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  Beneteau USA   Horizons 2013  

Back to the Mack

With the start of the Chicago Yacht Club's 105th Race To Mackinac Friday, July 12, a grueling 289.4 nautical mile race from just off Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois to Mackinac Island, Michigan, we sat down with Beneteau owner Emmy Gallagher as she prepares to join her husband Matt and four other crew aboard their Beneteau 37, Endeavour, for the race.

Emmy has been sailing the waters around Chicago since she was a child. Later, after relocating to the Chesapeake Bay area, she became involved in racing. While Emmy wouldn't describe her husband Matt as an "outdoorsman type," his need for speed paired with her love of sailing was the perfect match to fuel the couple's passion for sailboat racing.

Since returning to Chicago and starting a family together (Charlie is age 5 1/2, and Maggie is age 3 1/2), the Gallagher's are familiar faces within the Chicago Yacht Club's racing community. Emmy explained, "We live near Wrigley Field where it's just a short five-minute car ride to the dock. The Wednesday night beer can races are great for our family, and the kids love it!"

This is Matt and Emmy's third entry into the Race To Mackinac. "We're racing with the same crew from last year. They're a great group of guys with a good blend of experience and strength," she said.

When asked why they train for the race, Emmy told us, "The Mack is awesome. We don't do it to win necessarily, but more to participate and have fun. We just want everyone to make it over the line safely."

Curious as to what led to the Gallagher's decision to purchase their Beneteau 37, Emmy recalled, "I've been on many types of boats through the years, and Matt did a lot of research. We considered the Beneteau 34, but the 37 is the perfect size for our family. It's manageable, easy to sail singlehanded and the two cabins work for us."

Matt and Emmy purchased Endeavour in 2008 from Karma Yacht Sales who was referred to them by friends in D.C. Since then, Jack and Lou have become personal friends. Emmy remarked, "We would definitely buy from Karma again. They really go the extra mile."

Before we wrapped up our conversation with Emmy, we asked what advice she would give to someone with an interest in racing, but unsure of how to get involved. Emmy responded, "The biggest hurdle is yourself. Pick up a six-pack and head to the dock on a Wednesday evening. You'll for sure be invited to help out, so just show up! The racing community is very welcoming."

A toast to you Endeavour Crew! Have a great time during the CYC Race to Mackinac.

Click here to learn more about the race, and follow the entire Mackinac field on an interactive map.


All in the family

"Old Goats" Ray & Winnie Adams are at it again

Ray & Winnie Adams, owners of Epic, a Beneteau 42s7, earned first place in the Section 04 Mackinac Cup Division during the 2012 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac with a corrected time of 39:25:44. Epic went on to finish second in the PHRF E Class of the 2012 Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac Race with a corrected time of 46:22:58. Ray and Winnie proudly shared with us that in 1998 Epic won both the Chicago Yacht Club and Bayview Yacht Club Mackinac races back to back!

Both Ray and Winnie are distinguished members of the Society of Mackinac Island Old Goats. Membership requires participation in 25 or more BYC Port Huron to Mackinac Races. On July 20, the couple and their crew will once again race Epic in the 2013 Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race. Rest assured Ray & Winnie, we'll be intently watching the results postings.

To all members of our Beneteau family participating in the upcoming Mackinac races, we wish you fair winds and following seas!

Testing our mettle
Barracuda Tour

The Barracuda vs. Mother Nature

In last month's issue, we told you about an adventure-hungry team of marine journalists, fishing experts, and Beneteau clients who took a Barracuda 7 and Barracuda 9 along the Brittany coast of northwestern France on a grueling eight-day, eight-stage fishing trip. But, what we didn't have last month was the video shot during the expedition. Check this out!



Swift 50

The Swift 50, built for a generation

"...this three-stateroom vessel is well-designed and has a price tag that allows grown men to dream again. She is a boat for the baby boomers and their children and grandchildren and she is easy to handle by a couple or even single-handed." -- BoatTest.com Captain's Report



Oceanis 41

Oceanis 41: The perfect cruiser for families

Read the captain's report on BoatTEST.com


Around The World

Photo by Billy Black

Jonathan Green tackled the Atlantic -- single-handed

Jonathan Green sailing Jeroboam, his Oceanis 351, not only completed the OSTAR, the Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, but became the official 2013 IRC Winner Overall of this most prestigious race.

The race began on May 27, 2013 and Green completed the race on June 19, 2013. There are a variety of routes from Plymouth, England to Newport, RI ranging from 2,800 nautical miles to over 4,000 nautical miles, one of the factors which makes this east-to-west north Atlantic crossing so interesting.

According to Green's profile, Jeroboam's competitiveness in shorthanded racing is closely linked to the simplicity of her rigging and ease of handling by a crew of one.

Also from his race profile, Jonathan partnered with Sail for Kids and the non-profit Storm Trysail Foundation to use the experience as a teaching tool to get kids engaged in the classroom. The curriculum was developed by Sail for Kids covering the gamut of science, the ocean/environment, resource planning and conservation, technology and more, reaching classrooms primarily in the Northeast US. Jonathan provided reports from sea both on the delivery of his boat to Europe and the race back which mirror the lesson plans with real world applications.

To read Jonthan's riveting accounts during his journey, check out his blog

Beneteau Love Club
Oceanis 37 Limited Edition

Mike Verdu gushes about his new love -- the Oceanis 37 Limited Edition

"I love my Beneteau Oceanis 37! The boat sails beautifully in both light and heavy winds and is wonderfully balanced, needing only a feather-light touch on the helm once she's properly trimmed. She's also very fast. I find myself sailing quickly by other boats even though I am not consciously trying to race with them. The more time I spend with her, the more I appreciate the great handling, the accessibility of the cockpit and controls, and the interior layout. I am delighted with my purchase. When I was thinking about buying a new boat last year, I narrowed down the choices to three great 37' and 38' boats. I eventually chose the Beneteau based on the reputation of the 37 as a great all-around performer that is also very friendly (confirmed by experienced friends who know a lot more than I do about sailing), the appeal of the cockpit and cabin layout and the dealer. In truth, South Coast Yachts helped tip the decision with consistently great service all the way through the entire process. The team there went above and beyond to make my first boat purchase a great experience from the first contact to supporting me months after buying the boat. I still have a great relationship with their team and they have earned my trust."
-- Mike Verdu, owner of a Beneteau Oceanis 37 Limited Edition

Thanks to our friends at South Coast Yachts for sending us this message by Beneteau owner Mike Verdu. Mike, we're delighted to hear you're enjoying your Oceanis Limited Edition 37! We appreciate you sharing your experience with all of us.

Building Beneteau
Judy Barfield

Judy Barfield, Beneteau Team Member

Great boats are built by great people

Judy Barfield has been working at the Beneteau plant in Marion, SC for 19 years, "I've worked on every part that goes into the mold room – the hull, liner, deck liner, and shower stalls to name a few," she said. Currently, Judy is laying fiberglass to make lockers, transom doors and cockpit tables.

"I usually work 4 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. I like my job because I learn something new everyday. I enjoy the challenge of learning how to do something then figuring out ways to do it better and faster over time," Judy explained.

The Marion plant employs many people who have worked there as long or longer than Judy, which is why she considers her co-workers like family. When asked what she likes most about working for Beneteau, Judy remarked, "We get very good benefits, and I enjoy the area I work in. There's no drama, I'm just doing my thing."

Thanks, Judy…for doing your thing, and doing it so well!

Let's Get Together

Cape Yachts Rendezvous
Padanaram (Cape Yard), MA, Jul 26-28

Prestige Yacht Sales "Rendezvous Grande"
Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT, Aug 2-4

South Coast Yachts Southern California Rendezvous
Two Harbors, Catalina Island, Aug 2-4

Signature Yachts Rendezvous
Brownsville Marina on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Aug 23-25

Montreal In-Water Show
Old Port of Montreal, QC,
Sep 6-8

Newport International Boat Show
Newport Yachting Center in Newport, RI, Sep 12-15

Norwalk Boat Show
Norwalk Cove Marina in East Norwalk, CT, Sep 19-22

Sea Lake Yachts Rendezvous
Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook, TX, Sep 20-22

United States Powerboat Show
Annapolis, MD, Oct 3-6

United States Sailboat Show
Annapolis, MD, Oct 10-14

Click here for more events.



Rendezvous

Westerly Yacht Sales held their 21st Annual Beneteau Rendezvous at the beautiful Telegraph Harbour on Thetis Island June 14-16. Over 55 boats and 157 guests were in attendance for an absolutely gorgeous Father's Day weekend. Hilarious events were enjoyed by all throughout the weekend. The rendezvous concluded with an awards ceremony of Westerly Yacht badges, engraved medals, gifts and prizes. The rendezvous sparked new friendships and created wonderful, lasting memories.

Click here for more pictures from the event.

You deserve to have a little fun this summer so sign up to participate in a rendezvous near you!





Pic of the month
Pic of the month

Dale & Cynthia aboard S/V North Star, their Beneteau 423 in Kynoch Falls on the way to Glacier Bay, AK

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1313 West Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571. BeneteauUSA.com