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bareboat BVI in early May

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John Pittman
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/29/2011 : 21:35:55

So I am finally going to try out bareboating.

I can only go in early may.

Has anyone out there experience with the weather conditions the first and second week of May?

johnnyp

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2011 : 16:42:56

I bareboat chartered a Morgan 46 from the Moorings in Tortola, BVI years ago with some friends. We had the boat for about 10 days. As I recall, we were there in February. The weather was beautiful. The Morgan 46 would have been a bit of a dog anyplace else, with a full keel, but the wind was almost always so strong that we had to tuck a reef in the mainsail, and the boat ran like a thorobred race horse. I haven't been there in May, but would expect good winds generally, because one of the reasons the BVIs are so popular is because it's in the trade wind belt. One thing we learned about the BVIs is that, as clouds pass over the islands, they often drop their moisture. When they get over the ocean again, the rain stops. If you are anchored in a cove waiting for the rain to stop, you could be waiting awhile. If you get under way, and sail out of the cove, the chances are good that it'll stop raining. Enjoy your trip. It's beautiful.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2011 : 08:19:04

Contact the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda (http://www.beyc.com/). Their staff is very friendly and VERY into sailing. I'm sure they'll be able to give you excellent feedback on that time of year. I was there in August and May/June. The May/June trip was about 2 decades ago, so you probably don't want to rely on my recollection, but I think the weather was pretty good, and as Steve said, the trade winds blow through that whole area so there's typically some good sailing. While you're there, if you get a chance to visit The Baths on Virgin Gorda, I'd strongly recommend it - it's absolutely beautiful.

Edited by - JimGo on 11/01/2011 08:19:30

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/09/2012 : 21:19:09

I've been in April and June in the last two years. I don't have my June trip blog report up yet, but I do have two other blog entries for some other trips.
Weather is great, although I think April is best (so May would be good too). The temperature is fairly constant, both the air and the water. You'llnever hesitate to go for a swim.
June does tend to be slightly warmer, and January is just barely cool enough that you need a light jacket in the evenings.
Here are a couple of posts, hope they help with your planning. I have used Conch Charters (http://www.conchcharters.com) on several trips and have had good experiences. Not as new as the Moorings, but a fraction of the cost.

http://blog.unsinkable2.com/2011/01/british-virgin-islands-sailing-charter.html

http://blog.unsinkable2.com/2010/04/british-virgin-islands-bareboat-charter.html

Edited by - on

John Pittman
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2012 : 21:11:23

Thanks,
Your reports are great. I have a Beneteau Oceanis 323 booked for 12 days!!
I am having alot of fun reading the cruising guides trying to come up with an itenary.
My c25 is the largest boat I have sailed so I went with the 323 thinking its just 8' longer and should be ok.
I cant wait to see what its like and am hoping for fair winds and quiet anchorages in May

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2012 : 06:23:03

What are the requirements you guys are running into in order to bareboat? Most companies here won't let me take another C25 out without passing most of the ASA exams.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 01/20/2012 06:23:13

John Pittman
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2012 : 20:20:40

Good question,I have been thinking about chartering for several years and did not think I had enough experience. Every fall when my buddy and I pull our boats he regales me with tales of his chartering experiences and tells me I have more than enough knowledge to go, more in fact than a lot of people he has observed.
So this fall I decided to send in my honest sailing resume expecting to be turned down, especially as a lake sailor.
The reply came back within hours rating me as an expert sailor eligible for mono or multi hull up to 50'.
I went ahead and called Sun-sail and asked if they actually read the resumes or if it was a computer generated program. I was transferred to the folks that went through the resumes and a very nice lady said that with my stated experience I would have no problem and should go ahead and book a boat.

So I did the smallest one they had. i did research the 323 and it was favorably reviewed by Practical sailor and since its just me and the wife its plenty big enough. We like the c25 so this should be quite an experience, really looking forward to a shower and the sugar scoop transom.

I did hire a captain for the day just to make sure I understand the systems and get input on the cruising area.

I am a little nervous but that's all part of the adventure right.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4034 Posts

Response Posted - 01/21/2012 : 07:47:52

John, Your brilliant! I get it now, Get the wife out in the Caribbean in a nice roomy 32ft boat with all the amenities and by the time you get home she will be begging you to buy a bigger boat! Brilliant, Just brilliant!

Have fun, Sounds like a dream!

Edited by - on

skiyaksail
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2012 : 13:13:56

I just returned from a bareboat charter with Island Yachts in Redhook St Thomas, and sailed around St John and over to the BVI and back. We chartered and IP370 for the two of us, my girlfriend had only ASA sailing classes and one summer of sailing experience in a very small lake in CO. We also were apprehensive about our experience level, but we had no problems, the navigation was straightforward, the sailing was a bit challenging at times as we had 6-8 foot northern ground swells and winds consistently over 20 knots, as well as several squalls, but she handled it all fine.

We had no problem picking up moorings, and also were surprised by the number of crews we saw who appeared to have no idea what they were doing.

Overall, we had a wonderful trip and would definitely go back. You won't regret it at all !

Edited by - on

Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2012 : 08:54:16

One of my friends went on a "flotilla week" Bareboating with other boats.
One Charter Company boat/crew sailed to the next daily destination-you could follow along or go your own way and meet them at the next place
captains meetings in the morning if you wanted
had cocktail parties in the evening
and the nice thing was if something broke, they responded right away to repair

Edited by - Sam001 on 03/21/2012 08:54:44

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2012 : 05:59:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Pittman
 Thanks,
Your reports are great. I have a Beneteau Oceanis 323 booked for 12 days!!
I am having alot of fun reading the cruising guides trying to come up with an itenary.
My c25 is the largest boat I have sailed so I went with the 323 thinking its just 8' longer and should be ok.
I cant wait to see what its like and am hoping for fair winds and quiet anchorages in May
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I will be doing something similar - just not yet sure when. After your return, please let us all know how it went.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.