British Virgin Islands |
Tortola to Bitter End and back |
July 6 - 14, 1995 |
Lagoon 37' |
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Of interest :
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Reference The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands, Nancy and Simon Scott
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BVI Map |
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BVI |
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Road Harbor |
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Bitter End |
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Cane Garden Bay |
BVI Cruising Area
I had read about the BVI being the ultimate cruising area. And they were right. Though the winds are
considered light (15 to 20 knots) at this time of year compared to the winter trades, the sailing was great, and we had the
undipustable advantage of very small crowds in all the anchorages. We had chartered a 37 Lagoon from Moorings at
their Road Harbour base on Tortola. We had stayed the first night at the base which has excellent facilities (rooms,
restaurant, etc.) and had done some of our provisioning at a nearby supermarket. The usual crew of the kids, now
a little older, Isabelle and myself.
Our itinary was to include :
Every anchorage had it's own character and excitement. At Deadman's
Bay, we went snorkeling at the beach, and were greeted by 3 stingray's sailing below us in 6' of water. Back at the
boat a ramora had decided that our hulls were a great place to hang around on and would quickly lunge at the
Cheerio's we sprinkled on the water. Though the anchorage was rolly, we had no problems on the cat, though the
monohulls were rolling quite alot.
Our favorite anchorage was Bitter End at the north end of Virgin Gorda. We sailed
around Mosquito Rock, past Colquinoun Reef into Gorda Sound. The wind was coming from the east at 15-20 knots.
In the sound, with no waves, the cat picked up some real speed and we sailed in at about 14 knots ! Not sure I could
repeat that with a cat loaded for cruising, but that kind of speed is why I like cats.
We picked up a mooring at Bitter End, just behind Saba Rock. We had the east
wind blowing in, but being protected by the reefs, we had no waves at all. The Bitter End resort, which welcomes
sailors, has everything you could want (beach, good restaurant and bar, nurse shark pen, some provisions)
, and the location !!! The next day we motored to Leverick Bay Hotel where we picked up another mooring for $13 for
the night, which included a coupon for a free bottle of Pusser's Rum. Can't beat that deal ! We would have stayed
many more days if we had the time, but the rest of the BVI's beckoned.
We sailed from Bitter End all the way down to Jost Van Dyke by passing north
of Tortola, and with a 10 knot wind from the east, it was downwind sailing all the way. The crew went to the
trampoline for most of the trip, as the downwind sailing made for an easy and comfortable ride.
The next day, we stopped by Sandy Spit off Jost Van Dyke. A classic.
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Sandy Spit |
Then it was on to Cane Garden Bay. Though during the winter, they say this anchorage isn't protected from the swells,
this time it was completely flat and just an incredible anchorage for the night. The clouds with the sun setting was
inspiring, i.e. makes you want to quit your job and sail for the rest of your life.
Impressions on the Lagoon 37'
This was our first time with a Lagoon catamaran. We were impressed. Overall layout of
the crew quarters (lots of room and ventilation), the galley in the port hull but open to the main cabin, the large
main settee, the cockpit with fold up table, etc. felt right for our team. Sailing was fast, and the sails and rigging
were easy to handle even for the kids, which were able to help us out in the manoeuvers this time around.
Access to the engines, and the room to work on the engine is very adequate. We know. During the trip, one engine
kept on quitting on us. A call to Moorings, and they had a mechanic meet us at Cane Garden Bay, and after a few
hours of work, had the engine fixed.
I would opt for the 42', but would gladly settle for the 37', as I could see us spending an extended amount of time
on this boat.
CeBe WebDesign November 12, 2007
