Trinidad Marina Recommendations

[BigART]

Hi Folks

Just about to cross to the Caribbean from the Cape Verdes. We plan to spend the next Hurricane season in Venezuela and ABC islands, but will need to do some work on the boat, maybe in Trinidad, I understand that we may need to book ahead. Any good tips on places to use or avoid. Feel free to use PMs if too contentious.

I won´t be able to reply for a little while (20 days?) but look forward to your advice.

Regards

Angus
Angus@DoItCruise.info
www.DoItCruise.info

 

[Gerry]

We got on well at Peakes doing all the work (antifouling, etc) ourselves, but if you need help you have to use their contractors and many people don't like this. Many people really like Coral Cove. Power Boats are huge with an excellent restaurant but suffer (like Peakes and Coral Cove) from an earth standing which can get muddy in the rain. IMS is further away but has a cement standing. There were some break-ins there last summer. Security is not brilliant anywhere. Peakes may be the best. Otherwise all are OK.

Buy major items of chandlery (eg antifouling paint) in St Martin which is tax and duty free and gives a discount for cash on top.

Strongly recommend Gittens for engines and Junior Thomas for refrigeration at Chaguaramas.

Don't expect to be able to receive imported parts in Venezuela - they are unlikely to make it through customs.

Good luck

 

[Sea Devil]

The most expensive marina is at Crews in. Got all the luxury you can ask for - difficult to find a berth there - Peaks - powerboats - coral cove all have a few - very few marina berths - need to book in advance or get lucky - this is the best link I know:-

www.ysatt.org/boatyard%20&%20marina%20guide.htm

here is the Yacht club which is a fine marina and closer to town but again difficult to find a place.. The majority of cruising boats anchor off 10m plus and not the best holding but OK. It is the haul out facilities that attract most visiting yacht - 2nd to none in the Caribbean and better than Miami or Lauderdale. Vast - little to choose between the yards - despite earlier post I think on the whole security is pretty good - Peaks have an area for long term layups surrounded by a high wire fence with hungry dogs loose in it!!! pretty safe.

Chagaramus bay has everything and in my opinion is far superior to St Martins. You will be able to purchase at West Marine catalogue prices anything you need for the boat - there are good experts and bad experts so you need to ask around.

I love Port of Spain and the WW2 museum is well worth a visit - not to mention Scotland Bay and Chagachcari...

fair winds

Michael

 

[TigaWave]

I stayed at the yacht club, very secure, there were places we didn't book ahead and it was carnival time. Great restaurant and very friendly, from there you can get a bus to Chaguramas and sort out a lift out and work, best to talk to people who are having work done as the labour force seems to shift about a bit. We were lifted out at power boats, but they have several companies on site who can do the work, ask around to get the best peopleb at the time.

Have fun, I loved the place, they also have a fuel dock at the yacht club.

 

[jeremyshaw]

As previously commented Crews Inn is the best marina. Not just the most luxurious (own pool) but also the most protected.

The anchorage is very poor - thin sand over mud. The local yachting association (YSATT) provides moorings which are the best option but these are prone to drag in the squalls from the SW that come through once or twice a year.

Coral Cove is the next best, and next best sheltered marina. At Crews Inn they don't like you doing messy work on the boat, but here it is more relaxed.

All the boatyards are good, though as previously commented they have different policies. I.e. at Peakes they insist on doing below-the-line work themsleves, whereas I believe Coral Cove is more relaxed.

We've hauled at Peake's and have been pretty happy. But then most people are pretty happy with the work they have done at Trinidad. They only yard I know where people would not go again is the yard attached to Crew's Inn which is in many ways more suitable for large yachts.

Trinidad is increasingly crowded in the hurricane season now that so few boats are staying in Grenada, so booking ahead is certainly advisable.

A lot of people like the yacht club anchorage/moorings, but it's a hike over to Chaguramas and not a good call to walk it at night.

Not sure I agree with a previous comment re parts in Venezuela. I have several friends there now who say they can get parts fairly easily at Puerto La Cruz where there is a weekly shipment via an agent. I'm moving my own boat there over Christmas so pm me in the New Year if you want more info.

Trinidad is certainly one of the best places to get work done in the Caribbean. Labour is cheap, skill levels are fair and they work pretty hard.

YSATT (www.ysatt.org) produce the boater's directory which lists all the local services. They might even mail one to the UK for you if you pay the cost.

BTW anyone with a boat in Trini who wants it eyeballed let me know.

 

[Ariadne]

Peake's in Chaguramas, its a pain getting work done with thier 'approved workers' but at least they shouldn't steal from your boat. You could get some sort of deal with the people working there so they actually got the money you payed them, but they have probably changed the system now.

The club on site used to have a good meal and a good bar, but the bars across the bay were better if you have a dingy.

Dust was a problem when I was there, and we had a 5.2 earthquake as well. Still the boat didn't fall, and was added excitment!

I found Trinidad the best out of the Caribean Islands, with Antigua next in line.