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Trip has started! #163225
06/12/2018 03:35 PM
06/12/2018 03:35 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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We arrived STT today. We will spend the night here and catch the 2:30 ferry over to Roadtown for a sleepaboard at the Moorings. Stanley from love cab was ontime as always to pick us up. Staying at the Galleon hotel which is looking like a mistake. Will Update hotel situation tomorrow. Damage in ST Thomas not as bad as I expected. Looks like a lot of cleanup and repairs accomplished but a lot more to go.
Weather is good except for a ton of dust reducing vis to about 3 miles. Does not seem like Sahara dust and has a really gritty feel. Hopefully better in the BVI. Will add more tomorrow!
G

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 06/12/2018 03:43 PM.
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Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163227
06/12/2018 03:57 PM
06/12/2018 03:57 PM
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USA
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Higgins78 Offline
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Dust? From where?

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163229
06/12/2018 03:58 PM
06/12/2018 03:58 PM
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ski2play Offline
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Enjoy!

Re: Trip has started! [Re: Higgins78] #163234
06/12/2018 04:37 PM
06/12/2018 04:37 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Higgins78
Dust? From where?


I don’t know, does not have the orange tint of Sahara dust and seems grittier.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163238
06/12/2018 05:06 PM
06/12/2018 05:06 PM
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Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Offline
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George, we had even more dust than usual. We lost so much vegetation that more of the ground is bare. Might that be the case on St. Thomas, too?

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163239
06/12/2018 05:16 PM
06/12/2018 05:16 PM
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Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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George..for an amazing dinner head to Grand Cru!! I do believe, BTW, that this is just Sahara dust..keeps tropical storms down!

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163256
06/12/2018 07:37 PM
06/12/2018 07:37 PM
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Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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Mighty thick Sahara dust today in St Thomas, doubt it is any less in the BVI but I can't see Tortola -- The dust is too thick!

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163257
06/12/2018 07:41 PM
06/12/2018 07:41 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Locals say it’s the standard Sahara dust. Hope it dies down a bit as the week goes on.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163260
06/12/2018 07:52 PM
06/12/2018 07:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
On BVI Pirate weather page there is an option to view the Sahara Air Layer. It will give you an idea of the future. Just check the Sahara Air Layer at the top of the page.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: Trip has started! [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #163261
06/12/2018 07:57 PM
06/12/2018 07:57 PM
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Va Beach
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Va Beach

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163318
06/13/2018 09:21 PM
06/13/2018 09:21 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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First evening and day two. Had dinner at the Fat Turtle at Yacht Haven Grande. Very slow almost non existent service and meals not even average. It’s been a few years since we ate there but we liked it in the past. Slept in during the morning and then hit King street for a bit of shopping. Had lunch at the sandwich shop by CYOA. Great sandwiches as always with good prices! Caught the Smiths 2 PM ferry. They are leasing a small boat but right on time. Arrived at the Moorings about 4pm. No issues with checking in or boat. All the ordered food was onboard. I was however disappointed that they were not surviving dinner at the pool. Said they had a private function and no food for charterers. Roadtown looked better than I expected but lots of damage. Inner harbor still has boat wreckage that needs clearing.
Moorings base is a work in progress but not bad overall. 2nd floor of Mariner inn is still closed and harbor market not yet open. Riteway appeared fully stocked. Sahara dust a bit better, looking forward to getting off the dock in the morning. No idea where we are going. Maybe Cooper!
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163336
06/14/2018 08:36 AM
06/14/2018 08:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 60
St. Thomas, USVI
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George I saw you at the deli and on the docks, thanks for stopping by. At Yacht Haven the restaurants worth patronizing are Fresh and Grand Cru.

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163349
06/14/2018 12:21 PM
06/14/2018 12:21 PM
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Dust any better?

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163357
06/14/2018 02:16 PM
06/14/2018 02:16 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Off the dock about 11. We have newbies onboard and 3 kids so over to Cooper for a relaxing first day. Cooper has done a amazing job on the rebuild. Everything looks great but the loss of vegetation is huge. I see buildings I never knew were here! Water is still emerald green and kids are having a blast. Sahara dust is present but not near as bad as I have seen it. Not really a issue. Trying to work up the energy for a dive but might just lime!

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163383
06/14/2018 05:34 PM
06/14/2018 05:34 PM
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Massachusetts
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Sea&SkiPJ Offline
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Hi George, just curious, what time did you arrive at Cooper today and generally, how was ball availability?

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163388
06/14/2018 06:25 PM
06/14/2018 06:25 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Arrived about 12:30. Maybe a dozen boats at that time. Sun setting now and balls still open!
Happy hour was great!
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163400
06/14/2018 08:36 PM
06/14/2018 08:36 PM
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Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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HUGE thumbs up here for Grand Cru at Yacht Haven on STT..same owners as the heavily damaged Oceana and amazing food and service..

Re: Trip has started! [Re: Manpot] #163413
06/15/2018 06:30 AM
06/15/2018 06:30 AM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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I wish I had gone to Grand Cru! Next time!
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163419
06/15/2018 08:34 AM
06/15/2018 08:34 AM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Arrived at the Baths from Cooper. At 8:30 there are 3 boats here and 1 on the way. Looks like about 18 balls available. Feels like 25 years ago.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163425
06/15/2018 09:22 AM
06/15/2018 09:22 AM
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Florida
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rfrimmel Offline
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Thanks for the updates George. We arrive STT in one week!!! dance

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163429
06/15/2018 09:56 AM
06/15/2018 09:56 AM
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USA
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Higgins78 Offline
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Was Cooper full? What time?

Re: Trip has started! [Re: Higgins78] #163433
06/15/2018 11:22 AM
06/15/2018 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Higgins78
Was Cooper full? What time?

When we were there 2 weeks ago Cooper was the only place we saw with the mooring field full. I would say last buoy was taken around 3?..A lot of boats coming around noon to 1pm

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163451
06/15/2018 05:01 PM
06/15/2018 05:01 PM
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sail445 Offline
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Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
Originally Posted by Higgins78
Dust? From where?


I don’t know, does not have the orange tint of Sahara dust and seems grittier.
G

If the dust was grayish and there was a southerly flow of air then it’s must be the fine pumice from the Montserrat volcano which is gritty

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163454
06/15/2018 05:27 PM
06/15/2018 05:27 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Answers to questions.
Cooper had a couple of balls still open at sunset. Wide open at 3 pm.
Dust is gone, fantastic vis today. Weather virtually perfect. 12 to 15 knots of wind clear skies!
Toured the baths and they are in great shape. Top of the baths looked fully repaired and the fritters were great.
Snorkeled Great Dog on the west side. Only boat there at 1. Sadly lots of coral damage but still interesting.
Dove Bronco Billy on George dog and happy to report it was a I remembered it. Nice dive!
On the dock at Leverick now, heading to the BBQue in a bit! Leverick looks good but no tank refills. Tito and dock staff great as always.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163468
06/15/2018 09:12 PM
06/15/2018 09:12 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Buffet tonight excellent, the show very weak. Only two dancers showed up. Off to dive Branson’s boat in the morning!
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163472
06/16/2018 05:35 AM
06/16/2018 05:35 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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George, you might be able to get air from sunchaser. They operate out of a trailer over at BEYC.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163474
06/16/2018 06:42 AM
06/16/2018 06:42 AM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Sunchaser is up and running. He is filling tanks on a appointment type system so call in advance. He is taking out dives this morning. I need a dive computer battery because some idiot named me bought the wrong size and he is running it over to me at Leverick in the morning. Nice service!
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163518
06/16/2018 02:28 PM
06/16/2018 02:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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Maybe idiots should find safer activities. Please post your diving experiences


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Trip has started! [Re: warren460] #163534
06/16/2018 06:25 PM
06/16/2018 06:25 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by warren460
Maybe idiots should find safer activities. Please post your diving experiences


Only two dives so far. Will hit it harder later in the week. Bronco Billy was great, exactly as I remembered it. I tend to go past the usual turn around point at the cavern. Some nice rock formations about 50 yards past. Kodiack Queen was ok. It has some fun simple penetrations and decent fish life. First time we have had to wait for a ball. Dive boat on one and charter boat on another. Rental powerboat showed up and went right over the top of the wreck at about 10 knots. I think the crewmeber on the sunchaser boat gave them a piece of his mind. Sunchaser pulled their last diver onboard and dropped the ball within two minutes. Not everyone is that courteous when people are waiting. Very professional operation.

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163639
06/17/2018 07:27 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Monkey point for lunch today. Looks like it survived ok but much less fish life than normal. Probably just caught it on a off day. CDB for crew pickup and to spend the night. Does not look as bad a I expected but extensive damage. We wish we had gone over to Jost. Loud and I mean really loud music being blasted into the bay. Jet skies racing between the boats and within 30 feet of the kids on our boat swimming. CGB is a place I once loved but I won’t overnight here again.

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 06/17/2018 08:33 PM.
Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163646
06/17/2018 08:31 PM
06/17/2018 08:31 PM
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Posts: 94
New Jersey
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Catmandu Offline
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New Jersey
Brain cramp CDB?

Re: Trip has started! [Re: Catmandu] #163647
06/17/2018 08:34 PM
06/17/2018 08:34 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Fixed it, CGB-Cane Garden Bay. Music still blasting!

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163667
06/17/2018 10:20 PM
06/17/2018 10:20 PM
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Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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George, perhaps you were merely at CGB on a bad day.

I thought that the jet skis were only in use on cruise ship days.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163668
06/17/2018 10:46 PM
06/17/2018 10:46 PM
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Minnesota
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We were also at CGB this past Wednesday and would agree about the blasting music - not crazy, but certainly letting us know that they were looking to gather a party on the beach. As far as the jet ski or other traffic - we didn't have any of that while we were there. Quite a bit of construction taking place throughout the bay and it was a positive sign!


Mark
Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163738
06/18/2018 06:07 PM
06/18/2018 06:07 PM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Went from CGB to Jost today. Dove the playgrounds and it was excellent. Very strong fish life. From there a short stop at Sandy Isle and on to White Bay. Great lunch at the Soggy Dollar. Chicken Roti’s as good as ever! Wind has clocked south. Coming from about 140 degrees. Might be able to lay the SFD tomorrow. Picked up water at the small Marina on the west side of great harbor. Very friendly and helpful.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163743
06/18/2018 08:07 PM
06/18/2018 08:07 PM
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Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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I Hope that the weather is favorable for the playgrounds next trip down


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163770
06/19/2018 07:03 AM
06/19/2018 07:03 AM
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Charleston, SC
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Thanks for the updates! Would appreciate updates as you go as time permits. We depart July 2

Re: Trip has started! [Re: warren460] #163771
06/19/2018 07:07 AM
06/19/2018 07:07 AM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Conditions were great for the playgrounds yesterday. When they are not so great you can anchor of Sandy Spit or even grab a ball at Diamond key and dinghy over to the dive ball.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163780
06/19/2018 08:37 AM
06/19/2018 08:37 AM
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GeorgeC1 Offline OP
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Spent the night at Norman. Big fence put up around pirates. Not sure why. Snorkeled the Indians on the way in. Fish life was excellent. There is some coral damage but still a great snorkel. Probably hit angelfish reef for our morning dive.
G

Re: Trip has started! [Re: GeorgeC1] #163781
06/19/2018 09:04 AM
06/19/2018 09:04 AM
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Toledo, OH, USA
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The fence was around Pirates when we visited in April. I think they are still doing construction on that building, so it is a safety thing.


Colleen

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