The famous (infamous?) floating bar has a new home after sustaining damage following Hurricane Irma last year. The Willy T will settle in Peter Island soon.
“We are pretty well confirmed to be definitely moving. We are not going to be in The Bight [but] at Great Harbour on Peter Island,” said Willy T owner, Ewan Anderson.
He made the announcement following a meeting with the government on May 14th.
Anderson told BVI News that things are still being fine-tuned for the final move. Anderson also expressed relief.
“It will be ok. It’s another location, it’s on the water, and it’s good for tourism — good for Great Harbour. We are happy that we can move somewhere as opposed to closing down the business. So, yes, we are happy and the government is helping us to avail that situation,” he added.
Anderson then described his discussions with the government as ‘helpful’ and that Willy T’s required permits are now being processed in order to resume operations.
Southern Boating for one, is happy the legendary boat found a new home. Who among us hasn’t traveled to the islands, had a little too much fun at Willy T’s and fallen asleep on an aft deck cleat? Or woken up to find their hair replaced with a banana peel? Oh, just us…
A brief history of the Willy T:
The first Willy T was located in the southwest corner of The Bight. This always popular “bistro on the briny” can take credit for at least some of the popularity of the anchorage.
Established in June 1989 by Mick and Annie Gardner, this one-of-a-kind restaurant has remained in the family and is now operated by Mick and Annie’s son-in-law, Ewan Anderson.
The original (wooden) Willy T was a 1935, Baltic Trader. After a little more than 6 years of restaurant service, she sprung a leak in the middle of the night. The bilge pumps weren’t able to keep up with the volume of water and the original William Thornton sank on her mooring on June 11, 1995.
She was subsequently raised, hauled out to sea and sunk again in the hopes of making a new dive site. Unfortunately, weather conditions quickly tore her apart and there is nothing left of the old William Thornton today.
But you can’t keep a good man down! Mick and Ewan jumped on a plane for Florida to find a replacement. The 100′, steel hulled replacement was soon swinging on her mooring and open for business by January 6th, 1996 where she remained until September 2017.
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is quickly becoming a charter hotspot. Now, both MarineMax Vacations and Dream Yacht Charters are based on the island.
Scrub Island, a 230-acre private island, is located nearly in the bullseye center of the British Virgin Islands. Tortola and Jost Van Dyke are to the south and west, Virgin Gorda and Anegada to the north and east, and the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island is a two-minute ride to the Trellis Bay Dock, where ferries regularly depart for Scrub Island Resort.
The resort, spa, and 55-slip marina is the perfect jumping-off place for a weeklong charter around the B.V.I. It’s no wonder that Dream Yacht Charter, a Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, France-headquartered company with more than 850 vessels in 47 destinations worldwide, has relocated its B.V.I.-based bareboat and crewed yacht fleet here. An additional plus is that Dream Yacht Charter guests enjoy access to the resort’s five-star facilities.
MarineMax
Damage from back-to-back category five hurricanes has tightened the supply of resort rooms in places such as the British Virgin Islands. However, this isn’t a problem when
chartering from MarineMax Vacations.
The B.V.I.’s premier power catamaran fleet operator partnered last fall with the Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina to offer a resort experience to guests prior to their embarking on a charter vacation. “We were previously located at the Hodges Creek Marina and will now be temporarily located at Scrub Island Resort, Spa, & Marina for the remainder of the 2017-2018 season,” says Dave Bigge, MarineMax Vacations regional president.
He adds that the 230- acre island, Autograph Collection Hotel, provides vacation charter guests this season with a bar, restaurant, water toys, dive shop, boutique, beach, market, and provisioning store in addition to its 52 guest accommodations, including 2-,3- and 4-bedroom villas and a 55-slip marina. Your MarineMax vacations just got even better, too.
A derelict WWII Ship has been converted to a BVI dive site
It’s one of the last remaining vessels to survive the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The YO-44, aka the Kodiak Queen, has been saved from the scrap heap and, instead, memorialized in the deep as the newest recreational dive site in the B.V.I. The Queen was a rusting fishing vessel in the B.V.I. when renowned UK-based photographer Owen Buggy discovered the former U.S. Navy fuel barge’s rich historical past.
Branson and team bid farewell to Kodiak Queen
Buggy, who worked on Richard Branson’s Necker Island for a time, brought the ship to the attention of his billionaire employer and other entrepreneurs, artists and scientists who formed the B.V.I. Art Reef project. Thus, the Kodiak Queen was cleaned, topped with an 80-foot tentacled sea monster made of wire mesh and steel rebar to serve as a platform for coral to grow, and sunk off of Virgin Gorda. The hope is that soon everything from corals and sponges to sea turtles and sharks will call the historic habitat home. Major B.V.I. dive companies such as Dive B.V.I. and Sunchaser Scuba offer trips to the Kodiak Queen.
A couple of diehard sailors cross to the dark side only to discover that it’s not so dark after all.
In a way, it was a double conversion. Not only were we blow-boaters on a stinkpot, but one with two hulls at that. It was going to take some getting used to, all this space and speed and simplicity. Welcoming the chance to review a 2016 model power catamaran, we chartered a Moorings 433—a Leopard 43 with three cabins. We picked up our boat at The Moorings charter base in Tortola, quite possibly the busiest in the world. Our brand-new owner’s version was named Rubis (French for ruby), and she was already hinting at her gemlike qualities.
Eager to head into the Sir Francis Drake Channel, we put the twin Yanmar 220-hp diesels to work and topped out at 20 knots. (The Moorings keeps the engines on their charter fleet governed down to 80 percent.) We settled into a cruising speed of 14 knots that still left us with more than half of our original fuel level at the end of the charter. Besides the fuel-sipping engines, part of this catamaran’s efficiency comes from the stepped hulls. They are narrow at the waterline for better hydrodynamics but flare out with a hard chine to create interior volume for the cabins. Unlike monohulls, cats aren’t dragging a heavy keel through the water and can operate with smaller engines. We found our diesel engines under the aft bunks and noticed they were surprisingly quiet and vibration-free.
The Leopard 43 powercat offers the stability and broad foredeck for picking up mooring balls.
The forward door enables convenient centerline access from bow to stern.
Alfresco meals on the aft deck are protected from the occasional tropical shower thanks to the large flybridge.
The salon layout provides ample storage and enables efficient freedom of movement with natural light for enjoying the outside elements. The door and windows open wide to the aft deck creating a large living area
Flybridge relaxation, entertaining and sightseeing can’t be beat with a view like this.
That first night we experienced one of the greatest benefits of a cat: no rolling at anchor. A cat may wobble in a rough bay but it won’t roll, so flopper-stoppers, gyroscopes, stabilizing fins, and sleepless nights are a distant memory.
The next morning, Rubis schooled us on her many on-deck benefits. Her bow was wide and the hard deck (no trampoline) spanned her entire beam. Picking up a mooring was easy; I could move quickly from side-to-side and brace my hips on the stainless steel railing. I then reached down to work the lines on the cleats with both hands. Once done on the foredeck, I stepped through the full-sized forward door into the salon starting what was going to be our normal traffic pattern around the boat. While open, the door blasted air through the interior and cooled it down much faster than any port or hatch ever could.
Catamarans offer extensive exterior spaces, and people congregate mostly in the cockpit. But the flybridge became our favorite spot when driving, sunning, dining, or watching sunsets. Here, a galley module had a Kenyon electric grill and sink. An option on the Leopard 43 is to add a refrigerator or an icemaker, so the party never has to leave the flybridge. All the way forward was a double sunpad suspended over the forward cockpit. With a railing all around, it was a comfortable and safe place to lounge even when under way.
To starboard was the helm that included a double bench seat and an angled dash with two Raymarine MFDs. The autopilot was mounted behind the wheel and the Fusion stereo head was to the side. A better layout of electronics would have helped the driver and her companion to have easier access to all equipment, including the VHF.
It was best to leave the wheel centered and untouched during slow speed maneuvers like docking and anchoring. Just a light touch, usually with one engine at a time, made Rubis dance; no side thrusters or pod drives were needed. With four-bladed props set 20 feet apart, the boat was ultra responsive and absolutely the easiest I’ve ever driven.
Rubis was so much fun to handle that when we picked up a mooring, we argued as to who got to drive. Often we dropped a mooring right after picking it up in favor of one a few feet over in case the breeze was better. We dropped three times in front of Saba Rock at the Bitter End Yacht Club just because we could.
This 43-foot catamaran felt more like a 52-foot monohull. To maximize the spacious feel, Leopard has flipped the salon layout, with the dinette facing forward and up against the cockpit settee. Open the door and windows between the two to create one large living room. The L-shaped galley in the starboard corner faces forward, and I liked looking ahead when cooking under way. To port was a small navigation desk that we used primarily to store cruising guides. It was also the place for charging phones and cameras since there were four USB ports on the bulkhead.
The master stateroom took up the entire starboard hull. A queen-sized bed aft and a large head forward were separated by a vanity, a chest of drawers and two enormous lockers. I could live aboard this boat without having to give away too many clothes. Two cabins in the port hull shared a head and stall shower. (Something that needed a bit of re-thinking were the head light switches that were not in the heads but rather in the corridors outside.)
Boats are sets of tradeoffs, but I found few things to complain about on the Moorings 433. Being nitpicky, however, I would liked to have had a larger electric winch for the dinghy davit that kept tripping the breaker. The windlass, too, was undersized and tended to spin out. Finally, the boarding ladder on the port transom had a challenging angle and little in the way of handholds on top. But that’s the extent of the complaint list, which is much shorter than just about every other boat I’ve seen.
The B.V.I. are permeated with sailing charter boats. However, power cats are quickly gaining ground. The distances are short and the destinations are plentiful so it’s the perfect place for a powerboat and an even better one for a cat. There was very little wind on our first two days of the trip, and we flew past the sailboats on our way to two and three fun anchorages in a day. We sped to the Baths for an early morning swim, then we SUPed around Sandy Cay near Jost Van Dyke followed by snorkeling at the Indians near Norman Island. We finished up with Painkillers at the Last Resort in Trellis Bay. Did we need to circumnavigate Tortola in a day? No, but we easily could have. One day we even went back for more Painkillers—the best I’ve ever tasted.
The builder, Robertson and Caine, expects to build 30 of these Leopard models per year in South Africa. Some will go to The Moorings since they offer power charters in a dozen locations from the Caribbean to Europe to the Seychelles.
Coming from a world of monohull sailboats, we felt a little guilty about how much we enjoyed our power cat and wondered how we could ever go back to half a boat. This was just too easy, too speedy and way too comfortable. We allowed ourselves to voice the reality. Our boat test was really a try-before-you-buy experiment that succeeded. There, we said it. We’re out in the open now and have fully embraced the dark side, a side with plenty of power and two hulls. Though we fought it for years, we are, in every sense of the word, converts.
—By Zuzana Prochazka, Southern Boating Magazine March 2017
Gone are the booze cruise days of the 1980s. They’ve been replaced by charters where the crew puts an emphasis on the well-being rather than that hungover feeling of their guests. Take, for example, several yachts in Camper & Nicholson’s Caribbean fleet: 214-ft Feadship Callisto, 155-foot Sunseeker Princess AVK and 190-ft Benetti Illusion V. Each has personal trainers as part of the crew, which means there’s someone hands-on to put you through your paces in onboard gyms well-equipped with spin bikes, elliptical cross trainers, free weights, and more. Or, if you’d like to keep fit in the water, these yachts have fitness toys like paddleboards, kayaks and waterskis, to name a few.
The benefits of a personal trainer among the crew are out-of-the-box fitness adventures, like a hike up St. Lucia’s iconic Gros Piton 3000 feet above sea level or the heart-pumping climb to Dominica’s Morne Diablotin, the highest mountain in the Eastern Caribbean at 4,747 feet. Follow up with a beach training session for even more activity. Looking for something a little less cardio? The 208-ft Benetti SpA Lioness V boasts a stewardess who is also a qualified yoga instructor. Of course, there is healthful cuisine to match. Fresh-caught Caribbean fish and just-picked tropical fruits like mangos and papayas are deliciously incorporated into meals. Callisto, for example, boasts a Michelin-star trained chef that heads up the galley. Charters focused on well-being are definitely the buzz these days in the Caribbean, especially in the megayacht arena. camperandnicholsons.com
New Outer Marina opens at Nanny Cay
Since December, more slips with deeper depths are available for racing, cruising and megayachts at Nanny Cay Resort & Marina’s Outer Marina. “The marina has been running at full capacity for the last five years and in anticipation of this, the owners commenced an expansion plan in 2009,” explains Alastair Abrehart, spokesperson for the Tortola, B.V.I.-based property. As of now, 42 slips are operational, with the final 78 expected to be in place by August. When completed, the Outer Marina will have 120 slips for yachts 30- to 75-feet with T-heads and a bulkhead capable of berthing megayachts up to 150 feet. Up to 10 megayachts over 100 feet can now dock at Nanny Cay. Controlling depth in the first half of the outer marina is 14 feet and 10 feet in the second half. The 6.5-acre Outer Marina peninsula will have 8 new condominium blocks each with three 4-bed and four 3-bed units; condo construction starts this spring. The expansion is good news for yachtsmen who in the past have found it difficult to get a slip at the dock for the many events Nanny Cay hosts each year: the B.V.I. Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival in March, the ARC USA Rally in May and ARC Caribbean 1500 Rally in November, as well as many races organized by the Royal B.V.I. Yacht Club throughout the year. nannycay.com
Where the big cats roam!
This year the St. Thomas International Regatta will host one of the largest offshore catamaran racing fleets in the Caribbean. As of January 1st, seven big cats are set to compete in this event on March 24-26 hosted out of the St. Thomas Yacht Club in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Three gunboats are also included: Arethusa, Fault Tolerant and Elvis, as well as the U.S.V.I.-built Bieker 53 Fujin and HH66 NALA and Kelsall 47 Triple Jack. “Our inter-island courses are perfect for these fast-sailing multihulls. So much so, our regatta is getting to be known as where the big cats roam,” says regatta director Chuck Pessler. stthomasinternationalregatta.com
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine March 2017
Enjoy fun in the sun and rum when Sunsail kicks off its new 8-day B.V.I. Rum Flotilla in February. “The idea is to give a distinct group of travellers, namely rum aficionados and foodies, a bespoke flotilla experience,” says Nicole Smirlis, brand manager for the Americas of the Clearwater, Florida-headquartered global yacht charter company. “This includes stops at some of the B.V.I.’s best rum hotspots including distilleries, bars and restaurants that serve their own local rum with delicious cuisine to match.” Examples include a Happy Hour at the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Windward Mark Bar complete with the resort’s signature rum punch, a Pusser’s Painkiller Party at Marina Cay’s Hilltop Bar and a tour of the Callwood Rum Distillery in Cane Garden Bay, the oldest continuously operating rum distillery in the Caribbean. Departure dates for 2017: February 3rd, February 24th, May 26th, June 30th, November 17th, and December 8th. sunsail.com
Test your mettle on the Round Redonda Race
Some of the world’s swiftest-sailing, high-tech yachts manned by talented international crews head to Antigua in February for the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s (RORC) Caribbean 600. This epic 600-mile race course departs Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour on February 20th and navigates around 11 Caribbean islands from Guadeloupe to the south and Anguilla to the north. This year, organizers of the Jolly Harbour Yacht Club’s (JHYC) Valentine Regatta will offer an opportunity for all-comers to test their mettle like the big boys on one of the Caribbean 600’s legs in the first-ever Round Redonda Race set for February 14th. “This is a race open to anyone,” invites Grahame Williams, JHYC commodore. “The classes will be decided once the entries are known. Several local and visiting sailors are expected to race their boats.” The start takes place outside Jolly Harbour near Cades Reef and is a downward leg to Redonda. The return to Falmouth is a beat into the wind. Redonda is a 0.6 square-mile uninhabited island located 37 miles to the west of Antigua. As for the RORC Caribbean 600 itself, 70-80 entries are expected, including the multi-time Maxi72 world champion Belle Mente and new Infinity 46 Maverick with its DSS foil. It’s great fun to go up to Shirley Heights and watch this fantastic fleet take their mark, get set and go. jhycantigua.com; caribbean600.rorc.org
Dominica’s Yachtie Appreciation Week
The beautiful “Nature Island” of Dominica is hard to visit by boat since there are no marinas. Moorings were also non-existent until now. But thanks to the spearheading of Han Schmitt, owner of Huntington, NewYork-based crew network service, Offshore Passage Opportunities, along with the Dominica Marine Association (DMA), nonprofit Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services (P.A.Y.S.), and the Dominican government, nearly 40 moorings have been installed in Prince Rupert Bay for use by visiting cruisers. In celebration, cruisers are invited to Yachtie Appreciation Week February 12-19, 2017. “Highlights of the week will include discounted tours to the Emerald Pool and Boiling Lake, an afternoon soccer match between the local high school and boat boy/yachtie team, and farewell dinner and music at historic Fort Shirley,” says Schmitt. In addition, adds Hubert Winston, president of the DMA and owner of the Dominica Marine Center in Roseau, “We will also host a dinghy poker run that includes five local beach bar hops.” sailopo.com
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine February 2017
Lighted boat parades happen throughout the Caribbean in December. One of the most exciting is the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade held in the U.S.V.I. on December 10th.
You won’t want to miss this Caribbean boat parade.
Live-aboards, visiting cruisers, charterers, and locals on powerboats, sailing yachts or water toys—even stand-up paddleboards—are all invited to enter for free. The parade starts at 6PM, and over 30 watercraft launch on a route that twice circles the safe, protected waters of Christiansted Harbor. If you’re on board, get ready to see a cheering crowd lining the Christiansted Boardwalk as well as at Protestant Cay. If you’re on shore, these two locations are the best spots for viewing. The parade is so popular it’s even been showcased on the Travel Channel. It’s no wonder, since tropical twists have included Santas in green and red boardshorts, fire dancers and local reggae artists singing the territory’s customary carols. A huge fireworks display after the parade is followed by live music, vendors lining the town’s streets and shops open late for holiday shopping. christmasparadestcroix.com
Everyone on St. Croix dresses up for the Christmas parade…even paddleboarders! Photo credit: Ellen Sanpere
Ring out the old year in the B.V.I. Rub shoulders with celebrities and bid farewell to the Old Year on December 31st on Jost Van Dyke in the B.V.I. Here, seventh-generation native and calypsonian, Sir Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood, who was knighted by the Queen of England in 2009 for his contributions to tourism and the environment, puts on a party of global fame at his Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour. In fact, the New York Times listed Foxy’s as one of the best places to ring in the millennium back in 1999. Yet Great Harbour, on this 3.5-square-mile island, is a world away from other favorite New Year’s destinations like New York City’s Times Square. Access is by boat only, whether you bring your own, charter or take the ferry. Attire is barefoot and bathing suits, and sleeping on the beach until sunup is the norm. This year, the party starts on Friday, December 30th and lasts until Sunday, January 1st, with live bands, a pig roast and more. Admission is free. The only costs are food and drinks at Foxy’s or one of the other half dozen open-air bars that line the harbor. If you’re serious about partying with the rich and famous, book a table at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar’s Upper Crust restaurant on the second floor. Here, the VIP party includes a multi-course dinner, champagne, hats, noisemakers, and terrific views for $500 per person. foxysbar.com/old-years-celebration; bvitourism.com/jost-van-dyke.
New Year’s potluck in Trinidad The Seven Seas Cruising Association’s (SSCA) first event of 2017 is on January 1st. This “gam,” or what the SSCA calls a “friendly interchange, especially between sailors or seafarers,” is a potluck held at the Trinidad & Tobago Yachting Association’s headquarters in Chaguaramas. SSCA Cruising Station host Jesse James and his wife Sharon, who operate Members Only Maxi Taxi Service, offer a free shuttle from local marinas to the gam. It’s a great event and an excellent opportunity for sailors new to the Caribbean to tap into the collected wealth of attendees’ cruising experiences in the region. ssca.org; membersonlymaxitaxi.com
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine December 2016
You never know who you’re going to meet in the British Virgin Islands.
I have to admit, when the boss said I’d be going on a bareboat powercat charter in the British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.), my first thought was, “Again? I’ve already been there twice.” (Pathetic, I know, but at least give me some credit for admitting it.) Then I learned I’d be joining 13 other powercats on a MarineMax BVI Getaway organized by MarineMax of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri (MMLOO). As a former Midwesterner, boating with folks who are even close to my neck of the woods sounded just too fun to pass up. I was all in.
My group of four opted to fly to St. Thomas, get a hotel and take the water shuttle the next day as we’ve done in the past. If you’ve never been to St. Thomas, the Windward Passage Hotel is close to restaurants, shopping, offers a view of Charlotte Amalie Bay, and the ferry terminal is just across the street and down a block. (Note: Eat in Frenchtown at either Hook, Line & Sinker or The Pie Whole, an authentic New York pizza joint with an extensive beer menu; try the Rogue Mocha Porter or one of the local varieties brewed upstairs.)
A shallow reef protects charter boats moored off White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.
Bob and Mitzi Plocher do most of their boating in Lake of the Ozarks on their 2005 Sea Ray 390. Creating family memories while expanding their cruising horizons on a MarineMax Getaway with daughters’ families was Bob’s idea. Bob and Mitzi are joined at the restaurant above The Baths on Virgin Gorda are Amy & Michael Garrett and Kim & Zach Lewis. For the Getaway they appropriately named their boat No Regrets.
The Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay attracts tourists by land and charter guests by sea
Getaway gals explore Manchioneel Bay by kayak.
Taxis on Jost Van Dyke transport tourists between the two bays and stop for photo opportunities upon request.
Kyle Bargfrede of MMLOO and wife Mandy invited friends Randy & Anna on Kyle’s 3rd BVI Getaway.
Oliver (7) and Jacob (9) joined their parents, aunt & uncle and grandparents on the Getaway; their favorite part was snorkeling and seeing jellyfish, anemone and clams.
The Jost Van Dyke Methodist Church is on Great Harbour down the road from Foxy’s.
Shops near Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke’s Great Harbour offer a variety of colorful island gifts and garb.
In my opinion, a better option is to fly directly to Tortola; flights are more expensive, but you’ll save time and the hotel and water shuttle expense. Besides, the water shuttles are not typically very punctual (i.e. “island time”). Arrange in advance with your MarineMax representative to stay on the powercat the first night at their Tortola charter headquarters on Hodge’s Creek Marina. Also, ask for provisions to be delivered before your arrival if you prefer to cook on board that evening while familiarizing yourself with the boat.
A MarineMax BVI Getaway Done Right
After our shared van shuttle from the Roadtown ferry boat terminal to the MarineMax charter base at Hodge’s Creek Marina, we got to know some of our cruising mates at the welcome dinner, including Monte Richardson of Afton, Oklahoma, who leases a boat slip from MMLOO. This was the first time cruising the BVI for any in their group of five family members. “I had been talking about a family Caribbean cruise but instead, I talked my dad into this, although my sister takes the credit,” Monte joked. They named their 443 Aquila powercat Monarka for the trip, an amalgamation of their names: Monte, Mark, Karen, and the Spanish translation of their dad Arthur, who bought his 2004 44′ Sea Ray from MMLOO.
A MarineMax BVI Getaway enables MarineMax dealers to offer group boating vacations to their customers so that they can experience new and exciting places and connect with others who enjoy the boating lifestyle. “The B.V.I. is a preferred location and our fleet has 32 powercats and 4 monohull sailboats,” says Harry Mountain, Logistics & Operations manager of MarineMax Vacations and Aquila boat sales based in Clearwater, Florida. One of the competitive advantages of MarineMax charters is that Wi-Fi is included on every boat. “It really enables people who are tied to their jobs to stay in touch with the office, reduce email when they get back from a trip and combine work with pleasure.”
Early the next morning, the 14 boat skippers and mates attended the charter presentation—a review for some but interesting and informative nonetheless—while others picked up snorkel vests, fishing licenses, etc. The first destination was only 4 miles across Sir Francis Drake Channel to Cooper Island, where we picked up a mooring ball—get them early when they’re available—and then used the RIB to go to Cistern Point for snorkeling. (Note: If you don’t have good upper body strength to get back in the RIB from the water, bring your own packable ladder unless one of your boat mates is a MacGyver-type who knows how to make one from boat lines.) Dinner at the Cooper Island Beach Club was a B.V.I. first for us and highly recommended.
Mooring balls fill up quickly at The Baths, so we departed Cooper Island early the next morning. Our friends enjoyed the trail through the boulders, and we rewarded our effort with a snack at the top of the trail. We met up with MMLOO salesman Kyle Bargfrede and his wife Mandy of Osage Beach, Missouri, their friends Randy and Anna, and Kyle’s customers Rogie Carlock and Shawn Walker. Kyle has been with MarineMax for five years and, in addition to enjoying a vacation with his wife away from their two toddlers, he wanted to see the charter operation firsthand. “The B.V.I. is amazing, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most. Instead of a resort destination trip, you get multiple opportunities and adventures,” says Kyle, who owns two boats: one for watersports and another for fishing. “I can now offer my customers something that no other company does. It shows my customers my company’s commitment to boating and the lifestyle. Now that I’ve done this as a group, I can do it by myself with my own group. It’s given me way more confidence.”
The group itinerary included an overnight at the Bitter End Yacht Club, where our Aquila 484 powercat had the far north dock all to ourselves. Our boatmates planned to cook a hot breakfast on board the next morning but the cooktop malfunctioned. Thankfully, one of the MarineMax technicians was traveling with the group—one of the many benefits of this program—and made sure the “operator error” was corrected and our provisions wouldn’t go to waste.
The MMLOO group departed for Jost Van Dyke but we had customized our own itinerary and headed for snorkeling at The Indians. Alas, no mooring balls were available and the water was very rough, so we got settled in The Bight Bay at Norman Island, launched the RIB and headed to the Caves for snorkeling. (There are always options in the B.V.I. so when you charter, plan ahead to know what they are before they need them.) The MMLOO group’s itinerary scheduled them for The Bight the final night aboard, but we knew based on previous trips and personal experience aboard the Willy T—an old ship anchored in the Bight known for loud music, late night parties and raucous partiers—that we’d have a better night’s sleep on a different night.
We waved hello to our new cruising friends as we crossed paths—it’s hard to miss 13 beautiful Aquila powercats in the B.V.I.—on our way to Jost Van Dyke, and picked up a mooring ball in the northern end of Great Harbour, where our B.V.I. cruising guide indicated would be most calm. It was rough and windy outside of the harbor, so we took a cab from Foxy’s dock to White Bay ($40US/roundtrip per couple) and the Soggy Dollar Bar. Our dinner at Foxy’s was predictably delicious, and the chef happily made adjustments for dietary restrictions. We even bumped into Billy Davidson from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, an acquaintance from our boating days there. You never know who you’re going to see when you’re cruising in the B.V.I.
Our custom itinerary included a final day in poolside luxury with a swim-up bar, marina shore power and a gourmet lobster dinner at Scrub Island Resort, a Marriott Autograph Collection property accessible only by boat or helicopter. Cruising was windy and rough on the north side of Tortola, and I was glad to be on the largest powercat in the MarineMax fleet, though all of them handle well. I’m a huge fan of powercats in general, but the Aquila 484 is really designed to impress for both charter and private ownership. The Aquila powercats are designed specifically for power as opposed to sailing cats that have been adapted for power. Though we only had one other couple on a four-cabin powercat, three couples joined Dave Gabert and Jeanie Schmidt of Kansas City, Kansas, on the Aquila 484 they dubbed Old Couples for the Getaway. Gabert had a long-standing relationship with the previous ownership of his dealer in Lake of the Ozarks and now with MarineMax, went on his first B.V.I. Getaway in 2013 and returned with friends for this one. Gabert describes Teresa Riley of MMLOO and Getaway organizer as the “hostess with the mostest” and adds “We stay with them because we like the people.”
All great vacations come to an end, yet even the check-in process back at the MarineMax charter base was enjoyable and relaxed. We simply pulled into an available slip, and the staff handled refueling after guests’ departure—much easier for everyone. The water shuttle from Roadtown back to St. Thomas was the only “rocky” part of the whole trip. Next time the boss sends me to the B.V.I., remind me to take my own advice and fly directly to Tortola.
Story and photos by Liz Pasch, Southern Boating September 2016
The Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) is one of the world’s best resorts for sailors, from its nearly always placid North Sound Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands setting to its over 100 vessel fleet of monohull sailboats, performance catamarans and windsurfers. It’s in this vein of catering to sailors of all skills that the BEYC started its Pro Am Regatta 30 years ago. The event is set for October 22-29 this year and pairs professional sailors with amateurs during a week chock-full of festivities that includes fleet racing, team racing and match racing. “We are pulling out all the stops for our 30th anniversary,” says John Glynn, vice president of sales and marketing. “The skipper’s list includes past winners like Ed Baird and Taylor Canfield, plus crowd favorites and industry legends like Dave Perry and Dave Ullman, plus three to five other skippers to be announced.” The event is sailed in IC 24s, a modified J/24 design, with four guests per boat and a rotating pro sailor on the helm. In addition to the racing, guests and pros can mingle at nightly dinners, cocktail cruises and entertaining gatherings. Guests can ask the pros pointed questions about the America’s Cup, Olympics, One Design Racing, and other topics at the highly anticipated Scuttlebutt “State of the Sport” Forum. Cruisers are welcome at the cocktail functions and, in some instances, can join the racing fun. The Pro Am’s Defiance Day coastal races to The Baths for lunch and back are open to all boats, including cruising catamarans. beyc.com/compete
Fishing on B.V.I. charters
As of July 1st, The Moorings power catamaran fleet in the B.V.I. are registered fishing vessels, which allows charter guests to fish after obtaining a proper fishing license. The decision to register the yachts followed a reinforced fishing policy by the B.V.I. government. Fishing in the B.V.I. is highly rated with plentiful amounts of tarpon, kingfish and barracuda. moorings.com
U.S.V.I. mooring fee increase
Unchanged for more than 20 years, annual costs for anchoring and mooring in the U.S.V.I. were increased in May to $10/foot for pleasure craft, $15/foot for liveaboards and $20/foot for commercial craft. Visiting craft can still moor or drop anchor for free for up to 14 days per year; moorings in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John still charge a fee for overnight use.
Trio of Billfishing Tournaments
Whether you’re cruising to the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles or further south to the ABC islands this month, you’ll find a great billfishing tournament. The Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament takes place October 1-8 out of the same-named port on the northeast coast of Jamaica. The week of angling for big blues is punctuated by a native canoe fishing tournament on the layday plus nightly parties. Next up is the Varadero Aruba Caribbean Cup set for October 20-23 out of Varadero Marina & Boatyard in Aruba; the opportunity to catch a Grand Slam has long hooked anglers on this event. Finally, the St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament is scheduled for October 25-29 out of Island Global Yachting’s Rodney Bay Marina on St. Lucia. Newly placed fish aggregration devices (FADs) should increase the likelihood of fantastic fishing as well as an opportunity to break the island’s 707-pound blue marlin record and win a new car. jamaicasportsfishing.com; preschallenge.com; facebook.com/slugamefishingassociation
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016
The 35-square-mile island of Anguilla sits right in the middle of the Caribbean’s prime megayacht cruising grounds, with the U.S. and B.V.I. to the north and St. Maarten and St. Barths to the south. Yet, it’s a destination without adequate dockage for these large yachts. Anchoring out and a dinghy ride in is the only way to visit Anguilla’s incredible beaches, five-star resorts and not-yet-overcommercialized island vibe—a movie star’s magnet. This is about to change with the construction of the island’s first megayacht marina at the existing Altamer Resort, a plan that has been on the drawing board for years. Now, in the wake of the resort’s acquisition by New York-based Time Equities and the partnership with Anaconda Holdings—whose chairman Jeff Boyd was instrumental in the creation of St. Maarten’s Princess Port de Plaisance, Yacht Club at Isle de Sol and Portofino Marina—a megayacht marina on Anguilla is to become a reality. Plans call for dockage capable of accommodating yachts from 30- to 200-feet LOA. The marina will also serve as an official port of entry. Marina guests will be able to enjoy all the amenities at the Altamer Resort, a boutique villa property located on the island’s west end at Shoal Bay. The final design stages for the marina wrapped up in late 2015, however, no date has been set for completion. Future plans call for a restaurant, promenade, duty-free shopping, and a 164-unit resort.
Grenada’s first-ever music festival
Seaside venues and an exciting program of local and international artists are the main attractions at the first-ever Pure Grenada Music Festival set for April 5-10. Cruisers donated their old sails to make shaded areas around the Festival Village, which will be located on the spacious green at the Port Louis Marina along with the main stage. At the Festival’s conclusion the sails will go to local workboat owners. The 170-slip, full-service, Port Louis marina is host to the opening night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning pop and R&B superstar, Estelle. Reggae Night and Rhythm and Soul Night happens at Port Louis, too, where the headline acts are Grammy-winning reggae band Steele Pulse and chart topper, Joss Stone. The most exciting night for nautical types is the Rock De Boat concert set on a floating stage in picturesque St. George’s harbor. Canadian duo, Madison Violet, will perform its hit version of These Ships, and Guadeloupe’s Erik Pedurand will present his award-winning island Creole tunes. grenadamusicfestival.com
Antigua’s Granddaddy of Caribbean racing
Catch the action from Antigua Sailing Week with the “Granddaddy of Caribbean Regattas” on April 22-30 at the Antigua Yacht Club in English Harbour. The best vantage point to watch the racing from shore is at Shirley Heights Lookout, where a special regatta breakfast party is set for April 24th. See the sailing by sea aboard the Wadadli Cats on a chase-the-race charter. Not in Antigua? No worries. Results will be posted in real time on sailingweek.com.
By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016
Island hop this cruiser’s paradise in which scenery, characters and proximity appeal to novice and experienced boaters alike.
The dinghies approached us as if they had suddenly materialized on the water, before we even had a chance to grab onto a mooring. Time to pay up the mooring ball fee, we thought. Instead the men broke out singing. “Oh, what a beautiful morning,” belted out Sacko Sam under the high noon sun. That’s the kind of unforgettable welcome you get in the British Virgin Islands, where the serenity of the islands, majestic sceneries and colorful characters charm and invite you for a new adventure, no matter how many times you’ve cruised their turquoise seas.
In early August the Southern Boating crew composed of my family and friends took off for a seven day cruise aboard two powercats from The Moorings charter fleet, the 514PC and the 393PC. The trip was to give us quality time together, and while one cat would have accommodated all 10 of us, I had an ulterior motive: a learning experience for the younger generation (my children) to learn to navigate, read the waters and charts, monitor the onboard machinery, and master anchoring and mooring techniques. In short, they would man their very own vessel in unfamiliar waters. From the distance of my powercat, I watched (as a proud father, teacher and captain) as they gained confidence and at times took the lead, guiding them when necessary.
After a quick stop in Road Town on Tortola (The Moorings’ base) to pick up our powercats, we departed for this archipelago of 60 islands, where one seemingly hops from island to island—a boater’s cruising paradise (and an ideal learning ground).
First on our journey: an easy and short southeast cruise to Cooper Island less than 7 nm away—a perfect way for the crew to familiarize itself with the vessels, take the dinghies out and relax in the crystal waters.
Skip Allen at the helm of the Mooring powercat.
Majestic mountains and crystal waters await everyone at The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda Island.
The colorful corals and sea life on the ocean floor of Virgin Gorda Island.
Our home for a week aboard one of The Moorings powercats.
Sacko Sam from Potter’s By The Sea on Anegada Island prepares a succulent dinner of monster lobster.
One of the Southern Boating crew member proudly showing off the large lobster he will eat later.
A typical afternoon on the white sandy beaches of the B.V.I.
On your next trip to Anegada Island, visit Potter’s By The Sea and see the many remembrances from our and other travelers.
The sign marks the spot of famed Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke’s Great Harbour.
This charter experience created great memories and a stronger bond among the crew.
A Southern Boating “mermaid” during one of the many snorkeling adventures.
A crew member enjoying a stroll through the gargantuan boulders of The Baths on Virgin Gorda.
The bewitching braided trees and stone stacking on George Dog.
A mechanical issue on the 51′ powercat—a fizzling air conditioner due to trapped seaweed in the intake—had us cruising uncomfortably under high temperatures for a bit, yet failed to derail our plans. One of The Moorings’ certified technicians—who are scattered throughout the islands and readily available—quickly met us at our next stop, immediately identified and fixed the common problem as we explored (our minds at ease) The Bath and its gargantuan boulders on the south end of Virgin Gorda Island. The dazzling granite boulders, reminders of the island’s volcanic origins, form natural sheltered pools and scenic grottoes. Take the dinghy around a bit before you pick a spot to start exploring or be prepared for a lot of swimming to go around the boulders. We spent the evening docked at Bitter End Yacht Club, where we feasted at its landmark Clubhouse Steak & Seafood Grille, a favorite rendezvous for visiting boaters for its sea-to-table approach.
It was right as we arrived on Anegada Island—the longest jaunt of our trip—that the serenading men in their dinghies met us, their songs meant to lure us to their eateries and the island’s specialty: lobster. Sam, the jubilant chef of Potter’s By The Sea won us over, and after making our dinner reservations arranged for a taxi to take us to Loblolly Beach on the north shore for an afternoon of snorkeling on the Eastern Caribbean’s third largest continuous reef—where baby octopi, monster lobsters and yellowtail fish inhabit the vibrant corals. We made a quick stop at Flash of Beauty Beach, an improvised shack-like bar with its self-service refrigerator—as if walking into someone’s back porch straight from the seas—where the owner, a woman from Trinidad and Tobago decked out in a muumuu, sandals and head wrap entertained us with tales from the island. Wild goats and cattle roamed the flat and dry terrain, interspersed by marshes, where hundreds of bright pink flamingoes gathered on the road back to Potter’s By The Sea. As the sun came down, the simple and colorful shack house with its wooden picnic tables came to life with strings of lights dangling from the tin ceiling. Sam danced and sang by the grill. T-shirts and flags from previous visitors hang on the roof. We added our own decór contribution and left a Southern Boating shirt behind.
While Great Dog Island was our next intended destination, the lack of available moorings led us to Kitchen Point on George Dog. There, the trees’ long branches shot out and seemingly braided with one another to form natural trellises, where visitors left balanced stacks of rocks behind—we added our own. We docked at Scrub Island Resort & Marina on Scrub Island, reveled in their salt water two-level infinity pool—the slide takes you from the top level with pool bar right to the bottom—and shopped at the many boutiques before enjoying a scrumptious dinner of fresh seafood at Tierra! Tierra! under the stars. Back at the docks, a real spectacle awaited us as jellyfish and tarpons glided in the waters lit by colorful underwater lights.
We encountered yet another character on Brewers Bay on the northern coast of Tortola. Miss Lou, a petite woman in her 70s with weathered skin and a knack for captivating anecdotes, owned yet another small bar along the white sandy beach. It was as we sat enjoying our drinks, taking in the view of the mountains and recounting Miss Lou’s stories that we almost lost one of our dinghies—not pulled nearly far enough on the sand, it gave in to the waves that took it hundreds of yards away. (It does happen to the most experienced of boaters.)
We moored on Jost Van Dyke’s Great Harbour and strolled along the waterside road with its bars, gift shops, dive shops, small markets, and a fresh drink at Foxy’s Bar. The next day we moved westward to White Bay, home of the famed Soggy Dollar Bar, where patrons linger to play a game of ring toss. We finished our cruise with a visit to Norman Island known for its legends and tales of pirates and treasures, where more snorkeling awaited us within the dark caves of Treasure Point.
The laid-back vibe of the B.V.I. and the proximity of the islands invite you to abandon your agenda and just go with the flow. Whether the lack of moorings, the weather, your crew’s change of heart—or their newly gained confidence—allow yourself to hop from islets to cays and coves, take in the scenery, and discover the B.V.I again and again through the eyes of its most colorful characters.
Sailing rallies, swashbuckling fun and superyachts
It’s easy to cruise to the Caribbean this fall. Just join a rally! Cast off November 1st in the North Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (NARC), which targets professionally crewed yachts and departs from the Newport Yachting Center, Rhode Island, en route to Saint Martin via Bermuda. Bluewater experienced sailors cast off on November 2nd on the Salty Dawg Rally that transits from Hampton, Virginia, to Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. On November 8th, the Caribbean 1500 also sets sail from Hampton to the B.V.I of Tortola and welcomes those who prefer the safety and camaraderie of a rally on their first major offshore passage. Finally, hitch a ride on November 22nd across the pond in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands to Saint Lucia. This multinational rally boasts seniors, babies and even pets as participants, although those at the helm are usually experienced yachtsmen. Each rally offers social events that are a great way to meet other cruisers and get the scoop on exploring the rest of the Caribbean during the winter. sailopo.com; saltydawgrally.org; worldcruising.com
Pirate’s Week
Ahoy Mateys! Look for exploding fireworks, costume competitions, street performances, and more at the Cayman Islands’ famous Pirates Week November 12-22. Staged in George Town, Grand Cayman, “[Pirates Week]’s a one-of-a-kind festival, where thousands of people from all over the world can feel part of a global celebration featuring a mock pirate invasion, while getting a taste of Caymanian heritage and culture,” says Melanie McField, festival executive director. “Not to mention, the event is perfect for families as it offers plenty of dancing, music, games, local food, and drink, giving guests a chance to experience the unmatched Cayman-kind culture.” New this year is the first-ever Pirates Week Charity Golf Classic on November 20th. The next day brings the Pirate Pooch Parade to benefit the local humane society and the Illumination Night Parade featuring yachts decorated in twinkling lights circling the harbor. Dock at the Barcadere Marina or Harbour House Marina, the closest to the festivities if arriving by sea. piratesweekfestival.com
First superyacht marina on Nevis
The founding father of the U.S. Coast Guard was born here, but it won’t be until next year when superyachts can dock on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Tamarind Cove Marina will open in January 2016 in Cades Bay, four miles north of the island’s capital and Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace, Charleston. “Phase One includes five slips for yachts up to 200 feet, while Phase Two, which we will start next year, will offer several slips for yachts up to 300 feet in length with a depth of 15 feet. In total, there will be about 100 slips of various sizes,” says Adrian Dozier, director of Tamarind Cove Marina Development Ltd. The property will also feature a 126-room hotel, spa, casino, yacht club, shops, bars, and restaurants. tamarindcovenevis.com
SB: What attracted you to work for MarineMax?
RB: The company and the opportunity. MarineMax is a world-class organization. Everyone that works for MarineMax has a great passion for the water and for customer service. Bill McGill, Chairman, President and CEO is an incredible leader who walks the talk. It was also the opportunity of developing their world-class charter business with that same level of passion and service and simultaneously introducing the evolution of true purebred charter powercats to this market and industry with MarineMax Vacations. It was an exciting challenge and I knew it was a perfect fit for my passions and me. It has been less than four years since we launched MarineMax Vacations, and we are now the fastest growing charter company in the world.
SB: What sets your company apart from other competitors in the field? How has it accomplished this and how will it continue to do so?
RB: Our team and our yachts. The entire team of MarineMax and MarineMax Vacations is passionate about providing the world’s best pleasure-boating experience by consistently exceeding the greatest expectations of our customer with the highest level of personal service and product. Aquila Power Cats is the only brand of powerboat we feature in the MarineMax Vacations fleet and was designed by powerboaters for powerboaters. The Aquila power catamarans are true purebred powerboats offering all of the comforts that boaters are used to having on their own personal yachts at home.
We provide services including free Wi-Fi and onboard equipment for living comforts including watermakers on all of our yachts.
SB: How has the company developed and changed over the years?
RB: The boats offered by MarineMax have changed but the MarineMax values have not and that is why MarineMax has survived all of the economic changes. MarineMax is loyal to the customer and the customers are loyal to MarineMax. Bill McGill says that what we offer is all about “changing people’s lives” through boating. With that belief in mind, he took the risk to launch MarineMax Vacations in the B.V.I. to extend the boating season for the MarineMax stores in the northern states by offering an opportunity to go boating on our custom power catamarans in the B.V.I.
SB: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what prompted you to enter the marine world?
RB: I am a native of Barranquilla, Colombia, South America, and relocated to the U.S.A. with my family when I was just 12 years old. I graduated from Miami’s Florida International University with a degree in Business and Management of Information Systems. I have been married to my wife, Kelly, for 23 years, and we have four wonderful boating kids ranging in age from 8 to 19.
I was living in Denver, Colorado when I received a call from a recruiter about a career opportunity in Florida with a yacht charter company, The Moorings. It was the middle of winter when I flew from a very cold Denver to a beautiful and warm charter base in the B.V.I. for an interview with the team. They extended me an offer to join them, and as I was overlooking the marina full of yachts, I called my wife and I told her “I can do this. We are moving.” It was an easy decision. I have always loved the water and am an avid fisherman, so it was also a great opportunity that this new job would get us back to warm Florida, too. Two weeks later I was back in Tortola racing in the B.V.I. Spring Regatta with the management group, and I was with that group for more than 12 years.
SB: What do you love most about what you do?
RB: I love “changing people’s lives.” Getting telephone calls and letters from customers telling us about what an incredible experience they had with MarineMax Vacations and hearing how cruising on a MarineMax powercat was their “best vacation ever” is something that just never gets old. It fuels the passion for our team and I. I love going to boat shows and meeting the customers, telling them about our boats and destinations, and then seeing them the following year and hearing all about their vacation as they recap their experience with tremendous smiles on their faces.
SB: We’d love to hear specific examples of how you believe MarineMax has enriched mariners experience on the water.
RB: From a MarineMax point of view, the focus is on making sure people enjoy their time on the water, and that includes numerous free classes offered at all MarineMax stores including the highly popular Women On Water, Kids in Boating, and Captains Orientation, just to name a few.
When you buy a boat from MarineMax, you become part of the family—they are not just selling you a boat. MarineMax is about developing a lifelong relationship with the customer, and our rendezvous, Getaways and group boating deepens the personal relationships and forms lasting bonds with the customers. I also strongly believe that MarineMax Vacations Charters and what we do enriches mariners’ experience by allowing them to explore places they could not do on their own boats.
SB: Are there any destinations or itineraries that you are particularly fond of?
RB: I am a big fan of the B.V.I. and have been cruising there for more than 15 years. The B.V.I. offers something for everyone and can meet everyone’s idea of excitement and relaxation from peaceful rest to energetic excursions. You can set your itinerary based on who is boating with you—I have a different itinerary when I go with friends versus when I go with the family.
Raul Bermudez relaxing aboard his “Little Raskal.”
SB: What would you recommend among the options you offer?
RB: We offer a wide range of Aquila power catamarans in our charter fleet ranging in size from 38 to 48 feet. Boat selection all depends on the size of the party.
I recommend that if someone has never chartered a yacht in the B.V.I. that they begin planning this experience right away. It’s an experience that gets people hooked immediately—we’ve seen it over the past three years as we have brought new power boaters to the destination. Some have just completed their third charter with us and have booked their next one already.
For returning guests, I recommend they look at our Charter Yacht Ownership Program, which allows an owner to enjoy numerous weeks each year while receiving a monthly check from MarineMax to cover the boat loan. MarineMax handles all service, maintenance, fees, and charter activity.
For those who want a purebred powercat at home, I recommend private ownership of Aquila. They are proven ocean-going vessels that can cross oceans or cruise the Great Loop and provide the best platform for living comforts and efficient performance no matter what the water preference.
SB: Do you own a boat? If so what is the make and name? Where do you like to boat?
RB: I currently do not own a boat but have access to large fleet of them. My last boat was a 2008 SeaRay Sundeck 220, which I purchased from MarineMax Clearwater before I was a team member. The boat name was “Little Raskal”—the initials of all of my family members (Raul, Adam, Sarah, Kelly, Alex, and Loren).
SB: What do you like most about being a mariner?
RB: The feeling you get when you are on the water—the freedom, the wind against your face, the smile on my kids’ faces, the special family time, and the memories we have and continue to create. I love the fact that my kids, including my 19-year-old, actually ask when we are going to go on our next MarineMax power catamaran vacation. They love the MarineMax 484 power cat and they love the B.V.I. marinemaxvacations.com
By Nathalie Gouillou, Southern Exposure, September 2015
Our final day was was sad just like any other last day of a fun-filled vacation. The morning was consumed with cleaning what we called home (power cat) for the past 7 days. We also gathered all of our left over provisions and searched the dock for departing sailors who may appreciate these treasures, like aluminum foil, charcoal, eggs and butter. We were in luck and met a very nice family just one slip over who were from England and taking the journey for the first time. Once we finished The Moorings departing brief we were on our way back to the Road Town fast ferry that would return us to the Charlotte Amalie, U.S.V.I. port and then one final taxi to the airport. We had a few more laughs before our flight back to Miami but it was obvious that our hearts were heavy with the yearning for one more cruise.
Day Six: White Bay, Sandy Cay, and Norman’s Island
We departed Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke, anxious to explore more of the turquoise waters. We started the morning snagging our first mooring ball at White Bay, home of the famous Soggy Dollar bar and grill where patrons sign the guest book and linger with cold drinks, play a game of ring toss or just relax in the shallow waters with the provided chairs. What a fun way to start the day. Our next stop was a tiny island named Sandy Cay where the waters were crystal clear and the beach was inviting. We anchored for a quick swim and checked out the shoreline and then moved on cruising south to Normans Island. We settled on a mooring location in the Bight for a well-protected evening stay. Once we settled in we jumped in the dinghy’s for late day exploration before a yummy dinner onboard.
Anchored for the evening at Bight on Norman’s Island.
Some of the Southern Boating crew checking out the offerings at Soggy Dollar.
The beautiful Soggy Dollar beach.
The many remembrances of previous visitors to Soggy Dollar.
Alexandra snorkling in Sandy Cay.
A reminder of what every boater should do when cruising—explore.
![Willy T's Floating Bar: British Virgin Islands [HD DRONE]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kZCkAVrudR8/hqdefault.jpg)
