american marc catamaran

AMERICAN MARC STORY

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/index.php?title=American_Marc

The following is an excellent article on American Marc -

By Andreas Jordahl Rhude

American Marc, Inc. of 1601 West Florence Avenue in Inglewood, Calif. was a manufacturer of small diesel engines and generators. Some of their customers for diesel engines were inboard boat builders, both power and sail.

In May 1958 the company received a $2 million government contract for diesel engines.

In July 1959 American Marc purchased the Creger Marine firm, a builder of wooden power and sail boats ranging is size from 24 to 30 ft. Part of the reason for the purchase was as an outlet for the American Marc diesel engines. W. Denis Kendall was president of American Marc at that time.

A month later, in August 1959, American Marc purchased Rocket Marine, Inc. of El Monte, CA - a maker of small fiberglass boats. This became the fiberglass American Marc boat line.

About the same time, American Marc, Inc. introduced to the world what they claimed to be the first diesel outboard motor. The "AMARC 10" was rated at 7 1/2 HP.

In January 1960 American Marc made a deal with Craig Systems, Inc. of Lawrence, Mass. where Craig would make the fiberglass American Marc boat line for sale in 17 eastern states. In August 1960 Craig Systems leased a 50,000 sq.ft. complex in Haverhill, Mass. for the molding and assembly of the fiberglass American Marc boats.

Meanwhile, American Marc was building a new boat factory at 2601 Manhattan Beach Blvd. in Redondo Beach, Calif. It was opened in April 1960 and a news article claimed it had the capacity to make 12,000 fiberglass boats annually. In February 1960 the company announced it would build a $500,000, 40000 sq. ft. factory and showroom in Miami, Florida. This facility was scheduled to produce 6500 boats annually, bringing total company capacity to 18,500 boats (April 1960 Boat & Motor Dealer).

American Marc donated a 24 ft. boat with twin diesel inboard engines to the Long Beach community for use as a rescue boat and weather reporting station.

American Marc, Inc. was listed on the stock exchange and traded publicly. Rear Admiral (retired) Arthur W. Radford, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was named a director of American Marc in October 1960.

In February 1961 one of the American Marc 30 ft. catamaran power-sail boats capsized in the Pacific Ocean and two men drowned. One was an employee of the company and the boat was being brought to Santa Barbara to a dealer for demonstration purposes.

American Marc purchased three southern California oil drilling firms in December 1961.

Somewhere along the line American Marc, Inc. was purchased by Pike Corporation of America who then sold the company in December 1967 to Eon Corp. At the time, American Marc was building small diesel engines.

It appears as if the fiberglass pleasure boat operations of American Marc only lasted for 1 1/2 to 2 years. And they claimed to be able to make up to 18,000 boats a year with their California, Florida (don't think this ever opened for production) and Massachusetts operations. I doubt they made more than a few hundred boats as it turned out. END

• AMERICAN MARC PRESS
• Fiberglassics.com

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After Gershkovich and Whelan freed, this American teacher remains in Russian custody

While Wall Street Journal reporter  Evan Gershkovich , Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, former U.S. Marine  Paul Whelan , and Russian British dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza were released in the biggest prisoner exchange since the Cold War on Thursday, another American still remains in Russian custody: Marc Fogel.

A history teacher from Pennsylvania who taught for nearly a decade at a Russian school, Fogel was arrested at a Moscow airport in August 2021 for possession of medical marijuana prescribed to treat spinal pain. In 2022, he was sentenced to a 14-year prison sentence at a Russian penal colony.

Here's what we know about Fogel and the attempts to obtain his release:

Who is Marc Fogel?

Fogel, in his early 60s, grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania. He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and went on to work teaching history courses at schools attended by children of U.S. diplomats. The work brought Fogel and his family across the globe as he taught in Colombia, Malaysia, Oman, Venezuela and Russia.

Starting in 2012, Marc Fogel and his wife, Jane, taught at the Anglo-American School in Moscow. In the summer of 2021, Fogel told his wife that he would retire after one more year teaching in Moscow, according to The Washington Post . It was upon their return to Moscow from a summer vacation that Fogel would be detained.

Why was Marc Fogel arrested?

On Aug. 14, 2021, Fogel was taken into custody at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport on a cannabis possession charge. Fogel and his family have said the cannabis was used to treat his chronic back pain.

His case would draw comparisons with that of WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in February 2022 at a Russian airport for possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years at a labor camp. In December of the same year, she was released in a prisoner exchange.

Unlike Griner, the U.S. Department of State has not declared Fogel as wrongfully detained, which has frustrated his family and lawmakers petitioning to get Fogel out of Russian custody.

Efforts to bring Fogel home

Since his arrest, Fogel's family have petitioned the U.S. government to free the longtime teacher and have been critical of the response they've received from the State Department and the Biden administration.

"I don't think the administration has helped us one bit," Fogel's mother, Malphine Fogel, told CBS Pittsburgh in early July . Days later, Malphine Fogel told The New York Post that former President Donald Trump promised to bring her son home when they spoke just before Trump took the stage at a rally in Butler and was wounded in an assassination attempt .

Also in July, Malphine Fogel filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the U.S. Department of State for not designating Fogel as wrongfully detained, reported local television station WTAE.

The effort to free Fogel has also been taken up by lawmakers, especially Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly.

Kelly as well as a group of bipartisan lawmakers in December 2023 wrote a letter to Blinken urging the government to classify Fogel as wrongfully detained, saying he meets at least six of the 11 established criteria for the classification.

Kelly and Pennsylvania representatives Chris Deluzio and Brendan Boyle also introduced the Marc Fogel Act , which would require the State Department to submit documents and communication to Congress about how it determines whether a U.S. citizen is being wrongfully.

On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman as well as Kelly and other lawmakers again asked the Biden administration to include Fogel in prisoner exchanges with Russia.

“As news of a potential prisoner exchange is being reported, we urge that any swap include Pennsylvania’s Marc Fogel, along with Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich,” they wrote in a letter. “Marc is a Pennsylvania teacher with severe health issues who has been unjustly imprisoned in a Russian prison for three years, and as the congressional members who represent Marc and his family, we have been pushing to bring Marc home as quickly as possible. As negotiations are ongoing with the Russian Federation, we respectfully request that any potential prisoner swap include Marc Fogel.”

Fogel's family 'heartbroken' and 'outraged' by prisoner swap

Fogel's family said they "are completely heartbroken and outraged" that Fogel was not among the Americans who was freed from Russian captivity on Thursday, according to a statement shared with USA TODAY through the family's lawyer, Sasha Phillips.

While the family sent well wishes to the families of Gershkovich and Whelan, they said the U.S. government's handling of Fogel's case has been a "glaring injustice," adding, "It is wrong, unfair, and not the America we know and love."

"Marc is not rich, a celebrity, or connected to powerful patrons. All he has is his family, led by his 95-year-old mother, Malphine, who is fighting for her son’s rights. This fight has been met not with support and understanding, but with stonewalling, double standards, and—today—abandoning Marc to die in prison for less than an ounce of medical marijuana prescribed to manage his severe decades-long spinal disease," the statement said.

"We demand immediate action to secure Marc’s release and call on President Biden, Secretary Blinken, Deputy Secretary Verma, and National Security Advisor Sullivan to say Marc Fogel’s name, designate him as wrongfully detained, and bring him home. The time for half-measures is over; we need results now."

Contributing: Reuters

12 Best Catamaran Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

The appeal of the catamaran sailboats in terms of speed , stability, and the ability to embark on long-range cruising has made them hugely popular with today's sailors. But what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Even though catamaran sailboats have become increasingly popular in the last few years, they have a truly rich legacy as one of the most sought after vessels for bluewater cruising.

Thanks to their incredibly wide beams and bigger daft, catamarans have become remarkably favorable for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages, overnight cruising, and day sailing.

And if space is paramount for you when out there on the water, a catamaran sailboat is the only way to go as they offer extraordinary space to allow you to spend more time on the water with friends and family.

But even with all these amazing features, you're probably still wondering; what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Like their monohull counterparts, choosing the best catamaran sailboat can be quite overwhelming since there are lots of them out there. They come in a wide variety of designs and sizes ranging from small catamarans to huge ones.

The best catamaran sailboats can easily clock 250-mile voyages, offer incredible performance, and have layouts that can be easily optimized for individuals, charter markets, and great accommodation. In essence, the best catamaran sailboats offer respectable performance and offer good load-carrying ability.

That being said, here are some of the best catamaran sailboats that you can get your hands on.

Table of contents

Best Catamarans

{{boat-info="/boats/manta-42"}}

Even though many multihulls are no longer built in the United States these days, the Manta 42 is a true American-built catamaran that brings good living and good value into one package. Designed cleverly for easy handling, this American built catamaran is a great choice for a liveaboard cruiser for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages. Thanks to its trademark high bows and an enormously curved incorporated forward crossbeam, this catamaran is easily recognizable even from a distance.

It is designed with a uniquely fixed crossbeam, which is very different from conventional aluminum cross beams that support the tension of the forestay. This fixed crossbeam allows for a little bit of movement thereby helping in absorbing enormous twisting forces of the bows. As such, you have to keep in mind that there may be resultant stress crack particularly in the bow area of the vessel.

All in all, the Manta 42 is a superb offshore cruising catamaran that offers a good sail-area-to-displacement ratio as well as plenty of space and accommodation. The cockpit area is refined, luxurious, and is designed with additional stainless pushpit contraptions to help in holding objects such as wind vanes, dinghies, and solar panels. The boat's quality in terms of performance and stability is the benchmark of what a catamaran should be.

Fountaine Pajot Elba 45

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-elba-45"}}

Recently named the "Boat of the Year" for 2019 by Cruising World Magazine and Sail Magazine, the Elba 45 is the latest model in the incredible line of Fountaine Pajot catamarans. This boat was designed to replace the outgoing Helia 44 and stands to be one of the most popular catamarans with Fountain Pajot having sold over 100 Elba 45 hulls long before even the first one emerged from production.

This French-built cat brings to the fore a well-thought-out, safe, and dependable features with 10% less drag, efficient motoring, top-notch performance, and high speeds. It's also designed with fixed stub keels and slightly aft-raked bows, which are all essential in enhancing windward performance; something that most catamarans struggle with.

To improve on safety, the keels of this amazing catamaran sailboat are glued into a particularly designed recess in the hulls. This is to ensure that there are no keel bolts that can rip out and put the boat in danger if the boat gets grounded or in the event of a collision. The rig is also ICW friendly and is a true representation of a standard catamaran setup.

This is, without a doubt, a modern-looking cruising catamaran that has a low-profile lounging space on its deck, high topsides and bows as well as a more pronounced reverse sheer that's essential in minimizing the bulk of the windows while creating additional and useful volume below. This is a true catamaran that occupies a sweet spot for those looking to sail along the bay or for those adventurous sailors looking to set sail for more ambitious offshore cruising plans.

{{boat-info="/boats/leopard-48"}}

With its fine design, straightforward systems, and easy handling, the Leopard 48 has everything it needs to be ranked among the distinguished category of the best catamaran sailboats. This is an excellent multihull that is structured with advanced materials, designs, and innovations that are meant to be fun, spacious, and comfortable.

Designed in South Africa by Simonis-Voogd, is probably the best design in the Leopard family of catamarans. Its two hulls are vacuum-bagged using balsa core to offer maximum firmness while ensuring that the weight is on the minimum. This is done by articulately regulating the level of resin in the layup. With such types of hull shapes, this catamaran sailboat is very fast and can consistently clock 12 knots of speed against the currents.

The boat is also designed with shallow keels as they're filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam that's of great importance in increasing buoyancy and preventing water ingress. To enhance the safety of the vessel, the stern and bow both have bulkheads that are essential in keeping out that water if the sailboat is involved in a collision.

The hulls of this boat are deep and narrow, particularly below the waterline. They also curve higher up to practically reduce the wetted surface area while offering enough deck space and plenty of room for accommodations. Its cockpit is another excellent feature thanks to its lavish spaces that give you the chance of kicking back and relaxing.

This boat is designed to offer superior livability, quick and easy to handle features, as well as enough space for friends and family. It is designed with beautiful lines and immense practicality for those who want to go on long cruising voyages.

Antares 44i

While many people often believe that voluminous cruising catamarans should be used as charter boats, the Antares 44i brings a very different perspective altogether. Designed in Argentina as a complete bluewater catamaran, this is a boat that's specifically built for private boat owners looking for a sturdy and well-equipped bluewater cruiser. This is an absolutely gorgeous catamaran that has a fully-equipped cockpit just to ensure that you can safely operate it even when shorthanded.

Like most catamarans, the Antares 44i is designed with features that allow for long-distance voyages. It comes with a minimum bridge deck clearance of 30 inches, which is essential in mitigating bridge deck slap. The helm station is designed to offer excellent visibility over the coach roof without having to perch the helmsman high above the cockpit.

If you're planning to make those long-distance cruising to exotic places, you'll appreciate this boat's layout. The galley is put down in the port hull so that it doesn't compromise the size of the galley and the saloon. The forward-facing navigation station is up there with the best and is up to offshore standards. And that's not all; the Antares 44i comes with good mounting points for electronics, a large table, comfortable seats, and provides brilliant visibility outside.

This boat is perfectly suited for extended offshore cruising and is a great reminder for anyone who thinks that all catamarans are charter boats and all offshore boats are monohulls.

{{boat-info="/boats/dolphin-ocema-42"}}

Designed by Philipe Pouvreau in northern Brazil, the Dolphin Ocema 42 is a truly unique catamaran sailboat that goes against the conventional norm of catamarans. It is equipped with daggerboards, which are essential in enabling it to point higher on the wind while reducing the wetted surface when running or anchoring in shallow surfaces. This, however, requires a higher level of expertise in sailing. This is because lifting the daggerboards higher up will expose the rudders while the daggerboards can also interfere with the hulls in the event that the vessel runs aground.

But even with that, the Dolphin 42 balances incredible performance and cruising comfort in a very compact package; something that is not very easy in bluewater cruising. That's why it's designed using a foam core to make it lightweight by reducing weight wherever possible. This vessel will most likely never let you down if you want to circumnavigate the bluewater on a high-performance boat that is safe and comfortable.

So if you've been looking for a real sailing catamaran that doubles up as a very comfortable liveaboard sailboat , look no further than the Dolphin 42.

{{boat-info="/boats/catana-50"}}

Regarded as the best built and most stylish cruising multihull, the Catana 50 is a very huge catamaran sailboat. Measuring about 50 feet long with a beam of about 26 feet, this is an amazing catamaran that will test your sailing skills as a single sailor or if you're planning to sail shorthanded.

This boat is designed with a rig that gives you the option of using either a screecher or a self-tending jib. This may seem complex since the sheets are led to winches near each wheel while all other controls lead to a centerline winch that's located in the cockpit. But even with that, this sailboat can be easily tacked once on the course.

This is a real performance-oriented catamaran with efficient hulls and rigs allowing for top speed. This vessel is also designed with a long waterline and a subtle underwater shape at the bow to help in increasing volume while minimizing wave drag. The stern platforms can help in stretching the waterline length while also providing easy access from a dock or a dinghy. The board trunks are also very strong and sturdy to protect the integrity of the hulls if a collision occurs.

In essence, this is a very modern catamaran that's designed to safely make long-distance passages with ease. It is subdued in terms of styling but this doesn't mean that it falls short as far as performance is concerned.

Atlantic 42

{{boat-info="/boats/atlantic-42"}}

Designed in 1993, the A42 has cultivated a legion of fiercely loyal fans thanks to its efficiency and aesthetic. This is the smallest of the Atlantic cruising catamaran line and is hugely popular with sailors thanks to its ease of handling, ocean-going capabilities, and superb use of space. From the forward cockpit, pilothouse to the sleeping cabins, and brilliant galleys everything about this cat is a true classic.

Unlike most catamarans, the Atlantic 42 is designed with a waist-high cockpit that's located forward of the pilothouse just behind the mast. It brings forth a solid construction thanks to the large metal girder-like bearers that run across the bulkheads. This helps the vessel in having the utmost strength, better air circulation under the engine, and a high level of flexibility as far as the size of the engine and its positioning is concerned.

Initially, the boat's style and its outlook were considered conservative but it soon became clear that it is built of high-quality materials and to last. The internal construction of the boat is impressive, to say the least. The exterior looks very beautiful and perhaps much more beautiful than most boats today. Its large aft cabin accommodation is a top drawer while the space separating en suite heads and shower compartments are considered a bonus.

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-bahia-46"}}

If you were to board the French-built Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46, you'll agree that the high-quality of workmanship, layout, and efficient use of space is quite exciting, to say the least. This cat remains very popular among sailors thanks to its easy handling features and incredible performance under the sails. Well, this may not come as a surprise to many of us given that the Fountain Pajot is known for building some of the most remarkable cruising catamarans out there that it can be quite overwhelming to narrow down to a single vessel, but the Bahia 46 simply stands out.

This vessel is designed with hulls that are broader than those of many other catamarans. It's also designed with centerboards and daggerboards that are meant to enhance its performance. These are essential in minimizing draft while ensuring reliability, generous bilge, and in helping to protect the rudders and propellers.

This boat is big enough to manage any type of serious offshore sailing. This is one of the best cruising catamarans for anyone looking for the right vessel for long-distance sailing. This vessel has a very more generous rig than most cruising catamarans, which is essential in enhancing its performance. The six-post Bimini is very strong and clean and can perfectly hold dinghies.

In terms of its look, the Bahia 36 is designed with gorgeous lines with the deck and hulls sculpted with lines that add a touch of elegance to the overall look of an already excellent catamaran sailboat.

Gemini 105MC

{{boat-info="/boats/gemini-105mc"}}

Whether you're looking for a comfortable catamaran vessel to take you for a weekend sailing trip or a long sabbatical vacation on the oceans, the Gemini 105MC is a very satisfactory liveaboard catamaran vessel that offers spacious accommodation, thoughtful design, and a stable cruising platform for anyone who wants to have some good time on the water.

Designed by the legendary Tony Smith, this is somewhat a sailing cottage. Like a land cottage, it is cozy, comfortable, and very safe. This is essentially a 35 feet catamaran that offers great value for any sailing looking for a reasonably-priced catamaran sailboat for the weekend or holiday cruising.

This boat is designed with incredibly slim hulls, which are teardrop-shaped with flat bottoms and smaller wetted surface area. This is to ensure that drag is minimized and to lead to more leeway under sail. Each of the boat's hull is designed with a kick-up centerboard is of great importance in enhancing the vessel's windward pointing capability. This boat also has its rudders raised to enable it to seamlessly cruise in shallow waters where most vessels would otherwise run aground.

The eccentric narrow beam, which measures about 40% of the boat's length, is very different from today's 50%. However, its low center helps in keeping its stable, upright, and of course, safe.

Lagoon 450 F

{{boat-info="/boats/lagoon-450-f"}}

If you're looking for a catamaran sailboat that offers prestige at its peak, look no further than the Lagoon 450. This cat is widely known for offering an all-around comfort without compromising its beauty, spaciousness, class, and elegance. This is an elaborate French catamaran that brings to the table fantastic craftsmanship while leaving nothing to chance.

This is a very safe 45 feet catamaran that's not just comfortable but also very luxurious. The deck layout is centered on an amazing flybridge, which has been redesigned and redefined to offer both the traditional and modern outlook. You can very easily access the bridge, engine controls, steering station in a matter of seconds. As a result, this boat is efficiently designed to give you the ultimate control of almost every situation while on the water.

The spacious and luxurious interior of this boat is worth experiencing. The cabins and saloons are perfectly lit. We're talking about four to six cabins, eight to twelve berths, and up to four bathrooms. In essence, this boat can comfortably sleep eight to twelve people. This boat is designed to offer ultra-modern accommodations and amenities that come with little but amazing touches; all designed to make your life inside the catamaran enjoyable.

{{boat-info="/boats/gunboat-62"}}

An original performance catamaran cruiser from the iconic Gunboat manufacturer, the Gunboat 62 has truly cemented its place as one of the best catamaran sailboats to ever grace the oceans. Honestly speaking, this cat-inspired a whole range of other incredible boats including HH66 Catamaran and the Balance 526.

This is a boat that can perform admirably well in storms with a speed of over 35 knots despite being built using epoxy and E-glass with carbon-fiber structural components. It's designed with a distinct angular outline than most catamaran sailboats of its size and category. This is a vessel that was built for people looking to add more stuff and more gear for their voyages. In other words, you can have all the gear and equipment on this boat and still outperform a racing monohull of the same size.

Thanks to its lightweight feature, this vessel can sail upwind at speeds of over 17 knots and pinch up to 30 degrees. Just for comparison, the Gunboat 62 can tack through 95 degrees and still outperform the best racing monohulls. This boat is designed with a comfortable helm seat that offers 360-degree visibility as well as plenty of storage space, a functional working surface, and a luxurious cabin. Like many performance catamarans, the Gunboat 62 can attain about 20 knots if the conditions are right.

Privilege 615

{{boat-info="/boats/privilege-615"}}

Combining elegance, comfort, and style, the Privilege 615 is a lovely catamaran sailboat that seems to be always ready for a long offshore voyage. The roots of this incredible cat can be traced back to the 1980s when Philippe Jeantot opened up a boat-building company in France. As one of the best productions from the company, the privilege 615 sports a flybridge that comes complete with twin wheels, a sprawling sunbed, and other excellent features that will make your bluewater cruising a breeze.

Whether you want the charter version or a privately-owned version, the Privilege 615 is one of the most versatile catamaran sailboats. Step inside this vessel and you'll instantly notice the quality of the wood finish and the elegance of design. The advanced navigation station is not only ultra-modern but is perfectly stationed at a dedicated corner where you can control everything while still having a conversation with your friends and family.

This boat comes with multiple sleeping configurations to ensure that you and your guests can live aboard the boat for months on end. Although the boat appears like some sort of maze on the inside, you'll easily get used to it when you enter the forward section. That's not all; this boat has gorgeous lines that make the exterior beautiful just like the interior. Its sleek profile, incredible volume, and versatile interior make it one of the best catamaran sailboats out there.

There you have it; these are the best catamaran sailboats out there. It doesn't matter the one you choose, these cats will make your day out on the water and will serve you just right for your offshore voyages or for day sailing along the bays.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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National News | Macomb County man keeps up fight for his…

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National News

National news | macomb county man keeps up fight for his russian-imprisoned cousin, fogel’s mother has pleaded for the government to declare her son “wrongfully detained”.

Could it finally be happening?

Could his cousin be coming home?

Since August 2021, he and members of his family have been reaching out to government officials, writing letters, making calls, pleading and praying for the safe return of Marc Fogel, a loving son, husband, father and dedicated teacher who was arrested and wrongfully detained in Russia.

“It seemed like they had something solid in the works,” Fogel said, recalling the events last week that had him believing that maybe this time, this year, the U.S. State Department had finally acted on their behalf.

He and his wife remained glued to the news and hopeful for most of the morning, hanging on every word shared about the historic event that was unfolding in Washington, D.C. Speculation about who would be swapped turned up on several social media sites. One claimed Marc was part of the swap.

Again, Fogel’s heart leapt.

“Someone posted a picture of a list they had seen, showing the Americans being released, and he was on it,” Fogel said.

But it turned out to be false and by mid-morning the Fogel family had become acutely aware that their loved one, who had dedicated his life to teaching at home and abroad, was not part of the largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history. And as suddenly as it came, the glimmer of hope that he had felt all morning, which had spread to his family, shaking them from the stupor they were experiencing was gone, leaving an even bigger ache.

The blessed among those released by Russia included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan. Both were facing long prison sentences after being convicted in Russia’s heavily politicized legal system of espionage charges that the U.S. government called baseless.

Working to free Fogel

“For the second time in three years since Marc Fogel’s detention in Russia, we are completely heartbroken and outraged that he has been left behind while the U.S. government brought other Americans home,” said a statement from the Freedom for Marc Fogel Facebook page.

The first time was two years ago when WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from a Russian prison as part of a prisoner swap following her arrest in February for carrying vape canisters with cannabis oil. Her plight parallels that of the teacher’s except shortly after she was arrested, the State Department declared her as wrongfully detained.

“Because we know firsthand the excruciating pain and despair of having a loved one unjustly detained and sentenced to an unprecedented prison term, we send well wishes to the Gershkovich and Whelan families — however, it is incomprehensible that the U.S. government, which has secured the release of other Americans and even foreign nationals detained long after Marc, has refused to do the same for him. This glaring injustice and indifference is unacceptable. It is wrong, unfair and not the America we know and love,” the statement posted on Facebook stated.

Mother’s plea for help

Among the reactions that have followed the heartbreaking news that the American teacher has been left behind is an opinion column that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It was written by Marc’s mother, Malphine Fogel.

“She is a lovely, articulate, poised, incredible person who is living a mother’s nightmare,” said Vicki Iseman, who is among the people supporting the family’s quest to get the government to declare Marc wrongfully detained and provide the means to bring him home.

“The situation has destroyed an entire family. A wonderful 95-year-old woman is rudderless. Marc’s two twenty-something year old sons are contorted and may live this way forever unless they get some resolution and for any mistake he made, Marc has paid his penance and then some.”

As Malphine spelled out to readers and those who might listen, her son grew up in Butler, Penn. After earning his teaching degree he went on to travel the world, teaching American history to high school students, whose parents were U.S. diplomats serving in foreign service posts.

In 2012, he took what was to be his last teaching assignment in Russia, where he taught for nine years. He planned to spend his tenth and final school year in Moscow, and then retire.

But nothing went according to plan.

In August 2021, he turned 60.

Although an athletic wanderlust, who journeyed to other countries with his wife Jane and their sons, teaching history, economics and business in far off places like Colombia, Venezuela and Malaysia, he suffers from a debilitating spinal condition. He’s also had multiple surgeries including three to his back and while the pain did not diminish his passion for teaching, his body was failing.

“Opioid treatment was not an option,” Malphine wrote in her column.

Western Pennsylvania bore too many tragic lessons, so his doctor prescribed medical marijuana during his last visit home.

He then returned to Russia, to start his final year at the school and close out an outstanding 36 year career but was arrested at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow for carrying a half-ounce of marijuana that was prescribed for his pain.

That was Aug. 14, 2021.

“Our family reached out to the State Department. We were told to stay quiet. We were told they would handle it. We did what they said,” Malphine said.

Six months later, Griner was arrested at the same airport in Moscow and within the year both were tried and sentenced under the same Russian statute; Marc getting a 14-year sentence, and Griner, having a smaller amount, getting 9 years.

What’s in a name?

Griner’s arrest and sentence sparked a wave of protests and support on social media sites, and pressure on the State Department, which quickly moved to designate her as wrongfully detained.

It’s this important designation by Washington that moved her case to the jurisdiction of the federal government’s U.S. Special Envoy of Hostage Affairs Ambassador Roger Carstens and provided additional resources that eventually led to her release in December 2022.

Marc is not a famous WNBA star but a dedicated teacher, whose former students, their parents, fellow faculty around the world, friends, family and other Americans have written hundreds of letters to his family and state praising his work and urging the State Department to declare him wrongfully detained. One student submitted a column for the Moscow Times.

Why is he not getting the same treatment from Washington?

“It’s been three years since he was detained and there’s still been no move to do this. And they won’t tell us why,” said Fogel, who wrote to Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow asking for their help and has transitioned from disappointed in his government to frustrated and angry.

A CBS News report Friday said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is rallying congressional leaders to pressure the Biden administration to declare Marc Fogel as “wrongfully detained.”

“To be sure, we cheered Ms. Griner’s release,” Malphine said. “She did not deserve her harsh and unjust punishment. No American does, but it was bittersweet. Marc’s name was never uttered. President Biden, a proud son of Pennsylvania, forgot my son of Pennsylvania.”

It was only after Griner’s release that his name was mentioned in a report from the American Embassy in Russia. It was sent to inform the family of his condition after finding out he was not being released but would remain held in a maximum security penal colony, where overcrowding, abuse by guards and inmates, limited access to health care, food, and inadequate sanitation conditions.

“It was heartbreaking. Between his debilitating health and the news, he was a broken man,” said Malphine.

One can only imagine how her son must have felt these past few weeks, hearing that the U.S. and Russia had completed one of the biggest prisoner swaps in post-Soviet history, resulting in Moscow’s release of two dozen people, but not him.

American teachers

There are currently thousands of Americans teaching overseas.

Among those who traveled to Asia when she was young and looking for an opportunity to see the world and experience new cultures was Andrea Bailey of Clarkton, who admits it was an eye-opening experience.

“I taught English as a second language at a high school in Bangkok, Thailand,” said Bailey. “Then I went to South Korea.”

She was 24-years-old at the time and working a nine to five job. When she and her friend heard that some countries do not require a teaching degree for English as a second language programs they decided to reach out to a recruiter.

In 2009, they were on their way.

“The children were wonderful, very interested in their teachers and what life was like for us at home,” said Bailey. “I felt safe in the school. We had good leadership with the program. I never felt in danger.”

During their time overseas, she and her friend had the opportunity to explore the country, learn about its history, and like the children who asked questions of them, learn about the people there.

One thing they never engaged in was the street life or anything that might put them at risk of being arrested.

“I would be terrified to be arrested in Thailand or Korea,” she said, knowing that they do not have the same due process of law. “In the U.S. we have a justice system where you’re tried fairly but as a teacher working abroad in another country? It would be your word against theirs and you would be powerless.”

Bailey, 39, is now working in the health care industry.

However, as a former teacher believes getting a hold of the teachers union in his state might help his cause.

“I feel terrible for him,” she said.

Malphine said neither President Joe Biden or Secretary of State Antony Blinken have acknowledged Marc publicly.

“They do not say his name,” she said, and as a result of their avoidance and choice to ignore the herculean efforts her family has undertaken to bring him home a cloud shrouds Marc.

Malphine may never see his beloved Pittsburgh or America again. And she, who is 95-years-old, may never see him again.

“I do not want him to be forgotten. He may just be a regular guy from western Pennsylvania, but he has made a world of difference to his students, colleagues, friends and, of course, his family,” Malphine said. “I want him to know that I fought for him every day I could. Mr. President, please say my son’s name. Bring him home.”

Paul Whelan, U.S. reporter freed by Russia in multi-country prisoner swap

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State Department investigating case of detained American in Russia

WASHINGTON — The State Department said Monday that U.S. officials were able to attend the arraignment Saturday of an American who was detained in Russia and that they are working to determine whether it is a case of wrongful detention. 

U.S. citizen Michael Travis Leake was arrested in Moscow and appeared in court Saturday , the State Department confirmed, becoming the latest American to have been detained in Russia. Russian authorities accused him of selling drugs, according to the Moscow Court service, and he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

Leake appeared to reject the foundation of his arrest in a video that aired on Russian state TV. NBC News cannot verify when the video was made or whether Leake was under duress during its recording. 

“I am an American citizen from birth. I have been formally accused about nothing. I don’t know why I’m here,” Leake said in the video. “I am not admitting to any guilt, and I do not believe that I have done what I have been accused of, because I don’t know what I’m being accused of.”

The State Department has tried to reach out to Leake’s family, an agency spokesperson said Monday, saying it was the department’s standard practice to reach out to the families of Americans detained overseas as soon as they are able to obtain permission from the person. 

Leake’s mother, Glenda Garcia, confirmed Monday that she was in contact with the State Department. The Biden administration has yet to say whether it is evaluating Leake’s case as one of wrongful detention. 

“We’ve been seeking to learn more about the apparent detention of Travis Leake, and we’re working to be not only in touch with him, to have consular access, but also with his family,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters Monday. “My No. 1 priority as secretary of state is the safety and security of Americans abroad. And this is no exception. So we’re working to gather information to understand exactly what happened, and, of course, we will be very focused on this.”

The State Department has formally declared two other Americans held in Russia, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and businessman Paul Whelan as “wrongfully detained,” which allows its Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to devote even more resources to secure their releases. In the case of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who is also being held in Russia on drug charges, the State Department has yet to come to the same determination.

Leake served in the Air Force for less than a year in 1989. More recently, he has worked as a musician and the lead singer for the band LoviNoch, or “Seize the Night” in English, according to his social media pages. Photos show he has been in and out of Russia for at least the last decade, and he appeared in an interview with Anthony Bourdain on his CNN show, "Parts Unknown," in 2014. 

He described the music scene to Bourdain, the late chef, and spoke to the protest movement in Moscow. At one point during the interview, Leake claimed that a mic failure was due to government interference.   

“They are blocking your signal,” he said, later adding, “I’m quite sure you’ve had someone on your tail the entire time you’ve been here.”

Abigail Williams is a producer and reporter for NBC News covering the State Department.

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Interested in exploring the comfort, speed and stability of a beautiful cruising catamaran? ASA’s Cruising Catamarans Made Easy will set you off on the right course. The textbook is the ideal companion to our ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran certification, and will take you from bowsprit to stern rail and all points in between, describing and illustrating how to sail these beamy, twin engine cruising crafts. Whether your aspirations are for chartering, owning or simply sailing on a big cat, this book is essential reading. It examines the differences between monohulls and catamarans, introduces the language of multihulls, and prepares sailors for the nuances of handling a cruising catamaran under sail and under power.

Like our previous textbooks, Cruising Catamarans Made Easy is illustrated with rich, detailed photos and easy-to-understand text to help students learn quickly. It offers invaluable information on how to operate a cruising catamaran, and how to get the most out of your next multihull sailing adventure. Lenny Shabes, ASA’s Chairman of the Board.

Cruising catamarans are the fastest growing segment in the sailing world. Heralded for their incredible comfort at a mooring or under sail, more and more cruising destinations are jam packed with what, are in essence, self-sufficient little islands for friends and family. They are stable, fast and readily available for charter in almost every exotic location on the planet.

Published in full color and containing best-in-class illustrations along with world-class photography from renowned sailing photographers, Billy Black, Nicholas Claris, Sharon Greene and others, Cruising Catamarans Made Easy was written by ASA Instructor Evaluators Andy Batchelor and Lisa Batchelor Frailey. The 90-page book was also co-edited by Peter Isler, two time America’s Cup winner and Chairman of ASA’s Educational Committee, and Jeremy McGeary, a 30-year veteran sailing writer and editor. The book also features a foreword by world-renowned American pioneer catamaran racer, Cam Lewis.

Learn how to sail fast, safe, and under control

“Catamarans excel when reaching — sailing across the wind — and even a very cushy and relatively heavy cruising catamaran can outpace cruising monohulls of a comparable size on these points of sail.”   “Modern cruising catamarans are highly resistant to capsize. It would take severe wind and sea conditions to invert one – the same sea state in which a monohull might also be vulnerable.”

Excerpt From: “ Cruising Catamarans Made Easy .”

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“More than a course textbook, Cruising Catamarans Made Easy is also ideal for familiarizing more experienced monohull sailors with the evolving catamaran world” Peter Isler, two time America’s Cup winner and Chairman of ASA’s Educational Committee

Become adept at maneuvering with “twin screws.”

“In powerboat lingo, twin engines and twin propellers are known as “twin screws,” but on a catamaran, you have twin screws on steroids. Those two propellers, one beneath each hull, are far enough apart that, operated singly or together, they can efficiently turn the boat in a very tight space. You can use this leverage to your advantage, especially when maneuvering in close quarters.”

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“On a monohull, the forestay is attached at or near the stem, where the hull sides and the deck form a very strong and rigid structure. On a catamaran, the forestay is attached at the middle of the forward crossbeam, which would bend upward under the forestay tension if it weren’t suitably reinforced. The seagull striker provides that reinforcement, often in the form of an A-shaped metal fabrication braced by steel cables.”

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Evolving from 50 years of customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has pooled their expertise with builders Robertson and Caine to design today's Leopard range: spacious, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans. As the worldwide distributor, we’re proud to say that over 2,500 Leopard cats have now been delivered all over the globe. 

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Russia sentences American teacher Marc Fogel to 14 years in prison for "large-scale" cannabis smuggling

June 17, 2022 / 11:19 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Moscow  — A Moscow court has sentenced a U.S. teacher to 14 years in prison for "large-scale" cannabis smuggling, the latest American to be caught up in Russia's legal system. Russia and the United States regularly clash over the detention of each other's citizens and sometimes exchange them in scenes reminiscent of the Cold War.

The sentencing of Marc Fogel comes as relations between Moscow and the West, particularly Washington, are tense over Moscow's war in Ukraine .

"The American citizen Fogel has been found guilty," the Khimki court said in a statement late Thursday. It said Fogel committed "large-scale drugs smuggling" by crossing the Russian border, as well as "large-scale illegal storage of drugs without a commercial purpose."

• Russia frees U.S. teen held over medical marijuana

Russian authorities said in January that Fogel had been arrested by customs officers after arriving from New York with his wife at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow.

"During customs checks, the marijuana and hash oil were found in his luggage," officials said, adding that the drugs were hidden in contact lens cases and e-cigarette cartridges. The incident took place in August 2021.

Fogel, who worked as a teacher in the Anglo-American School of Moscow, insisted the marijuana was for medical purposes and that it was prescribed in the United States after a spinal operation. Russia has not made the use of cannabis legal for medicinal purposes.

Russian officials say Fogel was employed in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and benefitted from diplomatic immunity until May 2021.

"He insists that it was medical marijuana and claims that a doctor prescribed it to him in the United States, which is allegedly confirmed by an entry in the medical record," Alexander Khurudzhi, a member of a Moscow human rights committee who was among a group of lawyers that visited Fogel in December, told Russia's Interfax news agency at the time. 

"He claims he was unaware of Russia's ban on medical marijuana," Khurudhzi said.

Fogel told the lawyers in December that he brought around 17 grams, or just over half an ounce, of marijuana with him to Russia.

The Interior Ministry has not specified the amount that Fogel is accused of carrying, but Russian law defines a "large amount" of marijuana to be 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) or more. Anything between 6-100 grams is classified as a "significant amount," the possession of which generally carries a much shorter jail sentence and, in some cases, the punishment is reduced to a fine.

The U.S. Embassy did not elaborate on Fogel's case, or on his diplomatic status, which he may have held as a member of staff at the school, which was previously run by the embassy.

Several Americans are currently detained in Russian prisons, and vice versa.

In April, the United States exchanged former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed , sentenced by a Russian court to nine years in prison for violence, for a Russian pilot who had been in a U.S. jail since 2010.

And American basketball star Brittney Griner is currently in pre-trial detention in Russia for drugs smuggling. Griner's detention came days before Russia defied U.S. warnings and sent troops into Ukraine in late February.

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It’s our favorite time of the year again, no, we’re not talking about pumpkin spice season, it’s time for the Annapolis Boat Show. We will have Privilège 580 Wild Rose on display from October 10th to the 14th. This is an excellent opportunity to get on board for an in-depth tour of the yacht.

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The wait is over. Introducing the New Privilege Signature 650 blu, the Forever Catamaran. We just posted new exterior photos of blu sailing in Les Sables d’Olonne this past month. More to come!

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