15 minute read
world of chartering
With reports this month on High-Performance Bareboat Racing in the British Virgins, a look at the 2019 Caribbean Regatta Calendar, Thoughts on Sailing the 'Uncrowded' Virgin Islands, and miscellaneous Charter Notes.
Southern California Sailors Support BVI Recovery Helen Brierley and Dan McGanty of Pacifi c Palisades, California, manage to sail roughly 100 races during the season on Mistral, their Tartan 101. Members of the California Yacht Club, they’re also fond of chartering overseas during the off-season to keep their skills fresh and try something different. While the couple had chartered in the British Virgin Islands many times on family vacations, they had never sailed in a regatta there — until this year. Prior to Hurricane Irma last September, they signed up for the BVI Spring Regatta, and arranged to charter Lancelot 2, a Beneteau First 40, from Performance Yacht Charter.
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Every spring racers come from North America, Europe and all over the Caribbean to compete in the BVI's annual Spring Regatta.
Given that the storm completely devastated Tortola and caused major destruction to Nanny Cay, home base for the BVI Spring Regatta, they felt fortunate to be able to make the trip to support the recovery in the area. "The welcome we got everywhere was great,"said Helen. "The locals were obviously really happy to see all the racers who made it there. They are still struggling there tremendously, but are getting back on their feet."
Lancelot 2 was well set up for racing, although Helen and Dan were required to have an owner's rep from the charter company on board during racing. "I usually drive and Dan does tactics," Helen explained. "While we knew we had to have a rep on board, we didn’t want him to do anything, we wanted to be in charge! In the end he had a good time on the rail and soon fi gured out we knew what we were doing!" With a crew made up of friends from the US and UK, some racers and others not, Team Lancelot 2 fi nished in the middle of the pack in class, which was just fi ne with the crew. As Helen put it, they weren’t there to win, but to have a good time. For obvious reasons, fewer boats than usual participated this year, so the fl eets were a little compromised. Lancelot 2, which is on the heavy side, found herself in a fl eet with much lighter boats. "In what proved to be a light-air week, the lighter boats prevailed, making good value of time allowances of up to 15% on the larger boats," Dan said. "Lancelot battled commendably, fi nishing second of the fi ve ‘heavyweights’ in our tenboat class." Team Lancelot 2 thoroughly enjoyed the racing, noting that the race committee did a great job running the races. "The breeze there is fantastic, although some thought it was a little light for the time of year," Helen said. "It’s always such a pleasure to be there in those gorgeous turquoise waters!" While Helen and Dan always choose to stay ashore rather on the boat they charter to race, Lancelot 2 was berthed in the new marina at Nanny Cay, just a stone’s throw from the new temporary regatta village and, importantly, the parties and bar. A successful regatta aside, observing fi rst-hand the scars left from Irma even six months after the storm was sobering. "It was impossible to imagine the scene immediately after the storm,"
Major Caribbean Regattas in 2019;
Racing Is Only Half the Fun As you can tell by the story and photos above, competing in a regatta in the 'barefoot latitudes' of the Eastern Caribbean is great fun, even if you don't end up anywhere near a podium fi nish. In addition to the novelty of tradewind racing in shorts and T-shirts, inter-island courses take you past stunningly beautiful anchorages, islets and headlands. And the rum-fueled international camaraderie at the daily post-race parties is often as much fun as the racing itself. You've probably heard all about the biggest annual events, such as Antigua Sailing Week, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and the BVI Spring Regatta — all of which have special divisions for international bareboaters. But there are also at least a dozen other annual sailing events well worth attending via a bareboat or crewed yacht, for reasons other than competition. Rubbing shoulders with local racers and boatbuilders at smaller, more intimate events such as the Bequia Easter Regatta (in the Grenadines) can be both fun and culturally rewarding. At the opposite end of the spectrum, your charter boat can serve as a comfy spectator vessel on the periphery of fl ashy, worldrenowned events such as Les Voiles de St. Barth and the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. We suggest you have a look at the menu of upcoming events that follows, then check out their websites for some added inspiration. And remember to book well in advance in order to secure an ideal boat for your group.
• Jan 12 — Round the Island Race, Antigua Yacht Club • Jan 16 — Barbados Sailing Week, Barbados CC
Dan said. "Perhaps from a sailor’s perspective, the boats were the most gutwrenching sight, with beaches and bays still littered with countless hulls that had smashed, sunk, or been washed well up onto shores. "The real winner for the week was the sport of sailing," Dan noted, "with a 'never say die' spirit from the organizers pulling off a well-run and hugely fun regatta!"
Spread: 'Lancelot 2' races neck-and-neck down the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Inset: Helen and Dan had a mixed crew of Americans and Brits.
— michelle slade
Michelle — Many thanks for your report. Sounds like big fun!
• Jan 28 — Grenada Sailing Week, Grenada Sailing Association • Feb 18-22 — RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Yacht Club • Mar 1–3 — St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, St. Maarten Yacht Club • Mar 21-24 — Saint Barths Bucket Regatta • Mar 21 — STIR Round St. John Race, St. Thomas LATITUDE ARCHIVES Yacht Club • Mar 22-24 — St. Thomas International Regatta, St. Thomas Yacht Club • Mar 25-31 — BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival, Royal BVI Yacht Club • Apr 8-13 — Les Voiles de St. Barth, St. Barth Yacht Club • Apr 11-15 — Bequia Easter Regatta, Bequia Sailing Club • Apr 15-21 — Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Yacht Club • Apr 28 - May 3 — Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Yacht Club
Uncrowded Sailing in the Aftermath of Hurricane Irma While we're on the subject of the BVI's recovery from Hurricane Irma's devastation, let us share a few additional thoughts. We know from conversations with BVI Tourism offi cials that for decades California has been one of the top sources of sailors who vacation in the BVI (and USVI, as well). So we hope many of you Latitude readers will continue that trend and patronize these wounded isles now, while they really need our support. There is no denying that rebuilding shoreside infrastructure has been a slow process — meaning there aren't as many waterside restaurants and beach bars to choose from as there once were. But consider the upside: These days you'll fi nd far fewer boats moored in the anchorages and far fewer snorkelers exploring the reefs than there have been in at least 20 years. And, as you might imagine, the locals — from store clerks to bartenders to restaurateurs — will be a lot more appreciative of your business these days than they were pre-Irma, when business was exhaustingly brisk. Friends who've recently returned from sailing the Virgins tell us that overnight moorings are in place and functioning as before. But these days you don't have to rush to popular spots like Cooper Island and The Bight on Norman Island early in the afternoon to secure a buoy. There is excess capacity at many places these days, which allows you to maximize your 'playtime' — sailing, snorkeling or diving — prior to committing to your overnight stopping place. Are there boats available? Yes, more boats are arriving all the time to replace those lost in the mega-storm, although there are nowhere near as many in service now as pre-Irma. So by all means book as far in advance as possible, especially if you hope to sail in the islands during the upcoming holiday season. It's hard to think of an event as devastating as Hurricane Irma having a silver lining, but to be honest, the formerly crowded anchorages had become a deterrent to sailing there for many old salts like us who'd known those waters way back when. But these days we can't
Six-Passenger Crewed Yachts
Having introduced you to the Bay Area's large-capacity charter vessels last month, we'll follow up here with a look at the many crewed sailing yachts available for six passengers or less — often called six-pack vessels. As we mentioned last month, even if you own your own boat, special occasions may occasionally arise when your regular ride just isn't roomy enough, fancy enough or tidy enough to entertain special friends and family members. At such times the boats listed here can fi ll the bill. And because the charter fee always includes the services of a professional crew — who are often the owners — you can give your undivided attention to your guests or co-charterers, rather than having to oversee every aspect of running the boat. That said, hands-on participation by passengers is always welcome. We encourage you to spend a few minutes here perusing the fl eet, and perhaps jot down some notes in case special charter opportunities arise in the coming months. (Listings are in alphabetical order.)
Apparition: • Berthed at Schoonmaker Marina, Sausalito. • (415) 331-8730; www.sailapparition.com
Carodon: • Charters from Galilee Harbor, Sausalito or San Francisco. • (415) 730-0849; fi nedayforsailing.com
Balajan: Our Leopard 39 catamaran is a perfect setting for sharing a special moment with friends, family or for a memorable smallgroup occasion. Prepare your next charter vacation by practicing your catamaran sailing skills with our Captain, an ASA certifi ed catamaran instructor.
• Carries up to 6 guests. • Berthed in Marina Bay, Richmond. • Available for private charters, special events. Preparation for bareboat catamaran. • Price all-inclusive, including Captain and First Mate. • danielmerleusa@gmail.com, (510) 7101968
The Leopard 39 'Balajan'.
Beowulf: • Berthed in Sausalito. • (415) 331-3400; www.sfsailcharters.com
Between The Sheets: • Berthed at Pier 39. • Available for private charters and sailing lessons. • (415) 378-4887; www.sailsf.com; www.sailinglessonssf.com
Bolgeskrekk: • Berthed at Treasure Island Marina. • (510) 499-0134; www.goldengatesailingtours.com
Carrera: • Berthed at Municipal Wharf #2 (A-Tier Gate), in Monterey. • (831) 375-0648; www.sailmontereybay.com
Evening Star: • Berthed at Sausalito Yacht Harbor. • (415) 868-2940; (415) 987-1942; www.captainmarco.com or www.sailingsf.com
Excalibur: • (650) 619-6896; www.sailnow.com
Fansea: • Berthed at Sausalito (near parking). • (415) 269-1973; www.sailsausalito.com
Flying Tiger: • Berthed in Sausalito. • (650) 492-0681; www.sfbaysail.com
Gentle Storm II: • Berthed at Clipper Yacht Harbor, Sausalito. • (707) 235-6295; www.gscharters.com
Hasty Heart: • Berthed at Clipper II in Sausalito. • (415) 690-7245; www.sailhastyheart.com
Imagine: • Berthed at Berkeley Marina. • (916) 813-8285; www.imaginesailingtours.com
Karisma: • Berthed at Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. • (831) 429-1970; www.lighthallcharters.com
Kuani: . • Berthed at Marina Bay, Richmond. • (530) 263-5214; www.wingandwing.net
wait to sail the Virgins again — as it will seem like we're back in the 1980s. And we're confi dent that we'll still be able to fi nd plenty of thatch-roofed beach bars where we can fi nd reggae music, lively conversation, and ice-cold Heinekens. See you there.
— andy
Charter Notes Compared to the world's most popular chartering destinations, such as the Aegean, the Med and the Eastern Caribbean, Mexico's Sea of Cortez has always been sort of a sleeper. Because it lacks an abundance of swank waterside resorts, fi ve-star restaurants and chic boutiques, many would-be charterers eliminate it from their list of possibilities without even learning about its unique attractions. But all that's a plus for those of us who know and love its rugged, unspoiled beauty. For many years The Moorings' operation at La Paz was the one and only charter base in the entire Sea of Cortez. When they pulled out a few years ago, Dream Yacht Charters stepped in to fi ll the void, adding to its diverse list of bases around the world. We're happy to report that their La Paz operation seems to be going strong, now offering eight cats and fi ve monohulls for bareboat charters (www. dreamyachtcharter.com).
Lady J: • Berthed at Pier 39. • (415) 378-4887; www.sailsf.com
Magick Express: • Berthed in the Oakland/Alameda Estuary. • (510) 535-1954; www.afterguard.net
Magnifi Cat: • Berthed at Emery Cove Marina, but also will pick up in San Francisco, Sausalito & Oakland/Alameda. • (415) 889-0428; www.AmericaCupCharters.com
Magnum 44: • Berthed in Tiburon. • (415) 332-0800; www.yachtcharter.com
Next Adventure: • Berthed in Berkeley Marina. • (925) 984-9697; www.funsfbaysailcharter.com
Ohana: • Berthed in Sausalito. • (415) 457-4417; (415) 250-9850; www.OhanaSailing.com
Oli Kai: • Berthed at Treasure Island. • (510) 535-1954; www.afterguard.net
Passage Nautical: • Departures from Jack London Square, Oakland. • (510) 864-3000; passagenautical.com/book-charter
Pegasus: • Based at Berkeley Marina. • (510) 717-4439; www.pegasusvoyages.org
Sunset swim time. West Coast Multihulls' new operation in the Sea of Cortez features big, luxurious catamarans such as this Saba 50.
RYAN FRITZSCHE PHOTOGRAPHY
Peregrine: This 38-foot custom wooden yawl built in 1946, originated in 1911 based on a boat called Seabird, famous as the second American yacht to circumnavigate the Earth. She has ample seating in the open as well as an enclosed cabin with a pleasant sound system. She can hold six passengers in addition to her crew. • Your captain is Stephan Sowash who, with 30 years of sailing experience, is licensed by the US Coast Guard. Captain Sowash holds a 50-ton Near Coastal license with Sailing Endorsement. • Charters to the Farallones can be arranged for those who seek a bluewater adventure. • sailingfearless.com
The classic yawl 'Peregrine'.
Perseverance: • (415) 302-0101
Sensei: Private sailing yacht charter on the San Francisco Bay aboard a Norseman 447. Lift your spirits and return to port refreshed and relaxed with memories of sea breezes and beautiful scenery. Enjoy a delicious meal in a tranquil cove, then relax and enjoy the majesty of the Golden Gate.
The Norseman 447 'Sensei'.
• Carries up to 6 passengers. • Pickup in San Francisco or our home dock in Point Richmond. • Available for private crewed charters, sunset cruises, birthday parties, anniversaries, picnics on Angel Island, nature cruises or your special event! We customize each charter; therefore 48 hours' notice is highly recommended. • (415) 886-7245 (SAIL); www.GotSailing.com
Temptation: • Berthed in San Francisco. • (415) 602-8416; www.sailingsanfrancisco.com
Editor's Note In addition to the six-passenger vessels listed here virtually every sailing school (aka 'club') also has boats available for 'six-pack' charters with captain and crew. Some of the larger boats in those fl eets are very nicely outfi tted for both comfortable daysails and overnight charters.
This winter a new competitor arrived on the scene when the long-established San Diego firm West Coast Multihulls opened a base at idyllic Puerto Escondido, near Loreto, which is about halfway up the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula. As the company's name implies, WCM offers multihulls only — big, luxurious cats — for both crewed and bareboat charters. With plenty of regular flights into Loreto, the new base is remote yet accessible. That is, far from mainstream tourism, yet only minutes from unspoiled anchorages and dive sites. Such places are indeed the Sea's key attractions for visiting boaters. If the idea of snorkeling in unspoiled waters that abound with sealife, hiking on ridgelines that yield grand panoramas, fi shing, diving and exploring a seemingly endless variety of islands and anchorages, the Sea of Cortez should be high on your must-sail list. As noted by WCM, underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau famously dubbed the Sea "the aquarium of the world." In addition to bareboat and captained charters, WCM also offers instructional Learn-to-Sail vacations that travel from point to point among the islands. For more into see this site: charter-cat-
Just another lousy sunset in the Sea of Cortez! Sailing the Sea is not for everyone, and thank God for that.
amaran.com/sea-ofcortez-catamarancharter/ Our fi nal Charter Note this month is to remind you that although summer is only starting, the Christmas and New Year's holidays are only six months away, and those two weeks are the busiest by far throughout the entire international chartering industry — on both crewed luxury yachts and bareboats. So if you've got even the slightest interest in having a 'white sand Christmas' this year, we urge you not to delay in recruiting sailing partners, deciding on a destination, and locking in the boat of your choice with a deposit. What are the prime locations? Anywhere in the Eastern Caribbean, Belize, the Sea of Cortez, Thailand and New Zealand's Bay of Islands (currently crewed yachts only; no bareboats. — andy
San Diego / Mexico CATAMARAN
CHARTERS & LESSONS
Perfect Summer So Cal Sailing
Celebrate Sailing in June • ASA Sailing School• Bareboat Charterson Summer Sailstice with: • Skippered Charters • Learn to Sail Vacations • Private & Group Charters • Private & Group Lessons
(619)517-5630 sail@westcoastmultihulls.com • Bareboat Charters • Bareboat Charters • ASA Sailing School • ASA Sailing School • Skippered Charters • Skippered Charters • Learn to• Learn to Sail Vacations Sail Vacations • Private & Group Lessons• Private & Group Charters • Private & Group Lessons• Private & Group ChartersLearn more here: www.charter-catamaran.com
All the information you need to book your charter can be found on our website www.sailtmm.com
