The Canadian Dream – Patrick Festing-Smith

Tessa Virtue, Danny Michel, Ed Robertson (and friends) aboard the Nanuk in 2016

 

July 26, 2018

Whether he’s sailing celebrities around the BVI’s or sailing an Etchell back home at his native Oakville Yacht club, it’s safe to say Patrick Festing-Smith is living the dream. Summers in Ontario, Winters in the BVI’s – wouldn’t we all enjoy a bit of that?

Tessa Virtue, Danny Michel, Ed Robertson (and friends) aboard the Nanuk in 2016

For our new CY People segment we wanted to know the obvious – what’s he been up to?

Well, for the last 18 years, Patrick has spent the majority of his cruising time in the BVIs. He’s had several boats, a few Benneteau’s and now Nanuk his Jeanneau 57. Fun fact – Canadian Icon Ron MacLean has been a partner in all three.

NanukNanuk has had an interesting year after being one of the twelve boats, in a marina of 200, to survive the devastating hurricane season this past year. Not without some major damage. Mostly cosmetic luckily, but it required a full make-over ultimately making it better than before. Pat can happily say that he was one of the lucky ones. So, where’s Nanuk now? Well she’s headed to Grenada for more charters!

Nanuk

Patrick has his own chartering company Mango Yacht Charters and charters privately, sending cruises out in the BVI’s, Grenada and other hotspots like the Mediterranean and Croatia! He has his skippers license and loves taking people out on Nanuk, but if Nanuk isn’t what his client is looking for he finds them another! After a successful marketing career, chartering ‘fell into his lap” as he attended several Toronto Boat Shows representing his company, and built a loyal clientele base (and hey, it doesn’t hurt to have Ron M as a pal!).

Rocking out with Don Felder Rocking out with Don FelderRace time!

Race time!

Next summer marks 50 years of sailing for Pat, a passion ignited by his father’s love of boats. Patrick is an honorary member of the Oakville Yacht Squadron; he has a long history with the club and was their youngest commodore back in 1991. He’s a partner racing an Etchells (that was once Hans Fogh’s) down in Oakville, and it’s the teams 3rd year and he says they’re finally starting to get a hang of things. For now, Pat’s just fine hanging out at home in Oakville and enjoying his Etchell this sailing season!

-AM

Related Articles

Sailing with the Wind

Sailing with the Wind

Is it the journey that counts – or the destination? My wife Sandy and I are avid sailors, although for many years we didn’t actually own a boat. To get our sailing fix, we simply chartered yachts in a variety of destinations. Typically, we would follow routes suggested by the charter company, always returning to the home marina within a week or two. And often, especially on our last day, our course would be directly into the wind, requiring us to beat, motor or both.

Video Gallery

Pursuit S268 Sport CC

By Andy Adams

The Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console is a do-it-all kind of boat with a solid sense of style. Centre console designs have been developed for the southern blue water sport fishing enthusiasts (and this boat would raise fish with the best of them) but the Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console offers far more utility and enjoyment than just fishing.

Read More

Destinations

Bayfield Marine Turns 40 with Big April Events

(l to r) Holly, Adam, Pat, Ron, Shelley

Ron and Pat Reder started out in October 1984 across the road from where they are right now on the Bayfield River in Bayfield ON. The store front was about 10 x 20 and the rest of that side of the building was a stock room, wood finishing room, then behind that was more back stock and the lunchroom. Expanding every few years for the store front, then moving over to this new building five years ago, this year with Adam, Shelley, and Holly are carrying on the business.

Read More

Lifestyle