Caribbean Charter Cruising

Dean Abramson · Post by **Dean Abramson** » Mar 17th, '10, 16:49

Hi all,

Marvo and I finally made it to the BVIs. We went with our good friends and fellow CDers Rich and Melissa Abato.

Photos can bee seen at:
http://www.mainephoto.com/folios/bvi/index.html
If you click on the first thumbnail image, you can then cycle thru only the big ones, using the NEXT link. There is caption info below.

Pardon all the pix of us; this is also meant for our relatives to see. And pardon the fuzzy ones. Alcohol was involved.

The trip was great fun! Super. Marvo and I were aboard for eleven days, Rich and Melissa for two weeks.

Dean

Dean

Sea Hunt · Post by **Sea Hunt** » Mar 17th, '10, 17:36

Hello Marvo, Dean, Melissa and Rich:

GREAT photos

Especially the one of the "Willy T". Whenever I have been there it seemed like there were a lot more "clothing optional" females onboard the Willy T.

Dean, I assume you asked them to leave so you could take wholesome family photos.

Can you share with us some details of the charter. From the photos it looks like you chartered from Sunsail. What were the requirements, etc., for a bareboat charter

When I have gone it was with "the Admiral" who had some type of time share exchange deal. They were all "crewed" sailboats. We were with Festiva Charters. The last trip was on a Lagoon 440. Nice but, in the future, I think I would prefer a bareboat charter like you guys did assuming I would, by then, meet their qualifications.

Again, great photos. I could not see any "alcohol" related fuzzy photos. Maybe I need glasses.

Dean Abramson · Post by **Dean Abramson** » Mar 17th, '10, 18:08

We chartered from Horizon. Having four experienced sailors from a 31 and a 36 made "qualifying" easy. Rich was the skipper of record. I am not sure what the requirements actually are, but legal tender is a factor.

The boat was a Bavaria 36. Not a bad boat. Unless you want to hang something up; there were no hooks, towel bars, nada. Not even drink holders in the cockpit. It sailed really well, and was very well maintained. The engine started easily and ran very smoothly. Really a pretty nice boat.

There were plenty of photos on the Willy T to confirm your experience with "bareboating!" We were there about 3:00 pm. Probably should have gone back later.

When you have Melissa as an onboard bartender, and Rich as Chef Extraordinaire, you don't need to go "out" much. Melissa's "Painkiller" is world class, and her "Mahalo Sunset" trumps that. Me, I washed dishes.

It was a great time. Sailing, scuba, partying, and getting three books read. Even brought my little guitar.

When you are coming from Maine in February, it is very hard to beat!

Dean

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Mar 17th, '10, 20:09

In case you haven't seen enough pictures here are a few more, a few of the better ones were actually taken by Dean using our camera.

http://sailmahalo.com/picture_collections/2010BVI/

After Dean and Marvo left for home Melissa and I had three more days. We were back at Norman Island for the Saturday night mooring and anchoring show. We are convinced that the only requiurement for chartering from Sunsail is a credit card

Melissa and I have both taken ASA Classes 101, 103, 104, 105, 106. We have chartered twice before once with Horizon and once with "Winds Of Ireland" on Lake Champlain.

Dean Abramson · Post by **Dean Abramson** » Mar 17th, '10, 20:27

a few of the better ones were actually taken by Dean using our camera

Not true. All I shot in that batch were a few stilt dancers, and one of Rich and Melissa at the bar. Rich's shot from in the water, showing Melissa putting on her fins, is really great, as are many others. I also love the shot which shows just part of the boat bottom. And many of the fish shots, and the sunsets. He is too modest. Give the man the credit due.

Michael Abramson · Post by **Michael Abramson** » Mar 18th, '10, 15:37

Melissa,
Why the big bruise in your photos? Were you arm-wresting Marvo for the last cold beer?
Michael

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Mar 18th, '10, 16:17

Michael Abramson wrote:Melissa,
Why the big bruise in your photos? Were you arm-wresting Marvo for the last cold beer?
Michael

She's a tough one that Marvo.

Actually I slipped off the boat getting into the dinghy and hit the ladder on the way into the water, laughing all the way. Believe it or not, no alcohol was involved. Also, amazingly, it is virtually gone already.

Warren Kaplan · Post by **Warren Kaplan** » Mar 18th, '10, 18:34

Ah...the BVI. Sailor's heaven. Chartered there in 2005 and 2008. Here's a couple of photos.

Soper's Hole on the west end of Tortola. And legendary Foxy's Bar on Jost Van Dyke. I can still taste the rum!!

gates_cliff · Post by **gates_cliff** » Aug 5th, '10, 09:09

Great Photos!!!!!

I've chartered in the BVI a number of times. The most recent and probably the most memorable was last summer when I took my son and 6 of his friends (male and female). They are all in their mid-20s. Most of the guys work in a fairly high pressure environment that requires deployments to various areas in the middle east, but all are civilians.

My son was the only other one with sailing experience, also I am a teetotaler so was always the DDD (designated dinghy driver). Well, to say the least I was constantly entertained. We timed it to be at the Willy T on 4 July. I can only say that, that was quite a show!!!!!! The shotski, body shots, and all other typical Willy T escapades were enjoyed by someone, not me of course!
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, after he regained a somewhat clear head, my son erased all incriminating photos.

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Caribbean Charter Cruising

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Bruise?

Re: Bruise?

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