St. Martin vs Canouan

[BAB97TIE]

HI TO ALL
MY WIFE AND I ARE RELATIVELY NEW TO YACHT SAILING. WE HAVE DONE FLOTILLAS IN BVI, CROATIA AND THE BAHAMAS. WE ARE PLANNING OUR FIRST BAREBOAT EXCURSION IN MAY 2010. WE ARE TRYING TO DECIDE BETWEEN ST. MARTIN AND CANOUAN. WE WOULD APPRECIATE OPINIONS ON THESE 2 LOCATIONS FOE FIRST TIME BAREBOATERS. ALSO ANY INFO ON WINDS AND SEAS AT THESE 2 SPOTS IN MAY.
THANKS

[Hud3]

Definitely Canouan. The Grenadines are a step up from the BVI in required sailing and navigation skills, but a very manageable step. Many long-time BVI charterers go there looking for a new experience. There are many beautiful and protected anchorages, just a short sail apart. The Doyle cruising guide gives you everything you need to know about where to sail and how to do it without grounding on a reef.

St. Martin chartering involves more open water sailing if you want to see the sights like St. Barth and Saba. If you like restaurants and evenings ashore, St. Martin is best. Other than Bequia, there's not a lot of "civilization" in the Grenadines.

May should bring fairly benign weather in both spots.

p.s. Welcome aboard!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and Welcome aboard!
I can't answer your question but I did experience St Martin in the 80s. It is a beautiful place and looked like great sailing.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[speciald@ocens.]

SunSail and Moorings charter out of Captain Oliver's in Oyster Pond on the extreeme East side of St. Maarten on the Dutch/French border. Horizon has a few boats in Simpson Bay Lagoon. From Oyster Pond it is about 15 miles to St. Barth's. Nevis, St Kit's are a little farther but an easy daysail. Coming back from them tends to upwind. he sailing can be somewhat "open water" as there is a shallow shelf between the islands and the Atlantic swells come through unimpeded. Lots to see and do in these three or four islands.

[camaraderie]

I'm with Hud....Canouan / Grenadines are beautiful water and sailing. You will have trade winds in either location though the Grenadines are more wide open...but no real issues with wind and sea that time of year if you had no issues in the BVI's. St. Martin is a great destination for cruisers as it is quite civilized with good provisioning, restaurants and yacht services...but it is not a great charter island and you really do need the time to sail elsewhere.