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Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July #126586
04/07/2017 08:24 AM
04/07/2017 08:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
W
wofat Offline OP
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wofat  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
Hi everyone! Been suffering from some major DIF but starting to plan our trip in July. Will be chartering S/V Orion (thanks Mark!) July 10th - 18th. We have a large crew of 10, with 6 adults and 4 kids (14, 13, 11, and 8). All of the adults have been down before and we have one very experienced captain who is, this year, handing over the tiller to me for the first time.

Things to note: Many wish to avoid a north-side of Tortola sail... either downwind from North Sound to JVD or in the other direction. I guess folks have had some bad experiences with this sail being "uncomfortable", so we're actively trying to avoid it. Also, since none of the kids have been down before, we have an unknown tolerance for the rolling.

Thus far, I have the following plan, but trying to figure out how to properly finish up and put us in a place to get back to TMM early on Tuesday the 18th. I'd also greatly welcome any suggested changes / adjustments. Hoping we'll see other TTOL'ers down there during our trip!

Monday, July 10
- Checkout. On the water by noon if possible. Return check-out captain by 2:30 PM if possible and head to Norman Island.
- STOP 1 - The Bight
- STOP 2 - Snorkel the CAVES (via dinghy?)
- Overnight in the Bight

Tuesday, July 11
- Depart the Bight early, head to JVD Great Harbour or White Bay if room avail for SDB
- STOP 1 - Soggy Dollar (my favorite place)
- STOP 2 - Mooring / Anchor at Great Harbour for overnight. Time ashore

Wednesday, July 12
- Day trip to Sandy Cay then OPTIONS: 1- Head to CGB for overnight. OPTION 2 - Little Harbour for overnight.
- STOP 1 - Sandy Cay
- STOP 2 - Either Little Harbour JVD or Cane Garden Bay, Tortola (saves 1 day)

Thursday, July 13 (assuming we went to CGB)
- Depart CGB for long sail to Peter Island. Possibly hit Soapers hole on the way through to top off fuel / water if needed.
- STOP 1 - RMS Rhone snorkel (if in the mood)
- STOP 2 - Little Harbour - Relaxing day

Friday, July 14 - We need to provision really soon.. Head to Trellis so that we can hit VG / Leverick next day?
- Depart Peter island to Monkey Point for snorkel and then on to Trellis or bay
- STOP 1 - Monkey PT
- STOP 2 - Trellis Bay (overnight)

Saturday, July 15
- Depart Trellis bay for Leverick Bay, VG. Stop at Savannah bay on the way for some beach time?
- STOP 1 - Savannah Bay for beach time (if in the mood)
- STOP 2 - Leverick Bay - Fuel and Water if needed. Provisioning

Sunday, July 16
- Depart Leverick Bay for Cooper Island / Manchioneel bay.

Monday, July 17th
- ???

Tuesday, July 18th
- Return to Road Harbour and drop off boat EARLY to catch ferry / flights in STT. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Appreciate your help!!!

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Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: wofat] #126587
04/07/2017 08:57 AM
04/07/2017 08:57 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 692
East Greenbush, NY
MarkandMarie Offline
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MarkandMarie  Offline
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Posts: 692
East Greenbush, NY
I don't think that I would take the charter boat into Savanah. I'm not sure TMM would want you there anyway.
The entrance is shallow and tricky.

Why not spend an extra day at Leverick? Rent a car and drive to Savanah, the Baths, Copper Mine, stop at Hog Heaven. Take the Saba Rock ferry for dinner...

Then hit Cooper on the 17th.

M&M

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: MarkandMarie] #126588
04/07/2017 09:35 AM
04/07/2017 09:35 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
First, you'll love Orion - we chartered her before and loved it! A few observations,
1. You might be able to drop your check out captain at Norman and he can take a ferry back to TMM (we've done this before)
2. Tues, you might consider getting up early and off your mooring ball; motor over to the Indians and grab a ball for some early morning snorkeling. Some folks might stay on the boat & get breakfast together while others choose to snorkel. It's great snorkeling.
3. I'd vote for a night in CGB - lots of activity and a great place for the kids to play
4. Monkey Point is a great snorkel stop and always one of our favorites. We usually get there before Noon to get a ball - there are only a few in there.
5. For your last night, TMM might require that you stay in the marina your last night in order for them to insure that you get in a taxi and to the 10:00 am ferry to STT. The check out procedure takes some time.

Looks like a great week on the water!

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: MarkandMarie] #126589
04/07/2017 09:37 AM
04/07/2017 09:37 AM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
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wofat Offline OP
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wofat  Offline OP
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Posts: 36
Thanks! I hadn't yet checked into the entry into Savannah, but it looks like you're right... pretty shallow. Ah well. The idea of staying in Leverick or north sound for a couple of days is a good one. The other option I was considering was staying at JVD for two nights. Maybe on day two heading over to Sandy Cay for the day trip and spending the evening in little harbour.

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: CottageGirl] #126590
04/07/2017 09:41 AM
04/07/2017 09:41 AM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
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wofat Offline OP
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wofat  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
Great info here. Thanks! I had not considered that TMM may want us to spend the last night in the marina, so that's great info to have. I'll check with them. That may work best as I think some have earlier flights from STT than others.

Excited to take out S/V Orion, but know it will be tight with 10 of us. Anything else you can tell me about the boat?
Any idea how many the dinghy can accommodate? I suspect I'll be doing lots of dinghy ferrying. Thanks again!

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: wofat] #126591
04/07/2017 10:41 AM
04/07/2017 10:41 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
Only change I'd make given your timing is to be at Leverick Friday night for the BBQ. If you do two nights, you could do Thu/Fri or Fri/Sat. Personally, we like the Thu/Fri and rent a car, go out to dinner Thu night on island (Coco maya usually) and then tour a bit Friday before being back for the BBQ.

Can't speak directly about Orion - but I will say if it is a typical dinghy setup 11-12' with 10hp engine, then you will either go VERY slowly with 10 or need to make two trips.


Matt
Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: maytrix] #126592
04/07/2017 11:11 AM
04/07/2017 11:11 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 114
Tennessee
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bukovsrp Offline
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bukovsrp  Offline
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Posts: 114
Tennessee
We will be there July 10 - 20, out of Voyage with 6 adults and two 6 year olds. Definitely plan on Friday night at Leverick. One of our favorites. Hope to see you. Don't have rest of trip planned, but will schedule all around Friday BBQ.

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: bukovsrp] #126593
04/07/2017 11:21 AM
04/07/2017 11:21 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
Agree with Matt - if you can do the jumbie party at Leverick, that would be great. Fun for kids & adults!
I personally think the dinghy holds 6 adults comfortably. Better to make 2 trips than risk losing someone overboard.
Orion is well equipped and an all around great boat. Galley is well stocked for any cooking you'll do on board. There's a great "bag" attached to the aft cockpit for storing snorkel gear. It's going to be a bit tight with 10 people - put kids or smaller adults in the forward cabins. Assume you're using the single berth and the salon convertible for the kids? We used the empty single berth for our suitcases. Pack in duffle bags that fold down flat for storage.
You'll appreciate the shoreside AC on Orion when you're in the marina at TMM :-)

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: CottageGirl] #126594
04/07/2017 11:51 AM
04/07/2017 11:51 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
I would not overnight in Trellis in July unless you have AC. Go to Marina Key instead.
G

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: CottageGirl] #126595
04/07/2017 11:56 AM
04/07/2017 11:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
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UncleLuff  Offline
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Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
+2 for Friday night Jumbies BBQ at Leverick Bay. We are arranging our whole July itinerary around that BBQ! Not to be missed, kids will have a blast!

+1 on recommendation to departing Norman early morning and getting a ball at Indians for a snorkel and breakfast. One advantage is that you are assured to get a mooring as it can get crowded in the afternoon 2nd advantage is all the fish are out early morning and conditions pristine! of course this will depend how the adults will be feeling after a night at Willie Ts! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> We did this last May for our last stop before heading for check in at Moorings. It was a great way to end the trip and reflect on the adventures we had during the week.

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: UncleLuff] #126596
04/07/2017 01:34 PM
04/07/2017 01:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
UncleLuff - when are you going in July? I don't know their last BBQ date, but I believe it still falls in July - closer to the end though, so if you are going the first half, you should be fine.

Regarding Norman and the Indians. If you go later and the Indians are full, you can usually grab a ball next door at Pelican (there's two) and get a nice snorkel in there and then pop back to Indians when free.


Matt
Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: maytrix] #126597
04/07/2017 01:59 PM
04/07/2017 01:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
D
Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
I would definitely plan 2 trips for dingy with 10 people. In July the A/C will be welcomed. Can't say enough good things about Leverick! Email/call ahead for slip reservation and also car rental (Actually likely to need 2 cars for 10 people). Tour VG by land... If Cruise ship present, go to Baths either very early or late (After 3?) Hog Heaven is great for Lunch (Try the ribs!).

We often stop at the Baths for lunch without going to shore.(walk thru the Baths on our land tour of VG).

Most of all, be flexible. Remember you will get a chance to see other things on your Next Trip....Next year.


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: wofat] #126598
04/08/2017 08:22 AM
04/08/2017 08:22 AM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
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BoatDrinks2 Offline
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Posts: 69
might want to consider Diamond Cay area for overnight or stop after Sandy Cay...there's pretty decent snorkeling and lots of sea turtles as well as the bubbly pool hike.

You could probably fit this in and motor to Cane Garden bay for late afternoon arrival. We have this on our route..for a june trip with kids..

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: maytrix] #126599
04/12/2017 11:55 AM
04/12/2017 11:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
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UncleLuff  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Quote
maytrix said:
UncleLuff - when are you going in July? I don't know their last BBQ date, but I believe it still falls in July - closer to the end though, so if you are going the first half, you should be fine.

Regarding Norman and the Indians. If you go later and the Indians are full, you can usually grab a ball next door at Pelican (there's two) and get a nice snorkel in there and then pop back to Indians when free.


We will actually be stopping at Leverick June 23. Sorry should have specified are charter is actually in June but we are flying back July 4th. Slip has been reserved!

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: wofat] #126600
04/15/2017 07:21 PM
04/15/2017 07:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 109
SailOrion Offline
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SailOrion  Offline
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Posts: 109
Wofat ... We're excited to have your crew aboard S/V Orion in July. You might find the Float Plan tool on BVI Mariner useful in planning your trip. It allows you to choose anchorages/marinas and input Notes for each day of your trip ... from this it builds a Float Plan including Calendar and Map views. You can see a Sample Float Plan here . Thanks! - Mark

Re: Help Planning 8 Night Charter in July [Re: SailOrion] #126601
04/17/2017 11:15 AM
04/17/2017 11:15 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
I've uploaded our float plan on the bvi mariner site - looks really good! Nice to see it laid out in one place. It's great to be able to make short notes about each stop too!


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