[Fwd: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bare Boating in the BVI]

[Charles Henthorn]

Kathy:
     Thanks for the pointers.  Did they rely primarily on a single painter without a backup for towing the dinghy?  I've been taught to tow with a primary and a secondary painter to avoid the chance the primary might break --- especially during heavy weather.  Should I go prepared with my own line or is there spare line on board for rigging a secondary?
  Rex

rjquinn at bellsouth.net wrote:
  
> 
> From: "Kathy" 
> Date: 2007/01/19 Fri PM 11:15:23 EST
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" 
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bare Boating in the BVI
> 
> Rex: Luckily, we never had any security problems in the BVI ... one of the 
> reasons they are so popular! We never heard of anyone having one stolen ... 
> biggest problem was improperly securing the dinghy to the "mother ship" or 
> to a dinghy dock! As to the beach ... in addition to beaching the dinghy as 
> high above the water line as you can, "set" the anchor on the beach (be sure 
> it's securely attached to the dinghy!) Again, listen to the briefing and 
> ask questions as to current problems!
> 
> Fair winds!
> Kathy & Bob / SV No Ka Oi

PS: We have seen several comments about the Ample Pantry and provisioning. We let them do a partial provision for us the first time and still wound up with way too much food. We' recommed going to their web site and provisioning according to your needs. An example: a meal that they set for two people fed us twice. Liquids are heavy so be sure to provision generously so you are not stuck carrying water back to the boat. 

We never had a problem with our dingy/dingy motor but I always had the check out Captain get in the dingy with me to go through the proper starting procedures. MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS AS ON ONE TRIP THEY SWITCHED OUR DINGY'S FOR US AS WE WERE INITIALLY ASSIGNED A DOG!!! If assigned a RIB be sure that you have a pump to blow up the pontoons. 

Another commeted about rushing to the anchorage to get a mooring ball, do not do it. Take your time and enjoy the experience. Sunsail over does the anchor and rhode so you will have no trouble anchoring if you pay attention during the initial briefing. We also concur with the Jost Van Dyke advice - use Little Harbor and dingy, walk or catch a ride to Foxy's. NOTE: We are not Foxy types but to go to Jost Van Dyke without taking a look would be a mistake. Same for the Willie B. Norton anchored in the Norman Island anchorage. Worth a quick trip, if you find it fits your style, fine, otherwise catch a quick drink watch the "wackyness" for a bit and get out of there. {:>)

Someone also mentioned that everyone takes off the same day following the suggested plan, if you see this happening, go in reverse to avoid the crowd. Do your own thing and you will be rewarded. We've sailed the islands in every direction and the winds are such that you have no problems sailing and tacking your way to the various destinations. We hardly every used the engine. Actually only used it when we got ready to grab a mooring or to anchor. 

One stop we did not mention on our earlier post was Virgin Gorda. Generally one should plan a night at Virgin Gorda's Yacht Club in Spanish Town. Good place to take on water or re-stock if necessary. The next morning take a cab to Little Dix Bay for a great breakfast at a premium resort. 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Charles Henthorn" 
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" 
> Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 10:21 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Bare Boating in the BVI
> 
> 
> > Bob & Kathy
> > Thanks for all the great info. It sounds just like we'd hope it 
> > would be. Noticed some charterers required a higher deposit for the 
> > dinghie than the cruiser --- my guess is they are more at risk to be 
> > stolen. Was security an issue on any of your experiences and how did you 
> > secure the dinghy at night or on the beach during a hike?
> > Rex
> >
> > rjquinn at bellsouth.net wrote:
> > Charles, "Admiral," and other "interested parties:"
> > Your planned trip in the BVI struck a chord here as we have
> > bare boated there many times over the last eleven years and absolutely 
> > LOVE
> > THE PLACE! All our trips were through Sunsail and, at least as of three
> > years ago, they do a fabulous job briefing you either the evening you get 
> > in
> > or the next morning. We'd advise you to bring your charts, Cruising Guide,
> > and paper for note-taking to the briefing and really listen to what they 
> > say
> > (as opposed to some we've seen who sit there and talk, tell jokes and
> > basically don't seem to realize that you have a lot of responsibility!)
> > That said, the BVI is really neat because most of what you will do is
> > line-of-sight navigation. Totally agree with advice already given as to
> > packing in duffle bags (actually, wheeled duffle bags!) Pack light ...
> > you'll spend most of your time dressed rather casually! Shorts and a clean 
> > tee shirt qualify as a tux. We did a lot of
> > provisioning through Ample Hamper, but found we did much better picking 
> > and
> > choosing what we wanted from their lists. Do your ordering on-line ...
> > they'll deliver it to the boat. There are several places where you can
> > replenish your stocks, so don't feel like you have to have everything you
> > may want on the first day. Most anchorages have neat eating places for
> > dinner ashore ... the first couple of times we went, we ate out a good 
> > bit,
> > then found there were a few places we really liked, so stuck with those 
> > ...
> > Cooper Island Beach Club being one of our favorites ... Breakfast at Peter
> > Island and Bitter End was always a must ... read through your cruising 
> > guide
> > before you go and lay some plans! Pusser's Restaurants in several 
> > locations are also fine (Marina Cay, Leverick Bay (Sp?), and Soper's Hole 
> > to name a few. Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke is a must visit for a drink. 
> > Anagada has a nice restaurant as well as Pam's Bakery for some great bread 
> > and brownies.
> >
> > Enough about food. Our main purpose was sailing and snorkeling and we did 
> > great amounts of both. Our first year down we only chartered for a week as 
> > we were unsure how we would adapt. After three days, we were kicking 
> > ourselves for not booking at least two weeks. All trips after the first 
> > were for two weeks and we always wished for more. The Baths, Monkey Point, 
> > the Dogs, Sandy Cay, the Caves at Norman Island, and the Indians and 
> > Pelicans were some of our favorite snorkeling spots but there are tons 
> > more. We also snorkeled over the Rhone, but scuba was probably a better 
> > bet there.
> >
> > As to boats Kathy and I sailed on 35 to 41 footers with no problems. 
> > Actually after our first bareboat charter, we decided that a 35' boat was 
> > perfect for two people. Thus the adage: six for drinks, four for dinner, 
> > and two for sleeping.
> >
> > Oh, the reason we have not been back over the past three years is that we 
> > acquired a 37' Tartan that we sail around (literally) south Florida.
> >
> > Oh, as to qualifications. Sailing experience seems to be the key to most 
> > charter company folks. If you have experience, they seem to let you go. As 
> > to us, we sailed small boats for nearly30 years before our first charter. 
> > As I had never worked with a diesel auxiliary engine before, I opted to 
> > take an ASA (American Sailing Association) program for Bareboat 
> > Chartering. I challenged the basic courses with no problems and then 
> > sailed a 40' Chapman School of Seamanship Endeavor to Grand Bahama with an 
> > instructor and two other students. We spent a week at sea (nights tied up 
> > in Lacaya ). What a blast. After the course I felt competent enough to "go 
> > for it'" In my opinion, a great investment. Overkill? Maybe, as I had read 
> > tons of sailing books and knew the process but I had never put it into 
> > practice before the course.
> >
> > As an alternative, you can hire a Captain from the Charter Company who 
> > will stay with you as long as you want to teach you what you need to know.
> >
> > As to mosquito netting, when we were there, it was not a necessity. The 
> > wind blows them away. On land in the weeds, use Off.
> >
> > Any other questions, just let us know.
> >
> > Bob and Kathy on the "NoKaOi"
> >
> >
> >
> >
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