2024 Sailing Season is coming! See you April 13, 2024!

Cool August, Surprise!

I always think of August as the HOT month.  I was certainly wrong on Sunday.  It was a delightfully cool day, even with a brief, light period of  “liquid” sunshine. In the cockpit we had a group from Mexico and Peru.  Most had never sailed before.  I always enjoy explaining to visitors, especially from places … Read more

No cobwebs here!

We all need days like this!  A strong breeze like this helps focus my mind away from the mundane.

Friday, 8/10 Great day!

Sunset over the Naval Academy taken from schooner on the water

Woodwind sails well in all conditions, but she excelled today.  For such a fast boat, Woodwind is well balanced.  That does not mean she will tolerate a poor helmsman.  Isabelle, was up for the challenge.  I held the wheel and  my young student felt my corrections, concentrating on the distant horizon.  Then I let go and … Read more

Everything Local

Sailing into the sunset on the Chesapeake Bay

Captain Jen and I love food.  Jen is, admittedly, an avid foodie.  So when I saw the Everything Local Cruise, I had to plead my case to be captain.  She came up with the perfect solution.  I would captain and she would be the hostess, even though officially she was “off”.  The idea worked perfectly. … Read more

Why is this woman smiling?

For this young lady, this is a first. She is smiling at the helm of Woodwind.

July 10, 2012  It is a pleasant, sunny day with a light breeze.  There is just enough wind to keep Woodwind II moving. Light air sailing is always the most difficult.  The young lady at the helm is smiling because she can see the results of her concentration.  Small motions of the wheel produce a … Read more

Training young sailors

Crew of schooner training young ones on navigation charts

We all enjoyed the cooler temperatures and the pleasant breeze aboard Schooner Woodwind. Our first cruise of the day was a youth group from Brooklyn, MD. In the photo, crew member Glenn shows youngsters how to read a chart. On our evening sail back to Annapolis we will treated to a beautiful sunset over the … Read more

Steering Lesson

Schooner Woodwind saililng upwind

It was hot at the dock as we left for our 1:30 cruise.  The freshening breeze and the water cooled us down as we tacked out of the harbor.  One of our guests, Matt, asked how the rudder turned the boat.  I replied, “Come on up and take the helm and you will feel and … Read more

HMS Bounty & Schooner Martha White

HMS Bounty and Schooner Martha White Sailing in Annapolis

This is the first time I have ever seen a full rigged ship under full sail.  The bounty represents what a merchant ship looked like in the around 1750 that would have been used for trans ocean navigation.  She is a full rigged ship because she has square sails on all three masts.  The original … Read more

HMS Bounty & Schooner Martha White

HMS Bounty and Schooner Martha White Sailing in Annapolis

This is the first time I have ever seen a full rigged ship under full sail.  The bounty represents what a merchant ship looked like in the around 1750 that would have been used for trans ocean navigation.  She is a full rigged ship because she has square sails on all three masts.  The original … Read more

Extending our Cruising Area

Schooner Woodwind sailing into the West River on a 7-hour private cruise!

Today we had a 7 hour charter with a private company.  The weather was cool and we were able to sail to the West River.  The light air turned to a delightful close hauled and close reach on a strengthening breeze.  It was so much fun to watch our group meet our challenge to take … Read more

Schooner Woodwind
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