Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 16-07-2015, 17:27   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Newport, RI
Boat: Little Harbor 53'
Posts: 163
Images: 4
caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

Hi all! doing some planning for next winter. we had a great time in the BVIs last year but being home based at Bitter End on Virgin Gorda, though beautiful was a major hassle with a 4 little kids getting there. we are back and forth 5-6 times a winter so its a big deal for us! we have considered the Bahamas and the leeward islands particularly St Marteen. any advice? we need a good set up for those that leave their boat for a couple weeks a month unattended.
Jbingham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-07-2015, 17:56   #2
Registered User
 
vtsailguy's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 334
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

St Martin is good. New island to explore, other islands a short hop. Easy to fly into.

I think lots of people just leave their boat anchored in the lagoon and head off. Free moorings!
__________________
Sailing With Kids Blog
Three mini-pirates scour the Caribbean Seas with stops for ice cream and legos
vtsailguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-07-2015, 18:27   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Newport, RI
Boat: Little Harbor 53'
Posts: 163
Images: 4
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

Haha. I'm not that bold! But I love to hear of a positive spot to visit! VT? Where at? We have a place in Waterbury center!


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
Jbingham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-07-2015, 18:43   #4
Registered User
 
vtsailguy's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 334
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

We are in Strafford, sail on lake Champlain (when not in the caribbean)
__________________
Sailing With Kids Blog
Three mini-pirates scour the Caribbean Seas with stops for ice cream and legos
vtsailguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 08:15   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 73
Question Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbingham View Post
Hi all! doing some planning for next winter. we had a great time in the BVIs last year but being home based at Bitter End on Virgin Gorda, though beautiful was a major hassle with a 4 little kids getting there. we are back and forth 5-6 times a winter so its a big deal for us! we have considered the Bahamas and the leeward islands particularly St Marteen. any advice? we need a good set up for those that leave their boat for a couple weeks a month unattended.
We too have kept our boat in the BVI for many years. This was not much of an issue until our local airport on Beef Island lost service from AA.
We have sailed most of the Caribbean and while the island are different and some very interesting there are other issues both for traveling in and out as well as communications, shopping and repairs to name a few.
One of the major issues you mentioned is keeping the boat up in VG. It can be difficult to reach for in and out trips. Have you considered a more local marina so that you can land in St. Thomas and take a ferry?
The other option that works for some of our buddies is to use Puerto Rico. Therer are many daily flights and reasonably easy transportation to Frajado for full service marinas and you can also try some sailing time in both the Spanish Virgins and then the BVI.
svinvictus2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 09:00   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia
Boat: Cadtana 431
Posts: 48
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

I vote for St. Martin: easy and cheap flights in and out, no customs hassles for bringing gear in, easy to leave the boat there or get work done on the boat. They speak English, too!
-Steve
sailsw00 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 10:30   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Annapolis, Md.
Boat: Albin 36 Express Trawler
Posts: 75
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

Check out Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas. If you join the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, the slip prices are good.
vlathom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 13:58   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 104
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

1-Not in the Carrib
2-I havent been there

But

I hear that the north coast of Colombia is wonderful. Temps year round avg 70-90%, low humidity, affordable off boat lodging, secure (as secure as Latin America can be, and look at whats been happening in the States). thats where Im headed this cold season.
SniperSailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 15:04   #9
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Grenada, West Indies
Posts: 260
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

How about Grenada? Friendly people, great marine services, below the hurricane belt, direct flights from the US and Canada. We live here and love it! Let me know if you have any questions.
LTDsailing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 17:29   #10
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Me Houston boat TMM Tortola
Boat: Nautitech Open 46
Posts: 217
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

"We too have kept our boat in the BVI for many years. This was not much of an issue until our local airport on Beef Island lost service from AA. "

Is this correct? We always try to use AA SJU to EIS. My wife doesn't like the small Cape Air planes.

Another vote for St Martin.

Regards
Paul
Steel sails is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 18:39   #11
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

East end Of Puerto Rico ? Lots of places to sail to , easy flights in and out .
Perstarebob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 19:52   #12
Long Range Cruiser
 
MarkJ's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
Images: 25
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

St Martin
__________________
Notes on a Circumnavigation.
OurLifeAtSea.com

Somalia Pirates and our Convoy
MarkJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17-07-2015, 23:50   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Maryland
Boat: Outbound 46
Posts: 323
Re: caribbean for the winter? where to?? BVI alternative

We love St. Martin, especially the French side. The Dutch side not so much.

We kept our boat on Grenada for 3 hurricane seasons, and always found it a pleasant place, though its a bit of a trek from the southern harbors to the next nearest point, Carriacou. But then you have access to all of the Grenadines, simply beautiful.

There are also lots of flights to St. Lucia, and Rodney Bay Marina would be a great place to park a boat while you are gone. Its a place with incredible natural beauty, yet populated enough to have good shopping.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	P2020006.jpg
Views:	193
Size:	396.1 KB
ID:	105551  
DMCantor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
Caribbean, rib

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sunsail vs BVI Yacht Charter vs Moorings in BVI austinmurphy Atlantic & the Caribbean 28 16-09-2019 05:53
WINTER COVERS SPECIAL -> PROTECT YOUR BOAT THIS WINTER Master Lex Vendor Spotlight - Great Deals for CF Members! 18 26-11-2014 03:53
Crew Wanted: Caribbean 2014: BVI/Aruba/BVI AquaLeopard40 Crew Archives 20 14-01-2014 21:02
BVI-Culebra-BVI Roundtrip sloopguy Rules of the Road, Regulations & Red Tape 2 09-10-2013 14:49
WANT 1 CREW 43FT BENETAU Caribbean WINTER 08/9 skipsalty Crew Archives 1 05-09-2008 07:19

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:16.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.