I will preface this report with the statement that I’ve made many times over the past years; the hardest part of setting up a good trip is finding the right people.
This time I nailed it.
The crew of my boat (this was a two-boat party) was composed of two couples who had been with me on a previous trip (and were invited back accordingly), three other couples who I’ve known and partied with for 5-6 years that are friends of those first two couples, my chartering first mate and best buddy Wieners, and me. Even though the Voyage 600 is a large boat, 12 people are a lot to have in that space. Throughout the week there were never any haggles, hassles, drama, or BS. Everything from cooking to cleaning to sailing, docking, and mooring, to drink making and dighying around was accomplished without any undue effort on my part. Although fully half my crew had never spent any single day on a sailboat they all truly “got it”… and the results showed. You know things are going well when the trip isn’t even over and people are asking when we can all do it again!

April 8; The first day was a sleep-aboard at the Voyage base, and we all got there without a single hitch (Southwest BWI-SJU, Intercaribbean SJU-EIS, J.P.’s Transport cab). Booze orders (Caribbean Cellars) for both boats were sitting in the office, and were quickly packed on the boats.
The only negative experience, other than having to go back home, came that evening at Scaramouche. The music was awful and turned up so loud that it was clipping the big PA speakers that were set up. Most of us left before long, retiring back to our boats to continue the party in a more comfortable auditory setting. It was then that we realized we had been horribly fleeced. When paying we all thought that we were coving for a few other people, only to realize afterward that every single one of our tabs had been “padded” 2-3x what we had actually ordered. They ripped us off horribly – most of us only had 2-3 drinks (mostly beers, and a few rum-and-cokes or vodka-sodas), and our tabs added up to over $900. To boot, the bartender (clearly a non-native) was rude to us the entire time. Needless to say, I won’t be gracing their establishment again. I’ve been traveling to the BVI since 2007 and this is the only time I’ve had a problem of this sort… but back to the fun.

April 9; Checkouts were quickly covered, water toys and fishing gear arrived on time from Tortola Island Surf & Sail, and we were ready to depart except for food provisioning from Riteway. They were a little late arriving, but the orders were complete save a few small items. Those were quickly purchased at the market in Soper’s, and we were off.

Provisioning Done!


The winds were light, but we managed to throw in a few tacks before the breeze dropped so low that we were only making 2-3 kts. At that time the iron gennaker was deployed, and we pulled a ball on the southwest side of Pelican Island (Indians).


After a quick dip and snorkel we headed into the Bight, which was surprisingly crowded. We snagged a ball on the eastern side of Treasure Point, and settled in for the evening with a few rounds of drinks. Some of the crew headed over to the Willy T for a little bit of early fun. I stayed on the boat with a few others to enjoy drinks in relative peace and watch the sun set.


We reconvened on the boat for dinner, after which we all rolled to the Willy T. However, I was shot after two drinks and headed back to the boat to pass out… I missed a little fun, but it was apparently tame compared to the rest of the week on my boat. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

April 10; My 1st mate and I were up around 0630, dropped the ball, and started the long motor/sail up to the Baths. As crew slowly trickled out/up, I could tell a few of them were a little green around the gills, possibly aided via hangover. This was the only day of the entire trip with sailable winds (15-18 kts), and there was a small southern swell passing into the channel between the islands. It was a little more than many of them had experience, but really was nothing more than a few foot wind chop. At the Baths the second boat snagged a ball just to our starboard, at which time we deployed one of our three-man slingshot teams onto the tramp.


Armed with biodegradable water balloons, we quickly formulated a devastating firing solution with many successful salvos into their salon.
While my crew went ashore to tour the Baths and Devil’s Bay, my first mate and I relaxed on the boat; partially to relax, and partially to monitor/protect the boat in case of retaliatory actions from our compatriots on the other boat. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />


We dropped the ball, raised the sails, and headed for Leverick at ~1330. This was the only point during the week when I was able to really sail the boat. Close reaching, we were making 9-11 kts in 14-17 kts of breeze… not too shabby! Once at Leverick the crew knew their options; head upstairs for some fine dining, hit the bar for good food in a more relaxed atmosphere, or visit with a couple of my friends (dear old ones, and potentially new) at the treehouse. A few split off for the different dining options, but many chose the latter.



I knew that Kim was in the area, but decided to stay put figuring she’d find her way up eventually. After quite a few rounds who should walk up into the tree house but Kim and Ward! We got along instantly… birds of a feather! We all carried on late into the evening… great times!


April 11; Settling up with the Leverick office when they opened at 9am, we shoved off for the short motor over to the Saba / BEYC area. During the motor I was happily presented with bottomless mimosas by some of my finer crew. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Ah, sometimes life is good… sometimes it’s very good! That started the day off well, and so it continued...
I won't get into details here, but there are definitely photos of us taken by complete strangers that we'd probably prefer not to be made public. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />
We hung out on the two boats for the remainder of the morning and early into the afternoon. Some then headed to BEYC to check out shoreside. The rest came on a dinghy with me to snorkel the outer fringes of Eustatia sound – something I’ve wanted to do for many years. The snorkel didn’t disappoint! For dinner we then ended up getting 9pm reservations at Saba– my fault for not calling in early in the day. I simply didn’t expect it to be that busy. It was no big deal though, and all taken in stride by my crew. Though late, dinner and drinks there were amazing. The service was spectacular and I had the best conch fritters I’ve ever tasted. After a long day of partying, most hit the hay fairly early.
(Part 2 to follow)

Boy you really nailed it by your statement about the hardest part of setting up a good trip is finding the right people! We've been very lucky on 2 charters and are looking forward to a 3rd next year! Also looking forward to more of your trip report <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Get everyone involved in the bar scam to institute chargebacks on their credit cards. That will certainly get managements attention.

Where is the 'Duck & Dive' and the 'Tree House'?

D&D is a private by invitation only residence at leverick. Treehouse is down the street from coco maya

Lol... I didn't realize that Treehouse is an actual place. I thought it was just a moniker for the D&D <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

hahaha it really does remind me of a tree house!!

Crazy to hear about the service at Scaramouche, I always had a stellar experience there, I do recall the music level rising and rising to a pretty high level as the dinner patrons left one night and we all moved outside to the patio area, I guess these guys try and draw people from the anchorage in with that but yeah it's obnoxious once you're there! and then the whole check thing is crazy!!!

It's a term of endearment for one of my favorite pkaces... Those who have been there know <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Kiss.gif" alt="" />