Published: Friday, January 16, 2004 at:8:59 PM




Insider Tips for Visiting Yachtsmen

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 1

Summer and Fall may be considered off-season. But in the BVI it’s fishing season. Local and invitation-only fishing tournaments abound.

Just a few short miles north of Anegada lies one of the most populous deep-water trenches. Previous record blue and black marlin have been caught here.

During the summer, the trade winds are a bit lighter, and the seas a bit less rough, making the passage out to the trench less challenging.

By making friends with their dockside neighbors, visiting boaters make out like bandits when the sport fishing boats come home each evening, usually with plenty of tuna, wahoo, bonito, and other fresh catch in tow.

It’s also a good time of year to charter a Bradley 22 for a little reef fishing or trolling close to shore.

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 2

Been on your charter boat for a few too many days? Got a bad case of sea legs? We have just the cure.

The trail system that traverses Biras Hill (behind Bitter End) provides an excellent opportunity to stretch the legs, while at the same time getting a fantastic view of North Sound below.

Our in house photographer, Guy Clothier, with help from other staff, has bushwhacked a stunning new trail that starts at the North end of the property, and connects with the trail system at Biras Creek.

A new offshoot of Guy’s original trail, finished as we go to press, descends Biras Hill behind the Emporium and Pub, adjacent to the Quarterdeck Marina. Whichever route you take, you will be confident you’re on Terra Firma!

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 3

Do you have a charter crew that prefers to shower morning and night? Then dockage at the Quarterdeck might be just what the “clean police” ordered.

You do the math. Six people aboard a charter yacht, each taking two showers a day. Let’s face it, the Caribbean Sea is very salty, and a fresh water shower is a must after almost every dip. Unless you limit each shower to 2 gallons per wash, you’re bound to go through your tankage by day three.

That’s where we come in. By docking at the Quarterdeck, your showers are free. Grab the towel and the bathroom kit and stroll to our newly renovated QD bath facilities. Save the fresh water aboard, or top off if you need to while on the dock.

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 4

Been running the generator or the engine to keep the refrigerator chilled? Running a little low on gas for the dinghy? Top off at the best fuel dock in the North Sound. Our prices are competitive on both diesel & gas. We have outboard motor oil for dinghy motors, and fresh water (made at BEYC in our R-O plant) to top off the water tanks.

Plus, if your machinery is running a little ragged, or not at all, we have diesel and outboard mechanics on staff to assist you.

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 5

If you’re visiting the BVI on a private yacht or on charter holiday, and your boat draws too much to take it to Anegada, or your charter company won’t let you go there, we have a suggestion.

Plan to arrive at Bitter End on a Tuesday afternoon. (Tuesdays evenings are good fun at BEYC.) Pick up a mooring, or reserve a dock space (better if you plan to spend some time at the Pub).

Check in with the Bitter End Activities Department before 5:00 pm, and sign up for the Wednesday Anegada excursion. The trip leaves at 9:30 am, and returns by 4:30 pm.

Our 60-foot double-decked, catamaran hulled M/V Corinthian gets you over to Anegada in 50 minutes (instead of the 3-4 hours a typical charter yacht takes).

You’ll have plenty of time to snorkel, beach-comb, site see, or just chill out.

You can opt for just the trip ($40/person), or the trip with a fantastic lunch at Big Bamboo on Loblolly Bay ($60, and well worth it: this is about the most beautiful beach in the world).

Make sure to keep a keen eye out for the pink flamingos that inhabit the salt ponds in the center of the island.

And if you’re an ace at bone fishing, bring your equipment, because the south side of Anegada is virtually covered with acres and acres of flats teaming with bone fish.

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 6

Need to re-provision for the remainder of the charter journey, or just need to get a belly full of brew? The Emporium and Pub are the place to do it. It’s easy and convenient, especially if you’re on the dock.

The Emporium is stocked with all the staples one might need aboard, as well as snacks to keep the deckhands happy.

The deckhands will be even happier with evening visits to the Pub, where crews can swap sea stories, and spin salty yarns over a pop or two! And if you’re really lucky, you might find the Quarterdeck crew throwing back a few cold ones after hours. A well-timed Heineken can buy a boatload of local knowledge, and even better seas stories!

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 7

When you pick up a mooring anywhere in the BVI it is best to pass an extended bowline from either port or starboard bow cleat through the mooring pendent loop TWICE and back to the cleat on the opposite side of the boat.

This prevents the bowline from “sawing“ through the mooring pendent loop if you only pass through the loop once.

This procedure also keeps the mooring ball itself further from the hull, thereby avoiding bumping during the night (and waking the vee-berth occupants).

Quarterdeck Insider Tip 8

1. Best time to fill your water tank at Bitter End fuel dock is in the afternoon —less traffic.

2. Best thing to talk about with taxi and cart drivers — cricket.

We continually add to Quarterdeck Insider tips. To see what has been added since this issues was published go to: Quarterdeck Insider Tips Master List.