Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial –  

NARC Rally Wrap-up

Winter Program

Heineken Regatta

Opportunities

Editorial – Many members watched the progress of this year’s NARC Rally. We had 43,000 hits on the spot tracking web site by the time we were in Bermuda. (Probably ten worried wives checking every ten minutes.) This was the first year Cruising World Magazine was a sponsor and covering the rally. To add the excitement I paid for a helicopter photographer to go up and take pictures of the start. Little did we know then, what a big story this would become. Not only will Cruising World Magazine be covering the rally, but Sail, Blue Water Sailing and Soundings will have articles as we had one boat abandoned and a 2^nd abandoned after the wife tragically went overboard and the husband decided to get off the boat.  I am respecting the husband’s apparent wishes to not get into the circumstances. Only he knows what happened. All we know is that by day ten they were ok and that the tropical Storm Sean had already passed and we had word that they were fine and making their way to Bermuda. The next day we learned that someone had gone overboard and a ship had diverted to help the search along with a US Coast Guard helicopter. It was not until the next day, while we were preparing to depart Bermuda, that we learned that the wife had gone overboard and the husband was on a ship on her way to France. Even though the storm had passed we can appreciate that the sea state takes longer than the wind to abate. The boat had a non-working mainsail (in the mast roller furling malfunction), so without a steadying mainsail and most likely not much staysail or jib out, the boat would have been very susceptible to rolling. But again I am only guessing.

This was a cruising couple that was just like us. Actually way ahead of many of us as they had already competed  a two year cruise from the West Coast, through the Panama Canal, to the Caribbean and then to Maine. After a couple year sojourn ashore they were starting their 2^nd extended cruise on a very well found Island Packet 38. We can only wish the best for the husband in his time of loss and reflect how respect for the sea and her indiscriminate nature can humble any one of us. This winter we will be meeting with industry folks and see what changed we may make to the rally for next year. We will keep members posted and will do what we think is best for OPO members and what we can do to continue to get as many quality offshore passage opportunities for our members, both in a rally and for delivery skippers and boat owners sailing on their own.

Almost half the NARC Fleet was made up of OPO members, either OPO skippers taking OPO crew or private boat owners taking OPO crew. We also had 12 OPO members doing one leg or both legs on a Swan 46 or the Swan 48 Avocation with me. The members paying to go on a Swan were very happy this year knowing they were on very tough boats. If you wish to sail with us in May sailing north you can let me know and we will make sure you are on a Swan in May. The dates are May 6^th to the 20^th.  St. Maarten-Bermuda-New York.

We also had several OPO members in the new Salty Dog Rally that had 17 boats depart from the Norfolk area together and another 15 boats depart a day or two before or after. Their destination? the BVI, same as the Caribbean 1500. We also had some members in the Caribbean 1500. Any members who sailed in either rally that want to call or e-mail me to let me know how their trip went, I would appreciate it as I like to see how others run their rallies. What started as a hobby of mine, dovetailed into a vocation, and now I like to know about any rallies offered anywhere since we may be able to offer them OPO crew.

The NARC Rally had a two day delay this year before we had a good five day forecast.  Although the forecast did not hold and tropical Storm Sean came within 100 miles of Bermuda, we did not have major crew issues. However the longer delays for the Caribbean 1500 and Salty Dog Rally did have some boats scrambling for crew. We are working towards being in a position to help those boats owners and skippers in these other rallies get crew next year and especially having crew ready on short notice (and maybe to pay some travel expenses) if they run into delays again. We will keep you posted on our progress in talks with those rally organizers.

OPO Caribbean Winter Program – Since there are fewer sailing opportunities during the winter months, we offer OPO members the opportunity to come sail with us at very reasonable rates so you can meet us and we can get to know you better to help refer you in the future. It is also a great way to get away from the winter and do some sailing on a great boat. I am the skipper for the following winter sailing opportunities in the Caribbean. If you are interested in joining us please call or e-mail and I will let you know how to sign aboard. You are welcome to invite a friends or family members who are not OPO members.

Sail BVI – If you have never been to the BVI’s before, or want to introduce someone to Caribbean sailing at its best, call to join us for a week this February.  This year we have picked the following three weeks to join us for a week or a bit more with an overnight sail to or from St. Maarten. If you are having trouble getting good airfares on a Weekend, we may be flexible enough to pick you up or to have you join us midweek to midweek.

Week One - Sat Feb 4th  (Or Friday Feb 3rd.)(Fly into St. Maarten and sail to BVI for the week ending Sat Feb 11th. Fly home from BVI Sat Feb 11th. (9 Days)

Week Two - Sat Feb 11th to Saturday Feb 18th (Fly into and out of Beef Island BVI) Enjoy a full 7 days cruising around the islands.

Week Three  - Sat Feb 18th to Sat Feb 25th (Fly into and out of BVI, 7 days) or sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from there Monday Feb 27th. (9 days)

Or you can join us for two weeks if you have the time. Let me know what dates work for you.

The cost is $1250 per person per week, plus sharing consumables.  

Heineken Regatta Monday Feb 27^th to Monday March 5^th

Note:  This is the only Regatta we are doing this year. It is the biggest Regatta and it is on the island we call home. We always fill up so please do call and reserve a berth soon.

This will be our 9^th Heineken Regatta. Crew fly in Monday Feb 27^th and depart the following Monday March 5^th. We include accommodations ashore for the week. We have a day to get the boat ready, two days of practice and then three days of racing. If you would like to join us this year please mail in a $500 deposit now and the balance is not due until Feb 1^st. The price is $2500 per person including lodging ashore. Call if you have any questions. We usually have a mix of repeat OPO members and new member. You do not need racing experience as this is a learning opportunity. We have very nice accommodations right across the way at the Pelican Resorts. It is a great time racing with the big boys and not in a charter non-spinnaker slow division. Since this is the only regatta of the season and maybe our last year, please do try and join us.

Something New

Two weeks Avocation Windward Islands – Come join Hank for two weeks from April 7^th to April 22^nd sailing from the St. Lucia to St. Maarten stopping at several islands along the way. The last two years we have stopped in Dominica. We are adding a few more new (to us) islands on this two week trip north.  Plan to fly into St. Lucia and home from St. Maarten. The price is $1250 per person per week so $2500 for the 2 weeks, plus splitting expenses.

New Boat US Tow Insurance info – OPO member and Boat US Skipper Tom Finn sent us the following information this month that may be of interest to any delivery skippers out there. It used to be that tow insurance did not work for delivery skippers, but Tom lets us know about this new plan. Tom e-mails

“Have you heard that Boat U.S. has recently added commercial coverage that includes delivery captains? It's $281 per year including the Boat U.S. membership fee.  Tax deductible, of course.

To join call 800-367-8222  Please give them our company code of WT10298A and my membership number of 11820321 so we can get credit.”

Opportunities

December 10^th

Norfolk, Va. To Puerto Rico -Captain xxxxxxxxxx is looking for a mix of experienced crew and newer sailors that wants  to join him on a trip from Norfolk, Va. to Puerto Rico.  The boat is a Hans Christian 43 named xxxxxxxxxand the trip should take about 8-10 days, but weather delays have already lost him crew, so plan for a little extra time. Rather than try and rush a new crew, xxxxxx has picked next Saturday December 10^th as his departure date, or best weather window after that.  This will allow OPO members time to check and see if they can join him and make plans. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. For one or two experienced crew he is willing to help subsidize your airfare back home. You should be able to do this trip and be home for Christmas, or if you have time you are welcome to stay with xxxxxxx for a few days longer to spend some time in the sun. I think xxxxxx plans are to explore the Spanish Virgin Islands after arriving in PR. Since it is late in the season and xxxxxxxx has had problems getting crew on short notice, I do not mind if you have a non-OPO member friend or family member who would like to join you on this trip with xxxxxx. As you know normally this is a big no-no as it takes a berth away from an active OPO member, but we really want to help xxxxxx out so you have my permission this time to go outside OPO for crew. Please contact xxxxxxxx on his cell phone at xxxxxxxx if you can make it by next weekend December 10^th.

February 1st

Paid Winter opportunity for nanny and boat help – We have know xxxxxxxxxx for the last couple of years as he keeps his boat a few boats away from Avocation in St. Maarten. He also sailed south with us in the rally this year. He is a very nice man and is a very good sailor. xxxxxxxx and xxxxxx e-mailed us the following crew request

Song, a Hinckley 48 yawl, will be transiting from Simpson Bay in Sint Maartin to St Georges Grenada on February 1st.  My husband and I are looking for one crew to stand watch and look after our four-year-old grandson.  We plan on sailing straight through to Grenada (3 + days) then staying in Grenada for a week to 10 days. (2 weeks of service) We will leave the boat in Grenada and return at the beginning of March to sail her back to Sint Maartin (another 2 weeks of service).  We pay all expenses once onboard plus $600 per week for the childcare portion of the job. Sail and childcare experience and references a must. Contact xxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxx

Crew may be able to stay aboard between stints, but xxxxxxxxxxxxand his wife would want to meet you and make sure it would work out for everyone before committing to staying on the boat in-between service.

May 22nd

Bahamas to Chesapeake - The following opportunity is a paying position, (you pay) but it is on a big cat with a couple we have known for many years. They have offered a very nice discount to OPO members. xxxxxxxxxxxx and his wife sailed around the world on a Bowman 57, then had a family and built a big Cat in New Zealand. If you have ever been to the Annapolis Boat Show you may have met Richard as he has the concession for the boat show T-Shirts at both entrances to the show. They are a very nice couple and have several legs planned to take paying crew along, but we have worked out a nice discount for OPO members who want to try some catamaran offshore sailing with a very good skipper and crew. This is the return leg at the end of the season from the Bahamas back to their homeport in the Chesapeake. Richard sent us the following information. If interested please contact him directly.

 NORTHBOUND ATLANTIC EXPEDITION

NASSAU – ABACOS – CHESAPEAKE BAY – OXFORD, MD, USA

May 22-June 2, 2012  |   12 days   |   850 NM   |     $1,800 pp for OPO members*

Departing the Bahamas and heading north will require diligent weather watching and good planning. Time should allow for exploring the Abacos, one of the world’s top sailing destinations. These extra days will help the crew to acclimate to life aboard before departing for the Chesapeake. The 650 nm trip may be knocked out in one go or we may make needed stops along the way as the weather dictates. On passage, all guests/crew will be assigned to a watch with a qualified leader. Watch standers will get instruction in sail handling, weather, navigation and the use of shipboard electronics. Off watch time allows for sleeping, relaxing, reading and learning even more aspects of blue water sailing. Safety drills are reviewed and practiced prior to all departures and weekly when underway. All are encouraged to take a turn in the galley. The Gulf Stream crossing will be the challenge as we approach the coast of North Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay. With time, once inside the Chesapeake we will stop in sheltered coves and rivers as we work our way up the bay to Oxford, MD, one of the oldest ports of entry on the East Coast.

 Cost with Discount to OPO Members - $1800pp *(covers all costs on board - food, dockage, fuel, water, port fees, etc. Does not cover airfare or individual visa fees as needed)

If interested please e-mail xxxxxx at xxxxxxxxx Their web site is xxxxxxxx

              Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial – (OPO Code of Conduct)

Annapolis Boat Shows

NARC Rally

Winter Program

Opportunities

Editorial – If you are getting this October “Notice to OPO Mariners” then you are all set and active until next September. Thanks for paying your annual dues or joining recently. We try and keep everyone on the same calendar year to save time and our sanity.

Membership will drop from about 450 active members to 375 active members so your chances of getting aboard improve. Most available members have already signed aboard for at least one passage this fall. Many members have jobs and cannot take advantage of long passages. If you are having trouble finding something please feel free to call or e-mail and I will see what I can do to help.

We also still have one or two berths open in the Swan Program if you want a guaranteed 3 week opportunity on a Swan with a pro captain. It is nice to know you have the three weeks all lined up in advance.

This is a good time of year to remind us what makes a good OPO crew, one that is welcome back anytime. Be mindful of Rule # 22

                               OPO Code of Conduct*

The purpose of the Honor Code is to establish guidelines that will help OPO members be invited back and insures skippers and boat owners will continue to call you or us for our services. If you only have time for one or two trips a year and you meet a boat owner who likes you and you like them, you will be invited back again for another passage.. After all, why would a skipper call me to find a new crew he does not know when he has sailed with you. You followed the OPO Code of Conduct.

1)      Plan to treat the boat, both above and below decks, like you were in your boss’s living room. No feet up on the couch, no crumbs spilled anywhere and quite often leave your shoes in the basket on the dock.

2)      Wait for permission to first board a boat, just like at a neighbors front door.

3)      Always be courteous of others and follow the skipper’s orders. Anytime you get several new people together and especially on a boat at sea, it is good to be on ones best behavior and courteous of others just like the first day of school.

4)      Always make sure you are safe and tethered in when the situation warrants. You put others at risk if they need to turn back for you. We like to say “If you fall overboard you are dead, because we will come back and get you and then kill you for falling overboard”.

5)      No sleeping on watch. Take a 360 view every 10 minutes

6)      Keep noise to a minimum on night watches and when anyone is sleeping below. Do not drag your tether hook around the cockpit.

7)      Be respectively of others privacy and space.

8)      Keep all common area clean. (Cockpit and main saloon)

9)      Be very mindful of scratching the teak interior or cabin sole. When at sea be always cognizant of the movements of the boat and do not expect objects and food items to stay in place. No Hard luggage and be careful with the wheels and handles on soft luggage.

10)  When closing hatches make sure it is dogged down evenly and well, otherwise some water will still get in.

11)  Offering to cook or clean up will endear you to the crew forever. But likewise if the cook wants to keep you out of the galley, stay out.

12)  Never open the fridge or freezer hatch for long and always check with the head galley person before opening new packages of food or ingredients that might be necessary for a particular recipe or meal.

13)  Make sure to tighten or close all lids (anyone like pickle juice all over the fridge), drawer stops, and latches and swinging doors. If you do not close the lid on the “Joy” soap bottle and it runs empty, there is no convenience store around the corner.

14)  Keep toilet lids down and sit when in doubt

15)  Conserve power, turn off fans and lights, especially the nav light is the morning

16)  If you smoke know the rules. Better yet quit before you leave the dock.

17)  Know the drinking policy at sea and respect the rules of a dry boat.

18)  Behave in port. No stumbling on board and damaging the boat or yourself.

19)  Beware of shipboard romance

20)  Buy dinner at the end of the trip or at least offer.

21)  Do not leave anything behind so someone has to mail you your forgotten item(s)

22)  Do not pass on opportunities to non-members. Any opportunity that a non-member gets, takes an opportunity away from an OPO member who has joined and support us. Please do tell your friends and family about OPO and pass on an e-mail as a teaser, but do not pass along the contact information. If we find out OPO has the right to expel you from membership and we would have to consider a call in type of communications to control the contact info thus slowing up the process.

23)  Thanks for understanding rile # 22 Hate to be a hard-ass about this one, butt

Annapolis Boat Show – I plan to drive to the Annapolis Boat Show early Thursday morning to be there for Red Carpet Day and return Friday night or Saturday morning. It will be a busy two days with meeting and networking, but if members want to get together towards the end of the show either day,  lets plan to meet at the usual place both Thursday and Friday at 4:30 to 5:00 pm on the rooftop by the Marriot just above the Pusser’s Rum booth (Bar). Both Thursday and Friday I will be there at 4:30 pm.

If you need a place to stay for the show. OPO Skipper Bob Fritz is once again offering to put two or three OPO members up. He e-mails.

“Good to hear from you.  I'll be moving an Amel 54 into the boat show on Wednesday and back out after the show.  Let's get together for a beer while you're there.  I’ve signed up as crew on Destiny from Gibraltar to Las Palmas and then the ARC.  That will be different.

As I did last year, I can put up 2-3 folks at my house in Edgewater during the boat show.  You could post that if you want.  They need to have a car to get to and from the show, which is about a 15 minute drive.  Price is free.
E-mail Bob at  rfritz888@gmail.com

NARC Rally – We have 21 boats in the rally, with 9 Swans and 2 Oysters. Not a bad ratio. More impressive, six of these boats have OPO members. Another 10 or 15 will be on other boats. Our sailing niche remains true to our motto of ‘To Seek, Gather and Create, quality offshore passage opportunities for our members.”

Swan Opportunity NARC Rally - If you are having trouble getting a berth aboard a boat in the NARC Rally we have a couple of berths left on the Swan 46 and Swan 56. The Swan 56 may only be going to Bermuda and then breaking away for the Eastern Med. This is late breaking news as it never happens in OPO journalism since I just talked with the owner this am. After Bermuda we will be sailing a Swan 56 to Slovenia. Gareth and I will team up to sail the boat to Kopper Slovenia in November and December. We will have more news next week on this one so stay tuned.

While we are in breaking news mode, it looks like we will be skipping a nieces wedding because our 4^th grandchild is on the way today. Better send this as it is. More on Monday about Slovenia and # 4 grandchild.

Winter Program – If you have never been to the BVI’s before, or want to introduce someone to Caribbean sailing at its best. Call to join us for a week this February. October and November is the time of year many people plan their winter sail get-a-ways. This year we have picked the following three weeks to join us for a week or a bit more with an overnight sail to or from St. Maarten. If you are having trouble getting good airfares on a Weekend, we may be flexible enough to pick you up or to have you join us midweek to midweek.

Week One - Sat Feb 4th  (Or Friday Feb 3rd.)(Fly into St. Maarten and sail to BVI for the week ending Sat Feb 11th. Fly home from BVI Sat Feb 11th. (8 Days)

Week Two (Sat Feb 11th to Saturday Feb 18th (Fly into and out of BVI) (7 Days)

Week Three (Sat Feb 18th to Sat Feb 25th (Fly into and out of BVI) or sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from there Monday Feb 27th. ((9 days)

Or you can join us for two weeks if you have the time.

Let me know what dates work for you.

The cost is $1500 per person per week, plus sharing consumables, but there is a discount to $1250 for OPO members signing up before Dec 15^th. If you have thoughts about sailing in the Caribbean this winter and want to sail on a Swan 48 with captain and perhaps   you can also book with family and non-OPO member friends.

Heineken Regatta Monday Feb 27^th to Monday March 5^th

This will be our 8^th Heineken Regatta. Crew fly in Monday Feb 27^th and depart the following Monday March 5^th. We include accommodations ashore for the week. We have a day to get the boat ready, two days of practice and then three days of racing. If you would like to join us this year please mail in a  $500 deposit now and the Balance is not due until Feb 1^st. The price is $2750 per person including lodging ashore at the Pelican resorts.

Two weeks Avocation Windward Islands – Come join Hank for two weeks from April 7^th to April 22^nd sailing from the Grenadines to St. Maarten stopping at several islands along the way. The last two years we have stopped in Dominica. We are adding a few more new islands on this two week trip north. We may start in St. Lucia. So starting point is subject to change. The price is $1250 per person per week so $2500 for the 2 weeks, plus splitting expenses several ways.

Opportunities

November 1^st

Amel 53

Huntington NY to St. Maarten - OPO xxxxxxxx is looking for one more crew as he likes to sail with at least 4 crew to make it easy on all. I have known xxxxxxxxxxx for 15 years and he has been making the trip back and forth for many years. The boat is fully equipped and easy to sail. In fact xxxxxxx likes to make the passage non-stop so this is a good for members with less time. The trip will take about 10 days after departing anywhere from Nov 1^st to the 3^rd. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included. You just need to get to and from the boat. Please e-mail xxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

             Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial –Please pay your annual dues this month.

Newport & Annapolis Boat Shows

Winter Program

Opportunities

Editorial – My phones have been down for a day, but they should be back up in the next 24 hours. We are getting ready for the Newport Boat Show and our offer of two free tickets is still in place. I will be sailing a new Benetau 50 to and from the show (See details under opportunities) as well as setting up a booth, but the early arrival precludes seeing the show after sailing up. If you want to sail up or back on a 4 cabin OPO Member owned Benetau 50, we need to decide by the middle of next week if we have enough folks that want to spend some time on the water and at the show. It is also not too early to plan for the Annapolis Boat Show if you want to sail to or from the show with me.

Articles about the NARC came out in both Blue Water Sailing and WindCheck magazines this month and we will be sending out more NARC Rally opportunities this month. If you want to make 100% sure you have a berth, you can sign aboard a Swan. Avocation is full, but we have a three other Swans in the Program this year as well.

Many of the details in the Aug 15^th Notice are the same and repeated here. The Opportunities at the bottom of the Notice are new.

Promote the Rally – I have posters for the NARC Rally if you wish me to mail you a couple to post if you think you have a good spot to place them. Just let me know and I will mail you them. If you know anyone planning to sail south to the Caribbean this fall, please tell them about the rally. The dates are to be in Newport Friday October 28^th, sail to Bermuda in the best weather window after Oct 30^th and fly home from St. Maarten after the final party November 19^th.  If you run into a skipper heading south, have them contact us at Phone 1-800-4-PASSAGe or give them the web site address www.sailopo.com

This will help create more opportunities for other members.

Swan Opportunity NARC Rally – If you want to sign aboard a Swan in the NARC Rally, we have several sailing in the Swan Program this year.  It looks like one Swan 46 with Captain Murray Jacob, a Swan 56 (Skipper Gareth Hughes)  and another (Skipper AJ Smith) 48. If you are interested in securing passage early and making plans at work and with the airlines, please give me a call.  

Newport Boat Show – We will again have a booth for the Newport Boat Show. It is the only boat show we plan to attend with a booth this year. Whenever we have a booth at a show we can buy tickets at a discount and give them to our members. If you plan to attend the show we are offering two free tickets to any OPO member who has paid their annual dues and is active for the 2011/1012 OPO Season.  The boat show is September 15^th to 18^th.  If you are planning to attend the show, please e-mail me and I will add you to the list. I will then mail you the tickets a week before the show or place them at the Will Call tent. Please let me know which you prefer.

Annapolis Boat Show – Last year we did not sail to the show and back, but this year we are offering OPO members the opportunity to sail to or from the Annapolis Boat Show and to stay aboard Avocation while at the show. No need to get a hotel or car.

We will depart Huntington NY on Monday morning October 3^rd and sail non-stop to Annapolis to arrive on Wednesday to be there for Opening Day Thursday Oct 4^th. We will depart Annapolis Saturday about noon after seeing the show for two days. We will be back in New York on Monday morning October 10^th. The fee to sail one way and stay aboard until Friday is $1000 (5 Days) or from Friday to Monday (see the show Friday and stay aboard Friday Night and then 2 days sail back is $800 (for 4 days).  Stay with us the entire 8 days for $1600. The price includes captain, linen, fuel, and onboard food and dockage, but does not include a ticket to the show. Since we do not have a booth we cannot get a discount on tickets for the Annapolis Boat Show. If you are interested in joining me for the Annapolis Show please contact me soon before we publicize the opportunity to non members.

Winter Program – This is the time of year some people plan their winter sail get-a-ways. This year we plan to offer a couple of weeks sailing in the BVI and a couple of weeks heading down island to Dominica and some new points further south. Tentative dates are Two weeks in February and two weeks in April. The cost is $1500 per person per week, plus sharing consumables, but there is a discount to $1250 for OPO members signing up before Oct 15^th. If you have thoughts about sailing in the Caribbean this winter and want to sail on a Swan 48 with captain and perhaps Cathy, my 1^st mate, and join us on an individual charter sharing with other OPO members, please contact me for details. You can also book with family and non-OPO member friends.

Annual Dues are due in September. New members or members that re-activated recently do not owe annual dues. With these rolling markets we are not raising annual dues, for the 4th year in a row of no increase, but next year we will most likely go from $125 to $150. Learn how to avoid any increase for the next two years.

Annual Dues – Annual dues remain the same as the last few years. They are $125 for regular membership and $150 for *Gold Card Members. Dues are due September 1^st, but we do not start the new annual e-mail address book until the Oct 1^st OPO Notice to Mariners so you will remain active until September 31^st. If you do not get the Oct 1^st Notice then you know you have forgotten to pay your annual dues. If you recently joined or paid your annual dues, you do not owe any dues at this time. Next year we will most likely raise dues to $150 a year. However some members like to pay for more than one year at a time and not have to bother with remembering to pay OPO dues. This fall we are offering you the opportunity to pay for two or three years and avoid the increase in membership next year. If you want to remain active for one year, please pay $125 (or $150 for Gold Card). Two years $250 or $300 and for three years pay $$375 or $450) and be done with it. We ask that you please pay by check so we can save on credit card fees, but if you want to use a credit card you can by calling us in the office or signing up for just one more year online at www.sailopo.com

Please make checks payable to Offshore Passage Opportunities (OPO) and mail to PO Box 2600 Halesite NY 11743. If you would like to print and mail a form we have provided one.

*Gold Card Membership – Gold card members are members we have sailed with and have the skills and more importantly the personality to offer to sail for a Swan skipper or owner. Since we have a close relationship with the Swan Brand, we offer Swan skippers the opportunity to use our crew services for free. We have to make sure we send good crew prospects to the Swan owners and skippers to make sure the program continue. If you would like to be considered for Gold Card membership and be added to that elite e-mail list, please feel free to contact me to petition. If you have not sailed with me you may have sailed with one of our other delivery skippers who can attest to your crew desirability. One of the biggest benefits of being a Gold Card Member is simply telling owners and skippers that you respond to is that you are an OPO Gold Card Member.

OPO Annual Dues renewal form:

Name: ___________________________________ OPO # (if known) _________________

If you have any new information please fill in hear. If you have the same e-mail address, mailing address or phone numbers, please leave blank. But do give us a new cell number.

New e-mail address:           __________________________________________

New Mailing Address:        __________________________________________

New Cell or other numbers: _________________________________________

One Year $125 or $150      _____

Two Years $250 or $300    _____

Three Years $375 or $450  _____

                                                              OPO

                                                       PO Box 2600

                                                Halesite NY 11743 USA

                                           Make Checks Payable to OPO

Opportunities

 September 10^th

Huntington NY to Newport Boat Show – I will be delivering a Beneteau 50 from Huntington to Newport for the boat show. We will depart Saturday afternoon September 10^th and be in Newport on Sunday. I will rent a car in Newport and return to Huntington. The entire round trip will take about 30 hours. The trip is free and I will pay for the rental car and gas on the way home. If interested call or e-mail me at 631-423-4988

September 19^th

Newport to Huntington – The return trip after the show. We will depart Newport about 11:am on Monday September 19^th . I will drive up from Huntington early that morning and we will be back in Huntington Tuesday night. If you are seeing the show on Sunday you can stay aboard and I will meet you in the morning.

October 29^th.

NARC Rally – OPO member xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx made the passage south with me aboard Avocation a couple of years ago. Now he has an Oyster 56 and is looking for three or four crew to join him. Craig is a very capable skipper and nice guy.  Contact xxxxxxxxxxxx

ARC Rally Gibraltar – Canarias - St. Lucia Hylas 70. Details still coming in.

             Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

NARC Rally

Newport & Annapolis Boat Shows

Avocation Goes Hollywood

Opportunities

Brokerage Boat of the month Club # 1

Editorial – This is my favorite time of year as we concentrate on the fall season and the NARC Rally. There will be many offshore passage opportunities this fall and we want to help members secure an opportunity that is best for them. I will be in or near the office the next few weeks. We have a booth at the Newport Boat Show and all active members are invited to e-mail and ask for two free tickets. We will mail them to you a week before the show or we can leave them for you at the will call in Newport.

We are also adding a news service to OPO members that are looking for a boat or have a sea worthy boat to sell. Boat brokerage is a niche that I never wanted to get into, but saw a need for an advocate for OPO members wishing to buy or sell a boat. OPO member Frank McCarroll is now working at Willis Marine Center in Huntington NY. We plan to feature a boat of the month if we can find a noteworthy boat at press time. This month we have a great offshore boat that is not just offshore ready, but belongs to another OPO members. See below for details on this boat. If you are looking for a boat or plan to look for a boat in the next year or two please contact myself to introduce you to Frank or call him directly. My mom has been in real estate for 30 years. The best real estate deals go to real estate agents or their clients they know are looking for good deal and are ready to move. It is the same in the marine world. The best deals go to those that have a broker looking out for them, so they can contact you when a great deal comes up. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and someday have you join our rallies or call us for OPO crew. 

Avocation goes to Hollywood – (Or How the Mountain Came to Mohammad) –Recaps the madcap transformation from Avocation to”Beauty” for a German One-Hour TV Special, with your truly, as a paid extra. Enjoy the August Notice to OPO Marines

Avocation had a busy July – New OPO British Skipper Marcus Cholerton-Brown (Clipper skipper 2007/8) sailed Avocation back from Bermuda arriving July 2^nd. Within two weeks the bottom was painted, hull waxed and cabin sole varnished in time for the American Swan Regatta July 27^th to 31^st. As president of the American Swan Association I organized the first three days in Montauk NY and Block Island Rhode Island. We had 14 Swan participate and held functions at the Spring House on Block Island and “Cling Stone” the famous house on the rock south of the Newport Bridge. It went very well and we made many new Swan friends. This helps us get more passage opportunities for our members on Swans.

Just before the Swan Regatta on Thursday July 21^st, a crew of 35 German, actors, film crew and entourage descended upon Avocation to film a scene for a one Hour Special Show called “Dreamboat” in German. This year is the soaps 30^th anniversary. It is similar to our old Love Boat series, German Style. The plot of the scene is that two “stars” are marooned on the broken down sailboat missing a crucial part that has been lost overboard, they retrieve the part and they are saved by a passing ship. Avocation was renamed “Beauty” for the day, and there were sound people, camera crew, make-up crew and costume coordinators. They had a catering truck, grip people, prop people (you may recognize Avocations’ binoculars, swim fins, tool bag and other items from the film). It will show this Christmas Holiday season in German in Germany. If we can get a copy we will let you know and try and post it on the web site.

NARC Rally – Over the years the NARC Rally has become a focus and successful way to create and gather offshore passage opportunities for our members. There are several ways to get a berth. You can sign up aboard a Swan, you can join with your own boat (See new brokerage section) or you can volunteer to crew with someone else. We especially like to have each boat in the rally have at least one crew who has made the passage before in the fall. Many other experienced owners and skippers simply are looking for nice people to sail with them south. We will send the opportunities to you as they come in. The rally this year looks like it will be bigger than ever as we are getting good coverage from Cruising World Magazine, Blue Water Sailing Magazine, WindChek and others. Read about the Battle of the Rallies in future publications, we will alert you when they come out. Last Year the British Company “World Cruising Club” bought the Caribbean 1500 Rally. They use “Crew-Seekers” in the UK for their crew network. The NARC uses OPO. My goal is to have more boats than the Caribbean 1500 and make more opportunities for our members and try and offer our services to participants in other events and rallies as well.

Promote the Rally - If you know anyone planning to sail south to the Caribbean this fall, please tell them about the rally. The dates are to be in Newport Friday October 28^th, sail to Bermuda in the best weather window after Oct 30^th and fly home from St. Maarten after the final party November 19^th.  If you run into a skipper heading south on a sturday boat, have them contact us Phone 1-800-4-PASSAGe or give them the web site address http://www.sailopo.com/

This will help create more opportunities for other members.

Swan Opportunity NARC Rally – If you want to sign aboard a Swan in the NARC Rally, we have several sailing in the Swan Program this year.  It looks like one Swan 46 with Captain Murray Jacob, Avocation which I will skipper, A Swan 56 and perhaps a 62 and another 48. If you are interested in securing passage early and making plans at work and with the airlines soon, please give me a call. We have been getting a good response and a couple of the boats are near full so if you have a special request for a particular boat or skipper, please let me know soon.

Newport Boat Show – We will again have a booth for the Newport Boat Show. Ii is the only boat show we plan to attend with a booth this year. Whenever we have a booth at a show we can buy tickets at a discount and give them to our members. If you plan to attend the show we are offering two free tickets to any OPO member who has paid their annual dues and is active for the 2011/1012 OPO Season.  The boat show is September 15^th to 18^th. We will be there hawking the NARC Rally as well as OPO membership. The fall is the best time to tell boat owners how we can help them get free OPO crew. If you are planning to attend the show, please e-mail me and I will add you to the list. I will then mail you the tickets a week before the show or place them at the will call tent in Newport. Please let me know which you prefer.

Annapolis Boat Show – Last year we did not sail to the show and back, but this year we are offering OPO members the opportunity to sail to or from the Annapolis Boat Show and to stay aboard Avocation while at the show. No need to get a hotel or car.

We will depart Huntington NY on Monday morning October 3^rd and sail non-stop to Annapolis to arrive on Wednesday to be there for Opening Day Thursday Oct 4^th. We will depart Annapolis Saturday morning after seeing the show for two days. We will be back in New York on Monday morning October 10^th. The fee to sail one way and stay aboard until Friday is $1000 (5 Days) or from Friday to Monday (see the show Friday and stay aboard Friday Night and then 2 days sail back is $800 (for 4 days).  Stay with us the entire 8 days for $1600. The price includes captain, linen, fuel, and onboard food and dockage, but does not include a ticket to the show. Since we do not have a booth we cannot get a discount on tickets for the Annapolis Boat Show. If you are interested in joining me for the Annapolis Show please contact me soon before we publicize the opportunity to non members.

Winter Program – This is the time of year some people plan their winter sail get-a-ways. This year we plan to offer a couple of weeks sailing in the BVI and a couple of weeks heading down island to Dominica and some new points further south. Tentative dates are Two weeks in February and two weeks in April. The cost is $1500 per person per week, plus sharing consumables, but there is a discount to $1250 for OPO members signing up before Oct 15^th. If you have thoughts about sailing in the Caribbean this winter and want to sail on a Swan 48 with captain and perhaps Cathy, my 1^st mate, and join us on an individual charter sharing with other OPO members, please contact me for details. You can also book with family and non-OPO member friends.

Opportunities

Localized OPO Opportunity – OPO Gold Member Jxxxxxe xxxxxxxx sails out of the Solomon’s Maryland Area. He has a Crealock 37 Yawl and is looking for members to join him on weekend excursions. I have sailed many miles with Jxxxxxxe and he is a very nice guy and super competent sailor. I would sail with him anytime.  The season in the Chesapeake still has three months left. If interested please contact xxxxxxxx at  

Month of September

Paid Position – OPO member xxxxxxxxxxx has been skippering this summer out of the 79^th St. Basin in New York City. He needs a replacement skipper for the month of September. If you have a license and want to make $3000 filling in a few days a week on short sails on a Beneteau 33 call Thad at xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sept 2^nd

Northeast Harbor, ME to Rock Hall, MD----Boat Owner xxxxxx is looking for two crew to help sail his well equipped J/42, RAVEN, from Northeast Harbor, ME to Rock Hall, MD beginning on September 2nd (crew will need to be aboard on Sept 1^st).xxxxxx has gotten crew from OPO in the past and it has always worked out well. The trip will take 4-5 days. All on-board expenses will be covered. Note: xxxxxx is a non-smoking boat. Any interested OPO members should contact xxxxxx at xxxxxxx7218 or xxxxxx

 Newport, RI to Annapolis  Md. xxxxxxxxxx will be sailing her Sabre 402 from Newport, RI, back to Annapolis on Sunday morning, xxxxxxxxx  She would like one more crew member to join her and another very experienced blue water sailor on this trip.  She has made the trip before.  The trip should take 4-5 days.  They will be going outside, around Cape May and up the Delaware Bay.  Crew is responsible for their transportation to and from the boat.  Contact xxxxxxx by e-mail at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 September 6^th

Montauk to Huntington - OPO skipper xxxxxxxxx is looking for crew to make the trip from Montauk to Huntington NY aboard a Hylass 66. A truly luxurious ride. You will meet xxxxxxxxxx at the Huntington Yacht Club at 8:30AM on the 6^th by limo for the drive to Montauk; we will have a BBQ or grab some dinner at Montauk Yacht Club that night, then sleep aboard. Wed Sept 7^th we will depart early in the AM for HYC, should arrive around four PM and drive home. If interested in this free get-away contact xxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxx

 October 25^th to Nov 18^th

NARC Rally Crew – OPO member xxxxxxxxx bought a Beneteau 461 this summer. He has been aboard and getting her ready for the trip south this year in the NARC Rally. xxxxxxxxxxxhas been sailing out of Huntington NY and plans to be in Newport RI the week before the rally. He is looking for two experienced crew to help sail from Newport to Bermuda and then to the finish in St. Maarten. One or two more crew (Fosters experienced brother) will join in Bermuda for the 2^nd leg to St. Maarten. The trip is free but you need to get to and from the boat and pay your individual $150 NARC Rally fee. Foster will pay all boat expenses and onboard food for experienced help to join him in the rally this year. xxxxxxxxx would like to meet crew and maybe get a little sail in beforehand.  If interested please e-mail xxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxx

September till……….

Unique Opportunity – Sail a Swan 57 for the next several months – We met xxxxxxxxx at the Swan Rendezvous in July. He is Belgium and professional sailor who has completed a Whitbread Round the World race. He is taking a one year sabbatical with his family on a well refurbished Swan 57. She is a beautiful boat. You can learn more about xxxxxxxon his web site listed below. I will let him describe what he is looking for.

 “My wife xxxxxxxxxx 13, Jxxxxx 09, is planning to cruise on xxxxxxxxxx, Swan 57 from mid September to June. Sailing form JBY (Newport RI) to Florida, visiting as much as possible till end November, then Bahamas, Cuba, Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, etc) and back to JBY.

I am looking for young sailor (a girl if possible) who want to share a family experience till end November.

Sailing with us is going to improve our English speaking.

I would be in charge of the food, the delivery back home.

I have been racing and sailing as 3.000GT master since years, have a look on my website.

I would be pleased to teach motivated sailor during our trip”.

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Tania Aebi June Passage to Bermuda

Beneteau 50 – Summer Sailing Option

Opportunities

Local Opportunities

Editorial - It was a very busy spring season for OPO.  Many members went sailing this spring. Both St. Maarten and Bermuda were like a re-union weekend with lots of members showing up sailing on different boats. If you missed an opportunity or were not available to sail in the spring here are a few more opportunities. The spring migration season is almost over so the longer offshore passage opportunities pretty much end by the 1^st week in July. Hurricane season kicks in after that so most of the sailing opportunities will now be coastal deliveries moving boats to regattas or cruising destinations for owners who do not have the time to move their boats. The fall migration starts at the end of October.  We will keep you posted about the NARC Rally. Boat owners usually do not start looking for crew until October, but we will alert OPO members to sailing opportunities in the rally and will collect names of experienced crew who want to help new boats owners sail south in the fall.

New York – Bermuda – New York – Each June for the last three years we have offered a round-trip passage to Bermuda with a Celebrity Skipper. This year Tania Aebi will skipper Avocation from Huntington NY to Bermuda departing June 19^th and flying back June 26^th. A new crew will fly in June 26^th and sail the 700 miles back to Huntington sailing past Manhattan NY with Celebrity Skipper Marcus Cholerton-Brown. Marcus has worked for both the BT Challenge and was a Clipper Skipper for Robin Knox Johnson race around the world. He presently is the skipper for the 12 meter “America II” and living in Manhattan. He was our bowman for the Heineken regatta this year. Since I am busy in the office and planning the Swan Rendezvous this summer I need to stay home, but I will see the crew at the start and the finish of the trip. This is a rare opportunity to sail with either skipper.

We have one berth left to sail with Tania Aebi. Crew would plan to arrive in Huntington NY anytime Sat June 18^th for departure the 19^th. Plan to fly home from Bermuda June 26^th    or sign up for the round trip and sail with both skippers. For the return passage crew would fly into Bermuda June 26^th for departure the 27^th and we will be back in NY by Saturday July 2^nd or Sunday July 3^rd if you are flying home. The cost, including everything, is $1800 for the sail out with Tania and $1500 for the return passage. Please call or e-mail if you are interested. Cathy will be running things until I get back June 16^th. Well before departure.

Spend a week sailing the Northeast on a Benetau 50 – There are not many boats available to charter in the northeast because of the short season. OPO looks for and creates quality discounted opportunities for members to help fill in the slower months. We have an OPO member who is leaving his Benetau 50 in Huntington while he sails another boat trans-Atlantic this summer. If any qualified OPO member wants to charter the boat for a week, they can call me and we can talk more about where and when and how to make the hand-off.  If you do not have a group that wants to charter bareboat and you want to spend a week sailing Long Island Sound out to Block Island and Newport and back to Huntington NY we have picked a week in early July to offer individual cabins to one or two people. This is a 4 cabin layout Benetau 50 that has new sails and a lot of room below and on deck. The price is $1250 per person for a minimum of 5 people, or you can bare-boat for the week for $5500, plus boat expenses for the week. The dates are to sail from Sunday July 10^th to Sat July 16^th.  The skipper for the week will be OPO Skipper AJ Smith who is one of our Swan skippers. AJ has taught at both Colgate and J-World so this will be part instructional and part vacation week. We can add a week or change dates that best fit a group. We have the boat to use anytime this summer so call if you have other ideas. Please let us know if you are interested.

Opportunities

Hawaii to San Francisco CA – Boat owner xxxxxxxxx has gotten crew from us before and is looking for two crew to join him for his return passage from HI to the mainland. The boat is a well equipped Beneteau First 456. He plans to depart on or about August 1^st.  xxxxxxxx adds  

“I have circumnavigated, and have previously sailed with OPO crew on passage from Norfolk to the VI.  I arrived in Hawaii from Panama in April after a nice 29 day passage. Boat has all the cruising equipment, like dodger, autopilot, watermaker, AIS, radar, liferaft. I have 100 ton license and lots of offshore experience. Will leave from Kauai and trip should take 14-20 days.”

You should e-mailxxxxxxxif you are interested and finalize logistics if it seems like a good opportunity for both of you. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shore side meals. 14 days may be a bit optimistic. I would add at least a week if you are flying out of San Francisco. E-mail xxxxxxn at xxxxxxxxxx

Local sailing Opportunities – Here are three OPO members who have boats and would not mind of other OPO members e-mailed them about sailing this summer. Both members of the bigger boats also plan longer passages this summer and in the future. “Getting to know OPO members that have boats and offering to help with projects is a great way to get invited for longer opportunities. “It is easier to make new friends that know how t sail than it is to teach your friends how to sail.” I know all three OPO members listed below and would sail with them again anytime. If other OPO members wish to offer sailing opportunities to other members I will be happy to include them in the July 1^st Notice next month.

Narragansett Bay – OPO Member xxxxxxxhas a Toshiba 40 which is in the process of being equipped for offshore sailing.  Cliff sails locally in the Narragansett Bay out of Jamestown, RI.  Short sails would include going west into the Long Island Sound, going east to the Cape Cod Islands and so on. My email is xxxxxxxxxxx

Portsmouth RI – OPO member Joe Lumb has a 2006 Beneteau 423 located in Portsmouth RI just north of Newport. xxxxxxfrequently could use one or two extra hands for day sails and overnighters to Block Island, MV and Nantucket.  I may do a trip south to Annapolis as well and could use 1-2 crew. Contact Joe at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Brick NJ – OPO member xxxxxxxxxxx has a J-24 that is docked at Riverfront Marina in Brick NJ.  xxxxxxxxx day sails on the Metedeconk River and can get into Barnegat Bay at high tide.   She e-mails “Would love to have a few OPO members help me take her out.  Anyone that was interested could stay over on the boat, nice marina with clean new showers.  Please list my e-mail”. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Antigua Race Week

May 8th St. Maarten to New York

Opportunities

Editorial: As noted in OPO e-mail Notice # 11-18, I am back in the office for the next three weeks. This is my favorite time of the year because there are so many opportunities. Since I am back in the office I am happy to help anyone trying to get their first offshore passage or working to fit something into their schedule. Please e-mail or call.

How to best decide what is a good opportunity for you?  For to many of us we have to make it fit into a predetermined time frame and short notice opportunities or long passages are tough to fit into our present lifestyles. The other dilemma is finding the right boat or skipper. Luckily many of our opportunities are with pro skippers we know and trust or boat owners’ who have gotten crew from us before. If we do not know them we let you know in the notice and then you have to ask more questions or visit the boat and skipper before committing to a long passage. If in doubt, please call me. Likewise if you are having trouble getting aboard or have specific times where you can only get one week off at a time or only long weekends this summer, please feel free to call.

Swan BVI Roundup – The week went very well and we met several new Swan Boat Owners. We are encouraging all Swan owners to come to the American Swan Regatta that I am organizing this summer as part of my job as President of the American Swan Owners Association. We hope to have more Swans in the NARC Rally this fall and that many Swan owners will contact us for crew over the course of the year. I am sure you will all notice a rise in the amount of Swan opportunities over the next two years. OPO Gold Card members and experienced crew should benefit.

Antigua Sailing Week – We have a full crew for Antigua Sailing Week. We have a full cast of support boats and crew as well. Four boats in total. One chartered 46 foot Cat for the party boat plus two boats owned by OPO members to lend more accommodations for the weary crew. The pro race crew stays aboard Avocation. If you would like to come join the fun, simply call and I will let you know how you can get involved.  April 20^th to May 1^st.

St. Maarten to Bermuda to New York - 1500 offshore Miles – We have one more berth left for both legs for our annual passage from St. Maarten to NY aboard Avocation. Also unusual this year, we have two people signed up for just the first leg from St. Maarten to Bermuda. That means we also have two berths available for just the more challenging 2^nd leg from Bermuda to NY. If you only can get one week from work or want to try a good offshore leg that takes less than a week, this is a great opportunity I will be skippering the boat. This year's two week passage starts May 8th with crew arriving Saturday May 7th. We start in perfect trade wind conditions and sail 5 or 6 days to Bermuda. We usually spend two nights and one full day in Bermuda before making the next 4 to 5 day leg to NY arriving back by May 21^st. This is a great first time offshore sailing experienced as we start in warm weather and you get a few days in before we may run into some bigger weather. In the fall we depart in much colder and boisterous conditions. The cost for two weeks on a Swan 48 with me skippering is $2665 all inclusive except airfare. If you want to join us for just the 2^nd leg you would fly into Bermuda Sunday May 15^th for departure the next day and we will be home by Sunday May 22^nd. The cost for one leg is $1400 all inclusive except travel to and from the boat. Please call or e-mail me if interested.  

Bermuda Cruising Rally – Although this years rally has been cancelled for lack of early sign-ups, Avocation will be making the passage to and from Bermuda. For variety we may move the departure town to Montauk NY rather than Greenport NY. Or if it proves to be too hard, we may simply leave from Huntington. You can elect to sail to Montauk from Huntington with us or meet us in Montauk. We will help you with logistics. We will return to Huntington NY from Bermuda. The passage from NY to Bermuda and back is the perfect 1^st time offshore passage or best one week time framed passage for those with little vacation time. All you need is one week.   

No other sport lets amateurs sail with professional celebrities. This year once again Tania Aebi (See the book "Maiden Voyage" about her solo circumnavigation aboard a 26 foot boat starting at age 18) will be skippering Avocation on the outbound leg of the trip and I will be making the return passage. If you have a week off and want to tack on two weekend to join us, please let me know. The exact dates are:  Meet Avocation in NY Friday June 17^th for the sail to Montauk or join us in Montauk Sat June 18^th for departure the 19^th.  Crew change will be Sunday June 26^th with the outbound crew flying home on Sunday and the new crew arriving on Sunday for departure on Monday. We will be back in Huntington NY by Saturday night July 2^nd for travel home anytime Sunday July 3^rd. The cost is $1800 outbound and $1500 for the return passage all inclusive except airfare. We have two berths left for the passage to Bermuda with Tania and three berths left for the return passage with me.

Opportunities

April 25th

St. Thomas to Huntington NY – This is xxxxxxxxx annual passage from the USVI to Huntington NY aboard the Hylas 66 that he has been the captain of for the past few years. Nick plans to depart April 25^th so crew would arrive a day or two before. xxxxxxx plans a straight passage without any stops so it will take nine or ten days. The boat is a very nice big luxurious boat. xxxxxxxxxxx usually has a couple of experienced crew and can take one or two people on their first big offshore passage. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. If interested please contact xxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxxx 

May 15^th 2011

Hampton Virginia – Bermuda-Azores-Portugal – xxxxxxxxxowns a seaworthy Sigma 36. He is planning a long passage to Europe and has one very experienced skipper/friend who is also going. Many Caribbean 1500s and other passages behind them. He has owned the boat for 1 ½ years and she has been prepared for the passage. They plan to depart May 15^th. Martin is looking for one or two other crew. Perhaps one to make the first leg to Bermuda with them. The other crew to stay for the 2 months or so. They plan to spend 2 weeks in Bermuda and two weeks in the Azores so this is a pleasure cruise and not a forced march passage, but an adventure to be shared. The passage is free for the crew to Bermuda but you need to get to and from the boat. The person joining for two months should expect to help pitch in for groceries etc, but not the boat expenses. So the trip is free, you need to get to and from the boat, and you will help pay in a small larder fee. To learn more please e-mail xxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

June 19^th to July 4^th

New York to Bermuda and back – Boat owner xxxxxxxx was planning to sail to Bermuda in the Bermuda Cruising Rally this June. The event was postponed until next year, but Avocation and Joe are still planning to go. The boat is a 1985 Contest 36s. She has been continually upgraded- new roller furling, repowered 2 years ago. Recent  radar, GPS, VHF. xxxxxxx have full safety equipment on board. He can provide more details at your request.  He has one or two crew for each leg, but is looking for one or two other crew to join for a leg or the entire round-trip. The idea is to depart on the 19^th so crew would arrive a day or two before. The return leg will start about June 26^th or 27^th and be home July 4^th weekend.  The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. If interested, please send or e-mail resume to xxxxxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxx. 

Skipper needed for Summer Position – OPO Skipper xxxxxxxx is looking for someone to skipper a Beneteau 311 this summer out of the 79^th Street Basin with the owner and owners[‘ clients for short sails.  There is a retainer of $3200 a month for the right person. Tom e-mails: “You may remember that last year you posted a Captains position for me. This was to run a Beneteau 311 from 79th St. Boat Basin for the spring summer and fall. The retainer is 3200.00 per month and the licensed Captain would sail on one or two week day evening for 2 to 3 hours with the owner’s customers, there would be an occasional week end day. They should contact me for the client’s info and I will explain in more detail. Thanks, e-mail xxxxxx at”  xxxxxxxxxxxx

End of July early August 2011

Ensenada Mexico to San Francisco – xxxxxxxxxxxxowns a Swan 48 (Frers, newer model, just like Avocation) on the West Coast. He is making his annual passage to Mexico next month, but is looking for crew for the return passage at the end of July or early August and would like to speak with potential crew before he departs mid-May. This is a very experienced crew (xxxxxxxand his co-owner) and a great boat. xxxxxxxxx is looking for semi-experienced to experienced crew who do not get seasick to join them for the return passage. He plans to make stops in Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina and Channel Islands. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat, and have money for your own shore side expenses. If you would like more information please e-mail xxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxx 

Nov 2011

NARC Rally 2011 with long term plans to New Zealand -

xxxxxxxxxx own “xxxxxxxxxxx”, a F.C. Herreshoff Bounty 57 feet on deck.

They are planning to sail south in the NARC Rally next fall with us and then plan to through the Canal and sail all the way to New Zealand. They are looking for a couple that would like to join them. This is a beautiful boat and they will send you pictures. Dieter and Olga are in Australia until August, but the boat is in the States near Boston. If you would like to contact them and perhaps plan to meet and see the boat and plan ahead you can contact them at xxxxxxxxxxx

Offshore Passage Opportunities

Vol. 11 No.03                          March 2011    E-mail: offshorepassage@sprintmail.com

Hank Schmitt                      P.O. Box 2600 Halesite, NY 11743                        (631)-423-4988

1-800-4PASSAGe         Fax: 631-423-9009                                                    www.sailopo.com

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Antigua Race Week

May 8th St. Maarten to New York

Trans-At

BCR - Bermuda Cruising Rally

Opportunities

Editorial - Last month we e-mailed from the BVI. This week we are in St. Maarten getting ready for the Heineken Regatta. OPO crew are arriving today and we are getting the boat ready. We have a full crew of 13. This is our 7th Heineken Regatta in a row and they are getting to know us. In fact there is a newspaper article about us in the local paper coming out on March 3rd the opening day of the regatta. We still have room for Antigua Sailing Week (See below) so if you still want to sail in a Caribbean regatta this season you can. After the regatta we sail back to the BVI for the Swan Rendezvous where we smooze with other swan owners and chat them up about our services.

In fact the last four weeks we have been sailing around with OPO members and I always ask other boats where they are going and if they need crew. One funny thing about crew networking and getting the word out is that most sailors out there sailing do not read sailing magazines anymore and do not see out small classifieds in the back. True we have been in business since 1993 so many owners know about us, but by sailing around and getting to know them we get the word out. And you all thought I was just sailing around in the Caribbean to get out of the cold weather and snow up north.

Antigua Sailing Week - This will be our 6th year sailing in Antigua at the end of April (Easter Week this Year).  The regatta dates are from April 24th to the 29th. If you want you can fly into St. Maarten and sail back with us to extend your stay in the Caribbean at no extra cost. You would fly into St. Maarten April 20th and we would sail over to Antigua on the 21st or 22nd to be there the 23rd. We sail back the Saturday after the regatta so you could fly home late on Sunday or Monday... It is also easier and cheaper to fly to and from St. Maarten then to Antigua. Or if you have less time you can fly into and out of Antigua. The cost for the regatta is $2500 which included accommodation on a support boat as well as all dockage, entry fees etc. If you are interested please let me know and we will tell you how you can sign aboard. 

1500 Offshore Miles - Each year one week after Antigua we sail Avocation back. This year's two week passage starts May 8th with crew arriving Saturday May 7th. I will be your skipper.  We usually spend two nights and one full day in Bermuda before making the next 4 to 5 day leg to NY (Newport to clear customs if we have any non-US citizens aboard). This is a great first time offshore sailing experienced as we start in warm weather and you get a few days in before we may run into some bigger weather. In the fall we depart in much colder and boisterous conditions.  We are almost full and have room for one person to make the entire passage and we have one berth open from Bermuda to NY on the 2nd leg which would be a one week commitment. The cost all inclusive minus airfare is $2665. One leg is $1400.

Tortola to Newport on another Swan 48 - We have a 2nd older Swan 48 with a great professional skipper that we have added to our May passage opportunities north. The boat will depart from Tortola BVI the same weekend as Avocation May 8th and we will see you in Bermuda. The price is a little less for this two week opportunity and is $2500 all inclusive for the two weeks offshore. A great bargain. Let me know if you are interested and you can join the northern migration this season. The skipper is a great guy and has been a professional sailor for 25 years.

Transat Antigua to the UK - Pro UK skipper Dan Bower just e-mailed us that he is again looking for a couple of paying passengers to sail back from Antigua after Sailing Week to the UK. OPO members have made the passage the last two years. The boat is a well maintained Sky 51. Dan and I will meet this week and make final plans and we will let you know what the route and cost will be. The last two years it has been very reasonable so if you are looking for a Trans-at with a very competent skipper on a well maintained (if a bit older boat), you can let me know and I will let you know when we have the final details worked out.

Bermuda Cruising Rally - Another opportunity for folks who need to plan well ahead from work for an offshore passage is our annual sail to and from Bermuda in the 3rd week in June. No other sport lets amateurs sail with professional celebrities. This year once again Tania Aebi (See the book "Maiden Voyage" about her solo circumnavigation aboard a 26 foot boat starting at age 18) will be skippering Avocation on the outbound leg of the trip and I will most likely be making the return passage. If you have a week off and want to tack on two weekend to join us, please let me know. The cost is $1800 outbound and $1500 for the return passage all inclusive except airfare.

Opportunities - The busy spring delivery season is two months away and skippers are starting to think about their passage north and getting crew. Here are a few opportunities.

12 March 

Hollywood Florida to Barnegat NJ - OPO Skipper xxxxxxxxxxx is delivering a Passport 40 from Hollywood FL to Barnegat NJ leaving Florida on 12 March or as soon thereafter as weather permits. He is looking for two or three crew. The Passport 40 is a classic offshore boat that handles nicely and makes good speed.  The passage is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat.  xxxxxxxxxxx is heading out on short delivery Tuesday 1 March so response to e-mail may take

a day or so. If interested please an e-mail xxxxxxxxe with your interest and attach

your sailing resume (or give him your password to check out your OPO online resume) so he can sort through on Friday and get back to everyone quickly with selections. E-mail xxxxx at xxxxxxxxx 

Also short notice about mid month March - 

Key West to Southport NC - xxxxxxxjust e-mailed us yesterday with this and it is short notice. OPO member xxxxxxxxxhas bought a Morgan 46 ketch in south Florida. He is looking for two or three crew to join him and the previous owner for the delivery to his homeport. Brian needs experienced crew and mechanical skills would be a big plus. Brian is not a super confident skipper and we are only sending out this notice because the previous owner is making the passage. Brian e-mails "

 "She has all needed instrumentation including chart plotter and auto helm.  A/C, sleeps 7 comfortably inside.  Bimini and windshield of glass.  Loads of vents, and owner sent his mechanic out last week and cranked and ran the engines.  She has a large generator and it was run also.  I have a survey done within 3 yrs.  The guy I bought her from has a grandchild coming any day and will join us asap.  We hope to leave in about a week and a half and will follow the coast up the keys to either Miami or Lauderdale where he will meet us.  It will have all new 3's and 4's safety wise and it has an Avon 10 ft. dingy and electric blow up.  I know you have heard about my health over the last 2 years but I have been to a neuropathy diabetic expert and have improved immensely in the last month.  I have almost completely lost my balance problems and feel confident to do this with the right help.  I would love to have someone with engine skills as that is a weakness for me but again the owner will be joining us soon.  He is only selling because he had a surprise baby and having and 2 grandchildren, one delivered and one on the way any day and wants to be there for that.   He is hoping the 2nd comes very soon and wants to be there for that and then join us afterward."    This delivery will be an adventure and you will want to leave extra time as this is a newly purchased older boat. Brian does need competent help and this is not an opportunity for newer offshore sailors. You should call Brian and ask questions and know that you will be helping out a new boat owner on an old boat.  The passage is also free with onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. Brian Wright e-mail xxxxxxxxxxx home phone is xxxxxxxand cell is xxxxxx  

About May 1st

St. Maarten to Newport RI - Long time OPO member and very capable skipper Pxxxxxxxxxxxxe xxxxxxpassages together and he was the only American entrant in last year's single handed transat in the OSTAR from the UK to Newport. xxxxxxxxr sailed south in the NARC Rally last year. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. New OPO members should read between the lines and see how this opportunity's description differs from the previous one. Pxxxxxxx is in St. Maarten now and you can e-mail him at xxxxxxxxxcom

Melbourne FL to Maine in two passages. I think owner xxxxxxxe-mailed me that the first trip is full, but stills needs crew for the 2nd leg, but you can e-mail and verify. xxxxxxxxe-mailed us a couple of weeks ago and we were holding off sending the notice until March 1st.

I'm looking for 4-5 crew to sail north from Melbourne, FL (leaving about April 18) to mid-Chesapeake Bay (arrive 7-12 days later depending on weather). I also am looking for crew to accompany me from the Potomac mouth (Callao, VA) to Belfast, ME in late June. DOVE II is in very good to excellent condition - I did a major refit 2006-07 and have since put a lot of ongoing effort into keeping her up since. In 2008 and 2009, she weathered 2 full gales off the Carolinas quite well.  At this point, I've sailed her about 7,000 miles. She's a surprisingly easy and intuitive boat to sail (but can require athleticism).  I'd be happy to chat with you when the time is right for you-- cell xxxxxxxxxxx  

xxxxxxx is a custom design by Ted Brewer based on the 1875 schooner DOVE that Howard Chappelle spent several pages on in American Fishing Schooners.  Penobscot Boat Works built her 1975-76, strip-planked and glassed, otherwise constructed much like a carvel planked boat. She has the original Westerbeke 4-154 with 2400 hrs., Raymarine E80, ST-60 wind and depth, VHF Radio (I haven't installed the SSB ICOM PRO-700 and auto-tuner I bought last year). She sleeps 8. Nearly all berths are sea-berths.

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA => CHESAPEAKE BAY/POTOMAC on 63' LOA gaff rig schooner xxxxxxx Arrive at schooner April 19-20, leave Melbourne April 21-22 and arrive Callao, VA 8-12 days later (weather depending). I would like 3-4 crew, male or female, with some coastal sailing experience preferred. On board provisions included.  I may be able to help with transport to/from airports on both ends-Orlando Int'l or Melbourne airport, and Richmond or Dulles/Reagan. See the DOVE II web site www.schoonerdove2.com  Reply to xxxxx by phone xxxxxxxor e-mail mike@schoonerdove2.com 

CHESAPEAKE BAY, VIRGINIA => PENOBSCOT BAY, MAINE on 63' LOA gaff rig schooner xxxxxxx  Arrive at schooner June 21-22, leave Callao, VA June 23-24 and arrive Belfast, Maine 8-12 days later (weather depending). I would like 3-4, male or female, with some coastal sailing experience preferred for this fun trip north with usual following wind. On board provisions included. I may be able to help with transport to/from Richmond or Dulles/Reagan, and public transport is and public transport is available in Maine to Bangor, Portland and Boston airports. See the xxxxxx web site www.xxxxxxx  Reply to Capt.xxxxxxxx by phone xxxxxxxxxxxx or e-mail xxxxxxxxxx

Offshore Passage Opportunities

Vol. 11 No.02                       February 2011   E-mail: offshorepassage@sprintmail.com

Hank Schmitt                      P.O. Box 2600 Halesite, NY 11743                        (631)-423-4988

1-800-4PASSAGe         Fax: 631-423-9009                                                    www.sailopo.com

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

SOA Swan Association of America

Antigua Race Week

May 8th St. Maarten to New York

Opportunities

Editorial - Hello from the BVI's. This month 14 OPO members and friends are joining me aboard Avocation for a break from the winter. Who would have predicted when they signed aboard that this winter would be one of the worst in years. Just this morning at the grocery store in Spanishtown Virgin Gorda, while purchasing bags of ice, we would hear about another ice storm heading across the US. If you still want to join us and get away we have a few openings for Antigua sailing Week (see below) and our annual sail north this May. If you do not have two weeks you can join Avocation in the Bermuda Cruising Rally this June from Greenport to Bermuda or the leg back. Once again Tania Aebi will be skippering the boat to Bermuda and I will be making the return passage. All you need is one week.

SOA - As of January 1st I am President of the American Swan Association for the next two years. Our main event is the summer Rendezvous this July 27th to 31st. I have put my stamp on the American Swan Rendezvous held once every two years by starting in Montauk NY where we are adding a day for Deep Sea Fishing, a round of Golf or horseback riding on the beach. Thursday we will race to Block Island for a dinner at the Spring House and finish up the weekend in Newport with the awards party at Clingstone, the famous house on the rock in Newport RI.

You may be asking yourself what does this have to do with OPO members? Already OPO is featured on the Swan Owners web site www.swanowners.com offering Swan owners and their skippers the free use of our OPO crew network. Many of you know that we have been working hard to get Swan Owners to call us to deliver their boats' and get crew. Last fall we even had a crew sail south on a Swan 100. These are free opportunities. As President of the Association and a paying sponsor yet again we will be finding more free opportunities for our members. For the regatta this summer we are offering owners OPO crew to get their boats to and from the Swan Rendezvous to help increase participation in the regatta. What better boats to have OPO associated with than the Swan Owners Association and passages aboard Swans.

Antigua Sailing Week - This will be our 6th year sailing in Antigua at the end of April (Easter Week this Year). We are already full for Heineken in early March, but you can still join us for Antigua Sailing Week. If you want you can fly into St. Maarten and sail back with us to extend your stay in the Caribbean at no extra cost. It is also easier and cheaper to fly to and from St. Maarten then to Antigua. If you are interested please let me know and we will tell you how you can sign aboard. This is the 3rd year since they lost their major sponsor and they have been working very hard to tweak the event and this year promises to be a great event with some new changes. This from our good friend Paul who is in charge of race results who we just saw the other day at the Budget Marine Party in St. Maarten this past Saturday. We are half full for the regatta but still have 4 or 5 slots left. Antigua offers the most race days of any of the Caribbean Regattas.

1500 offshore Miles - Each year one week after Antigua we sail Avocation back. This year's two week passage starts May 8th with crew arriving Saturday May 7th. We start in perfect trade wind conditions and sail 5 or 6 days to Bermuda. We usually spend two nights and one full day in Bermuda before making the next 4 to 5 day leg to NY (Newport to clear customs if we have any non-US citizens aboard. This is a great first time offshore sailing experienced as we start in warm weather and you get a few days in before we may run into some bigger weather. In the fall we depart in much colder and boisterous conditions. We are half full for the return passage so please let us know if you are interested in signing aboard for this sail with me aboard a great boat.

Bermuda Cruising Rally - Another opportunity for folks who need to plan well ahead from work for an offshore passage is our annual sail to and from Bermuda in the 3rd week in June. No other sport lets amateurs sail with professional celebrities. This year once again Tania Aebi (See the book "Maiden Voyage" about her solo circumnavigation aboard a 26 foot boat starting at age 18) will be skippering Avocation on the outbound leg of the trip and I will most likely be making the return passage. If you have a week off and want to tack on two weekend to join us, please let me know. The cost is $1800 outbound and $1500 for the return passage all inclusive except airfare.

Opportunities - Not many people start looking for crew several months in advance. The spring passage season does not start for another three months. If you want to make sure you have a quality offshore passage in the bank think about joining us in one of the above opportunities aboard a great boat.

    Notice to OPO Mariners-Early

Holiday Issue – Last months Notice started out with a cancelled delivery. This month we are sending it out early since another delivery popped up and I will be at sea January 1^st. December 26^th I am heading out on a delivery. The one OPO crew on the last cancelled delivery was able to clear his schedule to make this passage. Another OPO crew made the return passage on this same Swan 47 last year so that was an easy decision to take him along, which left only one open berth for the 1^st OPO member to contact me.

It is good I got my holiday shopping done early and the winter renovation house project done so I was able to say yes to this delivery on short notice. I will be in the office most of this week until the 26^th at noon before being unplugged for a couple of weeks, so do call or e-mail if you have any questions about sailing with us this winter and see what the costs are.  Of course Cathy will be checking the telephones and e-mail while I am gone, but I am home this week if you want to join us next month or in early Feb for a few day get-a-way.

I will be back January 8^th for a couple of weeks before flying down to St. Maarten for several weeks. If you have had enough of the cold already and would like to plan a week sail with us, I just booked a flight from NY to St. Maarten for under $200. If you want to join us in the BVI check out airfares to St. Thomas and meet us in Tortola.

We have two berths (or the aft cabin for a couple) left for the week of Jan 27^th to Feb 5^th (actually 8 full days) and we have three berths left (Including the aft cabin for a couple) for the 2^nd week Feb 5^th to the 12^th Call or e-mail before I leave the office at noon December 26^th and we can finalize plans before I leave for 12 days.  

This may be the last year we have Avocation in the Caribbean for the Winter offering the very low price of $1250 for a week on a captained Swan 48. Plus we get to meet and sail together and help map out your plans for your future in sailing. I will be in or near the office from now until noon December 26^th and then not back until Jan 8^th so I would like to hear from you this week if you would like to try and make plans to join us this winter.

1^st Option – Fly into St. Maarten on Friday January 28^th and move aboard the boat. We will depart on Saturday afternoon for the overnight sail to the BVI. We will spend the week in the BVI and you will fly home on Saturday Feb 5^th.

2) Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 5^th and spend the week sailing in the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 12^th.  

Race Schedule

We are participating in three events this year. We are already full for the Heineken Regatta and have berths left for the 2^nd Annual Voiles de Saint-Barth and Antigua Sailing Week.

Heineken Regatta - Full

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Friday April 1st or into St. Barth’s Saturday April 2^nd. Sunday we will practice and the regatta starts on Monday and runs through April 9^th. You can fly home from St. Barth’s or sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th.  

Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th. This is Easter Week this year. Crew could fly into St. Maarten April 20^th or early the 21^st to depart at 5:00 pm for the sail to Antigua. Other crew would fly in on Friday into Antigua and we would have a practice day on Saturday. This is a full week of racing and you could fly home from Antigua on Saturday April 30^th or sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from there on Sunday late afternoon or on Monday or Tuesday.

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

NARC Rally

Winter Season

NARC Rally Recap – We have posted unedited e-mail reports from some of the participants from this years NARC Rally.

Editorial – For most of us December is stay at home month. Boats are already put away or are delivered to where they are going to be for the winter so the delivery season slows down to almost a stop. In fact my December delivery from NC to the BVI was cancelled this week so I will be in the office this month. Besides working on the “honey-do” list (knock down a wall and vault a ceiling) to collect points to be away this winter, we work on bigger plans to create and look for more offshore passage opportunities for you for next year. The short list is includes, Presidency of the Swan Owners Group, collaboration on the NARC Rally and working towards charter fleet delivery options. However what we have the most control over is our winter Swan Program which I will highlight open dates for you below. We make it very inexpensive (in comparison to chartering a boat) to encourage members to come sail with us and meet us so we can help you with future free opportunities on deliveries or with private boat owners. The cost of only $1250pp per week (plus shared operating expenses) on a Swan in the Caribbean is a bargain. Other options are Caribbean Big Boat Racing for about $2500pp per regatta which included accommodations off the boat. Have a good month getting ready for the holiday season, but if you wish to have something to look towards after Santa’s visit, sign up for a week in the Caribbean with us aboard Avocation, our OPO Swan 48.

Winter Sailing Season

If you would like to sail with me aboard Avocation this winter we are planning a full winter in the islands starting at the end of January.  Two weeks have already filled up so we have added one week and have some space on the other week.  Here are some options for you to join us by yourself or with a non-OPO friend or friends. The first couples that call for either week get the aft owners cabin at no extra charge. The first week offers some offshore sailing and an extra day as you will fly into St. Maarten on Friday January 28^th and we will sail to the BVI on Saturday where we will sail for a week and you would fly home on Saturday Feb 5^th.

The price is only $1250 for the week to be on a captained Swan 48, plus we split the expendables for the week among the crew. This is about $125 to $150 dollars at the end of the week. The price includes bedding and fuel. Crew chip in for onboard food for the week, plus dockage which is about $25 to $35 for a mooring and about $80 for dockage. We usually spend half the time on a mooring (or at anchor which is free) and every other night dockside to take real showers. Most nights we eat ashore and have breakfast and lunch aboard the boat. We also have snorkel gear for 4 or 5 people.

1^st Option – Fly into St. Maarten on Friday January 28^th and move aboard the boat. We will depart on Saturday afternoon for the overnight sail to the BVI. We will spend the week in the BVI and you will fly home on Saturday Feb 5^th.

2) Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 5^th and spend the week sailing in the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 12^th.   

The other two weeks have already filled up.

Race Schedule:

We are participating in three events this year. We are already full for the Heineken Regatta and have three berths left for the 2^nd Annual Voiles de Saint-Barth. The last and longest regatta of the winter is also the longest running. We have plenty of room for Antigua Sailing Week so if you want to join us for a regatta this winter; this is a great regatta to join us.  Last year we were the best Swan to finish and also the best crewed yacht.

Heineken Regatta - Full

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Friday April 1st or into St. Barth’s Saturday April 2^nd. Sunday we will practice and the regatta starts on Monday and runs through April 9^th. You can fly home from St. Barth’s or sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th. There are only three berths left.

Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th. This is Easter Week this year. Crew could fly into St. Maarten April 20^th or early the 21^st to depart at 5:00 pm for the sail to Antigua. Other crew would fly in on Friday into Antigua and we would have a practice day on Saturday. This is a full week of racing and you could fly home from Antigua on Saturday April 30^th or sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from there on Sunday late afternoon or on Monday or Tuesday.

The St. Barth’s regatta is new and reported to be a great 1^st regatta last year. They only had 28 boats last year, but the racing and parties were supposedly great. We have invited a reporter from Sail magazine to sail with us for this new regatta we most likely there will be an article about this regatta in a future issue of Sail magazine.

Antigua Sailing Week is the oldest and in many ways the best regatta of the season. It has the most races and a great lay day in the middle of the week to recoup and explore. Add the sail over from St. Maarten and back and you have two to four extra days in the Caribbean for no extra costs.

To reserve a berth in any charter week or for either regatta you only need to place a $500 deposit now and the balance is not due until 45 days before the event.

NARC Round Up – We asked all the skippers for a Rally report since the rally was scattered this year because of winter storms between Oct 31^st and the middle of November. We had a six day wait in Newport before departure and some boats waited even longer. A couple of boats that snuck out early had a week long wait in Bermuda. Here are reports from boats that left early, left 6 days late and two weeks late (and one boat that did not make it to the start at all). Whenever they left all the boats had a quick passage south and except for the boat that had trouble before she made it to Newport, all the boats had a quick safe passage.

This Notice to OPO Mariners is being initiated in Newport before the start of the NARC Rally which departs as soon as we get the ok from the weather router.

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

NARC Rally

Winter Season

Opportunities

Editorial – Every November since 1998 I have made the passage between Newport and St. Marten. 11 years in the NARC Rally which we started in 2000 and seven years moving the Swan charter fleet to Anse Marcel, Sint Martin. This year we depart tomorrow and I am sending this from Newport. Thirty-One of the 70 crew are OPO members either sailing on a Swan or one of the other privately owned boats. If you want to sail with us this winter or back next May from St. Marten to New York, please let me know so I can let you know how you can sign aboard. There are dates below.

As you all know there have been a lot of good offshore passage opportunities that last few weeks. Cathy will continue to send out notices while I am at sea and I can check in from Bermuda and St. Maarten when I get there. I will be back in the office November 19^th and around for the first part of the winter and the holidays.  

Winter Sailing Season

 If you would like to sail with me aboard Avocation this winter we are planning a full winter in the islands starting at the end of January. We have three weeks in February and then three Caribbean Regattas.  Here are some options for you to join us by yourself or with a non-OPO friend. One member has already put together a full crew and will be sailing with me the last of the three weeks. Here are some dates to look at and flight arrangements to check if you want to join me for a week. The price is only $1250 for the week to be on a captained Swan 48, plus we split the expendables for the week among the crew. This is about $150 dollars at the end of the week.

1) Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 5^th and spend the week cruising the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 12^th. Three berths left.

2) Feb 12^th to 19^th.  Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 12^th and spend the week cruising the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 19^th.  One Berths left.

Full - Feb 19^th to Feb 27^th. One OPO member is sailing from the BVI to Dominica and back to St. Maarten with a group of friends.

Race Schedule:

As mentioned in the Sept 1^st “Notice to OPO Mariners” we are participating in three events this year. We are already full for the Heineken Regatta and have three berths left for the 2^nd Annual Voiles de Saint-Barth. The last and longest regatta of the winter is also the longest running. We have plenty of room for Antigua Sailing Week so if you want to join us for a regatta this Winter, this is a very good one to join us.  

Heineken Regatta is from March 3^rd to 6^th so OPO crew arrive in St. Maarten Monday Feb 28^th and fly home Monday March 7^th. Full

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Sat April 2^nd or into St. Barth’s Sunday April 3^rd for the week regatta and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th. Three Berths left.

Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th. Crew could fly into St. Maarten or Antigua. Most berths open.

Book Release

OPO member Eric Best just published a sailing book. He sent us the following link.

Eric suggested you like Into My Father's Wake by Eric Best.

Eric says, "I have just published my book "Into My Father's Wake." Please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/9da701ExXqF1cJNztfYltYbfb7g;www.intomyfatherswake.com and do whatever comes naturally. Deeply appreciated if you send on to sailors and friends contemplating life changes.".

Opportunities

The opportunities have been going out as they come in as this time of year no skippers or boat owners want to wait until the end of the month to post their notice. I expect about another month of crew opportunities as they even the latest boats get going by the first week in December.

Bermuda to St. Thomas - Owner and skipper xxxxxxxxx, of the Pearson 53 xxxxxxx made it to Bermuda this week. We are waiting in Newport for a weather Window and he is waiting in Bermuda and may be as long as a week. He sent this e-mail and is looking for one or two crew to fly into Bermuda in a few days to a week and join hi for the passage south. This is the e-mail he sent to us today and if you are interested in joining him this is a great boat and a good skipper.

Rick e-mails us: xxxxxxxxx

“A bumpy, upwind slog to Bermuda, but here we are.  The passage was basically 100hrs close hauled, stb tack at 15 - 30 degrees heel (even Christian's heeling addiction would have been more than satisfied).
 
Finally, S. of 33 30N we were able to tack over as wind went SSE, then ESE, and finish last 80 miles or so close hauled on port!  But Sea Witch great ocean boat, and sailing enclosed center cockpit a new and delightful experience.
 
Now stuck in port even though local wx very nice, there's the ominous Senor Tomas out there, with forecasted path right across our intended course.  All the south bound boats here have  the same info and no one is moving til a real wx window opens.  C. has joined me and we have no choice but relax!!
 
Only problem: we lose crew on Mon. and are left with just two of us for the ride down to St. Thomas.
 
Anyone looking for a little sunshine, salt air and adventure??
 
  

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Annapolis Boat Show

NARC Rally

Offshore Seminar

Winter Season

Opportunities

Editorial -

Annapolis Boat Show – For the last several years we have sailed to the Annapolis Boat Show aboard Avocation and offered berths to OPO members for the sail to and from the show. This year we are having some varnish work done below and she is not ready to make the passage. Therefore I will be driving to the show early Friday Oct 8^th and will be at the Show on Friday and Saturday.  Saturday Night OPO Member Ric has offered his tiki bar, Steel Band, and backyard to an OPO Gathering. It will start after the show in Saturday and the band has to stop at 9:00 pm because of neighbors. I have directions to the party that I can give to you at the show or I can e-mail you his address. I do not want to publish his address in the newsletter. If you are going to the show and are interested in joining us please e-mail me and I will send you the address and detalsl for the OPO party in Annapolis. His house is 13 miles and 17 minutes away according to Mapquest.

Since we do not have a booth at the show, I am not able to buy tickets at a discount and offer them to OPO members. Sorry about that. I will be walking around the show and attending some of the free seminars. Friday night I am attending a retirement party for Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts and of course Saturday is our party.  If you are attending the show we want to have the opportunity to meet with members. If you are not free Saturday Night, but will be at the show either Friday or Saturday, lets plan on meeting at between 5 & 6 pm on the upper deck of the Marriot Hotel up the stairs from the Pusser’s Rum booth and outside the main seminar rooms. This is a departure from years past when we met for lunch. This year we can meet at the end of the show and on Saturday plan to give a ride and caravan to Ric’s Place for the OPO Party. My cell numer is 631-848-3112 if you need to find me in Annapolis. Most times I do not have my cell with me when I am in the office, but on the road feel free to call anytime.

NARC Rally- All OPO members are invited to the start of the NARC Rally. Even if you are not going this is a good excuse to visit Newport and see us off. On Friday October 29^th we are hosting our 1^st Offshore Seminar for NARC participants and those interested in offshore sailing. The seminar is being run by David Lyman who made the passage last year. He is giving a similar seminar for Ocean Navigator the week before in Maine. The seminar is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Seaman’s Church Institute in Newport. The price for OPO members is reduced from $195 to only $95 ($149 per couple) and included lunch and course material (One set for a couple). On Saturday you can see Newpoprt and the fleet getting ready to depart the next day weather permitting. Saturday Night you can join our NARC Rally party across the street at Benjamin’s. Dinner is $25 per person and you can pay at the door. Newport will be busy as this is Holloween Nigth in town. I am including a flyer on the event so you can decide if you wish to join us. If you do please e-mail us and we will tell you more about the seminar and how you can sign up.

For those still looking for a berth aboard. We have about 20 boats signed up for the rally. We expect to sign up another 10 or 15 boats. Some will need crew and other skippers already signed up may have crew drop out. In this notice there are berths for two crew on the 2^nd leg. In years past there was usually need of one or two crew on short notice in Newport so if you are ready on short notice you should let me know so I can call you on Friday or Saturday to get you to Newport for the departure. Also if we have a weather delay of two or three days or more some of the boats may loose crew and may be looking for crew.

If you want to make sure you are sailing in the fleet this year we may have some room in the Swan Program

Winter Sailing Season

 If you would like to sail with me aboard Avocaton this Winter we are planning a full winter in the islands starting at the end of January. We have 4 weeks in February and then three Caribbean Regattas.  Here are some options for you to join us by yourself or with a non-OPO friend. One member has already put together a ful crew and will be sailing with me the last of the 4 weeks. Here are some dates to look at and fliught arrangements to check if you want to join me for a week. The price is only $1250 for the week to be on a captained Swan 48. plus we split the expendables for the week among the crew. This is about $150 dollars at the end of the week.

1) Fly to St. Maarten Friday Jan 28^th and sail overnight to the BVI on Saturday. Spend the week cruising the BVI and fly home on Saturday Feb 5^th.

2) Fly into Beef Island Trotla and arrive on Saturday Feb 5^th and spend the week cruising the BVI.and plan to fly home Feb 12^th.

3) Feb 12^th to 19^th. It looks like we have an OPO member coming with two friends so may have two more berths open for this week.

Full - Feb 19^th to Feb 27^th. One OPO member is sailing from the BVI to Dominica and back to St. Maarten with a group of friends.

Race Schedule:

As mentioned in the Sept 1^st “Notice to OPO Mariners” we are participating in three events this year. We may have a returning group from Antigua last year who say they  have a core group of eight crew for each regatta. We will know in the next couple of weeks. We already have two crew signed up for Heineken and one each for the other regattas so we may have limited room for OPO members. (Only two berths for Heineken and three for St. Barths and Antigua). If you are planning on joining us for a regatta this winter (See the schedule below), please let me know this month. We are not collecting deposits yet, but if eight berths are spoken for this month you will want to be on our short list for the four open berths.  

Heineken Regatta is from March 3^rd to 6^th so OPO crew arrive in St. Maarten Monday Feb 28^th and fly home Monday March 7^th.

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Sat April 2^nd or into St. Barth’s Sunday April 3^rd for the week regatta and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th.

Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th. Crew could fly into St. Maarten or Antigua.

Opportunities

Oct 26^th

Huntington to Cocoa Bch, Fl – OPO members and long time friend xxxxxxx is planning his trip south this year. He is splitting up the trip into three legs and you can join him for all or legs of the trip south. 1. NY to Norfolk, 2.Norfolk to Charleston,S.C.3.Charleston to Cocoa  He plans to depart from Huntington abut October 26^th The boat is a C 7 C 42xxxx has owned many boats over the years and has made this trip several times before. The trip is free, but you need to get to and from the boat and chip in for your share of provisions. To learn more about his itinerary and see about joining him for a leg of the trip that might be in your area please contact Bob at  xxxxxxxxx or call xxxxxxx  
 

Nov 8^th to Nov 19^th

NARC Rally 2^nd leg – Boat owner and professional mariner xxxxxxxxi s looking for two crew to join him in Bermuda for the 2^nd leg down to St. Maarten. The boat is a Bristol 47. Her is more information from Jon about the boat.  The 2^nd leg is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat.  If interested please contact xxxxxx  at   xxxxxxxxx @hotmail.com “ i have 4 crew including myself that are sailing to Bermuda ,then those 3 fly home. i have 1 crew  flying into Bermuda, to sail onto St.Maarten.i would like to get 2 more crew if possible to sail from Bermuda-StMaarten,to make a total of 4 crew. any crew i get can olso stay till the 19th.the boat is 1989.every system has been gone through since owning the boat in 2005.this year all running and standing rigging was replaced, as was all chainplates removed and inspected. in 2005 the boat sailed to Fla. then to the Exumas. 2006 boat sailed in the carib 1500. 2009 sail from usvi-new Bedford via Bermuda now its time to head south again. if you want to add an age to my profile for crew I am 45

This Notice to OPO Mariners is being initiated in Newport before the start of the NARC Rally which departs as soon as we get the ok from the weather router.

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

NARC Rally

Winter Season

Opportunities

Editorial – Every November since 1998 I have made the passage between Newport and St. Marten. 11 years in the NARC Rally which we started in 2000 and seven years moving the Swan charter fleet to Anse Marcel, Sint Martin. This year we depart tomorrow and I am sending this from Newport. Thirty-One of the 70 crew are OPO members either sailing on a Swan or one of the other privately owned boats. If you want to sail with us this winter or back next May from St. Marten to New York, please let me know so I can let you know how you can sign aboard. There are dates below.

As you all know there have been a lot of good offshore passage opportunities that last few weeks. Cathy will continue to send out notices while I am at sea and I can check in from Bermuda and St. Maarten when I get there. I will be back in the office November 19^th and around for the first part of the winter and the holidays.  

Winter Sailing Season

 If you would like to sail with me aboard Avocation this winter we are planning a full winter in the islands starting at the end of January. We have three weeks in February and then three Caribbean Regattas.  Here are some options for you to join us by yourself or with a non-OPO friend. One member has already put together a full crew and will be sailing with me the last of the three weeks. Here are some dates to look at and flight arrangements to check if you want to join me for a week. The price is only $1250 for the week to be on a captained Swan 48, plus we split the expendables for the week among the crew. This is about $150 dollars at the end of the week.

1) Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 5^th and spend the week cruising the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 12^th. Three berths left.

2) Feb 12^th to 19^th.  Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 12^th and spend the week cruising the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 19^th.  One Berths left.

Full - Feb 19^th to Feb 27^th. One OPO member is sailing from the BVI to Dominica and back to St. Maarten with a group of friends.

Race Schedule:

As mentioned in the Sept 1^st “Notice to OPO Mariners” we are participating in three events this year. We are already full for the Heineken Regatta and have three berths left for the 2^nd Annual Voiles de Saint-Barth. The last and longest regatta of the winter is also the longest running. We have plenty of room for Antigua Sailing Week so if you want to join us for a regatta this Winter, this is a very good one to join us.  

Heineken Regatta is from March 3^rd to 6^th so OPO crew arrive in St. Maarten Monday Feb 28^th and fly home Monday March 7^th. Full

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Sat April 2^nd or into St. Barth’s Sunday April 3^rd for the week regatta and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th. Three Berths left.

Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th. Crew could fly into St. Maarten or Antigua. Most berths open.

Book Release

OPO member Eric Best just published a sailing book. He sent us the following link.

Eric suggested you like Into My Father's Wake by Eric Best.

Eric says, "I have just published my book "Into My Father's Wake." Please visit http://www.facebook.com/l/9da701ExXqF1cJNztfYltYbfb7g;www.intomyfatherswake.com and do whatever comes naturally. Deeply appreciated if you send on to sailors and friends contemplating life changes.".

Opportunities

The opportunities have been going out as they come in as this time of year no skippers or boat owners want to wait until the end of the month to post their notice. I expect about another month of crew opportunities as they even the latest boats get going by the first week in December.

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

OPO Web site

Annapolis Boat Show

NARC Rally

Winter Season

Opportunities

Editorial – Hi all active OPO members and welcome to the fall season. I will be in our near the office planning the NARC Rally and other passages south for you. If by the end of the month you have not found a berth, please let me know and we will see how we may be able to help you. Between now and then there will be more opportunities and most everyone should have found a berth aboard. Many members are already committed to a passage and there are less active members starting with the Oct 1^st Notice.

We do not simply wait for opportunities to find us. We actively look for and offshore passage opportunities for our members. We have been expanding our relationship with the Seven Seas Cruising Association by attending and exhibiting at their Gam in Edgewater MD last week. We have been meeting and networking with a few more delivery skippers as well us bringing a couple of new skippers up through or into the OPO ranks. We are hatching plans to look into helping move some charter boats about next year. Most promising is the, still un-announced, but soon to be public, news that I will be taking over as President of the American Swan Association. All our efforts lead to more free quality sailing opportunities for our members. I look forward to a very good year. Hope to see you in Newport or the Caribbean this season.

OPO Web Site – We have had a web site since January 1996. It has gone through three re-incarnations and one year was picked as for the Forbes list of best Marine Web Sites. Our latest tech Guru (Lee) has added a new video to the home page about our Caribbean sailing. He is also charging me a fortune to make the site 100% secure for our online store. If you have not been to the web site in a while check out the new video. In December we will have time to work on more improvements to the site and maybe add helpful products to the online store. We also want to get the photo sharing section working well.

Annapolis Boat Show – For the last several years we have sailed to the Annapolis Boat Show aboard Avocation and offered berths to OPO members for the sail to and from the show. This year we are having some varnish work done below and she is not ready to make the passage. Therefore I will be driving to the show early Friday Oct 8^th and will be at the Show on Friday and Saturday.  Saturday Night OPO Member Ric has offered his tiki bar, Steel Band, and backyard to an OPO Gathering. It will start after the show in Saturday and the band has to stop at 9:00 pm because of neighbors. I have directions to the party that I can give to you at the show or I can e-mail you his address. I do not want to publish his address in the newsletter. If you are going to the show and are interested in joining us please e-mail I and I will send you the address and details for the OPO party in Annapolis. His house is 13 miles and 17 minutes away according to MapQuest.

Since we do not have a booth at the show, I am not able to buy tickets at a discount and offer them to OPO members. Sorry about that. I will be walking around the show and attending some of the free seminars. Friday night I am attending a retirement party for Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts and of course Saturday is our party.  If you are attending the show we want to have the opportunity to meet with members. If you are not free Saturday Night, but will be at the show either Friday or Saturday, lets plan on meeting at between 5 & 6 pm on the upper deck of the Marriot Hotel up the stairs from the Pusser’s Rum booth and outside the main seminar rooms. This is a departure from years past when we met for lunch. This year we can meet at the end of the show and on Saturday plan to give a ride and caravan to Ric’s Place for the OPO Party. My cell number is 631-848-3112 if you need to find me in Annapolis. Most times I do not have my cell with me when I am in the office, but on the road feel free to call anytime.

NARC Rally- All OPO members are invited to the start of the NARC Rally. Even if you are not going this is a good excuse to visit Newport and see us off. On Friday October 29^th we are hosting our 1^st Offshore Seminar for NARC participants and those interested in offshore sailing. The seminar is being run by David Lyman who made the passage last year. He is giving a similar seminar for Ocean Navigator the week before in Maine. The seminar is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Seaman’s Church Institute in Newport. The price for OPO members is reduced from $195 to only $95 ($149 per couple) and included lunch and course material (One set for a couple). On Saturday you can see Newport and the fleet getting ready to depart the next day weather permitting. Saturday Night you can join our NARC Rally party across the street at Benjamin’s. Dinner is $25 per person and you can pay at the door. Newport will be busy as this is Halloween Night in town. I am including a flyer on the event so you can decide if you wish to join us. If you do please e-mail us and we will tell you more about the seminar and how you can sign up.

For those still looking for a berth aboard. We have about 20 boats signed up for the rally. We expect to sign up another 10 or 15 boats. Some will need crew and other skippers already signed up may have crew drop out. In this notice there are berths for two crew on the 2^nd leg. In years past there was usually need of one or two crew on short notice in Newport so if you are ready on short notice you should let me know so I can call you on Friday or Saturday to get you to Newport for the departure. Also if we have a weather delay of two or three days or more some of the boats may loose crew and may be looking for crew.

If you want to make sure you are sailing in the fleet this year we may have some room in the Swan Program

Winter Sailing Season

 If you would like to sail with me aboard Avocation this winter we are planning a full winter in the islands starting at the end of January. We have 4 weeks in February and then three Caribbean Regattas.  Here are some options for you to join us by yourself or with a non-OPO friend. One member has already put together a full crew and will be sailing with me the last of the 4 weeks. Here are some dates to look at and flight arrangements to check if you want to join me for a week. The price is only $1250 for the week to be on a captained Swan 48. plus we split the expendables for the week among the crew. This is about $150 dollars at the end of the week.

1) Fly to St. Maarten Friday Jan 28^th and sail overnight to the BVI on Saturday. Spend the week cruising the BVI and fly home on Saturday Feb 5^th.

2) Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 5^th and spend the week cruising the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 12^th.

3) Feb 12^th to 19^th.  Fly into Beef Island Tortola and arrive on Saturday Feb 12^th and spend the week cruising the BVI. Plan to fly home Feb 19^th. 2 Berths left.

Full - Feb 19^th to Feb 27^th. One OPO member is sailing from the BVI to Dominica and back to St. Maarten with a group of friends.

Race Schedule:

As mentioned in the Sept 1^st “Notice to OPO Mariners” we are participating in three events this year. We may have a returning group from Antigua last year who say they have a core group of eight crew for each regatta. We will know in the next couple of weeks. We already have two crew signed up for Heineken and one each for the other regattas so we may have limited room for OPO members. (Only two berths for Heineken and three for St. Barth’s and Antigua). If you are planning on joining us for a regatta this winter (See the schedule below), please let me know this month. We are not collecting deposits yet, but if eight berths are spoken for this month you will want to be on our short list for the four open berths.  

Heineken Regatta is from March 3^rd to 6^th so OPO crew arrive in St. Maarten Monday Feb 28^th and fly home Monday March 7^th.

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Sat April 2^nd or into St. Barth’s Sunday April 3^rd for the week regatta and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th.

Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th. Crew could fly into St. Maarten or Antigua.

Opportunities

Oct 26^th

Huntington to Cocoa Bch, Fl – OPO members and long time friend xxxxxxxxxxxxx is planning his trip south this year. He is splitting up the trip into three legs and you can join him for all or legs of the trip south. 1. NY to Norfolk, 2.Norfolk to Charleston, S.C.3.Charleston to Cocoa He plans to depart from Huntington abut October 26^th The boat is a C & C 42.  xxxxxxxxxx has owned many boats over the years and has made this trip several times before. The trip is free, but you need to get to and from the boat and chip in for your share of provisions. To learn more about his itinerary and see about joining him for a leg of the trip that might be in your area please contact Bob at  xxxxxxxxxxx  or call xxxxxxxx. 
 

Nov 8^th to Nov 19^th

NARC Rally 2^nd leg – Boat owner and professional mariner xxxxxxxxxxxxis looking for two crew to join him in Bermuda for the 2^nd leg down to St. Maarten. The boat is a Bristol 47. Here is more information from xxxxxxxx about the boat.  The 2^nd leg is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat.  If interested please contact xxxxxxxxxxxxxx “I have 4 crew including myself that are sailing to Bermuda, then those 3 fly home. I have 1 crew flying into Bermuda; to sail onto St.Maarten.i would like to get 2 more crew if possible to sail from Bermuda-StMaarten, to make a total of 4 crew. Any crew I get can also stay till the 19th.the boat is 1989.every system has been gone through since owning the boat in 2005.this year all running and standing rigging was replaced, as was all chain plates removed and inspected. in 2005 the boat sailed to Fla. then to the Exumas. 2006 boat sailed in the carib 1500. 2009 sail from usvi-new Bedford via Bermuda now its time to head south again. If you want to add an age to my profile for crew I am 45

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Newport Boat Show

Seven Sea Cruising Association Gam MD

Annapolis Boat Show

NARC Rally

Offshore Seminar

Winter Season

Opportunities

Editorial – There are three main reasons why sailors join OPO. 1A) They want to get more offshore experience because they want to pursue offshore sailing and maybe one day buy a boat and go sailing for an extended time. 2B) They want to get more sea time because they want to get a captains license and possibly get paid for some of their knowledge delivering boats. 3C) They can not justify owning a boat and get their offshore sailing fix through OPO by helping others sail their boats.

Along with mailing in your dues this year I would like every active member to let me know if they are a # 1A, # 2B, or # 3C or “other”.  You can e-mail me or include a short note with your check. Annual dues are $125 or $150 dollars for Gold Card Members. Please plan to pay your dues now. October 1^st we will switch to the new address book and you do not want to miss anything since this will be a very busy fall season.

If you are an A1 looking to buy a boat in the next few months to couple of years, we may be able to help find you find a boat and help outfit it for you. We will make sure you get some offshore passages to help you make the right decisions about which boat to buy and how to equip her. We have many contacts in the business and get discounts on some equipment. After purchasing a boat we can help get crew and you can join our rallies or benefit from the OPO network.

One definition of “Other” would be members who know they only plan to sail one to four weeks a year. They would like the option to sail with us or take the family for a one or two week vacation in the Caribbean or New England, but can not justify owning a boat and do not want to own a boat the 11 or more months a year they are not sailing. If you have limited time, but still want control over your vacation time, we are exploring implementing a time shared usage of Avocation for next summer and the following years. Please let me know if you would be interested in securing time aboard a great boat that fits your needs and family time allotments. This could be a combination of offshore sailing, Caribbean Regattas and cruise time with friends and family.

I look forward to hearing about your goals and how we may be able better to tailor our services to you. If you are looking to get into the business we are happy to help you along and guide you so that someday you will be calling us for crew when you are delivering a boat, thus creating more opportunities for our members. Professional delivery skippers get a discount on OPO membership and once we gain your confidence we may be able to funnel delivery jobs your way. Professional skippers are skippers who get jobs on their own and call us to get crew.

Newport Boat Show – We have a booth this year over in the “Sail” tent at the Newport Boat Show September 16^th to 19^th. I have a list of 20 OPO members requesting their one free ticket. Just let me know if you think you might be in the area during the show. I can mail a ticket next week. Stop by the booth and we will see what plans there are for that night. We may be able to meet for a drink at the show, dinner after, or a late night nightcap depending on what the show schedule is.

In years past we have sailed Avocation to the Newport and Annapolis Boat Shows taking OPO members with us. This year Avocation will be having varnish work done below during the month of September and early October, so we will not be sailing to either show. However we will be exhibiting in Newport. We will be promoting the NARC Rally and OPO membership. This is a very good time of year to be promoting our services to boat owners and delivery skippers heading south and a god time to be active and looking for a fall passage south.

Seven Sea Cruising Association Gam MD – The weekend after Newport September 25^th & 26^th.  We will miss the Norwalk Boat Show in favor of exhibiting at the Seven Seas Cruising Association Fall Gam in MD. This should be a better venue for finding offshore passage opportunity for members through an organization that is all about living aboard and going sailing. We will be promoting our OPO members to hundreds of full time or soon to be full time cruisers who could use our services for longer passages.

Annapolis Boat Show – Even though we will not be at the show with Avocation, this does not mean we can not offer OPO members a place to stay. Long Time OPO skipper and all around good guy Bob Fritz is offering his house as a “Crew Quarters” for the show. I claim the first air mattress and you can contact Bob if you want to take him up on a place to stay. Bob is offering this up for free, but we will think of a way to repay him with stories and libations.

Bob e-mails us.

“The house has three bedrooms and is located in Edgewater, MD about a 15 minute drive from downtown Annapolis.  I can accommodate 4-5 folks.  The house is only partially furnished, so I have air beds for two of the bedrooms.  Guests should bring pillows, and sleeping bags or blankets.  The price is right though-free.

Anyone interested should contact me at sailboatdelivery@yahoo.com after September 15 as I'll be away on a delivery until about that time.”

Cheers, Bob 

NARC Rally

The 11^th Annual NARC Rally preparations are in full swing. OPO members wishing to participate will get OPO e-mail notices from Boat Owners looking for crew as they come in. As always, there are usually boats still looking for crew last minute in Newport before departure as last minute emergencies leave some boats short. If you would like to come to Newport and participate in a very informative seminar about offshore sailing on Friday October 29^th at the Seaman’s Church Institute OPO members get a discount from $125 to $95. More details below.

Always wishing to try new things to add to the rally, this year we are having a “Kan-Jam” tournament in Bermuda with cash prizes. As much as $500. The rally is also going “Green” with a collection of give-aways to help leave a cleaner wake. (Re-usable water bottle, grocery bags, cloth napkins, etc). IGY is sponsoring the finish in St. Maarten with two days free dockage and our final party which we are naming the “Start of the Season” party. If you know anyone heading south this year or bump into someone saying they are heading south at the boat show or some other venue, please tell them about the NARC Rally. The Rally is free again this year with a small $150 per head per person fee for the socials.

We had 31 boats last year and we are on track to get that many or more this year. Many will be looking for crew and we will try and help many of you get aboard. If you want to secure a berth on a Swan, there is one berth left sailing with me aboard Avocation and three berths left with Captain Murray on the Swan 57. You can reserve a berth and make sure you are going with us this fall with a $500 deposit. Total cost all inclusive is $2665.

Also new this year is a seminar on Offshore Sailing. Details are in a flyer below, but OPO members can join us for the day Friday October 29^th at the Seaman’s Church Institute for a discounted price of $95 rather than $195. Meet others making the trip south for the first time and perhaps make contacts for future offshore passages. Spend the weekend and come tom our dinner on Saturday night for an additional $25 payable at the door in Newport.

Informative Sailing Website

OPO member John Jamieson has an interesting and informative web site that we are happy to tell you about. Check it out. John is the author of “Seamanship Secrets” a book of tips about sailing and boat handling. John taught at the Chapman’s School in Florida for two years. 

Learn to Sail like a Pro

At http://www.skippertips.com/, you will discover simple but powerful ways to learn to sail better, faster and easier. These proven, cut-to-the chase methods will teach you the specific sailing skills you need to safely sail aboard a boat anywhere in the world.

Fresh weekly sailing articles and “how to” sailing videos on sail trim, anchoring, boat docking, sail emergencies, heavy weather sailing, and lots more. Plus an archived library containing more than 300 sailing articles, videos and newsletters. Visit http://www.skippertips.com/ to learn the skills you need to sail like a pro.

Winter Sailing Season

We will again be in the Caribbean this winter. If you need to plan early for vacation time we will be racing at the Heineken and Antigua Sailing week once again. We are planning to add one more regatta in  St. Barth’s in April. The event was new last year and reports are that it was a lot of fun and the island pulled out all the stops to make it happen annually. The dates for the three regattas are:

Heineken Regatta is from March 3^rd to 6^th so OPO crew arrive in St. Maarten Monday Feb 28^th and fly home Monday March 7^th.

Voiles de Saint Barth is from April 4^th to April 9^th. Crew will fly into St. Maarten Sat April 2^nd or into St. Barth’s Sunday April 3^rd for the week regatta and fly home from St. Maarten April 10^th or 11^th. Antigua Sailing Week is early this year from April 24^th to the 29^th.

We will also offer three weeks for members to come spend one week or two with us in the BVI’s in February. We will publish dates and itinerary in the Oct 1^st Notice, but you can plan on joining us this winter for a regatta or for a week or two of sailing in the Caribbean on our own Swan 48.

Opportunities

Huntington NY to Newport Boat Show – I will be delivering a Beneteau 40 from Huntington NY to Newport departing Saturday afternoon at 10:00 pm. The trip will take about 16 hours.  Two crew are welcome to join me. This is a new boat and we have to keep her very clean. I will rent a car in Newport to get home to NY by Sunday Night. I plan to spend three or fours hours in Newport after we get there. Putting up posters and meeting a new skipper.

Newport to Huntington NY – We will depart Monday morning from Newport to sail the boat back to Huntington after the show on Monday Sept 20^th. We can meet in Newport and the trip will take about 16 to 18 hours. Two or three crew are welcome to make this trip back with me after the show. I may be driving from NY to Newport that morning and can pick crew up along the way.

SW Harbor Maine to BVI – OPO skipper xxxxxxx is looking for crew for this passage on a very nice “Hinckley” maintained Hinckley Bermuda-40. xxxxx plans to depart SW Harbor September 29^th. He plans a brief stop in Bermuda. Plan to fly home from the BVI about October 14^th. xxxxxxxx is a Tier One great skipper. I have known him since 1992.  The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat.

We let xxxxxxx describe his perfect crew “I seek two capable and avid sailors. Must be able to hand, reef and steer, cook, clean and tie knots. Expenses on board are included, but transportation to and from the boat are the responsibility of the crew. The trip is likely to include a bit of all weather including rain and sun, calm and gale, hot and cold, wet and dry. I expect the trip to be a pleasant adventure.”

Contactxxxxxxxx at  xxxxxxxx

Beaufort NC to the Virgin Islands – OPO member xxxxxxxxxxx has a very nice well outfitted Hans Christian 38. Bill is looking for a couple of experienced crew. He is willing to speak to a lead OPO member/co-skipper that can help sail the boat and teach him on his first long offshore passage. xxxxxx can pay transportation and a flat stipend for the trip for the co-skipper. He would like to leave from Oriental or Beaufort NC the first week in November and sail to the Virgin Islands. For more information contact xxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Norfolk VA to St. Maarten - Boat Owner xxxxxxxx is looking for one crew to join him for the passage from Norfolk VA to St. Maarten departing November 6 (or best weather window after that date). xxxxxxhas a Bill Trip designed Hinckley 48 named “Song” that he docks near Avocation at Simpson Bay Marina. The boat is set up for offshore sailing and xxxxxxx has made the round trip the last five seasons. The passage is non-stop and should take about 10 days. The trip is free with all onboard expenses paid, but you need to get to and from the boat. Please e-mail xxxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxx

Portland Maine to Annapolis MD – xxxxxxxxx sailed on another boat in the NARC Rally last year. This year he is taking his boat from Maine to Annapolis for winter storage. It is a beautiful Vintage R 10 meter names “Nymphea” (It is bigger than 10 meters, that is just the class rule designation) that is in fantastic shape. She has recently been restored. xxxxxxx is a captain of ocean going ships and knows his stuff. He is looking for up to 5 crew to sail from Maine to Annapolis. Jan plans to take his time departing Maine at the end of October. Jan has sent the itinerary and route plans for the trip and plans to take as many days as it takes to sail the Apx 600 miles from Maine to the Chesapeake. He wants to line up crew soon since he has to plan time off from work and make arrangements in a yard down south. Jan includes the following info.

There are two possible trips to take going south:

TRIP 1:

Portland to Cape Cod Canal                           144 miles

Cape Cod Canal                                                          008 miles

Cape Cod Canal to Newport, Rhode Island  045 miles

Newport R.I. to Cape May, New Jersey                    262 miles

Cape May to CD Canal                                              060 miles

CD Canal                                                        015 miles

CD Canal to Annapolis, Maryland                 050 miles

Total distance                                             584 miles

TRIP 2:

Portland to Cape Cod Canal                           144 miles

Cape Cod Canal                                                          008 miles

Cape Cod Canal to Newport, Rhode Island  045 miles

Newport R.I. to New York, New York                     138 miles

New York to Cape May, New Jersey             157 miles

Cape May to CD Canal                                              060 miles

CD Canal                                                        015 miles

CD Canal to Annapolis, Maryland                 050 miles

Total distance                                             617 miles

Sailing time is ca 100 hours efficient where off a 1/3 is from Home to Newport

I know the wind will be SW most of the time, but the trick is to sail on the backside of a front to get NW or northerly winds. These are normally strong winds.

This Northerly wind normally stays for 2 days where after it goes back to SW for 5 days.

I like to take the direct route from Newport to Cape May to get the ocean part over in one shot.

CREW

It is good to be 5 persons.

Less will do also, it is a short trip.

It is cold and wet and you will need foul weather gear and thick socks, mittens and a warm hat. There is now a diesel heater on board

Fly into Boston and take the bus to Portland Maine, or fly into Portland Maine.

Transport from Annapolis to Boston is easy by bus or car and takes ca 9 hours to drive the distance. You can also fly out of Washington to EU. Jysk Special Rejser are good at making these kind of tickets possibly also seaman tickets.

As we are getting older I hope to get Jane to prepare food so we just need to warm it up underway on the ocean. Otherwise we will survive on what we can figure out of making.

We, as always, share expenses for food, diesel, port stays. This is normally around 25 – 30 USD a day per person

TIMEFRAME

I hope to have the boat in Newport before 1^st of November so the trip can start from there when the wind is right. There are several bigger races starting at the same time to Caribbean and Bermuda so we have good weather reports and lots to look at when waiting. Newport is a nice place and reasonably priced that time of year.

I need at least 1 person to sail with me from Maine to Newport. The trip starts in South Bristol, Maine, but it is possible to join in Newport if you fly into Boston or green Airport in Providence R.I. There is a direct bus from Boston to Newport maybe with change in South Station in Boston.

So you must be in South Bristol, Maine end of October

OR you must be in Newport, Rhode Island latest 1^st of November.

I will hope the trip can be done in 14 days, but the weather can be tricky so we have also seen these trips take 3 weeks.

I need to have commitments very soon to arrange for winter storage and time off for me.

Please contact me for further questions and arrangements.

Please email  xxxxxxxxx or call me  on +1 xxxxxxxxxxxx

I need to know as soon as you can give commitment.

 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Norden Tankers & Bulkers USA Inc
 

Offshore Seminar

SailOPO.com • Off Shore Passage Opportunities & Ocean Navigator Magazine

The 11th Annual

North Atlantic Cruisers’ Rally (NARC)

Join this flotilla of yachts sailing South to spend the winter in the Caribbean.

Visit our web site for a fu! description of this and other voyaging opportunities,

seminars and adventures;

www.SailOPO.com

offshorepassage@sprintmail.com

(800) 472-7724

The 2010 NARC Rally

Arrive in Newport as early as October 25, 2010

Departure scheduled for Sunday, October 31, 2010, weather permitting.

Planning to sail your boat south this fall? Thinking about an off-shore

voyage? Want to join a boat that’s headed south to the Caribbean?

This is your opportunity to “go off-shore” within the company of

experienced delivery skippers. Not a race, this is a well organized

approach to safe off-shore passage-making. Learn what it will take to

prepare your boat and crew your boat for a voyage to the Caribbean.

You will make new friends, meet experiences skippers who have made

dozens of off-shore voyages.

Skippers & Crews

If you do not own a boat and would like to join one that is sailing south, you

can sign aboard a Swan in our Offshore Program or join OPO to learn about

helping one of the boat owners who may be looking for crew.

You Can Sail South to The Caribbean This Fall.

Two-Day Workshop for

Off-Shore Bound Crews

This two-day workshop is for boats

and crews making their first major offshore

voyage, as well as skippers and

crews who just want to ensure they

are as prepared as possible.

Boat inspections, Oct. 28.

All-day Seminar, Friday October 29, 2010.

Location: The Seamans’ Church, Newport.

This workshop includes:

• Boat Inspections

• Boat preparation advice

• SSB radio service and testing

• Weather prediction and routing

• Gulf Stream Analysis

• Bermuda Approaches

• Life Raft deployment exercises

• Electronics up-grading

• Route Tracking options

• One-on-One mentoring

• What to do in the Caribbean

• PLUS, full participation in all Rally

events.

• And much more . . . .

Fee: $500 per boat, includes the Skipper

and three crew-members. Individuals: $195

per person. Fee includes the Ocean

Navigator Off-Shore Passager-Maker

notebook.

SailOPO.com • Off Shore Passage Opportunities & Ocean Navigator Magazine

Pre-Rally E-mail Briefing and

Consultation.

Are you considering taking your boat

south for the winter? Want to join a boat

headed for the Caribbean? Our

experienced team can help you make that

decision, then walk you through the

process of preparing your boat and crew

before you make that off-shore leap.

Through email correspondence and phone

calls we can provide encouragement and

advice. E-mail us your boat type and size,

available crew and winter cruising plans,

and we’ll help you with your decision making

process.

NARC Rally Participation

Join this year’s Rally.

No “per boat” rally fee for boats and skippers who have

participated in a NARC before. No “per boat” rally fee for

boats and Skippers who have made the voyage before.

First time boats are expected to join the Two-day

Workshop. All individual participants pay a $150 per

person Rally fee to cover social events, dinners and predeparture

weather briefing.

• A Central Office providing

organization, communication

and advice.

• Discount dockage ($1 per

foot) beginning 10/25 at

Newport Yachting Center

• Discount dockage at

Bermuda Dinghy Club, St.

Georges

• 2-days FREE dockage at the

Simpson Bay Marina in St.

Martin

• Fuel Discount in Bermuda

• No Arrival Tax in Bermuda (save $35 per person)

• Weather Briefing, routing advice and chart packs in

Newport and Bermuda. Weather Routing by Susan

Gennett of “Real Weather”

• Thorough briefing on the route and what to expect once

you get there.

• Find out where to shop, provision, outfit, haul out, and

where the best islands, beaches, marinas, and harbors

are located in the Caribbean

•Social and Professional

Networking before, during

and following the voyage

•Need crew? SailOPO can

help you find professional

and volunteer crew

•Daily Radio Net to share

weather and sea

conditions, positions, and

problem solving en-route

• Rally Parties:

Newport: Happy Hour

nightly and send-off dinner

Bermuda: Dinghy Club: Fish Fry & Goslings Rum

Party

St. Martin: IGY Marina: Kickoff “Start of the Season

Welcome Party”

Hank Schmit, NARC Founder, Capt. Murray Jackob, Capt. David Lyman, Crew of Searcher prior to their 2009 departure

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Newport Boat Show

Swan 46 Italy to Malta

Swan Rendezvous NE

NARC Rally

Opportunities

Editorial – Opportunities keep coming in. Normally this time of year is very slow, but owners and skippers are either planning for trips down the road or are coming up with shorter coastal opportunities. Our focus is still on the fall migration and building the NARC Rally. If you know of anyone heading south this fall please tell them about our NARC Rally. We depart from Newport October 31^st, or best weather window after that date. We sail to Bermuda and then for the first time we have an official sponsor and ending at the Simpson Bay Marina in St. Maarten IGY Marina Group is throwing us a party and giving away two days of dockage at the marina for all NARC Participants.

The Rally once again is free this year. There is a $150 per person fee for the socials, but there is no charge for the boat. Last year we had 31 boats. We expect many of the boats will be looking for crew and we will pass this information to our members and help you get aboard. We also offer several crew berths aboard a Swan in the NARC Rally. Each Swan has a pro skipper. I will be skippering “Avocation” and Murray Jacob will be skippering “Boonatsa”, a Swan 57.

Newport Boat Show – We will have a booth at the Newport Boat Show this year as part of our promotion of the NARC Rally. The rally departs from the same location as the boat show. If you are planning to attend the boat show I will have one free ticket for each active OPO member. If we get enough attendees we will try and organize a small gathering for food or drink. Please let me know if you are planning to attend the show this year. It is later than usual from September 17^th to 21^st.

We will rend you in the September 1^st Notice about the show and look forward to seeing some of you there. We will not be sailing up this year with Avocation, but we plan to sail to the Annapolis Boat Show in October.

Swan 46 Italy to Malta – OPO skipper Gareth Hughes will be skippering the Swan 46 from Naples Italy to Malta this September 18^th to October 6^th.  There are two berths left for this 2 ½ week 5oo mile passage from Naples to Malta. There will be a lot of stops and spending the night ashore to your Southern Italy, Sicily and the last few days exploring Malta.

Swan Rendezvous NE – While I was on this last two-week delivery to Florida, we had “Avocation” serviced at Jamestown Boat Yard (JBY) in Jamestown RI. July 29^th to August 1^st JBY hosted a Swan Rendezvous separate from the Swan Factory in Europe and the Swan Owners Association of America. It is nice not to have to be organizing an event.

Just finished the regatta and on my way to Maine to deliver a boat with two OPO members. We placed third in our division at the Regatta in Newport. (Ok there were only 5 boats in our division), but it is always fun to pick up some silver.

Opportunities

New London CT to Block and back to Huntington – OPO member   is looking for two crew to join him for this leisurely pleasure for 5 to 7 days. Join the boat August 8^th. This is a fun cruise and  b asks that all crew share in boat expenses. I have know   for many years and he is a lot of fun. He has gotten crew from us many times before. If interested please contact Bob at   or  . Bob buys and sell bpoat all the time so I am not even sure which one he has now. Ask him. 

Great Lakes to Florida Keys – New Caller,   is planning a long trip from the Great Lakes to Marathon, Florida departing next May. He wants to meet people now and introduce you to his special boat.   has a 50 foot Ketch. Depending on crew he may take the St. Lawrence Seaway rather than the Hudson River. Anyhow, he plans to take some time to do the trip and is loking for people to join him for parts of the trip. The boat is presently in Chicago.   asks that people give him a call so

can talk more about his plans and you can see if you want to meet him. His number is  

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Swan Dinner Post Bermuda Race

Delivery Back from Bermuda

Annapolis Sailing Summit

1000 Days at Sea

Facebook

NARC Rally

Opportunities

Editorial – The first named Hurricane of the season not only disrupted the clean up efforts in the Gulf, but also punctuates the end of the offshore delivery season until October. There will be few if any long offshore passages since boats are already moved for the season and you would not want to be offshore with anyone planning a long passage anyway. There will be some short sailing opportunities over the next couple of months. Our focus now turns to the NARC Rally and plans for sailing south in the fall. We will be working on the web site, planning for the Newport Boat Show and the NARC Rally at the end of October.

We will have a booth at the show in September and we will offer all active OPO members one free ticket to come visit us. I will remind members before the show and mail them to you in time. We may host an OPO gathering and see about getting people together who may wish to crew in the NARC Rally this year. We are making a big effort to grow the rally even more than the 31 boats we had last year and offer more offshore passage opportunities to members. The rally will again be free this year with a small per person charge to cover the socials. If you know of anyone planning to head south this year please tell them about the rally and refer them to our web site. I also have new posters that I will be mailing out next month. It is still a little early to be sending them out to yacht clubs and marinas. We will ask members to help post them later in the summer. The more boats we have in the rally, the more crew opportunities we will have for members.

If you want to sail in the Rally on our Swan 48 “Avocation” with me, we have two berths left so please let me know soon. A $500 deposit will hold your berth. Murray Jacob will also be skippering the Swan 59 “Boonatsa” south once again, so if you wish to sail with Murray you may.

Swan Dinner Post Bermuda Race – When I found out that I would not be sailing to Bermuda with the Bermuda Cruising Rally this year, I booked a flight to be there for their arrival. That meant that I would be in Bermuda in time for the Swan Owners Dinner after the Bermuda Race. The diner is hosted by the Swan Owners Association of America. Since I am on the board I was asked to emcee the event at the Hamilton Princess Hotel.  I had the pleasure to introduce Clay Deutch of Swan 68 “Chippewa” fame and George David, the owner of “Rambler”, to talk about a new Trans-Atlantic Race next May. As host I sat with Sheila McCurdy, Commodore of the CCA, who runs the race along with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. She spoke about the history of the race. The overall winner was “Carina”, a 48 foot 1969 boat designed by her father. I also presented the “Hall” Trophy, which is donated by the Swan Owners Association, to the Swan 56 “Clover III”. Twenty-two Swans participated in the race and five had podium finishes with three 1^st in class. I boast about this only because it helps ingratiate ourselves with Swan owners which helps create more quality sailing opportunities for our members. At the end of this month we will be sailing to Newport for the Swan Summer Rendezvous to further our cause as the official crew network for Swan owners. We are a sponsor of the Swan Owners Web site and you can see us on the site at http://www.swanowners.com/

Annapolis Sailing Summit – I was able to squeeze the first day of the two day 2^nd Bi-annual Sailing Summit into the busy month of June. One-hundred and twenty-five Sailing Industry leaders from across the board were in Annapolis for the summit titled “How to survive in the New Economy”. Gary Jobson, new president of “US Sailing”, was on hand to talk about his new role as official ambassador of our sport. For over 25 years he has been the un-official one. Dean Brenner, head of the US Olympic Committee, spoke about leadership qualities. I was primarily there to raise the OPO flag and continue to make the Industry aware of our role in promoting offshore sailing and helping people make that big transition to offshore sailing. I even won a raffle prize of a new Puma foul weather jacket and Ronstan duffle bag. I had to fly back a day early to sail into NY City to welcome Reid Stowe back and get Avocation ready for the Bermuda Cruising Rally.

Delivery Back from Bermuda – Since I had booked a ticket to Bermuda three weeks in advance to be there for the arrival of the Bermuda Rally Fleet it was easy to agree to return aboard a boat that had raced down in the 196 boat Bermuda Race fleet. Dennis Conner’s big butt and mine shared the same helmsman seat 35 years apart. The boat was an old aluminum IOR built Race boat for him in Old Saybrook Ct in the 1970’s. The new owner has made 17 round trip passages to Bermuda in Marion Bermuda or Newport Bermuda Races. Failing health lead to a last minute decision to have me aboard to help out “just in case”. It was one of the most uncomfortable passages I have ever made and I have made this passage between New England and Bermuda over 30 times. It was a very wet, flush deck boat, with nary a soft spot to sit. The boat was in race mode as we spent 36 hours in the Gulf Stream on a rumb line course back to New Bedford Mass. And in fact the crew said this was the fastest passage for the boat including all the races to or back from Bermuda since 1994. Four days of brisk Southwest winds can do that. We had two hot meals the entire time and food was consumed one candy bar or Cliff bar at a time.

Despite all of this, the owner provided crew was one of the best groups I have had the pleasure to sail with. The owner of the boat runs a great program to help ensure a steady supply of crew for the race and the return passages. With a recent new book about, and much attention spend discussing, “How to Save Sailing?” (http://www.savingsailing.com/) we need to manufacture (or as the owner corrected me, re-manufacture) more owners like him. Through networking of friends of friends and answering postings on the race crew sites, the owner has brought along many crew who fit the perfect demographics for the sailing industry to promote boat ownership. All the crew were successful businessmen between age 32 to 50, who the owner has trained and introduced to offshore sailing. If you ever get the opportunity to train on a crew for an offshore race or the return passage, please make sure you jump at the chance. In fact it was through an in-active OPO member, who crewed south in the race this year, that I got this delivery.

Facebook – If you are on facebook and have not befriended me yet, please send us an invitation to be your friend. I have not been home enough to be very active yet, but plan to this summer. In the mean time we want to build our friend list. Will you be my facebook friend?

1000 Days at Sea – Avocation sailed into NY City June 17^th and all the way down to Sandy Hook to greet Reid Stowe upon his arrival after 1152 days at sea. Not only were Tania Aebi, Charlie Doane and crew there to greet him home, Charlie hopped aboard to help him weight anchor (He had not anchored in 1152 days), and help set all four sails (most likely also not done for a long time) for the final leg up to the 86^th street pier. We were part of the parade of boats that included a fireboat with water cannons blasting and numerous schooners with passengers out of South Street Seaport and Chelsea Piers. You can read more about Charlie’s first interview with Reid on his Blog at http://www.wavetrain.net/. If you have not already bookmarked Charlie Doane’s site, I encourage you to take a look and add it to your list of sailing sites to check out.

Opportunities –

Oyster Bay NY to Greenport LI – I will be delivering a new Jeaneau 44 from Oyster Bay to Greenport this Monday July 5^th. We will meet at the Seawanhaka Yacht Club at 8:00 am when launch service opens. The owner is driving out to Greenport and will meet us about 8:00 pm and we will drive back to our cars in Oyster Bay. If you would like to join me (it may mostly be a motor sail, but should be a nice day on the water) please call or e-mail. Office number is 631-423-4988

Newport RI to Oyster Bay NY – On Sunday July 11^th I am driving up to Newport early in the morning to arrive in Newport by 10:00 am (so you can join me in Newport Sunday morning) to deliver this boat back to Oyster Bay. We will drive the owner’s car to Newport so you can meet me at the Seawanhaka Yacht Club and our cars will be there when we get back. The trip will take about 16 to 18 hours. You can call or e-mail if interested. Both trips are free, but we buy our own food since I do not charge for provisions under 24 hours.

Annapolis to Bristol RI - Boat owner   is looking for one or two crew to make a non-stop passage from Annapolis to Bristol RI aboard his Shannon 43 Ketch. He plans to depart July 27^th. The trip will take about 3 days. The route will be through the C & D Canal, down Delaware Bay, offshore around LI and then up Narragansett Bay to Bristol. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. David is sailing to Bermuda this week so it may take a little time to hear back from him. Contact David at  

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Facebook

1000 Days at Sea

Members Seeking other Members to crew on their boats

Bermuda Cruising Rally

NARC Rally 2010

Opportunities

Editorial – We are back north for the summer season having arrived back in NY May 22^nd. We had a decent passage north this year. We did not have any winds over 25 knots for any length of time. We did have more wind forward of the beam than past years so we had less formal meals while healed over and had several bumpy days sailing upwind.  Luckily never more than 36 hours at a time.

After spending most of the last four months in the Caribbean it is good to be back home and looking forward to making more plans for the summer and fall. The Bermuda Rally starts in less than three weeks and it is exciting to have Tania Aebi skippering the boat and offering OPO members the opportunity to sail with her.

But first we are acting as the “press boat” for the long awaited return of Ried Stowe who has been at sea for over 1100 days. Try www.1000days.com

After the rally I have a delivery of a nice boat from Ct to Florida which will get me back home in time for a mini-Swan Rendezvous in Rhode Island. Keeping in touch with other Swan owners is key to getting more Swan opportunities for our members. We had more free swan opportunities this spring that any other year. That’s because of our work on the American Swan Associations Board and from attending Swan events. We also pay annually to be a sponsor their web site.

It looks like our big add ($750) in the Newport Bermuda Race Journal was a waste of money. So far we have had one crew request. There are still three weeks to the start of the race and a month until the boats start coming back. Last minute (a week or less) seems to be our niche with the racing crowd so we still have some time to see if our efforts to find return berths for members’ works out.

We have better luck with Rally’s we organize and this years NARC Rally should be the biggest yet.

Facebook – In two weeks I will be in Annapolis for the 2^nd Sail Industry Conference. The 1^st was two years ago in Newport. I will be there promoting the NARC Rally and our crew networking services to the sailing industry. There are also several seminars and break-out discussions and I know one will be asking about who uses social networks like Facebook. Many members have also been urging me to get on Facebook so I have signed aboard and will be building my list of “friends” and learning how to stay in touch with people.

My niche is promoting sailing to the general public and any way I can facilitate members getting more quality sea time to help them further their own goals the better. We want to help people make good decisions about buying a boat, making sailing a career change, or simply enjoying time offshore. 

1000 Days at Sea – June 17^th Reid Stowe will be returning to his home port of New York City after spending the last 1100  plus days at sea. Three years ago we half-jokingly included the opportunity to sail with Reid on an OPO Notice. He did find a crew who joined, but after several months started to get seasick. Turns out she was not sea sick, she was pregnant.

Both Tania Aebi and Charlie Doane (Sail magazine, OPO # 008) know him and we have volunteered to carry them both to Ried’s homecoming this month. We will take lots of pictures and post them on the web site (and Facebook) in our new photo sharing section. We are the only boat being allowed to tie up in New York Harbor for his press debut. I am sure you will be reading more about Reid this month in newspapers and maybe TV and then two or three months later in the sailing magazines. If you see any footage from the arrival, look for Avocation in the background.

Members Seeking other Members to crew on their boats can contact us and let us know what you are looking to do. We have 500 active OPO members spread all over North America. Some have smaller boats that they do not take offshore, but are happy to invite other OPO members aboard for day and weekend sails.  We will be happy to help facilitate members meeting for a sail. We like to think that it is easier to make new friends that already know how to sail than trying to teach our friends how to sail. Any OPO member who has a boat and wants to invite other OPO members to sail with them should e-mail me with what kind of boat, what body of water you sail on and what kind of sailing do you do. i.e. a) Weekends only, b)anytime because you are retired or c) looking for crew for a one or two week cruise this summer. Let me know and I will send out a notice with your e-mail address only so you can exchange passwords with each other to access your opo crew profile on the web site, or exchange phone numbers

Bermuda Cruising Rally – Rallies are always a good time, with a couple of days of shared preparation in port before departure, and then the accomplishment and sharing of stories with others right after making port. Tania Aebi is skippering Avocation for the 2^nd year in this rally. Several fortunate OPO members are sailing one leg or both ways with Tania sailing from Greenport LI to Bermuda and then back to Huntington NY. The rally has about the same amount of boats as last year, ten. This is the 3^rd edition of the rally and we will see where it goes next year.

NARC Rally – This month we begin making plans to build the NARC Rally. We plan to continue a free rally format for professionally skippered boats and for veterans who have sailed with us before. New boat owners will be asked to arrive early for a couple of days of seminars to help them get ready for the sail south and a winter in the Caribbean. I am also toying with the idea of having a half day of NARC Olympics on Saturday before departure. If we go this route we may be asking for OPO volunteers to help organize a few events and make a fun filled day of it. We will keep you posted. We have a booth at the Newport Show in September and OPO members are invited to join us in Newport at the show and before departure in October.

Our main goal is to grow the rally from last years 31 boats to 50 boats and offer more opportunities for our members. As usual, last year, if we had two or three OPO members, on the docks with bags packed ready to go, they would have found a berth. Later towards the end of the summer we will ask members if they would like to find a berth in the rally this year. If you have some offshore experience and can lend a calming and helping voice to a “newbie” we should be able to find a berth for you.

If you want a guaranteed berth in a Swan, the NARC Rally is the next offshore opportunity in our Swan Program. Let me know if you are interested in sailing with us in the rally this fall.

Opportunities

Myrtle Beach to Newport – xxxxxxxxxx is a friend of OPO Skipper xxxxxxwho sent him to us since he is looking for crew. xxxxx is flying in from the UK next week on Monday June 7^th to finish getting his boat ready for the passage north. He would like two crew to arrive in Little River (32 miles from Myrtle Beach airport) at “Cricket Marina” on Tuesday June 8^th for departure by about Wednesday the 9^th.  The boat is an Advance 40, which is very similar to a Swan, but has a lifting keel so she can do the Intracoastal Waterway if need be. Jono has owned her for a long time and knows her well. Her name is “xxxxxxxx”.  xxxxxx adds “xxxxxxxxxxx is relatively well equipped ..recent sat nav and radar epirb...but no liferaft..inflatable 4 man tender. I have done several thousands of miles in my time ..shower daily and smoke only on deck !!! like good food and cook mainly on board.”   Jono continues “The trip will be from Little River on the ICW to Newport or Chesapeake weather conditions applicable and also competence of crew ie go back up the ICW or out to sea and into new York and down the Sound....Am planning to fly to Myrtle Beach next Monday ..will need a couple of days to sort out in the Marina. diver scrub..stores etc...and then off.”  The trip can take from one week to 10 days depending on the route. If there is less time xxxxxx can leave the boat in the Chesapeake instead. You can call Jono at Mobile...44 xxxxxxxxxxxx(but remember the time difference to the UK) or you can e-mail him at jxxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com

Milford CT to Tampa FL – I am looking for two semi-qualified crew (They will need to present a resume for the Insurance Company) for a delivery of a Passport 50 from CT to the West Coast of Florida. I will be the skipper and we plan to depart on Monday July 12^th. This is a very nice boat and a calm time of year to be making the passage. It will be a non-stop trip unless we need fuel and should take about 10 to 12 days so I expect to be in Tampa by July 24^th. The trip is free with all onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat. We can discuss the best way to get to the boat on July 12^th after we put the crew together. If interested please e-mail me in the

Lanzarote Canary Islands to St. Thomas USVI – xxxxxxxxand his wife live aboard their Swan 47, (xxxxxxxx*).  They are currently in Guernsey, Channel Islands, but are already planning their return next fall and want to have the crew roster set by June 30^th 2010. They are looking for two crew to sail from the Canary Islands back to the USVI. We met xxxxxxxx and his wife in the 2007 Swan Rendezvous and they are very nice people. I am copying xxxxxxxx crew request almost verbatim. They plan to depart Nov 18^th so crew would fly into the island of Lanzarote the 16^th or 17^th. The trip will take about 3 weeks.

“Basically anything you would want to know if you were looking to join a boat that you do not know. How many other crew aboard etc.

The boat is a Swan 47 built in 1979. Last survey was in March 2010. My wife and I will be onboard and are looking for one and probably 2 other crew. Crew will do a shared rotation watch system, as well as other duties common to a trans-Atlantic crossing. The boat is capable of handling a variety of offshore conditions, though may not be as comfortable as many other boats of a similar size built within the last 10 years. Space is limited. Water and basic provisions onboard are supplied. Foul weather gear and standard inflatable life vest are available. Ability to stay on the boat for up to 48 hours after arrival will not be an issue, but as other guests will be arriving at that time, crew will need to secure alternative arrangements thereafter. Boat is equipped with an offshore 4-man life raft (ISO 9650-1 Compliant), SSB, VHF, and radar, but no Sat Phone and no internet. Flights, ground transportation, medical coverage are the responsibility of crew. A phone conversation will be organized prior to confirmation. Troubleshooting and knowledge of diesel engines an advantage. Medical knowledge not essential. Clean living habits and personal hygiene essential. Confirmation of crew position will be made by June 30th. Full sailing CV will be required. Trans-Atlantic experience not required. Please note, we will be at sea for Thanksgiving. Please supply height, weight, age, and sex with inquiry, along with sailing experience and expectations.I am currently in Guernsey, Channel Islands and thus email is the preferred means of communication for the initial contact. x@yahoo.com”

 * Stands for “x”. If you go as crew you can ask the story behind the naming of the boat.

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial –Antigua Sailing Week

Sailing North

Swan Opportunities

Opportunities

Editorial – We had a full boat for Antigua Sailing week with a very good crew. Five crew had sailed together before and this was the first year we scheduled a day of practice.

We surprised ourselves with a 2^nd place the first race on Sunday. Saturday’s race was cancelled do the volcano. No, not the one across the way in Montserrat, but the one in Iceland. Many crew and race officials could not get flights so they delayed the regatta one day.

We repeated the first race finish with another 2^nd place and were in first place in the Performance 1 division made up of some big boats. Greek Tragedy struck on Tuesday and we finished 9^th. The Greek tragedy part was from only one of four boats that skipped a mark in our division retired so we moved up to eight, but no better. The pressure was on for Thursday after the lay day and Avocation responded with a great start and a 1^st place to put us back in 2^nd place for the regatta with one race left. We had one boat, one point back and another 2 points behind us. You would think a 4^th place on the last day would secure a podium finish, but the boat two points back won, the one pointer was 2^nd by 18 seconds ahead of the eventual winner of the regatta. Those 18 seconds cost us 3^rd place and made it 4 years out of 6 that we were 4^th place. We did get trophies for the best Swan finish and also for the best crewed boat (meaning other boats with paid crew like us). Nothing to be ashamed of, but they feel like consolation trophies after dong so well.  Next year we have some business to finish.

Sailing North – Some OPO members are sailing north on a Swan at the end of the week. I depart with a full crew aboard Avocation and Murray on the Swan 57 Boonatsa will depart from Tortola with a good size OPO contingent as well. The Swan 48 Bella Luna that AJ Smith is skippering has been delayed do to slow yard work in Tortola so if you want to sail north on a Swan in a couple of weeks you can. As soon as AJ finalizes plans with the owner we will send out a notice looking for crew to sail with AJ from Tortola BVI to Jamestown RI. I think the dates will be around May 15^th so if you have not signed up yet for a passage you can think about it and be able to react when you see the e-mail tomorrow.  Because of the late nature of the delivery, the trip will be free.

Swan Opportunity in June - Bermuda Cruising Rally – The trip from the US East Coast to Bermuda and back is the best first time offshore experience and June is the best time to go. If you have been waiting to take a spouse or young adult child offshore, the Bermuda Cruising Rally is the event to do this in. I took my wife Cathy on such a passage years ago in a 35 footer and she still sails offshore with me. I will be skippering a sister Swan 48 and Tania Aebi will be skippering Avocation.

We gather in Greenport NY June 18^th for departure that weekend. Stay until June 27^th if you are sailing the first leg to Bermuda. The return passage June 28^th to July 4^th (with Crew arriving on Sunday June 27^th) is a good run. The first week costs a bit more for Rally fees and included an extra couple of days and festivities. Either way you will meet Tania Aebi and be part of our Swan Fleet sailing to and from Bermuda. If you are interested, I will be checking e-mail until Saturday and Cathy will be checking the office while we are at sea. The leg to Bermuda with me is $1800 and the return passage is $1600.  Reserve a berth with a $500 deposit and I will be in touch when I am back in the office May 24^th.

Opportunities 

The opportunities have been going out as they come in. We are finding that boat owners and skippers looking for crew for longer passages from the Caribbean to the states are having trouble finding crew so it looks like everyone that was looking for a passage this spring has found one. The two week trip with AJ will be sent out tomorrow and I am sure there will be others before the spring season is over. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. I am in St. Maarten by myself getting the boat ready and check e-mail every afternoon while it is hot, hot, hot.   

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

NARC Rally 2010

Heineken Regatta Podium Finish

Swan Opportunities

Opportunities

Editorial – This April 1st finds us on the island of Dominica with five

OPO members aboard for the week. We departed St. Maarten over the weekend

and sailed past the St. Barth's to see the mega sailing fleet round the leeward mark in the St. Barth's Bucket. Over 40 of the world’s largest sailboats go all out to see who can round the marks in one piece and have bragging rights for the coming year.

Yesterday we took a river tour of the Indian River National Park and wicked drinks at the Bush bar at the top of the river. Today we had the famous “Emerald Pool” all to ourselves as we arrived late and all the tour buses were gone. Tomorrow we see the other half of the island and Trafalgar Falls and then depart for St. Maarten on Thursday. I am sending out the April 1^st Notice a day or tow early since I will not have access until Friday Night. I fly home this weekend and will be in the office Monday April 5th

You too can join us next year when we offer very affordable sailing opportunities with us aboard Avocation.

This time of year the opportunities start coming in faster and we send them out as they come in so we do not have a long opportunity list this month. Many more to follow in the next two months. I will be in the office next week and if you want to make sure you will have a good opportunity or need help getting that first offshore passage in, next week will be the time to speak with me and make sure we help you get aboard. You cans end me an e-mail to make an appointment to speak on the phone or just call me next week in the office.

Heineken Regatta – We have already bragged about our Podium finish at the Heineken regatta. Hat makes two of the five years we raced in the regatta and that we had a podium finish. We have had three 4^th place finished at Antigua Sailing week. Last year it blew very hard and we were not very competitive, but this year we have a near full crew, new sails, and we have added a practice day so we should be very competitive and have a good chance to finally finish in the top three. If you want to join us read below and give me a call or send an e-mail.

NARC Rally 2010 - Before departing St. Maarten last week we secured a new major sponsor for our NARC Rally for next fall. We have never had a final destination for the rally and allowed boats to linger in Bermuda if they had never been there before or they could sail to the BVI's or any other final destination after Bermuda. We will still allow this latitude next year, but the management of IGY Marinas will now throw our final destination party and offer a discount dockage deal for boat in the fleet. More details will follow, but what this means for OPO members is that we will be able to grow the fleet to even more boats next year by offering more services and benefits to rally participants. Last year we had 31 boats in the fleet and offered many free sailing opportunities to OPO members this fall.  We hope to attract even more boats and have more sailing opportunities for members.

Antigua Sailing Week – Fly into Antigua Thursday April 22^nd and fly home May 1^st.   Friday is practice day and racing starts on Saturday. There are six days of racing with one lay day in the middle. We charter a support boat for people to sleep aboard for the regatta.  We have only 2 berths left. We may have to charter two support boats so we are comfortable.  We already have a 46 foot Cat with 6 cabins. Veteran Swan Skipper Rick Butler will be skippering her once again. She is a great party platform for après race days. If we have a crew of 12 to 14 we will get a second boat so we will be an OPO mini fleet for the regatta. This is the best, if not biggest, event of the season. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us this year. The cost for Antigua Sailing Week is $2250 which includes a berth on the support boat.  Just let me know if you are interested and we can talk next week. It is also possible to fly into St. Marten early and sail to Antigua with us and then back after the event. Just let me know. It is usually cheaper to fly into and out of St. Maarten.

We are also looking for one crew to fly into the UVI three days early to sail to and fro Antigua for the event. You will crew with OPO Members John Peterson who will be skippering the 2^nd support boat for us. You will be able to spend time sailing to and from the regatta and then also sail with us for the event. For the right person we will offer a discount to sail theses two weeks. Call me and let’s talk next Monday.    

Trans-At – If you want to sail across the ocean on Swan this May, we have convinced the skipper that we need to reduce the price to fill the boat. We have one OPO members going and I think Dan has one or two crew so there may be only one or two berths left. The new cost is only $1250 and not the $2750 that he was looking for last month. This is less than it would cost you to stay home (about $250 a week includes all food and boat expenses. Let me know and we can help you sing up for this Trans=at on a Swan with a pro skipper and mate.

Sail a Swan 51 from Antigua to the UK. Fly into Antigua May 4^th for departure May 6^th. The passage to the Azores will take 14 to 16 days. You will have three or four days to visit Peter’s Café Sport and get ready for the 10 day sail to the UK. Four OPO crew made the passage last year on the same boat with the same British pro skipper and mate and they had a great time. The cost for the Trans-at including all provisioning and boat expenses is huge bargain at $2750. (Slashed to $1250) That’s only about $500 ($250)

per week and includes all expenses except airfare. Please contact me if you are looking to book a Trans-at this spring on a good boat with a very nice and young pro-skipper.  

Our Annual St. Maarten-Bermuda-Newport-NY –There is one berth left to sail with me aboard Avocation. I will know more about sailing with Murray Jacob next week. This is a great trip and we have been making it for years. If you want to join us we can talk next week.

Sail aboard Avocation or the Swan 57 Boonatsa departing the Caribbean May 8^th and arriving in Newport May 23^rd  and NY May 24^th.  I will be skippering Avocation and our most popular skipper Murray Jacob will be sailing the Swan 57 back. This is a great first time passage as we start in classic Trade Winds in warmer weather and have the challenging 2^nd leg from Bermuda to the States after crew get their sea legs. We cover 1500 miles in fourteen days for $2500 all inclusive. If you want to join Murray or myself, please contact us soon. I also just spoke with a pro skipper friend at the dock yesterday who runs a Swan 51. He says he is also heading north this May because he has a charter for the Bermuda Race before then sailing to Europe from Bermuda I late June. Let me know if you want to join us and learn more about the Swan 51’s plans.

Bermuda Cruising Rally – (This opportunity to sail with Tania may already be full but I will know more next week when I am home. If there is enough interested I may look for another boat to sail in the rally that I will skipper. Again I will know more next week. But if you want to sail in the rally please let me know and we can talk next week, hank)

A rare chance to sail with a true sailing celebrity. Gather in Greenport NY June 18^th for departure that weekend. Stay until June 27^th.  Sail to Bermuda or back with Tania Aebi on a Swan 48 for $2200 for the rally and trip to Bermuda. Return Passage June 28^th to July 4^th Bermuda to Newport. $1800. It looks like we may also have two or three crew berths on an Amel 53 for the trip to and or from Bermuda in the rally. The costs for the Amel is $1500 for the ride down and $1300 for the rip back. We have plenty of time before the rally so just let us know if you think you are interested and we can talk more when I am in the office next month.

Opportunities                                                                                                               

Mexico to Hawaii and then to Seattle his home port - Boat Owner, xxxxxxxxxxxxx, is a first time contact looking for crew for this passage from Mexico to HI.  He plans to depart Puerto Vallarta April 23, arrive Hilo Hawaii in about one month, but you should leave about 35 days for the passage just in case. The ideal crew would also like to make the next leg to Seattle. If you can only do one leg you can ask xxxxxxxx about the 2^nd leg and joining him in HI. The boat is a 1984 47 foot sloop (don’t forget to ask what kind, but a 9 foot draft may mean a performance boat.) David filled out our online form and wanted to call me with more info, but I am away from the office as you know. The trip is free with onboard expenses included, but you need to get to and from the boat and have money for shoreside expenses. I wanted to include the opportunity in this April 1^st Notice so here it is. The boat seems very well equipped and xxxxxxseems a very capable skipper. Contactxxxxxxxxx for more info and I will speak with him when I am back home. The boats name is xxxxxxxxxand he has a web site.  xxxxxxxxxx so you can check it out online before e-mailing. His e-mail address is xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Our online form lets owners describe there perfect crew. Here is what xxxxxxxx e-mailed:

“Someone who has done an ocean crossing and the other crew would love to do it with them again given the opportunity.  Someone who likes time behind the wheel and sails by the feel of the wind instead of staring at instruments.  Someone who is still excited by Dolphins one bow wave. Someone who is easy to talk to and can also be comfortable with silence. Someone who is not a picky eater, but enjoys cooking and good food and a non-smoker.”

xxxxxxxxxxx______________________________________
  

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

Swan Opportunities

Newport Bermuda Race

Opportunities

Editorial – We just sailed back from the BVI’s Sunday and crew arrived Monday to get ready for the Heineken regatta. This is the 30^th anniversary and our 5^th regatta with Avocation. It is shaping up to be a big year and we are all very excited.  We have a very good crew this year and today is the first day of two practice days with three days of racing to follow. AJ Smith, one of our OPO Swan Skippers, has a small video camera and is putting together a film for us. We have 11 other OPO members and our Sailmaker from Doyle with us. The crew is bonding together great. The next big regatta for us is less than two months away. We still have 4 berths left for Antigua Sailing Week. The details are below, but it is, for us, an 8 to 10 day regatta for you with one day of practice and six days of racing. Just e-mail Cathy in the office if you want to jon us for this or any of the Swan opportunities listed below. You only need to send in a $500 deposit now and any balance is not due until 30 days before the passage. I check e-mails when I can and will be in the office for two weeks in April right after Easter to send you logistical details. You should be able to follow the regatta at the Heineken Regatta website.and I will let you know when AJ’s video is online. Racing starts on Friday. I will try and send a recap next week after the regatta.

More web site news – it appears most members are able to fill out their profiles on our OPO web site. If you are having problems I will be back next month and we can help those who are still not done entering their online resume.. At this point, not having your profile up, will not hinder your chances to get aboard a boat. Another new feature that we are working on is a file sharing section where members will be able to post their sailing pictures and videos on the site to share with others. It is in the Beta stage and I will not be able to complete and put up until April. It should be a lot of fun.

Newport Bermuda Race – Anyone attending a “Safety-at-Sea” seminar this spring will get a copy of the Newport Bermuda Race Program that has our ad offering boat owners entered in the race this year the opportunity to contact us to get crew for the return passage. It will be very interesting to see how many calls we get. Already we have had one new owner call who says he is about to buy a boat and may even want crew for the race. He does not sound like an experienced offshore racer as he has asked about getting a navigator and two watch captains. Once he confirms that he has bought his boat, we may have several berths for the race down, when normally we expect only return passage opportunities after the race. While Avocation and myself are not in the race this year, we will be sailing down to Bermuda in the Bermuda Cruising Rally about the same time and should be able to come down to Hamilton to see any members arriving for the return passage.

Antigua Sailing Week – Fly into Antigua Thursday April 22^nd and fly home  May 1^st.   Friday is practice day and racing starts on Saturday. There are six days of racing with one lay day in the middle. We charter a support boat for people to sleep aboard for the regatta.  We have only 4 berths left. We may have to charter two support boats so we are comfortable.  We already have a 46 foot Cat with 6 cabins. Veteran Swan Skipper Rick Butler will be skippering her once again. She is a great party platform for après race days. If we have a crew of 12 to 14 we will et a second boat so we will be an OPO mini fleet for the regatta. This is the best, if not biggest, event of the season. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us this year. The cost for Antigua Sailing Week is $2250 which includes a berth on the support boat.     

Trans-At – Sail a Swan 51 from Antigua to the UK. Fly into Antigua May 4^th for departure May 6^th. The passage to the Azores will take 14 to 16 days. You will have three or four days to visit Peter’s Café Sport and get ready for the 10 day sail to the UK. Four OPO crew made the passage last year on the same boat with the same British pro skipper and mate and they had a great time. The cost for the Trans-at including all provisioning and boat expenses is huge bargain at $2750. That’s only about $500 per week and includes all expenses except airfare. Please contact me if you are looking to book a Trans-at this spring on a good boat with a very nice and young pro-skipper.   

Our Annual St. Maarten-Bermuda-Newport-NY –Sail aboard Avocation or the Swan 57 Boonatsa departing the Caribbean May 8^th and arriving in Newport May 23^rd  and NY May 24^th.  I will be skippering Avocation and our most popular skipper Murray Jacob will be sailing the Swan 57 back. This is a great first time passage as we start in classic Trade Winds in warmer weather and have the challenging 2^nd leg from Bermuda to the States after crew get their sea legs. We cover 1500 miles in fourteen days for $2500 all inclusive. If you want to join Murray or myself, please contact us soon. I also just spoke with a pro skipper friend at the dock yesterday who runs a Swan 51. He says he is also heading north this May because he has a charter for the Bermuda Race before then sailing to Europe from Bermuda I late June. Let me know if you want to join us and learn more about the Swan 51’s plans.

Bermuda Cruising Rally – A rare chance to sail with a true sailing celebrity. Gather in Greenport NY June 18^th for departure that weekend. Stay until June 27^th.  Sail to Bermuda or back with Tania Aebi on a Swan 48 for $2200 for the rally and trip to Bermuda. Return Passage June 28^th to July 4^th Bermuda to Newport. $1800. It looks like we may also have two or three crew berths on an Amel 53 for the trip to and or from Bermuda in the rally. The costs for the Amel is $1500 for the ride down and $1300 for the rip back. We have plenty of time before the rally so just let us know if you think you are interested and we can talk more when I am in the office next month.

Opportunities 

Mexico to New Zealand – Our New Zealand connection of many years, pro skipper Chris Bone forwarded us this opportunity this week. Chris is a very accomplished delivery skipper and runs a delivery service down under. He includes us in any opportunities that start nearer to us or that sound good. If interested, please contact the owner to learn more.

Thanks, Chris Bone

Ben 32 Captain , and I, Don  the  retired  owner  are looking for 2 mature ethical people  to join us on a shared cost for food and fuel, proportional basis - on a 53 ft Ketch recently  refitted  for a Pacific Adventure -- ultimately to arrive in   NZ- presently the Ketch is in La Paz , Mexico --we will leave from Puerto Verlatta  end of March early April. and visit as many Islands as the  crew want !!!!
 We are looking for  people who have experience, are team players, happy , practical with either mechanical /electrical /navagational / cooking / musical / electronic skills. We are happy to have the potential crew join us sooner if necessary -- 
  Please reply to this email --  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hawaii to Australia – xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx is a pro skipper and has gotten crew fro us before. He plans to depart about the 18^th of April with stops in Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia before ending up in Coffs Harbor north of Sydney. He is estimating the trip will take about 36 days. He has some crew, including the owner, who is doing a great job of taking care of getting the nboat ready including all the safety gear. I think, when you have the owner also going, that he makes sure the boat is definitely ready since he is aboard., so the combination of owner and a pro paid skipper is the best.  Richard is looking for one or two more semi-experienced crew. The trip is free with all boat expenses included. You just need to get to and from the boat. Oh yea, and this is a great boat, an Oyster 48. To find out more please contact Richard at the following contact info

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Smooth Passage Yacht Delivery
Vashon, Washington
   

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial – Fill out your online survey yet?

OPO Winter Work

Winter Caribbean Season

Opportunities

Editorial – The OPO web meister has been tweaking the OPO web site and you should be able to copy and paste your resume to the profile. The 5000 work max setting has been deleted. The most important part of the profile is the passages you have made and the sea miles/days at sea. Please use the sea mile passage format to calculate your sea miles and sea time. Make sure you add new trips as you complete them. If you do not have much sea time and are just getting started, do not worry. Everyone starts somewhere.  Emphasize your willingness to learn and follow orders and others ways you can contribute to the passage. (cooking/mechanical skills, medical training, foreign language, offering elbow grease or pre departure logistical solutions.) There are other ways to make yourself as attractive as possible. An eager new crew can be worth more than a know-it-all old sea-dog. Do not underestimate any small boat handling skills. If you can sail a small boat you can sail a big one, but not necessarily the other way around.

I am going to make it my goal to have every OPO member fill out their crew profile. When we first stared in 1993 very few members had e-mail. We started our web site in 1996. Now 100% of members have e-mail and you should all be able to enter your profile online. If you have trouble we can have our web guy answer your questions. It may take a while, but if we can get near 100% compliance then OPO will be able to boast to other professionals in the business and to boat owners and skippers that our service will allow them to look at member’s profiles and resumes after you contact them and give them permission by giving them your nickname “password”.  This added member benefit and OPO feature will make our service unique and more valuable to our target market, boats owners and delivery skippers looking for crew, but also more valuable to our members.  The automatic calculator for sea time and sea miles will help you keep track of your sea time which is very important if you one day plan to get your captains license, or when you need to renew after five years. Please do make it your intention to fill out your online OPO survey this month.

OPO Winter Work– We do not sit around waiting for opportunities to find us. We actively seek out offshore passage opportunities for our members. One way is to be in the Caribbean roaming around and getting the word out. Being visible at the Caribbean Regattas and networking with other delivery skippers in the islands and even individually meeting owners who are cruising helps. (This is my favorite way to promote OPO.) In March we will be attending our 5^th Swan Rendezvous and presenting the best maintained Swan Award on behalf of the Swan Owners Association, which I am a board member of. My Swan Owners Association board membership is a good way to offer our services and we are featured prominently on the Swan Owners Web site. You can take a look at www.swanowners.com  The picture on the home page is of our NARC Rally departure a few years ago in Newport.

We also added the biggest Caribbean magazine “All-at-Sea” to our roster of sailing magazines where we advertise to skippers looking for crew.

Once again this year I am actively pursuing the Bermuda Race committee to offer our crew network service to race participants to offer crew for the return passage from Bermuda. There will be about 125-150 boats entered in the Bermuda Race this year and I am sure some of them will be looking for crew for the return passage. I have been in e-mail touch with John Rousmienere, who is one of the lead organizers. It looks like we will get a free mention on their web site. It is hard working with an all volunteer organization, but I think we have wore them down over the years and they see the benefit of offering our service to race participants.

This June we are also helping to organize the 3^rd edition of the Bermuda Cruising Rally. This departs from Greenport LI about the same time as the Bermuda Race, the 3^rd week in June. Tania Aebi will be skippering Avocation and I will be on another boat for the trip down and back. There will also be opportunities to sail for free on other boats in the fleet. We will let you now as we learn who needs crew. We enjoy the rally concept and the opportunities they provide for our members, which brings us to our own Rally. If you have a boat and want to make an offshore passage this June to test systems and yourself, this is a good offshore passage to start with. Check out the rally at www.bermudacruisingrally.com

It looks like the 2010 Edition of the NARC Rally will be adding more guidance for new offshore sailors and instructional services. This year the rally grew to 31 boats. With a larger audience there is room to improve the offering for both first timers and veterans alike. One of the participants, David Lyman, on “Searcher” a Bowman 57, wants to take lead point on organizing our departure in Newport. We are going to support the effort and plan to make the rally bigger, and thus get more offshore passage opportunities form our members. 

Winter Caribbean Season – Our three charter weeks and the Heineken Regatta are full. (Actually we have one berth for Heineken, but have one couple I am waiting to hear from to see if they are joining us for the Heineken Regatta or Antigua Sailing Week, but you can call to see about this last berth if you wish.) I look forward to meeting new members and repeat participants this winter. I fly down next week, but will be in e-mail touch most days. Cathy will also be checking the office phones and e-mail until she comes down for the Swan Rendezvous in March.

The next openings to join us are for Antigua Sailing Week towards the end of April.

Antigua Sailing Week – Fly into Antigua Thursday April 22^nd  and fly home  May 1^st.   Friday is practice day and racing starts on Saturday. There are 5 days of racing with one lay day in the middle. We charter a support boat for people to sleep aboard for the regatta. Right now we are already half full. If we get a full compliment of crew (for Avocation that is 12 to 14 crew), I plan to charter two support boats so we are comfortable. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us this year. The cost for Antigua Sailing Week is $2250 which includes a berth on the support boat.     

Trans-At – Sail a Swan 51 from Antigua to the UK. Fly into Antigua May 4^th for departure May 6^th. The passage to the Azores will take 14 to 16 days. You will have three or four days to visit Peter’s Café Sport and get ready for the 10 day sail to the UK. Four OPO crew made the passage last year on the same boat with a British pro skipper and mate and they had a great time. The same skipper is going this year. The cost for the Trans-at including all provisioning and boat expenses is $2750. Please contact me if you are looking to book a Trans-at this spring on a good boat with a very nice and young pro-skipper.   

Our Annual St. Maarten-Bermuda-Newport-NY –Sail aboard Avocation or the Swan 57 Boonatsa departing the Caribbean May 8^th and arriving in Newport May 23^rd  and NY May 24^th.  I will be skippering Avocation and our most popular skipper Murray Jacob will be sailing the Swan 57 back. This is a great first time passage as we start in classic Trade Winds in warmer weather and have the challenging 2^nd leg from Bermuda to the States after crew get their sea legs. We cover 1500 miles in fourteen days for $2500 all inclusive. If you want to join Murray or myself, please contact us soon.

Bermuda Cruising Rally – A rare chance to sail with a true sailing celebrity. Gather in Greenport NY June 18^th for departure that weekend. Stay until June 27^th.  Sail to Bermuda or back with Tania Aebi on a Swan 48 for $2200 for the rally and trip to Bermuda. Return Passage June 28^th to July 4^th Bermuda to Newport. $1800

Buying an Offshore Boat – Many members are looking to buy a boat in the future so they can go sailing offshore on their own. Through OPO they are gaining more sea miles and time at sea, and seeing first hand what works and what does not work offshore. I often get asked what is a good offshore boat to buy. Now we have a definitive resource to answer that question. OPO member # 08 and erstwhile OPO skipper Charlie Doane has written a book, The Modern Cruising Sailboat: A Complete Guide to Design, Construction & Outfitting that has just been released by International Marine/McGraw-Hill.  I have already ordered my copy. It is a hefty reference work full of lots of useful info on cruising boats in general and also includes detailed profiles of 40 specific boats. You can buy the book directly through the usual retail outlets and help boost Charlie’s official sales numbers. Or you can contact Charlie directly at charlesdoane@comcast.net and he’ll sell you a signed copy personally. He’s offering a discount for OPO members ($30, marked down from $39.95) plus shipping. Also, be sure to check out Charlie’s new blog at www.wavetrain.net and www.boatermouth.com OPO Special on the book for the month of Feb Only. Contact Charlie this month for an autographed copy and you can deduct $10 on your OPO dues in September. So you get the book for half price. Be one of the first to get your copy.

Opportunities 

1) Nassau Bahamas to Annapolis MD – Boat Owner xxxxxxxxxxhas a 2008 Beneteau 43 that he will be sailing from Nassau home this May. He is looking for one crew more crew for a total of four crew. The plan is for crew to fly in May 7^th for departure the next day and to plan to fly home from BWI Airport near Annapolis May 16^th. xxxxxxxxxsailed south in the Caribbean 1500 and the boat is in very good shape. He has owned her since new. The trip is free with all onboard expenses but you need to get to and from the boat. To sing aboard contact xxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxxx

2) RI – Bermuda – Norfolk VA –RI – Maine – New caller xxxxxxxxowns a very well equipped Shannon 43. He has been getting the boat and himself ready for the following passages this summer in preparation for a Trans Atlantic next year. The plans are a bit fluid but xxxxxxxxx includes enough information to get a good idea of some of the options for this year. The trips are free with crew getting to and from the boat unless specified below.  Here is the itinerary that xxxxxxx sent us along with some notes about himself and the boat. Please contact either one of us if you are interested in learning more and signing aboard. His e-mail is xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com

RI to BERMUDA - leaving approx. July 5 - 3 berths available 

I'd like to find at least one other companion who has made this or a similar trip before.

If you are also staying on for the next leg you can stay aboard while in harbor.  (In that circumstance you would help with laundry, watering and provisioning.)

BERMUDA to VA - leaving approx. July 16 - 2-3 berths available

I'm inviting my son, Lewis, on this leg if his schedule permits.

Both of the ocean legs are in the 4-8 day range.

VA to RI - leaving approx. July 23 - 1-4 berths available

We will coast up the Chesapeake, visit Annapolis, transit the C&D canal, and jump from Cape May NJ back to RI, taking a week or so. (Mostly coastal, 1 night at sea)

I expect to spend at least 2 nights in Annapolis so if anybody just wants to do from there to the end that would be fine.

RI to PORTLAND ME - leaving mid-August

After a trip back home and some time at Bristol Marine, I'll take it easy getting back to Maine, possibly solo.  1-way transportation provided as I am moving the car back to Maine. (Mostly coastal, possibly a night or two at sea)

“By the time of the trip I will have experience of about 5,000 cruising miles including the training run from USVI to Norfolk this May.  I'll also have ASA certification through level 108, including celestial and coastal navigation, plus training in medical procedures (SSCA), diesel (Mass Maritime), and safety at sea (USS, LRSE).  I have lived aboard Isabella 3 summers, cruising between NYC and Mt Desert

The boat has been thoroughly refit and includes the usual offshore equipment such as life raft, jack lines, EPIRB, sat phone, SSB, radar, AIS, flares, harnesses, para anchor, 200 gals water, 100 gals fuel, etc.  Refrigeration, freshwater, waste systems, and bilge pumps have also been renewed, along with fuel and electrical systems.  With all that, the boat is comparatively low tech, without water maker, generator, bow thrusters, or air conditioning. Most of the sails and running rigging are also new.”

3) Bermuda Cruising Rally – Boat Owner xxxxxxxxx is sailing in the Rally this year and would like to start lining up crew early. He gives us lots of information about himself and the boat. If you are interested please contact him and make further plans. The dates for the rally are roughly June 17^th to July 5^th for both legs.

Trinity – Crew Roster and Sailing Bios

Owner/Captain:  xxxxxxx  xxxxxxxxxx(40) has been sailing since the age of ten, having participated in numerous training and racing programs.  In his earlier years he sailed racing dinghies, primarily International 505s and 470s, with the past 20-years spent sailing boats 30-feet and larger.  He has owned Trinity, a Freedom 36, for the past seven years, primarily sailing singlehanded on regional excursions as far north as Casco Bay, Maine, and south to Nantucket Sound and the ‘islands’.  He has captained several bareboat trips in the Virgin Islands.  In addition to basic seamanship and safety courses over years, the mechanically-inclined Maggiacomo has attended diesel engine service and repair classes and has completed numerous mechanical upgrades and necessary repairs at sea.

Personal/Other Info:  xxxxxxxxxxxx is an exec. at a bank based in Boston.xxxxxxxxand his wife, Cecile, have three children and reside in Newbury, Massachusetts.  Other personal interests include music, running, cycling, and automobiles. 

Passenger:  xxxxxxxxxxxthirteen year old daughter will be accompanying her father on the Bermuda sailing trip.  Olivia is an aspiring marine biologist and is the oldest ofxxxxxxxxxx three children.  Olivia has assisted her father on numerous trips and, truth be told, is currently the only other person in the family with a determined interest in sailing.

Crew:

We are looking for three experienced crew members to participate in the Bermuda Cruising Rally, from Greenport Long Island to Bermuda, including the return trip which, while still being determined, may be back to home port (Marblehead).  Female crew members are encouraged given that the owner’s thirteen year old daughter will be on board.  Crew members must be deemed acceptable crew for insurance purposes.  Obviously, must be non-smoker/drinker while on board.

Freedom 36 ‘xxxxxxxxxx’ information:

The Freedom 36, designed by Gary Mull and made by Freedom Yachts (Tillotson Pearson, Inc.), has gained a reputation as an easy sailing high-quality boat with a large interior.  Trinity has received constant care and maintenance.  Traditional Freedom carbon fiber spar and sloop rig with all sail controls lead to the cockpit, which leaves the deck wide open for access.  A self-tending jib and all lines leading into the cockpit again, make this boat an easy short-handed sailboat.  She has two private staterooms, a spacious main saloon with bulkhead mounted fold away table, sit-down navigation station, and lots opening ports and hatches for ventilation. "Trinity" has been recently upgraded with electronics. She has everything needed for coastal, offshore, shorthanded cruising. This boat is in very good condition and a pleasure to look at, particularly with her navy blue hull.  Photos attached below… Contact Mike at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

4) Skipper/mates position – xxxxxxxxxxxowns a very nice Beneteau 47 that he keeps at xxxxxxxxx Yacht Club in xxxxxxxxxxxxxNY on the north shore of Long Island. I have delivered his boat from our east back to xxxxxxxxx the past 3 or 4 years. xxxxxx called asking to fill a unique opportunity to stay aboard his boat full time (for someone that lives farther away) or part time (for someone living closer) to do light maintenance and sail withxxxxxxxor to deliver the boat to pints east this summer. The position would be from mid to late June to the Labor Day Weekend. If you were to move the boat out east you would call us for another one or two crew to make the trip. Even though you would live aboard the bat on a mooring part when in xxxxxxxxxx the boa has a very nice center console inflatable dinghy to get around. Salary would be in the “spending only” range of a couple of hundred a week. You can call me to ask more about the opportunity as I envision it and of course call xxxxx at  xxxxxxx or e-mail xxxxxxxxxx

    Notice to OPO Mariners

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editorial

OPO Web Site Profile & Sea Log

Buying an Offshore Boat? THEN BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Winter Caribbean Season

Opportunities

Editorial – A month ago I thought I would be around most of January. Instead next week I am departing on the first of two deliveries that will take up most of the month. I have one OPO member going on each trip with owners and friends making up the rest of the crew. Next week from January 4^th to the 8^th will be the best time to get in touch with me and plan some sailing this winter. After that Cathy will be monitoring the office.

Members who get Cruising World Magazine will enjoy this month’s column by Fatty Goodlander. It is about delivery skippers and delivering boats. Fatty is very funny and very good at listing the good attributes of a delivery crew. Make sure you read it or read it online if you can.

If you have not already filled out your OPO profile online we have new printed instructions in this notice to help you get started. I have filled out my profile and you can view my resume on the site. My web nickname to view my profile is “hank”. This was the first time I have written down my sea miles. I kept good records the last 15 years after I had to gather my sea time for the Captains License the first time. In my profile I only listed trips I had in my records or old invoice books. I am missing a lot of deliveries from 1986 until 1991 so fell short of my perceived 200,000 plus offshore miles, but felt I should not list sea miles that I can not document. I also did not include most of the sailing on my own Tayana 37 unless they were long passages and nothing on smaller dinghies during nine years in junior sailing programs, 3 summers driving a launch or the 5 years on my Dads Cal 2-30 all before age 19. I have almost 2000 days at sea (not including 7 years working offshore oil rigs nor 14 years living aboard) and 170,000 miles. Take a look and see if you can find the deliveries you may have done with me.

Please fill out your profile and log your sea time.  Please make sure to update your sea time after each passage you make. The web site will automatically keep track of your sea miles and sea time. You will then be able to direct prospective boat owners and delivery skippers to your resume on the opo web site making it much easier for them to choose you to sail with them. Just direct them to the site and give them your nickname.

You may want to print and save the following instructions to help you fill out your online survey.

Getting Started

Welcome Aboard! Now that you’re a member of Offshore Passage Opportunities, we encourage you to visit our website, www.sailopo.com, and create your own online account. This will make it easy for captains and others that you wish to learn more about you to welcome you aboard.

Your online account will enable to you:

>        Easily develop and maintain your sea log—essential for U.S. Coast Guard Certification

>        Create and optionally share your profile with other OPO Members

>        Enable you to view the shared profiles of others

>        View sailing opportunities via the World Wide Web*

* The OPO Notices are sent to active members as they become available. You can go to the site to see past opportunities, but the online opportunities do not contain contact information.

To begin you should:

1. Create Your Online Account

Click on the orange "New Account" icon in the upper-right corner of the website.

Enter your Email Address and a password. You will receive an email containing a confirmation link ensuring you have access to the provided Email Address and no typos occurred.

Upon clicking the confirmation link, your account will become active. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam or junk folders--and then add admin@sailopo.com as an authorized sender.

If your account already exists and you do not know or cannot remember the password, select the "Retrieve Password" option under the "Account" navigational menu. Then enter your Email Address and your password will be sent to you via email. 

2. Complete Your Online Profile

We encourage each Member to complete their online profile. Select the "Update Profile" option under the "Account" navigational menu and enter your contact information, indicate your sailing role and years of experience, select an OPO Nickname (your name that will enable other OPO Members to view your profile), your free-form sailing profile, skills, and a photograph (optional). You can also indicate if you would like this information to be shared with other members, or if you would prefer to maintain this information as private.

3. Build Your Sea Log

After each trip, we encourage Members to update your personal Sea Log with the details of your journey. Enter the details by pressing the “Add Sea Log Entry” button within your Account Profile. Your days and miles at sea are automatically totaled for you! And each entry can be edited at any time. This information offers a helpful reminder of your trips and is essential for U.S. Coast Guard Certification; it’s a service we uniquely offer to our Members.

4. Explore the Information on the Site

Based upon decades of sailing, we have many helpful tips and forms on our site. We encourage Members to explore these items along with our Announcements and information regarding Rallies and Regattas. If you have questions or would like to see additional information on our site, please contact us using the “Contact OPO” form. We’ll get back to you quickly! Or simply give us a call at 631-423-4988

To access a profile, all one has to do is select the “Member Search” item under “Message Board” and enter a nickname. A nickname is the name selected for yourself when creating your own profile. Give the nickname to skippers that you wish to see your profile

New iPhone App by OPO Member

This iphone app has been developed by OPO member Thaddeus Kubis and is a new tool for keeping track of your logs.  Thad sent us the following press release about his new ap. The cost for the application is $3.99

New Sailing iPhone app released

SailingRx releases Quick Log^sm

Using an iPhone based app for tracking your sailing adventure is the key goal of this new interactive tool. The iPhone app has been conceived and developed by U.S.G.C licensed Captain and delivery skipper Thaddeus B. Kubis and has been designed to be used by sailors. A power boating version is currently being developed as well.

The app titled Quick Log^sm includes entry pages to start a new log, view past trips, and other sailing related online resources.

Entry screens for destinations, track your route and even the ability to add a photo of your own boat, photos of the trip and photo of your destination are just a click away.

Quick Log allows you to record your port of embarkation, time and other “exiting” data. Record your course, make in route trip comments, log your position (Lat/Long), and include weather conditions, sea state, wind speed and direction on your iPhone. List your crewmembers, emergency contact information and email your float plan to your home base.

Once you reached your destination you can save the route. Need to review a past trip, just open to the Archived Quick logs screen and all your stored trips are ready for you to review, relive and enjoy again.

Quick Log will be available via the iPhone app store in January 2010.

For additional information contact Thaddeus B. Kubis at thad@sailingrx.com.

Buying an Offshore Boat – Many members are looking to buy a boat in the future so they can go sailing offshore on their own. Through OPO they are gaining more sea miles and time at sea, and seeing first hand what works and what does not work offshore. I often get asked what is a good offshore boat to buy. Now we have a definitive resource to answer that question. OPO member # 08 and erstwhile OPO skipper Charlie Doane has written a book, The Modern Cruising Sailboat: A Complete Guide to Design, Construction & Outfitting that has just been released by International Marine/McGraw-Hill.  I have already ordered my copy. It is a hefty reference work full of lots of useful info on cruising boats in general and also includes detailed profiles of 40 specific boats. You can buy the book directly through the usual retail outlets and help boost Charlie’s official sales numbers. Or you can contact Charlie directly at charlesdoane@comcast.net and he’ll sell you a signed copy personally. He’s offering a discount for OPO members ($30, marked down from $39.95) plus shipping. Also, be sure to check out Charlie’s new blog at www.wavetrain.net and www.boatermouth.com

Winter Caribbean Season – We hope you can join us for some sailing in the islands this winter. This is a great opportunity to meet each other and talk about your future plans. Plus I do not know anywhere you can sail on a captained charter for about $100 a day. Here are the dates and the opportunities to sail with us this winter. Starting February 11^th in St. Maarten we will offer two weeks of charter options to join us in the BVI. Anyone joining the first week will fly into St. Maarten Thursday Feb 11th for departure the next day for the BVI. Crew change will be each Saturday in Tortola. You can join us for 10 days (Feb 11^th) and fly home from Tortola Feb 20^th or stay two weeks and fly home from Tortola Feb 27^th or join us for three weeks and sail back to St. Maarten with us for Heineken Regatta. We will be back in St. Maarten Monday March 1^st. The cost is $1000 per person per week plus we split dockage and provisioning 4 or 5 ways among the crew which works out to be about $125 to $150 per week. 

Once Again to make sure you have the dates and places to fly into:

Week I Fly into St. Maarten Friday Feb 11th^th and sail over to the BVI’s and stay aboard until Saturday Feb 20^th. We start with an overnight passage to the BVI’s and then spend a week cruising. Price $1000 per week. Fly home from Tortola on Feb 20th. You can also make round trip flight arrangement to fly into and home from Tortola planning to join us Saturday Feb 13^th in Roadtown Village Cay Marina anytime on Saturday and fly home the next week Feb 20^th.

Week II  Fly into Tortola Sat Feb 20^th and spend a week until Feb 27^th with a round trip ticket to Tortola. Or you can stay aboard for the sail back to St. Maarten and fly home from there on Monday March 1st. to make it a 10 day get-a-way

Either option can get you 10 days for $1000.  

Option III – Another option is to stay in St. Martin for the Heineken Regatta for a full two or three weeks in the Caribbean which is a good combination of cruising and racing.

The details for the regatta:

30^th Annual Heineken Regatta

This will be an extra big year for the Heineken Regatta since it is the 30^th anniversary. We have 2 days of practice and a near new set of sails so we will be very competitive. The price for the Heineken Regatta, which includes accommodations across the street at the Pelican Resorts in their new building on the water, is $2500. Bring a non-sailing spouse for only $850 more for accommodations for the week. Our Sailmaker, Mark Washeim, from Doyle will be back again this year for the regatta. A $500 deposit will reserve a berth for you with the balance not due until one month before the regatta.

Dates: Fly into St. Maarten on Monday March 1^st and move into the crew quarters.   Tuesday we finish getting the boat ready to race and we practice on Wednesday and Thursday for racing Friday through Sunday. Sunday is the final day of racing and the big Party on Kim-Sha Beach. Crew depart on Monday March 7^th, although if you have trouble getting a flight you can stay onboard since I will be in St. Maarten that week.

If you would like to join us for a week or more in the Caribbean sailing a captained Swan 48 please let me know.