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Thoughts on getting to Tortola #137272
08/06/2017 08:40 PM
08/06/2017 08:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline OP
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maytrix  Offline OP
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As I am looking into our next trip and costs, it has become a lot more costly to fly into EIS, especially with 3 of us now.

So as I have been looking into the various options, I had a thought. Couldn't we hire a Captain for a day to bring the boat to us in St. Thomas? Pick us up and we sail back dropping the Captain off. Same thing returning back to STT.

I figure this is a nominal cost, prevents us from having to deal with C&I with a huge group coming off the ferry and gets us on the boat right away.

Thoughts?

And on a side note - does BVI VIP get you anything at the ferry, or is that still only at the airport?


Matt
BVI Sponsors
Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: maytrix] #137273
08/06/2017 08:58 PM
08/06/2017 08:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 463
Charlotte, NC
DEL Offline
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DEL  Offline
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Charlotte, NC
Seems like the cost of a captain for a day (+ tip and meals and probably taxi from West End) plus a charter day (frequently 2X a sleep aboard) would be significant expenses. I guess it depends how much you dislike waiting in the C&I line in Road Town.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: DEL] #137274
08/06/2017 09:36 PM
08/06/2017 09:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
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Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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agree with Del.
Typically start day after we land in STT. We have been able to make ferry every trip to Road Town. Sleep Aboard ready for us a marina (air conditioner/lights on) and we get to boat about 5-6pm. Leave next morning after getting provisions delivered and settled in.
What are your intentions about provisions?

Not sure if BVI VIP gets you any VIP treatment at Ferry.


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

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: maytrix] #137275
08/06/2017 11:39 PM
08/06/2017 11:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 114
Tennessee
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bukovsrp Offline
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Tennessee
On our last trip in June, we got to STT at 12:30. Kevin got us to ferry dock for 1:30 ferry. We cleared customs and at boat in Sopers Hole by 2:50. It was so easy, airfare was much less. The main thing though, is the connections were much better and we got on boat sooner than the SJU/EIS route.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: bukovsrp] #137276
08/07/2017 06:59 AM
08/07/2017 06:59 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Matt won't be charged for the extra days or sleep aboard on his boat. I think that he is on to something. But is a captain all that is needed? How about a crew? And 2 days food.

Re the ferry dock. I have been told no to west end and yes to road town. We went through road town on July 28th and nobody from the VIP club was there in spite of assurances that they would be.

I guess it's hit and miss.


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: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: warren460] #137277
08/07/2017 07:32 AM
08/07/2017 07:32 AM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 71
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CDavis2 Offline
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We take this approach on most of our trips and it works very well. We usually check back in at Great Harbour after picking up the boat in Red Hook. Please keep in mind that American Yacht Harbor will charge you a small fee for the drop off. There are also good provisioning options on St Thomas that are less expensive if your schedule allows for a short stop.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: CDavis2] #137278
08/07/2017 08:08 AM
08/07/2017 08:08 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay Offline
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CaptainJay  Offline
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Saint Thomas, USVI
Matt you could just fly yourself in the day before to Tortola and pick the boat up and meet the rest of the crew in Red Hook.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: CaptainJay] #137279
08/07/2017 08:33 AM
08/07/2017 08:33 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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The ferries were really bad two years ago. They have improved quite a bit lately. I think the whole avoid the ferry at any cost is getting a bit overblown. The bigger issue is the poor customs clearance process at Roadtown. You can avoid that by clearing at WestEnd and cabbing up.
G

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: GeorgeC1] #137280
08/07/2017 09:38 AM
08/07/2017 09:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 45
Charleston, SC
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CHS_JDE Offline
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Would be interested to hear if any others find it better to clear in to West End than RoadTown

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: CaptainJay] #137281
08/07/2017 10:13 AM
08/07/2017 10:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 735
Panama City Beach, Florida
xrayman67 Offline
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Quote
CaptainJay said:
Matt you could just fly yourself in the day before to Tortola and pick the boat up and meet the rest of the crew in Red Hook.

Some charter companies require a minimum of 2 persons aboard to leave the marina.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: xrayman67] #137282
08/07/2017 10:18 AM
08/07/2017 10:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay Offline
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CaptainJay  Offline
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Saint Thomas, USVI
Quote
xrayman67 said:
Quote
CaptainJay said:
Matt you could just fly yourself in the day before to Tortola and pick the boat up and meet the rest of the crew in Red Hook.

Some charter companies require a minimum of 2 persons aboard to leave the marina.


Most do he owns the boat.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: CHS_JDE] #137283
08/07/2017 10:47 AM
08/07/2017 10:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 72
FrenchLaundry Offline
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We have done this a few different ways and happy to share what we have done - which has some pros and cons. We have kids so an easy entrance was important to us. We have had our captain - who is amazing, check our boat out of Tortola (check out of BVI) - we had the provisions, fishing gear, sporting rental all delivered to our boat. He checked the boat out of BVI and moored at Caneel Bay or Leinster Bay at St Johns. We landed, headed to redhook - from there we have done 3 things. One, he picked us up at redhook, 2nd - we had a water taxi take us directly to the boat being moored at Caneel Bay, 3rd - we took the ferry to St. John's, loaded up the taxi and took it to Leinster Bay to a boat that was moored, provisions in the fridge, and a glass of wine waiting for us. We spent a couple of days on St. Johns and then checked back in to the BVI for the rest of our trip. We love St John's so that was part of the plan. I would recommend the 2nd or the 3rd option due to the issues with mooring balls. The first works well depending on the day and season.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: warren460] #137284
08/07/2017 10:55 AM
08/07/2017 10:55 AM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier Offline
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Rockford, Michigan
Quote
warren460 said:
Re the ferry dock. I have been told no to west end and yes to road town. We went through road town on July 28th and nobody from the VIP club was there in spite of assurances that they would be.

Same experience at RT on June 14. Disappointed.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: aarpskier] #137285
08/07/2017 11:02 AM
08/07/2017 11:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 72
FrenchLaundry Offline
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One other thing to note regarding having two on the boat to leave Tortola. The captain we have is very strong and he basically told Moorings they were crazy - he said he could handle it. TMM - would not allow it, but they offered a person that we could pay to take it over to St Johns.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: xrayman67] #137286
08/07/2017 11:15 AM
08/07/2017 11:15 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Adrian, Matt is not subject to those restrictions.


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: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: FrenchLaundry] #137287
08/07/2017 11:26 AM
08/07/2017 11:26 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline OP
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maytrix  Offline OP
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
Thanks for all the responses!

Jay, that would probably work if we had others joining us. If it was just my wife, myself and our son then I don't think she'd be so happy being on her own smile

As far as why I want to avoid the ferry, it is simple. Every time we have done it, it took a long time going through customs - and that was BEFORE we had our son. He has even less patience then I do, so my goal is to avoid the amount of waiting he might need to do.

And as Jay said, we own the boat so there's really no added boat costs for us except for a Captain.

I've got 2 commuter book coupons still, so for our next arrival, we'll end up flying in. Just looking at options for the future or possibly for our departure.

Thanks!


Matt
Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: maytrix] #137288
08/07/2017 11:50 AM
08/07/2017 11:50 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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Having him stay at Leinster would be a nice option however he has to take the boat up to Cruz bay for customs first so why not just meet him there?
G

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: GeorgeC1] #137289
08/07/2017 03:44 PM
08/07/2017 03:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
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Deepcut Offline
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Boat Owner does have more options.


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

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: Deepcut] #137290
08/07/2017 04:05 PM
08/07/2017 04:05 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 195
zhawk Offline
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zhawk  Offline
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I have always had good luck with the ferries.

I have cleared at West End off the ferry a few times and it was quick...but it's been awhile. Still easy???

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: zhawk] #137291
08/07/2017 04:50 PM
08/07/2017 04:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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West End is still decent except on Saturday's. In general ferry travel should be avoided on Saturdays.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: aarpskier] #137292
08/07/2017 10:06 PM
08/07/2017 10:06 PM
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 27
TWB Offline
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TWB  Offline
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Quote
aarpskier said:
Quote
warren460 said:
Re the ferry dock. I have been told no to west end and yes to road town. We went through road town on July 28th and nobody from the VIP club was there in spite of assurances that they would be.

Same experience at RT on June 14. Disappointed.

We were met at the ferry terminal in Road Town on July 19th. I called Tammi when we boarded the ferry in St Thomas and told her which one we were on. She had the lady in the little tourist office at the dock meet us.

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: CHS_JDE] #137293
08/08/2017 12:52 AM
08/08/2017 12:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 24
Slidell, LA
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CaptRobear Offline
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So for a charter from The Moorings in Road Town, we have always ferried in to Road Town to get short low cost taxi ride, but C&I in RT is a pain. How long is taxi ride from West End and approx cost?

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: TWB] #137294
08/08/2017 08:03 AM
08/08/2017 08:03 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline OP
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maytrix  Offline OP
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Quote
TWB said:We were met at the ferry terminal in Road Town on July 19th. I called Tammi when we boarded the ferry in St Thomas and told her which one we were on. She had the lady in the little tourist office at the dock meet us.


So what did this get you? Did you move through customs quickly?


Matt
Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: maytrix] #137295
08/08/2017 08:47 AM
08/08/2017 08:47 AM
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Posts: 27
TWB Offline
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TWB  Offline
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Quote
maytrix said:
Quote
TWB said:We were met at the ferry terminal in Road Town on July 19th. I called Tammi when we boarded the ferry in St Thomas and told her which one we were on. She had the lady in the little tourist office at the dock meet us.


So what did this get you? Did you move through customs quickly?

As we were queuing up to go to C&I she was waiting with a sign with our names on it. She then walked us to the front and all the way through the process. She even corrected my immigration form where I had left it incomplete

Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: TWB] #137296
08/08/2017 09:17 AM
08/08/2017 09:17 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline OP
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maytrix  Offline OP
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If we could get that kind of service, that would be great! Sounds like the key might be calling when you are at the ferry on the STT side?

Last edited by maytrix; 08/08/2017 09:17 AM.

Matt
Re: Thoughts on getting to Tortola [Re: GeorgeC1] #137297
08/10/2017 09:29 AM
08/10/2017 09:29 AM
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Posts: 72
FrenchLaundry Offline
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Yes - you could but you would get to Leinster Bay late in the day and the probability would be low to get a mooring ball.


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