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Heineken Regatta #155502
02/23/2018 10:23 AM
02/23/2018 10:23 AM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 111
Canada
vetteguy Offline OP
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vetteguy  Offline OP
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 111
Canada
We have been to St Martin for a number of visits but this will be the first year we can experience the Regatta.
I enjoy photography so I'm wondering where might be the best places to view the boats during the race?
I'm hoping to find a point of land that is close to the race course. Thanks for any info.

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Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155503
02/23/2018 10:28 AM
02/23/2018 10:28 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
The best place to observe the races is on one of the chase boats. Check with Aquamania about that. You can see the boats from Simpson Bay and from Mullet, but if you want any great pictures, you need to get on a boat.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 02/23/2018 10:57 AM.

Carol Hill
Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155514
02/23/2018 12:11 PM
02/23/2018 12:11 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
Nice action pictures.

Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: SXMScubaman] #155516
02/23/2018 12:20 PM
02/23/2018 12:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Thanks! But as I said, no way to get those kinds of pictures from land.


Carol Hill
Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155519
02/23/2018 12:34 PM
02/23/2018 12:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 273
Albany, NY
J
JimandBeth Offline
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JimandBeth  Offline
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J
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 273
Albany, NY
As Carol said, get on the chase boats. This is the first time in over 20 years that we will not be on Tango or Lambada for at least two of the three days. They will get you right in the heart of the action. Due to the hurricane damage at Simpson Bay Resort we won't be there this year and I'm so sorry to miss it. I don't imagine that there will be as many boats this year as in the past but it will still be a great experience. Have fun.

Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155524
02/23/2018 12:57 PM
02/23/2018 12:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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RonDon  Online Content
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
When is the regatta?

Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: RonDon] #155529
02/23/2018 01:08 PM
02/23/2018 01:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
March 1 to 4.


Carol Hill
Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155531
02/23/2018 01:21 PM
02/23/2018 01:21 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Another Regatta chase-boat option is the trimaran NO1SXM owned by Pieter and Marian, owners of the Passaat (which sank in Simpson Bay Lagoon during Irma). They are offering a chase-boat experience each day of the Regatta. The following link to the Passaat website talks about the new boat and also says they still have space available for all three days.

NO1SXM


[Linked Image]
Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: jazzgal] #155532
02/23/2018 01:40 PM
02/23/2018 01:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Link to Aqua Mania website

It looks like Aqua Mania also has seats available on all three days, which is unusual this late. We have always gone on Tango, which is why I recommended Aqua Mania, although I know lots of other people do Regatta trips. Just haven't personally taken any of them. Haresh (captain of the Tango) is an excellent captain, and understands how to get the boat really close to the action.


Carol Hill
Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155534
02/23/2018 01:55 PM
02/23/2018 01:55 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 88
Long Island NY
S
SurferMike Offline
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SurferMike  Offline
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S
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 88
Long Island NY
Hello vetteguy (from another "vette guy). Go to Plum Bay on the Northwest French side. Just tell the guard at the booth where you're going. The boats came in so close that I put my binoculars down. Enjoy!

Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: Carol_Hill] #155564
02/24/2018 06:45 AM
02/24/2018 06:45 AM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 111
Canada
vetteguy Offline OP
Traveler
vetteguy  Offline OP
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Posts: 111
Canada
Those are great shots, Carol and the kind of pics I would like to get.
Just a question or two as I have never been on a small craft on the ocean.
I feel I have decent "sea legs", but how rough will the ride be?
What are the chances of getting my camera equipment wet?

Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155565
02/24/2018 07:59 AM
02/24/2018 07:59 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Posts: 17,476
Ohio
How rough? It was so calm one year they cancelled a day of racing due to lack of wind. Another year there were broken/damaged boats from too much wind. We have been on chase boats for 10+ years (sadly, not this year though) and have seen just a few people get sick. A few rum punches into the day and you will be fine!

Depending on the waves and your location on the boat will determine if your equipment gets wet. You should be fine with paying some attention to the conditions. Carol take some good equipment so she can perhaps answer better but we have been on the same boat multiple times.

Also, I am a former "vetteguy". I owned a 1969 t-top for a long time and wish I still had it.


J.D.
Re: Heineken Regatta [Re: vetteguy] #155567
02/24/2018 09:46 AM
02/24/2018 09:46 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
vetteguy--The Tango is not really what I'd call a 'small boat'. It's a huge cat that holds a lot of people--60 maybe?? Not sure. If you're concerned about seasickness, take some Dramamine or similar, before the trip and DON'T drink, except maybe soda. They make the rum punch VERY strong. I never drink the rum punch.

As far as getting the camera wet, the best place to take pictures on Tango is to be at the back, or sometimes on the side. Usually the back is the best place to be. There, there is ZERO chance of getting the camera wet. I figured that out on my first trip on the boat, when I saw the two semi pro photogs hanging out there. I personally never got my camera wet. The biggest issue I have had was trying to change a lens when it was really rough. Normally, you're close enough on Tango to not need the long lens. Like I said, I can't recommend Tango enough, as Haresh knows what's he doing. It's kind of an art, to get close to the action, but not interfere.

I've been on 3 or 4 boat trips, can't remember, and as JD said, sometimes it's very rough and sometimes it is flat as a fritter. The very BEST pictures I've taken have been when it's really rough. That time I saw one person get sick, but she was a kind of lightweight drinker. laugh She was one of our group, so I know. grin

As I said, I'm surprised they still have room. If you want on a spectator boat, you need to book it NOW.


Carol Hill

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