PLYC Flotilla has Fabulous BVI Sailing Adventure

On February 2, 2008, fourteen members of the PLYC converged on Tortola to enjoy a week of sailing in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. We chartered three boats, “Snowbird”, a large cat that became known as the mothership. Its captain was Jeff and the crew included Anne, Sandy, Gary, Brad and Carol. “Revervie”, a sleek monohul, was captained by Rhonda, with Chip, Allyn and Lori as crew. “Delfino Bianco”, a monohul that had seen better days, had Dick as the captain, with Dan, Kim and Mark as crew. All three boats proudly flew PLYC burgees as we sailed and partied our way around the islands.

After provisioning and chart briefing, the maties were ready to head for the first destination, The Bight on Norman Island, a short broad reach across the Sir Francis Drake Channel from Tortola. The Snowbird crew enjoyed sunbathing on the deck while the auto-pilot took over the duties of the helm. Brad began smiling on the first tack and never stopped, even while snapping photos.

Reverie was late arriving as we had to wait for one last bag to arrive before leaving the marina. That provided for entertainment as we picked up our first mooring ball. Later, laughs were provided by Kim, who ended up in the drink while attempting to disembark from the dinghy at the infamous “Willy T’s”, where Dick received his first proposition. It was a good thing the Snowbird crew finally found their boat that night as their dinghy captain was just a little dinghy himself.

Waking up on the water is a grand sensation and adding a yoga routine only makes it better.  Carol became the yoga leader and she had quite a following on the forward deck of Snowbird. She also had quite a mooring audience for the forward fold and downward-facing dog poses.

Day Two provided snorkeling opportunities at The Caves and The Indians, while the crew on Reverie enjoyed some vigorous sailing en route to Jost Van Dyke. Lori proved that some first-time sailors are naturals at cruising. We all anchored at Great Harbor and spent the evening shopping and watching the Super Bowl at “Foxy’s”. By this time, we were well into the groove of our Caribbean vacation. Even Chip didn’t care if he saw the second half.

We decided to head for Marina Cay, sailing upwind in a strong 20+ knot wind with good-size swells. This was yahoo ride’em cowboys and cowgirls sailing! We stayed in radio communication on our own channel 72, but sailed our own courses to get to our stop on Monkey Point. Delfino Bianco, the “boys’ boat”, kept ending up at Cane Garden Bay as it was tough for them to make headway with their tired rigging and hung over crew.

Gary had his binoculars trained on Revervie as we sailed close-hauled and finely trimmed to arrive at Monkey Point with Snowbird. He did miss the on-butt inflation of Allyn’s fanny pack life preserver when we hit a big roller. At Monkey Point we had plenty of time for snorkeling and frolicking before Del Fino Bianco joined up for the last leg to Marina Cay.  

At Marina Cay, Anne graciously hosted one of her lovely cocktail hours on the mothership, followed by dinner and drinks on the palm-fringed deck of Pusser’s, surrounded by Virgin Island history. Gary and Sandy, long-time sweethearts, teased Rhonda and Chip about being so “schmaltzy”. Sandy announced her intention to write a book about such things.  Tall tales and laughter abounded! As well put on a local t-shirt, “Rum is the answer, so what’s the question?”  Just ask Dan!

The next day, a shopping frenzy occurred at Pusser’s store and during boat visits by Aragorn, a well-known, talented, local artist. In the meantime, Jeff had to retrieve  Revervie’s dinghy, which had strayed from the naval commander’s knot.

On Day Four, all at our own pace, we headed first to The Dogs for snorkeling and then to the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. Snowbird and Del Fino Bianco were settled on moorings at Biras Creek when Revervie arrived and was out of water. We filled up at Saba Rock and secured a mooring in the twilight and became the brunt of jokes about too many “couple” showers. Fine dining at the elegant Biras Creek was a highlight for the Snowbird crew and for the trip’s sommolier, Mark, of Del Fino Bianco.

By this point, we all needed a little time to regroup and recover from our hectic schedule of having too much fun. It was the only day without full sun and the North Sound offered all of us different activities, snorkeling, shopping, relaxing, and long-distance dinghy riding in the waves and rain. We gathered at The Bitter End Yacht Club for what became our last night of dinner and dancing for the whole group.

In the morning, Reverie headed for Anegada, the “lost” island, known for its coral heads, beautiful beaches and lobster. The crew was fully prepared for this out-of-sight-of-land sail by being aware of weather conditions, plotting the course on chart and GPS, practicing man-overboard, just in case and jammin’ to In a Godda da Vida on Allyn’s Ipod. As we departed, we were saluted by the blasts of a conch shell on Del Fino Bianco. Was that Dan’s fine trumpeting?  We took full advantage of the easterly winds and sped to Anegada on a beam reach for an unforgettable day of deserted beach-combing and an evening feast of grilled lobster.

Snowbird and Del Fino Bianco made their way to the Baths for snorkeling and hiking and to dock at Spanish Town, where Anne loves the shopping. Word has it that the Del Fino Bianco crew had a little too much fun out on the town that night. There was a gal named Kelly, from the Kelly Sea yacht who took a particular shine to Kim. That is, when her personal assistant was not in the way! 

On their last day together, Snowbird and Del Fino Bianco sailed to Salt Island and checked out the Wreck of the Rhone. Luckily, none of us had the same fate as the Rhone or even any major mishaps.

Snowbird headed back to the marina for their last night on board before a grueling trip home, while Del Fino Bianco saved a mooring for Reverie at Cooper Island. Chip grilled a tasty dinner on board the Reverie while the “boys boat” crew cavorted at the Cooper Island Beach Club. Later, we gathered on Reverie to share stories, practice butter knife navigation and do away with the last of the booze before heading in to the TMM marina the next morning.

Even then, some of us weren’t ready to depart. Rather, it was off to Cane Garden Bay. It’s here that Dick found his bearing and wanted to stay on at Carrie’s Island Comfort Inn on the hillside overlooking the bay.  Painkillers did the trick for Mark, Dan, Dick, Rhonda and Chip and we spent the last night dancing to Rhonda’s favorite group, Quito Rhymer and the Edge, at the Gazebo.

Oh why do sailing vacations have to end? Shall we do it all again?

Rhonda

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