Puddle Jumpers Poised to Pounce

From Ecuador to San Francisco, boats within the so-called Pacific Puddle Jump class of 2009 are currently making final preparations before setting sail for the fabled isles of French Polynesia.

Regardless of whether crews are sailing aboard big, stable mulithulls or cramped pocket cruisers, the 3,000-mile crossing to the Marquesas is a very long trip. So, naturally, the sailors who won free nights at swank Marquesan hotels last month (as reported February 20) were thrilled at the prospect of luxuriating in the deluxe accommodations of the Pearl Resorts on Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva.

We learned this morning that three-time Puddle Jumper Bob Bechler, who won a night at the chain’s Nuku Hiva property, took it upon himself to see if he could ‘spread the love’ to the rest of the fleet. Good news! Nuku Hiva’s Keihahanui Resort has offered all Puddle Jumpers a roughly 35% discount off their rack rate for their best bungalows, plus they’ll throw in a free breakfast (normally $27!). While this rate, about $210, still isn’t what you’d call cheap, springing for it may be just the enticement needed to keep weary crew from jumping ship. Check out the 360 degree video and you’ll see what we mean.

We’re currently fine-tuning our master list of 2009 Puddle Jumpers, which we’ll publish here later this week.