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July 8, 2008

Welcome aboard!

Captain Pat here…with an update on what's happening with our little fleet of classic vessels.

Let's start with 2008 being a big year for us. It is Atlantic Sail's 21st anniversary of chartering in New York Harbor, with flagship Ventura closing in on 100 years old. Wow! Some achievement for an old wooden girl when even modern, steel ships are pretty much finished at 30 years old.  And 21 years under the same ownership marks the longest-run for any individual in her long history. Personally,  I can't get comfortable with the term "ownership" knowing her history, thinking of her future, and more so her heritage: six owners previously, her famous designer, the long-gone draftsmen from 1919 who helped loft her lines, and then all the craftsmen who assembled her hull with their bare hands. Not to mention the mystic thinking behind the energy from trees-to-planks, and the vision of boat as art. Do we really own art when it endures so long? Or when it out lives us? I feel the term stewardship best fits my tenure – who will be the caretaker on her 100th birthday, I wonder? Stay tuned, but don’t hold you breath, ‘cause this sea dog isn’t going anywhere soon!

Each season I am thankful to have so many “old shipmates” who continue to sail with us over the years. I certainly appreciate your business. Even more, I value the on-going process that begins with clients and guests and evolves to friendship. It becomes personal. Is this anyway to run a business? In this world of corporate unaccountability, or press 5 for an automated operator, I'm proud to be up front and personal! Personal accountability has its risks, but the rewards of a bounty of friends and positive memories is worth it ten times over.

The big news for 2008 is the expansion of our operation on the island of Yuma (the Lucayan Indian name for Long Island, Bahamas, before Columbus.) We have added to our mini fleet a boat that one guest described as "a beach house on a raft." I love that expression for its tone and accuracy. The "Troll" is a double-stateroom houseboat, built in 2004. She (?) (it?) is named Troll because, frankly, no one is ever going to call her beautiful. But Troll has personality, and by all means is built for comfort, not for speed! She even has a water slide off the back. Her (it's?) real value, however, is that Troll is the perfect facilitator for a unique charter experience that we offer for those adventuresome folks looking for a timeless, out island experience. Troll becomes your home base when you cruise with us aboard our ocean going sailboat "Anacacuya" to remote, pristine Bahamian anchorages. In fact, I am drafting this blog aboard Troll now, at anchor in one of those places: no boats are around, no houses, no docks, and the nearest neighbors are a flock of goofy, West Indian Whistling Ducks. See "The Out Island Experience" for more.

Back in New York, Ventura continues our open to the public, Friday evening sunset sail tradition, where folks bring along a bottle of their favorite wine, snacks and know they can chill. If you want to join these sails, be sure to make a reservation on www.smarttix.com as we are often sold out -- sometimes up to two weeks in advance. We are also hosting, once a month, the family-oriented Sunday bring-your-brunch sail. Both of these sails are open to the general public – come alone, bring a date, family, or friends from the office. For information and reservations on our Friday night Sunset or Sunday Brunch Sail click here…

I encourage those interested in sailing with us on a spontaneous basis to sign up for the “Ventura Sailing News.” (Only sailing news about Ventura and the periodic winter updates during the winter. No spam, no ads. Promise.) The sailing news gives you advance notice of any new or unusual open to the public trips, such as star gazing, or fireworks cruises during the  summer.  In winter, you will get summer cruise updates but also some off-the-beaten path personal reports from wherever adventure takes me.... the North Pole in 2007,  the Bahamas (every winter) and various destinations in between.  Hopefully you'll will enjoy these occasional nautical e-adventures and maybe even join in!

So thanks again to all the “old shipmates” who have sailed with us again and again, and welcome aboard to all who are new to our extended sailing family! I'm looking forward to seeing you aboard!

-Captain Pat, aboard "Troll" Lat 23.46'.04" north x 75.20'.33" west

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