Bare boat report Bvi

[Ducgas]

Hi folks, we've just returned from a 2 week bareboat holiday in the Bvi and thought it would be good to pass on some of our findings. We originally booked a 38' boat for the 2 of us prior to the hurricanes in September. A few weeks after the event we were advised our boat had been lost and that we would be upgraded to a Dufour 420 grande large and despite our concerns decided to carry on with our booking. When we eventually arrived on the 11th Jan we were to be totally honest flabbergasted at the obvious destruction all around. We were transferred to Hodges Creek marina where Dream yacht charters are based to find many boats still semi submerged, and even catamarans upside down on damaged pontoons. The staff were very friendly busy preparing the charter boats. The marina manager advised our replacement boat hadn't arrived and would we be okay to take out the brand new Dufour 520 grande large! Oh okay! The marina manager advised that now was probably a fantastic time to visit the islands due to the lack of boats doing the rounds, he was right, we could basically go where we wanted whenever without having to worry about picking up a mooring. It's fair to say there is a lot of work being done everywhere and there are enough places/bars/restaurants open to have a great time, but you only need to move a very short distance to see the damage. I guess I'm really writing this to urge anyone considering a visit to go as soon as possible to help the locals out, by spending some money ,everyone was so thankful, we were totally humbled and plan to visit again hopefully next year. By the way, the Boat wasn't bad either! You never know you might get an upgrade too, wow.

 

[Angele]

Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum.

I had considered a Caribbean charter this year, and my preference would have been the BVIs, but was put off after hearing about the total devastation. I take your point about the need to help the locals out by visiting, but I would prefer to go when it has been rebuilt. All a bit chicken and egg, I guess. I'll just have to miss out on an upgrade to a 50 footer.

The two of you must have been rattling around inside. Different cabin every evening?

 

[lpdsn]

Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum.

I had considered a Caribbean charter this year, and my preference would have been the BVIs, but was put off after hearing about the total devastation. I take your point about the need to help the locals out by visiting, but I would prefer to go when it has been rebuilt. All a bit chicken and egg, I guess. I'll just have to miss out on an upgrade to a 50 footer.

But think of the kudos in ten years time when you could say 'I was sailing around here before all this was built'

 

[Angele]

But think of the kudos in ten years time when you could say 'I was sailing around here before all this was built'

If the worst fears for global warming come true they may be rebuilding again in 10 years after a succession of catastrophic hurricanes. I really don't envy those with property there.

 

[Ducgas]

Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum.

I had considered a Caribbean charter this year, and my preference would have been the BVIs, but was put off after hearing about the total devastation. I take your point about the need to help the locals out by visiting, but I would prefer to go when it has been rebuilt. All a bit chicken and egg, I guess. I'll just have to miss out on an upgrade to a 50 footer.

The two of you must have been rattling around inside. Different cabin every evening?

Lol, you could say we did spread ourselves about with 5 double bedrooms and 3 heads. The only thing that we could have badly done with were electric winches to get the mainsail up , this was a proper work out for both me and mrs ducgas. Probably why we came home after 2 weeks having put virtually no weight on which is a definite first.