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SSCA Announces 2026 Chesapeake Bay GAM at Maryland Yacht Club
Three-day gathering brings cruisers together for education, fellowship, expert presentations and opportunities to share cruising experiences
PASADENA, MD — September 4, 2026 — The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) will host its 2026 Chesapeake Bay GAM October 2–4 at the Maryland Yacht Club in Pasadena, Maryland, bringing cruising sailors together for three days of education, fellowship, networking and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
Held annually ahead of the fall Annapolis Sailboat Show, the Chesapeake Bay GAM has become a signature event for the cruising community and is the largest event on SSCA’s calendar. The gathering attracts everyone from circumnavigators and experienced offshore cruisers to sailors who spend their seasons in the Bahamas, Caribbean and along the U.S. East Coast.
This year’s program features an extensive lineup of presentations, workshops, demonstrations and informal opportunities for cruisers to connect and share information about their favorite cruising destinations and experiences.
The GAM officially gets underway Friday, October 2, with two optional educational courses designed to provide valuable hands-on knowledge for cruisers.
The Safety for Cruising Couples seminar, created by the Cruising Club of America, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and focuses specifically on short-handed sailing for couples in coastal waters. Topics include skipper and crew partnerships, position and navigation, emergency communications, dealing with emergencies, preparing yourself and your boat, and more. Lunch is included with the course.
An American Heart Association CPR/AED/First Aid certification course will also be offered Friday afternoon from noon to 4 p.m., providing participants with essential emergency-response skills.
Friday evening transitions from education to camaraderie, with early registration, a welcome from SSCA President Joan Conover, a happy hour and potluck, followed by a bonfire, weather permitting.
Saturday and Sunday feature a broad range of presentations addressing the practical realities of cruising.
Featured topics include marine weather, boat selection, sail plans and storm sails, navigation, emergency preparedness, international cruising and insurance, medical care, provisioning, satellite communications and emergency radio scenarios.
Presenters include Chris Parker of Marine Weather Center, Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates, Stephanie Sweeney of Evolution Sails, Ed Tillett of Waterway Guide, Jon Bloomberg of Core Medical, Scott Stusek of Risk Strategies, Arno Chrispeels of Health is International, Jeff Foulk and David Rowe of Argo, and many other experienced members of the cruising community.
Destination Discussions and Hands-On Demonstrations
The GAM will also provide opportunities for attendees to connect around specific cruising destinations, with destination discussions covering Maritime Canada, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Eastern Caribbean, the Caribbean, the Chesapeake and the Atlantic.
Safety demonstrations will be another important component of the weekend. Landfall Navigation will present a flare and life raft demonstration, while other sessions will explore emergency communications, including VHF and HF radio, ePIRBs, Wi-Fi calling through Starlink and Iridium, DSC, and updating daily float plans with ePIRB contacts.
Saturday evening will feature a raffle and auction, dinner and the event’s keynote presentation by Melanie Neale.
The weekend concludes Sunday with additional presentations, a nautical flea market, and a panel discussion featuring experienced cruisers discussing “What we do – cruising, Q&A.”
The 2026 Chesapeake Bay GAM will also introduce attendees to HAL, SSCA’s AI Tool, with sessions on both the tool’s capabilities and installation. Joan Conover and Frank Smith will lead the HAL introduction and installation sessions during Saturday’s program.
While education is at the heart of the GAM, SSCA emphasizes that the event is also about the cruising community itself. The weekend provides numerous opportunities for sailors to meet one another, exchange hard-earned knowledge and build connections with others who share a passion for cruising.
The event registration includes all Saturday and Sunday sessions, while meals are available separately. A complimentary continental breakfast is offered Saturday and Sunday, and Friday evening’s potluck and meet-and-greet is complimentary.
Maryland Yacht Club is also offering SSCA 2026 Chesapeake Bay GAM attendees a 45% discount on nightly, weekly or monthly slip fees through November 15, with reservations made through Dockwa.
The Chesapeake Bay GAM is open to both SSCA members and non-members, making it an opportunity for the broader cruising community to participate.
What: 2026 Chesapeake Bay GAM
When: October 2–4, 2026
Where: Maryland Yacht Club
1500 Fairview Beach Rd.
Pasadena, MD
Registration is required, and attendees who want to guarantee meals are encouraged to register online.
Registration and complete event information:
https://ssca.org/2026ChesapeakeGAM
For registration assistance, contact SSCA at office@ssca.org or 754-702-5068.
About the Seven Seas Cruising Association
The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) is a community of cruising sailors dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences and resources to help fellow cruisers enjoy safer, more informed and rewarding adventures on the water.