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DavidJH · 19-06-2023, 09:44

So we are supposed to be coming onboard a 42 foot cat this Thursday in the USVI. Well, lucky us, there is also a tropical depression headed right for the island:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at...start#contents

This is our second boat charter after trainings and our first in the Caribbean. I was wondering if anyone had any words of guidence on when to make the no-go call. Should we grab a hotel if only the edge of a tropical storm is going by? We are supposed to be on the boat until the following Wednesday, but we also have children and one is prone to seasickness.

HeinSdL · 19-06-2023, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJH

So we are supposed to be coming onboard a 42 foot cat this Thursday in the USVI. Well, lucky us, there is also a tropical depression headed right for the island:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at...start#contents

This is our second boat charter after trainings and our first in the Caribbean. I was wondering if anyone had any words of guidence on when to make the no-go call. Should we grab a hotel if only the edge of a tropical storm is going by? We are supposed to be on the boat until the following Wednesday, but we also have children and one is prone to seasickness.

Two days in a hotel. If anything, for the kids' sake.

fxykty · 19-06-2023, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeinSdL

Two days in a hotel. If anything, for the kids' sake.

Or, if the charter company OKs it, and the marina is sheltered from waves, stay on the boat and remain in the marina until the depression passes. Even better if there are shore side facilities that you can access like a pool.

**bstreep** · 19-06-2023, 18:23

Two thoughts:

1) You should be fine. The VI are barely inside the probability cone at this point in time. There are generally lots of hotel rooms available. Hotwire has several decent places at $150/night plus tax. Likely a brush with some wind and rain.

2) The water might be churned up for a week afterwards. Makes for lumpy sailing and less than stellar snorkeling visibility.

But, it depends on how much it will cost you to bail. If you have to eat airfare and most of your charter, go.

DavidJH · 19-06-2023, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxykty

Or, if the charter company OKs it, and the marina is sheltered from waves, stay on the boat and remain in the marina until the depression passes. Even better if there are shore side facilities that you can access like a pool.

This is what I was telling my Wife, but she is nervous. We are sailing out of Compass Point Marina which is on the Southside of St Thomas. I've never been there yet, but it looks very sheltered to me from the map and chart. No pool, but at least there are restraints near by. Plus we've already paid for it. I'm going to call the charter company after the 11am Atlantic hurricane report comes out tomorrow from the NHC.

ChrisJHC · 19-06-2023, 19:32

I assume you’re there to have a good time - both for yourself and for the family.
That means it has to be fun for everyone - especially if you want them to come again!

Unfortunately our sport is very weather dependent and sometimes that means that the best decision is to not go out.

HeinSdL · 19-06-2023, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

I assume you’re there to have a good time - both for yourself and for the family.
That means it has to be fun for everyone - especially if you want them to come again!

Unfortunately our sport is very weather dependent and sometimes that means that the best decision is to not go out.

Couldn't agree more. In the early days we went out with a little bit too much wind, family very unhappy and was almost the end of our sailing. Quite a few years later of being very cautious and the family is becoming quite robust.

Good seamanship sometimes means taking a step back, which only helps your reputation as skipper: if this thing goes wrong then next time your 'it will be alright' words will carry a lot less weight. And vice versa.

DavidJH · 19-06-2023, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeinSdL

Couldn't agree more. In the early days we went out with a little bit too much wind, family very unhappy and was almost the end of our sailing. Quite a few years later of being very cautious and the family is becoming quite robust.

Good seamanship sometimes means taking a step back, which only helps your reputation as skipper: if this thing goes wrong then next time your 'it will be alright' words will carry a lot less weight. And vice versa.

Yes, I agree. We are not looking to take any risks. We've already paid and most things are un-refundable, so we are hoping to enjoy the resort we are staying at the first day prior to the storm, and then figuring out if we stay on the boat in the dock for a couple days, or if we go get a hotel. I will not be trying to brave high winds and go sailing. That's not going to be great beach weather.

All that said, if this takes a turn north for a direct hit, we may just eat the loss and not go this time.

DEAN2140 · 20-06-2023, 13:42

You might get guidance from the charter company; they don't want to lose their boat, or a customer. A few years ago in the midst of our charter we were hit with the edge of Hurricane Henri in Nantucket and decided to return to base. The company generously gave us two days credit on our charter. Don't know about your charter company; hope it is not Dream Yacht.

DavidJH · 20-06-2023, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEAN2140

You might get guidance from the charter company; they don't want to lose their boat, or a customer. A few years ago in the midst of our charter we were hit with the edge of Hurricane Henri in Nantucket and decided to return to base. The company generously gave us two days credit on our charter. Don't know about your charter company; hope it is not Dream Yacht.

Yes, I spoke with them this morning. We booked through Virgin Islands Yacht Charter. Not a huge company, but they seemed well reviewed. They said the Marina intends to stay open and they expect it to be minor. The forecast for the VI has become much better in the past day. Hopefully the waters won't be churned up much and we only miss a day.