I have been home 10 days and the DIF is setting in bad! Looked at our photos last night and long to go back. This year everything was perfect, especially the weather. Of our 10 trips, this was the best ever!!

I need to write up a trip report, but cannot seem to sit at a computer long enough to start.

Now we are considering taking a monohull out at Thanksgiving (to save $$) for just my husband and myself. We typically take a 44-48 ft cat loaded with extras such a generator, air con, ice maker and water maker and bring friends to spread out the cost over at least 2 couples.

We haven't sailed there in November or sailed a mono in BVIs. Or gone with just each other. We are fairly social and tend to meet people everywhere we go. We will most likely only sail for 7 days versus the typical 12-14 days we normally go due to how long it takes us to get to Tortola.

Anyone gone as a couple? And downsized their boat? I think we would charter a 40 ft monohull.

For many years the two of us chartered a Nonsuch 30 and it was just fine. And November is great. We had "Thanksgiving Dinner" at the Bath and Turtle on Virgin Gorda. No turkey, but great fish and chips and conch fritters. Wish I were going with you...have fun! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

wow nonsuch 30, that is been a while since i have seen one in BVI.

My admiral and I did that for many years. Sometimes inviting others for part of the trip and other trips just the two of us the whole time. While we enjoyed people aboard, I think we liked the times with just the two of us better. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Yes Will, I know what you mean. We took a family with us this trip. Not used to being around 7 & 11 year olds any longer. They weren't that bad, but they did rise 10 minutes after I did each day which impeded my 6:00 am morning ritual, coffee, weather report, swabbing the deck and watching the world come to life in peace and quiet. Actually there was little peace and quiet on this trip. But we did charter a fantastic boat!

I LOVE my friends....but the best trips have been Ward and I alone on Reef Song ( a 52 foot very basic mono) which we have no trouble sailing alone.....do it!!!!!

My wife and I just got back from a charter on a 38ft mono from DYC. Similar situation to you...normally go with a large group of friends, but the group wasn't available this year and we decided to do our first trip as just a couple. Went great. The 38ft mono was the perfect size for just the 2 of us and we got a great price as well. Was a completely different vibe than going with friends, and definitely one of our best trips ever. No issues with a mono in the BVI, including at Anegada and anywhere else we wanted to go. My wife isn't a huge fan of the heeling, but I just sheeted out and reefed as necessary to keep her comfortable.

Sean

Brian and I had a great trip this past year on an Oceanis 38 from BVIYC - really loved the boat. Sailed great and we had a fantastic time! Just us two -- and many friends on other boats! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Including Kim and Ward!

I think you should try it and see what you think! We normally sail as a couple, nobody knows how to sail or wants to try it where we come from, otherwise we'd get a group together on a big boat and share expenses. It's very relaxing not having to provision for others, doing what we want to do when we want to do it. The only thing is we've found 7 days just too short so we do a minimum of 10 days and prefer 14.

We love trips with just the two of us. CYOA's Hunter 36 is great and there new Beneteau 38s out there. Our routine on De Life has been a week with friends and then a week for just the two of us.

We do November every year and love it. There is a bit more rain than summer, sometimes a lot more. We sleep in the v-berth and just keep that one hatch open - short hatch dance. Last year we did four weeks October/November and it was the best.

Cheers, RickG

We have chartered in BVI for 30 years. Many trips have been with one or two other couples, but we have also done some "just us" trips. I have to say that I love the quiet not in a hurry to show someone something pace of "just us". BVIYC has a lot of boats that would fit your needs. We have taken their newer 41 Beneteau "Tootsie" several times and just love the way it sails. Very comfy for one couple.

The first time we did "just us" I really wondered if I would have anything to talk to the hub about after a while. We had 10 days on boat, then 10 days on VG. It was just a perfect trip. No expectations, just floating on a sea of blue, swimming, dingy dinking etc. We are planning our next year trip now!!

We went over Thanksgiving 2 years ago and are scheduled for 9 adults spread over 2 monos Thanksgiving week this year.

If you want a traditional Thanksgiving meal, we enjoyed ours at Myetts. We don't set a schedule, but if we find ourselves in that area again this year, I think we would go back.

There were rain showers here and there all week but nothing that stopped us from having a ton of fun. If you book it and want to try to meet up, let me know. We don't really make firm plans, but we will look for you!

Bridget, CLS? We have a 40' mono and sometimes travel alone and love it. Oh, as a matter of fact we are on the boat right now.

We two have taken many friends on catamarans, but the last trip was just the two of us. 19 days of pure joy. Do you go to the concerts in Old town Tustin? Journey in August.

I've done the mono thing and even powercats with only two on board.....it is just a different experience...the dynamics are different because you aren't having to consider anyone else when you decide to roll out of the sack.....make food or even get naked! (BTW.....the last one is a major plus when it's just the two of you... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />) To quote Nike.....JUST DO IT!!

Thanks for all the encouragement! The "just us" trip idea is growing on me more and more. We can easily swing it as it is far less expensive than booking a cat. We always seem to subsidize our "kids" which makes the trip cost so much more. Less work for me as well as I am the one packing, provisioning & planning, cooking, ensuring our friends are having a nice time and acting like a tour guide. While it is relaxing it is a lot of work too.

We can still plan our usual May/June group trip on a cat - which I personally prefer to sail. Nothing like twin engines, the space and accoutrements a cat provides and sailing flat (no stowing projectiles). But I don't want to waste the money chartering a cat for just the 2 of us. I would rather book 2 trips.

But since I long to go back to the BVIs (my addiction) we can easily plan an intermediate trip on a mono. The two of us means everything at our pace, eating what, when and where we want, hardly any provisioning and no one to consider but ourselves. Loving it!