This year’s Annapolis Gam is shaping up to be another stellar event on the Chesapeake Bay. The gam will feature a variety of speakers and presentations that will interest, educate and inform both the seasoned cruiser and the newbie. The event kicks off Thursday evening with our informal Heading South raft-up (more info below) and will then pick up Friday afternoon with presentations to include “Caring for Your Canvas and When to Call in the Professional,” and “What to Expect when Boarded by the Coast Guard,” followed by a cocktail party sponsored by the SSCA Board of Directors and a potluck supper (everyone is asked to bring an appetizer, main dish or dessert to feed at least 6!).
Our current Saturday schedule includes weather by Chris Parker, “Keeping your Diesel Healthy and Happy,” “Understanding New Options in Antifouling Paint” by George Dunigan of Akzo Nobel, “Onboard Medical Emergencies” by Denny Emory, “ICW 2.02” with Mark Doyle, “The Cruisers’ Toolbag, “More on Rigging” with Mike Meer, “Frugal Cruising,” “DC Systems” by our own master electrician and “Interacting with Commercial Traffic.” We will then be treated to a Happy Hour sponsored by Port Annapolis, a Down Home Barbecue Dinner (reservations must be made in advance) followed by SSCA member, yacht captain and circumnavigator, Denny Emory, presenting “Ocean Voyaging—the People, the Places, the Adventure.” Having visited 42 countries on 5 continents over 20 years, Denny will share his slides and stories based on these years of adventure at sea. The evening will culminate with our gala auction to benefit the SSCA Foundation. This promises to be a not-to-be missed informative and entertaining evening.
Sunday will offer an optional buffet breakfast, a flea market, as well as a variety of round tables followed by the opportunity to take HAM exams and an optional CPR re-certification course (due to limited availability, pre-registration is strongly urged).
The Annapolis Gam welcomes both SSCA members and non-members. Secure online registration is available at www.ssca.org. Register early and SAVE!
The event will take place at Camp Letts. Camp Letts is within easy driving distance of Annapolis (10 minutes) and Washington, D.C. and Baltimore (35 minutes). Camp Letts is located on Route 214, two miles east of Route 2 (near Mayo, MD).See the SSCA website for complete driving instructions as well as anchoring information.
There will be an informal Heading South gathering on Thurs., Sept. 25 via a dinghy raft up on the Rhode River. Listen for more information over the VHF radio Channel 69 starting Wed. morning at 0730. Are you planning to head south this fall—to Florida, the Bahamas or the Caribbean? One of the best things about cruising is the folks you meet along the way and SSCA offers many GREAT opportunities to meet like-minded folks who are heading your way. It’s great to talk to others about the best routes, great places to visit and anchor, and how to fix all the things that seem to have gremlins on board. If you are new to cruising you will want to pick the brains of SSCA’ers who have been out a while and know the ropes.
Seven Seas Cruising Association, Inc. is the oldest and largest non-profit organization of voyaging cruisers in the world. The goals of the original founders are still the goals of SSCA today: sharing cruising information, camaraderie, and leaving a clean wake. For more information, go to www.ssca.org.
