usvi-on-line
Dinghy's - where to go?
Dinghy's - where to go?
hullo folks! we're planning on renting a dinghy for a full day to visit some more remote beaches of the island. any suggestions on where to go with great snorkeling?
i understand it depends on the current that day... and i've read that it's hard to figure out exactly where you are on the map once you start putzing around.
i think i saw somewhere that you can only do the north shore beaches??
i understand it depends on the current that day... and i've read that it's hard to figure out exactly where you are on the map once you start putzing around.
i think i saw somewhere that you can only do the north shore beaches??
"Take it easy, walk with a light step" - Ween
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cruzanluvr
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:38 am
My wife and I did the dinghy trip in early August. It was great fun with the following caveats. They only allow you to go along the North Shore. The farthest you could probably go would be to Watermelon. The trip out to Waterlemon once you get past Francis (out into "the narrows") is real choppy. If you have already been to Waterlemon, I would skip this part of the trip. Also, it is very difficult to get back into the dinghy from the open water, especially if you get the larger dinghy. No problem though if you beach it. Our favorite stops were Little Hawksnest, Little Cinnamon, Salomon and Denis.
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SoulvilleUSA
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:13 pm
- Location: Memphis, TN
My wife and I were there this past April... here's part of a post I wrote after we got back about renting a dinghy from "Noah's Little Arks" (they rent right in front of the "Beach Bar", just off the ferry dock.)
Drumbiker wrote:
Thanks! Checked out Noah's website - looks great- and- like something we really want to do! No prices on the site though - around how much was it?
Christine and I were there last month and the price for 1/2 day for the larger boat with the 25hp motor was $120. You should know that even though the website says:
Each dinghy is equipped with:
»
15 hp Yamaha Engine (30 hp on 14')
»
Life Jackets
»
Telescopic Oars
»
8# Anchor and 50' Anchor Line
»
Waterproof Chart
»
Fish and Coral Identification Charts
»
12-pack Igloo Cooler
»
Emergency Whistle
The only true part of that is the engines and the waterproof chart.... no cooler, no whistle, no oars, no fish and coral charts, and on the bigger boat, no lifejackets or anchor line. You should also be aware that there is no easy way to get back on these little boats once you drop over the side... this is the voice of expeience talking.
If you are in good shape, it probably isn't a problem. But if you are of an "experienced age and weight" as I am... hope a friendly nearby boat will pick you up from their swim ladder as I did and drop you off into your boat.
Also, they only want you to take the boats along the north shore, and Waterlemon key is as far as you should go, then work your way back. There are only 2 beaches you can beach the dingy on, Cinnamon and Trunk.
All this being said, this was my wife's favorite day, when we rented the boat. I enjoyed it too, but was ready to surgically remove my arm after wrestling the tiller on the motor all afternoon. If you can talk another couple into going with you to share the tiller duty and to help each other get back into the boat, I would highly reccomend it. The boats can carry 6 easily.
Drumbiker wrote:
Thanks! Checked out Noah's website - looks great- and- like something we really want to do! No prices on the site though - around how much was it?
Christine and I were there last month and the price for 1/2 day for the larger boat with the 25hp motor was $120. You should know that even though the website says:
Each dinghy is equipped with:
»
15 hp Yamaha Engine (30 hp on 14')
»
Life Jackets
»
Telescopic Oars
»
8# Anchor and 50' Anchor Line
»
Waterproof Chart
»
Fish and Coral Identification Charts
»
12-pack Igloo Cooler
»
Emergency Whistle
The only true part of that is the engines and the waterproof chart.... no cooler, no whistle, no oars, no fish and coral charts, and on the bigger boat, no lifejackets or anchor line. You should also be aware that there is no easy way to get back on these little boats once you drop over the side... this is the voice of expeience talking.
If you are in good shape, it probably isn't a problem. But if you are of an "experienced age and weight" as I am... hope a friendly nearby boat will pick you up from their swim ladder as I did and drop you off into your boat.
Also, they only want you to take the boats along the north shore, and Waterlemon key is as far as you should go, then work your way back. There are only 2 beaches you can beach the dingy on, Cinnamon and Trunk.
All this being said, this was my wife's favorite day, when we rented the boat. I enjoyed it too, but was ready to surgically remove my arm after wrestling the tiller on the motor all afternoon. If you can talk another couple into going with you to share the tiller duty and to help each other get back into the boat, I would highly reccomend it. The boats can carry 6 easily.
Green tunnels and no stop signs
Sterling
Sterling
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SoulvilleUSA
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:13 pm
- Location: Memphis, TN
oh, and also... go ahead and rent the 14' boat with the 30hp motor... it will get you there faster and not be as rough if the water is choppy... and the more people or weight you can get in the front of the boat, the better... it will make it plane out faster and be easier to handle and run better.
Green tunnels and no stop signs
Sterling
Sterling
I have a piece of rope that I made a loop in one end and tie it off on the othe r side of the boat that I use for a step to help get back in to I thinck it is about 12 ft long adjust it so it is about a foot under water before you leave for you snorkle. Don't forget to bring it back into the boat before you start the motor again I won't tell you how I know this.LOL
Soulville- agree 100 percent about getting back in. I have no upper body strength and it is a really ugly sight when Ned has to shove my ass (literally) into the dinghy.
So embarrassing.
Waterguy- great idea re. the rope.
So embarrassing.
Waterguy- great idea re. the rope.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Ahhhh...the Dinghy thread.
We've done them twice and we loved it...BUT...as others have said, unless you have really good upper body strength, it could be a problem getting back in. Wasn't too pretty with my husband trying to pull me back in by my bathing suit either. They also tell you to just "use your flippers" to get yourself back into the dinghy...Yeah, right, that didn't get us anywhere.
We were also told to stand on the fin like part of the engine to get us back in but even that was hard, plus, it scared me that doing that would pull the engine off.
Going through the channel to Waterlemon can get pretty rough and through anybody around in the dinghy. The trick is to go much slower and just take it easy.
The dinghy's are alot of fun, but I just don't think you should get too agressive on them. Just take it easy and it an be a really nice day.
We've done them twice and we loved it...BUT...as others have said, unless you have really good upper body strength, it could be a problem getting back in. Wasn't too pretty with my husband trying to pull me back in by my bathing suit either. They also tell you to just "use your flippers" to get yourself back into the dinghy...Yeah, right, that didn't get us anywhere.
We were also told to stand on the fin like part of the engine to get us back in but even that was hard, plus, it scared me that doing that would pull the engine off.
Going through the channel to Waterlemon can get pretty rough and through anybody around in the dinghy. The trick is to go much slower and just take it easy.
The dinghy's are alot of fun, but I just don't think you should get too agressive on them. Just take it easy and it an be a really nice day.
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
We do a "dinghy day" every trip and it is the best way to get to some of the beaches. We rent a larger dinghy from Calypso http://www.calypsovi.com/dinghy.html
and get the center console model. It has more power, is more stable when running to Waterlemon, and has an electric transom hoist. We took the advise and made a loop ladder out of the rear anchor rope. That helps with getting back in the boat from deep water.
If you have any boating experience at all, dinghy driving around the North shores is reasonably simple.
It really is a great, fun activity. Have a blast!
and get the center console model. It has more power, is more stable when running to Waterlemon, and has an electric transom hoist. We took the advise and made a loop ladder out of the rear anchor rope. That helps with getting back in the boat from deep water.
If you have any boating experience at all, dinghy driving around the North shores is reasonably simple.
It really is a great, fun activity. Have a blast!
This just reminded me!!! All adult passengers should learn how to turn on and off the motor and to do basic steering before leaving the dock. As well as tie on correctly to a buoy.
My younger daughter and I were sitting at Waterlemon just chilling while my husband and other daughter were snorkeling. We were having a grand old time just chatting and I am thinking "wow, that is a long rope"...DUH...about 2 minutes later I realize we are loose and drifting towards the little island!
Guess who had tied on--I wish I could have blamed it on Ned What was even just stupider was I had just taken a Girl scout leader camping course where we were tying knots and I decided not to try to remember a real knot.
I totally freak out and cannot figure out how to even start the engine, then finally get it and start driving back in a total panic. Luckily there was a very nice couple at the buoy who helped me. It was very comical, let's just say. I couldn't even get it in reverse at the buoy.
Lesson: learn how to steer before there is an "emergency". I was really lucky I didn't drift into a reef or worse a person.
My younger daughter and I were sitting at Waterlemon just chilling while my husband and other daughter were snorkeling. We were having a grand old time just chatting and I am thinking "wow, that is a long rope"...DUH...about 2 minutes later I realize we are loose and drifting towards the little island!
Guess who had tied on--I wish I could have blamed it on Ned
What was even just stupider was I had just taken a Girl scout leader camping course where we were tying knots and I decided not to try to remember a real knot.I totally freak out and cannot figure out how to even start the engine, then finally get it and start driving back in a total panic. Luckily there was a very nice couple at the buoy who helped me. It was very comical, let's just say. I couldn't even get it in reverse at the buoy.
Lesson: learn how to steer before there is an "emergency". I was really lucky I didn't drift into a reef or worse a person.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Henley Cay
Ccasebolt, Do you have pictures of Helney Cay that you could post? Parafins
HELLO FROM MICHIGAN...
Henley Key
Thats the largest of the three smallish islands off of Caneel Bay.
In a dingy, the only concern you'd have is making sure that one of the BVI ferries doesn't do a "PT 109 vs Amagiri" on you. (Ask me about being out there in a kayak when the ferry is fast approaching!)
In a dingy, the only concern you'd have is making sure that one of the BVI ferries doesn't do a "PT 109 vs Amagiri" on you. (Ask me about being out there in a kayak when the ferry is fast approaching!)
Last edited by JohnM on Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Dumb question for you-rpplano wrote:We do a "dinghy day" every trip and it is the best way to get to some of the beaches. We rent a larger dinghy from Calypso http://www.calypsovi.com/dinghy.html
and get the center console model. It has more power, is more stable when running to Waterlemon, and has an electric transom hoist. We took the advise and made a loop ladder out of the rear anchor rope. That helps with getting back in the boat from deep water.
If you have any boating experience at all, dinghy driving around the North shores is reasonably simple.
It really is a great, fun activity. Have a blast!
Is the 'larger' dinghy big enough for 2 couples?
The dinghy pictured on the website looks kind of small...
Thanks and always
Smiles-
MJ
