At some charter companies, the fleets of boats can feel cookie-cutter and impersonal—stripped of any details that make clients feel like they’re aboard a true home away from home.

That’s why Waypoints Yacht Charters strives to provide a boutique-style, elevated yacht charter experience aboard boats that have character and high-end amenities, with everything from the softest blankets to the best coffee machines ready for guests to enjoy.

“The boats each have their own story,” says Susan Restauri, who, along with Waypoints president Kirstie Palmer, brings a combined 45-plus years of charter-industry experience to helping Waypoints Yacht Charters’ clients have the best possible experience.

The company’s fleet of new-model yachts is housed at four bases—in the British Virgin Islands; US Virgin Islands; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Annapolis, Maryland—always in the heart of these incredible locations for easy access to all the best sights and activities.

Waypoints BVI is located at Nanny Cay on Tortola, just a short walk from local restaurants, beach bars, provisioning spots and more. The location has an on-site spa and swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, and luxury showers, among other amenities, so charter clients can relax and feel at home even before they set off to explore the islands. There are several grocery stores in nearby Road Town where bareboaters can provision, and there are several beverage companies to choose from as well.

The US Virgin Islands location is at Frenchtown on St. Thomas, a hub of activity in the island chain. In fact, guests who start their charters here can go from the airport to the base in a 10-minute cab ride, which puts them afloat in their anchorage in less than two hours after getting off the plane. Or clients can linger near the base and take some time to check out all the local restaurants and duty-free shopping. Grocery stores are bountiful for provisioning, and some services will do provisioning in advance of the client’s arrival, so the food and stores merely have to be stowed on the boat before setting off.

In downtown St. Petersburg, the Waypoints Florida base marina is at an award-winning hotel that adjoins Vinoy Park and Beach Drive, overlooking the Vinoy Yacht Basin in Tampa Bay. Clients arriving from nearby locations can leave their vehicles in one of several easily accessible public parking lots, and access for clients flying in from farther afield is easy from Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport or Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Up in Annapolis, the Waypoints base is in historic Eastport, overlooking the United States Naval Academy. Charter clients can walk or take a dinghy ride to the historic Annapolis downtown, which is filled with quaint shops and restaurants, before heading out to explore Chesapeake Bay on the boat. Grocery provisioning is convenient at this base too, with delivery available from several stores. There’s also the option of a private onboard chef from the Annapolis base, with sample menus available on request.

And no matter what other questions clients have at any of the Waypoints locations, the staff is highly experienced and prepared to answer.

“Everybody who works with us has sailing experience,” Restauri says, adding that the Waypoints staff is composed of far more than just people who take bookings over the phone. “We can actually tell you about these boats and locations.”

Options for how to enjoy time on board abound in each of the four base locations. Clients can choose to book as bareboaters or with a captain, and can select from sailing monohulls, catamarans and motoryachts from top-notch manufacturers, including Fountaine-Pajot and Dufour. Each yacht is privately owned with comfort and performance amenities such as generators, air conditioning and watermakers—again, setting the fleet apart from those that offer stripped-down boats with virtually no creature comforts at all.

Making sure clients can choose from a fleet of high-quality boats is a hallmark of the Waypoints Yacht Charters brand. One of the things that helps the team at Waypoints ensure access to top-notch charter boats is the company’s exclusive partnership with Atlantic Cruising Yachts, one of the top yacht dealers in the world, with locations across North America. ACY introduces the Waypoints brokers to yacht owners at the time they are buying and outfitting their boats, a process that lets the Waypoints team make sure from the start that everything charter guests expect will in fact be on board.

And, after a charter is booked on any boat, the Waypoints team goes above and beyond to make sure that everything the client requested is ready to go.

“We had one situation in Annapolis where a charter client didn’t get his beverage order, which he had placed himself at a local store,” Restauri says. “A member of our Waypoints team drove to the liquor store for him. That’s the kind of personalized service that sets Waypoints apart. It’s the extra step that we’re willing to take. We want people to feel totally special.”

To learn more about Waypoints Yacht Charters and to receive exclusive charter offers and event invitations, sign up for the Waypoints newsletter.

The post Waypoints Yacht Charter: A Boutique, Elevated Charter Experience appeared first on Cruising World.

Cruising World recently announced its roster of nominees for the 2022 Boat of the Year awards. Twenty-eight boats – 16 monohulls, and 12 catamarans – have been nominated and are contending for prizes. The judges had a close look at the nominees on the dock during the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. The on-water testing for the awards takes place this week on the Chesapeake Bay.

The annual awards, selected by an independent judging team, recognize the best new production cruising boats and multihulls laid out and equipped for coastal and offshore sailing and voyaging. This year’s judging panel is comprised of systems expert Ed Sherman of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC); Tim Murphy, longtime sailing writer and ABYC scribe; and naval architect and boat designer Gerard Douglas.

“This is a deep and highly diverse fleet, ranging in size from a 24-foot daysailer, the Tartan 245, to the Contest 67,” said Herb McCormick, Cruising World Boat of the Year director. “After the absence of an Annapolis show last year due to COVID, it’s fantastic to see the downtown docks again full of cruising boats. With over two-dozen nominees, we have one of the strongest BOTY fleets in years. We can’t wait to get out and put them through their paces.”

The 2022 Boat of the Year award winners will be announced in the January issue of Cruising World. The full list of nominees is below.

2022 Cruising World Boat of the Year Nominees include:

• Balance 482
• Bali Catspace
• Bali 4.6
• Bavaria C38
• Beneteau First 27
• Cigale 16
• CNB 66
• Contest 67
• Seawind 1600
• Dufour 470
• Dufour 61
• Elan GT6
• Fountaine Pajot Isla40
• Fountaine Pajot Samana59
• Grand Soleil 44
• Hallberg-Rassy 340
• Hylas 57
• J/Boats J9
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380
• Jeanneau Yachts 60
• Kinetic Catamarans KC54
• Lagoon Sixty5
• Leopard 42
• Royal Cape Majestic 530
• Salona 46
• Tartan 245
• Voyage 590
• Xquisite X5 Plus

Cruising World is sailing enthusiasts’ passport to exploring the world’s coastlines and oceans while voyaging under sail. Its contributors inspire and entertain through stories, pictures and videos that underscore the beauty and adventure of sailing, while providing instruction on the disciplines of seamanship, navigation and boat handling. The Cruising World community is made up of experienced, committed sailors and boatowners. Cruising World’s mission is to nurture their dreams with practical how-to information and stirring real-life adventure features.

The post Which Sailboat is the Best New Boat for 2022? appeared first on Cruising World.

If you’re headed to the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, next weekend to see all the latest sailboats, you might want to scrap that Painkiller at Pusser’s and stick to the docks instead, because you’re going to have a very busy schedule.

The all-sail, in-water show runs Oct. 10 to 14, and by our count, CW’s Boat of the Year team of independent judges has 30 new models on its likely dance card, give or take an unexpected circumstance to two. And that’s just the new boats over 30 feet, with accommodations that range from camper-cruising to exquisite luxury. Throw in a few racing dinghies, foilers and daysailers, and, well, you get the idea: There’s a whole lot of new to ponder for 2020.

Let’s start with boats built here in the U.S.A. Three longtime American builders are lined up to make a splash this fall. The Catalina 545 and Tartan 365 are brand new cruising designs from the drawing boards of longtime company designers Gerry Douglas and Tim Jackett, while Maine Cat‘s MC 38 LS E features a new electric propulsion system that replaces twin 9.9 hp outboards aboard the standard boat.

Two other brands with a strong U.S. presence, Beneteau and Jeanneau, have new models as well, some of which could eventually be built in Groupe Beneteau’s production facility in Marion, South Carolina. Beneteau is bringing two boats to the dance, the Oceanis 30.1, a nifty entry-level cruiser, and First Yacht 53, the first in what is intended to be a stylish and sporty new model line. Jeanneau, meanwhile, is aiming for the fast lane with its short-handed racing sled, the Sun Fast 3300.

Speaking of speed, Rhode Island-based Fast Forward Composites hopes to get a rise with its unique foiling Eagle Class 53 catamaran. At present, it remains a somewhat experimental genre of sailing craft, but with the America’s Cup monohulls now up and flying, there’s a lot of ways soaring while sailing can evolve.

Besides the newest Sun Fast, there are several other rocketships aimed squarely at the racer-cruisier sailor. Grand Soleil will bring the GS 34 Performance to the show, and it will be joined by J/Boats‘ J/99 and Italia Yacht‘s 9.98.

In addition to Groupe Beneteau’s monohulls, there will be two new catamaran models present in Annapolis, the Lagoon 46, which made it’s debut last winter in Miami (read the CW review), and the all new Excess 12, the first in a fresh line of boats intended to give Lagoon a little friendly in-family rivalry.

And those won’t be the only multihulls to grace the docks stretching from Ego Alley out into the Chesapeake. Sailors with plans to stray from the proverbial milk-run will want to the check out the aluminum Explocat 52 from Garcia Yachts and compare it to the McConaghy 50, the Fountaine Pajot 45; the Neel 47 trimaran, or the Bali 5.4 from Catana.

Besides the various Groupe Beneteau brands, there are a number of other French builders planning to dock new boats in Annapolis: the Allures 51.9; the Amel 50; and two new models from Dufour Yachts, the 390 and 430 (Read about them here).

German builders Bavaria Yachts, represented here in the States by Performance Yachts, and Hanse Yachts are also planning their forays across the Pond. Bavaria introduces two models from its latest line, the C50 and C57, while Hanse brings this year’s new-boat flagship to town, the Hanse 675.

There are several other European builders who have set a waypoint for Chesapeake Bay, including Hallberg-Rassy, which will have its 44 and 48 Mk II on display; Elan Yachts with the Impression 45.1; Southerly Yachts with the variable-draft 480; Nautor Swan, with the Swan 48; and last, alphabetically, but not least, X-Yachts with its performance cruising X 4.6.

As I said at the outset, there’s a lengthy line-up of fresh ideas awaiting the curious in Annapolis this year. My advice: Hit the docks early, don’t dawdle and bring a well-broken-in pair of Topsiders. It’s shaping up to be a heck of a show.

The post New Sailboats Make an Annapolis Landfall appeared first on Cruising World.

On Saturday, March 24th and Sunday, March 25th, 2018 the Marine Trades Association of Maryland and Navy Sailing will present the 39th annual Annapolis Safety-at-Sea Seminar. Nationally sponsored by Cruising World magazine, Sailing World magazine, US Sailing and Landfall Navigation, this event takes place in Alumni Hall at the U. S. Naval Academy.

The Safety-at-Sea seminar provides an opportunity for two days of learning. Moderator Chuck Hawley will lead a team of sailors and industry experts on Saturday, who will address safety issues that include crew overboard recovery, hypothermia, weather forecasting, search and rescue options, and the maintenance of safety equipment. There will also be the exciting live demonstrations of crew overboard recoveries by Midshipmen, a U. S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue, life raft boarding and pyrotechnic signal flares. The day concludes with an opportunity to visit with the presenters at the evening reception. Participation in the first day of the seminar will qualify registrants for a US SAILING certificate.

Sunday has two options for additional training. The World Sailing (International Sailing Federation) track involves hands-on training where participants can simulate an abandon ship scenario by getting into their choice of gear/PFDs, jumping into a pool, swimming to an inflated life raft and hauling themselves into the raft. Hands-on jury rigging, safety ethos, communications, and fire-fighting round out the curriculum. Earning the World Sailing certificate requires passing a test at the end of Sunday and full participation in both days.

The second track is Advanced Cruising, which includes in-depth presentations on communications and electronics, navigation, cruise preparation, and ocean currents with wind/wave dynamics. The afternoon sessions offer either hands-on training with safety gear (Practical) or small group discussions (Interactive).

Around-the-world singlehanded racer Rich Wilson will present the keynote address on Saturday. He is the only American to finish the Vendee Globe race twice. Wilson comments, “Once you leave the dock you’re on your own. You have to make decisions, fix things, and you’re suddenly in positions you’ve never been in before”. Wilson will recount how on his first Vendee Globe around the world race his boat did a double somersault 400 miles west of Chile in 65-foot seas. He will discuss how safety plays a critical role in offshore sailing.

Also featured this year will be presentations from CW Monthly Maintenance columnist Steve D’Antonio on damage prevention and control. Capt. J. K. Louttit (Kip), USCG (Ret) will discuss and demonstrate care and maintenance of safety equipment. Navy Sailing Varsity Coach Jahn Tihansky will discuss the details of crew overboard rescues, and you’ll hear a first-hand account of an amazing recovery that occurred during a distance race last summer. Back by popular demand, the seminar will again offer an afternoon weather session featuring Joe Sienkiewicz from NOAA and Dr. Gina Henderson. Dr. Michael Jacobs will present emergency medical care and hypothermia on Saturday. He will discuss questions ranging from how to treat contusions to why it’s important to understand the dire implications of hypothermia. Sunday will feature offshore cruiser and instructor John Kretschmer who will present the cruise preparation segment of the program. This year’s seminar will address the needs of offshore racers and cruisers as well as provide important safety tips for those whose boating interests remain much closer to home.

Tickets are available online at www.mtam.org for $175 for Saturday only, which includes an evening reception with the speakers and $225 for the two day advanced cruising session. The two-day World Sailing (ISAF) Certificate session is $325. Refreshments and a box lunch will be provided each day as part of the ticket price. The World Sailing (ISAF) portion of the program is capped and seating for the popular two-day event is limited; therefore, early registration is strongly advised. Ticket and event information may be obtained through the Marine Trades Association of Maryland P.O. Box 3148, Annapolis MD 21403 on the web www.mtam.org or by telephone at 410-269-0741.

Endorsed by the U. S. Coast Guard and originally designed for Academy Midshipmen 39 years ago following the tragic 1979 Fastnet Race, the popular Safety-at-Sea Program has been credited with saving countless lives. Life saving know-how is useful not only for those who have never ventured offshore, but for those who make offshore passages regularly. The national Safety-at-Sea programs have become required attendance for those planning to participate in the Annapolis to Newport, and the Annapolis to Bermuda race. Whether racing or cruising, power or sail the Safety-at-Sea program heightens the importance of safety training for everyone on the water.

The post Annapolis Safety-at-Sea Seminar appeared first on Cruising World.

When the Spa Creek Bridge opens, near my home in Annapolis, Maryland, I always have this nice feeling of anticipation that a good day on the water is ahead. Within minutes, the crowded harbor falls behind while the immense Chesapeake Bay invites a sail in any direction. After spending 60 years racing boats of all sizes, and cruising to the extreme ends of the earth, I have rediscovered how much fun it is to go daysailing.

Every reward one might hope to experience on a long voyage can take place on a simple daysail. Two years ago, I acquired a C.W. Hood 32 sloop with the single purpose of taking family and friends sailing around Annapolis, and sometimes beyond. The boat has everything I was looking for. It’s easy to sail singlehanded, has a comfortable and safe cockpit that can accommodate six adults, has classic lines and is fun to sail in all weather conditions. As I did my research, I decided to include an electric motor, a head and an easy setup for a downwind sail.

Anyone aspiring to become a sailboat owner should spend time defining how the boat will actually be used, and look for that perfect one to achieve this goal. So with my new pride and joy at the ready, I have been sailing regularly. It’s a simple concept, but it takes considerable planning to make a daysail special for everyone. Every session has a different personality depending on the weather, crew list and destination.

If you wait for the perfect weather, it might be a long time before you go sailing. I try to work with a schedule, and take the weather as it comes. On one Sunday, I invited two longtime friends for a full-day sail. The night before was ugly, with thunderstorms and howling winds. By morning, the sky was still gloomy, yet both guests showed up right on time. Off we went. The voyage (I like that term for a daysail) started with a brief overview of the sailing plan and how to use the engine and operate the head. The conversation began with the news of the day and quickly changed to houses on the shore that were undergoing renovations. We called the Spa Creek Bridge operator to request an opening, waved a thank you as we passed and set the sails. The first warmup for our voyage was a short sprint up an inlet that leads into downtown Annapolis. Anyone who has ever attended the famous U.S. Sailboat Show will be familiar with Ego Alley. The inlet is well-named because you get to show off your boat to the adoring crowd on shore.

On the way out of the harbor, we passed a college regatta. A coach on a nearby patrol boat told us it was the Women’s Middle Atlantic Championship. The racing looked intense. With a brisk northerly blowing, we threw the wind over our shoulder and headed out toward Chesapeake Bay. This is the largest estuary in the United States, measuring 195 miles long and anywhere from 3 to 35 miles wide. There are 5,600 miles of shoreline, with an average depth of 21 feet. The bay was formed at the end of the last ice age, and was explored and mapped for England by Capt. John Smith in 1608, although indigenous people have lived along the bay for many centuries. You can spend a lifetime plying these waters and always find something new. My first race on the Chesapeake was in the early 1960s; I am happy to report that the water looks considerably cleaner today.

I like passing close to channel buoys to study the current and tune up my steering. In no time, we were in the bay. I am always amazed by how boats separate on open water. Inevitably, we will sail near another boat. Instinct takes over, and I try to sail past. Even friends who are new to sailing quickly get into the routine and watch to see if we make progress in our quest to gain the lead. I am always studying the wind for shifts and puffs, and trying to make maximum gain.

Crewmembers are happy when given a job on a boat. My first move is to pass over the helm. I have yet to witness anyone decline the chance to steer. I have learned that less-experienced sailors are usually receptive to a little bit of coaching, but I have to be careful not to overcoach or the fun will quickly fade.

Depending on the direction and strength of the wind, I set a course for a specific destination. On this day, we sailed toward the expansive Bay Bridge, a few miles north. I am happier to sail under a bridge than to drive across. Even though the Bay Bridge is 200 feet above the water, I look up to make sure the mast will clear. From the boat, it feels closer. The boat features a low freeboard that naturally connects you to the water. Even with the low freeboard, the C.W. Hood 32 rides gracefully over choppy waves. It is a dry boat.

I named my Hood 32 Whirlwind in honor of L. Francis Herreshoff, who designed a J-class yacht named Whirlwind for the 1930 America’s Cup trials. The double-­ended yacht was a pretty sight but did not win many races. I liked the fact that the crew never gave up. My Whirlwind was designed and built by Chris Hood in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The build took place in a shed that was constructed in 1897 — certainly a nice pedigree in a historic sailing town. Whirlwind features a large, open cockpit. Chris arranged the seating perfectly for sailing. The coaming is the right angle no matter what angle of heel you’re on. There is just enough clever storage space under the seats. There is no need to hike out. A 4-foot-deep Scheel keel gives the boat good stability. All sail-­trimming lines are led to a console near the tiller for singlehanded sailing. Whirlwind is easy to maintain and to keep clean and polished. Guests feel more comfortable on a well-founded yacht. Keeping varnish up and all equipment in order makes for a better experience.

My sailing guests range from first-time sailors to longtime veterans. The hardcore racers appreciate the change of pace of daysailing. There is never any pressure. I find that you can have good discussions with people on the water. Sometimes I use the boat to take out political leaders and slowly work a conversation toward an important issue. My commentary is usually better received on the water.

As our daysail with my two friends continued, the conversation moved toward sailing. One asked about my favorite daysails over the years. It made me think back to a day in July 1977 aboard the 12-Meter Courageous. Our stablemate, Independence, was forced to return to the dock for a repair. One of our crew, Richie Boyd, suggested we sail out to Block Island, which is 23 miles south of Newport, Rhode Island. Our skipper, Ted Turner, didn’t miss a beat and said, “Let’s go.” A few hours later, we anchored in the harbor, got a ride ashore and had lunch at an open-air lobster house. We even mailed a postcard to our syndicate head, Lee Loomis. I never found out if he got the humor.

Another memorable sail took place during one of my expeditions to Antarctica. We woke up to a beautiful, sunny 20-knot day, with the temperature in the 40s. We spent the afternoon simply sailing around the icebergs. One especially large berg rolled a few minutes after we passed by. We gave the bergs a wide margin after that near-catastrophe.

On a rare Saturday with nothing scheduled, my wife, Janice, and I took Whirlwind for an afternoon sail. The breeze was forecast to build throughout the day. My plan was to sail northwest up the 14-mile-long Severn River and then set the spinnaker for a fast ride home in the strong breeze. When we arrived at the mouth of the Severn, the U.S. Naval Academy had closed the river to boat traffic for the afternoon in favor of a Safety at Sea seminar that included a helicopter-­rescue demonstration by the U.S. Coast Guard. I headed downwind out into the bay. There were a few bulk carriers anchored across the bay, and we set course to round the ships and sail home. It was a nice ride in 18 knots. No sooner had we turned upwind, a front blasted in from the north. It was gusting over 35 knots! Fortunately, we had good foul-weather gear, life jackets and boots on. I played the mainsheet on each blast to keep the boat from overheeling. A few other boats took their sails down and went in under power. Sailing seemed safer, and we pressed on.

Conversation was sparse, but at one point, Janice asked where I would like my ashes spread when the day came. I hoped the heavy wind did not inspire that question, but I had an answer ready: “Good Luck Point, on Barnegat Bay.” This desolate, savanna-like point of land separates Toms River from Barnegat Bay. During my teenage years, I would sail my Penguin with one of my friends out the river into the bay. The afternoon thermal breeze was usually 15 to 18 knots. It felt so exciting to see no land on the horizon and choppy whitecaps ahead. I sailed for a good hour or more and then headed downwind for some surfing. I never capsized on those late-day sails. Thinking back, those sails were some of the best of my career. At the time, I rarely thought about what might be over the horizon in the years ahead. I suppose when you’re young, thoughts like that don’t extend too far in the future. But now, as 70 years of age looms on my horizon, I know the answer to the question about why I like to sail, be it during a race, offshore or a jaunt around the harbor.

What other sport can you do for an entire lifetime? Is there another activity that connects the generations like sailing? It is such a joy to take our grandchildren sailing. Through their eyes I get to see everything for the first time. Thanks to this sport, I have sailed off every continent and explored places I could never have imagined from land. Birds, fish and all kinds of sea life connect sailors with the environment and help them appreciate our planet. Time on the water passes swiftly. I am ready to set sail again as soon as I can.

– – –

CW editor at large Gary Jobson is an America’s Cup-winning tactician and longtime chairman of the Leukemia Cup Regatta.

The post The Joy of a Day Sail appeared first on Cruising World.

Whether you’re heading to warmer climes this winter or just dreaming about it, join Cruising World for an Evening for Southbound Sailors during the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. Have a rum punch and meet Cruising World editors and contributors, including special guest Lin Pardey. Catch the latest news and tips for cruising the ICW, Bahamas, Cuba and beyond, and find out how to get involved in the first ever Cruising World Rally to Cuba.

The event takes place on Friday, October 7, 2016, at the Annapolis Maritime Museum on Back Creek, about a 20-min walk from the sailboat show, or a quick cab ride.

The doors open at 6 p.m., with the panel discussion to begin at 6:30. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Space is limited so get your tickets today.

Click here to buy your tickets online!

The post Evening for Southbound Sailors 2016 appeared first on Cruising World.

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