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USVI Pick-up
#80486
01/05/2016 12:10 AM
01/05/2016 12:10 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
utlawdog
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
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I have been reading on here for a long time and thanks for the many great threads! Some posts have touched on this a bit, but not specifically our delimma. I will be flying into STT in March with 3 other guys on a Friday and picking up our bareboat the next morning from Hodges Marina in BVI. It's a Marine Max 484 if that's important. We will stay Friday night on BVI. Our wives are supposed to arrive Saturday at 3:40 at STT. The sun sets at about 6:30. What is the best option for getting them and getting secured for the evening. We are rookies. We are leaning toward taking the boat from BVI to USVI and either picking them up near the airport or having them taxi to us, then staying at St. John for a day or two. We have considered the ferry to St. John but it looks like the window will be really tight and they probably wouldn't even arrive at Cruz Bay until 6pm. Would you just stay near Cruz Bay? Or just stay in Red Hook? We are mainly worried about the sun set and getting secured for the evening. If we pick them up near the airport, would we have enough time to get back to St. John before dark for a mooring ball (can you reserve them)? Or do we have time to get back to St. John and find an anchorage spot? Or with the sun set time, is it better to pick them up near the airport and stay Sat night close by on St. Thomas? Any advice or thoughts are very much appreciated! Thanks!
Last edited by utlawdog; 01/05/2016 12:11 AM.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: Kimber]
#80492
01/05/2016 09:23 AM
01/05/2016 09:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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I'd do a water taxi from Red Hook to West End. Stay on a mooring ball in Sopers Hole. Nice dinner out. Happy wife, happy life.
Clearing out BVI, in USVI, in BVI is work and time. Dinghy from Cruz Bay to Caneel Bay is a long wet ride with luggage in the dark. Getting a slip in Red Hook at AYH is exposed and rolly with tight slips. Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay...
We clear in/out all the time being based on St. Thomas with our private boat. The first few times were a hassle, but it basically works. Now its a quick walk through for us. But, we have all of our documents in order and the forms properly filled out. We know from practice that improperly filled forms can send a few of the customs folks into a bit of a tizzy. We're dropping folks off at the Red Hook fuel dock in a week and a half to head to the STT airport.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: RickG]
#80493
01/05/2016 09:38 AM
01/05/2016 09:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,041 Upstate New York
TomC
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,041
Upstate New York
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I would second either of the options proposed by Tacking Ag (Kevin taxi + ferry to West End) or RickG (land taxi + Water Taxi to West End). Water Taxi would be more expensive, but eliminate any concern about making the public ferry).
Sailing across Pillsbury Sound from STT to St. John is seldom a comfortable ride and probably not how you would want to welcome your wives to the charter.
Either West End option is the way to go, IMHO.
Tom
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: utlawdog]
#80497
01/05/2016 10:29 AM
01/05/2016 10:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
utlawdog
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
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Sounds like pickup at Crown Bay may be best? I don't think we can guarantee that they can make the 5pm ferry with a 3:40 landing and a 40 min taxi ride. If we pick them up, we could either drop anchor in Christmas Cove or St. John depending on our timing? We are mainly planning to travel to USVI in case they have delays. We don't want the hassle of booking another room and leaving them alone for a night.
Last edited by utlawdog; 01/05/2016 10:32 AM.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#80500
01/05/2016 11:05 AM
01/05/2016 11:05 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
utlawdog
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Traveler
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
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So it looks like these are the options: 1) Pick up at Crown Bay and stay in USVI at maybe Christmas Cove or StJohn (sleepabord is an option Fri night); 2) Ferry or private charter from RH or CA. I just dont think they can make RH. And even with CA and a private ferry, if there are flight delays, then we are apart the first night and need a backup plan which would presumably include a hotel in STT and a ferry the next morning. If there are no delays, do you recommend staying the first night at West End? Just seems option #1 may offer a lower risk of drama from the mama, even though we will have to deal with customs, etc.
Last edited by utlawdog; 01/05/2016 11:06 AM.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: sail2wind]
#80504
01/05/2016 11:27 AM
01/05/2016 11:27 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347 USVI
LocalSailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
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sail2wind said: do you want this convenient to you or your wives? The easiest and most convenient for your wives is motoring to Crown Bay, 5 minutes from the airport and then motor to Christmas Cove and overnight. Why make your wives endure ferries and taxis all over the islands? Certainly the easiest on the wives arrival day. You will have to clear out of the BVI - Sopers Hole? and then clear into the USVI - Cruz Bay? possibly Charlotte Amalie? - arrange your slip at Crown Bay[easy] and next sail/motor up the South side of STT when you leave - maybe stay an extra day in St. John - no hardship -and eventually clear back into the BVI with your new crew list. If everyone enjoys the boat underway a lot it is not a bad way to go overall. Having all the proper forms to do this ahead of time is important as mentioned, Crown Bay is a relatively fail safe option regarding flight delays, taxis, ferries and other problems arising. Make sure the charter company will allow you to do this too.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: utlawdog]
#80506
01/05/2016 01:08 PM
01/05/2016 01:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347 USVI
LocalSailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
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utlawdog said: CDavis, is it a problem to just drop anchor anywhere around St. John? Or are mooring balls plentiful? Our biggest concern is probably heading back to St. John as it's getting dark without a plan. It is very unlikely you will be leaving Crown Bay or anywhere else you decide, the day of the ladies arrival. That should not be your biggest concern - you will have to decide where you are going to be spending the night and be there - before you ever you get them aboard.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: LocalSailor]
#80507
01/05/2016 01:51 PM
01/05/2016 01:51 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
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Listen to George - Pre-arrange a meeting at the STT airport with either Kevin or Stanley (Love Cab). They will take the ladies to the next ferry headed to West End from either Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. (Worst case, they end-up on a ferry to Road Town and back-track by taxi to West End .... second worse case is arriving too late to take any ferry to Tortola, therefore stay overnight on St. Thomas and take first ferry the next morning.) In the meantime the fellows finish check-out, briefing, provisioning, followed by a leisure motor to West End (Soper's Hole) and grab a mooring ball somewhere between C & I and the marina. Have the drinks ready on board and take the dinghy to the small dock east of C&I to meet the ladies (or they can take the $6 taxi ride over to the marina). Dinner at Pusser's or Fish-n-Lime, or "upscale" at Scramouche. Harbor Market opens at 7:00 am for final provisioning items before starting your adventure.
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: NoelHall]
#80508
01/05/2016 02:35 PM
01/05/2016 02:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL
Winterstale
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
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NoelHall said: Listen to George - Pre-arrange a meeting at the STT airport with either Kevin or Stanley (Love Cab). They will take the ladies to the next ferry headed to West End from either Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. (Worst case, they end-up on a ferry to Road Town and back-track by taxi to West End .... second worse case is arriving too late to take any ferry to Tortola, therefore stay overnight on St. Thomas and take first ferry the next morning.) In the meantime the fellows finish check-out, briefing, provisioning, followed by a leisure motor to West End (Soper's Hole) and grab a mooring ball somewhere between C & I and the marina. Have the drinks ready on board and take the dinghy to the small dock east of C&I to meet the ladies (or they can take the $6 taxi ride over to the marina). Dinner at Pusser's or Fish-n-Lime, or "upscale" at Scramouche. Harbor Market opens at 7:00 am for final provisioning items before starting your adventure. Totally agree with the above...particularly if you are rookies.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: NoelHall]
#80511
01/05/2016 05:12 PM
01/05/2016 05:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213 GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
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NoelHall said: Listen to George - Pre-arrange a meeting at the STT airport with either Kevin or Stanley (Love Cab). They will take the ladies to the next ferry headed to West End from either Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. (Worst case, they end-up on a ferry to Road Town and back-track by taxi to West End .... second worse case is arriving too late to take any ferry to Tortola, therefore stay overnight on St. Thomas and take first ferry the next morning.) In the meantime the fellows finish check-out, briefing, provisioning, followed by a leisure motor to West End (Soper's Hole) and grab a mooring ball somewhere between C & I and the marina. Have the drinks ready on board and take the dinghy to the small dock east of C&I to meet the ladies (or they can take the $6 taxi ride over to the marina). Dinner at Pusser's or Fish-n-Lime, or "upscale" at Scramouche. Harbor Market opens at 7:00 am for final provisioning items before starting your adventure. I so disagree with this. Why stress out your wives? What if the flight is delayed, baggage lost? You might find your wives in a hotel in STT without you. IMHO, Crown Bay is a no brainer.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: utlawdog]
#80512
01/05/2016 05:29 PM
01/05/2016 05:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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utlawdog said: is it a problem to just drop anchor anywhere around St. John? Or are mooring balls plentiful? Our biggest concern is probably heading back to St. John as it's getting dark without a plan. No, you can't just drop an anchor anywhere. Here are the rules for the National Park. And have fun!
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: utlawdog]
#80513
01/05/2016 05:41 PM
01/05/2016 05:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214 Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
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I guess it depends on how comfortable your wife and her friend are traveling without their husbands. I would be okay, but others are not. I think there is a ferry leaving Charlotte Amalie at 5:00 daily. http://www.bviferryservices.com/index.php/schedules Are they checking bags? If flights are delayed even an hour, with carry on bag and Kevin, they should be able to make the 5:00 ferry out of Charlotte Amalie. If this your first time charter, you might not get out of the marina until after noon, so it might be tight for you to get to St. Thomas before they land. If it was me, I would meet them in West End. In the 20+ trips going through St. Thomas, we have not been stranded yet. Not saying it can't happen, but their chances are good of making the 5:00 ferry.
Last edited by Orange_Burst; 01/05/2016 06:00 PM.
Colleen
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: sail445]
#80515
01/05/2016 06:17 PM
01/05/2016 06:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,034 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,034
GA/NC
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The 3:40 arrival is easy to catch a ferry out of CA. If the flight runs late in my experience the last ferry will always wait. Since the flight will be taking off 4 hours before it arrives it's easy to know if it will be on time. Check the status right after departure time. If the flight is running to late to make a ferry then it's easy to audible at that point and head up to STT. A big factor would be how many days is the charter. If it's a seven day charter the ferry option would be my first choice hands down. If it's a 10 day charter with a sleepaboard I would consider the STT pickup. Keep in mind to go and pick them up you have to deal with customs 3 different times. Out of the BVI, into the USVI and back into the BVI. One last point. If there is a North Swell running then the North Shore anchorages for St Johns will not be a good option. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 01/05/2016 06:20 PM.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: Orange_Burst]
#80516
01/05/2016 06:19 PM
01/05/2016 06:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 483 Austin, TX
TackingAg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 483
Austin, TX
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Agreed. I wouldn't want to be stressed to get off the dock and then have to cover ~25nm. Stress+new boat+rookie trip+pushing could = a safety issue. Just take it easy and get some sailing under your belt down to West End and greet the wives when they arrive on the ferry from CA (I only looked at the RH ferries before, so the 5:00 CA ferry should be good for them). Again, encourage all carry-ons for them and they'll hit the ground running. You will have scoped out the dinner locations and have the drinks ready to pour, making you look like the hero instead of the guy stressed out when they board. Orange_Burst said:I guess it depends on how comfortable your wife and her friend are traveling without their husbands. I would be okay, but others are not. I think there is a ferry leaving Charlotte Amalie at 5:00 daily. http://www.bviferryservices.com/index.php/schedules Are they checking bags? If flights are delayed even an hour, with carry on bag and Kevin, they should be able to make the 5:00 ferry out of Charlotte Amalie. If this your first time charter, you might not get out of the marina until after noon, so it might be tight for you to get to St. Thomas before they land. If it was me, I would meet them in West End. In the 20+ trips going through St. Thomas, we have not been stranded yet. Not saying it can't happen, but their chances are good of making the 5:00 ferry.
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Re: USVI Pick-up
[Re: utlawdog]
#80520
01/05/2016 08:17 PM
01/05/2016 08:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA
Will_L
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
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I caught bits and pieces of this as we traveled down today. Now by pool with drink in hand I will give my take that is worth exactly what you paid for it. I assume your wives are adults and traveled to STT just fine. Catching a taxi and a ferry will be a piece of cake. If I understood this correctly this is your first time to charter here and you are contemplating doing this on your first day off the dock, with an unfamiliar boat in unfamiliar setting and having to do unfamiliar things, clear out of BVI and into USVI and find spouses. A no brainier for me to take the boat to Sopers, catch a ball. Hang at fish and lime with adult libations until you see their ferry arrive. Caution..don't overdo the imbibing while they are in transit...they will not be impressed. I know these things. . Sweep them off their feet after they clear customs out to your awaiting yacht...then whisk them away to Scaramouche ..great Italian place or back to fish and lime for dinner. Cast off in the BVIs in the am. Will save a lot of unseeded angst on your first BVI charter. can bet nobody on this board has ever on their first trip cleared out of the BVI after a likely 1-2 pm departure from charter dock ..cleared out..cleared in to BVI and picked up passengers and made it to Christmas cove. Vacations are best when they are most hassle free..go to Sopers..west end, be on your best behavior and leave the taxi service to meet up to the pros on the ferry. Have a great time!
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