There’s nothing like going on a summer sail, especially if you have some of the best crab cakes in the country waiting for you when you return to land. I was keen to try a less traditional ‘boat’ cruise in Baltimore on our summer trip this past August, one that wasn’t filled to the brim with people and left like clock work, on the hour, every hour. It didn’t have to be a “custom” cruise per se, but I wanted a smaller, more intimate experience and so started doing a little digging around when I discovered American Sailing Tours, which leaves out of the harbor during sailing season, which extends through the fall.
After reaching out, Cap’n Tom got back to me directly via email and was about as warm and personable as it gets. The quirky thing about him is that he’s both an accountant and attorney in his “other life” but grew up on a sailboat and from what I can tell, is more passionate about sailing than that other life of his. He’s also a Red Cross certified First Responder and a Coast Guard licensed Captain who grew up in Maine, sailing from Bar Harbor and Camden in the too brief summers.
We set sail on a ship they call The Summer Wind which is a steel-hulled, Junk-rigged ocean cruising schooner designed by noted naval architect Thomas E. Colvin. After many years based in Philadelphia, she now sails from her new home in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, in addition to private charters to the Chesapeake Bay. Her design is based on Colvin’s Gazelle, his personal boat.
Truth be told, I had no idea who Tom Colvin was before this trip, however he has apparently been recognized as one of the leading designers of steel boats and his books on steel boatbuilding are required reading for anyone interested in the use of steel in naval architecture. Who knew? His boats have long been known for their rugged seaworthiness and he’s also been a longtime proponent of the lug or Chinese Junk rig and its application in western boats.
Cap’n Tom on the water.
The cruise itself was incredibly relaxing and included a spread of cheese and you can bring your own bottle of wine to partake during the sail – how summer casual is that? Have a look at some of the sightings we took in during our oh so blissful late afternoon cruise, right before sunset.
Cap’n Tom and his crew take their music seriously I learned after a conversation with him after we were out to sea. I could have fallen asleep on the deck it was so peaceful — the wind was barely making a mark, the sun was shining high and the wine and cheese was taken its toll, in a lovely way of course. Cap’n Tom’s playlist was going in the background on our schooner sail, which comes from their very own ShoutCast Internet radio station, SummerWindRadio.com! You can even listen on your phone if you download the new ShoutCast app.
During their Sunset Sails, the mood changes a bit and they bring on the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and many others. Makes sense of course. Two thumbs up! We’d gladly return for another summer sail. Thanks to Cap’n Tom and his crew for taking care of us!
DETAILS:
American Sailing Tours
Harbor East Marina
40 International Drive
Baltimore, MD
800-979-3370
We were hosted but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
