Tag: Sailing

Walloon Lake: Celebrating 90th Anniversary of 17-Square Meter Sailboats

Boating, Lake Michigan, Northern Michigan, Sailing, Uncategorized, Walloon Lake, Yachting

17s the focus of community events throughout the summer

WALLOON LAKE, MICH—In celebration of this summer’s 90th anniversary of the 17-square-meter sailboats — which were first made in Walloon Lake in 1934 — the Walloon 17 Foundation are organizing a series of public events, including:

  • Wednesday, July 17 (starting at 2pm) – a sail around the Village to Michigania; the public can view the activities from Melrose Beach.
  • Saturday, August 3 (starting at 2pm) – a 17 Regatta during the annual Walloon Woodies at The Foot of Walloon Lake
  • Saturday, August 17 (starting at 2pm) – a Media Race around The Foot of Walloon Lake.*

The Crooked Tree District Library (Walloon Lake branch) also has an exhibit on the 17s on display throughout the summer.

About the 17s

The first boat, 17 , was built on Walloon over the winter of 1933-34 by Bill Loughlin & Henry (Jordan) Cawthra and she again sails on Walloon Lake after a recent renovation. A total of 42 17s have been built over their 90-year history, first in wood and later in fiberglass. These boats still actively race 17s on Walloon Lake, the only fleet in existence, thanks to the Walloon Yacht Club and its members.

The 17 Square Meter is a one-design sailing yacht with a sloop rig and spinnaker with a fixed keel with 850 pounds of cast iron or lead and a 1620-pound sailing displacement. It is 24.9 inches in Length, 5’ 1 ½” in Beam with 17 square meters (183 square feet) of sail area, originally. The Class ensign, a red 17 in a Square indicates the vessels are a Square meter boat versus the 12 Meter Class which has a line under the 12 indicating a linear rule. The 12 Meter class raced for the Americas Cup from 1958-87 and other classes are also designed to the linear International Rule, like the 6 Meter Class. There were other popular Square Meter boats such as the 22 Square Meter.    

About the Walloon 17 Foundation

The Walloon 17 Foundation was formed to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the 17 Square Meter Class. This includes the design, the boats, and the history of the 17s. The Foundation sponsors training, races and other events to promote 17s and administers the 17 Class. Members have written several articles on the 17s and in 2017 the Foundation published a coffee table book called Seventeens of Walloon Lake written by Frank Grossi and Bill Bray. The 87-page book includes stunning pictures of the boats in action over the years along with histories of the families who owned the classic sloop sailboats. It is available through the WYC website for $59, with proceeds benefitting the Walloon 17 Foundation. 

The Foundation invites sailors and Wallooners who appreciate 17s to contribute their knowledge and stories as the group continues finding new techniques to share the history and legacy.

www.WalloonLakeMi.com  |  www.Facebook.com/WalloonLakeMi

Images courtesy of Walloon Lake Foundation, Walloon Lake Yacht Club, and The Village of Walloon Lake.

The best way to travel throughout Italy: Private sailing — and it’s easier and more affordable than you think

Adventure, Dream Yacht, Italian Cuisine, Sailing, Yachting

Vacationing in Italy is still as popular as ever. With peak season for Italy travel just around the corner, should you happen to be working on anything related to the best ways to enjoy one of 2024’s most popular destinations, please keep sailing in mind (how else can you catch a volcano eruption from the water or visit a car-free island?). Dream Yacht Worldwide, a leading sea-based vacation company with a global footprint of over 40+ bases offers one of the best ways to enjoy Italy – by sailing throughout it. 

Here’s why: 

It’s more affordable than you think.

Chartering a yacht is more affordable and accessible than most travelers think — no sailing experience required. Rates for an Italy charter for 8 people with a skipper in Naples begin at $443 per person in the shoulder season (spring/fall) and start at $756 per person during popular travel seasons between May and October.

Not a sailor? No problem.

Dream Yacht offers a variety of different sailing options in Italy – cabin cruises where travelers reserve their own private cabin on a yacht with up to 12 total passengers with crew service and all meals included; a bareboat option for experienced sailors to take the helm of their Italy sailing vacation; and the company also offers fully crewed charters or options to sail with a skipper so travelers can sit back and let someone else take care of navigating the sea.

Beat the crowds, even during a crowded season.

Traveling via a private yacht allows the opportunity to not only access smaller ports and off-the-beaten path destinations, but also the unique chance to come and go as you please. Too many tourists on land? Move on to the next vacation spot or escape the summer crowds and relax, dine, and enjoy the Italy coastline while watching the sunset on your own yacht

An intimate & unique personalized experience

Smaller yachts allow for more intimate, less crowded travel experiences. Yachts have access to amazing beaches and ports that other larger boats can’t visit, allowing travelers to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and smaller cities. This access offers travelers the opportunity to explore and enjoy additional and authentic cultural experiences in less tourism-focused areas. DYW’s popular smaller ports in Italy include Cefalu, Sicily, and Corricella Bay, within reach from the base in Naples.

Offering dozens of unique itineraries and experiences, sailing in Italy allows once-in-a-lifetime opportunities only available by small boat sea vacations. Examples of these special experiences include the chance to possibly catch a volcano on Stromboli erupt at night. DYW travelers can explore Stromboli’s black lava beaches and watch for eruptions from the boat during an Aeolian islands boat charter. Another option is to explore the 7 islands in the Aeolian Islands chain where you can sail to from DYW’s base in Portorosa. One of the islands is Alicudi, one of the few car-free islands in the world.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asini_Isola_di_Alicudi.jpg

Italy beaches that can only be reached by boat include: 

Cala Granara, Sardinia; Golfo della Mezzaluna, island of San Pietro in Carloforte (Sardinia); Cala Luna, Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia); and La Tabaccara, Lampedusa (Sicily)

Several destinations in one trip

Whether it’s Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily’s archipelagos, sailing Italy with Dream Yacht allows travelers to unpack their bags once and explore several sailing ground destinations in one trip.

Sailing is the perfect intro to sea travel.

A more intimate, personalized experience, private sailing is a great introduction to sea travel for those who have never done so before or anyone who might get overwhelmed with a large cruise ship or bigger boat. Want to hear the scoop? We are happy to connect you with one of DYW’s customers to hear about their first-time sailing experience first hand.

A Sailboat Adventure in the Spanish Virgin Islands

Adventure, Beaches, Boating, Caribbean, Dream Yacht, Ocean, Sailing, Yachting

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a popular destination for spring break and summer travel — St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix are among the most popular destinations for travel and sailing in that region.

However, there is an increasingly popular, different option to set sail to, beat the crowds and explore some of earth’s most beautiful beaches: The Spanish Virgin Islands. Primarily consisting of the islands of Culebra and Vieques, part of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, The Spanish Virgin Islands are located east of the main island of Puerto Rico and west of St. Thomas, making them accessible hidden gems.

Vieques. J.Kiva Matousek/Wikimedia

Among those hidden gems is a sailing itinerary with Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW) that leaves from St. Thomas and explores The Spanish Virgin Islands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YezLQy70J9U&t=3s

This special itinerary offers travelers the opportunity to discover Culebra and Vieques and enjoy these tropical islands featuring long, less-crowded beaches, near-empty anchorages, rare flora and fauna, and world-class snorkeling.

Vieques at Night. Photo: JHill/Wikimedia Commons

An alternative to the traditional U.S. Virgin Islands or British Virgin Islands sailing trip, the Spanish Virgin Islands itinerary also includes stops at must-see destinations including the award-winning Flamenco Beach and Punta Arenas aka “Green Beach” – park of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, offering scenic views of the main island of Puerto Rico and El Yunque, the only rain forest in the US Parks system.

You can view DYW’s Spanish Virgin Islands itinerary here. And with Dream Yacht, no sailing experience is necessary with the option to have a skipper for non-experienced sailors and bareboat for those who prefer to sail themselves. This special Spanish Virgin Island itinerary offers both options, as do most of DYW’s vacations.

Dream Yacht Worldwide (DYW) is a leading sea-vacation company, experts in sailing vacations and for good reason: DYW offers almost double the number of bases worldwide compared to its leading competitors in the space. More bases and more itineraries to explore the most popular sailing destinations as well as the less-traveled, hidden gems. 

Explore three stunning under-the-radar destinations by the sea

Adventure, Beaches, Boating, Family Excursions, Ocean

May we suggest the following:


Instead of the Maldives, visit Seychelles

Dream Yacht Worldwide began its first yacht charters in the Seychelles. And for good reason, as it’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet, comprising 41 of the earth’s oldest granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands which embody the phrase ‘tropical paradise’. On a Seychelles yacht charter, travelers can snorkel among the treelike corals on Coco Island, or at stunning St. Pierre islet, where rugged granite rocks merge with lush tropical vegetation.

An unmissable highlight on any yacht charter in the Seychelles is a visit to the scented vanilla plantations at Union Estate on La Digue, one of the most beautiful islands in the region. While for nature lovers, there’s bird watching at Aride Island and the rare Aldabra tortoises at Curieuse, a protected island where you can observe these gentle giants. 

There are also the larger islands of Mahé and Praslin to explore. Here, you’ll find stunning landscapes, relaxed island hopping and plenty of opportunities to swim in the reefs.

Instead of the French Riviera, explore New Caledonia 

Dream Yacht Worldwide was the first company to offer sailing charters in this exciting cruising ground, and now have an extensive fleet operating from its base at Port Moselle in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia. 

New Caledonia is home to the world’s largest lagoon, a beautiful and unique natural aquarium covering over 9000 square miles, and one of the most remarkable and beautiful sailing destinations. The archipelago is also home to one of the world’s most extensive reef systems, with a diverse range of healthy coral and marine life, including whales, turtles and tropical fish. 

Nouméa is a cosmopolitan city which feels much like the French Riviera. Colorful waterfronts are lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs, and it’s an ideal place to stock up on superb French gourmet food and wine. The city is within easy reach of the south lagoon, where you can sail Îlot Maître, Île des Pins, Île Ouen, Îlot Brosse and Ilot Kuaré. 

Instead of Sicily, check out Sardinia

The island of Sardinia is off Italy’s west coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Sardinia sailing adventures begin from Dream Yacht Worldwide’s base in Olbia on the northeast coast. From there, it’s an easy sail to the Maddalena Archipelago and the glamorous Costa Smeralda – Sardinia’s most coveted sailing areas. 

Well known for their miles of craggy coastline, the world-famous Emerald Coast and the Maddalena Archipelago National Park and Marine Reserve are the places to find superb beaches and scenic coves. Travelers can swim, snorkel and take in stunning sunsets in the solitude of these largely uninhabited islands.

Many enjoy boutique shopping in the super-exclusive ports of Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo, where travelers can mix with the international jet set. With a wide choice of dining options, from local trattoria to fine dining, it is recommended to sample the local cuisine during a boat charter in Sardinia, especially the amazing fresh seafood found on the coast.

About Dream Yacht Worldwide

Dream Yacht Worldwide, one of the world’s leading ocean tourism companies and a pioneer in making sailing and sea travel accessible to all around the globe, is making it easier for all to explore lesser-known destinations by sea plus some of the world’s favorite ocean vacation spots.

Offering sailing vacations in over 50 destinations, and with a fleet of more than 900 monohulls and catamarans, Dream Yacht Worldwide has sailing experiences available in almost every corner of the world including popular destinations like the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, but also under-the-radar destinations to discover. No sailing experience? No problem – just add a skipper or book a cabin cruise and enjoy a private stateroom in one of the company’s modern catamarans.

Since 2018, the company’s catamaran charters with skippers to assist with sailing have more than doubled (+133%) in select destinations like the Mediterranean. Due to demand and industry research pointing to an increase in Marine tourism, Dream Yacht Worldwide will launch 150 news boats in the coming season of which 80% are catamarans. The company will continue to offer sea travelers the option of crew support including a variety of skipper and hostess offerings to support sailors and non-sailors of all skill levels.