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

Always stay calm, and maintain your sense of humor. Never yell at your crew, berate them, or express urgency. If the mooring-picking-up isn't just right, fall off the wind, drift away, walk up to the bow, and calmly explain that it was a great try - but you might try THIS the next time around.

Your crew will not remember your mistakes at sailing, anchoring, picking up a mooring, docking, or anything else. They will only remember how THEY felt during their vacation. Were they relaxed and laughing? Or stressed because you were an overbearing sailing Nazi?

You CHOSE the burden of captain, and their respect for you will grow when you show them (real or not) how easily you fit the role, without bitching, complaining, yelling or stressing.

Take a swim the morning of your last day. Never too early to jump in. You'll be glad you did as you are making your way through customs, etc.

thank you for the great suggestions.... keeping it real here... lets "deal with" each other here like we will become friends and keep is civil... no need to disparage NYC from TN. I am living in NY, and in NYC very often. It's not nice to group NYC residents all together like that, despite what you may think or have experienced. Look how that worked out for Ted Cruz. Civility knows no borders or boundaries.

Regarding safety... lights and vest, no cutting corners for me. I'm not too proud to be safe. It will be vests and proper lighting.

Thank you to Liane Letendre of BVIYC for all her great detail on her site and for her support for our first charter... I bought this simple tri-color light for using in the dinghy based on recommendation on her site. Problem solved.

http://www.navisafe.com/project/3-navilight-tricolor-2nm-2/

Look for me in the mooring fields between the 24th and 2nd... i'll be on the dinghy with at least 2 adults wearing vests and at night displaying the proper lighting! Lets have a drink! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Can anyone recommend the best health food store for my bride and for me a great bakery?

We've worn them extensively last year with no trouble at all... Water splashing on the vest will not trigger it... typically would have to be submerged.

I looked at a lot of vests... i think this is the best out there, very comfortable. I wanted a vest that would be easy and comfortable to wear. I insisted that my wife wear one on board so easily decided to live by example... I wear mine 100% of the time while on the water on the 24' we sail routinely.

I've noticed that neither of us have worn them on larger boats we've be on but i do when having to go forward. It just makes sense to me. I've noticed that some of the more experienced sailors i sail with now also are wearing their vests now. I like that.

https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en/categories/lifejackets/product_groups/deckvest-lite

I agree on the NY bashing... I have seen people from plenty of countries act in a demanding spoiled sort of way. It has nothing to do with being from America, it's how you choose to act.

I have never felt the need for a light on the dinghy outside of a flashlight that I rarely use. I would not criticize you for using it but am curious where and how you intend to mount it?

HI Scott. thanks for the reply... it has a magnet and will attach very easily to a baseball cap. My wife is laughing at me when i have it on but who care. Likely i'll have a nice little buzz when i where it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I see you're in Dover, NH... moved from Lee to NYC area a few years ago, lived in Lee for 17y at Lee Five Corners. My 2 kids live in Dover. Small World.

Now to answer the next question that will likely come... how did i end up back in NY? I got a great job and was done with the horse farm and hard winters. I am the one guy that moved back to NY...

It is a small world! I grew up in southern Maine, but I went to St. Thomas in Dover ('97), and still maintain contact with a number of people up there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

My advice - realize you don't have to do everything by boat. Visiting the baths for example by boat is over rated. Visit Leverick and rent a car. You'll get to swim in and visit so many other places directly by the boat, that I think you'll find this a nice change. Not to mention the views you get on Virgin Gorda. Two nights is recommended so you have a full day to explore.

And just take it easy and stay within your limits with the boat - don't do anything you aren't comfortable with. For us, our first trip this meant skipping White Bay on JVD.

Please use all safety precautions you think necessary. I do think it might be overkill, IMHO. Keep in mind that if you are traveling at night through the mooring fields, usually the only other craft moving on the water are other dinghies. I agree that a simple flashlight pointed forward and towards the water to highlight mooring balls is really all that is required. If you are going through the mooring field, with boats at anchor its not like there is going to be high speed boats ripping through the field at night.

Slow = pro.

Hate to say this..but I have many high speed boats " ripping through the moorings field" at The Bight and to a lesser extent Great Harbour..be careful out there..

Definite small world! My kids went to Oyster River yours probably did too... Good luck with the light should be interesting! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/noevil.gif" alt="" />

StephenR For a bakery, I would suggest the Family Food Bakery located just outside the entrance to Sunsail.
http://www.familyfoodbakery.com/