USVI-On-Line

Hubby and I are renting a dinghy for a day this year while on island. We are getting one of those center consoles through Calypso and I have several questions that I am sure the Forumites can answer:

1) If you can't beach a center console, then where do you tie off and how close can you get to most North Shore beaches? Are you limited to the Scuba buoys?

2) How far can you get in a day? We definitely want to get up to Leinster and the dinghys orginate in Cruz Bay.

3) Can we get close enough to most beaches to walk in with our cooler or will it always be a swim?

Any other feedback on how to make the most of DINGHY DAY is welcomed!!! (LOVE MY TICKER)

They only want you to go as far as waterlemon.
I only rent the tiller stearing ones so I can't answer the other questions

You cannot tie up to any of the scuba buoys unless you are actually using tanks - they are orange and not many of them really.
At some beaches - Francis , Maho, Jumbie, Hawksnest, Honeymoon, Salomon, there are red and green dinghy channel buoys that will give you access to unload a cooler in knee deep water but the center console dinghy must then be taken out to a white mooring ball.

So if the intent of Dinghy Day is to enjoy numerous North Shore beaches in a single day without the hike time, is it better to rent a tiller steerage rather than a center console?

I like the tiller steering one because I can beach them at most places. I also have a tiller at home so it isn't a problem for me to steer.

tropicdawg -
We've done four half-day dinghy rentals in our years of visiting St. John. Now it's a must-do for us each time. You'll have no problem reaching Leinster/Waterlemon, even in a half-day. We usually head straight there first thing and then work our way back. The ride to Leinster is typically the "rough" way (it's all relative) and it's smoother on the way back. It's very easy to tie up at the offered mooring balls. The rental agency will explain what they look like for dinghies so that you don't take a mooring ball for a "real" boat!

We've always rented the tiller steered kind from Noah's Ark, but honestly those can be hard to steer after a few hours. Your arm will get tired. I prefer center-console, even if you can't beach them. But it depends on the adventure you want. When we have four people, we get the tiller and rotate driving. You will get pretty close to most beaches with a center console, a 2-3 minute swim in.

No, I wouldn't say you'll be able to walk your cooler in. You can float it in though! It shouldn't be too hard since the water will relieve most of the weight.

Getting the most of your dinghy day? Go straight to Leinster and work your way back. Pick a few beaches to stop at and don't try to hit them all. Don't get drunk and drive the dinghy. You are on the ocean. It can be very, very dangerous. Watch out for sailboats and ferries.

We rented the Noah's Little Ark one because we wanted to beach it. Another thing to consider -- getting in and out. It is pretty hard if you're out in the water. I could do it, but I lift weights. And seriously, I had to drag my husband in. LOL. If you're beached it is, obviously, MUCH easier.

On the other hand, the center consoles do look more comfortable to drive and ride in. Noah's told us we could moor on the red buoys, which we did at Waterlemon. There were several other dinghies there too.

It was a fun day and we'll definitely do it again, and we'd rent from Noah's again.

Have fun!!!

Also, allow me to suggest that you wear a life jacket. No one does, but THEY SHOULD.

3) Can we get close enough to most beaches to walk in with our cooler or will it always be a swim?

Why? Most North Shore beaches can be reached by car and a short walk. Keep the cooler on the boat and relax between dives. Go to the places that are accessible only by boat.

Start by heading over to Leinster Bay. Then work your way back to Whistling Cay, Henley Cay, and Steven Cay.

One other thing -- The anchor rope on Noah's dinghies is VERY short. I guess they don't really want you anchoring (which is understandable because of the risk to coral).

Here's a good guide for anchoring and mooring:

http://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/u ... gGuide.pdf

I see that is specifically says the orange buoys (which I swear were actually red) are for Scuba, but Noah's told us to moor there for snorkeling...