Bareboating the BVI’s: Conch Charter Trip Review

Ted Kakuris posts a great BVI trip report on Virgin Island Sailing.  In mid-June 2011, he chartered Jeanneau 52 from Conch Charter and set sail on a great itinerary hitting all the great bareboat charter locations around the BVIs.

Ted highly recommends getting information from VirginIslandSailing.com and was really pleased with Conch Charter.  His day by day itinerary provides concise, detailed information like mooring recommendations, snorkeling , on-land touring, and, of course, fun beach parties for each day of the trip.   With stops at Norman Island, Cooper Island, Leverick Bay, the Baths, Jost Van Dyke, Trellis Bay, Soper’s Hole, and Spanish Town, he covers a great first time itinerary to the BVIs and gives a good sense of what to expect in the early off-season.

Wrapping up his report with a list of tips, this is one of the better trip reports I read and gives a first timer great insight into the BVI charter bareboat sailing experience.

BVI Trip Report on a Jeanneau 52 by Ted Kakuris
Virgin Island Sailing
Conch Charter

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Charter Bareboat Sailing Croatia (Sail Magazine)

Charter Bareboat Sailing Trogir

Trogir at Night

Two recent posts on Sail Magazine’s site extoll the virtues of charter bareboat sailing in Croatia.  Both articles describe itineraries that leave from near the UNESCO town of Trogir, a beautiful, but, touristy town near the airport in Split.  It’s a great introduction to the food and architecture that you’ll experience throughout a bareboat charter on the Dalmation Coast. 

I recommend arriving at Split airport which serves marina’s near Split, Trogir, Rogoznica and Primostan and, if possible, chartering for two weeks.  In addition to the islands describe in these articles, my ideal itinerary would include the more southern islands of Korcula and Mjet with a possible stop at remote Lastovo.  Korcula City is a gem making continued passage all the way south to Dubrovnik less important.

charter bareboat sailing - Croatia

Luka Banja in Korcula

On the other hand, limiting the southern part of your itinerary to the more frequently traveled islands of Brac, Hvar, and Vis gives you time to head north and expore the protected areas in the Kornati Islands, Uvala Telascica, or the Skradin fresh water cascades.  Either way, it will be one of the best charter bareboat sailing adventures you’ll ever experience. 

In addition to the articles below, check out my detailed destination reports that cover four different bareboat trips to Croatia.

Cruising Croatia

By Fred Bagley Posted March 10, 2011 on SailMagazine.com

Fred provides a great overview of his 1 week trip from just outside Trogir to the island of Vis, stopping at Solta, Brac, and Hvar along the way.  His mid-September bareboat charter avoided the busy summer seasons (August is particularly crowded), but, subjected their one week charter to the more storm ladden Sirocco (Juro) winds out of Africa as well as the typical cruising season Maetrals from the northwesterly quadrant, thankfully, they avoided the northeastern Bura winds.  Yes, here in the Mediterranean, the wind direction is named after their geographic origins and it’s strength usually indicated on the Beaufort Scale. 

Charter Bareboat Sailing - Croatia Feast

Croatia Feast

He confirms that receiving and understanding weather forecast over the VHF is still  difficult (I would tune into the Italy broadcast from across the Adriatic) and recommends using the internet (Croatia Weather or MeteoMar Weather for the Central Adriatic).  Another option would be to call the charter base daily.  Either way, you might want to consider a cellphone that works locally for the duration of your stay.

Fred also notes that Europe uses the International A System of buoyage rather than the B System, so, it’s green, right, returning in those few areas that require markers.  I’ll add that you should confirm with the charter company the need for a radio license to charter and sail in Croatia.  I’ve followed a thread that indicates you can buy a Restricted RadioOperator License in the US.

Fred goes on to provide a great trip log and it’s well worth reading how he and his guests went about enjoying the week bareboating on the Dalmation Coast.

Split Decision 

posted on Sailmagazine.com – Author undisclosed

Here’s an older, short posting that discusses a similar trip from the Trogir area, focusing a bit more on the history of the Dalmation coast and the conditions for their sail to Brac and Solta including a surprise invitation to lunch.  The article gives a good sense of both bareboating the area and the friendliness of the Croatians.

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34th America’s Cup: Changing the San Francisco Waterfront

It’s a little over a year until the first official America’s Cup events take place in San Francisco.  The city is doing everything possible to accelerate the approval process for waterfront development plans the will support the marque event in the summer of 2013.

More than clear seaways and steady wind (hopefully, with a lighter than usual fog season), this world class event will require a race village, team bases, and race management and event authority offices. These changes can dramatically overhaul the San Francisco waterfront both north and south of the Bay Bridge. Personally, I’m looking forward to the development.

Here’s an overview of the current plans as presented in the 9 February 2011 Environmental Impact Report Notice (EIR). All images are taken from this government report.

The Big Picture

Various locations around the bay will provide spectator viewing: Alcatraz, Aquatic Park, Fort Mason, Marina Green, Crissy field, and Cavallo Point. Interestingly, Treasure and Angel Island, prime viewing areas, are not mentioned in this report.

America's Cup 34 - San Francisco

Image Copyright 2011 Terra Metrics Data

And the biggest changes to the San Francisco Waterfront will occur at the following locations:

  • Race Village and Operations: Piers 19- 29.5
  • Team Bases: Piers 26 – 32 including seawall 330
  • Auxiliary Team Bases: Pier 80

AC34 Race Village and Operations: Piers 19 – 29.5

First, let’s say goodbye to Pier 23 bar and Teatro Zanzini. In addition, Bauer transportation will need to find another garage for their buses. This area represents the hub for the event and eventually will be the center for San Francisco’s cruise ship industry.

Event Operations: Pier 19 – 23

Primarily, these piers will be the home of regatta operations and media center with other support services and parking for employees stationed at this location. Don’t be surprised to see a barge floating at the end of these docks to accommodate up to 10 satellite dishes for the global broadcast.

America's Cup 34 Village Pier 27-29

Image Copyright 2011 Terra Metrics Data

America’s Cup Race Village: Piers 27‐29½

This will be the public hub of the 34th edition of the America’s Cup event and undergo substantial modification as it will also become San Francisco’s future cruise ship port. The area is expected to draw up to 50,000 visitors each day of the race. Facilities will include

  • Hospitality area including VIP sections
  • Outdoor amphitheater accommodating up to 10,000
  • AC34 interactive educational displays
  • Sponsor Areas and various vendors
  • Area specifically designed for children

Each race day will be jam packed with activities to both educate and entertain. Check out the sample daily activity program presented in the EIR.

Team Bases: Piers 26 – 32 including seawall 330

Just south of the Bay Bridge will be the headquarters for up to 10 teams and moorings for the AC72 catamarans they will sail in the competition. Primary focus will be boat lift, maintenance, and storage; team offices, hospitality, and support spaces. There will be controlled public access to this area.

Image Copyright 2011 Terra Metrics Data

In addition to the construction of the temporary structures and dock facilities, the current docks will require upgrades to meet seismic and fire safety requirements. Future use for these facilities has not been defined but the agreement with the city of San Francisco includes the right to develop part of the waterfront.

Auxiliary Team Bases: Pier 80

The final area which will contain temporary structures to support the 34th America’s cup will be Pier 80 which will house auxiliary team bases and the Youth Sailing Program.

America's Cup Bases and Youth Sailing Pier 80

Image Copyright 2011 Terra Metrics Data

Spectator Areas: Alcatraz, Aquatic Park, Marina Green, Crissy Fields, and Cavallo Point

The usual prime viewing areas will accommodate temporary structures for corporate, private, and public viewing and hospitality. Expect grand stand seating, vendors, and interactive exhibits all along the waterfront.

America's Cup 34 Viewing Areas

Image Copyright 2011 Terra Metrics Data

Walking along Crissy Field and playing volley ball on the Marina Green may be rather difficult on race weekends and the city will be considering additional forms of transportation to accommodate the volume of spectators. Rumor has it that the F line might be extend beyond it’s current turnaround in Fisherman’s Wharf, like in the old days.

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34th Edition of the America’s Cup

Charter Bareboat Sailing - America's Cup

America's Cup at San Francisco City Hall

It’s been over 6 weeks since the 34th edition of the America’s Cup was awarded to San Francisco. You can feel the pace accelerating with the enormous task to build the facilities, organize the event, and raise enough money to pay for it all.

For those familiar with our annual October fleet week celebration highlighted by the US Navy’s Blue Angels, you know what’s it’s like to be amongst hundreds of thousands lining the bay and straining to see their aerial acrobatics. Just image, daily events throughout the summer offering spectators, locals and tourists alike, that same exhilarating performance rush only now on the water. That’s what we have in store for us here in San Francisco during the summers of 2012 and 2013. Let’s just hope the fog cooperates and doesn’t decide to hang around in the afternoons for this can’t miss event.

So here’s a quick summary of where things stand 6 weeks into the AC34 preparation from a local resident and sailor excited that the race will grace our shores.

34th America’s Cup Race Format

Charter Bareboat Sailing - Oracle Racing

Oracle Racing - SF City Hall

America’s Cup is a challenge series dating back to 1851 when the yatch America (for whom it’s named) captured the cup in Cowes, England. The defender of record is Oracle Racing representing the Golden Gate Yatch Club who won the 33rd Edition off the coast of Valencia, Spain in February 2010. The Challenger of Record is Mascalzone Latino representing Club Nautico di Roma. The design chosen for the America’s Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup competitions will be the AC72, a 72’ catamaran with towering wingsails. For a more insight into the design rules, take a look at Wingsails for the AC72: 2013 America’s Cup with designer Pete Melvin.

America’s Cup: 7-22 September 2013 in San Francisco

The final race series pitting the winner of the defender series (if necessary) against the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup race series which determines the final challenger. It’s a best of 9 race series to determine the winner of the 34th America’s Cup.

Louis Vuitton Cup: 13 July – 1 September 2013 in San Francisco

The race series to determine who will challenge the America’s Cup defender in the final America’s Cup final series. Currently, there are 5 identified challengers: Mascalzone Latino (Ita), Artemis Racing (Swe), Aleph Team France (Fra). Energy Team (Fra), Team Australia (Aus) with the total number of challengers expected to exceed 10 teams from around the world. Check this cupinfo.com page for the latest list of confirmed and potential challengers.

The series will most likely begin as a round robin with quarter, semi, and challenger final pretty much assuring a 1 hour spectacle almost every afternoon on San Francisco Bay all summer long.

America’ Cup World Series: 2011 – 2012 at select locations around the world

This series will promote the America’s Cup event around the world, give the teams and the Event Authority the opportunity to raise revenue, and enable the sailors to become familiar with the catamaran and wing-sailed design.

Organizers have designed the AC45, a smaller, one design version of the AC72 competition catamaran for this series. As of 7 February they have completed their trials in New Zealand and have been turned over to AC Race Management to manage logistics as the teams test the prototype. For a detailed description of the AC45 performance, check out Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com post “Will the Cat cut the mustard?” , 22 January 2011.

The final World Series event will take place in San Francisco during the summer of 2012 with each team racing their initial version of the AC72 design.

Race Venue

The natural amphitheater which is the San Francisco Bay will make a stunning setting for these race series and the first time that the race will be held within viewing distance of the shoreline. Crowds will be expected to be in the 10’s of thousands building to 100s of thousands for the final event.

Summer fog usually burns off around noon during the summer and prevailing winds are out of the west – northwest gusting to 25+ knots in the afternoon so expect the AC45 and AC72 to achieve adrenalin pumping speeds in excess of 30mph.

charter bareboat sailing - AC34 in San Francisco

Proposed Race Area from AECOM February 2011

The America’s Cup will substantial change the San Francisco waterfront with Piers 19-29 redeveloped into the America’s Cup Village and Event Management facilities, the launching and finishing point for each race, and Pier 26-32 home for team bases and operations. Additional details describing the modifications to the waterfront are described in a forth coming post on the America’s Cup Impact on the San Francisco waterfront from the San Francisco Planning Department EIR.

34th America’s Cup Organization

From the San Francisco perspective there are three organizations responsible for pulling off the 34th America’s Cup.

America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) responsible for all logistics associated with the race series around the world. This organization is headed by CEO and Regatta Director Iain Murray of Australia.

America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) responsible for bringing the America’s Cup to the masses around the world, help raise the revenue required to pull off the event, manage the development of the various America’s Cup venues, and interface with the City of San Francisco. This group will be lead by Richard Worth (Chairman) and Craig Thompson (CEO).

America’s Cup Organizing Committee (ACOC) a non-profit volunteer board representing San Francisco interests and chaired by Mark Buell. This group will work with the ACEA to raise the revenue required to pull off the event.

Sources:

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Croatia Bareboat Charters – Radio License Follow-up

When chartering in Europe often times you’re required to have a government issued license to operate a radio.    I recently came across a discussion stream on Sailnet.com “U.S. issued Radio Certificate of Competency?”  discussing this very topic for a Croatia bareboat charter.

The bottom line of the discussion was that a US Restricted Radiotelephone Operator (RRO) permit should suffice and can be attained registering and applying at the FCC.gov ULS online application service  No test, but, there is a $60 fee.

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