Meg Toppa, who is our Sailing Yacht Expert for the US and Caribbean, just attended the Oakland Boat Show last week. Here is her report:
I just attended the West Coast’s only all-sail show, which was held at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. “Big deal” you say, “just another boat show”. Well in some respects, that’s correct. There are monohulls and catamarans, sail makers, riggers and everything else that makes a boat show. The thing about this show is that it is in the back yard of the new home of the America’s Cup! The actual cup was on display from 12-6 today and show attendees were encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to view the America’s Cup.
This past February, BMW Oracle Racing became the first American team to win the cup since 1992. Larry Ellison and skipper Russel Couts have decided to take the cup on the road to promote the sport of sailing in the U.S. The event includes sailing and design team members in an open and interactive Q & A session. Video highlights of the winning campaign for the 33rd America’s Cup were shown.
Seeing the cup gave me goosebumps! Growing up in Newport, RI, where the cup was contested for years, I have sailed on a 12 meter and worked for one of the syndicates during the 1983 campaign. BUT I had never seen the cup until today and it was pretty cool.
Besides ogling the cup, Meg did find some great new yachts for charter in San Francisco and the San Juan Islands, as well as learning all about new models on the market that will soon be chartering in the BVI, Bahamas, Grenadines and the rest of the Caribbean. Feel free to give her a call in our Ft Lauderdale office for any questions you may have about a sailing charter.
