First of all, a big thank you to all you boaters, moderators, sponsors and other contributors to this forum! I have been reading this board every day for the past 6 months and had every question answered, including many I would have never thought to ask. You really made planning this adventure a breeze.
My wife and I chartered a trawler out of North/South (yes, we’re stinkpotter’s) and had an unforgettable vacation. We were a little nervous about the boat, knowing this was a “second tier” company and only use older boats - but the price was very attractive so we went for it. Our first impressions did not exactly put our minds at ease - we had planned on spending the first night at the dock and found quite a few “issues” with the boat. Most were taken care of in the morning, the others were minor in our minds and we decided to just deal with them the best we could.
Once we got off the dock, things just kept getting better and better - the boat issues became easier and easier to deal with. The most important things were fine - the boat was seaworthy, safe, the engine ran fine, cabin was clean, hot water for the shower, and the fridge kept the beer cold! We’re glad we had 11 days because it took us a couple of days to adjust to “island time”, the boat, and to feel comfortable in our surroundings. We had a sloooowwww trawler - even by trawler standards (cruising speed was 5 knots). All you sailors probably didn’t even know we were racing you (you usually won - even with light winds!)
Day one we headed over to Norman - late lunch at Pirates (excellent food), happy hour at the Willy T, and grilled steaks on board for dinner. Got up the next morning and cruised by Peter Island, went on to Cooper for another late lunch (also excellent), cocktails at the beach club, another dinner on board. The next morning we had to wait about 5 hours for North/South to deliver a new dingy (ours leaked, and the pump had no hose or fittings). I was starting to get a little upset - while we were waiting, we had to go to the beach, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and have a couple of beers (don’t you feel bad for us?).
New dingy in tow, it was on to Leverick Bay.... all I’ve read about Nick and his facility are true, and then some - what a great place. We just chilled out the first night, enjoying all Leverick Bay has to offer. The next day, we had planned to either taxi or rent a car to visit the Baths (wanted to avoid the mooring wars). I inquired at the lobby whether to taxi or rent - $25.00 each to taxi, $60.00 to rent for 24 hours - what a deal! I told the lady at the desk we would rent a car, and she just handed me the key and a “map” of the island (only one road out of Leverick Bay) and said to stop by Speedy’s on the way and fill out the paperwork and pay them. I love how laid back this place is!!
Renting the car for the day was the surprise hit of the vacation. To get to the Baths, the road takes you up over the mountain to the other end of the Island. What a view. Breathtaking does not even describe it. You look one way to see North Sound and Anegada in the distance, off to the left is the Atlantic, to the right and ahead is Sir Francis Drake Channel and all the islands - quite a different perspective than from the boat!
Had a great time at the Baths and the Mad Dog for beverages. Stopped at Savanna Bay for a swim and shared this beautiful, long beach with about 10 other people. By now we were way into Island Time and having the time of our life.... On back to Leverick for the Mocho Jumbies and BBQ. Met up with TTOL’rs Canadian Girrrl and Bouy for cocktails, dancing and an all around good time.
The next day we hopped into the dingy and explored North Sound - Briars Creek, Bitter End, beverages at Saba Rock, hit a beach, back to Saba Rock for lunch. Then on to more beaches and beverages we found in our cooler. Another perfect day in paradise!
We bid farewell to Leverick and moved on to the Dogs for snorkeling and lunch, then to Marina Cay for dinner and spent the night. Onward to Cane Garden Bay - dolphins playing in our wake on the way. Only rain of the entire vacation - showers in the afternoon, tropical downpours while we had dinner at Myetts. A break in the rain and we headed back to the boat for a good nights sleep.
The next morning we headed to Little Jost - heaven at Sandy Spit - what a paradise! A little lunch, then off to the Bubbly Pool, later, dinner at Foxy’s Taboo. The next day was the mandatory stop at White Bay for painkillers and lunch at the Soggy Dollar. That has got to be one of the best beach bars on earth!! Then on to Soopers Hole to spend the night.
Sadly, the next morning we headed back to Road Town to turn in the boat and catch a plane back home. Again, thank you all for infecting us with DIF - we hope to get another cure late fall or early winter!!