St Maarten or BVI?

[bluebox3000]

Thinking about charting. St Maarten is lot easier logistically, but BVI seems to be easier charting. How do they compare?

[silversailor]

If you are new to sailing and just want very short hops from anchorage to anchorage then choose the BVIs. (Make sure you venture to St Johns.) However, if you are looking for a sailing vacation with decent stretches between anchorages (Anguilla, St Barts, Saba, etc) then St Marteen is for you.

[leboyd]

You can get some decent distances in the BVIs if you want to crisscross. We did this on our last trip in Dec. The distances won't be 30 mi, but 15+ miles isn't difficult. And if you want spirited sailing like you would get between the islands out of St. Martin, you could sail on the east side of VG.

We decided to stay in the BVIs again this year when we return in Oct. and to wait another year or two before going out of St. Martin expecting them to well along in their rebuilding (which they are make good progress from what I can read). The BVIs make it easy to adjust your plans. You can sail most of the day or decide not to.

[Nelsons]

BVI no doubt

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Nelsons

BVI no doubt

I/We concur!

[AxelCl]

BVI hands down!

[Flagman101]

Originally Posted by bluebox3000

Thinking about charting. St Maarten is lot easier logistically, but BVI seems to be easier charting. How do they compare?

Biggest problem with St-Martin in my opinion is once you've done the few bays worth doing you near to change island.
This implies checking out, and clearing in an other Island
Anguilla for exemple. Then if you want to go to St-Barths you almost need to bypass St-Martin completely and go direct so you don't end up doing the same procedures again.
Each time you do that it's at least half a day lost in paper work and they all charge for cruising permits

BVI's you stay in the same country the whole time.

[Rearsteer]

You will be in like company in the BVIs as there are thousands of charter boats there. BVIs are nicer to cruise.