hi all, we're back, unfortunately, after a fabulous trip 3/7 - 3/14 on the Moorings '33 'Ophelia". as i've said earlier, the wife refuses to anchor "on vacation" and we had no problems in that regard. i won't try a detailed report, but:
enjoyed mooring in kelly's cove in the bight first night - away from the crowd and snorkeling at water pt possible from the boat.
there are indeed 10 balls at foxy's taboo. it is a beautiful spot with snorkeling again possible from the boat, lots pelicans, of course the bubbly pool (tho seas were not high so not at its most spectacular), the lagoon, and the restaurant. i had a 16 oz lobster, pretty good, tho would have preferred some reggae to the girl playing flamenco guitar. 2 drunk powerboaters fell in trying to get back on their unlit boat from their unlit dingy that night, better then TV
went Jost-BEYC in 4-4.5 hrs on a perfect reach doing 6-7 kts all the way. hit the seafood buffet friday night, a favorite, and saw sea turtles biras creek. visted fat virgin cafe, just OK.
marine life was very active at cooper I with a ray practically jumping on our boat, a big 'cuda swimming around the boat, and birds feeding on little fish. snorkeling at cistern pt was some of best ever in terms of numbers and variety of fish. friday 3/11 "Jeannius" took a mooring next to us and i thought i might meet some of you in person but boat was chartered by folks with no knowledge of TTOL.
trip was during dark of moon and stars were spectacular.
regarding the technique of mooring with a bridle, we noticed that many mooring painters have a lot of chafe in the eye - a dangerous situation. i am sure that is from the sawing action of mooring bridles. someone here recommended taking a turn to reduce chafe, but that is not regularly done. our approach is to take the eye over the cleat if it fits, and use a bridle otherwise. the moor seacure moorings have hard thimbles which will support a bridle. at BEYC we had a mooring with a soft thimble that had been sawn through, tho the rope looked sound, but i rigged a backup anyway.
last night on tortola ate at C&F. that is a "must do" for me. best BBQ and most friendly people imaginable.
i agree with others that having some no-sail days is a must, to be "boat potatoes"
but how am i supposed to deal with being back in Boston? suggestions?
Tom
