I thought I would take some time to list a few things that stand out from recent charter experience (6/13-6/21). For starters, we had a fabulous time!! It was by far the most interesting and fun vacation my wife and I have ever taken together. Now to make a few important points. My wife is not a sailor. She has spent a lot of time on the water but really no ocean sailing experience. My experience is all from the NC coast and from taking the ASA sailing week long bareboat course. So I will be upfront and say that we were very novice going into this but after talking with other captains, crew and charter company staff we were more than competent to undertake this. I overheard a lot of conversations from other groups and some of the things about navigating and anchoring actually scared me.

Things I learned:
Rhymer's on Cane Garden Bay is a great place to start your trip and slow down to island time. (thanks to this board for the referral) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Take less stuff. We took one small overhead roll around and a small backpack each and still took too much clothes and stuff.

Scooters do not like sand on Anegada. Why they even rent them there, I have no idea. Yes you can stay on the pavement most of the way around but getting to Cow Wreck or the beach club you will be in the sand.

The best meals we had were on the boat. Seriously. I know everyone talks about eating out and we did several times but the steaks, burgers and chicken we fixed ourselves were better. I liked the Anegada lobster but now that we have had it, I probably won’t order it again. Next time I’ll take the fish. I did have some Mahi skewers at Quitos at CGB that were fantastic.

My wife really had a great time but she enjoyed it much more when we got to our destination than she did sailing there. The exception was the sail to Anegada. Very nice relaxed and we made good time.

Anegada is now one of my favorite destinations of all time. Simply beautiful....

I thought getting the smaller boat was a good idea since it would be easier for me to manage knowing my wife has limited experience and I would be basically singlehanding it. Next time (even if it is just my wife and I) I will get a bigger boat and preferably a cat just for her. I think she would have been more comfortable and confident on a bigger boat.

Don’t connect in St Thomas or at least don’t leave out of there on a Saturday. I will say that the most disappointing part of entire trip was the ridiculous lines for checking in, customs/agriculture and TSA at St. Thomas. I guess we spent 2 ½ hours in line to make our flight on Sat. Really not a good way to finish a vacation.

We will absolutely be going back!!!! The sooner the better and for more than a week next time so we can spend more time at places we like. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />