September 12, 2023
Cruising: Nautical Safari to Tanzania, 2022
In October 2015, I purchased a Richard Woods Elf 26 catamaran in South Africa. But it wasn’t until 2017, after a major refit in Gordon’s Bay, South Africa that she was delivered to Watamu, on Kenya’s Indian Ocean North Coast. That voyage took some three or four months of sailing over a period of almost nine months.
July 26, 2023
NEVER THOUGHT – 10 Days in French Polynesia
It was getting late in November and Georgian Bay was lo…
October 21, 2020
Update for Canadians contemplating chartering in Greece
Europe’s largest and most beautiful charter destination, Greece, has fared well throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The infections rates in March were low at only 2500 cases and grew to just 4900 in July with few deaths. Considering the high infection rates in neighboring Italy, France and Spain, the Greeks were thanking their diet of feta cheese and olive oil for the relatively low rates!
December 17, 2019
New destination: Moorings announces charters in Brazil
With an increasing amount of interest in South America as a charter destination, The Moorings has responded with a new base in Paraty, Brazil. Surrounded by towering jungles plummeting into the waters of Baia Carioca, this charter cruising region features bays peppered with islands and world-famous beaches.
June 5, 2019
Chicago: A Water Wonderland
From my perspective on the observation deck of 360 Chicago in the John Hancock Building, I have an eagle’s-eye view of this Lake Michigan metropolis.
January 9, 2019
How are things in BVI?
Following the harsh impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, The British Virgin Islands is making an impressive comeback this winter.
April 25, 2018
Some cold Canadians check out Polynesia
A snow squall blows down Buckham’s bay on the Ottawa river. What a contrast, a year ago our group of Ontario sailors where anchoring in an emerald lagoon just in time for a tropical rain squall -in the splendor of the Society islands of French Polynesia.
April 24, 2018
Moorings BVI recovering
The British Virgins took a huge hit last fall from Irma. Boats were stranded on the shore by the dozens and roofs blown off with abandon.
March 20, 2018
Tropic Ocean Airways and The Moorings: Fly & Sail Seaplane and Catamaran in the Bahamas
When it’s cool here at home we love to charter down south. The problem often is that getting to the charter base often requires multiple connections and more time than you might hope.
January 10, 2018
Diane Reid presents an interesting UK Circumnavigation
At this year’s Toronto Boat Show then again on March 8 at Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club Toronto sailor/adventurer Diane Reid will present her experience circumnavigating the UK as the skipper of A Plastic Voyage.
September 22, 2017
A Trip To Iconic Italian Yachtbuilder Riva And Lake Como
Eyes turn and conversations on shore pause as one boat in particular approaches the Grand Hotel Serbelloni’s jetty that extends out into the sparkling blue waters of Lake Como off Bellagio, northern Italy.
August 22, 2017
Cruising with the Dario and Zelijka : Part 2 – south to Grenada
After a good night’s sleep, no doubt helped by the gentle rocking of the boat on anchor and the evening cocktails, the Gabrovecs were ready to continue their vacation.
May 15, 2017
The Northwest Passage – History in the Remaking
My trip to the Northwest Passage started long before I boarded the flight to Kangerlussaq with visits to Eddie Bauer, North Face, SAIL, MEC and Patagonia to purchase the clothing and equipment necessary to ensure I stayed warm, dry and comfortable and able to participate in whatever the daily sojourn offered.
January 10, 2017
Barbados prepares for epic Mount Gay Round Barbados Series
Bridgetown, Barbados:With just four days to go before the start of the 2017 Mount Gay Round Barbados Race Series (16-24 January), the festival atmosphere in Barbados is starting to rumble.
January 3, 2017
The Madeira Archipelago, the Garden of the Atlantic
The first time we sailed to Madeira we wondered if the island had vanished. Or at least that’s how it appeared. Actually, it didn’t appear. Not when we thought it should have.
October 8, 2013
Timeless Tonga – Charter Sailing in a Polynesian Paradise
When one thinks of Tonga in the South Pacific, the mind conjures up images of a Polynesian paradise – white sand beaches on lush tropical islands, sprinkled like emeralds on a turquoise sea. Supplement that image with quiet anchorages, warm breezes and crystal-clear waters and it’s understandable why Tonga is considered one of the world’s premiere sailing destinations.
January 12, 2011
South Pacific
Since he was seven years old he knew he wanted to spend his life at sea. Now at the tender age of 54 Captain Toni Mirkovic is plying the breathtaking waters of the South Pacific at the helm of the award winning luxury cruise ship, Paul Gauguin. Unlike Captain Bligh of the ill-fated Bounty, Captain Mirkovic has gained the respect of his 217 crew and the confidence of his 330 grateful guests. On an eight day cruise in March, we visited the Society Islands of French Polynesia , an eight hour Air Tahiti Nui flight south west from Los Angeles, landing in a pocket of the Pacific Ocean seemingly at the very end of the earth.