Caribbean Brief

Caribbean Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

Les Voiles de Saint-Barth 2013, April 8 – 14

March 08, 2013

One of the Caribbean’s most popular sporting events will see skippers and crew from all over the world coming to participate in the fourth edition of Les Voiles de Saint Barth, running from the 8th to 14th April. All are happy to extend the sailing season in the paradise waters of Saint Barth. This little corner of France in the Caribbean provides so much to charm and please those searching for the best yachting with an added French touch.

Les Voiles de St Barth© Christophe Jouany / Les Voiles de Saint-Barth

Les Voiles de St Barth© Christophe Jouany / Les Voiles de Saint-Barth

A strong international line-up
Yachtsmen from around the world have known about the attraction of the Caribbean for a long time and the Voiles de Saint Barth has managed since it started in 2010 to pack into one week the true spirit of international yachting. The harbour in Gustavia buzzes with conversation in languages with sailors from around Europe mixed in with those from America, the Pacific and the Caribbean.

Early prediction make the Dutch crew on the Swan 45 sailing yacht Satori one of the serious contenders for a place on the podium, but the trimmer, Maurits van Oranje remains very modest, “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but hope that one way or another, people will have a good opinion of us,” he declared. “Apart from our skipper Gerard Verduyn, who has raced with some of the top international crews and leading sailors from around the world, most of our crew are not professionals, but they have had a lot of experience. We’ve been sailing together for more than 20 years on a wide range of boats…”

For van Oranje and his crew, what makes the Voiles so attractive is the quality of the organisation, which ensures a perfect mix of leisure activities ashore and excellent racing out on the water. “The geography of the island prevents the event from expanding,” adds van Oranje, “so the Voiles can continue to offer great racing…”

The American, Alexandria Kilmon, skipper this year on French Kiss (Bénéteau 50) cannot praise enough the work done by the organisers, “who have found the perfect mix to ensure the success of the event.” An artist by profession, she is particularly thrilled by the “fantastic sailing conditions,” the extraordinary range of colours the sailors can enjoy with “all the different shades from sky blue to the deepest indigo with hints of pure turquoise, which are different wherever you look and change from race to race…”

Les Voiles de St Barth 2013 to host strong international fleet

Les Voiles de St Barth 2013 to host strong international fleet© Christophe Jouany / Les Voiles de Saint-Barth

High standards throughout and closely fought races
In the Classic Yachts group, Jaime Enos, skipper of the ketch Saphaedra which is 1965 vintage, will have just one other sailor aboard, Amanda Sparks. “We’re used to delivering Saphaedra with just the two of us on board,” explained Enos, “and since 2010, we have competed in classic races in Antigua and in New England. St. Barth is one our favourite events, and we’re really looking forward to racing against Wild Horses and The Blue Peter.”

Among the other entrants determined to defend their country’s colours, is the Puerto Rican Sergio Sagramoso on his J/122 Lazy Dog, and the elegant Ker 51 Varuna belonging to the German owner Jens Kellingshusen.

Jean Pierre Dreau is back again at the helm of his super-maxi yacht Med Spirit with a 100% French crew. Completely won over last year by the Voiles de Saint Barth, he set up his schedule this year to ensure he could compete in the event.

Simonas Steponavicius and the Lithuanians on the Volvo 60 yacht Ambersail are equally passionate about the event. They are returning to the Voiles with an experienced young crew, which has already clocked up more than 100,000 miles of ocean sailing and are even more motivated now, as they look forward to announcing shortly that they will be competing in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Luxury yacht Dynamite Idea is another superyacht designed by the Farr team. This 80-foot boat has successfully competed in major races on both sides of the Atlantic. Her skipper, Tony McBride, is coming to Saint Barth with some serious ambitions in the spectacular Maxi Yacht class and is aiming to win, “in spite of the very high standard of racing we can expect here…”

Less than three weeks to go until 42nd BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival

March 07, 2013

With less than three weeks to go until the 42nd edition of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival at Nanny Cay, a truly international cast is making ready to participate in the fabulous sailing grounds off Tortola, situated in a popular Caribbean yacht charter destination – the British Virgin Islands.

Beneteau First 42, Molto Bene enjoys some 'hot racing' during the 2012 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival Credit: Todd van Sickle

Beneteau First 42 yacht Molto Bene enjoys some 'hot racing' during the 2012 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival Credit: Todd van Sickle

The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival has always attracted sailors from around the world to take part and this year is no exception. Entries from at least 12 different nations will compete and include: Australia, Germany, USA, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, Luxembourg, Canada, Russia, Switzerland, British Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands.

Past Competitors Return
The allure of racing in some of the most scenic, varied and challenging waters on the planet is the reason that most competitors return each year. Uniquely, the BVI Spring Regatta race course takes place in the Atlantic Ocean, the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the Caribbean Sea.

Having competed in 2011, David Sampson’s Alia 82 charter yacht Aiyana (Mona Vale, AUS) will be back again as the largest boat in the fleet. Built in 2010, it will be hard to miss the 82 foot blue hull with its very sleek low profile lines:

“The courses are good and the sailing in and around the BVI is fantastic! We look forward to the nice weather, steady breeze and competitive racing with similar types of yachts. Because Aiyana is really a cruising yacht, we prefer to try and race against similar types of boats and that is why we target the super yacht events and the BVI Spring Regatta. Last time we raced a Swan 60 and a few other larger cruising boats with similar ratings, it was good fun. There is always a great atmosphere at Nanny Cay and the islands in general, so it’s always enjoyable. The BVI are one of the best places I’ve been to for sailing and I have sailed professionally for 18 years,” says Sampson.

Sail Yacht AIYANA - Cruising

Sail Yacht AIYANA - Cruising

Richard Wesslund’s J120 yacht El Ocaso from Miami Florida (USA) had one of their best Caribbean racing seasons ever in 2012 and are hoping to repeat their class win at this year’s BVI Spring regatta. Their highly competitive team get to vote on which regattas they attend each year and are looking forward to coming back to compete at the BVI Spring Regatta once more.

Puerto Rican champion and BVI fan, Jaime Torres has replaced his winning First 40 with a high performance Melges 32 and is looking forward to some top competition in the regatta with Smile and Wave, which includes a non-sanction event in the inaugural Virgin Islands Sailing Series for Melges 32s: “I can’t wait to sail against the world’s best sailors in the world’s best waters,” says Torres.

He’ll be up against some tough competition in the form of BVI-based James Mark Plaxton’s, Team INTAC. The highly successful team, led by USVI sailing legend and America’s Cup champion, Peter Holmberg has a lot of silverware on their mantelpiece, including the current Budget Marine Match Racing Cup and top prize at the Heineken Regatta, The St. Maarten Cup for Most Worthy Performance Overall.

Jim Hoelter’s Alerion Express 33 yacht Nymph from Piedmont, near San Francisco, CA (USA) will compete as Penn’s Landing Racing Team. The boat has competed three times in the regatta and all the crew (from USA, Germany and Denmark) raced together in the 2012 edition: “We are hoping for a podium position this year. The BVI Spring Regatta is very well organised, great fun and the BVI is a great sailing venue,” says Hoelter.

Richard Wesslund's J120, El Ocaso will be back to race this year - Credit: Todd van Sickle

Richard Wesslund's J120 yacht El Ocaso will be back to race this year - Credit: Todd van Sickle

Proven Race Winners
Phil Lotz’s Swan 42 yacht Arethusa (Newport, RI, USA) will be one to watch. From the New York Yacht Club, the team will first compete in the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean, Virgin Gorda from 11-15 March before heading down to Tortola and the Spring Regatta. At Quantum Key West earlier this year, the team achieved a place on the podium for 3rd in class and in 2012 were runners-up in the Swan 42 US Nationals and in the previous year, won the Swan Caribbean Challenge and best American yacht in Antigua Sailing Week following their impressive Class 3 win.

Exchanging Snow for Iced….Painkiller Cocktails
Like Toronto-based Pasquale Leone racing a Beneteau First 36.7 yacht Hammertime II, many competitors are looking forward to leaving behind a freezing cold winter and heading for the ‘Warm Water, Hot Racing’ promises of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival.

Alice Martin’s PAINKILLER Racing Team usually race a Sydney 38, complete with a huge flamingo mascot on the spinnaker, under the Chicago Yacht Club and Columbia Yacht Club. For the BVI Spring Regatta they will compete in the bareboat class racing a Beneteau 50.5: “During the winter we seek warmer racing venues than Lake Michigan! We’ve heard the BVI Spring Regatta is challenging yet fun and are really looking forward to the week,” says Martin.

The team hope to top their 3rd overall position achieved at last year’s Heineken Regatta and already have a number of races under their belt in different boats, including Key West Race Week, Antigua Sailing Week, 2011 ORC World Championship, Croatia and the 2010 Newport-Bermuda Race:

“The Flamingo is our mascot and on our spinnakers in Chicago; the Painkiller our preferred drink! I became acquainted with the Painkiller cocktail when I cruised the BVI many years ago and it was when I was looking for a name for my 3rd boat, a J-30 that it became Painkiller!” continues Martin.

Newcomers to the Regatta
From Dresden, Germany, Nikolaus Hartmann’s Beneteau 50 sailing yacht Apollonia will compete in the regatta for the first time and signed up after deciding that they needed more of a challenge than just a cruising vacation:

Hartmann comments: “We are a crew ranging from 50-70s in age and looking forward to competing in the regatta for the first time,” says Hartmann. “Some of the crew haven’t sailed before and others, such as owner, Gerhard Schmidt have sailed around the world, completing a three year circumnavigation in 2000. I have gained experience in racing over 30 years, crewing a Flying Dutchman in national and international competitions and I have skippered charter boats in the Med in around 10 races and not performing too badly! We know we can’t win, but we are sure that we will be the most relaxed and the funniest crew in the fleet! We just hope we are not the last in our group! Lets see what happens.”

It’s not too late to race
The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival includes an extremely competitive charter boat fleet and Gold Sponsor, The Moorings and contributing sponsor, Sunsail, have already chartered out most of their available fleet for the regatta. However, several charter opportunities still exist for full teams or even individuals who want to join a boat.

In 2012 regatta, Christian and Lucy Reynolds’ Swan 51 Northern Child (GBR) won the Swan Trophy and were Class winners. Having recently purchased the winning First 40, Smile and Wave from Jaime Torres, they are offering great deals on the newly-named, Southern Child.

Quokka, a successful Grand Soleil 43 from the UK, was the UK IRC National Championship winner in 2011. She is skippered by a multi award winning skipper, Philippe Falle, who won the RORC Yacht of the Year award in 2009 and triumphed at the St Maarten Heineken Regatta in 2010 with victory in class. Quokka and Philippe Falle are available with a last minute deal.

Patriot, an S&S 48 Swan built in 1972 is also being offered for charter. She started her very successful racing career in the early seventies as Warbaby under the ownership and command of veteran Bermudian sailor, Warren Brown. Patriot is again owned by Bermudians and is ready to race.

The Regatta
The week long sailfest runs from 25-31 March and includes a newly formatted 3-day Sailing Festival (March 25-28), followed by the three-day BVI Spring Regatta starting on Friday 29th March. The Regatta includes the International Yacht Club Challenge and culminates in the awards ceremony for the overall prize winners on Easter, Sunday 31st March.

Panama’s Red Frog Beach Marina to welcome boaters from all over the world

March 07, 2013

In the upcoming six months, the Red Frog Beach Marina staff will warmly welcome boaters from all over the world, who will be visiting the beautiful yacht charter destination – Panama, for their first time.

Red Frog Marina situated in a fabulous yacht charter location - Panama

Red Frog Beach Marina situated in a fabulous yacht charter location - Panama

This summer, Red Frog Beach Marina will be a great place to visit – safe, peaceful and providing some fun events surrounding the “grand opening” (finalizing construction) of the vacation villas at Red Frog. The marina will also have a number of larger yachts stopping by in route to America’s Cup in San Francisco. There are still spaces available. The marina offers some of the most inexpensive dockage fees for this quality of a marina anywhere in the Caribbean.

Enchanting yacht charter destination - Panama

Enchanting yacht charter destination - Panama

Plenty of boaters ask about transiting the Panama Canal as the Red Frog Marina is 133 miles from the Atlantic entrance. About 15,000 boats go through the canal each year with approximately 5% to 10% of those vessels are privately owned mega-yachts or sailors/cruisers.

Below is a video of a fun 11 hour time-lapsed journey in 2 minutes through the Panama Canal. Video credit: Richard Sidey 2009

The beachfront restaurant at Red Frog Beach, Punta Lava, offers a 25% discount for special dinner events to all marina guests. Whether it is Tuesday night BBQ bonfire or a Central American themed all-you-can-eat buffet – the location cannot be beat!

New high-performance power catamaran yacht series by Setzer Yacht Architects for NISI Yachts

March 06, 2013

The award-winning U.S. and Caribbean-based design studio, Setzer Yacht Architects, has been commissioned by NISI Yachts to design an ultra-modern, high-performance power catamaran yacht series for immediate construction. As an addition to NISI’s existing Xpresso line of luxury yachts, the Setzer team is designing the vessel for pod drive propulsion, fitting it with a wave-piercing, plumb-bow hull form that is expected to deliver speeds in excess of 25 knots. The first 15-meter “Xpresso 1500″ yacht model is scheduled for launch in 2014.

New Xpresso yacht by Setzer Yacht Architects for NISI Yachts

New Xpresso yacht designed by Setzer Yacht Architects for NISI Yachts

While the multi-hull yacht project represents a new direction of growth for a team that has historically focused on custom superyachts, Marketing Director Joshua Setzer emphasized that the core business of the 22-year old firm will remain unchanged. “We are very excited to be extending our brand into the under 20-meter, multi-hull category,” said Setzer. “As in past collaborations we’ve had with luxury builders like Hinckley Yachts and Chris-Craft, we see this as an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective, and to challenge ourselves to create an innovative design for the semi-production market. The essence of this brand, however, stays in megayacht design.”

When asked what will make the yacht project unique, Setzer noted that while pod propulsion has become increasingly prevalent in monohull yachts, it remains relatively uncommon for multi-hulls. “We’ve done pretty exhaustive research on what’s been done before,” says Setzer. “What we’re finding is that only a handful of multi-hull builders are actively experimenting with pods. We’re certainly not the first, but this is reasonably uncharted territory.”

Citing benefits including minimized shaft angle, improved maneuverability, and ease of docking, Setzer believes pod propulsion will provide a highly responsive operating experience for Xpresso 1500 yacht owners, especially when coupled with the unique hull form under development. “The hull itself has been influenced by months of observations made from our Antigua Studio during the Caribbean charter season. The seas just off of our doorstep have allowed us to see multihulls being put to the test every day.”

NISI 2400 Superyacht

NISI 2400 Superyacht

This will not be the first time Setzer and NISI have partnered together on a project utilizing pod drives. The firms first joined forces in 2011 to produce the multiple award-winning motor yacht NISI 2400, the first yacht in the world under 24 meters to be built to full commercial RINA and MCA standards. Setzer and NISI have since collaborated on two additional projects, including a sister ship to the NISI 2400 launched last year, and a 17-meter, jet-powered sport-cruiser launching this spring that has been designed for a prominent Northeast American politician. Setzer is also currently developing a  30 to 36 meter superyacht series for NISI, which has been nicknamed “Hookah” and was partially unveiled at this month’s Miami International Boat Show.

From a design standpoint, the catamaran yacht Xpresso 1500 will feature modern exterior styling elements and an open interior layout similar to those Setzer has developed for NISI’s other builds, with emphasis placed on maintaining seamless flow between interior and outdoor spaces. “Cats are incredibly social boats,” said Ward Setzer, President. “The wide beam-to-length ratio allows us to really be creative in the way we incorporate entertainment spaces. Features like open-plan salons and galleys, oversized dining spaces on the aft deck, large bow deck sun pads – are not only feasible but can be included without crowding the general arrangement or compressing the accommodations. As designers, it’s a real joy to work on a layout like this and imagine all the ways the yacht can be used, whether it be vacation, charter, exploration, or entertainment.”

Below is a gallery for the stylish charter yachts with design by Setzer Yacht Architects.

Setzer Yacht Architects Charter Yacht Images

Encore - Main
Encore - Main
Encore - Skylounge aft deck
Encore - Skylounge aft deck
Encore - Main Saloon
Encore - Main Saloon
Encore - Aft Dining
Encore - Aft Dining
Encore - General Arrangement
Encore - General Arrangement
Encore - The Bar
Encore - The Bar
More: Setzer Yacht Architects Image Gallery

Winners Crowned in 19 Classes to Wrap Up 33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

March 03, 2013

This year’s 33rd edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta ended today in fitting style, with staunch as well as steady south-southeast trade winds of 15-20 knots, seas flecked with white caps, and excellent Caribbean sailing.

St. Maarten Heinken Regatta 2013 Day 3 - photo by outsideimages.com

St. Maarten Heinken Regatta 2013 Day 3 - photo by outsideimages.com

It was one of those yachting days made for superlatives, and official scorer and “regatta guru” Paul Miller unleashed a torrent of them. “The sparkling turquoise waters made for champagne sailing,” he said. And he was right.

On Day 3, the wind blew. And blew. First hard. And then harder. For the crews of the 202 yachts who’d descended on St. Maarten to race sailboats, it was what they’d come looking for, and it was definitely worth the wait.

After Saturday’s race to Marigot, the fleet reassembled on the western, French side of St. Maarten today to put the finishing touches on what had evolved into yet another memorable edition of “The Heineken.” With solid breeze gusting to over 20-knots, the race committees for both the A and B fleets took full advantage of the sweet conditions and sent the racers on challenging courses that took them into and across the Anguilla Channel before a long upwind leg along the island’s southern shore to a finish line off Simpson Bay.

The B fleets that included all five Bareboat classes, Multihull divisions 3-5, and the Lottery Class sailed a 15 nautical-mile course starting in Marigot Bay.

The Multihull 1-2 classes, and CSA 1, all competed on a 29.5 nautical mile course that took them to a turning mark off Tintamarre before turning downwind into the Anguilla Channel; the other CSA 2-8 classes sailed a slightly abbreviated 22.5 nautical mile race. The timing was such that the entire fleet converged on Blowing Rocks off the western point of Anguilla en masse, and the sight of dozens of race boats shredding across the clear waters was sensational.

The B fleet spun around a turning mark just inside the reef. But the CSA and Multihull racing classes in the A fleet came ripping down the Anguilla Channel under spinnakers and rounded Blowing Rocks before dousing their kites and trimming sails for the final leg to Simpson Bay. Those who witnessed the spectacle will no doubt remember it for some time.

While several crews in some of the classes came into Sunday’s racing with comfortable leads, there was plenty at stake for many of the competitors in several other divisions. In the CSA 1 battle between heavyweights, Jeremy Pilkington’s Baltic 78 charter yacht Lupa of London, and Jan Rupert’s Tripp 75 sailing yacht Blackbird, came into Sunday’s racing with identical scores of three points apiece. From the outset of the race, the two giants were locked head to head, effectively beginning what turned into a long, closely contested, point-to-point match race. In the end, it was Lupa’s day to shine, and with a Sunday victory the sleek 78-footer reigned supreme in the big-boat class of this year’s St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

CSA 3 was another class that was up for grabs on Sunday, and it was stacked with talent, including last year’s recipient of the Most Worthy Performance Overall Award, Richard Wesslund’s El Ocaso. But El Ocaso’s uncharacteristic 14th in Day 1 ultimately proved to be too high an obstacle to overcome, and in a major surprise, the boat was denied a podium finish.

So on Sunday, in CSA 3 it came down to Sergio Sagramoso’s J/122 yacht Lazy Dog-a perennial Heineken Regatta contender-and a newcomer to the fleet, Greg Slyngstad’s J/125, Hamachi. The latter sailed a tremendous race, and was the first of all CSA boats to round Blowing Rocks after flying down the Anguilla Channel under a huge, white asymmetric spinnaker. When the spray settled, Hamachi was second on Sunday, and Lazy Dog won the final CSA 3 race on corrected time. Remarkably, however, both boats were tied with identical scores of 15.5. But Lazy Dog’s last day victory proved to be the difference, and the crew from Puerto Rico earned the title of CSA 3 champ.

There was less drama in CSA 4 and CSA 8, but a pair of dominant showings well worth celebrating. In the latter, In the highly competitive sport boat class, Mark Plaxton’s Melges 32, Team INTAC, won all four races in the regatta to win the division in runaway style. Plaxton’s stacked crew included this year’s Budget Marine Match Racing Cup winner, Taylor Canfield, and four-time Canadian Olympic sailor Richard Clarke. And in CSA 4, Han de Bruyn Kops’s well-sailed Hanse 47e, Team Han, also swept all four of their races to easily win their class.

In other CSA action, Richard Blakemore’s Swan 53 yacht Music, put the finishing touches on a fine series on Sunday, winning their third straight race in a row to capture CSA 2. Raphael Magras’s X-Yachts 34, Maelia, also took the final three of four to handily win CSA 7.

In CSA 5, St. Maarten skipper Alain Riouallec’s Bachi-Bouzouk, a Sigma 41, capped a consistent series with a fourth on Sunday that was enough to wrap up their 11-boat class. And with great scores throughout the weekend-including a first in Sunday’s race-Remco van Dortmondt’s Sunbelt Realty DASH, was the undisputed victor of CSA 6. Finally, in separate scoring for the six Melges 24s in the field, Andrea Scarabelli and Team Budget Marine/Gill topped the tight one-design fleet.

Among the catamaran and trimaran fleets, the Gunboat Elvis-and there was a sighting of “The King” dancing on the foredeck moments after the start-was another boat that sailed a perfect regatta, notching their third consecutive first-place finish to win Multihull 1. Petr Kochnev’s Lagoon 500, Belisima, also won their class, Multihull 3, in three straight sets.

It was a far different story in Multihull 2, where Nils Erickson’s Formula 40, Soma, and Richard Wooldridge’s fast tri, Triple Jack, came into Sunday’s racing tied for first. Both boats nailed their starts and, with hulls flying, tore up the coast of St. Maarten nearly locked together. But Soma eventually pulled away and won both the final race and the class, while Triple Jack’s fourth on Sunday relegated them to second in Multihull 2.

Maas Hanen’s Outremere, Teora, won Sunday’s race in Multihull 4-their second win in three races-to earn top honors in Multihull 4. The MyCat 26, Carib Cat, was the winner in Multihull 5.

In the charter boat fleets, the winners were as follows: Famed 3 (Bareboat 1), Team Ukraine (Bareboat 2), Team Yacht Club Wamel Mohne (Bareboat 3), J-World Annapolis (Bareboat 4), and KHS&S (Bareboat 5). The top boat in the Lottery Class was Marc Perron’s Jeanneau Sunfast 43 yacht Grosloup.

For over three decades, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has showcased the top boats and sailing in the Caribbean, and has become equally famous for its world-class slate of parties and musical entertainment. Now recognized by sailors around the planet as one of the sailing world’s best regattas, each year the event lives up to its worthy motto: Serious Fun.

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2013 Day 2: Fleet Sets Sail for Marigot

March 02, 2013

In breeze that built steadily as the day progressed, and with plenty of classes recording a pair of competitions in perfect Caribbean sailing conditions, the race continued today with the traditional Saturday point-to-point contest to Marigot in the 33rd edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. After the morning’s competing, for the first time ever, the race committee conducted an afternoon race for the 72 boats participating in the five Bareboat classes. The CSA 2-8 divisions also sailed a second windward-leeward race in the Anguilla Channel.

33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Day 2 - Photo by Bob Grieser/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM

33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Day 2 - Photo by Bob Grieser/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM

The fleet’s larger yachts-in CSA 1, and Multihull 1 and 2-sailed a single race today, an epic 36-nautical mile affair that took the sailors on a counterclockwise route around the island, leaving Tintamarre to port and embarking on a long reach to Blowing Rock off Anguilla before returning to the finish line off Marigot.

All three starts for the big boats were colorful and spectacular. In Multihull 1, the Gunboat Elvis executed a picture perfect maneuver, rolling sister-ship Panthera to leeward as if she were standing still to take an early and substantial lead. In Multihull 2, Richard Woodridge’s slick trimaran Triple Jack and Nils Erickson’s fast cat Soma both rocketed off the line, resuming the close duel that began on Day 1 of the event. And in CSA 1, all seven Grand Prix monohulls-a group that included the Swan 100 superyacht Varsovie; the 76-foot yacht Idea; and the Vendee Globe Open 60 yacht Energa-were all on top of their respective games, hitting the line on time and with considerable pace.

The other CSA classes sailed a 16-nautical mile race from a starting line off Cole Bay to a finish off Marigot, followed by the afternoon round-the-buoys race.

On the “B Circle” for Bareboats, Multihull classes 3-5, and the Lottery Class, the morning race was a straightforward 8.5 nautical mile sprint from a starting line south of Simpson Bay to Marigot. After lunch, the Bareboats reassembled for another 8-nautical mile race along the western shore of St. Maarten.

The top Bareboats were extremely well sailed, with tight racing and sound tactics. Do not tell these crews they are charter sailors, and not full-fledged, competitive racing sailors. The crew of Extra Cold looked “extra cool” in their orange uniforms. The all-women crews aboard Dutch @tack and Something Hot showed fine form running wing and wing down the coast of St. Maarten in close-quarters racing during the morning race. And Rom Gessel, the skipper of the Bareboat 2 entrant Neerlands Glorie, did a fine job summing up the attitude prevalent among many of the Bareboat racers when the day was over.

“We had one good race and one not-so-good race today,” said Gessel. “We sail with our friends, two are very good sailors, two are pretty good sailors, and the rest of the crew has not sailed much before. But they bring the fun, and that’s why we come to the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. There is incredible competition in the bareboat classes, some very good teams. It’s difficult to win. But it is always fun. And that is why we are here, and why we come back.”

When the results were tallied today, there were surprises across the fleet. In CSA 1, Daniel Stump’s charter yacht Lupa of London was today’s winner, nipping Friday’s top boat, Jan Rupert’s Tripp 75 sailing yacht Blackbird. With three points apiece, Sunday’s race in the big-boat class will be a winner-take-all showdown.

In Multihull 1, Elvis parlayed the great start to a second-straight victory. But Multihull 2 remains wide open after Soma avenged her second-place finish on Friday with a win today. Triple Jack took second, setting up another potential Sunday duel for all the marbles.

In CSA 2, James Blackmore’s Swan 53, Music, rocketed to the top of the leader board by virtue of a pair of bullets-first-place finishes-on Saturday. CSA 3 is wide open: Greg Slyngstad’s J/125 sailing yacht Hamachi, has yet to win a race, but holds the lead thanks to a consistent series with no finish higher than sixth. When it comes to consistency, however, the crew of Han deBruyn Kops’s Hanse 47, TeamHan, is the very definition of the word-in three CSA 4 races so far, they’ve won all of them.

Alain Riouallec’s Bachi-Bouzouk, a Sigma 41, was twice a winner on Saturday and now holds a strong lead in CSA 5. The same goes for Lawrence Aqui’s Wild T’ing, a Dufour 40, a two-time winner Saturday in CSA 6. With a 2-1 score today, Raphael Magras’s X-Yachts 34 yacht Maelia, leads CSA 7. And Mark Plaxton’s Melges 32, Team INTAC, has yet to lose a race thus far, and is riding high in CSA 8. The battle between the Melges 24 will continue tomorrow, with Team Island Water World taking the lead after today’s races, and Team Budget Marine/Gill close behind them with only one point difference.

For the second straight day, Petr Kochnev’s Lagoon 500, Belisima, won Multihull 3 to take a commanding lead. In Multihull 4, the Belize 43 yacht Melisande, won today’s race, but is second overall behind the Outremere, Teora, which had registered a 1-2 in racing through Saturday. The Lottery Class leader remains Marc Perron’s Jeanneau Sunfast 43, which followed up Friday’s win with another on Saturday.

Among the charter fleets, following Saturday’s racing the class leaders included Team Yacht Club Wamel Mohne (Bareboat 3), Team Ukraine 2 (Bareboat 4), and KHS&S (Bareboat 5). Results for the Bareboat 1 and 2 fleets were not immediately available on Saturday night, as there were protests pending in both divsions: check the event website for updates on these classes.

For over three decades, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has showcased the top boats and sailing in the Caribbean, and has become equally famous for its world-class slate of parties and musical entertainment. Now recognized by sailors around the planet as one of the sailing world’s best regattas, each year the event lives up to its worthy motto: Serious Fun.

Fleet of 202 Yachts Set Sail to Kick Off 33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

March 01, 2013

On a stunning if challenging day for yacht competing, with gentle easterly breezes that never topped 12-knots, an amazingly diverse fleet of 202 registered yachts set sail this morning to kick off the 33rd edition of the world renowned St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. The fleet consists of an impressive collection of nearly three dozen privately owned multihulls, as well as one of the largest gatherings of catamarans and trimarans ever assembled for a Caribbean regatta.

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2013 - Photo by outsideimages.com

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta 2013 - Photo by outsideimages.com

Despite winds mostly hovering between 6-8 knots, principal race officer David Campbell-James made the gutsy call to send the “A fleet” consisting of the eight CSA racing classes, as well as the Multihull 1 and 2 divisions, on the traditional round-the-island contest that launches the three-day regatta. Both multihull classes, and CSA 1, consisting of seven Grand Prix monohulls, sailed the 32-nautical-mile course that included a rounding of the small island of Tintamarre off the northeast corner of St. Maarten. The remaining CSA 2-8 classes sailed a slightly abbreviated 29-nautical mile course with a mark set inside of Tintamarre.

On the “B circle” comprised of the five Bareboat classes, the Lottery Division, and Multihulls 3, 4 and 5, the fleet sailed a 17-nautical mile course along the southern and eastern shores of St. Maarten. All the races concluded in spectacular visual fashion at a finish line in Great Bay off Philipsburg.

Before the action got underway, longtime St. Maarten racer Bobby Velasquez, skipper of the 45-foot Beneteau yacht L’Esperance, was asked what the weather gods had in store. He looked to the sky and replied, “Very light. Very fluky.” He turned out to be a prophet.

But the light winds hardly mattered to the first class to get underway, Multihull 1, composed of a quintet of sleek Gunboat catamarans, returning to the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta in force after a brief hiatus. Talent-wise, the Gunboat contingent was absolutely stacked with world-class sailors. Among them were Tornado champion and Caribbean cat legend Randy West (Tribe), J/24 champ and multihull expert Paul Van Dyke (Tiger Lily), A-Class cat champion Bob Hodges (Coco de Mer), and even Gunboat founder Peter Johnstone (Panthera).

However, it was the team aboard the distinctive Gunboat called Elvis that led the way on the clockwise course around St. Maarten. After a short beat to windward, the crew that included Scott Bradford-the well-known former captain of the iconic Caribbean maxi Titan-and St. Thomas-born professional sailor Anthony Kotoun, were able to bear off for the point at Basse Terre under a spinnaker emblazoned with a silhouette of “the King.” Figuratively speaking, Elvis had left the building.

33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta: Day 1 - Photo by Bob Grieser/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM

33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta: Day 1 - Photo by Bob Grieser/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM

Slicing atop the seas like water bugs, the cats and tris made good progress despite the light airs. But there were many memorable sights on the brilliant blue waters off St. Maarten, including the salty Luders yawl Frolic, resplendent in a colorful mizzen spinnaker; Philip Walwyn’s classic gaff-rigger Kate, sliding upwind with triple headsails and a crewman stretched out on the bowsprit; and the fleet’s smallest boat, the 21-foot, home-built, hard-chine Muscadet class sloop Liberte, complete with a self-steering vane.

Young skipper Dimitri Brouhns, who spent 65 days sailing from Belgium to the islands to compete in the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, was so enthused by a passing photo boat that he stopped to take a swig directly from his rum bottle soon after the start. Asked if he was enjoying the racing, Brouhns replied, “I hope so!” He most certainly appeared to be.

After rounding Basse Terre at the western corner of St. Maarten, the round-the-island racers embarked on a long beat up the west coast past Marigot and Grand Case. While many boats tacked across the Anguilla Channel in hopes of better breeze, by staying inshore several local sailors found flat water and steady wind flowing off the hills near the beach, where they made impressive gains. Once past Tintamarre, in fading winds, it was a tight reach to the finish line and the conclusion of Day 1 of the 2013 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

When the preliminary scores were tallied, a long roster of worthy winners topped the respective leader boards. In CSA 1, Jan Rupert’s handsome Tripp 75 sailing yacht Blackbird, was the leader of the seven-boat class and also the fastest spinnaker flying yacht around the island, some 57 seconds under four hours. In CSA 2, Nico Cortlever’s well-sailed X-612, Nix, held an impressive lead in the early going, was the first boat to round the inside mark off Tintamarre, and held off her competition in the second half of the race to earn the victory in the 12-boat division. Nix was also the fastest “non-spinnaker” boat to circumnavigate St. Maarten, with an elapsed time of 4h, 53m, 25s.

In CSA 3-with 15 entrants, the regatta’s biggest class-Patrick Holloran’s Beneteau First 40.7, Caipirinha, stood atop the fleet. Han de Bruyn Kips Hanss 47e, TeamHan, was the best boat in CSA 4. Bobby Valesquez used the light and fluky conditions well and rode them to victory with L’Esperance in CSA 5. Thomas Mullen’s J/95, Shamrock VII, employed the luck of the Irish to win CSA 6. Roger Petit’s Bel Aurora won CSA 7, as did Mark Plaxton and Team INTAC in CSA 8. And the Melges 24 winner was none other than the head of the steering committee for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, John Gifford aboard AMCON.

Among the multihulls, Elvis is most certainly still alive, having won the opening race in Multihull 1. In Multihull 2, the fastest multi around the island was Nils Erickson’s Formula 40 yacht Soma, with a time of 4h, 34m, 22s. However, when handicap times were applied Richard Woodridge’s Triple Jack earned top marks in the class.

Multihull 3 was won by Petr Kochnev’s Lagoon 500 yacht Belisama. Maas Hanen’s Outremer, Teora, was best among Multihull 4 contestants. Dominique Cauchy took Multihull 5 aboard his Multi 23, Hii.

In the Bareboat charter fleets, the winning boats were Famed 3 (Bareboat 1), Y-Not (Bareboat 2), Team Yacht Club Wamel Mohne (Bareboat 3), Syrena (Bareboat 4), and KHS&S (Bareboat 5).  The Lottery Class winner was Canadian Marc Perron’s Jeanneau Sunfast 43, Grosloup.

For over three decades, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has showcased the top boats and sailing in the Caribbean, and has become equally famous for its world-class slate of parties and musical entertainment. Now recognized by sailors around the planet as one of the sailing world’s best regattas, each year the event lives up to its worthy motto: Serious Fun.

Oyster World Rally 2013: Into the Pacific

March 01, 2013

The Oyster World Rally 2013 kicked off from Antigua in early January. So far, the fleet has been enjoying over a month’s cruising in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean before gathering in Panama for a rendezvous on the 15th February. A fleet of 26 Oyster yachts have now navigated through the Panama Canal into the Pacific Ocean.

San Blas Islands in a beautiful yacht charter destination - Panama

The San Blas Islands in a beautiful yacht charter destination - Panama

For 25 years, Paul and Sue Fletcher have dreamt of casting off their lines and sailing around the world and Dreams come True is a very apt name for their Oyster 56 yacht. As part of the Oyster World Rally, over the next 14 months, Paul and Sue, with the help of their four children, hope to fulfil their cherished ambition. Paul describes their wonderful experience in the San Blas islands of Panama which are an archipelago comprising approximately 378 islands and cays, of which only 49 are inhabited. They lie off the north coast of Panama, east of the Panama Canal and are home to the Kuna Indians.

“The weather conditions have been fantastic, blue skies, plenty of sunshine and a good breeze. We only used fuel to get on an anchorage or to charge batteries, the rest of the time has all been under sail,” smiled Paul Fletcher.

“The San Blas Islands were incredible, they are called the hidden gems of the Caribbean and they easily lived up to their reputation. The islands are stunningly beautiful and there are so many superb anchorages. We visited several islands and the Kuna Indians were extremely friendly and very happy to sell lobster to us at a good price. Probably the standout memory from San Blas was meeting up with two other yachts on the rally – Babe and Wolfhound. We took about half a dozen lobsters ashore to a sea shanty restaurant and had a terrific lunch followed by a game of beach cricket. I will never forget that view, it was simply fantastic.”

Every yacht taking part in the Oyster World Rally is fitted with a SSB Radio and a radio net was organised with a daily ‘call-in’ schedule. Oyster World Rally Event Manager, Debbie Johnson reports that the fleet have really bonded during their weeks together in the Caribbean: “The radio network has been used really well, people have dropped in and out but everyone has loved it and being very positive about how it is a useful way of sharing information. Also from a social point of view, the radio net was used as a way of getting together, especially around The San Blas Islands and Cartagena.”

The Oyster World Rally rendezvous in Panama

The Oyster World Rally rendezvous in Panama

The Oyster World Rally rendezvous in Panama was held at Shelter Bay Marina. After a guided tour of the World Heritage site, Fort San Lorenzo marking the Caribbean entrance to the canal, Oyster owners and their guests enjoyed a drinks party followed by a Ceviche Bar. The party continued into the night with a traditional Panamanian barbeque, including a slow-cooked whole roast hog.

“After a few drinks, the whole party put together a great sing-along, with a few impromptu verses about fun in the Caribbean, which I have to say was absolutely hysterical!” Laughed Debbie Johnson.

“Shelter Bay could not have been more helpful or worked any harder, they gave Oyster outstanding service. We had a fantastic party but even before that our host put on special themed nights each evening and everybody was made to feel really welcome. There are a lot of youngsters and we held a barbeque one night just for them, there must have been over 30 guests who really enjoyed meeting up with people of their own age.

“It has been great to get together in Panama and hear about all of the stories and fantastic places everybody has been visiting in the Caribbean. I can really see how the fleet has connected now that they have so much in common.

Oyster yachts navigating through the Panama Canal into the Pacific Ocean

Oyster yachts navigating through the Panama Canal into the Pacific Ocean

“The shopping in Panama City is just incredible, kilometres of shops, better than I have seen in Europe and there has been quite a lot of retail therapy going on! Also some of the girls have organised spa days and there has been plenty of stocking up for The Galapagos Islands.”

Debbie reports that the complex task of organising 26 yachts through the Panama Canal went effortlessly: “It was an amazing experience but I have never worked as hard in my life as the past few weeks, it was an incredible project.

“We have been planning the rally for two years and a considerable amount of time went into getting the logistics in place for a safe passage through the Panama Canal. It took 4 days to get all of the Oyster fleet through but it has all gone so smoothly. We had planned for delays and unexpected problems but it all went so well that we were two days ahead of schedule. Everybody has been so accommoding and getting everyone through to the Pacific has gone like clockwork.

“Your lifestyle totally changes when you are making a trip like this and it was so rewarding to see that everybody is really enjoying the Oyster World Rally.”

Gill Commodore’s Cup 2013: The Kick-off to the 33rd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

March 01, 2013

In a beautiful preview of coming attractions, the Gill Commodore’s Cup 2013, the tune-up event to the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, started yesterday in the sparkling waters of St. Maarten, with participation of 45 yachts in four spinnaker-flying divisions. The traditional warm-up series is sponsored by Gill, the regatta’s official technical apparel supplier.

Gill Commodores Cup 2013 - Photo by Bob Grieser

Gill Commodore's Cup 2013 - Photo by Bob Grieser

On a day that appeared to have been ordered up by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau-with crystal clear skies and an ideal 10-12 knot east-southeast breeze-the race committee conducted three windward leeward races in the waters off “the Friendly Island’s” southern shoreline. Some crews fared better than others, performing crisp spinnaker sets and douses and displaying excellent boat-handling skills. But there were also the usual gaffes and mistakes to be expected from other teams that are ramping up programs after some time off the racecourse; those crews took advantage of the venue and the ideal conditions to get in a strong day of practice.

Among the boats that were in top form and served notice that they will be forces to be reckoned with in the upcoming St. Maarten Heineken Regatta were Jan Rupert’s sleek Tripp 75 sailing yacht Blackbird, and John Wilson’s 78-foot yacht Idea, in the Gill 1 class. In Gill 2, Greg Slyngstad’s J/125 yacht Hamachi; perennial contender Sergio Sagramoso’s J/122 yacht Lazy Dog; and Richard Wesslund’s J/120 yacht El Ocaso, were all in fine fettle. Gill 3 standouts included Lawrence Aqui’s pretty blue Dufour 40 sailing yacht Wild T’ing, and Raphael Magras’s X-Yachts 34 yacht Maelia. And in Gill 4, all-star crews aboard a pair of Melges 32s yacht Mark Plaxton’s Team INTAC and Jaime Torres’s Smile and Wave appeared ready to wage a wicked duel once the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta gets underway.

When the preliminary scores were tallied, and the cream had risen to the top, Blackbird was the winner of Gill 1 with three consecutive first-place finishes. However, the big-boat competition will become stiffer in the days ahead with the inclusion of Kip Curren’s Farr 60 yacht Venemous, and Tomasz Bozyczko’s Open 60 yacht Energa, neither of which competed in the Gill Commodore’s Cup.

From the looks of Gill 2, the division may well be packed with the most competitive boats in the fleet. And when the dust had settled on Thursday, Wesslund’s El Ocaso picked up where she left off at last year’s St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, when she won her class and the title of Most Worthy Performance Overall. El Ocaso was joined on the Gill Commodore’s Cup division 2 podium by Lazy Dog and Hamachi, respectively.

In Gill 3, Maelia nipped Wild T’ing by a single point to take top honors in the 16-boat class. And finally, in Gill 4, Team INTAC was the winner by virtue of three consecutive bullets, with Smile and Wave second. In third, Andrea Scarabelli’s Melges 24, Budget Marine/Gill, was the top finisher among the half dozen 24s in the field.

This year Gill awarded again the best boat of the day for outstanding performance. El Ocaso can check of another overall performance by taking the Gill Commodore’s Best Boat award home.

For over three decades, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has showcased the top boats and sailing in the Caribbean, and has become equally famous for its world-class slate of parties and musical entertainment. Now recognized by sailors around the planet as one of the sailing world’s best regattas, each year the event lives up to its worthy motto: Serious Fun.

C&N Marinas offering two superyacht berths for the price of one

February 28, 2013

With luxury superyacht marinas across the world, Camper & Nicholsons Marinas are providing yachts owners with the opportunity to save thousands by owning a berth in fabulous yacht charter destinations – the Mediterranean as well as the Caribbean, at one attractive price. The package is applicable for berths from 30m to 60m at Port Louis Marina, Grenada and Porto San Rocco, Italy.

Porto San Rocco Marina situated in a popular Mediterranean yacht charter destination - Italy

Porto San Rocco Marina situated in a popular Mediterranean yacht charter destination - Italy

Camper & Nicholsons luxury marinas are the destinations of choice for the discerning yacht owner, operator and captain. Now, thanks to these special berth prices, there is the opportunity to own sister-berths in key central Mediterranean and southern Caribbean homeports.

Porto San Rocco in Italy is an ideal base for those cruising the Adriatic, Croatian and Slovenian coasts as well as Northern Italy. Set in a picturesque and fully pedestrianized village designed by acclaimed architect Luigi Vietti, the marina offers world class yachting facilities and 546 fully serviced berths. With a warm climate throughout the year and within easy reach of four international airports, Porto San Rocco is an attractive choice for many owners.

In Grenada, Port Louis Marina is fast becoming the yachting capital of the Caribbean and with unspoilt cruising grounds, secluded coves and beaches safely below the hurricane belt and a host of sporting activities it’s no surprise. Grenada also has direct flight access to key cities around the world, such as London, Miami, New York and Toronto, making it an ideal base for owners to berth their yachts. At Port Louis, owners will experience world-class amenities and services of the highest standard in an authentic Caribbean atmosphere.

Port Louis Marina situated in a fabulous Caribbean yacht charter location - Grenada

Port Louis Marina situated in a fabulous Caribbean yacht charter location - Grenada

Throughout the year both the Caribbean and Mediterranean are popular cruising grounds for yachtsmen and women, and with this incredibly attractive offering from Camper & Nicholsons Marinas owners can save thousands.

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