To give this a real test on a topic that people seem to be eager to comment on, what experiences have people had on charter sailings, what were the positives and what were the negatives. In looking at the Moorings site, I was surprised to see how many options they had. As I had indicated on an email on the list, I want to do it but am hesitant to do the boatboat thing as I have 1-2 other couples that want to do it but they have no sailing experience. I have never been to he BVIs and having both items to contend with has made me hesitant to do it. However, I notice that the Moorings has a "Flotilla" option. This seems to be a potentially good match -- I can gain experience with like-minded folks, get the benefit of people's insight to the area, and still not have to deal with a Captain. Anyone else ever try this option?? What have you tried??
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Rookie Caribbean Sailing Recommendations
Oh the Captain Thing. The BVI"s are very easy to sail, everything is in line of sight and only a few miles miles a away. Almost all the time the wind is close to 10 knots, and seas 1 to two feet. The two items are getting a mooring ball & coral. Mooring, don't wait until dark, they will all be taken and you will have to dropping the hook. I always sleep better on a mooring ball, but if you drop the hook, just swimming down and check it out, the water is close to 80 and very clear. You will be in 15 +- feet of water so it is no problem, remember swing can be a problem as there are lots of boats. Coral is not much of a problem, Mooring and Sunsail have very good briefings. They will tell you were to go and not go. But the best thing is the "Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands" 6th Edition. Buy this book, you will pick it up 5 to 10 times per day on your trip, it tells everything and has photos and or drawings of each bay and where the coral is, where to drop the hook, where to eat, everything. As I recall, Sunsail loans a copies with the charter, but it is nice to have one before you go. I got a captain the first time I went, as I was a hobie sailor at the time. My thoughts are some people do not like the responsibility of a boat on vacation. I complete understand. Others find it no big deal. Some like it. My first time as a Captain I had a wife who did not sail and my 4 year who did not sail or swim, therefore I was ON all day until we had a mooring and they had a great time. If you get a Captain, make sure he or she has worked for the Charter Companies for awhile and has done many trips. 99% are very very likable and fun to be with. If they are not, they will not be working for Sunsail or the Moorings. If you do have a problem with a captain, tell the charter company and I'm sure they will have another within hours.
Oh the Captain Thing. The BVI"s are very easy to sail, everything is in line of sight and only a few miles miles a away. Almost all the time the wind is close to 10 knots, and seas 1 to two feet. The two items are getting a mooring ball & coral. Mooring, don't wait until dark, they will all be taken and you will have to dropping the hook. I always sleep better on a mooring ball, but if you drop the hook, just swimming down and check it out, the water is close to 80 and very clear. You will be in 15 +- feet of water so it is no problem, remember swing can be a problem as there are lots of boats. Coral is not much of a problem, Mooring and Sunsail have very good briefings. They will tell you were to go and not go. But the best thing is the "Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands" 6th Edition. Buy this book, you will pick it up 5 to 10 times per day on your trip, it tells everything and has photos and or drawings of each bay and where the coral is, where to drop the hook, where to eat, everything. As I recall, Sunsail loans a copies with the charter, but it is nice to have one before you go. I got a captain the first time I went, as I was a hobie sailor at the time. My thoughts are some people do not like the responsibility of a boat on vacation. I complete understand. Others find it no big deal. Some like it. My first time as a Captain I had a wife who did not sail and my 4 year who did not sail or swim, therefore I was ON all day until we had a mooring and they had a great time. If you get a Captain, make sure he or she has worked for the Charter Companies for awhile and has done many trips. 99% are very very likable and fun to be with. If they are not, they will not be working for Sunsail or the Moorings. If you do have a problem with a captain, tell the charter company and I'm sure they will have another within hours.
Rookie Captain
Our experience is this. The compatibility of the people is what is crucial. A sailboat of any size is a very small place. Hired skipper or not. If you all are simpatico, then the sailing is a breeze. Two reasons. One, the BVI is like sailing in a bath tub. Easiest sailing I have ever done, especially if you stay in the Drake Channel. It is positively claustrophobic at times. Second, you will not believe the progress your friends will make in a just a couple of days on the boat. What we do is not nuclear physics. It is mostly common sense and repetitive tasks. I have done several cruises to different places, one with complete strangers. I am happy [and lucky] to say I have not had a single bad experience. From a couple of your posts, it seems to me that you would be a great skipper on one of these cruises. It would be a dream come true for all of you.
Our experience is this. The compatibility of the people is what is crucial. A sailboat of any size is a very small place. Hired skipper or not. If you all are simpatico, then the sailing is a breeze. Two reasons. One, the BVI is like sailing in a bath tub. Easiest sailing I have ever done, especially if you stay in the Drake Channel. It is positively claustrophobic at times. Second, you will not believe the progress your friends will make in a just a couple of days on the boat. What we do is not nuclear physics. It is mostly common sense and repetitive tasks. I have done several cruises to different places, one with complete strangers. I am happy [and lucky] to say I have not had a single bad experience. From a couple of your posts, it seems to me that you would be a great skipper on one of these cruises. It would be a dream come true for all of you.
Outstanding charter destination
The BVI is an outstanding charter destination. We've done six bareboat charters (mainly on Hylas 49s, but also on other boats). Please contact me via the owner's directory e-mail if you like and we'll be happy to share our experiences. It's a very easy place to sail, and one of the best for snorkeling, small beach bar/restaurants, etc. Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 "Folie a Deux" Channel Islands Harbor, CA
The BVI is an outstanding charter destination. We've done six bareboat charters (mainly on Hylas 49s, but also on other boats). Please contact me via the owner's directory e-mail if you like and we'll be happy to share our experiences. It's a very easy place to sail, and one of the best for snorkeling, small beach bar/restaurants, etc. Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 "Folie a Deux" Channel Islands Harbor, CA
Great Trip
I have chartered three times in the BVI, twice on 50' monohulls and once on a 38'catamaran. If you are confident sailing your Catalina 30, you should have no problem in BVI. Navigation is line of sight, tide and currents (with a few exceptions) are negligable, and moorings have been placed in most of the popular spots. You can see the bottom in fifty feet of water. The catamarn was a different experience, handles differently under both sail and power, and the motion through the water was very different, but you get an unbelievable amount of space. As previous posts said, cruising guides are great, and the orientation by the charter company is usually very helpful. Most places can give you a captain at the last minute if you get down there and get nervous. The most important advice as given above is going with people you can hang out with comfortably for 7, 10 or more days. They don't have to have much sailing experience. I suggest a minimum of 10 days. By the time you get there and chill out, a day or two is gone.
I have chartered three times in the BVI, twice on 50' monohulls and once on a 38'catamaran. If you are confident sailing your Catalina 30, you should have no problem in BVI. Navigation is line of sight, tide and currents (with a few exceptions) are negligable, and moorings have been placed in most of the popular spots. You can see the bottom in fifty feet of water. The catamarn was a different experience, handles differently under both sail and power, and the motion through the water was very different, but you get an unbelievable amount of space. As previous posts said, cruising guides are great, and the orientation by the charter company is usually very helpful. Most places can give you a captain at the last minute if you get down there and get nervous. The most important advice as given above is going with people you can hang out with comfortably for 7, 10 or more days. They don't have to have much sailing experience. I suggest a minimum of 10 days. By the time you get there and chill out, a day or two is gone.
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