TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) BVI Trip Reports and Photos Your top tips for newbie charterers

Another post on this forum got me thinking that it would be great for those that have "been there and done that" to share what they've learned about bareboat chartering in the BVI.

It would be possible to list hundreds of tips, but I'll only start off with a few, and hope others chime-in.

* Bring half the clothes and twice the cash. By weight, the toys I bring outweigh the clothes by about 3:1. Leave space in your bag and buy clothes or souvenir T-shirts along the way. You can always wear them if you run out of clean ones!

* To avoid arrival-stress while sailing, plan to sail in the morning and be at your next destination by noon. By late-afternoon the mooring fields can be totally packed, leaving you with failing light and trying to execute plan B or plan C.

* Bring a hand-held VHF radio. Many boats only have a radio below, and sometimes there's a problem with the handsets on the boats that do have them topsides. A hand-held lets you remain at the helm and talk to the dock-master.

* Plan a stay at the dock about once every 4 days or so. Many places have TTOL specials and you will (probably) need to get water, and perhaps fuel during your trip. If you schedule it in to start, you won't find yourself blowing half a day when "surprise!" the water tank runs dry.

* Don't trust the water and fuel gauges, and eye the battery gauge with suspicion! All gauges must convince me that they are correct, and I assume they are wrong at the beginning of a trip. I have been known to take the fuel tank cover off and peer in with a flashlight. Boats that have two water tanks and a cross-over valve between them have a built-in fail-safe system. First, open the crossover valve and let the tanks equalize. Then turn it off. Run tank 1 dry and now about half your water is left. Open cross-over and let equalize, and then turn it off again. Run tank 1 dry again, and about 1/4 of your water is left. Time to fill-up. This method also protects you from running ALL of your water into the bilge (or the ocean) if a leak develops in the system or somebody leaves a faucet running.

How to pick up a mooring ball on the first try: the person on the bow uses hand signals to communicate with the person at the wheel. One finger held up means forward gear; two fingers held up means neutral; three fingers is reverse. Hold thumb and forefinger close together means go slow, wide apart means more power. Use the pole to point to the mooring ball. After you pick up the mooring line and place the loop over the cleat, tie another line over the top to keep the loop from lifting off and casting you loose in the middle of the night when the wind or current changes. We always have my wife at the wheel, and I direct from the bow and it has always worked perfectly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I know everyone says half the clothes - I think it really depends on what someone packs though. I end up bringing a t-shirt for every day plus a few extra, couple pairs of shorts and underwear for each day and a couple bathing suits. Wife and I share a rolling duffel (not too big) and get all our clothes in it. It's all the other stuff that takes up too much room!

Agree completely on arriving early at a destination. It's easy to then find plenty to do at that location and not have to rush to get a mooring.

I also think planning on itinerary can be a good thing. The key is not to feel you have to stick to it, but it can be a decent guide and help you figure out where you want to go and what you want to do. And I find it a fun way to pass time leading up to the trip. If you find it a chore, skip it, otherwise have fun with it. I've even put together powerpoint slideshows for friends - sort of an interactive itinerary

Wear sunscreen - lots of it. Make it part of your morning ritual - I get up, put on a bathing suit, put in my contacts (always do that before sunscreen!!!) and then apply sunscreen.

Know your limits. If you pull into an anchorage and start to feel uncomfortable maneuvering in it, get out and go somewhere else. Our first trip we were on a 47' Cat (largest boat I ever Captained) and heading to the Soggy Dollar our first day. It was packed and I pulled in and started maneuvering and wasn't comfortable so we bailed. Also don't let someone else convince you how to do something - do it the way makes you comfortable - you are at the helm and you are responsible and know your ability - not the person back seat driving. Doesn't hurt to take suggestions though.

charlie reminds me of one more people need to know..

When securing the boat to a mooring - you use two lines and two cleats. On a mono, it should be pretty obvious which two cleats - there the only ones at the bow!

On a Cat, apparently it is not obvious. You use the two cleats on the BOW - the spreader (not sure of its proper name) that connects to two bows has cleats - thats what you use. NOT the cleats on the port and starboard side of the hulls. I've seen lots of boats hooked up that way our past few trips.

Discourage blow dryers, curling irons and excessive make up.
No high heels! ( had one girl bring 3 pairs!)
Lots of sunscreen!
I always bring a pack of bar wipes. Better than paper towels to me and we just chuck them when we are done.
Blow up floaties to tie off of the back. Great for relaxing and good conversation.
I always bring an extra few beach towels.
MUSIC! Everyone bring a favorite playlist and rotate.
Spices from home. I go to bulk at my store and put them in little baggies.
A waterproof wallet or bag to carry $$$ credit cards etc.

Do a sleep-aboard the first night at the dock. This gives everyone time to put their stuff away, become familiar with were everything is, and the skipper and crew time to look over the boat's systems in a leisurely fashion (i.e. manual in one hand, Carib in the other) while prepping for the boat briefing the next morning. Have a nice dinner, chill on the boat. Further, don't plan a first day that requires leaving the dock by 9:00 am. Won't happen anyway. Do the briefing, pick up the last few provisions, take a deep breath, then calmly leave the dock.

WAY less stress. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

We actually did TWO nights at the dock (Moorings base) while waiting for a guitar that had been delayed in baggage.
Everyone aboard thought this was great.

I prefer non-cotton clothing. Nylon and other synthetics for shirts and shorts are lighter, dry quickly, and can be more odor resistent.

When moving locations we tend to leave early, 7-8am, and arrive early, before noon. This leaves plenty of daylight to explore. Two nights in most locations lessens the stress of trying to do everything in a short period of time.

Bring a leatherman and sharp folding knife (if not going carryon only)

50 ft of quarter or 3/8 inch nylon line... There is always something to tie up.

Most powerful led mini flashlights you can find..and one headlight.

Always start the outboard on dinghy before leaving. Lift the gas can in dink to be sure is filled..check inflation on dink.

Block ice. Get a block or two with your initial ice and will help with keeping cooler colder longer.

ALWAYS approach mooring into the wind ..and always sloooow. Neutral is where you should spend most of the approach . The ball ain't runnin away.

SUNTAN LOTION and cover...burns the first couple days that are truly unpleasant are frequent.

A "shoe policeman" and a towel on sole insde entry door will help keep sand out of sack.

Clothespins

Ziplock bags by the score.

Tell credit card company you are going to be dropping a pot load in a foreign country.

If you are uncomfortable going somewhere in the conditions...don't.

Always check lines if a new crew member is involved in cleting them.

It's best to take own masks and snorkel.

I would not provision planning on every night dining on boat. Can always get more during charter. Lethargy sets in and are a lot of good shore options. We now often have apps and cocktails on board and then go to dinner ashore.,but sometimes are full and tired after a day in the sun and enjoying the company and just keep the cocktail party goin.

Watch the battery banks if genset not on.

Wow! Great stuff. Keep 'em coming!

On tunes - We bring an RF modulator for our iPhone so we can get signals into the boat's music system. Most systems these days have a 3mm or 1/8" aux input jack, but every system we've seen has a FM tuner.

Picking up a mooring - Don't hook the loop! If you do, and the boat starts drifting back and the line gets taught you can be forced into the choice of getting pulled overboard or letting the boat hook go overboard. Hook the mooring pennant behind the loop. We went swimming for the boat hook a time or two before learning this lesson.

Queen, does this mean you always check a bag? We try to do carry on only.

Most valuable thing we bring: Duck Tape! Seems we have needed it on every charter! Second most valuable: Bug Spray!

I always bring my journal as well. Every morning I get up early and fix a cup of coffee and while waiting for the rest of the sleepy heads to get up I write about the previous days adventure in my journal. It is hysterical now to go back and read some of these journals from our past trips. It is also my quiet time to reflect and enjoy the early morning views of the harbor. Life is Good!

Great tips so far

We do most of the above! I bring my own snorkel, mask (prescription), Leatherman tool and several pool noodles

delicate subject alert. Clogged heads are no fun

/ We also have a Baggie placed under the sink for used tp

Since implementing this practice I have never had to force a guest to unclog a head. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Otherwise I would only echo

Sailors should have intentions, not plans
You go with the flow and do what the weather allows

Parachute cord, wooden clothespins, fillet knife (for easy release of fish), zip-ties and duct tape are fabulous.

Raise the main sail (with a reef or two), a one person job just take your time, while sitting on the mooring, much easier than when you are bouncing around out of the quiet anchorage.

Can't speak for Queen, but we always check bags. Impossible not to - I have 2 carry on bags (dive gear and laptop/camera bag) and the wife has at least 1 carry on plus we each have 1 checked. I think Kristine might be the only one who brings more than we do. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

You should not do that without someone who truly understands and knows what they are doing on the main sheet. You must have that person on the main sheet from the first hoist until the boat is well clear of the other boats nearby and any hazards on the way to deep water. One good puff and the main is diving the boat not the helmsman.

Good line. Consider it stolen. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Always have one dinner meal on the boat. You never know when the whim, mood or reality will set in and the boat will not or does not make its way to a suitable shore dinner venue.

Our boats never move until everyone is ready. Why rush? When everyone is ready we make our way to the next great spot.

I'll take it one step further:
"The most dangerous thing on a boat is a schedule"

Don't have "get-there-itis"

dah. Loosen the mail sheet first, so it runs free, the boat won't move. You are still tied to the mooring ball.

That might work on the mooring. In many cases that will not work in a crowd once you let the mooring go and get underway. It is just a matter of time or hoists before the wind gods take control of the boat.

Before starting the engine, when dropping sails,getting ready to leave a mooring, or any time, make sure all lines and sheets, including dingy painter, are secured. Wrapping a line on the prop can really mess up the vacation. Been there!

Order a case of water in gallons just in case you lose the boat fresh water for any number of reasons. When the water stops hand a gallon to each person to get by on until the fresh water supply is restored.

If fashion is your thing... A small pair of slip on heels can work with a backpack. Keep the heels stowed away until you are out of the dink and even off the dock. Then just slip them on.

You should be good to go with one pair of secure Teva like sand and water friendly shoes and one better pair of shore shoes if you are going to frequent some of the higher end venues..... Scrub, Biras, BEYC.... Peter Island.

For fear of being "captain obvious", but I have not seen mention here, but have seen it all the time.

Duffel Bags and Backpacks, leave the rigid luggage at home. The charter company usually won't keep it for you.

We get cases of CHEAP 1 gallon waters, then we get 4 "NICE" 1litre bottles. Yes, we "decant" our water. Cheap water is ...cheap. The sun/sand/booze will dehydrate you... drink more water than you think you need.

Shorten the Dingy painter, really short.

The captain cannot hear what you are saying at the front of the boat, shouting just adds drama....and comedic relief for us watching...yes, we watch

Seeing the above about the dinghy painter reminds me of another tip.

On a cat with Davits, it is not a bad idea to remove the gas tank from the dinghy. We had our dinghy flip in some big waves one time and lost the tank.

Our 9th trip is coming up in June. Here are my 2 cents..
-Have an itinerary but a loose one. Check weather every morning and have a plan B and maybe C if it isn’t what you expected . We use windguru and find it fairly accurate.
-If you see dark clouds ahead plan for a blow. If you are thinking about reefing you should have already done so. Reefing is your friend if in doubt reef - don’t try to be the hero.
-Always close hatches when leaving the boat, even if the sky is blue. A shower /downpour can come out of nowhere and a wet bed sucks.
-Resist the overwhelming temptation to laze in the cockpit and hug your mug all morning. We try to get away reasonably early so we can make a few pit stops (lunch and snorkelling) along the way to our destination for the night.
-Know how to anchor and if your planned destination is conducive to this prior to getting there in case all the balls are taken. Ward loves his range finder for anchoring to judge swing room and helps to evaluate if your anchor spot is a good one. Snorkel your anchor to see if it set well, after you back on it and take a mark ashore. Use your GPS and iphone apt to take a reading so it will alarm if you move at night. The “ lets check to see if we are dragging hatch dance “ at night got old real fast so we use technology now for a better sleep. Still be alert when anchored- weather can change in a heartbeat .
-When mooring if you miss the ball circle around and try again- again heroics are stupid.
-Wear bug spray or some sort of deterrent when ashore in the evenings, sometimes even in the day time ( really happy to have had some on our a recent hike around Sandy Cay). I usually bring a small bottle with me in my purse along with my small flashlight ( never leave the boat in early afternoon for happy hour without a flashlight- may get carried away and leave after dark ) been there done that. Hard to navigate a mooring field in the dark .. and again stupidity to try to do so . We also have solar lights on our bimini which make it really easy to see – especially after a night ashore with some liberations .
-If enjoying liberations ashore, especially at Willy T remember that all the grey dinghies may look the same when you go to leave. We lock ours and also a good idea to tie a colored strip of material or bandana around the cleat where you tie off so its easier to find. Ours is yellow so usually pretty lucky here.
- always bring a portable clock with me. I am notoriously unable to sleep past sunrise when in the BVI and wake up anytime after 4 or so. Having a clock to check to see “ is it time to get up yet daddy” helps me sleep a bit longer. Hate to miss a sunrise ya know! Also after 2 weeks on vacation the alarm is needed just in case the one day I decide to sleep late is the day we need to catch a ferry for our departure home.
- Also find that I have had some itchy rashes on some trips and have found that rinsing off with a fresh water stern shower after being in the water prevents this.
-RE food. We bring some and buy the produce there usually. I find it really convenient to make lunch after breakfast for easy access if sailing or just saves time for more fun things like exploring ashore or snorkelling.
-If on a mono tell newbies who may have never sailed that the boat may “ lean over” but we will not tip. Freaks them out if they do not expect this, especially when they see the smaller monos beside them with rails in the water.
-We love our beverages so bring insulated cups from home- the steel ones from costco keep ice for hours and hours. Careful tho the goose bite is brutal- moderation only especially on the first night- again speaking from experience. Chum is no fun.
-speaking about chumming- if guests are at all prone to be a bit nauseated aboard tell them to sit so they either face forward ( the pointy end) or sit to look out over the stern,. Sitting sideways in the cockpit is a recipe for the bucket if they are a bit yucky feeling at all. If it is about to happen pass the bucket rather than risking a newbie overboard.
- Water , water and more water. Before the liberations and between. Dehydration and sun = a very bad day. We have used the gallon jugs and the small bottles and find that guests drink the small bottles best cause they can grab and go. Again the plastic bottles from Costco are great for water . Come in all colors and are spill proof.


This is something that was posted here on TTOl that I have saved , printed and insist that newbies read on each trip. I have it printed and in a book aboard to review before each trip with first timers.
Tips for Newbies on a sailboat

1. Lots of suntan lotion
2. Don't use the lifelines for stability, use shrouds or handholds instead
3. Don't carry bags in or out of the boat (carry yourself first, then have someone hand you the bags)
4. Watch out for flying elbows when starting the dinghy engine
5. Eat crackers if you are feeling sick
6. Don't get your feet tangled in the sheets
Ginger snaps/crackers or drink are best if you are queezy

7. Shorten dinghy painter when picking up a mooring or anchoring or entering/leaving the dock.
8. Bring 1/3 the amount of clothes you think you need and 3x as much money.
One hand for you, one hand for the boat.
2. Never shut off the engine until you are secure at anchor, on a mooring ball or at the dock. Then shut it off and have a beer.
Newbie Safety tips
-- Don't throw the wash bucket overboard with a rope tied to it and to your wrist while the boat is moving
-- Don't sneak up behind a dude while he is peeing off the back of the boat at 1:00 am
-- Learn ahead of time what the term "we're coming around means". Also, learn what the difference is in "to tack and to jybe"
-- Explain why they call the "boom, the boom"
-- When you are beaching the dinghy, the water may be deeper than you think
Never untie the dinghy from the boat until you have started the dinghy motor and let it run for a few minutes ensuring it will continue to run.

2. If your dinghy ever shuts off abruptly after running fine, you can count on a dislodged fuel line at the motor or at the tank. Make sure both are secure and start again.

3. Never leave the charter co. dock until you're sure your dinghy motor will raise up and stay there. If it won't you'll never be able to dink ashore to any beach.. like White Bay, Sandy Spit or Sandy Cay!
Our Captain has aways made a strong point about man overboard procedures when he gives us the safety briefing. Not that we'll have to do the boat work but that we should yell "man overboard" and point where we saw the person go over, and continue to point.
When picking up a mooring ball, if things go terribly wrong, let go of the pole. You won't be able to stop the boat with it! (see MOB drill)
Just off the top,

1. If the captain asks you to go ashore for more ice, obey him. He's the captain and plus running out of ice creates a very unsafe condition on board.

2. Do not keep asking the captain to adjust the white flappy things so they stop blocking your sun.

3. Leaving your stateroom hatches unsecured while under way can cause no end of bad things to happen up to and including your being pitched overboard halfway to Anegada.

4. Do not shout helpful advice to the Captain whilst he's in the process of docking. He has a great deal of experience doing this and despite the fact that it isn't helping, neither will your rookie advice.

5. It is considered unsportsmanlike to stand around and laugh uproariously should the captain fall from the dinghy while attempting to disembark at Foxy's. Instead, the experienced seaman should be prepared to immediately throw the skipper a line and a cold beer, though not necessarily in that order.

Flotsam: you de man
-- When the boat comes up to the dock, do not use your leg as a fender
-- When you have a man over board (MOB), you just mark the spot on the GPS and go on. It makes the paper work easier at the end of trip and teaches the other Newbie's to hold on tighter.
-- Only the captain gets to carry a sword and gun (see "mutiny" in Wikipedia)
-- Don't swim near the boat if you hear a pumping sound
- go slow, nothing really bad can happen then (this from a power boater!)
- carry at least a flash night when the dinghy is in operation at night and see above point as well
- use said flashlight to watch for anchor lines when coming back from the bars at night
- after safely aboard at night, use said flashlight to shine light into the water and watch the array of BIG fish come around to the light, tarpon and sharks
- no night swimming (see above)
- the captain's always right and if he's not, he's the one with his name on the contract and bears that responsibility if he's not
- don't be afraid to ask if you don't know and always offer to help out
- take navy showers and always turn the tap off when not in use anywhere on the boat
A few things I have not seen mentioned:

Move your dink as far away as possible from any BBQ.

Make the crew understand the BBQ is HOT even if the lid is closed.
I had a buddy lean his arm on the lid during a discussion,next trip with him I brought yellow caution tape and cordoned off the area, he got a kick outa it but still had the scar.

USE the dinghy kill switch lanyard!

If any crew are doing the stern shower and hair conditioner thing make them follow with a deck brush, bucket and dish soap to remove the slippery slime the conditioner leaves on the swimstep!

Have a knife handy if trolling, any MOB, cut the lines!

Make sure all crew is aboard and accoutnted for before dropping a mooring or putting the boat in gear.

If you raise your main on a mooring do open the traveler and mainsheet and back off the mooring nose to wind and anticipate the main powering up and your ability to safely avoid other yachts/people/dinks in your vacinity..I have seen many get way outa control with a raised main in an anchorage..

There are many more, gotta get another beer
Ok, nobody has mentioned handling sheets, halyards, etc.

Any newbie crew members that will be helping out with the handling of lines needs to know the golden rule:

Always have the tail end of any line running thru a rope clutch on winch with several wraps and tension before releasing the clutch, i have seen nasty rope burns and can imagine worse things can happen.

Also a good idea to bring any crew aft of the blocks for the headsail when tacking, the sheets can whip wildly and cause nasty insuries or MOB, same goes when furling.

When releasing main halyards either control the line with a winch or let it run free and keep hands and all body parts clear of the line!

Only wish I had found TTOl before my first trip- just think how much learning from my mistakes I would have avoided <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

We are newbies, were down for our first charter last November. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is microfiber rapid dry camp towels. It was a suggestion of Daniel our captain and a great addition to the trip. They are dry in minutes and ready for reuse.
Dale

Every boat and system is different here. Ask and make sure the crew understands how to secure the dinghy before you leave the dock. Very good chance a key step was missed. No dinghy should flip in the secure position. Imagine if the engine even with a safety line had detached. What a mess! Every dink should also have a line securing the fuel tank anyway.

There is a lot to master on these boats now. Sometimes it can help to have one person own and master the dink alone.

As part of the boat checkout and boat brief I suggest asking this.

What is different about this boat? What gets crew in trouble or confused on this boat. Is there anything on this boat that regularly has crews calling on the phone for help?

Hidden breaker particularly for the windless can be an example,

Do not be shy here. Every boat has something different about it.

There's no built in method for securing it - under normal situations its fine. We were going through a channel and had rough surf causing the stern to get low enough to the water to catch and flip the dinghy enough to lose the gas tank. It's not as if we found it upside down, it righted itself, but tipped enough that the gas tank fell out.

This was not our first time on this boat either - just the right circumstances for this to happen. The only mistake made is that we probably should have removed the gas tank all the other times as well.

.. my routine is apply sunscreen nude then apply bikini. I have had too many burns close to the bathing suit line where I was too careful cause I didnt want to get it on my suit. Suit afterwards means you get it on without missing spots. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Sun all day everyday you dont want even a bit of sunburn- not fun at all. and always bring total block just in case I need to avoid more sun in places I may have missed. My nose always suffers!

I agree, Kim, sunscreen before suit. And always apply standing up. I have missed that spot at the top/back of the legs and then gone snorkeling. Not fun.

The dinghy in the davits is not supposed to be able to swing. If nothing else lines from the dingy should be used to secured the dinghy from free swinging. The boat should also be at angle to minimize the water weight in the dingy if you take a wave a flood the dink with sudden sea water. The load created by the swinging weight is never good for the boat, davit or dingy.

My point always make sure you understand how to secure the dinghy for your charter boat before you leave the dock. If you look back and your dingy is swinging on the davits something is not correct and the dinghy is not secure.

At all times the motor and fuel tank should be protected by a line or spliced wire to the dinghy.

It can really help to break down the roles. One or two own the galley and never interfere with their program. Someone must be the master of the vessel, even if you rotate that responsibility daily. I always do my best to have a dinghy captain and master on our trips.

Like I said, this was simply the right set of circumstances to make this happen.

Fact is, the charter boats do not have a great system for securing the dinghy to minimize all movement. The only movement we usually get is side to side and we tie it as best we can to avoid that. In this case it didn't matter - put the boat at a high enough and have a high enough wave at the stern and things will happen.

Only thing we could have done that we didn't is have the gas tank secured in the dinghy. That's why we just remove it now and why I posted about this - so others know its best to just remove it. Securing it as best you can helps too.

oh, you mean a master baiter <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Be sure you know who is the Captain, and who is the Admiral. The Admiral is in charge of the charter, but the captain is in charge of the boat. Anything he/she asks you to do should not be questioned, just do it. Save the questions for the cocktail hour.

Also, regarding blocked heads. On our boat the rule is "if it did not come out of you, please don't put in in the loo" Enough said.

add Center Cockpits and Edsel's as poor investment choices......

Yes. I always check a bag. Hey! I'm from Dallas! At least it's only 1 bag! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

(but I forgot to mention it is huge!) Not including my carry on. We always like to bring a little gift for the boat owner. Just to show appreciation. One month from today!!!
Reminds me of today's poem....
Hooray! Hooray! It's the First of May! Outdoor ******* starts today! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />