This trip relies on the proven Sailing Club formula: Great Sailing + learning opportunities + good friends + new friends + food + raft-up + potent potables (liquid refreshments) = supreme satisfaction.

Okay, now that the math is out of the way; this is a trip designed to optimize the June sailing opportunities on the Chesapeake. There are no pre-determined anchorages for this trip. They will be picked to allow rafting up, swimming, partying and enjoying the scenery. They will be local enough to allow boats to enjoy sailing. By avoiding a long pre-planned journey we can avoid long hours under power when we would like to be sailing. This will allow boats to stay on the enjoyable points of sail longer and practice tacking, beam reaches – whatever feels good based on the existing wind conditions.

We begin our voyage from Haven Charters in Rock Hall, Md. The club has reserved three sloops, each with two heads to allow crew to remain happy for the two nights at anchor. Pre-board is Friday evening, and once the boats are checked out, food and beverages are chilling, and gear stowed, the crews can meet at one of the local restaurants for dinner. Tradition has us gathering at the Harbor Shack, but other suggestions may surface at the pre-trip meeting.

Saturday starts with any last minute provisioning before we depart for the day’s sail. The evening will consist of a raft-up, time for swimming and conversation, and then on to a friendly “Hell’s Galley” competition between boats. The name is a take-off on the Hell’s Kitchen television show where chefs compete for big prizes. In our version, each boat will be provided some of the basics for dinner that may be combined with allowed crew-supplied extras and spices disclosed in the pre-trip documentation. One or more “chefs” from each boat will prepare a gourmet feast in the allotted time, with help (or at least encouragement) from their crew. The results will be judged by a panel of crew, one judge selected by each boat’s crew. The decisions of the judges will be arbitrary and final. Please refrain from unduly influencing the judges, it is a tough job and they need a clear head. Judging will be based on three criteria – flavor and preparation, plated presentation, and creativity. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. In the spirit of Hell’s Galley, the resulting dinners will be shared amongst all the boats.

Sunday morning departure can be leisurely, maybe after a swim, a hearty breakfast, and a skipper’s meeting to finalize the location for Sunday night’s raft-up. We will enjoy another day of sailing according to the wind, with perhaps a break for lunch, either anchoring in a cove, or hove-to in a picturesque bay. The Sunday evening raft-up will have the traditional appetizer party. This allows members to talk with other crews while they sample the treats on the other boats, as well as any leftovers from the previous night’s contest.

Monday morning we’ll head back to Rock Hall, enjoying the sail and lunch along the way. We will want to arrive mid-afternoon to return the boats after pumping out and fueling up.

The cost of the trip is $360.00 per person (Skippers - $184.00). This price covers charter fees, insurance and some Hell’s Galley provisions. All other food, as well as fuel, pump-out, and other incidental expenses are additional and will be handled by each boat’s crew. A $100.00 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 Mary Ann Gordon at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning April 13, 2012 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 $260.00 will be due May 9, 2012. The Club’s standard cancellation policy applies for this event. .

Trip Leader

Assistant Trip Leader