TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands If you could give one piece of advice to a newbie

...to bareboat chartering, what would it be?

Hi all - we are getting ready for our first bareboat charter in mid February. To say we're excited is putting it mildly. We actually have two separate charters scheduled for a week each with a few days at a resort in between. For the first charter we will have a skipper on board, but we will be provisioning ourselves. For the second one, I will be the skipper. We have planned our menus and will be having Riteway do our provisioning (having it delivered to the boat). We have an outline of our intended route but it's flexible depending on whatever crops up along the way. I've been doing a ton of reading on this forum, but I'd be interested in any words of advice for a newbie!

Thanks in advance!

Howard.

Lot's of great advice here. Since this is my first trip to the BVI's, I am a newbie too. The advice I liked the best so far is to pack half the clothes and twice the cash. Doubt that helps much, but I'll be there next month too so we will be learning together. Cheers!

Less is more, never be in a rush.... gp slow.

I definitely believe in the pack less strategery. M & I can easily do 3 weeks in one carry on each. I used to bring way to much cash, but find that we use CCs most everywhere anyway and bring at least half our cash home. Every one may do this differently though.

You can never have too much cash traveling outside of your home country and away from your home bank. Each year our credit cards get more reliable and predictable away from home. There is never a weeks long guarantee there. We always carry enough cash to no use our credit cards. A network, security, scam, or political diplomatic tiff can render the cards in your purse or wallets worthless in seconds. You simply cannot count on them. The AMEX Card was originally built around cash and mail away from home. The benefit remains to members today. The hitch, you must travel to the AMEX office or other possible location of AMEX's choice and sit across a desk to cash one of your personal checks. AMEX does charge fees for that member privilege. My two cents. Never take the credit cards as a given guarantee. Do not use your credit cards anywhere near the ferries.

1. Follow the navigation instruments, but USE your head.
2. Check your swells & weather data often https://www.windguru.cz/58
3. Sailors don't have itineraries, we have intentions.
3b. Don't hesitate missing an anchorage or activity due to weather. Safety & Comfort is paramount (to me).
4. Keep your head on a swivel for both situational awareness and the beauty of it ALL. I treat every BVI trip as if were my last and savor every day, regardless of any headaches you encounter. Just take it slow...

My best advice for a good trip: Be easy on your travelmates. Things go wrong and boating is stressful - even for those of us who spend months each year on our own boats - and a 50' boat can get REALLY small when one person is being a jerk.

There are a ton of things I could add, but I'd say;
- take it slow when docking/mooring. Things aren't going to get broken if you're doing 1mph.
- establish the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of your crew and communicate them well before you've even departed for the islands.
- hydrate
- hydrate some more
- if wind, weather, waves, or hangovers prevent you from getting somewhere on your intentions list don't worry - you'll be back

Fair winds! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Sunscreen, and use it often. If you have, uh, say, a thin hair problem make sure you have a hat. And sunscreen. Oh, and regarding credit cards, Amex is rarely accepted in the BVI. With Visa and Master cards, call the 800 number on the back and let them know of your travel plan's so they won't turn down charges from out of the USA on the chance that you may have been hacked. The most important thing on my list is to have way too much fun! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />Enjoy!

If you use a credit card, check the receipt to see if a service charge was added....

Avoid the cruise ship crowds - everything else is secondary

Re: service charge. If a " tax" is added that is service charge..there is no restaurant tax in the BVI's..I have argued with staff who have insisted it is a " tax" only to get them to finally admit its a service charge. If in doubt..always ask. It gives our beautiful islands a very bad name if visitors are getting ripped off..

Mal--Since, as you say, there IS no tax in the BVI, there is no reason to ask the server, unless you just HOPE that they might fess up and tell the truth. If there is something on a bill that says "tax", then assume that it is the service charge and leave nothing else. We always tip 20% or so anyway, so if a restaurant automatically adds 15%, that's fine, that's all we leave. I understand that the servers get hurt in that process, but since as you say, many or most of them will lie about it and deny it's s/c, I don't have a lot of sympathy for them.

I think there is a tax at hotel's, and that it includes the hotel's restaurant, but nowhere else. If we are at a restaurant that is not part of a hotel and there is a tax, we don't tip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

If you have time and a rental car during your time between charters, you might consider provisioning yourself. Riteway is fine, but our experience is that you will be happier with your choices if you actually see what you are getting.
Hit the Riteway on the way to your boat, then drop off the rental car.

^^^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^^

Plus don't sweat the small stuff. Island time can be frustrating to Type-A folk.

Hi there folks and thanks for all the great advice. My wife and i come for our first BVI trip in <3 weeks. we are so excited and thankful for this group and all the great advice!

Regarding provisioning, we have placed an order at Riteway for delivery. However, we want to stock up on a few fresh items the day before. Can anyone recommend the best health food store for my bride and for me a great bakery? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

hey folks, one other question about dingy travel... what do people do with life vests worn aboard the dingy to shore on you are ashore... or do all you safe experienced sailors leave the life vests aboard the bigger boat?

The only time I've seen life jackets used is for floating on.

If somebody wanted to use them, I'd just thread the dinghy cable lock through them when I lock it up...just to make sure they're still there when you go back.

Thanks Kirk. That is what i expected to hear. I'm a safety nut and my bride is not so sure of herself in the water... better safe than sorry is my approach. We have expensive inflatable vests (Deckvest Lite - highly recommended) but i may leave those aboard and use the basic vests for these trips ashore and lock them as you suggested...

Keep the advice coming.... I'm taking notes. Captain and I are headed there in 6 weeks. Trip 6 for me but first for him.

Rigirly

ooh yeah do not leave anything evenly remotely valuable in a dinghy, crappy orange life vest (or whatever) that comes with the boat is perfect.

and honestly more people should wear them especially dinghying at night, it's dark and can be choppy and often alcohol involved, it's actually very smart move! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

1) SLOW is Pro
2) Provision: Riteway good... Expensive after Tortola (but bread molds after about 3-4 days
3) RETURN FAST (START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP ON THE WAY HOME)

Grab a mooring ball and drink more rum.

One of the best tips I've learned, and I got it here from someone else, is that things always go better if deal with locals like they are going to become a friend. Taking a genuine interest in your waitress or a customs official or whoever usually leads to very nice experiences. Go in focused only on the task at hand and in a rush (type A or NYC attitude and representing the ugly American) and you might very well find the true meaning of the term "Island Time". Starting with a nice "hello, how are you today" goes a lot further than "hey, we want to order...". I've gone places years later and somehow they still remember me - when in Rome!

Pack less clothes than you think you need and drink more than you think you should.

Seeing as I'm the first one to bring this up, maybe I'm alone, but we always lock our dingy and lock our boat. Heard too many stories of things getting taken.

We have never worn life vests in the dinghy and in 3 trips have only ever seen kids wear them.

Don't be focused on an agenda and always have a plan B for if you get to a field with no moorings left. Maybe it's anchor, maybe it's go to another spot.

Don't be afraid to ask questions - even to neighboring boaters in a mooring field - most sailors are happy to share their knowledge and experience.

Don't forget to order water - you may laugh, but we did on our first charter. Promptly bought some, but it was more expensive and a pain to transport vs ordering it with the provisions!

Not sure how sensitive those water activated vests are, but we have gotten pretty wet on some rides. If thats the kind of vets you have, i agree with leaving them on the big boat

beerMe.....I could not agree with you more and besides telling newbies to bring less clothes and more cash I always mention this to them. Being courteous goes a long way! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />Very good point indeed!

Warn the ladies about dancing man at Foxys. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

What beerMe said.
ALWAYS say hello or good day before you ask for anything. It always takes me a few days to slow down to their speed, but once I get there I love it.

Howard,

Perhaps you've done this, but if you are looking for sailing instruction in week 1, be sure your skipper is an "instructional" type and not just one who is obliged to drive you around safely. The former may cost a few bucks more.
Fred

My top tip would be to get the show on the road fairly early during the busy season. Mooring balls - at least the nicely sheltered ones - fill up early at some anchorages. Early in the afternoon (ie 2 or so) is a good target for the smaller anchorages. Cooper island is probably even earlier than that.

Also, IMHO you should visit the baths by renting a car at Leverick, swimming in and leaving the boat is not worth the hassle. There's whole recent threads about that one!

The streets aren't littered with gold and jewels so lift your head UP and greet every person you meet. Don't worry, it's only tourists that will avert their eyes from you and mumble something as they scurry away.

Agree with beerMe regarding nice manners with local people. Before noon: "Good morning". After midday and before sundown: "Good afternoon". When it's dark: "Good night" (NOTE this is a greeting, not a farewell). Then make your request/ask a question. Please and thank you always goes down well.

One other important piece of advice...avoid beachwear anywhere other than the beach: no bare chests or bikini bottoms walking along the street, please just cover up!

I saw a (promo?) picture of the shops at the new cruise ship pier maybe yesterday....there's a woman in a thong doing her shopping. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I am not much removed from a newbie but one of the things that we did regarding provisioning is ordered all the heavy bulk stuff through moorings and had that all onboard and in the fridge chilling. this included:
- gallons of drinking water
- pop
- beer!
- boxed stuff (chips, crackers), etc

We then went to Rite way for the perishables and meat. This saved us a ton of energy and hassle getting the heavy stuff on board.

This year, I think we will get everything through Moorings. After a hectic day of travel, just too much stress to go shopping in the evening. Also ensuring that everything is on the boat and ready to go is worth the extra cost (if there is any..)

Also, buy lots of water in Rd Town. If you run out it is much more expensive every where else it seems. One more thing, my wife is a fanatic for cucumbers in sandwiches and there was not a cucumber to be found after leaving Rd Town until Soper's Hole! (you can file that under nice to know and not mission critical <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />)

Other things we do to de-stress our trip...

Sleep aboard the night before departure.

Arrive at all sailing destinations before noon.

Plan a dock-stop about half way through the trip for water and fuel. (We like Leverick)

Plan for 1 quart of bottled water per day per person.

Build an extra day somewhere into the middle of your trip. That way if you're stuck for a while with a mechanical problem your entire schedule doesn't get thrown off.

Sailors have intentions not itineraries. If you absolutely positively have to hit a certain site to keep someone in the crew happy, this can be setting yourself up for failure, or danger. Get-there-itus can cause you to put your boat in harms way. Be happy that you've seen a lot of the wonderful BVI. If you have to skip the Baths or Anegada for some reason, it's not a catastrophe. It's a reason to return!

Boats break. Even new ones. Expect it.

Not sure how much Moorings provisions are, but we used Riteway for 2 trips this fall/ Christmas with 100% accuracy and on time. 2nd trip we even ordered produce (Fruit and fresh veggies) and were very happy with quality. They delivered evening(6pm) for our sleep aboard and this allowed luxury of storing/verifying. No trip to store was necessary !
On future trips, you will be prepared to provision with any charter company...

Take your own spices and light/small items that travel easily.

Best advice for a relaxing trip:

If there are north swells up (which there invariably are in the wintertime) find anchorages which are protected. Note that north swells have nothing to do with wind or weather. They come from thousands of miles away and can be severe even with 10 kt winds and 85 degree and sunny days.

In the BVI, best winter anchorages are Little Harbour, JVD, Sprat Bay Peter Island (3 moorings and a marina), The entire North Sound, Norman Island the Bight, Trellis Bay.

Anchor/Moor overnight in White Bay JVD, Cane Garden Bay,Great Harbour JVD, Caneel in the USVI and you will have a cranky crew in the morning.


You can work around this by doing Cane during the day and running over to Little Harbour at night for example, or White Bay and then going to LH at night. But study the geometry of the anchorages and remember to not be afraid to change your plan based on conditions.

-P