Cruising

That is the exact same feeling I had last July, when I pushed off the dock in Norwalk, CT, setting sail on my newly acquired Catalina 27 to travel America’s Great Loop.

Atlantic Highlands is a hidden seaside treasure offering an easier pace; often a solace or solitude; a playful excitement in, on and out of the water; and an easy friendliness. Removed from the hubbub of Manhattan and busy Monmouth County, this jewel borough across the Bay is sufficiently distanced, both by water and culture, to offer a pleasantly relaxing change of pace.

This is the fifth installment in a series of dispatches from the Rath family (Colin & Pam, daughters Breana, Meriel and Nerina, dog Aspen and cat Wasabi), who departed Stamford, CT last fall for a worldwide cruise aboard their Hanse 545 Persevere.

Along Long Island’s scenic south shore are a number of narrow barrier beaches protecting Long Island from the ravages of the Atlantic Ocean. These barrier beaches, often little more than narrow, grassy sand dunes, form a series of large, shallow, saltwater bays ideal for sailing.

This is the fourth installment in a series of dispatches from the Rath family (Colin & Pam, daughters Breana, Meriel and Nerina, dog Aspen and cat Wasabi), who departed Stamford, CT last fall for a worldwide cruise aboard their Hanse 545 Persevere. You’ll find previous articles at www.windcheckmagazine.com (search Persevere).

Buying or investing in a boat is a multiple step process, and there are many things that will affect the end result. I will be discussing two of the very important steps that you will be undergoing while in your search for the perfect boat for you and possibly your family.

While different sailmakers may have different policies and procedures, in general you should find the following information helpful to get you more acquainted with the process and feel more comfortable asking the right questions.

The Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, RI offers interactive and unique sailing programs for youth and adults during the summer on Narragansett Bay. All classes are taught on historic Herreshoff 12 ½s, 16-foot wooden sloops with jib, main & spinnaker, or our Sea Sprite 23. We also offer a 12 ½ rental program for those interested in taking these classics out during the season.

The Long Island Sound Catalina Association (LISCA) is comprised of sailors in the Long Island Sound area that presently own or previously owned Catalina cruising sailboats. Members, with boats ranging from 25 to 47 feet, reside on Long Island, in other parts of New York, in New Jersey and throughout Connecticut, with boats harbored in many ports on Long Island Sound.

The recent opening of Cuba to travelers from the United States has created a wealth of new Caribbean cruising destinations Colin Rath, who is enjoying a long-term cruise with his family aboard their Hanse 545 Persevere says the island nation is a beautiful place that’s home to very friendly people…and a park that his daughters liked better than Disney World.