Chaguaramas?

[Ariadne]

Anybody got any 1st hand info for this place?

I need to leave the Mrs & kids for 3 months while I go off to do some work and was thinking of leaving them and the boat here (can't afford the return flights back to Uk). I know there are plenty of yards to get work done but what about pontoons to leave the boat afloat, do any people actually 'live aboard' there, or will be a dead place for them?

My other options are up to Grenada (which marina?) or leave them on a swinging mooring/at anchor in Store Bay Tobago.

All info appreciated.

 

[TQA]

Grenada would be my choice, a little cooler and dryer and the water is MUCH cleaner. Larger liveaboard community mostly on the south coast with some kids around most of the time.

Clarks Court Bay marina is a good location and you may be able to negotiate a 3 month deal with Bob.

Hog Island or Clarks Court bay are pretty protected anchorages, I will be there during August.

Chaguramus is more convienent and cheaper at times if you have a varied boat work program. I had my boat painted and cutlass bearing replaced there last year. The paint job was 40% of the Grenada price.

 

[Ariadne]

Cheers for that Grenada is starting to sound good.

 

[Bajansailor]

I will second TQA's suggestion re Grenada.

If you leave your fine vessel anchored or moored in one of the south coast bays, then your family can just jump over the side for a swim anytime, and the bays are calm and protected.
And Grenada is a lovely wee island.

Chaguaramas on the other hand, the anchorage is often rolly, it always seems to be much hotter there (to me) than the islands further north, and I would not be too keen on going swimming in the anchorage.
You could go into a marina, such as Crews Inn http://www.crewsinn.com/marina.asp or Coral Cove http://www.coralcovemarina.com/docks.htm but this would be much more expensive than being on a mooring in Grenada - and hotter (unless you get an air conditioner for the fore hatch....) and much less fun generally (IMHO).

 

[Tradewinds]

I agree with all the above.

We spent quite some time in Trinidad back in the '90s.

The Chaguaramus anchorage can be very unpleasant during the wet (hurricane) season. Storms miles away can generate steep choppy seas in the bay.

The anchorage was pretty busy too (in both seasons) so you had to keep an eye open when new people arrived. The currents within the anchorage area can often mean that a seemingly far away anchored yacht becomes a very close neighbour

It takes a while to get used to the humidity too.

We anchored there for provisioning or went ashore for work to be done, otherwise we spent our time in Scotland Bay which was a beautiful spot.

I'd go with Grenada.

 

[phantomlady]

Definitely Grenada. Much better place for women and kids!! Safer, nice people. Good cruising community.

 

[AndrewB]

Chaguramas does have the best services of anywhere in the southern Caribbean, and everything is set up to accomodate the visiting yachtie.

You didn't say which three months. Chaguramas is very seasonal, with hoards of yachts arriving at the start of the summer hurricane season in July and leaving again at the end, in October. (Hurricanes don't get this far south). It can be crowded then, but rather less so at other times.

There's one marina, with eye-watering prices. The anchorage can be very uncomfortable in a southerly wind. So mostly yachts that are staying awhile are lifted out into one of the several enormous yards. A good few people remain aboard onshore during the summer, plenty enough to give your family company. One of the yards has a pool, that's the one families try to book.

Its a very pleasant climate in winter, but in summer its hot, humid and uncomfortable - a rented air-conditioning unit is a must. There's plenty to do and see on Trinidad, an excellent bus service from Chaguramas to nearby Port of Spain where you'll do all your shopping, very interesting but not the safest of cities.

Although, like others, personally I prefer Grenada, I would not be quite so sure about it as the better place to leave a family. Health sevices are sketchy, schools are basic. Clarkes Court Bay for example, is very beautiful but when I visited it in 2006 was rather remote - your family would need a car if based there.

 

[capnsensible]

Another vote for Grenada. Much safer and friendlier for families.

Yukky coloured water in Chag, deep water to anchor in, often 10m, Port of Spain well dodgy.

Enjoyed Granada, fell for all the nutmeg magic cures. However, went to chocolate factory, wife happy, went to River Rum factory, made me happy!

Whichever one you choose, hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[Ariadne]

I need to beback in the UK in about 4 weeks, so we'll be while it's all gearing up the hurricane rush! I guess Grenada could be the answer then, I'll talk it over with the crew?

I have to get some work done (replace standing rigging, survey, change the gasket on the saoldarive and get a S/S exhaust elbow fabricated) but, I need to be around when all happens in any case. I suppose I could head back down for that If it's too expensive in Grenada.

I haven't had the time to drag the pilot book out yet, so which S coast bays have moorings? Ar proper laid moorings or are we talking about well anchored - either is OK the Mrs and kids can handle the boat OK. What marina facilities are there, any recomendations?

What's the diving like - the kids (all 3 of us!) want get quite a bit in when we can?

Cheers all