Thanks, Dan Phelps, for taking such great shots yesterday.... A lot of current, a lot of tight racing out there. Click here for the link to yesterday's photos under "2012 Events" and "Star Western Hemispheres."

Here's today's forecast and some other weather links we like. Good luck to Star sailors today. Click to the. . . Read More

We at SpinSheet love Bike to Work Day for many reasons, not the least of which is that a few of us have the privilege of living close enough to actually commute by bike. But there's also a lightheartedness about this healthy event, a nice neighborly feel. Whole Foods provides bagels and bananas; the Chesapeake Roasting Company provides awesome. . . Read More

Last fall, thousands of people gathered on the banks of the Odet River in western France to see something unique: seven chocolate [yes, we said chocolate] boats competing in the sweetest regatta ever.

Georges Larnicol first made headlines last year, when he managed to sail in a 1.2-ton-heavy chocolate boat in Concarneau. The master chocolatier, who owns a dozen shops throughout western France, took his passion [or obsession, you may think] to a whole new level. He created seven functional chocolate boats and showed them off during the regatta.

All of the vessels were made of melted unsold. . . Read More

Annapolis sailors Peter McChesney and Shane Zwingelberg had a great day on the water today at the Star Western Hemispheres, hosted at Annapolis YC. The team ended the day with a bullet and finished in the lead, by five points, in competition with 31 boats.

SpinSheet photographer Dan Phelps was out on the water and reported it to be an exciting day with a LOT of current and decent breeze that varied in strength depending on the side of the race course. We will post photos as soon as possible.. . . Read More

Last evening after a lovely Sunday sail, we were sipping a cocktail in the cockpit and discussing a powerboat on the dock that had been for sale for a good year, maybe more. It's a nice boat, or seems to be, as powerboats go from my sailor's perspective. I said, "Someone could live on that boat. It's a great slip location. Wonder if they would rent it out?"

About once a season, someone calls the SpinSheet office and asks us if we know of a boat for rent... not for sailing, just as cost-effective and interesting place to live for a season. I'm always stumped with that one. The best I can do. . . Read More

May is a season of biking for SpinSheet staffers... well, actually most months are, as we have a few staffers who regularly bike to work, with Lucy Iliff who rides 10 miles each way topping the list as most dedicated.

May is special because of the Bike to Work Rally (May 18) we like to go to as a team, along with our friends at Annapolis Performance Sailing, who are also regulars. (Feel free to join us!)

This. . . Read More

We planned this to be a short day because the forecast was gloomy – rainy and gusty. But, we checked the weather again in the afternoon to find the following day’s forecast changed and now included the words “gale” and “fog”. So, we decided to keep trudging to our destination.
We chose to motor between Fishers Island and the Connecticut Coast to save time. The route was peppered with shoals and rocky outcroppings, but was well marked with green cans. There were more green cans out there than you’d find at a Heineken factory.
After we left Long Island Sound, the wind picked back up and the. . . Read More

CCV SPRING SERIES Middle Distance Race. Thirty-nine (39) racers headed out for the single race day yesterday under gray skies and with winds that came and went. When all was said and done 37 finished a 10.1 mile course for the PHRF A and PHRF B fleets and a 7.50 mile course for the PHRF C and PHRF Non-Spin fleets. PHRF A (11 boats): The two blue hull J36s, Dave Eberwine's Sea Star and Phil Brigg's Feather, took 1st and 2nd places respectively, and newcomer to A fleet, Martin Casey in Olson 30, recently re-named Bow Down, was not bashful on his first showing, taking 3rd. PHRF B (12 boats):. . . Read More

As someone who is most often carrying around a camera, and also very interested in "everyday" history, this collection of photos is particularly interesting to me. I have long been fascinated by the story of the Titanic, well before the iconic movie of two decades ago. These photos, taken by Father Francis Brown, were all "in the moment", not posed or scripted, and give us a 100 year old 2-D view of what it was like to be aboard during those times. I feel like if I was aboard, this is what I would have been doing, running all over the. . . Read More

Matt Rutherford is circumnavigating the Americas to raise funds and awareness for CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating). He started in June 2011 and now, 8 months later, he's made it all the way around to Brazil. His 27' Albin Vega has taken quite a beating over the thousands of nautical miles, and he is now in need of a last-minute resupply to obtain crucial parts necessary to complete his journey. But, since he's setting a record for solo sailing circumnavigation, he can't come ashore, get off his boat, or even sail within 1 mile of the coast. Supporters at home and abroad are teaming. . . Read More