The Sun has set on another September!

Happy National Coffee Day!

These are our kind of "coffee grinders!"

Newport is Cruising through September!

September and October in Newport, Rhode Island are cruise ship months!  Nearly everyday there is a different ship in Narragansett Bay.  Here are some shots of these floating cities in Newport!  

September 26 in Newport's America's Cup History

September 26 is a day that will live forever in America's Cup history.  On this day in 1958 and 1983 two unforgettable America's Cup races ended in Newport!  Sailing fans across the country felt the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

VICTORY!  September 26, 1958 - 12 Meter US 16, Columbia beat her English competitor, Sceptre, in the fourth and final race of the America's Cup.  This victory made Columbia the first 12 Meter yacht to win the America's Cup.  It has been 54 years but she is still sailing strong!

DEFEAT!  September 26, 1983 - Australia II beat Dennis Conner's Liberty in the seventh and final race ending the American's 132 year winning streak and taking the America's Cup out of Newport!

Dennis and Ted in Newport for 12 Meter Racing!

Columbia Wins in Newport!

Columbia wins the 2012 North American Championships!  

The three day competition started last Friday and Columbia came out with a bang!  On day one Team Columbia stunned her competition winning 3 of 3 races.  After winning 2 of 3 races on day two she had all but sealed her victory.  Congrats Team Columbia!

Conner Races with Midshipmen in Newport

Dennis Conner is racing again in Newport!  Conner is competing in the 12 Meter North American Championships aboard 12 Meter, KZ-7 Kiwi Magic.  KZ-7 is currently owned by the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  Conner's team is comprised of veteran America's Cup sailors and midshipmen from Kings Point.  

From the 12 Meter Class website - 

Conner, a four time America's Cup Winner (1974, '80, '87, '88), will have an impressive crew aboard KZ-7 (Kiwi Magic), which is currently owned by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Foundation. Whidden, one of the most experienced America's Cup sailors in the world, has campaigned with Conner for three of Conner's America's Cup victories (1980, 1987 and 1988), while three other crew members have also sailed with Conner during various America's Cup campaigns: Jerry Kirby (2003), Dave Kulver ('92, '95) and USMMA Foundation President Ralf Steitz ('92, '95). (Also sailing with the team will be Michel Maeder, who sailed with Baron Marcel Bich in 1980.)

"This will be Kiwi Magic, powered primarily by Stars & Stripes," said Steitz, recognizing the irony that during the Louis Vuitton Challenger series held in Fremantle, Australia during 1986/'87, Conner had challenged the fairness of KZ-7's fiberglass hull against the slower aluminum hulls being used at the time. "We will, of course, also have five USMMA midshipmen sailing as part of the 15-man crew. It's great to give these young people an opportunity to sail with these great legends in our sport, these America's Cup notables who also are truly among the greatest sailors in the world."

Come to Newport this weekend and see Conner back on the 12 Meter race course!  

America's Cup Winner Courageous Returns to Racing in Newport!

Bannister's Wharf welcomes back America's Cup Winner Courageous to Newport.  It has been 35 years since Courageous won the America's Cup and this weekend she will be racing in Newport again!

Check out Bannister Wharf's David Ray discussing the 1977 America's Cup win.  Welcome back to Newport Courageous!

Welcome Aboard Fall!

Happy first day of Autumn from Newport, Rhode Island!  

Let the Racing Begin - 12 Meter Style!

Photo by www.georgebekris.com

The 12 Meter North American Championships will start today and end on Sunday, September 23 in Newport!  Eight 12 Meter yachts (complete list below) will compete in the regatta with big name sailors on board including Ted Turner and Dennis Conner.  The boats will be dock at Bannister's Wharf through Sunday so come on down to Newport and check out the America's Cup greats.  We know who we will be cheering for - Go Team Columbia, US 16!

2012 12 Meter North American Championships Competitors

Grand Prix - yachts built for the 1987 America's Cup


KZ-5 ~ KZ5, Kip Curren, Newport, R.I. 

KZ-7 (Kiwi Magic) ~ KZ7, Dennis Conner, San Diego, Calif.
 

USA ~ US 61, Andy MacGowan, Middletown, R.I. 



Modern - yachts built between 1967 and 1983


Courageous ~ US 26, Ralph Isham, New York, N.Y. 

Intrepid ~ US 22, Jack Curtin, New York, N.Y. 

Victory '83 ~ K 21, Dennis Williams, Hobe Sound, Fla.

Traditional - yachts built between 1958 and 1966

American Eagle ~ US 21, Ted Turner, Atlanta, Ga. 

Columbia ~ US 16, Alain Hanover, Weston, Mass. 

 

12 Meter Weekend Sailing Schedule

We are ready to cruise into another fabulous Newport weekend!  Enjoy the glorious September weather by sailing with 12 Meter Charters.  Winter is long...get out on the water while you can!

Weekend 12 Meter Sailing Schedule 

2 hour Harbor Cruises - $73/person

Friday, September 21 - 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Saturday, September 22 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Sunday, September 23 - 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Call 401-851-1216 for tickets or book online.  

Customized private charters also available.

Columbia Gets Race Ready at Bannister's Wharf!

 Columbia is getting ready for racing action!  The grand finale of the 12 Meter racing season, the North American Championships, will be held in Newport later this week.  Columbia's sails are being changed, her bottom is getting cleaned and her crew tuned up for racing.  Good Luck Team Columbia!

 

 

September Sunset Sail Wedding in Newport!

It was a beautiful September Saturday evening in Newport.  Perfect for a sunset sailing wedding aboard the schooner Madeleine!  The bride beamed as she walked down the dock and boarded the yacht filled with friends and family.

With the Newport Bridge in the background and sailboats cruising by (even our America's Cup Winner Columbia made an appearance!) the bride and groom exchanged vows on Madeleine's stern.  After the ceremony, the intimate group of thirty-five guests enjoyed the sunset while sailing in Narragansett Bay.  What a wonderful Newport Wedding!  Congratulations Victoria and Ryan, best wished for smooth sailing in the future!

12 Meter Charters - August 2012 in Pictures!

August 2012 was filled with road trips and racing at 12 Meter Charters!  Oh, and AMAZING sunsets!  Here are some of the highlights of our August.  Thank you to all who sailed with us!

The Tall Ship USCG Eagle visited Newport!

Columbia and Hertiage take a delightful day trip to Stonington, Connecticut.

Columbia wins in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard.

Columbia wins the Nantucket 12 Meter Regatta.

Heritage finishes ahead of the competition in Nantucket's Opera House Cup.

An August evening sail aboard Heritage!

Spectacular August Sunsets in Narragansett Bay!