Let's Split To Split

The Croatian coast is increasingly popular for bareboat charters, and the city of Split is the new “hot” destination, according to Kiriacoulis Charters, which has opened a base there for the 2012 season. 

The company already has other three bases along the Croatian coast, allowing flexibility for starting and ending one-way charters. 

From Split, charterers can sail the pretty islands of Vis, Brac, Hvar, Solta and Korcula, as well as explore Makarska (shown here) on the mainland.  All of these islands have ancient ports and UNESCO Heritage villages that are unbelievably beautiful.

Kiriacoulis has also opened two other new bases this season on the Med, with one in Gocek, Turkey, and the other in Grado, Italy.  The Gocek base opens up one-way charters from their bases at either Bodrum or Marmaris, while the Grado base is close to Venice and Trieste.

For info, email Kiriacoulis@mindspring.com or call the U.S. office at (800) 714-3411.

Late Can Be Great!

Most of us plan our bareboat charters far in advance but, if you’ve got a little flexibility, there are some great deals to be had and LateSail is where you go.  Like the airline consolidators that bargain with the airlines to offer unsold seats, LateSail offers inexpensive, last minute, deeply discounted bareboat charters worldwide.

One that caught our eye (well, full disclosure, they sent us a note) is a Lagoon 380 sailing catamaran in the Abacos.  This is a four-stateroom, two-head, two-shower boat, and fun to sail.

It would normally charter for $5,526 a week (7 days), but LateSail is offering it from today through April 14 for just $3,395, which is a 30% savings.  Divide that between four couples and you've got a great vacation for about $850 per couple.  

Or how about a Leopard 44 in Belize during the same period.  Normally $8,222, you pay just $5,755.  A Leopard 44 in Tortola is available until April 21, discounted from $10,726 to $7,507. 

If your duffel bag is packed by the door, and the boss doesn’t mind a “won’t be in for a week” call, this is for you.

Info at www.latesail.com

Florida In The Limelight

There are several things we love about chartering with Southwest Florida Yachts, which also has the Florida Sailing & Cruising School as part of their program.

They have an eclectic collection of well-maintained power and sailboats at two good charter bases.  The cruising area (including Sanibel and Captiva Islands) is great fun, whether you want solitude or nightlife.  Access via air (or car) is fast and easy from anywhere in the U.S.

And don’t forget: the natives speak English (well, sort of), and the U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere, as are credit cards. 

Now for the news.  The American Sailing Association (ASA) has named their Florida Sailing & Cruising School to its honor roll of Outstanding Schools as one of the 20 Best Sailing Programs in North America. 

FS&CS offers live-aboard sailing courses for up to four students at a time, with two and three-day sessions for everything from Basic Sailing to Advanced Coastal Cruising.  “It’s real world, real time, hands-on learning,” says Barb Hansen, co-owner of SWFYC, noting that the students spend the day steering, plotting, casting off and tying up.  At night, they read textbooks and prepare for the testing.  She adds, “Students eat, breathe and sleep” their way to the diploma.  Tuition includes onboard accommodations, instruction, fuel and course materials.  Students provide their own meals and personal expenses. 

Not only did their sailing school earn ASA recognition, but FC&CS Chief Captain Christopher Day (above with Barb Hansen) was picked as one of ASA’s 30 Top Instructors of the Year, a prized award considering the thousands of instructors nationwide.

To celebrate their 30 years in business (1984-2014), SWF Yachts is staging a three-year anniversary celebration with some great deals on their full bareboat fleet.  In the winter (Dec-April) they are offering a free day with any charter of three days or longer.  In the summer (May-Dec), you get two free days.  And they’ve just added some new yachts, including a Krogen 42 trawler and a 50’ power catamaran.

For details on charters, go to www.swfyachts.  For the school, check out www.flsailandcruiseschool.com.

Racing In Paradise

Photo Courtesy Todd Van SickleIf you’re dealing with snow and slush right now, keep in mind that the annual BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, known for great racing and even greater partying, is drawing close, running from March 26 to April 1.  And there are still boats available to charter.

In its 41^st year, the BVI Spring Regatta has a class specifically for bareboat racers, so get your crew together.  Now one of the three top Caribbean sailing events, it has been averaging 125 yachts to the starting line.

The Moorings is the official charter partner for the BVI Spring Regatta, with a variety of modern yachts and packages from which to choose.  Included in the packages are race measurement, registration, full provisioning and a local racing skipper can also be arranged. 

Based at Nanny Cay Marina and the Bitter End Yacht Club, and with sponsors such as Mt. Gay Rum, there is literally a party every night with the Regatta Village food booths and bar open from 2pm to midnight, while the music schedule is typically Caribbean: 4pm until the party ends.

For entry info and the Notice of Race, www.bvispringregatta.org

No More Queasy!

Everyone…really…gets seasick at some time, and it can turn an otherwise delightful bareboat charter into a living hell.  A new stylish solution are Psi Bands, acupressure wrist bands that relieve motion sickness.

Available in five different fun designs and fully adjustable, they fit around the wrist like a watch strap and apply pressure on the Nei-kuan acupressure point.  Since Psi Bands are drug-free, there are none of the side effects of nausea medications, such as blurred vision, dry mouth, and sleepiness.

Invented by two moms to relieve morning sickness, Psi Bands are waterproof, reusable and affordable.  Priced from $15 to $20, they are available at Rite Aid, REI, and some CVS pharmacies and Whole Foods stores, as well as online.

For info, www.psibands.com