BVI CHARTER AUGUST 9-19, 2015

We returned home to Virginia just a few days ago after spending 10 glorious nights on a Moorings 4800 catamaran, I miss the islands already. Planning this charter was unusual in the fact that we accepted an invite from a couple we knew very little about! Last summer we spent time with Matt and Stephanie (pre-baby Conner!) at the Leverick Jumbie BBQ and snorkeled the Dogs and Monkey Point together, they seemed harmless enough?? In the spring they extended an invite to join them for a late summer charter, our summer was pretty much booked solid but fortunately we found a block of time that worked for both families!

Preparations started pretty late for us, we booked our flights in early July just 4 weeks from leaving. We lucked out and found a direct one-way flight to STT out of Dulles arriving at 1230hr and Matt was nice enough to offer us 3 coupons from his commuter book for our return flight to San Juan via CapeAir. I contacted CapeAir to book our flights including purchasing one additional ticket for our daughters friend Val, the reservation agent said the additional ticket was currently $250'ish, but said she could give it to us at the coupon rate $179, nice service thank you CapeAir, more great things to say about them later!!

With two families, including Matt's sister and my daughters friend we agreed up front to share all expenses equally per person. Matt simply maintained an expense spreadsheet and we threw all of our receipts into a folder during the trip, this was a good system for us....they drank more rum and I drank lots more beer but in the end it all seemed to equal out! We created an online provisioning order through the Moorings website and each family simply added what we wanted. This list was tweaked last minute when we noticed both families have a taste for Pringles and had ordered way to many cans, can there actually ever be too many Pringle cans handy?? We traded several emails before the trip and put together a decent meal plan for the crew of 7 adults. We packed our Polar Bear cooler (48 can size) full of steaks, sausages, shrimp, scallops, hamburger, marinated pork loins, blocks of cheese and BACON,BACON, BACON!

Now on with the show! After an uneventful flight we walked down the rear steps of our on time United flight. It's fun to watch the excitement on everybody's face when that warm tropical breeze greets you, especially when you bring a newbie. As we approached the carousel we notice many nice improvements to the STT airport, especially the clean and conveniently placed bathrooms. As we walked towards the carousel we couldn't help but notice a gentleman holding a sign with BEERMAN written on it, HELLO! I had arranged, via text massage, for a taxi with Kevin a couple weeks before our departure. I remember texting him about what the ferry schedule looked like and he said "no worries, I'll handle everything!" After introductions I told Kevin that we were waiting for Matt's sister Carley to arrive on a separate flight, he said his assistant would gather our luggage and bring us to him when Carley arrived. As our bags were removed from the carousel I noticed a young lady standing to the side, I yelled CARLEY? she smiled, that's a good sign since we've never met! After quick hugs with our new shipmate we climbed into Kevin's van. He drove us to the Charlotte Amalie ferry dock to catch a 1330hr Native Son ferry to West End. How perfectly coordinated was this? two flights 5 minutes apart, and a half hour wait for the ferry!!! Kevin is very nice, efficient and we highly recommend his service!




Standing at the ferry dock I would begin to acclimate to the island conditions by sweating and drinking a cold Carib! The ferry was on time and we were soon cruising by the CYOA docks and through the channel. Big smiles were on everyone's faces once we were underway!







We enjoyed the sights from the upper deck of the ferry as we slathered on copious amounts of coconut scented spf. As we cruised by St John we couldn't help but notice that the islands were not their usual lush green selves. The islands were currently in a very prolonged drought. After a 45 minute ride on flat seas we pulled into Soper's Hole and were happy to see Matt standing on the stern of s/v Zumbrato just one ball away from the ferry dock.





We were pleasantly surprised at the efficiency and the friendly demeanor of the C&I employees at West End, other C&I staff around the VI's should receive training from these guys . I actually did get reprimanded though....I jokingly took a photo of a poster that advised of rules regarding flying drones in the BVI to tease Matt who brought one, but coincidentally there was a faded sign nearby that stated NO PHOTO's ALLOWED, the C&I employee pointed at the sign, said no more and grinned heheee



In just a matter of 15 minutes we were met by Matt at the dinghy dock. All the bags and crew were shuttled to the wonderfully pristine looking Moorings 4800 and we quickly relocated the cat onto the docks in front of Pussers. Matt's family had been on the boat for 2 days already so he would top off the water, some of the ladies would start shopping while my wife and I gathered all the crew documents and returned to customs to actually check out again as quickly as we had checked in! Our plan was to visit St John for 2 nights and they told us we had 24 hours in which to depart the BVI, perfect. After 10 minutes in C&I we dinged back across the harbor and rejoined the crew. Fresh produce, ice etc. were gathered at the well stocked Harbour Market, this is really a great place to provision. All of the frozen meat that we brought was transferred to the large freezer and refrigerator drawers. Back on the boat I discovered that I had made the same dang error as last year and picked up the 20 ounce bottles of Presidente! I returned one of those cases for a standard 12 ounce variety....felt it wise to start my consumption at a slightly lesser rate. As I exited the market I saw Zumbrato was moving towards another dock and with the calm conditions Matt simply brought the starboard scoop to the dock for me to step on to and before I could set the case down we were on our way towards Norman Island, nice job Matt! Presidente's of course were quickly placed in the now empty Polar Bear cooler with ice!!




It was a short pleasant motor to the Bight from Soper's Hole. Felt wonderful to be on the water again under clear blue skies. I spent much of the short trip looking around at the Moorings 4800/Leopard48 getting familiar with things, it is quite a nice yacht! The large forward cockpit is awesome, there's a full glass door that accesses the covered cockpit from a very spacious saloon. A set of stairs lead up to the trampoline which is where the ladies hung out the majority of the time. The large saloon windows allow for a wonderful 360 view from inside. I'm 6-1 and had plenty of headroom everywhere, never felt like I needed to duck down anywhere. The 4 cabins with private heads were comfortable and spacious with plenty of storage. Electric saltwater heads are always a plus! There was a generator with 3 zone a/c that kept the baby and crew very comfortable.





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There were maybe a dozen boats in the bight when we arrived so we had our pick of available mooring balls. I swear the timing of everything on this 1st day was unreal! Once we were on the ball everyone ignored their unpacked luggage and jumped into the water, oh it felt so nice!. I fired up the charcoal grill while everyone enjoyed the setting sun from the water. Presidente's never tasted better as I started grilling the large Wholefood's Tuscan Sausage that we brought.

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The rest of the night consisted of enjoying a nice sausage, portobello mushroom, pepper, onion, pasta dinner, a little red wine, enjoying a beautiful sunset in a beautiful harbor and most importantly getting acquainted with each other, especially watching little Conner take it all in for the first time!

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To be continued..........CHEERS!

I was there and even I'm looking forward to the next day! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll add, that the reason I moved the boat at Soper's was because we had been on the fuel dock for awhile. The gentlemen on the dock that grabbed our lines coming in and told us we had some time was telling us we'd need to get going soon, but at the same time kept saying - "Do you see him leaving" As I had told him Beerman was just swapping out some beer at the market. I finally just said "It's ok, we'll just move over to the other dock and pick him up, I'm sure as soon as we pull away, he'll walk out." And of course, that's exactly what happened!

Feels like it was just yesterday seeing the pics now!

Thanks, Beerman
These trip reports are so cool!
Can't wait for Day 2

Mike

Nice !!! The Leopard 48 looks amazing !!! I can't wait to sail one.

Great report - looking forward to Day 2!
( and maybe Beerman can give us a lesson on how to write a trip report with the photos inserted!) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes please, more reports and a lesson on how to trip report with photos!

Reading through the trip reports makes the wait for our turn a little less painful. As do making a batch of painkillers, but I digress....

I started a new post on how to post a trip report like BEERMAN.. you can see it here

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...e=0#Post1660784

excellent start Beerman!

Thanks for reading and the comments ya'll! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

ReelG8r, did you make it to St John this summer?

Great report Beerman! I'm sorry our plans changed last minute and were not able to meet up at Norman Island. Hopefully we can meet at the Annapolis Boat show. Looking forward to reading about the rest of the adventure.

Tony

Thank you for the note on head room. Someday my 6'9" husband and I will make it to the BVI. Until then we will take note and live it through your amazing trip reports, learn to dive and enjoy our little rock in Puget Sound. Can't wait for day two!!

We didn't make it this summer, but thought of it often. Hopefully next summer before The Boy starts college.

Tony, yes we were disappointed! But we'll make Annapolis happen!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Missy, 6-9'!! He'll have to duck a bit, but you guys will love it!

ReelG8r, The Boy just turned 16 and you're talking about college already..."Don't Blink!" Our daughter is heading for Switzerland and Africa to study abroad next week, she's a Junior already. Time flies!

Very fun report!! Love the photos. Glad to see Conner enjoying it too!

Just started his senior year in high school. Both kids now in H.S. since daughter is in 9th grade. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />