2008 PSC CARIBBEAN TRIP
Once Again we are headed back to the BVI!! Click here to see a few pictures of our 2007 trip. Click here for even more pictures from 2007 and previous year trips.
Ahoy All PSC Sailors,
Each year for the past five years,
members of the Pentagon Sailing Club and their friends have traveled to
the British Virgin Islands to sail in one of the finest and most
beautiful sailing areas in the world. In 2008 we will do it again.
Brenda and Wesley Moy are coordinating the 2008 trip. The
dates are 11 to 20 July 2008. There is no restriction on who can go; all PSC Members,
their families, and guests will be welcome, but there will probably be
only 32 spaces available.
If you haven’t been to the BVI before and wish to know more about this
destination, take a look at
http://www.bviwelcome.com/. If you want to see how much fun PSC has
had there in the past, check out the photo gallery on our website (www.pentagonsailing.org/photos.htm/)
for a little taste.
Here are the details on the 2008 trip to the British Virgin Islands:
WHAT: As in past years, the trip will focus on introducing PSC members, their families, and friends to the wonders of the Caribbean with over a week of sailing in the British Virgin Islands -- truly one of the most beautiful sailing (and diving/snorkeling) areas in the world!
WHO: There are NO restrictions on who can go: all PSC Members, their families, and guests are welcome. For insurance reasons, this is not an "official" PSC event (it's being arranged as a private charter). PLEASE NOTE: Because of U.S. passport requirements—BVI is not part of the United States—you will need a VALID PASSPORT for travel to and from the BVI.
WHERE: Bare-boat charter out of Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
WHEN: July 11th to July 20th 2008. That’s right, we are again getting a ten-day trip for the price of seven days (we will be able to accommodate those who can’t take more than a week off).
CHARTER COMPANY: Horizon Yacht Charters, Nanny Cay, BVI.
BOAT TYPE: We have reserved five Bavaria 42, 44, and 46 foot yachts with three or more cabins and at least two heads. We MAY be able to add boats based on the number of people who want to participate, qualified skippers, and boats available.
ITINERARY: Includes visits to most of the major islands in the BVI: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Peter Island, Cooper Island, and Anegada. Most legs of the trip are relatively short sails and allow ample time to stop for lunch and snorkel. Our boats will often spend the night at the same anchorage, which allows crews to eat together ashore. There will also be scuba diving opportunities for any divers who are interested.
ONE WEEK TRAVELERS: Although we have the boats for 10 days, some people may not be able to take more than a week off. We will try to put those people on the same boat/boats so they can return to the marina on Saturday (there is no penalty for early return of the boats). If only one or two people must leave early from any boat, they can be dropped off on their departure day at the dock at Trellis Bay which is only a short walk from the airport. The cost is the same for seven and ten days.
FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS: Participants will be responsible for booking their own flights. You will need to arrive at Beef Island, Tortola (EIS) by about 3:00 pm on Friday, July 11th and depart NO EARLIER THAN noon on Sunday, July 20th. You can fly to Tortola through San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU). Alternatively, you can get a flight into St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT) and take a ferry to Tortola (for about $50 round trip). American Airlines has a fare of $533 (including taxes and fees) for travel from Washington Dulles to Tortola in July 2008. Both US Air and American have fares of about $440 (including taxes and fees) from Washington, DC to St. Thomas. You may, of course, arrive earlier than July 11th or stay after July 20th, if you would like to spend some extra time in the islands. A wide variety of lodging/resorts are readily available.
SAILING EXPERIENCE: No sailing experience is necessary; we expect enough participation by veteran PSC sailors so that every boat will be sufficiently crewed.
CHARTER RATE: Total of $550 per person. The cost is slightly less than last year for similar sized boats. It is still not much more than a raft-up and includes damage waiver, cruising taxes, and park fees. It does not include taxi fares to and from the airport/ferry dock or ferry tickets for those flying into St. Thomas. PLEASE NOTE: This price is based on 34 people sailing on four boats. If more crew and/or boats are added, the price per person could go down. If the price does go down, either the final payment amount will be adjusted or the difference will be refunded after the trip.
OTHER COSTS: There are some other costs that will be shared by each boat’s crew. Provisions will be purchased by each crew upon arrival or ordered prior to arrival. Either way, each crew determines what meals they eat aboard/ashore. Mooring fees are normally $25 per night. You will also need to purchase ice most every day and fuel and water when you return the boat at the end of the charter.
TOTAL COST: Estimate ~ $1,400 for everything (flight, taxis, charter, provisions, fuel, incidentals).
TRIP INSURANCE: Things happen, so most charter companies strongly recommend travel insurance. Horizon Yacht Charters recommends CSA Travel Protection. For past trips, some of our members have used AMEX’s Global Travel Shield. While your BVI trip coordinators don’t recommend any particular company or policy, we do recommend that you seriously consider getting travel insurance for your trip. Travel insurance policies that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical, etc., start at about $35 and go up to $100 or more for more comprehensive policies.
CANCELLATIONS: In the event you need to cancel, we will make every attempt to fill your slot, however, we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to do so. Again, we strongly recommend you consider trip insurance.
PAYMENTS: An initial deposit of $150 will be due by 31 January 2008. The remaining amount of $400 will be payable on April 15th.
SIGN UP: There are only 20 crew slots available, so act now!! Sign up by contacting Brenda Moy at bvitrip08@pentagonsailing.org. She will provide you with additional details and let you know where and when to send in your deposit. If the trip is not filled by club members by the January 17th Membership Meeting, it will be advertised on the PSC web site and marketed to other sailing clubs. Please email us at bvitrip08@pentagonsailing.org if you have any questions.
Fair Winds!
Brenda and Wesley Moy
2008 BVI Trip Co-Coordinators