#1
Four-Hour Private Charter of the Presidential Yacht, USS Sequoia

Sultana Projects is honored to offer a four-hour private charter of the Presidential Yacht, USS Sequoia as the feature item in our 2008 auction. Sequoia is a fully restored, 104-foot, 1925 Trumpy-designed yacht that has served more than nine U.S. Presidents and is perhaps the most important piece of Americana that remains in private hands.  Sequoia was the scene of some of America's most historic events: It was used during the Harding administration to enforce Prohibition; FDR and Eisenhower planned D-day; Truman decided to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and later conducted the world's first nuclear arms control summit; Eisenhower entertained Korean War veterans; Kennedy celebrated his last (46th) birthday party; LBJ lobbied for civil rights legislation, and planned Vietnam War strategy; Nixon negotiated the first arms control treaty with the Soviet Union, and later decided to resign; Gerald Ford conducted cabinet meetings on board and President Ronald W. Reagan met all of the nation's 50 Governors at the Sequoia's gangplank in Richmond, Virginia.

The high bidder for this item will have the unique pleasure of hosting a four-hour private party on Sequoia for up to 49 guests sailing on the Potomac River from Washington DC.   Catering costs are not included with this item and must be arranged with a caterer that is acceptable to the USS Sequoia.

Donor: Gary Silversmith / USS Sequoia
Estimated/Retail Value: 12,500
Learn more about Sequoia at www.sequoiayacht.com

#2
Exclusive Use of the PNC Skybox at Camden Yards for 18 guests for a 2009 Baltimore Orioles Game

Have you ever wanted to watch a Major League Baseball game in style?  Have you wanted not just good seats for the game, but the best?   This is your chance!  You and up to 18 friends can spend an afternoon or evening watching the Baltimore Orioles play from the comfort of the fully stocked PNC Bank skybox at Camden Yards.  The stadium that started the trend of old-fashioned ballparks, Camden Yards is widely ranked among the top Major League ballparks in the United States.

The high bidder for this item is entitled to use of the PNC Skybox at Camden Yards on a mutually agreeable date during the 2009 Baltimore Orioles schedule.  PNC Bank will provide the winner with 4-6 possible 2009 dates for the winner to select from once the 2009 Baltimore Orioles schedule has been published (Sorry– no Yankees or Red Sox games will be available).   Use of the Skybox includes complementary catering and refreshments provided by PNC Bank.  A representative of PNC Bank must be present during the event.

Donor: PNC Bank
Estimated/ Retail Value: $6,000

#3
Three-Hour Charter of the Last Trumpy “Sirius”    

Spend an evening in style on board the 60-foot, 1972 Trumpy yacht “Sirius.”   The last yacht built at the famed Trumpy Yard in Annapolis, Maryland, Sirius is considered among the finest private yachts in the United States.  Sirius has recently been completely redecorated and refitted and is in absolutely pristine condition.

The high bidder for this item is entitled to a three-hour private, catered cruise for up to six people on their choice of the Chester, Miles or Wye rivers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland between October 4 and 19, 2008.  The winner may consult with Sirius’s professional captain to select a suitable departure and return dock – including a private residence.  The dock must be capable of accommodating a 60-foot vessel, drawing four feet of water.   

Donor: Susanne Max
Estimated/Retail Value: $3,500

#4
Fifteen-Foot “Diablo” Custom Motor Skiff

 A classic in modern small boat design, the plans for the “Diablo” were originally drawn up by marine architect Phil Bolger and popularized Harold Payson, author of “Instant Boats.”  The 15-foot long “Diablo” available for this auction was crafted by John Hollingsworth of Chestertown, Maryland and features beautiful bright work and a customized side console.   Suitable for up to 4 passengers, the Diablo skims along the water and makes a great fishing and sightseeing boat that can easily be trailered to small creeks and rivers around the Chesapeake.  The boat comes with a 28-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor and a road ready galvanized trailer. 

The high bidder for this item will walk away with the 15-foot Diablo boat, 28 horse-power Evinrude motor and trailer.   The Diablo, motor and trailer will be on display and available for inspection at the auction on September 20, 2008.  While Sultana Projects believes the boat, motor and trailer to be in excellent working condition, it makes no warranties or guarantees for the vessel or equipment which are offered in “as-is” condition. Individuals wishing to test drive or otherwise inspect the vessel prior to the September 20^th auction may contact the Sultana Project’s office at 410-778-5954. 

Donor: John Hollingsworth
Estimated/Retail Value: $3,000

#5
One Week Deluxe Golf Vacation for Four
at the Heritage Palms Country Club in
Ft. Meyers, Florida

This is your chance to spend a week relaxing and golfing at the Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club.  Heritage Palms is considered to be one of the finest County Clubs and Gated Communities in South West Florida and features two separate Azinger/Lewis designed 18-hole golf courses serenely situated around a 38 acre lake.  

When you are finished golfing, there are plenty of other things to do at Heritage Palms.  The resort features two distinct clubhouses that offer formal and informal dining, a spa, cabana, a lighted tennis center with Har Tru courts, fitness center, heated swimming pools, practice greens, billiards, bocci courts and the famous pool side “Tiki Bar.”

The high bidder for this item will be entitled to a week-long stay for four people in a beautiful two bedroom, 1998 square-foot unit at Heritage Palms during 2008/9 during dates that are mutually agreeable to the winner and the owner/donor.   The owner/donor has assured us that there are very few dates that would be unavailable to the high bidder.  The entire property is in pristine condition, so this is a truly great opportunity.  Sorry, no children under five years of age.  Modest greens fees must be paid by winner (about $25 per day). 

To see the Heritage Palms website visit:  www.heritagepalmscountryclub.org

Donor: Bonnie & Frank Stein
Estimated/Retail Value: $3,000

#6
Chesapeake Light Craft “Mill Creek 13” Kayak

Ever since WoodenBoat Magazine featured Chesapeake Light Craft’s “Mill Creek 13” kayak in a two-issue spread in 1997, the Mill Creek 13 has been built in the thousands. And why not?  They look good and even though they are more stable than most kayaks, the Mill Creek 13 offers good speed and handling that you'll never get tired of.

The Mill Creek 13 was designed as a wider, shorter, and more stable alternative to the typical sea kayak. It offers the stability sought by nature photographers, fly fishermen, and birders. The most versatile paddling designs in the Chesapeake Light Craft lineup, the Mill Creek 13 is a true high-performance boat. That is, if high performance is defined as comfort, good handling, rewarding speed, stability, and classic good looks.  The Mill Creek 13 has found fans among paddlers of all skill levels because they offer so much boat in such a light and easy-to-manage package.

The high bidder for this item will walk away with a completely finished Mill Creek 13 built by John Hollingsworth of Chestertown, Maryland.   The kayak will be on display and available for inspection prior to the auction on September 20. 

Donor: John Hollingsworth
Estimated/Retail Value: $1,400 

#7
A Week at Echo Hill Camp Sail/Ski School
August 20-26, 2009

Situated on the shores of the Northern Chesapeake Bay, Echo Hill Camp enjoys one of the most idyllic locations imaginable for a children’s summer camp.  With over a mile of pristine shoreline and acres of fields and forest, Echo Hill is close to nature and isolated from the pressures of city life and the demands of the school year.  Each year Echo Hill Camp offers a week-long “Sail/Ski School” at the close of its summer season.  Limited to about 30 children, Echo Hill’s Sail/Ski School is a unique opportunity for children to learn the basics of sailing and water skiing in a relaxed, fun environment.  

The high bidder for this item is entitled to send one child between the ages of 7 and 16 to Echo Hill Camp Sail/Ski School during the week of August 20-26, 2009.  

Donor: Peter and Libby Rice/Echo Hill Camp
Estimate/Retail Value: $895
Learn more on the web at www.echohillcamp.com

#8
An Evening of Wine Tasting for Six
in a Historic Water Street Home

Consummate wine collector and enthusiast Kirk Wade will treat you and up to five of your friends to a tasting and discussion of personally selected wines from his cellar.  Across from Widehall, you won’t find a more elegant, comfortable setting for the event than this exquisite Water Street home in Chestertown’s Historic District. Kirk will let you choose the grape – Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Shiraz/Syrah, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc and he will pick wines from his cellar that reflect the many styles of wine that are made from that grape in various wine producing regions of the world.  The tasting will be arranged for with the host at a mutually agreeable time in 2008/9.

Donor: Kirk and Laura Wade
Estimate/Retail Value: $500