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Cooper Island #62519
07/20/2015 11:48 AM
07/20/2015 11:48 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 23
R
Reina Offline OP
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Reina  Offline OP
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 23
Hi Friends,

What are your thoughts on Cooper Island? Worth a stop? In all the years we have sailed in the BVI, we never made it there. How is the snorkeling? Also, I hear there is a great restaurant. Thank you!

Reina


Follow me on Facebook at Reina's Raves or Check out my Blog at http://www.reinasraves.squarespace.com
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Re: Cooper Island [Re: Reina] #62520
07/20/2015 11:53 AM
07/20/2015 11:53 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402
St Thomas, USVI
K
Kimber Offline
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Kimber  Offline
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St Thomas, USVI
It is my wife's favorite stop. The snorkeling by Cistern Pt is good and there are turtles to see right in the mooring field. On a monohull during certain conditions it can be very rolly. Most cats are more better able to handle a swell. The food is excellent and happy hour at 4PM is not to be missed! There is decent wifi and a fun little separate rum bar too.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Kimber] #62521
07/20/2015 12:37 PM
07/20/2015 12:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
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Winterstale  Offline
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Bradenton, FL
One of our favorite places -- do check the conditions because YES, it can be rolly.


[Linked Image]

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Winterstale] #62522
07/20/2015 12:52 PM
07/20/2015 12:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
We love stopping there. We usually try to take a mooring ball nearest cistern point and snorkel from the boat to cistern point - we almost always see turtles there and the fish life is good too once you get the point.

Restaurant is great too as are the drinks, be sure to go in for happy hour.


Matt
Re: Cooper Island [Re: Reina] #62523
07/20/2015 01:12 PM
07/20/2015 01:12 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 922
Virginia
C
charlie Offline
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charlie  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 922
Virginia
There are dinghy mooring lines at Cistern Point. Sometime a bit of current is running, so we snorkel against the current and float back. Nice place. And, besides sea turtles in the mooring field, you will also get spotted eagle rays. Go for it... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Cooper Island [Re: charlie] #62524
07/20/2015 01:26 PM
07/20/2015 01:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 164
SouthEastern Pennsylvania
W
WayneC Offline
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Posts: 164
SouthEastern Pennsylvania
We always try to make it our last stop before returning to Roadtown always nice there restaurant is very good and the snorkeling and fishing while on the ball is really good. In May while snorkeling at Cistern Point we saw plenty of fish and a 4 to 5 foot nurse shark. It's one of our favorite stops.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: WayneC] #62525
07/20/2015 07:19 PM
07/20/2015 07:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
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NCSailor  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
We made the mistake of staying there overnight in a north swell. My wife got seasick from the pitching and rolling. Not fun. Watch the weather reports.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: NCSailor] #62526
07/22/2015 12:27 PM
07/22/2015 12:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Online content
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RickG  Online Content
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Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
We had. Good stop there this week. We've been there three times this year and each time the food was under seasoned and too sweet, but beautiful. Dinner last. Igbo at CocoMaya last night was great. Still, a good time.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Cooper Island [Re: RickG] #62527
07/22/2015 09:10 PM
07/22/2015 09:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline
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MrEZgoin  Offline
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Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
Great spot and deservedly popular.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Cooper Island [Re: NCSailor] #62528
08/02/2015 12:38 AM
08/02/2015 12:38 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
MarkS Offline
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MarkS  Offline
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Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Quote
NCSailor said:
We made the mistake of staying there overnight in a north swell. My wife got seasick from the pitching and rolling. Not fun. Watch the weather reports.


So when don't you want to stop there? When the wind is closer to the North?


Mark Shichtman
"Live for Today!"

[Linked Image]
Re: Cooper Island [Re: MarkS] #62529
08/02/2015 01:07 AM
08/02/2015 01:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
Cooper can be very rolly for a mono on any north swell. Cats tolerate the roll much better.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: sail2wind] #62530
08/02/2015 04:01 AM
08/02/2015 04:01 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Ontario, Canada
Check windguru Bvi for swell info. It's terrible on a mono in any swell that can wrap around.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62531
08/02/2015 06:07 PM
08/02/2015 06:07 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 277
trueblue Offline
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trueblue  Offline
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Posts: 277
Just to be perfectly clear, it is the direction of the swells, not the wind which can make the anchorage uncomfortable. We sail a monohull, and have to check to be sure that the northerly swells are not coming in before we head over to Cooper. It is by far our favorite spot for all the reasons stated above.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: trueblue] #62532
08/02/2015 06:22 PM
08/02/2015 06:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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Posts: 3,003
The wind direction controls the direction of the swells in most cases.
N to NE winds produces a swell in Cooper island.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: trueblue] #62533
08/02/2015 06:24 PM
08/02/2015 06:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
B
BEERMAN Offline
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BEERMAN  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
I attached this to another post, but with the subject line it's timely.

FYI, I shot Cooper Island Beach Club an email and Samantha replied quickly with the following.....

"Thank you for your message. Our last day of Lunch & Dinner service will be Sunday 16th August and then the resort is closed from 17th Aug for 60 days annual maintenance."

Re: Cooper Island [Re: sail445] #62534
08/02/2015 06:30 PM
08/02/2015 06:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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rhans  Offline
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Posts: 925
Michigan
Maybe the Professor (Yo Glenn) can chime in here.
The Bermuda Hi and a Front off the US coast might have a bearing on them also. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Re: Cooper Island [Re: rhans] #62535
08/02/2015 07:02 PM
08/02/2015 07:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I am sure Glenn will confirm but the N swell is generated off the Eastern US coast. That is why it is so well forecast. The various wx buoys pick it up as it moves south toward the Carribean. Wind generated chop is small but with a shorter interval and steeper face. The interesting thing is even a large N swell is very comfortable to sail in. It's a nice smooth motion unlike the pounding wind chop gives. The N swell becomes nasty when it reaches shallow water unless you are a surfer then it's fantastic!

Re: Cooper Island [Re: GeorgeC1] #62536
08/02/2015 08:38 PM
08/02/2015 08:38 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
GlennA Offline
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GlennA  Offline
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Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
That is basically true. A longer fetch from a storm in the north Atlantic results in a longer wave length swell near the BVI. Longer wave length also means deeper effect. If you are in deep enough water that the wave can't feel the bottom it can be comfortable. As the wave reachges shallower water and feels bottom it starts to slow down and wave length shortens. That enegy has to go somewhere so it goes up and gets nasty.

Cooper is an interesting case. Cistern Point pretty well protects it from anything from the east but from the north it gets hit by both the source swell and reflections off Salt. BUT there is also a trade wind effect to be aware of. Even in the best of conditions updraft of the heat from the island's surface keeps the trades high during the day. As the land cools at night the trades descend and are squeezed through the gap at Haulover Bay. Cistern Rock turns this flow into a train of vortices that roll over the anchorage and, with the lack of current, wind controls a boat's orientation. One minute a boat might be bow on to the swell and the next broadside.

Last edited by GlennA; 08/02/2015 08:45 PM.

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
Re: Cooper Island [Re: rhans] #62537
08/02/2015 09:16 PM
08/02/2015 09:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
A north swell coming in from the east coast of the U.S. Doesn't effect Cooper as much as a North wind because it's protected by Tortola.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Reina] #62538
08/03/2015 04:47 PM
08/03/2015 04:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
D
DebbieNTX Offline
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DebbieNTX  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />Cooper is a beautiful stop. Great food. Nice snorkeling at Cistern Point.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: DebbieNTX] #62539
08/03/2015 06:32 PM
08/03/2015 06:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Also very nice snorkeling close to shore from the mooring field north to the dock.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62540
10/12/2015 12:06 AM
10/12/2015 12:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 324
Oregon
Caribbean5 Offline
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Caribbean5  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 324
Oregon
We stayed on Cooper Island several years ago. We loved it. The best and only place to snorkel is Cistern Rock. It was great and I took a sea kayak and tied up to one of the balls. Great snorkel.

One thing I enjoyed was drifting on an air mattress from the south of cooper Island to the north. It was awesome. always stayed along the resort area and never went past the resort as it was a little rough past the resort.


Jimmy Buffett for President
Re: Cooper Island [Re: Caribbean5] #62541
10/12/2015 12:24 AM
10/12/2015 12:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
I beg to differ. The snorkeling to the north along the shore is often better than cistern. I have seen lots of turtles and Rays here. The coral is also interesting. I have been to both areas numerous times. You are entitled to your opinion, but shooting down mine is highly offensive. You may have been there several years ago, I have been there several times per year for several years.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62542
10/12/2015 02:09 AM
10/12/2015 02:09 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 364
Whidbey Island, WA
Capnmike Offline
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Capnmike  Offline
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Posts: 364
Whidbey Island, WA
How far North do you snorkel? Where do you start? We will check it out in December. Cistern can get crowded at times

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Capnmike] #62543
10/12/2015 05:40 AM
10/12/2015 05:40 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
I have gone as far north as the dock for a small boat with big pilings not far from the point and usually out of any swell. Explore swimming over the grass and very close to shore. The coral is in shallow water close to shore. I have no idea what is north of the dock, but you start getting close to the point.

Unlike cistern point, there is usually little boat traffic or current. Like everyone, you never know what you will find.

In regards to cistern, One time on the north side of the point, in the shallows we saw hundreds of star fish. Unfortunately that happened only once.

Last edited by warren460; 10/12/2015 05:45 AM.
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62544
10/12/2015 07:32 AM
10/12/2015 07:32 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 643
Ft. Worth, TX
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Lcrich Offline
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Lcrich  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 643
Ft. Worth, TX
Looking forward to going there next week. Hopefully Oct. 17 is still their opening date. Anyone confirm?

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Lcrich] #62545
10/12/2015 08:11 AM
10/12/2015 08:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Their web site still shows that opening date. Good luck.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62546
10/12/2015 08:54 AM
10/12/2015 08:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Online content
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RickG  Online Content
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Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
We'll be at Cooper to check out their new brewery in November. With any luck they'll be pouring.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Cooper Island [Re: RickG] #62547
10/12/2015 02:30 PM
10/12/2015 02:30 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
Have yet to put together an itinerary yet but hoping that Cooper is our first stop in November!

Re: Cooper Island [Re: CottageGirl] #62548
10/12/2015 06:54 PM
10/12/2015 06:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
If you are on a mono, be sure to check on the swell forecast first. Cooper can be very rolly.

When are you down in November?


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62549
10/12/2015 07:46 PM
10/12/2015 07:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
We're on a 40' cat Nov 11-19. Last spring we got shut out of Cooper by Noon. Had to anchor in Haulover. It was pretty but we were nervous about the anchor so we stayed on board and didn't eat or drink on shore.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: CottageGirl] #62550
10/12/2015 07:55 PM
10/12/2015 07:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
haul over has lots of coral and it could be difficult to get a good set of your anchor. Arriving at noon at cooper sounds alright. I bet some boats left after you arrived.

We are down nov 13-22. Mono hull Aria. Maybe we will cross paths.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island [Re: warren460] #62551
10/12/2015 08:26 PM
10/12/2015 08:26 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
Yeah, I'm sure boats left after lunch. Noon can be busier than 1 or 2 as some boats will just stop for lunch and move on.


Matt
Re: Cooper Island [Re: maytrix] #62552
10/13/2015 07:12 AM
10/13/2015 07:12 AM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
We'll be on Orion - a new cat out of TMM. (we're her 3rd charter I think!)
We'll be flying an Ohio State flag - holler if you see us!

Re: Cooper Island [Re: CottageGirl] #62553
10/14/2015 04:30 PM
10/14/2015 04:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,303
Middlebury, VT USA
Frank Offline
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Frank  Offline
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Posts: 2,303
Middlebury, VT USA
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Cooper is a unique stop, for reasons mentioned above, thus a most everyone's itinerary.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Frank] #62554
10/14/2015 10:21 PM
10/14/2015 10:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 397
Colorado
stormster Offline
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stormster  Offline
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Posts: 397
Colorado
We saw turtles *and* dolphins in the mooring field last time we were there.

We also enjoyed the bushwackers and appetizers at the bar.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: stormster] #62555
10/15/2015 07:29 AM
10/15/2015 07:29 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 643
Ft. Worth, TX
L
Lcrich Offline
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Lcrich  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 643
Ft. Worth, TX
Cottagegirl,
We saw you guys at Norman last night when we were in our dinghy going to Pirates for dinner. We are on TMM Lagoon 450 - Cool Change. We have a Texas flag. Hopefully we will see you later in the week.

Re: Cooper Island [Re: Lcrich] #62556
10/15/2015 12:53 PM
10/15/2015 12:53 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
Lcrich - I WISH you had seen us last night at Norman! We're not down till Nov 11th. Good to know that whoever is chartering Orion this week that they're flying the buckeye pride! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Cooper Island [Re: CottageGirl] #62557
10/15/2015 08:41 PM
10/15/2015 08:41 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 643
Ft. Worth, TX
L
Lcrich Offline
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Lcrich  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 643
Ft. Worth, TX
Oops, didn't notice the dates. And I can't really remember the flags but there were a lot of them. Too many rum and cokes I guess.


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