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Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
#116939
01/11/2017 05:20 PM
01/11/2017 05:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 111 Denver & Breckenridge, CO
BreckSailor
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Posts: 111
Denver & Breckenridge, CO
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I'm curious as to whether/how anyone has shipped gear to Tortola? (In particular, for a sail charter.)
Certainly thats possible but I've just never done this on many trips to Tortola. If so, how have you done that (USPS, UPS, etc) and any commentary on cost/delivery time? I will be on a 8 week sail charter beginning this May in Tortola.
Consequently, I will have more gear aboard than ever before (to name just some of the gear: kiteboarding equipment, fishing gear, high end snorkel gear, inflatable SUP's, navigation equipment, etc. etc.) I'm beginning to think about how to get all of this to Tortola with me and somewhat concerned about traveling the gear with me on airflight (lost/seriously delayed baggage possiblity for very valuable items which if lost would really screw my trip up - in other words, not concerned about clothes, only gear/equipment). I could pack multiple large bags/boxes as luggage (just a guess would be 4 - 5 oversized bags), but then there's also the hassle of moving all of that around at airports, not to mention the loss/delay issue.
Thanks for any advice, thoughts, comments!!!
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: BreckSailor]
#116940
01/11/2017 05:29 PM
01/11/2017 05:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
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Less is more. We once carried all kinds of stuff. We no longer even carry dive gear. Maybe bring your own mask. In the BVI you can truly leave all the other stuff behind. Been there done that, not doing it again.
Shipping stuff is not any option using any of the normal services. You can always call a freight forwarder and ship your own container or crate. Good luck finding a spot to secure and store the container.
Last edited by StormJib; 01/11/2017 08:34 PM.
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: BreckSailor]
#116945
01/11/2017 05:52 PM
01/11/2017 05:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
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BreckSailor said: One other item to emphasize. I have ZERO concern about airline extra bag fees - that's free in my book ($35 - 75/bag is irrelevant). What I am concerned about is the liklihood of it showing up (since the gear inside is so important for the trip, and very valuable.) That's why I'm interested in at least evaluating a shipping option. One other individual has suggested possibly shipping to STT and ferry over myself - that's certainly an option/thought. If you really believe you must have it. Call your airline and determine the cost to ship the items. You can declare the proper value. The airlines move very valuable materials everyday. What do you think the value is for a pallet of iPhones or Macs that are coming from China? All that stuff comes by air. Explore the checked baggage limits and the counter to counter options. We move sails(very heavy sails) worth many thousands of dollars that way all the time. I would really rethink what you need. Getting it there all clean and neatly packed is one thing. If the stuff is "valuable" you may think you have to bring it back at the end of the trip. We learned all this the hard way. We do not do it anymore. Our list of foolishness once included hydrophones to listen for the whales. We limit ourselves to what we can carry ourselves in one trip from the car to the counter. Any you are correct the heavy and odd sized stuff is the bits that get left behind when they are trying to stuff the belly of the aircraft. I stopped carrying fishing poles when I saw the second one go back in the airport in New Orleans while sitting in my seat waiting to depart.
Last edited by StormJib; 01/11/2017 06:06 PM.
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: rm3]
#116950
01/11/2017 10:50 PM
01/11/2017 10:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304 Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier
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Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
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Hmmm. Sorry, not a very helpful crowd tonight. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duel.gif" alt="" /> Sounds like you are planning something quite different from the typical 7-10 day circumnavigation of Tortola. And I don't think you asked for a lecture on minimalism. Try these folks. Crowley
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: aarpskier]
#116951
01/11/2017 11:03 PM
01/11/2017 11:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
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Ya never know...
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I would look at shipping via Tropical to STT via Miami. Pick it up there. To forward it to BVI costs a small fortune.
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: BreckSailor]
#116954
01/12/2017 09:32 AM
01/12/2017 09:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277 Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
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BreckSailor said: I'm curious as to whether/how anyone has shipped gear to Tortola? (In particular, for a sail charter.)
Certainly thats possible but I've just never done this on many trips to Tortola. If so, how have you done that (USPS, UPS, etc) and any commentary on cost/delivery time? I will be on a 8 week sail charter beginning this May in Tortola.
Consequently, I will have more gear aboard than ever before (to name just some of the gear: kiteboarding equipment, fishing gear, high end snorkel gear, inflatable SUP's, navigation equipment, etc. etc.) I'm beginning to think about how to get all of this to Tortola with me and somewhat concerned about traveling the gear with me on airflight (lost/seriously delayed baggage possiblity for very valuable items which if lost would really screw my trip up - in other words, not concerned about clothes, only gear/equipment). I could pack multiple large bags/boxes as luggage (just a guess would be 4 - 5 oversized bags), but then there's also the hassle of moving all of that around at airports, not to mention the loss/delay issue.
Thanks for any advice, thoughts, comments!!! I have to assume you are doing this for a longer than one week trip. You can contact St Thomas Cargo St Thomas Cargo Web Page They handle these kind of shipments for yachts all the time. Jay
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: Jeannius]
#116955
01/12/2017 10:00 AM
01/12/2017 10:00 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,155 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
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Jeannius said: As HillsideView said... If you really want to ship all that stuff then send it to St Thomas or, my preference, Sint Maarten. I had loads of stuff delivered from the U.S. to St Maarten (watermaker for instance)and nothing ever got lost or significantly delayed. No customs duty there so less excuse to delay!
Getting anything to Tortola though was usually a nightmare. Plus you have to pay duty! I used a Spinnaker to move a boat up to the US. The chute had been in the BVI for years. Had to pay duty when I shipped it back down. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 01/12/2017 10:02 AM.
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: BreckSailor]
#116957
01/12/2017 11:42 AM
01/12/2017 11:42 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282 Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
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Hello: You can ship via Tamarind Consolidated in Fort Lauderdale Florida. They send a container to Virgin Gorda every week. $6.35 per cuft. Reliable service. Just send you stuff to them, they put in a container with other persons stuff and off it goes. Pick up a week later. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
tpcook
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: tpcook]
#116958
01/12/2017 01:02 PM
01/12/2017 01:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 111 Denver & Breckenridge, CO
BreckSailor
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Posts: 111
Denver & Breckenridge, CO
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Thanks for the suggestions and answers provided.
I'll say it again, though, for some for which it wasn't clear:
I am sailing for 8 weeks through 20+ islands - its almost a mini-sabbatical rather than a simple week or 2 trip. This is the only reason I'm bringing (not considering to bring, but absolutely bringing, additional equipment.) I am amused at some of the comments about what I should and shouldn't bring! It's simply not a matter of if, but how, I should do this.
In the end, I may simply revert to checked luggage, though, generally a 3rd checked item is $150 and 4th item is $200 so I do really appreciate the alternatives suggested! And the issue is not the cost as much as the risk of it being on hand when I get to my boat. I am taking 2 days of my trip simply to prep the boat. So, please keep the ideas coming - thanks!
(Did I make it clear that I am living aboard for 8 weeks and that I'm bringing certain gear??) Thanks!
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Re: Shipping Gear to Tortola prior to Sail Charter
[Re: StormJib]
#116960
01/12/2017 01:41 PM
01/12/2017 01:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
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Posts: 1,049
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Each airline is different. They are all constantly changing their rules. i just looked up two United and JetBlue. For a Kite Board less than 100 pounds the cost is $50 each way. Cape Air has their own very lengthy carribean rules on their website. Here is what United has to say on the subject: The service charge for a surfboard, wakeboard or paddleboard is $150 (each way) for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 (each way) for all other travel.
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