CYOB Inbox: May 24, 2018

CYOB Inbox

 

May 24, 2018

Hello John,

I read you editorial with mixed feelings.

On one hand, I remember speaking this winter to the man in charge of sailing at the resort we stayed at this winter in Antigua. He believes it is horrible that an island with good sailing weather all year round does not have a sailing team and I agreed with him that there should be a youth initiative there. I suggested a puddle duck fleet. Cheap and accessible for learning and racing for kids.

The other side of the coin is this: The current pace of growth in the industry in developed countries is unsustainable. Of course industry types will dismiss this but, however lackluster the last few years have been, virtually every marina in Canada has a waiting list and on a good summer day it’s hard not running into another boater in most local cruising grounds. Any decent mooring or anchorage I have seen in Florida is littered with boats and residents have been pushing back because more and more NON-boaters are taking to the water as a “cheaper” home alternative – taking up valuable place of legitimate aficionados of boating while giving us a bad reputation as many of these live-aboards do not maintain their boats. I have witnessed this in the Toronto area as well.

In short, I am always telling my friends how great sailing is and that they should join a club if they are interested. But other times, I think to myself, “be careful what you wish for”….
—
Rob Barnes

Reach the CYOB Inbox any time. CYOnboard@kerrwil.com
We reserve the right to edit, but we will publish your letter!

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