Captain Mike

All day, we had parties of 5+ folks sailing with their family or friends.  While boarding and underway, I asked some of these groups, “Are you all celebrating something?”  It made me happy to see the shrugs and smiles, and hear some excellent responses: “Nah, just a Sunday.”  “Hanging out with the family.”  “Um, summer?”  … Read more

This morning, we rigged Woodwind II in a light rain.  Since we set our canvas awning for some shelter, the precipitation stopped!  This may have been some positive perversion of Murphy’s law at work. We made a Cantler’s run today, a chartered sail to one of our favorite crab houses.  The guests, from a financial … Read more

When the conditions are right, on the Woodwinds we enjoy doing a ‘harbor burn’.  That’s a sail around the mooring field in Annapolis harbor under full sail: main, staysail, jib, and fisherman topsail.  This is usually followed by quick striking of all sail.  It’s fun to do, and awesome to watch other boats burn it … Read more

Saturday’s breeze built beautifully from the SSE over the course of the day. In the morning, Don, a sailor from the South River, took the helm of Woodwind for the first time.  He and his family were celebrating his 80th birthday!!  If he’s living proof that sailing is good for your health, I think everyone … Read more

Woodwind II kicked the day off with a Lighthouse Cruise!  We were joined by lecturer Meg Govan of the Annapolis Maritime Museum.  After departing the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel Dock in light airs, we set our main, jib and staysail- and motorsailed to the mouth of the Severn River.  Meg talked about the lighthouse that used … Read more

This was one of our favorite part of the day. Okay, there was a rainbow too:)    

  Thursday Sunset!!  This is becoming one of my favorite times to sail.  After departing the harbor, we buzzed the start line of the J boat races. Also, this evening we were stoked to have Kevin and Tom of Them Eastport Oyster Boys aboard!  They played some awesome songs, covering a variety of genres.   … Read more

Last night’s cold front brought a cool NE breeze for the day.  The reduction in humidity allowed us great views of Thomas Point Light House, the mouth of the West River, Poplar Island, and Bloody Point Light.  We even heard the Buyboat Mister Jim on the VHF radio, calling from St. Michael’s. For our first … Read more

  The past two days there was much celebration aboard our schooners!  Friday evening, Hillary and her friends from Alexandria sailed with us.  She was celebrating her Sweet Sixteen!  Her next adventure is a trip to France and Spain!! Saturday, we continued the party with our first time sailing friend Joe’s 35th birthday, a 15th … Read more

The NE breeze took Woodwind II to Thomas Point Lighthouse today.   Along the way we came across some amazing small boats, a Moth and a gaff rigged schooner.  There’s a boat out there for everyone, different styles serving different purposes!