Plan your paradise with your Waypoints Winter Cruising Issue!

CY October 2023 Cover

When the water gets hard, smart Canadian boaters head south to paradise. If you are one of our many enthusiastic charter cruising readers, you know what it’s like but for first-time charter travellers, there’s a memorable winter vacation waiting for you down south!

Aug 23, 2023

CYOct Cover JMWhen the water gets hard, smart Canadian boaters head south to paradise. If you are one of our many enthusiastic charter cruising readers, you know what it’s like but for first-time charter travellers, there’s a memorable winter vacation waiting for you down south!

 You don’t have to be a seasoned yachtsman to go on a charter vacation either. There are captained charters where all you need to do is relax. There are sailing charters and power boat charters too, and perhaps the most comfortable way is to charter a big sailing catamaran.

In the October Waypoints Winter Cruising issue of Canadian Yachting, the Galley Guys (and Gals) go Barefootin’ St. Vincent & the Grenadines sailing a glorious 45’ Bali 4.4 Open Space catamaran through some of the most perfect tropical islands anywhere. White sand beaches, palm trees by the shore and lush tropical islands caressed by warm breezes actually are, just what you dream of!

Veteran author Mark Stevens writes about his family charter trip to St. Martin & Anguilla – A Tale of Two Islands. “Wonderful to bring everyone together to share in such a memorable experience.” As experienced travellers who had been there before, the decisions of where to go and how long to stay in any one anchorage where shaped by past adventures and a desire to build on previous charter memories.

Our Associate Editor Allegra Smith-Herriott will probably always remember her trip. In her story, Serious Fun at the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, she recounts the experience of attending her first-ever, big-league Caribbean regatta and the time she spent on the water, both in the media chase boat as well as being onboard with race competitors including some fellow Canadians. “Serious Fun” is the motto for the Regatta, and she shares with us both the serious experience of the intense racing as well as the free-wheeling fun.

Also in the October issue, read about the blue-water Marex 310 Sun Cruiser, a reasonably-sized family cruiser with Volvo Penta diesel power and impressive performance that’s new to Canada.

Our sail review is on the Bali 4.4 Open Space sailing catamaran that is like a luxury condo you can take almost anywhere. And, you could buy one for a charter fleet, get to use it yourself as you desire and have others pay for it and maintain it when you’re busy!

We have a DIY feature story from Marc Robic on how to tell when to it’s time to change your engine mounts and how to do the job yourself (if you have a few basic skills and want to save some money). Of course, hiring the professionals to change your engine mounts is the sensible option but for people like Marc, it’s a challenge and a matter of personal pride. Have a read and maybe you will be inspired!

John Morris recaps the summer season in Crossing the Line and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons contribute their featured supplement, The Port Hole, and also the package of member information in advance of the CPS-ECP Annual General Meeting.

Enjoy the upcoming October magazine issue!

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