TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands newby needs some help

This is my first time chartering and first time in the BVI and I need some help. I'm reading previous posts and they are a lot of help.
Water: we are chartering a 2019 boat. The water in the tanks will be safe for ______? drinking? making ice? showering? cooking? Cleaning the bilge?
I'm on vacation so I don't do anchor watches. We intend to moor. Are there any harbors we should avoid due to limited availability or ones that are least used?
Where can we watch the NFL playoffs. My crew enjoys equal time on and and sea.
What are the odds of getting a mooring ball at the Indians next two weeks?
I'm chartering with Horizon. Should I call them with itinerary questions? or Email? or just wait for briefing?
Please offer any suggestions restaurants, itinerary suggestions via post or private message

Thank you in advance

I would not drink from charter boat tank. (If watermaker, then depending on setup, can fill gallon jugs direct from watermaker).
If you set your itinerary up correctly, you can get "less crowded".
Indians is a day stop which should be limited to 90 minutes. Can hoover until one opens up. With a little luck, wait will be short, but should be able to enjoy Indians.
Call Bars where you plan to be to see if they have TV with access to channel you need. We have watched games on Anegada as well as Red Hook (STT).

No way I would drink from a charter boat water tank. I don’t even drink from the water tanks on my own boat. Buy gallon jugs of water and transfer to smaller bottles.

You don’t mention when you are chartering so it’s hard to advise on mooring availability. Once high season kicks in again demand will be very high. There are a lot fewer mooring s since Irma. That means shorter sailing days in order to get hooked up.

Unless your team is in the playoffs I would not make my sailing itinerary around the NFL.

We charter January 10 -15 Packer fans, Certainly can't count on them making it past their first game on the 12th so we plan on taking a few hours off the water to watch.

Gallon jugs it is. thanks for the tip.

I hear you. One of my fondest BVI memories is the Panthers SB run in 2003. We were flying to EIS through Nevis and caught part of the game against the Rams on a 19” TV behind the snackbar at the Nevis airport. When we finally got to the Moorings base we were anxious to find out who won. When we got to the bar the game was still on in overtime! Then double OT and Steve Smith takes it to the house on the first play for a TD and the win. The next Saturday we watched the Panthers beat the Eagles at the outside bar at De Loos Mongoose in Trellis Bay. Tows in the sand watching football in the BVIs. So much fun.

Enjoy!

I would use this board to build your itinerary...recognizing you need plan B & C for the weather. I would not wait for any chartering company to provide you an itinerary

Cottage Girl is a regular and knows what she is doing and IMHO put together a nice one here...

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubb...ary-trip-draft-itinerary.html#Post212508

We tend to skip the busy places and get to places like Anegada on the weekend when they arent crowded. I would not plan a BVI trip around being somewhere for an NFL game even if the Steelers were anyy good this year...:)

You should be pretty lucky on timing: Christmas/New Years is busy because of school breaks, then things calm down a tad until February/March.

Some nice bays have no moorings, so anchoring expands your options. Get familiar with the good weather sites. Winds can pick up in January, along with North swells. The swells make even some mooring fields inadvisable.

Enjoy.

Is the Trellis Bay full moon party worth staying in Nanny cay marina (charter base) and taking a Taxi drive? I understand it is on the Friday the 10th.

Buy the gallon jugs as others mentioned and encourage the crew to bring their own insulated water bottles, usually stainless steel.

About 9 years ago we caught a Giants/Eagles game at the Bitter End. That's not going to work now ..... maybe Pussers in Sopers Hole? I think that's re-opened.

Dave

Omar's Fusion in Sopers is a better bet...most paces on CGB will carry it too..

I’m with the others - we don’t even drink water from our own boat tanks. Each person brings a tervis tumbler of their choice and we use those all week long for water (from gallon jugs) cocktails etc. Everyone knows whose cup belongs to whom. Tank water is fine for showering - or fresh water rinse if you “shower” in the ocean.

I played the Boatyball game this morning. Funny, Now I'm getting a bit worried. Are there a few places where I could go and by what time could I reasonably be assured I would find a mooring ball? January 10 -15

Thanks for the tip in the football games. Any bars on the smaller islands that might have the game on?

You are in a slack time. You should have no trouble getting a ball anywhere but Cooper and perhaps great harbor on Friday or Saturday. Little harbor next door always has balls. Arrive at Cooper by about 1 pm and you should find a open ball. Keep in mind that you should be comfortable anchoring to skipper a bareboat. If not perhaps have a skipper put on the boat for a day or two and practice. I have come adrift twice in the BVI at night. Both times I was on a ball.
G

George-

I am curious as to the mooring failure. What part of the mooring detached if you know...?

I have anchored and certainly moored and use anchor watches in both cases and remain equally "sleeplessly paranoid" about drifting in both cases.

I saved an unoccupied drifting catamaran in The Bight once, the wind was gusting around 5knots, no more. I had to put it on another mooring a bit away from the original location and the charterers returned after dark and had some trouble finding their boat
They had attached their lines well, but the mooring line was extremely frayed (prop damage) and parted easily.

thanks for the info.

So diving on the mooring is not optional.

In one the shackle on the bottom snapped. In the other the shackle was intact so failure must have been the mooring pin. One was a BEYC ball and one moor secure. Both were in winds gusting above 20 knots. I see many balls with damaged pennants and see boats tied up incorrectly all the time. Picture to follow.

Thanks for the help on the playoff coverage. I have several options but most are resorts. Now I'm hoping to find so little island bar. Please post if you know they have a TV. I will follow up and contact them to be sure they have the games on.

Check Trellis Bay Market. They have a TV, and there is usually sports on. Ephraim is fairly obliging, so ask him. Marche may also have one.

thanks, I'll check both.

Kisses Bar (local bar) in Settlement on Anegada (Watched a Clemson Game there)

Mulligans at Nanny Cay has all the major sporting events on TV.

@TSL:

Yes to all on the water. I have been bareboat chartering since 96 with several companies. Have always used the water tanks on the charter boat and no one has ever had a problem. I don’t understand the other comments to the contrary. Am currently on charter (sitting at Leverick tonight). I have also bought tanks fills (today even) with no issues.

Getting a mooring ball this week has been a challenge. I can’t seem to be able to wake up in time to reserve a Boatyball. I’m on vacation after all. I have mostly anchored. Partly because I’ve been arriving late to the anchorage. I understand this week is the busiest week. But I’m confident in my anchoring skills and have a great crew.

Best of luck and don’t be afraid to ask others for help. We’ve all been there for the first time.

C

People worry about potable water, but I’ve never heard of bad consequences.
We’ve always washed teeth, and boiled for coffee using boat water.

Filled empty 1L water bottles, froze in freezer, and used for drink cooler refrigeration, recycle and repeat.

You’re on vacation, relax.

Thank you all for the help.
Let me summarize, clarify a few things,and ask a few more questions.


Water tanks, I simply forwarded your comments to the crew. I'm sure we will purchase some bottled water. We use a Britta on my boat. Won't bother taking it along.

Anchoring: No problem anchoring, We do not drink at sea. That includes at anchor. I've treated moorings the same as a Slip. GeorgeC1's experience is not comforting so we will dive on the mooring and enjoy the Painkillers.

Packer Game on the 12th. So far we have: ONB, Quito's on CGB, Leverick Bay, Mulligan's on Nanny Cay, Trellis Bay Market. Any others? We are looking for beach bar so we can have our feet in the sand as we watch the game. Any suggestions which one fits the bill?

We board 12:00 1/10 in Nanny Cay. 20-23mph winds from ENE the next 4 days. The Game is likely on at 12:00 on Sunday the 12th. So where to go and how do we get there? (Snorkeling, mooring, and anchoring if we must) along the way.

Thanks so much for the help.

Has anyone sailed /chartered an Astréa 42? Any quirks or problems we should know about?

Would suggest Jumbies beach bar at Leverick. We had fun watching a college game there this fall and it was a priority for us to find a spot to watch. I don't recall seeing TV's at ONB, but regardless, they don't have a "toes in the sand" beach bar. If the new Quito's has a TV, looks like that could be a good spot too and it's a great place for sunset - just watch out ahead of time for a north swell to make alternative plans.

Thank you Rush !!, Yes Quito's confirmed they have a TV and the game will be on but we sure are hoping for our toes in the sand. Leverick confirmed as well. Windguru says there will be a fading 1/2 meter swell from NNW on Sunday morning fading to nothing by evening. That's and easier sail in the 2 1/2 meter 10 second chop from Nanny cay. I will hope for further advice here or in the Chart briefing.

Seahawks-Packers at 5:40 CST (7:40 AST)!

This is gonna be a close game. I have a cuz who pays for GB. But if betting, I like Seattle +4.

Unfortunately it will be a nice 20 deg evening with 3 mph winds at Lambeau. If the Packers play like they did against the Vikings you would loose your shirt betting but this season has also been full of ugly wins. No noisy home field advantage for the Hawks but I give them the coaching edge. You may be right but don't tell my crew I said it. I'd be walking the plank. Who is the cus?

Evan Bayless TE from Oregon. Unfortunately he has been relegated to the practice squad. Good kid. He was with the Panthers last year. So we were able to spend some time with he and his parents. We were hoping to catch a game up there this year since Lambeau is on my bucket list. But that did not worked out. If he is still with GB next season, we will make it happen. But it has to be a September or October game. That place gets cold! I like the coaching edge as well. But tough to bet against GB at home. Especially in the playoffs. Good luck!

From the beach bar at Quito's you can see the newly upsized TV at the bar (with toes in sand)!! Have fun. I'm sure we'll be down there as well.

We also agree.....Jugs of fresh water, and also a case of small bottles as well.

To TOP OF THE FRESH WATER TANKS l for showers, cleaning, washing hands, boiling water for whatever, we found easy places to top off the water and have a good time in that anchorage or marina.

FRESH WATER top off:

LEVERICK BAY , Virgin Gorda Sound : Also, we now reserve a slip in the Marina, and do not mess with boaty ball. Take a taxi to the Baths, ( Lunch at the Top O the Bahtsn,
Also, we plan our time at Leverick to correspond to the Friday Night Jump Up, BBQ out by the pool, band, dancing, and moko jumbies, plus well stocked grocery store , showers ashore, water, and tiki bar, two restaurants, beach, and swimming pool.
Easy and fun and good friendly times at Leverick.
And with the slip, no worries about mooring pick ups. No dink hassels, or multiple repeated trips ashore .

NANNY CAY: Very nice slips and docks at the NEW MARINA there at NANNY CAY. Easy living, fresh water at the slip, neat and friendly staff, and fun times at Peg Legs, the pool and the Beach. Plus, taxi to road town
for maybe NFL watching, or shopping or additional places for dinner ashore.

CANE GARDEN BAY, fresh water and fuel , ICE, etc. Beautiful long beach, beach side restaurants and bars, provisions, and water sports. Calm times , very few people on NON CRUISE SHIP DAYS. If the cruise ship boat poeple are there, they
mount their busses around 3:30pm....peace is once again restored .
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As to picking up a mooring at the Indians..... Early is a good plan.

Mooring at NORMAN ISLAND, and after the previous nights party down at the Willy T.....we have the self drive to drop off very early the next morning, and motor over to the Indians and pelican,
and pick up up a close in National Park Mooring. ( generally the fist ones there ) Then we fix breakfast on board, get our snorkel gear out, set up towels and shampoo and soap in the stern, for our fresh water wash down of us and
our gear after snorkeling.

No need to Rush, but after breakfast and snorkeling and showering on the stern step, we note when the moorings get filled, and they fill up pretty quickly, we drop off and love the spirited SAIL up to LEVERICK BAY .
We need to leave the Indians as soon as possible to make room for the other vessels . Time limits on Free National Park Moorings is 90 minutes ).
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There are just two of us, so we do not have 8 to 12 people taking showers and using boat water, so sailing the BVI and getting fresh water tanks filled is not a big deal.

You are going to love the BVI.......

Enjoy

Denny and Erica

I hope Cane Garden and Leverick are somewhat protected from the swells because the forecast is for high seas and swells through Monday:

https://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=amz715

I personally wouldn't want to put a lot of shampoo in the water right at the Indians. :-(

Both CGB and Leverick will be just fine with the forecast winds. CDB will be almost dead smooth.
G

WOW.. exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks so much!!