Next winter we wil charter a 40' in the BVIs. How difficult is it to navigate? What are the average wind and sea conditions? I am experienced and already own a 38' Beneteau. I was wondering what it is like the first time visitor. Are there protected shores to anchor? Is there one book available that will give me the complete story? Thanks
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Next winter we wil charter a 40' in the BVIs. How difficult is it to navigate? What are the average wind and sea conditions? I am experienced and already own a 38' Beneteau. I was wondering what it is like the first time visitor. Are there protected shores to anchor? Is there one book available that will give me the complete story? Thanks
My take on the BVI's
We charter there for the first time last year and will be going back again this coming March. Navigation is very easy...you are always in sight of land and all the local stopping off points are marked very well on the maps that the charter groups provide you. The winds depend on the weather...that time of the year should be a good time and is considered the peak season for sailboat charters. We dropped anchor a few times, sand and coral...but mostly tied up to mooring balls. Books...I would try web sites..provide very good info. Examples include: http://www.b-v-i.com/ or http://www.islandsonline.com/sailbvi.html For weather try: http://www.caribwx.com/ or http://leverickbay.org/weather.htm Hope this helps and enjoy...great sailing, snorkeling and fun night time adventures are to be had there. ...Larry... "Sandy Sea"
We charter there for the first time last year and will be going back again this coming March. Navigation is very easy...you are always in sight of land and all the local stopping off points are marked very well on the maps that the charter groups provide you. The winds depend on the weather...that time of the year should be a good time and is considered the peak season for sailboat charters. We dropped anchor a few times, sand and coral...but mostly tied up to mooring balls. Books...I would try web sites..provide very good info. Examples include: http://www.b-v-i.com/ or http://www.islandsonline.com/sailbvi.html For weather try: http://www.caribwx.com/ or http://leverickbay.org/weather.htm Hope this helps and enjoy...great sailing, snorkeling and fun night time adventures are to be had there. ...Larry... "Sandy Sea"
My take on the BVI's
We charter there for the first time last year and will be going back again this coming March. Navigation is very easy...you are always in sight of land and all the local stopping off points are marked very well on the maps that the charter groups provide you. The winds depend on the weather...that time of the year should be a good time and is considered the peak season for sailboat charters. We dropped anchor a few times, sand and coral...but mostly tied up to mooring balls. Books...I would try web sites..provide very good info. Examples include: http://www.b-v-i.com/ or http://www.islandsonline.com/sailbvi.html For weather try: http://www.caribwx.com/ or http://leverickbay.org/weather.htm Hope this helps and enjoy...great sailing, snorkeling and fun night time adventures are to be had there. ...Larry... "Sandy Sea"
We charter there for the first time last year and will be going back again this coming March. Navigation is very easy...you are always in sight of land and all the local stopping off points are marked very well on the maps that the charter groups provide you. The winds depend on the weather...that time of the year should be a good time and is considered the peak season for sailboat charters. We dropped anchor a few times, sand and coral...but mostly tied up to mooring balls. Books...I would try web sites..provide very good info. Examples include: http://www.b-v-i.com/ or http://www.islandsonline.com/sailbvi.html For weather try: http://www.caribwx.com/ or http://leverickbay.org/weather.htm Hope this helps and enjoy...great sailing, snorkeling and fun night time adventures are to be had there. ...Larry... "Sandy Sea"
Jason, like Larry said
the BVI are the premiere charter grounds in NA if not the world. Notice I said charter, not cruising. The reason for that, is those same features of ease of navigation, idyllic weather, warm water, nothing to hit, stable democracy and,,,mooring balls. US currency is the official cash. Bring lots. Somebody will be around to collect so don't worry about finding someone to pay. Have you thought about Australia or New Zealand?
the BVI are the premiere charter grounds in NA if not the world. Notice I said charter, not cruising. The reason for that, is those same features of ease of navigation, idyllic weather, warm water, nothing to hit, stable democracy and,,,mooring balls. US currency is the official cash. Bring lots. Somebody will be around to collect so don't worry about finding someone to pay. Have you thought about Australia or New Zealand?
Jason, like Larry said
the BVI are the premiere charter grounds in NA if not the world. Notice I said charter, not cruising. The reason for that, is those same features of ease of navigation, idyllic weather, warm water, nothing to hit, stable democracy and,,,mooring balls. US currency is the official cash. Bring lots. Somebody will be around to collect so don't worry about finding someone to pay. Have you thought about Australia or New Zealand?
the BVI are the premiere charter grounds in NA if not the world. Notice I said charter, not cruising. The reason for that, is those same features of ease of navigation, idyllic weather, warm water, nothing to hit, stable democracy and,,,mooring balls. US currency is the official cash. Bring lots. Somebody will be around to collect so don't worry about finding someone to pay. Have you thought about Australia or New Zealand?
Books
I'd pick up a copy of the Cruising Guide To The Virgin Islands. Found about everything I needed in that book, including restaurant info, where to anchor..... http://www.cruisingguides.com/details.php?code=cgvi Another great source is this board: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ Go to the BVI board there and read for a bit, then ask them anything....
I'd pick up a copy of the Cruising Guide To The Virgin Islands. Found about everything I needed in that book, including restaurant info, where to anchor..... http://www.cruisingguides.com/details.php?code=cgvi Another great source is this board: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ Go to the BVI board there and read for a bit, then ask them anything....
Books
I'd pick up a copy of the Cruising Guide To The Virgin Islands. Found about everything I needed in that book, including restaurant info, where to anchor..... http://www.cruisingguides.com/details.php?code=cgvi Another great source is this board: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ Go to the BVI board there and read for a bit, then ask them anything....
I'd pick up a copy of the Cruising Guide To The Virgin Islands. Found about everything I needed in that book, including restaurant info, where to anchor..... http://www.cruisingguides.com/details.php?code=cgvi Another great source is this board: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ Go to the BVI board there and read for a bit, then ask them anything....
Wonderful place for chartering
We've been there seven times on charter sailing vacations. It's a paradise. The advice in the Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands by Nancy and Simon Scott is good. Feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions re: the BVI. We're in the owner's directory. Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 Folie a Deux Channel Islands Harbor, CA
We've been there seven times on charter sailing vacations. It's a paradise. The advice in the Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands by Nancy and Simon Scott is good. Feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions re: the BVI. We're in the owner's directory. Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 Folie a Deux Channel Islands Harbor, CA
Wonderful place for chartering
We've been there seven times on charter sailing vacations. It's a paradise. The advice in the Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands by Nancy and Simon Scott is good. Feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions re: the BVI. We're in the owner's directory. Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 Folie a Deux Channel Islands Harbor, CA
We've been there seven times on charter sailing vacations. It's a paradise. The advice in the Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands by Nancy and Simon Scott is good. Feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions re: the BVI. We're in the owner's directory. Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 Folie a Deux Channel Islands Harbor, CA
That place is almost IDIOT PROOF
Charter companies give you idiot charts that say "don't go in the red area". It's like sailing on a small lake since you can see everything. Most folks use moorings ($20) that are everywhere and never have to anchor. Tons of info available on line without buying books
Charter companies give you idiot charts that say "don't go in the red area". It's like sailing on a small lake since you can see everything. Most folks use moorings ($20) that are everywhere and never have to anchor. Tons of info available on line without buying books
That place is almost IDIOT PROOF
Charter companies give you idiot charts that say "don't go in the red area". It's like sailing on a small lake since you can see everything. Most folks use moorings ($20) that are everywhere and never have to anchor. Tons of info available on line without buying books
Charter companies give you idiot charts that say "don't go in the red area". It's like sailing on a small lake since you can see everything. Most folks use moorings ($20) that are everywhere and never have to anchor. Tons of info available on line without buying books
Cruising Guide from Charterer
Your charter (assuming it is a charter company) should provide you with a BVI cruising guide that will answer just about every one of your questions.
Your charter (assuming it is a charter company) should provide you with a BVI cruising guide that will answer just about every one of your questions.
Cruising Guide from Charterer
Your charter (assuming it is a charter company) should provide you with a BVI cruising guide that will answer just about every one of your questions.
Your charter (assuming it is a charter company) should provide you with a BVI cruising guide that will answer just about every one of your questions.
Cruising the BVI's
Chartered last spring and had a great time. We used Sunsail and highly recommend them. Our boat had cruising guide on board as well as painkiller ingredients. Navigation is easy, moorings are easy to find. Go to the HOW archives for suggested places to check out when you are there. Feel free to contact me directly for more information. I am list in the owners directory Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
Chartered last spring and had a great time. We used Sunsail and highly recommend them. Our boat had cruising guide on board as well as painkiller ingredients. Navigation is easy, moorings are easy to find. Go to the HOW archives for suggested places to check out when you are there. Feel free to contact me directly for more information. I am list in the owners directory Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
Cruising the BVI's
Chartered last spring and had a great time. We used Sunsail and highly recommend them. Our boat had cruising guide on board as well as painkiller ingredients. Navigation is easy, moorings are easy to find. Go to the HOW archives for suggested places to check out when you are there. Feel free to contact me directly for more information. I am list in the owners directory Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
Chartered last spring and had a great time. We used Sunsail and highly recommend them. Our boat had cruising guide on board as well as painkiller ingredients. Navigation is easy, moorings are easy to find. Go to the HOW archives for suggested places to check out when you are there. Feel free to contact me directly for more information. I am list in the owners directory Chuck Dickhut S/V Kililani
Channel Markers
Morning Jason: You'll have a great time, but just a piece of silly information. Stay well within the channel markers, there is no give and take at some of the anchorages. Example, the markers at the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, sit right on the edge of the reef. Deep water on the inside, about 4 feet on the outside. To parrot Chuck, I've used Sunsail also and find them easy to get along with. Luck!
Morning Jason: You'll have a great time, but just a piece of silly information. Stay well within the channel markers, there is no give and take at some of the anchorages. Example, the markers at the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, sit right on the edge of the reef. Deep water on the inside, about 4 feet on the outside. To parrot Chuck, I've used Sunsail also and find them easy to get along with. Luck!
Channel Markers
Morning Jason: You'll have a great time, but just a piece of silly information. Stay well within the channel markers, there is no give and take at some of the anchorages. Example, the markers at the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, sit right on the edge of the reef. Deep water on the inside, about 4 feet on the outside. To parrot Chuck, I've used Sunsail also and find them easy to get along with. Luck!
Morning Jason: You'll have a great time, but just a piece of silly information. Stay well within the channel markers, there is no give and take at some of the anchorages. Example, the markers at the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, sit right on the edge of the reef. Deep water on the inside, about 4 feet on the outside. To parrot Chuck, I've used Sunsail also and find them easy to get along with. Luck!
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