[magnusmurphy]

Hi, not sure if you''ve made your arrangements by now or when you planned to go.
Here''s another suggestion:
The Pacific Northwest

The months: July to Sept (any two).

I''m taking my family on a three months cruise with our Dufour 36 up the inner passage, possibly over to the Queen Charlotte Islands and maybe down the West side of Vancouver Island on the way back. We''re leaving beginning of July and will return end of September.
I have two daughters (9 and 12) and will catch up with the Sept. schoolwork on the boat.

This area has almost unlimited little bays, great wildlife and an opportunity to truly escape from it all. If you go to the Desolation Sound area the water is even warm enough for some great swimming. In other areas there are some hot springs but the ocean itself is cold.
No tropical beaches unfortunately, but other redeeming qualities will make up for it. You can also easily get your boat to Vancouver with Dockwise, although I''m not sure about the schedules for this year. Shipping your own boat to your destination may be preferable than chartering for months. On the other hand, if you charter for a long time you may be able to get a good rate. Two years ago we chartered in the BVI for a month for the price of 1 1/2 weeks. You just have to negotiate, play the companies against each other, and go during a month that they have hundreds of boats sitting at the dock (we went in July). WE had a fantastic time, although I got tired of the indifferent attitude of this "tourist overrun paradise".

In the Pacific Norhtwest you''ll have an experience like no other. Just make sure you know how to read and manage tides and currents, otherwise you''ll be in big trouble very quickly.

M Murphy