Published: Friday, January 16, 2004 at:11:17 PM




Seen at Bitter End



New Zealand-based super-sloop "Georgia" paid a visit to Bitter End recently, and found the surroundings to her liking.

The current record holder as the world's largest sloop has returned a bunch of times since. Designed by Glade Johnson, and built by Alloy Yachts of New Zealand, Georgia is just shy of 200 feet, and sports the tallest mast in the world (soon to be eclipsed by the new Mirabella). She won the Showboats Magazine 2000 award for "Most Innovative Sailing Yacht over 38 meters."

North Sound Express Ferry News

The all-new Beef Island Airport Terminal nears completion at press time, and to keep pace, the NSX has just completed a refit of its ferry terminal dock in Trellis Bay, Beef Island, just yards from the airport. We’ve improved with all new wiring and water pipes as well as new decking, and a new seating area for guests. We also offer complimentary fruit, or rum punch for Bitter End travelers inbound from far away ports. A new indoor guest lounge is planned for the future.

Staff Pro Race Series

The Quarterdeck Club has started an after hours race series on our Freedom 30 yachts. The competition is once a week, with the racing starting at 5:30 PM. This is very exciting racing and a perfect spectator sport. the way the course is set up. The windward turning mark is located about 60 feet off the Clubhouse restaurant patio. The happy hour crowd loves this heated competition, and they root for their favorite teams, with the drink prizes going to the guests whose team comes in first. Who said watching sailboat racing was dull. Imagine three or four 30 foot sail boats bearing down straight at you while you sip your favorite drink, only to turn at the last moment and tack around the mark. The rivalry among the crews is intense with lots of spirited jabber.

The courses are short so there’s much close racing action to watch. The captains and crew are all Bitter End staff members who hail from all over the world: West Indies, USA, England, Canada, Ireland, and Holland. These people are professionals and what makes this race series even more interesting is that the teams are racing for incentive prize money on a monthly basis. Every now and then, the staff invites aboard “ringers” from among the guests. But be prepared to trim and grind. When you are here check our local daily sports news sheet “Surf’s Up” for race dates. Its more fun than betting the ponies!

Did You Know

Many Bitter End staffs are members of VISAR (Virgin Island Search and Rescue) and are PADI certified, CPR first aid trained, and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) trained. We have run many rescues day and night, in all conditions. VISAR is a completely volunteer organization and has an agreement with the US Coast Guard to handle all sea rescues in the BVI.

Riddle Me This Harbor Master



We get many super yachts calling at the Bitter End. And some are more quiet than others about whom they have aboard, where they are from, and what they are up to in the BVI.

Recently, this research-vessel-turned-private-palace stopped in North Sound, leaving very few details behind. All we know is that her name is Lone Ranger, she is impressive, and her captain was rather reticent. Hey Lone Ranger if you read this, drop us a line. We’d love to hear more about your boat.