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New Caribbean Venue for 2018 Atlantic to Caribbean Rally
Thoughts turn to warmer climates when it starts getting cold up north. One of the most popular ways for sailors to make this migration south is as part of a rally, which offers the benefit of “cruising with company” with other like-minded sailors. Crucial services such as pre-rally safety seminars and professional weather forecasting offer other advantages. Plus, there are social events held exclusively for rally participants that take place before casting off and at the voyage’s completion. This offers the kind of camaraderie you just can’t get by going it alone. These four rallies are headed to the Caribbean this month.
Cruising in company has never been more popular. Case in point, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) has reached its capacity nearly 10 months in advance of the start for the last two years. For 2018, organizers are boosting the slots available on this cross-the-pond fun sailing rally by adding a second, slightly later start and an alternative finish in the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. “The ARC+St. Vincent will leave from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on November 15th, four days after the ARC+ to St. Lucia, and o- er the same pre-start week of activities, seminars, and parties,” says Sarah Collins, communications manager for the Cowes, UK-based World Cruising Club. “Entries will be limited to twenty-five yachts this year, so those keen to pioneer this new route are encouraged to enter early. Since entries opened this summer, new ralliers, as well as returners, have already signed on.”
The ARC+St. Vincent will make landfall at the Blue Lagoon Hotel & Marina, in Blue Lagoon Bay, St. Vincent. This property was purchased in 2015 by an avid sailor and businessman who has turned it into a one-of-a-kind facility complete with small hotel, restaurants, bar, pool, dive shop, and market. Blue Lagoon Bay is located on the southeastern tip of the island, which makes a perfect cast-o- point to explore the Grenadine islands to the south. worldcruising.com;bluelagoonsvg.com
The newly opened Inn at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on Maryland’s Kent Island offers all the pleasantries of modern, clean accommodations with a décor that’s been described as “industrial chic meets farmhouse sleek”. Docking for the inn is conveniently available at the adjacent full-service Bay Bridge Marina. If you’re looking for a fine feast, Knoxie’s Table on the first floor of the inn features fresh products from nearby farms and local waters, with seasonal specialties such as Maryland cream of crab soup and duck-fat fries. The Market at the inn offers baked goods and a breakfast and lunch menu that includes scrapple, egg and cheese biscuits and soft shell crab sandwiches.
The inn has 54 guest rooms and suites, wedding and banquet facilities, and the spa offers a soothing Himalayan salt stone massage. The club hosted President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn and their more than 300 guests this past summer in celebration of the Carters’ 70th wedding anniversary and the former President’s 70th anniversary of his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. baybeachclub.com
Get your eye patch
Organizers of the first PirateFest & Boat Show at the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department are hoping for some fine fall weather to grace their fundraising event. The event takes place November 12-13, and money raised during the show will be used to help purchase and maintain a new ambulance for the island community. The event itself is free and will feature pirate costume contests for children and adults, tours of the firehouse, regional vendors with nautical-inspired merchandise, food, and refreshments along with a boat show where you can buy or browse. 2016piratefest.com
Inlet caution Mariners heading south this month should be aware of the changing inlet conditions along the North Carolina coast. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, shoaling conditions exist at the following inlets: Oregon, Hatteras, Ocracoke, Barden, Beaufort, Bogue, New River, Topsail, Masonboro, Carolina Beach, Lockwoods Folly, and Shallotte. Shoaling conditions increase the potential for groundings. The inlets are subject to continual and sometimes rapid environmental changes, and the aids to navigation in these inlets may not be charted or may not be marking the best water due to continually shifting shoals. Mariners are encouraged to obtain the most recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydrographic survey information. saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Hydrographic-Surveys
Lights on the water The Lighted Boat Parade season in Chesapeake waters gets underway with the 20th Annual Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade. This year’s parade will be from 6-8PM on Saturday, December 3rd, along the waterfront in Yorktown, Virginia. The festivities include caroling around a beach bonfire, musical performances and hot cider. Boats in the parade include motorboats, sailboats and Chesapeake deadrise working boats. It’s not too late to sign up to participate. Register by November 10th to be featured in the event program. Judges located on the Yorktown pier will consider categories such as “Wow Factor,” “Color & Light,” “Originality,” and “Spirit”. Registered parade participants can reserve an overnight stay, with limited availability at Wormley Creek Marina at no charge on Friday and/or Saturday night. The public spectator area is at Riverwalk along Yorktown Beach with additional spots at Gloucester Point and Sarah Creek. yorkcounty.gov
By Christopher Knauss,Southern Boating Magazine November 2016
The islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines form one country that stretches along 40 miles of the eastern Caribbean in a northeast-southwest direction. The better known gem-like Grenadines include Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Tobago Cays, Mayreau, and Union Islands. But there are many spits of sand and one-boat anchorages to drop the hook, feel the trade winds on your skin and ponder the meaning of civilization from the shady comfort of the cockpit.
We make much of the term “civilization”, as if it signals a respite from an otherwise inhospitable environment. The word means different things to different people. For some, it’s WiFi, lattes, rental cars, and restaurants. For me, it’s a capable boat, cool drinks, aquamarine waters, and friendly locals, which aptly describe this island country.
St. Vincent is a lush island and a convenient jumping-off point to the Grenadines when arriving from the north. (If chartering, it’s best to start in Grenada to the south where many charter companies are based.) There’s much to do ashore on the big island. Fort Charlotte overlooks Kingstown. Take a guided tour of the botanical gardens with exotic plants and the St. Vincent parrot whose blue, green and yellow plumage inspired the country’s flag. Guides for hire bring the garden to life with good humor and education so that even the flora-challenged enjoy the scenery.
A nice place to catch a mooring before departing for points south is near Young Island at the bottom of St. Vincent. A nearby rocky pinnacle is home to the ruins of Fort Duvernette. Climb the 255 steps to inspect the cannons and the views from the top before getting under way.
The world’s first underwater sculpture gallery on Grenada attracts divers. Photo: Jason deCaires Taylor
The Grenada Sailing Festival takes place every year on Grand Anse Beach. The friendly rivalry of this close-knit community is often expressed in Grenada through the creation of many local regattas and competitions to see which competitor has the fastest vessel. Photo: Joshua Yetman
The carnival activities in Grenada begin in July, although they don’t pick up until the beginning of August with nightly calypso shows. A week before the Grenada Carnival begins, the carnival queen show takes place with a parade through St. George’s streets.
Few people do more than dip a toe in the water on Union Island. Swimming and surfing are banned on La Réunion in all but a few places because of a fear of shark attacks.
Adventure Jeep tours offer visitors the opportunity to explore Grenada’s natural beauty.
Cannons watch over the walls of Fort Charlotte constructed in 1806, which has spectacular views overlooking Kingstown and is always worth a visit.
Snorkeling in Grenada is only one of the many activities to enjoy while out on the water.
C&N’s Port Louis Marina is also a popular charter destination. Photo: Steve Brett
C&N’s Port Louis Marina boasts the vibrant colors the islands are famous for. Photo: Camper & Nicholsons International
The Grenada Sailing Festival takes place every year on Grand Anse Beach. The friendly rivalry of this close-knit community is often expressed in Grenada through the creation of many local regattas and competitions to see which competitor has the fastest vessel. Photo: Joshua Yetman
An easy run south is beautiful Bequia (pronounced Bek-way), the largest and northernmost of the Grenadines. The friendly English-speaking population is very welcoming. Bequia’s Admiralty Bay provides lots of easy anchoring and moorings off the beach of Port Elizabeth. The islands’ “boat boy” culture involves men and women entrepreneurs who come out in their small boats to assist with hooking up to a mooring ball, deliver fresh baked goods, haul away trash, or deliver ice. Tip them well and they’ll take care of nearly anything you need.
Shopping in Port Elizabeth is colorful; bright T-shirts flap in the breeze outside vibrant gift shops. Street vendors offer everything from fruit and locally made jewelry to boating souvenirs carved from coconuts. Stroll down Belmont Walkway, a stone path along the bay lapped by the waves and lined with cafes and bars. It’s almost window-shopping for a place to relax; we like the Whaleboner Bar followed by Mac’s for pizza.
Mustique is a 10-mile jaunt southeast, a mostly private island with vacation homes for the rich and famous. You cannot anchor here and must take a $200 EC ($75 U.S.) mooring. A highlight is Basils’ Bar and a golf cart tour of the islands. The best time to visit is during the Mustique Blues Festival, usually held in January.
From Mustique, it’s 21 miles with a beam wind to Horsesho e Reef which surrounds the Tobago Cays. Postcard vistas of white sand beaches and swaying palm trees make up the mostly uninhabited cays where every angle presents a paradise of kaleidoscope colors. The four idyllic islands hide in protected waters. They were designated as a national marine park in 1998 so rangers ask for $10 EC (40 cents U.S.) per person per day, which is a fair price for guardianship of the area.
There are few distractions here and no nightlife other than the odd beach BBQ coordinated by the boat boys. The spectacular reef provides mostly protected water, and great snorkeling is near the roped-off sanctuary off Baradel Island; rays glide by and turtles feed on grass so close that you can hear them munching as they graze.
Parts of Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed in the Cays, so if you take your camera and troll the various beaches, you might find a few angles that look like Captain Jack Sparrow is about to swagger around the corner. Remote and pristine, the Cays are about bringing your swimsuit, a good book, cooler of beer, and forgetting the world for a while.
With good light and eyes focused on the crystalline water, it’s possible to thread the unmarked reefs and head out of the Cays’ southern entrance enroute to Union Island, a mere three miles away. Its highest peak, Mt. Parnassus, is nearly 900 feet so you can’t miss it. The main town of Clifton provides great provisioning with an open-air produce market and several grocery stores that sell gourmet coffee, chocolate and bread. A sundowner at Janti’s Happy Island in the harbor is mandatory and can only be reached via dinghy because it was built on the reef out of thousands of conch shells gathered by Janti himself. Clifton is on the windward side and if the weather is a bit sporty, it may be time to hide in Chatham Bay on the western end. This large bay with a long beach has multiple shack-style restaurants advertising lobster dinners.
When Columbus plied Caribbean waters, St. Vincent was known by its inhabitants as Hairoun, which means “home of the blessed”—it’s also a brand of a popular local beer. The region had a tumultuous history and was settled by various groups including the peaceful Arawak Indians, the not-so-peaceful Carib Indians and a mixed bag of Europeans who ping-ponged the region’s ownership back and forth for hundreds of years. Missionaries, wrecked slave ships and rumors of cannibalism made for colorful, if grim, beginnings. A succinct synopsis of the islands’ evolution is told and retold with imaginative flair by proud locals who tend to insert their own “historical facts”.
The postcard-perfect Grenadines differ from one another and you can experience a wide variety of terrain and culture in a compact area. It’s such a unique location that once is not enough when visiting these quintessentially Caribbean islands. I, for one, will be back soon, since civilization in the literal sense is overrated, but civilization redefined is sublime.
INSIDER TIP: Any time is a good time to visit the Windward Islands since temperatures hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the trade winds blow a refreshing breeze year-round. Many cruisers slip down to Grenada just south of the Grenadines during hurricane season (June to November); some insurance companies consider it to be below the hurricane belt.
Outside of the Blue Lagoon at the southern tip of St. Vincent, there aren’t many marinas in the Grenadines. Mooring fields are plentiful with prices ranging $20-45 EC. The best selection of charter yachts, including power catamarans from The Moorings, is in Grenada. Sunsail, Moorings and Dream Yacht all have bases in St. George’s. Note: check-in and check-out is needed when cruising between the Grenadines and Grenada, which are separate countries.
Provisioning is good especially on Bequia and Union Islands. Local grocers can be a fun exploration of items like sugar apples, durian, callalou, wax apples, and soursop.
GRENADINES CRUISER RESOURCES:
MARINAS: Blue Lagoon Hotel & Marina
Ratho Mill
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
+1 (784) 458-4308
Port Louis Marina
St. Georges, Grenada
+1 (473) 435-7432
Hurricane Hermine damaged many marinas and public ramps that dot Florida’s shallow west coast between Homosassa and the Big Bend. Like many Labor Day storms of decades past, Hermine intensified as it approached the coast. Most of the resulting damage was due to tidal surge rather than wind. For nearly 24 hours, the Coast Guard restricted vessel movement with the issuance of Port Condition Zulu along the coast until the 80-mph winds had passed.
The brunt of Hermine was felt on the southern and eastern sides of the storm, which pushed debris inland, eroded waterfront roads, filled marina ships’ stores with water, and decimated inventory. From a recovery standpoint, most marinas were able to limp back to business within a few days, although the normally busy Labor Day weekend was reserved for front loaders and trash trucks—not cruisers and anglers. The worst of the storm damage occurred in Horseshoe Beach located in Dixie County, where a 12-foot tidal surge destroyed the well-known Shrimp Boat Restaurant. Furthermore, Steinhatchee-based marinas all reported surge-related damage, including the municipal docks at the public ramp that were twisted upward by the surge and severely damaged.
At River Haven Marina, a nine-foot storm surge pushed mud, water and debris inside the ships’ store but didn’t cause any permanent damage to the floating wooden and steel docks. Despite inventory losses, the marina was back up and operating within a week of the storm’s passing. At the nearby Sea Hag Marina (Marker 47) the floating wet slips had plank damage yet remained intact. Storm surge lifted several boats from bottom racks and pushed them inland, where they settled on the hard. Before the storm hit, Sea Hag was nearly finished with construction of a new steel building intended to provide covered dry storage for 100 vessels up to 38 feet in length. The building was designed to handle hurricanes and easily handled the 80-mph winds.
Cedar Key sustained heavy structural damage to waterfront motels, cottages and the city marina. Cedar Key Marina II, its phone lines out, took to Facebook to post: “There was a lot of water damage, no boats that are stored at the marina were damaged, but operations took a major hit. Right now we are trying to recover and pick up the pieces that were spread across the marina floor. Please give us time to get back on our feet, so we can best serve you and make your boating/fishing experience as pleasurable as possible.”
Crystal River, known for its manatees and diving, also reported flood damage. Several vessels were ripped from moorings and tossed up onto shorelines or carried inland by the storm surge. “At one point we had about three feet of water in the middle of U.S. 19 in downtown Crystal River,” says Commander Buddy Grant of the Citrus County Sheriff’s office. Twin Rivers Marina at the mouth of Crystal River was without power for several days. The ships’ store was heavily damaged by flooding, but the marina docks themselves held up reasonably well even though they were underwater for hours. Resilient and laid back, all of the marina operators expect to have repairs completed by winter in time for the annual return of northern visitors.
By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating Magazine November 2016
From its historic downtown to a sprawling landscape of canals, Fort Lauderdale is a cruising paradise.
If you cast off from the luxury and glamour of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, you’ll discover another side of the city. Although famous for its annual celebration of all things yachting, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area beckons to those who are looking for more opportunities to get out on the water.
It truly is a cruiser’s paradise—from the ICW glittering in the mid-day sun to delightful waterfront cuisine, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the area’s winding canals from the bow of a boat. If you only stay in the approximate area of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show you’re missing out on many of the city’s other waterfront offerings. Venture away from the show grounds and reap the rewards. There are plenty of things to do in Fort Lauderdale.
City on the Water
Fort Lauderdale is a city shaped by the development of its waterways. With over 300 miles of canals lacing through the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area, and over 165 miles of canals winding through Fort Lauderdale itself, the city is an engineering marvel and reflects hundreds of years of progress. The city’s topography has changed dramatically since Frank Stranahan made his home along the New River in 1893. The Stranahan House is now the oldest surviving building in the county, still nestled alongside and watching over the New River.
A vintage sign outside of Coconuts, on Seabreeze Blvd., is reminiscent of Fort Lauderdale’s past. Photo credit: Photo credit: JLambertPhotos
The Hall of Fame passage is one of the most recognizable entrance markers to Fort Lauderdale’s beaches. Photo credit: Photo credit: JLambertPhotos
The Stranahan House built by Frank Stranahan, Fort Lauderdale’s founding father, is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County. Photo by Philip Pessar
The World Famous Bahia Mar Marina on the ICW in Fort Lauderdale. Photo credit:
The many Fort Lauderdale water taxies are sure to impress first-time visitors to our waterways. Photo by: Herb Neufeld
The Lauderdale Marina houses the acclaimed 15th Street Fisheries seafood restaurant and is just minutes from Port Everglades. Photo credit: JLambertPhotos
The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse dates back to 1907. Photo credit: visitflorida.com
Dania Beach offers beach docking with a safe and relaxed seashore atmosphere. Photo by: Vera Jordan
Fort Lauderdale has grown from a small pioneering settlement into a hub of architecture, arts, and entertainment. This cultural growth occurred largely due to the city government’s aggressive efforts to foster development beginning in 1986. Today, the New River sits in the heart of historic downtown and connects the arts and entertainment district with the Las Olas shopping and beach district. There are many ways to experience Fort Lauderdale, but none as true to the city’s unique history as discovering it by water. From exploring the Hillsboro Inlet to an offshore fishing expedition and arrival in Port Everglades, the area’s flavor opens up by boat.
In its early development, the ICW provided a safe haven for ships trying to avoid the many hazards of the Atlantic coast. Approximately 380 miles of the ICW wind through the eastern coastline of Florida, making it the ideal setting for exploration and a great way to experience the vibrancy that Fort Lauderdale and the rest of South Florida has to offer. From the water, cruisers will enjoy the historic scenery, beautiful sprawling houses and mega yachts as well as a large number of marinas. Walking alongside the canals simply doesn’t have the charm of cruising them. There’s a reason why they call Fort Lauderdale the Venice of America.
Movin’ and Groovin’
Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi system provides the opportunity to cruise the city’s many canals in novel fashion. Locals and visitors alike should consider jumping aboard for a nice change of pace. It’s an ultra-convenient way to travel, and its stops cover many of the highlights along the ICW. Take a tour to learn more about the history and geographical past of the New River and the ICW as well as their offshoot canals. The first stop along the Fort Lauderdale route is the Las Olas Riverfront. As an added bonus your Water Taxi ticket will give you a discount on dining and attractions along Las Olas. Continue on to see the Stranahan House, Beach Place and even Hugh Taylor Birch State Park—the only nature park on the Water Taxi route, situated right across from the historic Bonnet House. Paying a one-off fare for the Water Taxi will give you a round-trip ticket from your first stop to any other stop and back, at any time of day. watertaxi.com
If all the cruising and sightseeing leaves you famished, you’re in luck. Some of Fort Lauderdale’s best waterfront dining experiences can be found alongside the ICW. Situated next to the iconic Lauderdale Marina near the 17th Street Bridge, 15th Street Fisheries is one of the best seafood restaurants in town. An award-winning menu combined with stunning views of the ICW makes this a popular eatery for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy fresh seafood outdoors while watching the feeding of wild tarpon that hang out under the docks waiting for scraps from the restaurant’s chefs. Buy a bag of frozen shrimp from the nearby shop to feed them yourself.
If you’re looking for a modern take on American cuisine and find yourself close to the Commercial Bridge, Kaluz is your stop. Classic décor combined with ample waterside seating allows for generous views of the ICW. The atmosphere is calm and fosters the perfect setting to sit and watch the sunset. Dockage is available if you arrive by boat, although space fills up quickly as the evening progresses. Open for lunch and dinner, some of the menu highlights include a delectable tuna tartare and jumbo lump crab dip as well as a variety of fresh seafood options.
On the north side of the Commercial Bridge, you’ll find Blue Moon Fish Co. For over 16 years this exquisite waterside restaurant has welcomed locals, transient visitors, and seasonal residents. Named one of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale for outdoor dining by the Sun Sentinel, Blue Moon Fish Co. is a must visit. If you’re looking for a more casual atmosphere try Coconuts, just south down the ICW. It offers great service and a full menu of fresh, quality seafood in a fun and relaxed outdoor setting. Finally, no visit to Fort Lauderdale is complete without a stop at the Floridian. Although you can’t bring your boat this fabled diner has great fare and is perfect for people-watching along Las Olas Boulevard. With free street parking for customers and a complete range of cocktails, the Floridian is a prime brunch location in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.
Venture north along the ICW and you’ll reach the Hillsboro Inlet. The inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean with the ICW and is guarded by the towering Hillsboro Inlet Light. This unique, iron lighthouse dates back to 1907 and is unlike any other in Florida. At 136 feet above sea level the lighthouse’s beam can be seen as far away as Bimini and is instantly recognizable due to the linear construction of its iron pilings. The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society offers limited tours of the lighthouse—the next tour will take place on Sunday, November 6th at 8:30AM-11:00AM and leaves from Alsdorf Park.hillsborolighthouse.org
Head South
If you’d rather head south, cruise down the ICW past Port Everglades and you’ll arrive in Dania Beach. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Area has more than 23 miles of silky sand beaches with clear, mild water. Dania Beach is no exception with multiple awards for its “Blue Wave Beaches”. It’s no secret that Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas are always bustling with activity and vying for your attention, so if you need a reprieve from the hustle, smaller boats can head to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (formerly known as John U. Lloyd Beach State Park). Pull up on the protected sandbar but keep an eye on the tide, since many have returned from a long walk only to find their boat beached.
The park is the perfect spot for a day at the beach or picnicking with friends and family and also has two boat ramps that provide easy access to the ocean via Port Everglades—one of the top cruise ports worldwide. If you don’t carry water toys on your boat, the park also provides canoes and kayaks, as well as surf fishing and nature studies. Park hours are from 8AM until sundown. floridastateparks.org/park/mizell-johnson
To get a great view of the setting sun make your way to the Dania Beach Fishing Pier. Grab a drink or a bite to eat at Quarterdeck and you’ll benefit from their great vantage point right above the ocean. Paying the admissions fee of $2.12 gives you pier access to wander its length or try your hand at fishing.
By Susanna Botkin, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016
You never know who you’re going to meet in the British Virgin Islands.
I have to admit, when the boss said I’d be going on a bareboat powercat charter in the British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.), my first thought was, “Again? I’ve already been there twice.” (Pathetic, I know, but at least give me some credit for admitting it.) Then I learned I’d be joining 13 other powercats on a MarineMax BVI Getaway organized by MarineMax of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri (MMLOO). As a former Midwesterner, boating with folks who are even close to my neck of the woods sounded just too fun to pass up. I was all in.
My group of four opted to fly to St. Thomas, get a hotel and take the water shuttle the next day as we’ve done in the past. If you’ve never been to St. Thomas, the Windward Passage Hotel is close to restaurants, shopping, offers a view of Charlotte Amalie Bay, and the ferry terminal is just across the street and down a block. (Note: Eat in Frenchtown at either Hook, Line & Sinker or The Pie Whole, an authentic New York pizza joint with an extensive beer menu; try the Rogue Mocha Porter or one of the local varieties brewed upstairs.)
Taxis on Jost Van Dyke transport tourists between the two bays and stop for photo opportunities upon request.
Bob and Mitzi Plocher do most of their boating in Lake of the Ozarks on their 2005 Sea Ray 390. Creating family memories while expanding their cruising horizons on a MarineMax Getaway with daughters’ families was Bob’s idea. Bob and Mitzi are joined at the restaurant above The Baths on Virgin Gorda are Amy & Michael Garrett and Kim & Zach Lewis. For the Getaway they appropriately named their boat No Regrets.
Oliver (7) and Jacob (9) joined their parents, aunt & uncle and grandparents on the Getaway; their favorite part was snorkeling and seeing jellyfish, anemone and clams.
The Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay attracts tourists by land and charter guests by sea
Getaway gals explore Manchioneel Bay by kayak.
The Jost Van Dyke Methodist Church is on Great Harbour down the road from Foxy’s.
Kyle Bargfrede of MMLOO and wife Mandy invited friends Randy & Anna on Kyle’s 3rd BVI Getaway.
Shops near Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke’s Great Harbour offer a variety of colorful island gifts and garb.
A shallow reef protects charter boats moored off White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.
In my opinion, a better option is to fly directly to Tortola; flights are more expensive, but you’ll save time and the hotel and water shuttle expense. Besides, the water shuttles are not typically very punctual (i.e. “island time”). Arrange in advance with your MarineMax representative to stay on the powercat the first night at their Tortola charter headquarters on Hodge’s Creek Marina. Also, ask for provisions to be delivered before your arrival if you prefer to cook on board that evening while familiarizing yourself with the boat.
A MarineMax BVI Getaway Done Right
After our shared van shuttle from the Roadtown ferry boat terminal to the MarineMax charter base at Hodge’s Creek Marina, we got to know some of our cruising mates at the welcome dinner, including Monte Richardson of Afton, Oklahoma, who leases a boat slip from MMLOO. This was the first time cruising the BVI for any in their group of five family members. “I had been talking about a family Caribbean cruise but instead, I talked my dad into this, although my sister takes the credit,” Monte joked. They named their 443 Aquila powercat Monarka for the trip, an amalgamation of their names: Monte, Mark, Karen, and the Spanish translation of their dad Arthur, who bought his 2004 44′ Sea Ray from MMLOO.
A MarineMax BVI Getaway enables MarineMax dealers to offer group boating vacations to their customers so that they can experience new and exciting places and connect with others who enjoy the boating lifestyle. “The B.V.I. is a preferred location and our fleet has 32 powercats and 4 monohull sailboats,” says Harry Mountain, Logistics & Operations manager of MarineMax Vacations and Aquila boat sales based in Clearwater, Florida. One of the competitive advantages of MarineMax charters is that Wi-Fi is included on every boat. “It really enables people who are tied to their jobs to stay in touch with the office, reduce email when they get back from a trip and combine work with pleasure.”
Early the next morning, the 14 boat skippers and mates attended the charter presentation—a review for some but interesting and informative nonetheless—while others picked up snorkel vests, fishing licenses, etc. The first destination was only 4 miles across Sir Francis Drake Channel to Cooper Island, where we picked up a mooring ball—get them early when they’re available—and then used the RIB to go to Cistern Point for snorkeling. (Note: If you don’t have good upper body strength to get back in the RIB from the water, bring your own packable ladder unless one of your boat mates is a MacGyver-type who knows how to make one from boat lines.) Dinner at the Cooper Island Beach Club was a B.V.I. first for us and highly recommended.
Mooring balls fill up quickly at The Baths, so we departed Cooper Island early the next morning. Our friends enjoyed the trail through the boulders, and we rewarded our effort with a snack at the top of the trail. We met up with MMLOO salesman Kyle Bargfrede and his wife Mandy of Osage Beach, Missouri, their friends Randy and Anna, and Kyle’s customers Rogie Carlock and Shawn Walker. Kyle has been with MarineMax for five years and, in addition to enjoying a vacation with his wife away from their two toddlers, he wanted to see the charter operation firsthand. “The B.V.I. is amazing, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most. Instead of a resort destination trip, you get multiple opportunities and adventures,” says Kyle, who owns two boats: one for watersports and another for fishing. “I can now offer my customers something that no other company does. It shows my customers my company’s commitment to boating and the lifestyle. Now that I’ve done this as a group, I can do it by myself with my own group. It’s given me way more confidence.”
The group itinerary included an overnight at the Bitter End Yacht Club, where our Aquila 484 powercat had the far north dock all to ourselves. Our boatmates planned to cook a hot breakfast on board the next morning but the cooktop malfunctioned. Thankfully, one of the MarineMax technicians was traveling with the group—one of the many benefits of this program—and made sure the “operator error” was corrected and our provisions wouldn’t go to waste.
The MMLOO group departed for Jost Van Dyke but we had customized our own itinerary and headed for snorkeling at The Indians. Alas, no mooring balls were available and the water was very rough, so we got settled in The Bight Bay at Norman Island, launched the RIB and headed to the Caves for snorkeling. (There are always options in the B.V.I. so when you charter, plan ahead to know what they are before they need them.) The MMLOO group’s itinerary scheduled them for The Bight the final night aboard, but we knew based on previous trips and personal experience aboard the Willy T—an old ship anchored in the Bight known for loud music, late night parties and raucous partiers—that we’d have a better night’s sleep on a different night.
We waved hello to our new cruising friends as we crossed paths—it’s hard to miss 13 beautiful Aquila powercats in the B.V.I.—on our way to Jost Van Dyke, and picked up a mooring ball in the northern end of Great Harbour, where our B.V.I. cruising guide indicated would be most calm. It was rough and windy outside of the harbor, so we took a cab from Foxy’s dock to White Bay ($40US/roundtrip per couple) and the Soggy Dollar Bar. Our dinner at Foxy’s was predictably delicious, and the chef happily made adjustments for dietary restrictions. We even bumped into Billy Davidson from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, an acquaintance from our boating days there. You never know who you’re going to see when you’re cruising in the B.V.I.
Our custom itinerary included a final day in poolside luxury with a swim-up bar, marina shore power and a gourmet lobster dinner at Scrub Island Resort, a Marriott Autograph Collection property accessible only by boat or helicopter. Cruising was windy and rough on the north side of Tortola, and I was glad to be on the largest powercat in the MarineMax fleet, though all of them handle well. I’m a huge fan of powercats in general, but the Aquila 484 is really designed to impress for both charter and private ownership. The Aquila powercats are designed specifically for power as opposed to sailing cats that have been adapted for power. Though we only had one other couple on a four-cabin powercat, three couples joined Dave Gabert and Jeanie Schmidt of Kansas City, Kansas, on the Aquila 484 they dubbed Old Couples for the Getaway. Gabert had a long-standing relationship with the previous ownership of his dealer in Lake of the Ozarks and now with MarineMax, went on his first B.V.I. Getaway in 2013 and returned with friends for this one. Gabert describes Teresa Riley of MMLOO and Getaway organizer as the “hostess with the mostest” and adds “We stay with them because we like the people.”
All great vacations come to an end, yet even the check-in process back at the MarineMax charter base was enjoyable and relaxed. We simply pulled into an available slip, and the staff handled refueling after guests’ departure—much easier for everyone. The water shuttle from Roadtown back to St. Thomas was the only “rocky” part of the whole trip. Next time the boss sends me to the B.V.I., remind me to take my own advice and fly directly to Tortola.
Story and photos by Liz Pasch, Southern Boating September 2016
Aside from having a boatload of historical colonial charm, Annapolis is blessed with an abundance of everything cruisers treasure.
It’s late in the afternoon near the end of a warm and clear summer day as you idle past Green Can “1SC” (Spa Creek) and enter Annapolis Harbor. Port side, small sailboats from the youth sailing programs at the Severn Sailing Association and the Eastport Yacht Club are drifting in or being towed slowly in to their respective harbors. Golden evening light bathes the kayakers, standup paddleboarders, tourist-laden schooners, water taxis, power cruisers, and sailboats that populate the harbor. A little farther ahead in the fairway, heavenly smells of grilled fish and beef drift out over the water from the Chart House, one of several worthy waterfront and numerous non-waterfront restaurants around the harbor.
To starboard, the city mooring field beckons to those who wish to spend the night in full view of the Annapolis skyline. The vista sweeps west to north: from the Spa Creek lift bridge past the spires of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church to the tall dome of the Maryland State House and the distinctive collection of buildings comprising the United States Naval Academy (USNA). A hard turn to starboard at the end of the mooring field steers you into City Dock, the manmade inlet that leads you into downtown Annapolis’ city center. The free dinghy dock at the end of this watery runway—nicknamed “Ego Alley” for the passage of visiting and local boats wanting to see and be seen—opens up a world of restaurants, specialty shops and on-shore activities for visitors who come here to experience “Camelot on the Bay,” as the city was described in a 1988 National Geographic feature.
I was fortunate enough to relocate to Annapolis in 1982 and, acquiescing to its Siren-like charms, am determined to stay. I’ve owned and operated all kinds of boats in this area since and continue to be swayed by its seasonal attractions, both watery and terrestrial. The Chesapeake Bay is an uncommonly interesting and varied cruising ground, and Annapolis remains a jewel in the crown of waterside cities and towns waiting to be explored.
Two must-see historical destinations are the Maryland State House and the William Paca House and Gardens.
Cruisers strolling the brick sidewalks of Main Street and its offshoots will discover a pleasant mix of historical buildings, great restaurants, galleries, and shops.
Two must-see historical destinations are the Maryland State House and the William Paca House and Gardens.
Annapolis City Marina houses one of two fuel docks in Annapolis Harbor proper.
Susan B. Campbell Park at the harbor end of City Dock is a gathering place for strollers, as well as the site for free concerts and special tours of visiting vessels.
Cruisers who take the tour of the United States Naval Academy witness the pageantry and tradition of the Noon Formation of Midshipmen.
Pussers Caribbean Grill has an outstanding view of boats transiting City Dock
Music of all kinds is on tap in Annapolis, including outdoor concerts of Colonial and Revolutionary eras at the William Paca House.
Water taxis make getting from a mooring or marina to shoreside pleasures quick and easy.
The annual Rotary of Annapolis Crab Feast, usually held in August, features all-you-can-eat steamed and Old Bay seasoned crabs, part of a complete menu
Situated on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and served by a deepwater channel leading to the mouth of the Severn River that even megayachts find easy to navigate, Annapolis offers a plethora of anchoring or mooring options, an active water taxi service, numerous marinas, and a wealth of restaurants and specialty shops—all closely bundled near the waterfront. There are two fuel docks and a handful of marinas in the harbor proper nearly within throwing distance of the mooring field. Additionally, there are more facilities on nearby Back Creek, a 10-minute boat ride around the tip of the Eastport Peninsula just south of Annapolis Harbor.
Once you’ve picked up a city mooring, tied up in a nearby slip or dropped a hook in the anchorage off the USNA just outside of “1SC”, launch the dink or hail a water taxi (410-263-0033, VHF 68), and set a course for the outdoor waterfront bar at Pusser’s Caribbean Grill for one of their trademark “Painkillers”—a tasty blend of Pusser’s rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple and orange juice. If you’ve decided to get off the boat for a night or two, you’ll appreciate the fact that Pusser’s is on the site of the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel (a Marriott Autograph Collection property). Save some time to admire the historic black and white prints in the hall connecting the restaurant and shop to the hotel’s entrance.
Upon leaving the hotel, head left across the Spa Creek lift bridge to enjoy Eastport Peninsula restaurants on or near the water, including the new Blackwall Hitch with its upstairs outdoor dining with views of the harbor, Carrol’s Creek Café with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the harbor near the bridge, or the Chart House for magnificent views of the harbor from its enclosed dining area. Just down 4th Street you’ll find the Boatyard Bar & Grill, a true sailor’s hangout, and Lewnes Steak House—the antithesis of crowded, noisy restaurants and a purveyor of excellent beef.
Take a right turn instead, and you’ll wind up at the traffic circle at the base of Main Street, which is lined with shops and restaurants of all kinds. If you like fresh sushi, Joss Café and Sushi Bar is two-thirds of the way up Main Street. You can also explore other restaurants that surround City Dock. For hearty pub fare and a great raw bar, don’t miss McGarvey’s—a true local watering hole. There are many other restaurants from which to choose, both in Eastport and in downtown Annapolis—these are just some of my favorites.
There’s always something happening on City Dock. If you visit in July, for instance, musical groups from the USNA perform free concerts every Tuesday evening from 7PM to 8PM. Many of the restaurant bars feature nightly bands, including the Rams Head Tavern, which is located just one block west of Church Circle at the head of Main Street. Next door to the restaurant, Rams Head On Stage hosts national and regional musical groups of all kinds throughout the year (ramsheadonstage.com/calendar). In June alone, two-time Grammy Award-nominated American saxophonist Mindi Abair brings smooth jazz and rock to town, the Oak Ridge Boys will perform their four-part harmonies and country hits, Gregg Allman will play soulful and dynamic blues, and The Temptations will croon their hits from the 1960s and onward. This is a small venue that most musicians truly appreciate, and the performances I’ve enjoyed there live brightly in my memory.
If you’re looking for a bit of exercise, there are a couple of good walks that won’t disappoint. The USNA offers guided walking tours of the grounds, including a memorable museum of naval history and a visit to the crypt of John Paul Jones (usnabsd.com/for-visitors/public-tours). Colonial Tours Annapolis (colonialtoursannapolis.com) and Annapolis Tours by Watermark (annapolistours.com/our-tours/colonial-stroll) both offer tours through the Historic District of Annapolis, which was the country’s Colonial Capital for two years beginning in 1783. Docents in colonial dress introduce you to colonial life in Maryland, show you where two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence resided, and the inside the Maryland State House where George Washington resigned his commission.
If artwork is your passion, Annapolis has a mixture of sites and galleries worth your time. The Annual Annapolis Art Walk takes place during August in case you’re in the neighborhood while moving a boat south for the winter (artinannapolis.com).
If you’re in Annapolis earlier than that, create your own tour starting with the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery adjoining City Dock, which displays outstanding nautical works from noted national artists such as John Barber. The McBride Gallery on Main Street is absolutely a must-see for local and regional artists across a wide range of media.
Want to know more about Annapolis? A detailed guidebook and identical interactive online guide is free for the asking at visitannapolis.org. It’s your best source for events, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, shopping, and services. If you’re downtown enjoying a meal, sipping a frosty drink, listening to music, or exploring Annapolis by water this summer, perhaps I’ll see you there!
There’s always something happening in the exciting Exumas!
Great Guana Cay is centrally located in the Exuma island chain, just south of the busy hub at Staniel Cay. But it’s a world apart from Staniel in character and represents a true slice of life in the Out Islands. The small town at Black Point Settlement sits on a wide bight facing west over the vast banks stretching to the Tongue of the Ocean. It’s an easy destination across the bank from Staniel Cay to the north or Farmer’s Cay to the south. You can also enter from Exuma Sound at Dotham Cut or Farmer’s Cay Cut, after which it’s a short distance across the bank to Black Point.
While there are no slips or moorings here, this is one of the largest and best anchorages in the Exumas. Most boats will anchor off the town and fairly close in, but there’s plenty of room to spread out between Dotham Point and Black Point. Come in close for a shorter dinghy ride, or stay out further for more breeze.
There’s always a rush to Adderly’s for fresh produce. Photo credit: Rex Noel
The anchorage at Black Point Settlement attracts cruisers on the hook. Photo credit: Rex Noel
Ocean waves crash on the rugged Great Guana shoreline. Photo credit: Rex Noel
The residents of Black Point are among the friendliest you’ll encounter, and the community is heavily geared toward serving the needs of visiting cruisers. There are two good dinghy docks—the government dock and at Rockside Laundry—with plenty of room for all. Take a leisurely stroll through town to get acquainted. During the day you’ll most certainly find some local women sitting under trees weaving baskets, hats and other items from palm leaves. Trash can be deposited in a trailer at the government dock (please leave a donation), and fill your jugs with free reverse osmosis water at a faucet just a bit south of the dock.
Adderley’s Store has a good inventory of basic grocery items and will have an excellent selection of produce when the mail boat arrives. Among long-term Bahama cruisers, Rockside Laundry is famous as the best in the Out Islands. The proprietor, Ida, also has a small selection of marine supplies and delicious pastries, as well as showers available for a fee. Free Wi-Fi is available to patrons.
There are three terrific places to eat in Black Point—DeShamon’s, Lorraine’s and Scorpio’s. Listen on VHF 16 for special events and happy hours nearly every day. Try DeShamon’s for the pizza you’ve been missing or Lorraine’s for a full, traditional Bahamian meal. Scorpio’s has great pub food and the best happy hour deal in the Exumas. Ask Lorraine to take your order for bread to pick up the next morning.
A short fifteen-minute walk northeast from the government dock will take you to a beautiful ocean beach across the island. Turn left at the dock, then right on the dirt and gravel road that leads across the island. At the top of the hill on the left is a natural blowhole. Big swells that run on Exuma Sound vent spectacularly through the hole. A little further up the road, you’ll drop down onto the beach. It’s a nice spot to catch some sun and do a little beachcombing.
Spend time in Black Point and you’ll easily make friends, and it’s a sure thing that you’ll be invited to attend Sunday church services. Many cruisers stay here for weeks and come back again and again.
Travel advisory issued The Bahamas announced the first confirmed case of the Zika virus on New Providence in early August, although the virus was contracted elsewhere. But later in August, several additional cases were confirmed, and at least two of these individuals were locally infected. A number of suspected cases have also been identified. The U.S. Center for Disease Control issued an advisory late in the month urging travelers to “practice enhanced precautions” to avoid infection. The Bahamian government has taken steps to combat the virus, including additional fogging for mosquitos in New Providence and elsewhere. See the CDC website for detailed suggestions on prevention. cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/zika-virus-the-bahamas
Navigation Updates The Aids to Navigation Section of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) has advised mariners that the entrance lights and range lights in the harbor at Driggs Hill, South Andros, have been serviced and relit. Any discrepancies with this or any navigational aid should be reported to the RBDF by calling either (242) 362-3091 or (242) 362-4436, or by e-mail to aton@rbdf.gov.bs. It’s becoming common for the RBDF to apprehend large groups of illegal migrants from Cuba or Haiti on makeshift boats and rafts in Bahamian waters. Recently, a total of 112 men and women were found on a single sloop just west of Barraterra, Exuma, and were transported to immigration officials for processing. If you happen to spot anything similar in your travels, for their own safety, please contact the RBDF immediately.
Cruisers migrating south along the ICW this fall should time their stops in Oriental, North Carolina, to coincide with a few special weekends. The 3rd Annual “Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival” takes place on Saturday, October 15th. The town invites musicians from around the region to play from the porches of homes and businesses along the waterfront with a selection of folk, blues, country, and pop features. Shiloh Hills and The Carmonas are headlining the festival this year and will take the main stage overlooking the Neuse River at 3:30PM. The festival will take place rain or shine since alternate indoor locations have been arrranged.
On October 22nd a seasonal favorite spices up Oriental Harbor with the 9th Annual Chili Cook-Off from 11AM to 2PM at the Oriental Marina and Inn. Local chefs offer a variety of chili to taste, and proceeds from the $10 admission tickets support the local theatre. At the conclusion of the event, visitors vote for their favorite chili.
If you don’t get enough to eat at the Chili Cook-Off there’s a new grocery store in Oriental. This favorite ICW stop has been without a grocery store for some time, but the owner of a nearby Piggly Wiggly opened a well-stocked, brand new store in town. Locally and lovingly referred to as the “Piglet”, it’s only a short drive or bike ride from the nearby marinas.
ICW Local Knowledge A prized possession of all boating enthusiasts is “local knowledge”—a familiarity with conditions in their home waters. Knowing where they may run aground at low tide keeps local cruisers out of trouble, but cruising in unknown waters presents a challenge. Hank Pomeranz is making cruises in unknown waters much easier. Pomeranz offers a free seminar sponsored by Zimmerman Marine and Southport Marina titled Weather and Navigation Briefs on the Dock every evening during peak ICW cruising season. Transient mariners get “local knowledge” of the shifting ICW channel north and south of the marina’s location near the mouth of Cape Fear River. Pomeranz refines his seminar each day by taking reports from cruisers that call in conditions. Attendees also receive a detailed weather forecast for the following 36 hours, which Pomeranz is uniquely qualified to present as a retired U.S. Navy meteorologist. The seminars are scheduled to begin in mid-October and will run every evening at 6PM for two months.
Long Awaited Seagate Yacht Club Delray Beach has one of the most vibrant downtown centers in all of Florida and will be even easier to visit by boat with the opening of the Seagate Yacht Club on November 1st with a new clubhouse, pool and captain’s lounge. The Seagate Yacht Club is on the property of the former Delray Beach Yacht Club only a few blocks south of the Atlantic Avenue Bridge over the ICW. The club is open to both members and transient cruisers and is an easy walk away from great shopping and award-winning restaurants along Atlantic Avenue.
By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016
The Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) is one of the world’s best resorts for sailors, from its nearly always placid North Sound Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands setting to its over 100 vessel fleet of monohull sailboats, performance catamarans and windsurfers. It’s in this vein of catering to sailors of all skills that the BEYC started its Pro Am Regatta 30 years ago. The event is set for October 22-29 this year and pairs professional sailors with amateurs during a week chock-full of festivities that includes fleet racing, team racing and match racing. “We are pulling out all the stops for our 30th anniversary,” says John Glynn, vice president of sales and marketing. “The skipper’s list includes past winners like Ed Baird and Taylor Canfield, plus crowd favorites and industry legends like Dave Perry and Dave Ullman, plus three to five other skippers to be announced.” The event is sailed in IC 24s, a modified J/24 design, with four guests per boat and a rotating pro sailor on the helm. In addition to the racing, guests and pros can mingle at nightly dinners, cocktail cruises and entertaining gatherings. Guests can ask the pros pointed questions about the America’s Cup, Olympics, One Design Racing, and other topics at the highly anticipated Scuttlebutt “State of the Sport” Forum. Cruisers are welcome at the cocktail functions and, in some instances, can join the racing fun. The Pro Am’s Defiance Day coastal races to The Baths for lunch and back are open to all boats, including cruising catamarans. beyc.com/compete
Fishing on B.V.I. charters
As of July 1st, The Moorings power catamaran fleet in the B.V.I. are registered fishing vessels, which allows charter guests to fish after obtaining a proper fishing license. The decision to register the yachts followed a reinforced fishing policy by the B.V.I. government. Fishing in the B.V.I. is highly rated with plentiful amounts of tarpon, kingfish and barracuda. moorings.com
U.S.V.I. mooring fee increase
Unchanged for more than 20 years, annual costs for anchoring and mooring in the U.S.V.I. were increased in May to $10/foot for pleasure craft, $15/foot for liveaboards and $20/foot for commercial craft. Visiting craft can still moor or drop anchor for free for up to 14 days per year; moorings in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John still charge a fee for overnight use.
Trio of Billfishing Tournaments
Whether you’re cruising to the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles or further south to the ABC islands this month, you’ll find a great billfishing tournament. The Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament takes place October 1-8 out of the same-named port on the northeast coast of Jamaica. The week of angling for big blues is punctuated by a native canoe fishing tournament on the layday plus nightly parties. Next up is the Varadero Aruba Caribbean Cup set for October 20-23 out of Varadero Marina & Boatyard in Aruba; the opportunity to catch a Grand Slam has long hooked anglers on this event. Finally, the St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament is scheduled for October 25-29 out of Island Global Yachting’s Rodney Bay Marina on St. Lucia. Newly placed fish aggregration devices (FADs) should increase the likelihood of fantastic fishing as well as an opportunity to break the island’s 707-pound blue marlin record and win a new car. jamaicasportsfishing.com; preschallenge.com; facebook.com/slugamefishingassociation
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016
New Bern, North Carolina, hosts Mumfest on October 8-9, a fantastic fall destination for Mid-Atlantic cruisers filled with the vivid colors of the season and family activities. The festival includes street performers, ticketed and free music, children’s entertainment, crafts, rides, and delectable food in the beautifully restored downtown and waterfront. This year’s entertainment includes the Xpogo team—a stunt team on next generation pogo sticks. Their stunts reach incredible heights, and they hold 15 world records and several Guinness records. The Tryon Palace Gardens are free and open to the public during the weekend with country music artists performing on the South Lawn. Galley Marina has more than 400 feet of day dockage and 400 feet of transient dockage with 25 slips for boats up to 100 feet. If you arrive ahead of the festival, take part in the Eastern North Carolina Boat Show hosted by the New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club and Hatteras Yachts on October 1-2. mumfest.com
Chestertown docking Historic Chestertown, Maryland, on the banks of the Chester River plans to revitalize its town-owned marina right after Downrigging Weekend in late October. Money for the first phase of the two-year project comes from a real estate sale to Washington College and from the state’s Waterway Improvement Fund. The work will focus on the bulkhead and boat ramp. A second phase, scheduled for the fall and winter of 2017-18, includes demolishing the existing marina store and replacing it with high tide flooding mitigation in partnership with the Fish Whistle restaurant. The town has applied for a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is also asking $1.5 million from Governor Hogan’s capital budget.
Rally to the Cup Registration is now open for Offshore Passage Opportunities’ Rally to the Cup, which departs from multiple east coast ports including Annapolis on June 7, 2017. This allows enough time for arrival in Bermuda before the June 17th start of the 35th America’s Cup finals. The rally will provide dockage at St. George’s Dinghy and Sports Club for the first 20 to 25 boats registered and a designated anchorage area (with launch service) or a berth along the wall in St. George’s. The rally fee includes planning and logistics, three socials, weather forecasting by WRI, Radio Net, and help with customs and immigration as well as logistics in Bermuda, a rally burgee and T-shirts for the crew. sailopo.com
Take the Wheel in Annapolis City Dock in Annapolis will transform into a gigantic boat extravaganza with the annual sailboat show October 6-10 followed by the powerboat show October 13-16. Among many attractions at the sailboat show is an on-and-off the water learning opportunity entitled Take the Wheel Interactive Workshop designed to fast-track boating knowledge and to narrow boat search lists. During the afternoon on-the-water part of the program, registrants can sail aboard mono and multihulls and get a stem-to-stern look with wind in the sails. There’s also the opportunity to try before you buy at the powerboat show’s Demo Dock.usboat.com
By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016
Arrive at our nation’s capital by water and gain a whole new (non-political) perspective.
It’s hardly a secret that Washington, D.C., is a wonderful place to visit; just ask the 20 million people who explored the area last year. Most of them, of course, arrived by car, train, bus, or airplane. But the best way to visit Washington is by water. The real secret is that our nation’s capital has always been boat-friendly, and now it’s even more so with some brand-new marinas and others newly improved. Here’s a guide to Capitol cruising:
Many of Washington’s marinas offer front-row seats to the capital’s many attractions and are within walking distance of the iconic monuments, memorials, and museums that draw large crowds. Others are destinations in their own right and still offer easy access to the capital. And there’s so much to do in Washington—countless great restaurants, boutiques, historic areas, art galleries, parks, bike trails, jogging paths, and more—you’ll barely scratch the surface of this city’s sights in a long weekend. A week or longer would allow for a solid city exploration.
Washington is certainly easy to access by boat. The mouth of the Potomac is about 90 nm up the Chesapeake from Norfolk, Virginia. Another 96 nm up the Potomac leads you right to the District. You know you’re getting close when you see Mount Vernon, George Washington’s magnificent plantation home. If you want to visit by boat, hail the dockmaster on VHF 16. The small Mount Vernon wharf is built for tour boats, but there’s usually room for a few recreational boats, too. As you pass by Mount Vernon, make sure you toll your ship’s bell, a tradition that dates back to December 14, 1799, the night Washington died.
Images from a Capitol Cruising adventure:
The World War II Memorial on the Washington Mall is just one of the many not-to-be-missed sights in the nation’s capital. Photo: Washington.org
The Torpedo Factory building shown behind boats docked at the Alexandria City Marina now houses a collection of working artists and their boutiques. Photo: R. Kennedy
The inside of the Capitol Dome glows at night. Photo: Washington.org
Whether at the top of the Capital Wheel or enjoying pre-dinner cocktails while docked at the National Harbor Marina, both offer a lovely sunset view. Photo: Marina at National Harbor
After Mount Vernon, it’s only eight miles to the capital. The channel quickly winds to the right, hugging the Maryland shore close to Fort Washington, and then the massive Woodrow Wilson Bridge comes into view, which has 76 feet of vertical clearance and carries both I-95 and Capital Beltway traffic across the Potomac. Just before the bridge on the Maryland side is the National Harbor Marina—hard to miss with its 180-foot Ferris wheel at the end of the dock. The marina is part of the nine-year-old National Harbor complex, which has a 2,000-room convention center, 4 hotels, 150 shops, and 30 restaurants on a 300-acre waterfront, and a 350-room MGM casino is scheduled to open just up the hill at the end of 2016. The marina welcomes transients and provides 80 slips (max 220-feet LOA), immaculate restrooms and showers, free laundry, pump-outs, phone, cable, Wi-Fi, and all of the comforts of home.
Less than a mile up the river, the Alexandria (Virginia) City Marina is in the midst of the charming Old Town district. Founded in 1749, the quaint area has restaurants, boutiques, and a Metro subway to Washington. The beautiful waterfront is home to 23 acres of parks, walking and biking trails, and a view of Washington just a few miles up the river. The marina has 40 slips (22 reserved for transients) as well as restrooms and showers. A Chart House restaurant is at the top of the dock, as is the Torpedo Factory building, which dates back to WWII and is presently filled with working artists’ studios.
Also on the Virginia side about a mile north of Reagan National Airport at the Pentagon Lagoon is Columbia Island Marina, which only welcomes powerboat transients. The marina is in a beautiful park run by the National Park Service and has 386 slips for boats 20-50 feet in length.
In passage to Washington is Hains Point, the southern tip of East Potomac Park that splits the waterway into two routes: continue along the Potomac shore on the protected Washington Channel toward its three large marinas or head right toward the two marinas up the Anacostia River. Choose the Anacostia route and you’ll shortly arrive at James Creek Marina, a 297-slip stop that offers the District’s only fuel dock (gas and diesel) as well as a ship’s store, clean restrooms and showers, pump-out, and a picnic area. Transients are welcome.
A bit farther up the Anacostia River is the brand-new Yards Marina situated beside the Washington Navy Yard and part of The Yards Park, a waterfront destination area with a waterfall, boardwalk and play areas. The marina has 50 slips (25 for transients) but no showers or laundry facilities. It’s just south of Capitol Hill and east of the Washington Nationals stadium.
If you choose to traverse the Washington Channel, you’ll find yourself in the midst of a major multi-year, multi-billion-dollar waterfront redevelopment project called The Wharf, but don’t worry—the marinas are still operating. The first marina is The Wharf Gangplank, which has 309 slips, restrooms and showers, laundry, and 24-hour security. The Gangplank can handle yachts up to 125 feet LOA and welcomes transients. From here it’s an easy walk to the Washington Monument or the Jefferson Memorial.
The second marina is The Capital Yacht Club, a private club that welcomes guests, with 86 slips, including 20 for transients. It can handle yachts up to 220 feet LOA. The club has restrooms and showers, pump-out, cable, free Wi-Fi, and a taxi stand outside the gate even though it’s only a 15-minute walk to the National Mall.
The final marina on the Washington Channel is just beyond a fixed highway bridge with 37 feet of vertical clearance. Washington Marina has 150 slips (20 for transients) and room for yachts up to 125 feet LOA. This full-service marina boasts a ship’s store and service department, showers, pump-out, 24-hour gated access, and is just a 10-minute walk to the Tidal Basin.
Once your boat is tied up, one of your first stops must be the White House. View the front of the House from across the street at Lafayette Park. Other popular sights include a walk up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and a look out over the Reflecting Pool, National Mall and Capitol Building in the distance. Spend as much time as possible on the Mall, a large, open, grassy park where the Smithsonian Institution runs a group of museums including the Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space Museum. Pay homage at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and National World War II Memorial, and walk across the Arlington Memorial Bridge to Arlington National Cemetery where U.S. Presidents and many notable historical figures rest. Take a cab up Connecticut Avenue to the National Zoological Park and see the pandas and many other amazing animals.
The District is filled with great restaurants, but for a special treat try Café Milano in Georgetown. The classic Italian dining room, wall murals and a warm-weather sidewalk café makes it a favorite among the political set; President Obama took Michelle there for her 49th birthday. Downtown and around the corner from the Treasury and White House, Old Ebbitt Grill has been a Washington institution since 1856 and a favorite of both President Grant and President Theodore Roosevelt. It’s open all day for every meal, has four bars upstairs and boasts a 2015 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. My personal favorite is The Monocle Restaurant on Capitol Hill’s Senate side, where steak and crab cakes are lunch and dinnertime specialties. The Monocle is a hangout for staffers and lobbyists—you’ll probably see a Senator or two.
—By Peter A. Janssen, Southern Boating Magazine July 2016
—CRUISER RESOURCES—
Dockage
National Harbor Marina 168 National Plaza, National Harbor, MD
(301) 749-1582 • national lharbor.com
Alexandria City Marina
0 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA
(703) 746-5487 • alexandriava.gov/marina
Columbia Island Marina
George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington, VA
(202) 347-0173 • columbiaisland.com
James Creek Marina
200 V Street Southwest, Washington, D.C.
(202) 554-8844 • jamescreek.com
The Yards Marina
335 Water Street Southeast, Washington, D.C.
(202) 465-7080 • yardspark.org
Wharf Gangplank Marina 600 Water Street Southwest, Washington, D.C.
(202) 554-5000 • gangplank.com
Capital Yacht Club 660 Water Street Southwest, Washington, D.C.
(202) 488-8110 • capitalyachtclub.com
Washington Marina
1300 Maine Avenue Southwest, Washington, D.C.
(202) 554-0222 • washingtonmarina.com
–Attractions–
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C.
(202) 456-1111 • whitehouse.gov
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
First Street/East Capitol Street Northeast, Washington, D.C. (202) 226-8000 visitthecapitol.gov
Smithsonian Institution
(202) 633-1000 • si.edu
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street/Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C. (202) 633-1000 naturalhistory.si.edu
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, D.C.
(202) 633-2214 • airandspace.si.edu
The Bahamian island is located just 50 nautical miles from South Florida’s coast so the island is a common stop for both locals and tourists who want to experience an island escape. The island has deep historical roots, both fabled and true. This lore includes the mysterious underwater Bimini Road, which is said to be a piece of the Lost City of Atlantis.
If a lost city isn’t enough to wet your appetite for stories, it’s also said that Juan Ponce de Leon once searched Bimini in hopes of finding the Fountain of Youth.
Another notable resident: Ernest Hemmingway. The small island was a favorite fishing escape for the acclaimed author. Bimini boasts spectacular fishing grounds and crystal-clear waters for diving and other water activities.
The island was a treasure trove during the Prohibition Era—tangled mangroves provided rum-runners the last hideout before shipping alcohol to the states.
But the fabled face of Bimini has come a long way since then. Home to just more than 2,000 residents, Bimini has seen major development and change since Leon searched for eternal youth.
The opening of the new Hilton at Resorts World Bimini was described by Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie as “a defining experience for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas”. No wonder, as this 750-acre luxury complex nestled comfortably on North Bimini offers a premier resort getaway unlike any other in the area.
Arrive at the resort either by boat or seaplane and you’ll be greeted with the sight of turquoise waters and the sheer expanse of the resort’s layout. The Marina at Resorts World Bimini is the largest marina complex in The Bahamas and accommodates vessels up to 180 feet in length. Since it’s only 50 nm from the South Florida coast, cruising internationally to Bimini is just across the Gulf Stream.
With the addition of the resort, visitors can float the lazy river pool or relax at the Serenity Spa (perhaps a modern-day version of the Fountain of Youth?).
The Resort includes 10,000 square feet of meeting space featuring ocean-side views making the island a quick getaway for pleasure or business. Bimini now is host to the world’s only waterfront casino with panoramic views and offers popular table games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette.
If you don’t carry toys aboard your boat or you just want to play in the warm island waters, the resort rents kayaks and Jet Skis, and can arrange for paddleboarding and shore excursions.
The face of the beloved Bahamian island is growing and changing while still maintaining the iconic magical folklore that made it the island we know and love.
Everything is bigger in Texas and this includes fishing tournaments. With more than 367 miles of coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and along the famed Laguna Madre with charters running from Galveston to Corpus Christi and all the way south to the Mexican border in San Isabel, Texas can satisfy your need for deep or near-shore saltwater fishing.
One of the largest tournaments, the Texas Star State of Texas Angler’s Rodeo run by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) lasts a solid three months. This tournament with more than 45,000 participants is unusual in that tagged species of fish are specifically released throughout the coast for the purpose of the tournament. Registered participants have the entire summer to reel in those tagged reds and trout. Successful anglers can reel in their share for more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships. ccatexas.org, startournament.org
Chandeleur Island Fishing off Mississippi Motherships. Photo: Troy Gilbert
Chandeleur Island Fishing off Mississippi Motherships. Photo: Troy Gilbert
Chandeleur Island Fishing off Mississippi Motherships. Photo: Troy Gilbert
Chandeleur Island Fishing off Mississippi Motherships. Photo: Troy Gilbert
Down the coast in Matagorda, the Matagorda Bluewater Challenge is another monster multiple species tournament with boats allowed to leave from several ports. The tournament also includes a small boat (under 25 feet) class. The big action is offshore where winners are decided over the combined weight of multiple and specific species hauled in. This two-day event brings out the Who’s Who of Texas fishing and novices who charter vessels with groups of friends and try their luck at bringing in the largest kingfish, ling, and dolphin. Winning isn’t everything, but two days spent offshore is a perfect recreational investment for men, women, and children.
Not to be outdone and celebrating its 19th anniversary on the legendary Louisiana barrier island of Grand Isle, the Swollfest Fishing Rodeo kicks off June 8-12. Headquartered at the Sand Dollar Marina on the easternmost reach of Grand Isle, this event has exploded from its humble beginnings as a group of eight guys going out fishing one weekend to one of the largest fishing rodeos in Louisiana.
With world-class offshore and inshore fishing throughout the waters of Louisiana, Swollfest was among the early to recognize and adopt the growing trend in spear and kayak fishing and have adopted them as classes alongside the standard fishing rodeo classes. Kayak fishing is ideal in these estuaries of southeast Louisiana with kayaks able to navigate all of the shallow coastal marsh and find those hidden and previously unreachable honey spots.
Located at the edge of Barataria and Caminada Bay and the deep-water oil platforms of the Gulf of Mexico that serve as incredible artificial reef habitats, Grand Isle is known for hosting multiple world-class fishing events. The species of fish from the multiple habitats are far too numerous to list, but there is a definitive reason why southern Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise.”
By Harlen Leslie, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016
