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New itinerary for April + a few questions
#82006
01/13/2016 06:07 PM
01/13/2016 06:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,122 Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,122
Petoskey, MI
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We'll be down the first week of April with two other couples (all newbies). The last 2 trips, we pretty much followed the counter-clockwise route starting with Norman, then Cooper, up to Virgin Gorda, Anegada, CGB, and then Jost. Thought we'd do something different this time, going clockwise with this route:
Day 1: Norman - snorkel the Indians on the way in, grab a ball and then head to the Caves for more snorkeling. Cocktails at Pirates Bight, dinner on the boat, after dinner frivolity at the Willy T Day 2: Jost - afternoon on White Bay - most likely 1 painkiller at Soggy Dollar just to show our crew, then either head to One Love or Ivan's (sadly we were disappointed with Soggy Dollar last trip) Little Harbour for the evening - maybe dinner at Sydney's. Or Great Harbour – restaurant recs besides Foxy’s? Day 3: Marina Cay –with a stop on the way at Monkey Point for snorkeling. We've never stayed at Marina Cay and are looking forward to something different. Day 4: Virgin Gorda - stop at The Baths on the way. We HAVE to figure out a way to avoid the crowds there. Any idea what time in the morning is a good time to go? Moor at Saba/Bitter End. We’d like to try Fat Virgin for lunch - is this a doable dinghy ride from the Saba moorings? Cocktails at Saba to catch the tarpon feeding (missed this last time) and dinner on the boat. Day 5: Anegada – will rent a car and visit Loblolly for snorkeling. Anyone been to Big Bamboo? We’ve been to Flash of Beauty the last few times, but again, want to try something new. Then to Cow Wreck for the afternoon. My favorite place. Dinner, of course, will be at Wonky Dog. Day 6: Virgin Gorda – back to the North Sound because there’s so much to do there! We’ll get a slip at Leverick. Hog Heaven for lunch and then maybe hang out at The Sandbox on Prickly Pear. We’ve never done that. Jumbie dancers at Leverick that night! Day 7: Cooper – Any good snorkeling spots on the way from Virgin Gorda to Cooper? Of course, we’ll snorkel Cistern Point while we’re at Cooper. Love the little rum bar on shore. Day 8: Back to Nanny Cay!
Any suggestions, ideas or more info? Thanks! Julie
PS: We’re on a Horizon 48 – not a sailboat – so we’re not sailing this time.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: Smully]
#82016
01/14/2016 06:21 AM
01/14/2016 06:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 66 New York, NY
c388791
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 66
New York, NY
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Re: The Baths. I have had decent luck departing Marina Cay or Trellis at first light for the Baths. By first light, I mean that I am up before dawn and we are off the mooring ball as soon as we can see. Each time, there were only one or two other boats in the mooring field at the Baths when we arrived (not sure of the exact time, but it was early), and the paths through the boulders were practically deserted. Great, great time to visit.
However, the last time I went, my two crew members had some difficulty swimming in from the dinghy line. I was surprised by this. Lots of chatter on this site about swimming into the Baths. Turns out that it is tougher than it looks for middle-aged men in 'average' shape.
Also the early mornings tend to be tranquil and beautiful, so you'll probably have a spectacular 'sail' over to the Baths.
Last edited by c388791; 01/14/2016 06:25 AM.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: c388791]
#82017
01/14/2016 08:43 AM
01/14/2016 08:43 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 recommend visiting the Baths when you moor/dock at Leverick. They will arrange for a rental vehicle and you will have the flexibility drive to the Baths when they are not crowded and to do additional exploring (Copper Mine, Savannah Bay, etc.). If you're interested in a slip at Leverick remember to ask for the TTOL discount.
Tom
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: CottageGirl]
#82021
01/14/2016 12:53 PM
01/14/2016 12:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,680 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,680
An island state of mind
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CottageGirl said: The swim into the Baths is no small feat. This is how I do it: I float on my back and pull myself along the rope (like an otter) until it runs out then swim the rest of the way - which always seems further than I think it is. We've rented a car at Leverick before and driven to the Baths - might do that again for this trip. If you rent a car, you can check out the Copper Mine, too. It's pretty interesting.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: StormJib]
#82022
01/14/2016 12:54 PM
01/14/2016 12:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,680 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,680
An island state of mind
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StormJib said: I am sure I will get flamed on this one. We have decades of kids on boats behind us. 10 or more days on a boat the "rule" every child must have a life jacket on whenever they are out of the cabin can get old or at least tiresome. Not all parents agree on the need or will to have the battles. So we settled on this rule long ago. Until you can readily demonstrate jumping into the water and swimming 360 around the boat without touching or grabbing anything then climb all the way back on deck without any outside assistance you must have a PFD on when you are outside the cabin. The point on this thread maybe some adults should take that test at least before they try to get themselves from the dinghy line to beach. Depending on the bodies in the water we will drop some closer to the beach and not everyone ends up swimming from the dinghy line. We also use Devil's Bay for ingress and egress. Even Better head to Top of the Baths by car and let those that want to do the Baths, do the Baths.
If you have not done it try the 360 swim yourself like you suddenly fell overboard and had to deal with your own survival. Many find it a challenge starting with a sprint to early exhaustion. That's a great suggestion. More than 1 person has drowned trying to make that swim into the Baths.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: CottageGirl]
#82025
01/14/2016 01:34 PM
01/14/2016 01:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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The old mine and refinery at the south east end of VG. Cornish miners tunneled more than a mile out under the ocean following seams of malachite copper ore and malibdenite. For mineral hunters, lots of small green samples of chalcoprite and silver molibdenite in the tailings piles.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: StormJib]
#82027
01/14/2016 02:41 PM
01/14/2016 02:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321 Charlotte, NC
SuburbanDharma
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321
Charlotte, NC
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StormJib said: If you like that one consider this. Once the boat is truly clear of the harbor on the first day. Toss one of the fenders overboard and have all the males sit down out of the way in the cockpit. Have the combined female resouces on their own motor the boat close enough to the fender for an exhausted swimmer to get to the ladder and get back on board. All the men in silence should time the drill. Then on the first morning time the swim test. As a skipper how long can you tread water in the open sea. How long will it take your given crew to get back to you. We do a fender recovery drill on the first day of every charter. If we have people on the boat who want to learn we will do fender recovery drills each time the boat moves rotating the helm. There's a name for this exercise: "How To Cause 4 Divorces in One Day with Only One Simple Step"! It's a great idea but it's also a good way to ruin a vacation. Or lose a good fender... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />
If I can't be a good example, I'll just have to be a horrible warning.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: SuburbanDharma]
#82028
01/14/2016 02:46 PM
01/14/2016 02:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
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SuburbanDharma said:StormJib said: If you like that one consider this. Once the boat is truly clear of the harbor on the first day. Toss one of the fenders overboard and have all the males sit down out of the way in the cockpit. Have the combined female resouces on their own motor the boat close enough to the fender for an exhausted swimmer to get to the ladder and get back on board. All the men in silence should time the drill. Then on the first morning time the swim test. As a skipper how long can you tread water in the open sea. How long will it take your given crew to get back to you. We do a fender recovery drill on the first day of every charter. If we have people on the boat who want to learn we will do fender recovery drills each time the boat moves rotating the helm. There's a name for this exercise: "How To Cause 4 Divorces in One Day with Only One Simple Step"! It's a great idea but it's also a good way to ruin a vacation. Or lose a good fender... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> I guess you missed the point about male silence. I have found after you toss the fender over and get it back some ladies really want to learn how to recover what falls overboard. Some not so much. We also do not put four couples on the same boat for any length of time.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: SuburbanDharma]
#82030
01/14/2016 04:54 PM
01/14/2016 04:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
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SuburbanDharma said: Males silently judging the performance of the women in the crew? And not offering advice or criticism or taking over? Yeah. That'll happen. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />
Fortunately we only have 3 cabins, but LOTS of charters have 8 people or more. The real lesson learned on some crews is the single dominant male who thinks he knows everything and must do all the driving/bossing may have no one capable of coming back to get him if he falls overboard. No judging on performance. Just recording the time for how long you might have to swim if you fall in without a PFD. Better to lose a fender early than lose a crew on your watch.
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: CottageGirl]
#82031
01/14/2016 05:29 PM
01/14/2016 05:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 173 Chicago, IL, USA
vytis104
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 173
Chicago, IL, USA
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Day 2: Jost - afternoon on White Bay - most likely 1 painkiller at Soggy Dollar just to show our crew, then either head to One Love or Ivan's (sadly we were disappointed with Soggy Dollar last trip) Little Harbour for the evening - maybe dinner at Sydney's. Or Great Harbour – restaurant recs besides Foxy’s?
[color:"red"]We ate at Harris' Place. Best meal of the trip.[/color]
Day 3: Marina Cay –with a stop on the way at Monkey Point for snorkeling. We've never stayed at Marina Cay and are looking forward to something different.
[color:"red"]There is some killer snorkeling right near the mooring field at Marina Cay too. Check it out. [/color]
Day 4: Virgin Gorda - stop at The Baths on the way. We HAVE to figure out a way to avoid the crowds there.
[color:"red"]Adjust your itinerary to be there on a day there are no Cruise Ships scheduled to be there. Also, just got back and I have to admit, unless the flag is Green I would just taxi from Leverick, forget that swim! It can be quite dangerous. [/color]
Day 5: Anegada – will rent a car [color:"red"] Rent a Jeep from Dean Wheatly, make sure to ask in advance for the top off. [/color]and visit Loblolly for snorkeling. Anyone been to Big Bamboo? We’ve been to Flash of Beauty the last few times, but again, want to try something new. Then to Cow Wreck for the afternoon. My favorite place. Dinner, of course, will be at Wonky Dog.
Day 7: Cooper – Any good snorkeling spots on the way from Virgin Gorda to Cooper? Of course, we’ll snorkel Cistern Point while we’re at Cooper. Love the little rum bar on shore.
[color:"red"]Aquarium, Fallen Jerusalem, order a copy of Franko's diving map. Has all the good snorkel spots listed. [/color]
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: StormJib]
#82032
01/14/2016 10:02 PM
01/14/2016 10:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 55 NC
GoneSailing
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 55
NC
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StormJib said:SuburbanDharma said: Males silently judging the performance of the women in the crew? And not offering advice or criticism or taking over? Yeah. That'll happen. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />
Fortunately we only have 3 cabins, but LOTS of charters have 8 people or more. The real lesson learned on some crews is the single dominant male who thinks he knows everything and must do all the driving/bossing may have no one capable of coming back to get him if he falls overboard. No judging on performance. Just recording the time for how long you might have to swim if you fall in without a PFD. Better to lose a fender early than lose a crew on your watch. I want to offer a couple of thoughts. First every vessel should have a "person in charge" that is a rule not a guideline. Furthermore this rule should prevent the pis$ing match between all the males on board. Next, the person in charge is responsible for the souls on board. If the souls on board happen to be idiots who don't practice safe behavior then the person in charge should kick their butts ashore or resign the responsibility as the person in charge. Lastly, everyone on our trips are told there are two rules on our boat: 1) stay on the boat 2) pee sitting down when sailing. Just my view.
Be Happy or Leave
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Re: New itinerary for April + a few questions
[Re: GoneSailing]
#82033
01/14/2016 10:52 PM
01/14/2016 10:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
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GoneSailing said:StormJib said:SuburbanDharma said: Males silently judging the performance of the women in the crew? And not offering advice or criticism or taking over? Yeah. That'll happen. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />
Fortunately we only have 3 cabins, but LOTS of charters have 8 people or more. The real lesson learned on some crews is the single dominant male who thinks he knows everything and must do all the driving/bossing may have no one capable of coming back to get him if he falls overboard. No judging on performance. Just recording the time for how long you might have to swim if you fall in without a PFD. Better to lose a fender early than lose a crew on your watch. I want to offer a couple of thoughts. First every vessel should have a "person in charge" that is a rule not a guideline. Furthermore this rule should prevent the pis$ing match between all the males on board. Next, the person in charge is responsible for the souls on board. If the souls on board happen to be idiots who don't practice safe behavior then the person in charge should kick their butts ashore or resign the responsibility as the person in charge. Lastly, everyone on our trips are told there are two rules on our boat: 1) stay on the boat 2) pee sitting down when sailing. Just my view. Like I have said before. Some wives have less interest in learning or even being familiar with the methods to return and get something back that fell overboard.
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