We're planning a 10 day charter in the B.V.I.'s in May (maybe 2004 or maybe 2005).Other than it's supposed to be great I only know what is available from brochures.Does anyone have any do's or don'ts?. Any tips or information would be appreciated.
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Gregg
The Bitter End
Definitely plan your trip to include a stay at the Bitter End Yacht Club. It is located at the end of North Sound in Virgin Gorda. All the resort facilities, including their fleet of excellent small sailboats are available to guests at their marina. Very low key and pure fun. On the way there or back make sure you hit the Baths. They are a real adventure. Excellent snorkeling there and also off Necker island and some good reefs off the Dogs. The BVI was my families best trip ever. Have a great time, wish I could come along.
Definitely plan your trip to include a stay at the Bitter End Yacht Club. It is located at the end of North Sound in Virgin Gorda. All the resort facilities, including their fleet of excellent small sailboats are available to guests at their marina. Very low key and pure fun. On the way there or back make sure you hit the Baths. They are a real adventure. Excellent snorkeling there and also off Necker island and some good reefs off the Dogs. The BVI was my families best trip ever. Have a great time, wish I could come along.
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Bob Keller
BVI Trip
My wife and I just chartered in the BVI this past November through The Moorings. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and we had 23 inches of rain and gale winds for a week during our stay. A few things we learned: Talk to the charter company about the boat that you choose. In our case we wanted a center cockpit boat - large aft cabin. The only boat that they had in that catagory was a Beneteau 402. The boat, although only four years old, was very tired inside and out and had 2800 hours on the engine. Upon our arrival there were serveral things wrong with the boat which Moorings readily fixed although it cost us about a three hour delay in leaving. Just make sure you know what you are getting and the condition. We were extremely disappointed in the boat overall. The boat was a real leaker, not that the weather is the Moorings fault but every hatch, seam and port leaked like a seive. Note: the Mooring did give us credit for our next trip. Provisioning. We chose to have the Moorings provide for provisioning as this was our first bareboat. In hind site we should have just did it outselves as there are many places close to the Moorings base. We would up with many food items left over and wound up giving them away at the return not to mention the extra cost. Start of Charter. We arrived on a Saturday evening and attended our briefing on Sunday morning, then picked up our boat. The weekend is crazy. Too many people trying to do the same thing and the staff (at the Moorings) becomes stretched real thin. Try to start midweek if you can (look at your transportation options when traveling to the BVI as this may not be an option). Finally, sailing in the BVI is wonderful. Although we only actually only sailed on two days and were held up at the Bitter End for four days, we can not wait to go back and finish what we started. We will go back to the Moorings as we have a credit and they truely tried to accomodate us. The next trip, probably in 2005, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are planned for this year on our boat, we will select a different boat and know it's conditiion, probably a 36 unless the family comes with us then we'll look at something bigger. Good Luck and enjoy! Bob Keller sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct.
My wife and I just chartered in the BVI this past November through The Moorings. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and we had 23 inches of rain and gale winds for a week during our stay. A few things we learned: Talk to the charter company about the boat that you choose. In our case we wanted a center cockpit boat - large aft cabin. The only boat that they had in that catagory was a Beneteau 402. The boat, although only four years old, was very tired inside and out and had 2800 hours on the engine. Upon our arrival there were serveral things wrong with the boat which Moorings readily fixed although it cost us about a three hour delay in leaving. Just make sure you know what you are getting and the condition. We were extremely disappointed in the boat overall. The boat was a real leaker, not that the weather is the Moorings fault but every hatch, seam and port leaked like a seive. Note: the Mooring did give us credit for our next trip. Provisioning. We chose to have the Moorings provide for provisioning as this was our first bareboat. In hind site we should have just did it outselves as there are many places close to the Moorings base. We would up with many food items left over and wound up giving them away at the return not to mention the extra cost. Start of Charter. We arrived on a Saturday evening and attended our briefing on Sunday morning, then picked up our boat. The weekend is crazy. Too many people trying to do the same thing and the staff (at the Moorings) becomes stretched real thin. Try to start midweek if you can (look at your transportation options when traveling to the BVI as this may not be an option). Finally, sailing in the BVI is wonderful. Although we only actually only sailed on two days and were held up at the Bitter End for four days, we can not wait to go back and finish what we started. We will go back to the Moorings as we have a credit and they truely tried to accomodate us. The next trip, probably in 2005, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are planned for this year on our boat, we will select a different boat and know it's conditiion, probably a 36 unless the family comes with us then we'll look at something bigger. Good Luck and enjoy! Bob Keller sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct.
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Marc P
BVIs
Doing our first bareboat this spring. We chartered from Sunsail. So far everything has worked out well. Can't wait to get down there
Doing our first bareboat this spring. We chartered from Sunsail. So far everything has worked out well. Can't wait to get down there
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Luis Oliveira
BVI information
Ken: We spent a week on the BVIs on October/02 and it was our best vacation ever! We stayed at the Bitter End, and took their option to spend some of the nights on one of their boats (they have some Freedom 30's available). The resort is great, beautiful views and all kinds of small sailboats to use, all included. We figured that since we never had cruised before, this would be a good "half-way" solution, with some cruising, and some hotal time. However, if I had to do it again, I would go for a regular charter company and spend all the nights cruising, since we really enjoyed our time aboard. Also, since we spent only three nights on the boat (four days of sailing), this limited somewhat our choices of locations. We tried to plan before getting there, and had a pretty good idea about where we wanted to spend each night. I wanted to make sure to be spending the night at a place with mooring balls available (did not want to mess with anchors). We also wanted to break down the sailing days so that we would not be sailing for a long period of time without at least one "snorkeling break". I downloaded several files with tips, GPS coordinates, etc and they were helpful. I also bought a cruising guide that was pretty helpful, specially during the planning phase. If you want, contact me offline and I can pass some of these along to you. My email address is Loliveira@Houston.rr.com. Due to our limited time, we stayed mainly within the Drake channel: the Baths, Cooper Island, the Rhone (Salt Island), Norman Island (a MUST GO), Marina Cay and the Dogs (good snorkeling places). If I had a couple more days I would have gone to the north side of Tortola and Jost Van Dyke. We had a chance to visit the Moorings base while waiting for our plane back, and were really impressed by the number of boats available. Have fun!
Ken: We spent a week on the BVIs on October/02 and it was our best vacation ever! We stayed at the Bitter End, and took their option to spend some of the nights on one of their boats (they have some Freedom 30's available). The resort is great, beautiful views and all kinds of small sailboats to use, all included. We figured that since we never had cruised before, this would be a good "half-way" solution, with some cruising, and some hotal time. However, if I had to do it again, I would go for a regular charter company and spend all the nights cruising, since we really enjoyed our time aboard. Also, since we spent only three nights on the boat (four days of sailing), this limited somewhat our choices of locations. We tried to plan before getting there, and had a pretty good idea about where we wanted to spend each night. I wanted to make sure to be spending the night at a place with mooring balls available (did not want to mess with anchors). We also wanted to break down the sailing days so that we would not be sailing for a long period of time without at least one "snorkeling break". I downloaded several files with tips, GPS coordinates, etc and they were helpful. I also bought a cruising guide that was pretty helpful, specially during the planning phase. If you want, contact me offline and I can pass some of these along to you. My email address is Loliveira@Houston.rr.com. Due to our limited time, we stayed mainly within the Drake channel: the Baths, Cooper Island, the Rhone (Salt Island), Norman Island (a MUST GO), Marina Cay and the Dogs (good snorkeling places). If I had a couple more days I would have gone to the north side of Tortola and Jost Van Dyke. We had a chance to visit the Moorings base while waiting for our plane back, and were really impressed by the number of boats available. Have fun!
R
Ric
I'm going
Ken My family and I are going with the Moorings 2/21 to 2/28. I have done a ton of research and would be happy to share when I get back. E-mail me at GM@ConcordCC.org.
Ken My family and I are going with the Moorings 2/21 to 2/28. I have done a ton of research and would be happy to share when I get back. E-mail me at GM@ConcordCC.org.
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Dean Bachelor
More hints
Hey Ken you will have a great time. Write down the stuff everyone responds with and you will be fine. My pointer is: take some frozen meats with you, we bought all our meats in advance and had froze them, then take it out of the cooler just before you go into the airport, and it will make the trip easy, wrap in a towel or something and it will get to the boat. You can save alot of money doing this (unless you want to eat our all the time) and your diet stayes consistent! if you know what I mean!!
Hey Ken you will have a great time. Write down the stuff everyone responds with and you will be fine. My pointer is: take some frozen meats with you, we bought all our meats in advance and had froze them, then take it out of the cooler just before you go into the airport, and it will make the trip easy, wrap in a towel or something and it will get to the boat. You can save alot of money doing this (unless you want to eat our all the time) and your diet stayes consistent! if you know what I mean!!
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Henryv
A great holiday
Just returned from our second bareboat charter in BVI's. We took a cat from Barecat Charters who are located in Soper's Hole ( West End ) which is a 45 minute ferry ride from St. Thomas USVI. We did our own provisioning which is easy and cheaper. The BVI's are easy to sail with lots of overnight mooring options with bars and restaurants waiting on shore.
Just returned from our second bareboat charter in BVI's. We took a cat from Barecat Charters who are located in Soper's Hole ( West End ) which is a 45 minute ferry ride from St. Thomas USVI. We did our own provisioning which is easy and cheaper. The BVI's are easy to sail with lots of overnight mooring options with bars and restaurants waiting on shore.
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Gary Kunkel
Great sailing vacation
We've done six bareboat charters in the BVI and are planning a seventh. You'll love sailing there. Great beach bar/restaurants, superb snorkeling, fine tradewinds, etc. Please feel free to send me an e-mail (look me up in the owner's directory of this forum) if you have any specific questions. We love to talk about sailing the BVI. Regards, Gary
We've done six bareboat charters in the BVI and are planning a seventh. You'll love sailing there. Great beach bar/restaurants, superb snorkeling, fine tradewinds, etc. Please feel free to send me an e-mail (look me up in the owner's directory of this forum) if you have any specific questions. We love to talk about sailing the BVI. Regards, Gary
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John
Check this link
Check this link of our trip to the Islands. Plan all your stops before going in a planning trip, plan all your meals and food list ahead and shop when you get there. It is walking distance. Hit as many harbors and scenic anchorages as you have time for - usually one or two per day. Start early in the morning and get to your next stop early because it is starting to get crowded and the moorings get taken early. Try to get to your destination by around 3 or 4:00, snorkel for a while and then enjoy supper. Snorkel every day twice if you can. The snorkeling is not as good as it was years ago because the coral is dying. Have fun.
Check this link of our trip to the Islands. Plan all your stops before going in a planning trip, plan all your meals and food list ahead and shop when you get there. It is walking distance. Hit as many harbors and scenic anchorages as you have time for - usually one or two per day. Start early in the morning and get to your next stop early because it is starting to get crowded and the moorings get taken early. Try to get to your destination by around 3 or 4:00, snorkel for a while and then enjoy supper. Snorkel every day twice if you can. The snorkeling is not as good as it was years ago because the coral is dying. Have fun.
J
JLeavitt
to be back in the BVI's
you can't go wrong in the BVI's. The water is crystal clear and the sailing is fantastic. We did a crewed charter for a week. That way we had an experienced captain who knew where to go and what to see and a mate who prepaired all our meals. Talk about being spoiled. If interested talk to Ed Hamilton (ad in Sail magazine). We went to all the hot snorkel and dive spots and the other sites to see (the Baths and Bitter End for drinks and a movie). We stayed away from the crowds and found quiet anchor spots at night. Hint: if you want to swim off the back of the boat make sure you anchor up current from anyone else and stay out of the harbors. Just go there to shop (Pussers for suveneers). Now that we know where to go we can't wait to go back on our own.
you can't go wrong in the BVI's. The water is crystal clear and the sailing is fantastic. We did a crewed charter for a week. That way we had an experienced captain who knew where to go and what to see and a mate who prepaired all our meals. Talk about being spoiled. If interested talk to Ed Hamilton (ad in Sail magazine). We went to all the hot snorkel and dive spots and the other sites to see (the Baths and Bitter End for drinks and a movie). We stayed away from the crowds and found quiet anchor spots at night. Hint: if you want to swim off the back of the boat make sure you anchor up current from anyone else and stay out of the harbors. Just go there to shop (Pussers for suveneers). Now that we know where to go we can't wait to go back on our own.
C
Chuck
For Marc P
I am also chartering from Sunsail this spring. Contact me of line at CFDickhut2@c.com. Maybe we can get together and share a brew Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani h31
I am also chartering from Sunsail this spring. Contact me of line at CFDickhut2@c.com. Maybe we can get together and share a brew Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani h31
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Frank Walker
USVI
Ken, give St Thomas a look. We have spent 9 weeks there in the last 9 years and all have been bareboat from St Thomas. Easier to get to and just a short hop to St John's and on to the BVIs. Each trip we spend more and more time around St John's and less and less time in the BVI's to avoid the crowds. We used Island Yachts this last trip and were very happy. I don't think you will find a better maintained bareboat(all Island Packets). Don't let the customs issues scare you off, it is really no big deal and you need something to do anyway. Clear in up at Jost Van Dyke and be sure to say hello to Foxy.
Ken, give St Thomas a look. We have spent 9 weeks there in the last 9 years and all have been bareboat from St Thomas. Easier to get to and just a short hop to St John's and on to the BVIs. Each trip we spend more and more time around St John's and less and less time in the BVI's to avoid the crowds. We used Island Yachts this last trip and were very happy. I don't think you will find a better maintained bareboat(all Island Packets). Don't let the customs issues scare you off, it is really no big deal and you need something to do anyway. Clear in up at Jost Van Dyke and be sure to say hello to Foxy.
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wm frech
Sunsail vs Moorings
Just returned from a 10 day charter in BVI...Have used Moorings 5 times before and switched to Sunsail this time...Very happy with the Sunsail base, boats, prices and attitude...Will not return to Moorings due to poor boats, prices and attitudes...A tip, if you want a mooring get to your destination before 3pm or you will have to put down a hook.
Just returned from a 10 day charter in BVI...Have used Moorings 5 times before and switched to Sunsail this time...Very happy with the Sunsail base, boats, prices and attitude...Will not return to Moorings due to poor boats, prices and attitudes...A tip, if you want a mooring get to your destination before 3pm or you will have to put down a hook.
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Monty Miller
A great link....
Has everthing you will ever want to know. Some of the trip reports are excellent. Enjoy, Monty
Has everthing you will ever want to know. Some of the trip reports are excellent. Enjoy, Monty
K
Kirk
TravelTalk
The TravelTalk link is the way to go. We went to the BVI's last Jan. for an 11 day bareboat. We did it on only three months notice and all my questions and fears were adressed on their board. FYI, we chartered from Sunsail and while there were a few issues upon arrival at the boat, all were taken care of right away. We had a B. Oceanis 393 named Silver, great boat! One great piece of advice would be to not over-plan your intinerary. You should have anb idea as to what you want to see and do, but you can change your plans very easily along the way. Have fun!
The TravelTalk link is the way to go. We went to the BVI's last Jan. for an 11 day bareboat. We did it on only three months notice and all my questions and fears were adressed on their board. FYI, we chartered from Sunsail and while there were a few issues upon arrival at the boat, all were taken care of right away. We had a B. Oceanis 393 named Silver, great boat! One great piece of advice would be to not over-plan your intinerary. You should have anb idea as to what you want to see and do, but you can change your plans very easily along the way. Have fun!
M
Mike Harris
BVI Paradise
2nd XMAS-NEW YEAR sailing BVI was just as good as 1st. Moorings last year was fine. Footloose this year-unhappy with sails tired/torn, anchor rode twisted-took an hour to straighten, fuel gage ng. Will use different company next time. Agree with provision comments-next year do it ourselves. Best was Anegada-not so crowded, good place to feel away from it all, fine lobster. Snorkle outside reef at Loblolly Bay if surf not big. If you can read chart, follow compass or GPS entering Anegada is no problem-just pay attention as in most harbors to avoid shallows. Trellis Bay's Lost Resort with Tony Snell's show was a blast-go for food & show, stay for "ass". Visit rum distillery at Cane Garden Bay. See you there next New Year's eve. Enjoy!
2nd XMAS-NEW YEAR sailing BVI was just as good as 1st. Moorings last year was fine. Footloose this year-unhappy with sails tired/torn, anchor rode twisted-took an hour to straighten, fuel gage ng. Will use different company next time. Agree with provision comments-next year do it ourselves. Best was Anegada-not so crowded, good place to feel away from it all, fine lobster. Snorkle outside reef at Loblolly Bay if surf not big. If you can read chart, follow compass or GPS entering Anegada is no problem-just pay attention as in most harbors to avoid shallows. Trellis Bay's Lost Resort with Tony Snell's show was a blast-go for food & show, stay for "ass". Visit rum distillery at Cane Garden Bay. See you there next New Year's eve. Enjoy!
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