YachtGuideFeb09BVI_Issuu

2 FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com

Imagine yourself in the rooftop pool with a 360-degree view of the Copper Mine Ruins, Gorda Peak, the Dog Islands, Anegada, Tortola and St. John or in a pool by a tropical garden looking out to sea in this architecturally unique villa with its curved stone walls, terraces and balconies, and porthole windows on each floor allowing views of the cascading waterfall from the rooftop pool. A one-of-a-kind property based on a replica of a historic sugar mill, this brand new villa sits with a breathtaking view over looking Savannah Bay, Little Dix Bay and Long Bay.

SUGAR MILL HOUSE

Rated #1 hotel in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda by

TripAdvisor.com, recommended by Frommer’s and

The Best of the British Virgin Islands and named

the best value in Virgin Gorda by Travel+Leisure

Magazine, Nail Bay offers numerous distinctive

villas, apartments and rooms with magical sunset

views and three sun bleached, deserted sandy

beaches with great snorkeling. Come enjoy our 148-

acre luxury villa resort nestled below Gorda Peak

Choose villas such asFULL CIRCLE VILLA

or

book online at www.nailbay.com

A luxurious 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath house built on 1.8 acres of beautifully landscaped beachfront property with historic sugar mill ruins. Gorgeous lap pool with easy access for children. Large living area with a spacious kitchen and dining area with lots of covered and uncovered outdoor space. Extraordinary sunset views.

within a 19th century historic sugar plantation on

almost a mile of waterfront with newly paved

concrete roads and underground utilities including

reliable water supply and two large stand-by

generators. Nail Bay also offers modern

conveniences such as ADSL internet service,

satellite television and radio as well as DVD players

and iPod stations, not to mention maid service and

great dining at the SUGARCANE Bar and Grill.

Why rent a hotel room when a private villa can be yours for less? Excellent choice of apartments and villas from $225 to $1715 per night.

Telephone 1.284.494.8000 Fax 1.284.495.5875 Toll free from the USA 1.800.871.3551

Pride of Ownership

Whether for personal use or as part of a successful charter fleet, Horizon Yacht Sales offer you top quality sailing yachts and luxury catamarans customised to suit your every requirement and lifestyle.

Enjoy an ownership programme offering unlimited sailing, maximum income and the

British Virgin Islands St Martin Antigua & Barbuda Grenada & the GrenadinesPhone 284 494 8787 Toll free 877 494 8787

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security of knowing your yacht is managed and maintained to a standard you can be proud of.

We offer tax free purchase and the option to try before you buy, in several Caribbean locations. Call us today to speak with our knowledgeable yacht sales professionals.

Well, it isn’t surely all doom and gloom! If you are reading this on a BVI shore then you can

afford to leave your worries behind for a bit. Naturally it is said that recessions often separate

the men from the boys. But that’s all talk and what we are concentrating on this issue and

forward is the positive aspects of our yachting industry with keeping our flip flops or boat shoes

firmly on the fiberglass, or sand ( without taking them off and throwing them at anybody!).

In this issue we have many stories that reflect and many that look forward to what is going on

in our little slice of the world. Our contributors have made some of the most positive attributes

of island life come together in their fine words. David, ever humorous and with a raised eyebrow

examines life on charter and we have a fond trip down memory lane from Scarlett Steer. Traci

O Dea has been looking at the concept of our beloved yachtie and the perceptions we may or

may not have! Nicola Massey from Horizon tells us a little how their company is sailing forward

with the economic changes and we spend a day on a mega mini yacht, compact and right on the

money! The state of our market is just that, in flux and we can ponder over a crystal ball over

actually get up and get on with it, as an island we have no other choice and better to do with it a

gleam in the eye and a pirate grin.

I was chatting recently to a good friend who was telling me they couldn’t leave here anymore

and go back to his mother country because of the financial down turn. In seeking my advice I told

him to go sailing for a little while, go to the beach and just relax and think about his next step

forward. A week later in catching up with him, I bumped into him at the beach and asked how he

was doing and what he had decided. From a sun kissed face he smiled and said it wasn’t a worry

anymore, he had considered his options whilst he was enjoying himself and had come to realize

that in doing so, that was exactly all he wanted to do and he wasn’t in the worst place to do it.

Have fun guys, and see you out on the water- with a smile!

Owen Waters

letter from the editor

Ow

en Waters

Welcome to the Yacht Guide February issue

aLookingGlass Ltd., publisher of the BVI Yacht Guide, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications.

The BVI Yacht Guide and its contents are the intellectual property of aLookingGlass Ltd. Neither this magazine nor any part of it may be reproduced without written permission from aLookingGlass Ltd.

Managing EditorOwen Waters :: [email protected]

Copy ProductionOwen Waters, David Blacklock & Traci O'Dea

Advertising ProductionColin Rathbun & Nick Cunha

Advertising SalesOwen Waters :: [email protected]

Graphic DesignColin Rathbun, Richard George & Nick Cunha

Executive ProducerColin Rathbun, aLookingGlass Publishing [email protected]

For additional information contact Nick Cunha or Colin Rathbun at aLookingGlass or visit www.bviyg.com

aLookingGlass#7 Road Reef Plaza, P.O. Box 3895Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islandst 284.494.7788 f 284.494.8777www.alookingglass.com | [email protected]

THE CREW

On the Cover: Concept One

Photo courtesy of Yacht Shots.


www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009 5

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Skipper's Tips: Spotting 8We were dodging our way around the Dogs when the helmswoman said “There's a boat coming towards us.” “What sort of boat?” the crew enquired. “Sailboat,” she said, “with the sails all wonky.”

Esea Clear: The Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System 9Finding clearing in and out a drag? For whatever vessel or reason we all know customs is necessary but it is a procedure that all parties concerned would like to see smoother, time efficient and in essence, easy.

Concept One: Charter in Business Class 10There is such a thing in the BVI as having it all. Concept One, a French Canadian built Doral 49, is a charter boat that is a truly tailored product focused on providing the level of service and facilities you would find on a mega yacht but in a slightly smaller package.

Kidnap Hot 12“No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail;” said Doctor Johnson, “for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.” Not being content with that, he added, “A man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.”

State of the Black Market: Yacht Buyers Wait Whilst Salesmen Beckon 13As world economies turn a different shade of green than usual, and as the full measure of the financial tsunami has yet to be calculated, those lucky few yacht buyers still in the game are being chased by salesmen brandishing seductive offers. One buyer, Richard Stokes of Florida. . .

No worries on the Horizon…? 15Sailors will sacrifice almost anything to get their annual sailing ‘fix’ in the British Virgin Islands. You might argue that this is a bold statement but from what Horizon Yacht Charters are seeing…it appears to be true. People want more than ever, something to look forward to so they are willing to give up small luxuries. . .

Searching for a Stereotype 17I’m on a mission to find the stereotypical yacht owner—the snotty yachtie. The crested-blazer and ascot-wearing, cigar-smoking, martini-sipping, zip-code-dropping, sockless gent who these days probably sports a spray-on tan and bleached teeth. The easiest way to differentiate him from his land-based. . .

Salty Memories 19It was last day of the year - a time of reflection and serious thought. A time to look back on the past 364 days that have led up to this one and ask yourself the fundamental question… do you really have enough ice? A quick check in the galley reveals that, in our case, we have sufficient to resurface the Rockefeller rink. We are ready to roll.

EDGE: Changes in Latitude 21The Christmas winds died down, the New Year's Eve hangovers receded and the Territory's sailors came out Saturday for the first races of the year organised by the Royal BVI Yacht Club, the Halyard Challenge sponsored by Latitude 18. Dave West's high-tech Melges 32 Jurakan, flying an enormous red spinnaker. . .

Yacht Charter and Broker Directory 2 4Look here for the most up-to-date Yacht Charter and Broker Directory. It's a great place to start if you're looking to buy or charter a yacht in the BVI.

contents

15

9

10

21

Esea Clear: The Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System

No worries on the Horizon…

?Concept O

ne: Charter in Business ClassEDGE: Changes in Latitude


oyster perpetual yacht-master

rolex.com

Official Rolex RetailerSt. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

AHRiise_BVIWelcome_03_08.qxd 7.3.2008 14:01 Page 1


32

SKIPPER’STIPS32

Spotting

United Kingdom

Overseas Territories Environment Programme

Jost van DykesPreservation Society

“Jost van Dykes Community-based Programme Advancing Environmental

Protection and Sustainable Development”

funded primarily by

Contribute to our Environmental Information Centre and Protect the natural environment of Jost van Dyke. Sign up for our electronic newsletter via email.t: (284) 540-0861 | (284) 540-7428 e: [email protected] w: www.jvdgreen.org | www.jvdps.org

The skipper cast his eye in the appropriate direction to see a large catamaran wobbling its way downwind sailing wing and wing. This seemed like a good time for a discussion of Right Of Way. Who needed to give way in this situation? We were on port tack whilst the other yacht was upwind of us and had her boom protruding on starboard side, indicating a port tack also. It seemed clear that we were the stand-on boat, being to leeward but as we got closer the other cat didn't look as if she were going to give us any room. Closer and closer we came until at the last minute we headed up as high as we could and pinched our way past the other boat. The helmsman on the other boat waved his arms about and eventually we realised he was trying to tell us that the wind was actually coming over his starboard side, making him a starboard tack boat and thus the stand-on vessel. Discussion ensued, some of our crew conceding that technically he must be right, since he was wing and wing, sailing by the lee. Finally we resorted to the Rules which clearly state that port and starboard tacks are defined by which side of the boat the boom is over. In this case the other vessel's boom was over starboard side, putting it on port tack, and thus to

windward of us and thus the give-way vessel. We were right, but we still were the ones changing course! Later on that same trip we caught a decent sized mahi on the leg from Anegada to Jost. Reeling in the line took some doing and finally we hove-to so that the boat was settled down and the fishermen could work their magic. Discussion ensued—were we technically Not Under Command? Were we Restricted in our Ability to Manoeuvre? Well, No and No. But we had made sure we were on a starboard tack, giving us some small degree of comfort as the New Year's fleet sailed around us. When sailing around in the midst of a charter fleet with sailors from many different countries and cultures and levels of knowledge sometimes the smart thing to do is to leave the rules book behind and simply stay out of everyone's way. Not always a simple thing, granted, but who wants to be doing the calculations of “Hmm, he has both sails up but they're trimmed in tight while the wind is actually coming from behind him. And is that exhaust smoke I see streaming from the back end? Is he motor-sailing or maybe he has the generator running or he could be running his engine to charge up the batteries and he's actually sailing but his sail trim's all wrong. Damn it, what am I going to do?” YG

We were dodging our way around the Dogs when the helmswoman

said “There's a boat coming towards us.” “What sort of boat?” the

crew enquired. “Sailboat,” she said, “with the sails all wonky.”

by David Blacklock

Sometimes it pays the Stand-On boat to be a bit stand-offish


Bringing us into the modern day is eSea Clear. Now if you don’t use a computer and are at sea this isn’t for you but you may want to consider bringing yourself up to speed before you start having any more criticism about customs procedures. eSea Clear is the Caribbean pre- arrival notification system that provides vessel operators the ability to submit electronic notifications of arrival to participating custom offices in the British Virgin Islands. Registered users can access the system to enter and maintain information about their vessel or vessels, crew and passengers. Prior to arrival in the BVI the vessel operator uploads the accurate information for the voyage and submits a new one on disembarkation. The benefits are no manual form filling ensuring a smoother process as it is all done on-line. Its relatively easy as the master of the vessel simply

turns up to confirm the details and then signs a print-out confirming the details are correct and now in place. These details stay the same once leaving the area and the next destination can be notified of the vessel and crews upcoming arrival. All information is stored on customs database and serves all parties involved to have a clear manifest of the travel arrangements. The initiative has been in place since 1997 and had been implemented since 2000. Currently, eSea Clear is in its pilot stage and the BVI and St. Lucia are the only two countries utilizing this pre-arrival notification system. So far unsurprisingly customs are receiving positive feedback from its users. And the BVI customs hopes that with the implementation of eSea Clear, all boaters (locals and visitors) will be encouraged to utilize this system for expeditious and efficient clearances. YG

The Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System

eSea Clear

Finding clearing in and out a drag? For whatever vessel or reason we all know customs is necessary but it is a procedure that all parties concerned would like to see smoother, time efficient and in essence, easy!

eSea Clear

So far unsurprisingly customs are receiving positive feedback from its users

by Owen Waters


Skippered by former yacht charter captain Jamie Roberts, this twin 540 hp engine vessel provides entertainment and professional service of the highest standard. Knowing the waters in the past at a slower pace, Jamie sites the cruising speed of 26 knots as just pure decadence. Clients run from VIPs to corporate day trips. The benefit of the high speed is that on a general day clients can be at the Virgin Gorda Baths, Bitter End and Anegada with relative ease of time constraints. Within this day charter guests, who include not only vacationers from Peter Island, Little Dix, and

Necker Island but also corporate clients visiting Tortola’s law and Trust firms, are greeted with a mimosa or champagne and enjoy the finest French cheeses and wines after a snorkeling trip. Lunch is generally ashore but can be catered to the client’s needs. The boat can comfortably take 15 persons and there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy personal space. The Droal 49 is perfectly suited to both vacation day trip charters and corporate entertainment, full day trips, champagne cruises or even more comfortable rides to and from St Thomas for those flying into Charlotte Amalie. Shade is provided by a hard top and at the push of a button the front visor

There is such a thing in the BVI as having it all. Concept One, a French

Canadian built Doral 49, is a charter boat that is a truly tailored product

focused on providing the level of service and facilities you would find on a

mega yacht but in a slightly smaller package.

Concept OneCHARTER IN BUSINESS CLASS

The Doral 49 leaving Road Town on a day trip

Enjoy delicious snacks and wines after swimming

All aboard in luxury

by Owen Waters

is dropped to allow access onto the front deck where two lounge chairs await. With a swim platform aft and plenty of luxurious seating in the cockpit, relaxing is not going to be a problem. Below is fully air conditioned and is complete with leather upholstery, internet access, HDTV in each cabin and DVD player and sound system. The master cabin sports a round massage bed ideal for nodding off after a sumptuous lunch. There are two bathrooms complete with showers. The fittings throughout the vessel are of stainless steel and the deck is highly polished teak Just like on a larger mega yacht, the idea is to cater to every whim. Itineraries are planned and tailored with clients to make sure they are not disappointed. Guests are there to be pampered! And the skipper and mate are fully prepared without any sign of effort to please.Personally, I have been aboard mega yachts. In particular I noticed 10 crew and 6 guests aboard a 200 foot maze of a palace at a cost I imagine a small town income may support. On the Doral, as we cruise past Peter Island at a smooth pace that does not reflect the bumpy ride of a smaller boat in a 15 knot wind with 3 foot seas, I am impressed by the idea. This is a mini mega yacht, faster and easier to get around with all the trimmings we imagineand expect come with the experience. The captain and crew are totally relaxed and smiling as for them, this is obviously fun too. Bookings for the Doral Alegria Luxury Sport Yacht can be done through www.boatsbvi.com or calling 284 494 0032. Concept one is an affiliated partner of Coldwell Banker as part of its concierge partner system. Charters can be booked for half day, full day, corporate entertainment, airport runs and a multitude of other trips. In essence it’s not about the price you pay but the experience you may well deserve and ultimately enjoy. YG


Beautiful scenery, and a lot to do at 26 knots

Captain Roberts at the helm

Take an afternoon nap, you deserve it


Kidnap Hot

Far be it from me to joust with the good Dr. J. The man has a point. In fact recent events have led me to the opinion that being in a ship is more like being in hell, but with the disadvantage of not being dead. Imagine the scenario, two groups of strangers—the first a pair of Guys Gone Wild ruffians running on testosterone and single malt, the other a domesticated pair of stay-at-homes from the suburbs of Tennessee. Somehow they were on my boat and I had to keep the peace or else sweep up the pieces. Reader, I failed. They were too much for me. If it had been just one of these groups alone all might have been well. I could have endured a week of high-fiving and chest thumping and late mornings with no trouble. Just as easily I could have joined in on a Scrabble tournament and looked at pictures of the prettiest cats in Tennessee. But to attempt to adjudicate between these competing interests was not a subject covered at the Salubrious Sailoring School, which I had the good fortune to attend in my youth. There we were told all shipmates, crew and guests, would be of the highest calibre, sophisticated and considerate and early to bed (and late to rise). It's not as if I didn't try—I begged, threatened, cajoled and made silly jokes but nothing could contain

the determination of my fun-loving criminals to leave their mark on the BVI. They were out until 5 am every day but up again at 8, fresh as damned daisies while I lay groaning in my bunk. One man read aloud from his Blackberry, “Dude she says you're totally hot.” The other thought for a minute, “Tell her she's smoking hot herself, Dude.” “No wait a minute, tell her she's kidnap hot, Dude. Kidnap hot!” “Hey Skip, where we going tonight?” “Well, I'm not sure. The other folks would like to anchor in a quiet cove for the night and look at the stars.” “Dude, that ain't gonna happen. Let's go to Foxy's.” And so on. When it came time to say goodbye, I found the couple from the boondocks huddled in their cabin bug-eyed and twitching. “That must have been a rough week for you, Captain,” he said, “because it was a nightmare for us.” He didn't have any cash left but he promised to send a check when he got home. The other guys, well they called around and booked a bareboat. I saw them that afternoon motoring out of Road Harbour. They waved over at my boat and one gave me the thumbs up. “Awesome, Dude. Awesome!” The other was busy texting. YG

“No man will be a sailor who has

contrivance enough to get himself

into a jail;” said Doctor Johnson,

“for being in a ship is being in

a jail, with the chance of being

drowned.” Not being content with

that, he added, “A man in a jail

has more room, better food, and

commonly better company.”

by David Blacklock

Blending in for some people has become an art

form. . .of a sort


Yacht Buyers Wait Whilst Salesmen BeckonSTATE OF THE BLACK MARKET

As world economies turn a different

shade of green than usual, and as the

full measure of the financial tsunami

has yet to be calculated, those lucky

few yacht buyers still in the game are

being chased by salesmen brandishing

seductive offers. One buyer, Richard

Stokes of Florida, told BVIYG that a

catamaran he had shown interest in at

the Annapolis Boat Show in October

2008 had dropped 30% or about

$200,000 in price by the end of the year.

“I don't even know what I want,” he said.

“I just said I liked the look of it.”

by David Blacklock


The BVI has two high tides and two low tides each day with a tidal range

of 12 to 18 inches. The height of the tide partly depends on the atmospheric pressure. The higher the pressure - the lower the water level and conversely, the lower the pressure the higher the water level.

BVI charter captain Rick Hannah has been trying to sell his 43-foot C + C Landfall for over a year. The price has gone steadily down culminating in a serious drop in recent months. What started out as a $90,000 boat is currently a $69,000 one. He thought he had a deal but the buyer withdrew.

“There's been offers,” he said recently, “but they haven't panned out.” Buyers are confused, waiting for further price drops or simply too nervous to part with their cash. Chris Simpson of BVI Yacht Sales told us that for his firm numbers of enquiries “have dropped to 30% of normal, though on the the bright side sales are running at 60% of normal. Lots of people have been dreaming of buying a boat for years and are still interested,” he said. “Most of the real buyers are just getting on with it.” Richard Stokes chuckled when he said “You should see the e-mails I've been getting after the Boat Show. The sales guys are relentless. I bet I've got two or three new (e-mails) right now.” “The market is very soft,” Simpson said. “Lots have people have simply just shelved the idea. Frankly I don't see it getting very much better before the end of the year.” Be that as it may, Stokes is still interested in buying. In fact, he set up some appointments to view boats whilst on vacation in the BVI in early January. “I don't have to buy a boat,” he said, “but if I see a bargain I'm ready.” YG

Buyers and sellers alike are being battered by economic storms


In the BVI, we are lucky to be able to offer such a unique product, right on the doorstep of the USA. Here, we can guarantee that people will truly get away from it all and the memories that they make will be priceless. The term ‘life is for living’ applies in the truest sense here. This is the mindset Horizon is seeing more and more from clients – “…had to get away”, “…life is too short after all!”, “…getting back to basics once again and just relaxing!” Charter guests are realizing that they can have their cake and eat it. Horizon Yacht Charters has seen an increase in groups of friends and family chartering together. It makes sense. Chartering within a group is a cost-effective way to enjoy a holiday. When you think of the cost of a yacht or catamaran and split it between everyone in a charter group, it works out to be much cheaper than a mediocre hotel room, and there is the added advantage of changing your scenery every day. So why is Horizon so positive considering the wavering condition of the Global Economy? Horizon has focused strongly on market research and responded to what clients want and what is most important to them. Clients want first-class service, choice of packages aimed at pleasing all sorts of tastes, ease of travel options, value for money and meticulous yachts!

“We have always had a strong repeat client base due to the first-class service and superb yachts we offer. At Horizon all our staff will go that extra mile and it makes such a difference, essentially the difference between a client feeling as though they are on a conveyor belt and clients feeling as though they matter very much” comments Sylvia Driver, Director of Horizon Yacht Charters. Horizon has responded to holiday makers wanting more during their vacation by offering a diverse number of packages and discount cards that appeal to a variety of markets, from the sailing enthusiast to the landlubber needing a little pampering – Stay & Sail, Sail & Dive, Racing Masterclass with Peter Holmberg, Go Green and Cats & Kids! Lots of shore-based establishments are also doing amazing offers to entice people to the BVI. When certain air carriers significantly reduced their service to the Caribbean this resulted in potential problems for the entire tourism industry of the BVI. Horizon continued to receive enquiries daily but clients were experiencing difficulties in booking flights to the BVI. No available flights means a dwindling charter Industry in

no worrieS on the horizon…?

Sailors will sacrifice almost anything to get their annual sailing ‘fix’ in the British Virgin Islands.

You might argue that this is a bold statement but from what Horizon Yacht Charters are

seeing…it appears to be true. People want, more than ever, something to look forward to

so they are willing to give up small luxuries on a regular basis in exchange for their annual

vacation. Vacationers want to escape the daily doom and gloom of the economy saturating the

headlines and affecting everyone’s sense of well-being…and who can blame them!

by Nicola Massey

Horizon has responded to holiday makers wanting more during their vacation by offering a diverse number of packages and discount cards that appeal to a variety of markets

Worth every penny saved. Photos courtesy of Horizon Yacht Charters


the BVI. Horizon, however, got around this obstacle by partnering with Del Airways, a private charter company, to ensure clients could get to the BVI from anywhere in the Caribbean. If you can’t beat them… join them! Although Horizon is seeing an increase in last-minute bookings, it is not unexpected as people have been waiting for the dust to settle. Soaring oil prices in the last quarter of 2008 affecting travel costs, the crashing global economy, the Presidential elections and so on caused a lot of uncertainty in the market. The BVI charter industry will survive as we are recognized as the sailing capital of the world. We need to continue to work with the BVI Tourist Board, ensure we constantly improve upon our standards, respond to demands in the market and make a lot of noise – exposure is crucial. At this moment in time,

“out of sight, out of mind” is a phrase that could not be more appropriate! YG

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Relax, you're here


Searching for a Stereotype

Since most stereotypes start out as generalizations based on truth, I want to discover if this mythical man of leisure exists in the BVI. My first stop is the Royal British Virgin Island Yacht Club. Fancy name, I think. Surely here I’ll find a perfectly coiffed and manicured yachtsman bragging about the size of his vessel. I scan the Thursday night crowd but see very few collared shir ts and no cigars. Most tables are occupied by families—grandparents, parents, and children sitting together enjoying plates full of sushi. I chat with one such group and discover they are, in fact, a sailing family. After the standard introductory pleasantries and minor interrogation from them (“What brought you to Tortola?” “Do you sail?” “Are you Canadian?”), I eventually do hear them brag but not about their boats. Instead, they share tales of their child’s performance at the last youth regatta. And the only

discussion of money is some half-hearted groaning about the cost of a new sail for their kid’s Opti. Since the RBVIYC was a bust, the next day I decide to try Nanny Cay Marina, but first I take a detour to The Boat House restaurant in Manuel Reef. There, while sitting on the deck overlooking a mangrove island, I meet artist Savanna Redman, who tells me that I’m not going to find the snotty yachtie on Tortola. “The guys in the rattiest, paint-spattered shirts and tattered Dockers and flip-flops, working on their boats—,” she begins.

“Are the real sailors.” I finish.“No, are the multi-millionaires,” she corrects me.“If you ever see the other kind,” her friend Chris adds, “they’re imports.”“And posers.” Poser. The insult of insults. In Nabokov’s “A Bad Day,” a young boy, trapped in too-small pants at a party he didn’t want to

by Traci O'Dea

I’m on a mission to find the stereotypical yacht owner—the snotty yachtie. The crested-blazer and

ascot-wearing, cigar-smoking, martini-sipping, zip-code-dropping, sockless gent who these days

probably sports a spray-on tan and bleached teeth. The easiest way to differentiate him from his

land-based, country club counterpart is his white captain’s hat. He’s mocked in movies and television

and featured in every caricaturist’s portfolio.

Many yachts, but where's the yachtie?


attend, spends an agonizing day being overlooked and ignored whenever he tries to join in the festivities. At the very end, when a peasant brings in a baby owl, the boy’s previous agony is forgotten. You feel his joy as he looks at this beaked, feathery puffball. Just then, at that moment of elation, he overhears the older cousin he admires tell the girl he likes, “Here comes the poseur.” Instant deflation. Perhaps that’s the difference between the stereotype and the reality—BVI yachties aren’t posers. The second thing I think of, in response to Savanna’s comment about the ratty clothes, is Stephen Clarke’s book Merde Actually when the British protagonist, Paul West, goes on holiday in the South of France with his French girlfriend and notes how the wealthiest vacationers intentionally ride the rustiest bikes. He mocks the fact that they spare comfort and speed in order to look nothing like the tacky tourists who ride faster, newer mountain bikes on the paths. Maybe BVI yachties are like the French—a sort of shabby chic. Still not convinced, I decide to ferry over to the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda. While there, I run into Chris Watters, sailing instructor for the RBVIYC, spending his day off in VG. The first thing I notice is Chris’ lid—a trucker’s cap modeled after a naval officer’s chapeau with the word

“Commander” in gold felt letters on the front. An ironic captain’s hat. Funny. While we lunch, Chris blurts out, “They’re rigging it all wrong!” in response to a couple setting up a small craft for their daughter by the dock. “I should go down there and help them,” but just as he’s about to get up, he notes that they’ve fixed their problem.

“I don’t know about ascots,” he says. “Maybe in St. Barts. Or stick around for the yacht show. There’ll be some there.” He glances behind us. “If you want to meet a true sailor, you should talk to that guy,” he tilts his head toward a bearded gentleman sitting at a neighboring table. I walk up and introduce myself to the man who calls himself Captain Vic. I describe what I’m looking for and he laughs. “Maybe twenty years ago, or maybe they wear that stuff on their boats or at functions, but not out here.” When I ask him what “they” do wear on the dock, he points to his own outfit: Mt. Gay t-shirt, shorts, visor, sunglasses, and Sperrys. “Lace-up shoes?” I ask. “My flip flops had a blowout last week,” he replies. We pause in our conversation to enjoy watching Red Sky, a majestic Swan 100 approach the BEYC, then he asks if I sail. I blush and say I’m starting to learn, but admit to my fear of capsizing. “Well, if you ever need a lesson…” YG

Chances are it's the owner doing the work

Shabby chic


Stephanie Clayton :: artist

original paintingsprintscommissionsart lessons

Tel Studio: 1-284-494-6365 Mobile: 1-284-499-1261 USA: 1-786-280-7098 E-mail: [email protected]

Order online at www.stephanieclayton.com

It was last day of the year - a time of reflection and serious thought. A time to look back on the past 364 days that have led up to this one and ask yourself the fundamental question… do you really have enough ice? A quick check in the galley reveals that, in our case, we have sufficient to resurface the Rockefeller rink. We are ready to roll. What better way to see out the year than a sun-soaked sail aboard a 60-foot catamaran with a handful of your oldest friends? Whispering trade winds propel us away from the hustle of Road Town and out across the Sir Frances Drake Channel under an open, blazing blue sky. We are headed to Norman Island. The last time I made this trip I was hoisting sails and serving drinks in a starched shirt with gold epaulettes and

pigtails – a look that should, quite frankly, be illegal in anyone over five years of age. Just beyond the marina we pass the exact spot where, two Christmases ago, our charter yacht passed a man at the helm of his boat wearing a Stetson, a pair of enormous aviator sunglasses, and very little else, bringing a whole new meaning to bareboat chartering. This time round the only thing I’m lifting is an ice cold Red Stripe to my lips and no one is naked… quite yet. The warm winds catch in our sails and the canvas snaps and rasps noisily above our heads. The ocean is like liquid glass and we dangle our legs over the side of the boat dragging our toes in the salty water. It’s not hard to understand why so many round-the-world sailing expeditions beginning in the BVI never progress beyond the North Sound. It’s utter paradise.

The sail from Tortola to Norman takes no more than two hours, and soon we are passing four craggy pinnacles of rock that jut out of the water like giant incisors - The Indians. I had one of my first diving experiences here. I was flush with recent Open Water I success and confident that my underwater domination of the Treasure Isle pool would be mirrored in open ocean. Dismissing offers of help from the rest of my (highly qualified) dive party I flipped back off the side of the dive boat – equipment on, weight belt secured, BC completely deflated – and went down like a homesick mole. I resurfaced to screams of laughter, and, in an attempt to retain a sliver of dignity, refused all help getting back into the boat, a manoeuvre that took me close to half an hour. The worst part was I lost one of my contact lenses in

Salty Memoriesby Scarlett Steer

Times like these are not that easy to forget


the struggle and was forced to spend the actual dive pretending I could see. Half a mile further and we have reached Norman. This is the most southerly of the British Virgin Islands, and reputed to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Since 1843, various legends have deemed Norman Island the site of buried treasure. I’ve spent many an afternoon and evening in The Bight – some I can remember, some I cannot – but the Pirates’ dinghy dock will always take me back to the New Years Eve when myself and two friends missed the last ferry back to Tortola. One serious team talk later and it was decided that we should

“borrow” a dingy and make it back on our own. At 5 a.m. and in a state of slight intoxication this seemed a shrewd move. A water approach seemed the stealthiest. Our approach to

the water’s edge was fast, fearless and soundless – until I made the rookie error of trying to jump over a lone chaise longue in my path. I was unsuccessful, and hurtled noisily into the shallows with all the subtlety

of a Hawaiian shirt. This attracted much attention, and a crowd of curious onlookers watched us as we swam away from the beach and around to the dinghy dock. We hauled ourselves into the nearest dinghy, gunned the engine and motored away as fast as our 15 HP outboard could propel us out into open ocean. Where we ran out of fuel. We were towed back by the dinghy’s rightful owner who was kind enough not to make a citizen’s arrest but who did deposit us right back on the ferry dock in front of the crowd of onlookers. The odds of being watched are indeed directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. We moor in The Bight and spend the day diving from the bow of the boat into impossibly clear water, sipping Painkillers from plastic cups and watching the boatloads of tourists board the Willy T ready to have a few too many drinks and make some bad decisions. The sun has lost its fire as we make our way back to Tortola and is a melting disk of amber slowly being swallowed up by the sea. It’s the last day of the year – a time of reflection and serious thought. A time to look back on the past 364 days that have led up to this one and ask yourself the fundamental question… what the heck was I thinking buying so much ice? YG

It's the kids that will become the next

generation of sailors

I’ve spent many an afternoon and evening in The Bight – some I can remember, some I cannot – but the Pirates’ dinghy dock will

always take me back to the New Years Eve. . .


Upcoming RacesRolex Miami OCR (Miami, Florida) 25-1 Jan

Center Nautico San Juan Cup (San Juan) 31 Jan-3 Feb

St. Croix Regatta (St. Croix) 9-10 Feb

Mid Winters East (Clearwater Florida) 20-4 Feb

BVI Opti Select Team Trials (Tortola) 21-22 Feb

Opti South Americans (Ecudor) 2-12 Apr

RYA Youth Championships & Trials (UK) 6-11 Apr

BVI Dinghy Champs (Tortola) 2-3 May

Holmberg Racing Masterclass (Tortola) 10-17 May

ScotiaBank International Clinic (St.Thomas) 22-24 Jun

ScotiaBank International Regatta (St.Thomas) 25-28 Jun

Laser Radial, Standard North Americans, Buffaloe

Canoe Club (Ontario Canada) 25-28 Jun

ISAF Youth Worlds (Brazil) 9-18 Jul

Opti North Americans (Dominican Republic) 4-12 Jul

Radial Worlds, Youth, Male, Female (Japan) 1-10 Aug

Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston

(Kingston Ontario) 13-16 Aug

RBVIYC EVENTS:X-Mas Camp 2009, RBVIYC 18-22 Dec

Laser and Optimist International Clinic, RBVIYC,

Nanny Cay 15-21 Mar

2009 BVI Dinghy Champs, RBVIYC 9-10 May

6th Back To School Regatta 2009 5-6 Sep

BVI Schools Regatta 7 Nov

And if that's not enough, check out the forum on

www.IC24.org for more weekly beercan racing action

right off the southern end of Nanny Cay. IC24s are the

new fad in racing and fast spreading to the rest of the

Caribbean and North America.

She completed the first race from Road Harbour around Cooper Island to Dead Man's Bay on Peter Island in less than 2 hours and took only just over an hour on the return leg to the harbour via Dead Chest and a mark off Nanny Cay. However, once handicaps were applied it came down to a close duel between the Haycraft family's Sirena 38 Pipe Dream and the First 10R Luxury Girl skippered by Guy Eldridge. In the first race the fleet were too eager and all eight boats were called back by Ron Gurney, Race Committee Chairman, for being over early. The race started cleanly at the second attempt and the fleet beat out of the harbour with Jurakan and Luxury Girl playing shifts up the shoreline to pull ahead. Both chose a conservative central line to cross the current of the Sir Francis Drake channel and round Cooper Island. This was the first time many of the racers had seen the backside of Cooper, but as Bob Phillips, Luxury Girl's tactician and Chairman of the BVI Spring Regatta Committee put

it, "You'd better get used to seeing the outside of the islands, we have several courses planned for out there this spring...". On the run down between Dead Chest and Peter Island Pipe Dream made a late charge and closed up to third on corrected time, followed in by Kevin Rowlette's skull & crossbones liveried Olson 30 Willy T. The fleet enjoyed a short lunch break at anchor in Dead Man's Bay, with Luxury Girl's crew trying to distract the traditionally dry and serious Jurakan team with chilled Heineken donations, and some hardy souls braving the frigid (well, to longterm residents) water for a swim. Ron and his faithful assistant Diane Lewis entertained the moored bareboaters setting a start line right in the Bay, with competitors manoeuvring around anchored Moorings cats. Pipe Dream judged it perfectly and hammered off to an excellent midline start while Luxury Girl approached the line early and had to run off to the pin end starting well down the fleet. After a short beat to Dead Chest the fleet set off on a long run down to

EDGEChanges in LatitudeThe Christmas winds died down, the New Year's Eve hangovers receded and the

Territory's sailors came out Saturday for the first races of the year organised by

the Royal BVI Yacht Club, the Halyard Challenge sponsored by Latitude 18. Dave

West's high-tech Melges 32 Jurakan, flying an enormous red spinnaker, crossed

the finish line of both races comfortably ahead to take line honours.

Photo courtesy of Yacht Shots

by Emma Paul


Luxury Girl/Guy EldridgePipe Dream/Peter HaycraftTeam Lime/Colin Rathbun

Willy T/Kevin RowletteJurakan/Dave West

Intac/Alec AndersonCrewclothing.co.uk/

Andrew ThompsonRacing in Paradise/

Richard Wooldridge

Boat/Skipper Race 1 Race 2 Points Position

135426

8

7

321485

6

7

45681011

14

14

123456

7

8

Nanny Cay which jumbled the positions. The lightweight sportboats Jurakan and Andrew Thompson's Melges 24 Crewclothing.co.uk struggled in the dying breeze, while Luxury Girl overtook the Willy T. The best gain was made by Colin Rathbun at the helm of Team Lime, one of three IC 24's, the smallest boats in the fleet, who persisted in staying close enough to win the race on corrected time. On the final beat to the finish, Team Lime and Pipe Dream hung on to finish first and second. Luxury Girl took advantage of a poorly timed "slam dunk" tack from Willy T to sail through her lee and take third, giving her four points after two races and a one point lead over Pipe Dream. "I have to thank my crew" said Luxury Girl's skipper Guy Eldridge. "My time and distance judgment on the start of the second race was awful and I put us in a bad position, but they kept working and pulled us out." Team Lime's second race win was enough to lift Colin Rathbun to third overall. Richard Wooldridge's IC 24 Racing in Paradise was awarded a special prize for having the youngest crew members, Ryan Wooldridge and Sam Morrell. YG

Final Results

Luxury Girl, the overall winner, approaches the finish line. Photo by Diane Lewis

The Luxury Girl crew with trophy. Photo by Diane Lewis

Tortola

Nanny CaySoper’s Hole

Cane Garden

Maya Cove

Gardenn

RoadHarbour


Road Harbour

Joe’s Hill Rd

Huntums Ghut

Belle View R

d

Ferry Dock & Customs

Port Purcell

Cruise Ship Dock

NannyCay

Yacht Charter & Broker Directory

Nautic Blue est. 2000 | nauticblue.com | (800) 416-0224Fleet size: 11 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Robertson & Caine Powercats, Fontaine Pajot, Mainship, Carver Year Make: 2002-2007 Type(s): Power Cats and Monohulls

est. 1998 | horizonyachtcharters.com | (284) 494-8787Fleet size: 32 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Bavaria, Jeanneu, Beneteau, Fontaine Pajot, LagoonYear Make: 2002-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Vacances Sous Voiles est. 2004 | vacancessousvoiles.ca | (284) 499-1711Fleet size: 3 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Beneteau, BavariaYear Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Monohulls

est. 1986 | charteryachtsales.com | (284) 494-4868Fleet size: 46 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes

Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Leopard, Norseman, Island Spirit, Athena, Hunter Year Make: 1996-2004

Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Island Time Ltd est. 2001 | islandtimeltd.com | (284) 495-9993Fleet size: 10 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Contender, CaribeYear Make: 2006-2008 Type(s): Fast Powerboat and Dinghys

Footloose est. 1995 | footloosecharters.com | (284) 494-0528Fleet size: 55 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes

Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Roberson & CaineYear Make: 1997-2000 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

TMM est. 1987 | sailtmm.com | (800) 633-0155Fleet size: 44 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot, Hunter, Jeanneau, Beneteau, Nautitech, Trader Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Powerboat and Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Caribbean Images Tours Ltd. est. 1987 | snorkebvi.com (284) 496-7935 Fleet size: 4 Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Caribe, Ribtec, Atlantic Industries Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Powerboat - Ribs

Charter Yacht Society est. 1982 / bvicrewedyachts.com / 284-494-6017 / Fleet size: 70 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesTypes: Sailboat Cats, Monohulls and Power YachtsNon-profit for BVI crewed charter yachts. Hosts BVI Boat Show.

BVI Yacht Charters est. 1974 | sailinthebvi.com | (284) 494-4289Fleet size: 38 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Beneteau, Hunter, Lagoon, Leopards, JeanneauYear Make: 1997-2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Catamaran Charters est. 1989 | catamarans.com | (800) 262-0308Fleet size: 23 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Privilege, Lagoon, Fontaine PajotYear Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Voyage Yacht Charters est. 1995 | voyagecharters.com (284) 494-0704 Fleet size: 23 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Voyage Year Make: 1997-2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Powerboat Rentals/Cruises est. 1987 | boatsbvi.com | (284) 495-5542Fleet size: 7 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Logic, Sea Fox, Bertram, Riviera, AzimutYear Make: 1996-2002 Type(s): Fast Powerboats

Double D Charters est. 1995 | doubledbvi.com | (284) 499-2479Fleet size: 3 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Crowther, President Year Make: 1988-1980 Type(s): Catamaran Sailboat, Powerboat

Sail Bravura est. 2004 | sailbravura.com | (284) 443-2586Fleet size: 1 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Hans Christian 48 Year Make: 1987 Type(s): Monohull Cutter

Racing in Paradise est. 2002 | racinginparadise.com | (284) 494-6781Fleet size: 11 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes

Brand(s): IC24 Year Make: Converted From J24 in 2003-2006Type(s): One-Design Sailing Race Boats

Amazing Charters est. 1941 | amazingcharters.com (284) 495-2647 Fleet size: 74 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Power/Sail, Mono/Multihull

Pro Valor Charters est. 1993 | [email protected](284) 495-1931 Fleet size: 14 Sells Boats: YesCharters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, JeanneauFountaine Pajot, Island Spirit, Lagoon, PrivilegeYear Make: 1993 - 2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Tortola Yacht Sales est. 1965 | tysbvi.com | (284) 494-2124Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Stamas, Contender, AnglerYear Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Non-Specific Boats Sold/yr: 6 Number of Brokers: 1

Southern Trades est. 1977 | southerntrades.com | (284) 494-8003Fleet size: NA Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No

Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Non-Specific

Virgin Traders est. 1995 | virgintraders.com | (284) 495-2526Fleet size: 17 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Horizon Year Make: 1997-2004 Type(s): Large Powerboats

BVI Yacht Vacations est. 1998 | bviyachtvacations.com | (284) 499-2768Fleet size: 1 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes

Brand(s): 45’ Crewed Charter YachtYear Make: 1998 Type(s): Sail & Cutter Ketch & Monohulls

The BVI Yacht Guide wants this list of Yacht Charter companies and Yacht Brokers to be as complete and accurate as possible. To this end, we will include your company’s details at no cost. If your company is not listed here or the description is incomplete, please contact us with the proper information.

Road Town Area

The Moorings est. 1969 | moorings.com | (888) 416-8420Fleet size: 290 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes

Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Leopard Year Make: 2001-2007Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Yacht Brokerage: (284) 494-8864

Sunsail est. 1974 | sunsail.com | (888) 416-8420Fleet size: 170 Sells boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Fontaine Pajot, Robertson & CaineYear Make: 2001-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and MonohullsYacht Brokerage: (284) 494-1000

North South est. 1970 | nsyv.com | (284) 494-0096Fleet size: 42 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Catalina, C&C, Leopard,

Island Spirit, Chienwha, Hershine, Nova Sundeck, Trader Year Make:1994-2003Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls

Sunshine Powerboats est. 2000 sunshinepowerboats.com (284) 494-8813 Fleet size: 5 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Contender, Bradley Year Make: 2004-2006 Type(s): Fast Powerboats

est. 2007 | 123hulls.com (284) 499-0591 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specificl Type(s): Non-Specific Number of brokers: 3

est. 2002 | charterportbvi.com | (284) 494-7955Fleet size: 80 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes

Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: 1923-2006 Type(s): Non-Specific

est. 1981 | bviyachtsales.com | (284) 494-3260Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: 1976-2006 Type(s): Non-Specific Boats Sold/yr: 70 Number of Brokers: 3

King Charters est. 1990 | kingcharters.com | (284) 494-5820Fleet size: 5 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Bradley Year Make: 1998-2007 Type(s): Fast Powerboat

VirginGorda

The Valley

see detail top right

DIVISION OF CONCH CHARTERS

est. 1993 [email protected] (284) 495-1979 Fleet size: 10 Sells boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Fontaine Pajot, Lagoons, Leopards, Island Spirit, Robertson & Caine, Privilege, Voyages Year Make: 1997-2005 Type(s): Catamarans

est. 1991 | patouche.com | (284) 494-6300Fleet size: 6 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: YesBrand(s): Peter Spronk, Sea Ray, Privilege, Beneteau Year Make: 1976-2006 Type(s): Sail & Power Cats & Monohulls,

Fleet size: 6 Sells Bo


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