Grand Tour

Tour of the Salish Sea in May of 2023. This page outlines key boating destinations and yacht club facilities across the Salish Sea, emphasizing recreational opportunities and amenities for visitors. Here’s a structured summary:

San Juan Islands (Washington)
• Roche Harbor: A picturesque destination on San Juan Island with a Seattle Yacht Club outstation (Henry Island), offering moorage, waterfront restaurants, a fuel dock, and a 19-acre sculpture park. Hosted the 2023 Grand Banks rendezvous.
• Friday Harbor: A hub in the archipelago with hiking, kayaking, and whale watching.
British Columbia Destinations
• Ganges (Salt Spring Island): A top boating destination with marinas, the Salt Spring Island Saturday Market, and proximity to artisanal shops. The Seattle Yacht Club’s Ganges outstation provides moorage.
• Desolation Sound: Features Cortes Bay, home to both Royal Vancouver and Seattle Yacht Club outstations, public moorage, and access to wilderness trails. Nearby Refuge Cove offers provisioning.
• Ladysmith (Vancouver Island): Known for its 5-mile harbor, Ladysmith Yacht Club, and annual events like the Heritage Boat Festival. Ovens Island (owned by the Seattle Yacht Club) allows seasonal public dock use.
• Garden Bay (Pender Harbour): Hosts outstations from both the Royal Vancouver and Seattle Yacht Clubs. The historic Garden Bay Bar and Restaurant, destroyed by a 2020 fire, remains a point of local contention due to redevelopment plans.
• Sydney (Saanich Peninsula): Home to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea aquarium and a full-service marina near attractions like the BC Aviation Museum.

Over the Sea to Skye

Scotch whisky, oh how it flows. From the Isle of Skye, where the wind blows. With hillsides rolling and fairy pools, This Scottish island is full of jewels. The MacGregors, a clan of old, Their story is one that’s often told. Rob Roy, a cattle dealer and rogue,
His legend lives on, like a Scottish brogue. So raise a glass of Scotch whisky high, To the Isle of Skye and the MacGregors nigh. May their stories and beauty never die, And may we always remember with a sigh.

FIFA Seattle 2025 and 2026

The ICE enforcement announcement at Seattle’s Club World Cup games has led to lower ticket prices, a sharp drop in expected attendance (about 15%), and a multi-million dollar negative impact on the local economy, particularly affecting immigrant communities’ willingness to attend.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s Venice Wedding: A Complete Guide

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are hosting a lavish, multi-day wedding in Venice, Italy, centered on Bezos’s $500 million superyacht, Koru, with exclusive venues and luxury hotels reserved for their high-profile guests. Koru and its support vessel Abeona will be the main yachts present. Other notable superyachts expected in Venice during the celebration imay nclude Al Mirqab, Kaos, Sea Cloud, Ulysses, Eos, Phoenix 2, and Here Comes the Sun, as Venice is a major hub for luxury yachts during prestigious events.

The guest list features celebrities, business moguls, and political figures. Security is extremely tight, with restricted access in parts of Venice and private water taxis reserved for guests. Venetians, led by the “No Space for Bezos” campaign, are protesting the wedding. Actions include hanging banners, plastering anti-Bezos signs, organizing rallies, and planning to block canals and streets to disrupt the event. Their objections focus on Venice being used as a playground for the ultra-wealthy, driving up costs and pushing out locals.

Bezos is Amazon’s founder and one of the world’s richest men; Sánchez is a journalist and pilot. Their relationship began controversially. Their prenuptial agreement is robust and complex, designed to protect Bezos’s vast assets and avoid the pitfalls of his previous divorce.

Bayesian Capsize

insights into the design and safety considerations of modern yachts, exemplified by the superyacht Bayesian. highlights how traditional sailing technologies, such as masts and keels, continue to influence contemporary yacht design. The discussion includes Bayesian’s specifications, stability measures like the Angle of Vanishing Stability, and features like the dinghy garage, which may impact flooding risks. Such details are crucial for boat designers focused on integrating historical sailing principles with modern innovations to enhance performance, safety, and luxury in yacht construction. This blend of old and new technologies is essential for advancing yacht design in today’s market.

Cascais Portugal

Points of Interest for Sailors in Cascais, Portugal Cascais is a renowned destination for sailors due to its strategic location on the Atlantic coast, vibrant marina, and favorable sailing conditions. The town offers: Major Sailboat Races Held in Cascais Cascais is a prominent venue for high-profile sailboat races, including: These events underscore Cascais’ reputation as…

Cortes Island Canada

Go to Desolation Sound from Cortes Bay. The Island and bay were named after Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico. The island has a rich history, including First Nations settlements, logging, and fishing industries. Today, the island is known for its artistic community, organic farming, and ecotourism.

WTO Palm Oil Standoff

The United States defines the term “renewable fuel” in its mandatory biofuel program, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), as fuel that is made from renewable biomass, including plant-based materials like corn, soybeans, sugarcane, and oil palm trees as well as waste materials like used cooking oil and animal fats. The RFS program requires a certain…

Seattle, Washington USA 2025

Take a cruise of Seattle’s Elliot bay, Or ride a ferry to nearby bays. Watch the Ballard Locks in action, And enjoy the botanical garden attraction. Seattle, a city of endless possibilities, With so much to offer, it’s hard to leave with ease. From boat tours to coffee shops and beer gardens, Seattle is a city that never stops giving.