British Virgin Islands Sailing

Norman Martin has been a sailing instructor for more than 20 years, including in the difficult conditions off the shores of Boston with its squalls. Yet with British Virgin Islands (BVI) sailing, says Martin, “The circumstances [make it] hard to get in trouble [on the water] here.”

In fact, there are likely more charter sailing vessels in the BVI than nearly anywhere in the world. With no tides with which to grapple, consistent winds, more than 60 BVI islands for anchorage and most within sight line, BVI sailing is a sailor’s dream.

Henry Leonnig, operations manager at Horizon Yacht Charters, agrees. “The worst thing is laying out an itinerary and sticking to it—days change, weather changes, people’s demeanors change. If you find an island that [suits you], you might want to stay an extra day.”

In the BVI, that’s about as difficult as things get. Easy travels in this “sailing capital of the world,” however, do not come without sailors being duly qualified. (Note: Motor boat and fishing charters represent a small percentage of the charter business in the BVI, though they are available through operations like Virgin Traders).  

 

• Boats anchor at Monkey Point on Guana Island, a small, private island off the coast of Tortola.

Curt Bowen

BVI Charters: Qualifying to Charter a Sailboat

The BVI is a bareboat sailing capital where the majority of those chartering boats (about 85 percent), choose to do so without a professional captain. The qualifications of the renting captain therefore become paramount. No company is going to hand the keys to a 57-foot Beneteau monohull or a new Lagoon catamaran without assurances that a skipper can handle the task.

But, that’s not to say one has to have sailed the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) to rent a boat. There are two basic ways to qualify to charter your own sailboat: Illustrate with your knowledge that you’re qualified, or take a BVI sailing course to become competent.

Horizons Yacht Charters, which operates a sailing fleet, takes into consideration resumés and certifications from organizations like the American Sailing Association when reviewing a prospective captain’s credentials. Even more so, what they’re really looking for is hands-on experience. “You could have 20 years of experience,” says Leonnig, “but only on small boats.” He finds, however, that people rarely want to go beyond their ability, so things usually work out fine. Boat charterer, Lynn Hughes, agrees with a laugh, “A death wish is not usually what you want on a vacation.”

 

• It’s important to have knowledge and experience with sailing before setting off on your BVI adventure.

Curt Bowen

Horizon Yacht conducts a thorough briefing when a prospective captain arrives at the charter’s headquarters at Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola, a huge depot for rentals. The boat briefing is usually just an hour, but during that time a renter’s tactical experience can usually be determined. Topics covered include the boat’s electrical and plumbing operations, safety features, area charts and points of interest, mooring ball rules and more.

From there, if the prospective renter is a little nervous, Horizon Yachts offers to accompany the skipper on a free “check-out sail,”—a confidence booster with a couple of tacks and jibes. The prospective captain must also have at least one competent first mate.  

BVI Sailing Classes

For those without much experience, sailing classes are offered by most charter companies along with Rob Swain Sailing School, which is taught by Norman Martin from Nanny Cay Marina. The school conducts two days of basic sailing followed by five days of live-aboard classes—students have individual cabins.

 

• Boats fill the Nanny Cay marina.

Courtesy of Nanny Cay Village

On the live-aboard, according to Martin, “It’s docking and mooring, raising sails, lowering sails, going ashore for ice, going ashore for drinks, going ashore to dance.” That doesn’t sound too tough when you’re surrounded by beautiful tropical islands! Many clients take the class and soon return to charter their own boats.

“The thing that makes a big difference is people who have good judgment and know how hard to push,” comments Martin. The pitfalls occur, “if you hit the sauce (cocktails) in the morning with breakfast. Then nothing’s going to go right.”

Next: Top BVI Sailing Destinations + Costs