Naia's Adventure
	The Crew
	The Boat
	Preparation
	Itinerary
	Trip Reports
	Caribbean Cruise

We've added new stuff, including movie clips,to the Trip Reports pages, to updates to this page and of our Caribbean cruising.

This site chronicals the adventures of the sailing Vessel "Nai'a", a Swan 53/043, and her crew, Bob and Kristin Beltrano.

The story begins with the summer (of '97) shakedown of boat and equipment within the confines of the southern California cruising grounds (Channel Islands and Catalina island). While mostly a pictoral essay, some text will be added to help share in some of the better ancedotes. Also, all email questions pertinant to the topics displayed or conditions/equipment encountered will be posted. There are two parts to this story. First was the Mexico Trip on our Hans Christian 43 Nai'a. Second was the Caribbean adventure on our New Nai'a, a Swan 53, hull no 43. While the first part of this web site deals with our Mexico Adventure with the Hans Christian. We are updated the site with photos taken during our First Caribbean Cruise (Winter 2000) and our current travels in the Caribbean with Swan Nai'a.

The Voyagers

Both Bob and Kristin are Pilots for United Airlines. Bob is currently a captain on the 767 flying out of Miami. Kristin is a First Officer on the new 777 flying out of New York.

Bob has been sailing for 20 years. Mostly in Hawaii and San Francisco. He has cruised Mexico and the Coast of California extensively. He currently holds the Coast Guards 100 ton Master's License (Near Coastal) with Sail and Towing endorsements. Bob has lived aboard Old Nai'a for 8 years and Kristin joined the boat in '95. They are both Ham Radio operators, holding the "Extra" class license. Bob's call sign is "KK7QQ" and Kristin's is "KK7MO".

Original Boat and Mission

Nai'a, a Hans 43 traditional cutter, was launched in 1981. We were the third owner of the vessel and acquired her in 1990. In that time, we sailed the boat extensively, (Hawaii to San Francisco, to Mexico and back to San Francisco, and on to Los Angeles where our trip began). In 97, a decision was made to take her to Mexico in the fall of '99. So, an extensive refit was in order. The refit included a new engine (Yanmar 88hp), new Sails (North), new Glacier Bay Freezer/Fridge/Air Conditioner, along with a huge variety of tangent components and updates to the already extensive list of things aboard. After all the work, expense and preparation was done, we decided we needed a bigger boat and shortly after our Mexico cruise, we sold her! That decision wasn't easy. We both loved the Hans Christian. She served us well. Our mission needs pointed us toward a bigger and faster boat in order to satisfy our cruise/work requirements. It is a long story, but, suffice to say, we met Patrick Adams from KKMI in San Francisco shortly after making our new boat decision and three weeks later....

THE NEW SWAN 53/043

In April of 2000 we purchased a 1991 Swan 53 in Miami Florida. She was named "Atlantica" and was the original "Highland Fling." She had a racing Pedegree and we spent the next six months updating her systems, adding things like Generators, watermakers and the like and making her our new home. We decided, after much debate, to rename her to "Nai'a." More on the refit to come later to this site.

Our site is primarily for boaters who are planning or doing a similar trip. And for our family and friends. We offer some previous knowledge and would like to share information as to how we solved some common problems and challenges.

Many more pictures are on the way.

Thanks.