usvi-on-line
dinghy experiences, anyone?
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vacationpants
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:50 pm
- Location: Ohio
We are coming to STJ for our third time this June and plan on renting a dinghy - this will be our first time. We have 4 in our family - youngest one is 16 but as big as his dad. So we need the larger dinghy. We can't rent from Calypso because they require boating experience - which we have none. I am debating about taking a couple of boating classes in May. I think this is something our whole family can enjoy even if we don't make it all the way to Waterlemon.
Did the dinghy thingy last year in fact it was sooo much fun did it twice. We took the Noahs w/ the larger motor 30 hp I think but w/ 4 lg guys and an equally large cooler we didn't quite get up and plane on the water. We snorkeled the cays- Henley was the best- two guys in the water and pick up at the end as the current was really ripping. I'll mention it again fwiw don't try to snorkel around Carval Rock it's way to deep and scary.I did enjoy seeing Congo Cay up close fantastic- sheer rock walls look like a navy destroyer. Make sure they give you an anchor otherwise its a real pain the a-- getting it to STAY on the beach- waves come in and it'll float off.Practice man-over-board drill because it is so fun. The small dinghys are comfortable you just need to roll up a towel put it under your neck and lay back on the side of the tube dragging a foot in the water for extra style points -have a few cold ones and it 'll feel more natural. Seriously watch out for Mr Sun Burn. We got fairly well fried and had to hunker down at Vies the next day.
We're scheduled again 3/25 for a week and I can't wait for my son & daughter to do it. I'm taking some bananas this year because I had a killer leg cramp- first time ever although we were swimming probably 3 or 4 miles all told.
We found that re-entering the boat was easiest by swimming as if across it rather than trying to go vertical up, over & in.
I think most people would not have a problem handling the boats. The views from the water are the best! I would rate it 5/5 stars for fun.
Suds
We're scheduled again 3/25 for a week and I can't wait for my son & daughter to do it. I'm taking some bananas this year because I had a killer leg cramp- first time ever although we were swimming probably 3 or 4 miles all told.
We found that re-entering the boat was easiest by swimming as if across it rather than trying to go vertical up, over & in.
I think most people would not have a problem handling the boats. The views from the water are the best! I would rate it 5/5 stars for fun.
Suds