Chrysler Sailors Forum

Sorry guys/gals. Have to step away from the forum for a couple of weeks. My girlfriend and I are Heading to the BVI to charter a 36' Jeanneau for 14 days. Wish I could take my C26, but the charter is a little more convenient.

You weasel ! Enjoy the time !

EE

Have a great time!! I have been there three times and bareboat chartered with the Moorings out of Roadtown. If it's your first time be sure to visit the Baths on Virgin Gorda. 14 days sounds great we could only manage 7 days each trip. Our last time we finally made the trip to Anegada and it was worth it. If you go take a taxi to Loblolly Bay and spend the day on one of the most beautiful beaches and plan a meal there at the Big Bamboo put in your order then go snorkling.

One of my wife and my favorite spots is Cooper Island. Pick up a mooring and dinghy in to the beach bar. Sit and watch to sun set with a few painkillers then take a few steps to the resturant for dinner and then dinghy back by flashlight to the boat.

Have you noticed a trend -- sailing, happy hour, food, back to the boat. Repeat daily for as long as possible.

Enjoy and I wish I was there right now.

Mike,

This is my fourth charter to the BVI. I have not had the conditions appropriate to make the crossing to Anegada in the past (though it was always on the agenda) but if conditions are right this time, we will!
Thanks for the advice, "Loblolly Bay - Big Bamboo" Got it!

"sailing, happy hour, food, back to the boat. Repeat daily for as long as possible." that's our intention, but we will throw in some diving too. (Just picked up some nice dive lights, so we will attempt some night diving too)

The Bath's are always a nice place, unfortunately these days they are crowded, and if you don't get there early enough, you have to motor around for a while to pick up a mooring. Also, they have cruise ships stopping at Spanish Town, and they taxi to the Bath's in the hundreds.

I'll take lot's of pictures, if anyone is interested, I can post a few.


EE - I'm not actually a weasel, but I will have a good time.


--Richard

You're right - you're not a weasel - if you've been 4 times its worse than that ! (You can't tell I'm green with envy can you ?)

Do enjoy, take some pics for us poor lake-bound souls, hmm ? Talk to you soon.

I have only snorkled in BVI. My wife is more into reading and sunning when on a sailboat. Have you gone diving near the Rhone? I was amazed at what I could see snorkling over it I bet diving it would be even better.

We have always gone to BVI the end of October the last week of hurricane season. Good discounts on the charter and very few boats at most moorings. If you do go to Anegada get there early because there are not many moorings available and they tend to fill up quickly.

Now that sounds like a fine vacation!

Maybe I should get my bareboat cert.

Have fun!!

Scott

BVI British Virgin Islands, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Cooper iIsland, Peter Island, Anegeda, etc

Alan,

I have always chartered with the Moorings. They have been chartering in BVI for about 40 years. Before your first charter with them they have a form you fill out that is basically your sailing resume. Once approved you receive a certificate from them, you are checked out on the boat when you arrive and off you go on your own.

http://www.moorings.com/

The British Virgin Islands are east of Puerto Rico. They are a great place for a first time charter because most of your sailing is line of sight in protected waters. We have always chartered monohulls (to much of a traditionalist to sail a cat) the last was a 50 footer. We left Tortola and in seas that were about 6" to maybe a foot we cruised at about 8 knots. The water temp the end of October is usually about 90 degrees. You sail from island to island. Stop and snorkle, sail some more then pick up a mooring ball at night (there is a fee to use them but it is much easier then dropping anchor). You dinghy into to the beach bar and there is one near every mooring. Drink, eat and start over the next day.

We went for our once in a lifetime trip and now have gone three times.

Does anyone know of a independent charter(er) in the BVI ? I know Moorings is the traditional charter company but unless you go with 2 other couples, the cost is really prohibitive. Even my best friends with have some difficulty leaving in cramped quarters with wives for a week. I just don't want take the chance of ruining good relationships with old friends.

Ah BVI is British Virgin Islands. I was not putting that together yesterday, thanks.

Thanks for the info on the charter too.
Alan

Just out of curiosity, what would it cost to charter a bareboat 32 for a week?

Thanks
Carl

About $3500 for the boat. Split costs if you have 2 more couples plus fllight to get there and back

Alan
A lot of charter companies will accept a resume of your sailing experience to charter and all resurve the option to put an experienced person aboard if they do not think you can handel the boat.
Although I had done alot of sailingin the 70's , when my wife and I decided to go sailing I had not been on a boat for 20 years and my wife had never sailed.
We signed-up to do ASA training with Barefoot Charters out of ST Vincent.
My wife did the Basic Keelboat and I opted to do Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering. They warned me this was a lot to take in one shot but I rekon sailing is like riding a bike , you never forget. We had a fantastic time, we had a Beneteau 373 with just the two of us and our instructor.We had our class time until 11 and sailed down the chain of islands called The Grenadines the closestplace i've seen to heaven. Anchoring at a new Island each nigth and having diner on board or dinning out at shore resturants. At times we teamed up with another training boat. Well the short stroy is that I passed the cirtification and my wife decided that she was passanger not crew. I think the best thing I learned was the value of local knowledge, in anchorages ,best resurants, which boatboys to trust and the thousaand other thing a local knows.
So if your sailing short handed or you crew is short on experience take on a local it can take away a lot of the stress of sailing a strange boat in a strange place for the first time..

For good info on BVI Chartering check out Travel Talk On Line

this being the 4th...indy day.. aren't there US virgin islands that we actually still own...

We are currently in Trellis Bay, on Beef Island, tonight is the full moon party on the beach. the Anchorage is packed!

we got a great price on our charter through Conch Charters. $1900 for TWO weeks! They claim to have the "Best deals on Keels". The boats are older, but in fine shape for the money, and have a freindly staff.

Anywway, they have free internet access here, so I thought I would leave this note. But I got to get back to my RUM!

--Richard

Have one for me! No make that two did I say two I ment three or was that four I lost count you better start over.

Update . . .

Made the crossing from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, to Anegada on Thursday. It was an easy beam reach in 14 - 17 kts wind, seas were 2 - 3 ft. It only took 2 3/4 hrs. Spent two nights at Anegada, Friday we spent the day in Loblolly bay snorkeling and lunch at the Big Bamboo, (thanks 2nd Gen for the suggestion) Our trip back across the channel was just as pleasant as the one over.
We are currently moored at the Bitter End Yacht club, but we will be having the local buffet cuisine at Saba Rock. Tomorrow it is Diving at the Dogs.

I lost count of the rum, but it's not run out yet!

Having a landlocked Myer's Dark and 6oz bottled Coke right now while listening to Prairie Home Companion. A toast to you out there ! Sounds like you're having a great time.

Fair winds !


EE