Hi Folks

We're planning a 2 week sail this summer and I wondering if its worthwhile sailing out of St Thomas instead of Tortola. We'd first explore St Johns, then loop counter clockwise along the BVIs (after checking in at customs of coarse). And then towards the end, looping counter clockwise around St Thomas.

Is there a good sailboat charter company in St Thomas? Are there anchorages in St Johns worth exploring, or should we ferry over to Tortola and focus on the BVIs? Are customs such a hassle that its not worth it?

It would be nice to start our charter in St Thomas since thats where we fly in to.

Cheers2u

Highly recommend CYOA in STT. St. John is really nice. If you don't mind cooking on the boat there are some great bays on the south side that are beautiful and quiet. Lot's of hiking opportunities in the park as well from those bays. We did 2 weeks last year from STT to Anegada and back. Can't wait to do it again!

With 2 weeks you'll have plenty of time to see the best of both US and BVI.

Another local company is Island Yachts in Red Hook. They have a fleet of Island Packets that are very nice. Full disclosure: Skip and Andrea are friends of ours, but run a great operation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

customs is very easy, you can download, fill out, and print, the U.S. forms online. CYOA and Island Yachts are 2 top notch companies.

Love CYOA. STJ is great but not great for eating out from the anchorages. Both Lamshur, Round Bay, Leinster, Francis Bay are some of our favorite stops. Island Yachts is also very reputable. Easy enough to pick up water and additional provisions at Sopers. I love getting off the plane and ready for a sleep aboard by 4 pm. Good restaurants in Frenchtown.

+1 We usually charter from CYOA out of St. Thomas

I have sailed vessels from both CYOA and Island Yachts and am familiar with the staff at both operations. They are 1st class companies in every way. Both Frenchtown and Red Hook have good restaurants close by your charter base - both locations have provisioning choices within 5 min. by taxi - and both companies maintain their vessels to a high standard. CYOA will have a wider spectrum of vessel options, Island Yachts specializes in Island Packet monohulls.
For a 2 week vacation sailing starting in STT is an excellent idea - plenty of ST John anchorages to visit - most of which have a vastly different vibe than the popular BVI bar/restaurant mooring field crowd.
You can be at your charter base soon after you land at the STT airport - no ferries to deal with - dealing with BVI C&I is actually quite easy on a charter yacht, only the Captain has to appear and the paperwork is straightforward - for the return to the USVI everyone must appear at C&I but the paperwork is really simple [for US citzens].
I am not going to recommend the circumnavigation of STT - it can be a long slog around the West end and there are very limited comfortable overnight anchorages without having good local knowledge. You will find STJ, the E. end of STT, and the BVI in its entirety to be plenty of cruising ground anyway!!

Thanks folks. You've given me some great information. We're planning to book at cat so CYOA looks like our only choice. Looking forward to St John anchorages!

It's worth a night in Leinster Bay on the north east shore.
Nothing there but sun, sea, beach, and snorkeling.

Totes. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

So now that we have that out of the way do you have any specific questions about boats or cruising grounds. By the way I am part of the Management team at CYOA. Feel free to pm me here or email reservations at info@cyoacharters.com
You also can check out our Facebook Page as well.

You didn't say how many people you have or what size of boat you are interested in?

Welcome to TTOL and CYOA
Jay

Does anyone know if their are any food/drink markets on St. Thomas that will deliver to compass point marina.

Food Center supermarket is adjacent to Compass Point. You can actually dinghy very close to the market to transport your provisions or if you have a vehicle it's a 2 minute drive.

Thanx...But with only 2 of us going I was hoping to get the heavy stuff delivered (Beer,Wine,Booze,Water,Ect.)

The markets don't maintain a delivery service but if you go there they will arrange for a taxi van to transport all your purchases.

Try Fine Food Afloat
http://www.finefoodafloat.com/

Jay

We had our boat at Compass Pt. for a few years. Food Center is across the street. You can dinghy to a dock by Custom Canvas, the boys at Food Center will walk across the street with you and load the dinghy, or call a taxi.

Hi Jay

There are two couples and 6 kids (very busy boat). We think the Bahai 46 would be a good fit.

Cheers2u

Seems like a couple of years ago there was a Co. that was called Grocery Godess, that delivered. We loved the 46 Bahia, when we chartered.

I'm heading out on that boat, Miss Red, today with a group of your neighbors. Well, maybe not actually your neighbors... they are from SLC though. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Looking forward to trying out the new main and jib.

Ms Red is a good older boat. Great space for big groups to spread out in. I would talk to Kirsten about dates as she books up in the summer time because she is so family friendly.
Jay

We've come within an inch of chartering that Bahia 46 soooooooo many times!
Wanted her in the summer of 2012, but Nancy talked us into the new Moonshadow, the Orana 44, and it was lovely. Still had that new-boat smell!