Seven Seas Cruising Association announces 23rd Annual Downeast Gam

by Barbara Theisen on 5 Jul 2013 Cruisers heading to Maine this summer should mark their calendars for the 23rd Annual SSCA Downeast Gam at Gilkey’s Harbor, Islesboro, Maine.

The gam will be held on August 3, 2013, to give cruisers time to arrive, cruise Maine or Nova Scotia then head back south. This year's gam will kick off on Friday afternoon, August 2 with a dinghy raft-up cocktail party. Come ashore Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 and bring your contribution to the potluck lunch at Dick and Kathy de Grasse's cottage on Islesboro Island. Coordinates 44º16.9'N, 68º 55.9'W will put you in sheltered Broad Cove in front of the cottage. There's plenty of room to anchor in all-weather Gilkey's Harbor.

Dinghies can land on the seaweed beach in front of the cottage or tie up at the town dock (free) and walk ¼ mile to the cottage. Following lunch, Rob Snyder, the incoming president of the Maine Island Institute, will speak about the economic challenges and opportunities of Maine's coast and islands: what you need to know while cruising. T-shirts will be for sale. SSCA members and non-members are welcome. Sixty-three boats anchored in the harbor last year. For more information contact SSCA Commodores Dick and Kathy de Grasse, s/v Endeavour at 207-734-6948.

Seven Seas Cruising Association, Inc. is the largest organization of voyaging cruisers in the world. The goals of the original founders are still the goals of SSCA today: sharing cruising information, camaraderie, and leaving a clean wake. Founded in 1952, SSCA is celebrating 61 years of making cruising dreams come true. Go to www.ssca.org and take the Virtual Tour to find out more.

gam (gam) n. : A social visit or friendly interchange, especially between sailors or seafarers.