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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

1944.0. "Need Ideas on Dream Cruise!" by MR4DEC::PWILSON (PHILIP WILSON, DTN 297-2789, MRO4-2E/C18) Fri Oct 09 1992 11:21

    I have a wonderful opportunity to charter a 50'er in a warm climate and
    would like to get ideas and Charter Outfits to contact. Here's what I'd
    like:
    
    o Captain and Cook (At least one of which is a Master Diver)
    
    o Gourmet dining
    
    o Probably monohull config (but would like to here alternative ideas)
    
    o Height of the winter season (Maybe Feb or March '93)
    
    o Thinking about the BVI's (I bareboated there once and loved it
                                but my wife has never been there)
    
    o Moorings seems to be the top outfit (But I'm sure there are better
      private operations that I'd consider with a reference from one of
      you)
    
    o A LOT of scuba, and snorkeling
    
    o A LOT of trolling for Dolphin et al while sailing
    
    o Maybe some metal detecting on land or underwater
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1944.1Try a brokerDPDMAI::CARRERAGFri Oct 09 1992 13:453
    I would suggest contact a brocker such as Ed Hamilton in Maine or
    Regency in St. Thomas. They would have better information on what's
    available and when. 
1944.2Consider BelizeASDG::ANTONIADISMon Oct 12 1992 16:1417
    If you would like a true sailing/cruising adventure try Belize. I
    chartered twice an Irwin 52 with captain/divemaster and gourmet
    cook from Sail Belize. That was back in 1985 and 1986. I dont know
    if they are still in business. The diving and fishing in that area
    along the offshore atolls and the barrier reef are the best I have
    seen anywhere. The Irwins were very well fitted out with six tanks,
    compressor etc, plus water skis and windsurfers.
    
    Belize was (still is?) well out of the beaten path. We rarely saw
    another yacht, but local knowledge ans shallow draft (5.5 ft) is
    essential. The only caveat with this whole region of Central America
    is that it is prone to the continental cold fronts. One  of the times
    we lost almost three days hiding from a vicious norther that blew
    steady 30-35 kts. Other than those aberrations, region is bathed
    in the same balmy trades as the rest of the Caribbean.
    
    /Dimitri
1944.3Consider the WindwardsGIAMEM::SEUFFERTMon Oct 26 1992 16:3110
    If you want to all of the things you have listed, particularly trolling
    for Dorado (aka Dolphin) don't go to the Virgins. I would suggest you
    try sailing out of the Windward Islands. Take in the lower part of the
    French West Indies like Martinique, then on to St. Lucia and St.
    Vincent and on to the Grenadines. All have a different flavor, not like
    the Virgins, all are on a reach, not like the Virgins, all are blue
    water sailing, not like the Virgins and lots and lots of clean, clear
    water. See if you can arrange a one way charter so you don't waste time
    going back,  but if you can't there are lots of places to stop so it
    will not feel like duplication. 
1944.4perhaps the weather would be a factor...POWDML::SPENCER_JCommuter from the Other CapeMon Nov 02 1992 11:5716
    Mid-winter trade wind blows stronger the further south you go, and
    obviously the inter-island distances and fetch increase as well.  Last
    year, apparently, the Grenadines saw weeks on end of 30+ kt winds --
    some charter companies were refusing to send out anything smaller than
    35', leaving the 30'ers at the dock.  One group on a 35'er reported
    they sailed for two weeks with a double reef in, wet weather gear on,
    and a rail under; waves were 8'-12' on inter- island passages.  Not
    everyone's idea of a relaxing holiday sail.
    
    The BVI's are considered the most benign winter wind area of the major
    chartering locations.  Further south the trades are more intense;
    further north in the Bahamas you risk the seasonal northers which can
    push temps into the low 60's (high 50's at worst) as well as blow 25-35
    kts for a couple days or three.  
    
    John.
1944.5Dream Cruise En Route!MR4DEC::PWILSONPHILIP WILSON, DTN 297-2789, MRO4-2E/C18Mon Nov 23 1992 09:4728
    Our party of 4 contacted Ed Hamilton Yacht Charter Agents P.O. Box 430
    N. Whitefield, Me. 04353 and he has been extremely helpful and
    professional. You can contact him at (800)621-7855 or (207)549-7855.
    
    He helped us through the boat selection process which was a lot of fun.
    We have settled on a brand-spanking new 55' catamaran called "Breanker"
    which is docked at Yacht Haven Marina in St. Thomas. The Captain's name
    is Brett Pollack and the boat, Captain, and crew are out of Cape Town,
    South Africa. The boat was built in 1991 and has accomodations for 4
    couples. The price for 4 people (we may add some more) is $8,500 with
    50% due upon booking the boat. The price includes diving and that was
    an important factor in yacht selection. The boat has an air compressor
    aboard, as well as 2 windsurfers.
    
    At this point we've put down our deposit, and booked our airline
    flights (also through Ed Hamilton as he had great rates $400 from
    Boston!), now we're working on meal selection.
    
    We're going to make it easy on the cook by putting on the menu form:
    
    
           " GOURMET HAUTE CUISINE WITH SOME BAR-B-QUE MIXED IN "
    
    
    We'll report back on our "Dream Cruise" experience.
    
    
    P.S. We will be going March 1-8 1993. 
1944.6Final DREAM CRUISE ReportMR4DEC::PWILSONPHILIP WILSON, DTN 297-2789, MRO4-2E/C18Mon Mar 22 1993 17:3026
    Well, we must say that we had an UN-BELIVE-ABLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    My thanks to you all for your great advice.
    
    The boat selection, a 55' cat named "BREANKER", proved to be one of our
    major delights. It was so spacious, and bran-spanking new! The layout
    and appointments were second-to-none.
    
    The second major delight was the young, South African crew. Captain
    Brett, 1st Mate Pierre, and Kim and Anne. All about 24 years of age.
    Extremely polite, personable, informative, interested in the U.S.,
    willing to please, and NEVER running out of energy that we could tell.
    We can't say enough about them!!!!
    
    Very good food.
    
    Great diving both day and night.
    
    Great weather.
    
    Almost caught a tuna.
    
    Made it to Anegada as well which was a plus.
    
    Many, many, memories! Maybe we'll somehow find the money to do it again
    someday.