The Maryland capital is the home of two national boat shows each October, but there’s plenty going on all year long. A stroll around downtown Annapolis will reveal an enviable collection of restaurants, clubs and shops. Weekends in autumn are packed with fans cheering on the Navy football team at a stadium two miles north of the harbor. And, if you’re lucky enough to be in town during the annual boat show, chances are there will be plenty of sailors and mariners to meet.
The area’s working-class roots run deep, a fact that is illustrated in 13 stops on the self-guided Eastport Historic Walking Tour, sponsored by the city. The tour, which starts in front of Chick & Ruth’s Delly (that’s how locals spell it), takes you through the community’s evolution from its early days as a working-class village of watermen and U.S. Naval Academy workers to today’s mix of residents and boating industry businesses.
In April 1941, the Annapolis Yacht Yard was awarded its first contract to build Vosper 70-foot torpedo patrol boats (PTs). Initially, representatives from the Russian Embassy in Washington came a day or two at a time to look after their interests. But in July 1944, the yard was assigned a full-time Russian captain and three lieutenants, who oversaw the building of the Russian PTs and other boats ordered by the United States.
The lead yard for PT construction, Sup Ships Annapolis boat detailing produced all detailed building plans and procured all “government-furnished” equipment for the fleet of 84 PTs and two 110-foot submarine chasers it was responsible for building. Material substitutions were permitted after consultation with the hull technical and engineering officers, but major issues were sent to the Bureau of Ships for final decision.
As the Navy moved toward the end of World War II in September 1945, Sup Ships Annapolis began to wind up. The yard’s supervisor, Lieutenant Commander W. H. Leahy, was transferred to the Navy’s Bureau of Ships, and George Barr, a civilian who had been a professional yacht skipper and spar maker, became the new Supervisor of Shipbuilding.
Getting a job done right the first time is critical in this business. That’s why a complete inspection of the boat precedes the cleaning process. This includes evaluating the vessel’s condition, identifying areas that require special attention and creating a designed detailing plan. Using the highest quality products, the boat is then meticulously washed to remove dirt and salt deposits. Polishing restores the natural luster of the surfaces, while waxing provides a protective seal. Whether your boat is a power or sailboat, our experienced crews provide the highest standard of service and detail. Our goal is to leave you with a boat that looks like new. Contact us today to set up an appointment. We’re located upstairs, on the left just past Bert Jabins Yacht Yard, down towards the water. We look forward to hearing from you!