BVI Fun Sail highlights:
My crew of 6 were adventurous to come sailing
Chris Rieffer & Tom Flint - first time on a sailboat, first time out of the country, celebrating their 25th anniversary.
Pam Vincent- incredibly good cook with a baking specialty
Kiki & Margaret - Enthusiastic sailors, had lessons and enjoy the sport.
Jacob Saltzman - A very special joy and gratitude to my son who served as the very capable first mate!
Stats of note: the Beneteau 473 is a quick (& affordable) boat...with winds above 20 kts all week, we flew around the islands: 7-9 kts regularly under dbl reefed main and 50% jib; 80 miles covered (not including tacking); 24 hours of sailing time over 6 days.
Highlights: Deadman's Bay on Peter Island...like the BVI used to be, snorkel & lunch at the Cooper Island Beach Club, everyone learning knots, taking time at the helm & grinding winches, eating freshly baked scones-thank you Pam V, having Jake & Tom & Chris do such a great job as the regulars on mooring ball pick up and anchoring, having an on board wine consultant-thanks Margaret and despite a tumble into the dingy, the indefatigable sunny spirit of Kiki!
Itinerary: March 7 - move onto boat & provision, March 8- Go to Trellis Bay to pick up Kiki & Margaret, lunch at the Loose Mongoose (great mussels), dinner at the Last Resort, March 9 - sail up Sir Francis Drake channel to Gorda Sound, pick up mooring ball at the Bitter End Yacht Club and dine at the Fat Virgin, March 10 - sail to Diamond Cay on Jost Van Dyke ~ set anchor ~ hike & swim at the Bubbly pools~dinner at Foxy's Taboo, March 11 - Drive to Soper's Hole for a few provisions, water & ice ~ then on to Norman Island~Jake & Claudia snorkel at the Caves ~ dinner at Pirates Bight, March 12 - sail to the Indians & snorkel~sail to Deadman's Cay on Peter Island and anchor~dinner aboard, March 13-sail to Cooper Island ~ pick up ball at western edge & snorkel~lunch at the Cooper Island Beach Club~sail back to ProValor charter base~dinner at Red Rock. March 14 - early cabs to ferry dock and off we go...except Pam who got an extra night at the hummingbird B&B.
