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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: moonhat]
#37804
02/03/2015 07:32 AM
02/03/2015 07:32 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,199 Devon, UK
salica
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,199
Devon, UK
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Sailed in many destinations world wide. Nowhere compares to BVI for beauty of sailing area, ease of sailing (line of sight), gorgeous harbours, ease of provisioning , choice of eateries, etc, etc. You get the picture.
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: moonhat]
#37805
02/03/2015 08:00 AM
02/03/2015 08:00 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,923 Annapolis
Eva
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,923
Annapolis
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What are you looking for in your charter destination? My current favorite is the Spanish Virgin Islands (i.e. the small islands east of Puerto Rico, including Culebra and Vieques). There is an excellent charter company based in Fajardo (the east end of Puerto Rico) called Sail Caribe, whom we've used for our 3 trips there. Click under Puerto Rico on my webpage to get 3 trip reports: Islandtime It's like the BVI 30 years ago. If not the SVI, I suggest either the Abacos (where there are several companies, including Moorings and Sunsail, with a large base in Marsh Harbour) or the Exumas (Navtours, with bases in Nassau -- about a 30 mile sail to the Exumas -- or right outside of Georgetown). I haven't chartered with them, but spent 2.5 months sailing the Exumas last year (blog here: Calypso's Odyssey -- we were in the Exumas from January to March, if you want to read about those islands, and the Abacos before and after). So many other choices as well, but those are my favorites.
I've got a Caribbean Soul I can barely control... (JB)
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: Eva]
#37806
02/03/2015 10:00 AM
02/03/2015 10:00 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
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I have to agree with Salica. We've chartered in many of the Leeward and Windward islands, including the famous Grenadines, and each time, we agreed that we liked the BVI more. Those other trips came after we had done the BVI 4 or 5 times. They were interesting trips, but we're now happy to continue returning to the BVI.
Rob
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: Winterstale]
#37813
02/03/2015 04:02 PM
02/03/2015 04:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 834 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 834
Redmond, WA
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We've chartered in Puget Sound, Australia, Baja, Tahiti, Bahamas, SVG, SXM, Greece, Belize ... BVI is still our favorite which is why we've gone back seven times.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: salica]
#37814
02/03/2015 06:19 PM
02/03/2015 06:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183 British Virgin Islands
Yachtmaster
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
British Virgin Islands
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salica said: Sailed in many destinations world wide. Nowhere compares to BVI for beauty of sailing area, ease of sailing (line of sight), gorgeous harbours, ease of provisioning , choice of eateries, etc, etc. You get the picture. So very true.......:)
Safe and enjoyable boating.
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: Twanger]
#37816
02/03/2015 11:20 PM
02/03/2015 11:20 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215
JAX
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Have charter/sailedGreece, grenadines, Grenada, and 4x BVI. In that order!
Trying Abacos this June
JPH I spent my money on booze, broads, and boats...the rest I wasted.
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: Twanger]
#37817
02/03/2015 11:45 PM
02/03/2015 11:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Surprised no one mentioned our second favorite, Antigua and Barbuda. Flights a little longer/pricier from US compared to STT but boats usually a little cheaper and no ferry costs/issues so almost a wash price wise. Sunsail is in Nelson's Dockyard and Horizon and Dream Yacht are in Jolly Harbor. Provisioning right across the street in Jolly and the bag boys will take your cart to the boat for you.
With that said it's hard to beat the BVIs for it's short sailing distances, bars and restaurants aplunty and many interesting sights to see on shore! Windwards - longer distances, boatboys, some incredible voyages and adventures. SVIs - we love anchoring behind reefs and Culebra has two nice spots on the east side. The Bioluminescent Bay on Vieques is the single coolest thing I've ever experienced. San Juan islands (PNW) - incredibly beautiful, snow capped peaks in the distance, cold, cold water. Greece - Study up on med mooring! Really not difficult. Mooring to the quay right in the center of town is so different and fun - usually a taverna or two right across the street! Ionians if you like it slow, Cyclades if you like sailing, sometimes, with gusto (lookup Meltemi winds)! A surprising number of Greeks speak English, especially the younger ones (but I cheated and brought my Greek wife just in case).
Places I'd still like to sail? Saint Martin Belize Bahamas Australia and some of the Pacific islands
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: Frank]
#37822
02/04/2015 08:47 PM
02/04/2015 08:47 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215
JAX
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Frank said: There are a number of folks on TTOL who have done Abaco. I drool over the Abaco cruising guide when winter weather gets to me. Ordered the Dodge Guide the other day, should be on my desk tomorrow! Just wish there was a board as good as this one. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> Looking for a good suggested itin. Sunsail w 1st night onboard Sat in June.
JPH I spent my money on booze, broads, and boats...the rest I wasted.
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: jphart]
#37823
02/04/2015 10:07 PM
02/04/2015 10:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 288 Kansas
Chriskal
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 288
Kansas
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I don't know if it is as good as this one, but I found www.abacoforum.com to be an excellent resource for our trip there last summer. Pretty active and a lot of well informed, well intentioned people. Edited to add: the Abacos are amazing and you're going to have a blast.
Last edited by Chriskal; 02/04/2015 10:09 PM.
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: jphart]
#37824
02/05/2015 07:53 AM
02/05/2015 07:53 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,923 Annapolis
Eva
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,923
Annapolis
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There are 2 excellent Abaco forums out there: Abaco Forum and Abaco Community Message Board. Also, feel free to ask me your questions -- here or by PM. I've chartered in the Abacos 3 times, and also spent nearly a month there last year on my own boat (which we sailed down from Annapolis).
I've got a Caribbean Soul I can barely control... (JB)
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: fstorms]
#37828
02/05/2015 02:25 PM
02/05/2015 02:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 252
jboothe
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 252
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fstorms said: Those are on my list too, Jboothe. Southern Alaska also looks really amazing, though a different kind of adventure, and much more "do-it-yourself" in the way of planning.
There are some people filming their sailing adventures near Seward AK, and they make this series of Youtube videos called "Boat Beaches and Bears" that are really awesome (though kind of graphic - they are hunters as well as sailors). I would love to sail Alaska too but I'm probably going to have to stay with the warmer climates with my wife. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> I will have to look up the YouTube videos you mentioned. That sounds pretty interesting.
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Re: chartered elsewhere?
[Re: jphart]
#37829
02/05/2015 02:41 PM
02/05/2015 02:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,303 Middlebury, VT USA
Frank
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,303
Middlebury, VT USA
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Dodge's Abaco Guide is essential, but it should be noted that Dozier's Waterway Guide to the Bahamas has a section over 70 pages on the Abacos, which is quite good, as are all guides in the Waterway series.
Disclosure... I sell them both, but had to mention it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by Frank; 02/05/2015 02:53 PM.
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