Sailing M to the US Virgin Islands

[Richard Lisch]

After this year's hurricane season is (almost) over (beginning of Nov.) I'll sail (motor) my M to St. John in the USVI.
Was there last weekend to make arrangements for a slip at Red Hook's Marina in St. Thomas. I plan to keep the boat there till high season starts, around December 20, going forth and back over the weekends by plane.
The Virgin Islands are ideal for the Mac as most waters are protected; the breezes steady between 10 to 20mph and most bays have moorings available (at least the US islands). Around 30 islands and cays can be reached sailing in a matter of hours.

Red Hook lays around 150 miles from my home marina in the south of Puerto Rico. Trailering the boat to the eastern town of Fajardo leaves only 60 miles to go. There is however a treacherous passage between Sail Rock and St. Thomas, we encountered there 2 years ago, with my Cal 27, 10' waves on a relatively calm day.

So if anyone is in the region during November / December, let me know

[Divecoz]

Do You need a wanna be sailor?? Wow what a great trip . . Please remember to post pictures . All I can say Is WOW! Very Cool Indeed..

[baldbaby2000]

Sounds like a great adventure Richard. Several years ago we rented a 46' Hylas out of St. Thomas and sailed for a week. Spent most of our time in the BVIs. We thought about sailing to St. Croix which I think was about 40 miles South but didn't have time. The biggest danger in my opinion are the reefs but with your Mac's shallow draft that much less of a danger. We saw a big sailboat abandoned on a reef near St. Thomas. Salvage had come in and removed the motor but the rest of the boat was left there. Maybe you should consider making a spare daggerboard out of plywood just in case.

[Richard Lisch]

With my Cal 27,which I bought 24 years ago, we used to cruise the Virgnin Island almost every summer. Maps and GPS maps for this area are very acurate. However during high season there are hudreds of sailboats all over the VI with many skippers not familiar to the islands nor their boats. So things happen.
In general I would say that the Virgin Islands are one of the best and safest places for sailing if you don't get hit by a Hurricane

[richandlori]

Ok, Richard time is getting close any update to your Sailing adventure?

[Richard Lisch]

Hi Rich,

installed the Sport Pilot Plus two weeks ago and tried it out Saturday and Sunday. Saturday only motoring around at different speeds and sea conditions, worked perfect in seas up to 5 feet and 20 knot winds. Sunday, sailed about 6 hours straight from almost calm conditions to 4 foot chop and 18 knot winds. On a beat in this conditions, later in the day, the Sport Pilot got overpowered twice having to reset it by switching the main breaker off and on, was sailing with full main up only as winds picked up. In general, the first mate was extremly happy with the new auto pilot and said it was the best investment made so far. BTW, no wobble (what ever this means). There is an additional 1" play on my standard 15" wheel however.

As weather conditions are still very unstable down here in the Caribbean I plan to move Bazooki during Thanksgiving weekend to St. Thomas.