Welcome to the Solaris Cup 2023!

Welcome to Porto Rotondo for the first day of this year’s Solaris Cup! We are excited to have you all here again for another edition of racing. Let the good times begin!

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via YouTube Capture

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A group of very excited scuba divers with Great Adventures Cruises at Green Island were treated to a rare encounter with a young adult dugong. Estimated to be around 2 metres in length, this was the first dugong sighting recorded by Great Adventures divers at Green Island in several years. It was also the first ever sighting for videographer Dan Liu and two very lucky introductory divers on holiday from Ballarat Victoria. “It was so exciting to see! He was very curious swimming near us as the group were diving on a nearby coral bommie. He came close within about 4 metres, swimming away and then coming back for another look before swimming off over the seagrass beds,” said Dan Liu. Dugongs, often called sea cows, as they graze shallow seagrass meadows (eating up to 40kg a day!) are found across the tropical belt in Australia. They reach a length of 3 metres, live up to 70 years of age and can weigh as much as 400kg. Dugongs are fascinating mammals, sharing a common ancestor with elephants, and early sailors are believed to have confused them for mythical mermaids. They are most closely related to the manatee, their northern hemisphere relative. They resemble a large dolphin but lack a dorsal fin and have an upper lip covered in thick bristles. They are well designed for aquatic life, with nostrils situated on top of their heads so they can breathe, and have a large, strong tail that propels them through the water. Their eyes and ears are on the side of their heads. Although their eyesight is poor, they have an acute sense of hearing.” Dugong are threatened on a worldwide scale and in Australia, are a protected species under various legislation including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. This important sighting will be reported to GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef monitoring program contributing valuable information about these endangered creatures as well as the long-term protection and management of the reef. Video credit Dan Liu, Island Photography Australia

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Royal Cape 500 Catamaran For Sale By Owner Location: Georgetown, Maryland Asking: $385,000 (USD) Duty Paid Additional catamaran photos, details, and equipment list as well as owner contact information can be viewed at: https://www.catamaransite.com/catamarans-for-sale/royal-cape-500/ S/V Delphine is a Chesapeake Bay based 2007 Royal Cape 500 Majestic catamaran for sale by owner. S/V Delphine is a new to market, rare 2007 Royal Cape 500 Majestic catamaran, for sale by owner. She had a major refit starting 2017. Royal Cape only makes a few boats a year, used ones don't come on the market very often. 28' beam and wide hulls makes her incredibly spacious with 5 staterooms (most queen berths), all with ensuite heads/showers. Large office in owner's hull makes this the perfect boat for working from "home" anywhere in the world. Outfitted for off-the-grid cruising with watermaker, solar, generator, deep freezer, huge fuel and water tanks, SCUBA tanks, SCUBA compressor, fish-cleaning station and more. Complete galley with full-sized dishwasher, four burner gas stove and oven, microwave/convection/air fryer, refrigerator/freezer, icemaker, tons of storage. Many upgrades including lithium batteries and charging system (2021-22), electronics (2022), engines and generator (2017), 13' Highfield dinghy (2023). Solid, thick fiberglass hull, unlike production catamarans. Custom 64' mast for ICW. New Code 0 gennaker, new high performance North Sails main and jib. Lots of extras such as stainless steel lifelines, 29 opening hatches/portholes (amazing ventilation), MarQuipt boarding stairs, and much more. Built for safety and comfort. Additional catamaran photos, details, and equipment list as well as owner contact information can be viewed at: https://www.catamaransite.com/catamarans-for-sale/royal-cape-500/