Experiences On Southerly

There is no better way to see Annapolis than by the water on our 54-foot sailing yacht! We will meet you at the boat with a welcome beverage to enjoy while we prepare the boat for launch. Before we take off, we will have the safety briefing and tour of the vessel.

Then leave the work to us and the fun to you!

Cruises

Gift Certificates – Not sure what to gift a loved one… Consider giving a gift certificate aboard the Southerly! To purchase a gift certificate, please contact Susan at susan@seasthebaysailing.com or text 513-604-1387.

FAQ’s

We answer some of our most frequently asked questions here. If something remains unanswered for you, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Depending on the weather and time of year, we may have time for a swim or water activity, so bring your swimsuit. If it’s later in the year, beyond summer, a light jacket is always nice to have. Most important, bring sunscreen and a hat to protect from the sun, even on cloudy days.

Rubber soled deck shoes (non-black) are the safest shoes for boats.
For our charters, we ask you to remove your shoes before boarding the yacht and we will keep them dry and out of the way for the trip.

Sailing is always weather and wind dependent. Captain Chris is a master at reading the winds and positioning the vessel to catch the wind if there is wind to catch! Your time on the water will be just as wonderful either way – we can motor-sail and it’s just as beautiful!

The motion of our sailboat is very easy, and we are never far from land. The design of Southerly is very stable, and “heeling” (tipping) you may have experienced on other sailboats is minimal and controllable. If you’re in doubt, we have ginger chews on board, as well as ginger ale that has been said to help. If you are someone who is prone to seasickness, we have Sea Bands pressure point wristbands available for purchase.

Not to worry, we won’t be going out in heavy rains, thick fog, high winds or threatening weather conditions.

We do sail in cloudy, cool or overcast conditions, and on and off sprinkles. 

Unfortunately we can't guarantee you a postcard picture-perfect sunset and we won't cancel a "sunset sail" just because it's overcast. 

If the weather looks questionable, we'll check the radar before we leave and if it looks like it's going to start pouring and rain for most of the sail, we will cancel. If it looks like there might be an occasional light sprinkle, we'll go!

Weather can change quickly and dramatically here. Some days it may be pouring in the morning and then be beautiful in the afternoon, or pour all day only to stop just before our sunset sail. And there have been days where the chance of rain is 80% and then it never rains. Therefore, we don't call off our trips when we see a five day forecast that calls for "a chance of thundershowers."

The timing and path of thunderstorms is very hard to predict, therefore a decision to cancel a sail because of a thunderstorm watch is typically only made 30 minutes before departure.

If we cancel your sail due to adverse weather conditions, you will receive a 100% refund, can elect to reschedule, or receive a gift certificate for a future trip.

The final decision to sail resides with us. If you've booked a charter and decide not to show up because of the weather and we are able to sail, your charter will not be refundable.

We have had many enjoyable trips in less than spectacular conditions. We think this policy is fair and appreciate your cooperation.

As with any vacation experience, a gratuity is never expected, but always appreciated!

Yes, there are electric outlets on board.

Yes, we have our own playlist, or you can connect your device to our Bluetooth speakers if you have music you would like to have on during your sail. We do, however, ask that all music is off if we are managing lines and sails.

Where do we embark and disembark?

You will board the boat at 1795 Beachfield Rd., Annapolis MD 21409. You will be dropped off at the same location, 1795 Beachfield Rd., Annapolis MD 21409. NO EXCEPTIONS

Terms & Conditions

These TERMS AND CONDITIONS outline what Seas the Bay Sailing Charters LLC ("STB") agrees to provide when you purchase a charter with STB , and what you agree to do in return. This information is very important, please read it carefully.  By purchasing a charter with STB sailing charters, you have agreed to have read, understood, and fully agreed to the foregoing TERMS AND CONDITIONS. 

Number of Guests Required and/or Allowed - Special Note about Children On Board
Seas the Bay Sailing Charters is licensed to have a maximum of 6 paying guests. Maritime law considers children of all ages to be passengers, therefore no matter the age of the child, a ticket purchase is required. Although we allow children, children under the age of 10 MUST have an adult with them AT ALL TIMES. That adult is NOT the crew. This if for the safety of the child, as a sailboat has wide open decks and is subject to unpredictable movements. Seas the Bay Sailing Charters requires a minimum of two guests for any charter.

Life Vest Information
Life Vests are provided for each passenger on our vessel. Federal Law requires that when a vessel is underway, children under 13 years of age must wear their lifejacket at all times except when below deck.

Cancelling Reservations and Charters:
Charters are valid only for the date and time purchased. Charters may be cancelled and a 100% refund issued, if you cancel at least 5 days before your sail. If you cancel less than 5 days before departure you will be refunded 75%. No refunds for sails cancelled less than 24 hours before departure. 

Weather: 
If we cancel your sail due to adverse weather conditions, you will receive a 100% refund, can choose to reschedule, or receive a gift certificate for a future trip. See our FAQ answer above about weather.

The final decision to sail resides with us. If you've made a reservation for a charter and decide not to show up because of the weather and the boat is able to sail, your charter fee is non-refundable.

Photographs
We respect your privacy and understand if you do not want photos used from your charter.  You must let us know prior to the start of the charters.  Representatives of Seas the Bay LLC may be photographing the Charter. Unless agreed upon differently prior to the cruise, Seas the Bay Sailing Charters reserves the right to publish any such photographs without obtaining further consent from any Charter Participant. Each Charter Participant releases Seas the Bay Sailing Charters LLC and its representatives from any liability in connection with any such use of such photographs.

Personal Responsibility: 
All guests on Seas the Bay Charters agree to abide by the directions and safety instructions of the Captain at all times. Each guest is entirely responsible for their own personal safety, health, and mental, physical, emotional, and general well-being during the Charter. If a guest feels they are prone to motion sickness, they must take responsibility for their own preventative measures.  All charter guests release Seas the Bay LLC of any liability for any injuries or damages mentally or physically incurred during the charter as a result of reckless individual behavior. Captain of the vessel reserves the right to disembark any guest for reckless behavior or if posing danger to themselves or other charter guests.  Charter guests understand that no health insurance or travel insurance will be provided by the charter company, and, if they wish to be insured, they must take personal responsibility for securing their own coverage.