The last TrawlerFest of the year begins at the end of this month.
Bay Bridge (in Stevensville, MD) is a new TrawlerFest venue. The first one was scheduled last year, but hurricane Joaquin barreled up the east coast to crash the party and the event had to be called off. It was a shame, a good line up of boats had arrived and docked, but the insurance people required the tents to be struck before the winds arrived and the organizers had to pull the plug.
The Annapolis area has always been a favorite haunt for sailors. And we all know that most sailors graduate to trawlers…so if you are looking for a trawler, there will be many on display to board along with tents filled with products and a wide variety of educational seminars.
Here is a link you can click for directions, times, hotels and all of the other important details:
https://www.passagemaker.com/trawlerfest/trawlerfest-bay-bridge-2016
To help preserve your boat buying budget, there is a discount coupon that will save you $10 off seminars. Use the promo code CRUISING at checkout when you register.
Jeff Merrill has been invited to give two presentations and to participate as a panelist in the cruiser perspectives forum. Here are the course descriptions and times for Jeff’s talks:
Bluewater Cruising with Jeff Merrill
Thursday, Sept. 29 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This seminar is designed for skippers and crew wanting to make offshore passages to reach distant ports; it’s designed to be both an introduction and a refresher. Jeff Merrill, who has logged more than 15,000 sea miles, much of it training clients, will discuss the essential preparations and fundamental skills. Topics will include weather considerations, route planning, watch standing, engine room checks, navigation/electronics operations, and more. The goal is to help make sure you and your trawler are ready before you depart, knowing what to expect under way and understanding what it is really like to operate your trawler at sea. Many helpful pointers will ensure you, your boat and your crew are prepared so your next open water trip is safe, comfortable and successful. A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees.
Dial-In Your Trawler with Jeff Merrill
Friday, Sept. 30 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Over the years and through his experiences on hundreds of trawlers, yacht broker Jeff Merrill has amassed a collection of “good ideas” and “best practices” that trawler owners are using to better monitor their vessels. These simple and effective techniques apply to most power cruising boats. Tricks of the trade and helpful reminders will help take some of the guesswork out of tracking various systems and equipment on board your trawler. Little details like reference marks for needles on analog gauges, a dry-erase board in your engine room, anchor chain marking and many other common-sense tips make this an engaging and informative seminar that you won’t want to miss. Merrill will share photos of these ideas and also discuss an assortment of products that you should consider using on your trawler that will not only make your life more enjoyable, but may also favorably affect your eventual resale value.
Cruisers Roundtable
Friday, Sept. 30 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
With Bruce Kessler, John Clayman, Steve Zimmerman, Chris Parker, Jeff Merrill, Doug Dickinson, & Dylan Bailey
SOLD OUT. ONLY AVAILABLE WITH VIP PACKAGE PURCHASE.
If you are going to attend Trawler Fest, please give Jeff a call and set up a time to meet in person or grab him after one of the classes so you can get together.
See you on the Chesapeake!
