Cuba Rally to celebrate Habana 500 this May

Classic Cars

Jan 24, 2019

The City of Havana, Cuba, is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year and thanks to our friends at Florida Yachts Charters, you can be part of it. The Cuba Rally kicks off in Key West on May 3, then heads out from the Stock Island Marina across the Strait of Florida for Havana’s Hemingway Marina on May 4.

On May 5 a program of cultural and boating events with a healthy sprinkling of fabulous parties kicks off making it a week to remember. One highlight will be participating in the Havana 500 Nautical Parade of Sail along Havana’s famous Malecón sea front hosted by José Miguel Días Escrich, Commodore of the Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba.

LorikeetFor Canadians who love Cuba as a destination of sun, rum and lots of fun this is an opportunity to see the country from a whole new boating and intimate cultural perspective. If your boat isn’t currently moored in Florida, you’re invited to sail aboard one of FYC’s cruisers, like Lorikeet, a sparkling Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389.

Music and DanceIncluded during the time in Havana, rally participants will get to visit Hemingway’s home, enjoy historic colonial Havana and ride in some vintage 50s convertible beauties. It will be a once-in-a lifetime week combining boats, touring, art and culture plus authentic Cuban dining, music and dance. Also scheduled are unique get-togethers with Cuban VIPs and the teams from several embassies. This close up look at Cuban life will be a unique treat for everyone interested in better knowing the island.

Embassy In CubaWith the help of local experts People 2 People Tours, all requisite paperwork and everything in Cuba will be professionally organized for maximum experience. Return departure to Key West is scheduled for May 8, although boats may stay and explore further.

Cuba Travel LogosCurrently six boats are chartered for the rally with an anticipated limit of 30. To get onboard, head to floridayachtscharters.com or toll free from Canada at 1-800-650-6940.
Florida Yachts Charters is a boutique yacht charter company offering the world’s top brands of sailing yachts, catamarans, and powerboats, and operate the official Waypoints bases in Miami and Key West.

Eschrich Letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Yacht ChartersFYC’s Miami fleets are located in famous Coconut Grove with easy access to Biscayne Bay and only 40 miles from Bimini.

FYC’s Key West fleets are located at Oceans Edge Marina and Stock Island Marina. Both marinas boast state of the art concrete docks with individual water, power and pump out facilities. Charter clients get full access to the resort facilities that include pools, restaurants, bars, and various equipment rentals complimentary shuttle service to downtown Key West. https://www.stockislandmarina.com

One of FYC’s charter catamarans

 

Video Gallery

Neptunus 650F Review

Neptunus 650F 400

By Andy Adams

Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new Neptunus models and we are familiar with the qualities that Neptunus is famous for. They have all been exceptional yachts, but this is the one I would most want to own myself. It’s a personal choice and a matter of taste as to whether you would prefer to have a sedan express model or a flybridge but in my opinion, the flybridge layout offers some wonderful attributes.

We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario. 

Read More

Destinations

The Other Virgin Islands

Sunset off St John

By Mark Stevens

I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola to begin one of our earliest British Virgin Islands charters nearly twenty years ago.

A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.

Clearing Pillsbury Sound, surrounded by voluptuous emerald mountains as the ferry sliced through royal blue waters, I was struck by the unspoiled ambiance of St. John, the island gliding past our starboard beam and the irresistible charm of a village called Cruz Bay visible from our quarter stern.

Read More

Lifestyle