth napkins (yellow, black and red in color) used for special social events are missing. If you just happened to take them home to wash them and like me, forget they were there, please bring them back. We would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Membership - Welcome new and returning members

Please welcome Colleen and Bill Carty to SMSA.  They were approved by the Board of Directors for a family membership.  Colleen and Bill have an 8 year old son, Will.  Will is already enrolled in our Summer Camp program and is looking forward to sailing an Opti.  The Carty’s have a Catalina 36, Blind Luck, which is kept at Solomons Yachting Center.  Colleen and Bill are interested in our Cruising, Social, Membership and Junior programs.  The Carty’s were sponsored by Shawn Stanley.

Please welcome back Renard Biltgen to SMSA.  Renard and his partner, Lynne Schadow, were recently approved by the Board of Directors for reinstatement of a family membership.  Renard was a member a few years ago and was sponsored by Clarke McKinney.   He recently stopped by the clubhouse during one of our social gatherings to inquire about rejoining.  After speaking with several of our program chairs and club officers, he submitted an application.  Renard’s 42’ sailboat, Renardiere, is kept at Zahnisers.  Renard and Lynne are interested in our Cruising and Social programs.

I hope to see these new and returning members at some our upcoming events and look forward to their involvement in our club programs. 

Please encourage your friends and sailing enthusiasts to consider joining SMSA this year. We need to continue to grow our membership and your involvement is key to achieving success in this endeavor.

Got Your Yearbook?

All of the unclaimed yearbooks were distributed to members through the US Mail last month. Anyone who did not receive theirs should email me at publicity@smsa.com.

Thanks again to editor Mark Brownhill for the fine job of putting the book together, and to all our advertisers who make it possible.

Songwriter Scott Kirby Appearing at SMSA August 17

Boats, harbors and beaches are usually the main themes of Scott Kirby’s music, and SMSA sailors will hear first-hand this nautical wordsmith on August 17. That Sunday afternoon starting at 4pm, Kirby will bring his brand of acoustic beach-folk music to our clubhouse. Appearing with Scott will be guitarist Dave Edmisten.

Originally from New Hampshire, Scott spent most of his youthful summers along the coast of Maine. At age 19, he purchased his first sailboat. He is now on sailboat number 5.

“I have had the good fortune to sail up and down the east coast, as well as the Caribbean and the Med,” says Scott. “I have had several musicians tell me they think that listeners connect with my songs because folks are very smart and can sense authenticity in a song. If I was trying to write songs about being a cowboy, it might not work so well! People can sniff out a faker pretty quickly.”

Scott spent 15 years living in Key West. He now splits his time between Key West, New Hampshire and touring the eastern-half of the country.

“I haven't played in Solomons before,” he says, “ but do have an interesting connection to the place. I sail on a pretty famous sloop built there at the Davis Boatyard in the 30's called Trivet. Alan Miller, the owner of Pepe's Cafe in Key West is a wooden-boat fanatic, and recently did a full-blown restoration of this classic and keeps her up in Boothbay, Maine where I have had the pleasure of some beautiful days on her in the sun and in the fog!”

Tickets are $15 per person and are available in advance from Herb Reese, Lisa Flaherty and Tim Flaherty. Isaac’s Restaurant from the Holiday Inn will be on hand with a sandwich menu similar to what they serve at Screwpile, and the SMSA bar will be open.

Scott Kirby’s music can often be heard on Radio Margaritaville on Sirius Radio’s channel 31. See www.smsa.com for more information, or write to scottatsmsa@yahoo.com.

Cruise - Let's Go Cruising!

I was chatting over dinner with some members a couple of weeks ago about how great things are going in the cruising program.  SMSA members are really going above and beyond to make this program what they want it to be.  We’ve increased some of the social activities associated with the program, we’re increasing participation, and I see a lot more people that are active in the cruising program at all sorts of SMSA events!  As SMSA continues to grow and evolve, these activities and participation are going to help keep SMSA vibrant for many years to come. 

The cruising season is now in full swing.  As I write this, we’re preparing to head out for the May cruise south, the Delmarva group is making preparations for their trip, and we already have several new and old “spring traditions” behind us like Cinco de Mayo (Thanks Carol for a great gathering!), the Battle Creek cruise, Second Saturdays, etc…

Don’t forget in June:

• Fred’s Smith Island Crab Feast cruise
• Second Saturday Cruiser's Raft
• The Fleet 12 and SMSA joint cruise and raft-up in Hudson Creek
• Also, please note the date change for the Vice Commodore’s Cup Race/Cruise to St. Mary’s City in this issue’s Vice Commodore article.

One other thing, as we continue to work towards leaving old polarizations behind us at SMSA, the racing program (both big boats and small) is always looking for extra help for Race Committee duties.  No need to do it all yourself, but having a couple of extra hands to help out on the RC boat is always nice for the people doing Race Committee.  No experience required.  If you’d like to help, please let me know at cruise@smsa.com and I’ll put you in touch.

Battle Creek Cruise Report

April 26th brought July weather for the trip up on the Battle Creek cruise.  Kate and I motored out of the creek frowning at the lack of wind, but thrilled to be out on the water for our first SMSA cruise of the year.  Passing Molls Leg, Kate noted that Noon Somewhere (Smitty and Carol Smith) was coming up behind us so we motored out to Sandy Point together.  Out came the sunscreen as the sun was warm and strong (unlike the wind) and it made for a pleasant low RPM motor up the PAX.  Around Broomes Island, there seemed enough wind to put some sails out- Noon Somewhere put up a pretty blue and white spinnaker and started making a little forward progress without the noise maker while Kate and I were too lazy for kites and tried to be patient with a genoa out.  That didn’t last long- motor on, sail in, let’s get to the raft.

Sunray (Peter and Susan Holt) was kind enough to be anchor boat (and cocktail/apps platform, but we’ll get to that) with Wavedancer, Reflections, Sequoia, Noon Somewhere, Little Toot, Swan, and later guests of the Holts’, Knot a Worry tied into the raft.  Happy Hour was great, with a wide assortment of appetizers and cocktails, including rum punch recipes from both Susan and Kate.  We slipped several boats out of the raft to split up into singles or smaller rafts for the overnight and the creek smelled of grilled dinners.

Overnight we had a cell blow through that was strong enough to yank the windex off the top of Sequoia’s mast- but that was the extent of the damage anyone occurred.  Sunday’s trip home was a nice reach, although cloudy and a little rainy and MUCH cooler than Saturday.

Good times had by all, and a great way to get the season started.

Recipe of the weekend: Frozen taquitos prepared by Peter on the BBQ.  Great idea, with a fantastic result!

Smith Island Crab Feast Cruise - June 7-15

On Saturday, June 7, SMSA cruisers will sail from Solomons on a beam reach in a brisk 10-15 knot breeze to Smith Island (38 00.03 N, 75 02.00 W).   VHF channel 9 will be monitored and used by the cruise leader, Fred Siesseger on Kalypso, to hail all boats at 11AM and 1PM.  Approaching the western entrance of Smith Island after an invigorating four hour sail under a sunny sky, cruisers will motor down the tight but adequate channel on a rising tide, predicted to peak at  4:57 PM/ 1.7 ft.).    Following the marks to a sharp turn to starboard about midway, they will soon have a clear view of the Smith Island marina sign to starboard, just beyond the dock for the Crisfield ferry in Ewell.   Having contacted Pauli Eades or her husband, Captain Steve, the proprietors of Smith Island Marina (410-425-4220; www. smithisland.us) several weeks earlier to make slip reservations, cruisers will approach the docks confident in their security of tenure for Saturday night.  (The marina has a very limited number of slips at $1/ft. and there is no anchorage).  Dock lines will be thrown to welcoming crew of at least two other SMSA boats who plan to arrive a day early to explore the island.

Happy hour will commence as soon as boat fenders drop and cruisers plop into lawn chairs in front of the boat house, overlooking the beautiful heron rookery across the channel. As the sun and sailing stories fade, Pauli will serve an outdoor crab feast to all cruisers who made reservations and received confirmations at least two weeks earlier by contacting Fred Siesseger  (703-851-1838; rapidefred@verizon.net).  Since some crew may be concerned about callinectes sapidus (savory beautiful swimmer) becoming an endangered specie, their captains will ask Fred to arrange an alternative entrée – the Eastern Shore’s official flightless bird.   Pauli’s delectable Iowa-style potato salad will also be featured.  The dessert course will be the famous multi-layered “Smith Island cake”, recently featured in the “Washington Post” food section.

Always sensitive to local customs, cruisers know that Smith Island is officially “dry”, and their bottles of finely aged wine will be kept discretely cool under the picnic tables.   Perhaps the convivial minister will again drop by at happy hour on his skiff named “The Methodist” to tell us the latest news about his island’s flock.  Following dinner, some cruisers will chat with Pauli about her paintings of local scenes and studio classes for aspiring artists,   (She is a former artist with the Smithsonian, etc.). 

On Sunday morning, June 8, some cruisers will, unfortunately, have to return to Solomons and their employment, while others will listen to the favorable VHF weather forecast and convene leisurely over croissant and coffee to decide on the next great destination.  Crew of deep draft boats may rise a bit early since high tide on Sunday is predicted for 5:22 AM and low tide is at 12:12 PM.

There will be no prior organization of the rest of the cruise, although Fred will make every effort to assure proper advance arrangements for destinations agreed by the group.   The governing principle for the week-long sailing sojourn will be to go “where the wind blows” -- maximizing sailing and minimizing motoring.   Of course, ports with the amenities appreciated most by SMSA cruisers, such as fine restaurants, friendly folks, and secure anchorages, will be favored in reaching a consensus decision each day. To help prepare for the fun, Fred will mail a small information packet on prospective destinations to members who contact him about the cruise at least two weeks in advance.  

Second Saturday Cruiser's Raft on the Water June 14

The next Second Saturday Cruiser's Raft will be on the water in St. Leonard's Creek on Saturday June 14, weather permitting. We'll start the raft in time for a 4:00pm happy hour. Boats that would like to stay in a raft for a potluck dinner, bring something to share. Boats will have a choice of rafting or anchoring for the night, or heading home before dark. If the weather forecast on Friday does not look good for being on the water, we'll move to the clubhouse and follow the 5:00pm format of prior months. I will email cruisers Friday night to confirm.

The Raft on May 10th got redirected to the clubhouse, which was just as well as several in attendance reported that their boats were not quite ready to go. However, we did have three boats rafted at the SMSA T-dock for the night including Kalypso (Fred Siesseger), Serenity (Curt and Dottie Hamilton), and Wavedancer (Carrie and Mark Brownhill). The boats that arrived by land included Blue Heron (David and Sally Arbuthnot), Calypso (Rita and Frank Gerred), Illumination (Dave and Pat Marchant), Koel (Gresh and Rene Sackett), Reflections (Patty Kimmel and Rich Freeman), Rusty Nayle (Rod and Pat Schroeder), and Swan (Ken and Ellie Mowbray). A big thanks to Rod Schroeder for coming early and being the TAM member present and to Carrie Brownhill tending the bar.

SMSA/Catalina 34, Fleet 12 Choptank Cruise - June 21-22

Our cruise will be hosted on June 21 and 22 by Patty Kimmel & Rich Freeman aboard Reflections. The Summer Solstice Raft will be located in Hudson Creek (N 38° 32.5’ W 76° 14.8’), which is off the Little Choptank River, behind Casson Point. We will be arriving there on Friday to secure a good anchorage. If you are planning to attend, please call or e-mail us. If anyone wants to join us on Friday, too, please do!

Saturday June 21st is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. I hope we will have especially good participation from the cruisers to mark this annual celestial event. Catalina 34 Fleet 12 will have some boats at this anchorage, too, since Rich is their Fleet Captain.

We will be monitoring marine channel 16 and will monitor our cellular phone, too. There will be photographs... Remember, a day on the water aboard a good boat with good friends beats just about everything else there is… .

Rich Freeman and Patty Kimmel, Reflections
Email: PKimmel@belvoirfcu.org or freemanr@erols.com
Phone: 703-569-1413 (home) 703.618.0886 (cell).

Potomac River Fireworks Cruise July 3-6

You are invited to join us on a Music and Fireworks extravaganza at St. Mary's College. On Thursday we will sail down to Smith Creek and anchor. Then on Friday we will scoot over and anchor in Horseshoe Bend and dinghy over to the college. The Friday night festivities includes Jazz music (american ballads, marches and ragtime), and fireworks will light the sky to the 1812 Overture. Saturday we can either pop over to the Yeocomico where they often have more fireworks, or just have a lay day.

For more information go to http://www.smcm.edu/rcs/. We will monitor 9 and 16 during the cruise. Check-in will be at 1000 and 1400 and we will be hailing on channel-9. Let us know by email or by phone if you plan to join.

Mark and Carrie Brownhill, Wavedancer
Email: wavedancer@brownhill-usa.com
Phone: 434-975-2784.

Philadelphia Cruise - July 6-18

A reminder that the Philadelphia Cruise is scheduled to depart Solomons on July 6th.  This will be a two-week cruise logging 354-nm, featuring three nights in Philadelphia. We have planned some stops in marinas along the way and at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. If you plan to join in, then quickly make your marina reservations, particularly for Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. All of the marinas and their web-links with phone numbers are listed on the SMSA web, on the Cruising page. Scroll down to the Philadelphia Cruise.

The cruise legs are relatively short, making for a leisurely pace with lots of sundowns along the way. In Philadelphia, we plan to take in some U.S. history – find a restaurant (or two) and see the Phillies play the Diamondbacks in the new Citizens Bank Park.
To coordinate with us prior - our phone number and e-mail address is in the SMSA Yearbook: underway we monitor VHF 13 and 16 and are happy to respond to a DSC call on MMSI# 338010792.

Wayne and Sally Wilson, Virginia Dare
Email: vadare@gmail.com
Phone: see yearbook.

Have You Visited the Cruiser's Web Site Lately?

Anything you could possibly want to know about the SMSA cruising program is maintained on the Cruising pages of the SMSA web site. Wayne Wilson has produced an interesting and informative home for all the SMSA cruising information.

Yes, we have the yearbook and we have the Clew, but the website has much more:

• Updates to cruise plans since the yearbook (and sometimes the notice in the Clew) is published.
• More photos in color of each cruise in a larger format than is possible in the Clew, displayed in a slideshow format.
• Links to cruise notices and cruise reports
• Links to marinas and other resources mentioned in the yearbook and cruise notices.

Please try and take a look at the website each month, especially to see the photos from a recent cruise that you attended, and pass on a word of encouragement to Wayne for his great contribution to the cruising program. Note, that this is where the Clew editor goes to get the information to update the Clew.

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