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Weather Websites and Cat42 ? Ironic !

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/10/2004 : 20:31:54

I say ironic because I remember a member asked my question on the Catalina 42 forum and got snubbed.

I am chartering a C42 out of Tortola in December.

(lucky me)
So, the week before I leave home I'd like to monitor the weather in the BVI neighborhood.
Any recommended weather websites?

And part 2 of my question for those of you who have been there ... What (or where) would you most like to do again ? or visit? or eat/drink at? or dive to?
Thanks

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5937 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2004 : 09:53:34

For diving, the wreck of the Rhone is unbeatable. It's in only 30 feet of crystal clear water, and is so picturesque that it has been used as a set in several movies. We didn't even dive. It's so close and clear that we just put on masks and leaned over the side of the dinghy to look at it.

The Baths are a formation of massive rocks that look like the scattered toys of a giant child. There is also a small "cave" that is lighted inside by reflected sunlight that has a bluish hue.

Anyplace that has a bar with a good steel drum band. When I was there, years ago, there were two such bars at Cane Garden Bay. At sunset, the bands began playing to attract the boaters. The rhythmic, tinkling sounds drifting over the waters was irresistable.

At the end of our cruise (we went for two weeks), we took a high-speed taxi boat from Tortola to St. Thomas and spent a day sightseeing and shopping. Charlotte Amalie harbor is one of the most spectacularly beautiful harbors in the world, especially at night.

Your charter company will probably have an orientation, at which they will probably furnish you a chart and tell you how to find these places.

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Dkn420
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2004 : 10:49:19

Dave: Who are you chartering with? I spent two weeks in the BVI last year (end of November and first of December) and it's all great. We had good weather the entire time. Only one day that there wasn't any wind. The trip to St.Thomas for a day is also great. There is a book that you may get from the charter company of might want to buy before you go that shows photos of all of the islands from the air and gives some basic navigation tips...which we found helpful...Have a great time, Dan #727

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fredflemming
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 11/11/2004 : 13:05:04

Further to Steve's suggestions: a trip to the Baths is well worth it but they now have road access from the land side. By mid morning bus-loads of tourists off of cruise ships are arriving. Therefore it is best to anchor overnight not too far away, get up at the crack of dawn, and boogy over to the Baths to pick up one of the good mooring balls early. You can enjoy breakfast on the way or at the mooring. Take your dinghy in towards the little beach (can be some surf running so you probably should tie up to the buoyed dinghy tie-up line at the south end). Then swim in (very good snorkeling near the buoyed line) and take the path north to enjoy the rock formations. There is also a path south that leads to a desert-like area and then a shingle beach on the ocean side. Nearby overnight spots are near the airport on Beef(?) Island by Tortola or just north of the Baths on Virgin Gorda at the settlement of Spanishtown(?). I don't have my chart in front of me so I'm going by memory on the names.

Another great island to visit is Anegada, which is a low barrier island, almost undeveloped, about 15 miles NE of Virgin Gorda. The trip requires that you set off on a compass bearing since the island is not visible until you get close. You also must skirt an extensive shoal reef on your way to the only harbor and anchorage. For these reasons, some charter companies used to restrict going to Anegada but are now relaxing these restrictions with the advent of GPS. Go across the island to the Atlantic side for some great snorkeling right off the beach, which is beautiful in its own right. Also you can get fabulous lobster dinners at a couple places on the island. You must place your order ahead of time so they can catch the right amount of lobsters.

On Jost Van Dyke Island you should visit the famous Foxy's Bar, right on the beach. Besides good drinks and good music (often Foxy himself is playing), I've had people all over the world recognize the Foxy's tee-shirt.

You'll have a great time and don't worry too much about the weather, in two trips to the BVIs we never had a day less than perfect.

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