Looking to take my wife and another couple "newbees" sailing in the BVIs in May. I have lots of experience sailing, but have never chartered. I want this trip to be a great experience for everyone and would like some information about resources to research the trip prior. Any tips about possible 7 day routes to take. Great places to anchor. Towns to visit Places to avoid Should I pay to have provisions provided by the charter company or by our own? Who might be the best charter company in the BVIs? Just how big are the BVIs? Can they be sailed around in 7 days? Thank You...
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Been there
Last May We Chartered with SunSail in the BVI. First time for all 3 couples. We chose to go with a flotila package which I recommend for the first time chartering. They took care of our destinations and helped with our ancorage. They also kept track of the weather and adjusted our daily routes accordingly. We sailed by ourselves throughout the day and all met at our destination each night. It took alot of the worry out of the trip. You will have a great time.
Last May We Chartered with SunSail in the BVI. First time for all 3 couples. We chose to go with a flotila package which I recommend for the first time chartering. They took care of our destinations and helped with our ancorage. They also kept track of the weather and adjusted our daily routes accordingly. We sailed by ourselves throughout the day and all met at our destination each night. It took alot of the worry out of the trip. You will have a great time.
BVI Info
The BVI's is the best place for first time bareboaters. You will have so much fun there I'll bet that you will return within two years. Check sunsail.com and moorings.com for maps and chartering information. We have had great experiences with both. The BVI talk forum in the link below is the best source of informaion. Spend several hours there and you will become an expert. Good luck and enjoy the painkillers!
The BVI's is the best place for first time bareboaters. You will have so much fun there I'll bet that you will return within two years. Check sunsail.com and moorings.com for maps and chartering information. We have had great experiences with both. The BVI talk forum in the link below is the best source of informaion. Spend several hours there and you will become an expert. Good luck and enjoy the painkillers!
BVI's
Did the BVI's about 5 years ago-Excellent sailing! We charted with Footloose and had a good experience (this is moorings sister company with somewhat older boats-like 5-7 years old) Going to do it again in March of 2006 and will use the Moorings. Make sure to hit Foxys, Willie T's, Jost Van Dyke and the Bitter End Yacht Club. Ken
Did the BVI's about 5 years ago-Excellent sailing! We charted with Footloose and had a good experience (this is moorings sister company with somewhat older boats-like 5-7 years old) Going to do it again in March of 2006 and will use the Moorings. Make sure to hit Foxys, Willie T's, Jost Van Dyke and the Bitter End Yacht Club. Ken
You Won't Want to Leave !
My Wife and I and another couple bareboated with the Moorings two years ago and loved it . They prepare you with a chart briefing and a boat briefing which gives you alot of confidence . They offered to provide a " Friendly Skipper " to sail with you for a while to get used to the boat but I declined . I did let one of their people back the boat ouy of the slip because it was very tight and having the dingy tethered made it a little more complicated . As we were leaving Roadtown harbor I kept thinking to myself I can't beleive they're handing me a 100,000 dollar 36 foot boat and saying see you in a week ! The biggest thing I had sailed to that point was mt San Juan 26 . As Caroline said in Cap'n Ron , it's like " not a problem !" The boat was very easy to sail . The cruising guide they give you has maps and color pictures of all the major anchorages . Once in Sir Francis Drake channel you can see all the islands . I really found it no different than lake sailing for thr most part , except for the crystal clear water and stunning scenery ! We had full provisioning but I don't reccomend it . Too much food left over ! We later found a nice grocery easy walking distance from the moorings with great prices ! Next time we will do it ourselves . I could go on forever but I won't . JUST DO IT !!!!
My Wife and I and another couple bareboated with the Moorings two years ago and loved it . They prepare you with a chart briefing and a boat briefing which gives you alot of confidence . They offered to provide a " Friendly Skipper " to sail with you for a while to get used to the boat but I declined . I did let one of their people back the boat ouy of the slip because it was very tight and having the dingy tethered made it a little more complicated . As we were leaving Roadtown harbor I kept thinking to myself I can't beleive they're handing me a 100,000 dollar 36 foot boat and saying see you in a week ! The biggest thing I had sailed to that point was mt San Juan 26 . As Caroline said in Cap'n Ron , it's like " not a problem !" The boat was very easy to sail . The cruising guide they give you has maps and color pictures of all the major anchorages . Once in Sir Francis Drake channel you can see all the islands . I really found it no different than lake sailing for thr most part , except for the crystal clear water and stunning scenery ! We had full provisioning but I don't reccomend it . Too much food left over ! We later found a nice grocery easy walking distance from the moorings with great prices ! Next time we will do it ourselves . I could go on forever but I won't . JUST DO IT !!!!
Just got back 3 weeks ago from 11 day charter.
I sail a Beneteau OC281 on an inland lake. This was my first time sailing in an ocean and we did get some weather, 40+ knots wind and 6 to 8' seas. Both hurricane Wilma and Alpha were still active and although the boat (Beneteau 40 CC) was never in any peril, we opted to sit out the weather for a couple of nights at the slip. It was still hurricane season and based on the experiences of others I've talked too, apparently this was somewhat unusual weather. We passed on having the boat provisioned and I'm glad we did. We picked up enough groceries in Road Town for breakfasts and light lunches but we ate ashore more than I would have guessed. If the boat had been provisioned, we would have had a lot left over. Neither of us actually got sick, but with the bouncng around on the boat, cooking was not something we were interested in, and our appetites were light. It is beautiful and you'll have a great time.
I sail a Beneteau OC281 on an inland lake. This was my first time sailing in an ocean and we did get some weather, 40+ knots wind and 6 to 8' seas. Both hurricane Wilma and Alpha were still active and although the boat (Beneteau 40 CC) was never in any peril, we opted to sit out the weather for a couple of nights at the slip. It was still hurricane season and based on the experiences of others I've talked too, apparently this was somewhat unusual weather. We passed on having the boat provisioned and I'm glad we did. We picked up enough groceries in Road Town for breakfasts and light lunches but we ate ashore more than I would have guessed. If the boat had been provisioned, we would have had a lot left over. Neither of us actually got sick, but with the bouncng around on the boat, cooking was not something we were interested in, and our appetites were light. It is beautiful and you'll have a great time.
BVI
There are easily 4 great places and 12 very good places to visit in the BVI, and more in St. John nearby. Wife's favorite was Marina Key, the beach bar is great, protected area for the kids to practice snorkling near the beach, along the northwest side is a marked dive site with two bouys's to tie up dinks for some great advanced snorkling. My favorite is Virgin Gorda. Reserve a slip in the huge marina in Spanish town, and take a taxi. Explore the caves and or bring snorkling gear to explore the ocean side. Break into two days if you can spare that much time. Peter Island has the best food. Norman Island & Peter Island have great hiking
There are easily 4 great places and 12 very good places to visit in the BVI, and more in St. John nearby. Wife's favorite was Marina Key, the beach bar is great, protected area for the kids to practice snorkling near the beach, along the northwest side is a marked dive site with two bouys's to tie up dinks for some great advanced snorkling. My favorite is Virgin Gorda. Reserve a slip in the huge marina in Spanish town, and take a taxi. Explore the caves and or bring snorkling gear to explore the ocean side. Break into two days if you can spare that much time. Peter Island has the best food. Norman Island & Peter Island have great hiking
BVI Chartering
For provisioning, try Ample Hamper. You can order on-line, they deliver. Re 7 days, only if you sail fast. From Tortola to north end of Virgin Gorda (ie. Bitter End Yacht club etc.) you will beating--at least winter months--so it's takes a couple of days to work your way up there. Then there's Yost Van Dike on the opposite end of the BVI's. You'll get to see plenty in 7 days. Then you can come back another time and catch other sites. Dale
For provisioning, try Ample Hamper. You can order on-line, they deliver. Re 7 days, only if you sail fast. From Tortola to north end of Virgin Gorda (ie. Bitter End Yacht club etc.) you will beating--at least winter months--so it's takes a couple of days to work your way up there. Then there's Yost Van Dike on the opposite end of the BVI's. You'll get to see plenty in 7 days. Then you can come back another time and catch other sites. Dale
BVIs
I realized you indicated May, when winds are down vs. January. Also, get the BVI cruising guide. It's worth the $20+. Dale
I realized you indicated May, when winds are down vs. January. Also, get the BVI cruising guide. It's worth the $20+. Dale
Try Sunsail
We chartered with Sunsail 2 years ago and highly recommend them. They have some weeks with a discounted rate. You can almost stay 10 days for a normal 7 day cost. The extra time is worth it. You won't feel any pressure to move on to the next anchorage. As stated below "you won't want to leave".
We chartered with Sunsail 2 years ago and highly recommend them. They have some weeks with a discounted rate. You can almost stay 10 days for a normal 7 day cost. The extra time is worth it. You won't feel any pressure to move on to the next anchorage. As stated below "you won't want to leave".
Gping Again In March 2006
We last went to the BVI in November 2003. Unfortunately the trip was interrupted by a tropical low which brought 4 days of high winds and 17 inches of rain. The islands were devestated. We had charted from the Moorings and despite other's good tales to tell we were diappointed. We chartered a Benteau 40 CC. The boat was 4 years old and was beaten to death. 2800 hours on the engine, both the interior and exterior were trashed and the boat leaked like a sieve. The Mooring's had no control over the weather but surely could have taken better care of the boat. We departed late from the Mooring's base as they had to fix a few things and change out the already wet mattress before we could leave. In spite of that we did manage to have a few good days, Cooper Island, the Baths and our safe mooring at the Bitter End for three days. Our sail back to Road Town was beautiful. This time we are trying BVI Yacht Charters. We are chartering a 2003 Hunter 426 DS. The rates were much less then the Mooring or the others and the staff has been very helpful so far. We will see. Hopefully the weather will be good. The first time we went with a modified provisioning plan through the Moorings. Did not work for us - too much of the wrong things. This time we will provision for ourselves at one of the two close by markets. Buy the cruising guide in advance. Look at the itineries on the Mooring and other sites, They all offer good suggestions for 7 or 10 day charters in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions although they seem to pack too much in for my liking. The BVI is beautiful. Every destination is within eye sight. Relax and enjoy. Anyone there in the middle of March - keep an eye out for "Mooblight Serenade". Happy Sailing Bob Keller sv Kathryn 2, Stamford, Ct
We last went to the BVI in November 2003. Unfortunately the trip was interrupted by a tropical low which brought 4 days of high winds and 17 inches of rain. The islands were devestated. We had charted from the Moorings and despite other's good tales to tell we were diappointed. We chartered a Benteau 40 CC. The boat was 4 years old and was beaten to death. 2800 hours on the engine, both the interior and exterior were trashed and the boat leaked like a sieve. The Mooring's had no control over the weather but surely could have taken better care of the boat. We departed late from the Mooring's base as they had to fix a few things and change out the already wet mattress before we could leave. In spite of that we did manage to have a few good days, Cooper Island, the Baths and our safe mooring at the Bitter End for three days. Our sail back to Road Town was beautiful. This time we are trying BVI Yacht Charters. We are chartering a 2003 Hunter 426 DS. The rates were much less then the Mooring or the others and the staff has been very helpful so far. We will see. Hopefully the weather will be good. The first time we went with a modified provisioning plan through the Moorings. Did not work for us - too much of the wrong things. This time we will provision for ourselves at one of the two close by markets. Buy the cruising guide in advance. Look at the itineries on the Mooring and other sites, They all offer good suggestions for 7 or 10 day charters in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions although they seem to pack too much in for my liking. The BVI is beautiful. Every destination is within eye sight. Relax and enjoy. Anyone there in the middle of March - keep an eye out for "Mooblight Serenade". Happy Sailing Bob Keller sv Kathryn 2, Stamford, Ct
This past June/July
Phil, you will love it. My wife and I plus another couple just did our first (note I said first because we are already planning the next) trip this past June into July for 7 days. We choose Moorings, but I hear it is 6 of one, half dozen of another between them and Sunsail. We had a Beneteau 403 for the two couples. We also did the flotilla option since it was our first time down there. As others have said, it is a good option because although you are free during the day, they do a great job of briefing you, keeping you posted and if you have a problem, there are right there to assist. Also, you get a chance to meet some other couples sharing the same pasion as you. We had a total of 11 boats in our flotilla and enjoyed the optional group parties alot. I would pass again on them provisioning the boat. They were more pricey, a local store is right around teh corner and I hear they deliver and the morning to leave took way too long waiting on the provisioning from them. Also note that they have teh right to substitute anything that you prearrange thru them, so we might as well done or own anyway. Places to see, we really liked corsairs on Jost Van dyke. It is down the beach from Foxy's and had a great time there. Bitter End is a must see, by the resturant on Saba Rock was cool. And don't forget the Willie T.
Phil, you will love it. My wife and I plus another couple just did our first (note I said first because we are already planning the next) trip this past June into July for 7 days. We choose Moorings, but I hear it is 6 of one, half dozen of another between them and Sunsail. We had a Beneteau 403 for the two couples. We also did the flotilla option since it was our first time down there. As others have said, it is a good option because although you are free during the day, they do a great job of briefing you, keeping you posted and if you have a problem, there are right there to assist. Also, you get a chance to meet some other couples sharing the same pasion as you. We had a total of 11 boats in our flotilla and enjoyed the optional group parties alot. I would pass again on them provisioning the boat. They were more pricey, a local store is right around teh corner and I hear they deliver and the morning to leave took way too long waiting on the provisioning from them. Also note that they have teh right to substitute anything that you prearrange thru them, so we might as well done or own anyway. Places to see, we really liked corsairs on Jost Van dyke. It is down the beach from Foxy's and had a great time there. Bitter End is a must see, by the resturant on Saba Rock was cool. And don't forget the Willie T.
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