12 Metre Regatta on St. Maarten?

[Disneefun]

Has anyone done this? What did you think? I have sailing experience, so would have an understanding of what's going on. Any opinions appreciated!

 

[woody64]

I haven't done this personally but my FIL has done it twice and loved it. It is like an actual America's Cup race. You have to hit the line just right, go around buoys, etc. He said the jobs can work you as much(grinder) or as little as you like. He loves to sail and it made both of our cruises for him.

By the way, his record is now 1-1.

 

[ldb1030]

FUN FUN FUN!!!
We did this on our last cruise (2002) and I'm so glad we did!
I was picked as captian of our boat! Weather was perfect!
I would do it again in a heart beat!!!
Oh, and we WON!!!

 

[micki7337]

I did this on a cruise back in 1998 and LOVED it! I had never been sailing and was a little nervous but loved every single minute of it. I still talk about it 6 years later! I was just trying to talk a co-worker into taking the same cruise yesterday and doing the regatta excursion.

Word of advice - buy the photo! If they still take "action" shots of your team, spend the money (I believe it was $25 back in '98). Few people would believe me if I didn't have the proof and it's a great reminder of an experience I will never forget.

Marge

 

[tvguy]

Do it. We did it during our 12-27-03 Eastern. (me, DW, DS 16, DD 12) We had no sailing experience. The Queen Elizabeth 2 was anchored out by where we were racing, great looking up at such an historic ship as you're racing.
BTW, the boats are all the boats that actually competed in the America's cup. We were in Canada 2....and we won.

 

[NJ Cruisers]

My mother wants to do this excursion but she has a question. Maybe those who have done it could answer .... she used to sail a lot and knows what to do, but she isn't as strong as she used to be and is concerned that they won't let her do anything because she won't be the best and then her boat won't win.

By the way .... she's 80 and bikes, swims, kayaks, rides her waverunner and lifts weights. So she's in shape, but just not as strong as she used to be.

Diane

 

[jrose529]

My DH did it in July and he said it was the highlight of the cruise.

Judy

 

[micki7337]

Originally posted by NJ Cruisers
... but she isn't as strong as she used to be and is concerned that they won't let her do anything because she won't be the best and then her boat won't win.

When I did it, the racing was all in fun. I was in my mid-30s and I didn't feel at all bad sitting back and letting some of the others take control of the sails. My cousin did no work at all and she still looked great in the picture!

I'm sure your mom will have a blast!

 

[tvguy]

They let YOU decide how involved you want to be.
My son (16) and I were crankers, my daughter (12) was the timer, and my wife was the captain!!!

 

[TMTIP]

Originally posted by NJ Cruisers
My mother wants to do this excursion but she has a question. Maybe those who have done it could answer .... she used to sail a lot and knows what to do, but she isn't as strong as she used to be and is concerned that they won't let her do anything because she won't be the best and then her boat won't win.

By the way .... she's 80 and bikes, swims, kayaks, rides her waverunner and lifts weights. So she's in shape, but just not as strong as she used to be.

Diane

My husband and I did this regatta this past May. We enjoyed it a great deal but I would be weary of an older couple taking it. The reason I say this is because we had an older (late 70's/80's) couple onboard with us and they could not take the streneous work. Both were in good shape but they could not keep up and ended up sitting in the bottom of the boat the whole time. My husband and myself had to take over their jobs--made it quite tiring for us. I would never put an older person in that situation, it is way too dangerous. Hope this helps with your decision.

Tracy