Our Fleet
To ensure the comfort of our guests, CRAB has its own fleet of adapted watercraft.
Our Fleet
Our fleet is comprised of six Beneteau First 22A’s, a Gemini Freestyle 399 Power Catamaran and a Martin 16 with a “Sip & Puff” steering system.
CRAB’s Beneteau First 22A’s (A for Adaptive) have been custom modified for guests. The F22A is designed specifically for mobility-impaired sailors and features two chairs mounted directly in the cockpit. The boats also have a 691-pound swing keel, which makes them exceptionally stable.
The Gemini Freestyle 399 Power Catamaran provides opportunity for guests in wheelchairs (who do not want to leave their chairs) to go fishing or cruising on the bay. The adaptive catamaran can accommodate up to five wheelchair guests, plus family members or friends, the opportunity to learn powerboating skills and earn a Maryland Boating Certificate.
Beneteau 22As
Adapted Seating and Steering
CRAB’s Beneteau First 22A’s (A for Adaptive) have been custom modified for guests. The customized F22A are designed for mobility-impaired sailors to sail with little to no assistance. The boat features two racing car bucket seats mounted in the cockpit. The seats have four-point harness seatbelts to keep guests safe and secure while sailing. The boats also have a 691-pound, 5’11”swing keel, which makes them exceptionally stable.
Gemini Freestyle 399
The Dream Catcher was adapted in 2023 to host up to five guests in wheelchairs and is the only boat in the CRAB fleet that is able to accommodate people who prefer not to leave their wheelchairs on the dock. Guests are able to stay in their chair and roll onto the boat using a customized 10’ ramp. The boat has been modified with customized tracks (similar to a van or car) to secure a chair in place. Most of the time, guests in wheelchair prefer to move about on the boat since it is a very stable platform. Dream Catcher is primarily used in support of the CRAB fishing program and for days when there is little or no wind for sailing. In addition, the catamaran has been used as a Race Committee or observation boat for regattas, putting guests right in the middle of the sailing action on the water.
Radio-Controlled Sailboats
Sailed from the CRAB dock
The CRAB fleet has been expanded to include the sport of Radio-Controlled Sailboat racing. This sport allows guests with any disability to use a “play station like” controller to sail a Dragon Boat 65 around a course while competing against other guests. Since the racing takes place from the CRAB marina dock, guests can
remain in their wheelchairs or take a seat while racing with the support of experienced RC-sailboat skippers. This sailing program provides and excellent understanding of the strategy and tactics of sailboat racing without leaving the dock.
Martin 16 – For Sale!
With Sip/Puff Steering
The Martin 16 allows guests with quadriplegia to sail with just their breath! The Sip & Puff system uses two straws for a guest to control the sail and the rudder. In addition, it has a joy stick to control the boat for guests with more mobility. It is currently used in adapted sailing programs around the world for recreational sailing, learn-to-sail programs, and racing.
Boarding Our Boats
Guests with any disability are able to board CRAB’s fleet using a transfer slide or a hydraulic lift in order to be placed safely and respectfully into a CRAB sailboat. Guests who are able to stand while supported may use the transfer slide. Guests unable to support their own weight while standing will use the hydraulic lift and sling to get from a wheelchair into the boat. This is CRAB’s operational policy and cannot be deviated from to accommodate a guest’s particular choice. RAB’s F22A’s and Martin 16 require sailors to leave their wheelchairs on the dock and use a transfer slide or hydraulic lift to board.
A transfer slide is a metal box with a hinged extension that unfolds and is positioned as a slide into the boat. There is a handrail on the side of the transfer slide seat to provide guests stability while moving from a chair to the box. After transferring to the seat, guests are secured by a four-point shoulder harness and belt. The process is reversed for disembarking. Click on the link to see the transfer slide boarding process demonstrated: here.
A hydraulic lift is used to lift a guest in a sling from their wheelchair into the F22A bucket seat. The sling is raised by a hydraulic pump and the arm of the lift is swung over the boat’s cockpit seats and lowered to position a guest safely and securely onboard the boat.
The CRAB 40’ power catamaran “Dream Catcher” is primarily used by guests in wheelchairs (who do not want to leave their chairs) to go fishing or cruising on the Bay. Catamarans are widely used by boaters with disabilities and those who do not have a disability because of their stability on the water. A 10’ aluminum ramp is secured to the dock and placed in the boat for guests to roll aboard easily and safely.