Trip Report, April 8-15, Voyage 600 (Part 2)

April 12; Dropping our ball at ~8am, we set off for Anegada. I had been following the predicted wind all week, and I feared it was going to be light. I had been excited for the opportunity to open up the Voyage 600 – I was hoping for eastern 22-27 kts, giving us a screaming beam reach up to the “sunken island”. Instead we got 2-4 kts of wind out of the due south. Ah well, c’est la vie. I fired up the starboard motor, and we cruised up to Anegada at a leisurely 7 knots, trolling a few rigs behind. We hooked up a big ol’ barracuda that was released no worse for the wear.


At Anegada the two boats were rafted together east of the mooring field.


After a few hours of boat partying we broke the raft and headed ashore, cabbing over to CWB. It was fairly busy, but Belle kept us well lubricated and well fed <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
This was my 5th time to Anegada, but only my first time catching a perfect bluebird sky, calm-wind day. All I can say is that that place is magical.





After a great dinner onboard (marinated steaks, salad, diced potatoes, and locally-purchased lobster), most of the crew headed ashore to one of the bars that was having a dance party. I again stayed on the boat, as it had done a 180 and was facing due west. I had never before noticed current in that anchorage, but with zero wind its presence was made clear. Six hours later, at about 3am, I woke to take a peek outside – we had shifted another 180 as the tide had changed, again without a stitch of wind.

April 13; Pulling up the anchor at 7am we began the long trek to JVD. Normally, this is my favorite sail of the trip. Alas, the winds were still nonexistent. I made the decision to drag some plastics over the north drop, hoping to catch a wahoo. Motoring at 8 kts and making our way west, we swerved between the 50 and 100 fathom marks. Having spent a hefty sum on proper wahoo rigs, the only thing that produced an edible fish was a 5-year old C&H “stubby bubbler,” catching a small blackfin tuna. I have never seen the waters that calm in the BVI. At one point, when about 16 miles WNW of Anegada and 30 miles north of Tortola, the water was as calm as a millpond.


Most of the crew spent the morning relaxing on the tramp, enjoying cold drinks as we motored around.


Arriving at White Bay around 1pm, we dropped anchor outside the reef; it was predictably crowded inside. We invited the other crew over to share in some sashimi-style tuna, after which the crews went ashore. My 1st mate and I stayed aboard, waiting to shift the boat inside to a ball when one became available. That task accomplished, I spent some time relaxing with a few old friends, enjoying a frosty beverage or three (eight?), and watching the sun set.

April 14: Last full day. We motored (again, no wind) over to Sandy Cay to look for the marker at “Dog Rock,” hoping to pour some rum in the water for ol’ Saildoggie. Though I was fairly certain where the marker would be, we were unable to find it after two circumnavigations of the cay. Not to be deterred, my buddy and I poured some rum into the water on the SE side of the island. Sail on, Doggie!


Anchoring in about 18’ of water off Sandy Spit, the party started early. We had a lot of booze left, and the 20 of us (two boats total) went to work with an earnest energy. I'll again skip the details of that party, but it was one helluva good time! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

[img]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/fourierxfm/Sandy%20Pyramid_zpssdjwleyg.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/fourierxfm/PartyBaot_zpsez2lptlv.jpg[/img]

As on the previous two trips, I spent a solid hour+ on the back of the boat enjoying the late-afternoon sun, pleasantly intoxicated and dancing with various crew (or just by myself) to one of my favorite albums (soundtrack to “It’s All Gone Pete Tong”, disk 2 “Night”; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGe04lryOV8&list=PLDLcnioO12_kptrA86EvQJglkb-anEBRR

Shortly before sunset we spotted a waterspout coming off the western side of Tortola. The storm dissipated before hitting us, only dousing the boat with a fair bit of rain as we ate our dinner.
[img]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/fourierxfm/Sunset%20Pano_zps3xgoj1cq.jpg[/img]

As with any amazing trip, this one was coming to an end all too quickly. We carried on well into the night, just about finishing all the booze on board.

April 15: Back to the Voyage base and at the dock @ 0800.
(Prepping fenders and lines, heading into Soper's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />)
[img]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/fourierxfm/done_zpsydtysqwe.jpg[/img]

We were checked-out and on the taxi (again, J.P.’s Transport) by 0915, on our way to the airport for our flight out.

Positives:
-Amazing crew that all “got it”
-Beautiful bluebird skies for almost the entire week
-Spectacular Boat (Voyage 600 Jus’ Chillin) and great service from Voyage. We had a minor issue and their tech master (Rayne) was on the phone with me to guide me through the appropriate steps to fix it.
-Getting to hang out with amazing friends, old and new
-Nobody got hurt (severely) and nobody got pregnant (that I’m aware of) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Negatives:
-No winds!!! Especially on the Gorda Sound -> Anegada and Anegada -> JVD days
-Scaramouche
-Some crowding at a few locations – I’ve seen worse, and I’ve seen better
-I’m not still down there on that boat with those people

... time to start planning the next one! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />

Great report - many thanks for sharing. And kudos for a positive attitude through the lack of wind - I would have really struggled with that!

Out there in 3 weeks ....

What was the Scaramouche negative?

it was in his trip report part 1

Love the trip report and pics!

How were you allowed to fish? Boat and you licensed how?

All of the Voyage boats are licensed. I got my personal license (also required) by doing the following:

1.) email the appropriate BVI governing body at cfd@gov.vg, asking to acquire the appropriate forms for a pleasure fishing license
2.) complete the credit card authorization form
3.) scan a copy of your drivers license or passport
4.) compete the application for pleasure fishing license
5.) fax or scan/email the things from steps 2-4 back to them at cfd@gov.vg
6.) wait a few days and voila, you have your license.

Note: when coming through customs on my way into the BVI they noticed the lures and assorted fishing gear in my bag. They definitely wanted to see my fishing license, which I had at the ready. Once they saw the license they gave me the thumbs up and even chatted with me about fish I was looking to catch and where to try for them. Have a good trip! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />