Matt Rutherford

We love a good sailing story, especially ones filled with beautiful simplicity of men and women sailing regular boats to great feats. As Chris and Toby are both sailors with aspirations of going far, we loved watching the young and talented teenager Zac Sunderland complete his circumnavigation in an awesomely capable and modest Islander 36. Now, this month, 31-year-old Matt Rutherford has completed his trip around the in a 36-year-old 27′ donated Albin-Vega sailboat.

On April 18th, 2012, Matt limped across the finish line in Annapolis with half-full batteries and a non-charging electrical system. He had successfully left Annapolis the September before, northbound, sailing North of Canada and down the west coast before rounding the treacherous Cape Horn in January and heading up the East Coast of the Americas.  He did all this to benefit Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (“C.R.A.B.”) and raised about $80,000.  Way to go, Matt!

We love when great sailors do great things — especially when they do so modestly and show us that just about anyone of any age and any circumstances can make their sailing dreams become reality.  Albin Vega’s go for about $12K-15K on the market today.  Have a little more to spend?  The very same Islander 36 Zac Sutherland took around the world is for sale for $59K.

ACR Acqualink

Okay, so it isn’t really attire. It certainly isn’t fashion. The Personal Locator Beacon (or “PLB”), however, is something a sailor wears. It may be a bit much for your Saturday afternoon sail. If you’re going Out on the Water off-season or in foul weather, or you’re going off-shore for an extended period, a Personal Locator Beacon is an assurance you’ll be found if things go completely wrong.

How does it work? A PLB, like an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) emit a signal that satellites pick up. The technology tells a the satellite where you are within a level of accuracy so the Coast Guard came come and find you. One difference is that EPIRBs were originally designed for boats while PLBs were designed for land applications such as hikers and back country skiers. Now, however, PLBs have gained popularity with sailors. Another difference is that many EPIRBs are designed to activate and deploy manually or automatically when they come into contact with water. PLBs, on the other hand, are typically only activated manually. Both typically include a strobe and a long-life battery. The crucial difference, however, is that a PLB is designed to be worn by an individual, while the EPIRB is attached of the vessel.  You wear a PLB, but you don’t typically wear a EPIRB.

One popular PLB is the ACR Aqualink 406 2882.  Usually found under $400, this unit features a belt clip and strobe light.  If you want something compact and cheap, hook yourself up with the McMurdo Fast Find. For under $250, the McMurdo sports a flashlight. We won’t quite recommend the McMurdo as it DOESN’T FLOAT!?!?!  Wow, can you imagine dropping your PLB and having it sink? What a bummer!

The key in selecting a PLB is to do your research. Read reviews. Look at features. Strapped to that gorgeous Henri Lloyd sailing jacket you’re wearing, or better yet your auto-inflate harness, hook one on.

The crew of Los Escapados

Our 2012 British Virgin Islands sailing adventure was a perfect relief from those winter blues and the high paced lives back home for all of our wonderful busy professional guests joining us from Chicago, Indiana, Philidelphia, and New York.  Most of the crew arrived in Tortola through St. Thomas where a beautiful Saturday ferry ride to Tortola set the stage for the week’s adventure.  Once aboard the roomy and provisioned Los Escapados, we were greeted by beautiful breezes and temperatures in the mid 80s.  We ventured out andLos Escapados proved itself to be a thrilling, comfortable and safe way to sail the islands.

On Sunday, morning we awoke bright and early to check the boat out and get a couple last provisions with the goal of making Bitter End that afternoon. With the winds reading 15-25kts and forecasted to be steady all week, we were treated in making all of our destinations early. Once the sails were set, we maneuvered our way up to the Bitter End. Despite a brief squall, which the boat easily handled through with little effort, we sailed smoothly through the Dog Islands and onto the Bitter End by 1:30pm—plenty of time for swimming, relaxing, napping and having a tasty BBC cocktail at Saba Rock.

Los Escapados sailing at 8.5 kts bound for Anegada

On Monday, we were off to destination Anegada with a glorious and fast sail averaging almost 9 kts. Wow, this boat is quick! We entered the channel very cautiously like we did the previous year because the channel is quite shallow.  Once the mooring was secured and our lunch aboard was complete, we ventured via dinghy into place our orders for Anegada Lobster for dinner that evening. Unconventionally, you are required to order by 3:30pm each day so that they can retrieve and prepare the lobsters fresh for your delicious meal later on. After our selections were made, we hired a cab to Cow Wreck Beach for an afternoon of snorkeling and relaxing on this incredible coral based island.

On Tuesday, we set sail for Spanish Town to check out the largest town Virgin Gorda has to offer. We enjoyed another calm Beautiful sail heading down in the direction of the wind.   Taking a moment out of my captaining duties, I became the resident painter and worked on a painting series that I began in 2010 called Moment of Sailing, which utilizes the motion of the boat helps create a colorful abstract piece.  Once the sailing and painting was over, we engaged Spanish Town.   For being such a ‘large’ town, we found that it was actually quite small and it’s best asset was Wi-Fi, which allowed us to touch base with loved ones, email and get in a little Facebook.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

After a very windy night with with a few mild challenges, Wednesday was a new and very bright day that we spent enjoying the stunningly beautiful Baths of Virgin Gorda and another gorgeous sail to Cooper Island.  Once in, we luckily scored the perfect mooring close in to the beach and restaurant. It was a ideal situation with a 50ft swim to the shore. That night we chose to cook dinner aboard despite a little wind on our grill supplied to the boat.  This was a lucky move, as we sat and watched the Restaurant on the beach “black out” most likely ruining a few food preparations for the evening.

Moored at Cooper Island

Thursday morning was diving morning, where the company Dive BVI picked me up in their boat based on my location (called rendezvous diving). I met other divers and dive instructors and we had two top notch dives in “Wreck Alley” and “Thumb Rock.” I saw a whole sunken tugboat with an intact bathroom, a 5ft wide Stingray, Barracuda, Lion Fish, and many other enchanting creatures of the sea. While none of the Los Escapados crew was certified to dive, they were certified to drink and apparently exercised their rights at the beachside bar. I’m told that the Bloody Mary’s were the best of their lives. I’m not sure I got the better end of the deal having left them to see a sunken toilette.

Later that afternoon, we sailed to Peter Island with a destination anchorage of Dead Man Bay. Being so close and having such abundant winds, we were able to maneuver back & forth across the Sir Francis Drake Channel and circumnavigate Dead Chest Island before settling in for the evening. That night was another night of grilling out in the wind. There was some fun and banter each time we found a “LULL” in the wind to try and light the charcoal quickly. Fortunately, once prepared, the steak dinner was a fantastic cap to the day.

The Indians

We decided to make a stop back at the charter base in Wickham’s Cay on Friday to completely refill our water tanks. Once we were refreshed and everyone took showers, Lose Escapados was off again to conquer a fantastic group of monument like islands called “the Indians” and the famous floating bar that an institution known as the “Willy T.“   Truly, Friday was another spectacular day as the Indians provided some amazing snorkeling and the Willy T lived up to it’s reputation.

Sailing in Sir Francis Drake Chanel

We awoke Saturday morning to yet another perfect sailing day that got us to the entrance of the base way too early to justify going in. Although coming in from a fantastic week, the crew was unanimous to play around with another hour of sailing before finally returning the boat to home port. I could tell that, as crew got along famously, we were all a bit sad to disembark Los Escapados.

Looking back at it I can honestly say that wind-wise, this was the best single week of sailing of my life and am already anxious to plan the next Caribbean sailing trip with Out on the Water Sailing!  We are thankful for this fantastic crew for venturing out with us and know everyone had a great time.

Next time, won’t you join us? For input on our next adventure sailing destination, please email info@out-sailing.com and please request perfect wind.

-Capt. Chris Bartick

What do the holidays get Chris and Toby thinking of?  We think of our friends, family, our awesome clients and of course Sailing.  Well, truth be told, we’re kinda always thinking about sailing.

Annapolis Festival of Lights

Just last weekend Toby went down to Annapolis and got to see the Festival of Lights on the harbor.  What an amazing site.  Annapolis, one of our top favorite sailing towns, really put on awesome show. This is not surprising as Annapolis sailors have such spirit. Powerb0ats to sailboats alike gave Santa’s sleigh a run for its money and have us thinking — “would Santa be better off delivering presents on a sailboat??”  Some of these boats make us say YES!  Check out the great coverage of the Annapolis Harbor Festival of Lights.

Not to forget the gifts for that perfect sailor, we have our top recommendations of what should you be getting that sailor on your list. First and foremost, treat that sailor right with Out on the Water Sailing’s amazing trip to the BVI! We have only one full cabin left on our amazing Jeanneau 53 and we’d love to have you aboard on this fantastic trip on this fully provisioned top of the line luxury yacht. Also cool,  get that sailor a uber trendy SailorMade bracelet to wear while dining in Anegada this February. While you can’t take it down on the plane to Tortola with you, a sailing knife is a safety item no sailor should be without. We love the line of Myerchin knives available through Defender Industries. This titanium crew knife can do just about whatever you need aboard in a pinch.  If you’re looking for the perfect gift for that uber corintian nester, an Onne van der Wal print looks great in any proper sailor’s home. We love this print looking up the mast of Amorita, one of the most historic and beautiful classic yachts anywhere, and this awesome action shot of the stunning J Boat Ranger.

As we all know, however, the holidays aren’t about great sailing gifts. The holidays are about cherishing those friends and family we love and giving thanks. Captains Chris and Toby, and the crew at Out on the Water Sailing, would like to wish you and yours a heartfelt Happy Holidays and a sincere thank you for your support.

Seasons Greetings,

Toby and Chris

First Leg Winners, Team Telefonica

A huge roar broke out from the hundreds crowding the dock as Groupama’s bow finally came into view under Table Mountain in the moonlight on Tuesday, more than 24 days after the team left Alicante back on November 5.

Children and wives skipped across the pontoon and were soon in the arms of men who barely had time to tie the boat down before being embraced. Helmsman Thomas Colville, sporting a new beard, tossed his young daughter high in the air before taking his wife in his arms in a hug lasting a full minute.

While Team Groupama was the last to finish, they were very lucky to do so—being only the third of six boats to finish leg one. With problems that started as early as a few hours after the beginning of the race, Abu Dabi, Puma, and Saya had to bow out of this first leg from Alicante to Cape Town.

To follow the race and read the full story, you can visit volvooceanrace.com.

Source: volvooceanrace.com

Hey all! We’re getting really excited about this year’s BVI adventure sail, leaving Tortola on February 25-March 3, 2012 and hosted by Captain Chris Bartick. If you’re thinking of joining, now is a great time to sign up and start planning. To get you pumped-up, here is a little info about our boat and trip.

The Jeanneau 53 is as roomy inside as it is outside. The yacht model was completely redesigned in 2010 to feature the latest innovations in sailing technology. She boasts a bright and airy salon with ample seating, a huge galley, tons of storage and impressive large cockpit.

The Jenneau 53

Guests will share 3 cabins (two guests per cabin unless you book the whole cabin to yourself), which each have separate heads. It has the capacity of sleeping 11 people, but we will keep it down to 7-8 total aboard to give even more comfort for our guests. When sailing, we’ll have the benefit of easily managed sails and electric winches. When at anchor, we’ll enjoy a hard bottom inflatable. The boat comes equipped with snorkel gear and plenty of toys for our fun and relaxing island-hopping journey.

The trip reaches some of the best sailing grounds and swimming spots in the world.  Known for its near perfect reliable breezes, marvelous anchorages, pristine beaches and richly populated snorkeling reefs, the British Virgin Islands is the ideal spot to retreat with us.  From Lob Lolly Beach in Anegada to the Bitter End Yacht Club and The Peter Island Resort, we choose the best anchoring spots to luxuriate and swim after a great sail.

To read more about the trip, visit our destinations page. To reserve your spot, contact info@out-sailing.com.

Oakley Board Shorts

Ready to mingle with the kiteboarders on your BVI sailing vacation?   We are, but we’re also wondering what the fastest boys under kites will be wearing during their party in Anegada. We’re thinking warm tropics will be the theme on this adventure while the winter sets in up north.
These Oakley Turbocharge shorts will certainly be seen around.  We like the black ones… and a pair of the blue ones would be nice, too.  The quintessential Quicksilvers also never fail to impress. These shorter candy-stripe  Cypher Brig Pigment shorts are adorable and sure to be very popular.

As they do at the Soggy Dollar bar, get ready to stuff those shorts with dollars and swim ashore for some rum punches.

The weather is looking to be a light breeze and mid 50′s. What a time to try out that new winter/fall coat!

Contact Chris or Toby for more information and sign up at: http://appreciationsail.eventbrite.com/