The Moorings Launches New Chesapeake Base

by Zuzana Prochazka

The Moorings is opening a new base in Annapolis, Maryland this summer. The newest location will be based in the Annapolis Landing Marina, a lovely facility with a pool, picnic area and café which is only a ten-minute ferry ride from downtown. Although the base is open now, a grand opening event is scheduled for some time in late June.

At its new Chesapeake location, the Moorings will be offering two day charters on their boats, which include two sailing catamarans like this Moorings 3900.

The fleet will initially offer five boats including two Moorings 40.3s (Beneteau 40 monohulls), two Moorings 3900s (Robertson & Caine Leopard 39 catamarans), and one Moorings 393 (Roberson & Caine Leopard 39 power catamaran). Carol Hansen, Marketing Manager for The Moorings North America, expects many of the charters to be weekenders. “Unlike our four or five day minimums at other destinations, in the Chesapeake we have only a two-day minimum with short getaways being the main attraction.”

The Moorings Chesapeake will be based in the Annapolis Landing Marina, a short ferry ride from downtown.

The Moorings operation will be seasonal chartering with the base remaining open from May until October each year. Short-term bareboat and skippered charters are the main focus as no teaching or corporate events are scheduled to be offered at this time. Bookings before June 30, 2012 will enjoy a special surprise with a free bottle of champagne aboard for any charter completed between now and the season’s closing date of October 31, 2012. Hansen adds, “We will offer Evening Starts here, so guests can enjoy an evening in downtown Annapolis, sleep aboard their yacht, and get an early start the next day.”

The Moorings’ parent company, TUI Marine, has launched an aggressive plan to increase its presence in North America which includes an upcoming enhancement of their fleet in Anacortes, Washington and a sister-company debut of the Sunsail base in San Francisco this summer. A Florida destination is under consideration as well. It seems that TUI is optimistic about both the charter market and the economy as they add to their offering all around the U.S.

“Some people want to vacation closer to home so they can skip the long flights and potential language issues,” says Hansen. It remains to be seen from how far away people will come to experience the water towns of the bay, but nearby destinations like Baltimore and St. Michaels are sure to be on everyone’s itinerary. It seems that a Moorings mid-Atlantic charter offering will mix the best of a staycation with a great boating destination close to home.

For more information, visit the Moorings Annapolis page.