BVI vs St. Maarten

[Sunsetrider]

Originally Posted by monte

Heh, I dunno about more exciting than a cat, unless you call changing sides of the cockpit to get more comfortable each tack 'exciting' !

That's exactly what I mean!

[Eric on El Gato]

I agree with Womda's comments. Nicely put. Also the comments about sportier sailing (big wind and waves) around St Martin / St Barts.

If you guys have given thought to learning to kitesurf, St Martin's Orient Bay is a busy, crazy place with an excellent kite/windsurf school.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by adlib2

Moorings are owned and operated by Sunsail, so don't really matter.

Actually Moorings, Sunsail and Footloose are owned by TUI
TUI Group
The company is so big the charter yachts dont even rate a mention on the websites front page!
They own 300 hotels, 6 European airlines, cruise ships... Employ 70,000 world wide and claim 31 million customers....

[EmeraldCoastSailor]

BVI is so much fun fishing becomes a hassle all things considered. And I like to fish.

[hyperfine]

Originally Posted by scottthardin

BVI is so much fun fishing becomes a hassle all things considered. And I like to fish.

Yeah, if it's a huge hassle I'll skip it this trip. Maybe if I look into the license now I'll be able to get it all ironed out before the trip, but if it's too much trouble I won't worry about it.

[Catopia]

Originally Posted by hyperfine

Wow, thanks for all the responses. Sounds like the BVIs are the place to start! I would still hope do some fishing if possible, are the USVIs close enough to fish for a day or two, or should I just expect that fishing won't happen without licenses sorted out well in advance?



I see a few of you have brought up the idea of chartering a cat. My main reason for wanting to charter a 50' mono is because I'm looking to buy one in 18 months or so, so I thought it would make sense to try one out for a week. Access to shallower places would be nice with the cat, though, for sure.



Also, do any of you know a bb captain in the BVIs who you really liked? Thanks again!

When guests charter our boat in the BVI we use Michael Domican. He is an ASA instructor and can do your bareboat course while you are out. Here is a link to his cv page. http://www.yolocharters.com/Your-Captain

Let me know if you need his contact details.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[EmeraldCoastSailor]

I forgot to mention, I would be hesitant to eat fish caught near the islands or around the reefs due to Ciguatera: Ciguatera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A tuna or dolphin caught offshore would be tasty.

[SeaKing]

We enjoy both the USVI's and the BVI's for vacation. We have been to St. Maarten by boat and air. My wife and I have a boat in charter at Sopher's Hole and go down 2-3 times per year. Something we have started doing about food is really good for several reasons. We fill a cooler with frozen meats, fish, chicken, a ham, bacon, shredded prepared pork and roast beef kind of things from a warehouse foods and check it as luggage. That saves time on island looking for those items, you have what you want, better quality usually for LESS money. Its then easy to get a few things when you arrive and as you go along to add to the main courses.


But I still have to find a local fisherman to get us some bugs!


And it is true the saying to "take twice the money and half the clothes".


Enjoy your trip

[marlinmike]

I think you have plenty of info from others, I would suggest given you actually own a boat is skip on the captain and the money saved take a charter fishing boat out for a 1/2 day of fishing action.