Several BNers have expressed an interest in considering a sailing vacation in the BVI......so having done 3 such excursions myself I thought I'd start this thread.
There's a lot to discuss, but for starters, especially if you've never sailed or even visited the BVI, here's a great little slide show that gives a real good introduction: http://www.ed-hamilton.com/A/BB/1.BBslides.html
If there is interest I'll follow up with regular postings and links over the winter to possibility lead to a "Buffett News Flotilla" sailing the beautiful British Virgins, OK? Just as a heads up, you generally need to confirm your booking a year in advance to get the boat(s) you want for the week you want. My wife and I have always gone in mid-April (just as the rates drop from their highest levels) and found the weather and wind conditions to be perfect!
Anchors away......
On most days I say: "Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been...."
Sometimes I can only say: "There is no dumbass vaccine......"
If something or someone gets you down, just remember: "In a hundred years it all won’t matter.........."
If you're talking 2012 I'd be interested - the bulk of my 2011 vacation time and money are going to St Barts again. But this is something I have always wanted to try.
GW - 7/19 Great Northern MOTM - 7/20-21 Hershey Labor Day Weekend Show - 8/29 MOTM - Oct 28
how long are you thinking of sailing for. Having never done anything like this before I don't want to commit to too long in case it's not for us. Having said that the cost of flying from the UK might mean a land and sea vacation. BVI is not easy to get to from the UK.
In the past, I've flown into the BVI on a Friday and stayed at the Moorings (a charter company) base on Tortola that night (they have a motel adjacent to the marina). Most sailing charters run Saturday to Saturday.
I'd recommend that we all consider renting a catamaran since these vessels provide much more usable space than a monohull sailboat. Most catamarans have 4 staterooms. If you aren't an experienced sailor, you can hire a captain for the week and he or she would occupy one of the staterooms. Then the total costs for the trip are split up among 3 couples occupying the remaining staterooms. Our last trip, we chartered a 47-foot catamaran and, although we do sail, we had a captain on board since none of us had sailed a yacht that large. All captains we've met are very personable and provide useful knowledge about each anchorage (and restaurants!). You can help as much or as little as you wish on board, so being totally inexperienced is no obstacle to having a great vacation!
Because most all of the islands in the BVI are close and you are sailing in the protected Drake Channel, you seldom sail more than a few hours each day or experience rough conditions as you visit each of the islands......hope this helps!
On most days I say: "Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been...."
Sometimes I can only say: "There is no dumbass vaccine......"
If something or someone gets you down, just remember: "In a hundred years it all won’t matter.........."
he came from london wrote:Looking at the moorings site the price seems to be about $3500 per couple for a week plus supplies. That might be a bit rich for us.
Sorry thats £ so about $4500 t0 $5000 depending on exchange rates
he came from london wrote:Looking at the moorings site the price seems to be about $3500 per couple for a week plus supplies. That might be a bit rich for us.
Sorry thats £ so about $4500 t0 $5000 depending on exchange rates
It's been a few years since our last charter, but with 3 couples and captain on board a 47-foot catamaran my wife and I spent around $5,000 total for the week.....that included the boat (which is also your lodging), air fare from Baltimore to BVI through San Juan, PR, food, and spending money. Obvously I'd need to research today's costs once I knew how many people were seriously considering the trip.
You're right, it's not cheap (and your coming from Europe adds to that cost).....that's why we don't charter there every year (I would if I could). Still, I can say without any hesitation, the 3 weeks I've spent sailing in the BVI have been the 3 most relaxing weeks of my life!
On most days I say: "Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been...."
Sometimes I can only say: "There is no dumbass vaccine......"
If something or someone gets you down, just remember: "In a hundred years it all won’t matter.........."
nutmeg wrote:Which charter company have you used in the past? The earlier link or Moorings?
We'd be interested in the April 2012 sailing.
The last 2 times to the BVI we have booked through Ed Hamilton & Co., a leading charter travel agency booking sailing vacations around the world. We discussed the various trip options with an agent at this company we've come to know and he, in turn, made all arrangements for us through the Moorings as well as found us discounted air fare. It costs no more to use the broker than to book direct with the Moorings and making plane reservations on your own. The agent has done an excellent job for us.
The agent has up-to-the-minute info on each charter company and keeps the clients informed. For example, there was a fire at the Tortola Moorings facility that closed the pool and restaurant on site on our 2nd trip down. The agent called before we left, told us of the situation, and made arrangements with Moorings for dining our first night there at a sister property. Other people, upon arriving, had to make other arrangements for dining. We simply unpacked, caught a taxi to the other restaurant, and had a relaxing, enjoyable meal......
we've used Moorings every time we've gone. I'd recommend them. They've seemed to have survived the economic downturn better than many. Their boats aren't as new as they used to be, but nobody's are.
I'd feel bad for you, but I have no soul.....
If you can't do it with brains, you won't do it with hours - Kelly Johnson
nutmeg wrote:Which charter company have you used in the past? The earlier link or Moorings?
We'd be interested in the April 2012 sailing.
The last 2 times to the BVI we have booked through Ed Hamilton & Co., a leading charter travel agency booking sailing vacations around the world. We discussed the various trip options with an agent at this company we've come to know and he, in turn, made all arrangements for us through the Moorings as well as found us discounted air fare. It costs no more to use the broker than to book direct with the Moorings and making plane reservations on your own. The agent has done an excellent job for us.
The agent has up-to-the-minute info on each charter company and keeps the clients informed. For example, there was a fire at the Tortola Moorings facility that closed the pool and restaurant on site on our 2nd trip down. The agent called before we left, told us of the situation, and made arrangements with Moorings for dining our first night there at a sister property. Other people, upon arriving, had to make other arrangements for dining. We simply unpacked, caught a taxi to the other restaurant, and had a relaxing, enjoyable meal......
nutmeg wrote:Which charter company have you used in the past? The earlier link or Moorings?
We'd be interested in the April 2012 sailing.
The last 2 times to the BVI we have booked through Ed Hamilton & Co., a leading charter travel agency booking sailing vacations around the world. We discussed the various trip options with an agent at this company we've come to know and he, in turn, made all arrangements for us through the Moorings as well as found us discounted air fare. It costs no more to use the broker than to book direct with the Moorings and making plane reservations on your own. The agent has done an excellent job for us.
The agent has up-to-the-minute info on each charter company and keeps the clients informed. For example, there was a fire at the Tortola Moorings facility that closed the pool and restaurant on site on our 2nd trip down. The agent called before we left, told us of the situation, and made arrangements with Moorings for dining our first night there at a sister property. Other people, upon arriving, had to make other arrangements for dining. We simply unpacked, caught a taxi to the other restaurant, and had a relaxing, enjoyable meal......
I have a friend who is building a house on Carriacou which is part of the Grenadines. It's still very primitive but, from what he tells me, it's beautiful and unspoiled.
GW - 7/19 Great Northern MOTM - 7/20-21 Hershey Labor Day Weekend Show - 8/29 MOTM - Oct 28
I didn't check to see where she was based...