Puerto de Mogán marina, on the south-west coast, is a picturesque resort and marina on the island of Gran Canaria and has what some claim to be the best climate in the world. Summer daytime average temperatures are normally in the high twenties to mid-thirties Celsius, usually with a refreshing sea-breeze. In winter temperatures are only a few degrees lower.

Before the resort of Puerto Mogan was built on land reclaimed from the sea, the village of Playa de Mogán was just a few houses with narrow lanes and steps clinging to the cliff, and only a few fishermen's huts along the beach. Avenida de la Castillete, between the old village and the port area marks the original shore-line. In the absence of a harbour, the fishing boats were launched from the beach.

Now this pedestrian marina development of two-storey apartment buildings has roof terraces and gardens bursting with bougainvillea, palm trees, bird-of-paradise flowers, hibiscus and other gloriously colourful plants. It is built around a marina and fishing harbour, with lots of bars and restaurants lining the quayside. Channels between the marina and the fishing harbour, passing under arches in the buildings and between the port and the beach, led to it being dubbed the "La Venecia de Canarias" (the "Venice of the Canaries") by a publicity campaign.

Tourism is the town's main industry along with fishing which means there are some great seafood restaurants many around the marina. The resort also offers other attractions such as Diving centers, sailing schools, Dolphin spotting cruises, Jet Ski hire, sport fishing etc. Berthing costs are about average for the island and it is advisable to call ahead to arrange a berth or a mooring.

http://www.worldmarineguide.com for more marinas in Gran Canaria. Canarian marina guide with information on berthing, mooring, services, costs, charges, and harbour facilities.

Yachting and Boating World have added a new service to its on line magazine, the ybw.com weather and tide free information site.

Weather

The YBW.com Precision Weather Planner gives you seven days of free data from this highly regarded precision weather planner. The service includes wind velocity, precipitations (including snow), temperature, cloud cover and pressure details (isobars) for the whole of the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Atlantic, North & Central America, the Caribbean and all the surrounding seas and oceans.

Tides

Tides data and tidal information for the UK, free from YBW. Simply select your location to get high tide, low tide and tide times data for locations in the UK.

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

RHU Marina on the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, is to be transformed with a £1.4m investment by owners The Crown Estate.

In a statement issued this week the company said: "The Crown Estate is pleased to announce that it is making a significant financial investment of £1.4 million in Rhu Marina on the Firth of Clyde. By early 2011 the sailing community will benefit from a safer and all year around marina in one of the finest sailing areas in the world."

The existing floating breakwaters system is to be replaced, providing greater all round shelter to the marina. And the improvements will also include 58 new berths, increasing the total number of berths to 240.

But that is just the start, Mr Haigh, Managing Director of Quay Marinas Limited, added: "We are also keen to look further into improving the onshore marina facilities to provide a first class marina facility that caters for the future needs of our customers. Architects have now been appointed to take forward the master planning and design of the shore-side improvements."

And the news has been greeted with enthusiasm by Rhu councillor Provost Billy Petrie who said: "This is wonderful news. A revamped marina and the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club both in Rhu will put the village right at the top of the yachting map. This is already one of the principal marinas on the Clyde and this can only take it further.

The Crown Estate purchased Rhu, one of Scotland's best known marinas, in April 2008 for £4 million. The site includes moorings, boat storage areas, marine workshops and a chandlery, as well as the RNLI station with slipway and HM Coastguard.

The marina has been leased to Quay Marinas since 2008, who also lease Deganwy marina in north Wales from The Crown Estate.

Source Helensburgh Advertiser.

Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, in association with Oyster Marine and the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada will hold a new regatta next year between April 11th & 16th, 2011.

“The Oyster Regatta is a welcomed addition to our calendar of marine events that includes the Bill Fish Tournament and the Carriacou Regatta,’’ said Hon. Glynis Roberts, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.

“I warmly welcome the Oyster Regatta and say thank you for choosing Grenada as the venue for the 2011 gathering.’’

Oyster Marine officials in the region have said that they are anxiously looking forward to visiting Grenada.

“I am sure that owners of our yachts are going to enjoy visiting one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and the very special welcome that awaits them,’’ said David Tydeman, Chief Executive Officer of Oyster Marine.

Camper & Nicholson, too, have expressed delight at having to host the regatta next April with Grenada expected to generate additional revenue next year with the launch of the new tourism-related event.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the fleet to the island and to our marina,’’ said Glynn Thomas, General Manager of Port Louis Marina. “Grenada is a fantastic venue for this event, and those taking part are sure to enjoy some great sailing on the water and some uniquely Grenadian hospitality ashore.’’

Details of Port Louis Marina can be found in World Marine Guide's detaile list of marinas.

Source Isria

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

If you are thinking of sailing around the Canary Islands this year World Marine Guide has lots of useful articles plus the best information on the islands Marinas. There is also loads of information on each of the seven Canarian islands plus useful links to help you plan your holiday and find a marina 

Sailing and Navigating the Canary Islands .

The Canarian Archipelago

The Canary Islands

Routes to the Canary Islands

General Information about the Canary Islands

Cruising the Canary Islands

Marina Cabo San Lucas in Mexico on the Baja peninsular has been added to World Marine Guide. The marina is managed by the IGY Group (Island Glbal Yachting).

The marina features 380 slips and accommodates vessels up to 200 feet with a max 12 foot draft and boasts the highest quality services and amenities expected at a luxury yachting marina.

Read more on Marina Cabo San Lucas

Thanks to Capt Al Obrien for submitting the marina www.accessyachts.com

The Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s new $400 million, 555-ft. Eclipse, is designed to be the world’s biggest private yacht (so named because Abramovich desires that it overshadow all other boats at sea) will have a military-grade missile defense system to keep the him and the yacht safe. The yacht with its two Helipads will be around two thirds the size of the Bismark.

Abramovich owns three other megayachts already: the 377 ft. Pelorus, the 282 ft. Ecstasea and the 160 ft. Sussurro but the Eclipse will be 25 ft. longer than Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s 530-ft. Platinum, currently ranked as the biggest yacht in the world.

The 377ft Pelorus will soon be playing second fiddle to Abramovich’s newest ship - the 550ft Eclipse

Secrecy surrounds the Eclipse, but sources tell the London Times that an antiballistic missile defense system is being installed by AST, a company with close ties to both the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, where the yacht is being built, and the German defense ministry.

The Eclipse is being equipped with armor plating surrounding the bridge and Abramovich’s master suite, as well as bullet-proof windows. The yacht will also have a submarine for two, just in case pirates or other rapscallions make it on board. That doubles as an escape pod, as well as two helicopter pads.

Abramovich’s yacht will also have cabins for 24 guests as well as a cinema, aquarium, disco and hospital. But no weapons : under maritime law, private vessels are banned from carrying them. According to the International Maritime Bureau, pirates attacked 269 vessels last year, took nearly 300 hostages and killed five people.

Source http://anilawhitney.posterous.com/

Camper & Nicholson have announced that the Cesme Marina, in Turkey, is now fully operational and open for business.

Cesme Marina is jointly owned by IC Holding and Camper & Nicholsons Marinas and is located on the beautiful west coast of Turkey  on the Aegan sea.

The marina has been built to the highest standards in order to meet local and international yachting requirements, and offers quality shore-side facilities and amenities. Situated in a natural harbour, Cesme Marina provides 400 berths for up to 60m in length with 24 hour access. There is a fully equipped boatyard with an 80 tonne travel hoist and a chandlery.

Nick Maris, chairman of Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, said: “Turkey, with its incomparable coastline and long history of seafaring, is one of the most important yachting areas in the Mediterranean. Together with our partners IC Holding we wanted to create a marina with a difference, where yachts can moor in the heart of a vibrant harbour town, and visitors can experience the authentic and unique charm of Cesme’s historic waterfront. We are excited at the level of interest this special place is attracting among Turkish and international yacht owners, and are delighted to declare Cesme Marina open for custom.”

Sources Camper & Nicholson and www.superyachts.com

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Five of the Canary Islands including Gran Canaria & Fuerteventura will stage both free and ticketed concerts this July thanks to the ‘Festival Canarias Jazz & Mas Heineken’. This is the 19^th event which originated in Gran Canaria and has now expanded to include other islands. The billing is headed by Marcus Miller featuring a number of pieces from the Miles Davis album ‘Tutu’ and Dee Dee Bridgewater presenting a tribute to the Philadelphia born artist Billie Holiday. Other artists include Angelike Kidjo, Miguel Zenon, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Frank Gambale G-Force Band and others. The festival takes place from the 9^th to 18^th July featuring over 38 events across five islands including Gran Canaria, La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. As usual, one night will be dedicated to African Jazz, plus there will be appearances from numerous Canarian groups throughout the event. Each island has its own auditoriums and theaters plus numerous open plazas used for musical events throughout the year so expect a multitude of venues being used. ‘Sharrie Williams and the Wiseguys’ will be performing in Puerto del Rosario, and Dee Dee Bridgewater in Gran Canaria’s Teatro Cuvas. Fuerteventura’s Cabildo is also hosting a free weekend musical event on the beaches of El Cotillo on the 2^nd and 3^rd of July, close to the marina and harbour so whatever your musical fancy this July promises to be a busy one!

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Whitsunday Rent A Yacht (WRAY) – the longest-operating, Australian-owned skipper-yourself charter company in the Whitsundays – has taken a new course with the launch of its first-ever package designed especially for the luxury bare boat charter market.

Developed to coincide with the launch of Tourism Queensland's inaugural Queensland's Season of Sailing campaign, WRAY's Gold Package combines five nights' aboard Angelique, a brand-new, $600,000 Beneteau Lagoon 400 catamaran with three nights' accommodation at the 4.5 star, luxury Water's Edge Resort, nestled in the hillside just 100 metres from Airlie Beach's main street.

'The Gold Package represents a new direction for WRAY because traditionally, we haven't made our new vessels available in this way,' said general manager, Alexandra Hawson.

'However the Lagoon 400 – which arrived at our base early in June and is one of the first of its kind to arrive in Australia – is so exciting that it deserves special treatment. We wanted to make the vessel available in partnership with some of the Whitsundays' very best operators. It's just one of the ways we'll be spreading the word about a truly extraordinary vessel.'

Valid to September 12, 2010, and again from October 11 to December 23, 2010, WRAY's Gold Package includes accommodation for eight passengers in four double cabins, each with its own ensuite, aboard Angelique and in two, two-bedroom, self-catered units at Water's Edge Resort, each with views to the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands. Sunday Long Lunch in the resort's revered Déjà Vu restaurant is included. Whitsunday Provisioning's gourmet, gold food package will provide three irresistible on-board meals daily.

A crocodile-spotting safari on the Proserpine River is also included, as are transfers to either the Great Barrier Reef Airport at Hamilton Island or the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine.

Total package cost is $11,191, equating to $1,399 per person, or $175 per person per night (based on eight share).

To book, telephone Whitsunday Rent A Yacht on 1800 075 000.

Established in 1979, WRAY is one of the largest yacht rental companies in the country. It is also the only operator in the region to have its own private jetty at Shute Harbour, one of the safest and largest natural harbours in the region. WRAY's private jetty provides ease of access and allows charterers to acquaint themselves with their vessel and the area in tranquil and relaxed surrounds. Within an hour of departing the harbour, charterers can be moored at one of four island resorts or anchored in a quiet, secluded bay.

Source http://www.sail-world.com

http://www.worldmarineguide.com