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Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters #17958
11/15/2012 06:28 PM
11/15/2012 06:28 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider Offline OP
Traveler
SeaSeaRider  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
We recently returned from the “maiden voyage” of S/V Dancing Days, a 2009 Leopard 46 catamaran just starting out with Pro Valor Charters. She is a former Moorings 4600, just completed phase-out in September and handover to Pro Valor in October. We had a spectacular two weeks of relaxed cruising, despite those pesky swells Sandy kicked up. Everything worked flawlessly with the boat. It has a generator and A/C, which we used on several nights when the wind died.

Saw a lot of wildlife this trip, including dolphins while sailing from Virgin Gorda to Scrub Island. They came up to the boat and swam in the bow wave for a long time. Saw a nurse shark at Sandy Spit, a first for that location.

We also tried out some restaurants for the first time: CoCoMaya in Virgin Gorda and Brandywine in Tortola. Both were excellent and I highly recommend them. Hog Heaven had very good ribs and a view to die for. Our favorite, though, is still the upstairs restaurant at Leverick Resort. We made it there for opening night and were very favorably impressed.

Had no problems with our AA flights to and from STT. We had contacted Kevin in advance and he was there to meet us. Smiths Ferry service was almost on time and we even got to ride on the infamous Bomba Charger, which wasn’t too bad. Native Son was having spotty service and RTFF wasn't operating at all. If you need to rent a car on Tortola, I highly recommend Dede’s (Deadman); and Speedy’s for car rental on Virgin Gorda.

Pro Valor is at Harborview Marina in East End (Fat Hogs Bay). The marina had been recently upgraded with new power stands and underwater lights. The bathrooms are now first class, and there's a new restaurant, Blu, right at the dock.

What is it with people chartering sailboats and then motoring everywhere. I was shocked by how many boats were just motoring around. I can understand it when their destination is straight upwind, but plenty were motoring to a site that would have been an excellent beam reach. Oh well.

Visited Scrub Island for the first time. Didn't take a slip, just dinghied over from Marina Cay. Their pools are spectacular, but the drink prices were shocking!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> $25 for two frozen drinks, plus tip.

We had a lot of fun talking with the people we met. Many visitors to the BVI complain about surly wait staff in restaurants, and I'll admit the first impression can often be that way. But a friendly hello and request for their name, then engaging them in light conversation, always seems to get them to open up and respond. The best of those experiences was meeting Titus, the bartender from St. Lucia at Hog Heaven.

This link has some pics of the boat: http://rrmontgo.shutterfly.com/.

We don't take many pictures of ourselves on these trips anymore, already have too many as it is from past trips. Sometimes it's nice just to enjoy being there and not worrying about capturing the moment on film.

Rob


Rob
BVI Sponsors
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17959
11/19/2012 11:30 AM
11/19/2012 11:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 348
Maine USA
mainesailor Offline
Traveler
mainesailor  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 348
Maine USA
Thanks for the post!


I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17960
02/04/2013 03:05 PM
02/04/2013 03:05 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A


We are looking to bareboat charter a catamaran for 8 people in December. I really like the looks of the Dancying Days...did you have any problems with the boat? Has it aged well? I am also wondering about your experience with Pro Valor. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters #17961
02/04/2013 05:37 PM
02/04/2013 05:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
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DawnB  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
SeaSeaRider apparently owns Dancing Days, you might want to factor that into any info you receive.


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: DawnB] #17962
02/04/2013 06:43 PM
02/04/2013 06:43 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A


Good to know! Thanks...

Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters #17963
02/04/2013 07:47 PM
02/04/2013 07:47 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider Offline OP
Traveler
SeaSeaRider  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
Yes Dawn, thank you. I was going to give FULL DISCLOSURE this time for sure, although if you click on the picture link in the original post, the first pic is captioned "The Happy New Owners". I thought I was disclosing with that, but oh well..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Kim, as already stated, it is our boat. I will be happy to give you more info if you would like to register and send me a PM, or note your email here and I'll email you.

Did we have any problems with the boat? No, everything worked great. But then, we were the first users after the Moorings phase-out and we worked very hard with the surveyor and Jim at Pro Valor to get things right. However, Cecilia at PVC just informed me that a charterer brought the boat back in several days ago and said it was flawless and they loved it, so I guess things must still be working ok. Jim at PVC is very good with maintenance and does much of it himself.

Aged well? Yes, we think so. Hope it stays that way.

Experiences with Pro Valor? We had not chartered with them before but only because I didn't know about them. They do not advertise as much as the bigger companies and are therefore less well known, but they have a very good reputation and seem to have a very large repeat customer base. So far, we are extremely happy with their service to us as owners and I'm certain we would have had great experiences had we chartered from them in the past.

Whatever you decide, good luck and fair winds.

Rob


Rob
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17964
02/04/2013 09:20 PM
02/04/2013 09:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
Traveler
DawnB  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
Quote
SeaSeaRider said:
Yes Dawn, thank you. I was going to give FULL DISCLOSURE this time for sure, although if you click on the picture link in the original post, the first pic is captioned "The Happy New Owners". I thought I was disclosing with that, but oh well..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Rob


Well, you know. Tradewinds is on vacation, so someone has to do it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I guess if someone is interested in the boat, they would look at your pictures. I didn't, so I was surprised to see your "review" without disclosure fully stated, as, I am fairly certain, that was Tradewinds' point.


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: DawnB] #17965
02/05/2013 10:39 AM
02/05/2013 10:39 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider Offline OP
Traveler
SeaSeaRider  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
It was really more of a trip report, with 8 paragraphs going toward trip info and 1 paragraph talking about the boat. It's nothing like the lengthy detailed boat descriptions you see in other posts on this section of the forum. Actually, all I said that even comes close to what you and Tradewinds are criticizing was "everything worked flawlessly", which it did, so IMO that hardly qualifies as an incognito, self-serving review of my own boat for which I should be attacked. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

In any case, I'm beyond ready to drop this and I hope you are too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Shall we get back to attacking AA and the BVI government for their runway decision? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Rob
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters #17966
02/05/2013 05:57 PM
02/05/2013 05:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 348
Maine USA
mainesailor Offline
Traveler
mainesailor  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 348
Maine USA
Quote
Anonymous said:
I am also wondering about your experience with Pro Valor. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I have chartered with PV 4-5 times, always great service. Most recently in early Jan. we chartered the 36 Benenteau. conditions were sporty that week as others will attest. We blew out the headsail on the way to North Sound. Jim had a replacement to us the next day via North Sound express, no problem.

Cecilia is great on the logistics and terrific on follow up. Jim maintains the boats exceptionally well, better than some of the biggies. There is a Riteway market right next door that has most everything you will need, and the new facilities on the dock are first rate. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />


I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: mainesailor] #17967
02/05/2013 06:44 PM
02/05/2013 06:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
Traveler
DawnB  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
Just curious - Did you have to pay any damages for the sail?


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: DawnB] #17968
02/06/2013 08:27 AM
02/06/2013 08:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 348
Maine USA
mainesailor Offline
Traveler
mainesailor  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 348
Maine USA
Quote
DawnB said:
Just curious - Did you have to pay any damages for the sail?


No, of course not. Stuff wears out, this is an owners repair/maintenance item. Sail was very tired, Jim was relieved that we could get it back on the headstay without any help from him, my daughter, and her boyfriend are on a college sailing team and have rigged many boats, that sail was way past its expiration date. Owner put a new main on recently, and was trying to make the jib go a bit longer.


I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: mainesailor] #17969
02/06/2013 09:44 AM
02/06/2013 09:44 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
Traveler
DawnB  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
Great, thanks! I've never had anything major blow on a boat, so always wondered if there are charges for things like that.


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17970
02/06/2013 02:30 PM
02/06/2013 02:30 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A


SeaSeaRider - I had your boat out from Jan 19-Jan 30. Cecilia was correct that we loved the boat and had no issues. This was our second charter on a later model Leopard 46. It's got a great practical layout for four couples and it sails fast (we hit 12 knots SOG on a broad reach up the coast of Virgin Gorda in 22 knot apparent wind; last year we topped out at 13.5 knots; we held our own with a Voyage 52 sailing to Anegada).


This was our first charter with ProValor Charters (my reference points are 14 prior charters with Sunsail, 4 with TMM, and 1 with Conch). They're a smaller operation, but you get great personal service from Jim and Cecilia. We did a sleepaboard and we were off the dock by 10 am (and could have been off by 9 am if my crew had been ready). They also do not require the yacht to be returned until 11 am on the last day; they take care of the refueling when you return, and charge you only for fuel used.

I like the location of the PVC base in Fat Hog's Bay compared to the Roadtown bases as it gets much better breeze, has a great sunrise view out towards Round Rock and Ginger Island, puts you closer to Virgin Gorda if you want to "race" to the Baths or gives you a little longer first day downwind sail to Peter or Norman. There's a small Riteway next door and a bakery a block away.

One difference between PVC and most other charter companies is that they hold a refundable $3000 deposit against damage to the yacht compared to the typical mandatory $40-$50 per day insurance at many other companies. If you're a prudent and careful sailor you should wind up saving about $500 just in insurance on a 10-day charter.

Re: Dancing Days - Leopard 46 at Pro Valor Charters #17971
02/06/2013 02:32 PM
02/06/2013 02:32 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 631
BaardJ Offline
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BaardJ  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 631
Forgot to sign in. That last post was mine.


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