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Ahoy, There! Learning to Sail in Annapolis
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By Lora Meisner
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Maryland.com
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 | | Sailing at the Annapolis Sailing School |
After a recent trip to the Caribbean, with thoughts of bareboat sailing in his head, my husband decided to take a sailing class at the Annapolis Sailing School. "Learn to sail the Annapolis way" is the school's motto. My husband took a weekend sailing class-all day Saturday and Sunday. "Become a sailor over a weekend" is offered by the school and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on sailing experience. By late Sunday afternoon, each person obtains certification to sail a boat up to 24 feet in length. As for me, I was going to be a land-lover and see some of the sites of this, "America's Sailing Capital."
We found a terrific B& B from a list supplied by the school. Swan Cove B&B has guests only from May through October and only accepts students attending the sailing school. It was located on the South River, just about 10 minutes from the school's marina. On the waterfront and serving delicious (and large) breakfasts, Swan Cove gave us a chance to meet others taking the sailing classes.
The Other Side of the Creek
Annapolis on the weekend is like any tourist area in the summer-very busy. That's why I was grateful to have Friday night's dinner at a waterfront restaurant in Eastport, just across Spa Creek, about ½ mile from downtown Annapolis. Eastport also gives visitors a great view of the Annapolis harbor. We had a wonderful meal at Carrol's Creek Restaurant. They don't take reservations but we called and were put on a priority-seating list. When we arrived at the restaurant, our window table was ready. That evening I had one of the best cream of crab soups I've ever tasted.
Watching the reflection of the setting sun on a beautiful array of sail and powerboats, sitting in the warm, yet casual surroundings of Carrol's Creek Restaurant, I decided life couldn't get more relaxed than this.
Walk to Thomas Point
After a hearty breakfast, the "sailors" had to report to the school between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. Since it was cloudy and overcast, I decided to take a walk down to Thomas Point about one mile from our B&B. There I looked forward to getting a view of the Thomas Point Lighthouse.
 | | Thomas Point Lighthouse |
Built sometime around 1823 and rebuilt more than a decade later, it has turned out to be an architectural gem that still stands today. Thomas Point is very important because it is the only screw pile-type lighthouse that remains in its original location on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. It is one of only three-left standing. Architecturally, it is probably the finest example of a screw pile cottage anywhere in the world, and symbolic of late 19th-20th century life on the Chesapeake.
Located about a mile off shore, the dwelling is a complex, hexagonal structure, 35' in diameter, which sits on seven piles. The house has many carefully crafted details which can only been seen by excellent binoculars from shore. It stands on an area of dangerous shoals and was built to warn vessels requiring deeper water. It was manned until 1986, now automated; it is still in use and operated by United States Coast Guard.
Some In-Town Time
I spent the afternoon in town, and had lunch at O'Brien's Restaurant near the city dock area. After lunch, I wandered through the numerous shops on Main Street. Downtown Annapolis has many nice restaurants and shops within easy walking distance of the city dock. It's easy to spend hours wandering the colonial-style streets viewing historic buildings or wandering along the City Dock area viewing a variety of sail and powerboats.
Saturday evening we braved the traffic in downtown Annapolis and had dinner at Phillips Restaurant right on the harbor. We enjoyed their lump crab cakes while again watching the sunset over a myriad of boats in Annapolis harbor. It's always romantic to dine on the waterfront.
Touring Around Town
Sunday morning the sailors went back to learn more about hoisting sails and catching the wind. I decided to become a serious tourist and went to the Annapolis Visitor Center to take a tour of the city via a "Walk with The Colonials". It's a two-hour walking tour led by a knowledgeable guide in colonial dress. We visited the Maryland State House and its interior, learned why the Maryland State Flag has those bright colors and odd pattern, walked by the exteriors of many beautiful and historic mansions and after touring the United States Naval Academy the tour ended near the City Dock.
After lunch at Sam's Waterfront Restaurant, off Edgewood Road near the sailing school's marina, I headed back to the school to see how the sailors were doing. The Annapolis Sailing School's marina is located at the end of Edgewood Road on a point between the Chesapeake Bay and Back Creek. This is the location where the classes take place and where the school has its fleet of sailboats.
The Sailing Experience or How I Learned to Watch from the Shore
What did the weekend sailors think about their experience? Everyone got their certification and seemed to have enjoyed their experience. My husband (and his friend who took the class with him) felt that there was a good balance between classroom instruction and actual hands-on sailing. The instructors were very good at taking this vast subject and breaking it into easy-to-understand sections. "Easy-going" like sailing itself described the instructors' style and my husband found them supportive and helpful as each student took control of the tiller and the mainsail.
What tips does my husband pass along?
· Dress appropriately in layers and always have a slicker along as they do go out sailing in the rain but not in thunderstorms due to lightening.
· Be prepared for some physical exertion. Students learn to hoist sails, take them down, and to fold them for proper storage-it's all part of the instruction.
· Don't expect a lot of wind during the summer, as the fall is usually better for consistently windy days.
· If you can, pack your own lunch. Though lunch is available, if you have a hearty appetite you may prefer the size of your own portions.
· If you have any inclination towards seasickness, take a Dramamine before class as the sailboats are small (19 feet) and you will get bounced around in rougher weather.
My husband thoroughly enjoyed himself, found it to be a fun and exciting experience, and has subsequently joined the Washington Sailing Club. As for me, I will happily make sandwiches and serve beer while leaving the sailing to someone else. Call me a fair weather sailor, unless the sun is shining, I'll stick to the land. However, for a fun weekend experience, visiting Annapolis and learning to sail should be on any water-lover's list of things to do.
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