We go down a couple of times a year so we have gotten good at doing it
on the cheap. Also as skipper I try to optimize the logistics to avoid
undue hassles and ease the transition to island time.
The ferry is about $45 round trip from the waterfront at Charlotte
Amelee to West End or Road Town and takes about 45 minutes. Taxi from
the airport to the ferry dock is about $8/head. From the arrival of the
afternoon Delta flight to the last ferry is just enough time to have
your first Heinie at the ferry dock bar, count heads and bags and start
adjusting your biological clock.
We have chartered from most of the operations but have settled on BVI
Yacht Charters in Road harbor so we take the ferry all the way to Road
Town. That saves about $10/head in taxi fees and one baggage movement.
You have to get off at West End to clear customs and then get back on
the ferry. (Remind the crew that you are going through as you get off.)
It is about a 4 block walk from the Road town ferry dock to the marina.
We do our own provisioning and bring frozen steaks, ham and other cold
cuts, cheeses and a few other things that are overly expensive down
there. Pack it all in a 44 quart cooler with extra insulation and Blue
Ice. You pay a 10% duty on what ever you say the value is. Bobby's is
a very good grocery about a block away and is open until 9 PM. Prices
are about 20% higher than US. We usually get to the boat about 5 PM.
The provisioning crew divides up the supply list and heads for Bobby's
while the rest square away the boat. The menus and grocery list is made
up before hand and consist mostly of of booze, beer, breads, paper
goods, fresh veggies and breakfast foods. After "speed shopping" at
Bobby's the provision crew hijacks a couple of grocery carts temporarily
for the trip back to the boat. By 7 PM we are squared away and headed
up the hill to the C&F for the best BBQ ribs in the Caribbean. Usually
we are underway by 9 AM. (Unless it is Festival time and I get waylaid
on the way back from the C&F by $1 shots of Johnny Walker Black. :-)
As for St. John, we generally clear out of West End (C&I is upstairs
over the ferry dock and takes about 10 minutes) and sail to the customs
dock at Cruz bay. The US side takes a bit longer and try not to get
there on Sunday when they charge overtime. The charge is determined by
how many boats check in that day and you will get a bill a couple of
months later. If it is a slow day you can get hit for $100 or more.
You don't have to clear out of the USVI but you do have to check back in
to BVI. West End is the best place to do it. The Road Town office is
in Government Building and along hot walk from nowhere.
We have used the Moorings, SunSail, Conch, TMM, North South and a couple
of others but have been happiest with BVIYC. Of all the second market
opperations they maintain the best fleet. The herd mentality of the
Moorings is a complete turn off for me. BVIYC does individual briefings
and checkouts and is just more personal in their attitude. They also
have a wider variety of boats. When I go down with my son and his
college buddies we go for speed and when it is a family trip we go for
comfort.
Hope this helps
BF wrote:
Thanks Glenn,
Hadn't even thought about the water taxi to Road Town. How far is it from
the airport, can you walk with bags and stuff or should I plan on a taxi to
the ferry?
I assume one clears into BVI at the ferry terminal. Do you normally clear in
and out of US when sailing back into US waters. Don't need to sail back to
St. Thomas but I'd hate to miss St. Johns.
Mind if I ask which charter company you prefer?
Again thanks for the information.
Ray
--
Glenn Ashmore
I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at:
http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division:
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