The Cayman Islands Sailing Club has added a new boat to its fleet, following a recent purchase of a new inflatable dinghy.
The 16-foot soft hull boat, powered by a 40 horsepower Yamaha engine, arrived at the CISC facility in Red Bay on 10 June.
Alan Roffey, CISC Commodore, told the Cayman Compass that the new addition was long overdue.
“We’ve traditionally had a fleet of around three coaching boats… but they have passed the point where they are safe and effective,” he said. “They have been used extensively for more than a decade.”
According to Roffey, the new boat, which was purchased locally, cost around $23,000. He noted that the expenses were covered by donations from the sailing community.
Patricia Cunningham, along with her husband Peter who claimed the local circumnavigated record in April, were among those who donated towards the new coaching boat.
In May last year, CISC purchased 18 training Hartley dinghies, that cost just under $170,000. Patricia Cunningham told the Compass that her contribution was to assist in the continued success of young Caymanian sailors.
“We’ve been members for nearly 25 years and the kids’ programme has just grown exponentially,” she said. “This [new coaching boat] is just going to make their life so much easier, it’s going to be safer and better for the children.”
Related Videos
