Parklawn Sailing Assoc. (PSA) is a great group of sailors and volunteers. I have been a member for about a decade. A few PSAers have crewed aboard Cabin Charter Sailing (CCS) week-long sails. Here’s a short summary of sails that included PSA members.

CCS takes like-minded sailors to exciting sailing destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Thailand. Although sometimes unknown to one another before the sail, all quickly become sailing friends and some have returned to sail together at new destinations.

Turquoise Coast, Turkey:

An early CCS sail was along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. PSA and CCS stalwart John Halls sailed in Sept. 2010 with an English group. We had a beamy 49 Bavaria for this sail from Marmaris to Olu Dinis including several overnight stops in the large Bay of Fethiye. One overnight, Tomb Bay, has ancient Lycian tombs carved into its cliff entrance.

Up the hill to the left of this photo at Ekincik is a small restaurant reached by a steep walk or a cog chairlift. The crew enjoyed an outstanding meal and were pleased to see that the restaurant also had showers!

Itinerary, photos and info: Itinerary: Marmaris, Turkey  and  CCS Turkey

British Virgin Island (BVI)

Due to its geography, infrastructure and climate, the BVI is a premier cruising grounds. Several PSA sailors have taken week-long sails in this lush paradise.

Another PSA stalwart, Sue Bell, joined an all ladies crew in Feb. 2012 on a 40 Leopard catamaran. We circumnavigated Tortola which allows for a long downwind sail from the North Sound of Virgin Gorda to Jost van Dyke. It also allowed for us to watch the Superbowl on the Bitter End Yacht Club’s 30 ft. screen!

Cynthia Nordone, former PSA Commodore, joined a German couple aboard a 47 Beneteau in Feb, 2013 out of Fat Hog’s Bay. We managed the early morning stops at The Baths and The Indians for excellent snorkeling.

In March 2013, Marijo Ahlgrimm and her sister, with their families, sailed aboard a 46 Leopard cat. Their four sons quickly learned the ropes and kept the Capt. waiting up while they partied at Willie T’s, Norman Island.

Nancy Hendrick and her husband Dale joined two woman for a week in Jan. 2014 on a 43 Leopard cat. During this week we aso did the long downwind sail but skipped Soper’s Hole to give us a night for the BBQ at Trellis Bay. Dale, a former rock star, played outstanding air guitar at the Loose Mongoose.

Nancy Rooney took a full crew aboard a 42 Lagoon cat. Her husband, Dave, and two couples sailed out of Nanny Cay in April, 2017. They decided on shorter sails to leave more time for kayaking and snorkeling so we hit the islands in the Sir Francis Drake Channel and stops at Jost van Dyke. This allowed for overnights at Cane Garden Bay to hear Quito Rhymer, local legend performer, and at Foxy’s in Great Harbor, JvD. Following the sail, Suzy Foster joined Nancy on PSA Windlasses sails and has since joined PSA.

Photos of BVI, scroll down this link: BVI Stops

Abaco, Bahamas

Nancy Hendrick and Dale again joined CCS for a week of sailing, Tiki bars and snorkeling in the Sea of Abaco, Bahamas. Along with another couple and two women, we sailed Big Dog, a 40 Lagoon cat out of Marsh Harbor in Jan of 2017. Abaco has a stretch of beautiful, clear, aquamarine water bordered by small cays. We zigzagged between the islands stopping for the best BBQs and sunsets.

Itinerary and photos: Sea of Abaco Sail

 

Amalfi Coast, Italy

In June, 2011, former Voyager Bosun John Hals joined German and English couples aboard a 38 Lagoon cat for sailing between the Pontine Islands and the Amalfi Coast. Wind and waves made us turn back to Ischia on our first day out but the next day we made the old Roman port at Ventotene. After exploring, swimming and dining, the rest of the week was smooth sailing to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi.

Marijo Ahlgrimm made a solo journey in July 2012 to join Israeli and American couples sailing from beautiful Procida Island to Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Our Hanse 43 came with a genniker that helped with the 20 NM  crossing the Bay of Naples. Marijo topped the speed charts with 8.5 kn!

Itinerary and a sail log: Amalfi Coast Itinerary,  Amalfi Coast Log

Dodecanese Islands, Greece

Frequent–Sailor John Hals persuaded his girlfriend Carmen to join him on another sailing adventure with CCS. Sailing out of Kos Island on a Sun Odyssey 46 in Sept. 2014, we cruised the North Dodecanese Islands, Greece. At daily stops we often had a choice of exploring an ancient fortress, or, less ancient tavernas. The conditions were excellent, the food was tasty, the wine sufficient and the company outstanding.

CCS later sailed the South Dodecanese – hard to decide which route is better! (We’ll have another shot at the decision with a sail booked for the S. Dodecanese next July.)

See: North Dodecanese Itinerary

 

Lofoten Islands, Norway

In Aug of 2016, Deb McKenzie, Nancy Hendrick, Cynthia Nordone and Helen Schietinger joined CCS sailing along the rocky peaks, fjords and fishing villages of the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Located three degrees above the Arctic Circle we were surprised by the relatively mild weather; only one blustery day.

We sailed a 40 ft. Delphia sloop, Arctic Sky, out of Svolvaer. Complete with an elevated canvas enclosure for the cockpit, our evening ‘veranda’ if it became cool, Arctic Sky proved perfect for the northern waters. The daily scenery was spectacular along the grey, granite mountainous coastline. One small fishing village was followed by another … except for one overnight in the secluded Trollfjorden fjord. We had sunny skies, good winds and hearty meals prepared by our intrepid crew. Deb and Nancy fished for cod for our first meal aboard Arctic Sky!

For an overview and photos: Sailing three degrees above the Arctic Circle

Upcoming

Several PSAers are discussing future CCS sails: in the Caribbean this winter and Croatia next summer. CCS looks forward to continuing this mutually beneficial overlap!