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UncleLuff
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SVI Sailing Trip advice needed #134935
07/07/2017 11:37 AM
07/07/2017 11:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline OP
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UncleLuff  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Hi First post on the USVI and Puerto Rico thread. Posted a bunch on the BVI thread.

Well I have just completed my third cruise in the BVIs and it is time to try something new. I understand that the SVIs are the best kept secret in the sailing world and would like to experience it before it ends up like the BVIs! (bunch of frat bro Power cats with 20 courtesy flags trailing behind....<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />)

Due to costs and ease of getting to San Juan from Ottawa Canada I want to charter out of Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Any recommendations regarding charter companies? Looking to charter a monohull this time with at least 4 cabins (seems like most monohulls in Fajardo are only 3.

Also thinking about getting formally certified in ASA 103, 104. Does anyone know if there is a good captain we could hire or is it best to arrange through the charter company? I know that SailCaribe offers ASA sailing course (101,103,104, 114) but don't know really anything about SailCaribe or the quality of their sailing school/captains.

Thanks for your input in advance.

Cheers!

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Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: UncleLuff] #134936
07/07/2017 12:17 PM
07/07/2017 12:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
"I understand that the SVIs are the best kept secret in the sailing world"

This is a quite the stretch. SVI is nothing like BVI in any way and will never be a BVI. I would call SVI cute, inexpensive, not crowded, and very nice. I would buy this cruising guide, very informative https://www.amazon.com/Cruising-Guide-Pu...VMP89AK7FGNJ7HZ
I would check out CYOA for your charter.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: sail2wind] #134937
07/07/2017 01:07 PM
07/07/2017 01:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay Offline
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CaptainJay  Offline
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Saint Thomas, USVI
It is not that much more expensive or difficult to get to St Thomas than San Juan even from Canada. We have a very nice Beneteau 48 four cabin at CYOA and we can very likely hook you up with an ASA instructor as a skipper as well.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: CaptainJay] #134938
07/07/2017 09:16 PM
07/07/2017 09:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
you can not go wrong with Jay and CYOA, top notch company, now that we sold our boat, we would charter from Jay in a minute.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: UncleLuff] #134939
07/07/2017 11:34 PM
07/07/2017 11:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
This thread was very helpful to me:

Sailing Information For SVI & St Croix <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We are chartering out of St Thomas with BVIYC in October. Great bunch of folks, very responsive.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: aarpskier] #134940
07/08/2017 06:59 PM
07/08/2017 06:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline OP
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UncleLuff  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Aarpskier; read that thread and have the free cruising guide. Quite extensive. I will look into flying into st Thomas. In the past the connections and cost have been terrible from Ottawa were I am from. For my June trip to the bvi's we had to go through Syracuse NY. San Juan has a direct flight from TO so is easier and cheaper to get to.

All options are open though.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: UncleLuff] #134941
07/08/2017 07:24 PM
07/08/2017 07:24 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 292
Fajardo
cruzan1 Offline
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cruzan1  Offline
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Posts: 292
Fajardo
Sail Caribe or Moorings from Puerto Del Rey.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: cruzan1] #134942
07/08/2017 08:11 PM
07/08/2017 08:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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rhans  Offline
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Posts: 925
Michigan
Puerto Del Rey is a really classy facility BUT give me French Town and CYOA any day. Puerto Del Rey is just to darn crowded for my taste.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: rhans] #134943
07/08/2017 08:38 PM
07/08/2017 08:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
Puerto Del Rey is the largest marina in the Caribbean with over 1000 boats. You need a golf cart to get to the marina. When did Moorings make a move to PDR? Last time we were there getting parts at West Marine, only Sail Caribe was there

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: sail2wind] #134944
07/09/2017 07:38 AM
07/09/2017 07:38 AM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Rockford, Michigan
Quote
sail2wind said:
When did Moorings make a move to PDR? Last time we were there getting parts at West Marine, only Sail Caribe was there


The Moorings Puerto Rico

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: sail2wind] #134945
07/09/2017 08:05 AM
07/09/2017 08:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline OP
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UncleLuff  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Quote
sail2wind said:When did Moorings make a move to PDR? Last time we were there getting parts at West Marine, only Sail Caribe was there


Dream yacht charters also has boats out of PDR

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: aarpskier] #134946
07/09/2017 12:53 PM
07/09/2017 12:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Sju is normally far easier and cheaper to reach than STT from Toronto.

SVI is very different than the bvi. It will never be the BVI. Mother Nature has seen to that.

Lots of straight up wind sailing.

Not many restaurants bars marinas or places for water.

Provisioning in fajardo is outstanding. In my view that's the best part of svi,

If I were to go back to svi from st Thomas, I would not go all the way to fajardo.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: warren460] #134947
07/09/2017 02:42 PM
07/09/2017 02:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
Quote
warren460 said:
Sju is normally far easier and cheaper to reach than STT from Toronto.


??? I just checked Delta from YYZ to STT and SJU. DL 2551 leaves YYZ at 6:15 am to ATL. DL 517 goes to STT, arriving at 1:38 pm. DL 559 goes to SJU, arriving at 1:30 pm. Cost to STT looks like its about $250 less than SJU. So, isn't it just as easy, and cheaper, to get to STT? And, you get a free rum shot at STT!

(I must admit I am prejudiced against SJU. Back when AA owned the Caribbean, we made multiple trips through SJU to Canouan, St Lucia and Beef Island. Perhaps the food has improved, but if I never have another chicken quesadilla at SJU, I won't miss it all!)

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: aarpskier] #134948
07/09/2017 04:08 PM
07/09/2017 04:08 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Quote
aarpskier said:
Quote
warren460 said:
Sju is normally far easier and cheaper to reach than STT from Toronto.


Hi,

During winter months we get direct flights on west jet and air Canada.

Historically I can get to sju for sound 70% of STT. Christmas 2012 I paid around $500 Canadian to Stt.

Last May I was able to go Toronto to eis cheaper than Toronto to SJU.

That's why I said normally.

The SJU airport looks like a scene from the walking dead.

The food options are pathetic.
??? I just checked Delta from YYZ to STT and SJU. DL 2551 leaves YYZ at 6:15 am to ATL. DL 517 goes to STT, arriving at 1:38 pm. DL 559 goes to SJU, arriving at 1:30 pm. Cost to STT looks like its about $250 less than SJU. So, isn't it just as easy, and cheaper, to get to STT? And, you get a free rum shot at STT!

(I must admit I am prejudiced against SJU. Back when AA owned the Caribbean, we made multiple trips through SJU to Canouan, St Lucia and Beef Island. Perhaps the food has improved, but if I never have another chicken quesadilla at SJU, I won't miss it all!)


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: aarpskier] #134949
07/09/2017 10:33 PM
07/09/2017 10:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
Twanger Offline
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Twanger  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
We have sailed to the SVI three times from St. Thomas with CYOA.
Loved it!

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: aarpskier] #134950
07/11/2017 08:04 AM
07/11/2017 08:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
capndar Offline
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capndar  Offline
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Posts: 969
NC, USA
>>you can not go wrong with Jay and CYOA, top notch company, now that we sold our boat, we would charter from Jay in a minute. <<

Agree completely!!


Capndar
Masters 50 GT Sail/Power/Towing
3rd generation sailor
Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: UncleLuff] #134951
07/12/2017 12:04 PM
07/12/2017 12:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
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cwoody  Offline
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Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
Have not been to SVI yet, but thinking bout it...

Ran into Capt Suzy at my home marina in Galesville MD.
She had just completed a boat transport up from the islands.

She gave a pretty argument about originating a trip to the SVI from San Juan.

SOS Sail Charters San Juan

You can probably get some good info from her.

btw... CYOA is great!

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: cwoody] #134952
07/12/2017 06:57 PM
07/12/2017 06:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
Quote
cwoody said:
She gave a pretty argument about originating a trip to the SVI from San Juan.


Here's Don Street's argument for starting from STT.
Reach (Don't Beat) Through The Virgin Islands

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: aarpskier] #134953
07/13/2017 09:58 AM
07/13/2017 09:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline OP
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UncleLuff  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Just to give an update to the discussion thread. Haven't heard back from CYAO yet on sailing course and captain costs but I think I am now leaning towards getting the certifications through a reputable sailing school.

While there are disadvantages (less flexibility, more rigid itinerary) there are also a lot of advantages - namely one single source of accountability that is responsible for the boat, course, food etc.

I am a little reluctant to do a bareboat and hire a captain even one that is arranged by the charter company. If anything goes wrong there is potential for the Capt to blame the charter company, the charter company to blame the Capt and me left holding the bag!

Current leading candidate is Nautilus Sailing school. They operate out of Puerto del Rey and looks like they get their boats from Sail Caribe. Their itinerary have stops in Culebra and Visques, which is what I am looking for.

Their other sailing location in the Caribbean is in Grenada though. I must say, this option has peaked my interest. In part cause I have never been that far south in the Caribbean and in part cause I know one day I will want to leave the shelter of the virgin islands and sail in the Windward isles.

Anybody on this thread have experience sailing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines? Which would you choose(leaving logistics out of the mix)?

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: UncleLuff] #134954
07/13/2017 12:55 PM
07/13/2017 12:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
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cwoody  Offline
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Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
Boy UncleLuff,
you have a few decisions to make, BVI, USVI, SVI... and SVG?

SVG sailing is great. I would recommend a one way charter from ST Lucia or St Vincent down to Grenada.
(see aarp's comments on reaching not beating)
Some long sails on the ends with some short in the middle..

Check out the So. Caribbean forum for lots of info there.

Re: SVI Sailing Trip advice needed [Re: UncleLuff] #134955
07/13/2017 05:49 PM
07/13/2017 05:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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aarpskier  Offline
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Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
Quote
UncleLuff said:

Their other sailing location in the Caribbean is in Grenada though. I must say, this option has peaked my interest. In part cause I have never been that far south in the Caribbean and in part cause I know one day I will want to leave the shelter of the virgin islands and sail in the Windward isles.

Anybody on this thread have experience sailing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines? Which would you choose(leaving logistics out of the mix)?


Aah, now you have made things complicated! I have not yet been to the SVI (going in October), but I have been to the Windwards 5 times. If you haven't done St Lucia, Bequia, Mustique, the Tobago Cays, Mayreau, etc, you definitely need to do that at some point, and you will find it very different from the BVI's. When the Moorings still had a base in Canouan, and AA flew in there, it was a convenient jumping off spot (except during the December-January "Christmas winds" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />). Now, I agree with CWoody that a downhill one-way from St Lucia to Grenada is the way to go (although I would overnight at the Pitons, get an early start and sail right on by St Vincent to Bequia). I am sure the Moorings could accommodate your need / desire for a captain.


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