Through his own business at MLE, Inc., in Elk Grove, Illinois, Mike Loftus provides jobs for more than 100 employees. He started the signage and graphics branding operation more than a decade ago while still in his 20s, and since then, he has grown it exponentially. Even after bringing in more than $25 million in revenue in 2015, Mike Loftus is setting his sights on retirement, when he plans to live on a boat among the world’s islands.
A number of travel guides and websites have listed the best Caribbean islands for sailing. These include the British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Sailors love the British Virgin Islands, one of the world’s most popular yachting destinations. The 25-island chain extends along spectacular natural features such as out-of-the-way coves and bays. Experienced deckhands praise the steady, predictable winds, as well as the ease of hopping from one island to the next.
St. Lucia forms a natural midpoint for sailors navigating between the warmth of Caribbean waters on one coast and the depths of the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Sailors on a budget have found it very affordable and have loved the striking views of the island’s twin Piton mountains against the sea.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines offer plenty of tranquility. Only nine of the 32 Grenadines are populated, and the islands’ soft trade winds have beckoned travelers for centuries. Bequia, once a pirate metropolis, offers golden-toned beaches, shopping, and restaurants as a favorite port of call.
