About CSYS

About CSYS

The Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium (CSYS) was first held in 1974 and occurred every odd number year through 2013. Beginning in 2016 the CSYS has shifted to a three year cycle.  This allows CSYS, The High Performance Yacht Design Conference (NZ) and Innovsail (FRANCE) to work together to insure each conference has the highest quality papers and largest attendance. 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 one of the world's richest sources for information on sailing yacht technology.  Authors and participants 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 have been scanned, archived and are available for download.

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 2025.

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. 

We look forward to welcoming you to CSYS in 2025.