Tag: regional updates

Little Harbor, Great Abaco

From throwback resorts in Little Harbor, Great Abaco to stingray feeding experiences to Bahamian Track & Field, the islands are sure to delight!

Little Harbor, Great Abaco

Popular with both land- and sea-based visitors to the Abacos, Little Harbor sits at the southern end of the Sea of Abaco and offers a slice of life in The Bahamas much as it used to be. This is a small but very protected harbor with a narrow entrance. Recent reports from cruisers suggest approach depths of 3-4 feet at low tide with a tidal range of 2-3 feet, and a series of red and green markers indicate the channel. Once inside, Pete’s Pub offers dockage for smaller boats and moorings with plenty of depth for most cruising boats. Some space remains for anchoring with good holding and excellent protection. Ample dinghy access to shore is available at Pete’s docks or on the white sand beach. Other than the pub and gallery, there are no services here. This means no shopping, fuel, water, or garbage collection, so cruisers need to be self-sufficient.

Randolph Johnston, his wife and their three sons first established the family compound here in 1951. An artist and educator from the United States, Johnston and his family arrived on his schooner seeking an escape from the pressures of the “real” world and a place to practice his art in the Caribbean. Johnston’s primary medium was bronze casting, and within a few years he was casting sculptures using the centuries-old and very complex now-lost wax process. He established the Johnston Studio & Foundry here on this small, nearly uninhabited peninsula and built an international reputation and following.

Today, under the guidance of Johnston’s youngest son, Peter, the foundry continues to operate. They provide workshops and apprenticeships for Bahamian artists and maintain an extensive gallery. Peter is an accomplished sculptor whose work focuses on local marine life. When a casting operation is about to take place, Peter will announce it on the morning Abaco VHF net, and visitors are welcome to attend and witness the creation of this difficult art form.

Meanwhile, next door at Pete’s Pub, Pete and his son Greg operate a true vintage beach bar. It’s reason enough to visit the harbor. An extensive and varied menu of seafood dishes, burgers and some of the best rum drinks around make this a great place to stay and chill for a while. Regular pig roasts for special occasions are well worth planning a trip. Take a dinghy ride to the rocks on the west side of the harbor and clamber around the caves where the Johnston family first resided. They even shared their space with bats. Be sure to visit the ruins of the lighthouse that, for decades, led mariners through the Little Harbor Cut from the Atlantic into the Sea of Abaco. facebook.com/Petes-Pub-Gallery–144337852300293/

Stingray feeding experience

Keith and Linda Cooper, residents of West End, Grand Bahama, are offering a unique aquatic experience at Sandy Cay. Hand feeding stingrays may seem dangerous, or at least a little foolish. But this is a safe and photogenic opportunity to experience one of the most recognizable forms of sea life in The Bahamas. Sandy Cay is just a few miles offshore from Grand Bahama Island’s West End. The Cooper’s “Stingray Feeding Experience” starts at West End with a 25-minute boat ride to the Cay. Keith will spend as much time as necessary with his clients in the water to develop their confidence and familiarity with these gentle creatures. This is not simply tossing food to the stingray. Instead, you hold the food in your hand and rest it palm up on the bottom of the shallows. The stingray will approach and suck the fish from your fingers. You barely feel the action, but the body of the stingray is just inches from your face. A GoPro or still camera will capture images to shock and impress your friends back home. Sandy Cay is a wildlife lover’s paradise with flocks of ducks, herons, pelicans, and a variety of sea life. Your visit will show you a bit of the old Bahamas.

IAAF track competition 

Cruisers to The Bahamas who are fans of field and track competitions have a rare opportunity this month. The Bahamas are known internationally for their success in track events, particularly for their men’s relay teams. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Shaunea Miller brought home a surprise gold medal in the women’s 400m and the men’s 400m relay team took bronze. The prominence of Bahamian track athletes, along with the world-class hospitality of the islands, explains why the country will host the IAAF World Relays for the third consecutive year. The competition will be held at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau April 22-23, 2017. Events for both men and women at multiple distances will earn automatic berths in the World Championships for the top teams. Tickets can be purchased online at nsa-bahamas.com.

Words & photos by Rex Noel, Southern Boating Magazine April 2017

Florida Gulf Updates April 2017

Sand ‘Fantaseas’, new electronic boat shuttles, lingering Red Tide effects and more in the Florida Gulf Updates April 2017.

Sugar Sand Fantasea 

Anyone with children understands Sand Castle Construction 101. However, put those same tools, including buckets and shovels, in the talented hands of 11 world-class sand sculptors and you’ll get an end result that’s worthy of PhDs in both art and engineering. On April 14-23, Clearwater Beach will host the 5th Annual Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit. The event takes place just a block from the city marina at Pier 60. The theme changes every year, meaning you’re unlikely to see the same sculpture twice. Sugar Sand Fantasea, a Magical Adventure Above and Below the Sea is the theme for the 10-day event that features sand-sculpting classes, live entertainment, crafters, street performers, fireworks, and a sand-sculpting contest with a prize of over $6,000 to the winner. While the events are free, there is an admission charge for access to the Sugar Sand Walk. The fee is $10 for adults and $8 for adults 55 and over. sugarsandfestival.com

Free lift for Sarasota cruisers

Sarasota’s developing downtown district is only three blocks away from Marina Jack. But after a full day of browsing the artisan shops, stopping for a cappuccino at one of the many colorful sidewalk cafes and a gourmet dinner, a ride back to the boat may be in order. Sarasota has approved seven electric shuttles that carry six passengers each. Ferry tourists and residents alike can take advantage of the new ride option throughout the downtown district. This new feature is part of a city-funded plan to reduce motor vehicle congestion on the roads. The upcoming $339,000 project includes an app to hail a ride from the service and will be called Gotcha Ride.

Bay scallops – St. Joseph Bay

The residual effects of a prolonged 2015 Red Tide outbreak is anticipated to once again impact the annual Bay Scallop season in Florida’s Panhandle. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioners (FWC) approved a recreational bay scallop season lasting from July 25th through September 10th off Gulf County. This also includes all waters in St. Joseph Bay as well as those west of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County through the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.

Bag and vessel limits throughout the entire bay scallop harvest zone will be capped at two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or a 1/2 gallon of bay scallop meat per vessel.

FWC researchers conducted a scallop restoration project last year within St. Joseph Bay to help speed the recovery of the scallop population. Scientists reported these efforts have been going well, and the scallop population has shown signs of improvement. Still to be decided are dates for the season in nearby Dixie and Taylor Counties.

Fuel-Up at Joppatowne Marina

Fuel-Up at Joppatowne Marina

Boats are back and fuel is available in the Gunpowder River area now that the Joppatowne Marina, formerly Gunpowder Cove Marina, has opened under new ownership. Barb and Mark Gorrera have reopened the upper Chesapeake Bay marina with a familiar general manager running the show, Don Rogers, who worked more than 40 years for the former marina.

The marina has 245 wet slips (10 transient slips) and approximately 500 high-and-dry slips that can accommodate boats up to 40 feet. Mariners must pass under a railroad bridge to get there, which has a clearance of 12 to 14 feet with normal tides. The approach and dockside depth is around five feet.

—By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine April 2017

Oriental Boat Show 2017

The Best Small Town Boat Show in America

A village with only 950 residents but over 3,000 boats has all the credibility it needs to claim itself as a boating Mecca. But add a spring boat show with over 100 exhibitors and you have a “not-to-miss” event! The Oriental In-Water Boat Show takes place April 21-23 and is the largest in-water boat show between Annapolis and Savannah. Exhibitors from as far north as Hampton, Virginia, and as far south as Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will be on hand displaying their products and services. New and brokerage boats will be in the water and available to tour. Many others will be available for sea trials as well.

Oriental, North Carolina, is a historic boating village on the banks of the Neuse River where the Neuse opens up to Pamlico Sound. Hotel and marina accommodations are located in the village within walking distance of the show. A complete list of vendors and show activities is available on the show’s website. Don’t miss the Oriental Boat Show 2017! 

orientalboatshow.com 

Charleston Race Week

Sailors will be hoping for fresh winds through the low country this April when the 21st Annual Charleston Race Week returns to Charleston Harbor in South Carolina.

When the Charleston Ocean Racing Association merged their annual summer regatta with the Charleston Palmetto Cup—run by the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association—they couldn’t have dreamed it would grow into an international event and one of the largest keelboat regattas in the world. At print time, more than 120 boats from the U.S., Canada and Europe were registered to participate.

The annual summer event was rescheduled to its current dates in April in order to take advantage of the seasonal sea breezes. The combination of traditional southeast winds working against the tidal flow in Charleston Harbor make for exciting racing for both sailors and spectators.

Registration and racecourse reviews begin on April 20th, with races running from April 21st through the 23rd. For spectators, inshore races take place in the South Passage of Charleston’s Harbor between James Island and Shutes Folly. Ocean boats will compete offshore of Morris Island just south of Charleston’s entrance channel. All shoreside activities are at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina located at Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant. In addition to hosting a world-class event, Charleston Race Week donates a portion of their proceeds to eight individual charities and organizations including Veterans on Deck and Charleston Community Sailing.

Additional information can be found at charlestonraceweek.com.

 

 

Booze Cruise Be Gone

Gone are the booze cruise days of the 1980s. They’ve been replaced by charters where the crew puts an emphasis on the well-being rather than that hungover feeling of their guests. Take, for example, several yachts in Camper & Nicholson’s Caribbean fleet: 214-ft Feadship Callisto, 155-foot Sunseeker Princess AVK and 190-ft Benetti Illusion V. Each has personal trainers as part of the crew, which means there’s someone hands-on to put you through your paces in onboard gyms well-equipped with spin bikes, elliptical cross trainers, free weights, and more. Or, if you’d like to keep fit in the water, these yachts have fitness toys like paddleboards, kayaks and waterskis, to name a few.

The benefits of a personal trainer among the crew are out-of-the-box fitness adventures, like a hike up St. Lucia’s iconic Gros Piton 3000 feet above sea level or the heart-pumping climb to Dominica’s Morne Diablotin, the highest mountain in the Eastern Caribbean at 4,747 feet. Follow up with a beach training session for even more activity. Looking for something a little less cardio? The 208-ft Benetti SpA Lioness V boasts a stewardess who is also a qualified yoga instructor. Of course, there is healthful cuisine to match. Fresh-caught Caribbean fish and just-picked tropical fruits like mangos and papayas are deliciously incorporated into meals. Callisto, for example, boasts a Michelin-star trained chef that heads up the galley. Charters focused on well-being are definitely the buzz these days in the Caribbean, especially in the megayacht arena. camperandnicholsons.com

 

 

New Outer Marina opens at Nanny Cay

Since December, more slips with deeper depths are available for racing, cruising and megayachts at Nanny Cay Resort & Marina’s Outer Marina. “The marina has been running at full capacity for the last five years and in anticipation of this, the owners commenced an expansion plan in 2009,” explains Alastair Abrehart, spokesperson for the Tortola, B.V.I.-based property. As of now, 42 slips are operational, with the final 78 expected to be in place by August. When completed, the Outer Marina will have 120 slips for yachts 30- to 75-feet with T-heads and a bulkhead capable of berthing megayachts up to 150 feet. Up to 10 megayachts over 100 feet can now dock at Nanny Cay. Controlling depth in the first half of the outer marina is 14 feet and 10 feet in the second half. The 6.5-acre Outer Marina peninsula will have 8 new condominium blocks each with three 4-bed and four 3-bed units; condo construction starts this spring. The expansion is good news for yachtsmen who in the past have found it difficult to get a slip at the dock for the many events Nanny Cay hosts each year: the B.V.I. Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival in March, the ARC USA Rally in May and ARC Caribbean 1500 Rally in November, as well as many races organized by the Royal B.V.I. Yacht Club throughout the year. nannycay.com

Where the big cats roam! 

This year the St. Thomas International Regatta will host one of the largest offshore catamaran racing fleets in the Caribbean. As of January 1st, seven big cats are set to compete in this event on March 24-26 hosted out of the St. Thomas Yacht Club in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Three gunboats are also included: Arethusa, Fault Tolerant and Elvis, as well as the U.S.V.I.-built Bieker 53 Fujin and HH66 NALA and Kelsall 47 Triple Jack. “Our inter-island courses are perfect for these fast-sailing multihulls. So much so, our regatta is getting to be known as where the big cats roam,” says regatta director Chuck Pessler. stthomasinternationalregatta.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine March 2017

Boatel on the Narrows

A full-service boatel that houses approximately 400 boats is planned for 7.5 acres on the northwest quadrant of Kent Narrows, Maryland, according to meeting minutes of the Kent Narrows Development Foundation. The boatel’s website states that it will open next fall.

The indoor boat storage facility (boatel) will be 55 feet tall and include a restaurant. A ship’s store, concierge service and boat rentals are also planned components of the project. The site was previously approved for a 49-unit condo building. Thankfully, that has been nixed for a much-needed facility that should fill up quickly. The developers also intend to provide public access to the waterfront with a boardwalk or deck, which will fulfill a public amenities requirement. The haul-out and splash area will be on the north portion of the property.

The boatel will store outboard and inboard-powered boats with a LOA of up to 34 feet, a beam of up to 11 feet and a max height of 14 feet. Boat rentals are planned for Sea Hunt center consoles and Hurricane deck boats by the hour, day or weekend. The facility will be open from 7AM to 6PM in season. kentnarrowsmarine.com

Virtual rivers

If you’d like to see what a Chesapeake Bay tributary looks like before you actually take a boat there, you can do that now thanks to the Chesapeake Conservancy and Terrain360. The goal of their partnership is to bring virtual tours of the entire Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to your computer or mobile device.

Richmond-based Terrain360 built and operates a boat equipped with six cameras mounted 10 feet above the water’s surface to capture high-resolution, 360-degree images every 50 feet. The images are then stitched together to create a digital image map of an entire river.

Virtual tours already completed include the Nanticoke River, the Susquehanna, the James, the Rappahannock, and the Patapsco (including Baltimore’s Inner Harbor). Tours of the Elk, Northeast and Sassafras are scheduled to be completed this year. Links to the tours are available when you scroll down on the home page of the conservancy’s website chesapeakeconservancy.org.

Pump it out

Recent accounts indicate the overall health of the Chesapeake is slowly improving thanks to collective efforts of individuals and organizations within the watershed. One such effort is coming from the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, which teamed with government agencies to operate a pump-out boat on the Miles and Wye rivers this past year.

In May 2016, the conservancy, with funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Clean Vessel Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, began operating a 22-foot pump-out boat for the two mid-Chesapeake rivers. In its first season, which concluded in October, the boat pumped over 8,500 gallons of waste from almost 350 boats.

The pump-out boat is the first of its kind on Maryland’s eastern shore and enables cruisers to conveniently and properly dispose of waste rather than discharging harmful pollutants into waterways. The free service is much needed since there are no pump-out services on the Wye and few on the well-travelled Miles. The boat’s operators can be reached on VHF Channel 9 or by mobile phone at (410) 829-4352.

By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine February 2017

What SUP in the Chesapeake?

Indoor boat shows and educational courses are great activities in the winter for those of us looking forward to warmer temperatures on the Mid-Atlantic coast.

You don’t have to be in the market for a boat to enjoy a boat show since show producers typically provide entertainment, educational seminars, and a multitude of displays with maritime information, products and services to peruse.

Every year, I take in the Baltimore Boat Show, and while the food’s not all that great in the convention center, the atmosphere inside is optimistic with shiny new boats, free giveaways, contests, and activities such as remote-controlled docking and virtual fishing. Kids build a toy boat and exercise their balance in the SUP zone along with parents. Mechanically minded folks learn to unclog a carburetor at Fred’s Shed. Across the street, at the Pratt Street Ale House, there’s plenty of good food and drink to be had. This year’s show in Baltimore runs January 26-29 with more than 300 boats from luxury cruisers to kayaks under one roof.

Other regional shows include the Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina, January 13-15. Over 100 local, regional and national companies will showcase tackle, rods and reels, apparel, maps, charters, sunglasses, boats, motors, electronics, knives, and so on. And there’s the Richmond Fishing Expo at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia, January 20-22. ncboatshows.com; baltimoreboatshow.com 

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offerings

On January 28, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law an act to create the United States Coast Guard, a combination of the nation’s Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service. Today, the U.S. Coast Guard is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and one of its many missions is to educate the public on safe boat handling. How does it do that? The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary exists to support all U.S.C.G. missions except roles that require direct law enforcement or military engagement. As of 2015, there were approximately 32,000 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Every year auxiliary members help save some 500 lives, assist 15,000 distressed boaters, conduct at least 150,000 safety examinations of recreational vessels, and provide cruiser safety instruction to more than 500,000 students. In total, the auxiliary and its volunteer efforts save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

If you’d like to gain some nautical know-how from experienced auxiliary members, find a course nearby by simply entering your zip code into the National Public Education Calendar Database, which holds and displays all the public education courses taught by auxiliary flotillas nationwide. Topics include GPS for Mariners, Weather and Boating, Weekend Navigator, Lines and Knots, and many more. Upon entering my zip code, for example, I found Sailing Skills and Seamanship, a class offered by Lynn Disque on Wednesday evenings from 6-9PM starting on January 25th and running until April 12th at the U.S.C.G. Station-Annapolis. The cost is $70, but many insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance to anyone who successfully completes the course and can present a course-completion certificate. cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php

By Christopher Knauss, Southern Boating Magazine January 2017

Pirates threaten to seize Tampa

It’s not a hostile takeover, however, like Captain Phillips experienced. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

On January 28th, Tampa’s flotilla of private pleasure craft intends to defend the city and square off against the annual pirate invasion for an epic weekend of hedonistic celebration. For 113 years, the city has surrendered amidst a cacophony of cannon fire as Jose Gasparilla, the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship, shoots its way through thousands of boats that guard the downtown waterfront. Themed around the swashbuckling pirate Jose Gaspar, who menaced Florida’s Gulf Coast in the 1800s, the invasion is followed by a bead-throwing pirate parade that attracts a crowd of nearly half a million. This is the city’s signature social event led by Ye Mystic Krewe, a merry band of elite movers and shakers who don war paint, fake jagged scars and festive costumes.

Transient slips are ransomed for gold at the downtown Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, Convention Center and Harbour Island docks, but if you know a resident along Harbour Island or Davis Islands that flank the channel to downtown, you may get lucky with an unused overnight slip. Now, here’s your tip. Located on the west side of Tampa’s peninsula is a hidden gem, West Shore Yacht Club, with space for vessels up to 80′. Dockmaster Ryan Smith says the weekend is popular and transients enjoy full use of the clubhouse and amenities. By boat you are less than 40 minutes away from joining the flotilla. Other marina venues close by include St. Petersburg Municipal, the nearby Vinoy Resort and marinas in and around Ruskin and Apollo Beach. Gasparilla is a weekend-long participatory sport. It’s best to bring beads for ransom and trade, plenty of that spicy brown concoction bearing the likeness of a certain pirate and ear plugs. gasparillapiratefest.com

Cabbage Key

A far less raucous destination this time of year is secluded and off the proverbial beaten path: Cabbage Key located just south of Charlotte Harbor. Every Jimmy Buffet fan knows that Jimmy sailed here, enjoyed a famous cheeseburger and maybe even signed a dollar like thousands of other mariners who continue the tradition of taping a beer buck to the ceiling. What you may have overlooked are the unpretentious docks with power for an overnight stay. The Inn and famous restaurant sit atop a 30-foot-tall Indian shell mound. Climb the water tower for an incomparable view of nearby Useppa Island Club to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west. Dinner, the honky-tonk piano and stories well into the night, coupled with a lush, island-like display of tropical flora and fauna help you forget that the mainland and all those tourists covered in oil are just a few miles away. Not to be overlooked is pulling in for a simple breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Winter is an ideal time to visit. The air temperature is perfect and sunsets are as pink as steamed Gulf shrimp, but running the protected ICW is often necessary thanks to the weekly cold front that riles up the Gulf for a day or two. Docks that were rebuilt after a couple of hurricanes a decade ago are solid and well suited for yacht traffic. cabbagekey.com

By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating Magazine January 2017

Going once, going twice….Marina Jack SOLD!

Marina Jack in Sarasota, Florida, recognized as National Marina of the Year in 2015, has been sold to Suntex Marina Investors LLC. The Dallas-based investment firm did not disclose the sale price. The merger includes the 316-slip marina in downtown Sarasota, adjacent to Oleary’s Tiki Bar, as well as Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina, Bayfront Excursions and Turtle Beach Grill on south Siesta Key, Florida. “This is without question a merger of strengths from an operational and managerial standpoint,” says Robert L. Soran, CEO of Marina Jack. “We share a vision of future growth opportunities for our people and our combined companies.” Soran will have an equity interest and board advisory capacity with Suntex. Suntex now has a portfolio of 34 marinas in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and St. Maarten.

With direct, no-bridge access to the Gulf of Mexico, Marina Jack’s marina operations have kept up facelifts and improvements at a pace that is matching the transformation of downtown Sarasota. The marina features slip accommodations for vessels up to 228 feet with 316 wet and dry slips, a full-service fuel dock, ship’s store, and an on-site Yacht Services department. Downtown Sarasota has become a trendy center for urban condo living and features many eclectic street-side dining venues for foodies, a Saturday morning farmers market, and an ever-changing collection of boutique shops that are favorites of cruisers.

Marina Jack acquired the Turtle Beach Marina in September of 2015. Now known as Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina, this south Siesta Key business features a full-service boatyard with haul-out capabilities for vessels up to 65 feet. Bayfront Yacht Works & Marina adds an additional 60 dry and wet slips to the portfolio, along with a rapidly growing boat and watersport rental business known as Bayfront Excursions. The merger also includes three well-known restaurants, including the Marina Jack II—a 96-foot passenger vessel known for Sarasota’s preeminent sightseeing and sunset dinner cruises.

Holiday Boat Parades

While a few communities are struggling to rebuild docks and find enough money just to survive, let alone sponsor annual lighted boat parades, the show will go on in some of Florida’s Panhandle cities.

• Carrabelle, December 10th: The Boat Parade course starts at the Pavilion on Marine Street and proceeds up the Carrabelle River to the Tillie Miller Bridge. It can be enjoyed from anywhere along Marine Street and Highway 98. carrabelle.org

• Destin, December 11th: Judging of the 30th Annual Harbor Lighted Boat Parade will start at 6PM upstairs at Harry T’s Restaurant. Boats will start lining up in the harbor between 5-5:30PM. Fireworks in the East Pass will light up the sky after the parade.

• Cedar Key and Steinhatchee have both sustained significant dock damage, and at press time, were unsure whether the events normally scheduled for the first week of December would take place.

By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016

Atlantic Coast Updates: Operation Sailfish

Sailfish Resort and Marina on Singer Island, Florida, is hosting Operation Sailfish, the opening event of the popular “Quest for the Crest” series of fishing tournaments. From December 7-11, fishing teams from around the region will be competing in this exciting catch-and-release competition. The best of the best will be going after an estimated $700,000 in prize money and the honor of having their team name stamped into the 2016 Operation Sailfish Dog Tag IDs. The Dog Tag IDs are part of the tournament’s military theme designed to honor those who serve in an armed service uniform. A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to “Operation Homefront,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial and other types of support to the families of military personnel and wounded warriors. bluewatermovements.com

Marlin Bay Yacht Club
The Florida Keys, known for a diverse and eclectic blend of people and cultures, offer homes and boating communities to suit every taste and budget. Starting the last week of November, yachtsmen passing through the Keys will have a new place to call home. The Marlin Bay Yacht Club on Marathon Key will allow the first boats to tie up in their state-of-the-art, deep water marina. Palm Hill Inc. developed the club, and they’re also the owners of the award-winning River Dunes Marina and community in Oriental, North Carolina. Marlin Bay Yacht Club consists of a “99-slip marina, 10,000-square-foot, two-story clubhouse, lagoon-style pool with pavilion and bar, and a 12,000-square-foot harbormaster facility”. In addition to the marina, the community is offering 84 single-family, luxury residences. marlinbay.com

‘Tis the season
Very few holiday light displays have achieved both national and international acclaim, and we are fortunate to have two of them in our southeast coastal communities. Charleston’s Holiday Festival of Lights features more than lights. On display are handmade, holiday-themed sand sculptures, a Victorian carousel and a holiday train ride. The festival has been recognized as “One of the Top 10 Holiday Celebrations” and will run from November

Festive lights illuminate a Charleston bridge. Photo credit: Bluewater Movements

11th until January 1st. The display is located at James Island County Park. ccrpc.com 

Shelter Cove Towne Centre, nestled in the center of Hilton Head Island, lights up the night throughout the holiday season with the Dove Street Festival of Lights. For more than 20 years, Shelter Cove has brought holiday spirit along with nightly entertainment to this popular village center and all for a good cause. According to the Shelter Cove Towne Centre website, The Dove Street Festival of Lights has raised over $120,000 in cash for nonprofits, provided more than 40,000 cans of food for needy families and given 20,000 presents to kids in need. The festival has even been recognized as one of the nation’s top holiday light displays and can be seen nightly from November 19th through December 31st from 6-10PM. sheltercovetownecentre.com

By Bob Arrington, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016

St. Croix Boat Parade

Lighted boat parades happen throughout the Caribbean in December. One of the most exciting is the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade held in the U.S.V.I. on December 10th.

You won’t want to miss this Caribbean boat parade.
Live-aboards, visiting cruisers, charterers, and locals on powerboats, sailing yachts or water toys—even stand-up paddleboards—are all invited to enter for free. The parade starts at 6PM, and over 30 watercraft launch on a route that twice circles the safe, protected waters of Christiansted Harbor. If you’re on board, get ready to see a cheering crowd lining the Christiansted Boardwalk as well as at Protestant Cay. If you’re on shore, these two locations are the best spots for viewing. The parade is so popular it’s even been showcased on the Travel Channel. It’s no wonder, since tropical twists have included Santas in green and red boardshorts, fire dancers and local reggae artists singing the territory’s customary carols. A huge fireworks display after the parade is followed by live music, vendors lining the town’s streets and shops open late for holiday shopping. christmasparadestcroix.com

Everyone on St. Croix dresses up for the Christmas parade…even paddleboarders! Photo credit: Ellen Sanpere

Ring out the old year in the B.V.I.
Rub shoulders with celebrities and bid farewell to the Old Year on December 31st on Jost Van Dyke in the B.V.I. Here, seventh-generation native and calypsonian, Sir Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood, who was knighted by the Queen of England in 2009 for his contributions to tourism and the environment, puts on a party of global fame at his Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour. In fact, the New York Times listed Foxy’s as one of the best places to ring in the millennium back in 1999. Yet Great Harbour, on this 3.5-square-mile island, is a world away from other favorite New Year’s destinations like New York City’s Times Square. Access is by boat only, whether you bring your own, charter or take the ferry. Attire is barefoot and bathing suits, and sleeping on the beach until sunup is the norm. This year, the party starts on Friday, December 30th and lasts until Sunday, January 1st, with live bands, a pig roast and more. Admission is free. The only costs are food and drinks at Foxy’s or one of the other half dozen open-air bars that line the harbor. If you’re serious about partying with the rich and famous, book a table at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar’s Upper Crust restaurant on the second floor. Here, the VIP party includes a multi-course dinner, champagne, hats, noisemakers, and terrific views for $500 per person. foxysbar.com/old-years-celebration; bvitourism.com/jost-van-dyke.

New Year’s potluck in Trinidad
The Seven Seas Cruising Association’s (SSCA) first event of 2017 is on January 1st. This “gam,” or what the SSCA calls a “friendly interchange, especially between sailors or seafarers,” is a potluck held at the Trinidad & Tobago Yachting Association’s headquarters in Chaguaramas. SSCA Cruising Station host Jesse James and his wife Sharon, who operate Members Only Maxi Taxi Service, offer a free shuttle from local marinas to the gam. It’s a great event and an excellent opportunity for sailors new to the Caribbean to tap into the collected wealth of attendees’ cruising experiences in the region. ssca.org; membersonlymaxitaxi.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016

Little Farmer’s Cay, Exumas

Winter may be here, but the Bahamas are still warm and buzzing. Don’t despair in the winter blues– there are Bahamian festivals to attend, Junkanoo music to hear, and tiny islands to explore.

Little Farmer’s Cay, Exumas
Little Farmer’s Cay is a quintessential Bahamian Out Island. First settled by a freed female slave and her children, it was permanently willed to her descendants. They can build here but not sell to outsiders. Today, it’s a small and friendly community that welcomes cruisers to an experience that feels like a step back in time. With a population of approximately 60 people, this tiny cay is quiet, relatively undeveloped, and dotted with attractive homes and lush vegetation. Little Farmer’s is located on the banks side of the southern Exuma Cays just 20 nm south of the better-known Staniel Cay. It’s easily reached from either the south or north on the banks side. Pay close attention to your charts, as the preferred deeper water tracks are surrounded by isolated coral heads and sand bores. Farmer’s Cay Cut offers access from Exuma Sound, but use caution in this cut. It’s wide, deep and easy to read, but a large swell from sustained easterly winds against an ebb tide can make it a rough ride. The currents are also quite strong. Dockage is available at Farmer’s Cay Yacht Club, and moorings can be rented from the Yacht Club and Ocean Cabin (oceancbn.com). The best anchorage in settled easterly winds is on the west side of the island off the beach.

The 5 Fs Festival
The first weekend in February is homecoming weekend for Little Farmer’s Cay. Scores of family and friends from off island converge for a celebration that includes the biggest C class sloop regatta in the Exumas. Dozens arrive Friday on the Captain C, the inter-island mail boat, which also carries many of the sloops on deck, while other visitors come by private boat or small plane.

The festival has become known as The First Friday in February Farmer’s Cay Festival, hence the 5 Fs. It’s so popular with cruisers that you may find 100 or more cruising boats anchored or moored around the island for the weekend. The center of the celebration and regatta headquarters are at Ty’s Sunset Bar & Grill on the southwest side of the cay. Just outside their front door is the airport runway, which also serves as “Main Street” on this part of the island. Out the back door is one of the prettiest beaches you’ll find. Good food, music and dancing, along with the regatta announcers and trophy presentations continue all weekend on Ty’s deck.

Class C sloop racing is the spectacle that brings many of the visitors to this festival. These are traditional Bahamian boats built entirely of wood and carry a single sail that looks far too big for the boat. Watching them race in a big breeze is an exciting show. By rule, they must be owned, built and sailed by Bahamians. With that huge sail, keeping these boats upright is a challenge. The solution is to use “pry boards” or long planks that are extended out over the side. Up to four crewmen sit out on the boards to counter the force of the sail and keep the boat upright and flat for maximum speed.

The unique race start is very much a part of the attraction. Each boat actually anchors approximately 50 feet to leeward of the start line. When the starting gun goes off, the crew raises the anchor and sail simultaneously, then sails as quickly as possible to the start line and upwind to the first mark. This makes for close and exciting racing at the line. The crew slides in and out on the pry boards, and when tacking they move the boards across the boat to the other side. Timing is critical because if not done perfectly, the boat can capsize.

The finish line is usually set just off the beach at Ty’s for maximum spectator benefit, which means that the boats wind through the anchored cruising boats as they approach and sometimes pass just a few feet away. This makes your cockpit one of the best vantage points for the race. With boats from all over The Bahamas, there are rivalries going on here that, as visitors, we can only guess the origin. Captains, crews and visitors gather on the beach after the racing, and the party goes on into the evening.

Junkanoo Parade
A massive Junkanoo Parade transforms the streets of downtown Nassau on Boxing Day, December 26th, and again on January 1st, with goombay drums, horns and fantastic costumes moving to the beat. One of the oldest surviving street festivals in the Caribbean, Junkanoo has roots in traditional African music and dates back to the 17th century. But get some sleep, because the parade won’t begin until after midnight and lasts up to eight hours. Buy tickets in advance at junkanootix.com. 

By Rex Noel, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016

Rally to the Caribbean this fall—no plane required!

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

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating October 2018

Black Point Settlement, Great Guana Cay, Exumas

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.

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.

 

Rex Noel, Southern Boating Magazine November 2016

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