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 vi!as 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 rent hotel room when a private villa can be| yours for less? Excellent choice of apartments and villas from $225 to!$1715 per night. MARCH 2009aBVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING www.bviguides.com
Telephone 1.284.494.8000 Fax 1.284.495.5875 Toll free from the USA 1.800.871.3551
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THE CREW Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com
Copy Production Owen Waters & David Blacklock Advertising Production Colin Rathbun & Nick Cunha
letter from the editor
Owen Waters
Managing Editor
Welcome to the Yacht Guide March issue
Advertising Sales Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com
Once again, we are proud to give you much information about this year's BVI Spring Regatta, and
Graphic Design Richard George & Nick Cunha
we wish you luck if you are, in fact, participating in it. If you are sailing or supporting, welcome
Executive Producer Colin Rathbun, aLookingGlass Publishing colin@alookingglass.com
stand its ground, so good luck to our own and any visitors!
For additional information contact Nick Cunha or Colin Rathbun at aLookingGlass or visit www.bviyg.com
delights of the Boat House.
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
running all year round with different rates for charters. With the economic downturn we have
and have fun! It’s one of the times when the BVI racing circuit gets to put itself into full gear and We also look at some aspects of solar power use and provide a warning for sailors out there on some hidden rocks. In going back to our eating ashore reviews we examine the culinary Recently there has been a lot of talk about how our season is doing in light of the economic climate. There once was a time when the season was only for a few months and it now has been yet to see whether we will have to down size but what has been noticed are significant layoffs in the industry or cutbacks. There is a simple quandary at foot, if you lay a team member off in the BVI that person is for all intents and purposes gone from the island and as permits are not easy to transfer and new positions are not just waiting round the corner. This could become a potential dilemma. If your production increases companies find themselves understaffed and
On the Cover: Racing in Action off Nanny Cay Photo courtesy of BVI Spring Regatta.
unable to get the help in as quick as possible. So, the plight of shrinking and expanding within an unstable market is one that knee jerks to a bigger drum of the States. In our casual talks we found most companies hanging onto their employees and cutting other areas where they can. This is a small island community and tends to take care of their own wherever they can. Steady on the course and ride out the storm, hopefully all ships will be afloat through the other side because as most hardy sailors will tell you- good boats were made to float and sail well.
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.
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MARCH 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
In light of that, enjoy the issue and see you out, on or in the water!
Owen Waters
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Contact us: 284 444 4444(Tortola) or 284 495 5639(Virgin Gorda)
9 Light Blows: Solar vs Wind
12
contents Skipper's Tips: Heads Up! 8 Recent reports have alerted BVIYG to a couple of hazards that bear mention. One is a coral head in about 6 feet of water just off Trunk Bay close by the Baths in Virgin Gorda. It is marked on British Admiralty charts but not on all Imray ones. Some guide books mention it but get the position wrong.
The Boat House Restaurant and Bar
Light Blows: Solar vs Wind: Which natural energy source is better? 9 A common question from those wishing more independence afloat is: Which is better, solar panels or a wind generator? Let's compare benefits and liabilities. Solar PROS: Solar panels are VERY cool. Fairly inexpensive, completely quiet & clean, no operating cost or maintenance ever, and they work especially well in the Caribbean. Shoreside Review: The Boat House Restaurant and Bar 12 I first discovered The Boat House Restaurant & Bar in October when a friend from the BVI Beacon took me there for lunch. The special was a Cajun fish wrap for $9.95, which we both ordered. The plates arrived not only with densely packed, pressed wraps that didn’t fall apart in our hands. . . Smooth, Seamless, Successful: A peek behind the scenes of The BVI Spring Regatta 15 By the time the first week of April is over then no sooner has the last tent peg been pulled and the vestiges of the four-day sailing bonanza has been cleaned up. It is then that the organizers of the annual BVI Spring Regatta meet up to review the good, the fantastic and the things to be changed for next year.
15 Smooth, Seamless, Successful
EDGE: BVI Sailing Festival 18 This year the week-long event begins officially on March 30th with registration for the BVI Sailing Festival, the low pressure precursor to the BVI Spring Regatta. The next day, skippers begin the Sailing Festival at the event home, Nanny Cay and sail to Bitter End. At Bitter End, a host of activities are planned for the evening entertainment and the next day is Lay DayBitter End Style. Yacht Charter and Broker Directory 20 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.
18 EDGE: BVI Sailing Festival
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Official Rolex Retailer www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
BVI YACHT GUIDE MARCH 2009
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33
SKIPPER’STIPS
Heads Up!
by David Blacklock
Recent reports have alerted BVIYG to a couple of hazards that bear mention. One is a coral head in about 6 feet of water just off Trunk Bay close by the Baths in Virgin Gorda. It is marked on British Admiralty charts but not on all Imray ones. Some guide books mention it but get the position wrong. Our information is that the coral head's location is 18 26.186N, 064 26.770W and that is frequently hit by errant sailors. Also there is an obstruction, thought to be a sandscrew, reported in
8
Great Harbour, Peter Island. This has caused several vessels problems when anchoring. Those coordinates are said to be 18 21.378N, 64 34.762W. Bear in mind that not all hazards are stationary. The accompanying picture was taken by charter captain Jeff Olen who, with his partner Faith, encountered this unexpected hazard just off Caneel Bay in St. John. The confused critter was throttled up and bound for St. Thomas. Just check that bow wave! YG
MARCH 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Watch out for horns!
Light Blows: Solar vs Wind Which natural energy source is better?
by Kevin Hughes
A common question from those wishing more independence afloat is: Which is better, solar panels or a wind generator? Let's compare benefits and liabilities. Solar PROS: Solar panels are VERY cool. Fairly inexpensive, completely quiet & clean, no operating cost or maintenance ever, and they work especially well in the Caribbean. By their nature, it is difficult for a solar array to overcharge a significantly-sized battery bank. Recent improvements in efficiency have endowed them with outstanding output from a reasonable size. Solar CONS: They are big and have to be mounted somewhere. To maximize the potential wattage-per-square-inch, aiming them directly perpendicular to the sun is beneficial. Locating them in an area that avoids shadows is important. Wind PROS: A wind turbine puts out lots of energy in big wind. Surpasses solar with a smaller footprint—it mounts on a pole or in your rigging. Modern wind generators are brushless with sealed bearings that may last for years, providing perfectly clean energy production. Wind CONS: A good one is more expensive than a typical solar array. It is a mechanical device, and therefore has the potential for maintenance issues. Although is has a smaller footprint than a good-sized solar array, much thought must be put into mounting so that it is structurally strong and doesn’t tangle in running rigging, sails, someone’s head, etc. Can be noisy and annoying to you and/or your neighbors.
be big and heavy, but the technology is very old and They might well need monitoring and attention to proven reliable when used properly. prevent overcharging conditions or storm damage. Gel-cell batteries were developed to be Also, if you love quiet and serene anchorages, or even physically tougher than wet-cells, but have inherent worse, marinas, the wind will be partially or totally characteristics which make them a bit more sensitive blocked and kill the output of the wind machine. electrically, so care must be taken to observe these So to answer the question, Which device should issues. Because of a slight difference in chemistry, the you get first: a) SOLAR or b) WIND, the answer is non-fluid state of the electrolyte, and the need to in fact: c) the largest, highest quality battery bank you prevent gassing during charging, gel-cells have different can afford to fit on your vessel. charging requirements. You see, the solar or wind devices only generate at I would recommend AGM [Absorbed Glass Mat] certain times in limited amounts and cannot run the batteries for the small-to-average cruising boat. They ship’s electrical needs 24/7. The batteries do this. are less expensive than the best wet-cell or gel-cell The best wet-cell batteries for deep-cycle units, and utilize standard charging systems. They are operation have beefy plates that can physically traditional in appearance, accept a good charge but the insides are full and tolerate the Which device should you get first? . . . of high-tech innovation adverse conditions the largest, highest quality battery bank and utilize recombinant experienced on a technology. These boat. They cannot you can afford to fit on your vessel so-called maintenanceput out the CCA free batteries are very durable and were initially [instantaneous current] that a starting battery is developed for use on military aircraft and have designed for. (Batteries get amps from surface several distinct advantages for use on a boat. area of the plates; lots of thin plates = lots of When the batteries have been chosen, they must instantaneous amps. But thin plates degrade more be placed somewhere on the boat to afford secure quickly than thick ones over time and are subject installation, adequate access, with much consideration to warping in adverse conditions.) To get decent given to the weight distribution aboard. The wiring output from a battery with beefy plates it needs to www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE MARCH 2009
9
been used in interesting locations where rigid units of the batteries is critical: an expert system designer wouldn't work. will allow for direct runs of very large, high-quality cable with accessible, secure, corrosion-proof and A wind generator combined with the solar panels physically protected connections. This designer must can make a boat completely self-sufficient. Choosing have a deep knowledge of overcurrent protection a wind turbine you will be happy living with is a and charging requirements bit tricky and making and use the simplest recommendations here . . .it is all made possible by devices to allow for proper is quite difficult. Sales having of a lot of amp-hours of protection and control. information presented by Once the batteries dependable, well-installed batteries manufacturers always seem to paint a rosy picture, are installed, get some when in fact, reality is more complicated. solar panels. For an off-shore cruising boat, I would A small, lightweight, low-cost unit may have high-tech recommend simplicity and structural integrity in lieu of features and claim to be the source of tremendous maximum daily output—no tracking, although there is a new tracking mount being advertised that seems well energy; but remember—the electrical energy from the turbine is derived from its interaction with the thought out. It would increase the output of a smaller wind. Thin, short blades simply cannot extract as much panel by allowing you to turn it to face the sun. power as longer blades with more surface area. Larger Solar technology is growing very fast, so updated blades require a beefier unit to support more weight information will lead to superior decisions. Secondand torque, and will generally rotate slower requiring a generation, "thin-film" production techniques have more massive electrical generator. reduced manufacturing cost and recent advances, heralding the third-generation products, have greatly So the slower-turning large unit can ultimately increased efficiency. Light-weight, flexible panels have out-perform a high-r.p.m. small unit, but costs more,
requires more careful installation, and needs a higher minimum wind to attain a decent output. Even though the smaller unit may begin to generate in lower wind, its electrical output may be paltry and anemic at any wind speed. Also, higher rotational speed will always produce more noise and most small units are intolerable to turbineless neighbors. Increasing the number of blades may change the pitch and level of noise, but cannot overcome the highr.p.m. noise, and does not seem to noticeably increase electricity production. Bottom line for wind generators: YOU must research, observe, compare and decide which compromise is right for your vessel. Solar panels can easily provide enough power for daily needs—refrigeration, navigation lights, interior lights and instruments. The wind generator increases the level of lifestyle to include microwaving, vacuuming, other inverterbased appliances, and loud music. But it is all made possible by having of a lot of amphours of dependable, well-installed batteries. YG
Kevin Hughes sails a 1967 Islander 37, Windigo III, and is a Certified Master Electrician, Electrical Engineer, Award Winning Certified Graphic Designer, and computer geek; and has been a Web Master, boatyard lackey, and sponsored cyclist, involved in many world-record cycling events. Windigo Travelogue Catalogue: www.ciekurzis.org
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Shoreside Review The Boat House Restaurant and Bar by Traci O'Dea
I first discovered The Boat House Restaurant & Bar in October when a friend from the BVI Beacon took me there for lunch. The special was a Cajun fish wrap for $9.95, which we both ordered. The plates arrived not only with densely packed, pressed wraps that didn’t fall apart in our hands but also with a sampling of salads which I later learned are called The Boat House Sides. The service was impeccable, and the sandwiches were delicious, but the sides were the reason that we returned for lunch the next week. And the next. Imagine a plate as the face of a clock. At twelve o’clock: garden salad that consists of mixed greens, bell peppers, blueberries, balsamic-vinaigrette-soaked cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and almonds. Between two and three o’clock: a perfectly fried slice of plantain. Four o’clock is home to a few spoonfuls of marinated eggplant. A fruit salad of shaved honeydew, cantaloupe, mango and a sweet dill dressing sits at six o’clock. Eight is a few sautéed garden vegetables—carrots, a Brussels sprout or two, squash, and broccoli. At ten, several bites of beet salad. In the center, your entrée.
The lunch menu is vast with options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and seafood lovers. Regulars arrive at noon for chef Vaughan Grant’s homemade soup. It changes daily and can be anything from lobster chowder to creamy pumpkin to turkey vegetable. The appetizers, ranging from lobster cakes to a stuffed Portobello mushroom are perfectly starter-sized: not too big that they fill you up, but not too small that they make you wish you’d ordered more. In addition to the pressed wraps (veggie, chicken, or spicy pork) are the pressed sandwiches, all served on rosemary olive bread, with choices for herbivores and carnivores. Then there are the lunch entrées, which the regulars also love—perfectly cooked salmon, duck,
Stephanie Clayton :: artist
or country-fried steak, all under $13. Did I mention The Boat House Sides? Because every lunch (except for the soup) comes with them. If you insist on a less healthy, more lunchy side, try the fries. They’re actually more like homemade crisps seasoned with Cajun spices. And I haven’t even mentioned the pizza menu. You can choose from one of their recommended pizzas (All Aboard Meat, Treehugger’s, Salmon Alfredo, Pesto Chicken) or build your own. The base price for build your own is $9 with toppings ranging from $1 to $2 each. The pizza sauce is New York-caliber, and the mozzarella is freshly grated onto each pizza, not previously shredded and frozen.
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
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MARCH 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Pizzas are also available for dinner as are most of the appetizers, but the rest of the menu is not. The chef dictates the dinner menu each night based on what is fresh and available or based on what he is in the mood to cook. Typically, there are four to six entrée choices: steak, a lamb or veal dish, poultry, and two seafood dishes. The chef will also prepare a vegetarian dish if requested. Past dinner menus have included beef tenderloin topped with chicken liver paté, mushrooms, and onions; coconut-crusted tuna; ginger-glazed rack of lamb; stuffed Caribbean lobster tail; and Thai curry shrimp. Each entrée comes with fresh garden vegetables and a side starch (try the pineapple risotto if it’s on the menu). The prices range from $26-$30 for each dinner, and you will not leave hungry. If you do somehow manage to save room, homemade desserts change every few days. The cherry key lime pie and pineapple walnut cheesecake are delicious, but my favorite is the sinful chocolate a cross between a cake and a brownie layered with
If you do somehow manage to save room, homemade desserts change every few days. puréed peanuts and topped with ice cream. Save room. The Boat House also offers a selection of ice creams and sherbets. All desserts are $6.95. The bar boasts an impressive, smartly selected wine list, with many wines available by the glass. Speaking of the bar, happy hour runs from 3:30-6:30 daily. During happy hour, beers are $2 each, and mixed drinks are $4.50. If there’s enough of a bar crowd, owner Jenny Gulland usually orders some complimentary appetizers from the kitchen. In May, Jenny started a restaurant that quickly gained a reputation among locals as the best lunch on the island and is now becoming a favorite dinner spot. It’s not the food alone that keeps Tortola’s population coming back for more. The staff is friendly and helpful, happy to make recommendations. And then there’s the view from the breezy deck: a mangrove island and small marina surrounded by neighbouring hills.¬ Reservations are recommended for lunch or dinner, as this local favourite continues to increase in popularity. Telephone: (284) 495-0007. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Manuel Reef Marina, Sea Cow’s Bay. YG
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE MARCH 2009
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Beach shot. Photo courtesy of BVI Spring Regatta
Smooth, Seamless, Successful
by Sofia Fay
A peek behind the scenes of The BVI Spring Regatta By the time the first week of April is over then no sooner has the last tent peg been pulled and the vestiges of the four-day sailing bonanza has been cleaned up. It is then that the organizers of the annual BVI Spring Regatta meet up to review the good, the fantastic and the things to be changed for next year. Miles Sutherland-Pilch, general manager of the host venue, Nanny Cay Resort and Marina in Tortola, is a key contributor to these discussions. Nanny Cay became host and presenting sponsor for the BVI Spring Regatta in 2002 and is responsible for providing and managing much of the physical logistics for what has become the third largest regatta in the Caribbean. The organisation of the Regatta is a year-round job with various committees in place to ensure that all shore side and on-water activities run smoothly. “We regularly meet with the BVI Spring Regatta Committee to discuss what’s new, and how best to integrate any changes in the layout of the village whilst maintaining an uninterrupted flow of daily service,” said Miles. As well as allocating slips and dockage for incoming yachts, the Nanny Cay team works closely with the BVI Spring Regatta Committee to oversee the installation of the Regatta Village, address
The Village. Photo courtesy of BVI Spring Regatta
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE MARCH 2009
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irregular issues and liaise with the local task forces on planned parking and health, safety and security measures. While the planning and preparation for the event is year-round, the Nanny Cay maintenance crew starts work in earnest about two weeks before the event providing much needed labour. This can range from re-wiring the electrical stands that Nanny Cay puts in to serve the vendors, erecting lighting, raising marquees, to opening up areas with backhoes to provide more parking for the throngs of BVI residents that attend the evening events. The event and venue couldn’t have been a better fit as the BVI Spring Regatta increased its marketing efforts to attract over 140 boats, 1500 international participants and 4000 visitors to the Regatta Village. The largest full service marina in
From a handful of tents and stalls in the early years, the regatta village is now a full entertainment venue the BVI with 180 slips, it is no stroke of luck that Nanny Cay Resort and Marina has the capacity to accommodate the swell in numbers from competitors. Amenities and facilities of the resort and marina continue to improve reassuring event organizers and sponsors that visitors will sail away with a favourable experience of the BVI. From a handful of tents and stalls in the early years, the regatta village is now a full entertainment venue with the ubiquitous beer tent, popular BVI restaurant concessions, vast dining marquee, stage (which is now a permanent fixture next to the pool) with megaspeakers, nightly live bands, and a large video screen broadcasting the day’s racing action, the BVI Spring Regatta committee has steered the course to create a ‘must attend’ national calendar fixture. The 42-room hotel has now been completely refurbished and Nanny Cay has added upscale, water front two- and three-bedroom luxury townhouses, with more to come. Marina guests can freshen up in the luxury shower facilities and additional restrooms and make use of the freshwater swimming pool, tennis court and WiFi. The provisioning store, the fully stocked chandlery, the sail loft, and other onsite ancillary boat service providers expect to do a brisk trade in replenishing, restocking and repairing. With two restaurants on-site, coffee shop and ice cream shop (which does a roaring By night, the new condos in the background. Courtesy of Broadsword Communications
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MARCH 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Time to chill. Courtesy of Broadsword Communications
recycling refillable water bottles and increasing the number of garbage receptacles are expected to help achieve the goal. The Nanny Cay team has been on task for weeks in advance and will remain on duty until the end of the event. Along with the indispensable help of scores of volunteers and sponsors from the BVI community, Nanny Cay and the BVI Spring Regatta committee are on target to a deliver yet another smooth, seamless and successful BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. YG
BVI
Spring Regatta
& sailing festival March 30 – April 5
2009
2009
trade!), and the restaurant concessions in the regatta village there’s good choice of breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshment stops dotted around the resort. Each afternoon of the BVI Spring Regatta, the Regatta Village teems with people catching up on old times, or discussing victories and near disasters. Residents of the BVI add to the festive atmosphere as they drop in to grab a bite to eat, meet up with friends and dance to live music until the Village bar serves its last drink and the party comes to a close. Nanny Cay’s crew is ever-present to ensure that the party continues with garbage removal, toilet checks and keeping the power going. “It’s the unglamourous, and generally, unseen things, like emptying garbage skips and cleaning the toilets, that are so important to the overall experience at any event. We’re proud to say that our team understands this, ” added Miles. The BVI Spring Regatta aims to reduce waste by 30 percent and run a Clean Regatta for 2009. Various initiatives such as
BVI
Spring Regatta
& sailing festival
www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE MARCH 2009
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Cruise or race, same place - same fun
by Linda Phillips
EDGE
BVI Sailing Festival The next day, skippers begin the Sailing Festival at the event home, Nanny Cay and sail to Bitter End. At Bitter End, a host of activities are planned for the evening entertainment and the next day is Lay Day- Bitter End Style. On April 2, the fleet will race back to Nanny Cay for BVI Spring Regatta registration and the official opening of the Regatta Village.The main event, the BVI Spring Regatta begins on Friday, April 3 and racing takes place on three courses in Drake Channel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the prize giving scheduled for the Sunday, late afternoon. Held annually on the first weekend of April, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival is celebrating its 38th anniversary. It is now a seven-day event with two events back-to-back attracting an average of 150 yachts per year with eighty percent of the
This year the week-long event begins officially on March 30th with registration for the BVI Sailing Festival, the low pressure precursor to the BVI Spring Regatta.
competitors from overseas. The BVI Spring Regatta is presented by Nanny Cay Resort and Marina; the BVI Tourist Board is a Platinum sponsor; Gold sponsors are Bitter End Yacht Club, LIME, First Caribbean International Bank, Heineken, The Moorings, Mount Gay, and SOL. Course Description for BVI Spring Regatta (April 2- 5): SOL Course: Looking across the channel to the Southeast is the SOL course. Host to the traditional keelboat racers, this course has welcomed the likes of Roys Disneys sled Pyewacket, Roger Sturgeons Transpac 52, Rosebud, and in 2007, the incredible Volvo Ocean Racer and winner of the most recent round the world race, ABN AMRO. This year, there will likely be seven classes, ranging in size from 24 to 75 feet, racing with professional crews as well as talented and enthusiastic amateurs vying for the gold, glory and bragging rights.
Norman Course: Just to the west, for those who would rather race around islands than buoys, and want the choice as whether or not to carry a spinnaker, there is the Norman course. This is the course that offers competitors more options and the opportunity to take the scenic route. Although the size of the boats is very much like those on the Shell course, this race area will appeal to those who want to race but also dont mind a little slower pace. With courses that take the competitors around the BVI barrier islands and down to Frenchmans Cay and back, competitors have a more scenic tour of the BVI than those racing on the Shell course. Home of the bareboat fleet, Jib and Main, Performance Cruising, and the large multihulls, this race course is likely to be the most popular one in the channel. LIME One Design Course: The beach cats race on the LIME One Design course with the IC24s and
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
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MARCH 2009 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
For full details on the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival including daily news, photos and complete results from the 2008 event, visit the official web site: http://www.bvispringregatta. org. For more information on the British Virgin Islands visit: http://www.bvitourism. com. For more information on Nanny
Cay Marina visit: http://www.nannycay.com. The BVI Spring Regatta is jointly owned by the Royal BVI Yacht Club and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association. Full size photos can be downloaded by visiting http://www.caribbeanracing. com/bvisr08/press/2008/index.htm For further information on the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, please contact: Judy Petz BVI Spring Regatta Director + (284) 541 6732 E-mail: info@bvispringregatta.com Linda Phillips Press Officer Tel: + (284) 542 1493 E-mail: editor@caribbeanracing.com Bob Phillips BVI Spring Regatta Chairman Tel: +(284) 494 2569 E-mail: bob@doylecaribbean.com
Upcoming Races Opti South Americans (Ecudor)
2-12 Apr
RYA Youth Championships & Trials (UK)
6-11 Apr
BVI Dinghy Champs (Tortola)
2-3 May
Holmberg Racing Masterclass (Tortola)
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
2009 0
Lasers.This course is set closest to Nanny Cays shoreline so that the action can be easily viewed by spectators.This course also hosts the on the water umpires who make instant calls as to which maneuvers are fair play and which require penalty turns. For many, the LIME One Design Course is where the most exciting on the water action takes place. Visitors can fly to the British Virgin Islands through San Juan, Puerto Rico with American Airlines, Cape Air and LIAT. Flights are also available through Antigua and Barbados on Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and BWIA. Ferry service is also available from St. Thomas with a new scheduled run in the early evening. YG
Monday March 30 Sailing Festival Registration (NC) Welcome Party at Peg Leg’s (NC)
noon - 6pm 6pm - until
Tuesday March 31 Bitter End Cup (NC to BE) Bitter End Cup Award Ceremony (BE)
10am 6pm
Wednesday April 1 Nations Cup Race/Layday (BE)
10am
Thursday April 2 - Sunday April 5 Apparel & Bar Tickets for Sale (NC) Bar Opens (NC) Food & Souvenir Vendors (NC)
2pm - 11pm 2pm 4pm - 10:30pm
Thursday April 2 Nanny Cay Cup (BE to NC) Spring Regatta Registration (NC) Annual Mount Gay Welcome Party (NC) Nanny Cay Cup Awards Ceremony (NC) Music by MJ Blues (NC)
10am noon - 6pm 5:30pm - 7pm 6pm 8pm - until
Friday April 3 Racing Day 1 (NC) Happy Hour (NC) Day 1 Racing Video (NC) Music by Emphasis (NC)
10am 4pm - 6pm 7:30pm 8pm - until
Saturday April 4 Racing Day 2 (NC) HIHO Fashion Show (NC) Day 2 Racing Video (NC) Music by Quito & The Edge (NC)
10am 5:30pm - 6:30pm 7:30pm 8pm - until
Sunday April 5 Final Racing Day (NC) Awards Ceremony (NC) Day 3 Racing Video (NC) Music by Natural Mystique (NC)
10am 5:30pm 7:30pm 8pm - until
www.bvispringregatta.org | info@bvispringregatta.org 284-494-3286 or 284-541-6732
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.
Save the Date for 2010
March 29- April 4 www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE MARCH 2009
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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
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
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
est. 1991 | patouche.com patouche | (284) 494-6300 Fleet size: 6 Sells Boats: No Charters Boats: Yes 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
DIVISION OF CONCH CHARTERS
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
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
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MARCH 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 MARCH 2009
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