SSCA is now taking applications for our 2026 Board of Directors. Applications are open now until August 1, 2025.

2025 Chesapeake Bay SSCA GAM at the Maryland Yacht Club, Pasadena MD
September 26 to 28, 2025
Key Note Speaker: Nigel Calder
Expert Knowledge on Boat Electronics and Mechanics

Come by car or boat to hear from cruising services leaders and wide-ranging cruisers. There will be ‘hands-on’ sessions, plus social and happy hour events! New this year will
be an option for Safety for Cruising Couples. The GAM/Conference is open to SSCA members and non-members. Save the dates!
From Friday Potluck BBQ, CPR, cruising topics, boat mechanics..three days of fellowship.

Annapolis Cruisers' Monthly Lunch
SSCA is proud to announce continuation of our monthly luncheons at Leeward market in Eastport, MD.

This summer, SSCA expands support of Marine HF radio nets to seasonal regional nets for the Chesapeake and southern New England, in addition to the Maine net of recent years. The seasonal nets will operate on separate frequencies at 0700 hours ET:
Chesapeake Bay: mid-May to end October: 4417 (4C)
Southern New England: mid-June to mid-September: 4149 (4B)
Maine: July 1 to mid-September: 4006 at 0700 and 6227 (6B) at 0715 same OCC net as previous years

Marine HF radio nets enable cruisers to know who is nearby whom the cruiser may not otherwise know is nearby. Contact may even be the next boat in the anchorage. Plans can be made with friends. The nets are open to all cruisers.
SSCA nets are supported by AI feeds(HAL) summarizing weather, navigation issues, and fun events of interest. Contact Homebase for information to start a net (VHF or HF)!
Seasonal nets serve Bahamas, Caribbean and many other cruising areas with news & weather.

In Willoughby Bay, just south of the Chesapeake Bay entrance and adjacent to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, a coastal marina is preparing for a transformation. Willoughby Marina, a popular stop for both sail and power cruisers making their north-south voyages along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), has secured a $1.5 million grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant. And new SSCA Cruising Station Host/Clean Wake site! Despite the scale of the project, Willoughby Marina remains open during construction. Transient slips available, anchorage is permitted nearby, and tenders from anchored vessels are welcome to come ashore. Visitors can enjoy a full-service restaurant and bar, hot showers, laundry, and friendly on-site staff.Located north of insurance tropic areas, the bay is now a destination for catamarans, full-time cruisers, and vessels seeking seasonal berths. To inquire about availability contact MGR La’Nika Jackson (757) 583-5150.

SSCA Islesboro GAM Returns to Maine – August 23 2025
Islesboro, Maine – (Rain Day August 24)
The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) is excited to announce the return of its Islesboro GAM in August 2025. This year’s gathering will once again take place at the beautiful family home of Molly and Barry DeGrasse on Islesboro Island, Maine. Now hosted by Richard DeGrasse and Nita Villarreal this event is located in the scenic Penobscot Bay, Islesboro provides a perfect backdrop for the SSCA’s ongoing tradition of hosting regional gatherings for cruising enthusiasts. Join Richard and Nite as they continue the Degrasse tradition on Islesboro Island. Join us! Registration opens June 1, 2025. for details email office@ssca.org.

The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) is excited to announce the return of its 2025 Annual Cruising Conference (GAM), set to take place from November 14-16, 2025, at the Front Street Civic Center in Melbourne, Florida. This event will bring together cruising enthusiasts, experts, and maritime professionals for three days of seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The SSCA GAMs are highly anticipated events for cruisers congregating at harbors and ports. GAMs or gatherings offer sharing of valuable insights on a variety of topics crucial to the cruising lifestyle. This year, the event will feature an exciting lineup of speakers, including experts in electronics, weather forecasting, boat maintenance, and more. Notable speakers include Commodore Scott Berg, weather guru Chris Parker, and Bob Sherer, known for his work on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Attendees will also have the chance to hear from insurance professionals, boat surveyors, and other industry leaders.

Dave and Sherry McCampbell discuss the advantages of using satellite imagery with OpenCPN for close-in navigation in remote areas.

All Cruisers' Workshop articles can be found on the SSCA website in the Document Library and accessed from the Publication Menu's Cruisers' Workshop page as well. The McCampbell article may be found in the workshop's Navigation and Underway section.