VI Sailing Insider – September 2022

September 2022 VI Sailing Insider

Crewed Insider:

Crewed Yacht Of The Month

CUAN LAW

Specifically created for a lavish liveaboard experience, Cuan Law, is the largest trimaran in the world at 105 ft long and 40 ft wide. Her triple hull design and size provide extreme stability while sailing. This British Virgin Islands charter makes for a top-notch diving excursion with its luxurious accommodations, mouthwatering cuisine, and a 5-star skipper, crew and dive masters that will make you feel right at home the minute you board.

Cuan Law can accommodate up to 20 guests in 10 spacious cabins. All cabins have either one queen bed or two twin beds, and each features private en-suite facilities and individual air conditioning.

The interior is spacious with the salon offering plenty of seating areas, tables, and a full wet bar, making it ideal for parties and a TV media room is available in another separate area. Cuan Law also has plenty of exterior decks to enjoy with an extensive aft deck and top deck with hammocks, that provide a wonderful area to take in the beautiful views, socialize, and unwind.

Water activities include diving, snorkeling, sea kayaks, stand-up-paddleboards, water skis, knee boards, 2 large drop-down swim platforms, and if you want to sail off with a friend for some alone time they also have two Hobie cats on board for you to use!

YouTube video

Cuan Law is the ideal choice for large get-togethers with friends and family, celebrations, and event gatherings. Island excursions will take you to the most beautiful white sand beaches, secluded coves, picturesque anchorages, and snorkel and dive spots in the BVI.

Luxury accommodations, delicious food, and a terrific captain and crew make this vacation unforgettable. The perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.

Cuan Law review

Cuan Law is the complete package for a dream sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands!

Your All-Inclusive Charter on Cuan Law Includes:

20 Guests in 10 Cabins
10 En-suite Bathrooms
Full Air Conditioning
Ice Maker
Water Maker
Wet Bar
Entertainment Center
Onboard WIFI
Swim Platforms (2)
22′ Dinghy 115HP Outboard (2)
14′ Hobie Cats (2)
Scuba and Snorkeling Gear
Water Skis
Wake Board
Knee Board
Stand-Up Paddle Boards
Kayaks
Float Mats
Beach Games

Over the years, Captain Scott has done everything and every job on the Cuan Law except for Chef. He started off as Steward onboard and then, after getting his Divemaster rating he led many dives, in addition to his work as Steward. Captain Scott still loves to dive and will certainly do some dives with you while on board. He then moved on to Engineer, as he always had a great interest in the ship’s machinery and equipment. After a few years as Engineer and then First Mate, he was promoted to Captain. Since then, he has served as Captain on many charters and really understands “The Cuan Law Way”.

Diver Reka Lukacs joined the Cuan Law early in 2018. She began her travels as an au pair in England. She lived in Mexico where she was mesmerized by the beauty and magic of the underwater world so she became a diver. After that she continued her journey to Thailand where she spent a lot of time guiding the shark watch trips and got passionate about underwater photography. She got to experience a bit of Australia, as well, before riding the waves on a rigid inflatable boat to the dive sites of Mozambique. She just can’t stop traveling! She is already enjoying the shore hikes/walks around the smaller islands of the BVI and exploring the big rocks at The Baths on Virgin Gorda. She is a fun loving, talkative girl who is all smiles and laughs and ready for games at any time.


Fun Times On The Water!

Want the opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of the VI Sailing Insider…

send us your pictures/videos when you submit your charter review!

USVI Crewed Charter Review | July 2022

VI Sailing Team

“Our booking experience was good and we had no problems.”

Yacht & Crew

“Kennon and Stephanie were amazing!! We don’t have enough good things to say about them and the service they provided. From morning to bedtime they couldn’t have done more for us. They didn’t miss a beat with meeting all of our needs during our vacation. They went above and beyond what we would have ever expected.

The food was over the top amazing and was presented beautifully. Every meal was delicious and we had a wide variety of exciting dishes every day. A couple of our members of our group have food intolerances (gluten free and lactose intolerant) and they made sure to accommodate them with every meal, it was incredible and very appreciated!!!

Kennon and Stephanie were more than GREAT and we feel more then blessed to have gotten to spend the week with them. This vacation was enjoyed to its fullest by each person in our group and it couldn’t have happened without these two. They fit right in with our family and we look forward to continuing the relationship that we formed with them. Highly recommend them to be a part of a vacation of a lifetime.”

– Ron Foster, July 2022


BVI Crewed Charter Review | June 2022

VI Sailing Team

“We worked with Emily Mack for two different charters and found her to be very informative and responsive. We would highly recommend her services. If we charter another boat we would definitely use Vi sailing again.”

Yacht & Crew

“Jacob and Alex were outstanding. They were very friendly and easy to be around and have a very welcoming demeanor. We truly could not have asked for a better crew.

The food exceeded all expectations. Meals were hearty portions, well varied and delicious. Alex made just about everything from scratch right down to the pesto sauces. We were quite spoiled with the meals and may find it difficult to charter with anyone else doing the cooking other than Alex:)

Synergy is a fairly new catamaran and is in pristine condition. The layout was perfect for our group of 8. This was an important criteria for us when we were researching the available catamarans.

There were several areas for everyone to congregate as a group to dine and play games and plenty of space for those wanting to escape for some quiet time to read or nap. The vast number of areas to comfortably lounge truly helped in our overall assessment of Synergy.

The crew was truly exceptional. We can not say enough compliments about them. First and foremost, they are extremely professional and take their jobs very seriously. Their guests happiness and safety are their main priority. They were very knowledgeable and we loved learning from them. They were fun and easy to be around.

We love the BVI’s. So many areas to explore and enjoy.”

– Bill and Cindy Rand, June 2022


USVI Crewed Charter Review | July 2022


VI Sailing Team

“Very helpful and kept us informed about any updates, especially regarding covid entry requirements.”

Yacht & Crew

“Ether is brand new and is fully stocked with everything we needed. The beds were very comfortable with very nice linens and modern bathrooms. Individual yeti cups for everyone in our group. We loved the cooler of fresh, filtered water each day. Every type of mixer and alcohol we could want for making drinks. Ben, our captain was also an excellent bartender who made perfectly balanced cocktails for us.

Charlie is a very talented chef who prepared amazing meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We especially loved the beautiful charcuterie boards she would make for a late-afternoon snack.

Perfect for when we were hungry coming back from snorkeling or diving. Lunch and dinner meals were perfectly paired with wines.

Charlie is also a dive master and we felt very comfortable with her leading us on dives as beginner divers. Ben is a very calm and capable captain. We felt very safe with him and he was very friendly and easy to talk to.

We loved the areas we visited in our charter – there was a perfect mix of quiet bays and busy areas.”

– Krysten Hariri, July 2022


Bareboat Insider:

TRAVEL MEDICAL & TRIP INSURANCE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY GOWRIE GROUP

Looking to finally get away? Worried about cancelations, interruptions, quarantine or COVID-19 coverages?

Gowrie Group is proud to offer you exclusive access to The Safe Travels Voyager Policy by Trawick. This best-in-class travel medical and trip insurance policy is designed for travelers and sailors who need the highest available benefit limits.

The coverage is available for domestic and international travel and is suitable for vacations, bareboat charters, trips, and adventure travel.

The plan includes comprehensive coverage for trip cancelation, trip interruption, emergency medical and post-departure travel coverage. COVID-19 medical expenses can be covered and treated the same as any other sickness. Access to a live person throughout the entire process including claims.

Contact Rick Bagnall at Gowrie Group for a travel insurance review and questions about trip and travel medical policies. Gowrie Group is a division of Risk Strategies.

More Info on the Safe Travels Voyager Insurance Plan

Email Rick Bagnall at Gowrie Group


News & Events:

Steakation Butchers

STEAKATION – Your one stop shop for everything FRESH, NEW, and DELICIOUS!

The BVI’s First Full-Service Artisan Butchery. Located at Arosa House on Waterfront Drive in the heart of Road Town, Tortola, BVI.

Steakation brings fresh, delectable meats and seafood to the beautiful British Virgin Islands and custom cuts to your satisfaction.

Choose from live seafood or order a whole Scottish Salmon. Don’t know what to make for dinner? Choose from delectable sauces, marinades and rubs to pair with your bison burger! Make your wildest culinary dreams come true.

Backed with an award winning team, Steakation Butchers aims to provide fresh and different meats, seafoods, and condiments to both local and international clientele. A one-stop shop with regards to ready-to-bake pies, hand-pressed burger patties, hand-linked sausages, and oven-ready meals.

Our Charter client’s are raving about their service and quality products!


BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival – Celebrating 50 Years!

March 27- April 2, 2023

The largest racing celebration in the BVI is the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. This five-day event features a number of races, welcome parties, barbecues, and other activities.

The 50th edition, which will run from March 27 to April 2, 2023, is ready to go.

The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival has increased in size and strength over the years, partly because of the support of racing aficionados from all over the world who come back to compete. The BVI Spring Regatta is one of the top yearly racing events in the Caribbean, offering something for everyone, whether they come to race, cruise, or just party!

The Festival begins with three days of coastal racing and celebrations, which are followed by a Maritime Heritage Day at Nanny Cay. The week is then brought to a close by the main regatta, which consists of non-stop, fiercely contested racing action in three distinct locations featuring racing divisions for one-design, bareboat, and performance cruising yachts.

Images: Credit to https://bvispringregatta.org/

Before, during, and after the races, landlubbers and yachtsmen mingle in the Regatta Village to eat, drink, and have a good time in a carnival-like setting with food, beverages, games, and dancing.

A week of warm water, hot racing and fun parties!


Yachting Cocktail Recipe Of The Month

~ GOOMBAY SMASH ~

Goombay Smash
Image: Credit to spiritedtable.com

The Goombay Smash cocktail, which embodies the flavors and hues of the islands, is recognized as a national cocktail favorite of the Bahamas.

This simple cocktail was created at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar on Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos. Three different types of rum are mixed with the sweet flavors of orange, pineapple, and coconut.

This cool, tropical cocktail is ideal for those warm summer evenings.

Ingredients:

~ 1 ounce white rum
~ 1 ounce coconut rum
~ 1 ounce dark rum
~ 1/2 ounce apricot brandy
~ 2 ounces pineapple juice
~ 2 ounces orange juice
~ Fresh orange slices and/or pineapple slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a small pitcher with ice.
2. Add the rums and the brandy.
3. Add the pineapple juice.
4. Add the orange juice.
5. Stir.
6. Garnish with oranges and/or pineapple.

    Optional: try mixing it up and serving variations of this drink. Add different garnishes and experiment with adding the spiced rum and leaving it out.


    Destination Spotlight

    The Baths at Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

    The Baths at Virgin Gorda

    The Baths, a natural wonder created by the relentless pounding of surf on the rocks, encompasses the beaches and rocky shoreline at the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda. The Baths is a collection of massive ash-gray granite boulders of various sizes (some as large as 40 foot in diameter) that rise from the blue waters of the sea with white sand beaches and secret rock pools creating a type of maze that you can also wade or swim through.

    One of the earliest testimonials about The Baths is by Peter Throckmorton and his wife in 1959. They shared their discovery with only a few friends until word of the completely undisturbed site got out. Virgin Gorda and The Baths soon caught the eye of tourism officials, and several tour operators began to offer trips to The Baths and they continue to draw tourists from all over the world.

    Caves at The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI

    There is a unique hiking trail with a series of steps and rope handrails that will take you through caves to explore the spectacular formations of columns and walls. At the end of the trail you will find the sandy expanse that is Devil’s Bay, which has shallow, clear waters ideal for light snorkeling or peaceful sunbathing. The hike is about a half-mile round trip.

    After a day of exploring and beach fun, you will need to quench your thirst and fill your belly and there are some close by options waiting for you.

    Top of The Baths, Virgin Gorda

    At the top of the hill, you will find the Top of the Baths Restaurant. Voted one of the top 10 restaurants on all of the islands, Top of the Baths includes a restaurant, bar, pool, and collection of shops… all with breathtaking panoramic views of the BVI.

    Located on the beach at the bottom of the Baths, you will find Poor Man’s Bar. It’s one of the most charming places to eat on all of the islands and offers plenty of cold drinks and beer, as well as an eclectic menu including cheeseburgers, fish n’ chips, and specialties such as conch and goat stew.

    Nearby, Mad Dog Bar and Restaurant is another island retreat serving ice cold beverages, great specialty drinks, scrumptious sandwiches and wraps, and lobster and steaks. The cocktails are delicious, and the atmosphere is pleasant.

    Undoubtedly, one of the most memorable experiences in the British Virgin Islands is wading through the vibrant coves and granite boulders of The Baths in Virgin Gorda. An incredibly tranquil and serene experience likely to stay with you forever.

    The Baths at Virgin Gorda remain a highly sought-after destination. Many visitors have said that the trip to Virgin Gorda is one of their favorite trips ever. If you’re interested in visiting The Baths and exploring the area’s attractions, a yacht charter is the best way to do just that. Contact us today to help you get started!


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