British Virgin Islands

British Virgin IslandsSailing Distant OceansCopyright 2011 Mike Harmer Unsinkable2.com

Bareboat Chartering in the British Virgin IslandsCopyright 2011 Mike Harmer - Unsinkable2.com1

Presentation OutlineTop 10 Reasons to Sail the BVIIntroduction to the British Virgin Islands7 Day Itinerary The Virtual TourFrom Lake Sailor to Bareboat ChartererBVI Charter CompaniesFor More Information

#10 Carribean-blue Water

Water clarity changes through the year and depending on weather patternsMore unsettled weather, less clarity?Visibility in spring trip 40 perfectVisibility in winter 25-30?

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#9 Tradewinds !!

Wind is steady and predictable!

Usually:Winter 15-25 NESpring 15-20 ESummer 10-15 SE

Exceptions:Christmas winds (30 knots sustained)Hurricane season (June-November)

Actual Experience:Wind varied day to day Easterly +/45 degreesVery predictable, check forecast each evening/morning

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#8 Ideal Sailing Grounds

Line of Sight navigationProtected from Atlantic SwellsBluewater opportunities (tame)Lots of activities for crewUninhabited islands5

#7 Culture Built Around Sailors

Kids sailing schoolIsland exists because of sailTowns are build around and because of harborsBeach Bar & Grills at most mooring locationsMany are only staffed for the evenings mooring guests

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#6 Easy Access

Leave SLC in the morning, sleep on board tonightTwo main optionsFly to Puerto Rico, then to St Thomas, then ferry to BVIFly to Puerto Rico, then direct to Tortola (Beef island)American has connections straight throughFly weekdays for best flight times / faresAa.com

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#5 Snorkel & Dive From Your Boat

Best snorkeling and dive sites are accessed directly off your sternClear waterWarm waterMany wrecks & dive sites8

#4 Beaches

RelaxExploreFishingBar & Grill establishmentsMusicWatch sunsetUnwind from day of sailing9

#3 History

Pirate cultureAnegada, Jack & Burns Point

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#2 Weather

Frequently asked, Whats the weather like down there this time of year?85 degree days, 70 degree nights, water temperature 80 degreesSome variation winter to summer (+/- 5 degrees)Hurricane SeasonJune novemberPrimarily July OctoberOften good charter deals neighboring hurricane season11

#1 SailingCapitol of the World

Often called the Sailing capitol of the worldMany regattasMore charter companies in the BVI than anywhere elseUninhabited islands give you the thrill of exploringSailing schools available12

Caribbean Sea

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected13

BVI Map

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected14

Brief HistoryArawakCaribColonizationPiratesPlantationsEmancipationToday

ArawakPeacefulMatrilinealMigrated out of Andes to Orinoco Valley to Caribbean and other locationsAmong the first native groups that Columbus metStratified society, Some villages as large as 60,000Numbered nearly 3 million at one point.Today only 30,000 left mostly in Guiana / French GuianaCarib IndiansWarlikeCannibalism, barbecueWord Caribbean from the Arawak word for the Carib IndiansPatriarchalColonizationColumbus discovered BVI on second voyageNamed for St. Ursula and the Thousand VirginsColumbus named Anegada, St. Peter Island (?), Virgin GordaPlantationsSugarTrade TriangleSupply in EnglandSail to Africa to purchase slavesSail to West Indies to sell slaves and purchase sugarSail to England to sell sugarPiratesPrivateers carried Letters of MarqueIn peacetime, many privateers turned to piracyRepublic of Pirates a good reference on this topicEmancipationTodayTourism Banking / Tax Shelters15

Virtual Charter: 7 Day Itinerary

Planning considerationsUse a list of possible places, not a scheduled itineraryWind may be more favorable on different daysCrew may be up for more rigorous sailing or want an easy downwind dayI made the mistake of planning a detailed trip my first time, beat straight into the wind for 6 hours one day and didnt need to.Always have a Plan BRefer to blog for detailed itineraries, photos, and logsSample trip itinerary:Day 1: Norman IslandDay 2: Sopers Hole / Cane Garden BayDay 3: Jost Van DykeDay 4: North Sound, Bitter EndDay 5: Marina Cay, Trellis BayDay 6: The Baths, Fallen JerusalemDay 7: Peter Island16

Day 1: Norman Island2 hour sailSnorkel the Indians and the CavesAnchor in The BightDinner at Pirates Cove

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected18

Day 2: Sopers Hole & Cane Garden Bay2 hour sail to Sopers HoleLunch at PussersExplore Sopers Hole shops & spa2 hour sail to cane Garden BayBeach, SunsetDinner at beachside grills

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected25

Day 3: Jost Van Dyke1 hour sail to Sandy CayExplore uninhabited islandSail to Manchioneel BayLunch/Dinner at Foxys TabooHike to Bubbly PoolExplore tidal areas and snorkel

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected36

Day 4: Bitter End Yacht Club6 hour sail to North Sound on Virgin GordaDinner at Saba RockBitter End Yacht ClubBiras HillSwimming, reading on the beach

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected51

Day 5: Marina Cay, Trellis Bay4 hour sailEnter the GangwayMoor at Marina Cay or Trellis BayBest Dinner/Dessert: Marina CayBest Appetizers: Last Stand ResortShops along Trellis Bay

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected64

Day 6: Baths, Fallen Jerusalem1 hour pre-sunrise sailExplore the BathsSail to Fallen Jerusalem2 hour sail to Maya CoveAnchor for the nightBarbecue, swim, snorkel

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected78

Day 7: Peter Island3 hour sail to Great Harbour, Peter IslandSnorkel the cliffs along the shoreWalk to Deadman BayDinner at Oceans 7 Beach Club1 hour sail back to charter baseDinner at Fort Burt Hotel

TradewindsTrade TriangleCaribbean vs Gulf of Mexico and AtlanticBVI - Protected104

From Lake Sailor to Charter CaptainExperienceCertificationSailing SkillsNavigation SkillsBig Boat Operations

ExperienceSailing ResumeUsually like to see experience within 5 feetOwnership a plusFrequency of sailingCertificationNot required, but recommendedASA, US Sailing, other reputable schoolMoorings/Sunsail mention that it is being more often requested at some international destinationsI recommend for the experience, learning, and to put some big boat time on your resumeSailing SkillsMooring & anchoringReefingMechanics (inboard, generator, showers, etc.)Navigation SkillsLine of sightRules of roadGPSCharts & aerialsBig Boat OperationsForm follows functionSailing a 50 Beneteau is the same as sailing my kids 14 LidoExperience grabbing jib sheet in light windRandall cutting hand during mooringRaising main on 50 boatCatalina 25 rare to use winch handle. On a big boat it should be sewn to your gloves111

Charter Companies1st Tier: e.g. Moorings, SunsailPros: charter base, hundreds of boats, brand new boats, worldwide locations, bigger staff, ownership programCons: Cost2nd Tier: Many options (e.g. Conch Charters)Pros: Lower cost, employee-ownedCons: Older boats, small staff, BVI onlyMy Experience with Conch

Disclaimer I havent sailed with Moorings or Sunsail (yet)How old are your boats? (3 yrs or less? 10 yrs or more?)Moorings boats are sold to 2nd tier companies after 3 yearsCatalina 25: When it blows it goes120

Questions?Mike Harmerskipper@unsinkable2.comblog.unsinkable2.comCharter Companieswww.ConchCharters.comPresentation and Photos Copyright 2011 Mike Harmer

Disclaimer I havent sailed with Moorings or Sunsail (yet)How old are your boats? (3 yrs or less? 10 yrs or more?)Moorings boats are sold to 2nd tier companies after 3 yearsCatalina 25: When it blows it goes121