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Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
#138517
08/22/2017 12:40 PM
08/22/2017 12:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252 Chicago, IL
Showdavid
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Chicago, IL
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Traveling with wife and 3 kids, ages 8 - 12 this February. I've chartered out of BVI's every time but just wondering if it's worth the hassle to get to Tortola or just charter out of St Thomas, spend a day or two in the USVI's, then head over to the BVI's for more fun and excitement.
Dave
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: Showdavid]
#138518
08/22/2017 01:41 PM
08/22/2017 01:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 283
windward2c
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 283
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Everyone will have a diff take bc that BVI vibe cant be created b4 you get there but the question prob comes down to how long is your charter? If you have a 14 day charter, doesnt really matter does it but I often only get 5-7 day trips and while it takes a little more effort to get to Tortola, as soon as I hit it the vaca starts whereas when I have chartered out of USVI is really nice but just waiting till I get to BVI. Just MHO . "these are the issues worth grappling about in life!!!"
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: Showdavid]
#138521
08/22/2017 03:49 PM
08/22/2017 03:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 464 Charlotte, NC
DEL
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 464
Charlotte, NC
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It's been awhile since I sailed out of Charlotte Amalie, but here is how I would sum it up. Pros: no ferry hassle, north side of St John is very nice. Cons: must (no option) immediately sail into the prevailing winds (was called "Seasick Alley" when I did it), very limited dining options ashore on St John. The time factor depends on whether St John appeals to you more than the anchorages in the BVI that might be on your "to do" list.
Douglas E. Linton
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: DEL]
#138522
08/22/2017 04:18 PM
08/22/2017 04:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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I'm not sure the costs to cruise the BVI are really significant given the costs to get into Tortola and charter directly from there. Lower provisioning costs and no ferry costs might balance out with higher cruising fees.
Matt
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: sail2wind]
#138524
08/22/2017 05:10 PM
08/22/2017 05:10 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100 Maryland
Twanger
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
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sail2wind said: " if it's worth the hassle to get to Tortola"
I don't consider a 2 hour sail a hassle. A night at Christmas Cove on the way home is very memorable. ^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^ We always stop there, and somebody always sees something cool while snorkeling there.
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: Twanger]
#138525
08/22/2017 06:05 PM
08/22/2017 06:05 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64 Toronto, ON
Bgs
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
Toronto, ON
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What are the normal 1st stops out of CA? It is the first leg out of St Thomas and around the corner that always seems like a wild ride in the ferry, Is it a similar route you are sailing?
Out of Road town, it feels like 75% either go to Norman, Peter, Marina cay, Jost or Cooper first day.
We are out of Sea Cows Bay this December, first time not coming from RT. We have enjoyed TMM and Sunsail, but CYOA seems intriguing, not to mention the stories of stars off St John.
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: Bgs]
#138527
08/22/2017 09:29 PM
08/22/2017 09:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
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There are several most excellent first stops out of stt. It's about two hours to Maho/Francis. Also about two hours to the south Shore of St john bays. The choice comes down to wind and wave direction. Both are very nice choices. We have also gone stt to west end if we're starting in the morning. That's about 2.5 hours. Then we go to Norman after clearing in.
Cost wise you will have to run all the numbers. No ferry costs and no hotel stay before and after on stt. But higher cruising fees. Cheaper and better provisioning. And IMHO better equipped boats on stt. Give it a try!
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: warren460]
#138532
08/23/2017 12:18 PM
08/23/2017 12:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
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warren460 said: Where do you provision in stt? I have not been impressed by pueblo or cost u less vs riteway in Tortola.
Thanks We use Plaza Extra at Tutu Plaza. Mostly a real store.
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: agrimsrud]
#138533
08/23/2017 12:57 PM
08/23/2017 12:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277 Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
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Cost U Less is great for big groups. Price Smart will give you a day pass. You can use Fine Food Afloat to order provisions. Or VI Fresh Foods has online ordering and delivery. The Fruit Bowl has good produce.
Moe's Market in Red Hook is a really nice store. They are opening a location less than a block from Frenchtown on the water front this month. You will be able to take a dinghy or walk from our base.
Pueblo is solid for basics. Food Center has a very good selection. Plaza Extra is also a solid choice.
Jay
Last edited by CaptainJay; 08/23/2017 12:58 PM.
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: CaptainJay]
#138534
08/23/2017 02:32 PM
08/23/2017 02:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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I am seasick prone, but don't have a problem crossing the Pillsbury Sound. There are some rollers usually coming from the south, but they are long period and fun. The south side of St. Thomas has not been an issue for us.
First stops out of Charlotte Amalie for us, depending on where we are headed, include Water Island, Christmas Cove, Maho/Francis and Lameshure Bay on St. John. Water Island has amenities and a great beach and Christmas Cove has Pizza Pi (seasonally) if you don't want to cook. Our #1 favorite is Maho/Francis and we spent four nights there in July.
St. John itself is an amazing sailing area. The National Park creates great unspoiled anchorages without crowding and little or no development on land. Not a lot of dining options, but we always have great cooks on the boat.
Another option for a fun change when the weather is good, head up the south side from St. John to North Sound, Virgin Gorda and check in at Gun Creek.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: Showdavid]
#138538
08/24/2017 10:08 AM
08/24/2017 10:08 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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Lot of variables with this comparison...we really like moving around the BVI's, but we've been looking into doing the STT thing ourselves. last trip on Orion we only spent 2 nights on STJ and that left us wanting more. Each trip we say that.
Charter cost wise, I did get a few last minute quotes from different charter companies this time and there are some cost differences between some of them, non refundable boat insurance fees most notably.
Comparing the sailing grounds....We have enjoyed circumnavigating STJ but I still know too little about what STT has to offer, such as bays to overnight in. We really like the mooring fields, beaches, snorkeling, hiking and simply the atmosphere at Maho, Francis and Leinster. We really like Coral Bay and Salt Pond when land based, the hike to Rams Head and Drunk Bay is cool especially during a full moon, so staying in these bays is on our list. BVI wins with many convenient mooring/anchoring options and of course beach bars, STJ john has very limited anchoring options on the south side which is exposed and there's no anchoring allowed inside the Coral Reef National Monument area.
Ferry to and from Tortola, adds up especially with a larger group! But they've never caused us to miss a flight on STT, we just have to be mindful to pick a late 1600hr flight and return the boat first thing in the morning.
Cruising taxes in BVI, these add up and now cost more for a US charter.
Flights from Dulles to STT are usually 1/3 to 1/2 less than EIS, and we usually fly direct into STT, which is very nice.
Food costs... sorry I don't pay that close attention to these costs, but I do know a case of Presidente is now $12 more on St John than in the BVI....sin tax bastards!
We have never been able to set sail the day of our arrival, that's because the earliest we've arrived on Tortola is maybe 1500hr and it takes time to settle in and do the check out. If we arrived at a STT marina at 1300hr I wonder if it's reasonable to expect to be sailing by 1600hr? Or do most sleep aboard the first night? If so, the extra travel time to sleep aboard on Tortola really isn't an issue.
Has anyone on a US charter experienced mechanical issues in the BVI's? and if so how was that handled by the charter company? We have had issues on several boats, once with Matrix we had an impellor go while on STJ, we were on a cat so we used one engine to get us back to the West End to be worked on. That was only a 20 minute trip, what if a US boat was in the North Sound or Anegada, how would those repairs be addressed by the charter company?
If we decide to charter out of STT, I think we would spend the majority of the trip in the USVI and do a couple of nights closer between Jost, West End, Norman etc.
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: BEERMAN]
#138539
08/24/2017 10:30 AM
08/24/2017 10:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100 Maryland
Twanger
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
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BEERMAN - Unlikely you could arrive at 1pm and be sailing at 4pm. Reviewing the boat check-list, getting yourself aboard, doing the sail-check, etc... it would be pretty difficult.
Frankly I don't want that kinda pressure to hit a schedule while on vacation.
We arrive after noon, boat check, get installed on board, ladies go shopping while I guard and test the beer, we get dinner, sleep aboard, and depart the next morning bright and early.
As far as mechanical issues in the BVI... it's helpful to be a bit handy around boats. CYOA does not offer a chase boat, but they have people lined up in the BVI that can work on the boat if things go wrong. Once we pulled into Sopers Hole to have someone fix the generator... burnt crimp connector. I have generator impeller replacement time down to about 30-minutes. Generators hate me for some reason.
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#138541
08/24/2017 12:28 PM
08/24/2017 12:28 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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GeorgeC1 said: Keep in mind if chartering Nov through April that you need to have a plan B for St John if a north swell is running. It will take out the North Side anchorages. G George, we tucked into Maho in a north swell and been pretty comfortable <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Pros and cons of chartering out of St. Thomas
[Re: windward2c]
#138542
08/24/2017 12:43 PM
08/24/2017 12:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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windward2c said: The South Side of SJ actually does offer decent protection. Hurricane Hole is amazing, once you tuck into Lemeshur it is flat calm in prevailing, Rendevous can be exposed however. When you add the great bays on the North, SJ can entertain for at least 5 nights. Ironically ST has very few options north. Hurricane Hole has great snorkeling around the mangroves and a quick dinghy ride to Skinny Legs! I didn't realize the Lameshurs had mooring balls! I just checked the NPS "Mariner's Resource Protection Guide", which are provided at the floating pay stations. It shows Little Lameshur 5 overnight balls, Great Lameshur 16 (wow!), Salt Pond 6. From either Little or Great Lameshur you can access the Lameshur Bay Trail that takes you to the Petroglyphs on the Reef Bay trail. We've done this hike and also from Centerline Road a few times, it's cool.
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