The Sailing Club, Inc.

Chesapeake Challenge Shaw Cove St. Michael’s September 11 – 13, 2010

A perennial favorite destination; a navigation challenge; and eastern shore autumn winds: All of the elements of a great sailing weekend. We board our boats Friday evening September 10th at Haven Charters in Rock Hall, Maryland. Our fleet of three sloops will be comfortable and maneuverable for this weekend under sail. If you arrive early enough you can join the crews for dinner at The Harbor Shack Waterfront Bar and Grill, a Club favorite local seafood eatery. Saturday morning, after crew briefings and the inevitable last minutes provisioning we’ll make our way out Rock Hall’s narrow channel into the Chesapeake Bay. Here’s where the navigation challenge will begin as the crews determine the best route to our first night’s destination, Shaw Bay on the Miles River. Under the skippers’ supervision, each crew can choose between sailing out and around Kent Island or finding their way through Kent Narrows. One choice will mean a long day, but could reward crews with hours of great sailing. The other is a shorter trip, but a navigational challenge with serpentine approach channels and a drawbridge on a set schedule. Crews choosing this route will want to watch both the time and the depth gauge, but will have plenty of time for great sailing in the Eastern Bay and Miles River. Crews will anchor and raft the boats with special emphasis on involving any who have never before helped with these tasks. Once rafted, we’ll share the stories of our day over cocktails and appetizers. Be prepared to wander from boat to boat to sample the always ample supplies of food, conversation, and music. Take a Sunday morning swim, try some on-deck yoga, or just enjoy a lazy breakfast. Boats will depart Shaw Bay at their leisure for the short journey to St. Michaels, Maryland. We have slips reserved at St. Michael’s Marina, located just steps from the center of town. The marina has wireless internet access, bicycles available for rent, and the marina has showers and a pool with a sundeck. The Club has called at St. Michaels many times because it is always a popular destination with a multitude of things to do and see. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (open until 5:00) to view exhibits on Chesapeake Bay boat building, fishing, and culture. Stop by the St. Michael’s Winery (open until 4 p.m.) or the Eastern Shore Brewery (open until 5:30) for a tasting. Wander Talbot Street’s many shops, or explore the back streets where you’ll find historic parks, cemeteries, and row after row of beautifully restored Victorian homes. If you’re still up for a little challenge, you can combine your visit with a treasure hunt. The trip leader will distribute the clues on Saturday night so interested crew can get started whenever their boat arrives in town. Return to the boats for cocktails with your results and find out who the winners are. Crews can choose to eat dinner aboard or at one of St. Michael’s many restaurants, including The Town Dock, right in our marina. If you’re looking for something more upscale, you may want to make reservations in advance at 208 Talbot or The Inn at Perry Cabin. Monday morning we’ll depart fairly promptly for the northward journey back to Rock Hall. Crews can once again select the inside or outside passage, although getting the boats back to the charter company on time will have to take priority. Even so, it’s sure to be a good final day, must-go lunch and all. We’ve reserved three beautiful boats from Haven Charters in Rock Hall, Maryland. The Pearson 39 has two double cabins and both double and single berths in the main salon. The Beneteau 39 has two double cabins and a double in the main salon. The Beneteau 40 has three double cabins. We’re assuming six people per boat. Sign up today – let’s fill them up and go back for more! The cost of the trip is $395.00 per person (Skipper - $205.00). This price covers charter fees and insurance. Food, fuel, slip fees, and other incidental expenses are additional and will be handled by each boat's crew. A $100 deposit is required to hold your position. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation form to Mia McCroskey at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning on April 9, 2010 with a random draw of those received by that date. All reservations received after that date are on a first-come, first-served basis. The balance of $295.00 will be due on July 28, 2010. A pre-trip meeting will be held at the end of August. Skippers will meet about a week prior. Specifics will be provided to trip participants closer to the event. All crew members should plan to attend the pre-trip. We look forward to seeing you on another exciting sailing trip. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mia.

Trip Leader	Assistant Trip Leader
Mia McCroskey 19 Manor House Drive, Apt. K12 Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522                 914-693-0074 miamc "at" aol.com	Steve Krakauer 11 Clark Ct. Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908-306-0898 stevekrak "at" gmail.com