Hi wonderful advise givers! I can't seem to find any information about conditions at the Baths other than sailing by to observe the flags. Is there a website or other place that can provide the daily conditions other than going to see what flag is up? The conditions at the Baths will determine where we will be heading first on our bareboat charter next week. Also, can you provide a rough time estimate to get from the north sound to Jost Van Dyke on a 38' power cat? We are working out the itinerary and that maybe too long of a haul. One more question.. The Dogs or Cows Mouth.. which is better for a snorkel stop? Thank you for any advise!!

My advise on the Baths would be to head to the North Sound and see if you can get a slip at Leverick Bay. From there, you can rent a car and explore a lot of Virgin Gorda, including the Baths. You can also stop at beautiful beaches like Savannah Bay and Spring Bay. On your way back, stop by at Hog Heaven for the view. Nick@surfbvi.com is Nick's email. He can let you know if he's got a slip for the day you need it and help arrange the car. It also allows the freedom to try to hit the Baths later in the afternoon (say...after 2) when the cruise ship crowds have dispersed. Just a thought.

I also think going from NS to JVD is very do-able on a power cat and would not be that bad of a haul -- but that's just a guess on my part. I have never chartered anything without sails...not nearly as fast under power <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

NS to JVD is a piece of cake on a powercat. We did that very thing on a 47' a few summers back. I don't remember exactly how long it took, but it was no big deal. We were in no particular hurry on either end and were in Great
Harbor well prior to lunch.

The last two times have been on a 38' powercat for me and we did the run from Great Harbor to Leverick. And we ran from Anegada to JVD a few days later. I don't remember how long it took us but I do remember it was a really pleasant ride on both trips and went by quickly.....it is definately NOT "too long of a haul" even if you were to stop and snorkel somewhere. But, I say that because the way I have always planned my schedule is to get off the ball/dock early in the morning so I arrive while a lot of the other folks are just leaving and spent the day exploring or whatever. Enjoy.

The difference with a powercat isn't so much the speed, but rather the directness of the course you are planning. No need to tack into a headwind and wind direction isn't critical unless its really blowing. And a ssuggestion I've mentioned here a few times: Run the powercat at a modest speed (I usually ran at 8-9 knots) and fuel consumption isn't bad at all. Just because it says the boat will run 15-20 knots doesn't mean you need to drive it that fast. Distances in BVI are all relatively short.