Anyone want to venture a guess if/how the ferries will be affected? Is there any way to find out if they are running? We plan on arriving at STT on Monday. I figure if they are running tomorrow they probably will Monday too.
Most of the ferry route is protected to some extent. I would expect the ferries to run. The smaller boats might be canceled. If they cancel everything I would expect them to resume Tuesday morning based on the forecast. G
We have had a huge nor’easter up here in Newfoundland this weekend that pounded the city of St Johns with 80 centimetres of snow so all that energy is headed south
I sailed from south shore of St John to Charlotte Amalie this morning. 20 kt winds and 6 ft seas. Would have been a lumpy ride heading east, but winds were north of east so the seas were not particularly rough.
It always amazes me that people get so locked into their itineraries that they refuse to adjust for weather. Why would anyone on a charter boat be in CGB?
I have been watching the Quito's webcam all day and I can't believe that there is still a monohul on a mooring there. They must need harnesses to remain upright on that boat. Or they are being thrashed!
I spent all my money on "Boats", "Broads", and "Booze"; the rest I wasted!
I have been watching the Quito's webcam all day and I can't believe that there is still a monohul on a mooring there. They must need harnesses to remain upright on that boat. Or they are being thrashed!
I can't believe there are any boats moored there. It's not the comfort, it's the safety issue.
What we witness when we are down in June is bad enough, but some of the decision-making by captains in this weather is crazy. I was just watching the Myette's webcam and someone was trying to tie a dinghy to the dock in crashing waves. We are not owners, but we know a few and read the thoughts of others on this forum. So here is a thought...
We have been using Moorings, so this may exist in other charter companies and we are not aware of it. However, it seems that they should have an online learning center to teach some of the basics of being a responsible captain (e.g. how to use the dinghy, how to use the anchor, what to do and not do in certain weather conditions, how to use the panel, how to use the bathrooms, what to do in an emergency, how to moor,... and the list goes on). I recognize that the boats are different, but some things can be taught for all boats. The charter companies could collaborate to produce and use these videos - or a company as large as Moorings/Sunsail could do it themselves. Last, they could require that first timers or others who would benefit watch the series.
Beyond the increased safety and enjoyment from those chartering, I feel that this would be a significant benefit to the owners who have invested a lot and have their boats chartered by those who don't have the knowledge to care for them. I get that some don't care about the boat they are on, but some do and simply don't know what they are doing. There is so much to learn and people book their trips months in advance. It would be nice for them to learn in the months that lead up to the trip. My guess is that many people would see this as a benefit to chartering with a certain company - and they may enjoy the prep as they anticipate their trip.
Moorings doesn’t provide a walk-through of all the systems? (I’m asking sincerely— we are booking through them for the first time.)
Speaking from my own naive experience, when we initially booked our BVI charter for this winter, I had vague images of a placid Caribbean in my head. We are experienced boaters on Lake Erie but have no knowledge of Caribbean waters. And then in December I started checking out the BVI marine forecasts... which led me to beach webcams... Which led me to seek out this forum. I did a lot of reading, here and elsewhere.
We pretty quickly figured out that we might be in over our heads if we attempted to bareboat for the first time in these unfamiliar waters during the winter, and we soon hired a captain.
Since then I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos about different aspects of catamaran operations in BVI so I can familiarize myself as crew. I’d love it if Moorings had a video series as you describe.
We chartered last week from the Moorings. The chart briefing was thorough (we have been there before, so no surprises) and the briefer warned against going to CGB or White Bay due to the North Swell (as well as Cooper and so on). He answered our question about Oil Nut Bay clearly, and discussed conditions between Anegada and North Sound.
The boat briefing can be quite quick, but the briefer is willing to answer questions and explain things that aren't clear. Make sure to understand the head (electric head was new to us - and pleasantly so), windlass, and check out the dinghy and outboard (ours had a loose outboard). Also the suggested charging needs for the boat, besides the usual safety items.
Their chart briefings are good and don't skimp on the boat systems briefing. I also have the boat manual for the 514PC and bring that but every time I go out I learn something new still...
Its the realm of "what I dont know that I dont know" that keeps me up at night....
This mornings webcam is like watching a train wreck, I went back and found the dingy at 1013. The 2 guys at the dock win the prize. big rollers, water shooting up through the deck boards!! They honestly put their lives at risk. I wish I could control the camera, it moves around on presets. Watched a powercat surf into the bay as well, cool stuff!! Pics below....
As far as charter companies providing resources, they offer captains and certified training courses. I've used day skippers twice, once with Footloose and once with TMM. Both times helped me and the crew learn our way around unfamiliar boats, was able to operate everything to ensure our charter started off on a good note. $$ well spent.
The problem is credit card captains and the charter companies that allow these individuals to charter their boats. If you do not know how to anchor or use a dinghy you have no business chartering a boat without a captain on board.
Reminds me of the Mr. Bill pictures circulating a few years ago.
What beach is it on, Ivan’s side or Soggy’s? As long as it didn’t get a ton of water damage or hit some rocks I feel like it should be salvageable. When I was a kid our boat hit a sandbar in the middle of the night and as the tide went out we were totally on our side but we sustained little damage besides the fact that I was scared $!&?$$ at 6 years old calling for mayday on the radio.
Reminds me of the Mr. Bill pictures circulating a few years ago.
What beach is it on, Ivan’s side or Soggy’s? As long as it didn’t get a ton of water damage or hit some rocks I feel like it should be salvageable. When I was a kid our boat hit a sandbar in the middle of the night and as the tide went out we were totally on our side but we sustained little damage besides the fact that I was scared $!&?$$ at 6 years old calling for mayday on the radio.
Bareboating was started in the Virgin Islands to allow sailors who had their own boats or extensive sailing experience the chance to use another sailors vessel to enjoy a week or two of Caribbean sailing. So instead of sailing their own boat down here or chartering a crewed vessel , sailors embraced the concept and now we see the unbelievable results today. Forward thinking folks like Dick Avery in STT and Charlie and Ginny Cary in Tortola and some others started with simple boats - 35' Pearsons etc., -- iceboxes, 12 volt lighting , alcohol stoves, Atomic 4 engines, rowing dinghys, paper charts, --- things every captain was familiar with -- and anchoring was the only way, no mooring fields. The demands and expectation of todays charterer, the worldwide marketing, the boat show salesmanship of the financial buying advantages, the Corporate ownership of the charter companies, etc. have all changed the Bareboat Charter Industry into the maintenance, engineering complication of vessels today and the financial pressures have changed the demographics of charter guests and allowed the vessels often to be operated by less qualified rental captains -- a far different scenario from the original idea. Quite a change in my 45 years of Virgin Island sailing!
that idea of online videos presenting basic boating to prospective charter operators is hilarious!!
Last edited by LocalSailor; 01/20/202001:19 PM. Reason: sarcasm
Bareboating was started in the Virgin Islands to allow sailors who had their own boats or extensive sailing experience the chance to use another sailors vessel to enjoy a week or two of Caribbean sailing. So instead of sailing their own boat down here or chartering a crewed vessel , sailors embraced the concept and now we see the unbelievable results today. Forward thinking folks like Dick Avery in STT and Charlie and Ginny Cary in Tortola and some others started with simple boats - 35' Pearsons etc., -- iceboxes, 12 volt lighting , alcohol stoves, Atomic 4 engines, rowing dinghys, paper charts, --- things every captain was familiar with -- and anchoring was the only way, no mooring fields. The demands and expectation of todays charterer, the worldwide marketing, the boat show salesmanship of the financial buying advantages, the Corporate ownership of the charter companies, etc. have all changed the Bareboat Charter Industry into the maintenance, engineering complication of vessels today and the financial pressures have changed the demographics of charter guests and allowed the vessels often to be operated by less qualified rental captains -- a far different scenario from the original idea. Quite a change in my 45 years of Virgin Island sailing!
that idea of online videos presenting basic boating to prospective charter operators is hilarious!!
I used to charter from Avery’s Boathouse in the early 70’s they had Pearson’s without roller furlings. Mooring balls didn’t exist, no GPS only charts and a depth sounder were used to navigate. Cooper Island was crowded if it had two boats at anchor the owners would would row out to your boat and ask if you wanted to make dinner reservations. Saba Rock was just a rock and the BEYC was under construction with a bar on shore that was made out of a sunken sloop, the female cigar smoking bartender served Beer and rum drinks, for lunch or dinner your only option was Hot Dogs.
As someone who is considering ownership at some point, one of the primary cons for us is that our boat would be used by so many unqualified captains. However, as you state, the requirements for bareboating are unlikely to change. The idea of building the knowledge of those who are chartering the boats is better than the alternative - unqualified captains with little to no knowledge. I grew up driving large offshore fishing boats, but it was still a lot to take in when we went for the first time - even with the briefings. I would have appreciated someone with years of experience teaching us some things online prior to our trip.
Bailau: Moorings said we could go to Oil Nut Bay. I'll let the briefer tell you the preferred route...! In the end we didn't get there because we had to adjust our itinerary because of the weather and waves.
...simple boats - 35' Pearsons etc., -- iceboxes, 12 volt lighting , alcohol stoves, Atomic 4 engines, rowing dinghys, paper charts, --- things every captain was familiar with -- and anchoring was the only way, no mooring fields. Quite a change in my 45 years of Virgin Island sailing!!!
Ah, yes those were the days. Traumerei, (my childhood home) had just an icebox, no shower and no hot water. Back then we were often the only boat in White Bay. Sometimes Bill Mills would take us out on his yacht, Big Blue, when he wasn’t chartering it and I thought I had died and gone to heaven: air conditioning, ice cream (it even had a freezer!), hot water, electric head, showers...now almost all the boats have this standard. Times definitely have changed. I miss the old BVI but have to admit I’ve gotten a bit spoiled with a fridge and shower! Oh and the electric head! I have even gone over to the other side and I’m contemplating buying a Cat. My mother and stepfather are rolling over in their graves!
Buying a cat was a huge decision for me. You can’t beat the space and utility for diving and fishing plus it keeps the wife happy. There is however no feeling like sailing a well trimmed mono hard on the wind! George
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