Boat Extremes
Sailing from New England People ask, “Are there extremes in boats on the York River?” We saw it on this day. Two couples who had never met enjoyed a warm, sunny breeze on the York River as part of their Williamsburg vacation adventure. Shirley Patrick of Washington DC brought her beau James Artis after having […]
The War Begins
People ask, “Why is Yorktown important?” Yorktown is the other bookend of the American Revolution. The war began with the two engagements between Massachusetts militia and the British Army. What is not well-known is the hurry, surprise and confusion leading to those battles. In takes us on an intimate journey into the events of April […]
Med Students Go Sailing
People ask, “Who are the most interesting sailors?” Med students! Six young people who have bonded together went for a sailing adventure on the York River on a cloudy Saturday morning that got progressively warmer and sunnier. “We’re all residents at VCU,” said one young woman. “Four of us are interns in our final year […]
Anniversary Sail
Young couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary by sailing on the York River.
Tall Crane
People ask, “What are some strange things you see on the river?” They had to open the Coleman Bridge for a tiny tug pushing a tall crane down the York River from Cheatham Annex pier. The crane is taller than the typical Navy cruisers that transit the bridge to Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. The coolest […]
Midwestern Sail
People ask, “When is it too cold to sail?” 50 degrees is pushing it unless you’re a hardy outdoors type. Two families from the upper Midwest braved brisk winds and chilly March temperatures of 50 degrees to sail sharply on the York River. Stacy and Joe Rider of Golden Valley MN brought their son and […]
What Your Daughter Learns When She Learns to Sail
By Lea Maxwell, Sailor and Scribe When I signed up for sailing school at the age of 43, I had never been on a sailboat. I agreed to do it because the boy I was dating wanted me to. Typical. But I secretly dreaded it. It isn’t that I don’t have talents, but in my estimation none […]
Opening Day Sail
spor People ask, “When is Opening Day?” Usually April 1. Jamie Rodriquez brought her Texas family to Williamsburg for Spring Break and went sailing on Opening Day of Let’s Go Sail. Brisk winds of 10 mph were a bit chilly on the York, but the bright sunshine warmed everyone up. Jamie used to sail in […]
From Slaves to Soldiers
People ask, “What was slavery like?” During the winter at Valley Forge, General Washington faced chronic shortages of manpower. Rhode Island General James Varnum proposed that Rhode Island recruit an all-African American regiment to serve in the Continental Army. Years later the first award for injuries in battle was won by a black soldier at […]
5 Things Learned
By Pat Reynolds, ASA Opinions Matter Everyone has a different opinion in this world of sailing. When I got my first cruising boat, a Catalina 30, I quickly realized this thing was full of systems I knew nothing about. The motor wasn’t running and what I knew about fixing diesel engines could fit […]
Oracle Sails High
The Mariners Museum in Newport News has landed the Oracle, winner of the 2017 America’s Cup off Bermuda. The behemoth sailboat is suspended from the ceiling of a specially made wing of the museum. It harkens back to the Spirit of St. Louis suspended from the ceiling of the old Smithsonian. Oracle’s light weight […]
Last Sail
People ask, “How deep into Fall do you still sail?” Deep into November, I took veteran sailors Jeanne Kushabar and Ugo Boggio out on the York in a light breeze from the east. I hadn’t see Ugo in a year, during which time he bought a 24-foot sailboat for his house on Boothbay Harbor, Maine. […]
Big Winds Return
On a whim, Daniel Katekovich took his bride Connie sailing along the York River on their 30th anniversary. She had never been on a sailboat before, “if you don’t count a small catamaran.” She did great as we zoomed across the river in 10 mph winds and building seas. Then we tacked to go under […]
Sailing Toward Fall
On a serene York River that slowly came to life as the wind built, we sailed past the lower range light at Yorktown to show how it has become obliterated. A vacant osprey nest has collapsed over the lens, leaving it nearly obscured to ship traffic. I notified the Coast Guard and sent them a […]
Celebrating Summer by Sailing
Celbrating Summer by Sailing inform couples and families how to enjoy private charters on the York River.
Skimming Along Lake Toho
Of all the boating our family has enjoyed over the years, we have never gone on an airboat. While on vacation in Florida, our son-in-law Trevor Phillips booked us for a unique and private two-hour adventure tour of the marshy shores around Lake Tohoperaliga near Orlando. Trevor knows how much we enjoy boating. “We call […]
30-Year-Old Sailor
Two couples and two toddlers got to see a 30-year-old sailor transit the Coleman Bridge when the USS Monterey came steaming up the York River on the way to the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. It was quite an adventure. Host Christine Wells had her hands full with the kids, so her husband Frank and pal […]
If By Sea
Before the American victory at Yorktown came resounding defeat at Charleston. George Daughan’s If By Sea: The Forging of the American Navy—From the Revolution to the War of 1812 tells the story of the early years of the American navy. The following excerpt examines Abraham Whipple’s command of the Continental Navy at Charleston in 1780. Daughan attributes […]
Sailing Metaphors
You can improve your life by applying sailing metaphors.
The Sullivans Transit
USS The Sullivans made a rare Saturday morning transit through the Coleman Bridge, backing up weekend traffic momentarily. The cruise missile destroyer takes its name from five brothers killed in World War II. People comment that ships like this would make it through if only their antenna stood a little lower. But this view shows […]