Cruising World August 2023

Friendly FACES in FARAWAY PLACES I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed special getaways in some pretty spectacular places. Thanks to bareboat charters, the splendid kaleidoscope of blue hues surrounding Belize’s Great Blue Hole is forever burned into my memory. I can still feel the crystalline waters of the Exumas easing my anxiety like a warm salt bath. And I’ll never forget one particular spit of sand in the British Virgin Islands, where my wife and I spent a few blissful hours all alone on a beach dotted with a couple of palm trees. But as our team here at Cruising World put the finishing touches on our annual charter special issue, I found myself reminiscing more about faces than places. The allure of remote destinations and the freedom of bareboat…

Set amid the azure waters of the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands has long been a coveted destination for sun-seeking adventurers. With its vibrant coral reefs, quiet coves, and lively beach bars, the BVI is synonymous with relaxation and indulgence. The BVI is also renowned for its tourist attractions and well-trodden paths, which is why, on a recent charter, our group of experienced charterers intentionally strayed from the familiar hotspots. In doing so, we found a side of the BVI that produced memories and stories anew. These newfound (to us) destinations offered a fresh glimpse into the singular charm of the BVI, which are just waiting to be discovered by intrepid souls who dare to look a little farther. SANDY SPIT As the waves gently caressed the sides of our…

Toy TIME I will admit to being a low-tech sailor. On my own cruising boat, the water toys are typically limited to a paddleboard, snorkeling gear, and maybe a couple of pool noodles if we go all out. But I have seen the other boats with all the cool gadgets, and envied their fun in the sun. I asked for advice from Capt. RJ Portman and chef/mate Jenna Taylor of the 50-foot Lagoon Delana Mae. Their boat charters in the Caribbean, so they look for toys that amplify the guest experience while being simple to deploy, and easy to clean, stow, and maintain. The top toy aboard Delana Mae is the Bote Dock Hangout, an inflatable, horseshoe-shaped lounge. “Guests absolutely love this thing,” RJ says. “We put it out at…

More and more cruising boats are carrying stand-up paddleboards, or SUPs. If inflatable, they are easy to roll and stow inside (we keep them in the head shower on our boat). On our Beneteau 36 Liberte, we carry the non-inflatable versions using a Magma rack, which attaches easily to the stanchions. This setup keeps the decks clear and the boards easier to access, and therefore more likely to be used. Kayaks are also easy to deploy and fun to paddle. Sea Eagle makes an excellent line of SUPs and kayaks. My advice is to test-drive a few to see what kind of paddler you are. Do you want more stability or more speed? In general, on a cruising boat, I would opt for the stabler option. You will be more…

Salute to a GODDESS and a QUEEN We were six aboard Stressbuster, our Greek-designed Atlantic 70, on the day spring arrived. It was late March; we were under sail in the Gulf of Gökova on Turkey’s Carian Coast. Our guests had joined my husband, Kostas, and me a week before, on the Greek isle of Lesbos, to begin their preseason 28-day charter. The plan was to meander slowly south through Greece’s easternmost Dodecanese islands, with a short foray into Turkey before ending the trip back in Greece. Claudia, who’d booked the boat, was an experienced Lake Superior captain and boat owner with roots in southern New England. She was gathering local knowledge while hatching a plan to retire and sail the Aegean a few years hence. “I want a real…

1 jigger vodka or rum (1.5 ounces, or to taste)2 parts pomegranate juice2 parts sweet apple juiceGenerous splash orange juiceSplash club soda For garnish: 1 sweet red apple1 green apple1 orangeFresh mint, if available Prep the fruit: Core apples. Halve the fruit, and cut into thin slices. Set aside. Fill a large cocktail glass with ice. Add vodka or rum. Add pomegranate juice and apple juice; stir. Add a splash of orange juice and a splash of club soda. Stir again, and garnish glass with a half-slice each of apples and orange. Add a sprig of fresh mint, if available. Serve with bowls of salty nuts, and consume garnish. The salty-sweet flavor combo is delightful. COOK’S NOTES This cocktail doesn’t require precise measures. You can pour by eye, taste, and…