Tag: B.V.I.

Sweethearts of the Caribbean

Classic yachts and wannabes rule the seas at the 38th Sweethearts of the Caribbean and 34th Classic Yacht Regatta. This low-key event hosted by the West End Yacht Club (WEYC) in the B.V.I. on Valentine’s Day Weekend February 12-14 is part time warp, part modern-day regatta, and a whole lot of fun. There aren’t many regattas where classes include 100-plus-year-old yachts, but this one does. A few of the famous fractional-rig, wood-built Tortola sloops always take part—the 22-foot Intrepid, 25-foot Youth Instructor, and, we hope, the newly restored 29-foot Esmie. These vessels once served as the only link between the B.V.I. and its neighbors and now compete in this regatta with a combination of adults and junior sailors as a neat tie between past and present. Although the event was originally conceived as a schooner race, dwindling participation led organizers to offer registration to “classic plastics” (yachts with fiberglass hulls more than 30 years old) and even newer monohulls in an Open class. Enjoyable regatta events happen on both sea and land. There’s a single-handed pursuit-style race to Jost Van Dyke the first day. The second day is a couples’ and crew fleet race around the natural markers of Peter, Pelican and Flanagan islands followed by a big, prize-giving party sponsored by Mount Gay Rum at the Fish n’ Lime restaurant in Soper’s Hole. “We expect around 40 entrants,” says WEYC Commodore Louis Schwartz. “The camaraderie generated through the decades by those who gather and sail has been immense. I know sailors who met at Sweethearts 25 years ago, married and now attend with their kids.” facebook.com/groups/weycbvi/

Wed then weigh anchor in Antigua and Barbuda.
The twin-island country of Antigua and Barbuda is such a popular wedding destination that Horizon Yacht Charters offers a five-day itinerary. It’s the perfect venue for those who want to say their “I do’s” ashore with family and friends and then jump ship to their own private yacht for a honeymoon charter. “February is a great time to charter as it’s high season, meaning there is an abundance of restaurants, bars and shops open allowing you to anchor off in a bay and dinghy across to enjoy a romantic dinner or to go and enjoy the nightlife,” says Megan Grant, the customer services representative who authored the five-day itinerary that starts from the company’s Jolly Harbour Marina base and includes several out-of-the-way stops. “Even though it’s high season, the beauty of chartering a boat in Antigua is that you can still find yourself alone in a secluded bay. One of the most spectacular is Pinching Bay just north of Five Islands Village and accessible only by boat. Imagine anchoring here and enjoying the peaceful vibes whilst barbecuing off the stern for lunch.” Traveling to Antigua and Barbuda just got a lot easier to love with the nearly $100 million renovation to the V.C. Byrd Airport completed last summer. The state-of-the-art facility features 15 self-service check-in kiosks, 14 departure gates, 4 jet bridges, a mini food court, and more than a dozen retail stores. horizonyachtcharters.com

Race, Sail and Party in the B.V.I.

Relaxation, team racing and partying is the best way to describe the Moorings Interline Regatta, set for October 14-23 in the British Virgin Islands. In 1983, the regatta began as a way to make use of the territory’s large charter fleet during the slow fall season by staging a battle on the seas among airline personnel, and continues today as a laidback weeklong yachting competition. True to its roots, the regatta features island-to-island sailing aboard sleek yachts such as Moorings 41- and 43-foot monohulls. Each night, spectators and racers alike celebrate at legendary parties that coincide with the regatta at some of the hottest night spots in the B.V.I.

The Moorings Interline Regatta is set for October 14-23 in the British Virgin Islands. Photo: The Moorings

This year includes a sail to Peter Island that ends at the Oceans 7 Beach Club with a Greek Mythology Theme Party; a race up to the Bitter End Yacht Club in North Sound, Virgin Gorda followed by a Viking Theme Party; and a cruise to Norman Island complete with a Pirates Party Haaard Theme. Best of all, the regatta isn’t open to just members of the airline industry but also to their family and friends. In fact, each team is only required to have one flight crewmember aboard. What’s more, even non-boating visitors to the B.V.I. can join in as spectators to this exciting racing event.

Villa vacation on yacht-friendly Anguilla
No opera, theater or upscale shopping malls are found on the British overseas territory of Anguilla located eight miles north of St. Martin-St. Maarten. Yet this sandbar-flat 35-square-mile Caribbean gem offers everything adventure-loving family groups could ever desire—including beachfront villa accommodations that feel like home. “The clear blue and calm Anguillan waters are idea for yachting,” says Neil Freeman, general manager of Beaches Edge Villas, a duo of 5-bedroom oceanfront sister villas that overlook Pelican Bay. Garfield’s Sea Tours rents Sunseeker Seahawk 48s that are ideal for day trips to Anguilla’s three nearly uninhabited offshore islands: Prickly Pear, Sandy and Dog Islands. Prickly Pear and Sandy have restaurants that serve lunch and are surrounded by superb snorkeling sites. Dog Island is more remote and inhabited only by birds and lizards, but it boasts two great scuba diving sites. Garfield’s also charters a 31-foot Bertram for sportfishing. Or, go for a day sail aboard Capt. Rollin Ruan’s 35-foot Edel catamaran Chocolat and enjoy a barbecued chicken lunch with all the fixings. “Sailboat racing is the national pastime of Anguilla. Locally made wooden boats with as many as 20 in the crew race with gusto around the island for bragging rights,” Freeman says. beachesedge.com 

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating October 2014

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