Get Ready for Chartering
The Canadian Yachting magazine’s October issue means it’s time to book that winter getaway. Where can you go – well read the issue and make a choice, or several choices!
July 27, 2023
The Canadian Yachting magazine’s October issue means it’s time to book that winter getaway. Where can you go – well read the issue and make a choice, or several choices! The magazine will be in your mailbox or inbox very soon. and if you are not yet a subscriber, now would be a good time to click this link: https://kerrwil.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=CY_land.
While some Canadian charter-birds fly to the Caribbean or the Med, others go even further. Here a look at a reader-submitted account of an adventure in French Polynesia. Now that’s really a getaway! Here are some excerpts form the detailed account of a once-in-a-lifetime exotic cruise entitled NEVER THOUGHT – 10 Days in French Polynesia by Mark Neelin, Claudia Neelin, Nancy Cohen, and Robert Gallant.
To celebrate the start of the cruise it was a sashimi dinner with champagne. We were delayed heading for bed because of being fascinated watching the fish and sharks swimming around the boat illuminated in our flashlights. Night swimming was immediately reserved for Georgian Bay.
It had been an active night in the water with fish trying to get away from the sharks all night and one (an anchovy) jumping in the open porthole and landing in the sink in the head! After breakfast we motored out through the Toahotu Pass then 10 to 15 knots of wind provided a close haul, 25 knot sail towards the Island of Huahine. Gently rolling seas on the open South Pacific Ocean under bright sunshine! We were in paradise with everyone taking a turn at the helm.
… Day 5 …
Day 5 was highly anticipated. We raised anchor at 5:00 am to clear the Avamoa Pass at 5:30 am. Light winds did not provide much lift, but the jib steadied us as we motor-sailed 50 knots across the South Pacific headed for Bora Bora.
What was surprising was that because of the height of the peaks on each of the islands, navigating between islands was mostly line of sight. The 727-metre Mount Otemanu peak on Bora Bora was not only spectacular but visible for the entire sail. By afternoon Claudia was steering us through the Teavanu Pass into the lagoon of Bora Bora. NEVER THOUGHT we would be here!
The Bora Bora blues were different – darker blues and lighter blues combining to make a never-ending picture. We made a few stops at snorkelling areas. The water was warm and clear allowing the sun to penetrate the depths that were filled with such beautiful marine life. We swam with moray eels, manta rays and through a huge coral garden. The snorkelling was so incredible we did it again the next day.
… Night 7 …
We moved to the mooring field in front of the Bora Bora Yacht Club for night 7. The club has nice facilities and provides dinghy mooring. Dinner ashore was a highlight. NEVER THOUGHT we would have dinner watching the sunset over the South Pacific from Bora Bora.
We enjoyed our last full day of snorkeling and relaxation, and then moved to the DYC mooring field near the Raiatea base to return the boat in the morning.
The following day we motored to the Dream Yacht base where we were met by a crew who took the boat to the fuel dock and then into the slip.
NEVER THOUGHT we would be in for such a wonderful experience.
Read the full story HERE: www.canadianyachting.ca/destinations/international/7949-never-thought-10-days-in-french-polynesia
Subscribe to CY Magazine now to read more charter stories in the upcoming October 2023 issue!
Subscribe HERE: https://kerrwil.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=CY_land
