TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Navigation between Mosquito and VG

Heading down for 7th trip shortly. Would like to take the passage between the Mosquito and VG. Anyone with first hand tips? FYI, Helia 44 Cat, draft. 3.8 ft / 1.15 m

Thanks much.
Boris

Take your time. Have good midday light. And use polarized glasses.
I did it with a 6.5' draft monohull.
The charter company must have had a GPS tracking system on the boat because the debriefer asked me three time if I went aground. Don't know if they were asking about the cut you are thinking of or the anchorage in Anegada where we bumped into and settled in the mud bottom twice each day when the tide dropped to low tide.

A lot of charter boats have this red lined, so be sure to check with your charter company. It's not that far to go around, your on vacation, why take the chance?

Colleen,
Taking family on this trip so the sooner I get to port, the sooner the cocktails flow

Actually, looking at the shorter passage as a work around if the winds are unfavorable and I need to motor. Wanted to limit upwind engine time.

B.

If you are on your own boat, you can take any risk you want. If this is a charter boat and the cut is redlined by the company, you will be responsible for any damages or the whole boat if lost. Is it really worth it??

WOW! Being cheap is one thing but to possibly endanger your passengers and the boat is absolutely irresponsible! That cut if not timed right is very shallow with a reef. Seriously motoring takes about an additional 15 minutes to go around.

The charter company I used to use, said you could do it in a cat but not a monohull. Went through twice on Lagoon 410's. First time went right on through no big deal. The second time the sun was high and I could see how close the bottom was. I was a nervous wreck. Haven't done it since.

It used to carry 6 feet at low tide if you did everything right. After the storm all bets are off!
G

I know the last time I went through the depth meter showed 3+ feet under keel the whole way. I was nervous about hitting "that one coral head" just a little higher.

First trip to the BVI in 1977. Just as we were going through the tightest part of the passage the engine alarm sounded. We managed to coast through and then sailed the rest of the way to BEYC. Turned out to be a failed impeller in the pickup pump. Never again.

I've been through plenty of times on a cat. I'd never go through on a mono, let a lone one with a 6.5' draft. I'd say it is luck you didn't go aground.

I'd suggest seeing what the charter company says. If they are ok with it, then do it. If not, go around. It really doesn't take that much longer anyway.

I assume you are taking about the cut at Anguilla Point, right? We said no and passed on it a few weeks ago in a shoal-draft mono drawing just 4.5 ft. We watched several Cats with likely similar draft go through, but I just wouldn't take the chance. And it would have spared us at least 45 minutes in heavy rain and breaking seas to do it. But there was no scenario in the Anguilla cut with 30 knot easterly winds, even with winches loaded and ready, that an engine failure would have been safe.

My advice- unless you have done it before, go just a little farther NE and then pick up the marked channel into North Sound after you clear Mosquito Rock.

And it’s not your boat either. If the charter company says no, it’s not worth it.

Ive done it maybe 40 times in a big cat. #1 Motor. #2 stay close to the VG side. Very close. As you clear the point on your right steer a bit right and note that your depth reading will go to 2 feet. Hold your breath, cross your finger, pray, whatever, but you will certainly get thru. OR follow someone else.LOL.. Then steer toward Leverick Bay where you certainly have already contacted Nick for a slip for two nights..

If you are making 4 to 6 knots under way, you will only save about 45 minutes of time.

A prudent mariner ...

From BVI Pirate website.

http://bvipirate.com/AnguillaPassage.html

It’s not worth it especially if you’ve got the family aboard.
It could end the vacation.
It’s under an hour to go around so have a cold one and a give a salute to the person who named Mosquito island.

Once was enough. Not worth the stress, IMO

Went through there twice with Capt. Jim (clanks when he walks) aboard Blue Moon.
It requires local knowledge to do right.
It was interesting to watch, but no way would I do it in a charter boat where it's red-lined.

I always consider my charter in the BVI to be a SAILING vacation. I look forward to the time between when the sails go up and we pick up a mooring ball. Relax, enjoy your time on the water.

I've been through many times with a number of different catamarans. I've always used 'BVI Pirate' as a template .... keeping about 1/3 from Virgin Gorda point (on the right) and 2/3 from Mosquito point (on the left). Immediately passing the two points I head slightly toward the right, in line with Leverick Bay. Leaving North Sound I take the same route, unless headed to Anegada. Yes, it is shallow, although seems to be the route of choice for many charter cats.

Some suggest doing it in good light. Not so sure you want to see just how shallow it is..