Sailing with the Navy

Next door to the National Sailing Hall of Fame lies the United States Naval Academy, with a visitor center that heralds sailing among many other traditions. Near the entrance is the plaque to Commodore John Barry. He was the first officer commissioned, and by George Washington no less.

Sailing with the NavyInside the visitor center are images of myriad ships at sea under American command. I once met a young man in Annapolis who was seated next to me in an ice cream parlor. His coat was emblazoned with “Navy Sailing.” It turned out he was a member of the offshore team. That entailed Newport to Bermuda, among other races. He talked about it like it was just a diversion, because it surely was. He underwent one of the most rigorous academic and professional programs in the country. To get a sense of what offshore sailing is like for the Navy, take a look at the sailboat Brave atop the blog.

Sailing with the NavyThe visitor center includes a 15-minute orientation film geared to high school students considering the Academy. Among the ships portrayed are advanced submarines. The mission of the Academy is to develop students morally, mentally and physically as leaders of tomorrow.

Not all the ships are battle-worthy. One window shows a fleet of one-design sailboats with their Navy blue and gold spinnakers flying downwind. Sailing with the Navy

I left the visitor center to go out to the water and see the campus from the coast. Along came a contemporary sailboat chugging along in the cold air. The skipper had his lifelines adorned with Christmas lights for a lighted parade.

Nearby, the Annapolis Yacht Club was rocking with a pre-Christmas bash involving scores of people. Everyone was excited about the Army-Navy football game the next day. No wonder Annapolis is the Sailing Capital of America.

Let’s go sail

Check rates and pick a day for a sailboat charter. See reviews on Trip Advisor from sailors like you. 

Sailing with the Navy

More from the Captain...

Good Riddance

As many as 20 derelict sailboats and motorboats on the Hards at York River Yacht Haven are in the process of being crushed and trucked away. A few wooden boats date to the 1940s. Once the hill is cleared and graded, more current boats will move here from down the

Full Story >
Danger Sails

Danger Sails

A couple from metro Richmond returned for another sail and brought friends with them. Donna Ludwig recalled the last time she and Buddy went sailing. “It was with my brother-in-law on his sailboat, slightly smaller than this, say 27 feet. It was a day like today and we had a

Full Story >

Arts Quarter Sails

Award-winning actor Glenn Close was the star of the dedication of the William & Mary Arts Quarter, a massive reconfiguration of Phi Beta Kappa Hall into a half dozen buildings interconnected. Before several hundred alumni and guests in the new PBK, Close expressed heartfelt gratitude for their support, tearing up

Full Story >