The skipjack H.M. Krentz is the perfect setting for your private event. This beautiful boat, one of America's only remaining skipjacks, can hold up to 32 passengers and provides a wonderful atmosphere for special events such as:
On your private sail, you may have the opportunity to:
Make your private event a memorable experience by enjoying an incredible and unforgettable sail upon the one and only H.M. Krentz!
- Birthdays
- Weddings
- Office parties
- Team building
- School trips
On your private sail, you may have the opportunity to:
- Sail and explore the beauty of the fabled St. Michaels on the Bay.
- Learn how to dredge for oysters!
- Forget the present and experience the historical life of a waterman.
- Hear exciting stories about the fascinating past of oystering and the rise and fall of skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay.
- Learn about the local ecology and look for wildlife including osprey and other waterfowl.
- Just sit back and relax and enjoy the delightful atmosphere!
Make your private event a memorable experience by enjoying an incredible and unforgettable sail upon the one and only H.M. Krentz!
What Is Not Included?
Admission to the Chesapeake Maritime Museum is not included in the ticket price.
Meeting Location
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (St. Michaels, MD)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- Can I book a private charter?
- To book a private charter aboard the H.M. Krentz, please click on the “Contact SailHMKrentz” link. Someone from our staff will return your inquiry shortly and help you plan an amazing sail.
- How many people does the boat hold?
- The H.M. Krentz can hold 32 passengers in addition to the crew.
- Where can our private charter leave from?
- Our home port is the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, however, we can relocate the vessel to a port of convenience for private groups for an additional charge. We regularly visit Cambridge, Oxford, Kent Narrows, Annapolis, and Tilghman Island.
- Are food and drinks allowed on the boat?
- You are encouraged to bring your own food and beverages, as we do not sell any food or drinks on board. On private charters we can also arrange for catered picnics, cocktails and hor d’oeuvres. So, please let us know if you are interested in any refreshments for your private event.
- What can we do on the sail?
- Not only will you will take in the breathtaking beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, but you can also learn about the ecology of the area in an exciting and fun way! Captain Ed is more than happy to share his wealth of knowledge gained during his 40 years of industry experience. His passion for the Chesapeake Bay, oyster dredging, and the preservation of historic skipjack boats, will keep you fascinated as you're surrounded by the beauty of the Bay. However, if you prefer to just sit back, relax and enjoy the views, that's fine too.
- Do you really raise the sails and turn the motor off?
- Yes we do. We want to give our guests a full sailing experience so as long as there is wind, we will sail. We only use the engine for a few minutes at each end of trip, to help us get into and out of our slip.
- Is there a restroom on the boat?
- Yes, we have a marine head located below deck. Please note that the restroom is not handicap-accessible as guests must take four steps down to access the cabin area. There are bathrooms available for use at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and we encourage guests to use those before the tour departs.
- Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
- We regularly accommodate people in wheelchairs on our tours, but please note there is a 10" drop from the rail to the deck, so our staff will need to assist with getting people directly onto the vessel. If anyone in group has limited mobility or is in a wheelchair, please let us know when booking your tickets. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please click on the "Contact SailHMKrentz" link to request more information.
- How steady is the sailing? Am I likely to get seasick?
- The H.M. Krentz is a 70 ft. boat with at 49 ft. deck that was built specifically for the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. This creates a very steady and smooth ride, unlikely to cause seasickness. However, if you are prone to motion sickness you may want to consider taking precautions prior to the tour. We cannot actually advise you to take any specific medication.
- Is there any shade or covered area on the boat?
- The H.M. Krentz has a 49 ft. expansive open deck that is perfect for soaking in the sun and enjoying the breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay. There is usually some shade from the sails on at least one side of the boat, but other than that there is no other covered area of the boat.
- Do you have life jackets on board?
- We are a US Coast Guard certified passenger vessel, so we are required to carry sufficient life jackets for emergency use.
- What is a skipjack?
- Built specifically for oyster dredging the Chesapeake Bay, skipjacks are a type of sailing boat that originated in the late 1800s. Their characteristic wide planks and open decks, which are low to the ocean surface, make them ideal for relaxing cruises. While skipjacks once populated the Chesapeake Bay by the thousands, their upkeep was heavily neglected during the 1900s, making the H.M. Krentz one of only 24 remaining skipjacks in the country, and one of just a handful suitable for sailing excursions.
Refund/Rescheduling Policy
- Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.
- Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
Weather Policy
- Activity may be cancelled due to severe weather.
- The activity usually runs in light rain and other moderate weather conditions, but the seller may cancel the activity up to an hour before the start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. If the seller cancels the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability) or receive credit for a future event.
Other Policies
- All participants are required to have tickets for this event.
- Our boat is United States Coast Guard documented for a certain amount of passengers and we cannot exceed the capacity. This means that all passengers including infants and toddlers must have a ticket.
Skipjack H.M. Krentz
The Skipjack H.M. Krentz provides unforgettable sailing tours that are relaxing, fun, and educational. Built in 1955 as an oyster dredging boat for the Chesapeake Bay, the H.M. Krentz is now available for private and public sailing tours and offers an unrivaled way to experience this incredible area.
USCG licensed Captain Ed, who has personally restored and sailed skipjacks for 40 years, will share inside knowledge about the Chesapeake and the history of oystering. Unlike any other sailing tour, your time on the H.M. Krentz will be a memory that you will never forget!
Be sure to stop in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum before or after your sail to see the Rosie Parks, a skipjack built in 1955 which is going through a major restoration in full public view for all to enjoy. Museum admission is not included in the ticket price.
USCG licensed Captain Ed, who has personally restored and sailed skipjacks for 40 years, will share inside knowledge about the Chesapeake and the history of oystering. Unlike any other sailing tour, your time on the H.M. Krentz will be a memory that you will never forget!
Be sure to stop in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum before or after your sail to see the Rosie Parks, a skipjack built in 1955 which is going through a major restoration in full public view for all to enjoy. Museum admission is not included in the ticket price.
