calibre 12 yacht

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

After a 6-year hiatus, Richard Williams returns to skipper his newest Calibre , a Cookson 12, which he purchased in early 2023.  Named Ocean Rookie of the the Year in 2015/16, Williams finished second in Div 1 at the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race this year in his first offshore outing with the yacht.  Having previously campaigned a Sydney 38, the Cookson 12 gives Williams hope of a shot at the overall title.  

Competitor Details

OFFICIAL ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART MERCHANDISE

Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!

Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

Pistol shot - Calibre 12’s first ocean race

• 11 Aug, 2023 11:07:00 AM

Calibre 12, the Cookson 12 owned by Richard Williams, has taken 2nd place in Division 1 IRC in the 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. She was 19th over the line in a time of 3 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes just behind Tempo (Michael Smith). She was also 2nd in IRC Corinthian after Philosopher (David Henry).

CYCA: Tell me more about the boat?

Richard Williams: I have owned a Sydney 38 since 2012 and we just upgraded to a Cookson 12. We literally took it to sea for the first time this race. 

CYCA: How was the race Richard? Can you describe the journey for us?

RW: Sensational, exhilarating, painful, tiring, full of adrenalin - you name it.

CYCA: The full gamut of emotions! What was your strategy? 

RW: Well, we went a hundred miles out to sea. We second-guessed ourselves a few times, and wondered, ‘should we go this far out?’  - especially when there wasn’t one other boat out there - and then, our sat phone broke, so we had no information. We didn’t know where any of the other boats were, until we came back in. We were just doing our own thing.

CYCA: At what point on the North Coast did you come back in?

RW: Around Ballina, and it was only then that we found out that we were actually doing okay.

CYCA: Did the wind die when you came back in? Or did you find some breeze to help you finish the race? 

RW: No, we were fine then. It actually died when we were out to sea. When we were about one hundred miles out to sea, we had no wind for about six hours! 

CYCA: That must have been soul destroying? 

RW: We were absolutely gutted. But, we didn’t gamble, we trusted the technology that we had at the beginning of the race, and we stuck to it. Now we find we have done pretty well, it has paid off. I think we are currently second in our division.

CYCA: So you’re feeling good about your overall time?

RW: That’s our first ocean race on the boat, so yes we are very happy.

CYCA: So you have had a great first result? 

RW: Yes we think so.

We congratulate the entire crew aboard Calibre on their result.

Images: DH | CYCA

Acknowledging the collective efforts that made the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - A Race for the Ages

The 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Prizegiving

PHOTOS | Day 4 Finishers

PHOTOS | From the rail - day 4

URM Group finishing the 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast

VIDEO | From the rail - Celestial

VIDEO | 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast - drone footage at the finish

VIDEO | 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - start replay

WATCH | Weather briefing - 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

WATCH | Race briefing - 2023 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

2012 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - Weather Briefing

2012 Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - Race Briefing

2011 audi sydney gold coast yacht race - weather briefing, 2011 audi sydney gold coast yacht race - race briefing, official cyca - helly hansen merchandise.

Shop the official CYCA - Helly Hansen clothing range in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited.

Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race 2024

Competitor Details

OFFICIAL CYCA - Helly Hansen MERCHANDISE

Shop the official CYCA - Helly Hansen clothing range in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited.

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Roger Federer Just Rocked One of Rolex’s Coolest Sports Watches

By Oren Hartov

Earlier this week, at the New York premiere of his new documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days , tennis icon and Rolex testimonee Roger Federer strapped on the Yacht-Master II ref. 226627—a watch so lightweight that I feared, upon first handling it in Geneva last year, that I might crush it, thus owing Rolex corporate headquarters a check for $14,050 (plus tax).

The ref. 226627 was not Rolex’s first titanium watch—that distinction belongs to the 50mm-wise Deepsea Challenge , which was seemingly designed for James Cameron to wear while plumbing the depths of the Atlantic for sunken ocean liners. The Yacht-Master II, on the other hand, is arguably more exciting: Measuring a more comfortable 42mm wide, it was first spotted on the wrist of skipper (and fellow Rolex testimonee) Sir Ben Aislney back in the fall of 2021. No longer a prototype and now a full production model, it’s crafted from Grade 5 RLX titanium and is available for purchase. ( Theoretically, at least. )

What makes this Submariner-esque watch different from, well, a Submariner ? The two are admittedly similar in design, with a few key differences: There’s the RXL titanium case, of course, but then there’s also the 42mm sizing (as opposed to 41mm on the Sub); a bidirectional timing bezel with a sand-blasted Cerachrom insert (instead of the Sub’s unidirectional dive bezel); the date window (which is only seen on Submariner Date models); and the matching, RLX titanium Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock folding clasp and Easylink comfort extension. (The Sub doesn’t have an available titanium bracelet.)

Other than that, both the Submariner Date and the Yacht-Master II are powered by Rolex’s automatic Calibre 3235 movement with 70 hours of power reserve, and both are made for aquatic use. The Sub, however, is a diver’s watch rated to 300m of water resistance; the Yacht-Master II, on the other hand, is made for sailing and is water resistant to 100m—still respectable, to be sure, but best kept to the deck of a cutting-edge racing craft.

Seeing the Yacht-Master II on Federer’s wrist is more fun than notable—it looks perfectly at home when paired with his dark suit at the photocall, though it's a distinctly sporty piece made to be used and abused. Being a Rolex testimonee, of course, Federer has been spotted in just about every notable Crown offering over the past few years, from the Le Mans Daytona to the Sky-Dweller in precious metals and more. (The man pulls off a dressy 1908 with black tie beautifully, but let’s be real—this is a brand famed for its sport watches, and we’re talking about one of the world’s most renowned athletes.) Having cycled through many of the brand’s most compelling offerings, the only remaining pertinent question is: How do we get Fed into a “Leopard” Daytona ?

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Roger Federer just served up one of Rolex’s coolest sports watches

By Oren Hartov

When it comes to flexing rare Rolex watches, few have a more consistent game than Roger Federer . Earlier this week, at the premiere of his new documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days , the tennis icon strapped on a Yacht-Master II ref. 226627 – a watch so lightweight that I feared, upon first handling it in Geneva last year, that I might crush it, thus owing Rolex corporate headquarters a check for $14,050 (plus tax).

The ref. 226627 was not Rolex’s first titanium watch – that distinction belongs to the 50mm-wise Deepsea Challenge , which was seemingly designed for James Cameron to wear while plumbing the depths of the Atlantic for sunken ocean liners. The Yacht-Master II, on the other hand, is arguably more exciting: Measuring a more comfortable 42mm wide, it was first spotted on the wrist of legendary British sailor Sir Ben Ainslie back in the fall of 2021. No longer a prototype and now a full production model, it’s crafted from Grade 5 RLX titanium and is available for purchase. ( Theoretically, at least. )

What makes this Submariner-esque watch different from a Submariner ? The two are admittedly similar in design, with a few key differences: There’s the RXL titanium case, of course, but then there’s also the 42mm sizing (as opposed to 41mm on the Sub); a bidirectional timing bezel with a sand-blasted Cerachrom insert (instead of the Sub’s unidirectional dive bezel); the date window (which is only seen on Submariner Date models); and the matching, RLX titanium Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock folding clasp and Easylink comfort extension. (The Sub doesn’t have an available titanium bracelet.)

Other than that, both the Submariner Date and the Yacht-Master II are powered by Rolex’s automatic Calibre 3235 movement with 70 hours of power reserve, and both are made for aquatic use. The Sub, however, is a diver’s watch rated to 300m of water resistance; the Yacht-Master II, on the other hand, is made for sailing and is water resistant to 100m – still respectable, to be sure, but best kept to the deck of a cutting-edge racing craft.

Seeing the Yacht-Master II on Roger Federer’s wrist is more fun than notable—it looks perfectly at home when paired with his dark suit at the photocall, though it's a distinctly sporty piece made to be used and abused. Being a Rolex testimonee, of course, Federer has been spotted in just about every notable Crown offering over the past few years, from the Le Mans Daytona to the Sky-Dweller in precious metals and more. (The man pulls off a dressy 1908 with black tie beautifully, but let’s be real—this is a brand famed for its sport watches, and we’re talking about one of the world’s most renowned athletes.)

Having cycled through many of the brand’s most compelling offerings, the only remaining pertinent question is: How do we get Fed into a “Leopard” Daytona ?

By Mike Christensen

By Vivian Morelli

Additional images of striking 102M Mega Yacht CALIBRE concept by MUB

• Inspiration

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

French design firm, MUB – Mahjoub El mahmoudi , has shared with us the additional images of their striking 102M mega yacht CALIBRE concept, boasting plenty of remarkable features, particularly in terms of comfort as well as stability. This sleek and super-fast vessel has been designed to achieve a thrilling top speed of 39 knots, thanks to its triple MTU 20V 8000 M71L diesels, each delivering no less than 12,203hp.

102M CALIBRE concept by MUB

CALIBRE design

102M CALIBRE concept from above – bow

102M Luxury Yacht CALIBRE concept

102M CALIBRE concept – aft view

CALIBRE design in white

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Additional images of striking 102M Mega Yacht CALIBRE concept by MUB".

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Super-Fast 102M Mega Yacht CALIBRE Concept by MUB

Breath-taking 64m Mega Yacht KRAKEN concept by Gray Design

Striking 102M Superyacht CALIBRE concept by MUB

Striking 77m Mega Yacht SilverFast

Superyacht HAVEN is delivered by Lürssen, marking the dawn of a new era of superyacht design

Baglietto announces the launch of 52m superyacht DOPAMINE – the fourth in the T52 series

Feadship’s 92m superyacht PROJECT 1012 is named as superyacht DRIZZLE while on sea trials

SES Yachts have released news of 33m motor yacht FAR NIENTE on her delivery

Royal Huisman delivers Project 406, the world’s largest true sportfish yacht SPECIAL ONE

Superyacht SONICIAN available for charter in the Bahamas

Iconic sailing yacht HANUMAN arrives at Holterman Shipyard for refit

Sailing yacht GALMA – the first wallywind110 – is launched by Wally Yachts

Rossinavi launch 43m hybrid-electric catamaran SEAWOLF X

37m Gulf Craft Majesty superyacht OPTIMISM available for charter on both sides of the Atlantic

Fuel-cell powered 50m superyacht ALMAX launched by Sanlorenzo

Feadship announce superyacht PROJECT 713: another milestone in their journey to environmental neutrality

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12 Ultra-Flattering Yacht Wife Outfits That Will Make You Look Like a Million Bucks — Literally

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It’s summertime and that means everyone’s out on or by the water, enjoying the sunshine and soaking in the moments of bliss before it becomes December again — which will happen too soon, so don’t think about it!

If you’re on the lookout for some fresh new pontooning outfits and are particularly fond of rich mom style, let Us blow your mind with yacht wife style. Yacht wife style is like rich mom style, just kicked up a notch! It’s nautical, it’s luxe and it’s totally trendy.

We found 12 two-piece sets, jumpsuits and dresses that will give you the sophisticated and rich look you seek without the triple or quadruple-digit price tags. Read on to see our faves!

Related: Delicate Fragrances You’ll Be Wearing All Summer — And Winter, and Fall

Two-Piece Sets 

1. Absolute favorite:  Obsessed is an understatement with this tank top and pants set. Eyelet detailing along the top and bottom gives this outfit a delicate, elegant flair — $89 at Petal and Pup!

2. Total steal:  We can’t believe this two-piece set is over half off! The lightweight ribbed material is soft on the skin, perfect for cozy nights in or midday summer walks — originally $33, now $16 on Amazon!

3. Somewhat sporty:  Pair this outfit with sneakers for a chic golfing-gal look or with strappy sandals for a classy out-to-dinner ‘fit. The set is cotton but looks like it could be linen — $42  on Amazon!

4. Comfy cozy:  Yacht moms need to relax too! This lounge set will keep you warm when the southbound winds reach you. It’s perfect for early-morning coffee or late-night campfires — originally $46, now $30 on Amazon!

5. Pretty pleated: Get ready to be the most luxe-looking person in the room! Pleated material makes this dress look much more expensive than it is. The navy hue brings the nautical factor — originally $35, now $25  on Amazon!

6. Mesh look: This short-sleeve dress is ideal for sitting on the bow or walking in the park with some friends. It’ll give you a flirty yet modest vibe — $89 at Petal and Pup!

7. Woman overboard: If you really want to nail the yacht wife look, opt for horizontal stripes! This tank dress is casual enough to wear for whatever your day brings — $50 on Amazon!

8. Greek goddess:  Something about this dress screams Santorini . If you’re going to Europe this summer or just want to look  like you went to Europe this summer, check out this Rickrack maxi dress — $99 at Nordstrom!

9. Tie waist:  Grab this jumpsuit in striped or black — you can’t lose either way! The tie waist coupled with a notched lapel collar, sleeveless design and wide-leg style make this a one-of-a-kind outfit — $40 at Target!

10. Mock neck:  Get ready to be the star of the show wherever you go! This ultra-flattering jumpsuit lengthens your torso, making you look taller, longer and leaner — $40 on Amazon!

11. Crowd favorite:  Hundreds of reviewers are in love with this trendy one-shoulder jumpsuit, calling it “classic yet chic,” “so comfortable,” “gorgeous” and “elegant” . . . we’re sold — $50 on Amazon!

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12. Black and white:  Who needs bright colors when you have this cross-front jumpsuit ? This is the perfect outfit for stepping off the yacht with a sparkly glass of champagne — $84 at Revolve!

Related: I'm Wearing These Water-Resistant Sandals from the Pool to the Party

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How long will feckless Joe Biden ignore the grave threat of sharks and electric boats?

Does biden even care about patriotic americans like us, the ones who might one day be forced to choose between boat-battery electrocution or death by shark.

Thank God for MY PRESIDENT, Donald J. Trump, the one presidential candidate with courage enough to confront the greatest twin threats of our time: sharks and electric boat batteries.

At a recent rally, Trump brought up the dilemma that’s keeping so many Americans who ride through shark-infested waters in battery-powered boats awake at night: “What would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you’re in the boat and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater and there’s a shark that’s approximately 10 yards over there ?”

It’s truly every electric-boat-using parent’s worst nightmare, assuming they don’t understand how boat batteries work and don't question why the shark that’s 10 yards over there wouldn’t also be getting electrocuted.

“Do I get electrocuted if the boat is sinking, water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking?” Trump smartly asked . “Do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?”

Unlike Trump, Biden doesn't care if you get eaten by a shark

These are not the kind of sensible, America-loving questions you hear from Sleepy Joe Biden. Does he even care about patriotic Americans like us, the ones who might one day be forced to choose between boat-battery electrocution or death by shark?

I doubt he cares at all. He’s too busy being both dementia-addled AND the devious mastermind of a global crime family while also turning our country into a banana republic by allowing the justice system to use a "jury" to find Trump “guilty” of “crimes.”

Obviously Trump is Jesus: Marjorie Taylor Greene compares Trump to Jesus. Which Bible is she reading?

No, you won’t hear one word from Biden about sharks or large boat batteries.

He’s either too busy being totally out of it due to severe mental decline OR carefully plotting an elaborate scheme to get his son convicted on federal gun charges so people think that the justice system is legitimate and that Trump’s recent 34-count conviction on New York felony charges wasn’t actually rigged.

NICE TRY, SLEEPY JOE!

Maybe for a change you could give a damn about the American people by making sure they aren’t dying of ocean electrocution or in the razor-toothed mouths of presumably electrocution-proof sharks!

Trump will surely protect us from battery electrocution and sharks

At the same rally where Trump addressed our nation’s shark/battery crisis – a speech many are saying was as good as, if not better than, President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address – the man who made MAGA noted : “By the way, a lot of shark attacks lately, do you notice that? A lot of sharks. I watched some guys justifying it today. ‘Well, they weren’t really that angry, they bit off the young lady’s leg because of the fact that they were not hungry but they misunderstood who she was.’ These people are crazy. He said there’s no problem with sharks they just didn’t really understand a young woman swimming now who really got decimated and a lot of other people too, a lot of shark attacks.”

Indeed. All these shark attacks , combined with what I assume are innumerable instances of battery-powered boats sinking near sharks, have created a national catastrophe Biden is choosing to ignore.

Questions abound when it comes to sinking electric-powered boats

There are so many questions. Why are the boats sinking, and why, as Trump mentioned, is there always a shark “approximately 10 yards” away?

Are these sharks working for the Democratic National Committee? Is the Biden Crime Family having communist China manufacture the boats that keep sinking under the weight of these batteries?

Hunter Biden convicted: Hunter Biden guilty verdict proves Trump's trial wasn't 'rigged'

And why does the electrical current stop mattering if the person jumps over by the shark?

Wouldn’t the boater who leaps overboard get both electrocuted AND eaten by the shark that, for some reason, is wholly unfazed by any electric current?

Another Biden term means certain death for electric-boat owners

And why have we never heard of the presumably thousands of people who are being electrocuted by boat batteries? Is this a cover-up by the fake news media?

With shark-lover Biden in office, we’ll surely never know. And unless Trump gets elected this fall, more and more Americans will have to answer the impossible question posed by the man we Republicans think should be leader of the free world: “Do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?”

Vote accordingly, folks. Otherwise, the sharks and the batteries win.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter,  @RexHuppke  and Facebook  facebook.com/RexIsAJerk .

Lake Michigan death: Woman who died after boat capsized near Winnetka ID'd

The woman found dead after a boat capsized Sunday night in Lake Michigan near Winnetka has been identified.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman whose body was recovered Monday morning as 53-year-old Cristen Bolan.

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The office did not immediately provide any additional information about Bolan.

On Sunday, Bolan and another woman sailed from Evanston in a 12-foot sailboat, before it capsized at dusk.

Around 2 a.m. Monday, the other woman swam about 2 miles to the shore of Tower Road Beach, asking for help, according to Winnetka fire officials.

The woman told authorities Bolan was still missing.

The Winnetka Fire Department began a search-and-rescue mission shortly after the first woman was found.

After hours of searching, the Coast Guard found Bolan's body around 7 a.m., about a mile off shore, north of Winnetka. She was taken into Chicago's Montrose Harbor.

The sailboat was found about 2 to 3 miles off shore, according to the fire department.

This comes as crews have not yet found a man, who reportedly fell off a boat on Saturday afternoon near the enclosed boating area, also known as the "Playpen," close to downtown Chicago.

A teen boy also died Monday, after falling off a raft near Montrose Beach on Chicago's North Side.

Later Monday, a couple was rescued by a passerby after struggling to swim near Montrose Harbor .

Calibre Yacht Sales - Boats for Everyone

July 20th, 2022.

This is the third of a brief series of advertorials that highlight the products and services offered by a select group of vendors who have supported the Bluewater Cruising Association in 2022 by purchasing advertising in either the BCA Member Directory and/or Currents. This month’s advertorial introduces Currents’ subscribers to Calibre Yacht Sales . BCA is grateful for their support.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

We were standing at the crossroads of “Where We’ve Been” and “What Comes Next.” David had faced the Big C and it was time to re-evaluate. All of it. Do we keep doing what we’ve been doing, or do we shake it up and live more deliberately? Having felt the blade of mortality, it was kind of a no-brainer. Time was suddenly a privilege, so we chose to make the most out of it. It was time to go boat shopping.

We’d been dipping our toes in the Bluewater Cruising Association pool for a few years. Listening about the adventures of people like Larry and Mary Anne aboard Traversay III , or Bill Norrie on Pixie , I even got to see Lin and Larry Pardey back in the day; they all got our imaginations going. In our minds’ eyes we could see ourselves out there, visiting the world. We moved from thinking about it to working on it.

We started looking at boats. At first, even though I’d owned boats for about 15 years, I somehow realised that I didn’t always “see” what I was looking at. I had a vague sense that I wasn’t asking the right questions. Since I have an MSc in research, that’s what I did. I focussed my attention on figuring out boats.

David and I poured over YachtWorld like it contained the secrets to life itself. We made appointments to see some boats. Soon, one boat blended into another, and I couldn’t keep them straight, so I created a spreadsheet. The first column contained all the specs of a boat we were going to see on Saturday. The second column contained my notes on each of those specs. On Saturday, I realised that the boat was missing some things that we wanted, so I added those too. The next boat we looked at had different things, so I added them to the first column as well and made my notes in the third column. I asked a lot of questions and read a lot. So on and so on, until I had a 5-page document of things to look at when we viewed a boat. By the time I had over thirty columns, I understood every single thing on that document. I was confident that I was really seeing what I was looking at.

My boat spreadsheet

In the first six months of the process, we met a lot of brokers. Most of them were fine people and very helpful, but a few of them were just bad at their jobs: they’d guess at answers, pay more attention to their cell phones than us, then not return calls. What really cranked me up was when they talked past me to my husband. I once asked a guy a few questions to which he had no answers, and I said, “So, what DO you know about this boat?” To which he answered, “Not much. Plausible deniability and all, you know.” True story.

That’s when David and I figured we could use some help. We talked about the dozen or so brokers we’d met over the months and agreed that Rob Ksyniuk (kuh-sin-ee-uck) from Calibre Yacht Sales was the best broker we’d met so far. He showed up on time, he walked us through the boats, he pointed stuff out, he got answers when he didn’t know them himself, he was friendly, but most of all, we just felt like we could trust him. He was a straight shooter. So, we called him up and said, “Rob, we’re looking at all these boats and sometimes we feel like we’re not getting what we need. Can we hire you to help us find our boat? Do you do that? Is that a thing?” He laughed and assured us that, yes, that is a “thing.” In fact, we found out that we didn’t even have to pay him. WHAT? Madness. Yes, brokers do this thing called co-broking, where a guy like Rob helps buyers like us to find a good boat. If that boat is listed by another broker, they work together and split the commission. So, Rob was paid out of the commission, not directly out of our pockets. Excellent.

We spent two full years looking for the perfect boat.

Seriously. Don’t laugh. I know. I can hear you chuckling to yourself going, “There’s no such thing as the perfect boat.” You’re right! I know this. I’ve had people tell me that I’d be lucky to find a boat with 50% of what I want. I rejected this. I still do. David rejected that even harder than I did! We wanted what we wanted: an offshore-capable, comfortable, solid sailboat, and we weren’t gonna take no ugly boat! Was that so much to ask?

Rob was right in there with us. He called us again and again, “I think you should take a look at this one. That one might work for you. I just saw this one come up for sale, let’s check it out.” He was amazing. He never gave up on us.

Then, just as I was weakening and giving overly much thought to the housing market, we decided to make an offer on an Island Packet that had been for sale for a few years. We knew about it all along, of course, but it was out of our price range. However, over the years, we realised we needed to up our budget, and they realised they needed to lower their price. Via Rob, we threw a lowball at it, they countered, we countered, they countered and lo-and-behold, we came to an agreement!

Rob helped us arrange a mechanical inspection, a marine survey, and then we all went out for a sea trial. The sellers themselves were never present. They didn’t live in BC and trusted their broker to manage things. I absolutely know that if we had to deal with the owners directly, we would not have this boat that we now live on and love so much. She might not be “perfect” but I’d say 90%.

SALT, our IP 40

Fast forward. We bailed out of the condo and moved aboard Salt . We’d been there a while when the former Vice Commodore for Vancouver Island’s BCA chapter gave us a call. He’d been working with Calibre Yacht Sales for some time and was asking if we might know of anyone who may be interested in work as a yacht broker in Victoria. Hmm. I’d been working as a writer for a while and was just talking about making a change. Writing is lonely work, and I’m an extrovert. David looked at me. I looked at David. He did that, “Everything happens for a reason” thing that he does. I just had to laugh.

Now, I work in Calibre’s Oak Bay office alongside Rob Ksyniuk. The company’s motto is Trust, Integrity, Lifestyle; and every day we all work hard to live up to those words. We have 14 brokers in 7 locations with a complement of 8 support staff who all work together as one powerful team. We have 9,700 boaters in our database, 20,000 boaters visiting our website each month, and our YouTube channel has over 23,000 subscribers.

We’re connected with each other and each of our communities. The work is more fun than I possibly could have imagined. Every day is different, but I’m always on a dock, chatting with boaters, helping people experience the joy that is being out on the water, or helping people get onto their next boat, or sometimes move on to the next chapter of their lives. Buying or selling a boat can be stressful, make no mistake, but when obstacles come up, I remember how calm and helpful Rob was for us, and I try to give that same kind of service. Ultimately, David and I will be heading out to the great blue yonder, but in the meantime, I’m loving being a matchmaker between boats and boaters.

So, if you find yourself at the crossroad of “Where We’ve Been” and “What Comes Next,” consider giving Calibre a call. We get it, and we love what we do.

Next Article: Offshore Sailing in the Climate Crisis - Part 1

Previous article: sailing to prince rupert in winter during a pandemic - part 1, about the author.

Whether working, playing, or living on them, boats have been the focus of most of Trina’s adult life. She’s managed several marinas and worked aboard elegant cruise ships, a grungy research vessel and with the Coast Guard. After living aboard a Cal 2-29 for 7 years, Trina now lives on a beautiful Island Packet 40 with her husband. The plan is to go offshore; in the meantime they enjoy exploring their backyard, the spectacular Salish Sea.

Boat Purchasing

Awesome article Trina! Your joy and skills in your work, your enthusiasm for your chosen paths, and your consummate skill as a writer shine through.

Michael Goodman, Tayana 52, Henry G.

yes, really great article, loved the story and the clear integrity that is part of it. Tough job to serve the people looking for the perfect boat, but clearly they will be in good hands.

Thank you Michael. I appreciate your kind feedback. Maybe we’ll meet out there on the big blue someday!

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Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch boat-borne bomb attack against Greek-owned ship in Red Sea

An HSC-7 helicopter lands on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon in the Red Sea, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The USS aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as ‘IKE’, sails in the Red Sea on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A fighter jet parks on the deck of the USS aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as ‘IKE’, in the Red Sea, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A sailor signals a fighter jet preparing to launch off the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A fighter jet takes off from the USS aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as ‘IKE’, in the Red Sea, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

This is a locator map for Yemen with its capital, Sanaa. (AP Photo)

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ABOARD THE USS LABOON IN THE RED SEA (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea on Wednesday, authorities said, the latest escalation despite a U.S.-led campaign trying to protect the vital waterway.

The use of a boat loaded with explosives raised the specter of 2000’s USS Cole attack, a suicide assault by al-Qaida on the warship when it was at port in Aden, killing 17 on board. Associated Press journalists saw the Cole in the Red Sea on Wednesday, now taking part in the U.S. campaign while visiting one of her sister ships, the USS Laboon.

Yemen’s military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying the vessel targeted as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Tutor. He described the attack as using a “drone boat,” as well as drones and ballistic missiles.

In a warning to shippers, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center described the vessel as being hit in its stern by a small white craft southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida.

The captain “reports the vessel is taking on water, and not under command of the crew,” the UKMTO said. He also “reports the vessel was hit for a second time by an unknown airborne projectile.”

The U.S. military’s Central Command also acknowledged the attack, saying the Tutor “most recently docked in Russia.”

“The impact of the (drone boat) caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room,” it added.

The U.S. military separately destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile launchers in Houthi-held Yemen, as well as one rebel drone over the Red Sea. The Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles over the Red Sea, but they caused no damage, Central Command said.

The Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

They say the attacks are aimed at stopping the war and supporting the Palestinians, though the attacks often target vessels that have nothing to do with the conflict .

The war in Gaza has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there, while hundreds of others have been killed in Israeli operations in the West Bank. It began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage.

The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say.

Associated Press journalists on an embark with the U.S. Navy were interviewing Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, the commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Laboon, when the alert came in on the attack. Blomberg took multiple calls from sailors on board the vessel, giving updates on the apparent attack.

The Laboon is one of the destroyers accompanying the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and both has shot down Houthi fire and escorted vessels through the region. Though Blomberg and others stressed they were still investigating the attack, he said it appeared the vessel targeted had nothing to do with the Israel-Hamas war.

The Houthis “hit ships that are completely not associated or tied to the U.S. or Israel at all,” Blomberg said.

“These are just innocent merchant sailors carrying goods through the Red Sea, trying to get it through the least-expensive route, and they’re paying for it,” he said.

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