Rated #1 hotel in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda by TripAdvisor.com, recommended by Frommer’s and The Best of the British Virgin Islands and named the best value in Virgin Gorda by Travel+Leisure Magazine, Nail Bay offers numerous distinctive villas, apartments and rooms with magical sunset views and three sun bleached, deserted sandy beaches with great snorkeling. Come enjoy our 148acre luxury villa resort nestled below Gorda Peak
within a 19th century historic sugar plantation on almost a mile of waterfront with newly paved concrete roads and underground utilities including reliable water supply and two large stand-by generators. Nail Bay also offers modern conveniences such as ADSL internet service, satellite television and radio as well as DVD players and iPod stations, not to mention maid service and great dining at the SUGARCANE Bar and Grill.
Choose villas such as
FULL CIRCLE VILLA A luxurious 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath house built on 1.8 acres of beautifully landscaped beachfront property with historic sugar mill ruins. Gorgeous lap pool with easy access for children. Large living area with a spacious kitchen and dining area with lots of covered and uncovered outdoor space. Extraordinary sunset views.
or
SUGAR MILL HOUSE Imagine yourself in the rooftop pool with a 360-degree view of the Copper Mine Ruins, Gorda Peak, the Dog Islands, Anegada, Tortola and St. John or in a pool by a tropical garden looking out to sea in this architecturally unique villa with its curved stone walls, terraces and balconies, and porthole windows on each floor allowing views of the cascading waterfall from the rooftop pool. A one-of-a-kind property based on a replica of a historic sugar mill, this brand new villa sits with a breathtaking view over looking Savannah Bay, Little Dix Bay and Long Bay.
book online at www.nailbay.com 2
Why rent2009 a hotel roomGUIDE whenALOOKINGGLASS a private villa can be |yours for less? Excellent choice of apartments and villas from $225 to $1715 per night. FEBRUARY BVI YACHT PUBLISHING www.bviguides.com
Telephone 1.284.494.8000 Fax 1.284.495.5875 Toll free from the USA 1.800.871.3551
Pride
of Ownership
Own a yacht in the Caribbean Whether for personal use or as part of a successful charter fleet, Horizon Yacht Sales offer you top quality sailing yachts and luxury catamarans customised to suit your every requirement and lifestyle. Enjoy an ownership programme offering unlimited sailing, maximum income and the
Horizon Yacht Sales
security of knowing your yacht is managed and maintained to a standard you can be proud of. We offer tax free purchase and the option to try before you buy, in several Caribbean locations. Call us today to speak with our knowledgeable yacht sales professionals.
British Virgin Islands St Martin Antigua & Barbuda Grenada & the Grenadines Phone 284 494 8787 Toll free 877 494 8787
info@horizonyachtcharters.com www.horizon-yacht-sales.com
THE CREW Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com
Copy Production Owen Waters, David Blacklock & Traci O'Dea Advertising Production Colin Rathbun & Nick Cunha
letter from the editor
Owen Waters
Managing Editor
Welcome to the Yacht Guide February issue
Advertising Sales Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com
Well, it isn’t surely all doom and gloom! If you are reading this on a BVI shore then you can
Graphic Design Colin Rathbun, Richard George & Nick Cunha
afford to leave your worries behind for a bit. Naturally it is said that recessions often separate
Executive Producer Colin Rathbun, aLookingGlass Publishing colin@alookingglass.com
forward is the positive aspects of our yachting industry with keeping our flip flops or boat shoes
For additional information contact Nick Cunha or Colin Rathbun at aLookingGlass or visit www.bviyg.com
in our little slice of the world. Our contributors have made some of the most positive attributes
aLookingGlass #7 Road Reef Plaza, P.O. Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands t 284.494.7788 f 284.494.8777 www.alookingglass.com | info@alookingglass.com
O Dea has been looking at the concept of our beloved yachtie and the perceptions we may or
the men from the boys. But that’s all talk and what we are concentrating on this issue and firmly on the fiberglass, or sand ( without taking them off and throwing them at anybody!). In this issue we have many stories that reflect and many that look forward to what is going on of island life come together in their fine words. David, ever humorous and with a raised eyebrow examines life on charter and we have a fond trip down memory lane from Scarlett Steer. Traci may not have! Nicola Massey from Horizon tells us a little how their company is sailing forward with the economic changes and we spend a day on a mega mini yacht, compact and right on the money! The state of our market is just that, in flux and we can ponder over a crystal ball over actually get up and get on with it, as an island we have no other choice and better to do with it a gleam in the eye and a pirate grin.
On the Cover: Concept One Photo courtesy of Yacht Shots.
I was chatting recently to a good friend who was telling me they couldn’t leave here anymore and go back to his mother country because of the financial down turn. In seeking my advice I told him to go sailing for a little while, go to the beach and just relax and think about his next step forward. A week later in catching up with him, I bumped into him at the beach and asked how he was doing and what he had decided. From a sun kissed face he smiled and said it wasn’t a worry anymore, he had considered his options whilst he was enjoying himself and had come to realize that in doing so, that was exactly all he wanted to do and he wasn’t in the worst place to do it.
aLookingGlass Ltd., publisher of the BVI Yacht Guide, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications. The BVI Yacht Guide and its contents are the intellectual property of aLookingGlass Ltd. Neither this magazine nor any part of it may be reproduced without written permission from aLookingGlass Ltd.
4
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Have fun guys, and see you out on the water- with a smile!
Owen Waters
New Unlimited Mobile Plans from CCT
Freedom Unlimited l Anytime l Anywhere
Some things are meant to be together. Unlimited voice,
Freedom 1 Unlimited Talk Anytime, Any network in the BVI Unlimited SMS to BVI, USA, USVI, CAN, PR Unlimited Talk Long Distance to USA, USVI, CAN, PR Unlimited GPRS per month
$129
Freedom 2 Unlimited Talk Anytime, Any network in the BVI Unlimited SMS to BVI, USA, USVI, CAN & PR Unlimited Talk Long Distance to USA, USVI, CAN, PR
$99
text and data from CCT. Welcome to the New CCT
per month
Freedom 3 Unlimited Talk Anytime, Any network in the BVI Unlimited SMS Any network in the BVI
$69
per month
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
* Terms and conditions apply
5
Contact us: 284 444 4444(Tortola) or 284 495 5639(Virgin Gorda)
contents
9 Esea Clear: The Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System
10 Concept One: Charter in Business Class
15
Skipper's Tips: Spotting 8 We were dodging our way around the Dogs when the helmswoman said “There's a boat coming towards us.” “What sort of boat?” the crew enquired. “Sailboat,” she said, “with the sails all wonky.” Esea Clear: The Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System 9 Finding clearing in and out a drag? For whatever vessel or reason we all know customs is necessary but it is a procedure that all parties concerned would like to see smoother, time efficient and in essence, easy. Concept One: Charter in Business Class 10 There is such a thing in the BVI as having it all. Concept One, a French Canadian built Doral 49, is a charter boat that is a truly tailored product focused on providing the level of service and facilities you would find on a mega yacht but in a slightly smaller package. Kidnap Hot 12 “No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail;” said Doctor Johnson, “for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.” Not being content with that, he added, “A man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.” State of the Black Market: Yacht Buyers Wait Whilst Salesmen Beckon 13 As world economies turn a different shade of green than usual, and as the full measure of the financial tsunami has yet to be calculated, those lucky few yacht buyers still in the game are being chased by salesmen brandishing seductive offers. One buyer, Richard Stokes of Florida. . . No worries on the Horizon…? 15 Sailors will sacrifice almost anything to get their annual sailing ‘fix’ in the British Virgin Islands. You might argue that this is a bold statement but from what Horizon Yacht Charters are seeing…it appears to be true. People want more than ever, something to look forward to so they are willing to give up small luxuries. . .
No worries on the Horizon…?
Searching for a Stereotype 17 I’m on a mission to find the stereotypical yacht owner—the snotty yachtie. The crestedblazer and ascot-wearing, cigar-smoking, martini-sipping, zip-code-dropping, sockless gent who these days probably sports a spray-on tan and bleached teeth. The easiest way to differentiate him from his land-based. . . Salty Memories 19 It was last day of the year - a time of reflection and serious thought. A time to look back on the past 364 days that have led up to this one and ask yourself the fundamental question… do you really have enough ice? A quick check in the galley reveals that, in our case, we have sufficient to resurface the Rockefeller rink. We are ready to roll. EDGE: Changes in Latitude 21 The Christmas winds died down, the New Year's Eve hangovers receded and the Territory's sailors came out Saturday for the first races of the year organised by the Royal BVI Yacht Club, the Halyard Challenge sponsored by Latitude 18. Dave West's high-tech Melges 32 Jurakan, flying an enormous red spinnaker. . .
21
Yacht Charter and Broker Directory 24 Look here for the most up-to-date Yacht Charter and Broker Directory. It's a great place to start if you're looking to buy or charter a yacht in the BVI.
EDGE: Changes in Latitude
6
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
oyster perpetual yacht-master rolex.com
Official Rolex Retailer www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
7
32
SKIPPER’STIPS Spotting by David Blacklock
We were dodging our way around the Dogs when the helmswoman said “There's a boat coming towards us.” “What sort of boat?” the crew enquired. “Sailboat,” she said, “with the sails all wonky.” The skipper cast his eye in the appropriate direction to see a large catamaran wobbling its way downwind sailing wing and wing. This seemed like a good time for a discussion of Right Of Way. Who needed to give way in this situation? We were on port tack whilst the other yacht was upwind of us and had her boom protruding on starboard side, indicating a port tack also. It seemed clear that we were the stand-on boat, being to leeward but as we got closer the other cat didn't look as if she were going to give us any room. Closer and closer we came until at the last minute we headed up as high as we could and pinched our way past the other boat. The helmsman on the other boat waved his arms about and eventually we realised he was trying to tell us that the wind was actually coming over his starboard side, making him a starboard tack boat and thus the stand-on vessel. Discussion ensued, some of our crew conceding that technically he must be right, since he was wing and wing, sailing by the lee. Finally we resorted to the Rules which clearly state that port and starboard tacks are defined by which side of the boat the boom is over. In this case the other vessel's boom was over starboard side, putting it on port tack, and thus to
Sometimes it pays the Stand-On boat to be a bit stand-offish
windward of us and thus the give-way vessel. We were right, but we still were the ones changing course! Later on that same trip we caught a decent sized mahi on the leg from Anegada to Jost. Reeling in the line took some doing and finally we hove-to so that the boat was settled down and the fishermen could work their magic. Discussion ensued—were we technically Not Under Command? Were we Restricted in our Ability to Manoeuvre? Well, No and No. But we had made sure we were on a starboard tack, giving us some small degree of comfort as the New Year's fleet sailed around us. When sailing around in the midst of a charter fleet with sailors from many different countries and cultures and levels of knowledge sometimes the smart thing to do is to leave the rules book behind and simply stay out of everyone's way. Not always a simple thing, granted, but who wants to be doing the calculations of “Hmm, he has both sails up but they're trimmed in tight while the wind is actually coming from behind him. And is that exhaust smoke I see streaming from the back end? Is he motor-sailing or maybe he has the generator running or he could be running his engine to charge up the batteries and he's actually sailing but his sail trim's all wrong. Damn it, what am I going to do?” YG
Jost van Dykes
Preservation Society “Jost van Dykes Community-based Programme Advancing Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development” United Kingdom
funded primarily by
Overseas Territories Environment Programme
Contribute to our Environmental Information Centre and Protect the natural environment of Jost van Dyke. Sign up for our electronic newsletter via email. t: (284) 540-0861 | (284) 540-7428 e: projco@jvdps.org w: www.jvdgreen.org | www.jvdps.org
8
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
eSea Clear
by Owen Waters
The Caribbean Pre-Arrival Notification System Finding clearing in and out a drag? For whatever vessel or reason we all know customs is necessary but it is a procedure that all parties concerned would like to see smoother, time efficient and in essence, easy! Bringing us into the modern day is eSea Clear. Now if you don’t use a computer and are at sea this isn’t for you but you may want to consider bringing yourself up to speed before you start having any more criticism about customs procedures. eSea Clear is the Caribbean pre- arrival notification system that provides vessel operators the ability to submit electronic notifications of arrival to participating custom offices in the British Virgin Islands. Registered users can access the system to enter and maintain information about their vessel or vessels, crew and passengers. Prior to arrival in the BVI the vessel operator uploads the accurate information for the voyage and submits a new one on disembarkation. The benefits are no manual form filling ensuring a smoother process as it is all done on-line. Its relatively easy as the master of the vessel simply
turns up to confirm the details and then signs a print-out confirming the details are correct and now in place. These details stay the same once leaving the area So far unsurprisingly customs are and the next destination can receiving positive feedback from its be notified of the vessel and crews upcoming arrival. All information is stored on customs database and serves all parties involved to have a clear manifest of the travel arrangements. The initiative has been in place since 1997 and had been implemented since 2000. Currently, eSea Clear is in its pilot stage and the BVI and St. Lucia are the only two countries utilizing this pre-arrival notification system. So far unsurprisingly customs are receiving positive feedback from its users. And the BVI customs hopes that with the implementation of eSea Clear, all boaters (locals and visitors) will be encouraged to utilize this system for expeditious and efficient clearances. YG
users
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
9
The Doral 49 leaving Road Town on a day trip
Concept One
by Owen Waters
CHARTER IN BUSINESS CLASS There is such a thing in the BVI as having it all. Concept One, a French Canadian built Doral 49, is a charter boat that is a truly tailored product focused on providing the level of service and facilities you would find on a mega yacht but in a slightly smaller package. Skippered by former yacht charter captain Jamie Roberts, this twin 540 hp engine vessel provides entertainment and professional service of the highest standard. Knowing the waters in the past at a slower pace, Jamie sites the cruising speed of 26 knots as just pure decadence. Clients run from VIPs to corporate day trips. The benefit of the high speed is that on a general day clients can be at the Virgin Gorda Baths, Bitter End and Anegada with relative ease of time constraints. Within this day charter guests, who include not only vacationers from Peter Island, Little Dix, and
Necker Island but also corporate clients visiting Tortola’s law and Trust firms, are greeted with a mimosa or champagne and enjoy the finest French cheeses and wines after a snorkeling trip. Lunch is generally ashore but can be catered to the client’s needs. The boat can comfortably take 15 persons and there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy personal space. The Droal 49 is perfectly suited to both vacation day trip charters and corporate entertainment, full day trips, champagne cruises or even more comfortable rides to and from St Thomas for those flying into Charlotte Amalie. Shade is provided by a hard top and at the push of a button the front visor
All aboard in luxury
Enjoy delicious snacks and wines after swimming 10
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Captain Roberts at the helm
Beautiful scenery, and a lot to do at 26 knots
is dropped to allow access onto the front deck where two lounge chairs await. With a swim platform aft and plenty of luxurious seating in the cockpit, relaxing is not going to be a problem. Below is fully air conditioned and is complete with leather upholstery, internet access, HDTV in each cabin and DVD player and sound system. The master cabin sports a round massage bed ideal for nodding off after a sumptuous lunch. There are two bathrooms complete with showers. The fittings throughout the vessel are of stainless steel and the deck is highly polished teak Just like on a larger mega yacht, the idea is to cater to every whim. Itineraries are planned and tailored with clients to make sure they are not disappointed. Guests are there to be pampered! And the skipper and mate are fully prepared without any sign of effort to please. Personally, I have been aboard mega yachts. In particular I noticed 10 crew and 6 guests aboard a 200 foot maze of a palace at a cost I imagine a small town income may support. On the Doral, as we cruise past Peter Island at a smooth pace that does not reflect the bumpy ride of a smaller boat in a 15 knot wind with 3 foot seas, I am impressed by the idea. This is a mini mega yacht, faster and easier to get around with all the trimmings we imagineand expect come with the experience. The captain and crew are totally relaxed and smiling as for them, this is obviously fun too. Bookings for the Doral Alegria Luxury Sport Yacht can be done through www.boatsbvi.com or calling 284 494 0032. Concept one is an affiliated partner of Coldwell Banker as part of its concierge partner system. Charters can be booked for half day, full day, corporate entertainment, airport runs and a multitude of other trips. In essence it’s not about the price you pay but the experience you may well deserve and ultimately enjoy. YG
Take an afternoon nap, you deserve it
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
11
Blending in for some people has become an art form. . .of a sort
Kidnap Hot by David Blacklock
“No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail;” said Doctor Johnson, “for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.” Not being content with that, he added, “A man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.”
12
Far be it from me to joust with the good Dr. J. The man has a point. In fact recent events have led me to the opinion that being in a ship is more like being in hell, but with the disadvantage of not being dead. Imagine the scenario, two groups of strangers—the first a pair of Guys Gone Wild ruffians running on testosterone and single malt, the other a domesticated pair of stay-at-homes from the suburbs of Tennessee. Somehow they were on my boat and I had to keep the peace or else sweep up the pieces. Reader, I failed. They were too much for me. If it had been just one of these groups alone all might have been well. I could have endured a week of high-fiving and chest thumping and late mornings with no trouble. Just as easily I could have joined in on a Scrabble tournament and looked at pictures of the prettiest cats in Tennessee. But to attempt to adjudicate between these competing interests was not a subject covered at the Salubrious Sailoring School, which I had the good fortune to attend in my youth. There we were told all shipmates, crew and guests, would be of the highest calibre, sophisticated and considerate and early to bed (and late to rise). It's not as if I didn't try—I begged, threatened, cajoled and made silly jokes but nothing could contain
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
the determination of my fun-loving criminals to leave their mark on the BVI. They were out until 5 am every day but up again at 8, fresh as damned daisies while I lay groaning in my bunk. One man read aloud from his Blackberry, “Dude she says you're totally hot.” The other thought for a minute, “Tell her she's smoking hot herself, Dude.” “No wait a minute, tell her she's kidnap hot, Dude. Kidnap hot!” “Hey Skip, where we going tonight?” “Well, I'm not sure. The other folks would like to anchor in a quiet cove for the night and look at the stars.” “Dude, that ain't gonna happen. Let's go to Foxy's.” And so on. When it came time to say goodbye, I found the couple from the boondocks huddled in their cabin bug-eyed and twitching. “That must have been a rough week for you, Captain,” he said, “because it was a nightmare for us.” He didn't have any cash left but he promised to send a check when he got home. The other guys, well they called around and booked a bareboat. I saw them that afternoon motoring out of Road Harbour. They waved over at my boat and one gave me the thumbs up. “Awesome, Dude. Awesome!” The other was busy texting. YG
STATE OF THE BLACK MARKET
by David Blacklock
Yacht Buyers Wait Whilst Salesmen Beckon As world economies turn a different shade of green than usual, and as the full measure of the financial tsunami has yet to be calculated, those lucky few yacht buyers still in the game are being chased by salesmen brandishing seductive offers. One buyer, Richard Stokes of Florida, told BVIYG that a catamaran he had shown interest in at the Annapolis Boat Show in October 2008 had dropped 30% or about $200,000 in price by the end of the year. “I don't even know what I want,” he said. “I just said I liked the look of it.”
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
13
Buyers and sellers alike are being battered by economic storms
BVI charter captain Rick Hannah has been trying to sell his 43-foot C + C Landfall for over a year. The price has gone steadily down culminating in a serious drop in recent months. What started out as a $90,000 boat is currently a $69,000 one. He thought he had a deal but the buyer withdrew. “There's been offers,” he said recently, “but they haven't panned out.” Buyers are confused, waiting for further price drops or simply too nervous to part with their cash. Chris Simpson of BVI Yacht Sales told us that for his firm numbers of enquiries “have dropped to 30% of normal, though on the the bright side sales are running at 60% of normal. Lots of people have been dreaming of buying a boat for years and are still interested,” he said. “Most of the real buyers are just getting on with it.” Richard Stokes chuckled when he said “You should see the e-mails I've been getting after the Boat Show. The sales guys are relentless. I bet I've got two or three new (e-mails) right now.” “The market is very soft,” Simpson said. “Lots have people have simply just shelved the idea. Frankly I don't see it getting very much better before the end of the year.” Be that as it may, Stokes is still interested in buying. In fact, he set up some appointments to view boats whilst on vacation in the BVI in early January. “I don't have to buy a boat,” he said, “but if I see a bargain I'm ready.” YG
The BVI has two high tides and two low tides each day with a tidal range of 12 to 18 inches. The height of the tide partly depends on the atmospheric pressure. The higher the pressure - the lower the water level and conversely, the lower the pressure the higher the water level.
14
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Worth every penny saved. Photos courtesy of Horizon Yacht Charters
No worries on the Horizon…? by Nicola Massey
Sailors will sacrifice almost anything to get their annual sailing ‘fix’ in the British Virgin Islands. You might argue that this is a bold statement but from what Horizon Yacht Charters are seeing…it appears to be true. People want, more than ever, something to look forward to so they are willing to give up small luxuries on a regular basis in exchange for their annual vacation. Vacationers want to escape the daily doom and gloom of the economy saturating the headlines and affecting everyone’s sense of well-being…and who can blame them! In the BVI, we are lucky to be able to offer such a unique product, right on the doorstep of the USA. Here, we can guarantee that people will truly get away from it all and the memories that they make will be priceless.The term ‘life is for living’ applies in the truest sense here. This is the mindset Horizon is seeing more and more from clients – “…had to get away”, “…life is too short after all!”, “…getting back to basics once again and just relaxing!” Charter guests are realizing that they can have their cake and eat it. Horizon Yacht Charters has seen an increase in groups of friends and family chartering together. It makes sense. Chartering within a group is a cost-effective way to enjoy a holiday. When you think of the cost of a yacht or catamaran and split it between everyone in a charter group, it works out to be much cheaper than a mediocre hotel room, and there is the added advantage of changing your scenery every day. So why is Horizon so positive considering the wavering condition of the Global Economy? Horizon has focused strongly on market research and responded to what clients want and what is most important to them. Clients want first-class service, choice of packages aimed at pleasing all sorts of tastes, ease of travel options, value for money and meticulous yachts!
“We have always had a strong repeat client base due to the first-class service and superb yachts we offer. At Horizon all our staff will go that extra mile and it makes such a difference, essentially the difference between a client feeling as though they are on a conveyor belt and clients feeling as though they matter very much” comments Sylvia Driver, Director of Horizon Yacht Charters. Horizon has responded to holiday makers wanting more during their vacation by offering a diverse number of packages and discount cards that appeal to a variety of markets, from the sailing Horizon has responded to holiday makers enthusiast to the landlubber wanting more during their vacation by offering needing a little pampering a diverse number of packages and discount – Stay & Sail, Sail & Dive, Racing Masterclass with cards that appeal to a variety of markets Peter Holmberg, Go Green and Cats & Kids! Lots of shore-based establishments are also doing amazing offers to entice people to the BVI. When certain air carriers significantly reduced their service to the Caribbean this resulted in potential problems for the entire tourism industry of the BVI. Horizon continued to receive enquiries daily but clients were experiencing difficulties in booking flights to the BVI. No available flights means a dwindling charter Industry in www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
15
Relax, you're here
the BVI. Horizon, however, got around this obstacle by partnering with Del Airways, a private charter company, to ensure clients could get to the BVI from anywhere in the Caribbean. If you can’t beat them… join them! Although Horizon is seeing an increase in lastminute bookings, it is not unexpected as people have been waiting for the dust to settle. Soaring oil prices in the last quarter of 2008 affecting travel costs, the crashing global economy, the Presidential elections and so on caused a lot of uncertainty in the market. The BVI charter industry will survive as we are recognized as the sailing capital of the world. We need to continue to work with the BVI Tourist Board, ensure we constantly improve upon our standards, respond to demands in the market and make a lot of noise – exposure is crucial. At this moment in time, “out of sight, out of mind” is a phrase that could not be more appropriate! YG
Horizon Yacht Charters www.horizonyachtcharters.com
take your
TIME
Wide Selection of the Newest Watch Styles
© 2006 TOURNEAU, INC. BVI206
Discover the Tourneau Advantage
16
Tourneau Gotham Del Sol Bi-Compax Chronograph, 18K Rose Gold.
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
TORTOLA Road Town 284.494.7933
tourneau.com
Many yachts, but where's the yachtie?
Searching for a Stereotype by Traci O'Dea
I’m on a mission to find the stereotypical yacht owner—the snotty yachtie. The crested-blazer and ascot-wearing, cigar-smoking, martini-sipping, zip-code-dropping, sockless gent who these days probably sports a spray-on tan and bleached teeth. The easiest way to differentiate him from his land-based, country club counterpart is his white captain’s hat. He’s mocked in movies and television and featured in every caricaturist’s portfolio. Since most stereotypes start out as generalizations based on truth, I want to discover if this mythical man of leisure exists in the BVI. My first stop is the Royal British Virgin Island Yacht Club. Fancy name, I think. Surely here I’ll find a perfectly coiffed and manicured yachtsman bragging about the size of his vessel. I scan the Thursday night crowd but see very few collared shirts and no cigars. Most tables are occupied by families—grandparents, parents, and children sitting together enjoying plates full of sushi. I chat with one such group and discover they are, in fact, a sailing family. After the standard introductory pleasantries and minor interrogation from them (“What brought you to Tortola?” “Do you sail?” “Are you Canadian?”), I eventually do hear them brag but not about their boats. Instead, they share tales of their child’s performance at the last youth regatta. And the only
discussion of money is some half-hearted groaning about the cost of a new sail for their kid’s Opti. Since the RBVIYC was a bust, the next day I decide to try Nanny Cay Marina, but first I take a detour to The Boat House restaurant in Manuel Reef.There, while sitting on the deck overlooking a mangrove island, I meet artist Savanna Redman, who tells me that I’m not going to find the snotty yachtie on Tortola. “The guys in the rattiest, paint-spattered shirts and tattered Dockers and flip-flops, working on their boats—,” she begins. “Are the real sailors.” I finish. “No, are the multi-millionaires,” she corrects me. “If you ever see the other kind,” her friend Chris adds, “they’re imports.” “And posers.” Poser. The insult of insults. In Nabokov’s “A Bad Day,” a young boy, trapped in too-small pants at a party he didn’t want to www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
17
Chances are it's the owner doing the work
attend, spends an agonizing day being overlooked and ignored whenever he tries to join in the festivities. At the very end, when a peasant brings in a baby owl, the boy’s previous agony is forgotten. You feel his joy as he looks at this beaked, feathery puffball. Just then, at that moment of elation, he overhears the older cousin he admires tell the girl he likes, “Here comes the poseur.” Instant deflation. Perhaps that’s the difference between the stereotype and the reality— BVI yachties aren’t posers. The second thing I think of, in response to Savanna’s comment about the ratty clothes, is Stephen Clarke’s book Merde Actually when the British protagonist, Paul West, goes on holiday in the South of France with his French girlfriend and notes how the wealthiest vacationers intentionally ride the rustiest bikes. He mocks the fact that they spare comfort and speed in order to look nothing like the tacky tourists who ride faster, newer mountain bikes on the paths. Maybe BVI yachties are like the French—a sort of shabby chic. Still not convinced, I decide to ferry over to the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda. While there, I run into Chris Watters, sailing instructor for the RBVIYC, spending his day off in VG. The first thing I notice is Chris’ lid—a trucker’s cap modeled after a naval officer’s chapeau with the word Shabby chic 18
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
“Commander” in gold felt letters on the front. An ironic captain’s hat. Funny. While we lunch, Chris blurts out, “They’re rigging it all wrong!” in response to a couple setting up a small craft for their daughter by the dock. “I should go down there and help them,” but just as he’s about to get up, he notes that they’ve fixed their problem. “I don’t know about ascots,” he says. “Maybe in St. Barts. Or stick around for the yacht show. There’ll be some there.” He glances behind us. “If you want to meet a true sailor, you should talk to that guy,” he tilts his head toward a bearded gentleman sitting at a neighboring table. I walk up and introduce myself to the man who calls himself Captain Vic. I describe what I’m looking for and he laughs. “Maybe twenty years ago, or maybe they wear that stuff on their boats or at functions, but not out here.” When I ask him what “they” do wear on the dock, he points to his own outfit: Mt. Gay t-shirt, shorts, visor, sunglasses, and Sperrys. “Lace-up shoes?” I ask. “My flip flops had a blowout last week,” he replies. We pause in our conversation to enjoy watching Red Sky, a majestic Swan 100 approach the BEYC, then he asks if I sail. I blush and say I’m starting to learn, but admit to my fear of capsizing. “Well, if you ever need a lesson…” YG
Salty Memories by Scarlett Steer
Times like these are not that easy to forget
It was last day of the year - a time of reflection and serious thought. A time to look back on the past 364 days that have led up to this one and ask yourself the fundamental question… do you really have enough ice? A quick check in the galley reveals that, in our case, we have sufficient to resurface the Rockefeller rink. We are ready to roll. What better way to see out the year than a sunsoaked sail aboard a 60-foot catamaran with a handful of your oldest friends? Whispering trade winds propel us away from the hustle of Road Town and out across the Sir Frances Drake Channel under an open, blazing blue sky. We are headed to Norman Island. The last time I made this trip I was hoisting sails and serving drinks in a starched shirt with gold epaulettes and
pigtails – a look that should, quite frankly, be illegal in anyone over five years of age. Just beyond the marina we pass the exact spot where, two Christmases ago, our charter yacht passed a man at the helm of his boat wearing a Stetson, a pair of enormous aviator sunglasses, and very little else, bringing a whole new meaning to bareboat chartering. This time round the only thing I’m lifting is an ice cold Red Stripe to my lips and no one is naked… quite yet. The warm winds catch in our sails and the canvas snaps and rasps noisily above our heads. The ocean is like liquid glass and we dangle our legs over the side of the boat dragging our toes in the salty water. It’s not hard to understand why so many round-theworld sailing expeditions beginning in the BVI never progress beyond the North Sound. It’s utter paradise.
Stephanie Clayton :: artist
The sail from Tortola to Norman takes no more than two hours, and soon we are passing four craggy pinnacles of rock that jut out of the water like giant incisors - The Indians. I had one of my first diving experiences here. I was flush with recent Open Water I success and confident that my underwater domination of the Treasure Isle pool would be mirrored in open ocean. Dismissing offers of help from the rest of my (highly qualified) dive party I flipped back off the side of the dive boat – equipment on, weight belt secured, BC completely deflated – and went down like a homesick mole. I resurfaced to screams of laughter, and, in an attempt to retain a sliver of dignity, refused all help getting back into the boat, a manoeuvre that took me close to half an hour. The worst part was I lost one of my contact lenses in
Order online at www.stephanieclayton.com
original paintings prints commissions art lessons Tel Studio: 1-284-494-6365 Mobile: 1-284-499-1261 USA: 1-786-280-7098 E-mail: info@stephanieclayton.com
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
19
It's the kids that will become the next generation of sailors
the struggle and was forced to spend the actual dive pretending I could see. Half a mile further and we have reached Norman. This is the most southerly of the British Virgin Islands, and reputed to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Since 1843, various legends have deemed Norman Island the site of buried treasure. I’ve spent many an afternoon and evening in The Bight – some I can remember, some I cannot – but the Pirates’ dinghy dock will always take me back to the New Years Eve when myself and two friends missed the last ferry back to Tortola. One serious team talk later and it was decided that we should “borrow” a dingy and make I’ve spent many an afternoon and evening it back on our own. At 5 in The Bight – some I can remember, some a.m. and in a state of slight intoxication this seemed I cannot – but the Pirates’ dinghy dock will a shrewd move. A water always take me back to the New Years Eve. . . approach seemed the stealthiest. Our approach to the water’s edge was fast, fearless and soundless – until I made the rookie error of trying to jump over a lone chaise longue in my path. I was unsuccessful, and hurtled noisily into the shallows with all the subtlety
20
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
of a Hawaiian shirt. This attracted much attention, and a crowd of curious onlookers watched us as we swam away from the beach and around to the dinghy dock. We hauled ourselves into the nearest dinghy, gunned the engine and motored away as fast as our 15 HP outboard could propel us out into open ocean. Where we ran out of fuel. We were towed back by the dinghy’s rightful owner who was kind enough not to make a citizen’s arrest but who did deposit us right back on the ferry dock in front of the crowd of onlookers. The odds of being watched are indeed directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. We moor in The Bight and spend the day diving from the bow of the boat into impossibly clear water, sipping Painkillers from plastic cups and watching the boatloads of tourists board the Willy T ready to have a few too many drinks and make some bad decisions. The sun has lost its fire as we make our way back to Tortola and is a melting disk of amber slowly being swallowed up by the sea. It’s the last day of the year – a time of reflection and serious thought. A time to look back on the past 364 days that have led up to this one and ask yourself the fundamental question… what the heck was I thinking buying so much ice? YG
Photo courtesy of Yacht Shots
EDGE
Upcoming Races
by Emma Paul
Changes in Latitude
Rolex Miami OCR (Miami, Florida) St. Croix Regatta (St. Croix) Mid Winters East (Clearwater Florida)
The Christmas winds died down, the New Year's Eve hangovers receded and the Territory's sailors came out Saturday for the first races of the year organised by the Royal BVI Yacht Club, the Halyard Challenge sponsored by Latitude 18. Dave West's high-tech Melges 32 Jurakan, flying an enormous red spinnaker, crossed the finish line of both races comfortably ahead to take line honours. She completed the first race from Road Harbour around Cooper Island to Dead Man's Bay on Peter Island in less than 2 hours and took only just over an hour on the return leg to the harbour via Dead Chest and a mark off Nanny Cay. However, once handicaps were applied it came down to a close duel between the Haycraft family's Sirena 38 Pipe Dream and the First 10R Luxury Girl skippered by Guy Eldridge. In the first race the fleet were too eager and all eight boats were called back by Ron Gurney, Race Committee Chairman, for being over early. The race started cleanly at the second attempt and the fleet beat out of the harbour with Jurakan and Luxury Girl playing shifts up the shoreline to pull ahead. Both chose a conservative central line to cross the current of the Sir Francis Drake channel and round Cooper Island. This was the first time many of the racers had seen the backside of Cooper, but as Bob Phillips, Luxury Girl's tactician and Chairman of the BVI Spring Regatta Committee put
25-1 Jan
Center Nautico San Juan Cup (San Juan) 31 Jan-3 Feb
it, "You'd better get used to seeing the outside of the islands, we have several courses planned for out there this spring...". On the run down between Dead Chest and Peter Island Pipe Dream made a late charge and closed up to third on corrected time, followed in by Kevin Rowlette's skull & crossbones liveried Olson 30 Willy T. The fleet enjoyed a short lunch break at anchor in Dead Man's Bay, with Luxury Girl's crew trying to distract the traditionally dry and serious Jurakan team with chilled Heineken donations, and some hardy souls braving the frigid (well, to longterm residents) water for a swim. Ron and his faithful assistant Diane Lewis entertained the moored bareboaters setting a start line right in the Bay, with competitors manoeuvring around anchored Moorings cats. Pipe Dream judged it perfectly and hammered off to an excellent midline start while Luxury Girl approached the line early and had to run off to the pin end starting well down the fleet. After a short beat to Dead Chest the fleet set off on a long run down to
BVI Opti Select Team Trials (Tortola)
9-10 Feb 20-4 Feb 21-22 Feb
Opti South Americans (Ecudor)
2-12 Apr
RYA Youth Championships & Trials (UK)
6-11 Apr
BVI Dinghy Champs (Tortola) Holmberg Racing Masterclass (Tortola)
2-3 May 10-17 May
ScotiaBank International Clinic (St.Thomas) 22-24 Jun ScotiaBank International Regatta (St.Thomas) 25-28 Jun Laser Radial, Standard North Americans, Buffaloe Canoe Club (Ontario Canada) ISAF Youth Worlds (Brazil)
25-28 Jun 9-18 Jul
Opti North Americans (Dominican Republic) 4-12 Jul Radial Worlds, Youth, Male, Female (Japan)
1-10 Aug
Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston (Kingston Ontario)
13-16 Aug
RBVIYC EVENTS: X-Mas Camp 2009, RBVIYC
18-22 Dec
Laser and Optimist International Clinic, RBVIYC, Nanny Cay 2009 BVI Dinghy Champs, RBVIYC 6th Back To School Regatta 2009
15-21 Mar 9-10 May 5-6 Sep
BVI Schools Regatta
7 Nov
And if that's not enough, check out the forum on www.IC24.org for more weekly beercan racing action right off the southern end of Nanny Cay. IC24s are the new fad in racing and fast spreading to the rest of the Caribbean and North America.
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
21
Nanny Cay which jumbled the positions. The lightweight sportboats Jurakan and Andrew Thompson's Melges 24 Crewclothing.co.uk struggled in the dying breeze, while Luxury Girl overtook the Willy T. The best gain was made by Colin Rathbun at the helm of Team Lime, one of three IC 24's, the smallest boats in the fleet, who persisted in staying close enough to win the race on corrected time. On the final beat to the finish, Team Lime and Pipe Dream hung on to finish first and second. Luxury Girl took advantage of a poorly timed "slam dunk" tack from Willy T to sail through her lee and take third, giving her four points after two races and a one point lead over Pipe Dream. "I have to thank my crew" said Luxury Girl's skipper Guy Eldridge. "My time and distance judgment on the start of the second race was awful and I put us in a bad position, but they kept working and pulled us out." Team Lime's second race win was enough to lift Colin Rathbun to third overall. Richard Wooldridge's IC 24 Racing in Paradise was awarded a special prize for having the youngest crew members, Ryan Wooldridge and Sam Morrell. YG
Final Results Boat/Skipper Luxury Girl/Guy Eldridge Pipe Dream/Peter Haycraft Team Lime/Colin Rathbun Willy T/Kevin Rowlette Jurakan/Dave West Intac/Alec Anderson Crewclothing.co.uk/ Andrew Thompson Racing in Paradise/ Richard Wooldridge
Luxury Girl, the overall winner, approaches the finish line. Photo by Diane Lewis
The Luxury Girl crew with trophy. Photo by Diane Lewis
22
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Race 1
Race 2
Points Position
1 3 5 4 2 6
3 2 1 4 8 5
4 5 6 8 10 11
1 2 3 4 5 6
8
6
14
7
7
7
14
8
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
23
Footloose
est. 1995 | footloosecharters.com | (284) 494-0528 Fleet size: 55 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Roberson & Caine Year Make: 1997-2000 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
The Moorings
est. 1969 | moorings.com | (888) 416-8420 Fleet size: 290 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Leopard Year Make: 2001-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls Yacht Brokerage: (284) 494-8864
Racing in Paradise
est. 2002 | racinginparadise.com | (284) 494-6781 Fleet size: 11 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): IC24 Year Make: Converted From J24 in 2003-2006 Type(s): One-Design Sailing Race Boats
Southern Trades
est. 1977 | southerntrades.com | (284) 494-8003 Fleet size: NA Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Non-Specific
est. 2002 | charterportbvi.com | (284) 494-7955 Fleet size: 80 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: 1923-2006 Type(s): Non-Specific
North South
est. 1970 | nsyv.com | (284) 494-0096 Fleet size: 42 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Catalina, C&C, Leopard, Island Spirit, Chienwha, Hershine, Nova Sundeck, Trader Year Make:1994-2003 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Tortola Yacht Sales
est. 1965 | tysbvi.com | (284) 494-2124 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Stamas, Contender, Angler Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Non-Specific Boats Sold/yr: 6 Number of Brokers: 1
Nautic Blue est. 2000 | nauticblue.com | (800) 416-0224 Fleet size: 11 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Robertson & Caine Powercats, Fontaine Pajot, Mainship, Carver Year Make: 2002-2007 Type(s): Power Cats and Monohulls BVI Yacht Charters est. 1974 | sailinthebvi.com | (284) 494-4289 Fleet size: 38 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Hunter, Lagoon, Leopards, Jeanneau Year Make: 1997-2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls Pro Valor Charters
est. 1993 | pvc@provalorcharters.com (284) 495-1931 Fleet size: 14 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau Fountaine Pajot, Island Spirit, Lagoon, Privilege Year Make: 1993 - 2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
est. 1991 | patouche.com | (284) 494-6300 No Charters Boats: Yes Fleet size: 6 Sells Boats: Bo Brand(s): Peter Spronk, Sea Ray, Privilege, Beneteau Year Make: 1976-2006 Type(s): Sail & Power Cats & Monohulls,
Sunshine Powerboats est. 2000
sunshinepowerboats.com (284) 494-8813 Fleet size: 5 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Contender, Bradley Year Make: 2004-2006 Type(s): Fast Powerboats
est. 1993 barecats@candwbvi.net (284) 495-1979 Fleet size: 10 Sells boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Fontaine Pajot, Lagoons, Leopards, Island Spirit, Robertson & Caine, Privilege, Voyages Year Make: 1997-2005 Type(s): Catamarans
Tortola Cane n Garden Maya Cove
Road Harbour Sunsail Nanny Cay
Soper’s Hole
see detail top right
est. 2007 | 123hulls.com (284) 499-0591 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specificl Type(s): Non-Specific Number of brokers: 3
Voyage Yacht Charters
est. 1995 | voyagecharters.com (284) 494-0704 Fleet size: 23 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Voyage Year Make: 1997-2006 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
est. 1986 | charteryachtsales.com | (284) 494-4868 Fleet size: 46 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Leopard, Norseman, Island Spirit, Athena, Hunter Year Make: 1996-2004 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
DIVISION OF CONCH CHARTERS
BVI Yacht Vacations
est. 1998 | bviyachtvacations.com | (284) 499-2768 Fleet size: 1 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): 45’ Crewed Charter Yacht Year Make: 1998 Type(s): Sail & Cutter Ketch & Monohulls
24
FEBRUARY 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
est. 1974 | sunsail.com | (888) 416-8420 Fleet size: 170 Sells boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Fontaine Pajot, Robertson & Caine Year Make: 2001-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls Yacht Brokerage: (284) 494-1000
Amazing Charters
est. 1941 | amazingcharters.com (284) 495-2647 Fleet size: 74 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: Non-Specific Type(s): Power/Sail, Mono/Multihull
Charter Yacht Society est. 1982 / bvicrewedyachts.com / 284-494-6017 / Fleet size: 70 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Types: Sailboat Cats, Monohulls and Power Yachts Non-profit for BVI crewed charter yachts. Hosts BVI Boat Show. TMM
est. 1987 | sailtmm.com | (800) 633-0155 Fleet size: 44 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot, Hunter, Jeanneau, Beneteau, Nautitech, Trader Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Powerboat and Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Caribbean Images Tours Ltd. est. 1987 | snorkebvi.com (284) 496-7935 Fleet size: 4 Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Caribe, Ribtec, Atlantic Industries Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Powerboat - Ribs
Virgin Traders est. 1995 | virgintraders.com | (284) 495-2526 Fleet size: 17 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Horizon Year Make: 1997-2004 Type(s): Large Powerboats
Nanny Cay
Horizon Yacht Charters
est. 1998 | horizonyachtcharters.com | (284) 494-8787 Fleet size: 32 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Bavaria, Jeanneu, Beneteau, Fontaine Pajot, Lagoon Year Make: 2002-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Vacances Sous Voiles
est. 2004 | vacancessousvoiles.ca | (284) 499-1711 Fleet size: 3 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Beneteau, Bavaria Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Monohulls
est. 1981 | bviyachtsales.com | (284) 494-3260 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: No Brand(s): Non-Specific Year Make: 1976-2006 Type(s): Non-Specific Boats Sold/yr: 70 Number of Brokers: 3
Catamaran Charters
est. 1989 | catamarans.com | (800) 262-0308 Fleet size: 23 Sells Boats: Yes Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Privilege, Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot Year Make: 2000-2007 Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls
Island Time Ltd est. 2001 | islandtimeltd.com | (284) 495-9993 Fleet size: 10 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Contender, Caribe Year Make: 2006-2008 Type(s): Fast Powerboat and Dinghys King Charters est. 1990 | kingcharters.com | (284) 494-5820 Fleet size: 5 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Bradley Year Make: 1998-2007 Type(s): Fast Powerboat
Yacht Charter & Broker Directory The BVI Yacht Guide wants this list of Yacht Charter companies and Yacht Brokers to be as complete and accurate as possible. To this end, we will include your company’s details at no cost. If your company is not listed here or the description is incomplete, please contact us with the proper information.
Virgin Gorda
Sail Bravura
est. 2004 | sailbravura.com | (284) 443-2586 Fleet size: 1 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Hans Christian 48 Year Make: 1987 Type(s): Monohull Cutter
Double D Charters
The Valley
est. 1995 | doubledbvi.com | (284) 499-2479 Fleet size: 3 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Crowther, President Year Make: 1988-1980 Type(s): Catamaran Sailboat, Powerboat
Powerboat Rentals/Cruises est. 1987 | boatsbvi.com | (284) 495-5542 Fleet size: 7 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes Brand(s): Logic, Sea Fox, Bertram, Riviera, Azimut Year Make: 1996-2002 Type(s): Fast Powerboats www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE FEBRUARY 2009
25