Published: Friday, January 16, 2004 at:8:25 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.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 9
When approaching the Bitter End mooring field from the cut, those preferring a breezier part of the field may want to stay to the port side of the channel. On the other hand, those who might like it a bit calmer, stay to starboard. The prevailing breeze throughout most of the year is Easterly (more to the north in the winter, and more to the south in the summer). Much of the mooring field is sheltered by Biras Hill during the prevailing tradewinds.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 9a
Arrive to the mooring field early, and try not to pick up a ball closest to the channel, as ferries and inter-island boats come and go from time to time. Best to park on the outskirts.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 9b
If given a choice of slips upon hailing the Quarterdeck, opt for something at the North end, but not on the end (the Dive Boat adjacent to that slip leaves early in the morning!).
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 10
Tying up to the Quarterdeck Dock “stern-to” is usually best, as the ventilation down the companionway can flow a bit better. It’s also easier to make a quick getaway! If you do attempt a stern-to landing, make sure you have plenty of line handlers, particularly at the stern, as puffs can often “blow you off.”
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 11
If you can’t tie good knots, tie lots of them! (A stolen tip from Gary Jobson.)
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 12
When docking at the Quarterdeck Marina, always have a bow line, a stern line, and separate fore and aft spring lines. Each should be at least half the length of the boat—or longer. Three strand line tends to be more taut than yacht braid, and will provide less “rubber-banding” while docked.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 13
f you stay at the docks in our marina overnight your showers are free. If you stay on the mooring for the night the showers are $3.00 per person.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 14
Many staff members of the Quarterdeck are trained members of VISAR (Virgin Island Search and Rescue) both medically and in rescue at sea.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 15
A lot of people don’t know it but there is a dingy dock right in front of the Pub and to the left of the Quaterdeck building.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 16
When you come into North Sound call the Bitter End Quarterdeck on channel 16 and ask if they have any specials on dock space for the evening—you just might arrive on half-price-night!
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 17
Bitter End has a crane hauling facility for up to 2800 lbs and 25’. If you have a problem with your runabout or dinghy hail the Quarterdeck and we will haul her out.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 18
If you want fishing advice, talk to the Quarterdeck Staff. They fish. They are even sponsoring fishing contests throughout the year (the next one will be on Memorial Day weekend!).
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 19
Don’t forget: the excursion to Anegada is on Wednesdays. If your charter company does not allow you to take your boat to Anegada, or the draft is too large for the delicate reefs, our excursion is the best way to see this unique island—the only island in the BVI that was formed from coral. You can always hail us on VHF Channel 16 to check BEYC’s Activities Schedule. It is updated weekly.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 20
If you’re coming ashore for dinner, don’t forget that we offer a FREE launch service every day from 6:30 to 10:30 pm.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 21
Current weather forecasts are always available in the Harbour Master’s Office.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 22
For our adventurers visiting from beyond the borders of the BVI: the ports of entry in the BVI are: Road Town or West End on Tortola, Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke and St Thomas Bay or the airport on Virgin Gorda. It is mandatory to stop and register your visit, and a valid passport for all crew and boat registration papers will be required.
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 23
If you are planning a week-long fishing expedition, don’t forget to get a permit! If you want to visit any of the BVI National Parks and moor there, don’t forget to get a permit!
Quarterdeck Insider Tip 24
Our boat repair crew – all certified mechanics—are available to provide repair services for most charter companies in the BVI. If you need major repair work done or just a part, we can help you.
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.
