BVI flotillas

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Victoria Sponge

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I've been looking into a sailing holiday in the BVIs. I've already had some really helpful feedback from Chatting Lil, but I'm wondering if anyone else has been on a flotilla to the BVIs. I've just read a review on another site about Sunsail, but I'll keep an open mind. Thanks in anticipation.

but having just returned from a pretty dire holiday with Sunsail in the BVI’s I won’t be rushing back to repeat the experience!
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Hi
SWMBO and I did a flot with Sunsail in the BVI 2 years ago, after we rejected the first boat they tried to give us, it was absoutely brilliant, would certainly do it again.
 
Have been to BVI twice on bareboat charters, wouldn't have thought flotilla worth it as there's plenty of chance to mix with others without being tied to a flotilla. And yes, we have and continue to use various companies for flotillas when we want to. Not anti flotilla at all [booked on one in June in fact], but wouldn't bother in BVI, everything's so simple there. [mooring/navigation etc].
 
Hi
I'm just back after a 2week flotilla with Sunsail in the BVI. Overall I would rate Good, it could have been great but overall I think Sunsail somewhat let themselves down.
Positives:
Boat was in reasonably good shape, we were upgraded to a 42', a few niggles that needed fixing, the engineer fixed them.
BVI's is a lovely cruising area, lots of wind, great sailing, snorkelling, sunshine, scenery. Overnight moorings are easy, sheltered from the swell, although many not from the wind so its reassuring to be on a mooring v at anchor. Anegada was superb - spent a day on deserted beaches.
Flotilla took the pressure off any weather / location decisions
Other folks on the flotilla were great company and added to the enjoyment.
Negatives:
LIAT temporarily lost the luggage on the transfer (id been warned this happens) but Sunsail could have been much more organised eg: had the forms ready to fill in if this is a regular occurrence. In the end I just climbed over the airline desk and found the forms myself for us all the fill in
Flotilla skipper and hostess were inexperienced and at times blatantly rude. Neither was used to a female skipper which became very very tiresome. After the skipper told me on day 1 I had to moor with 6 locking knots on my cleat rather than a simple 0800 i was ready to go bareboat. At other times when you could do with a hand they were nowhere to be seen. I was later told they were used to Yanks who want everything done for them v Brits who get pleasure from the achievement of doing new things sailing. Make it VERY clear what help you want and what you dont want.
Hostess was simply useless as she didn't actually know about the locations
Some Group meals were very expensive and not great quality, they seemed to be chosen based on favours/ free meals. They are not complusory.

In general food is expensive, we took some essentials (coffee, crackers, tea, bake in oven bread, popcorn to pop as nibbles.... and more, basically anything light you can carry you will probably eat) we thought we had perhaps overdone it but were very glad we had taken it.

Final positive was that Sunsail was so disorganised in the hand back debriefing they totally missed the Nav light we damaged and the boat hook we lost and to date no bill has arrived. .... so I guess that makes up for something
 
Victoria Sponge said:
I've been looking into a sailing holiday in the BVIs. I've already had some really helpful feedback from Chatting Lil, but I'm wondering if anyone else has been on a flotilla to the BVIs. I've just read a review on another site about Sunsail, but I'll keep an open mind. Thanks in anticipation.
Click to expand...

Our trip was a dozen years ago, the wrong time of year, and with The Moorings, but here's some comments and a GPS track: British Virgin Islands June 2001

Mike.
 
PurpleKate said:
Hi
I'm just back after a 2week flotilla with Sunsail in the BVI. Overall I would rate Good, it could have been great but overall I think Sunsail somewhat let themselves down.
Positives:
Boat was in reasonably good shape, we were upgraded to a 42', a few niggles that needed fixing, the engineer fixed them.
BVI's is a lovely cruising area, lots of wind, great sailing, snorkelling, sunshine, scenery. Overnight moorings are easy, sheltered from the swell, although many not from the wind so its reassuring to be on a mooring v at anchor. Anegada was superb - spent a day on deserted beaches.
Flotilla took the pressure off any weather / location decisions
Other folks on the flotilla were great company and added to the enjoyment.
Negatives:
LIAT temporarily lost the luggage on the transfer (id been warned this happens) but Sunsail could have been much more organised eg: had the forms ready to fill in if this is a regular occurrence. In the end I just climbed over the airline desk and found the forms myself for us all the fill in
Flotilla skipper and hostess were inexperienced and at times blatantly rude. Neither was used to a female skipper which became very very tiresome. After the skipper told me on day 1 I had to moor with 6 locking knots on my cleat rather than a simple 0800 i was ready to go bareboat. At other times when you could do with a hand they were nowhere to be seen. I was later told they were used to Yanks who want everything done for them v Brits who get pleasure from the achievement of doing new things sailing. Make it VERY clear what help you want and what you dont want.
Hostess was simply useless as she didn't actually know about the locations
Some Group meals were very expensive and not great quality, they seemed to be chosen based on favours/ free meals. They are not complusory.

In general food is expensive, we took some essentials (coffee, crackers, tea, bake in oven bread, popcorn to pop as nibbles.... and more, basically anything light you can carry you will probably eat) we thought we had perhaps overdone it but were very glad we had taken it.

Final positive was that Sunsail was so disorganised in the hand back debriefing they totally missed the Nav light we damaged and the boat hook we lost and to date no bill has arrived. .... so I guess that makes up for something
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Rather emphasises my post about flotilla not worth doing in BVI. As for destination decisions, anywhere is fine and all easily reached, apart from Anegada which does need a little more navigation.
 
Whiskey Bravo said:
Rather emphasises my post about flotilla not worth doing in BVI. As for destination decisions, anywhere is fine and all easily reached, apart from Anegada which does need a little more navigation.
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I can see your point, although is it more of a statement about Sunsail than flotillas in general? We've done bareboat and flotillas in Turkey and have preferred the flotilla option for various reasons.
 
Victoria Sponge said:
I can see your point, although is it more of a statement about Sunsail than flotillas in general? We've done bareboat and flotillas in Turkey and have preferred the flotilla option for various reasons.
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Probably about Sunsail, but have never been with them, much more expensive than the options we've used.
Furthur thoughts re BVI flotillas. I take your point regarding friendliness of others on flotillas, we met our best friends on one many years ago. But much of that stems from being moored alongside each other and popping over for drinks etc when tied to a quayside. In the BVI the overwhelming option for mooring in mosy places are mooring buoys, seperating you from others, which I would imagine would make getting to know others much more awkward.
On our last trip, we went with our friends, two seperate yachts, and even that was much more difficult, having to arrange times etc to pick up in dinghies.
For us, the end of the evening, after a good meal,has always been a special time, sitting in the cockpit with a dram or several, music playing quietly and setting the world to rights. Much more difficult if one couple then has to flubber across, sometimes several hundred yards in the pitch dark, back to their boat.
Don't let me put you off, we did really enjoy both our trips there, both on our own and in company, just be aware of the differences from some of the other places you've been. [Yes, we've also been on Turkish flotillas and had a great time, probably returning next year, this year's full!]
 
We have done one flotilla and 2 bareboat trips in the BVI

All navigation is by eye.
If you are a complete novice and want someone else to plan your trip then go flotilla
If you like to do your own thing then go bareboat

Main reason to go to BVI is for the glorious weather, warm water, easy navigation and sheltered sailing. The ideal next step after Mediterranean flotillas.

My wife is a reluctant sailor and I know she would go again tomorrow if we could afford it.

Homa
 
Done 3x flots and 3x bareboat in BVIs with Sunsail. Enjoy the social aspect of the Flots.
If you go for a week rather than 2, the skipper is likely to be Philmore.... appears to be very laid back , but don't be fooled, he knows where everyone is and after the first day he'll know who to leave alone and who to assist without them knowing it!
Love the place, easy sailing , warm water and great fun.
 
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