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janetgannon · 6 years

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Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta Series

The Helly Hansen National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta Series — the largest national sailboat racing circuit in the United States — returns to St. Petersburg, Fla., for the first stop of its 30th anniversary season Feb. 16-18. The event is organized by Sailing World and hosted by St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

The annual three-day event features one-design racing, where teams compete in races against identical boats. Points are accumulated based on finishing position in each race, and the team with the fewest total points at the conclusion of the regatta wins its class.

For competitors in the regatta’s one handicap class (PHRF), time allowances are used to score a boats of varying sizes and designs.

Every year, hundreds of local, regional and national sailors register to compete in the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta St. Petersburg, vying for top marks in one of more than 10 classes and a chance at the Overall Winner title, which earns the winning team a berth at the Helly Hansen Caribbean NOOD Championship Regatta, hosted by Sunsail in the British Virgin Islands Oct. 21-26.

Helly Hansen—a global leader in technical sailing apparel with more than 135 years of experience protecting professionals on the water—continues as title sponsor for the elite sailing series for the fourth consecutive year. As part of Helly Hansen’s commitment to the sport, the company will also continue to sponsor a team of local teens as the Helly Hansen Junior Crew at each stop in 2018.

Operating since 1988, Sailing World’s National Offshore One Design Regattas, known as the “NOODs,” are the longest-running and most popular sailboat racing series in North America. Every NOOD regatta attracts regional, national and international talent to compete against the local community on their home waters.

Other 2018 sponsors include North Sails, Mount Gay Rum and Sunsail.

For more information, visit sailingworld.com/nood-regattas.

by Evily Giannopoulos

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Garmin announce bridge technology upgrades at London Boat Show – including…

The GPS technology innovators announced a recent update to their bridge technology, adding more connectivity and features and integrating the ActiveCaptain app into its electronic chart displays, solid-state radars, sonar displays and echosounders.

ActiveCaptain is said to provide an easy way for Captains to download navigational safety notices, plan routes, and create and update their own charts. It also allows the user to synchronise these routes between chartplotters and their own mobile devices.

New versions of its multifunction chartplotters, such as EchoMap Plus, have been introduced. Garmin’s 7 and 9 inch versions are now available in touchscreen, with added CHIRP and WIFI Connectivity. They come preloaded with ActiveCaptain and BlueChart electronic charts.

Lastly, we learnt about the company’s new GMR Fantom open array and dome radars featuring MotionScope

technology (used to show the movement of weather, unknown objects and more). Watch the video above to find out more!

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

It’s not often a mainstream builder will step out of its comfort zone, but Jeanneau’s new Sun Odyssey 440 is like no other boat they’ve launched, as Graham Snook discovers

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

See Yachting Monthly January 2018 for the full test

Performance

There wasn’t a great deal of wind for our test, only 6-12 knots of true wind. At the lighter end, she was making respectable progress between 4-5 knots, but as the breeze increased she became much more involving on the helm. When that difference in wind speed happened quickly she too was swift to respond, remembering, of course, she had empty tanks and no gear. This boat had the shoal draft keel (1.6m), which might have affected her pointing ability by a few degrees, even so, she was most comfortable close hauled at around 34° off the apparent wind, and was tacking through 96°. As the day progressed, so did the breeze, but only up to 12 knots, not enough to really test her, but enough for her to show she was comfortable and easily sailed. Under power she cruised at 5.3 knots at 2,000 rpm, the three-bladed propeller providing plenty of grip. While manoeuvring there’s no thrust over the twin rudders so she’s wholly reliant on prop walk and water passing over the rudders to steer her in tight spaces – unless one opts for the retractable bow thruster.

At the helm

The twin 82cm diameter wheels feel quite high, I found them a comfy height to use while standing, and there are plenty of options for sitting around the wheel. There’s an excellent handrail that removes the temptation to grab the wheel to steady yourself. With the aft quarter walkway, it’s possible to sit fully outboard, face forward and helm comfortably. It does feel a little exposed with nothing in front of you but in the right weather, it would be wonderful. Only when I pointed her bows squarely into the 2-3ft wash of a passing motorboat did we get any water on board, and then it was minimal and went to leeward and drained out of the cockpit drain. Around the back of the seat, there’s no rail or coaming to stop pocket contents falling overboard, and there’s also a large gap between the fold-down transom and the aft end of the cockpit. The helm was quite heavy, but the steering was smooth and the yacht responsive, with the optional carbon wheel she might have felt a little lighter on the wheel.

Continues below…

RM 970 review

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Hylas 46 review

What are the hallmarks of a good round-the-world boat? To find out, Chris Beeson steps aboard one that has spent…

Bestevaer 45 Pure review

She looks like a go-anywhere cruiser, but does she live up to it? Graham Snook and the YM editorial team…

The test verdict

With this boat, Jeanneau have introduced a new style and new features that may have redefined what we’ll expect from cruising yachts in years to come. Why should leap over coamings, wedge ourselves into an odd shaped berths or scale the mast to reach the head of the stack pack? We don’t. Jeanneau aimed to make sailing more comfortable, and they have succeeded, she’s comfortable and easy to sail, in fact she sails well. My three main criticisms are the chart table hinges which are so wrong – but could be replaced with a piano hinge, the lack of hand holds: on top of the coachroof by the companionway, heads and around the chart table – these could be added by an owner, and finally the location of the primary winches – opting for electric primary winches would solve this and make sailing her less of a back ache. She has three layouts available, only one has reduced berth shapes and sizes to those normally found on yachts; the two double forward cabin layout. All the other layouts have large rectangular berths giving the 440 a feeling of space not normally found on yachts this size. On deck she’s got plenty of storage for sails and cruising clobber and moving around deck is a doddle. She could be easily handled by a couple, or with family and friends. Down below she’s light, spacious and well laid out. Who could want more from this style of boat?

Would she suit you and your crew?

If you enjoy coastal cruising and a few longer passages thrown in, there are many features which on 440 that you won’t find on other yachts in her class: the full-length volume giving chine, fold down coamings, central galley, all the rectangular berth and the innovative walkway from the helm to the deck. Even without these features the 440 still has a lot to offer. It’s a nice feeling to be able to walk up the deck when you need to go forward, it also feels surprisingly natural and comfortable to be outboard, face forward and helm while looking where you’re going. It’s not until one tries something different that it reminds us of the compromises we all make by going sailing. Should we have to make them? Jeanneau thinks not.

Facts and Figures:

Price as tested £301,856 LOA 13.39m (43ft 11in) Hull Length 12.64m (41ft 5in) LWL 12.00m (39ft 4in) Beam 4.29m (14ft) Draught 1.6m (5ft 2in) (Shoal version) Displacement 8,561kg (18,874 lb) Ballast 2,670kg (5,886 lb) Ballast ratio 31.2% Displacement / Length 137.8 Sail area 90.30m2 (972sq ft) SA/D ratio 22 Diesel 200 litres (44 gal) Water 330 litres (73 gal) Engine 57hp Transmission Shaft RCD category A Designer Philippe Briand/Piaton Bonet Yacht design Builder Jeanneau Yachts UK Agent Sea Ventures Tel 01489 565444 Website www.jeanneau.com

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Video | Boat crash on the Columbia River

The chilling footage below is from a collision near buoy 10 on the Columbia River. It took place last summer and has been making the rounds as a cautionary tale for boaters everywhere. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured or killed.

Be safe out there, boaters!

Read the full story at OregonLive.com.

Read More Here ….

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Video: Onboard the Okean 50

Yachts

Yachting takes the new Okean Yachts 50 for a spin in Palm Beach.

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Introducing Echo Spot: What’s new?

The Amazon Alexa dominated last year’s superyacht technology with big brands such as Crestron partnering with Amazon to allow voice control of music, lights, temperature and more on board.

Now, Amazon has announced the UK launch of its touchscreen Echo Spot device. Showcased at CES, this advancement on Alexa includes a 2.5-inch touchscreen Smart Display and a built-in camera. The display means that users can now ask Alexa to show them the weather rather than simply hear it, to display who is at the front door when linked to a camera there, and many other cool features.

The £119.99 device also doubles up as a ‘smart alarm’, and is already available in the US. However, with privacy always a big concern on yachts, some owners may feel that having this camera on board – not least in their bedroom as an alarm – is a step too far. In the past, Amazon devices have been reported to activate when they’re not wanted, opening up questions about whether the Echo Spot could turn into a potential spy, and whether cyber-criminals would be able to hack into this information.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Clipper Race

Youngest ever Clipper Race skipper claims first race win

Visit Seattle, led by 24-year-old British sailor Nikki Henderson, the youngest ever Skipper to lead a team in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race’s eleven editions, has held off a strong challenge from three other teams to chalk up a thrilling maiden victory in Race 6: The Wondrous Whitsundays Race.

During one of the most challenging stages so far in the Clipper 2017-18 Race, Visit Seattle crossed the finish line off the coast of Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, Australia, at 15:05:36 local time (05:05:36UTC), completing the 1,600-nautical mile sprint up the east coast of Australia from Hobart in eleven days.

Arriving into Abell Point Marina where the Clipper Race fleet will be berthed, Skipper Nikki said: “It’s such a good feeling. I’m finally a bit more relaxed than the last 48 hours. It’s been exhausting!

“This race has been really, really tough in so many ways. So many different types of conditions and sail changes. The tactics have been really hard but we pushed all the way through. The crew loved the Southerly Busters, it was exciting. We had experience of similar conditions in the past and we’re used to that kind of thing. The crew handled it really well.”

Nikki Henderson © onEdition

This is the team’s second podium result after finishing second in Race 4, from Fremantle, Western Australia, to Sydney, and it was made to work hard for this victory. This morning saw the team off the coast of Mackay, just five nautical miles ahead of the second placed PSP Logistics. Sanya Serenity Coast, skippered by Australian Wendy Tuck, was only another mile astern, with just seven nautical miles separating Visit Seattle from the fourth placed Liverpool 2018.

In the end, just 25 minutes separated Visit Seattle from second placed PSP Logistics, which takes its third podium result of the Clipper 2017-18 Race.

Round the world crew member Marek Omilian, from Seattle, says: “It was a phenomenal race. Phenomenal. Quite long because of the heat but it was very good sailing and a well-deserved victory. We were quite prepared for the weather because we faced some similar conditions in Leg 1 to Punta del Este and we were also very well prepared with Nikki’s leadership.”

Praising his Skipper, Marek adds: “Nikki is a very charismatic young leader. She loves teaching and she’s trained us very well.”

Race 6 presented some of the most varied and dramatic conditions of any Clipper Race stage so far. A tough upwind slog from Tasmania and up the southeast coast of Australia, it included two Southerly Buster storms which bought spectacular lightning storms and gusts of up to 78 knots off the Queensland coast.

Liverpool 2018 claimed third place, its first podium result of the Clipper Race. The team was actually fourth across the line after leading for the most of the last four days but its overall position was boosted after Sanya Serenity Coast was given a six-hour time penalty by the Clipper Race Committee for breaching exclusion zone rules, as per Race 6 Course Instructions.

The eleven Clipper Race yachts, along with their crew and supporters, will be based at Abell Point Marina, the first global 5 Gold Anchor accredited Marina in the world, during its stay in the Whitsundays. The stopover will be one to remember, with the crew to be welcomed by the inaugural Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival – a two-weeklong celebration of events and activities showcasing the beauty of the Whitsundays.

Tourism Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager Tash Wheeler, who was down on the pontoons to greet the teams into Airlie Beach, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see a female skipper win the inaugural Wondrous Whitsundays Race and for one so young to pull off this feat is incredible.”

“What better place to win your first race than the beautiful Whitsundays! We are very excited to be showcasing the region to the Clipper Race crews, their families and friends, and hope they can take in as much as possible while here, including world famous Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, and of course the Great Barrier Reef, including the iconic Heart Reef, visible only from the air and only in the Whitsundays.

“The Whitsundays Clipper Race Carnival will show the world that not only are we a world-class sailing destination but also a world-class holiday destination.”

At the time of writing, five Clipper Race teams are now alongside in Airlie Beach, with the remaining teams due in by approximately lunch time tomorrow local time in Australia.

The Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, stopover marks the changeover port which completes the All-Australian Leg 4, and starts the Asia Pacific Leg 5. Distance wise, this stopover is also the approximate half way stage of the Clipper 2017-18 Race with 20,000nm of the 40,000nm, 13 stage course now completed.

Race 7, which will see the teams head approximately 4,200 nautical miles to Sanya, the first of two Chinese stopovers in this next leg, starts on 29 January. From there, teams will head to Qingdao, China; across the mighty Pacific Ocean to Seattle; Panama; and New York; before heading back across the Atlantic to Derry-Londonderry. The Clipper 2017-18 Race finishes on July 28, 2018.

by Chris Harris, Clipper Ventures

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janetgannon · 6 years

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How To Experience Mongolia Off The Beaten Track

You may have heard Mongolia described as remote, wild and even harsh. But, since tourism began to boom during the 1990s, the incredible landscape has soared in popularity with tourists. It’s truly one of the last genuine wildernesses in our world, which means you can still experience the real Mongolia, provided you do some planning. Below, we’ve given you a few tips for travelling off the beaten track so that you can experience the beauty and culture of the most rugged Mongolia.

Stay with a Local Family

Mongolian families are well-known for their hospitality. From horseback treks to hearty feasts and exceptional entertainment, you’re sure to experience many highlights when you stop over at a real Mongolian family. Interestingly, as much as 40% of the country’s population is reported to be nomadic. That means that staying with a family in the far reaches of Mongolia is sure to be exceptionally captivating. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to your independent tour operator for advice.

Live Like the Local Mongolians

Besides experiencing this stunning country on horseback, try to get involved in how the locals hunt if you want even greater insight into life as a Mongolian. Eagle hunting has long been used by the inhabitants of Mongolia. The birds of prey make for vital companions for the country’s nomadic communities. In fact, the bird of choice, Female Golden Eagles, work with families to help trap smaller animals for food and fur alike.

More than seven decades of communism actually put a halt on the traditional of eagle hunting, but, the pastime is experiencing a gain in popularity and is most commonly found in the western regions of Mongolia. Besides being a lifeline for many nomads, eagle hunting is a respected sport which is highly celebrated each yet at the Altai Eagle Festival.

Head Off the Beaten Track – During Naadam If You Can

Naadam is a highly documents and most celebrated of celebrations in the country, and for good reason, too. The annual festival celebrates the return of Mongolia’s nomadic communities who, during the winter, were cut off from their friends and family as a result of intense snow fall. The highly competitive event includes activities such as horse racing, archery and wresting and offers immense insight into the local culture. Instead of taking the typical touristy trip to the official event that is held in Ulaanbaatar, aim to head out of town for the local events. Well thought out Trans Mongolian railway tours will help ensure you arrive in the country for the festivities.

If your schedule is more likely to see you taking a trip to the country in February, don’t miss out on Tsagaan Sar. This is the country’s Lunar New Year that showcases tons of traditional drinks, food, cuisine and local hospitality. This is a great celebration to have with a local family!

If you want to experience the real Mongolia, talk to your travel agent about the above tips and plan a trip of a lifetime.

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Experience Authentic USA: 5 Places to Visit

The world may say that the U.S. doesn’t have much culture–even if they want to road trip throughout the country in an RV rental. From Spanish speaking countries that boast of a culture rich in cuisine and traditions to Europeans who praise their years of history, many would say that it’s hard to put a finger on something authentically American.

Yet, America actually has more culture than one would think and while it doesn’t date back thousands and thousands of years, there is still much history to learn about in this iconic country.

Authentic may have different meanings for different people, but there is something unique about each of the most authentic places in the United States of America. If you’re planning a road trip in an RV rental throughout the U.S., consider putting these 5 places on your itinerary:

1.New York City, New York

While at first glance, one may disagree about NYC being an authentic U.S. city. It is in fact one of the major cities with the most variety of nationalities, but in this factor also lies its authenticity. NYC has been a destination for immigrants for years and not just in this century. It was where many Americans’ ancestors first arrived. But, its history goes beyond the people.

From the US Custom House to the Federal Hall Memorial, The Morris Jumel Mansion, and The Hamilton Grange, there are old homes and buildings that will take you back to a time when the U.S. was just a newborn of a country.

2. Annapolis, Maryland

If you’re looking for a place that has been around since near the beginning of the U.S.A, you’ll want to visit Annapolis, Maryland. It’s not as well-known as some of the more popular historical destinations, such as Philadelphia, but there are some treasures found there. It, in fact, was the nation’s first capital, so don’t be surprised that you’ll find a plethora of historical places there. From the Maryland State House to Hammond-Hardwood House, there are several places to visit that are as iconic as they are beautiful.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

Anyone who says that the U.S. doesn’t have culture has never been to New Orleans. Its cultural glory is leftover from a time before America was what it is today and when people from all over used to walk the streets, but that doesn’t take away from being a truly authentic spot in the U.S. It’s one of the few cities that revels in it’s historical roots which is evident as you walk through its streets.

From the French Quarter to the Arts District, there are several places you can visit to get a glimpse of the history of this city that remains an icon of American culture today.

4. Savannah, Georgia

There is no doubt that there isn’t any other place like the southern part of the U.S. While some may not agree with all the oddities of the southern culture and the dark history of this area, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the South is truly an authentic area of the U.S.

Savannah, Georgia is one such city where you can get a glimpse of the history and authenticity of this iconic nation. As the oldest city in Georgia, it’s no wonder that there are plenty of old places for you to visit. From the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to Davenport House, Mercer Williams House, and Old Fort Jackson, you won’t run out of places to see when visiting Savannah in an RV rental.

5. Nashville, Tennessee

Not only is Nashville famous for its authenticity as the country music capital in the U.S., but it dates back to the early days when the U.S.A was brand new. If you love music and want to experience country music at its finest, Nashville, Tennessee is a must-visit city for those who want to see an example of an authentic American experience. Make sure to check out the Historic Travellers Rest Plantation and Museum, as well as the Belle Meade Plantation.

With the U.S.A being such a large country, these five places are only a few of the must-see cities. There are a plethora of places that will provide you with a glimpse of the unique history of this North American country. While it may not have the castles of Spain or the historical buildings in Rome, the U.S. can still interest you with authentic experiences.

If you want to do something different for a road trip, book an RV rental for an iconic road trip that will open your eyes to some of the most authentic places in the U.S. From historical sites to original experiences, there are captivating cities that you’ll want to get to know. Happy traveling!

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janetgannon · 6 years

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What makes the "World's Most Popular Cruise Line" so successful?

What makes the “World’s Most Popular Cruise Line” so successful?

10Best readers voted Carnival Cruise Line the best in four cruise categories. Take a deeper look at what makes Carnival so popular.

Lydia Schrandt Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 Read Full Content Here

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janetgannon · 6 years

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Wider 165 Available for Summer Purchase

Yachts

The Wider 165 Cecilia is expected to launch this spring.

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janetgannon · 6 years

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‘Visit Seattle’ wins Race 6 in the Clipper Round the World

Huge congrats to team ‘Visit Seattle’ on a hard fought win in Race 6: The Wondrous Whitsundays Race during the Clipper Round the World. Here’s the report on their victory courtesy of ClipperRoundtheWorld.com:

After one of the most challenging races so far in the Clipper 2017-18 Race, Visit Seattle has held off a strong challenge from three other teams to chalk up a thrilling maiden victory in Race 6: The Wondrous Whitsundays Race.

Skippered by 24-year-old Brit Nikki Henderson, Visit Seattle crossed the finish line off the coast of Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays at 15:05:36 local time (05:05:36UTC), completing the 1,600-nautical mile sprint up the east coast of Australia from Hobart in eleven days.

Photo: Arrivals into the Whitsundays, credit Brooke Miles/www.brookemiles.com.au

Arriving into Abell Point Marina, where the Clipper Race fleet will be berthed in the Whitsundays, Skipper Nikki said: “It’s such a good feeling. I’m finally a bit more relaxed than I have been during the last 48 hours. It’s been exhausting!

“This race has been really, really tough in so many ways. So many different types of conditions and sail changes. The tactics have been really hard but we pushed all the way through. The crew loved the Southerly Busters, it was exciting. We had experience of similar conditions in the past and we’re used to that kind of thing. The crew handled it really well.”

The Visit Seattle team had to work hard for the win. The eleventh and final morning at sea saw Visit Seattle off the coast of Mackay and just 5 nautical miles ahead of the second placed PSP Logistics. Sanya Serenity Coastwas only another mile astern, with just 7 nautical miles separating Visit Seattle from the fourth placed Liverpool 2018.

Round the world crew member Marek Omilian says: “It was phenomenal race. Phenomenal. Quite long because of the heat but it was very good sailing and a well-deserved victory. We were quite prepared for the weather because we faced some similar conditions during Leg 1 to Punta del Este and we were also very well prepared with Nikki’s leadership.”

Praising his Skipper, Marek adds: “Nikki is a very charismatic young leader. She loves teaching and she’s trained us very well.”

From the start, Race 6: The Wondrous Whitsundays Race seemed destined to go well for Visit Seattle. The team was second across the start line in Hobart, and closely tailed the leading Sanya Serenity Coast as the fleet headed up the Derwent River.

Despite the tough upwind slog from Tasmania, and up the southeast coast of Australia, followed by the arrival of the infamous Southerly Buster in the waters off Queensland, Visit Seattle worked its way into first place by day 5 and remained in the top four for the remainder of the race.

The win caps off what has been a brilliant All-Australian Leg 4 for Visit Seattle. The team achieved its first podium after finishing a close second behind Sanya Serenity Coast in the opening race from Fremantle to Sydney. Visit Seattle also picked up Scoring Gate bonus points for a third time after being second through the gate in Race 6.