Canada- As the number of baby boomers nearing retirement has increased, and as they are spending more time on leisure pursuits, the number of boat sales has skyrocketed, resulting in a significant and positive impact on the boating industry.

The baby boomer generation, comprised of approximately 80 million North Americans born between the years of 1946 and 1964, represent a sizable portion of the consuming public, and their spending habits and lifestyle, have by sheer numbers, had a powerful influence on the economy. A big retirement spike is expected in the next couple of years as the first wave of the baby boomer generation start retiring. They will have both the time and the money to spend on hobbies, recreation, and all types of leisure activities including boating.

The 1st Annual Yachtbuddy.com Photographic Competition 2007 closes on the 31st August, 2007. You still have time to enter your favourite yachting photograph. Everyone is invited to enter- sailors, amateur photographers and professionals. The first prize is US $ 1,000! A further 9 prizes of certificates and Yachtbuddy t-shirts will be awarded. You can enter up to 4 photographs on the theme “Yachting”. For further information visit www.yachtbuddy.com and click on Photo Competition. Have a look at recent entries and get ready to be a winner!

Monday, 21st May, 2007. Luna Rossa Challenge goes to the Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup on Sunday after the fourth consecutive win over BMW ORACLE Racing. The Italian challenger heads to the final pairing at the Louis Vuitton Cup for the second time. In 2000, Luna Rossa beat America One to win the challenger selection series and advance to the America’s Cup Match. Who Luna Rossa will face is yet to be decided. Desafío Español 2007 won its second match in its series against Emirates Team New Zealand yesterday. The scoreline is now 4-2 for the Kiwis, who need one more win to advance to the Final. No racing is scheduled today, Monday. Racing will resume on Tuesday afternoon with a 15:00 start.

Sunday, 20th May, 2007. At the height of the Cannes Film festival the most embarassing thing that can happen to a skipper is to run aground in front of the world press. MY Lady Moura, a 108-metre (354-foot) vessel belonging to Saudi billionaire Nasser Al-Rashid, ran aground a short distance off Cannes. One of the largest luxury yachts in the world, she hit submerged rocks. A tugboat had to pull her off, while passengers were evacuated.

Jerry Weintraub, Director of Oceans 13, and George Clooney held a Charity party in aid of the Darfur Charity ‘Not On Our Watch’ on board RM Elegant in Cap d’Antibes. Present were fellow partners and film stars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Scott Caan, Elliot Gould, Daniel Craig, Al Pacino and Don Chaedle. Angelina Jolie stayed at the hotel, playing with the kids. Tickets apparently went for up to US $ 200,000 and millions was raised. OK! Magazine apparently paid royally for the picture and interview rights.