Blog

On the first Friday every month, we organize a French Wine Tasting together with local Wine Distributor 'Le Gout Du Vin'  for our Marina Guests.
It is a unique opportunity to mingle with other yachts women / men as well as the management and staff of the marina.
French atmosphere and a 'classy' French setting: Taste some of the best wines selected by Martial from 'Le Gout Du Vin' and try our cheeses selected by our Captain Etienne.
The dates are: December 9, 2011, January 6, 2012, February 3, 2012, March 2, 2012, April 6, 2012 and the last time on the 4th of May 2012. 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

During what should be considered the wettest weekend in November, the 8th edition of the Course de L'Alliance started off with a splash and ended in a squall, giving participants a fun but exhausting three day regatta. Organizers of the event were pleased with the 22 boat turnout, including a surprising entry from Guadeloupe and several newcomers out of neighboring island St.Barths.

This regatta took the participants on a three day journey to some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and combined fantastic food with fun competitive racing. St.Maarten boats made a clean sweep of the regatta taking first place in each class over the weekend.

Teams Budget Marine Too, L'Esperance, Tamaya and Katzenellenbogen all made it to the podium to pick up their trophies.

This unique event started in Simpson Bay on Friday November 25th and competitors were greeted on the start line with gentle shifty winds that later developed into rain squalls. This weather maintained itself throughout the day and made for difficult racing to St.Barths. The racer and racer/cruiser classes enjoyed a combined start, allowing for some great action across the start line. First to cross the finish line just outside the port of Gustavia was multihull Dauphin Telecom. Competitors turned out in large numbers for dinner that night at local restaurant Eddy's in Gustavia. French cuisine and great wine let the racers enjoy the evening and rest up for the next day's racing.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Saturday morning started out with more rain showers and an increase in the shifting winds from the previous day, giving the competitors a lot of work to do while making their way from St.Barths, north over St.Maarten, down the Anguilla channel and around to Sandy Ground. Due to the constant changes in the winds the course was eventually shortened at Anguilita. Budget Marine Too crossed the line first on Saturday, most likely assisted by a 22 knot wind squall that kept them busy for a while. Some competitors reported even heavier squalls which made for interesting racing. Competitor Green Flash, a Norman Cross Trimaran who failed to finish on Fridays course, wound up coming in first for Saturday, proving that it was anyone's game up until that point. Dinner in the sand that night with a traditional Caribbean Bar-B-Que from Roy's Restaurant in Sandy Ground let the crews revel in their stories of the days racing while they were treated to an impromptu performance by Jan Beaujon and Raymond Magras who brought out their guitar and accordion. Their performance created a atmosphere of old fashioned West Indian revelry, which was an unexpected treat for all.

Sunday brought out the remaining winds and it seemed like the weather gods felt that a torrential downpour would create an even more interesting regatta. For the first time, many of the competitors had no idea where they were in the Anguilla channel as they could not see in any direction, and most had to rely on their compass and GPS units to make it back to Marigot. Once again Dauphin Telecom crossed the finish line first and the crew was very happy to be able to go straight into the Marina for some much needed drying off. Due to the extreme weather conditions and light winds, the finish time on Sunday was extended by 30 minutes to allow competitors to finish.

Once back at Marina Fort Louis in Marigot, competitors were treated to snacks and drinks at the newly built Marina Fort Louis Yacht Club Restaurant, which boasts a very French atmosphere, great food and wonderful service. This is the first prize giving for this event that has taken place at the Marina and the owners of the event were pleased that the competitors were finally able to enjoy their newest Marina addition.
Saturday night entertainers Jan Beaujon and Raymond Magras were each given bottles of wine to thank them for their performance and all competitors who placed 1st to 3rd in class received a trophy while all boats competing received a much needed and much appreciated umbrella to complete the theme of the weekend!

The Restaurant under management of Valere Cocco and Carlo Costa has re-opened for the season and invites now to Italian-Creole cuisine. Well-known Italian Chef Toni Cuneo from Piemont and new Creole Chef Kenneth Hyman are serving different daily lunch specials at attractive 'brasserie' prices.
In the evening you can expect a fine dining experience with home made pasta and other Italian/Caribbean delicacies.
Breakfast is served from 7.00am until 11.00am (American Buffet-style or a la carte) and can be pre-booked at a discount here.

Enjoy the superb waterfront seating with a natural cool breeze, even on a hot summer day!
Every day, except on Sundays, the kitchen is open from 7.00am until 23.30pm.

If you are a moored at Marina Fort Louis, we will invite you for a free welcome drink - please talk to the front desk at the Marina office and get your voucher.

The dates for the 8th edition of the Course de L’Alliance are set: The three day event will be taking place November 25 - 27, 2011 and invites sailors to prepare for another fantastic and competitive sailing weekend. Up until today 10 boats committed to race: Ormeau, L'Espereance, Jaguar Island Water World, Guimamalou, Kick 'em Jenny, MoonDance, Cayennita Grande, Budget Marine Gill and French Connection.
Registration and Skippers Briefing will take place on Thursday, November 24, 2011 at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Simpson Bay.
The Prize giving will be at the Marina Fort Louis Yacht Club/Restaurant on Sunday, November 27, around 4:00pm, before the official opening ceremony of the Yacht Club!
As an initiative of Marina Fort Louis and the Yacht Club Fort Louis, the regatta brings four Yacht Clubs (Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, St Barths and Anguilla) together. The races traditionally take participants on a 3-island tour - visit exotic St.Barths, tranquil Anguilla and the unique island of St.Martin/St.Maarten.
A sailing experience like no other!
More info on Facebook and online registration on their website.

Marina Fort Louis is situated in Marigot, the capital of French St. Martin, French West Indies | French Caribbean. Located at 18°03 north and 63°05 west, the Marina is easily accessible by ocean - no bridge! We offer 150 berths at 3.5 m/12ft depth and welcome yachts up to 80m/260ft!

Conveniently located close to Restaurants, the West Indies Shopping Mall, Marigot Center and all necessary amenities, Marina Fort Louis provides 24 hour access to its secured docks. The magnificent bay of Marigot with its clear turquoise waters, the antique Fort Louis and the charming French West Indies lifestyle are the perfect start to a unique experience.

Marina Fort Louis is both: a great starting point to discover St. Martin / St Maarten or hub to leave for Miami or visit the Greater Antilles.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•