Annual switch from sails to power is a party in itself

To get more than 200 sailboats out of the Annapolis harbor in under three hours, Tom McGarry relied on the power of a Tootsie Pop.

As an assistant dockmaster for the United States Sailboat Show, which wrapped up yesterday, the Annapolis man headed up the duties of dismantling the floating docks and moving them out of the way, allowing sailboats to leave and powerboats to arrive for the United States Powerboat Show, which opens to VIPs on Thursday.

Along with wrenches and hammers, he keeps a stash of his sugary secret weapons for the dozens of people helping him. Mr. McGarry hands them a lollipop to get a buzz going - and to...