A Chesapeake family went on a week’s vacation at a B&B rental in Reedville, atop northeast Virginia. Then they went sailing.
“We like it a lot in Reedville,” said the matriarch, Mary Gagnon. “We work very hard and needed time off. It’s very quiet in Reedville, and the kids can use kyaks on the water.
“We do catering – for as many as 5,000. That’s what we had on a Navy aircraft carrier recently, for Family Day. The smallest we do is 500, but we like 5,000. We’re the largest in Virginia, called Pollard’s Chicken & Catering. We also have five restaurants to draw staff and food from.
“Chicken is our specialty, but we can do hot dogs and hamburgers too. Hamburgers are tricky because there’s too much timing to think about. We can cook chicken easier.” Her daughter Tiffany handles centerpieces, buffet and cakes.
“Pollard’s started in Norfolk 56 years ago to do catering for a church. We got here 30 years ago when we moved from New England. Nobody can touch us today with 5,000. At the other end of the scale, everyone thinks they can handle 500 by firing up the smoker in the back yard.
“Christmas and summer are our busiest seasons. It’s crazy but it’s fun.” I asked if the typical pricing is $20 or so per head, and Mary said $18. The company keeps $8. That’s $40,000 net profit. “It takes weeks to set up and then several days to do all the cooking and the setup.”
Mary did quite well on the helm, enjoying a gentle breeze on a warm summer day. “It’s so quiet,” she said softly.
Women enjoy sailing today more than ever, and particularly a romantic cruise. Couples get to enjoy a romantic getaway as they sit up on the bow for privacy, and Let’s Go Sail provides professional photos for free. First-time or skilled mariners are welcome to sail a modern-32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Fall foliage or Spring bloom. It makes for an extraordinary anniversary idea.
Spry Sailor
The Zehmer family of Newport News and beyond took their 90-year-old dad Pete sailing on his 90th birthday. “I used to wind-surf,” he said proudly, “until I was 80.” Wow.
“I was very good on a small boat, and windsurfing is pretty small. There is no mast because YOU are the mast.
“Now let me tell you a sailing story. A friend of mine had me join him on a new boat. His mainsail was too big and he couldn’t use the tiller. It moved but it didn’t turn the boat. He got up to speed and ran right into another sailboat, broadside BAM! It was his previous boat. Now that’s a bad day on the water.”
His son John had another, more modest tale. “Trust me,” he began. “Kathy and I went out on a sailfish in the Outer Banks, on the sound side in very stable conditions. She was afraid the low boom would hit her and knock her over. I told her, ‘Trust me, that’s not going to happen.’
“Literally a second later, we ran aground. The rudder popped up and the boat broached as the boom came swinging at us.” He paused. “She eventually began to trust me again,” he added as Kathy hugged him.
Grateful Sailors
After a brutally hot July with some days of no wind, August perked up nicely with cooler temperatures and brisk winds. After enduring several trips with screaming toddlers, I encountered a family that made the entire season worthwhile. Here’s how they responded:
“Thank you so much for taking us out on Saturday and for the incredible opportunity to sail your beautiful boat! It’s been a dream since I was a teenager to learn to sail real cruising size sailboats and we are so excited to really begin planning our journey while our kids are small. Your advice and confidence to take the leap while they’re young and with us really resonated with us.
“Your confidence in taking us out and letting our boys explore above and below decks was a blast for our family and we really appreciate you accommodating our kids and their needs! We talked about it the whole way home to Richmond.
“In regards to the resources for SailTime VABeach as well as the website to rent /hire in the future- thank you! We look forward to talking with Jennie and seeing when a good time is to attend and learn from their school.
“We hope you had a great rest of your weekend with the impeccable weather and are very grateful for having gone out on your boat with you on Saturday. Thanks for the pictures as well- we have shared them with our family members, and the boys are very proud of having gone up to the bow!
“We look forward to leaving a review and hopefully sailing again with you soon, sir. Thank you again, Richard and Christine Arena.”
Acting Sailors
Three couples from the Midwest and Florida convened on a breezy afternoon with overcast skies. We zoomed out the York River on 12-mph winds, where we learned about one couple who have ventured into acting in retirement.
“We’re not actors, but extras,” said Jenine Bouman. We live in Nashville, where they produce a lot of TV features, and they’re constantly in need for extras. The days are a long 12 hours with a lot of time sitting around. But you meet some interesting people.
“Some of them want to sit in the front seat of the set to be seen. They’re very aggressive and want TV exposure. We’re more laid back. Others rattle off their experience on other shows. We’ve found Hallmark productions to be the nicest people.”
Senior Sail
Marty Parkes reprised his sail of earlier this year when he and a pal took Steve Woolley out. Steve is blind and missed the sailing days, so he got to run the helm extensively. This time, he demurred, preferring to sit back and enjoy the outdoors and the water. Mike Horlick, formerly of the USCG, got in the best zinger of the day. “I should have worn my shirt that says ‘US Coast Guard- Keeping the Navy from Getting Lost since 1790.'”
Let’s Go Sail
Check the “Book A Cruise” tab and pick a day for a sailboat charter. Scroll down reviews on Trip Advisor. Go back to the home page of Williamsburg Charter Sails.
The best Williamsburg boat tour offers safe sailing daily for up to 6 people. It’s an extraordinary experience for couples. Leave your worries behind. Enjoy the thrill of moving with the wind without a care in the world. Put life back on an even keel with a romantic experience for a birthday or anniversary. 3-hour sailboat cruise as a semi-private yachting charter lets you exhale and relax as you enjoy comfort, stability and speed.
Ideal for Couples
Our York River sailboat tour offers an unforgettable boat adventure that is ideal for couples. Choose from five unique sailing charters: Adventure, Lessons, History, Boat Buying, Real Estate. We provide sailing for everyone. Couples enjoy the romance, and families enjoy the adventure. See openings at williamsburgchartersails.com under Book A Cruise.
UNIQUE: Williamsburg sailing charter and York River sailing lessons offered for all ages. Avoid the crowd with small-group, personalized and instructional service. Gain expert advice and instruction, individualized for your needs, especially couples sailing lessons.
ENJOY: Williamsburg sailing charter, Yorktown sailing charters, Sailboat rental Williamsburg VA, Private sailing tour York River, Yorktown Romantic boat ride, Williamsburg Private charter, Sailboat Yorktown, Learn to sail, Williamsburg sailing lessons, York River Hands-on sailing out of Williamsburg VA.
Sail Near Williamsburg
PERFECT for: Charter sailing near Colonial Williamsburg, York River sailing trips, Sailing adventure Yorktown Battlefield, Things to do in Williamsburg on the water, Boat tours near Busch Gardens, Family-friendly boat rides in Williamsburg VA.
EXPERIENCE: Romantic late afternoon cruise, Virginia private sailing for couples, Historic sailing experience, Williamsburg Eco sailing tours on the York River, Fun things to do with kids on the water, VA Adventure boat tour, Williamsburg custom charter sail for families, get ready for America’s 250th.
Take a Vacation
VACATION ideas: Top Williamsburg attractions on the water, Unique outdoor experiences Williamsburg VA, Best water activities near Yorktown, historic river cruises Williamsburg, Best sailing charters Virginia 2025, Things to do near Jamestown by boat, Chesapeake Bay sailing near Williamsburg.
ACTION: Book sailing charter Williamsburg, Williamsburg charter sailing reservations, Private sailing availability Yorktown, Book a Cruise on the York River, Best boating and sailing rates Williamsburg VA.
FIND US: Boat rides Williamsburg VA, Williamsburg charter sails, Yorktown sailboat cruise, Williamsburg boat tours, Yorktown boat tours, Sail Yorktown, Sailing charter near me, Williamsburg boat tour, Yorktown cruises, boat charter near me, boat rentals near Williamsburg VA, Charter boats in Hampton roads, Sailboat charters near me, Sailing near me, Sailing tours near me, Williamsburg tours, Yorktown sailboat.
