The October 2025 edition of Caribbean Compass is out and delivers a vibrant mix of Caribbean sailing stories, cruising insights, and island spotlights. This issue features a forward-looking preview of the 2026 Caribbean regatta season, offering readers a taste of the excitement to come across regional racing circuits. The “Island Spotlight” turns to Trinidad, exploring both its appeal as a safe haven for cruisers—especially in Chaguaramas—and addressing broader concerns around safety and maritime crime. With firsthand stories, destination guides, and a strong editorial pulse on regional developments, this issue continues to serve as an essential read for sailors, cruisers, and marine professionals navigating the Caribbean.
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The Island Spotlight: Trinidad – October 2025 reassures sailors that while gang-related crime exists in Port of Spain, the main yachting hub of Chaguaramas remains safe and welcoming. Piracy concerns near Venezuela have eased due to increased coast guard presence and organized float plan systems. Trinidad offers top-tier yacht services, secure dry storage, scenic anchorages, and a vibrant cultural scene rooted in steelpan and calypso. Though entry procedures are more bureaucratic than elsewhere, they are clearly outlined and manageable.
In Caribbean Reminiscences: Freedom’s Child, Chris Doyle recalls the early 1970s cruising scene in Grenada and recounts the daring acquisition and adventures of a radical outrigger proa named Freedom’s Child
The Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina -This private BVI island sanctuary as a year‑round retreat blending luxury, natural beauty, and island life. Its marina—one of the cleanest in the region—offers 55 slips (including room for mega yachts), linked directly to resort amenities and provisioning facilities. Guests have access to multiple dining venues, a high-end spa, and a full menu of water activities (from snorkeling to eFoils). Accommodations range from ocean‑view suites to hillside villas, and real‑estate ownership options exist. The resort spans two connected islets, striking an elegant balance between conservation and development. Accessibility is convenient via direct flights to Tortola plus a short ferry ride. Despite seasonal shifts across the Caribbean, Scrub Island markets itself as perpetually “always in season,” thanks to its steady climate, trade winds, and consistent guest appeal.
In Coping with Rudder Failure: The Traumerei Delivery, Chris Doyle recounts the harrowing tale of losing a rudder mid-voyage and how he and his crew jury-rigged a replacement to sail the boat safely to port.
In a throw back article Don Street examines the loss of steering at sea, arguing it can often be dealt with via emergency tillers, cable repairs, or clever sail/drogue techniques — and thus should be viewed not as inevitable disaster, but as an inconvenient but manageable challenge.
In “Stories From the Sea: Trust, Preparation, and Offshore Sailing”, four experienced offshore racing crews share insights and lessons from extreme long‑distance passages—from Atlantic crossings to the 5,500 nm Osaka Cup race. Key themes include the indispensable role of trust (in crew, equipment, and planning), rigorous safety and redundancy systems, disciplined pre‑race preparation and hardware upgrades, and the capacity to improvise under pressure when systems fail. The human factor—resilience, morale, and mindset—is emphasized as just as critical as technical readiness in surviving and succeeding on demanding ocean voyages.
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Latest Regatta & Rally News:
SMYC Publishes NoR for the 20th Edition of the Budget Marine Optimist Championship 2025
The Antigua and Barbuda Yachting and Marine Association (ABYMA) has also announced its upcoming events. The 2026 calendar includes sailing, rowing, fishing, and youth engagement programs.
Caribbean Sailing Association Posts Five-Year Lineup
Discover the beating heart of the Antigua Yacht Club — The Commodore’s Bar — where sunlit espressos and sunset cocktails fuel a vibrant mix of sailors, stories, and seaside charm. A must-visit hub for anyone cruising through Falmouth Harbour.
In Caribbean Regattas Fight a Turning Tide, Zoë Carlton examines how Caribbean sailing events are facing declining participation, rising costs, and logistical pressures — even as organizers adapt with new formats to keep the sport vibrant.
Spin-Off from Antigua Sailing Week: The Antigua Racing Cup
Caribbean Multihull Challenge Line Honors Award Announced for 2026
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