USVI-On-Line

Sweet Christine and I have sailing lessons scheduled in May. It's a learn-to-sail weekend that I'll follow with the ASA Basic Keel Boat certification. The plan next year is to get a week sailing in with friends or do a week long bareboat sailing class, ala b-as-u-r. Then, all it takes is a credit card, right?

So, am I getting sailing obsessed? Nah. We've done 14 trips to STJ and they really do keep getting better. But, the idea of chartering a bareboat for a week in the off season for what a villa costs is intriguing. I know its more work, more thinking and less drinking than a villa vacation. But, it just sounds like fun.

I've been reading the hardcore BVI sailing boards and I think we'd just start out in the USVIs. I imagine circumnavigating St. John with a bit of sailing each day. Waking up in Salt Pond Bay or Little Lameshure would be sweet.

Can it be that easy?

Cheers, RickG

Yes it can. The best thing about a bareboat is you do as much or as little as you want and you take the "villa" with you when you go. Find a prety spot and stayed moored for a few days. Dingy around to great snorkle spots, grill off the stern, or visit a great resturant for dinner. From your posts I think you have exactly the right attidude to make it a memorable trip.

Im in the sailing frame of mind. We just paid the mooring fee for this season, bought the bottom paint, Hubby has next week off from school and the boat should be ready to splash by May 1!!!

Yes it can! Just wait....roll out of bed one morning, head up to the deck and there you are moored on Francis Bay...........aaagh, can it really get any better than that; now your both hooked and obsessed. Or, sailing along and you pass by a sea turtle just out for a leisuely swim. Did I mentioned how cool the bays look lit up with x-mas lights at night. I promise that you will luv it and that includes Christine. (Come on Christine, if I can do it, you can do it.) Yes, more work, more thinking and less drinking, but so worth it. You will be so surprised at how great it really is. You guys have a great time!!!!! Ali~

Can it be that easy? Sure it can. It was for me - although I didn't actually have to do any of the real sailing I believe sailing lessons are in my near future as well.

There's no better way to see the islands than to sail. A follow-up few days on STJ is the perfect icing on the cake, IMHO. You're gonna love it!

Rick,

If you haven't already, check out this site:

http://www.indigomoon.us/

They're living my dream.

Hey Rick

To whet your sailing interest check out Eva's site. Lots of bare boat trip reports:

http://islandtime.homestead.com/mainpage1.html

I spent yesterday on an Open 60 on the Chesapeake.

Rick,
You already know what we think of the whole thing. Just be forwarned it is as expensive as crack and twice as addictive.
Jay

We were just looking at bareboating this weekend. We have the same plans in the future. Had this idea the other day keep heading down to the Beach Bar and making friends keep posting on the board for about ten years learn to sail, get a boat. Then after we learn the waters take forumites out for snorkeling excursions to help pay the bills, clientell right off the bat and doing what I love to do Snorkel Hey you can dream can't ya it just could happen.

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Rick---I would absolutely love to do this but have had a harder time talking Janie into it. Enjoy.

Have you read "An Embarrassment of Mangoes"? Its a really fun read. Sort of a literate "Captain Ron." Here's a synopsis:

With wit and candor, Vanderhoof, who's worked as a magazine and book editor, recounts her sometimes complicated but always enlightening two-year voyage from Toronto to the West Indies and beyond with her husband in their 42-foot sailboat, Receta. As they escape the restraints that have bound them to their desks for years, the pair undergo not just a change in physical appearance (the noticeable weight loss is an unexpected bonus) but also a change in attitude. And although their trip may sound terrific, it's no three-hour tour. Along with sunset cruises and afternoons spent on untouched beaches (where "you can sit and stare at the ocean for hours scarcely seeing another soul"), they encounter "blinding forks of lightning" during a big squall, hailstones during an unpredicted hurricane and other tumultuous events. The book's strength undoubtedly lies in the way local cuisine and agriculture seep into Vanderhoof's tiny galley. While island hopping, she hunts for the freshest mangoes, conch and papayas even if it involves trekking miles through uncharted territory. These long trips are always worth it, as the author befriends Grenadian and Bequian natives, learning how to reproduce scrumptious local fare. Vanderhoof excels in painting a perfect picture of every island as well as filling in the gaps with historic explanations and authentic recipes, saving the book from becoming merely a flashback and steering it in the direction of a potential reference for those wishing to exchange their Bud Lights for a case of Presidentes.

Feels like I hit a good nerve here. I can certainly afford a sailboat. St. John Villa? For a couple of weeks a year!

Pete, the Indigo Moon site was an inspiration and an eye opener.

Roberto, thanks for the tip. Saturday on the Chesapeake Bay? Nice. Good thing it wasn't Sunday!!

Jay, so you had to get into distribution to feed your habit? I need to go catch up on you blog to finish hear you gloating about the STX trip. It sounds like y'all are still having fun!

Embarrassment of Mangoes is another of my inspirations. After the kids are out of the house taking a 2 year sabbatical sounds like a really good idea. My youngest goes to college in 2015... in theory. She's got her eye on that job at Woody's.

I'll let you know how the sailing works out.

Cheers, RickG

Jan&MikeVa wrote:Rick & Christine - GO FOR IT!!! One of the best vacations ever was a week sailing in the Bahamas with good friends. They've been living on their boat for about 4 years. What a life.

Hey PETE (Mr. Marcia)..........we met Buddy & Melissa from Indigo Moon 3 years ago when we were sailing in the Bahamas. Do you know them? What a small world. And what a great life they're living!

No, I don't know them. I found their site from a post by someone on this board. I spent the better part of one weekend reading all of their reports. I emailed Buddy with several questions. He was great about getting back to me. He seems like a nice guy.