Boating

Boater’s Paradise

There isn’t much watersportswise that you can’t do here. The waters could hardly be clearer or warmer, and the winds could not be more favourable for sailing.

Bermuda is a boater’s paradise, and there’s no reason to spend the weekends stuck on dry land when there are so many options for having fun on the water.

There are several reputable boat dealers on the island, including Marine Locker (www.marinelocker. com) and A&P Marine (www. apmarine.bm) who can help you with the process of choosing a boat that’s right for you. Boats may not be trouble-free, but when you buy from a local dealer, you have the added reassurance of a warranty on new boats and a trusted advisor for service and maintenance.

Another option is Island Boat Club’s membership programme, designed to give you access to luxury vessels without the responsibility of upkeep. They will also provide on-water training: www.islandboatclub.bm

If you want to meet like-minded boaters, consider joining a club. • The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club: www.rbyc.bm • The Royal Hamilton Amateur

Dinghy Club: www.rhadc.bm • Spanish Point Boat Club: www. spanishpointboatclub.bm • St. George’s Dinghy and Sports

Club: www.stgdsc.com • Sandys Boat Club: www. sandysboatclub.com • Bermuda Anglers Club: www. bermudaanglersclub.com.

Marine and Ports is responsible for monitoring recreational boat traffic and manages boat and mooring registrations: www.gov. bm/department/marine-and-ports

One final word. When you are on the water, please help us to protect and preserve our environment.

Proudly offering a wide range of services to keep your boat in great condition. Our Services:

◆ Sanding ◆ Boat Haulage

◆ Power Washing

◆ Deck Replacement ◆ Shipwright Services ◆ Mechanical Services ◆ Gas & Diesel Engines ◆ Maintenance Services ◆ Custom Carpentry & Built Ins ◆ On-Site Crane To Haul Power Boats Call: 441-236-9464

Email: theboatyard@logic.bm 83 Harbour Road, Paget

Fake expectations?

Much of what you’ve heard about Bermuda, the bad as well as the too-good-to-be-true, is probably wrong. New Resident attempts to redress the balance

Myth #1 BERMUDA’S A BAD MOVE FOR YOUR CAREER

Incongruously, Hamilton (daytime population: 14,000 or so) ranks right up there with New York and London in the insurance industry and its other financial services sectors are gaining strength, too.

There is hardly a global big name that doesn’t have a Bermudian presence in one form or another. In short, therefore, it is possible that the island could be a very positive step in your career.

Myth #2 EVERYTHING IS GROSSLY EXPENSIVE HERE

Because everything has to be flown in, you’ll find some items, such as groceries and fresh produce, more expensive than you’re used to. Other items, clothing and jewellery for example, are arguably less expensive.

It can also be argued that your household budget will be very different compared with living elsewhere. For instance, you’ll probably spend far less on gas/ petrol and car insurance.

And living in Bermuda means some of life’s richest pleasures will be literally on your doorstep and free of charge.

Myth #3 IT’S SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR SINGLES

If you are lonely in London or Toronto or wherever, yes, you will be miserable here too. However, if you are reasonably outgoing and tolerably pleasant, you’ll get on very well. There’s a lively social scene here if you look for it. We suggest you join a club or organisation — there’s everything from sports, to theatre and arts — where you’ll meet lots of like-minded people.

Myth #4 IT’S A TAX HAVEN, ISN’T IT?

Interesting one, this. Bermuda considers itself an “international business and financial centre” rather than a tax haven. Big foreign firms bring their money here for a variety of reasons, sometimes to do with our geographical location, sometimes to do with light regulation, sometimes to do with low taxation — as opposed to no taxation. If this pricks your conscience, don’t worry because you as an individual will be paying your fair share of taxes. Not a lot but enough to be noticed.

Myth #5 TRANSPORT IS A NIGHTMARE HERE

Yes, you will be allowed only one car per household, and a small car at that. But you will soon adapt to riding a scooter or motorbike when necessary. And our ferry is a wonderful way to commute to work.

Myth #6 IT’S A CULTURAL DESERT

Of course, on an island of only 65,000 souls you don’t expect to have ballet and opera and theatre going on all the time. But within its limitations, there is actually quite a lot happening in amateur drama and dance (often excellent), music of all kinds, painting and even poetry. And there are fine film, music, arts and even culinary festivals throughout the year.

Myth #7 HURRICANE SEASON IS HELL

No, it isn’t. For one thing, for centuries we have built our houses and offices as if they were under constant cannonball attack. For another, we aren’t prone to serious flooding. And we have a well-oiled plan to deal with such crises.

Myth #8 BERMUDA IS TOO AMERICAN/ENGLISH

Americans think it is either wonderfully or awfully English, the English believe it is far too affected by American ways. In fact, you will discover that the place is distinctively Bermudian, having purloined bits and pieces from diverse cultures.

Myth #9 IT IS FAR TOO SMALL AND CLAUSTROPHOBIC

Truth is, this small island feels far larger when you live here. We may not have forests or mountains, but we do have one of the largest playgrounds and open spaces in the world — it’s called the Atlantic Ocean.

Anyway, if you do get ‘rock fever’, for a few hundred dollars you can fly to New York or Boston and be there in less than two hours. How great is that!

Myth #10 IT’S POLITICALLY UNSTABLE, TOO

You must be thinking about some other islands to our south? Bermuda has a long history and tradition of stable Government and seamless transitions between different administrations following elections. The most recent Parliamentary election of October 2020 being an example of the island’s mature and open democracy.