Charter News
NEWS and NOTES on SAILING-VACATION OPPORTUNITIES
CRUISE NORWAY EMISSION-FREE
Newly launched Canal Boats Telemark offers six Greenline hybrid electric cruisers for exploring the 65-mile Telemark Canal in Norway.
One of Norway’s most beautiful and historic recreational waterways, the canal, built in 1852, is recognized as a national cultural heritage site. Most of its 18 lift locks still operate manually.
During the cruising season from May through October, charterers can enjoy piloting past old lock keepers’ houses, sawmills, watchmen’s cottages and stone warehouses while winding through farmland, wilderness and industrial sites. Along the way, the elevation varies 236 feet, about 1.5 times the height of Niagara Falls.
Each member of the fleet of two Greenline 33s and four 39s are fitted with an e-drive system. Ten charging stations are planned for locations along the entire canal. It’s estimated that daily electric charging costs about $12, one-fifth the cost of diesel. The 33-foot models have one double sleeping cabin and another double for children, while the 39 has two full-size double cabins. With beams of 11 feet and 12 feet, the lounge area of each has three more bunks available.
Amenities include 360-degree panoramic views, air conditioning, a full-size refrigerator/ freezer, stove, microwave, television and Wi-fi. Yacht electronics includes a Raymarine touchscreen chart plotter, hydraulic autopilot system and rearview camera.
For the Greenline 33 and 39, the all-electric-drive system yields a cruising speed of 7 knots, with a top speed of 11 knots. The 14 kw Torqeedo motors are coupled with 80 kw lithium-ion battery packs that give each boat a range of up to 40 nautical miles. For details, contact the company (canalboats.no).
TEACH SAILING WITH ASA
If you’re a sailor with instructional certification from US Sailing, the Royal Yachting Association or Sail Canada, the American Sailing Association wants you. The ASA needs more teachers at its partner charter bases in the US, Caribbean and Europe.
The organization, with hundreds of global affiliates and an active network of more than 2,000 teachers, uses a one-day webinar to cross-certify instructors already sanctioned through other curricula to teach at a level equivalent to their current credentials.
ASA also seeks to train students who’ve successfully completed any portion of its curriculum to become new teachers through its instructorqualification clinic. And if you’re already a certified ASA instructor seeking a long-term position or interested in teaching seasonally in a tropical destination, opportunities abound. For details, contact ASA (asa.com/hiring).
THE MOORINGS IN ST. THOMAS
The Moorings is open for chartering in St. Thomas, USVI, for the 2021 season. All-inclusive crewed yacht charters, bareboat sailing and power-yacht charters are available. This new base joins the growing list of charter destinations open and available for charters in 2021.
Fleet availability includes the Moorings 5000 and Moorings 4500 sailing catamarans, as well as the three-cabin Moorings 4000 sailing catamaran and the Moorings 433 power catamaran.
A short 10-minute drive from Cyril E. King Airport, the base is in Yacht Haven Grande Marina in the city of Charlotte Amalie. With multiple major airlines accommodating direct flights from the United States, guests will find it easy to arrive at their yacht quickly and seamlessly. No passport is required for US citizens. Itineraries departing from Charlotte Amalie include the US Virgin Islands. The islands are popular for watersports, including snorkeling, diving and recreational fishing. For details, contact the company (moorings.com). —Elaine Lembo