In just a few weeks (April 24-29 to be exact), the Caribbean’s longest running regatta and one of the premier sailing events in the world will be getting underway. Competitors from around the globe gather in Antigua to experience the grand finale of the Caribbean yachting season. The sea around Antigua offers some of the best sailing in the world and the wide variety of beaches, restaurants and accommodations make Antigua Sailing Week an event to remember. In addition to sailors and yacht owners, thousands of visitors will be on hand to enjoy the competition and festivities. Find out more about Antigua Sailing Week on the official website.

A, the 390-foot megayacht designed by Philippe Starck and owned by Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko, it currently one of the most-talked-about super yachts.  Everything from the yacht’s sleek design to its luxury finishes sets it apart.  Built for $300 million and requiring $20 million per year to operate, A features 3 swimming pools and 23,600 square feet of living space.

Read more about A in this Wall Street Journal article.  You can also see it at sea and view some of it interior spaces in this YouTube video:

With a central European location and more than 3500 miles of breathtaking Adriatic coastline, Croatia is becoming one of the more popular destinations for sailing holidays.  The gentle summer climate, abundant natural beauty and variety of villages, towns and metropolitan areas make Croatia the perfect holiday location.  There’s plenty to see while onboard, including over 1,000 islands, breathtaking cliffs and reefs teaming with marine life.  Croation ports offer serene beaches, quaint marketplaces as well as exciting nightspots and fine dining.

Bareboat sailing charters allow you to decide where you will go and what you will do with your time.  Find out more about Croation bareboat charters at Bareboat Sailing Holidays.

Montebello Yachts is a relative newcomer to the sailing catamaran market.  The company was formed in 2009 by a group of Australian businessmen who began working with New Zealand Naval architect Roger Hill on a new 12.5m power catamaran.   Today the company offers a range of catamarans including the 12.5m and 11.5m power cats in coupe or hardtop versions.  The Montebello yacht line also features a 12.5m sailing catamaran in private or charter versions.

The Montebello catamarans have gained a reputation for their stylish and comfortable cruising capabilities and have been featured in a variety of leading boating publications.  For more information, visit the Montebello Yacht website.  You can also see the sailing catamaran in action in the YouTube video:

Catalina Yachts, located in Largo, Florida, is a world-renowned yacht manufacturer. The newest model in the Catalina fleet was recently named by Cruising World magazine as 2011’s Domestic Boat of the Year. This 35 ft single hull vessel is a smaller version of the popular Catalina 455. Roomy enough for at least 4 people for an extended voyage, the Catalina 355 is an attractive and fun choice for cruising. It has a base price of $165,450.

Read more about the Catalina 355 on the Catalina Yachts website.

Three J Class yachts, the Velsheda, Shamrock V and Range, will go head to head in the J Class Newport  Regatta in June of 2011.  This is the first in a series of four J Class regattas that will culminate in July of 2012 at the Hundred Guinea Cup race around the Isle of Wight.

These three J Class yachts were among ten yachts built according to the J rule between 1930 and 1937.  These large sailing yachts competed in three races of the America’s Cup.

Read more about J Class yachts on the J Class Association website and see the Shamrock V in action in this YouTube video:

Mark your calendars for the 2011 Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail, which will be held February 17-21, 2011 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  A wide variety of watercraft will be on display as well as engines and marine accessories.  The Strictly Sailing portion of the show is scheduled to be held at Miamarina at Bayside and will offer sailing clinics, seminars, kids activities and sailboat rides on Biscayne Bay.  In addition, sailboat manufacturers from around the world will be on hand to show the latest in sailboat designs. 

The Miami International Boat Show is sponsored by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).  Find out more about the 2011 Miami Beach International Boat Show on the event website.

Cruising World magazine has just announced the results of its 18th annual Boat of the Year awards for 2011. At the top of the list were the Catalina 355 (Domestic Boat of the Year) and the Discovery 50 (Import Boat of the Year). An independent panel of experts tested and inspected 19 nominated boats following the U.S. Sailboat Show in Maryland. Complete details about the winners will be published in the January issue of Cruising World.

If San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom has his way, the next America’s Cup in 2013 could see 72-foot catamarans crossing the finish line in the San Francisco Bay with Alcatraz Island in the background.   The last winner of the race, the BMW Oracle Racing team led by billionaire Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, will select the location of the next regatta.  According to the San Francisco Chronicle, if San Francisco is chosen to host the event it could bring up to $1 billion to the city’s economy.  The city would make an investment of $80 million for piers and other preparation and Ellison and the Oracle Group would raise $270 million in private funds to manage and run the event. 

The host city for the event will be announced is scheduled to be announced by Dec. 31.

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i  offers contemporary lines and a spacious two-cabin interior (a three-cabin option is also available).  The Marc Lombard-designed hull provides superlative performance under sail or power.   A sculpted steering pedestal  features a responsive leather-wrapped wheel.

See the Sun Odyssey 36i in motion in this YouTube video and read more about it on the Jeanneau Yachts website