What’s Up? Feature: Historic 1935 Yacht Lady Patty Begins a New Chapter with St. Michaels Sailing Charters
Lady Patty was just featured in What’s Up Media’s local news section of their website! See the full article here or read below!
St. Michaels Sailing Charters is proud to announce the addition of Lady Patty, a historic 1935 wooden ketch, to its fleet. Built in Solomons Island, Maryland, Lady Patty brings nearly a century of maritime history back to the Chesapeake Bay and into the heart of St. Michaels.
Originally designed as an offshore racing yacht, Lady Patty competed along the Southern Ocean Racing Conference circuit in Florida, including a notable victory from St. Petersburg to Havana. Her original owner later sailed her through the Panama Canal to San Francisco, where she competed in the legendary Transpacific Yacht Race from California to Hawaii. In later years, she was used as a live-aboard yacht and was eventually modified for USCG inspected vessel charter operations.
From 1995 to 2020, Lady Patty operated as a charter vessel out of Tilghman Island, becoming a familiar and well-loved presence on the Chesapeake Bay. Following her sale in 2020, she spent four seasons sailing out of Nantucket before returning to Chesapeake waters with her acquisition by St. Michaels Sailing Charters.
Carefully maintained and restored several times during her lifetime, Lady Patty still retains her original wooden cockpit, cabin, wheel, and masts, and can accommodate up to 13 passengers for safe and comfortable sailing experiences.
For owners GM and Laura Bell, bringing Lady Patty back to the Chesapeake Bay was both intentional and personally very satisfying.
“Lady Patty has such a long history on these waters, and it felt important to bring her home,” said GM Bell. “She represents the kind of hands-on, authentic sailing experience that I experienced growing up in the St. Michaels area and on the Chesapeake.”
In 2026, the Bells will begin operating from a longtime charter dock in St. Michaels Harbor following the departure of the Selina II, which returned to her home port of Greenport, New York after more than 20 years as a beloved fixture in St. Michaels. Continuing that legacy holds special meaning for GM, who spent several summers working as first mate for Captain Iris aboard Selina II.
GM Bell has been sailing since childhood and previously taught junior sailing at the Miles River Yacht Club in St. Michaels. His sailing experience spans the Chesapeake Bay, the Bahamas, the U.S. East Coast, the Mediterranean, Mexico, and Hawaii, and he has held a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license since 2014. Laura Bell also grew up sailing and brings her creative background as owner of Laura’s Focus Photography to the business.
St. Michaels Sailing Charters now offers two distinct sailing experiences: a historic sail aboard Lady Patty or a modern luxury experience aboard Epiphany, a 44-foot catamaran. Both vessels host public sails and private charters, emphasizing relaxed, small-group experiences led by knowledgeable captains and crew.
“We are excited to continue to help people experience something truly special, a sailing experience on the Chesapeake Bay. It was such a lucky experience I had as a child with my family that we hope to bring to locals as well as tourists coming to the area for a weekend getaway.” Laura Bell said.
Lady Patty and Epiphany will begin charter operations out of St. Michaels harbor in April 2026.
