Notice to OPO Mariners, Febuary 1, 2007
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Hank Schmitt, P.O. Box 2032, Halesite, NY 11743
631-423-4988, 1-800-4PASSAGe, Fax 631-423-9009
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Editorial
I think this is the first time in 15 years that our monthly notice has not gone out on time or within one or two days of the 1st of the month. As most of you know and new members are finding out I was away on a long delivery from Cape Town South Africa to the Caribbean. Cathy does a good job of taking care of the office while I am gone, but even she said this trip was too long. The boat was a week delayed upon our arrival as she was still being built so I did not get back near our Feb deadline. Cathy also said no more long trips.
But as I explained to her, just as college professors write books to stay on the top of their game, delivery skippers need to make trans-oceanic passages every couple of years and also add new crossing to their resumes. Since I have now done this run it will be much easier to find and secure more trips from South Africa for our members. A lot of Catamarans are built in South Africa and they need to be taken to the Caribbean. At the YBAA Yacht Brokers Convention next month I will be able to start soliciting more trips from South Africa and offer them to our members.
The boat we delivered was a new design by "Scape Yachts" and this boat will most likely be at the Miami Boat Show next year. She was only 39' long, but fast (when there was wind). Sail editor-at- large and OPO member # 8 Charlie Doane was also aboard and we will let you know when he writes his article about the passage so you can see pictures and know more about the passage. Our stop in St. Helena was a very interesting stop on an island that sees very few outsiders since there is no airport and only ship service everyone couple of weeks.
I am only home two days and will be flying to St. Martin for a week with Cathy and then the Heineken Regatta with 13 OPO members. So no one will be checking the phone or e-mail for the next 10 days and I will be back in the office March 7th. Cathy will be back to check February 26th.
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Winter Caribbean Circuit
Crew for the Heineken Regatta filled up over a month ago. Our next regatta is the BVI Regatta which we also participated in last year. In many ways it is nicer than the Heineken Regatta since all the shore parties are in one place and you get to meet and know more of the other crews. Heineken is spread out all over the island. New this year we will not be tied to the pre regatta schedule and will practice for two or three days and stay in different harbors the first two or three nights to see more of the Islands than last year. Side trips to Jost and Norman Islands and time for some snorkeling before the racing starts on Friday.
The dates are for crew to fly into Tortola (or fly to St. Thomas and take the ferry over) are to arrive Monday 26th and fly home Monday April 2nd. We sail back to St. Martin April 2nd so if you want to sail back to St. Martin and fly home in the afternoon of April 3rd you can join us for the sail back at no extra charge. We have a support boat (Benetau 50) for people to stay aboard as well as Avocation for the week. Also included in the price are Team Clothing, pro bowman and a very competitive boat. We have a new light # 1 Genoa and carbon fiber spinnaker pole and the bottom has just been done. The price for everything for the week except food (local food courts are open each night of the event for plates of food for about $10) is $2200 ($200 less than for the Heineken Regatta) with a $500 discount for past members of the OPO Race Team (OPORT).
The boat is chartered for Antigua Sailing Week so this is the last regatta racing opportunity for the year. If you want to join us simply send in a $500 deposit now made out to OPO and book your plane tickets (call Shane our travel agent if you want at 602-870-0294). I will contact you after I return March 7th for the final logistical details.
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Winter Caribbean Circuit
We are planning a cruise aboard our Swan 48 Avocation, this cruse will be centered on Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, which is held April the 19th to the 24th. Avocation will be skippered by Gareth Hughes, who has an enduring interest and knowledge about the participating classic yachts. Gareth has sailed aboard a good number of them. This will be a chance to enjoy a low key week aboard a modern thoroughbred in some of the best sailing waters in the world, surrounded by beautiful classic yachts. The scuttlebutt is that the Classic regatta has captured some of the joy de vivre that Race week has lost. If you questions the next two weeks you can e-mail Gareth at sailingwithgareth@yahoo.com, or plan to contact me and I will get back to you March 7th when I return. The price for the week is $2400 per person or $4500 for a couple. The price includes light provisioning, but champagne and caviar is extra. The first couple to sign up gets the aft main cabin. The cruise is limited to 6 people. If you want to get your own accommodations ashore and spend the day sailing aboard Avocation the price is $1200 per person and we can have more than 6 people aboard sailing during the day. Crew can plan to fly into and out of Antigua, but you may also fly into St. Martin a couple of days early to sail down with Gareth and then back right after the regatta back to St. Martin. The dates would be to fly into St. Martin on April 17th for departure the 18th to be in Antigua to meet those flying into Antigua on the 19th and then if you are flying out of St. Martin to book flights home on April 26th but depart from Antigua on April 24tth if you are flying into and out of Antigua. The airfare to and from St. Martin will be a little cheaper. Again you can contact Shane for flight information and booking flight. If you want to go just send in a $500 deposit to OPO now and the balance is not due until a couple of weeks before the trip.
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