Such a Deale  
The anomalous little waterfront town of Deale, Md., sprawls along the north shore of Herring Bay, where it has attracted a population of watermen, charterboat captains and assorted Beltway fugitives. The place is neither upscale nor kitschy, says contributing writer Michael Brown, who pulled into a small marina near Deale’s main drag and set out to discover the eclectic mix of people and places that make the town tick.

Good Men Down  
Nearly 30 years ago, the captain and crew of the skipjack Claud W. Somers set out from Deal Island on a breezy March morning to run a few licks over the dredging grounds off Hooper Island. Within hours they were fighting for their lives in the teeth of a March gale. They lost the fight. When managing editor Jane Meneely looked into the Somers tragedy, she found few answers, and a community still puzzling over what happened and why.

Sacred Places  
Editor-at-large Connie Bond and
photographer Scott Sullivan
take a look at some of the stunning
places of worship that grace
the Chesapeake waterfront.

Off the Charts 
Back to School—Paddling her kayak, Wendy Mitman Clarke finds lessons worth learning just about everywhere she looks.

Nautical Know-How 
Logging Time—Mariners have recorded their comings and goings in logbooks since time immemorial. Writer Donald Launer gives us a history of the practice and tells us how to set up a logbook of our own.

Time Tested 
Catch of the Day—Inspired by the rugged workboats of Maine, the Stanley 36 is a dream of a powerboat, whether you’re cruising, fishing or pulling pots.
by John Page Williams

Marina Hopping 
A Spot of Luxury—Contributing writer Paul Clancy cruised into Reedville Marina for dinner at the marina’s Crazy Crab restaurant. He found a lovely facility with plenty of charm—and great food.

Cruise of the Month 
Firemen’s Fourth—Writer Diana Prentice cruises to Onancock, Va., for the annual firemen’s carnival.

Me & My Boat 
Deadrise Adventures—When Betty Scott and her husband Jim McMullen began looking for the boat of their dreams, they went no farther than the Bay’s Eastern Shore for a classic deadrise design.

Angler’s Almanac 
A Tool for All Seasons—John Page Williams says that light-tackle jigging is about as versatile as any angling technique he knows. The experts agree.

Stern Lines 
A Possum’s Tale—Ed Buhrer dons his shining armor and rescues not one but three baby possums (possi?).

On the cover: Donnybrook’s spinnaker begins to bloom in the breeze.
Photograph by Vince Lupo