There are a number of sailing charter agencies that operate in the San Blas islands, but few meet the necessary standards for running quality private catamaran and sailboat charters and not fall into the backpacker standards. Here’s a list of things to look for when deciding who to trust in San Blas. A quick search on Google will display numerous possibilities for your next San Blas sailing charter. Deciding on one of them and putting the 1st payment down, purchasing your plane tickets, making hotel and transfer bookings and setting your mind for the ultimate Caribbean sailing experience is definitely a great effort and one that can be totally put to waste if you do not choose wisely your intermediary for such an exotic and special vacation. Here is a list of things to look for when choosing the best San Blas Sailing Company and boat charter agency. 1. Dual purpose: some agencies focus in both giving service to backpackers and regular sailing charter guests such as families, group of friends etc. Needless to say that quality standards are not the same for the two types of guests. Food, cleaning, security, type of experience are a few of the totally different aspects that differentiate a backpacker travel agency and a sailing charter company. How to find out? simply review their website, their logo and web structure, pay close attention at the activities offered, presentation of food, state of the catamaran etc. 2. Not their own boats and no alternative if your catamaran encounters a technical problem. This is not what you need, absolutely not. If one of our catamarans is down, another option is offered. You are most likely to get a free upgrade, we will try our best to provide you with a higher category catamaran at no extra cost. 3. No preset itineraries means that the captain will decide by him/herself where to go and what to do. Having the possibility of going for a preset itinerary takes much of the worry off and sets the scene for an ordered vacation. Note that itineraries will be modified by the captain depending on your special interests and if the weather does not permit such a pre organised sailing route. 4. Not visible on TripAdvisor or what is worst, displaying their "own client" reviews on their websites with no audit on them. Being public hurts at times, but a reputable sailing charter company must be on Trip Advisor. End of the story. 5. No covid and other cancellation policies clearly stated in their Faqs with no link from their homepage. Clearly these times we live in need serious and clearly detailed cancellation policies, specially due to Covid reasons. You are putting your energy into this. 6. Not 100% dedicated to San Blas and offering sailing charters in other Caribbean sailing areas or continents. A consistent charter agency in San Blas must be 100% dedicated to the San Blas islands. Being focused and offering the right information to guests is crucial and takes a lot of time and effort to put together. 7. Not fluent in english and sloppy/not agile communication can derive in important confusions that can put to risk your experience in Kuna Yala. Language and other communication barriers can test your patience and alter the normal course of your sailing vacations just when you least expect it. 8. Not showing the "not-so-spectacular" side of sailing in some of the most famous areas and islands and not being frank on some of the "not-so-comfortable" of what sailing in San Blas is. Like all, this archipelago has some places you can directly skip. 9. With professionals onboard you can rest assure the captain and crew will know what to do at all times. Amateurs or what is worst, newcomers to the area and with no ties to the indigenous community are not what you need. Not employing a Kuna guide or not mixing with the locals means missing out on the most important of what San Blas has to offer. 10. No offense to backpackers and backpacker agencies, they are an amazing community that must be respected and understood like any other. We love them and they have for ever been a crucial part of the traveling community. Cheers to them!

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Des Buckley joins old mate Dave Grundy and Mike Threadgill for a sail.

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Original article post: https://www.utopia1946.com/utopia-blog/schooner-utopia-runs-aground FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559312643639 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svutopia/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/svutopia/ Ogdensburg, Advance News, October 11th, 1959. Schooner Grounds in Span Water! The Utopia went aground just west of Ogdensburg International Bridge about 10 p.m. Monday while on the last leg of her trip around the world. The Auxiliary Schooner, sailing under the command of Captain Fred J. Peterson, left Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on November 17th, 1956 for a trip around the world. The 65-foot ship is on her way home with seven people aboard. According to Robert Peterson, the son of the captain, the ship went aground just west of the New Bridge. Captain John Atherton, skipper of the Coast Guard Cutter White Lupine, went to the Schooner’s aid in the morning. The small powerboat off the Lupine, carried the anchor from the Utopia and the small ship came off under her own power. On the ship besides the captain were his son and daughter-in-law, who just went aboard 10 days ago. Mr. Peterson Jr. has been operating his father's ship building yard at Sturgeon Bay. He flew to Montreal to meet his father on his homecoming voyage. Others on the ship include Damayan Dunuwille from Ceylon, Wong Chin Chong, a 23-year-old from Malaya, who speaks seven different languages, Stephen Busaz, a Hungarian who went aboard at Sydney Nova Scotia, and Joseph Swafford, 25, from Silver Springs, Maryland, who was touring Europe on his own and joined the group at Barcelona, Spain. Before the visitors could come aboard at Ogdensburg, they had to be examined by a local doctor. The Utopia was built in 1946 at Captain Peterson's shipyard. In 1947, he spent 11 months cruising the Mediterranean. The world cruisers crossed the Atlantic on the way home in 13 days and six hours. According to Mr. Peterson, the ship will be laid up at Sturgeon Bay for the winter and repaired. The ship has a steel bottom but it is wood from the water level up. Household appliances of all sorts can be used on the ship. The freezer will hold a ton of frozen meat. The ship is equipped with radar and had two auxiliary engines for power. Under power, the ship will travel about eight knots. Under sail, with a good wind, it will sail along at an 11-knot clip. About the Utopia: The historic Great Lakes schooner Utopia, built in 1946, offers a fascinating glimpse into maritime history. Originally from Sturgeon Bay, you can now find Utopia in Manitowoc, Wisconsin! Dockside visitors can explore this beautifully crafted vessel, which was designed by Fred J. Peterson of Peterson Builders, Inc. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and built in 1946. Utopia’s unique features include a steel double bottom for strength, wooden hull sides for warmth, and twin Detroit diesel engines. Visitors can marvel at her elegant lines, learn about her global circumnavigation, and appreciate the craftsmanship that has kept her sailing for decades. Utopia currently resides under the stewardship of the her new owners based in Manitowoc Wisconsin, where it continues to inspire curiosity and passion for the Great Lakes among learners of all ages.

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Tutto era partito nel migliore dei modi: Frigo pieno, l’arrivo dell’ultimo membro dell’equipaggio, tanta voglia di navigare. Sotto consiglio di Carmelo, andiamo verso l’isola di Vulcano, con l’intenzione di salire sul punto più alto dell’isola e assistere al tramonto da un teatro a un passo più vicino al cielo. Quindi molliamo gli ormeggi. Apriamo randa, apriamo Genoa, spegniamo il motore. Aaaah, che momento. Le lenze restano amaramente leggere, ma il vento gonfia le vele per buona parte del viaggio. Verso pomeriggio inoltrato entriamo nella baia in cerca di un ormeggio e scopriamo che i fondali qui vanno giù in modo repentino e si passa da 40 metri a 16 in un colpo di tosse. In più, dettaglio non irrilevante, un teso vento freddo spazza via l’afa e annuncia l’arrivo di niente di buono. Come da programma, si alza ancora il vento. Inizia a piovere. Noi smettiamo di cercare un ormeggio e ci lasciamo sospingere dal vento nel mentre che decidiamo il da farsi. A suon di raffiche di vento e pioggia sferzante, il buon Carmelo ci indica una marina. Ormeggiamo. Scende la tensione. Lo chef ufficiale di bordo (Giuseppe) cucina una pasta con pesce spada e melanzane che è tutta un programma, mentre veniamo accompagnati dalle note del pianoforte che intona la colonna sonora di questo viaggio incredibile. Domani ci avvicineremo un altro passettino al perché i ragazzi sono con noi in barca. Per i più pigri, facciamo tutti parte di un team di un’azienda che produce prodotti nautici. Per i più arguti, abbiamo inserito degli indizi all’interno di questo video. 🤓 A domani 🫶 Camilla

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