TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Upcoming Charter 9/25/16

Hello All, yes I'm a newbie to the forum as a member but I've been lurking in the shadows for years gleaning all your wonderful information and viewing your great trip reports. Thus our 6 years of chartering has been made so much more enjoyable for your generous sharing of knowledge and for that I thank you immensely.
Our next charter begins on 9/25 for 10 days and presents a new challenge for me. Our long time travel companions decided to check off a bucket list item and go fishing in Alaska! Really, Alaska?! Do they even have Rum in Alaska? Oh well, obviously our precious vacation time is preferred to be spent with "toes in the sand, cold one in my hand" locales along with crystal clear warm water. So, now I'm faced with a new challenge of taking on three new couples who have limited boat experience but fortunately they are a bit younger and full of enthusiasm. We are taking the 514 PC power cat from the Moorings. My first trip with the 514 as previously we had the 474 but I feel confident from what I've read on TTOL and other sites, it should not be that different. Plus my wife has over the years grown into a great first mate. Only new excursion will be going into Spanish Town; haven't done that before so any helpful info is appreciated. Thought we would try that for the requisite visit to the Baths. Again, thank you all for the many great posts!

Spanish Town is a little tight for a big cat but not hard to negotiate. I wouldn't stay over night as it tends to be hot. What breeze there is comes across the Valley which warms it at night and it is broadside to the slips. AC is almost mandatory. I would consider a run to Liverick for the night. A lot will be closed in late September but a few places will be opening about halfway through your sail.

Bring light weight rain gear because, with the ENSO in transition, it looks like the first part of October may be a bit wetter than usual this year.

514 has A/C, so no problem staying overnight in Spanish Town, but it is tight. We haven't stopped there since we started stopping at Leverick.

In 100 plus weeks of sailing in the BVI I have stayed at Spanishtown once. There are so many great places to overnight it is simply not a place for me. Leverick, Scrub or BEYC would be far better places to overnight if you want to be on a dock.
G

We still moor near the baths and dingy/swim in to the Baths but many here have been recommending Leverick marina(same price as a mooring) and a car rental to see the Baths and the rest of the island. Have a great time!

With a new group think about the group dynamics a little. Make sure they know it's not a luxury cruise liner (although close) - things can break and they might be asked to do a little work or follow captain's orders from time to time. Not a problem for most but some people need to have realistic expectations set ahead of time to enjoy themselves.

The trip in to Baths is longer(current) than it seems. No longer can take dingy all the way to beach. Swim in may be too much for some in your party.

WEcome out of lurkdome...on our last trip,we had our adult children and a friend ( all early 20 s ) and they loved the beaches, hanging on the boat at sunset and pretty much everything in between., We did lots of partying too at Willy T and CGB but that was my choice.

....Really your guests if they are newbies will be in awe the entire time and will,follow your lead....ENJOY

Darn .....I,re read your post and see that you wrote " fortunately they are young and full of enthusiasm " and not UNfortunately.....Oh well ...time for some baileys in my coffee ...and Ward and I,handle our boat alone all the time...you will be fine , especially if any of them take an. Interest in helping with always happens with us.

Thank you all for your comments/suggestions. This confirmed my gut feeling to avoid Spanish Town and go the Leverick Bay route. Makes much more sense to take rental car/taxi and see the whole island with a beautiful resort waiting on your return. Yes, I do plan on a welcome aboard speech for basic safety and some organization of duties as well to inform ,as noted, while it is a luxury cruise everyone is a part of the process.

Remember to carry your Parks Trust permit with you to the Baths. Show it at the ticket booth and they will not charge your party.

I've not been around here in a while, when did that start?

The Parks Trust put a booth at the top of the path and manned it only so they could charge the passenger ship visitors at first. It is manned all the time now.

Oh, at the top-top by Bath and Turtle. I thought they put a booth on the beach and were checking folks coming ashore from the dinghy stringer!