Lakewood zoning dispute over catering hall takes a turn; lawyer wants to see guest list

Portrait of Joe Strupp

LAKEWOOD – When Judah Ribiat’s daughter got engaged it created a conflict of interest for him on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which is reviewing an application for Lake Terrace, the catering hall where her reception is planned.

So Ribiat agreed to no longer sit in on the meetings where the application was being reviewed or vote on the final decision of the board.

But that’s apparently not enough for attorneys representing neighbors who oppose the catering hall application and contend Ribiat’s conflict as father of the bride goes much deeper.

More: What does this wedding have to do with the Lakewood zoning board?

In a recent letter to the board, Attorney Robert Shea -- who represents several neighboring businesses -- demanded details of the wedding plans, including copies of checks written by Ribiat’s family to Lake Terrace and even the wedding guest list.

“Due to Mr. Ribiat’s sudden recusal at this late stage of the proceedings, we are respectfully requesting any and all factual information surrounding the conflict,” Shea wrote in a July 12 letter to Board Attorney John Jackson. “This information is essential to supplement the record and allow all parties to have a full understanding of the extent of Mr. Ribiat’s conflict, as well as any impact it may have on the application.”

The detailed wedding demand is just the latest salvo in an ongoing dispute that dates back years and most recently drew further interest when Ribiat recused himself last month.

First, attorneys on both sides were concerned that if Ribiat was removed from the issue, only six board members would remain when five are needed to approve any variance.

That sparked discussion of appointing someone to fill Ribiat’s spot for this lone issue.

Now Shea’s objection and deeper information request may delay proceedings set to continue July 22.

Shea said Ribiat’s ties to the catering hall were not revealed until the last meeting on July 1, claiming a father of the bride is more of a conflict than simply a relative of a family wedding.

“Information was provided that a relative of Mr. Ribiat had recently booked a wedding at the property,” Shea wrote in the July 12 letter. “Since then, we have learned, that the conflict which was discussed is in regard not to just any ‘relative’ but to Mr. Ribiat’s daughter.”

Shea added that he was never told of the closer relationship by the board or Lake Terrace attorneys, but through an Asbury Park Press story posted on July 10.

He said that more information about how long the wedding has been in the planning stages and Ribiat’s exact connection to Lake Terrace related to the planning must be provided before any board vote can occur.

Specifically, Shea’s letter said he is seeking:

  • The date discussions began between Lake Terrace and Ribiat’s daughter.
  • The date the contract was signed.
  • Copies of any checks paid to Lake Terrace for the wedding.
  • The identity and title of the Lake Terrace employee with whom Ribiat’s daughter planned the wedding.
  • Dates of any discussions Ribiat had with Lake Terrace related to the wedding.
  • Information on any discussions Ribiat had with fellow board members about the wedding.
  • The entire wedding guest list.
  • Date of the wedding and when Ribiat became aware that the wedding reception would occur at Lake Terrace.

“It should be noted that prior to the recusal Mr. Ribiat sat on the board for every meeting since the inception of this application on May 7, 2023 up through May 20, 2024,” Shea wrote. “There is a concern that Mr. Ribiat’s participation up to this point may have tainted the entirety of the application.”

Jackson said that Ribiat’s recusal is enough for the proceedings to continue: “The Board member recused himself from that matter when the potential conflict arose. The issue is therefore resolved.”

More: Lakewood renews liquor license for unpermitted catering hall

He added that Ribiat’s daughter was not engaged until mid-June and Ribiat immediately recused himself from any meetings related to the Lake Terrace application.

“He contacted me and explained that they looked at what venues were available and a date available that could hold that many people,” Jackson said about Ribiat. “Lake Terrace was the only one with a date available so they booked it there.”

Zoning Board Chair Abe Halberstam declined to speculate on the impact of the request, stating, “I know that our attorney is on it and he is the one that is dealing with it, it is out of my pay scale.”

Specifically, Lake Terrace’s application is for a variance to keep operating in the city’s industrial zone, a permit it has never received and a situation that has drawn interest for more than a year.

Without Ribiat, the board will only have six voting members, not its usual seven when it’s set to vote on the application on July 22.

That did not sit well with Attorney Adam Pfeffer, who represents Lake Terrace and believes he has a better chance of getting the required votes if all seven members are present.

“It is our right to have seven members,” Pfeffer said at the last hearing on the matter July 1. “However the process is, we may need someone to come on the board.”

Pfeffer did not respond to requests for comment this week.

Shea said earlier this month that bringing in an outsider to serve on the board for this case is not fair.

“It is a little bit too late,” Shea said. “We have had six members for several meetings and this is a result of Mr. Ribiat’s creating a conflict for himself.”

Jackson, who called it a “gigantic case” said Wednesday that appointing a temporary member to replace Ribiat on this issue is likely not feasible given all of the background and material that would have to be reviewed by a new member.

“I am just not optimistic we could do that,” he said in an interview. “I anticipate we are going to proceed with six members and take a vote, but I cannot predict the future. But that is what I am preparing for.”

Jackson said the law allows the zoning board to operate with as few as four members as a majority because it has seven total. But he said a variance needs five affirmative votes to pass.

More: Neighbors say Lakewood catering hall never should have opened, but township leaves it be

If the board continues considering the application without Ribiat or a replacement, six members would be voting on an application that requires five votes to pass.

Jackson said he is reviewing the options, which could include appointing a temporary board member for this issue, possibly from the planning board. He also said the board could invoke a “doctrine of necessity” provision to allow Ribiat to serve but did not think that was likely.

The “doctrine of necessity” provision was notably used in 2000 for a case involving the Bay Head Planning Board’s review of a land use application next to the Bay Head Yacht Club.

It turned out that seven members of the planning board were also yacht club members, sparking a lawsuit by another landowner seeking approval for a related project who claimed the yacht club members on the board had a conflict of interest.

A Superior Court judge eventually ruled that the yacht club members could vote on the case out of the “necessity” provision because if they were excluded a quorum would not be possible for a vote.

The Lakewood Zoning Board wrapped up testimony on the Lake Terrace case on July 1 and has tentatively set final summations from both attorneys for July 22, with a potential vote that day on the variance.

Lake Terrace has been involved in the  ongoing battle  over its future for several years.

The variance issue dates back to 2015, when Lake Terrace opened as a catering facility at 1690 Oak St., but without the required zoning approval to operate in an industrial zone.

In 2020,  Clayton Associates, one of the neighboring businesses, sued Lakewood Township , claiming it allowed Lake Terrace to operate without proper zoning approval.

The lawsuit, which was amended to include other neighboring businesses and landlord Sudler Companies, said the operation created an unlawful nuisance. The case is still pending.

Last year the catering hall filed an application for a retroactive variance so it could continue to operate as a banquet hall in the industrial zone. 

But nearby business owners, including the Sudler Companies, have fought the application, claiming it’s not justified and presenting evidence that alleges the 36,000-square-foot hall causes traffic and parking problems.

The Lake Terrace property was once a vacant office building with approval to become a school. The school closed in 2009 and in 2015 the building, under the ownership of KBS Mt. Prospect LLC, started operating as a banquet facility.

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of four books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at [email protected] and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp

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Japanese man arrested after sailing his yacht to Navy base on Okinawa

Japanese, American and United Nations flags flap in the breeze at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, April 14, 2023.

Japanese, American and United Nations flags flap in the breeze at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, April 14, 2023. (Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A Japanese yachtsman was taken into custody this week after landing at White Beach Naval Facility, according to the Navy and Japan’s coast guard.

U.S. military police “arrested a Japanese man who landed within the premises of White Beach on a yacht” and reported it to the coast guard at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday, a coast guard news release said. The man was handed over to the coast guard at 3:13 p.m., according to the release.

A spokeswoman for Fleet Activities Okinawa said the man sailed a “leisure vessel” into restricted waters near White Beach. The coast guard towed the vessel away, according to an email from spokeswoman Candice Barber.

“U.S. Security forces responded, and at no point was the security or protection of the base in question,” she wrote. “As a reminder to the public, access to a U.S. Navy installation is restricted to authorized personnel.”

The man identified himself as Minoru Tomono, 77, of Saitama prefecture, just north of Tokyo. He carried no identification and coast guard officials could not immediately confirm his identity, a coast guard spokesman said by phone Wednesday. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, the spokesman said.

“We only know that he departed from Yonabaru Marina,” he said. Yonabaru is approximately 12 miles southwest of White Beach across the open water.

The man remains in custody at the Nakagusuku Coast Guard Office. Japan’s coast guard will either release him or forward his case to prosecutors within 48 hours of the arrest, the spokesman said.

If convicted of an offense, the man could face imprisonment for up to a year or a fine of up to 2,000 yen, or $12.67, according to the release.

White Beach Naval Facility, near the tip of Katsuren Peninsula, is used as a staging ground for U.S. Marines and their equipment on Okinawa, according to the Navy Region Japan website.

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Here's where to get your Boat Week merch this week

Portrait of Jackie Smith

Whether you’re participating in Saturday’s historic Port Huron-to-Mackinac Island Sailboat Race or visiting downtown to join in on the Boat Week fun, there are plenty of places to pick up a T-shirt or nautical souvenir to commemorate the occasion.

This year marks the second that MI Passion, 229 Huron Ave., has carried T-shirts with the Bayview logo for the Mackinac race — now with the emblem for its 100th anniversary.

But they’re going fast.

Boutique owner Anita Varty said she bought over 600 shirts, and by midday Thursday, had fewer than 200 left. Those include a women’s V-neck and a unisex shirt in white and gray colors. The race logo is shown enlarged on the back with a smaller version on the front chest of the shirts.

The shirts ranged in cost from $29.99 to $34.99. MI Passion was slated to be open until 8 p.m. Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Although they had plenty of other Michigan-made and nautical items, particularly themed for the lake and river, Varty said she was excited to be part of celebrating its 100th anniversary.

“The most exciting thing for me is seeing everybody out,” Varty said. “Like the energy downtown, I so looked forward to this week.”

Official Mackinac shirts can otherwise be purchased on Mackinac Island and through the Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit.

Port Huron Yacht club carrying 'Mac 2024' merch

The Port Huron Yacht Club’s women’s auxiliary is selling a variety of merchandise for both the club and specific items with a Mac 2024 logo, celebrating Port Huron’s spot as a start to the race but unaffiliated with the Bayview’s race merchandise.

Missy Smith, the auxiliary’s commodore, said the display of apparel would be out from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and Saturday morning with whatever items were left unsold. Typically, she said they only acquire enough to sell out, having first started selling items five weeks ago and on Wednesday for Boat Week.

“And it’s looking like this year we will probably sell out," she said. "… That’s what I’ve been telling everybody on their boats. ‘Oh, I like that shirt.’ If you want to get one, I would go now.”

As of midday Thursday, the merch included women’s V-neck T-shirts, regular unisex cotton T-shirts, and men’s long-sleeve sport tech shirts all in several colors, as well as hooded zip-up sweatshirts and tank tops. There were also yacht club sweatpants that didn’t have the Mac 2024 logo and sandals.

“And then, this year, we bought a new item, and it’s a T-shirt hoodie,” Smith said. “So, it’s T-shirt material, but it’s long-sleeved, and it has a hood. They’re really comfortable. And we have those in three colors.”

Prices for the local club’s merchandise, Smith said, ranged from $20 for tank tops to $60 for the zip-up sweatshirts with T-shirts falling in between.

Plenty of other stops with nautical-themed items to celebrate

Outside the official race shirt and local yacht club merch, a few other spots downtown had displays with boat-themed or items with anchors and other nautical symbols.

The Huron Lady II, for example, docked on the East Quay Street side of the Black River, had hats and T-shirts — the latter prompting you “take a ride” — on display for sale with small icons of the iconic cruise.

Elsewhere, the downtown shoe store District 43 also carried plenty of other items, such as through the Michigan Boat Company label.

“That’s our company,” said store owner Jorja Baldwin. “So, we have Michigan Boat Company. We have Motor City sun shirts, Michigan Boat Company tank tops, and an unofficial Michigan Boat Company Mackinac shirt.”

Baldwin said District 43 would be open from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and closed on Saturday.

When asked about their apparel, she said, “I like them all. It’s tank tops, T-shirts, sweatshirts because it’s Michigan. I feel like we have a little something for everyone. We have women’s tanks, and then, unisex things. The river mermaid because I like we can tie in the Black River and Lake Huron experiences.”

Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or [email protected].

yacht week beginners guide

Yacht Week: A Beginner’s Guide 

yacht week 2009

Table of Contents

Last Updated on January 18, 2023 by Boatsetter Team

If you could sail, swim, and celebrate on repeat each day for a week until you’re happily exhausted, you’d do it, wouldn’t you? Well, boating has just the event for that: Yacht Week. Haven’t heard of it? Here’s a Yacht Week Beginner’s Guide : 

Rent. Charter. Share— only at Boatsetter 

First, what is Yacht Week? 

If you’ve never heard of The Yacht Week , it’s called the original floating festival. You stay aboard a skippered boat with a bunch of your friends, cruising alongside other like-minded travelers. 

A skippered boat is a boat with someone who is in command of it, more or less equal to a captain! This gives your crew opportunities to focus on the fun and potentially learn boating from an experienced guide. 

Options exist for per- cabin bookings, too. Regardless, for seven days, you explore convoy-style, visiting picture-perfect destinations like Croatia, Turkey, Tahiti, and the British Virgin Islands. While you have the freedom to follow your own itinerary, you get your skipper’s first-hand knowledge of where to go and what to do. 

yacht week guide

You can dine onboard or ashore , soak up the sun on secluded beaches, and of course, swim. Come at nighttime, and join your fellow adventurers at organized parties on the beach and in clubs. Or, simply star gaze on deck before drifting off to sleep.

Yacht Week’s brief history

The Yacht Week got its start nearly two decades ago. Directors and founders Eric Biorklund and William Wenckel worked for the same company as charter-boat captains in Europe when inspiration struck. A two-week period in Greece was so much fun that they became fast friends with their guests. Figuring they could replicate the success, they reserved 10 yachts for traveling together for a subsequent summer in anticipation of attracting 100 guests. It worked. They then added another five yachts to that total, which also filled up. Guests had so much fun, in fact, that they requested Biorklund and Wenckel arrange more trips. Soon the duo had more cruisers than staterooms available. So, they turned it into a dedicated business, and The Yacht Week was born.

With another business partner onboard, Biorklund and Wenckel set their sights on growing The Yacht Week internationally. That, too, worked. The company went from booking 30 boats in 2006 to more than 1,300 within a decade. 

Experiences you’ve never had before 

Yacht Week Experience

( Image Source )

The Yacht Week is more than just skippered boats; the goal is to provide you with experiences you’ve never had before! For example, if you’re into techno, house music, and similar styles, the Croatia Ultra Route dates in July coincide with the Ultra Europe EDM festival. Pro Tip: Your yacht package includes VIP tickets. 

While music is a big part of The Yacht Week—and cruising in general—other itineraries are more about the destinations and camaraderie. 

From May through September, for instance, trips depart from Athens, Greece, and head to a number of islands. To ensure you get to know your fellow cruisers, a raft-up (anchoring your boat side by side) kicks off the first day. 

Each day for the rest of the week, you can explore ancient sites and towns with guides on foot or drive an ATV through the countryside. Fun costume parties, White Parties (where you wear all white), and more occur each day, too. 

To cap off the summer in style, book one of two available weeks (at presstime) in Turkey in September. You’ll enjoy the country’s famed Turquoise Coast, along its southwestern shore, starting out in Fethiye. When you go sightseeing, don’t miss the chance to partake in a Turkish bath. You’ll emerge with your skin feeling invigorated and an amazing story to share.

Pro Tip: Speaking of sharing, you’ll be sharing picture after picture on social media with your friends and family back home. The Yacht Week also has professional photographers and videographers on hand during each itinerary to ensure the best moments get captured. 

Get a feel for boating 

If you’re curious about how the boat operates, feel free to ask questions. Captains love sharing their knowledge and passion, so you can take a turn at the wheel as well. Plenty of cruisers become friends, too, with their fellow passengers, planning future cruises upon returning home. That’s what ultimately makes The Yacht Week a week to remember for a lifetime. 

About Boatsetter 

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or you’re just renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain . 

Put your boat to work— Start earning an avg. of $20K yearly with Boatsetter

Images sourced from Yachtweek.com

Diane M Byrne

A journalist with more than 30 years’ experience, Diane M. Byrne is the owner of MegayachtNews.com, a daily website educating American superyacht owners, buyers, and their circles of influence about the leading builders, designers, cruising destinations, and more. She founded the website in 2007 as the first, and still the only, American-focused online media outlet exclusively covering this market. It features all-original content, for real stories of real interest.

Diane is additionally one of the most-sought-after journalists for expert editorial coverage and commentary about not only superyachts, but also general boating and yachting. Her byline appears in Boatsetter.com, DiscoverBoating.com, and the magazines Luxury Guide, Ocean, Yachting, and Yachts International.

Additionally, Diane is the Chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association, having been on the Board of Directors since 2015. Outside of yachting, she’s a trustee of Sempre Avanti, a non-profit resource supporting Italian and Italian-American individuals, businesses, and organizations in the United States and Italy.

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yacht week beginners guide

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Minnesota United FC | Where do Loons stand as summer transfer window…

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Minnesota United FC

Minnesota united fc | where do loons stand as summer transfer window opens, names of possible new mnufc players have been streaming in this week..

Minnesota United coach Eric Ramsay

It ended in catastrophe.

D.C. striker Christian Benteke assisted and scored on two goals in the final minutes to snag a 3-2 comeback win and sink the Loons into a nine-game winless rut. Both goals came on set pieces — one corner and one free kick — a glaring defensive weakness for the Loons.

Carlos Harvey, who has been starting at center back instead of his regular off-the-bench midfield role in the last few games, was amid the fallout midweek at Allianz Field.

“I think Carlos would be the first to tell you there on that second (goal), he (is) sort of mistiming his movement back into the game, and that’s ultimately cost us,” Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay said. “Of course, we’re looking to continually improve in that sense and really push the players to develop. It’s certainly not for lack of work or attention, but we need to hold the players to high standards. We really need to push them, because ultimately it’s costing us at the moment, and it’s a part of the game that, of course, you can’t ignore.”

Part of the improvement Ramsay was alluding to is adding new players in the summer transfer window, which opened Thursday.

A calvary is believed to be on its way.

One back-line addition is incoming. Jefferson Diaz, a 23-year-old Colombian center back, and the Loons have agreed to contract terms, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Thursday. The 6-foot-1 defender is joining MNUFC on a reported $700,000 transfer fee, but that number has not been verified.

How soon MNUFC and Diaz can finalize the agreement and how quickly he can arrive in Minnesota and play for the Loons is unclear. The club will likely have Diaz remain in his native country to obtain his work visa before traveling to the U.S. That might take weeks.

Another defender addition is described as “to be determined.” Matus Kmet, a 24-year-old Slovakian right back, is a Loons target, a source confirmed. But other clubs reportedly are in the market for Kmet as well.

The Loons are looking for a starting right back during this window, and if it doesn’t work out with Kmet, the expectation is MNUFC will quickly switch to another target. That’s what the club did earlier this week when its attempt to sign Panamanian center back Edguardo Farina didn’t get done and they turned to Diaz.

MNUFC also continues to progress in a contract with 24-year-old Ghanaian/Italian striker Kelvin Yeboah. If that deal gets finalized, he too would likely remain in Italy to receive his work visa before traveling to Minnesota.

Samuel Shashoua, a 25-year-old English attacker, is now eligible to play for the first time against San Jose on Saturday. His signing was made official in June.

Summer transfer window remains open through August 14.

Running on empty

Loons left wing back Joseph Rosales exited the 1-1 draw with Houston on Saturday due to a combination of fatigue and muscle cramping. He then came off the bench against D.C.

That exhaustion was emblematic.

“Joe has fallen victim over the course of the last six weeks,” Ramsay said. “He is a very explosive player and a player that relies on energy and changes of pace and ability to play at a certain intensity. I think over the course of him clocking up far more minutes than we would have liked, his form has suffered.”

Rosales isn’t the only player to go down amid a larger or unexpected workloads.

Midfielder Wil Trapp played 1,561 of a possible 1,620 minutes across 18 of 19 games this season, missing only one game for the birth of his child on June 15. He felt his hamstring tug in a training session the week of the Portland game and was scratched from the lineup in warmups to play the Timbers on June 29. He has been out weeks.

Right back D.J. Taylor was not supposed to play on June 1, but a toe injury to Caden Clark forced Taylor back into the starting XI that day against Kansas City. He pulled his hamstring, subbed out and was visibly frustrated in the locker room postgame. He missed two games, played in the next four and then aggravated the same injury. He is now out one month.

Resolution for Puerto Rico players

Loons defender Zarek Valentin turned to the Pioneer Press in June to shed light on how he and teammates on the Puerto Rican national team were getting paid $75 per match. That news created a stir on the island territory and might have affected change.

Valentin followed up this week to say the non-unionized players and the Puerto Rico federation have come to an agreement to pay players more money. He declined to say how much of a raise they are in line to receive.

“It’s important that the federation is showing them value,” Valentin said. “As much as some of these guys have a lot of (appearances) and are doing it for the love (of the game and Puerto Rico), I think it’s good that we can come to this resolution.”

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Inside Yacht Week

How it works

You've heard us say it's the best week of your life, and you've chosen your dream destination. But how does it all come together? How do you select the perfect yacht? And what's the deal with a host? Here's the lowdown on exactly how you book your week at sea.

Your step-by-step guide

Choose from our yacht categories or pick your own!

Choose your crew; sail with a group or join a shared yacht

Pay & sail; secure your spot for just a 10% deposit

Choose a category or pick your own

Our categories.

Choose from two yacht categories, Classic and Premium, in both Monohull and Catamaran types. Select the one that fits with your crew's spirit and budget, and we'll match you with a yacht that fits the bill. Or, if you're crystal clear about your desires, go ahead and pick your own.

Add your extras

Once you've chosen your yacht, it's time to make it uniquely yours. This is where you can add those exciting extras to turn your week into the dream you've always envisioned. How about adding a host to handle your meals while you soak in the adventure?

Choose your crew

Spend an unforgettable week on a yacht with your very own skipper and up to 12 friends. Can't fill a whole yacht? Use our handy Crew Finder to connect with other travellers.

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Set sail with like-minded adventurers in a cabin on a shared yacht.

Masters of the ocean, they’ll navigate and sail your crew, show you the hidden gems en route and ensure your safety is the priority. Skippers are also included with every booking.

  • + RYA Skipper License (or equivalent)
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  • + Will quite literally show you the ropes if you’d like to learn to sail

Elevate your week to a whole new level with a host. They'll whip up fresh meals for you on deck daily and keep your yacht in pristine condition. Add hosts to any yacht, as long as there's a cabin for them.

  • + Culinary genius
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Pay and sail

Payment plan.

Pay off your booking in 3 instalments.

Instalment 1 · Confirm booking 10 %

Instalment 2 · 30 days after 30 %

Instalment 3 · 60 days before you sail 60 %

You will only need to pay 10% at the time of booking to secure your space.

  • 10% deposit
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  • 60% of the remaining balance, due 60 days before your trip

As the lead booker, once you have added your crew to your booking they will create their own profiles and can view the booking and pay their share. That way you won’t have to send money back and forth between everyone in the crew.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT YACHT WEEK | 6 Things To Know Before You Go

Last summer, my friend and I spent a week exploring Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro then met up with Kiersten ‘The Blonde Abroad’ and the rest of our all-girls crew for a week of sailing in Greece with The Yacht Week . As a whole, I loved the experience, but there were several things I wish I would have know prior to booking the trip that would have allowed me to enjoy it to the fullest. So here are 6 things you should know before you go on Yacht Week.

Yacht-Week-Vanessa-Rivers

1) The Yacht Week will be more expensive than you think!

I budgeted around $75 a day for food and drinks for our seven day trip and quickly realized that that was not going to be enough. Upon arriving, we were told we needed to go shopping for costumes for the sailing competition and parties. Next, we had to put money in for the “Kitty Fund,” which is food and drinks for the boat for the week. We also had to pitch in money to tip our skipper and pay for gas for the boat. At the parties you usually get 1 or 2 free drinks with your wristband, but after, that you pay for your drinks. So it can get expensive, especially if you want to splurge on bottle service. It’s nice to have a heads up on all this so you can budget accordingly. Bottom line: if you plan to drink and eat out and don’t want to worry about running out of money, you should plan to spend around $130 USD/day. Here’s a quick budget breakdown…

$150 Kitty $50 Costumes $525 ($75/Day Restaurants + Drinks x 7 Days) $100 Gas/Tip for Skipper $100 Bottle Service _______ $925 TOTAL

yacht-week

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2) The Yacht Week is more about partying and less about sailing

Yes, you will sail from island to island (my favorite part of the trip!), but the main focus of Yacht Week is the parties they throw. There is a big welcome party the night you arrive, and for the rest of the trip, there are day parties and night parties every single day. I didn’t fully understand this coming into the trip so I wasn’t in the right frame of mind, but once I realized the basic agenda was sailing from party to party, I was able to just go with the flow and also plan some other stuff I wanted to do, without feeling like I was going to miss out.

With that said, I highly recommend skipping one or two of the day parties and exploring instead. On the Greece Route , forget the day party at Love Bay Beach (it’s a dirt beach and not that pretty) and check out Poros! There is a lot to see and you only get one night there, so skip the day party and wander around this cute little town. Also, Hydra Island ( my favorite stop on the Greece Route ) is another must see! Definitely ditch the day party and spend your time exploring this magical place. There are so many gorgeous spots to take photos on both islands.

Yacht-Week-Floaties

3) Unless you splurge on a bigger, nicer sailboat, you will not be able to use the toilet onboard for #2!

You can go pee on all the sailboats, but you can’t flush toilet paper down the toilets, and on many of them, you cannot go #2. I am sorry. I know this is a disgusting topic, but it is even more disgusting and horrifying to find yourself on a boat, sailing for hours or docked somewhere overnight, and realize there is nowhere that you can go to the bathroom. My friend Misha and I stayed at several hotels along the way because neither of us wanted to handle not having proper use of a toilet for days on end, but many girls were not as lucky, and there are some very embarrassing stories that I will not repeat here. Had we known about the bathroom situation prior, we would have splurged on a bigger sailboat that could accommodate people using the toilet. So make sure you look into this before you book your boat!

yacht-week-greece-sailing

4) Your boat will get dirty real quick!

We had an all-girls crew and our cabin still got crazy dirty every day. Make a pact to all help clean. If everyone pitches in, it takes just a few minutes a day to keep your boat clean. Stay on top of dishes. Do them right after you are done eating, and try to keep all your personal stuff in your own cabin. The last thing you want is to spend a week in a tiny cramped, filthy space. This is the real Yacht Week v. your Instagram Yacht Week…

yacht-week-dirty-boats

5) There is no air conditioning on the smaller sailboats

This is really not a big deal but when it’s very hot, it is hard to sleep in the cabins. I recommend bringing a yoga mat or buying one the first night you are there, so you can lay it out and sleep on the deck of the boat at night. And if you do choose to sleep on the deck, make sure someone sleeps next to you. A lot of people will be walking to and from the boats at all hours of the night, so it is safer to use the buddy system, especially for girls.

yacht-week-Vanessa-Rivers

6) You will have the time of your life!

Just go!   If you can’t find a friend to go with you, just go on your own. Every single girl on our boat was amazing and our skipper,  Gregor , was one of the kindest and most responsible guys I have ever met! I had the time of my life and I can’t wait to go on another Yacht Week trip, especially now that I know what to expect. It is nothing like the real world and it will be an amazing experience!

yacht-week

yacht-week-girls

Do you have you been on Yacht Week? Please share your stories, tips, and questions in the comments below! 

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6 Things To Know Before You Go On The Yacht Week

Vanessa Rivers

Hi! I’m Vanessa Rivers, a California surfer girl living in Malibu after seven years in London. I started Glitter&Mud to share my adventures around the world to help my readers make the most of their travels. I am a Founder of the popular travel community We Are Travel Girls and a proud mom to a little travel girl named Sadie. I hope my stories inspire you to travel more, see the beauty in the world around you, laugh more, love more and believe that anything is possible! EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER. BELIEVE. LOVE.

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46 comments.

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Great article Vanessa! I have been on Yacht Week a couple of times now, its super fun, but its definitely good for newbies to Yacht Week to hear how to prepare to make sure they really enjoy it! Completely agree on splurging on a bigger better boat, we went for a much larger yacht for BVI than we had in Croatia and it made such a difference! (Having a stand up cubicle shower next to my cabin was a treat!!) Thanks for sharing your tips! You girls and the bikinis are really cute too!! xoxo

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Done yacht week three times – great experience. But as you said its about party. Now moved on to Sailing Nations which focuses more on sailing and has super interesting sailing destinations.

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Hi Bob! Thanks for sharing! I will have to check out Sailing Nations. Sounds very cool! I love being out on the water. Sailing makes you feel so free!

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I’ll be leaving in a few weeks. Wondering what the currency will be like and how much to exchange. Did you use Euros? Or Kuna?

Hi Liz! Greece is on the EURO. Are you coming from the US? Right now 1 USD = .90 EURO – Enjoy your trip! X

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Croatia is on the Kuna.

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Great article ! really helpful for rookie yacht weeks . I will leave in a few weeks for the Italy route. Do the budget shown here applies for italy as well?

Hi Gil! I haven’t bee on the Italy route yet but the activities and cost will probably be similar. Have fun!!!

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What currency is your estimated cost list in? Thanks so much!

Hi Eloise! It is in USD! X

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Hello Vanessa. I’ve got a group of 4-6 guys who want to go to Croatia next June and definitely want a higher end boat. I assume we should be able to set this up as their must be others who are willing to spend more to get more. A couple of questions; are all boats single sex boats? Would it be wise to get a few hotels at some of the ports/stops? How about paying for a single cabin? Basically I’m trying to gather as much information as possible before booking starts in a couple of weeks. Thank you, Chip

Hi Chip! If you just want the boat to be your 6 friends I am sure you can find a high-end boat that will work for you (you’ll just need to pay more for a nicer boat) but generally Yacht Week wants there to be at least 50% girls on the boat. So there are all girl boats and mixed male/female boats but rarely all male boats. However I am sure it is possible to have an all male boat. I would contact Yacht Week directly to ask about this: [email protected] | As far as hotels, if you get a nice boat with proper bathrooms you won’t need to rent hotel rooms. I would recommend putting the money you would spend on hotels rooms towards getting a nicer boat with nice, proper bathrooms. Have a blast on your trip! X

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Hi Vanessa, excellent piece of work! I wanted to ask you few things because i’m planning to go with some friends of mine from Argentina. If you can answer, that will be appreciated. 1. I read that a Hostess is really helpfull. But, the captain that is not included, is 100% neccesary? 2. How much is the bottle service approximately? 3. How much did you spend, between food, drinks, extras and yatch during the entire week? 4. It’s recommended to make a reservation just for me and my friend, and then the company join us with another group for the 50% rate of men?

Hi Juan! Thanks for your questions! 1) You don’t need a hostess but I am sure it would be nice to have one. You absolutely need a captain or a skipper to sail the boat. 2) Bottle service prices vary depending on where you go. We did the Greece route and I think our bottle service was about 150 EURO for 1 bottle but again this varies. 3) In my post you will see the price breakdown. It was approx $925 USD for the week for my trip. 4) Yes, I would book spots for you and your friend and the rest of the boat will be filled with a mix of males and females for a 50% female/male ratio.

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Your review was so helpful! We just booked a yacht for Greece!! Cannot wait!

Hi Sharita! I’m glad my post was helpful! Have a blast in Greece!!! X

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Hi Vanessa. Thanks for your blog post # 1 was most important for me as I definitely wanted to know how much additional cost I would be spending. I typically budget $100 per day for trips. Great blog post in general. I will be sharing this with my crew.

Thank you Orane! Glad you found the post useful! And thanks so much for sharing it. If you or your friends have any questions about The Yacht Week you are welcome to post them in the comments section here and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible. X

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Hi! When I think of yacht week, I want those typical parties where the boats link together in the ocean and create a mini village to mingle for the day. I’ve only heard of this on Croatia routes. Does this happen for Greece at all?

Also what’s the age range like?

Hi Arly! This does happen on the Greece route, and I think all of the routes! The age range is typically a majority of people in their early to late twenties, with some people a little younger and some people in their early to mid thirties. Most people you will be in there twenties. I think I was twenty-nine when I went, which is on the older side! Have a blast!

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Hi Vanessa! Great article. My best friend and I plan on doing Croatia this summer! The $130/day you estimated, does that include the port fees and electric fees at each port? Thanks!

Hi Lindsey – thanks for reaching out. I don’t remember specific cost for port fees or any electric fees but I know our Kitty Fund that everyone pitched money into at the start of the trip cover all the boat related costs on the trip, so yes, all your boat fees are included in the $130/day! X

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Hey Lindsey, are you and your friend booking your own yatch? We’re looking for two girls to join our crew for week 25.

Question: the catamarans seem a lot more stable (and thus probably a better place to gather people for the party) whereas the Beneteau Oceanis 60 is just a sexy beast. We want to make sure we can have people over at our boat to party (and that it is stable enough for it). Which one do you think is the way to go (from your observations)?

Hi Kay – I am not a boat expert but I think any sailboat would be fine to have people on to “party” as long as you don’t go over the max weight limit for the boat. The skipper will let you know how many extra people you can have. X

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Have you reviewed or compared the two routes? I can’t decide between Croatia and Greece. I have visited both and loved them both for different reasons. But, I am so torn between the two routes.

Hi Jami! I have been to both Croatia and Greece but I have only done Yacht Week Greece. I can personally say YW Greece was amazing but don’t have any experience with the Croatia route. However I am sure it is amazing too! My friend Kirsten – The Blonde Abroad – has done both and she gives a good review here: http://theblondeabroad.com/2014/11/03/best-route-yacht-week/

Hope this is helpful!

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Hello Hello, may I ask what marina did you leave from and did you happen to see any yacht week prop stores near the marina are on your route? Someplace to buy floaties, temporary tattoos, UV body paint, and the like. We’re trying to maximize our carry on space by strategizing what we can buy in Athens.

Hi Lynette! I took this trip a few years ago so sorry I do not remember the name of the marina but I remember stores for everything we wanted to buy were within walking distance of our boat including a place to buy floaties, body paint and costumes etc! So unless there is something specific you want you can just go buy stuff with your boat crew when you arrive! 😉

Where do the floaties go after Yacht week? I leave in about 3 weeks and am purchasing floaties now. But every photo I see everyone is on a floatie. Would it make sense to just buy some off of them instead of lugging them half way accross the planet in a carry-on? Or is somewhere in Split just the location of the worlds largest floatie graveyard

Hi Jason! On the Greece route there was a store right in the harbor where we bought floaties the day before we set sail. I don’t know what people do with their floaties after yacht week. Mine got holes along the way and deflated so I threw them away but I would have given them to someone if they made it to the end! You can probably just wait and buy them when you get there. Maybe buy one floatie before and then get the rest when you arrive that way you know you at least have one!

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Vanessa, Great article. I’m planning on doing this with a few friends. I noticed that you kept bringing up bottle service as being expensive. What if we ended up buying a lot of supplies (booze included) before getting on the boat. Would that be an issue? Maybe you pointed this out already and I stupidly missed it. Thanks.

Hi Allen! Thanks for your comment! I just mentioned that if you want to splurge on bottle service it is expensive and can add up quickly. You can also of course buy supplies and just drink on the boat and not spend money when you go out to the parties but you can’t bring alcohol with you the clubs obviously, so if you want to drink while there you will need to factor in the extra cost of drinks. TYW gives you a wrist band that usually gives you at least 2 free drinks at each party but you have to buy your own drinks after that so just be sure to factor in the cost if you plan to drink when going out!

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Great read, very helpful! I noticed you mentioned 100$ for tip/gas (how many people were on the boat total?) Just trying to get a rough estimate on how much we should tip our skipper, including myself, we have 7 people.

Hi Jade! We had a crew of 8 girls. I think the amount you tip should depend more on how good your skipper is/ how much he does and how much your sailboat cost to rent. We had a small, cheaper boat but our skipper was really awesome so we wanted to tip him well. He went above and beyond to make sure we were all safe, happy and having fun! Hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more questions! Have fun!

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Is there a farewell party Friday night on the Greece route?

Hi Alyssa – Thanks for your comment. I don’t remember there being a farewell party on Friday night! X

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Thanks for the help! Does anyone have any recommendations for other cities/countries to visit before/after Croatia yacht week? Trying to book a 2-week trip overall, and there are so many options! Would love help narrowing it down! 🙂

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Hey Vanessa, There are 8 of us girls looking into booking this summer, Greece or Montenegro route but we are concerned about the age range. We are between 30-35…what was the age range like? Also, we were debating on if we book in pairs (cabins) and be on separate boats or if we book our own, what are your thoughts?

Hi Kelsy! Thanks for your comment! Most people are in their 20s on yacht week but there are lots of people in their 30s too so you girls won’t feel out of place. I would try to rent your own boat all together. It will be easier if you are all together otherwise you will spend most of the trip just trying to meet up. Yacht week is about relaxing and having fun so you don’t want to work about stuff like that on your trip. You will also have plenty of time to mix and mingle with other people at the parties and when you are docked together or anchored during the day together! Hope you ladies have a blast! If any of you want to write a guest post about what it is like to do yacht week in your 30s I would LOVE to publish your story here! X, Vanessa

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how much was it for each bottle for bottle service? would it be liter bottles or standard US 750ml bottles?

Hi! Bottle service in Greece when I went was around 150-200 EURO for US 750ml bottles. Cheers!

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Is there a ‘best’ month to do yacht week? My friends and I don’t want to do the Ultra music festival. Curious if July or August is better. Thanks!

Hi Kelly! I don’t think there is really a best month but you might find cheaper flights and the places you go to might be a little less crowded in August. June and July are peak high season so best to try to avoid touristy spots during those months if you can.

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Do you remember how much of your budget you were able to pay for with credit card, or how much of it had to be paid for with cash? I want to avoid converting too much of my money into cash euros for the Greece trip.

Hi Kurt! I paid for my spot on our boat with my credit card online prior to the trip. Everything else I paid for in cash. It is much easier if you have cash on hand to pay for meals and drinks etc. If you get bottle service at a bar you will be able to pay with a card but a drink here or there and meals where you are in a group it is much easier to each just throw in some cash. I would suggest taking maybe $300 out before you start the trip then getting more at one of your stops along the way that way just to be safe. I did not have anything stolen from me on the trip but it is always a risk if you have too much cash with you. Have fun! X, Vanessa

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NHL

What was the best team in NHL history without a single Hall of Fame player?

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Ryan O'Reilly #90 celebrates with teammate Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the St Louis Blues after beating the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final at the TD Garden on June 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Today’s time-waster is a simple one: What’s the best team in history that didn’t have a single Hall of Fame player on the roster?

A few of you have sent in variations of the question over the years, and it’s a good one. Nice and easy. I’m not even sure we need the traditional bullet-point ground rules.

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We’ll do this by decade, more or less, going back to the first expansion. For more recent teams, we’ll obviously have to use some judgment and common sense over who might make the Hall someday. The 2017-18 Capitals don’t have a single Hall of Famer right now, but I have a feeling that Ovechkin guy might get in eventually, so we won’t count them. That challenge will get easier as we work back, but never completely go away, since the committee sometimes drops a decades-old selection on us, seemingly out of nowhere. But we’ll do our best, and maybe check in with old pal Paul Pidutti and his Adjusted Hockey model for a sanity check when we need it.

With that in mind, let’s give this a shot. We’ll start in the 2010s and work our way back.

Most of the great teams of this decade are from the Penguins , Lightning and Capitals, which all have guys I’d consider eventual slam dunks. The Kings have Drew Doughty and the Bruins have Patrice Bergeron, so they don’t work. The 2010-11 Canucks were dominant, but they had the Sedins and Roberto Luongo. And there are some great teams from the Rangers and Ducks and Sharks that get eliminated by Martin St. Louis and Teemu Selanne and Joe Thornton.

This won’t be easy. Which of course is the whole point.

A few teams do jump out as candidates. The obvious one is the 2018-19 Blues , who weren’t exactly a great team during the season but did win the Stanley Cup. At first glance, they seemed like an ideal team for this sort of exercise, one that was more than the sum of its parts and wasn’t driven by a legendary superstar. I don’t think Ryan O’Reilly is on a HHOF track, Vladimir Tarasenko would need a hell of a finishing kick to even get in the conversation and younger guys like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou aren’t on pace yet.

The one name here that could derail us is Alex Pietrangelo . He doesn’t have a Norris, but he’s a three-time all-star with two Cups, and his similarity list is filled with guys like Scott Niedermayer, Doug Wilson and Larry Murphy. I checked Adjusted Hockey, where they use a point system with a standard HHOF cutoff for defensemen of 269. Pietrangelo scores … 269 on the nose. Great. No clarity there, but the implication is that he’s on pace to at least be a strong candidate, so let’s keep looking.

Two other teams stick out as possibilities. The first is the 2015-16 Stars, who hit the 50-win mark while winning the Central. Their top scorers were Jamie Benn , Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza, and while Benn still has a shot at the HHOF, he would feel like an underdog at this point. The other is the 2016-17 Wild, who had 49 wins and 106 points under Bruce Boudreau. They’ve got a couple of maybes in Eric Staal and Ryan Suter , but I don’t think either guy is going to make it.

All in all, I think the Blues have to be the pick for the decade, unless Pietrangelo ruins it. Let’s see what we can find by going back a bit further.

yacht week 2009

This decade’s top seasons are dominated by teams like Detroit and San Jose, who don’t help us. But as it turns out, we don’t have to go very far down the list to get to a team that definitely does.

That would be the 2006-07 Sabres , who won 53 games on their way to 113 points and the franchise’s only Presidents’ Trophy. They went to the conference final before losing to Ottawa, but none of the skaters stand out as Hall candidates. The best of the group were co-captains Chris Drury and Danny Briere, who famously both left as UFAs that summer. Neither is getting in, and neither are Thomas Vanek or Brian Campbell. The one guy who could derail us is Ryan Miller , who was eligible for the first time this year and didn’t make the cut. The Hall is weird about goalies, and Miller has a case that slots in behind Curtis Joseph but alongside names like Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask . I think he probably falls short, but we may not know for a while.

We get a near-miss from those 2007 Senators, who beat the Sabres and went to the final with a collection of good-but-not-legendary guys that included 2022 inductee Daniel Alfredsson. The 2006 Hurricanes you’re probably thinking about had Mark Recchi.

The Sabres are the pick here, but if I need a Miller-related backup then I’ll take the 2009-10 Coyotes, who somehow won 50 games with a roster where Shane Doan is the best candidate by a mile. Honestly, the next-best option might be 40-year-old Mathieu Schneider, whose Coyotes career lasted eight games. That team was as rag-tag as they come. Would it shock you to learn that head coach Dave Tippett won the Jack Adams that year?

Children, be warned — we’re about to reach back into a time in NHL history when there were no points for losing. Will we be able to find any good teams at all without a contrived standings page to boost them up? Let’s find out …

Huh. Maybe this was a bad idea.

The difficulty sure seems to ramp up once we get to the 1990s, and while I didn’t really think this through initially, it makes sense. Today’s NHL is a young man’s league, but back then it wasn’t unusual for star players to still be considered in their prime well into their 30s. If you were a decent team, you probably had a few guys like that; if you didn’t, you tried to get them. And since they were still productive, they naturally filtered towards the contenders, a sort of hockey circle of life that’s making our job a lot tougher on today’s question.

How tough? The best team I could find in terms of points had just 92. Back then, a 92-point season was pretty good, roughly the equivalent of a low 100-point season today. This particular team at least backed up their regular season with a strong playoff, going all the way to the final. I’m guessing a few of you just figured out who it is.

Yes, it’s our old pals the 1995-96 Florida Panthers , the team we’ve singled out as being personally responsible for the Dead Cap era that ruined hockey. Not only did they not have a Hall of Famer on the roster, there’s nobody who’s even remotely close. Unless the committee absolutely loses their mind on 300-win goalies and eventually inducts John Vanbiesbrouck, this pick is as safe as they come.

By the way, honorable mention goes to the 1993-94 Capitals, just because it feels like we have to have some ’90s Caps representation here. Before Ovechkin came along, there was a time when you could count on the Capitals to have Mike Ridley as their leading scorer, a trio of 30-year-old goalies, all the goals coming from their defensemen and Craig Berube involved in a lot of fights either for or against them. They’d have 88 points and finish third in the Patrick before losing in the second round. We used to be a society.

If the ’90s were tough, I can only imagine what we’re up against next.

The Islanders and Oilers dominate the decade, and obviously don’t help us. Neither do the Flames, Bruins or Habs. I got briefly excited at the mid- and late ’80s Flyers , but Mark Howe ruins that. And so we start scrolling.

We have a near-miss on a legitimately great team in the 1980-81 Blues, who had 107 points, but borderline HHOFer Bernie Federko puts a stop to that. There are some very good early ’80s North Stars teams that get taken out by Dino Ciccarelli. And as much as I’d love to use the 86-87 Whalers, that was before they gave away Ron Francis.

In the end, the only 90-plus point teams I can find are the 1981-82 and 1983-84 Rangers. They had 92 and 93 points, respectively, and the 1982 team even won a round. Both were eliminated by the Islanders dynasty, but the 1982 team took them to six games, and the 1984 squad even pushed them to the brink of elimination in Round 1, something only one other team did during the Isles’ 19-series win streak. Those Rangers teams actually had a lot of turnover between them, but were led by hard-nosed defenseman Barry Beck and had fun players like Ron Duguay and Anders Hedberg. No Hall of Famers, though — Vanbiesbrouck shows up again, but we’re otherwise safe on these picks. We’ll go with the 1981-82 team, which at least won a round, and did have a 103-point scorer in Mike Rogers.

One last decade (and change) to go before we call it a day.

There’s no point even trying this for a six-team league, so this is as far back as we’ll go. I’m assuming we’ll end up with an expansion team here, but let’s see.

We come close with the 1974-75 Kings, who somehow managed 105 points despite not having any skater crack 80 points in an era where everyone did. Unfortunately for us, Rogie Vachon’s surprise election after three decades of eligibility scuttles that.

Those late ’60s expansion teams aren’t as much help as I’d hoped, because most of them were terrible and the Blues had Glenn Hall. Some of the 1970s additions do offer up options, like the 1974-75 Canucks, who won the Smythe Division with André Boudrias leading the charge. The Atlanta Flames show up in 1978-79, winning 41 games with 100-point seasons from the dynamic duo of Bob MacMillan and Guy Chouinard. And the 1974-75 Penguins are fun, posting 89 points while being led by Ron Schock and Syl Apps, but not that Syl Apps.

But I think our winner here is the 1979-80 North Stars, and no I don’t want to have a philosophical argument about whether they’re a ’70s or ’80s team right now. They went 36-28-16 while finishing fourth in goals scored and sixth in fewest goals allowed. Their offensive leaders were Al MacAdam and Steve Payne, their goalie was Gilles Meloche and their best defenseman was Craig Hartsburg. They made the playoffs, swept the Leafs in the preliminary round, and then wrote their names in the history books by being the team to end the Canadiens’ dynasty, becoming the first team in five years to beat Montreal in the playoffs with a seven-game upset.

Maybe 88 points isn’t a lot, but slaying a giant is worth a few bonus marks. The North Stars are our team

And the winner is …

That’s as far as we’re going to need to go, and of the teams we’ve found, I think the 2006-07 Sabres are the safest bet. The Blues won the Cup, yes, but I think it’s probably too early to feel safe on ruling out Pietrangelo. Meanwhile, that Sabres team was scary good, a very legitimate Cup contender that absolutely could have won it all if things had broken a bit differently in the postseason. I’m a little nervous about an eventual Miller induction ruining this for us, but hopefully if that happens he’ll do the right thing and decline to help us out.

Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got a team you think I missed, let me hear it. I’m also open to nominations for current or recent teams that you think might make the list someday.

(And yes, I know you folks well enough to guess that now you want to know the worst team with the most Hall of Famers. We’ll get to that one someday.)

(Photo of Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko: Brian Babineau / NHLI via Getty Images)

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Sean McIndoe

Sean McIndoe has been a senior NHL writer with The Athletic since 2018. He launched Down Goes Brown in 2008 and has been writing about hockey ever since, with stops including Grantland, Sportsnet and Vice Sports. His book, "The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL," is available in book stores now. Follow Sean on Twitter @ DownGoesBrown

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West Highland Yachting Week

West Highland Yachting Week

On the Crest of a Wave for 76 years         27th July – 2nd August 2024

West Highland Yachting Week

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Unlike many other events, West Highland Week encourages competitors to enter for individual races if they do not want to take part in the whole Series. Some choose to enter only for the passage races, or just one race – or even a feeder race before going off on a cruise.

In addition to spinnaker classes, restricted sail classes are offered which attract skippers with limited experience, crew or equipment. Whilst these classes also suit the yachts with small children aboard, some of the most competitive crew members are the children themselves!

The regatta moves from place to place during the week, a week which will see yachts passing many miles of different coastline. They will see great numbers of islands, mountains, lochs, castles and wildlife, all providing a spectacular backdrop to the close and varied racing.

Many of our competitors are infrequent racers, often first timers – the Committee is always delighted to encourage those dipping a toe into racing waters for the first time.

THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

The ultimate group adventure to the world's first floating festival. Live on a yacht, explore Croatia and tick a new thing off your bucket list every day.

Trips start from $610 per person

“You’ve never traveled like this”

This is a proper summer. You, your mates & the open water. Oh and about 400 other people, a bunch more yachts & raves on remote islands. If there’s one thing you should do before you die, it’s hug your mother. If there are two things you do before you die, go on Yacht Week.

and it all starts in

We first set sail for Croatia 15 years ago. This is where it all began and we’ve been back every year since. With its sparkling oceans, iconic sites & ancient walled cities, Croatia is the iconic, original destination of Yacht Week. An absolute essential stop for any Eurotrip.

set sail on the adriatic sea.

The regatta.

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come together in secret bays.

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The tunnel raft

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“THE PARTY OF A LIFETIME”

Explore historic islands.

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Hvar starigrad bol vis

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BE A PART OF THE LEGENDARY CIRCLE RAFT

"That was the best f***ing week of my life"

-Kevin, Buffalo, NY...

(to anyone who will listen)

party in an ancient fort.

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Fort George

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And everything in between.

flotilla sailing

to choose from

may 25 - sep 6

FOR THE UNINITIATED

This is not fyre festival.

yacht week 2009

We’ve been running this for 15 years. We’ve hosted over 100 000 people on the water... And we don’t even have a Netflix documentary.

You don't need to own a yacht.

yacht week 2009

Choose from our trusty fleet & a Yacht is yours for the week.  It’s basically like AirBnb – if an AirBnb could float.  And travel between islands. And take you to hidden bays. Ok it’s literally nothing like an AirBnb.

YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SAIL.

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Every Yacht has its own Skipper.  They’ll be with you all week, fully trained captains of the high seas. Carefully steering you through the best week of your life.

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Full week pass + yacht

From $610 per person

IMAGES

  1. 10 photos of The Yacht Week, a sun-fueled party on the sea

    yacht week 2009

  2. A Detailed Guide to The Yacht Week Greece

    yacht week 2009

  3. 10 photos of The Yacht Week, a sun-fueled party on the sea

    yacht week 2009

  4. Cowes Week 2009

    yacht week 2009

  5. 10 photos of The Yacht Week, a sun-fueled party on the sea

    yacht week 2009

  6. The Yacht Week

    yacht week 2009

COMMENTS

  1. The Yacht Week 2009 on Vimeo

    Book your own yacht next summer, 150 yachts, people from 14 countries, an amazing week! The Yacht Week 2009 on Vimeo Solutions

  2. Yacht Week

    The best of Yacht Week in original and new destinations. Expect circle rafts, secluded coves and the best eating, drinking and partying on the planet whichever route you choose. Dates May - Aug. Price from €613 pp. Most popular.

  3. Yacht Week

    The Yacht Week has been a yearly event since 2006. Sail, dance, and live on a yacht with your friends and hundreds of other Yacht Weekers. The Yacht Week 2019 in Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and ...

  4. The Yacht Week

    Join The Yacht Week in Greece, Italy and Croatia for the summer and the British Virgin Islands for New Year and Spring sailing from €500 pp including a skipp...

  5. About us

    2009. 2008. 2007. 2006. Work with us. Since 2006, Yacht Week has created extraordinary sailing experiences that spread joy and spark an appreciation for our planet. A big part of our success is down to our knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hardworking team.

  6. The Yacht Week Story

    A decade of discovery.From 30 yachts in 2006, to 1353 booked in 2015: Watch the tale of two Swedes unfold into the epic story of The Yacht Week. www.theyacht...

  7. Croatia, Original

    Yacht week was absolutely amazing and the best way to see Croatia in our opinion. We tacked on a few days in Split and Trojir but overall couldn't be more grateful we saw so many islands. H. Hannah. The yacht week Croatia was absolutely amazing! We got to sail the sea, swim in stunning bags, party at luxurious beach bars, and make memories in ...

  8. Week selection

    A series of sailing festivals staged in 7 hand-picked destinations around the world.

  9. Why Yacht Week

    The best routes & programming. There's more to a Yacht Week than a circle raft (though we do those too). Our team is on the ground early, making sure that every activity, swim stop, yoga session, and party is planned out - so you have the time to explore, relax and party.

  10. Lakewood zoning dispute may come down to board member's conflict

    Pfeffer did not respond to requests for comment this week. ... Head Planning Board's review of a land use application next to the Bay Head Yacht Club. ... closed in 2009 and in 2015 the building ...

  11. The Yacht Week 2009 on Vimeo

    A week of sailing in the Mediterranean Croatia 25 July - 22 August and Greece 18-25 July Music by Richard Grey who will perform live in Croatia check… The Yacht Week 2009 on Vimeo Solutions

  12. Japanese man arrested after sailing his yacht to Navy base on Okinawa

    U.S. military police "arrested a Japanese man who landed within the premises of White Beach on a yacht" and reported it to the coast guard at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday, a coast guard news release said.

  13. Here's where to get your Boat Week merch this week

    Missy Smith, the auxiliary's commodore, said the display of apparel would be out from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and Saturday morning with whatever items were left unsold.

  14. Yacht Week: A Beginner's Guide

    Yacht Week's brief history. The Yacht Week got its start nearly two decades ago. Directors and founders Eric Biorklund and William Wenckel worked for the same company as charter-boat captains in Europe when inspiration struck. A two-week period in Greece was so much fun that they became fast friends with their guests.

  15. Where do Loons stand as summer transfer window opens?

    Minnesota United called on three midfielders to fill in as defenders during Wednesday's match against D.C. United. It ended in catastrophe. D.C. striker Christian Benteke assisted and scored on ...

  16. Summer of Love

    Reconnect, recentre and renew with us, your friends and hundreds of like-minded adventurers. This year, Yacht Week celebrates the Summer of love. Seven days in paradise, living your best life at sea. In this haven, free spirits come together, forging connections as robust as yacht sails. Cupids guide hearts towards romances that blossom like ...

  17. How Does The Yacht Week Work?

    Your step-by-step guide. 1. Choose from our yacht categories or pick your own! 2. Choose your crew; sail with a group or join a shared yacht. 3. Pay & sail; secure your spot for just a 10% deposit. 1.

  18. THE TRUTH ABOUT YACHT WEEK

    2) The Yacht Week is more about partying and less about sailing. Yes, you will sail from island to island (my favorite part of the trip!), but the main focus of Yacht Week is the parties they throw. There is a big welcome party the night you arrive, and for the rest of the trip, there are day parties and night parties every single day.

  19. Everything You Need To Know About The Yacht Week

    Here's what a typical day looked like for me at Yacht Week Croatia: 8am: wake up, head upstairs, drink iced coffee on the deck (hostess for the win!) while people watching and waiting for the rest of the crew to wake up. 10am: eat breakfast on deck as a crew, usually laughing at each other about the previous night.

  20. What was the best team in NHL history without a single Hall of Fame

    The Sabres are the pick here, but if I need a Miller-related backup then I'll take the 2009-10 Coyotes, who somehow won 50 games with a roster where Shane Doan is the best candidate by a mile.

  21. Photos: A busy week on the water

    Photos: A busy week on the water With Duluth Yacht Club races and a voyage by decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sundew, there was a lot of action on Lake Superior and the harbor.

  22. Yacht Week FAQ

    Life on Yacht Week. 6 articles. Our Booking Options. 13 articles. Payments & Cancellations. 11 articles. Yacht Week FAQ.

  23. The Yacht Week Planner

    Introducing Yacht Week planner. Invite friends, synchronise your dates and collaborate your week together

  24. 2009 Charleston Race Week

    Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... 2009 Charleston Race Week ...

  25. 2009 Block Island Race Week XXIII

    Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... 2009 Block Island Race Week XXIII ...

  26. Browse destinations

    Yacht Week is the original floating festival. Our routes have been carefully curated over the last 15 years to give our guests the best possible experience. Choose a route, then a week and a yacht to build your own adventure. Croatia Original. Jul | Aug | Sep | May | Jun. 7 days from $671/ person.

  27. The Yacht Week 2009 on Vimeo

    The Exclusive Summer Sailing Event! Starting from only €300/ person you can hire your own yacht! The Yacht Week provides an exhilarating experience of sailing,…

  28. West Highland Yachting Week

    The regatta moves from place to place during the week, a week which will see yachts passing many miles of different coastline. They will see great numbers of islands, mountains, lochs, castles and wildlife, all providing a spectacular backdrop to the close and varied racing.

  29. Yacht Week Summer 2024

    The ultimate group adventure to the world's first floating festival. Live on a yacht, explore Croatia and tick a new thing off your bucket list every day. -Time Out. This is a proper summer. You, your mates & the open water. Oh and about 400 other people, a bunch more yachts & raves on remote islands.