Editor’s notebook – aargh!

RORC Caribbean

Feb 10, 2022

Your editor was pounding the keys and reading boating news diligently while trying hard not to look out the window. Without checking, I knew that I would see acres of snow, icicles and shivering pedestrians in toques. Yes, I get it – this is Canada so quit whining.

Then, into my mailbox arrives a notice that the flag drops on the Caribbean 600 in just 11 days. Like many of us, I have been mostly staying home but as the temp stays sub-zero, my resolute stance is wavering.

Whether you’re a racing sailor, cruiser or even if you have never been on a sailboat before, the Caribbean race circuit is a lot of fun. Since it’s mostly larger boats, you can contribute by providing rail meat. Sitting on the high side provides a superb vantage to admire the dramatic cliffs and lush shorelines – the Caribbean 600 starts in Antigua and encompasses 11 islands.

Everyone agrees enough is enough; if like me you’d prefer to be wearing shorts and enjoying the sparkling waters, we can only look ahead to 1. Spring launch and summer afloat and 2. Next fall/winter when a boat experience somewhere warm is already inked in a certainty. I hope.

John Morris
Online Editor
Canadian Yachting Magazine
CYonboard@kerrwil.com

 


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