By Jeff on 11/23/2005 1:38 PM

 How cool is this? I am constantly reminded about how many amazing things you can do on a boat. Here's an example close to my heart: wine tasting!

This great article  from the folks at Motor Boating Magazine talks about chartering a nice powerboat out of Sausalito on San Fran Bay and cruising up the Napa River (Napa Valley in California) enroute to some of the most interesting new world wines available.

Want to visit the legendary Mondavi winery? Maybe you're into marquee Cabs from Phelps? Or, how about some smaller, family-operated wineries like Cakebread?

Wrap it up at renowned restaurant "French Laundry" and saunter on back to your boat! Now THIS is cruising in style.

Has anyone else done this trip?

By Jeff on 11/22/2005 6:52 AM

I've been a fan of Suunto sailing watches for years now and I personally own a Suunto Mariner (Click here for more info). Despite it's large size, it has great features for racing and other navigational features (like a barometer!) that really make it a handy tool even when chartering.

Sometime in early 2006, Suunto is improving their M9 Sailing Wristop Computer Watch w/ Barometer, Compass, & GPS with the new "M9i" model. It looks pretty damn cool. It has a USB port to connect with your laptop. It's actually smarter than you. (maybe...)

While these may seem a little extravagant, I can honestly say there is nothing like having your own GPS with you while chartering. By inputing some key coordinates before you leave, it gives you a navigation system you trust and can take much anxiety out of navigating in new waters.

Has anyone used one of the older M9s? I'm curious to hear how well they work.

By Jeff on 11/21/2005 6:49 AM

OK - I'm not afraid to admit it - I'm addicted to coffee. Traveling without coffee is not an option for me nor is drinking whatever gets provisioned to the charter boat for brewing in an old-style perk coffee maker.

So, I'm always looking for the best way to ensure that I have my favorite coffee to drink each morning while traveling without having to pack a ton of gear.

This is an interesting option: it takes a standard Nalgene water-bottle and and turns it into a nifty French-press style coffee maker. This would work perfectly on a charter boat where you can boil some water, pour it over the coffee grounds, press, and - voila - fantastic coffee to start your day in paradise.

Then, you can wash the indestructible bottle and fill it with your beverage of choice to keep on deck or carry ashore for your daily activities!

Check out the "Press Bot". For only $20, this is a cool solution.

And, you can buy Nalgene bottles here.

By Jeff on 11/17/2005 6:47 AM

My first charter experience was difficult to top. I was 18 and my parents decided to take us on a charter vacation to Tahiti. Although I had been there as a very young child, nothing could prepare me for the incredible experience of sailing through the islands that directly influenced one of the most well-known mariner tales - the mutiny of the Bounty.

An open ocean crossing between Riatea and Bora Bora... Snorkeling in the clearest water I've ever seen... visiting ancient marais. It not only opened my eyes - it marked me in irrevocable ways - ways that make me smile at the incredible experience AND dream of (and long for!) the next time I return.

I've read in recent years that much has changed on Bora Bora. It sounds as if the tourist drug has sunk it's teeth into the local community and the small, delicate island is starting to show signs of strain.

I'd love to hear from others that have been there recently. What's going on? Have you been before and how has it changed? Drop me an email or post a comment below!

In the meantime, here's a nice article from telegraph.co.uk about Tahiti charters.

By Jeff on 11/15/2005 6:45 AM

Here's a cool opportunity - Modern Sailing Academy (in Sausalito) has a few openings for their Adventure Sailing program to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

(image referenced from Latitude 38 magazine)

This sounds awesome. A benefit to a charter like this is that you can get your ASA Bareboat Charter certification as well as others. Check it out and let them know you heard about it at www.CharterIsland.com!

By Jeff on 11/14/2005 6:44 AM

I'm always looking for new places to charter. What's so incredibly cool about chartering is that it allows you to see pieces of the world that few people ever see - all while doing something as wonderful as sailing.

My wife and I were talking a couple days ago about our next charter destination. As usual, the list, which started out short, ended up longer that we probably have vacation time or funds to pursue this year. (maybe next! ;-) But, one location that climbed to the top was Baja, Mexico.

We've been to Mexico a couple times before (Zihuatanejo and Cabo San Lucas) and really enjoyed ourselves. For a charter, we're thinking the Sea of Cortez. It's incredibly remote with amazing natural attributes, including whales, dolphins, and stretches of isolated waters that go on for miles and miles.

In looking for stories, I found this one (click here!). Note: it requires a PDF viewer. This article provides some great tips and recommedations.

If you have a great charter story, we want to hear about it and post it to our "Articles" section! Send it to me at: jeff@charterisland.com.

By Jeff on 11/5/2005 6:40 AM

 

According to a press release from Moorings, they are launching a new base in The Canary Islands to better serve European charters. To accomodate this market, they've set up a partnership (through their "Preferred Partner Program") with Alboran Charters, a company with many years of operating experience in the region. 41'-47' boats will be available for charter out of Tenerife, the heart of the Canaries.

This is another interesting move for Moorings. It's the 4th partnership they have engaged in which is a departure from actually opening a new base and capitalizing it with their own money. This can be a good sitation for the existing market AND a company like Moorings. But, the success will hinge upon the quality of the existing company, their ability to run a solid business, and meet the expectations of the "Moorings customer".

They are saying all of the right things (see quotes below from the press release). But, I would like your opinion. Who has chartered with any of the other partners out there (Pacific NW, for example)? Any comments?

From the Press Release:

"Alboran Charter has many years of experience with active tourist destinations such as the Balearic Islands, the Costa Brava and the Canaries, and have built a reputation of excellence with a focus on service to their customers," commented Raul Bermudez, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for The Moorings. "We are very proud to offer our customers the unique cruising grounds of this Atlantic destination through such a quality company," he added.

"Becoming a member of The Moorings family is a natural fit for our company, given The Moorings' reputation as the world's premier yacht charter company," commented Fernando Garzon, General Manager of Alboran Charters. "Both our companies will benefit from this collaboration. The Moorings' customers will now be able to explore the superb marine life and beaches of the Canary islands and our local customers will now have access to the 42 locations offered by The Moorings."