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WHY BOLT ? When cruisers get together, we usually end up talking
about the places we've been, and the places that we long to see. The
destinations that others have seen & told us of, and that we someday
hope to see for ourselves. Wanting to explore new places, and sailing your own
yacht to take you there, is simply a part of the "cruising personality",
and it's something that grows larger with experience. Most of us start out with small ambitions, such as
to sail across a large body of water, or to a particular destination,
even perhaps into another country. Once we find we can do this, the goals then stretch,
as the perceived barriers and distances, are reduced, and the new possibilities
are there before us. In my own case I have managed to acquire a fine yacht, which is fully capable of comfortably sailing down through the Caribbean and back, (weather and wife permitting) and the longing of taking an extended trip with the boat is calling ... rather loudly. Of course, several obstacles to "sailing away
today" exist in the form of work & family obligations, however,
this does not mean that plans for a "two week sailing trip"
would be out of the question, and with this in mind, I began to consider
the possibilities. The idea of the BOLT flotilla, came to me, while watching
video tapes concerning the West Marine 1500 (Hampton to Virgin Gorda)
organized by Steve Black, and the ARC, (Gran Canaria to St. Lucia) organized
by Jimmy Cornell. These two flotillas are very well known to most of
us, who have fallen victim to the temptation of purchasing sailing magazines.
To cruise in a flotilla together, and take part in
our annual area Beneteau Owners Rally will have an appeal to many, both
for the aspect of sailing the passages with others, and for the opportunity
to develop new friendships among other Beneteau owners. Particularly for the apprehensive, cruising in company
tends to alleviate some of the perceived barriers that keep many close
to a home port, each sailing season. So, if you have not yet settled on what you would like
to do with your summer vacation, and you share the sentiment that remaining
"land bound" would leave you unsatisfied and longing for great
fun on the water, why not consider participating with us. WELCOME ABOARD In USA contact: Ron Toivonen at (440) 350-0850 or email at: Toivonene@aol.com |