There are many good reasons to own a boat. Its fun, it’s sporting, it’s romantic and it’s adventurous. It bonds family and friends together for special memories. There’s that irresistible pull of the ocean that says, “Let’s go!” And, of course, there’s a certain prestige in owning a well maintained yacht. However there are also many reasons not to. The costs associated with maintaining your own yacht are high, and so is the time commitment required. Mortgage, maintenance, dockage, insurance, upgrades, storage and cleaning are a year-round personal and financial commitment.

Fractional Sailing programs remove all of the negative aspects of boating and allow you to enjoy your time on the water with friends and family. Fractional Sailing is day to day access to a new luxury sailboat in your local waterway; it makes sailing practical, cost effective and simple. Program members may take a new sailing yacht out for a few hours after work, getaway for a weekend, or cruise for an entire week. If you’re looking for a flexible, no commitment way to sail your luxury dream yacht then you’ve found it in fractional sailing.

OK, now that we have your attention, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of fractional sailing programs. Most programs allow you to sail a beautiful new sailboat in your local waterways and allow morning, afternoon, evening, overnight, weekend and week long time slots. The more established programs use proprietary scheduling technology, usually accessed via the internet, to allow members to book time on their sailboat. To help keep member costs down most programs also employ some type of electronic check-in and check-out system at the boat that removes the need for a staff member on the dock. Members incur no maintenance, bank notes, slip fees, or insurance costs; they simply pay one low annual or monthly fee to the management company.

A typical program will allow for seven guaranteed uses per month, plus as available use, and is generally all inclusive for less than a typical owner would pay for slip fees and fuel alone. If the program is structured correctly there should be no commitments and no buying or selling, make sure you have an experienced professional management team working for you. With the right Fractional Sailing program you will find yourself in top of the line facilities sailing on a fully loaded sailboat: roller furling jibs and main sails, modern electronics, flat panel TV’s with DVD players, electric heads, and powerful reliable diesel engines are just some of the features you can expect to find.

Most yacht owners realistically sail their boats 2-3 times per month. The cost of ownership is high; slip fees are $250-$450 per month, the bank note varies depending on the quality of the yacht but can range from $300 to well into the thousands, maintenance is expensive and time consuming, quality comprehensive insurance is difficult to obtain and expensive, the list goes on and on; fuel, pump-out, bottom paint, haul outs…..

Previously the only alternative to ownership was chartering. Chartering a yacht in a destination vacation area is usually an enjoyable experience, however it is still expensive, and you are only on the water for the duration of your vacation. Fractional Sailing programs give you the ability to sail in your local waterways for a day, evening, half day, weekend, week or even just a few hours all season long. All the hassles, worries and expenses associated with yacht ownership are handled by the management company. Check out your local Fractional Sailing program today!

Ian Treibick is a US Coast Guard licensed Master Mariner, lifelong sailor, and founder of WindPath’s sailing school, a US based fractional sailing company offering Catalina Yachts to its members. Visit http://www.WindPath.com for more information on learning to sail.

There is no doubt that sailing gives great pleasure to people. The enjoyment of these people, who love sailing, increases many fold, when they get an opportunity to participate in sailing vacations with their families. The duration of these sailing vacations is usually seven days. You can opt for sailing vacations on yachts, boats or catamarans with your family or friends or any other group of your choice.

How To Plan The Sailing Vacation?

Now, let us discuss how to plan the sailing vacation so that one can fully enjoy it. The very first thing you need to do is to select a suitable destination for the sailing vacation. The best destinations for this kind of pleasure trips are the scenic beaches where you will have a look at beautiful views from sea. The ideal sailing vacation is an important activity and you must choose the vacation spot carefully keeping in mind the varying climate patterns in different regions. Furthermore, you should also consider seasonal Ocean currents.

Choosing The Right Mode Of Transport

Second on the list of important things to decide while planning for a sailing vacation is the mode of transport. If the number of people are no more than four , then a boat of the length of twenty-five feet is sufficient. If the number of people is over four and the group consists of families then a yacht will be the ideal mode of transportation. This is because the yacht has cabins to accommodate families. A catamaran is best suitable for an even bigger group such as an office or school cruise.

Keep All Things Of Personal Need

There are many things of need to you during the course of your sailing vacation. While preparing for vacation it is better to make a list of these and do your packing accordingly. Some important items in this list are fruit, water, maps, and mariner’s compass.

How To Make Your vacation Less Expensive?

Here is one moneysaving tip for you while planning your sailing vacation. If your group is small in size then you can opt for bareboat. A bareboat refers to a boat that has no crew and there you yourself have to do all the work of rowing and navigation. If none of the members of this group is confident about sailing then you may hire a skipper. A skipper is an expert navigator and is one who is familiar with local intricacies. A skipper for your bareboat will turn out to be less expensive than hiring an entire crew.

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“Welcome to the Whitsunday Islands

Vacation Australia welcomes you to the wonderful Whitsunday Islands. Our team are able to help you organise your sailing adventure or accommodation and create a memorable and unique holiday. The Whitsunday Islands are situated 20° 4′ South and 148° 5′ East and are on the same latitude as Rio de Janeiro, Mauritius and Tahiti. The superb climate is tropical with an average daily temperature of 27°C. January is the warmest month averaging 30°C and July the coolest month averaging 23°C. The wet season is from December to March. The water temperature remains a pleasant 23 - 27°C, the average year round water temperature being an enticing 24°C.

Deluxe Sailing Holidays:
Deluxe Sailing vessels are superior vessels offering the passenger comfort and privacy a in small or large group. Most deluxe vessels offer private cabins with ensuite’s and are perfect for honeymoons or romantic getaways. So why not spoil yourself whilst in the Whitsundays and enjoy your holiday in style.

Adventure Sailing Holidays:
Adventure Sailing includes all different vessels which offer a degree of comfort combined with an exciting and adventurous sail or cruise. Friendly crew, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking or maybe even a paddle in the sea kayak provide for great entertainment and memorable experiences. Usually cater for group numbers around 12-18 passengers of all ages.

Tall Ship Sailing Holidays:
Tall Ships give you a taste into the traditional sailing of an era long gone. With classic ships steeped in history, all represent a style of cruising with grace and beauty not found on modern vessels. Taking groups of 11 to 34 passengers, these are spacious and comfortable vessels. For travelers seeking a memorable and unique holiday in the Whitsundays.

Maxi Yacht Sailing Holidays:
Ocean Racing vessels are ex racing vessels (usually Maxi Yachts) fitted out for overnight sailing. If you want the thrill of super fast sailing, snorkeling and beautiful beaches and are not too worried about privacy on board then one of these vessels may be for you. Being ex racers creature comforts were not uppermost in the designers thoughts.

Sail and Dive Holidays:
Sail and Dive vessels are especially fitted out to offer you the ability to not only visit the Whitsunday Islands but also dive the coral reefs of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The Islands offer colour, soft corals and species of fish not often, or sometimes never, found on the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef as it is affectionately known offers the reverse.

Budget Sailing:
For those traveling on a budget we have a large range of sailing holidays, for fantastic prices. These boats offer great food and service, can carry a large number of passengers, but this is just half the fun! Usually carry between 15 - 32 passengers in a fun and social atmosphere.

Island Day Trips:
These are day trips that depart Airlie Beach or Shute Harbour for the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The two big islands in the Whitsunday Group are Hook Island and Whitsunday Island. There are about 18 nautical mile from Airlie and the nearest reef “”On the Great Barrier Reef”" is a further 18 nautical mile to a reef called Bait Reef. Please visit here for more information.

Reef & Island Sceneic Flights:
Enjoy the panoramic views of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef from the comfort of a seaplane or helicopter. Land at Whitehaven Beach, The Great Barrier Reef or find a secluded cove at one of the many islands.

Whitsunday Adventure Tours:
From sea kayaking, skydiving, crocodile and rainforest tours we have something for everyone. The Whitsundays offer a diverse range of activities to entertain you whether it be an adrenaline pumping skydive or a relaxing rainforest walk.

Bareboat Charters:
For those visiting the Whitsundays who want to make their own itinerery and travel at their own pace, chartering your own vessel is the perfect solution. We have a great selection of yachts, sailing catamarans, motor catamarans and motor cruises. Suited for 2 - 10 people.

Dan lives and works in Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. He dives, sails and explores the islands in his spare time.

www.sailingwhitsunday.com.au

Lamu tourist Activities and Sports

Dhow Trips

Taking a dhow trip is almost obligatory and drifting through the mangroves is a wonderful way to experience the islands. You’ll be approached by touts and would be captains almost as soon as you arrive, but its worth shopping around to find a captain you like and a price you’re happy with. Prices vary depending on where you want to go and how long you go for; with a bit of bargaining you should pay around Kshs 500 per person in a group of four or five people. Groups of more than five aren’t recommended as the boats aren’t very big.

Solo travelers joining an existing group to make up numbers will often be offered a great price, on the condition that they don’t tell their fellow passengers how much they paid. As this generally means the others paid the extortionate asking price of Kshs 1000 each, it probably shouldn’t be encouraged!

What ever you arrange, make sure you know exactly how much you’ll be paying and what that will include, to avoid misunderstandings and overcharging. Don’t hand over any money until the day of departure except perhaps a small advance for food. On long trips, its best to organise your own drinks. Make sure you take a hat and some sunscreen, as there is rarely any shade on the dhows.

Most day trips meander around the channel between Lamu and Manda Islands, and the price includes fishing and snorkeling, although both can be disappointing as the fish tend to hide among the coral during the day. Lunch is usually served up on a beach on Manda Toto Island, which has better snorkeling.

For something abit more flashy, Peponi Hotel, at Shela, offers full-moon dhow cruises for Kshs 4500 (minimum eight persons) including drinks, wine and a lobster dinner. Multi-day trips head out to pate or the still more remote island of Kiwayu. When it is properly up and running, Lamu Dhow will offer luxury trips with accommodation actually on board a massive vessel.

Dhows without an outboard motor are entirely dependent on wind to get them anywhere, although poling the boat is fairly common along narrow creeks and channels. It’s common to get becalmed or stuck on sand banks, so you’ll just have to be patient and wait until the wind picks up or the tide rises to move on. With this in mind, it’s probably unwise to go on a long trip if you have a flight or other appointment to meet. Likewise, dhows are dependent on the tide. You can’t sail up creeks if the tide is out and there is not enough water to float the boat. This will be the main factor determining departure and return times.

Festivals & Events
The mauled Festival celebrates the birth of the prophet Mohammed. Its date shifts according to the Muslim calendar and it will fall on 12 April 2006, and 20th March in 2007 and 2008. The festival has been celebrated on the island for over 100 years and much singing, dancing and general jollity takes place around this time. Among the interesting traditional dances are the goma or cane fighting dance and the quivering-sword dance, where sword-wielding dancer set up a chorus of vibrating steel.

Organized events include swimming galas, poetry reading, calligraphy competitions, and donkey races for young boys and dhow races for all the dhow captains. Most of the cerebrations are centered around Riyadha Mosque, although there is much loud rejoicing at all of Lamu’s Mosques. On the final day a procession heads down to the tomb of the man who started it all, Habib Swaleh.

The Lamu Cultural festival is another colorful event, held in the last week of august. It’s actually a recent initiative, established in 2000 and aimed more at tourists than local people. Attractions include traditional dancing, displays of crafts such as Kofia embroidery (a kofia is a cap worn by Muslim men) and dhow races and dhow races.

The donkey awards in March/April are an unusual spectacle, organized by the Lamu Donkey Sanctuary in conjunction with the KSPC to promote animal welfare. Prizes are given for the best-cared-for donkey, and a surprising number of locals turnout to parade their well-tended beasts.

Robert is an East African Kenya holiday travel reviewer. Degreed in tourism management he is also a director of Landmarksafaris.com. To reserve your Lamu experience see here
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/beach.php/?refferer=ezinearticles

Your husband wants to charter this year in the Caribbean, your children are dreaming of jumping in the water but you are scrared to bring the baby. Don’t be when chartering a catamaran!

First think safety:

1. Life Jacket:
Foam floation collar and heavy duty grab strap
Through-the-leg adjustable safety strap for security
Brightly colored nylon
Fully encircling webbing belt adjusts for a snug fit and a collar lace
USCG Approved Type II, or CE certified and conforms to European standard EN395 3M reflex stripes and a whistle

2. Life Jacket rules:
Agree on these rules and apply them.
Always put the life jacket on before you go in the dinghy, even if the water is calm
Exchange baby from hands over the boat or the dinghy. Never above the water
Play ground is inside the cockpit and it is forbidden to go outside without an adult and without life jacket

3. What do you need to bring?
Your own first aid kit
Small plastic containers, plastic spoon…baby’s usual tools you won’t find on the boat Baby sun-screen and after sun cream
Sun-proof swimming suit, hats (bring a few in case it flies away), sunglasses
Small swimming pool to fit in the cockpit on the shade or a plastic bath (may be able to buy it locally)
Pack and Play for the naps and if you need to leave the baby to help to manoever the boat you know the baby will be safe there

4. What to do?
You will have to schedule for a stop at the veach everyday. 4pm is the best time for this little fragile skin to get out
What about a walk on the island in the morning to discorver the palm trees, chicken, goats and everything you don’t see at home
Short sail time, usually they fall asleep a short while after you take off

5. Where does baby sleep?
To ensure your baby’s safety, baby needs to sleep on the floor, on a pile of towels, comforter or cushion. . If it’s just your family choose a 3 cabin catamaran and you will have ample room to create a very nice bed for your little one
On the Pack and Play if you have one

6. My advice:
Invite the grandparents!!

7. Why easier on a catamaran?
Big cockpit equals perfect playground
All the lockers are locked inside and outside
Doesn’t tilt which is perfect for the nap
Can have the pack and play in the cockpit
You can relax in the shade as the baby plays next to you
Easy to always have an eye on the baby
Can do a two family charter, roomy enough and babies can play together and more hands and eyes to look after them

For additional information, please contact http://www.catamarans.com/

These days, cruising is one of the most popular vacation options among avid travelers. For some, the more opulent the cruise ship, the better. Others are hoping for an experience where they can party the night away without a care in the world! But for many real boat lovers, the only choice is a sailing cruise in the Caribbean.

Sailing cruises are quite different to a trip on an enormous ocean liner. These cruises allow you to get up-close-and-personal with the true sailing experience and to travel to places where large cruise ships cannot navigate. They give you hands-on opportunities to learn about the intricacies of sailing and allow more interaction with ship mates and crew.

Overall, sailing cruises mean adventure, excitement, and romance, all rolled into one fun package.

What’s a Sailing Cruise?

Though cruise lines talk about “sailing the seven seas”, passengers onboard these huge ships are not really “sailing.” On a sailing cruise in the Caribbean, you will find yourself on an authentic old-fashioned sailing ship with large, white sails, a ship’s wheel, teakwood floors, and everything else you would expect to find on such a vessel. While onboard, you’ll enjoy some of the same amenities as you’d find on a cruise ship, such as activities, shore excursions, and good food…but with a bit of a twist.

First of all, these ships are much more intimate than a cruise liner, usually carrying 100 - 150 passengers and crew instead of a few thousand travelers. That means you get to know the people with whom you’re traveling.

Sailing cruises are less structured than a regular cruise. You’ll find, for example, that you don’t have an assigned seat for meals and that you’re free to sit with different friends at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As a matter of fact, on some sailing cruises, you don’t even need to sleep in your berth. Guests are free to carry their bedding out to the deck and sleep under the stars!

Rather than watching a Las Vegas-style show in a 500-seat opulent theater, you may just find yourself belting out sea shanties while hoisting a glass of rum to toast your captain. When it’s time to go ashore, you can still enjoy a variety of excursions; from shopping to hiking and mountain biking to exploring the history of your destination island.

Selecting a Sailing Cruise in the Caribbean

If you’ve decided that this kind of cruise is for you, you’ll find that there are a wide variety of these so-called “barefoot cruises” from which to select. The most popular company appeared on the scene about 30 years ago — Windjammer Cruises. Their sailing cruises in the Caribbean have been enjoyed by millions of travelers who enjoy a little adventure in their lives. Windjammer boasts excellent ships, exciting itineraries, and a friendly crew who are eager to interact with passengers. However, many of the lesser known sailing cruise companies provide an equally rewarding experience but on a somewhat smaller scale, which some travelers prefer. Some are even dubbed “luxury” cruises, featuring upscale amenities, food, and drink.

Itineraries

Travelers will find that there are quite a few options to choose from as far as sailing itineraries are concerned. A sailing cruise in the Caribbean may take you to exotic locations — like the tiny islands of the Grenadines — or to more familiar destinations, such as Antigua or St. Martin, and even to places that you’d be hard-pressed to find on a map!

The beauty of traveling on a small ship is that you can visit small islands that can’t accommodate a cruise ship, allowing you to explore nearly-deserted locales, dive in some of the world’s clearest waters, and investigate nature’s bounty, without having to contend with crowds and chaotic tourist traps.

Cruise and Sailing Vacations are addictive. Decide on your next Cruise Adventure or Sailing Cruise at OnBoard-Adventures.com