A Cure with a View: Stretch Ship Board Sea Legs on Panoramic Hiking Trails from Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI

There are over five miles of intertwining hiking trails at the Eastern end of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, that offer gentle climbs and spectacular views. Guy’s Trail, named for Bitter End’s resident bushwacker and primo photographer, is a 1.5-mile (approximately 45 minute to 1 hour) tour that starts at the Northeast end of the Bitter End property, casually climbs the 455-foot hill behind Bitter End, traverses North to South, and then descends near the pool at Bitter End, or if one chooses to, continues to connect with trails to Deep Bay, Oil Nut Bay, Biras Creek, and on up the 630-foot “Great Hill.”

It’s great exercise, great fun and the views are absolutely breathtaking. Strap on some sneakers or sturdy treads, grab a water bottle or a sports drink at the Club’s Emporium and hit the trails. After hiking, head for the on-site world-class spa to indulge in a soothing treatment, visit the Bitter End Pub for a refreshing beverage, or simply lounge on the beach.

Here is a helpful link for comprehensive destination and charter information about the British Virgin Islands.

Posted on May 25, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Block Island Race Week: Opportunity for Serious Competition and a Destination Vacation

Competitors and spectator enthusiasts are gearing up for Storm Trysail Club’s (STC) 24th Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex. The five-day regatta, scheduled for June 20-24, has just announced that it will be hosting the J/109 East Coast Championship along with the previously announced 2011 IRC East Coast Championship and the J/122 National Championship. The regatta will also include the debut of the new J/111 class and some serious racing for a large PHRF fleet. With 119 boats already registered boats and expectations of 30 to 40 more, Block Island Race Week promises a very exciting week of racing.

Along with the anticipation of meeting the tough competition coming out for this year’s Block Island Race Week, crews and spectators have many reasons to participate in the island event this summer. To ensure that Block Island Race Week lives up to its reputation as one of America’s most popular Race Weeks, the

Storm Trysail Club is expertly organizing an action-packed fourth week in June for sailors and their families who converge on the quaint island to enjoy a full week of exemplary views, great company and fierce competition. The traditional around-the-island distance race will also be included, with a Rolex watch awarded to the top IRC boat.

Racing headquarters for the 2011 Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex will be located at The Oar Restaurant, while evening festivities and award ceremonies will be held next door in the event tent. A Rolex watch will be raffled off at the end of the event along with a trip to the Bitter End Yacht Club to benefit the Block Island Rescue Squad, Block Island Maritime Institute and the Block Island Early Learning Center.

Photos by: Rolex / Dan Nerney

Here are some very useful links for New England Yacht Charter, Newport and Cape Cod Sailing Itineraries and Regattas and Sailing Events worldwide.

Posted on May 18, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Bitter End Yacht Club in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, Unveils their Brand New, State-of-the-Art, Quarterdeck Marina this July

The Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda is an exceedingly popular destination in the British Virgin Islands for both charter and private yachts. To accommodate ever-larger charter catamarans, monohulls and power yachts, top-of-the-line sportfish and private megayachts, BEYC is set to open the full service Quarterdeck Marina this July.commercial inflatable bouncers

The new installation, built from the ground up, will have wider slips, improved decking surfaces, enhanced skirting, upgraded power, and best of all a better dockage layout to accommodate a wider variety of boat sizes and shapes.

The state of the art facility will be able to accommodate yachts up to 235 feet LOA with drafts of 15 feet or

BEYC — From left: Richard Starkey, CEO/Managing Director of Meridian Construction Company; Marland D'Augiar, Foreman and Supervisor; Sandra Grisham, COO Bitter End Yacht Club; James Meade, Construction Manager at Bitter End; Carine Locher, Quarterdeck Marina Manager; Robert Smith, Director of Engineering; and Mary Jo Ryan, Resort Manager

more. Tender docks are larger, catamaran docks are wider, and electricity is easily accessed.

Richard Starkey of Meridian Construction Company is the General Contractor on the project. Noted architect Peter Brill penned the designs. Both worked closely with ownership and management to fulfill their goals. According to Starkey, “the project here at Bitter End will fit the needs of the clientele perfectly. It’s such a lovely location, and the new facility will blend in nicely.”

Here is a link to access comprehensive information about the British Virgin Islands.

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Luxury Yacht Charter in Greece: Seven Day Itinerary through the Saronic Islands

The Saronic Islands or Argo-Saronic Islands are an archipelago in Greece, named after the Saronic Gulf in which they are located, just off the Greek mainland. Due to their close proximity, these islands are very popular destinations for Athenians.

Visitors here can have a diversified experience ranging from exciting urban bustle to laid-back island flavor. Be prepared to go with the flow and enjoy each remarkable destination for its unique offerings.

Saronic Islands Seven Day Itinerary

1st day: Marina Alimos – Poros Island

Sail through the narrow channel of the Peloponnese to reach the lush green island of Poros, where old pine forests still stand in the south and center of the island and the landscape is fertile and mountainous.

The town of Poros features neo-classical architecture, enticing tavernas and a variety of shops. Scattered throughout the island are archeological sites and historical points of interest.

2nd day: Poros Island – Spetses Island

Spetses, the southernmost of the Saronic Islands, is a popular weekend destination where visitors find lovely beaches and quaint restaurants and shops. Cars are not allowed in the main town and transport is on foot, by bicycle, motorbike and horse carriages.

Spetses is ideal for a walking tour along traditional narrow streets lined with beautiful Venetian buildings that attest to a wealthy past. For hikers, there are many monasteries connected by trails through a lush gentle landscape that is green and beautiful.

3rd day: Spetses Islands – Leonidio and Plaka

Near the ancient city of Prasiae on the Peleponnese coast, the town of Leonidio emerges from a breathtaking landscape. The second century geographer Pausanias declared the fertile area “the garden of Dionysus.” This god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy, according to Greek mythology was found on a Leonidio beach.

Four kilometers from town, the picturesque port of Plaka beckons visitors to enjoy any of several tavernas and bars immediately adjacent to the sea. In August, Plaka hosts the “Tsakonian Eggplant Festival”, where chefs from across Europe compete in an event that grows increasingly popular with participants and spectators alike.

4th day: Leonidio – Hydra Island

Hydra is one of the most impressive islands of the Saronic Gulf and has long attracted photographers and painters who love its quaint, little, crescent shaped harbor.

Clustered here are an intriguing assortment of restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries that cater to tourists and locals alike.

5th day: Hydra Island – Aegina Island

Aegina, located just 27 kilometers from Athens, was a rival and a great sea power in ancient times. Aegina has a long and very colorful history with roots in Greek mythology, as a center of trade, of strategic importance, of war, slavery and even as a pirate headquarters.

It also has the distinction of being the first place in Greece where the Greek flag was raised at the end of the War of Independence. The traditional fishing village of Perdika welcomes yachtsmen to the island. The town is a busy place, especially popular on weekends with Athenians.

6th day: Aegina Island – Marina Alimos, Athens

For the final time we cast off, bound for mainland Greece. Visitors to Athens will find dozens of museums, galleries and historic sites, in addition to superb gourmet restaurants, elegant designer shops, numerous theaters and other entertainment venues. Visit The National Archaeological Museum, which ranks among the top ten museums in the world. Then take your queue from the locals in this crowded, cosmopolitan urban center. Stroll arm in arm along the busy streets, do a bit of window shopping, then relax at one of the many coffee shops and observe the world passing by, just as Athenians have done for centuries.

7th day: Athens – Airport

Today you have to say goodbye to your captain and crew, reflect upon your memorable sunny holiday, and begin planning your next trip to Greece.
Please visit Greece Yacht Charter and Sailing Vacation Guide for comprehensive charter and destination information.

Posted on April 27, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓

Kingship Marine Luxury Eco Yacht Green Voyager: A Keel Laying Ceremony with Asian Panache

Kingship Marine Limited celebrated the keel laying ceremony for their much acclaimed hybrid yacht Green Voyager last Tuesday at the Zhongshan yard.

Green Voyager is an innovative yacht design that combines luxury and style with the ability to tread lightly. With transoceanic capability, the Green Voyager appeals to a new generation of global adventurers who consider environmental responsibility a priority.

Mr. Horacio Bozzo, designer of Green Voyager, explained that the luxury yacht is the end result of a 360-degree approach that sought to provide multiple solutions to reduce her environmental impact.

Mr. Mauro Boni, RINA’s (Registro Italiano Navale) Asia Pacific Yachting Line Manager, further recognized Horacio and Kingship’s effort. Kingship’s Green Voyager project demonstrates that Chinese shipyards have the potential to set trends for the superyacht industry with regard to environmental protection.

Kingship created a uniquely Asian influenced keel-laying ceremony. Mr. Roger Liang, Managing Director of Kingship, lead his fellow staff in an incense burning ceremony, asking the gods to bless all Kinship’s staff to be safe throughout the construction.

Kingship prepared two new lions for the lion dance, a tradition incorporated into the ceremony. The history of lion dancing dates back more than a thousand years and the lion is regarded as a guardian creature to drive away evil spirits and to summon luck. The lions dance and show different emotions. The lions usually perform the “Picking the Green” act, tying the keel laying plate to assure an auspicious business. Also their mission was to bless Kingship’s technicians and workers for a safe and peaceful construction. After the lions successfully picked the green together with the keel laying plate, they passed it to the Kingship welder who then welded the plate onto Green Voyager and completed the ceremony.

Green Voyager is the first motoryacht in the world of less than 50 meters to have true hybrid propulsion. The vertical plumb bow is an advanced displacement hull, with underwater main parameters and geometry that have been studied and tank tested to achieve exceptional performance, reduce wave-making resistance, minimize slamming and assure a smoother passage through the waves for improved fuel efficiency and speed. Green Voyager is scheduled for delivery in 2013.

Please visit “Green Chartering” for Low Carbon Emissions for information on environmentally responsible charter options.

Posted on April 26, 2011 by admin — No Comments ↓