Happy Holidays to all our sailing Friends!

Last chance for 12 Meter Gear Gifts!

TODAY is the last day to order your 12 Meter Gifts and receive them before Christmas!  Get shopping!

Looking for the perfect gift for the sailing enthusiast on your holiday shopping list?  Looking for something that will blow them away? Whether you are looking for a relaxing cruising experience, an on-the-water adventure or just something to wear sailing, we've got you covered!       12 Meter Charters offers gift certificates for all of our sailing experiences. 12 Meter Charters offers many ways to experience the thrill of sailing on an America's Cup 12 Meter yacht:            - Buy a gift for just one on your list and come aboard for a two hour public sail, tickets are just $68 per person.            - Buy a gift for everyone on your list and come aboard for a private charter, rates start at $850 per boat for up to 15 guests.             - Book one of our Newport packages and view all that Newport has to offer by  Land and Sea OR Air and Sea.               Gift certificates , with or without  12 Meter Crew Gear, are available and your sail date can be chosen now or later.             Our 12 Meter Crew Gear is the perfect holiday gift for any sailor!  Stuff their stockings with a sailor's cap, t-shirt or polo shirt from their favorite 12 Meter yacht.  Remind them of their sensational sailing season or get them psyched up for another summer on beautiful Narragansett Bay!  Order online with a few easy clicks or call 401-851-1216 to order. We ship anywhere!    Give a gift from 12 Meter Charters and the sailing enthusiast on your list is sure to be BLOWN AWAY!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas in Newport!

Bowen's and Banniseter's Wharf are all dressed up for Christmas!  Come down see the lights, get in the spirit and shop local in the heart of downtown Newport.

Sailing Upwind!

Columbia is a Cover Girl!

Great shot from Cory Silken of Columbia racing in the 2011 Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta. 

Good Morning from a Foggy Fall Day in Newport, RI!

12 Meter Charters Waves Goodbye to 2011!

The sun has set on another fabulous sailing season in Newport!  Thank you to all 12 Meter Charters' guests, clients and supporters.  The 2011 season was another great year of sailing on Narragansett Bay.  We welcomed many private parties, wedding events, corporate groups, and individual sailors aboard to experience the thrill of America's Cup, 12 Meter sailing in Newport, Rhode Island.    The 12 Meter Charters' season was fantastic because of our crew!  Whether it was a corporate team-building group, public sunset sail, or private party our team received rave reviews for their EXCELLENT customer service.  Here are just a few of this season's guest comments about the 12 Meter Charters’ team: “Great crew - informative and laid back. They handled our crowd really well - ranging in age from 13 to 75. There was something for everyone - it was a really memorable Newport experience!” “Excellent customer service. I always felt informed. We loved the sail!!! The crew on the Columbia is outstanding. I liked learning about the history and more about what a 12m boat is.  You can tell how experienced the crew is. It was the ride of a life!” “PERFECT experience with informative professional fun-loving crew with a nice breeze on a beautiful August evening in Newport with my kids - life does not get much better! Thank you!” “Trip was first class. Duncan and crew were wonderful. We all had a chance at the helm, two of our group got into putting up the sail. We had every question answered and it was the highlight of our week. I would highly recommend any group...do this trip. It is a great experience, fun and a great value.” “Everything was perfect! The crew were fun, boat was clean, smooth sailing all the way!” Thank you again for another great year of 12 Meter sailing in Newport, Rhode Island. We look forward to welcoming you aboard in 2012! Photos by team member, Duncan Todd.

Heritage gets a lift!

After over 100 days of sailing in 2011 our bright hulled beauty needs a little vacation, wouldn't you?  Last week, Heritage was hauled out of the water and tucked into her winter vacation spot in Salem, MA.  Looking forward to seeing US 23 in 2012!

Happy November 1st from Newport, RI!

Even though sailing season has come and gone, we still are enjoying the beautiful Newport waterfront!  Happy November!

Columbia's last sail makes HEADLINES!

Heritage heads North to hibernate!

Earlier this month, after her last sail in Newport, Heritage made her way north to Marblehead, MA where she will spend the winter resting.  Captain Duncan and Captain Jeff made the 12 hour trip through Buzzard's Bay, the Cape Cod Canal and Massachusetts Bay.  Thankfully, mother nature cooperated and gave them wonderful weather for the trip.  And thanks to Captain Duncan we have some wonderful photos of their voyage.

 

 

Columbia's last sail of 2011....was extra special this year!

Team Columbia had her last sail of the season on Monday.  How do we end a great season of sailing aboard Columbia?  With an engagement proposal sail!

It was a perfect Newport weather day and a perfect way to end our season.  Congrats to Grant and Sarah, the happy couple, who got engaged aboard our America's Cup winner.  Wishing you a life of smoothing sailing!

Columbia's last weekend of sailing in 2012!

Sunshine is scheduled to return for Columbia's last weekend of sailing in 2011!  After this weekend our America's Cup winner will hang up her sails for the winter.  Don't miss your last chance to get on board!

Dreaming of sailing days like this!

IMG_5444, a photo by MangoPOPTART on Flickr.

Lynx sailing in Newport!

 

Privateer Lynx Sails into Newport – Mate Gus is all smiles!

Earlier this October the Privateer Lynx sailed into Newport Harbor.   Lynx is an interpretation of an actual privateer named Lynx built by Thomas Kemp in 1812.  She was one of the first ships to defend American freedom against the British. 

So why is Mate Gus smiling?  Gus knows the Lynx well.  His grandfather, Melbourne Smith designed Lynx.  Mr. Smith is a well know naval architect and has designed ships including Spirit of Massachusetts, Pride of Baltimore and Federalist.  Who knew Gus came from such a seaworthy family?

The Lynx’s visit to Newport is a preview to the Tall Ships Festival scheduled to visit Newport in July of 2012.  Over twenty tall ships are scheduled to sail into Newport to honor the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.  Gus won’t be the only one smiling then!

For more about Lynx and Melbourne Smith visit www.privateerlynx.com.

Heritage Waves Goodbye to 2011!

Heritage had her last sails of 2011 this weekend.  Thank you for another great season US 23, see you in 2012!

Heritage's weekday crew says goodbye for 2011!

Heritage had her last weekday sail for 2011 yesterday.  Thank you Duncan, Cedar and Gus for making Monday to Friday sails aboard Heritage fantastic!  Looking forward to sailing with you in 2012!

 

Wunderbar Ocktoberfest is Harborside this Weekend!

Celebrate October in style at the Newport Yachting Center this weekend, October 8-10.  Newport's Ocktoberfest offers the best in German entertainment and cuisine.  So grab a schnitzel, raise a stein and join in the celebration of Fall! 

Good Morning from Bannister's Wharf in Newport, RI!

Goodbye September, Hello October!

Happy October 1 from Newport, RI!  This is our last month of sailing for 2011 so we are packing in as much time on the water as we can.  Come join us!

Happy Last Day of September from Newport, RI!

The Eurodam is in Newport today!

Another day, another ship!  Holland America's Eurodam is visiting Newport today.  Check out this great shot from her last visit to Newport by George Bekris.

National Coffee Day!

Today is National Coffee Day.  

These are our kind of "coffee grinders!"