The first-ever Cape Yachts Massachusetts to Maine Rally was a huge success. The rally started at South Wharf Yacht Yard in Padanaram on July 4th and finished at Carousel Marina in Boothbay Harbor on July 17. Other ports of call during the rally were Onset and Salem, Massachusetts; and Biddeford Pool, Portland, Quahog Bay and Bath, Maine. Activities at each port varied, but included museum tours, dockside parties, communal meals, and even a tour of Bath Iron Works, where warships are built for the U.S. Navy. At Onset, Kittery and Biddeford Pool, the boats stayed on moorings of the local yacht clubs. At Padanaram, Salem, Portland and Boothbay, the boats received rally discounts and took either moorings or docks. And at Quahog Bay (off Casco Bay) – the only gunkhole of the cruise – private moorings were provided by a friend of Points East Magazine, which organized the cruise. Points East also provided minivan service in Kittery/Portsmouth and in Portland so that the rallyers could more easily get around those ports of call. (Photo taken at Cap'n Simeon's Galley, in Kittery, Maine.)


Rhode Island based True North Yachts, has been selected by PUMA and PUMA Ocean Racing to be the exclusive provider of hospitality boats for the Boston stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race.

With over half of the globe conquered, the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 has just finished its grueling Rio de Janeiro to Boston leg. After taking part in challenging In Port races in and around Boston Harbor they will head towards the next stop, Galway, Ireland.

During the only North American stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 held at Boston's Fan Pier, PUMA is using True North's squadron of 34 and 38 foot powerboats to give their guests an up-close viewing of PUMA Ocean Racing's boat, il mostro.

The connection between PUMA and True North, a Rhode Island-based builder of expedition-style powerboats, is natural: Ken Read, skipper of il mostro is a local Rhode Island resident and owner of a True North 38. During their stay in Boston, Read and the il mostro crew will be competing for highly coveted points in two exciting short course races. The intensity of this close-quarters racing is especially felt when viewed on-water. True North's design makes a perfect observation yacht for PUMA guests, keeping passengers comfortable and close to all the action. True North powerboats will be alongside il mostro and the teams as they compete in the In Port and Pro Am races next weekend.

True North powerboats feature huge open cockpits that flow into their on-deck salon cabin - offering plenty of space for at least a dozen spectators. Highly maneuverable, these boats can safely operate among the fast-moving Volvo ocean racers. Plus, the advantages work just as well when owners, like Read, take family cruises and leave the crowd behind. Whether you're watching whales breech offshore, spectating at some event in your home waters, or just heading for the islands, True North is a great direction to go.

For further information on PUMA Ocean Racing please see pumaoceanracing.com.


Make plans to come by South Wharf Yacht Yard during our Open House this spring to view and try the boat of your dreams! For 23 years running we have hosted this wonderful event and, as many of our valued customers know, there's no better time to decide on your boat! If you've purchased a boat from us before, you know this Yearly Event offers the best in pricing, trade-ins and deals.

Call ahead at 508-994-4444 to reserve your sea trial!


Book early as space is limited! Due to the overwhelming response we received for our engine classes we had to place many people onto a wait list. With the help of Cummins Engines and SWYY we are pleased to offer two additional seminars covering diesel and outboards. These are a FREE program offered to all boaters. Basic Diesel Maintence Seminar will be held on April 4th at 9AM and the Re-Powering with Diesels Seminar will be held on April 4th at 1PM.

The Maintaining Your Outboard Workshop will be held at 9AM on April 18th and participants are encouraged to bring their outboards to class (2hp - 350hp, any make or model) to receive personalized demonstrations on basic service and maintenance on their motor. All three of our Certified Outboard Technicians will be on hand providing instructions lead by our Outboard Shop Supervisor, Master Yamaha Technician, Drew Melody.

Minor tune-ups will be possible; portable units and boats are welcome. All parts must be supplied by the student or pre-arranged through our Parts Dept. This is an excellent opportunity for students to receive a professional evaluation of the condition and service requirements of their particular engine.

Topics Covered:

• Basic trouble shooting
• Fuel systems
• Service & Maintenance
• 2 cyl vs 4 cyl
• Compression testing
• Ignition testing
• Oil changes
• Lower units (fluid changes & water pumps)
• Corrosion protection (anodes)

Participants will be required to provide information on their engine including make, model, year, etc. at time of registration.


Book early as space is limited! We are pleased to offer this exciting seminar series to southern New England boaters. This FREE program is based on the successful Points East Magazine Workshops offered in Maine. Industry leading companies present valuable information that the novice and seasoned boater alike will be sure to benefit from. You may attend as many classes as you wish.

Join fellow boaters every Saturday morning at South Wharf Yacht Yard in South Dartmouth, MA. Enjoy hot coffee along with the company of other boaters while learning from experienced technicians who manufacture the equipment we all rely upon!

CLICK HERE for the Workshop Series Schedule.


Information updates and registration forms for the two rallies being offered this year by Cape Yachts, Beneteau and Points East magazine. CLICK HERE.


Cruising World magazine announced today the winners of its 16th annual Boat of the Year awards................... from an independent panel of experts who inspected and tested 21 nominated boats during the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis earlier this year. Decisions were based on extensive inspections and sea trials of the boats. All of the winners, along with the rest of the 2009 BOTY nominees and several other boats reviewed by the magazine's editors, will be featured in the January issue of Cruising World...................

Following their deliberations, the judges decided this year to add an award for Best Value. Taking home this honor was the Beneteau 34. "The Beneteau 34 was the least expensive and one of the smallest of the cruising boats we looked at, yet under sail was a pure delight and handled well in the rather boisterous conditions we encountered," said Cruising World Senior Editor Mark Pillsbury...............

• » Sail Quest: May 2 - 3
• » Cape Yachts Sea Trial Weekend: May 30 - 31
• » Cape Yachts Beneteau Rally 1: June 28 - July 4
• » Cape Yachts Beneteau Rally 2: July 4 - 18
• » Newport International Boat Show: September 17 - 20
• » Boston In-Water Boat Show: October 1 - 4
• » Annapolis Boat Show: Sail: October 8 - 12
• » Annapolis Boat Show: Power: October 15 - 18

Click Here for the fall edition of the Cape Yachts eNews.


Beneteau Owners! If you've ever wanted to try a longer voyage but didn't want to go it alone, consider a Cape Yachts flotilla! Bring along your family and friends, make new friends, visit port of calls you've always wanted to, all while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow boaters.

The CY Flotilla program is headed by former Points East Owner/Publisher, Bernie Wideman. Bernie developed the flotilla concept at Points East because they felt there is a population of boaters who are competent and who would like to see sights outside their usual cruising range but would feel a lot more comfortable going with boats that had been there before and who would like to leave the organizing of shoreside details to others. These original flotillas began with downeast trips to Fundy. Now, through the combined efforts of Points East Magazine and Cape Yachts we are bringing New England flotillas to you starting with the summer of 2009.

The flotillas are led by experienced boaters. Flotilla participants are invited to participate in pre-flotilla organizational meetings and educational seminars on various nautical issues that might come up during the trip. Flotilla participants receive discounts at harbors and marinas while on the voyage. We also plan shoreside activities that include tours of historical sites, dinners and presentations by local experts.

We look forward to cruising with you next summer! Complete details can be found in our fall eNews.