Ins & Outs of SVG 2017 Edition

Page 24

Sail Away to

Some Place Remarkable Offering the most perfect blend of dramatic land and seascapes, abundant marine life, friendly people and unspoiled white sand beaches, St. Vincent & the Grenadines are known for some of the world’s greatest sailing waters. Ideal sailing conditions and lack of crowds make it one of the best spots in the world for a vacation on the water.

Bequia Marina located at the TradeWinds Yacht Club offers 3 permanent stern to dockage posts for yachts up to 160ft LOA

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omprising some 32 islands and smaller cays, and stretching 85 miles (137 km) from St. Vincent in the north to Grenada in the south, the Grenadines have long been home to a rich tradition of seafaring and, to this day, sailing remains an integral part of everyday life for most islanders. As such, this special part of the world is tailor-made for safe but adventurous cruising all year-round. Each island is different, offering its own unique character and attractions, and sufficiently close to each other that you can usually see your next destination as you make your way from point to point during daylight hours. The diversity of the various islands automatically provides a wide variety of scenic beauty, natural anchorages and commercial moorings. To match the diversity of the islands, the types of boats available for charter in the Grenadines include a wide variety of monohulls and catamarans, ranging in size from 30 to 130 feet, and cover the full spectrum from small sailboat, with or without a skipper and crew,

22  Chartering 22 MAYREAU

Blue Lagoon Marina, Hotel and Yachting Centre in St. Vincent offers dinghy dock access to onsite customs & immigration, floating dockage for up to 40 boats and mooring facilities Photo: Calvert Jones

all the way up to a fully-staffed luxury super-yacht. There is something to cater to every taste and budget. The most economical way to charter a yacht is to opt for a ‘bareboat’, which essentially means no skipper or crew included. Clearly this only applies to seasoned sailors and should not be considered by anybody with little or no experience. In some cases it is possible to charter a bareboat with a skipper but no crew, thus benefiting from a knowledgeable captain while still saving some expense. By far the safest option, and most relaxing even for those with lots of experience, is to go for a full charter with a good skipper and crew. Beginning with the establishment of Barefoot Yacht Charters over 30 years ago, today there are a number of reputable yacht charter companies operating out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These companies generally offer starts in St. Vincent, Bequia or Union Island. Sailing out of any one of these locations puts you immediately on the doorstep of the Grenadines


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