Anticipating the BVIs

As I write in late Feb 2015, we are eagerly awaiting our first proper sailing charter/flotilla to the British Virgin Islands (BVIs), courtesy of NJ Sailing School (link for more info).

This is an annual event run by the sailing school, and offers newbies like us the opportunity to sail in an unfamiliar area with familiar instructors. We've chosen to charter a whole boat, rather than berths on a shared vessel, because there will be four of us including the kids. The format is essentially the same as a standard flotilla, except there will be fewer boats involved.

The sailing school book through Sunsail, and we've chosen their 36i Jeanneau built craft to carry us for the week. At 36ft, this vessel is 6 feet longer than anything we've sailed previously, so should present us with a suitable challenge. Another nice thing about doing our first charter/flotilla through the sailing school is that we can gain ASA Bareboat Charter certification (ASA 104) for a nominal additional fee ($150 each).

If you follow the link above you'll see a rough itinerary that has been used during previous years. We are excited at the prospect of making the challenging sail across to Anegada, a beautiful and unspoilt sand and coral island. The 2-3 hour sail does not sound so bad, but the dicey entrance into the channel, and the prospect of shallow reefs is a little daunting at the moment.

Travel to/from the BVIs is a little tricky from the NYC area. We are taking a direct flight to St Thomas (STT) in the US Virgin Islands, mostly courtesy of HSBC reward points (worth using up those points that otherwise lie stagnant and expire). One night on St Thomas is followed by a 1 hour ferry ride to the island of Tortola in the BVI.

I'm going to post separately about packing for a charter/flotilla, but if anyone reading this has suggestions for essentials and nice-to-have items, would really love to hear from you.