Education

The Great Lakes offers excellent freshwater cruising, scenic destinations, and extensive open-water cruising.  If you are doing the Great Loop or just cruising the Lakes this is a seminar you won’t want to miss.   Learn about crossing the big lakes Huron and Michigan, with favorite stops along the way.  Learn the rich community and valuable resources available through the Great Lakes Cruising Club along with some specific port stops from Cleveland, Detroit, into the North Channel, Mackinac Island, Lake Michigan’s Beaver Island, the Lake Michigan shoreline, Chicago and beyond!

presented by Joe & Meredith McKeown of Great Lakes Cruising Club

Learn how to use a navigation app to help plan a weekend trip or long journey such as the Great Loop. We’ll demonstrate how these apps can create a quick autoroute, add waypoints, check weather and tides, find marinas or anchorages to spend the night, or waterside restaurants/dockbars.  Also how you can take a long autoroute and easily break it up into smaller, manageable day trips.

presented by Jeff Foulk of ArgoNav

Everyone sees the pictures of the amazing catches of Mahi from boats traveling offshore, but how do sailors catch the same fish going 6 knots or slower while under sail? Lenny will help make sense of the best fishing tackle & procedures you need to set it and forget it while cruising. Some of the areas he will address are: What type of fish and size is good to eat? What to do about a fishing license? How to set up simple trolling lines on the boat? Can you fish along the ICW? How do you handle the fish once it is caught? And what tools & supplies should be in your tackle box?

presented by Lenny Rudow of FishTalk Magazine

Navigating waters with shifting shoals, shallow spots, and constantly changing conditions can be especially challenging. In this seminar, we’ll show you how to plan routes using the Route Planner tool, which integrates weekly updated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveys, and U.S. Coast Guard information directly into your route calculations. You’ll also learn how to incorporate trusted BOB423 Tracks into your planning, ensuring your route follows proven safe paths. In addition, we’ll show you how to overlay Points of Interest from Waterway Guide and ActiveCaptain, as well as satellite imagery, tides, currents, and marine forecasts to further enhance your safety. Whether you’re new to Aqua Map or looking to sharpen your navigation skills, this session will help you learn more so you can cruise with confidence.

presented by Claudio Bo, Co-Founder and Lead iOS Developer of  Aqua Map Boating

In June 2025, a crew of 8 women on the J/42 Allegiant was the first all-women team to cross the finish line of the Annapolis to Newport race. The legendary 475-nautical-mile offshore race proved especially demanding as weather conditions offered everything from shifty and light wind conditions on the Bay, to more shifty winds and intense fog on the ocean! After nearly 5 days on the water, Team Allegiant’s all-women crew made history and met their goal of inspiring new possibilities in offshore sailing, highlighting leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.

The crew came together as friends who have been sailing and/or racing together on the Chesapeake Bay for a few years. Skipper Maryline Bossar recruited Stefanie Brady as Trimmer, Jayne Durden as Strategist/Helm, Marianna Fleischman as Watch Captain/Trimmer, Hannah Garbee as Navigator, Jordan Hecht as Tactician/Helm, Emma Rosenbaum as Foredeck, and Amanda Warren as Safety officer/Trimmer.

Join Team Allegiant for an opportunity to hear their A2N story, their ambitions (and their doubts!) as they prepared for this epic offshore adventure.

And hear their tips on how to start racing offshore!

presented by Captain Boomies & the women of Allegiant Sailing

Learn the ins and outs of how to build your own hard top dodger from cruisers who have built their own, often in remote locations.
These dodgers are perfect for holding solar panels or just for shade and protection from the elements.
Presented by Mads Dahlke from Sail Life  and Daniel Bower & Lynn Hollibaugh from Sailing Nauti Dream

Sponsored by TotalBoat

Join Walter as he gives you the best hints for a great on the water picture, whether it is of a boat or the nature surrounding you!

Celebrating over 30 years as a Marine photographer Walter Cooper
grew up sailing and boating along Lake Huron. Inspired by his
surroundings and his pastimes, Walter’s interest in photography began
in grade school. Throughout the years of his education, he continued to
spend time on the water, both boating and developing his skills and
devotion to photography. During the 1995 America’s Cup Walter worked for America3, the Women’s Team as a staff photographer.  He spends his time shooting
major yachting events, cruising stories and running his business.

presented by Walter Cooper of Walter Cooper Photography

Whether you are going out for a daysail, evening club race or cruising south to a tropical island, is your boat medically prepared?  Join Jon Bloomberg to learn how to build a useful medical kit that you hope never needs to be used.

presented by Jon Bloomberg EMT/CEO of Core Medical Systems

Almost 200 years ago, the Erie Canal opened the doors of inland America to the ocean. That door remains open providing an easy journey to and from the ocean for cruisers. Adventure awaits cruisers on the Great Loop or out the St. Lawrence on the Down East Circle Route. Between the ocean and Lake Ontario are 30 locks separating the sweet water cruising of inland America and the ocean. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are worthy grounds for the diehard cruiser to explore. This course will focus on the gateway to sweet water cruising and include planning for the trip, preparing the boat for the canal, locking, and resources along the way.

presented by Dave Lochner of H Lee White Maritime Museum 

presented by John Stefancik of Marine Trades Association of Maryland

presented by Ronnie Simpson of RonnieSimpsonRacing

presented by Andy Miller of BoatWorksToday

Sponsored by TotalBoat

presented by Jeff Grossman & Jean Levine of Two Can Sail Yacht Sales & Services

Do you know what to do when there is no cell phone coverage? Even if you are going out for a day sail in the bay, what you need to ask your host. You hope you skipper shows you where the First Aid Kit is located, where the Life Jackets are, but you also need to know more. We’ll give what you should know and have the skipper review with you before leaving the dock.

presented by Jeff Grossman & Jean Levine of Two Can Sail Yacht Sales & Services

This is the beginning of understanding weather and boating.  Lets start with a good foundation to keep you safe on the water and avoid “drama” in your boat.

Where to look, how to get the most out of your Weather apps, Weather Basics you need to know, the forecast –  what to look for and tips to keep you safe on the water.

Weather Basics – terms, visual aids.

Weather Apps – App options and why I use them.

Reviewing the Forecast – understanding the forecast, what is it telling you short term and long term .

Using a Weather Routing Service – what are they, and how they work for you.

presented by Captain Deb Marlor of Sailing & Boating

There are not many people in the world who have a true and enriched understanding of Coral Reefs.  Why would they?  Out of sight, out of mind.

We invite you to learn what’s happening and why it’s important to YOU!

Mission: Ocean Reef’s discussion will focus on bringing an important awareness to you on how coral reefs impact your life, regardless of where you live, or what you do.

Our presenters, not scientists, but sailors and business entrepreneurs, will update you on what’s important to know and how your life might change when you learn about this intriguing topic.

You will be invited to a stimulating discussion on how Mission: Ocean Reef invites our future leaders, who are passionate, creative, and eager to “change the tide.”  You might just know someone in your circle who should be involved!

Our coral reefs are in crisis, but there is hope. 

presented by Guy Courtney & Anita Laurence of Mission: Ocean Reef

presented by Andy Miller of BoatWorksToday & Mads Dahlke from Sail Life 

Sponsored by TotalBoat

Women and the Wind documents an adventurous 30-day Atlantic voyage aboard the wooden catamaran Mara Noka, whose all-women crew set out to research plastic pollution in the ocean. As they confront deep personal and collective truths at sea, their journey becomes more than an environmental expedition, unearthing a raw exploration of sisterhood, vulnerability, and resilience.

Reserve your spot for this free viewing here. A ticket to the show must be purchased to attend the viewing.

Director and Mara Noka captain Kiana Weltzien will attend the film and participate in a panel Q&A led by Fount & Flourish Founder and CEO Bailey Feldman.

Are you ready to purchase a used sailboat?  Do you know what to look for when you finally set eyes on your dream boat?  What questions should you ask the buyer or broker about the history of the boat?  Scott Berg, who is a member of The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, is here to answer all the questions and to give you his professional tips to get the best boat for your money.

Presented by Captain Scott Berg of CBW LLC Marine Surveyors, Consultants, and Captains

Two industry professionals give you the scoop on how to navigate the world of boat loans. Melanie Neale is broker/owner of Sunshine Cruising Yachts and has over ten years of experience selling boats and over forty operating them. Laurie Kiser is an avid boater and Marine Product Manager for OceanPoint Marine Lending, a division of BankNewport. She has over two decades of experience in marine lending and a deep understanding of the process.

Melanie and Laurie will discuss what makes a boat eligible for financing, how to work with a yacht broker to find these boats, and what information a buyer should collect when they begin the process of searching for and financing a boat. Contrary to what many think, the financing part of a purchase isn’t something that happens at the end of the process. It’s an integral part of the boat-buying journey and these two hope to make it easy for you.

Presented by Laurie Kiser of OceanPoint Marine Lending & Melanie Neale of Sunshine Cruising Yachts

Insurance Overview:

Who can I trust?

What can I expect when buying insurance, with surveys AND if I have a claim?

When do I market insurance (or remarket)

Why do I need insurance – or do I?

Where can I go – and for how long?

How to prepare paperwork – boating experience resume, itinerary, storm plans

(aka ‘how’ to get approved for insurance… )

Presented by Kerry Gonzalez of AMG Insurance International

The Annapolis to Bermuda Race is an exciting 753-mile offshore challenge for racers and cruisers alike.  The next edition starts June 5, 2026. Come and hear more from the race organizers and past participants. You’ll learn how A2B blends navigation, adventure, and camaraderie in this iconic blue water passage. Join Bert Bossar, the A2B Event Chair and Lili Colby from Mustang Survival as they answer all your questions.

presented by Mustang Survival Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race

Join Dave Lochner and a panel of cruisers in their senior years as they discuss the pitfalls and triumphs of starting your cruising journey after retirement. The panel of cruisers include: Michelle Bamberger & Robert Oswald of SV Elixir, Susan Baldacci of SV Second Star and Lynne Hoot of SV Albetross.

presented by Dave Lochner of H Lee White Maritime Museum