Meeting People On The Tortola Yachting Circuit
One of the really enjoyable things about bareboat yachting
in the British Virgin Islands is the opportunity to meet others who have sailed
here and all over the world. These friendly people can tell you the best places
in the BVI to sail, the best locations in the world to visit while boating, and
other useful things about sailing. They also tend to be interesting people in
their own right. The yachting community has been compared to the RV
community – for the most part, even serious boaters pull into port and pull
out the beer. All you really have to do to meet all the people you want is bring
your own favorite beer with you, chilled to perfection. But when you meet them, what do you talk about? Here are a
few suggestions: 1. Yachters tend to have a great repository of information
about the best spots for snorkeling, scubaing, fishing, and just regular
sightseeing. They can also give you a heads-up on things like people selling
boats cheap or the best places to stop for dinner while you're cruising. 2. Bring the beer, invite yachters aboard, and just let
them talk. Some will be bareboaters, but others will be yachting regulars. These
are the ones who can tell you the interesting stories, who will know all the
really great things to do and see in the BVI and elsewhere, and anything you
should watch out for. 3. Ask them about the best places to find BVI regattas. If
you're a boat lover, you'll love to see regattas, if only because of the variety
of great new boats as well as historical models. In the Caribbean, there are
always regattas, and along the East Coast you'll find a wide variety as well.
Dedicated yachties will know where all the best ones are and where to find them. 4. Ask about safe and not-safe areas to boat. Only the
truly experienced yachters will know this information. Piracy is very much alive
today, and yachters have to be fully aware of what to watch for, what to do in
case of a contact, and how to protect yourself against them. Even if you don't
plan to boat in other areas, you'll hear some fascinating stories from yachters
who have encountered pirates, or who've met others who have. 5. Enjoy their company. Yachters are just like other people, except they tend to be more open, friendly, and relaxed. While you may have come to Tortola to enjoy the scenery and the boating, you may go home with the realization that it was the people you met in the British Virgin Islands that made your vacation truly special.
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