Favorite Sailing Yachts

July 21, 2013
Panama City, Panama



How could we possibly have ONE favorite sailing yacht?  There are so many out-there, of all sizes.  So, I'll start with the latest sighting:  HETAIROS  -  She is 219 feet of sparkling green beauty.  We sighted her in Panama, the same day we sighted VENUS and it was quite a contrast to see those yachts next to each other: the ultra-modern VENUS and the ultra-classic (with all modern amenities) HETAIROS.



Her tender, HETAIRA is equally tempting, all mahogany.










And then, there is SPIIP   -  A CNB product, modern and racy, we bumped into them twice already, in Antigua and in Panama City.  

At 86', SPIIP can accommodate 6 guests in style

Not sure what this 5-spreader is, but we sighted her at Marina Verolme in Brazil.  She only came to refuel, was in and out, en route to where the wind blows.











There is a special place in our hearts for TABOO.   We spent 6 weeks on the hard next to them in Trinidad, and we kept going up the Caribbean side-by-side.  Whether in Grenada, Bequia, St. Bart, or the BVIs, the azure-blue hull gleaming at the anchorage was a welcome sight.  David and Miranda are genial hosts, sure to show their guests a great time.

TABOO in St. Barth

And then, of course, there is the mother-of-all sailing yachts, The MALTESE FALCON.  Not much I can say about this yacht, except that it's a sight you never forget.

The FALCON in Antigua  (Casino Royale is just behind her... not bad either!)

As jaw-dropping as all these modern beauties are, there is no denying the classic yacht.  What better place to go watch them than Newport, RI.  I don't even know the name of most of the yachts I shot photos of, but I'll just let you enjoy the lines...

The AQUIDNECK shows its power right off the start

A windy day in Newport Harbor and the tourists go for a harbour cruise.

The elegant schooner ADIRONDAK

Unmistakable: the red sails of AURORA

Other sights?  Schooners always make for a great photo... In Martha's Vineyard, the Black Dog Tallships Alabama and Shenandoah make for wonderful historical experiences.

The ALABAMA leaves Vineyard Haven

I'm not exactly sure where we saw that little number, but I had to snap it too.


















The crossing to Nantucket brought a lovely surprise...  This little classic beauty and rugged crew delighted us!

On the way to Nantucket

Back down the Chesapeake, it's the watermen who delighted us with their classic SKIPJACKS.

Just south of St. Michael's a classic Chesapeake Bay SKIPJACK

 From classic to ultra-modern sport....

on a breezy day in Newport, RI


















Pirate ships?  Of course, they exist!  The Brazilian wooden "Scuna" is the perfect ship!

"PEROLA NEGRA" (Black Pearl) outside Capri Yacht Club, on our way up the river to Sao Francisco do Sul

WHISPER in the Jumentos

As for design?  Quite a bit of variety.  WHISPER, aluminum junk-rigged.

WILD FOX in Portobelo

"WILD FOX" is our friend Anthony's yacht... not sure what to make of it, but we bumped into Anthony in Cabadelo (Brazil) then again in Portobelo and Panama City, last heard of him by SSB when he arrived in Ecuador.














The yellow sail covers of KULKURI are always a welcome sight.  We first met Jack, a solo handler, in San Blas, then all around the Perlas, on both sides of Panama.  Where did Jack go?  Probably across the Pacific once more!














Not quite a sailboat, really, but I had to add the CLUB MED 2, first sighted in Guadeloupe, then again in the BVIs.



Whatever the sail, it all starts small... very small... and what better place to start at than Annapolis?  Like ducks in a row, aspiring sailors return from their practice run.



It really doesn't matter what sailing yacht we choose.  A yacht is the sailor's castle.  So said Sergio, the first yachtsman I met in Ilha Grande, Brazil.

CIRANDEIRO in Sitio Forte, Ilha Grande

We've travelled almost 20,000 miles since that day, and still keep an eye for floating castles!  Meanwhile, we're truly living our dream... Pinch me!

Hope I'll never wake up from this!

dominomarie