2011 PSC CARIBBEAN TRIP

Great News, once Again we are headed back to the BVI!!

REGISTER by 1 April 2011.

Greetings PSC Sailors,

Each year for the past eight 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 2011 we will do it again.

The dates are 9 to 19 July 2011 and there is no restriction on who can go; all PSC Members, their families, and guests will be welcome, but the space is limited.

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.

WHAT: As in past years, the trip will focus on introducing PSC members, their families, and their 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) experiences in the world!

WHO: Anyone may go: all PSC Members, their families, and guests are welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: A VALID PASSPORT is required for travel to BVI.

WHERE: Bareboat charter out of Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

WHEN: July 9th through July 19th, 2011. That’s right, we are getting a full 11 days on the water for the price of only 7 days (we will be able to accommodate those who can’t take off more than a week).

CHARTER COMPANY: Horizon Yacht Charters, located at the Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola in the BVI.

BOATS: Three PSC club members have already privately booked their own boats.  There are many other boats in Horizon’s fleet to choose from, including a Bavaria 40, 42 & 50.

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 and allow ample time to stop for lunch and snorkel or sightsee. 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 interested divers.

ONE WEEK TRAVELERS: Although we have the boats for 11 days, some people may not be able to take off more than a week. We will try to put those people on the same boat/boats so they can return to the marina at the end of one week (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 a ferry dock (Road Town or Soper’s Hole) for departures from St. Thomas or at the dinghy dock in Trellis Bay (only a short walk from the airport) for departures from Tortola. Please arrange your departure details with your skipper. The trip cost is the same for 7 or 11 days.

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS: Participants will be responsible for booking their own flights. You can fly to Beef Island Airport (EIS) on Tortola in the BVI.  Alternatively, you can get a flight into St. Thomas (STT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands and take a ferry to Tortola (for about $50 round trip).  Right now (Feb 2011), airlines departing the Washington, DC (WAS) area for Tortola have fares less then $600 (including taxes and
fees).  Airlines departing the Washington, DC area to St. Thomas have fares less of than $400 (including taxes and fees).

ARRIVAL PLAN:  Whether you are arriving in Tortola, BVI, or St. Thomas, USVI, please make every effort to arrive at the Horizon Yacht Charter Base at the Nanny Cay Marina on (or before) July 8th. In past years many of our sailors arrived the day before our charters started allowing our boats to depart on the first charter day. Picking up the boat requires time to complete such items as the skipper’s chart briefing, the boat briefing & checkout, crew briefings, provisioning, etc. so it helps to have everybody there. If you are unable to arrive on or before July 9th, you will need to be at the Horizon Yacht Charter Base by 3:00 PM on Friday July 9th. For those sailing for the full 11 days, please schedule your return home NO EARLIER THAN 3:00 PM, Tuesday, July 19th. The Nanny Cay Hotel offers very convenient lodging at the marina and reasonable rates. http://www.nannycay.com/hotel-rates/. If you would like to spend some extra time in the islands, arrive earlier than July 9th or stay after July 19th. A wide variety of lodging/resorts are readily available in the BVI and the USVI.

SAILING EXPERIENCE: No sailing experience is necessary; we expect enough participation by veteran PSC sailors so that every boat will be sufficiently crewed.

CHARTER RATES:  The cost per person is approximately $625 depending upon which and how many boats PSC charters.  This may seem high, but remember that we are getting 11 days on the water so the cost per day is still very reasonable.  The price includes hull damage waiver, BVI cruising taxes, and BVI National 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: These prices are based on 28 people sailing on four boats. If more crew and/or boats are added, the price per person could decrease. If the price does decrease, 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 are shared by each boat’s crew. Provisions (about $150/pp, includes some alcohol) are purchased by each crew upon arrival or ordered prior to arrival. Each crew determines what meals they eat aboard/ashore. Meals ashore are about $15-$30. Mooring fees are normally $25-$30 per night. You will also need to purchase ice almost every day and fuel and water when you return the boat at the end of the charter.

TRIP DEPOSIT: A deposit of $200 (per person) is required to reserve your space.

TOTAL COST: Estimate ~$1,500 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 coordinator doesn’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 upwards of $100 or more for 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 provide a refund. Again, we strongly recommend you consider trip insurance.

SIGN UPS & PAYMENTS: To reserve your space contact BVI trip coordinator RYAN YOST and make your $200 (per Person) deposit payment.

SIGN UP NOW:  Sign up by contacting RYAN YOST (Bay Commodore) with your intent, filling out the BVI Trip Registration Form & Crew  Questionnaire,  and mailing your completed Registration Form/Crew Questionnaire and your deposit check to: 

                   Ryan Yost
                   PSC 2011 BVI Trip
                   4649 Battenburg Ln
                   Fairfax, VA  22030.