Catana shipyard announced their newest concept in recreational catamarans that features state-of-the-art innovations from the world of racing. These applications include curved daggerboards for a hydrofoil effect, a sail plan with a short mainsail that is easy to handle, larger headsails, reverse bows and straight hulls, all of which are design elements that will allow the catamaran to achieve thrilling speeds over 20 knots.
Catana shipyard uses carbon fiber construction to make the boat more resistant to damage and considerably lighter for greater speed and agility. Notable features of the new design include 360° visibility from anywhere on the boat, excellent height under the nacelle for sailing on heavy seas, daggerboards for close-hauled sailing without the `trip` risk and a carefully calculated beam/length ratio for better stability.
In addition to high performance features, the Catana 59 offers plenty of interior space and amenities to make the yacht a comfortable live-aboard. A retractable bay window brings the outdoors in for an open feel. Salon furniture is convertible to accommodate dining and relaxation. A center island galley provides ample workspace. Cabins are roomy and include plenty of storage. Equipment includes a refrigerator, freezer, desalination equipment, generator, oven, washing machine, dishwasher, wine cellar, television, air-conditioning, heating and diving compressor.
The British Virgin Islands are a premier destination for Caribbean kitesurfing with delightful wind, spectacular water and vast uninhabited areas. These lush tropical islands are supremely popular with catamaran charterers for the same reasons. A kitesurfing catamaran charter allows enthusiasts of adventure travel to experience the ultimate of both sports.
Tucked nicely away in the vast realm of the Caribbean Sea, the British Virgin Islands are comprised of a number of great kitesurfing beaches including Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and many others. These islands are all within easy reach of each other and together make an ideal itinerary for a week long catamaran charter.
Experience the waters offshore Sir Richard Branson`s Necker Island and other renowned kiteboarding spots where ameteurs and pros play and compete during the famous BVI Kite Jam. Thrill to superb wave riding, scenic downwinders and the legendary flatwater of unspoiled Anegada. Spend a day in the calm, deep water harbor of Virgin Gorda`s Bitter End, central to the annual Billabong BVI Kite Jam. Improve your skill, whether a novice or accomplished kitesurfer, arrange to take a lesson from a world class pro.
Discover unforgettable kitingsurfing on the water, charming island lifestyle ashore, and unsurpssed beauty all around you on a catamaran charter in the British Virgin Islands.
Rebel Yell off Alcatraz, IRC A: Photo Daniel Forster
The Rolex Big Boat Series has once again attracted world-caliber sailors to this West Coast event from all corners of the continent and abroad. Beginning today, four challenging days of racing culminate with the presentation of six specially engraved Rolex timepieces given to winners of the St. Francis Yacht Club’s Perpetual Trophies.
The Rolex Big Boat Series is the second race of the
Crimiinal Mischief IRC A: Photo Daniel Forster
series, followed by the West Coast Shootout (September 24-25) and the Great Pumpkin Regatta (October 29-30), which is considered a San Francisco classic.
The racing action takes place on the San Francisco waterfront that is now home to the America’s Cup. “This is the first time for all of us sailing in San Francisco,” said Jan Bruening, the bowman aboard his father’s German entrant, Topas, in the Farr 30
Rebel Yell: Photo Daniel Forster
class, which is holding its 2011 World Championship concurrent with the Rolex Big Boat Series. The thing we’ve enjoyed is, really, that every day there are stable winds.”
The largest class, the J/105s have “dialed up their programs” for the Rolex Big Boat Series, said Stuart Johnstone (Newport, R.I.), who is on Arbitrage. “It’s always tough; the top six or so teams are extremely good and all capable of winning a North American championship. In fact, San Francisco teams are typically known to dominate this class’s North American championships.”
Johnstone pointed out that in IRC C, there are four J/125s that are part of the “fast forties” sport boat contingent. “They are also specially geared up for this regatta, and they corroborated on their ratings (by using same sail selections, etc.) to stay close. There is only one boat (Andy Costello’s Double Trouble) that is local. They are gonna have a ball, since the race committee, I’m sure, will send them on courses that criss-cross all over the place.”
Johnstone said it was anyone’s guess how the new Farr 400 Team Premier will fare with Dee Smith (Annapolis, Md.) at the helm, and there are also two Farr 36s and an ID 35 thrown into the mix.
Local yacht managers in South Florida enthusiastically present the first annual Fantasy Fest Flotilla, featuring all-inclusive crewed luxury charter yachts. En route to Fantasy Fest, Key West`s infamous annual island extravaganza, enjoy world-class diving, snorkeling, fishing, dining and extreme partying in the spectacular Florida Keys.
Monday, October 24: Coconut Grove, Miami – Key Largo
Embark from Coconut Grove, the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami, Florida, and a charming urban center of upscale restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Cruise around Biscayne Bay with a stop to swim and snorkel on the reef before sailing down Hawkes Channel to spend the night in Key Largo.
Tuesday, October 25: Key Largo – Marathon
Key Largo is the first island of the Florida Keys. The 1948 film Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart, brought early notoriety to the island. A popular beach bar today, the Caribbean Club provided the locale for a number of the movie’s scenes. The vessel of another Bogart American movie epic, The African Queen, is docked at the Key Largo Marina. Cruise down Hawkes Channel under sail to Duck Key to anchor for the night.
Wednesday, October 26: Marathon
Depart Duck Key for the leisurely two-hour sail to Sombrero Key Light, an excellent spot for snorkelers and divers to explore fantastic living coral reefs teeming with fish. Fishing enthusiasts will want to sail just south of the tower in the Gulf Stream to fight Mahi, Spanish mackerel, and other game fish. In the evening anchor off Boot Key Channel or spend the night at Burdine’s Waterfront or Marathon Marina and enjoy the vibrant nightlife onshore.
Thursday, October 27: Marathon – Little Palm Island Resort and Spa
Boot Key Harbor to Looe Key is a scenic half-day sail. Here the reef provides spectacular snorkeling and diving for an unforgettable afternoon. In the evening sail into the charming marina at Little Palm Island Resort and Spa. This private island is the posh retreat of presidents, high profile celebrities and savvy travelers. Dine on a terrace perched above the beach where key deer and songbirds visit, or at tables strewn along the beach. Sometimes, the revelry goes on all night by a roaring bonfire on the beach.
Friday, October 28: Little Palm Island – Key West
Depart Palm Island and arrive in Key West in the afternoon with plenty of time for exploring, shopping and sight seeing. This historic city is a fascinating crossroads of diversified cultures and lifestyles that coexist with colorful harmony.
Saturday October 29: Key West Join in the fun of Fantasy Fest. Cool down at the Garden of Eden, clothing optional rooftop bar, dance at the Vampire Ball, which takes place at the spine tingling Haunting of Fort Taylor, watch the pet masquerade parade, join the celebrity look alike contest or any of dozens of other scheduled events that culminate with the grand parade down Duval Street followed by an all night party throughout downtown.
Sunday, October 30: Key West
Enjoy a perfectly prepared Bloody Mary on deck before setting off for a meander through the recovering town. Stroll, bike or rent a scooter to explore the narrow streets dotted with small yet elite restaurants, artisan shops tucked in entryways, signature architecture and subtropical flora and fauna.
Ernest Hemingway's house Key West. Photo: Andreas Lamecker
Monday, October 31: Key West – Bahia Honda
This morning say farewell to Key West and sail up Hawkes Channel to an anchorage at Bahia Honda State Park. Swim or snorkel in the balmy water or dinghy ashore to hike one of the nature trails, learn about Florida wildlife, or simply relax in the evening sun.
Tuesday, November 1: Bahia Honda – Key Largo
Depart Bahia Honda for nearby Key Largo, which features a maritime museum, eco-tours, dolphin encounter programs, nature trails and a rehabilitation center for wild birds. Spend the last night aboard surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the upper Florida Keys.
Wednesday, November 2: Key Largo – Coconut Grove, Miami
A pleasant day sail up Hawkes Channel and into Biscayne Bay brings you back to Bayshore Landing near Dinner Key. Back in the city of Miami, take the opportunity to see what this thriving multi-cultural urban center has to offer, from arts and entertainment to international cuisine. Sit at a sidewalk cafe and savor the enjoyable memories of a superb experience. Then take time to ponder where you would like your next yachting adventure to begin.
This ten-day sailing itinerary is available on board the Beneteau 46 or the Hunter 41 DS, each with accommodations for four guests in two spacious cabins. A five-day Fantasy Fest itinerary is available on the high performance, two-cabin 48 Sundancer. Rates per cabin are $5,200 all-inclusive. Customary crew gratuity is not included and is at the discretion of the charterer.
For comprehensive information about these and other luxury bareboat yachts available worldwide please visit Bareboat Yacht Charter.
136-foot WILD GOOSE is a vessel with an illustrious career to date, and she continues to enthrall charter guests cruising out of Newport Beach, California. WILD GOOSE, originally built in Seattle in 1943 as a minesweeper for the US Navy, was decommissioned from military use in 1946 and entered into private ownership from that time forward.
John Wayne purchased the vessel in 1962 for $116,000 and converted her into an opulent private yacht. He had long been passionate about the sea, even once having applied to, and been rejected by, the US Navy. From the time he purchased the yacht until shortly before his death in 1979, John Wayne spent as much time as possible on board.
John Wayne was a devoted family man and enthusiastically adventured up and down the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico, often with his third wife and three daughters. Berthed at his private dock in Newport Beach, WILD GOOSE served as the platform for glittering celebrity events as well as informal gatherings with friends such Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
Just weeks before he succumbed to stomach cancer, John Wayne sold the yacht to Lynn Hutchins, a local attorney. Almost immediately after his death, Hutchins reported seeing his ghost on board WILD GOOSE to the National Enquirer. A psychic explained that his spirit remained deeply attached to the vessel and corroborated the apparitions.
Previously certified by the California Office of Historic Preservation, WILD GOOSE has just received eligibility for entry into the National Register of Historic Places because of the long-term association with the iconic Hollywood actor. Documents submitted and approved cite the importance of the yacht “as an expression of John Wayne’s personality and outsized image.”
Catana shipyard announced their newest concept in recreational catamarans that features state-of-the-art innovations from the world of racing. These applications include curved daggerboards for a hydrofoil effect, a sail plan with a short mainsail that is easy to handle, larger headsails, reverse bows and straight hulls, all of which are design elements that will allow the catamaran to achieve thrilling speeds over 20 knots.
Catana shipyard uses carbon fiber construction to make the boat more resistant to damage and considerably lighter for greater speed and agility. Notable features of the new design include 360° visibility from anywhere on the boat, excellent height under the nacelle for sailing on heavy seas, daggerboards for close-hauled sailing without the `trip` risk and a carefully calculated beam/length ratio for better stability.
In addition to high performance features, the Catana 59 offers plenty of interior space and amenities to make the yacht a comfortable live-aboard. A retractable bay window brings the outdoors in for an open feel. Salon furniture is convertible to accommodate dining and relaxation. A center island galley provides ample workspace. Cabins are roomy and include plenty of storage. Equipment includes a refrigerator, freezer, desalination equipment, generator, oven, washing machine, dishwasher, wine cellar, television, air-conditioning, heating and diving compressor.
