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SVIs in April - Sail Caribe vs. DYC
#205702
09/30/2019 04:00 PM
09/30/2019 04:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 350 Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 350
Ottawa, Canada
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Hi starting the initial planning for a week cruise in the SVIs. Have done USVI, BVIs twice and Grenada and the Grenadines twice so thinking about checking out the SVIs from Fajardo. Looking for feedback on Sail Caribe and the SVI base for DYC. I have been with DYC twice in Grenada and have been generally pretty happy. The Sail Caribe fleet looks a little more robust in PR compared to DYC but I have no experience with them. Have my eyes on a Lagoon 45F with water maker (I understand getting water in SVIs can be a pain). Will be sailing in the April 2020 time frame.
Thanks in advance!
Jeremy
Last edited by UncleLuff; 09/30/2019 04:01 PM.
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Re: SVIs in April - Sail Caribe vs. DYC
[Re: UncleLuff]
#205808
10/01/2019 06:17 PM
10/01/2019 06:17 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 399 Pacific NW
snmhanson
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 399
Pacific NW
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We've chartered through Sail Caribe twice in the past (both times on a 450F) and had positive experiences with them. They keep their boats in good condition and are responsive to any questions we had or any issues while on charter. On our first charter we did have a minor generator issue while in the SVIs and they were going to send a chase boat to us, but we figured it out before they got it dispatched. Also had an issue with the mainsail on St. John and they connected us with some local riggers and got it dealt with quickly. Both were things that could have happened with any charter company so I don't fault them. Second charter with them was flawless with no issues.
We have chartered several times with DYC, but not out of Puerto Rico so I can't comment on their base there. All else being equal it looks like SailCaribe's boats are newer and the prices are comparable.
I'll add that I do like the logistics of chartering out of Puerto Rico. We can easily get there in one day from the west coast, there are plenty of provisioning options (including a Costco near the airport and a couple large supermarkets near the marina), and we enjoy spending time in Puerto Rico before/after the charter. That said, a lot of people really like chartering with CYOA as well and they have a nice stable of boats to choose from. You just have to get the boat back to the USVI at the end of the charter which could potentially involve a few hours of grinding into the wind and swell. And you have to deal with customs upon entering the SVI from the USVI - but not on the return to the USVI.
Last edited by snmhanson; 10/01/2019 06:18 PM.
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Re: SVIs in April - Sail Caribe vs. DYC
[Re: CaptainJay]
#205845
10/02/2019 10:02 AM
10/02/2019 10:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 350 Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 350
Ottawa, Canada
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thanks Captain Jay and Hanson. We are looking at flight logistics. Coming from Canada it is harder to get to St. Thomas than it is to San Juan. Having said that after getting a quote from the sail Caribe we may be looking at other options including monohulls to try to keep costs down. this is a guys trip and want to increase the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).... At this time all options are open. I'll look to see what boats could fit our needs.
Last edited by UncleLuff; 10/02/2019 10:03 AM.
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Re: SVIs in April - Sail Caribe vs. DYC
[Re: aarpskier]
#206613
10/15/2019 09:22 AM
10/15/2019 09:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229 West Chester, PA
ligot
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229
West Chester, PA
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Not withstanding the more difficult travel to St Thomas, I would highly recommend you start there. We did the St Thomas ==> Culebra ==> Vieques ==> St Croix ==> St Thomas route in 2018. Only a little upwind sailing in St Croix.
Watermaker is mandatory. This is not BVI sailing. If you decide to go with a cat, make sure that the davits on the boat you choose will allow you to get the dinghy high enough to avoid bottoming out. We were on the newest version of the Helia 44, and spent a lot of time unsuccessfully figuring out how to re-rig the dinghy.
We did not use Captain Jay / CYOA, but would do so if we ever made this trip again. aarpskier, how much time did you allow for that route? We're REALLY hoping to do this in the next few years but would have to start in Roadtown. I'm sure we could arrange 3 weeks but wonder if 4 would be needed. Dave
S/V Tortuga Lagoon 46
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Re: SVIs in April - Sail Caribe vs. DYC
[Re: ligot]
#206809
10/17/2019 08:14 PM
10/17/2019 08:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
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aarpskier, how much time did you allow for that route? We're REALLY hoping to do this in the next few years but would have to start in Roadtown. I'm sure we could arrange 3 weeks but wonder if 4 would be needed.
I think that's a one week trip. You can of course take as long as you want by staying multiple days in each location. But surely not a requirement to do so.
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: SVIs in April - Sail Caribe vs. DYC
[Re: ligot]
#206974
10/20/2019 01:07 PM
10/20/2019 01:07 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304 Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
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We did this trip in 9 days. For what it may be worth, I would be happy to send you our fairly-detailed, but now 18 months-old, sail plan (I apparently can't attach a pdf to this post). Send me an email: mverwys@gmail.com.
Last edited by aarpskier; 10/20/2019 01:25 PM.
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