Sailor and cruising guide legend Donald M. Street Jr, passed away early in the morning of May 1, 2024 at the age of 93, following 60 years cruising, charting and writing about the Caribbean.

Published 6 months ago, updated 5 months ago

A Cruising Legend

The following announcement was posted to the Facebook page of the Glandore Harbour Yacht Club, located in West Cork in Ireland, where Street lived.

“It is with great sadness that we learnt this morning of the passing of our dear friend Don Street. Don will be forever remembered for his infectious love of sailing and mentor to our youth sailors for many years. We would like to express our condolences to wife Trish, children Dory, Donald, Richard and Mark and grandchildren. Fair winds and following seas, dear friend.”

Instrumental in opening up the Caribbean to cruising sailors

Don Street was a lifetime sailor hailing from Long Island, New York. He spent forty five years beginning in the 1950s, cruising, charting and writing about the Caribbean. Forty of those years were spent in his 46ft. engineless yawl, Iolaire, built in 1905. His final four years of cruising were on his 28-ft. engineless yawl Li’l Iolaire, gathering information for his guides in the winter and cruising European waters in the summer.

The USA’s National Sailing Hall of Fame website adds; “Don Street is a legend in his own time. He has made 12 transatlantic crossings, all of which were hand steered with no autopilot. In the early 1950s he explored the Eastern Caribbean and created the first charts of the Caribbean islands published as “Imray-Iolaire” charts, which were the first charts published since the British Admiralty charts from the 1700s. These charts were instrumental in creating the Charter business in the Caribbean. “

Don was cruising the Caribbean in the 1950s, before the guidebooks, mooring balls and any amenities for sailors. It is him (his book and his charts) that we have to thank for making the Caribbean accessible. His Cruising Guide to the Lesser Antilles, published in 1966, literally opened the Eastern Caribbean to cruising yachtsmen and made chartering possible.

Imray-Iolaire Charts Still in Use

Don’s Imray-Iolaire charts for the Eastern Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean were conceived with Tom Wilson, then Director of Imray, and launched in the 1970s.  They remain the industry standard for yachts today and have been adopted by the major electronic chart producers. Read Imray’s dedication to Don Street here.

Don was a longstanding member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and remained an active sailor to the end, preparing his Dragon boat Gypsy (which he owned for almost 40 years) for the season ahead just days before he died.

The Seven Seas Cruising Association, to which Street was a member,posted “We are sad to announce the passing of one of our Icons, Don Street. Seemes like yesterday he was cruising the oceans, and a late as early fall, he was talking about his charts and activities with SSCA. SSCA tries to stay in touch with all members, and Don Street was a shining light, that no one could ever forget.”

Street is survived by his wife Trich and four children Dory, Donald, Richard and Mark (Ted).

Don Street’s Biography can be found on his website: https://www.street-iolaire.com/bio.htm

Other Remembrance:

• Remembering Cruising Legend Don Street, by Fatty Goodlander for Cruising World Magazine.
• The June 2024 edition of Caribbean Compass is dedicated to Don Street.

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Articles by Don Street:

• Hurricanes
• Caribbean: Hurricane Season is Here
• Caribbean: When to leave and which way to go?
• Small Caribbean Island’s Waste Management: How Cruisers can Help
• Garbage Disposal at Sea and in the Eastern Caribbean

Related Links:

• Don Street’s Website
• Sailing Legend Don Street is Dead (LooseCannon)
• National Sailing Hall of Fame:  Don Street
• Don Street Article – SAIL Magazine
• DON STREET AT 93: Still Sailing (and Drinking Greenies) After All These Years – Wavetrain.net
• Andy Schell article for SAIL Magazine when done was 84
• Don Street Sailing Videos

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