MOB retrieval options.

A week ago a friend of mine lost a man overboard in a gale force wind out side the marina. This accident could have been dramatic if the vessel was nearly stopped by the wave which storm the deck. The sailor was rescue within minutes after the fall. He swimmed to the boat which was a mistake. He could not pull himself out of the water back on board despite the short period in the ocean.

Better not to move to preserve your energy and body temperature.

Click on the link below for another reading an reminder as how to retrieve MOB.

http://sailmagazine.com/cruising/mob_retrieval/

Is your boat a good investment?

A couple of years ago, some of my clients decided to postpone buying their dream boat after talking to their accountant and investment banker. They had been told that it was not a good investment at all.

Two years later, as the economy is in a downturn, my friends realize they did not enjoy their money at all. They lost most of their investment. More than the value of the boat they were thinking to buy. They could only check on their investments from time to time on a computer screen, which sometimes brought hope, and sometimes brought them fear and stress. It neither provided happiness nor fond memories.

Isn't it amazing what human can do to themselves?

I am not talking about the average American breadwinner struggling to make the rent. I am talking about successful businessmen, bright, hardworking, and creative people. They forgot something: that the best investment is in yourself, your family, your friends, your memories, your well being, and your inner peace.

Boats are all about that.

Invest in the quality of life. Invest in your dream and memories. 

Vendee Globe Challenge.

An amazing fight for the leadership going one for thousands miles. Only 13 miles separate the first from the 2nd. And they have more than 20,000 miles to go single handled.

The site is well done. Boats are easy to track. Comments well done. In French unfortunately.

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/fr/

New Wally "Nano" or why the smarter guys...

will floorish during the difficult times. We love the Italians. 

They launched a sexy "daysailer"; named the model "Nano" (smart marketing) and the #1 "Biancaneve" (Snowwhite); painted the hull pink; and asked Hoek to do the design. 

Bold move. http://www.wally.com/wallynano/index.html

She is a classic beauty built using the nest composite material available in the market.

Roger Ramsay trip to Hawaii

"Paloma  Blanca" passage from LA to Hawaii.  Roger left 6 days ago. He is doing well.

You can follow his track by clicking 

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jspglId=0Soxe9jssJMdMljxhAxNiPSojhVcJG2xS

Summer trip in the Caribbeans

This summer i sailed from Ponce (PR) to Los Roques (VEN), Cartagena (Colombia), San Blas Islands and Panama.  It is the best part of the Caribbean. Exotic, inexpensive, alive and musical. 

Most of my friends and clients head to the USV or BVI for their chartering Caribbean experience.

Please I invite to expand your limits and go further South. The North is over built, over fished, over exploited and expensive. The Islands lost their soul for short term rewards. Corruption and drug finished the destructive job.

Great new Marina in the Atlantic side of Panama. Russ is the manager. Great facilities to get ready for the transit. It  use to be a US Navy base. www.shelterbaymarina.com

Lack the flavors of the Colon Yacht Club. However you can use your dinghy to get there for a drink or shopping. Colon is unfortunately not an attractive city anymore. Do not miss the trip from Colon to Panama City by train.  

Back on line. Didn' t know I started this blog in 2006 and forget about it. Humm!!! I surely love sailing more than writing. It is time to share my experiences and insights.