The New Issue Is Out!!!

The Winter Issue of CharterSavvy is now available, bigger and better than ever!  This issue includes an 11-page feature about bareboating in Tahiti, illustrated with a mouth-watering array of photography that will soon be showing in your dreams.  For those of a certain age, be sure to read the sidebar on Captain Adam Troy and the Adventures In Paradise TV series.  There's a 10-page feature on an Abacos bareboat adventure and another ten-pager on bareboating in Croatia.  And everyone will enjoy the Dives, Sail-Ins and Swim-ups feature on the best waterfront pubs in the British Virgin Islands.  Not that we drink, mind you, but it's all about the ambiance.  Right.

Our Cargo feature is sunglasses, and a fine collection of shades they are, too, while the Sea Trial is the new Leopard 44 cat.

Our columns and departments bring you weather tips for the BVIs and a look at first- and second-tier charter companies, Dr. Tom deals with seasickness, while The Bareboat Contessa has some double-duty food tips as well as three yummy drink recipes.  

It's a great issue, so take a look by clicking on the cover above, or on our website.  Don't forget that you can also read all our back issues in the archives section.

Bareboat Racing

"Bareboat" and "Racing" don't seem like terms that go together, but the Spring Regatta is a tradition in the British Virgin Islands, and the most recent edition, which ran March 30-April 1, had a strong turnout in the two Bareboat classes.

These classes are for bareboats from local charter companies, racing without spinnakers, and the only real concession to “performance” is that they all remove or furl the Bimini tops to minimize the windage.  Other than that, these are everyday charter boats.

Which isn’t to say that the racing is weak by any means.  Winning Bareboat 2 was Burt Keenan and Neil Harvey: Keenan is a long-time competitor and Southern Ocean Racing Circuit winner aboard his Acadia, Harvey an equally talented racer employed by Harken.  Pushing them hard was Bill Petersen, a sailmaker and former America’s Cup sailor. 

If you’re considering a bareboat race charter for next year, taking a look at what won this year isn’t a bad idea.  Clearly the highest placing yachts were the two Dufours from MarineMax Vacations, with Keenan’s 433 and Petersen’s 413 easily taking first and second in Bareboat 2.

In Bareboat 1, the first five places went to a Beneteau Oceanis 50 (Moorings), Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i (Sunsail), Beneteau Oceanis 50f (Moorings), Beneteau Oceanis 473 (BVI Yacht Charters) and another Beneteau Oceanis 473 (Rob Swain Sailing School).

Finishing behind the Dufours in Bareboat 2 were a Beneteau Oceanis 361 (Rob Swain School), a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 (Sunsail) and a Beneteau Oceanis 40 (Moorings). 

Now’s the time to start thinking about the BVI Spring Regatta for next year.  Contact the charter companies to see what packages they are offering. 

Racing In Paradise

Photo Courtesy Todd Van SickleIf you’re dealing with snow and slush right now, keep in mind that the annual BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, known for great racing and even greater partying, is drawing close, running from March 26 to April 1.  And there are still boats available to charter.

In its 41^st year, the BVI Spring Regatta has a class specifically for bareboat racers, so get your crew together.  Now one of the three top Caribbean sailing events, it has been averaging 125 yachts to the starting line.

The Moorings is the official charter partner for the BVI Spring Regatta, with a variety of modern yachts and packages from which to choose.  Included in the packages are race measurement, registration, full provisioning and a local racing skipper can also be arranged. 

Based at Nanny Cay Marina and the Bitter End Yacht Club, and with sponsors such as Mt. Gay Rum, there is literally a party every night with the Regatta Village food booths and bar open from 2pm to midnight, while the music schedule is typically Caribbean: 4pm until the party ends.

For entry info and the Notice of Race, www.bvispringregatta.org

MarineMax Unveils 46’ Powercat For BVIs

We're just back from the Miami Boatshow, our knees are killing us and, mercifully, we can’t feel our feet.  Lots of walking, but some fascinating news, too.

MarineMax Vacations showed off plans and renderings for their new 46-foot power catamaran that will be available in the British Virgin Islands for bareboat charters.  They have ordered 30 of the cats, which will be called the MarineMax 464, and charters will start as early as December of this year at their Tortola base.

The MarineMax 464 will have some innovative features and a list of equipment not found on most bareboats.  One that appealed to us is the easy access to the foredeck from the flybridge.  Stairs on each side of the bridge lead forward to the foredeck, making it easy for the skipper to help with anchoring or picking up a mooring buoy without having to go aft to the cockpit and then along the side deck to the bow. 

A second innovation we liked is the high-low cockpit sole.  The entire after section of the cockpit can be lowered electrically to water level, creating a solid “beach” for swimming and snorkeling, and vastly simplifying retrieval of the tender. 

Another great feature is the forward cockpit.  Shaded by the overhang of the bridge and reached by a very civilized door from the salon, it has wrap-around seating and a table.  This, in our opinion, is the perfect place on the yacht to enjoy a sundowner at anchor. 

Other niceties on the 464 are a Spectra watermaker (no stopping every day to buy water!), Kenyon electric barbecue (no messy charcoal!), full Raymarine electronics including radar, GPS and chartplotter, and Northern Lights air conditioning with generator.

While there is a three-cabin “owner’s” version, the 464s in charter service will have four double cabins, each with ensuite heads with showers. 

For info, MarineMax Vacations or 888-461-5497.

Be A BVI VIP!

In a clever move, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board has initiated the BVI VIP Club, which is like a “frequent flyer” program that gives travelers special privileges based on the number of your visits to the British Virgin Islands.

Membership is complimentary, but you have to provide proof of your visits by sending copies of the stamps in your passport.  The Basic level, for residents of the U.S. and Caribbean is three visits, while the rest of the world requires only two visits.  Silver level is reached with six (or four) visits, and Gold membership is with ten visits (seven for non-U.S/Caribbean residents).

Basic and Silver memberships give you a VIP newsletter, discounts, gifts and invitations to special events.  The Gold level is the one you want to earn, however, because it gives you VIP arrival status at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport (formerly Beef Island Airport), which should skate you through customs and immigration quickly. 

For information, go to www.bvitourism.com/bvi-vip-club-0.