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St. Martin and "The Netherlands"
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St. Martin and "The Netherlands"
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We’ve been to St. Martin, St. Barts, and Anguilla more than once. It’s time to expand our radius in this this island group. Because St. Kitts, Nevis, and Statia lie forty miles to the southwest, they are the poetic “road less traveled.” These islands have a strong Dutch influence. Each one offers its own charm and fascinating history. The trip includes many dine-ashore options, including a lay day on St. Kitts. There are also a couple of remote stops for those who like the solitude of the islands. The sailing will range from easy to challenging, with two long passages. Many stops require anchoring. This is an intermediate to advanced trip depending on weather, so come prepared to have a great time doing some serious sailing. This ten-day cruise will cover 160 nautical miles. The longest day will be an exhilarating 44 miles. Even with all that sailing, we'll be able to have about half our dinners ashore at some of the best restaurants anywhere! The Plan February 8 – Arrive at the Oyster Pond, St. Martin. After checking out the boat and stowing the provisions, grab a drink at the Dinghy Dock Bar, or take a dip in the glass-walled pool. Or why not splurge and do both? February 9 – Sail to Gustavia on St. Barts. Take care of those last minute shore-side tasks early so that we can get underway to St. Barts’ lively main harbor. Anchor, take a mooring or, if you’re lucky (and brave) find a spot to Med-moor (stern to a stone sea wall) along the quay. Gustavia is home to many fine restaurants as well as shops to satisfy any need. If you arrive early enough, rent a scooter or Mini Moke and tour the island. Be sure not to miss the nude beaches. Dine ashore. February 10 – Sail to Basseterre, St. Kitts. An early departure is essential today: we’re sailing to St. Kitts! Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis, is the oldest town in the eastern Caribbean, a busy port since the mid-17th century. Dine aboard or ashore. February 11 – Lay day in Basseterre. Highlights include the National Museum, Independence Square, the fort at Brimstone Hill and the numerous quiet plazas and churches of the town. The Clay Village Plantation House and Gardens are well worth a visit. Take an off-road 4x4 trip or hike up Mount Liamuiga (3,800 feet/1150 meters) to look for African vervet monkeys. There are a few shops, and the Amina Craft Market is a good place to browse for the work of local artisans. Dine ashore. February 12 -- Charlestown, Nevis. A short sail to the next island where skippers will need to visit customs and immigration. Charlestown is the only settlement on Nevis, which has been both a French and British colony. Learn about its history at the Nelson Museum (a must for Horatio admirers) and the Museum of Nevis History. Visit Fort Charles or try horseback riding or guided hiking through the island's interior. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs at Bath Village. Nearby is the site of Bath Hotel, the first luxury hotel in the West Indies built in 1778. Charlestown is also where Alexander Hamilton was born, and the house is still there, as a museum. Dine ashore. February 13 -- Whitehouse Bay, St Kitts. Another short sail to a secluded bay with good snorkeling that includes some wrecks. Dine aboard. February 14 -- Oranjestaad, Statia. A short hop to an interesting town on a new island. Explore Statia’s history and rest up for the long passage back to St. Barts. Dine ashore or aboard. February 15 -- Anse de Columbier, St. Barts. The trip back is a little shorter, but you still want to depart early. This secluded bay on the northern end of St. Barts will be a quiet rest stop and a chance for a must-go dinner. Dine aboard. February 16 – Baie de Grand Case, St. Martin. Sail around to St. Martin’s north coast for a final evening on the town. Choose from many excellent restaurants and pick up those final few souvenirs. Dine ashore. February 17 -- Return to Oyster Pond. One last early start to get the boats home and everyone off by noon.
The Boats Sunsail 41i monohull sloop with four cabins and two heads:
Sunsail 384 catamaran with four cabins and two heads.
Trip Pricing Trip price is based on the boat that you sail on. Be sure to mark your selection on the reservation form. We will do everything we can to honor all requests, but if we are unable to accommodate your choice, you will be charged the per-person price for the boat you are assigned to. After boat assignments are made, no refunds will be given for switching from the catamaran to the sloop unless the change is dictated by the trip leader. (For example, if we have a cancellation on the sloop and someone on the catamaran expressed preference for the sloop, the trip leader will make the switch and the price difference will be refunded.) If we have insufficient requests for one or the other type of vessel, we will charter the type that we have the majority interest in and charge all sailors at the rate for that vessel The cost of the trip is $1,130 for the sloop and $1,375 for the catamaran (Skippers $598 and $720 respectively). The trip price includes charter fees, boat damage insurance, and fuel. Provisioning, airfare, and other incidentals are additional and will be handled by each boat’s crew. A $300.00 non-refundable deposit and Release of Liability and Zero Tolerance Form must accompany your reservation form. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation and Release forms, to Mia McCroskey at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning September 5, 2014 with a random draw of those received by that date. All reservations received after that date are on a first-come, first served basis. The balance of $830.00 (monohull) or $1,075.00 (catamaran) will be due November 1, 2014. NOTE: A separate cancellation policy applies to this trip. A full refund will be supplied if a cancellation is received by the Trip Leader before November 7, 2014. Any cancellations after that date will forfeit the $300 original deposit, unless a replacement is found. Travel insurance is NOT included in the trip price. Confirmed participants should make their own decisions regarding insurance that would provide coverage appropriate to their needs, and that they feel best protects them in their individual situations. One useful resource for comparing plans is www.insuremytrip.com. Many airlines also offer low priced travel insurance if purchased at the time airfare is purchased. As always, read all policy conditions carefully. A pre-trip meeting will be held at a time and place to be announced. All participants should make every effort to attend in order to meet your crewmates, plan your meals, and make travel plans. Please note that sailing conditions are dynamic, that your safety, and that of your crewmates, depends on your good physical health and agility. |
Trip Leader |
Assistant Trip Leader |
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Mia McCroskey 19 Manor House Drive, K12 Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 845-652-0776 |
Bruce Gollob
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