Michael Tougias, who has chronicled ocean rescues and survival at sea, will headline the 2016 TrawlerFest on the Chesapeake. In addition to Tougias, TrawlerFest offers 24 seminars designed to help make cruising safer, more enjoyable and less expensive.
Polynesian Voyaging SocietyTougias has conducted extensive research about how people have survived disasters and obstacles that most of us shudder to think about. He shares what he has learned about decision-making under pressure from researching his six national bestsellers: A Storm Too Soon,Overboard!, Rescue of the Bounty, Ten Hours Until Dawn, Fatal Forecast and The Finest Hours (which was made into a Disney movie released earlier this year). Tougias fascinates by demonstrating how survivors channeled and managed their energy, making proactive, life-saving decisions.
The TrawlerFest boat show and seminar series runs Tuesday through Saturday, Sept. 27-Oct. 1 at Bay Bridge Marina, located at the foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on Kent Island. The program includes in-depth seminars on diesel engines, hands-on boat handling and mastering the boat-buying process. Dozens of power cruisers will be open for inspection on the docks, and vendors will be on hand to demonstrate products and services.
For the uninitiated, trawler yachts are powerboats designed for long-range cruising or living aboard. Brands in this niche include Fleming, Marlow, Grand Banks, Nordhavn, Ranger Tugs and Nordic Tugs. TrawlerFest is brought to you by the people who publish PassageMaker magazine, The Power Cruising Authority.
But don’t let references to “power” put you off. TrawlerFest is for sailors, too. In fact, we like to say that almost all of our seminars are “propulsion agnostic,” with presenters experienced in power and sail. Here are some of the actual seminar titles:
“Everything You Need to Know About Diesel Engines”
“Boatbuyer’s Survival Guide”
“Hands-On Boat Handling”
“Maintaining a Cruising Powerboat”
“The Great Loop”
“Basic Weather”
“Advanced Weather”
“Navigation for Couples”
“Couples Cruising (With Pets)”
“Cruising the ICW with Chris & Alyse Caldwell”
“Getting the Most From Your Radar”
“Guns & Governments: Firearms Laws on the East Coast & Down Island”
“Provisioning Tips from the Pros”
“Bluewater Cruising: Preparing Yourself & Your Boat”
“What To Look For Before You Hire A Surveyor”
Tougias presents two illustrated seminars on Saturday, Oct. 1. “Survive & Thrive: Decision-Making From Those Who Have Overcome All Odds” begins at 10:45 a.m. “The Finest Hours” — the seminar-series grand finale — begins at 3:30 p.m. (see related story).
Click here for more information, or call (443) 745-7785.
