I completely agree with Dennis - s/v Toes in the Water. We too are cruisers now and this whole boatyball fiasco is very off putting.

We do not mind taking a mooring when needed, even though we would rather anchor, however we do not wish to feel stressed reserving a mooring early in the morning, only to find a squatter on our reserved mooring later that day, then having to have words with the occupant. Nor do I wish to race to a mooring field hoping for a FCFS ball early in the day versus taking our time with a lunch or snorkel stop before arriving at our overnight destination. How to ruin a vacation.

With all this said, I'm having to convince my husband to return to the BVI as its not his favorite place to sail, but I wish to return. I have not shared the contents of this thread with him, but it has me worried. I have a feeling we will end up cutting our trip to the BVIs short and moving on. Very sad.