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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: bailau]
#219175
02/29/2020 03:11 PM
02/29/2020 03:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040 Charlotte, NC
NCSailor
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
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Avoid Cooper and Great Harbour JVD... Exactly. And you don’t need to be in mid morning. In the busier anchorages you are good if you get in mid afternoon. Most charters start on Saturday so you can try to get ahead of the curve by heading to North Sound the first night and staying ahead of the pack which will usually pick Norman or Cooper for the first night. Little Harbor on JVD has plenty of moorings and is never full. Norman doesn’t have BB and has many balls.
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: bailau]
#219180
02/29/2020 04:27 PM
02/29/2020 04:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 6 United Kingdom
Griffery PS
OP
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OP
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Posts: 6
United Kingdom
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Per NC Sailor try and stay one step ahead of the crowd...that is really great advice. We actually go clockwise and will hot spots on the weekend noting I am on the powercat side of things This is good advice, thank you. We are starting on Wednesday at Scrub Island. Other than avoiding Norman or Cooper on Saturday night to avoid the people who will be there their first night, what might a good plan be?
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: NCSailor]
#219181
02/29/2020 04:30 PM
02/29/2020 04:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 6 United Kingdom
Griffery PS
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Exactly. And you don’t need to be in mid morning. In the busier anchorages you are good if you get in mid afternoon.
Thank you. Even so, do you have recommendations on some of the quieter anchorages?
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: xrayman67]
#219182
02/29/2020 04:32 PM
02/29/2020 04:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 6 United Kingdom
Griffery PS
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Plenty of balls at Norman Island. Several good places to anchor in North Sound. You can anchor at Anegada if you can't find a ball there. You should be able to get a ball at Cane Garden Bay, Diamond Cay and Little Harbor JVD. Would you say this is the case even mid afternoon?
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219185
02/29/2020 05:14 PM
02/29/2020 05:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54 London, England
sunman60
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
London, England
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so Griff, what to say? - anxiety on your first, second, third, etc Bareboat charter is normal, you're out of the protection and organisation of a flotilla, so it's normal. - regretting something before you've done it is deep breath time, take a deep breath, you'll be ok. - the BVI's is a great sailing area, protected by the world's 4th largest reef, the sailing is fantastic. - fact, bareboating in The Med is the same as bareboating in the BVI, you're on your own for the first time, getting away in the morning and mooring up for the night iOS stressful, cos it is, it's anxiety ridden, but the 2nd, 3rd , 4th time you do it will get easier & easier & easier, that's just the way it is. - BoatyBall has total 75 moorings, in an area where you'll find what? 1000 boats? they're not a factor outside Cooper & Great Harbour, and even there go for it, wake up at 6.45 & try to get one, if you win you win, if you lose you lose, hey ho, there are alternatives. - IMO- Anegada is up there with the best anchorages in the world, spend 2 or 3 days there, taxi to the North shore to snorkel, lunch sunbathe, cocktail; don't be put off by weather, from North Virgin Gorda you can sail in up to 30kt winds (it's normally much less), 45dg on the swell yeah it's a little bit bouncy bet very tolerable 7 the reward is fantastic, the island is protected by a massive reef, anchoring is available in the main harbour or you can go round to Pomato Point to drop the hook & dine at Sid's fantastic, motor round to the main harbour in the morning and grab a white buoy before the next guys arrive, any time before 11am is fine; the lobster restaurants on the South coast are fantastic. - the sail back is world class, downwind to JVD area, get your main up in the Lee of Anegada and set off on a fab sail, choices; Little Jost, Great Harbour or Cane Garden Bay, again 2 days in this area fo the bubbly pool, soggy dollar, foxy's, corsair & great sailing in the area during the day. - then back fill the rest, Norman, Cooper, Spanish Town (for CocoMaya, the best restaurant ever), Leverick, it's all part of the learning curve, then you can move on to St Vincent & The Grenadine's nexy time, you'll never look back. but I hear you, feel free to discuss or contact me, a fellow Brit who feels your anxiety.
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219187
02/29/2020 05:33 PM
02/29/2020 05:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 835 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 835
Redmond, WA
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While I'm sure it happens occasionally, someone squatting on your reserved ball is far, far from inevitable. Certainly has not happened to us.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219189
02/29/2020 05:56 PM
02/29/2020 05:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 738 Panama City Beach, Florida
xrayman67
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 738
Panama City Beach, Florida
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Plenty of balls at Norman Island. Several good places to anchor in North Sound. You can anchor at Anegada if you can't find a ball there. You should be able to get a ball at Cane Garden Bay, Diamond Cay and Little Harbor JVD. Would you say this is the case even mid afternoon? Yes for Norman and Little Harbor JVD. If CGB is full, Little Harbor is an option a short sail away. North Sound and Anegada have anchoring options if the balls are taken. And like the others have said, starting midweek will help a lot. Stop stressing. We'll be down in May and can't hardly wait! Happy sailing!!!
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: NCSailor]
#219199
02/29/2020 08:47 PM
02/29/2020 08:47 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850 Manhattan Beach, CA
calsail
Traveler
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Posts: 850
Manhattan Beach, CA
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Great suggestions. I’ll add dinner at Abe's Little Harbor JVD Best lobster anywhere.
Last edited by calsail; 02/29/2020 08:48 PM.
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: MrEZgoin]
#219203
02/29/2020 11:12 PM
02/29/2020 11:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 939 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 939
Georgia & South Carolina
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While I'm sure it happens occasionally, someone squatting on your reserved ball is far, far from inevitable. Certainly has not happened to us. Happened to me twice in early months of BoatyBall (and probably 20 reservations). I asked the "offender", "Do you have a reservation for that ball #7?" The first was totally clueless about the BoatyBall as apparently crew did not think anything of "RESERVED". They politely moved. The second time, the boat realized it immediately and move. Now that Boaty Ball has been there a year, and charter companies are informing charters, there is really no excuse for ignorance. But there will occasionally be a squatter.
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219235
03/01/2020 09:13 AM
03/01/2020 09:13 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229 West Chester, PA
ligot
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Traveler
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Posts: 229
West Chester, PA
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As a relative newbie to sailing I can still feel your pain but as someone above said and, what I literally do, is take a deep breath and go over options before leaving the ball in the morning and repeat the phrase, Intentions Not Itineraries. Even Plan B will include sailing, a rum drink, beautiful harbors, more rum, plenty of laughs and gorgeous sunsets. Maybe a Caribe or two.
I remember our first trip after taking classes was over New Years. We barely sailed we were so intent on making our next destination. Even had a crew member comment that he wished we'd sailed more. Now we relax, try not to feel like we need to see a new island every day. Virgin Gorda and Anegada often take up a couple of days so we're not rushing.
I expect you'll have a great trip and fall in love with BVI just like we did.
Enjoy! Dave and Wendy
S/V Tortuga Lagoon 46
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219238
03/01/2020 09:33 AM
03/01/2020 09:33 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,066 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,066
GA/NC
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Avoid Cooper and Great Harbor. You will have no real issues issues in other locations. If you want to go to those two destinations pay boatyball their 432.00 extortion fee and your good to go. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 03/01/2020 09:34 AM.
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219249
03/01/2020 10:54 AM
03/01/2020 10:54 AM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 409 Virgin Gorda, BVI
VirginGordaResident
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 409
Virgin Gorda, BVI
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Don't stress too much! You will be absolutely okay and the BVI's are still beautiful!! As many other people have said, the only places you need to worry about being able to get a ball are Cooper and Jost Van Dyke. If those two spots are overnight destinations on your agenda, I do recommend arriving early as anchoring there is not the easiest and the balls are limited. Otherwise, you will be fine! If you show up later on to Cooper and are unable to get a ball, cruise over to Peter Island and spend the night anchored in Great Harbour. There are no restaurants or bars there, but it is a nice anchorage. If Jost is too full, head to Cane Garden Bay! There are endless options and spots to spend the night in the BVI so don't let it stress you out. Also, if you are headed up to the North Sound, be sure to check out Oil Nut Bay! I am the Assistant Marina Manager here and we have a brand new marina that just opened in April of 2019. We have 11 mooring balls which are first come, first serve (but have yet to fill up completely once this season) and overnight dock space can be reserved in advance. You can check out the Marina Village here: https://www.oilnutbay.com/marina-village/?tab_id=3
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219255
03/01/2020 11:32 AM
03/01/2020 11:32 AM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901 Maine
Breeze
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
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Griff, I'd feel sad if your first night off the dock on your first independant charter was one of the all too frequent nights of sea-dragon rodeo at Cooper.
CIBC is a lovely little resort, there is a magical sunset view, and I'd had some fine meals there ( although the restaurant is inconsistent as heck).
One thing I'll never forget is the heartpounding, helpless feeling of impending doom being yanked out of my cabin at 2 AM because wind, current and a rain squall churned the mooring field into a serious episode of bumper boats. Unfortunately, that is not at all a rare occurrence in Manchioneel Bay. Boats on moorings all swinging wildly, everything over 45 ' poised to knock hulls with their neighbors, no boats have enough fenders to deploy, and in pitch black pouring rain, some captains choose to let go their moorings and attempt to thread through the field to deeper water outside using flashlights to "see".
Oh, yeah, fun you bet. Boaty Ball can't fix that down-side to Cooper. Give your anxiety a break, just flat-out miss all that " fun".
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219257
03/01/2020 11:35 AM
03/01/2020 11:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,376 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,376
Washington DC
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Before you go to Cooper pull up the webcam and see what you see there....I used to pull it up the exact day of week 1 week prior. http://cooperisland-bvi.com/current.jpg Between the hassle mooring that boatyball created and bad restaurant service Cooper doesn't make our cut with all the better choices around Foxys has a webcam as well but you really cant see the Mooring field. My advice if you want to go to Great Harbour JVD go instead to Little Harbour or even better Diamond Point and land taxi over to Great Harbour, JVD
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#219419
03/02/2020 01:06 PM
03/02/2020 01:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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Also, don't forget. If you arrive at your night stop early there is still plenty to do. We would often move from one spot to another area and be there by lunch or sometimes before and just spend the rest of the day and night. Those were some of the most relaxing days.
Matt
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#220039
03/08/2020 09:35 PM
03/08/2020 09:35 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 12
LBH
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 12
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Our group paid the premium Boatyball membership. Booked our spots 24 hours in advance and worked perfectly. Hated paying the premium but ZERO stress!
Cheers,
Blair
Blair
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#220060
03/09/2020 09:19 AM
03/09/2020 09:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969 NC, USA
capndar
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
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We have also followed the itinerary that NC Sailor describes....and we add a couple of days at St John - zero stress
Capndar Masters 50 GT Sail/Power/Towing 3rd generation sailor
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#220061
03/09/2020 09:20 AM
03/09/2020 09:20 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969 NC, USA
capndar
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
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We have also followed the itinerary that NC Sailor describes....and we add a couple of days at St John - zero stress
Capndar Masters 50 GT Sail/Power/Towing 3rd generation sailor
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#220252
03/10/2020 08:54 PM
03/10/2020 08:54 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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Reading these posts and how stressful it is in the BVIs has been eye-opening. I regret taking this on.
Oh this is sad! I was out with two other couples last week. I had warned them that it was going to be way more crowded vs. when they had been out early November in the past. We had no problems anywhere picking up a FCFS or anchoring. We didn't go to Cooper (who cares!). On the last day my one guest tells me that he was prepared for crowding but hadn't seen anything that he would categorize as anything other than lack of crowds and all together lovely. Don't let the sillyness on this forum discourage you. One might infer from this forum that the orange balls have taken over the entire island chain. Not the case. There are plenty of nice places to stay the night. Chill out and enjoy and ignore the constant gripe/whine about BB.
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: Mooring stress making me dread my sailing trip
[Re: Griffery PS]
#220470
03/12/2020 06:45 PM
03/12/2020 06:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 939 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 939
Georgia & South Carolina
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Agree with ^^^^. I started trip on Saturday and Sunday was at Anegada. At 5 pm, half of balls were still available. I sailed until late everyday and never encountered problems getting a ball (FCFS). I did anchor at SandBox but I believe I saw balls available elsewhere. At Peter Island(Great Harbor), I picked up a ball at 5:30 pm and many were still available.
I Hate the idea of needing to rush to next location to (hopefully) get a FCFS ball. I like the concept of reserving ball after checking weather and sailing as late as I want(or SCUBA) prior to getting to next anchorage.
I am not a fan of selling "advanced access" as the weather can change on you, however it does serve those who feel the benefits of "first class" privileges are with the extra $500. So as long as this is less than 10-15% of the Boaty Balls, I am okay with that. To me, Boaty Ball will be a "positive" effect on the BVI IF Boaty Ball can encourage more NEW moorings and not just convert existing FCFS balls to "Reserved BB".
I know there are those who oppose BB in any shape or form, but charters should not get to stressed about the availability.
The absolute BEST solution to being worried about balls is to start your charter on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
I continue to anchor when I can, not to save $30-40, but to experience the true solitude that some of these locations afford. On other nights, I want tis experience Willy T's, or Foxy's , or Anegada, or CGB, or.....
But don't STRESS about it!
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