I guess I'm a lucky bastard!

[rgranger]

I ran across this article on the 50 best yachting towns of the world...
https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/50-best-yachting-towns-3#page-4

...of the top 30 the following 6 places are part of my regular summer routes.... I didn't know I had it so good.

In the Chesapeake Bay
#1) Oxford Maryland -- Not actually stayed here but stayed nearby.
#2) Hampton Virginia -- Sailed from Hampton to Kiptopeke
#14) Annapolis Maryland -- Day trips to St. Michael's are a must

On the NC coast
#17) Beaufort NC -- On my bucket list for this summer, plan to leave from Oriental.
#27) Ocracoke NC --- my personal all-time favorite place to sail to
#28) Oriental NC -- very close second favorite place to sail out of (look up Whitaker Point Marina)

I guess it is better to be lucky than smart!


I would add to the list the following places as a "must stop and see"....
A) St. Michael's Island -- maritime museum is a must see
B) Tangier Island, VA -- strange quirky place. Worth seeing once
C) Kiptopeke State Park, VA -- good place to day sail out of if you want some salt water action.
D) Deltaville, VA -- a lot of cool shops and great marinas for transients
E) Elizabeth City, NC -- Very nice marinas
F) Edenton, NC -- Free 48 hr tie ups & bath house, and a festival most Friday nights
G) Columbia NC -- Free 48 hr tie ups & bath house, and interesting nature walk.
H) Roanoke Island, NC -- Great restaurants, an aquarium, a nature preserve, great marinas.

 

[Franklin]

Interesting they talk about Galveston but most of the boaters are up in the Kemah/Seabrook area. Very few sailors down in Galveston.

 

[Sailm8]

Happy to live in Punta Gorda. In fact, leaving for a week of sailing tomorrow.

 

[rgranger]

Yeah... I was actually surprised to see how many of the top 50 places are here in the U.S. Again, feeling lucky.

 

[justsomeguy]

I was actually surprised to see how many of the top 50 places are here in the U.S.

The article was/is intended for an American audience.

 

[Pirate Dave]

Tangier Island is a oddity now that they have a bridge to the island. I was stuck there for three days years ago because of storms. I did get used to them burying the dead in their front yards, but we made the decision to leave the next day whatever the weather. The harbormaster brought us home for dinner and introduced his wife as his first cousin as well !!! They also speak old English, so we had a hard time figuring out what they were saying

 

[Newport Bob]

Interesting article, having sailed most of the east coast and some of the west coast I can agree with most of these. And I can think of a few of my favorites, as I’m sure you all can, that are not there. However, since this article is 7 years old it would be interesting to hear if any think some of these have gotten better or worse since then. Or if you have a new favorite that you think has risen to the list.

 

[Biobob Catalina 27]

Dave, unless it was built over this winter I don't think Tangiers has a bridge, my wife visited last fall and the mail boat and ferry were the only way there, unless you use your own boat or small plane. The military choppers fly down from Aberdeen for lunch also.

 

[rgranger]

Dave, unless it was built over this winter I don't think Tangiers has a bridge, my wife visited last fall and the mail boat and ferry were the only way there, unless you use your own boat or small plane. The military choppers fly down from Aberdeen for lunch also.

 

[Pirate Dave]

My mistake, I had heard they built a bridge to the mainland. Doesn't bode well for them

 

[Caboteur]

Interesting list... definitely written by and for United Staters (America is so much more than just the USA). There isn't even one mention of a European, Bermudian or Antillean town! Nothing in South or Central America nor in New Zealand or Australia.
Let's say those are fifty nice places and leave it at that...

 

[rgranger]

Interesting list... definitely written by and for United Staters (America is so much more than just the USA). There isn't even one mention of a European, Bermudian or Antillean town! Nothing in South or Central America nor in New Zealand or Australia.
Let's say those are fifty nice places and leave it at that...

You should work for the state department...

 

[Ken Cross]

You guys are sure lucky. Here in Puget Sound, we have to put up with cold rain every day.
Perhaps someday I can sail in one of those great places.

Ken

 

[rgranger]

You guys are sure lucky. Here in Puget Sound, we have to put up with cold rain every day.
Perhaps someday I can sail in one of those great places.

Ken

But look at the bright side.. you live in the most expensive housing market in the U.S.

 

[justsomeguy]

Nothing in South or Central America

Except for Puerto Williams, Chile and Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Also rans- the Azores and a patch of water in the BVIs.

 

[Caboteur]

Sorry, there is even North Sound, Virgin Gorda in the Antilles! You could also try to say that Poole, UK represents all of Europe. This still is a very limited list. Really, Kingston, NY comes before La Rochelle, Cadiz, Barcelona, Monaco, Ibiza, Santorini, Hamilton (Bermuda), Georgetown (Bahamas), Le Marin (Martinique), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Hobart (Tasmania), Olhao (Portugal) and so many more!

 

[All U Get]

Give me a easy harbor to get into, parts store, and happy hour all afternoon and I’m a happy guy.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Since the magazine compiled their list based on reader responses, the list is likely to be heavy on their demographics. Not many subscribers sail Asian waters or even the Eastern Med. I am surprised more Western Eueopean ports weren't mentioned.
I am not putting a plug in for any one of these places, I'm a Key West fan, but Crosshaven Ireland boasts the oldest yacht club in the world and the Cork harbor and coast line is beautiful. Gibraltar has as much international boating traffic going through there as most places. Vilamoura portugal is completely modernized and is an excellent jump off point for many destinations in Europe.

I did do a painting on the marina wall in Horta Azores, they featured it, among others, in one of their new brochures. That was over 30 years ago.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[jon hansen]

that mag is for motor boat types that stay mostly tied to docks i'm thinking. prolly ride wave runners too. most likely carry golf clubs on board their vessels. it's nice that they corral them up in such places so that they do not bother us noble sailors out enjoying the wild blue yonder.
up on the great lakes it's only rocks and trees. don't come here, tell them

 

[Will Gilmore]

that mag is for motor boat types that stay mostly tied to docks i'm thinking. prolly ride wave runners too. most likely carry golf clubs on board their vessels. it's nice that they corral them up in such places so that they do not bother us noble sailors out enjoying the wild blue yonder.
up on the great lakes it's only rocks and trees. don't come here, tell them

Now THAT'S the kind of attitude I can get behind
You might THINK you want the peace and quiet but you always seem to bring the crowds with you, so just go where the crowds are already waiting for you. After all, you will likely have to travel twenty miles or more to get to a Wal-Mart or 60-100 miles for a Starbucks.