The Port Oliver Yacht Club burgee is traveling the world again this spring and summer. Last year it flew over the waters of Thailand, Australia, and the Seychelles.  This year four sailors representing POYC competed in the 2014 British Virgin Islands Spring Regatta in April. The crew included Larry Caillouet, Richard Collins, and Dan Chaney from Bowling Green, and Bill Linehan from Indianapolis. They raced a Jeanneau 53 named Lady Suzanne and finished fifth of nine entries in the charter boat division. They were in contention until major damage to the mainsail track on the mast caused them to limp across the finish line in race #3 and miss race #4 altogether. In an ironic twist, Larry and Diana’s boat, Mary Jewell, was sailed by a Dutch crew and took first place, winning 5 out of 6 races.

POYC burgee and the official flags of BVI and the BVI Regatta

After the BVI Regatta, the POYC burgee took its second tour of duty in French Polynesia, having visited the Society Islands previously in 2010. This year it flew for two weeks in Raiatea, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Tupai, and Tahaa aboard a 46 foot Moorings catamaran.  No racing here, just beautiful days of tropical breezes, crystal clear water, swaying palm trees, and the roar of waves crashing on the reefs around each island. Inside the lagoons coral was bountiful and pristine.  Warm waters and an abundance of tropical fish made snorkeling a must-do activity every day.

Taravana Yacht Club, Tahaa, French Polynesia

Next the POYC burgee flew over the turquoise waters of Turkey. Larry and Diana Caillouet sailed along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey on a 45 foot Sunsail Jeanneau monohull.  They boarded the boat in Gocek and sailed as far west as Marmaris and as far east as Kalkan. Turkey is not exotic like Tahiti, but is beautiful in its own way. The rugged mountains come right down to the sea creating many bays and harbors.  The days are sunny and warm, but at night you sleep with a blanket or two. The waters are turquoise blue and so clear you can see fish swimming 15 or 20 feet below the boat. The people are genuinely friendly and the food is great!

The POYC burgee keeps a solitary watch over Mersin Limani

After two weeks in Turkey, the POYC burgee hopped over the Aegean Sea to board a 42 foot Moorings Beneteau monohull in Lavrion, Greece. Its itinerary for two weeks was to sail to the Cyclades islands of Kythnos, Syros, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, Santorini, Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, and Kea before completing the cycle at Lavrion.  These islands are 20-30 miles apart and the winds can be strong, so each day saw some serious sailing.

A view of the ancient Chora on the island of Serifos from the town dock.

The POYC burgee is now completing its world tour by returning to its “home away from home” the British, US, and Spanish Virgin Islands.  Larry and Diana are sailing there with friends for four weeks in July before returning to the real home of the by-then tattered burgee, Barren River Lake.

POYC represented at the Reggae Festival in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, BVI.

Don’t let anyone from a fancy “white pants and blazer” yacht club disparage the Port Oliver Yacht Club.  Its burgee has been seen around the world.

~Submitted by Larry Caillouette