Sail Magazine

by Meredith Laitos

Meredith Laitos is SAIL’s Senior Editor. She sails in and around Boston and specializes in charter destinations.

November Charter Specials

by Meredith Laitos, Posted December 2, 2009

In the colder climes, the leaves have turned and fallen. The boats have been hauled out and stored for the winter. The storm windows are in; the winter sweaters are out. But while we brace ourselves for winter, charter companies are just gearing up. All too aware of the woeful economy, many companies are offering especially good discounts to keep you, the charter guests, coming back for more. 35%

An Adventure with Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe Sailors

by Meredith Laitos, Posted December 1, 2009

"You can travel around the world, sail on any and every boat, and you’ll never find anything quite like the log canoe.” With a pipe in his teeth and a beard on his chin, Mike Spicer may have been the first to drop this line, but he was certainly not the last.

A Match Made at the Boat Show

by Meredith Laitos, Posted November 19, 2009

From November 5 to 8, 70 boats and 113 brokers walked the docks at the 28th annual BVI Charter Yacht Show at Village Cay Marina in the heart of Road Town, Tortola. Unlike other boat shows, the focus was socializing rather than sales. During the day, brokers familiarized themselves with the boats, getting to know their crew and memorizing the intricacies of each boat’s layout. Various activities

They Rescue the Rescuers

by Meredith Laitos, Posted November 19, 2009

Every day, men and women of the Coast Guard risk their lives to save people in need in the oceans, rivers and bays across the country. But who takes care of the Coast Guard? The Coast Guard Foundation, now in its 40th year, is honoring its officers with a new one-in-a-million campaign and various celebrations. October 28, 2009: A Coast Guard helicopter rescued five people after their boat

Nanny Cay or Bust!

by Meredith Laitos, Posted November 18, 2009

To hear firsthand accounts from the participants of the rally, check out their stories on the right under "Tales from the Rally."Twenty years ago, an enthusiastic cruiser introduced a group of boats to the concept of an offshore sailing rally, where they could travel as a community from the states to the Caribbean to while away the winter.

The O’pen Revolution

by Meredith Laitos, Posted November 2, 2009

When Tomas Nores, father of three sons under the age of 12, watched his kids’ sailing program dwindle from 100 enthusiasts to 8 miserable children in Optis, he knew something was wrong. The water was warm year-round in their hometown of Miami, Florida, and the breeze was always blowing, yet his kids were on the verge of throwing in the towel. Determined to not give up, Nores drove ten kids from

Horizon Yacht Charters Wins Award

by Meredith Laitos, Posted October 21, 2009

Horizon Yacht Charters www.horizonyachtcharters.com (HYC) has been voted the Best Caribbean Yacht Charter Company of 2009 by the Caribbean World International Travel Awards, a British publication. "It was a big surprise," said Nicola Massey of HYC. "We didn't want to just

Sperry Topsiders

by Meredith Laitos, Posted October 15, 2009

When you're scrambling around on the narrow, slippery boards of a Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe, non-slip shoes are a necessity. At the 2009 Heritage Regatta in Oxford, MD, SAIL raced on the log canoe Jay Dee wearing the Women's Ultra Marine and the Men's Cabo Shandal. With their superior grip and breathability, these kicks proved to be the ideal nautical performance footwear.The women's: I was

Make the Great Escape

by Meredith Laitos, Posted September 22, 2009

Fall is in full force and winter is creeping up on the horizon; a trip to the British Virgin Islands sounds more appealing by the day. Imagine yourself at the helm of a 40-foot charter boat, sailing through translucent teal waters and anchoring off soft white beaches. Now imagine the same scenario…for free.There’s still time to enter SAIL’s Great Escape contest, where you could win a

Going for the Gold

by Meredith Laitos, Posted September 2, 2009

Hunter Ratliff wants nothing more than to feel the weight of a gold medal around his neck. To stand on the podium, national anthem blaring, knowing his success came from no one but himself. But it’s going to take a while to get there.Last November, Hunter, now 25, embarked on an Olympic campaign for his 470 sailboat. He and his crew, Topher Williams, spend their days building what Ratliff