On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 07:28:51 GMT, "Kevin" wrote:
My wife and I would like to take a cruise and learn in the caribbean this
winter, is there in merits between BVI and Grenada - we are on a budget and
while the actuall sailing seems to be slightly cheaper in Grenada but
airfairs are more. What is the post-hurricane situation like? I also
envision BVI being more crowded.

=====================================

If you have never been to either place, I'd start with the BVI.
Crowding is not really an issue although it is deservedly a very
popular place to sail. There is a great deal of variety between the
various islands, locals are very friendly, services are good and the
scenery is magnificent. Grenada got whacked very badly by hurricane
Ivan and is still cleaning up:

http://tinyurl.com/4qtzp

For your first trip and probably the second the BVI is by far the better
choice. Sails between islands are 4 hours or less and you can stay in
fairly sheltered waters if it gets rough. Also lots of things to do and
places to eat ashore. Grenada is in sad shaaape right now and the sails are
a bit more challanging

If you are totally new to sailing you can charter a boat with a hired
skipper. Ask the charter company for an instructor/skipper. It will cost
an extra couple of hundred but you will learn much more than with just a
shipper. If you want more formal insttuction the Colgate network has a good
sailing school in the BVI.

Start visiting the BVI forum at TTOL for much more advice.
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/foru...s.php?Cat=&C=1
--
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: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Kevin" wrote in
news:TmCnd.275730$Pl.100681@pd7tw1no:

My wife and I would like to take a cruise and learn in the caribbean
this winter, is there in merits between BVI and Grenada - we are on a
budget and while the actuall sailing seems to be slightly cheaper in
Grenada but airfairs are more. What is the post-hurricane situation
like? I also envision BVI being more crowded.

regards,
Kevin

Grenada was severely damaged by Ivan. I wouldn't expect to have much in
the way of services available as they're just getting back on their feet
right now. I suspect that it will be many years before they're back to
normal. I will also point out that restaurants in Grenada are quite
pricey.

The BVIs are a wonderful place. Yes, you'll find it more crowded, but I
wouldn't look at that as a negative.

Given the current situation in Grenada, I couldn't recommend it at this
time.

-- Geoff

Glen,
Any specific recommendations wrt to a charter company / instructor in bvi -
we would like to go as far as the asa 104 bare boat.

Cheers,
Kevin


"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
newsdHnd.467$Nw.432@lakeread08...
For your first trip and probably the second the BVI is by far the better
choice. Sails between islands are 4 hours or less and you can stay in
fairly sheltered waters if it gets rough. Also lots of things to do and
places to eat ashore. Grenada is in sad shaaape right now and the sails
are
a bit more challanging

If you are totally new to sailing you can charter a boat with a hired
skipper. Ask the charter company for an instructor/skipper. It will cost
an extra couple of hundred but you will learn much more than with just a
shipper. If you want more formal insttuction the Colgate network has a
good
sailing school in the BVI.

Start visiting the BVI forum at TTOL for much more advice.
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/foru...s.php?Cat=&C=1
--
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: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

SunSail has ASA instructors and several US based operations have special ASA
training charters but the certificates don't mean much with most charter
companies. Sailing resumes mean a lot more and money means everything. We
have met a few people taking group sailing courses with 4 to 6 students and
they don't seem to be learning as much as with a private skipper/instructor
and definitely don't have the freedom of their own boat.

I have kind of settled on BVI Yacht Charters. It is a very good small
company in the second market. Call Estell and tell her you want an
instructor/skipper. After your first charter with an instructor you can
take the boat on your own next year. Then take the USPS boating courses
closer to home. After that try the Grenadines. You will then have enough of
a resume to go to any popular cruising ground you want.

--
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: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Kevin" wrote in message
news:rNLnd.280079$Pl.74127@pd7tw1no...
Glen,
Any specific recommendations wrt to a charter company / instructor in
bvi -
we would like to go as far as the asa 104 bare boat.

Cheers,
Kevin


"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
newsdHnd.467$Nw.432@lakeread08...
For your first trip and probably the second the BVI is by far the better
choice. Sails between islands are 4 hours or less and you can stay in
fairly sheltered waters if it gets rough. Also lots of things to do and
places to eat ashore. Grenada is in sad shaaape right now and the sails
are
a bit more challanging

If you are totally new to sailing you can charter a boat with a hired
skipper. Ask the charter company for an instructor/skipper. It will
cost
an extra couple of hundred but you will learn much more than with just a
shipper. If you want more formal insttuction the Colgate network has a
good
sailing school in the BVI.

Start visiting the BVI forum at TTOL for much more advice.
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/foru...s.php?Cat=&C=1
--
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: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote:
SunSail has ASA instructors and several US based operations have special ASA
training charters but the certificates don't mean much with most charter
companies. Sailing resumes mean a lot more and money means everything. We
have met a few people taking group sailing courses with 4 to 6 students and
they don't seem to be learning as much as with a private skipper/instructor
and definitely don't have the freedom of their own boat.

I have kind of settled on BVI Yacht Charters. It is a very good small
company in the second market. Call Estell and tell her you want an
instructor/skipper. After your first charter with an instructor you can
take the boat on your own next year. Then take the USPS boating courses
closer to home. After that try the Grenadines. You will then have enough of
a resume to go to any popular cruising ground you want.

I'll second Glenn on this recomendation. I've chartered with most of
the "biggies" and I'd prefer not to charter with SunSail (or The
Moorings) ever again. BVI Yacht Charters gives much better service for
half the price.

Frank