Cuan Law is the third in the fleet of trimarans designed and built by the original owners of Trimarine Boat Company, Duncan and Annie Muirhead. Their daughter Sasha is now at the helm and continues running things with their traditions very much in mind!

Duncan was of Scottish heritage and his family home overlooks the Misty Law mountain range there. Law is Gaelic for mountain. Their first vessel which was built in Bristol, UK and was more of a collaboration than an original Duncan design was named the Misty Law in memory of these mountains as Annie and Duncan took off for their sailing adventure in the 1970’s.

They spent many seasons working charters in the Mediterranean in the summer months then sailing across the Atlantic to work the newly imagined Caribbean charter yacht experience in the winter months. One of those early guests, an enthusiastic Canadian businessman Hal McCarney, became a great friend and collaborator and in the 1980’s they planned, designed and and built the next vessel together with him, a luxury live-aboard dive vessel. She was built in Gananoque, Ontario. This one, the Lammer Law, was named after the largest mountain in the Misty Law range.

Duncan and Hal could not stop at two, so the third one came along and they started construction in June 1987, again in Gananoque, but although they wanted to stick with the “Law” tradition, they had run out of names. They decided to ask former guests to come up with ideas and following in the Gaelic tradition, Cuan Law was submitted. At the time they all understood Cuan to mean Ocean, hence Cuan Law = Ocean Mountain, quite apt for the largest sailing trimaran in the world. It was discovered a while later that another dialect of Gaelic translates Cuan to mean peaceful, which is also lovely, so Cuan Law = Ocean Mountain, or Peaceful Mountain!

When it comes to sailing, the type of vessel you choose can make all the difference in your experience on the water. If you’ve spent time around boats, you might already be familiar with mono-hulls and catamarans. But what about a trimaran? Let’s dive into what makes this unique type of boat stand out.

Understanding Hulls: Mono-hulls and Catamarans

First, let’s get a quick understanding of the terms “mono-hull” and “catamaran.” A mono-hull, as the name suggests, is a boat with a single hull. It’s the most traditional type of vessel, known for its stability and performance, especially when cutting through waves.

A catamaran, on the other hand, is a boat with two hulls, usually of the same size. The word “catamaran” comes from an old Tamil word that literally means “tied wood.” This type of vessel offers a broader, more stable platform than a mono-hull, making it popular for cruising and leisurely sailing.

Enter the Trimaran

Now, let’s add another hull to the mix! A trimaran is a vessel with three hulls. The word “trimaran” is a combination of “tri,” meaning three, and “maran,” derived from “catamaran.” This term was coined in the 1940s to describe this innovative design.

Why Choose a Trimaran?

The design of a trimaran offers several advantages. The three-hull structure provides exceptional stability, making it less prone to capsizing compared to mono-hulls. It also offers more space and can be faster than both mono-hulls and catamarans under certain conditions, making it an exciting choice for both leisure and competitive sailing.

At Cuan Law, we’re proud to operate the largest trimaran in the world designed specifically for cruising. This design not only ensures a smooth and stable ride but also offers ample space for relaxation, dining, and activities, both on deck and below.

Whether you’re an experienced sailor or new to the world of yachting, experiencing a trimaran like Cuan Law offers a unique and unforgettable adventure on the open sea. So, next time you’re planning a sailing trip, consider the exceptional benefits of a trimaran and join us on board for the ultimate sailing experience.

Hi again. We are often asked about why Cuan Law is a good choice for families and the answers vary as much as your family does – which is one the main reasons were are so often such a good fit.

It is not easy to find a location that all ages will enjoy. The kids can get bored staying at the same spot for a week – well we don’t do that as we move as often as the group want to. Mom and Dad are maybe hankering to try some sailing, or water skiing and we do do that and the in-laws just want to soak up the sun and splash around a bit. Well, we can help with that as well.

With 10 large cabins, that can ALL be made up either either the 1 queen bed, or 2 twins there is a lot of flexibility regarding how many can join us on board. That’s right – up to 20 people all eating and hanging out together, but also with enough space to get out on deck, into the water, onto shore for strolls, or hikes and so much more. There is no lower or upper age limit on private wholeboat family trips AND you guys set the schedule. If you have potential SCUBA divers – even if they have never tried it before – we have at least 2 instructors on board to help make that happen. If you know ahead of time that SCUBA is NOT for your family than that’s 100% OK too. If you have beachcombers in the group they can get to shore every day, and if you’re worried about motion sickness, with our 3, yes 3 hulls, we are very very stable.

About food allergies… yes we have you covered and as long as as you give us some notice we will do our best to get your favorite brands of beverages on board. See you soon…?

So you like gentle Wreck Diving and fun out of the water too? Well BVI Wreck Week which runs June 16 (Father’s Day) to June 22 is one to mark on your calendar.

If you can join us, Cuan Law will take you to the amazing featured wreck dives, and we will also try to coordinate as many of the above water activities for you as possible as well. Not only that, but we will do our best to be sure that you don’t miss out on a shore visit to the amazing Baths on Virgin Gorda. Even if you can’t join us on board you can still be a part of the raft of activities that week, ranging from beach clean-ups to Lion Fish tastings! We don’t normally try to tell travelers what route to get back home, but if you are already planning to be here in the BVI we recommend that you stay the night of the 22nd so that you won’t miss any of the finale at Nanny Cay.

So, about those wrecks.. well, they range from a Royal Mail steam/sail vessel, the RMS Rhone that sank in 1867, to a refugee from Pearl Harbour, the Kodiak Queen, to a refrigerator ship, the Chikuzen, that ended up beneath the waves in the late 1980’s to 2 amazing purpose-crafted Art Reefs – the result of devastation from the Hurricane Irma and Maria that swept the BVI in September 2017. All are easily accessible at less than 100ft and all vary in their state of reabsorption to the environment. All have become homes to an abundance of fish and invertebrates. Definitely worth a visit!

Placid waters and consistent wind make the British Virgin Islands a sailing paradise. Centuries of trouble in paradise, however, have made the undersea offerings just as alluring. Dive shops, tourism officials, and conservationists hope to promote the territory’s sunken treasures with BVI Wreck Week 2023 in February. There’s plenty to see and do.

Kim Huish, of the BVI Scuba Association, said the event is meant to introduce exploration of the abundant wrecks to both new and experienced divers. “BVI diving and our wrecks are perfect for rookie divers, photographers, and also those who may be a little rusty,” Huish said. “Our relatively shallow waters are warm and we generally have good visibility, with minimal current and an abundance of variety with fish life, invertebrates, and of course the growing number of art wrecks.”

Most of the new wrecks aren’t from unfortunate mariners but from purposefully sunk vessels. Many were put down around Cooper and Peter islands, where the Willy T, once party central for thirsty boaters, rests at the sandy bottom. The Kodiak Queen may have survived the Pearl Harbor attack but the former U.S. Navy fuel barge is now something far more exotic. Outfitted with an enormous kraken, she’s been underwater art off Virgin Gorda since 2017. It’s the same year aviation and scuba enthusiasts learned the word Sharkplaneo — a gutted airplane outfitted to look like an enormous shark.

There are plenty of less-purposeful shipwrecks to explore, most in relatively shallow water, such as the famed RMS Rhone, a former British mail ship sunk off Salt Island. Its stern is in just 15 feet of water, Huish said.

Then there’s Anegada.

Just 28 feet above sea level at its highest point, with 18 miles of boat-crushing coral arching out inches below the ocean surface, Anegada is responsible for at least 200 documented shipwrecks. Many of these went down centuries ago, torn apart by time and waves. But there are still remnants to explore.

Treasure hunting, however, is strictly prohibited, said Keith Dawson, of the BVI Tourism office.

Dawson said events include plenty of land-based events for non-divers to get involved.

Events start Feb. 12 on Jost Van Dyke with a pirate party at Hendo’s Hide-Out. The week-long celebration includes coastal clean-ups, youth group meet-ups, quizzes, and fundraisers, and will highlight a Tortola Sloop presentation and demonstrations by the BVI Heritage Dancers. Wreck Week culminates with the unveiling of an environmentally friendly giant turtle sculpture designed and created by Beyond the Reef.

“We curated events and dives to tie in with that rich tradition and wanted to be sure that attendees had a chance to join the fun even if they were not on Tortola, and may not even be divers,” Huish said.

BVI Wreck Week was born as a way to promote the territory after the hurricanes of 2017, she said.

“We wanted to find a way to remind the outside world that the BVI was still here and still offering an amazing underwater experience, but with a minimal marketing budget we had to get creative,” Huish said.

More than that, calling attention to threats to coral and other undersea life is vital, she said.

“Without a thriving underwater environment our future is bleak. It is bleak worldwide, but especially so in the BVI, such a small island nation reliant on both tourism and fishing. Having a successful BVI Wreck Week is just one small step to help make the future brighter for all of us,” Huish said.

Read full article here

Direct flight from Miami to the beautiful shores of the British Virgin Islands will be here just in time for summer! Starting JUNE 1ST!
Book with American Airlines for your next holiday vacation with Cuan Law! Travelling just got so much easier

Click here to book on American Airlines

Sunday, June 4, 2023

VISAR’s Swim & SUP is a fundraising event organized by the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR). The event involves a 2-mile open water swim and a 2.5-mile stand-up paddleboard (SUP) race.

Participants of all skill levels are welcome to join the event that attracts both residents and tourists who are passionate about water sports and supporting a good cause. The funds raised from the event go towards VISAR’s ongoing efforts to provide search and rescue services, medical evacuations, and other critical support to the BVI community.

This annual event offers participants a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the islands while contributing to a meaningful cause.

The 3 hour beginner group lesson starts in our classroom located in the centre. We chose to have a maximum ratio of 6 students to 1 instructor, this this means we’re able to offer you plenty of personalised tips. Our theory session…

The 3 hour beginner group lesson starts in our classroom located in the centre. We chose to have a maximum ratio of 6 students to 1 instructor, this this means we’re able to offer you plenty of personalised tips. Our theory session…