Free Security Seminar of Superyacht Captains


Superyacht Captains their crews and managers are invited by IGY to update themselves on current trends and security-related issues in the super yachting community at a special seminar to be held on January 11-12, 2011 at Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas, USVI.

The programme includes presentations from government representatives and industry experts on the relevant security issues impacting the yachting and marina communities, and the sharing of best practices.

Attendees will receive a Certificate of Participation in an Executive Level Security Exercise conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard that meets the requirements mandated by the international ISPS Code and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act on conducting an annual vessel security exercise.

The Maritime Security Council will also conduct a Security Awareness Briefing for those captains and crew that participated in the conference. This briefing will outline the security issues facing yacht personnel and provide situational training to security incidents.

The Maritime Security Council will conduct a vessel security audit for vessels of participating captains.  The audit will address requirements designated by international regulations and provide recommendations when appropriate.

This event is free for Captains and crew who pre-register for the event.  The way to do that is to visit www.maritimesecurity.org

Italian Superyacht Specialist Opens New Office


Top Yachting journalist Piero Ragazzi, writes as a reporter for the Italian magazine Vela e Motore but there is more to his activities besides this

He additionally runs a Technical Office offering a wide range of superyacht services in the Italian market operating worldwide in both the technical and commercial sectors of the industry

The firm has recently opened a new office inside the new Porto Mirabello Harbour, at La Spezia and is at the same time launching their all-new website www.pieroragazzi.com

La Spezia is fast becoming one of the most important superyacht centres in northern Italy, and Ragazzi is encountering an ever-increasing number of requests for locally based services from foreign customers.

From Survey work to Safety Inspections from Compass Swinging to total yacht, Ragazzi does it all and if he does it as well as he writes about boating then he is a good name to keep inside your contact book.

Updated list of Moorings for Sale

Click here to see them!

Some new additions ..... Nov 2010


Skipper removing obsolete cabling  

25 November 2010

I haven't been too idle. There's a couple of additions below. On this years Cruising Summary - Cruisin, Boozin & Snoozin 2010, (either arrow down or click on Yearly Roundups in the Labels) I have now added a map of all the anchorages for this season. You can click on the anchor and get a brief description of the anchorage.

I have also added the "Cost of Cruising" at the end of that blog post. This covers all our cruising related expenses for our 2010 Season.
Fat Freddy the Fender, winner of the best
 dressed fender competition

Also added is another Balvenie Blog (as if one isn't keeping me busy enough). This is our Cruising Info Blog for those behind us that love all info but don't need all the great pictures and stories when they want to print it off. So if you are one of those take a look at http://balveniescruisinginfo.blogspot.com/

I am very receptive to feedback on both my blogs so send us an email (with Balvenies blog in the subject) with anything.

Now back to the sewing machine, in the middle of 9 new fender covers, running a little short of fabric so have commandeered a rather over-sized sweatshirt for our big fat ball fender, he is now looking so dapper I'm not sure he should be put back into service!!!    Meanwhile Skipper is playing in our 'spaghetti junction' removing all the wiring related to the obsolete equipment we have removed, we are nearly up to 200 metres removed!!!!  - what fun
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Whats on this weekend?

Friday night is Steak Night again, and the draw now stands at R3-200

Raffle tickets for the Christmas Cake on sale at R5-00

Boks vs England - Big Screen, Surround Sound, and Cold Beer of course

Only 10 tickets left for Christmas Party, dont miss out

Join Dick Jaeger of SY Tryer for his interesting tale "Towards Madagascar and Inside the island" next Thursday 2/12 at 7pm.

HBYC Welcomes the ARC Fleet!

HBYC is very happy to have some of the ARC Fleet with us for a few weeks! The ARC Fleet (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) is a fantastic event involving primarily Cruisers but also a few fast boats. Unfortunately I have been out of town so dont have pics to post yet - read more at

www.worldcruising.com/arc 

www.arcfanzone.com

 

or search for them them on Facebook. Photos will follow!

Charter Yacht Catamaran Solitude - Special Offer

The charter yacht Solitude, a 46-foot Fontaine Pajot catamaran, has a special offer for charters taking place between now and December 15, 2010.

 Catamaran SOLITUDE - Sailing Vacations in the Virgin Islands

Solitude has a crew of two, is fully air conditioned, and accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 cabins with Queen berths and private, ensuite heads. (Inquire for 9-10 guests). Solitude has a 13-foot dinghy with 40HP outboard, waterskis, kneeboard, wakeboard, tube, 2-person kayak, boogie board, snorkel gear, PlayStation 2, TV/DVD in salon...

SPECIAL RATE: Charters taking place before December 15, 2010 (BVI taxes included)
  • 2 guests: $6799/week
  • 4 guests: $7289/week
  • 6 guests: $7779/week
  • 8 guests: $8269/week
Solitude also has discounted rates for:
  • Kids 12 years or younger - $100 off each child with two paying adults
  • Honeymoon/Anniversay - $250 off
  • Discounts cannot be combined with above-mentioned special offer
Sorry, Solitude is BOOKED for Christmas & New Years



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SOLITUDE
View Solitude's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

KALIKOBASS II - New Owner, New Look, New Name... OCEANS SEVEN SQUARED

OCEANS SEVEN SQUARED or OCEANS 72, ex-KALIKOBASS II, has received an updated interior and other upgrades.  She will depart this week from Gibraltar and will arrive in the Caribbean in December.

Charter Yacht OCEANS 72 
Sailing vacations in the Caribbean & Eastern Mediterranean

Captain Matthew “Kippa” Satchwell and Chef Katie French are looking forward to being back in the Caribbean and their first charter over New Years.

OCEANS SEVEN SQUARED has four spacious double staterooms each with King bed which can convert to twin singles.  The two forward guest staterooms have a partition that can be removed to make a large master cabin with centerline King bed. (In this configuration OCEAN 7 Squared is suitable if there are 6 guests or fewer in the charter party.)  All staterooms have ensuite bath with stall shower & seat for added comfort with closing glass door.  Guest staterooms are complete with entertainment center including television, DVD, sound system, beverage refrigerator, safe and air conditioning unit with controls. Crew quarters, galley & crew mess are located aft.

RATES:
  • Winter 2010-11,  Caribbean: $60,000/week plus all expenses for up to 8 guests
  • Summer 2011, Eastern Med (Croatia): € 50,000/week plus all expenses for up to 8 guests



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book OCEANS 72
View Ocean Seven Squared's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Large, Luxury Sailing Yachts for the Holidays

Are you looking for a large, luxurious sailing yacht to charter for the holidays?  Consider Volterra, Clevelander, and Whisper... 7-night holiday charters OK!

VOLTERRA


Charter Yacht Volterra - Caribbean Crewed Yacht Charters
 
80-foot Modern Classic Palmer Johnson Sloop
Sleeps 4-6 guests
3 crew
Available for Christmas through December 26, ending in Martinique
Holiday rate: $25,000/week plus expenses.



CLEVELANDER


Charter Yacht Clevelander - Crewed Caribbean Sailing Vacations

82-foot Frers Nautor Swan Sloop
Sleeps 6 guests
3 crew
Available for Christmas and New Years
Holiday rate: $37,500/week plus expenses



WHISPER

Charter Yacht Whisper - Crewed Caribbean Yacht Charters

116-foot Fontaine/Hood Sloop by Holland Jachtbouw
Sleeps 6 guests
5 crew
Available for Christmas and New Years
Holiday rate: $85,000/week plus expenses
(Holiday charters of 9 days or more at regular rate of $80,000/wk)

Happy Holidays from all of us at Paradise Connections!


Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your holiday sailing vacation
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com





Nautical Greeting Cards from Amazon.com
 

2011 BVI Wreck Week - Promenade cabin week special event!

The charter yacht Promenade, a spacious 65-foot trimaran that accommodates up to 10 guests, announced that they will be participating in BVI Wreck Week which is taking place May 28 - June 4, 2011. This week is open to cabin bookings.


This is the third year that the dive operators and the BVI Tourist Board have teamed together to put on fun diving and activities, both on the water and on shore.

Your BVI Wreck Week charter will include 7 nights aboard Promenade, a fully air conditioned, 65-foot trimaran with a beam of 35 feet... a very stable platform.  The charter fee includes all on-board buffet meals, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, wine with dinner, all diving, and other water sports including fishing, waterskiing, kayaking.

The style of diving on Promenade will be casual. If you are a photographer, please feel free to go at your own pace. If you want a divemaster to lead you, follow Promenade's crew member. If you prefer diving by yourself, after a thorough briefing on the site, go right ahead. If YOU want to get up very early in the morning and jump in the water (as we tend to anchor over dive sites because of night dives this week) feel free to do so, as long as a crew member knows that you are in the water.


Package details:
  • 7 nights' accommodation aboard Promenade (Saturday to Saturday). The first night is on "sleep aboard" terms (See "Day One" in sample itinerary, below)
  • All food and beverages on the yacht, including wine with dinner, cocktail hour (for those not night diving), beer and soda.
  • Unlimited diving featuring the wrecks of the BVI, including a minimum of 3 dives on the wreck of the RMS Rhone (including a night dive).
  • Includes all tank fills
  • BC's and regs are available at an extra cost for those who would like rent, rather than bring their own gear
  • Dive Anegada (weather permitting), including The Chikuzen and also The Rocus and/or The Parametta
  • Special souvenir T-shirt
  • Souvenir chart to map your week
  • NOT included: Crew gratuity
Package price:
  • $1700 per person, based on 2 guests per cabin ($3400/cabin, double occupancy).
  • Two cabins will be available on a "first come/first reserve" basis for single divers. One cabin for guys and one for gals... This is a great opportunity for those divers who can't find a dive buddy to come along with them.


PROMENADE'S SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR BVI WRECK WEEK

Saturday, May 28 through Saturday, June 4, 2011

This is a sample itinerary ONLY. We have two wrecks on Anegada Reef, the Parametta and the Rocus, that we will dive if the weather conditions allow. We do, however, guarantee to hit as many wrecks as we can in the time as we can and to do unlimited diving.


Day One: Board Promenade anytime after 4 pm at Village Cay Marina in Roadtown. The first night will be spent on dock, allowing you to participate in any kick-off parties, and you can choose to have dinner and breakfast at any of our local restaurants. (This is a "sleep aboard" night so tonight's dinner and tomorrow's breakfast services are NOT included in the package price).

Day Two: Promenade will serve a light lunch while sailing over to the wreck of the FEARLESS outside Great Harbor on Peter Island to do our first wreck dive. We will anchor for the evening at Little Harbor on Peter Island.

Day Three: After breakfast, we will dive Carrot Rock on the outside of Peter Island, one of our favorite dive sites, with pinnacles reaching from 70 feet up to the surface. Lunch will be at White Bay at Peter Island with time for a beach excursion or snorkeling trip before we dive “Brown Pants” on the outside of Norman Island, or Santa Monica Rock (so named for the Santa Monica that hit the pinnacles here on April 29, 1783 and subsequently sank at Water Creek on St John). We will anchor for the night at Privateer Bay on Norman Island. This anchorage is also known as the Caves at Treasure Point and the setting of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

Day Four: After a snorkel before breakfast with all the Glassy Eyed Sweepers in the caves, we will take a short hop over to the Indians (so named as they look like an Indian's feathered headdress from a distance), where we will do a dive before sailing up to Salt Island for lunch. After hearing the history of the wreck of the Rhone, we will dive the Rhone in the afternoon. We'll have an after-dinner SCUBA to watch the turtles sleeping underneath the wreck, and see lobsters and crabs wandering around. This, bar none, is not only the best wreck dive in the Caribbean, but also in the Top 5 Dives of the World. We will anchor overnight on Salt Island.

Day Five: Up and in the water for an early pre-breakfast dive before anyone else has a chance to disturb the wreck. This will cap off our SCUBA diving on the RMS Rhone. Additional wrecks planned for our diving agenda today: the Beatta, the Inganess, the Marie L, and the Pat.

Day Six: Weather permitting, we sail out to the wreck of the CHIKUZEN, our second most famous wreck. We will dive the Chikuzen before lunch and again after lunch before taking a leisurely sunset sail into Muskmelon Bay on Guana Island, one of our favorite deserted anchorages. Or, perhaps we will head out to the Rocus and the Parametta? It all depends on the weather! A night dive is planned for those interested.

Day Seven: After a breakfast spent watching the pelicans circling over this bay filled with a gazillion bait fish, we will go around to the outside to dive Grand Central Station. Grand Central Station is so named for the many fish that converge around here, and it is capped up by a spectacular large cave that goes through the island at about 60 feet. Perhaps this afternoon will be a good time to visit the Baths?

Day Eight: Sadly, it is time to sail back to the marina, disembark and leave paradise, albeit with great memories. We will be back in the marina by mid-morning so, for those divers with flights that leave later on in the day, your luggage can be stored while you shop and explore Roadtown.




*** A FEW REMINDERS ***
 

CABIN CRUISE WEEK
There are TWO cabins available beginning February 13, 2011.
Book for 6 or 10 nights... Click HERE for details.


SPECIAL OFFER: April, June and July 2011
Click HERE for details

For bookings confirmed by December 15, 2010
See Paradise Connections special promotion
Click HERE for details



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book PROMENADE
View Promenade's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

News from Charter Yacht McGregor

This morning we received a newsletter from Tim & Julie, owner-operators of the Motoryacht McGregor.

Charter Yacht McGregor offers all-inclusive yacht charters in the Virgin Islands
Diving included

They had a busy time in the boatyard preparing for the new yacht charter season....


We replaced all of the flybridge cushions this summer and went with a new colorful stripe. Julie’s throw pillows finished the project off with an aquatic flair.  Adding a new pair of Klipsch outdoor speakers will keep the music rocking!!!

We also replaced all of the cushions on the foredeck with new foam and pin-tucked vinyl. The sunbathers are really happy with the new ultra soft bunny pad cushions!!  All of the decks on McGregor have been coated with sparkling Awl Grip paint.
A real work of art!

Our friends in Virgin Gorda fabricated a new hand crafted teak platform, one strip at a time!!!!

New fixtures and Corian back-splashes finished off our three bathrooms. We rebuilt a storage locker in the cockpit with a new Afromosia teak board.  All the varnish is in tip top shape with numerous coats added in the last month!
McGregor is a 58-foot Hatteras motor yacht with a crew of two. McGregor is fully air conditioned and has a large cabin aft with queen-sized berth, another guest cabin can be set up as a Queen berth or as two single berths, and a forward cabin with an upper/lower v-berth, all cabins have  ensuite heads/showers. McGregor has a 15-foot dinghy with 60HP motor, kids & adult waterskis, kneeboard, wakebaord, snorkel gear, fishing gear, kayaks, tube, squirt guy arsenal, aquanaut, etc... Lots of toys... A fun boat. Three color TVs and three DVD players.  Tim is a diving instructor and 8 dives/week for certified divers are included in his rates, plus  FREE resort/discover scuba courses are included for non-certified divers who want to try out scuba.  McGregor is a non-smoking yacht.

McGREGOR is currently available for CHRISTMAS and NEW YEARS
Standard rates: the 15% holiday premium has been waived!
Can't make it for the holidays? Check with us and see if YOUR dates are available.
Book NOW!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book McGREGOR
View McGregor's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Caribbean 1500 - Sapphire - We arrived safely last Tuesday!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry we have been so out of touch! We lost our offshore email system
just as we were leaving and were unable to send email updates. This
is the first day I have been on email since we arrived. We are alive
and well and had a great trip.

We had winds behind us the whole way and Sapphire does not do as well
in those conditions. We left our spinnaker at home (because it takes
up a lot of room and we use it very little), so we did not make great
time. We did have a great time!! We caught 4 mahi-mahi and one that
was 63' long and weight approximately 55 pounds. Fred picked out the
lure, Jim caught it (took 45 minutes), Bill cleaned it and I took
pictures!! So it was a team effort. I will send out pictures in a
few days when I get a good signal, so you can see for yourself how big
he was!

We had dolphins visit twice, once they stayed a long time and we have
a picture and video.. not sure I can email that... it may be too big.
All in all it was our best trip ever! Thank you so much Jim and Fred,
you guys made it happen! They were outstanding crew members.

I will write more in a few days and hopefully include pictures! Just
wanted to get this out and let you know we are alive and well.

It was very sad that a boat was lost in the Bahamas. They were
advised not to go, but the owner's wife wanted off the boat so they
decided to divert to the Bahamas. The cuts going in can be very
dangerous with huge seas. A wave washed over the boat, taking the
dinghy and davits, the bimini and doger and mast, and everyone on
board. They crawled back on the boat and THEN put on their life vests
and deployed their emergency life raft. It was swamped and three of
them were washed up on the beach. One crew member was never found.
It was really a tragedy.

I will write more soon... just wanted to let all of you know we are
OK! Sorry you couldn't get the daily updates!!

The Crew of Sapphire,

Bill, Linda, Brie, Jim and Fred

Thought for the Day!

This is an excerpt from the book Voyage written by Sterling Hayden in 1976.

He was a movie star heartthrob who set sail on a schooner named “Wanderer” at the height of his career. In his youth, he had been a ship’s boy and a dory man on the Grand Banks.

“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest…” For example…"I’ve always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but can’t afford it”. What men can’t afford is not to go. We are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of security. And in the worship of security, we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine. And before we know it, our lives are gone. What does a man really need? Really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all, in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time, payments, debts, preposterous gadgetry, play things that divert our attention from the pure idiocy of the charade.


The years thunder by. The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be? Bankruptcy of purse, or bankruptcy of life?

(Thanks to Penny on Redwing)

Motoryacht TIVOLI: Winter 2010/11 Lower Rates

The charter yacht TIVOLI, a 90-foot motor yacht, has lowered their rates for the 2010-11 winter season... including the holidays!

Motor Yacht TIVOLI - Caribbean Yacht Charters

Based in Antigua but available anywhere in the Caribbean (with delivery) TIVOLI can accommodate 6 guests in three staterooms that radiate from a central foyer.  The master stateroom has a centerline queen bed and separate 'his & hers baths' -- one with spacious marble shower and one with steam shower & whirlpool tub.


Two guest staterooms have twin lower singles with enclosed marble showers in the ensuite baths.  TIVOLI is elegantly decorated and fully air conditioned through out. Crew has a separate companionway, heads and shower.


RATES :  Winter 2010-11
  • $25,000/wk for up to 6 guests, plus all expenses
  • Christmas & New Years:  7-night charters accepted with NO holiday premium

Currently available for Christmas and New Years



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book TIVOLI
View Tivoli's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Superyachts Using Malta More Frequently


According to a report in the Malta Independent newspaper the number of superyachts using the marina at Grand Harbour in Valetta during the nine months ended in September 2010 has risen by 50% with 152 superyacht visits, compared to 104 in the first three quarters of 2009.
The third quarter of 2010 saw the continuation of a high level of occupancy throughout the Vittoriosa marina operated by Grand Harbour Marina plc, the company said through a directors’ interim statement.
Berthing revenues for the first nine months of this year amounted to €1,118,386, compared to €987,767 in the first nine months of 2009.
Enquiries for superyacht berth sales in Malta remain buoyant, however no agreements have been finalised in the period being reported. The board is cautiously optimistic that progress, while slow, will result in a positive outcome.

Thursday Night Sailors

After being blown out on Wednesday night, four intrepid crews turned up on Thursday night for an informal re-sail, and were treated to awesome conditions. A moderate NorthWester left the sea as flat as a lake, and a steady breeze of around 15-20 knots. Jeremy Nel made his debut as bridge officer, and sent us on two sausages and a triangle in the bay. Race was completed in 47 minutes (Quest) which must surely be one of the fastest elapsed times ever. JML-3 charged ahead at the start, but was soon overhauled by Megafreight. They did cross the line 2nd however, which is another brilliant finish by this lot, who are causing much concern in the fleet by now!

Final results based on PHRF:
1 Megafreight
2 Quest
3 JML-3
4 Irish Mist

Monago the Ketch Rigged Superyacht is For Sale




New onto the market for sale at €30 million through Dubois Brokerage is the 52 metre super ketch Mondango.
Launched in late 2008 by Alloy Yachts, she was built for extensive blue-water cruising. Finished to exceptionally high standard, she has fulfilled the brief for a stylish yacht capable of fast, comfortable ocean passages.
Designed by Dubois Naval Architects, Mondango continues a progression of large flybridge yachts and displays clean lines, subtle sheer and low-profile coach roof. The aggressively raked windows of the coach roof wrap all the way around in a dramatic sweep of curved glass to accentuate the modern exterior.
The coach roof extends aft to encompass the mizzen mast and provides a long overhang protecting the aft cockpit. The port and starboard side windows of the cockpit as well as the spectacular curved rear window all open and close to create a climate-controlled single-level extension of the main saloon.
The hull is finished in flag blue with a white superstructure. A gold cove-stripe provides a handsome accent against the dark hull and establishes the theme that is repeated on both the two booms.

Blustery Tuesday

Hout Bay as viewed from the relative safety of Woolies car park. Camera was a Nokia N97 with a scratched lense so not great in any sense. Wednesday turned out to be quite airy as well . . . .
Over in Bokkemanskloof, where I used to live, the world was on fire next to my old house, with hot, strong winds to fan the flames. Three helicopters and dozens of firemen, trucks and citizens all fighting the fire. Only in Hout Bay, its a great place. No houses were lost.

Whats on this weekend?!

Tons of good stuff as usual!

Friday is steak night, plus chefs special is a Moroccan Chicken Tagine - not to be missed! Watch this space as Peter will be inviting Guest Chefs from time to time - starting from next Friday

Peter will kindly be providing bar snacks on Wednesdays & Fridays – a good enough excuse to pop down for a sundowner!!

Friday Night Draw now stands at R3100 after Jeremy Hele won it recently! You could be next!

The "Goody Draw" continues to suprise and raise the much needed cash for the junior sailors and the 2011 Lipton Campaign - join the fun!

Have you purchased your raffle ticket for the Christmas Cake - for that matter have you even seen the Christmas Cake - its Bl!@#$%^ing awesome! Dont miss out. Tickets at bar. Proceeds to a great local charity.

Saturday sees Boks vs Scotland at Murrayfield. Support our local Scot Jimmy Higgins. Kick off at 16:30 - big screen - surround sound etc. The gees is great!

Tickets for Christmas party selling fast - only 15 left!! yes. As a yachty, you dont want to miss out if you are winning a prize, do you now? Even if you arent. R150 each at the bar. Dont forget!

Sailing tonight Thursday 18:00

Due to rather fresh winds last night, racing was abandoned. For those who can make it, we will race tonight Thursday at 18:00. Conditions look good, flat sea, warm, and moderate NorthWester. Galley will be open.

Superyachts Get New Caribbean Racing Event

The Voiles de Saint-Barth is become a regular fixture on the Caribbean racing calendar and setting itself up to become one of the major events of the season. 
The event was tried as a one off last year and a second is scheduled to run from the 4th to 9th April 2011, but the news from organisers confirms that this will not be the last one.
Peter Holmberg, the award winning race boat skipper based in the US Virgin Islands, an Olympic medallist and America’s Cup winner, took part in the very first Voiles de Saint-Barth sailing aboard the ketch Sojana.
He is now working within the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) to promote the event. With 25 boats already signed up, the aim of seeing sixty taking part next April is in the process of being fulfilled.
Sportswear specialist, Gaastra, Taittinger champagnes, Rémy Cointreau and Mount Gay rum, along with the famous red cap are all signed up as sponsors as are: The Banque des Antilles Françaises, the Guanahani & Spa hotel, the St Barth Hoteliers’ Association the St Barth Tourist Board.
Multihull craft are also invited, and the organisers have opened up the event to the dynamic and international Class 40 monohulls, many of which are taking part in the famous Route du Rhum.

Chinese Yard to build Sailing Superyacht

The first ever sailing superyacht to be built in China is due for delivery in 2012.  It will be launched by builders Shanghai Blunauta Yacht Co for delivery to an Italian owner as the first in a planned series production boats.


Italian designers are responsible for the design and construction of the steel hull and superstructure 52 metre yacht is well advanced . 


Working with this its first Chinese contract, Formula Marine has announced that it will supply a full sailing systems control package of rig and deck gear including winches, tracks, standing and running rigging together with the systems power pack. 


Formula will construct the mast at its specialist aluminium facility in Holland and work with the owners representatives to supply the most effective sail control package. A Formula team will spend a period of time in China for installation and system testing.


Formula's Head of Sales Wim Mooiweer, commented, "This is a landmark contract for Formula, China is in its early days of yacht building, and it is a totally different market to that we are used to. But our experience with European and Turkish builders has allowed us to guide and assist the yard in understanding the complexities of rigs of this size. We are looking forward to this being the first of many rigs heading to oriental yards in the future."

Caribbean 1500 Day 6 - everyone (except Fogger, of course) wore their life vests & harnesses

Overnight, the sea was filled with big swells. Sunsets handled them all very well. As the wind started to clock back towards the NW and W, we were able to set our sails and surf those swells with few changes throughout the night. There were a couple squalls with wind gusts in the 30s & 40s, but they were short lived. During those periods, Sunsets just FLEW down the rhumb line like a rocket ship. You could hear and feel the power from down below. Up in the cockpit, everyone (except Fogger, of course) wore their life vests & harnesses and latched onto the jacklines (the safety lines that run up and down the length of the boat), just in case.

With the pitching of the boat and the incredible speed (she is rarely below 10knots) as well as a few mishaps, making coffee has become a two-person job. One person holds the pot and the melita filter with the coffee and the other person pours the boiling water. You can't do both yourselves because you need one free hand to steady yourself. Even adding the cream and sugar to your coffee cup is a challenge. You can't set the cup down to tear open the sugar or open the cream; otherwise your cup will tip over and spill coffee everywhere. You can't hold the pot and pour the water into it or the filter full of web coffee grinds will go everywhere when you let go to balance yourself after a particularly big wave. (Both of these examples are from recent personal experience.) But we all know how important coffee is, so we accept the challenge boldly and without reservation. (NO COFFEE, WHAT? THERE'D BE MUTINY, I TELL YOU!!)

The rolly-polly waves always put me to sleep. I just love being in a bunk and feeling the boat move around me. Since we have been pitching side to side, Howard and I have taken to sleeping across the width of our bunk instead of head at the top. That way we can have our heads on the UP side of the slant and brace our bodies against the wall of the cabin. Unfortunately, as you fall asleep, you forget to do the bracing thing. I walked into the cabin to find Howard fast asleep and sliding back and forth across the mattress. The boat would pitch to the right, and he would slide to the right. The boat would pitch to the left, and he would slide to the left. Within a short time, all of the sheets and blankets were scrunched up into a pile in the corner of the bunk. I'm convinced that there's not point in remaking the bed until we get to Tortola.

The weather report says the winds are supposed to die off today and into the weekend. But right now, we are getting 20-30knt winds on our beam and we are SCREAMING down the rhumb line to the finish. Unfortunately, this wind is not expected to keep up, but for the last hour it has been a spectacular ride with an absolutely gorgeous blue sky dotted with beautiful puffy clouds. We just surfed down a wave and hit 15knots of speed!! YEE-HA!! You don't get that every day. Unless I wait around for a few minutes and HERE WE GO AGAIN!!! Whew this is great!!

My only complaint is that it's HOT down below. Guess I'll just have to go sit in the cockpit and enjoy the sun and breeze. Ahhhh.

Gotta go-- looks like George may have just snagged another Mahi Mahi!!!

Kelly
aboard s/v Sunsets
N23-16 / W66040

Caribbean 1500 Day 5 - As Fogger would say: Going overboard is stupid; just don't do wo it.

Had the privilege of watching another beautiful sunset last night and an equally beautiful sunrise this morning. There is nothing quite as dramatic as watching the sun rise or set over water. Each and every time is special and unique. Of course, laying in the cockpit and looking up at the zillions of stars is pretty awesome too. The Milky Way is so thick and bright out here and shooting stars abound. Some of the stars are so bright we mistake them for ships.


We are about 700 miles from home and about 250 miles from the Bahamas rightnow. There are some large sea swells that have started to roll in as a result of weather out near Bermuda. They are beautiful (so far), but at 15-20feet high, they may not be that attractive after a couple of hours of UP and DOWN and LEFT and RIGHT and shouts of DUCK!! from our crewmates.

We try to set our sails pretty conservatively during the night so if a squall comes up, we won't have to try to raise or lower sails in the dark. Our boat is different from others this size-- the main sail has be raised and lowered from the mast on deck, not from the cockpit. To get out there, the crew ember takes the harness strap that is connected to his life preserver and attaches it to the boat at different points as he walks
forward. (As long as that crew member is not Fogger who is stubborn about wearing his harness. Tisk, tisk.) With the harness, if a big wave comes aboard and washes the crew member overboard, he may not go too far as long as he is tethered. As Fogger would say: Going overboard is stupid; just don't do it. So we won't.

We've had a couple intense squalls run up on us. Once or twice we weren't able to shorten sails. When that happens, it's a fast, fast ride (15kts at one point!!). It takes a lot of muscle power to keep the boat under control with 50knot winds!! The stressful part when it first hits probably only lasts less than 2 minutes, but it feels much, much longer. Once the bulk of the squall passes, it's amazing how fast Sunsets can actually progress.

Some of the fleet have reported seeing whales and dolphins. One boat had a seabird sit in the cockpit for a couple hours. Besides George's mahi-mahi yesterday, the only fauna we can report on is a stowaway stink bug!! We found him sitting on our ditch bag. Guess he wanted a guarantee that he'd get in the life raft if it was deployed. He's fish food now. [One less stink bug to chase out of your house, Anita!]

It's actually kind of lonely out here. Because we are a "fast" boat, the rest of the fleet is a bit behind us. We have seen NO ONE since we entered the Gulfstream. And we haven't heard anyone on the VHF radio either. In fact, we've only seen one freighter. That was late last night. Our AIS system alerted us that the freighter would be dangerously close to us if we stayed on our same course. Howard slowed the boat a little to let the freighter pass while I called them on the VHF radio to make them aware of our intentions. The last thing we needed was both of us slowing down to avoid the hit and then hitting each other. And, when we're going fast, it's surprisingly loud. The cockpit is blanketed by the sound of the water from our wake. You really have to speak up to hear each other. And down below, the occasional crashing as Sunsets cuts through the waves is both loud and disconcerting.

This afternoon, the big swells are here. Ed is hand steering under Fogger's watch. Steering through waves like this is as much an art as it is a science I think. You have to feel where the boat is going to go. You can feel her lift up on the swell, the wind catches her at the crest and spins her a bit and then she slides back down on the back of the swell. It takes strength
and talent to keep the sails full of wind so you can control the boat while all this is happening.

Swells make down-below living quite a challenge. Especially challenging is using the stove. The stove is on a "gimbal" so it pivots back and forth so that the food inside of it stays level. It's really challenging trying to get something in or out of the oven when it's wildly pitching. It really does take two people. See, cooking is NOT easy, I don't care what anyone says.

Gotta go. The sun is about to set and I don't want to miss it. And I have to get dinner going. I had planned for meatloaf tonight, but I simply cannot find the loaf in my freezer. [Janel--I think the scupper people took it.] So it's going to be chicken stir-fry of some sort and it's going to be served
in a bowl because it's way too rough to try to eat off a plate. Which reminds me, the foodies need a menu update:

Wednesday night: Jeff's pulled pork bbq and collard greens. hursday night: Janel's mock lasagna Today, for lunch: Pick your leftover (cause we had leftovers from every meal we served so far.)

More later.
Kelly aboard s/v Sunsets
N26-14 W68-18

Future Darwin Award Nominee



Another view:

Letter to Northern Yacht Club Mens Helpline


Hey Mate, really need your advice for a serious problem:

I have suspected for some time now that the missus has been cheating. The usual signs; phone rings, if I answer the caller hangs up; going out with the girls a lot. I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home but I usually fall asleep.

Anyway last night about midnight I hid in the shed behind the boat. When she came home she got out of someone's car buttoning her blouse, then she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on.

It was at that moment crouched behind the boat I noticed... a "hairline crack" in the outboard mounting bracket.

Is that something I can weld or do I need to replace it?

2010 Awards

2010 Novice Sailor: Mark, Monique St. Denis – X TA SEA

2010 Family Award: Lawrence, Heather Brownell – Rapture

2010 Racing Family: Keith, Carol, Aiden Holm – Auberg

2010 Super Cruiser: Wade Glew, Susan Angus, - Oh Boy

2010 Volunteer of the Year: Ann Peikoff – Deja Blue

2010 Single Handed Sailor: Paul Moorey – Swordfish

2010 Race Committee: Blair Magnus – Grand Cru

2010 Safety Race: Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru

2010 Summer Solstice Pursuit Race: Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru

2010 Warroad Race: Ian Kelly, Carol Ann Kjartanson - Raven

2010 Commodore's Cup Pursuit Race: Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru

2010 Rear Commodore's Cup Pursuit Race: Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru

2010 Silver Rear Commodore's Cup Pursuit Race: Lawrence, Heather Brownell - Rapture

2010 Club Championships: Wendy, Blair, Peter, Ann Magnus - Grand Cru

Now Thats Making Progress




The Sonar Fleet at Gimli is up to 5 boats with the addition of the new boat now owned by Chris and Rod from A dock.

Honeymoons Aboard Charter Yacht Verna Breeze

Chris & Kelly, owner-operators of the charter yacht VERNA BREEZE, dropped us a line this morning to tell us about their honeymoon special.

Charter Yacht VERNA BREEZE - Sailing vacations in the Virgin Islands

Honeymoon Special: $5,999/week for 2 guests ($501 discount off standard rate)

  • French Champagne upon arrival, or one dinner ashore 
  • Choice of either:
    • ATV excursion, Jost Van Dyke
    • Island Tour (island of your choice)
    • Couples massage at Bitter End Yacht Club
  • Special parting gift

A few reasons to book Verna Breeze:
  • Fishing is our specialty (We keep a BVI fishing license all year)
  • Full sun awning
  • Hammocks
  • Walk-in spacious cockpit with hard dodger
  • 15-foot tender with 70HP outboard
  • Wakeboard
  • Kneeboard
  • Tube
  • Two ocean kayaks
  • Plenty of water toys (chair floats, noodles, 2-person raft)
  • Underwater camera
  • WiFi onboard
  • Spacious interior
  • Ice maker
  • Premium liquors and wine
  • Fully air conditioned
  • Large generator
  • Flat screen TVs & thousands of hours of entertainment
  • Stereo in all cabins
  • Comfort! It's like chartering a motoryacht that sails
Full awning for comfort in the sun

Love to fish

Lots of water toys


Verna Breeze has completed a successful first year of chartering and are back again for "Round 2".

Although this is the beginning of their second charter season, Chris & Kelly have been cruising for several years and are definitely not newbies to sailing.

Verna Breeze is typically a 2-guest boat, but they do have an additional guest cabin with two single bunk beds. They love family charters... KIDS ARE WELCOME.

VERNA BREEZE is currently available for CHRISTMAS and NEW YEARS
Can't make it for the holidays? Check with us and see if YOUR dates are available.
Book NOW!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book VERNA BREEZE
View Verna Breeze's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com