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Boaty Ball frustration!
#314020
02/21/2024 07:10 PM
02/21/2024 07:10 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 47 Mill Spring, NC
hathead
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
Mill Spring, NC
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We spent a glorious week island hopping BVI last week, only had one issue: Boaty Ball. Specifically, I would set an alarm at 6:55 am and sign on to BB. At 0700 in Cooper, Anegada, and Great Harbor all the balls were reserved already. Or in the case of GH, one or two were open and by the time I clicked on it, gone. Even the ball we were on, the following morning it was already reserved by someone else at 0700. Am I missing something or doing something wrong? In the case of Cooper or Anegada, there are no other options. At Anegada, we anchored. Anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences?
Related note: at Cooper, although all the BB balls were reserved, there were at least 5 left vacant that night.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: bailau]
#314026
02/21/2024 08:39 PM
02/21/2024 08:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 304 Massachusetts USA
tmsxmsails
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 304
Massachusetts USA
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A solution in search of a problem...we try to avoid by avoiding Cooper and going to places off cycle Not to be argumentative but how is this a solution in search of a problem? Are you saying there is not a problem of having more users than balls available (in ball-only areas such as Cooper)? This may not be the optimal solution but certainly there's a problem to solve isn't there? And yes, one could solve the problem for yourself by going somewhere else but assuming people want to go to a place like Cooper or Anegada and don't want to (or can't) anchor, there's a problem right? The alternative is FCFS right? Doesn't THAT have its own set of problems? As someone who hasn't had to deal with this yet - going in June - I'd be interested in hearing strategies, options for when you lose the lottery but want to stay somewhere in the area, etc. If you (anyone) could design a system to replace Boatyball, how would it work? How should this problem be tackled?
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314029
02/21/2024 10:03 PM
02/21/2024 10:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 848 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 848
Redmond, WA
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Keep in mind that some supposedly limited number of balls are already reserved the day before by people willing to pay an extra $570 or so to get the jump on everyone else. They are not marked as reserved as they should be, so if you pick one of those you will lose out no matter how fast you or your connection are.
Last edited by MrEZgoin; 02/21/2024 10:03 PM.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314037
02/22/2024 09:47 AM
02/22/2024 09:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109
GA/NC
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What I don’t understand is if a ball is removed from service or locked out due to the extortion payment why does it not show on the app?
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 02/22/2024 09:48 AM.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: vytis104]
#314046
02/22/2024 02:27 PM
02/22/2024 02:27 PM
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Joined: May 2022
Posts: 29 Earth. Occasionally above.
Skytrucker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 29
Earth. Occasionally above.
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It’s a love hate thing. I love being able to take our time and stop for lunch or a second snorkel. I hate that some online app has invaded our time in the BVI. Agreed. I was there in June of ‘22, my first Boaty Ball experience, I liked knowing I had a spot before heading to busy anchorages, but the 7am frenzy was a bit of a…frenzy. Though plenty of times I needn’t have reserved a ball, in June, there were often FCFS balls available late in the day. Off cycle’s a good idea, anchoring, or off season….the OP’s frustration about reserved balls going unused is valid! I’ve seen it in crowded campgrounds around the US too…I can’t find a walk-up spot, but there’s more than a few with “reserved” tags that stay empty…could BB instill some kind of “no-show” penalty? “If not occupied by Xo’clock…” But how could that be enforced? And it would negate the “slow day, we’ve got a spot” positive side if you had to race to a check-in deadline…. Everyone wants their vacation spot to be the unknown, uncrowded paradise it used to be, but the word’s out - sailing the BVI is awesome, we’re all to blame for the influx of people, and we’re all reaping the relative benefits….. Strikes and gutters I guess….gotta take some bad with the good…
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There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314048
02/22/2024 06:09 PM
02/22/2024 06:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583 Oak Park, IL
TomGarvey
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583
Oak Park, IL
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I’ve been sailing the BVI since 2002, so the majority of my time on the water has been BB-free. There is no perfect solution, but I’d rather take my chances with all FCFS balls or anchoring than play the 7:00 am lottery and then, if I win, wonder whether I’ll have to chase a squatter off my ball. I’ve only used it three times, and once I had a squatter. Those are not good odds.
Tom Garvey
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: TomGarvey]
#314049
02/22/2024 07:47 PM
02/22/2024 07:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 176 18°44'42"N 64°24'09"W
duckfat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 176
18°44'42"N 64°24'09"W
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I’ve been sailing the BVI since 2002, so the majority of my time on the water has been BB-free. There is no perfect solution, but I’d rather take my chances with all FCFS balls or anchoring than play the 7:00 am lottery and then, if I win, wonder whether I’ll have to chase a squatter off my ball. I’ve only used it three times, and once I had a squatter. Those are not good odds. I agree 100%. BB is a money-grabbing attempt to solve a problem that simply creates more problems.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: Standrea]
#314051
02/22/2024 10:12 PM
02/22/2024 10:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109
GA/NC
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It hasn't invaded your time. You can choose not to use it. That would be an excellent option had they not converted FCFS balls to reservation only. I never had an issue getting a ball at Cooper until boaty ball took half the balls out of circulation.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314063
02/23/2024 10:14 AM
02/23/2024 10:14 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 943 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 943
Georgia & South Carolina
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set an alarm at 6:55 am and sign on to BB. At 0700 . So in 5 minutes, you got up, signed into computer, pulled up BoatyBall , Logged in and navigated to the page, and selected desired ball.... I would suspect you got to this point sometime after 07:00:00 and thus you learned that Boaty Ball popular anchorages are usually reserved by 07:01. I am usually up by 0630 while in BVI as I go to bed early. Have had a cup or too of Coffee and generally get the ball of my choice.If not, I arrive earlier in the day to hopefully get a FCFS ball, just as in the pre BB days.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314081
02/23/2024 01:08 PM
02/23/2024 01:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109
GA/NC
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I set my alarm for 6:55 for boatyball without an issue. It’s literally roll over in bed and grab my IPad. Type in boatyball, click on website, iPad auto fills sign in. Then wait 4 minutes reading the news until 7. I will probably regret posting this but boatyball uses Coordinated Universal Time not the Atomic clock. They are about 20 seconds different. Make sure you are using the Coordinated time. That 20 seconds is a boatyball deal killer!
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 02/23/2024 01:14 PM.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#314087
02/23/2024 03:06 PM
02/23/2024 03:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,392 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,392
Washington DC
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I set my alarm for 6:55 for boatyball without an issue. It’s literally roll over in bed and grab my IPad. Type in boatyball, click on website, iPad auto fills sign in. Then wait 4 minutes reading the news until 7. I will probably regret posting this but boatyball uses Coordinated Universal Time not the Atomic clock. They are about 20 seconds different. Make sure you are using the Coordinated time. That 20 seconds is a boatyball deal killer! LOL...when it gets down to 20 seconds that is a deal killer for me...
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: Standrea]
#314090
02/23/2024 03:58 PM
02/23/2024 03:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583 Oak Park, IL
TomGarvey
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583
Oak Park, IL
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That’s like saying that if a freeway is turned into a tollway, it has no effect on drivers who don’t want to pay the toll, even if they now have to take a longer detour. That’s not a perfect analogy, but it’s close enough in that users and non-users are both affected.
Tom Garvey
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314102
02/23/2024 07:15 PM
02/23/2024 07:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 106 Hillsborough, NC
OceanSong
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 106
Hillsborough, NC
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I have not been a fan of BB. My wife and I live aboard and have been in the BVI and USVI since January 14th. Prior to this visit we had intentionally not used BB, preferring the old FCFS method of mooring procurement when cruising in the Virgins. In the past 100 days afloat we have anchored 85 days, moored 12 days, and spent 3 days at TMM Yacht Charters. We came to the Virgin Islands after island hopping from Grenada. All our mooring since leaving Grenada has been in either the BVI or USVI.
We decided to give BB a try after a couple of boating friends, including Deepcut, provided positive reviews. Although anchoring remains our #1 option, we have come to appreciate the convenience of BB. I have dived on numerous moorings over the years and I must acknowledge that the BB moorings are consistently well maintained. Of course, like any mooring a BB can fail. The FCFS BB option, where available, has been very convenient. BB makes the payment very easy. We are by no means “well to do” cruisers and we have to watch our money. At the same time, we can afford to stay on moorings from time-to-time. When rendezvousing with friends on the water, especially friends who are chartering, the BB option is attractive.
We have played the 7:00 am lottery 3 or 4 times and we’ve always gotten a ball (we haven’t tried at Cooper). For those on a one or two week charter, BB seems like a good option to have. The price hike for mooring balls, certainly influenced by the introduction of BB, is a negative. Still, it seems BB is here to stay and we will use it from time-to-time when it makes things easier for us or our friends.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: RatmansWife]
#314109
02/23/2024 10:33 PM
02/23/2024 10:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,109
GA/NC
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George, maybe that could be phrased a bit differently. Moor Seacure is the only company maintaining moorings in the BVI. However, there may be mooring owners who don't hire them, and therefore whose moorings aren't maintained. I wouldn't want a newbie to think that every mooring is sure to be good. With the BEYC balls as an exception all the other public overnight balls that I am aware of are moor secure. There certainly may be private balls that are not maintained. No one should be on a private ball as you have no idea what it might be anchored with or what sized boats it was designed for.
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 02/23/2024 10:33 PM.
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314823
03/04/2024 06:27 PM
03/04/2024 06:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 848 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 848
Redmond, WA
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I wish they would make the ball available at 2pm instead of noon. We often pick up a BB before noon (like provisioning in Soper's). The balls could (would) be FCFS between the time they are vacated and 2pm, which would make them more useful for a lunch stop.
Most of the time you could probably get away with staying on the BB longer since few reservation holders show up right at noon, but I never want to take the chance and be that guy.
Last edited by MrEZgoin; 03/04/2024 06:29 PM.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: MrEZgoin]
#314968
03/06/2024 11:02 PM
03/06/2024 11:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 943 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 943
Georgia & South Carolina
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I wish they would make the ball available at 2pm instead of noon. We often pick up a BB before noon (like provisioning in Soper's). The balls could (would) be FCFS between the time they are vacated and 2pm, which would make them more useful for a lunch stop.
Most of the time you could probably get away with staying on the BB longer since few reservation holders show up right at noon, but I never want to take the chance and be that guy. I think this would be a great idea.... Copper could have it's own time (2pm check in ). If you arrive 12;00 and someone is on ball you have reserved for the night, then pick up any ball and eat lunch. Could question occupant before 2pm so that he/she is not rushed to be off, but also knows they are expected to be off at 2:00pm
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Re: Boaty Ball frustration!
[Re: hathead]
#314979
03/07/2024 09:31 AM
03/07/2024 09:31 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 848 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 848
Redmond, WA
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I believe the lease holding establishment, while freed from having to collect for their ball, retain the obligation to mediate such disputes. Only happened to us once at Cooper... an Italian monohull claiming "engine problems". We called CIBC and they let us stay on one of their private balls.
Call the establishment.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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