I have chartered bareboats in BVI the last 2 years and would like to try something different and a little more challenging. My current thoughts are either St. Marten area or the Grenada area. Any recommendations?
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St. Martin
Gary, After many years in the BVI we chartered a Catamaran with SunSail three years ago. We flew into Porto Rico and couldn't get to St. Martin for three days due to a Hurricane and the time we wasted was unbearable. We stuck it out and had the most wonderful time. We sailed around the north side of the island and headed out to Saba then on to St. Eustatius. It was very exciting being so far from land. The weather had been so bad and was still unsettled. The water was not as clear as I would have liked. I want to go back again. The French were more friendly than I have ever seen in my travels. The food was great. The Dutch were as friendly as ever. I recommend you try it. Warning: The passage from the charter dock to the open sea is opened twice a day. If you miss the bridge opening you are in trouble. You will have to wait. Do it.
Gary, After many years in the BVI we chartered a Catamaran with SunSail three years ago. We flew into Porto Rico and couldn't get to St. Martin for three days due to a Hurricane and the time we wasted was unbearable. We stuck it out and had the most wonderful time. We sailed around the north side of the island and headed out to Saba then on to St. Eustatius. It was very exciting being so far from land. The weather had been so bad and was still unsettled. The water was not as clear as I would have liked. I want to go back again. The French were more friendly than I have ever seen in my travels. The food was great. The Dutch were as friendly as ever. I recommend you try it. Warning: The passage from the charter dock to the open sea is opened twice a day. If you miss the bridge opening you are in trouble. You will have to wait. Do it.
Both Fun
I've done both areas multiple times and had a great time. From St. Martin, with enough time and permission from the charter company, you can sail to Anguilla, St. Barts, Saba, and back to St. Martin. With the exception of Saba, all of the other main islands in this group are heavily touristed. In St. Barts, most boats med moor to the town dock (back in and tie the stern to a concrete pier). It's usually tight and like parking your car in a parking lot. You can reach from one boat to the next. Saba is one of my favorite islands in all of the Caribbean. Very few boats go there. Charter companies are not eager to allow travel there, and your crew will have to demonstrate via past experience a good deal of sailing skill. But the people of Saba welcome sailors with open arms. As you come into the small protected harbor, word of your approach will circulate through the island, and cars will come down the single, impossibly steep road to meet you. The harbormaster will come out to greet you. If you express an interest in buying lobsters, he will summon the lobstermaster, who will pull a huge cage out of the water, allowing you to pick your choice of monster lobsters. If you like to scuba dive, Saba has some of the best diving in the Caribbean. There is a dive shop that will take you out, or you can buy a book on the Saba underwater marine preserve that will guide you to all of the best spots. The top of Saba is a tropical rainforest that's a great hike. The only down side to Saba is the lack of a bulletproof protected anchorage. There are places to tuck in, and some of them have sturdy mooring balls that will guarantee that you won't move overnight, but they all can be rolly. The adventurous on board won't want to miss this place, those more interested in genteel sailing will be more than willing to skip it. Grenada is my other favorite island in the Caribbean. The land area is extremely diverse, allowing for lots of exploring opportunities. There are quite a few excellent restaurants. There are some lovely beaches. There are lots of excellent anchorages. Many of them are peppered with long-term cruisers, so if you want to talk with anyone about their experiences, if you're interested in doing this someday, they're all over the place. The people are great. And for some reason, Grenada is not heavily touristed. You can also charter one way from St. Lucia to Grenada, hitting St. Vincent, Mayreau, etc along the way.
I've done both areas multiple times and had a great time. From St. Martin, with enough time and permission from the charter company, you can sail to Anguilla, St. Barts, Saba, and back to St. Martin. With the exception of Saba, all of the other main islands in this group are heavily touristed. In St. Barts, most boats med moor to the town dock (back in and tie the stern to a concrete pier). It's usually tight and like parking your car in a parking lot. You can reach from one boat to the next. Saba is one of my favorite islands in all of the Caribbean. Very few boats go there. Charter companies are not eager to allow travel there, and your crew will have to demonstrate via past experience a good deal of sailing skill. But the people of Saba welcome sailors with open arms. As you come into the small protected harbor, word of your approach will circulate through the island, and cars will come down the single, impossibly steep road to meet you. The harbormaster will come out to greet you. If you express an interest in buying lobsters, he will summon the lobstermaster, who will pull a huge cage out of the water, allowing you to pick your choice of monster lobsters. If you like to scuba dive, Saba has some of the best diving in the Caribbean. There is a dive shop that will take you out, or you can buy a book on the Saba underwater marine preserve that will guide you to all of the best spots. The top of Saba is a tropical rainforest that's a great hike. The only down side to Saba is the lack of a bulletproof protected anchorage. There are places to tuck in, and some of them have sturdy mooring balls that will guarantee that you won't move overnight, but they all can be rolly. The adventurous on board won't want to miss this place, those more interested in genteel sailing will be more than willing to skip it. Grenada is my other favorite island in the Caribbean. The land area is extremely diverse, allowing for lots of exploring opportunities. There are quite a few excellent restaurants. There are some lovely beaches. There are lots of excellent anchorages. Many of them are peppered with long-term cruisers, so if you want to talk with anyone about their experiences, if you're interested in doing this someday, they're all over the place. The people are great. And for some reason, Grenada is not heavily touristed. You can also charter one way from St. Lucia to Grenada, hitting St. Vincent, Mayreau, etc along the way.
Look for Jim 'Dakota' Russell
Jim is a 340 owner often on this site; I'm sure he's in the owner directory. I believe he has chartered off both islands.
Jim is a 340 owner often on this site; I'm sure he's in the owner directory. I believe he has chartered off both islands.
Decision, decision
Thanks for the prompt replies. It does not sound like I could go wrong with either area, so I will check the availability at each. I prefer the quieter areas with fewer many people so will probability start with the Grenada area. Thanks again
Thanks for the prompt replies. It does not sound like I could go wrong with either area, so I will check the availability at each. I prefer the quieter areas with fewer many people so will probability start with the Grenada area. Thanks again
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