First time vacation cruise this summer - maybe BVI?

[John D3181]

Sailing resume might be required but

To my knowledge, none of the charter companies require a certificate to charter in the BVI.

 

[John D3181]

Fly American if possible

We had a bad experience making a connection in San Juan between US air and Carribean Sun/Star some years back and neither would take responsibility for the missed connection. Long story short, we chartered a plane and, eventually, our travel insurance payed for the mixup. If you fly American Airlines from the states, you have a seat on the flight to EIS.

 

[John D3181]

Assume lost luggage

On our first trip to the BVI my checked bag never showed up. Fortunately, I had the essentials in my carry-on. The bag was waiting at Sunsail Base when we returned. Travel insurance will pay for items you need to buy in a situation like this.

 

[Tim R.]

Actually they pretty much do hand over $250k yachts to anyone who says they can sail. Again, go with a travel agent that specializes in charters and this will all be outlined for you at no extra charge and likely a savings. I understand that the charter companies are hurting right now and they are making deals to get their boats out of their slips.

My first charter was a Moorings 413. The vast majority of my sailing and docking experience was on a Pearson 28 or smaller. No problem. Someone told me that the geographic area you sail can also help. They think Maine is one of the more challenging areas. I guess compared to the Abacos it is. I get nervous in anything less than 12ft at low around here. We were consistently sailing in 6-8ft down there.

BTW, I will be in the BVIs on a Sunsail 423 3/12-3/21. Counting the weeks NE boat show this weekend. I get to look forward to coming home after the charter because our Maine boat builder's show is 3/22. I highly recommend if you have never been.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Charter Competence....

Some years ago, we chartered a boat in the Bahamas. Sailed into Hopetown Harbour (Candy Striped Light House...) and put the hook down. While enjoying a cool one, we saw what looked like a 44-ft charter boat come blowing into the harbor under full sail. We watched in awe as the captain of that boat brought the boat nearly to the shore, spun it around, and dropped sail and anchor at the same time. No backing up to set or snub the hook. The party aboard was drinking and having a good time in less than 5 minutes. We were impressed -- until dawn the next morning when we heard a great commotion on board that boat. The boat was sitting on its side high and dry at a precarious angle. The people on that boat were literally standing on the sides of the cockpit lockers. I sort of doubt the company they chartered from did any sort of vetting of their competence....

 

[bffatcat]

BVI Charter

You mentioned you had some coastal exp. and your girlfriend is a power boater. You might
end up having to sail a 35 ft + boat ,( this means hand , reef steer and anchor mostly by yourself. IN 20 kt plus breezes If your not up for it get a captain.

 

[Stu Jackson]

They even let me have a bareboat

back in 1986. While I'd sailed as a kid in summer camps for 11 years, that ended in 1963, so there was a 20 year drought until I started sailing again here in SF in the early 80s. We bought our first boat, a C22, in 1982 or 3, and our C25 didn't come along until 1987. A C22 on San Francisco Bay qualified us for an Endeavor 32 (same as Roger's boat). NO questions asked. We learned a lot, like untangling a fouled topping lift from the port spreaders with a boat hook standing on the boom, all sortsa fun. Not the Moorings, but a larger company. We brought the boat back in one piece, too. Since you never have to dock (except for getting water in Leverick Bay which was pretty easy), the challenge is learning how to sail better, and it's a great learning experience. Back then they didn't have the mooring balls, either, but we'd learned to anchor on our C22.

That's one of the reasons I like rigid boom vangs: no topping lift!!! See, "there is a reason for it all."

 

[Salty]

You will have a blast in BVI. I did a cruise a couple summers back with Sunsail (before they moved to their new location). Mooring is pretty good and they are in Roadtown which is good for provisioning. Bobby's Supermarket is great for provisioning and you have a choice of having them pre-provision for you, which I heard is good, but I like to do my own shopping. I strongly suggest you get Virgin Island Cruising guide by Nancy and Simon Scott, it will be a great help and it also comes with a Chart. I wouldn't depend too much on the Chart briefings; I wasn't too impressed with it. I also suggest you check Travel Talk Online BVI forum. Lots of good Info there. http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/ubbthreads.php
I am not sure about Moorings, but Sunsail let you stay on the boat on the first night. This was great because it allows you to get familiar with the boat before the boat briefing the following morning.

Here are some spots to Consider.
Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda (The Baths - get there early to pick up a day mooring), Virgin Gorda (Leverick Bay BBQ / Moko Jumbie Fete), Virgin Gorda Bitter End Resort / Saba Rock), Marina Cay, Sandy Cay (nice 4hr stop off), Jost Van Dyke (Soggy Dollar - Home of the famous Pain Killer) Great Harbour ( Foxy's), or Little Harbour (Sammy's), Norman island (The Bight).
Remember you don’t have to hit them all, after all, you are on the Caribbean, so take it easy and enjoy your cruise “No Problem”