With another snowstorm hitting the DelMarVa region, I’m sure many are starting to feel a little stir crazy. Hopefully your boat is buttoned up and protected from the elements, and if so, you’re probably wondering how to stay busy and stave off boredom. The ‘keeping busy’ looks a little different this time of year, but there’s still plenty you can do to exercise your brain in the hopes of becoming a better boater before springtime.
Lectures
Maritime museums around the Bay often host winter lectures throughout the cold weather months on a variety of topics aimed to increase knowledge about boating and/or the Chesapeake Bay. On February 26, at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, join Avian Ecologist Alex Pellegrini for a talk on ospreys on the Patuxent River. His talk will explore Osprey biology, banding, reintroduction efforts, and the remarkable conservation journey that brought this once-imperiled species back to thriving numbers. AMM Lectures are 7 to 8:30 p.m., available virtually or in-person, and cost $10 per person. Pre-registration is mandatory to attend in-person as space is limited. Register at amaritime.org.
Head to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD, on February 23 for “Women at the Helm: Navigating Fear and Risk in the Storm.” Join folklorist Amy Skillman at 5:30 p.m. in the Van Lennep Auditorium, or virtually, to explore the storm stories of women. The suggested ticket price is $8 per person. Register at cbmm.org.
If you’re interested in the history of the USS Monitor, a Civil War ironclad, the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA, has a series of lectures on this topic. Next up: “Who Won the Battle of Hampton Roads?” on March 6 and “The Power of Iron Over Wood” on March 7. All programs are available virtually (free) or in-person ($1). Learn more on the Mariners' Museum website.
Fishing Seminars
Keep an eye on CCA’s calendar for upcoming Angler’s Night Out events. CCA hosts these events throughout the year, and they are a great way to catch up with fellow fishing enthusiasts and learn some new skills. On February 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at West End Grill in Annapolis, EJ Harman of Angler’s Sports Center and Combos for Kids, will discuss practical methods to get the next generation hooked on fishing. These events are free and open to all. On March 12, the Central Region Chapter's Angler's Night Out will feature Captain Tim Sughrue of School of Rockfish Guide Service, who will break down strategies for finding and catching rockfish in our local waters. This free event is 6 to 8 p.m. at Twin Arch Tavern in Mt. Airy, MD.
Stay tuned for upcoming events at ccamd.org. There are also fishing seminars at many of the upcoming boat shows and fishing expos. Check out the PropTalk calendar in print and at proptalk.com/calendar for a list of events.
Free Online Seminars
Herrington Harbour Marinas will host a series of free online seminars in February and March. Next up: February 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Topic: Chesapeake Bay Destinations and Anchorages). This seminar will be presented by The Herring Bay Yacht Club. Meet seasoned Bay captains who love to share their local knowledge. The seminar will cover the best boating destinations and the most breathtaking places to drop anchor. On March 7, the topic is "Boater Safety and Crew Management," followed by "Spring Commissioning Tips" on March 14.
Haven Harbour Marina Resorts will also host free monthly educational seminars on February 28 and March 21. On Feb. 28, the topic is: thruster maintenance, installation and best practices; windlass equipment, installation and maintenance; solid-state batteries and applications; followed by spring commissioning, products, services, and best practices on March 21. These sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, will occur at Haven Harbour South's Ark & Dove Restaurant, and are free and open to 40 attendees per class. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Learn more on the seminar registration page and on the Haven Harbour website.
Marine Law Symposium
The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) will present its seventh biennial Marine Law Symposium April 1-2 in Annapolis, MD (also available virtually). This event brings together surveyors, attorneys, insurance professionals, boat builders, compliance experts, and marine service leaders for in-depth, real-world analysis of the cases and legal trends shaping today’s marine industry. Available for ABYC members and non-members (members save on registration). Learn more and register at abycinc.org/mls2026.
Safety at Sea
While this is mainly an event for sailors, we know many of our readers enjoy both sailing and powerboating. If so, you’re in luck because there are two events coming up. The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) is hosting an event March 28-29 at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) near Baltimore, MD. Next up is the Capt. Henry Marx Memorial US Sailing International Safety at Sea Course, presented by The Mariners’ Museum and Park and Landfall Navigation, April 18 in Newport News, VA. Learn more and register online.
Weather Webinar
A more knowledgeable and more prepared boater when it comes to weather is a safer boater. If you want to learn more about weather forecasting, sign up for SpinSheet’s three-part weather webinar March 12, 19, and 26. This webinar is designed for all boaters (sailors, powerboaters, anglers, etc.) who would like to reduce their chances of a hair-raising encounter with a thunderstorm. Part one will cover basic weather principles, how to decode forecast maps, and how to use Doppler Weather Radar. In part two, Thornton will discuss the different types of thunderstorms, the conditions that lead to their development, how to recognize weather patterns, and the dynamics that lead to downdrafts and lightning. The final sessions covers how to forecast severe weather, an analysis of historical weather events, and National Weather Service terminology.
Cruisers University
There will be two spring Cruisers University (presented by Annapolis Boat Shows) this spring, both April 22-24. Offshore Emergency Medicine offers practical medical training for cruisers and racing sailors operating out of range of rapid rescue and professional medical assistance. The program requires 12–36 hours of pre-course reading, study, and online testing followed by three days of on-site training. Master Diesel Spring is a hands-on class that will provide a preliminary and in-depth review of how a diesel engine works. All aspects of general and yearly maintenance will be covered, to include oil changing, impeller replacement, cooling system service, fuel filter replacement and general fuel system servicing, basic transmission service, trouble shooting electrical systems.
These are just a handful of events, but as you can see, there’s plenty to keep us busy over the long, cold winter without our boats. For more events, visit proptalk.com/calendar.