Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SAILING RESOURCES
»
BVI Marine Guide (
www.bvimarineguide.com
)
This handy, free booklet lists
everything a sailor needs: customs regulations, overnight moorings, chandlery loca-
tions, safety concerns. Much of the information is online, as well.
»
Yachtman's Guide to the Virgin Islands (
www.yachtsmansguide.com
)
For $16,
you'll get a book that's updated annually and provides information on charting har-
bors, anchorages, channels and preparation for cruising the Virgins (Spanish Virgins
included).
»
Marine Association of the BVI (
www.marinebvi.com
)
This is the website of a
trade group with links to marinas, equipment suppliers and dive operators, in addition
to charter companies.
»
Sail(
www.sailmag.com
)
Use this magazine's website for an up-to-date list of local
services, prices and equipment.
»
BVI Yacht Magazine (
www.bviyachtguide.com
)
This monthly online publication
offers articles about sailing in the BVI; while it's geared to those who want to buy a
yacht, it has good general articles, too.
»
Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands (
www.cruisingguides.com
)
This $32 guide
features detailed charts of Virgin waters and anchorages.
Bareboat
A 'bareboat' charter is bare of crew but fully equipped to sail, lodge and cook for two to
eight people. Not surprisingly, you must meet certain qualifications before you're allowed
to sail away in a $200,000 yacht. All bareboat charter companies require you to fill out a
sailing résumé to demonstrate your ability to handle the boat and the sailing conditions.
The company will need to see a physical demonstration of your skills upon arrival.
In practical terms, you should have a reasonable amount of recent coastal-cruising ex-
perience in an auxiliary sailboat more than 30ft long (this need not be a boat you own,
however). You should be able not only to sail the boat, but to dock and anchor it, to run
its systems and to deal with minor problems and routines (for example, checking battery
and oil levels). You must also be competent in basic piloting and able to deal with passing
squalls and winds.
