The Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium (CSYS) was first held in 1974 and has been held every odd-numbered year since then. The symposium was started with primary backing from the local SNAME Section and presentations were given covering a broad range of sailing-related subjects, from low-tech to high-tech.

Over the years, a variety of competing lectures and workshops surfaced in the Annapolis area. These events covered less technical subjects but drew away a portion of the traditional CSYS audience. In response to this trend, the CSYS Steering Committee made the decision to cater to the more technical-oriented sailors. As a result of that move, the CSYS has evolved to become recognized world-wide as the source to refer to for information on sailing yacht technology. Authors and participants now travel from around the world to attend these symposia, present papers and exchange ideas on sailing.

In addition to attracting and presenting technical papers of the highest quality, the CSYS has an unparalleled record in publishing papers on sailing technology and in making them available to designers, students and regular sailors alike. All of the original volumes of papers have been archived and those that are not still available in their original bindings can be obtained in bound photocopied form. An electronic version of the entire set of volumes will be available on CD by the time of the 19th CSYS in March of 2009.

If you have an interest in sailing technology but have never attended the CSYS, don't miss out any longer. The next symposium is scheduled for March of 2009 and designers from as far away as Australia and Japan will do what it takes to get here. By attending the symposium you have the opportunity to visit with old friends and make new acquaintances in the sailing world. Coffee breaks between presentation sessions overflow with enthusiastic sailing talk and provide a wonderful opportunity for authors and attendees to socialize. The 19th CSYS promises to be another memorable event, not to be missed.

We hope to see you in Annapolis for the 20th CSYS in March 2011!