Dave Skolnick wrote:
I'll start out by saying that I hold Glenn and his comments in the
highest regard. In this case I have a different opinion.
I've been chartering in the BVI for over 20 years, sometimes three times
in a year, more usually once.
....snip...
I do like The Moorings best. ...snip...

I gotta second Glenn on this one. Sorry, Dave. I was unhappy with The
Moorings and very unhappy with Sunsail/Stardust/SunYachts
whatever-the-heck they call their super-conglomerate nowadays. For
half the price, BVI Yacht Charters provided a boat in better condition
and gave me infinitely better service and responsiveness.

And like I said I another thread, I truly detest flying through SJU.
I'd prefer almost any connection, however convoluted, to avoid that
horrid place.

Frank - been going down to the islands since Charlie and Ginny sailed
to the BVI's from New Orleans to start The Moorings.

Glenn,
Thanks for that as well. I've been chartering for the best part of 20 years
so I've got the packing thing pretty well figured out. I'm sure others
reading could well learn though. Also, PART of my crew doesn't take orders
well, visa-vi(sp?) clothing options.
All of my charter experience has been on the great lakes and western
Florida, except the one trip to the Virgin Islands. My original question was
posted because I've finally figured out that it's better to learn from
other's successes than from my own mistakes.
Ray


"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
...


BF wrote:
Thanks again Glenn,
A hard copy of your message is going into the sailing folder right now.
I'm hoping to put together a trip this Nov. I'll give BVIYC a shout and
see
if they have any boats available. Since Nov is still lowish season,
should
be do-able.
So far as speed vs. comfort, I'm old and need all the comfort I can get.
Ray

One more thing for the folder. The mistake that almost everyone makes
is to over pack. On out first couple of trips we brought back more than
half the cloths unworn. If it won't all fit in a medium size back pack
it is to much. In our crew you now are allowed:

1) Large amount of SPF15.
2) one light weight long sleeve shirt and long pants in case you forget
to use #1.
3) Two pair fast drying shorts. Columbia fishing shorts are great.
(Tilleys stay wet to long and will give you butt rash.)
4) Several baithing suits.
5) One Tee shirt per day.
6) One golf shirt for "dress occasions"
7) One pair of deck sandals or shoes (manditory)
8) One beer can coozy.
socks and underwear optional (one set for every two days max)
Female crew members are allowed one sun dress for evening wear.

I have trouble with to much sun so I wear a light weight long sleeve
cotton shirt and wash it when the crew complains about the smell. :-)

--
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:
snip
and when you are sheparding 4 or 5 college boys who scatter to the four
winds everytime they get off the plane looking for the bar or smoking
area the extra stop overs can be a nightmare for the skipper.

Got that. My June '03 trip with 4 adult couples was a nightmare in
transit. Two people disappeared towards bars and one toward shopping at
every opportunity. Plus we had one person who needed a wheelchair and
American was poor at providing for her. I needed a vacation by the time
we got to the boat.

Your bags do come off the ferry at West End to clear customs but they
are reloaded and make the run up to Road Town with you. You are in sight
of them all the time.

What bothers me is that the bags are "inside" between immigration and
customs and everyone ahead of me is milling around while I'm stuck
behind some tourista with a screaming kid who didn't think to dig out
her passports until she was standing in front of the immigration officer.

snip it is fun to watch the Saturday and Sunday afternoon stampeed
of Moorings boats. Everybody sets sail in mid harbor with the wind just
off the port bow and then the Trades hit them beam on just past Scotch
Bank and everybody gets knocked on their side. You see some real
interesting sail handling. :-) I think a lot of them motor from that
point on, especially in the "Christmas Winds".

You will see a lot of motoring down there. grin Incidentally, my
suggested itinerary is at http://www.skolnick.org/sail2.shtml. YMMV, but
I try to avoid Norman Island on the first night to avoid the crowds and
so day two has less beating.

For a first timer the Moorings may be worth the premium but I prefer to
travel my own path. Moorings boats are always in first class condition.
Even the old ones I crew on to bring back to Ft. Lauderdale are in good
shape but while the second market boats are a usually little older, with
only a few very notable exceptions are well maintained and generally run
20 to 25% less.

You do have to be a little more careful about checking out the current
situation in the second market. A few years back North South had a big
problem with maintenance but seems to have corrected the situation. Our
charter with Conch in '96 was a real adventure. BVIYC and TMM have been
most consistent IMHO.

And that is what makes a market.

dave

Dave Skolnick wrote:
Glenn Ashmore wrote:
snip

Your bags do come off the ferry at West End to clear customs but they
are reloaded and make the run up to Road Town with you. You are in
sight of them all the time.


What bothers me is that the bags are "inside" between immigration and
customs and everyone ahead of me is milling around while I'm stuck
behind some tourista with a screaming kid who didn't think to dig out
her passports until she was standing in front of the immigration officer.

I haven't been through the new "Beef Island International" airport yet
but it used to be the same or worse up there as at West End.

You will see a lot of motoring down there. grin Incidentally, my
suggested itinerary is at http://www.skolnick.org/sail2.shtml. YMMV, but
I try to avoid Norman Island on the first night to avoid the crowds and
so day two has less beating.

Agreed. If we get a late start we do the Indians and then head for the
back side of Peter for the first night. We can usually get Key Cay or
White beach all to ourselves. Another good first night spot is Little
harbor on the frond side of Peter. Very quiet and private unless the
Puerto Rican Navy is on manouvers. :-)

We had nestled down in there one afternoon when just at sunset 6 big
sport fishers with a total of 27 kids, 12 grandmas, 10 TV sets, a boom
box and a big barking dog pulled in. I hate to confess but it was
almost full moon so we violated the night sailing ban and moved down to
the Bight.

--
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:

One more thing for the folder. The mistake that almost everyone makes
is to over pack. On out first couple of trips we brought back more
than half the cloths unworn. If it won't all fit in a medium size
back pack it is to much. In our crew you now are allowed:

1) Large amount of SPF15.

Small amount of 30 or 50, just in case. Usually consumed by other crew.

2) one light weight long sleeve shirt and long pants in case you
forget to use #1.
3) Two pair fast drying shorts. Columbia fishing shorts are great.
(Tilleys stay wet to long and will give you butt rash.)

One will do. Most of the time, you're in a suit, anyway.

4) Several bathing suits.

Two will do, and if you like the "shorts" suits, one: the other would be
#3.

5) One Tee shirt per day.

You'll buy more, most likely

6) One golf shirt for "dress occasions"
7) One pair of deck sandals or shoes (manditory)

And surf walkers/aquasocks.

8) One beer can coozy.
socks and underwear optional (one set for every two days max)
Female crew members are allowed one sun dress for evening wear.

I have trouble with to much sun so I wear a light weight long sleeve
cotton shirt and wash it when the crew complains about the smell. :-)

Packing light can't be stressed enough. Even when I bring my SCUBA fins
(no BCD or regulator), all my gear can be carried on even the puddle
jumpers into Beef. My "vital" bag is about 10"x8"x4", contains the
absolute necessities, and never leaves my shoulder.

I wear my "dress" shirt, khaki pants, a light sweatshirt and jacket (we
go down when it's chilly). In the vital bag are Glenn's list (what I'm
not wearing), my Jukebox (for tunes and digital photo storage), 2 small
flashlights, recharger and 4 extra batteries, one book, 2oz of
shampoo/conditioner, a razor, 2 oz of 100% DEET, passport & tickets.

I have some more recommendations at
http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/BVIBareboating/ If nothing else,
you can point out to your crew that you're not THAT obsessive ;-) [That
trip, we had 7 newbies onboard, most of which we'd never even talked to.]

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/