The winter of 2011 didn’t fool around. Here in Boston, we measured snowfall in “Shaq inches” while our friends in Chicago got a glimpse of a post-apocalyptic Lake Shore Drive. By the time April rolled around, even Floridians were ready for a peak season in the Caribbean. Luckily, a breezy St. Thomas Rolex Regatta set the stage for a fun-filled 40th Anniversary BVI Spring Regatta, and charter companies large and small have been rolling out announcements of new boats and new bases. Finally, spring has sprung.
Yachting Vacations Announces New Base
In southwest Florida, Yachting Vacations announced the opening of a new base in Palmetto, Florida’s, Regatta Point Marina. The charter company and sailing school already has a fleet of seven monohulls and two catamarans in Burnt Store Marina, and is excited to offer three new monohulls in Palmetto, which will be available for charter and ASA courses. Yachting Vacations owner Capt. Jean De Keyser is especially excited about the new base because of its proximity to Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the ICW. Charter guests can easily dip into one of many area anchorages or elect to take a one-way charter between the two bases. For more, visit yachtingvacations.com.
Footloose Turns 15
In honor of its 15th anniversary, Footloose Sailing Charters has doubled its fleet, while still maintaining its promise to provide value sailing vacations. The company’s new monohulls range from the Footloose 343 (3-cabin/1-head) to the Footloose 51.5 (5-cabin/5-head). Its new catamarans include the Footloose 380 (3-cabin/2-head) and the Footloose 410 (4-cabin/4-head). In addition, each Footloose charter now comes with a 4-hour service guarantee, which will provide guests with peace of mind in the knowledge that any repair will be completed within four hours of notification—or Footloose will compensate them for all vacation time lost.
Swift Yacht Charters Expands
This past weekend, New England boatyards were bustling with activity as locals prepped their boats for the spring launch. Things have been equally busy at Swift Yacht Charters where company president Hope Swift has added several new boats to her fleet of privately owned charterboats, which she matches to the specific vacation needs of each guest. Featured new boats for 2011 include the 2005 Beneteau 44.3 Mermaid, available from Noank, CT, Newport, RI, or Buzzard’s Bay; the 2008 Jeanneau 42i Cuervo Gold; the Jonmeri 40 Faraway, available for both weekends and weeklong trips; and the Sabre 402 Moonbeam, based in Fall River, MA, andsporting a brand new set of Raymarine instruments. To view Swift Yacht Charters entire bareboat fleet, click here.
Sail Caribbean Divers Partners with The Moorings
If your family craves a multi-sport charter trip, you’ll be excited to hear that The Mooringshas officially partnered with Sail Caribbean Divers to offer charter guests dive trips and lessons while on a Moorings charter. From Sail Caribbean Divers’ new office in The Moorings Village on Tortola, you can join a snorkel safari, rendezvous dive or Discover Scuba program. “More and more travelers are incorporating adventure and education into their vacation experience,” said Mike Rowe of Sail Caribbean Divers. “A sailing, diving, snorkeling and water sports vacation can certainly address their wishes.”
The Moorings Announces Two New Crewed Charter Destinations
For those sailors interested in exploring something farther afield, there is now the option of a crewed yacht charter on a Moorings 4600 in one of two new crewed-yacht destinations: Nice, Franceand Orhaniye, Turkey. From June to September, charter guests can sail in luxury, free from the stresses of organizing and captaining a charter boat. The French Riviera itineraries stretch from the tiny nation of Monaco to St. Tropez, while the Orhaniye base offers easy access to the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the secluded coves of the Green Islands.
New Discounts at CYOA
CYOA Yacht Charters, located in lovely St. Thomas, has announced a host of new specials on its monohulls and catamarans for charters that last through the spring. From now through May 25, you can charter the 2008 Hunter 45DS for 10 nights for the price of 7, or the 2008 Jeanneau 50Ds or Beneteau 49 at Season C pricing. If you’re looking to vacation on a cat, the Bahia 46 is available at Season D pricing through June 11 while the Salina 48 boasts season C pricing through the end of the month.
Sunsail Flotilla Adventures: The perfect summer holiday
Still looking for the ideal way to spend the kids’ summer vacation? This June, SAIL is teaming up with Sunsail to provide the ultimate family getaway: Flotilla Adventures, a themed sailing vacation for the entire family. From June 10 to 17, enjoy taking in the beauty of the Caribbean while getting to know other families on your flotilla. We’ll stop at all of the BVI hot spots where SAIL Charter Editor, Meredith Laitos, will act as hostess on the Sunsail lead boat, guiding you in a week of hands-on sailing for both kids and parents.
Let the kids loose on a scavenger hunt around Saba Rock. Show your family spirit during Family Feud night at Sydney’s Peace and Love restaurant. Get back to nature as we snorkel around the Baths and scuba-dive with Sail Caribbean divers near the Indians. Try your hand at windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding, or watch the kids race around the buoys in dinghies at the Bitter End.
Aboard your own bareboat, you’ll have the independence to sail when and where you want. But as part of a flotilla, you’ll also be able to meet other like-minded families in an atmosphere that gives the kids a chance to run wild together, while you kick back and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Space is limited, so sign up now at sunsail.com/sail
