Monthly Archives: February 2013

Another breezy and rainy morning for us.  Finally worked out again which felt good.  Rain showers nearby put up a beautiful rainbow which we would see from end to end right in the bay.  Picked up our mooring lines and departed around 11am to motor-sail briefly over to Great Harbor on JVD.

Found a mooring ball to spend the afternoon @ Foxy’s Bar for lunch and drinks.  Our chicken roti, grouper sandwich and refreshing beverages were all great!  Donned my 1970’s attire for most of the day, which was an idea I captured from the movie named “Tarpon”.  Hadn’t worn it since buying the jorts (jean shorts) in the Keys back in September.

Group was mixed on where to head for the night.  Started to make our way towards Cane Garden Bay on Tortola, but I noticed a secluded bay to the west called Belmont Bay/Smuggler’s Cove.  Anchored up easily, but should have gone further into the bay to set the anchor.  It was a rolling sea for most of the night, since the wind direction changed to more NE from SE.  I didn’t sleep much at all.  Hopefully get a nap in before getting back to Hodges Creek  tomorrow.

Awoke around 6:30am for a lovely sunrise in the calm waters of the bay at Anegada.  Plan was to depart early to try some more trolling along the North Drop on our way to Jost Van Dyk (aka. JVD).  Turned out to be a great day of sailing, easily hitting 10 knots of speed around mid-day.  As agreed with the crew earlier in the trip, a beer chugging session ensued to celebrate our speed accomplishment.

Fishing started off with some action including a bonita and a kingfish, which was our first edible catch while trolling!  Rest of the day was zero action on the fishing.  We overshot our destination by heading too far west, so we had to slog back into the wind to make Little Harbor @ JVD.

Moored up easily in the mostly empty bay.  A few guys took off to fish nearby on the dinghy, while others snorkeled.  Ran ashore for ice and drinking water, then dinner consisting of burgers and plantains.  Somehow I fell asleep on the bench seat while waiting for dinner to be served.  Woke up and everyone was already eating, took me a few minutes to fully awake before consuming my dinner in a stupor.  Most everyone was off to bed after dinner.  A long day of sailing was quite tiresome for both captain and crew.

Covered about 60 nautical miles today!

Our second day in Anegada, so most folks slept in.  Feeling quite hungover too.  Sort of rainy and cloudy weather to start the day, which worked out well for our slow start.  Radioed over to land to line up another safari truck at 12:30pm so we could check out the island.

First stop was Loblolly Bay, which had amazing views, good snorkeling and cold drinks at the bar.  A few folks followed along with a small sea turtle for about 30 minutes, a once in a lifetime experience.  Stayed a few hours, trying our hand at a 4 on 4 volleyball game before venturing over to Cow’s Wreck Beach.  Another great view and a friendly owner behind the bar.  Very flat island with wild cows roaming around.  Drove back to our starting point where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the dock with about 20 sailboats in the foreground.

Talked to our man “Sam” about buying a live lobster so we could cook it on the boat.  It was a huge lobster!  Acquired it for $50, the same price you would pay for it served with sides, but it made some delicious lobster bites for an appetizer for all 10 people.  Ace and Gary, the late night fisherman, caught some live bait with a sabiki rig, then proceeded to attract a school of barracuda nearby.  Luckily they didn’t catch one and have to de-hook it in the middle of the night while under the influence of alcohol.

Having a great time sailing in the BVIs.  Keeping a written log of our activities which i will upload later, but wanted to let everyone know we are doing well and having a great time.  We are anchored near Anegada today.

Up early to depart around 7am for Anegada.  The winds laid down a bit but still at 15-20 knots.  Made good time over to Anegada, which is about 11 nautical miles from Virgin Gorda.  Cruised past Anegada to try fishing the North Drop, but only caught 3 barracudas.  Pulled into the harbor around 2pm.  All mooring balls were already taken, so we anchored towards the back.  Some folks snorkeled around and walked down the beach to check out the area.  I took a nap before showering.  We enjoyed a great dinner @ Neptune’s treasure.  Had another classic family photo aboard the boat and we ended the evening with a 30 minute dance party.

The group got motivated and took the dinghy over to Bitter End Yacht Club where we asked about sights to see on Virgin Gorda.  No road exists to the bitter end, so we took the 11:30 ferry over to the main island.  Rented a safari truck, which is a pickup truck with covered seating for 8 in the bed.  First stop was a hike up to the peak of the mountain.  Great views of Anegada and the other islands.  Next stop was Mermaids for lunch on the waterfront.  Diving pelicans and big waves were crashing up onto the floor.  Next we ventured over to the Baths.  Hiked around for a bit.  It’s an amazing place to see and wander around.

Stopped back at the grocery store and Little Dix Bay, which was a very ritzy resort but had a stuffy atmosphere.  A couple asked us “who let the rifraf in?”.  Ate some good pizza back the bitter end before heading back to the boat for the night.

Woke up and remembered that my sister walked us through the constellations last night.  The most notable one was “Twinkie dinks belt”.  The group did a nice exercise session led by my beautiful wife, Cindy.  Afterwards, everyone jumped into the water for a few laps around the boat.  We set sail for Virgin Gorda to check out the Baths.  The winds were blowing hard from the North, which forced us to tack multiple times in the Sir Francis Drake Channel making it a slightly longer trip.  While sailing, a fish, presumably a large one, hit our line and made it zing but came off as we reeled it in.  In the midst of all the excitement I stubbed my toe and cut it on some standing gear.

We had a quick stop at the Baths on a mooring, but because of the big north swell not one got into the water.  Tonight we might be staying in St. Thomas Bay.  Beth and Pat made a kick-ass jalapeño, basil, vodka lemonade while Jeff entertained us with his paraplegic dance.

Didn’t end up staying in St. Thomas Bay, since all the moorings were taken.  Decided to beat into the wind towards North Sound for better protection.  30 knot winds and a 5-7 foot swell made it a slow go at 3-4 knots per hour.  Pulled into North Sound around 5:30pm.  Moored up to a 2nd buoy after our first attempt was much too close to other boats.  Jeff and Pat cooked another great meal of fried fish bites, onion rings and awesome chili con carne.

Inebriated names were agreed upon by the group:  Chris is Dale, Cindy is Debbie, Lindsay is Chip, Aaron is Tyroil, Jeff is Gary, Pat is Ace, Michael is Oscar, Sarah is Cookie, Steven is Bart and Beth is Wanda.

Up early to try some trolling on the southern drop off, where the depth goes from 100 feet to 1000 feet.  It’s along the southern end of the BVIs.  We motored out past the island, then raised the sails.  Put out the trolling spread on two rods and immediately caught a tiny bonita.  Trolled on out past the drop.  4-5 foot seas and 15+ knot winds today.  Few folks are not feeling good because of the large swell.  Changed lures a few times with no luck other than 1 additional medium-size bonita.  Aaron took the helm for a bit, but was having trouble tacking without help from the engines (tacking is turning the boat the other direction into the wind).  We got the lines caught on the prop on one tack, so I had to jump in and cut them loose.  Pulled in the trolling lines and made our way to a day mooring at the site of the Rhone shipwreck near Salt Island.  Again, seeing mostly dead stuff w/ some fish and a turtle.

Headed to Cooper Island for the night.  All moorings were full at Manchioneel Bay, so we anchored in Haulovers Bay nearby.  Nerve racking to anchor for the first time.  Noises during the night usually wake me up, due to thoughts of the anchor releasing and the boat drifting into another boat or shore…

Most of the group took the dinghy over to the resort back at Manchineel Bay, but Mike, Pat and I stayed at the boat.  Pat caught a couple nice sized Yellowtail Snapper.  We enjoyed another fantastic dinner on the boat, consisting of grilled shrimp, rice and baked veggies.  Jeff and Pat are doing a great job as our chefs!  Amazing star gazing and even saw a couple shooting stars.

Provisioned the boat w/ food, liquor and fishing gear rentals.  It’s a spacious boat in good condition, but a couple things like autopilot are not working.  We departed the marina about 1pm.  Raised the sails the first time just outside the harbor and without much trouble by the green crew members.  Gonna need some teaching and patience on this trip with so many crew that are new to sailing.

First stop was a day mooring at The Indians for some snorkeling.  Not much to see there, as most of the reef is dead.  Water is a bit chillier than folks expected, but feels good after a hot and sunny afternoon sail.

Next stop was Norman Island.  Picked up a mooring in The Bight.  Took the dinghy over to a floating bar called Willy T’s for a sunset drink.  Lots of inebriated people hanging out there, was sorta like Spring Break 2013.  We settled in for sleep after a tasty dinner of fish which we bought earlier in the day.

Made it in safely yesterday afternoon to st Thomas. Other part of the group was delayed about an hour in San Juan. Caught our taxi about 6pm and headed to red hook for the ferry. Ferry ended being a high speed drug running center console. Did about 50mph in the pitch black conditions over to Tortola where the boat is docked.

Unpacked everyone’s stuff and got settled into our mobile home. Boat is really spacious and in good condition. Up early on Saturday getting checked in for the boat, provisioning and customs. Headed over to Peter island this afternoon.

47′ Catana prepared for departure form Hodges Creek Marina