2025 Marine Trawler Owners Association (MTOA) National Rendezvous

The Four Day Rendezvous was held at Somers Cove Marina (Crisfield, MD); owned by the State of Maryland and managed by Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is considered one of the largest marinas on the Chesapeake Bay. Somers Cove Marina is situated in the heart of Crisfield, MD, on the Tangier Sound in the center of the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore. Construction commenced in 1960’s by late J Millard Tawes (1894 – 1979), Democratic Governor (1959 – 1967).

Crisfield, MD is rich in maritime history. Known as the “Crab Capital of the World”. Downtown is literally built on oyster shells in the years following the Civil War (1861 – 1865). Oystering continues to this today. Unique traditions are the annual Soft Shell Crab Festival over Memorial Day weekend and the famous Hard Crab Derbyevery Labor Day.

Attendees: Troy A (M/V Kóborol), Mark A (M/V Funny Farm), Patricia & Joseph A (M/V Glory Days), Annie & Tommy A (M/V Annie A), Sara & Michael B (M/V Dutchess), Nancy & Charlie B (M/V Bluewater), Elaine & Bud (M/V Task), Marilou Z & Mike B (M/V Inshallah), Molly & Ted B (M/V Recess), Rick & Marion B (M/V Turtle Time), Tammi & Tom B (M/V Our Eden), Linda & Blair B (M/V Balinda-M), Lisa O & Wayne B (M/V WayWeGo), Patricia & Stacey (M/V Piccolo), Lynn C & Jonathon K (M/V Zendo), Marion & Leo C (M/V Wildflower), Jeanne & Alan C (M/V Sigmachi), Elaine & Greg C (M/V Salty Dog), John C (M/V Alpha Mike), Lynn & Frances C (M/V Scorpio), Patricia & Bob D (M/V State of Bliss), Anette & Bill (M/V Bagus), Martha & Don D (M/V Brown Eyed Girl), Jessica & Phil (M/V Beautiful Mother), Mike E (M/V Mi-Cyn), Deb & Peter (M/V Debbie Lynn), Pam & Art G (M/V Tinacious), Robin & Dan G (M/V Bituminous), Janice & Don G (M/V Figment), Sheila & Bill G (M/V Maka Honu), Christi & Josh G (M/V Southwind), Jack G (M/V BAR-B-Q), Laura & Ken H (M/V Meridian), Deb & Michael H (M/V Carousel), Michelle & Len H (M/V Marissa Michelle), CJ & Stick H (M/V Trilogy), Diane & Tom H (M/V Evermoore), Barbara & Roy J (M/V Dream Fever), Tom K (M/V Liberty), Liz & Steve K (M/V Shingebiss), Mike L (M/V SZeas The Day), Mitch M (M/V Forever 2 Thee), Jane & Steve M (M/V Sabbatical), Sheryl & Mark M (M/V Oceanus), Jane & Bob (M/V Miller’s High Life), Sharon & Ron P (M/V Nautilus), Mac R (M/V Janthina), Brenda & Ben S (M/V Last Chance), Alison & Robert S (M/V Cygnus), Steve S (M/V Safe Harbor), Inez & Marty S (M/V Yellow Brick Road), Sylvia & Edmund S (M/V Encore), Susan & Brooke S (M/V Liquid Therapy), Dale S & Kate P (M/V Days Like This), Sue & Charles S (M/V Ariel), Theresa & Tom V (M/V O’Tug), Kathy & Rich W (M/V Coriolis), Carolyn & Peter W (M/V Herron), Linda & Glenn W (M/V Fishfull Thinking), Sandy & Chivy W (M/V Divi-Den), Jane & Charles W (M/V Nepidae), Evelyn & Clark W (M/V Sunset Delight), Kay & Jeff K (M/V Counting Stars), Sue & Chuck B, Deborah B, JoAnne C, Jean & Jeff, Jon H, Lisa & Paul O, Dave & Debbie P, and Gillian & Curtis S.

One hundred forty were in attendance.

Sunday, September 14, 2025 Day #0 (Day 5)

11AM – 11:30AM Welcome Party Set Up
11AM – 4PM Early Registration
12PM – 12:30PM Volunteers Needed
1PM – 2PM Event Set Up
3PM – 3:30PM Tables, Chairs, & Stage Set Up

Special Comments:

Our slip for the week, G4. Somers Cove Marina (SCM) offered great rates for our week stay.
Our first “Nordhavn Noodle” (M/V Bluewater N4732, M/V Dutchess N4644, M/V Soul Mates N4701). A Nordhavn Noodle are 3 vessels together.

**Somers Cove Marina (SCM)** (Crisfield, MD) *Approach*

Monday, September 15, 2025 Day #1 (Day 6)

7:30AM – 8:30AM Continental Breakfast
(8:30AM – 10:30AM BOD Meeting)
9AM – 12PM Event Registration
10:30AM – 11:30AM Mid Shore Electronics Q&A
11:30AM – 12PM Air Conditioning Roundtable
12PM – 1PM Brown Bag Lunch
1PM – 1:30PM President & Rendezvous Chairs Welcome
1:30PM – 3PM Chart Your Course
3PM – 4PM Argo App
4:30PM – 5PM Welcome Soiree
5PM – 6PM Potluck
6PM – 6:30PM Ice Cream Social
6:30PM – 9PM The Eastman String Band

Special Comments:

Eduardo, T & S Marine Inc (Crisfield, MD) was punctual to asses a engine matter. Fortunately, a easy fix! Full-time cruising sometimes requires coordination of repairs along the way. Coordination is not always the simplest task while also working with vendors schedule but, we’re happy that T & S Marine Inc (Crisfield, MD) was accommodating.
Insightful Mid-Shore Electronics (MSC) Q&A session.
City of Crisfield post.
Burr, did the outdoor temperatures drop late last night.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Day #2 (Day 7)

7:30AM – 8:30AM Continental Breakfast
8:30AM – 10AM Weather Aboard
10AM – 11AM Crazy Marine Claims
11AM – 11:30AM Benefits Using a Marine Surveyor
11:30AM – 12:30PM Lunch (Provided)
12:30PM – 2:30PM Mocktails + Docktails Mix & Mingle
2:30PM – 4PM Adding Solar to Your Boat
4:30PM – 5:30PM Green Ribbon Boat Tours & Docktails
5:30PM – 7PM BBQ Dinner
7PM – 8:30PM The Oldy Mate Game
8:30PM – 9PM Supervised Flare Practice & Disposal

Special Comments:

Heartbroken to learn this morning the missing person has not been found. Search efforts seized around midnight last night.
Gonna be a wet one today, we were fortunate Mother Nature stayed away last evening but she’s making up for lost time. Due to weather the Green Ribbon Boat Tours & Docktails are postponed until this evening. The Crazy Marine Claims and Benefits Using a Marine Surveyor are postponed until later this afternoon.
After the insightful Weather Aboard presentation there was raffle with several winners. We won a 2025 ICW Cruising Guide Bob423 book. A book we don’t have and prefect with our future cruising plans.
After lunch, a chill to your bones followed by heavy rain, strong winds (29.6kn), and thunderstorms kept us retreated to the vessel.
Mid-Shore Electronics (MSC) Representative came onboard at Jacques request following Ben’s presentation yesterday to discuss some possible upgrades.
At 1:54PM thunder struck that literally startled me followed by a yelp.
WBOC News.
The BBQ Dinner was delicious! Great presentation a well.
Cold and wet! Took us awhile to warm up once we returned to the vessel.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Day #3 (Day 8)

7:30AM – 8:30AM Continental Breakfast
8:30AM – 9AM Crisfield Terrapins
9AM – 10AM Basic Marine Electric
10AM – 10:30AM Marine Insurance Update
10:30AM – 11AM Current Market & Trends
11AM – 12PM Ice Breaker Demo
12PM – 1PM Lunch
1PM – 1:30PM Smith Island Crab Skiff Racing
1:30PM – 2PM Gizmos & Gadgets
2PM – 3PM Live Crab Races
3:30PM – 5PM Green Ribbon Boat Tours & Docktails
5PM – 7PM Dinner
7PM – 7:30PM Crab Picking Demo
7:30PM – 9PM Team Trivio

Special Comments:

Sometimes, in darkness one can see the light and embrace a letting go of any grudge.
Finally, calm winds and sunshine!
Speaker, Paul E (Crisfield Terrapins) kept the audience captivated that you could have heard a pin drop in the pavilion.
Insightful Gizmos & Gadgets shared by fellow members.
Somehow we both missed the Ice Breaker Demo, Green Ribbon Boat Tours & Docktails. Totally bummed!
OMG, the Live Crab Races was a first for us. Such great fun! Sadly, our crab #26 named “Crab Bisque” (named by Jacques) did not win the heat but, placed 3rd in our group race. “Crab Bisque” made us proud but, limbs were compromised concluding the ability to continue racing.
“Hurricane Hazel“, World Champion Crab Picker captivated everyone’s attention with her skills and tales. She’s a hoot!
Even at our ripe ages, we never saw a sunset cloud formation as we did last night. Interestingly, formed a mountain view. Later we learned according to fellow MTOA member, Mike B (M/V Inshallah), “They are Altocumulus undulatus (potentially Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds but those have very distinct wave patterns) . These formations are caused by wind shear (and there was a good amount of that happening) and atmospheric instability creating wave-like patterns that are along the front and I’ll guess the bottom edge, but the lighting is bad to see it. Maybe another 20 mins the sun would have gotten down to light the bottom. It could also be a Cumulonimbus cloud, but they normally have rain with them.”
The Oldy Mate Game was rescheduled to this evening, a spinoff to the ABC 1996 Newlywed Game had the late night audience chuckling and seeing our participants in a different light (LOL).

Thursday, September 18, 2025 Day #4 (Day 9)

7:30AM – 8:30AM Continental Breakfast
(9AM – 10:30AM General Membership Meeting)
(10:30AM – 11AM Chesapeake Bay Cruisers Chapter Meeting)
11AM – 12PM Pro Docking Demo
12PM – 2PM Lunch on Your Own
(2:30PM – 3PM Flea Market Clean Up)
(3PM – 3:30PM Clean Up Chairs & Tables)
5:30PM – 6:30PM Cocktails & Appetizers
6:30PM – 9PM Rendezvous Awards & Banquet

Special Comments:

The Pro Docking Demo was delayed until further notice. We never heard of the rescheduled hour.
Finally, some free time. Activities kept us on the go and we’re exhausted. LOL! Great conversations and entertaining Charlie & Nancy B (M/V Bluewater) and Philip D (M/V Beautiful Mother) onboard with lunch.
Nice to dine outside the marina gates and stretch our legs to get there.
The sponsors were extremely generous with their beverages, food, and/or raffle gifts!

Friday, September 19, 2025 Day #5 (Day 10)

8:30AM Breakfast On Your Own
9AM – 3pM Historic Smith Island Visit by Ferry

Special Comments:

If a time capsule was such a thing, Smith Island would definitely qualify as one being able to step back in time. Only a hour ferry ride from the main land (Crisfield, MD) as they say had us stepping back in time. Initially, I thought 2 hours was not enough time to explore this quaint place. But, it was and our ferry had to be ready to pick up the kiddos from high school (like isn’t that cool).
As we walked the narrow rock roads, there was no doubt that we looked like tourist to the locals. As we engaged with the residents, one couldn’t help but to welcome the “slower pace” with envy. It was then when you realize all the conveniences that we have and take for granted. Whether it be clothes shopping, furniture shopping, medical care, and/or grocery shopping. During our stroll, we noticed (1) Exxon Station/Hardware Store, (1) Bakery/Gift Shop, (1) Bed & Breakfast, (1) Cemetery, (1) Church, (1) Gift Shop/Restaurant, (1) Golf Cart Rental, (1) Grocery Store/Restaurant, (1) Smith Island Cultural Center (Smith Island, MD), (1) Post Office, and (1) Stop Sign.
We had a delicious lunch (Harborside Restaurant, Smith Island, MD) at the local grocery store/restaurant followed by touring the museum.
Anticipating this to be a jam packed four days of activities and optional fifth day excursion to Smith Island, MD we opted to extend our stay over the weekend and enjoy the opportunity to hangout with fellow Nordhavn owners, Nancy & Charlie B (M/V Bluewater).
In speaking, with a local she shared a car spot on the main land of Crisfield, MD is $300/annually which allows her to get to large shopping stores.
In speaking, with a local she shared Amazon and Walmart is the islands main retailer.
In speaking, with a local she shared in the event of an emergency there is a water service (like ambulance) for $375.
As the water continues to rise around Smith Island, MD it may no longer exist in 20 years or so.
Huge dumpster and a barge transport the islands trash to the main land (Crisfield, MD) to the landfill.
Methodist religion is primary amongst the community.