Traveltalkonline.com Forums


BVI Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors BVI Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,428
Posts310,024
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 114
pat 43
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
sugarae
sugarae
South Portland , Maine
Posts: 1,242
Joined: February 2001
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
9 registered members (SURICK, PnPinNC, JeanneB, BillR, Wingman, Mikel, michaelj, 2 invisible), 862 guests, and 77 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Some post-cruise observations #163785
06/19/2018 09:42 AM
06/19/2018 09:42 AM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 57
NC
uncleclew Offline OP
Traveler
uncleclew  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 57
NC
Just returned from 10 days on a Bavaria 46 with Horizon with crew of five. Fourth BVI cruise. Great boat, huge success. A few collected observations:

-- the recovery is amazing one has to keep reminding oneself the extraterrestrial nature of what happened there during Irma; on some level, there shouldn't be anything left, so the whole thing is kind of a miracle; very moving chat with Nick at Leverick about the entire experience

-- the sargassum can really stink but it collects and creates that unpleasant effect only in limited spots, mostly a few places on shore in Tortola and VG; the only anchorage we had to nix was Lee Bay G Camanoe (major stench coming on breeze from other side); keep an eye on your raw water intakes, it shut our generator down at one point during the trip

-- oddly it absolutely poured rain on us this time at the Baths, which turned into the Showers; the kids loved it, the whole experience of being in the caves with water cascading down was a blast and created some incredible pictures

-- concur with the view that Oil Nut is an obligatory lunch expedition now; Horizon redlines Eustacia but the boat ride from Gun Creek is pleasant and fun; the Branson crew was there and we got to have a brief lemur chat with him and my daughter whose school does some work with lemurs; the turtles are everywhere (around the boat dock, not the shallows off the beach)

-- things are happening but it was pleasantly a little quieter than past June cruises, except Anegada which for some reason was packed; we took the last ball in the rear of the anchorage; negative one foot reading under the keel, but a snorkel revealed I could have fit my forearm between the boat and the top of the grass; only time in BVI I expected to run aground but happily we did not

-- I hate it when people tell other people how to run their businesses but the Jarecki family look dumb, at least for now; the Bight used to be kind of the hub for BVI cruises now it feels like a bit of a backwater; Pirates is really pretty terrible, even the teenagers thought the entitled service attitude and prices were dreadful; no sign of Deliverance; maybe 1/4 of the balls taken, broken Willy T lying there to remind one of the past, no big yachts coming in to slum it with the cruising crowd anymore, etc. It's sad because this might be the best natural off-harbor anchorage in the Caribbean and always had a great feel and mix of people. And what is going to replace it? The natural setting for Oil Nut, for example, is so vastly superior for a land based resort that I don't see why anyone would pay super rich people money to stay for a week on Norman. On the plus side, we saw porpoises in the Bight!

-- nothing is ever what it was, right? The new Willy T doesn't quite reproduce the scene but it's still great and we were very happy to have them there (will be a lot safer when they get a dinghy dock installed!); plenty of balls in Great Harbor, I suppose Peter just doesn't offer quite the additional benefit of snorkeling and ample beautiful anchoring spots that Norman has along its shores; also, it would be so nice to get the barge out of there if possible

-- felt like I hemorrhaged cash more this time than before; I felt fine about it for the most part, as it contributes to recovery and the people, as long as the attitude wasn't diffident; for example, the bill at Corsairs was kind of insane but the people of course were great there (so were the two horses that hang out there now!) and we were treated to some real entertainment--what happens there stays there, but let's just say that a total clown who was drunkenly flying his drone from his boat got exactly what he deserved, and the bar staff got an ovation when he came ashore and ended up in a quiet chat with the Jost duty officer

-- I won't charter in June anymore without genset (we used to); we had it this time and it saved us; one crew member with overheating issues and we would probably have had to cut cruise short without AC; breeze went fairly slack last few days

-- PRACTICAL note: Delta is selling an unrealistic one hour connection from EIS to ATL through SJU on Seaborne. SJU has a long way to go still and almost has a feeling of having given up. There is no more airside connection on transfers off flights coming into US, you have to go out and check back in. The Delta desk staff was apathetic and tried to claim Seaborne was late when they weren't (and Delta sold the ticket anyway!). We (barely) made the connection only because the TSA line wasn't bad. Wouldn't chance it again. Would have been nice to at least have had some warning from one of the airlines about this--also Seaborne prints boarding passes at EIS that are kind of fake or something, they don't scan with Delta or TSA anywhere along the way. We have been EIS people but I think we'll ferry next time to avoid SJU.

Have fun all!

BVI Sponsors
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163798
06/19/2018 10:38 AM
06/19/2018 10:38 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
C
Christo Offline
Traveler
Christo  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
Uncleclew - I would love to hear more about the drone incident?! They are fabulous tools / toys but can be an absolute menace when being operated by morons or just people who don't understand thats its a massive invasion of privacy when you start flying them so close to other people.

There was someone doing similiar in White Bay last year, flying very close to people swimming in the shallows or sunbathing and hovering...filming. Lots of creepy/weird people about, would rather they not have home movies of my family!

Here in rural Sussex, we've had a few come over our property. Our policy is one warning shot and then they're fair game for the shotgun.

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163800
06/19/2018 10:40 AM
06/19/2018 10:40 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline
Traveler
tpcook  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
Interesting observations


tpcook
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163808
06/19/2018 12:23 PM
06/19/2018 12:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 108
JlarsBVI Offline
Traveler
JlarsBVI  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 108
A couple years ago we stayed the night in Great Harbor on Peter on the west side by the cliffs and there was some neat things to see while snorkeling on that side of the bay.

We have also experienced the same frustration in SJU so now we go down a couple days early and spend time in San Juan before heading over to Tortola. Our group really enjoys spending time there now pre-charter.

I need to book my tickets for January. There are some great prices on Intercaribbean and seaborne right now SJU-EIS.

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163809
06/19/2018 12:40 PM
06/19/2018 12:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 172
R
Rhindley Offline
Traveler
Rhindley  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 172
I think the snorkeling at Peter is better than the bight. West side of the harbor entrance is great!!

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: Christo] #163810
06/19/2018 12:58 PM
06/19/2018 12:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 57
NC
uncleclew Offline OP
Traveler
uncleclew  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 57
NC
Sorry Christo but I think this is kind of a Pirate's code situation. Suggest you ask for the story at the bar next time you swing by Corsairs!

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163811
06/19/2018 01:18 PM
06/19/2018 01:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
C
Christo Offline
Traveler
Christo  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
Uncleclew - I will do that!

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163862
06/19/2018 09:44 PM
06/19/2018 09:44 PM
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 25
St. Louis, MO
P
Pam524 Offline
Traveler
Pam524  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 25
St. Louis, MO
Sounds like we have same flight situation with Delta next week. Any tips for making sure we get on our connection in SJU?

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163863
06/19/2018 09:44 PM
06/19/2018 09:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 61
San Antonio, TX
TreetopFlyer Offline
Traveler
TreetopFlyer  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 61
San Antonio, TX
Uncleclew...
"...except Anegada which for some reason was packed; we took the last ball in the rear of the anchorage; negative one foot reading under the keel, but a snorkel revealed I could have fit my forearm between the boat and the top of the grass; only time in BVI I expected to run aground but happily we did not"

What day and time did you get to Anegada? Looking to head there a week from Friday and want to be sure we can grab a ball. (My wife refuses to anchor overnight...)

Thanks!


Tom C.
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: TreetopFlyer] #163869
06/19/2018 10:25 PM
06/19/2018 10:25 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 180
F
FLJim Offline
Traveler
FLJim  Offline
Traveler
F
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 180
Fwiw, anchoring in Anegada is about the easiest and most secure of anyplace you'll go.

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163880
06/19/2018 11:18 PM
06/19/2018 11:18 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
Traveler
warren460  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
I recently read about a drone being brought down at that location


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: Some post-cruise observations [Re: FLJim] #163885
06/20/2018 01:10 AM
06/20/2018 01:10 AM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
ScurvyD Offline
Traveler
ScurvyD  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
Originally Posted by FLJim
Fwiw, anchoring in Anegada is about the easiest and most secure of anyplace you'll go.

Amen to that.


I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: ScurvyD] #163886
06/20/2018 01:57 AM
06/20/2018 01:57 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 61
San Antonio, TX
TreetopFlyer Offline
Traveler
TreetopFlyer  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 61
San Antonio, TX
Originally Posted by ScurvyD
Originally Posted by FLJim
Fwiw, anchoring in Anegada is about the easiest and most secure of anyplace you'll go.

Amen to that.


I have heard that numerous times. Unfortunately, it doesn't change my wife's anchoring phobia! She's convinced we'll end up scuttled on a coral reef. (Which would never happen...she'd be awake all night long and wake me up if the boat moved more than 6 inches...)


Tom C.
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: TreetopFlyer] #163887
06/20/2018 03:11 AM
06/20/2018 03:11 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,996
U.K. and Spain
Jeannius Offline
Traveler
Jeannius  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,996
U.K. and Spain
Originally Posted by TreetopFlyer
Originally Posted by ScurvyD
Originally Posted by FLJim
Fwiw, anchoring in Anegada is about the easiest and most secure of anyplace you'll go.

Amen to that.


I have heard that numerous times. Unfortunately, it doesn't change my wife's anchoring phobia! She's convinced we'll end up scuttled on a coral reef. (Which would never happen...she'd be awake all night long and wake me up if the boat moved more than 6 inches...)
Better not give her a mask and snorkel then next time you are in Anegada. Guess what is on the end of the mooring balls at Anegada? An anchor. cheers

Last edited by Jeannius; 06/20/2018 03:13 AM.
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: TreetopFlyer] #163893
06/20/2018 07:01 AM
06/20/2018 07:01 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 17
Charleston, SC
jho Offline
Traveler
jho  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 17
Charleston, SC
Originally Posted by TreetopFlyer
Uncleclew...
"...except Anegada which for some reason was packed; we took the last ball in the rear of the anchorage; negative one foot reading under the keel, but a snorkel revealed I could have fit my forearm between the boat and the top of the grass; only time in BVI I expected to run aground but happily we did not"

What day and time did you get to Anegada? Looking to head there a week from Friday and want to be sure we can grab a ball. (My wife refuses to anchor overnight...)

Thanks!


I'm curious as to what time you arrived as well. I'm planning on heading there a week from Sunday.

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: jho] #163900
06/20/2018 08:05 AM
06/20/2018 08:05 AM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 57
NC
uncleclew Offline OP
Traveler
uncleclew  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 57
NC
We arrived mid afternoon on a Monday, plenty of time to spend an excellent few hours into the dinner hour at Cow Wreck. Would have moved forward in anchorage and dropped anchor happily if ball hadn't been available. Actually the bottom of our mooring ball was a huge cement filled barrel--that would have been the real navigation hazard had we not carefully moved around it!

Last edited by uncleclew; 06/20/2018 08:06 AM.
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163947
06/20/2018 12:46 PM
06/20/2018 12:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 16
Minnesota
MarkMN Offline
Traveler
MarkMN  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 16
Minnesota
We arrived Anegada at Monday, June 11th at 10:15 to about 3/4 of the balls empty. There was a steady stream of arrivals from about 11:30 to 1:30 that took just about all of the remaining. A few opted for anchoring rather than taking the last of the balls.


Mark
Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #163997
06/20/2018 10:13 PM
06/20/2018 10:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 225
Dallas
C
camelot Offline
Traveler
camelot  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 225
Dallas
Did your crew snorkel? Any still good or avoid for a while tips?

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: TreetopFlyer] #164001
06/21/2018 05:54 AM
06/21/2018 05:54 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Originally Posted by TreetopFlyer
Originally Posted by ScurvyD
Originally Posted by FLJim
Fwiw, anchoring in Anegada is about the easiest and most secure of anyplace you'll go.

Amen to that.


I have heard that numerous times. Unfortunately, it doesn't change my wife's anchoring phobia! She's convinced we'll end up scuttled on a coral reef. (Which would never happen...she'd be awake all night long and wake me up if the boat moved more than 6 inches...)


You are far more secure for the night on a properly set anchor than a ball. There are numerous failure points on a mooring. I have had two mooring failures over the years. No issues anchoring.

Re: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #164003
06/21/2018 06:38 AM
06/21/2018 06:38 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
Traveler
warren460  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Do you back down on a ball to test it?


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: Some post-cruise observations [Re: uncleclew] #164049
06/21/2018 03:17 PM
06/21/2018 03:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
Maria_and_Steve Offline
Traveler
Maria_and_Steve  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
I liked your observation about Corsairs, "the bill at Corsairs was kind of insane". Pretty funny since sailors funded the rebuilding, with Corsairs "Go Fund Me" account to the tune of over $100,000 US. Geeze.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1