Captain's Log

As the days get shorter, the shadows longer and the thermometer begins its annual sag southward, thoughts of sunny, warmer places keep popping into our minds. Among sailors who live in any region north of San Diego or Miami, the coming winter-the dark tunnel Rosie calls it-looms ahead with some foreboding.

    That's why the few of us who are as free as the geese are right now sailing our boats southward to Mexico, the Bahamas or the Caribbean. Warmth and sun are only a week of blue water sailing away.

    And those of us who are not yet living aboard and sailing away for the winter are most likely poring over charter company brochures picked up at the fall boat shows and getting ready to plan a week or two of vacation during the darkest days in the tunnel. That’s why every December we offer our annual Guide to Great Cruising Destinations and charter opportunities.

    This year we are focusing on the British Virgin Islands and asked Nancy Scott, longtime B.V.I. cruiser and publisher of Cruising Guide Publications, to write a story about how the islands have changed over the years and what you will find there now. Her article and our BWS tips on the best charter deals this winter start on page 46.

    To get a better feel for how and where you charter, we invite you to fill out and send us the Charter Survey included in the magazine. It will help us to continue to focus articles and features to better suit your needs. And, you may win a week of chartering in the Caribbean offered as a sweepstakes prize by Festiva Sailing Vacations to all who send in the survey. We look forward to seeing your comments.

    This month BWS is also introducing a new and unique opportunity for readers to join us on an Explore & Sail Vacation flotilla charter in Greece this coming spring. We have organized a themed charter starting on April 26 and running for nine nights and eight days that can accommodate up to 40 readers.

    Instead of just a cruise in company, the Explore & Sail flotilla offers a lot of interesting shore-side activities designed to give you a real insight into the local Greek culture and the long and fascinating history from Greece’s Golden Age. A professional guide will accompany the flotilla and will lead excursions to some of Greece’s most famous historical sites. Rosie and I will be hosting the event with our circumnavigator friends Rick and Julie Palm so you will have a chance to hear and tell a few sea stories along the way.

    If you are interested in learning more please contact Mark Wakeman, Kiriacoulis Mediterranean, in Newport Beach, California: Phone 800-714-3411 or e-mail: kiriacoulis@mindspring.com

    Let’s all have some fun in the sun.