Big boats, beach cats and board sailors will all find a class in which to compete at the International Aruba Regatta set for August 14 to 16. An 80-plus boat fleet is expected with sailors flying in from Bonaire, Curaçao, Venezuela, the United States, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The action takes place off Surfside Beach located between the Queen Beatrix International Airport and the island’s capitol of Oranjestad. Last year’s additions of stand-up paddleboard and micro-boat races as well as a self-built boat demonstration and race are set to continue. “One of the things that makes this regatta special is that all courses, which are short and geared toward competitive sailing, are in sight of the regatta beach. This makes it possible to follow the races from the shade of the beach tents with a beer in your hand!” says organizer Eric Mijts. Shoreside activities include food, live music and entertainment at the Regatta Village on Surfside Beach. aruba-regatta.com
Center Console Tournament in the U.S.V.I.
Get your team together and be one of the first to fish the new ‘Wet N’ Wild’ Center Console Tournament set for August 28th and 29th to be held out of IGY’s American Yacht Harbor Marina, on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. “Fishermen in this two-day tournament, which is held in tandem with the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (ABMT), can score points by catching the Virgin Islands ‘Big 5’—blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo and yellowfin tuna—on stand-up light tackle,” says Tournament Director Jimmy Loveland. “There will be best team prizes for the top three teams with the most points and a Best Angler prize.” Entries are expected from the B.V.I., Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St. Martin, and the U.S. mainland. Several center consoles are available for charter from outfits such as Ocean Surfaris, Capt. Alvin and Offshore Adventures. The ‘Wet N’ Wild’ Center Console Tournament is part of MarlinFest, a week of fun activities around the ABMT that includes an arts and crafts festival, chowder competition, golf tournament, beach BBQ, and daytrip to the BVI. abmt.vi
New Boatyard in Grenada
The Clarke’s Court Boatyard & Marina has been redeveloped into a major yacht storage yard under new ownership. Located on Grenada’s southern shore east of the capital of St. George’s, the yard can haul vessels up to 242 tons with a 39-foot beam and store up to 400 yachts at a time on the hard. A soft opening happens this month, while Phase I will be completed shortly after. This includes the haul-out slipway, reinforced load-bearing track, concreting of the main storage area, washrooms, and service building that will house the chandlery. The build-out of Phases II and III, which includes development of the marina and construction of a restaurant, swimming pool and accommodations, will follow over the next few years. Call (473) 439-3939; info@clarkescourtmarina.com
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating August 2015