Regatta Manager announced a $1.5 million sponsorship package for clubs using their Regatta Manager product for their 2007 season. The funds will be distributed to qualifying clubs in increments of between $5,000 and $15,000 as in kind sponsorship of Regatta manager's Marine Suite line of products. For details on eligibility, receive more information, or apply for sponsorship please visit here.

Give Boyd at Regatta Manager a yodel and see what he’s got to say about it.

05/03/07

Big Pimpin'

L'il AC

So you don't have the $100 million to have your own AC program - no problem! Go virtual AC sailing with the new Virtual Skipper 5 / 32nd America's Cup game. Everyone who plays digs it, and here's your opportunity to get yours. Like to try before you buy? Then you may also download a free demo or a trailer of the game. Check it out here and have fun.

04/27/07

Big Pimpin'

Book Learnin'
What’s 152 pages of gear, hardware, cordage and everything a performance sailor needs? It’s APS’ annual catalog hitting mailboxes now. Expanded for 2007, it features the latest in performance sailing apparel from top brands like Musto, Gill, Zhik and Henri Lloyd to new ones like Ibex. But it doesn’t stop there. APS is more than just an apparel outfitter. APS is the most complete performance sailing outfitter. In addition to standard and hard to find hardware you’ll find all the latest go fast one design gear for Lasers, Snipes, Melges, Mumms, and everything in between in there too. Presented in the back is the largest selection of cordage anywhere from New England Ropes, Yale, and Samson Ropes to the new EasyRigging and Paraloc.

If you don’t see your copy soon be sure to drop APS a line. More than just your average brochure you’ll want a copy of this valuable racing resource to hang on to. Can’t wait? If you’re coming to Annapolis this weekend for the NOOD regatta stop by to say hi. While you’re there pick up a copy and check out the only performance sailing store in the country that stocks everything presented in their catalog, on their website, and more that performance sailors could need.

04/25/07

Big Pimpin'

New and Improved

Velocitek is happy to announce the launch of the long awaited Velocitek SC-1 GPS Race Computer. The Velocitek SC-1 harnesses the power of GPS to give performance dinghy and sportboat sailors the functionality of a complete instrument suite including:

• Speed, VMG and Heading updated every half-second

• Start timer

• Ability to display any two measurements simultaneously on a multi-line display

The SC-1 installs in seconds and does not require any external wiring or through hull transducers.

The SC-1 also keeps a rolling 40 hour record of speed, heading and position that can be downloaded for replay and analysis on a PC. The SC-1 is seamlessly compatible with Google Earth and GPS Action Replay.

Feedback received through the Sailing Anarchy forum on Velocitek’s S5, S10 and Speedcompass models played a major part in the SC1’s design. For example:

“Why not a dual readout” - Gruntfuttock

SC-1 now has a two line display that lets you see any two modes simultaneously.

“Only 2 digits on the display? Seems like for high performance sportboats you'd want 3...” - Buford.

Both SC-1’s display lines now have three digits.

“If you could enter the wind direction directly, by scrolling a number until you get to the right compass heading, it might be simpler” - Emu

SC-1 VMG mode now works exactly like this. What do you think? Add your comments in our new Gear Anarchy forum.

04/24/07

GUNBOAT recently launched the fourth in their series of carbon Gunboat 48's. HAMMER is for Tom Robinson of Norfolk, VA who plans to cruise and her in the Chesapeake, Northeast, and Caribbean. Tom's longtime friend, and renown sailor, Bill Biewenga, urged him to get a GUNBOAT. Bill has been a key team member of the HAMMER project from conception through to the first passage from Cape Town to the Caribbean.

HAMMER is a development of CREAM. The owner was very firm about keeping things simple and lightweight. The layout is similar, but the weights reflect hundreds of improvements gained from building a series of custom GUNBOATs (eight now sailing). According to master boat builder Jan Rossa at GUNBOAT, "We innovated in many areas to save 1000 lbs over CREAM. Petri Vainio and I have developed our own in house proprietary honeycomb furniture panels, and further developed new build techniques for the structure with Pete Melvin. It is a real pleasure to be able to continue to devise new ways to save weight and go ever higher tech. Gunboat is in a unique position to make ongoing advances that no one can match in the custom or production markets."

On the first day of sailing, in a mild 15-20 knots Southeaster off Cape Town, HAMMER hit 19.5 knots boatspeed on the GPS with main and jib. The touch on the clear coat carbon wheel was finger light. The carbon 3DL sails were the nicest seen yet on a Gunboat, and the GUNBOAT sea trial team of Peter Johnstone, Duncan Ross, Jan Rossa, Petri Vainio, Paul Hand, Ricardo Martin, and Chandler Collins was all smiles.

Further news coming from GUNBOAT includes a GUNBOAT start at Stanford Antigua Sailing Week, the new GUNBOAT 66 series, and rumors of a GUNBOAT 90 on the drawing boards.

04/20/07

Sail1Design.com primary mission is to allow sailors to place classified ads for boats, gear, coaching, and to help sailors find their next one-design sailboat and/or sailing gear. We invested in the creation of web software designed specifically for this purpose, to help YOU sell or find your boat. A low-cost alternative to brokerage and high online fees elsewhere, Sail1Design.com also puts all the best one design classes together, in one site, to allow sailors the opportunity both to market their current boat and look for the next one. No gimmicks, no extra fees, just a great resource to help you climb the one-design sailing ladder. We market our site aggressively to the sailing community and at regattas, and we strive to give your boat listings the best possible exposure.

Sail1Design.com is also committed to one-design racing and youth sailing. We are a proud sponsor of the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), and through this partnership, where we will be the official classified site of the ICSA, our ads will reach the growing world of college sailing!

Big Pimpin'

Refuel

We're most happy to have the Rocket Boats team advertising with SA again. The boat is just a bitchin little well, rocket, and they are still making nice progress. They'll be at the Strictly Sail show in Oakland this coming weekend, and will be in the water for demo rides. Click here to read more.

04/16/07

Don't Flick this Bic
There is a new-school dinghy that will excite the younger generation and provide an alternative to the traditional Opti/Sabot race path. The O’pen BIC represents a modern hull and rig design, quick and simple rigging, low maintenance, and is completely self-draining. Messing around and tipping over is part of the fun. Fast and exciting to sail, no bailing… an affordable boat that kids love to sail.

And the O’pen BIC has already had an energized start. In 2006, over 600 boats were distributed in 30 countries worldwide. And now in 2007, together with Orange, the FFV (French Sailing Federation) have officially endorsed the boat, and 20-25 sailing schools will be sailing fleets this summer.

In the USA, the first US O’pen Cup will be held at Sail Newport August 18, 2007. This will NOT be your traditional yacht regatta. Fun racing will include “O’pen Cross”, Slalom, and Freestyle. Energized Sailing Demos are also being organized from May to August. Contact info@BicSportNA.com to see if a tour stop can be arranged near you. Discounted fleet sales for qualified Junior Sailing Programs and “industry insider” discounts are also available.

04/06/07

Big Pimpin'

Doing the Dog

It has been a while since we've had a killer deal from Dirty Dog sunglasses, but we do now! We've always liked their combination of good glasses at a good price, and this new special deal for anarchists only rocks. So get in on the good deal, and enjoy your new Dogs!

04/03/07

As well as the usual points racing that will of course decide the world championships there will also be a Vmax competition with a Velocitek unit as first prize; with the expected Garda conditions we hope to see some eye-popping top speeds. All good.

03/27/07

Big Pimpin'

What a Lightweight
Here is a shot of the Rod Johnstone designed Mini Transat “Acadia” being sailed by Clay Burkhalter during sea trials down in Florida. Many of you may have read where Acadia lost her rig during last summers Les-Sables-Azores race. Burkhalter was able to limp to the finish line under a jury rig after which Acadia was shipped back to the states for a much needed weight reduction. We’re not talking Atkins here, more like a chainsaw to the keel.

Acadia got a new 29 pound (versus original 50) Carbon Fiber Mast from Forte Carbon Fiber and PBO rigging from Applied Fibers. This saved 45 pounds from the original rig. Next came new Lithium Ion Batteries from Genasun which saved another 100 pounds. This allowed Acadia to have liposuction on her keel to the tune of 100 pounds. The result is a new livelier Acadia. When Burkhalter first approached Forte about the new 29 pound mast, Tony DeLima (carbon fiber guru) started laughing but when told that the French built a 29 pound one, it became a challenge. It is definitely on the edge, especially for a 40 foot long mast. So far, it’s still standing and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Acadia is being shipped to Europe for the 2007 Mini Race circuit which will culminate in the 2007 Mini Transat Race starting in September. Good Luck Clay! You can learn more at www.teamacadia.org, www.forterts.com, www.genasun.com and www.powerliterigging.com.

03/16/07

Big Pimpin'

Really Gotta Have it!

We've always loved the execution of the proper racer/cruiser. Brigadoon, seen here and offered for sale, would surely seem to be that and much more. Be sure to check this one out, and if any of you are interested in this type of promotion here on SA, drop us a note. Enjoy.

For more information on Brigadoon, contact Krista Stanley at Tripp Design

03/05/07

Big Pimpin'

Step Right Up

We have always heard that Charleston Race Week is a good event, and now they are advertising the event right here on SA. Last year's event had 150 entries for the regatta, and this year looks to be even bigger.

In 2007, Charleston Race Week will return to the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina to celebrate its 12th year in existence. The regatta, which is scheduled for April 12-15, includes three days of competition and is open to boats 24 to 60 feet in length. The fleet characteristically includes a mix of one-designs and boats competing under handicap formulas (PHRF and IRC).
This regatta is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation, in affiliation with the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA). Profits from the event support the construction and operation of the Spirit of South Carolina, a classic tall ship serving South Carolina's youth.

02/23/07

01/23/07

Big Pimpin'

Latitude Kinsale……. 
“Any Chart Anywhere in the World!”

Everybody has charts, at some point I bet you have even framed them! Now a company based in Kinsale in Ireland is transforming charts into works of art that are truly cool & unique

Bobby Nash & his company LATITUDE KINSALE can produce a 3D chart™, light chart™ or even a chart table of any location worldwide.

Bobby’s unique 3D chart™ creations are nautical charts layered to show the depth contours of any chosen coastline in three dimensions. On researching the chart of the customer’s choice, Bobby identifies the distinct landmarks & features in the chart to be enhanced with the 3D process. There are several stages of meticulous hand cutting and mounting prior to the final assembly stage.  Due to their true bespoke nature they are completely hand made with careful attention to detail.  A 3D image is built that is both aesthetically pleasing and technically accurate.  The chart is transformed to a timeless piece of personal art, which works equally well in contemporary and classic environments.

The Coastal light charts™ are an alternative and popular option. These are of particular interest to clients with a public audience, where the flashing navigation lights, correct sequence & colour, capture attention and are a clever way of transforming a paper chart to a truly unique presentation. The Coastal Light Charts have unique electronics and a miniature fibre optic light system, which blends seamlessly into the chart, without impacting any of the original detail. An added feature is the ability to highlight a focal point such as a holiday home or business location using constantly on blue light!

“Any Chart, Anywhere in the World” is the goal and indeed Bobby has taken commissions from as faraway as New Zealand, USA and all around Europe. The requests are far ranging from Personal Gifts, Gifts from the crew to the Skipper, Wedding presents, Corporate Presentations, Business Decor, unique Prizes for sailing events incorporating sponsor’s logo.

Latitude Kinsale also creates a very distinctive range of exclusive bespoke chart tables with 3D charts™ as an intrinsic part of the design. Innovation and attention to detail is the secret to Latitude Kinsale’s success, every commission requires careful planning, preparation and presentation to ensure that the client get’s a piece of art that will be cherished for life.

Visit the virtual gallery on www.latitudekinsale.com

01/18/07