A Guide to Chartering a Yacht in St Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines are a group of islands that make up one country. Other than being next door neighbors, they bear no relation to Grenada, despite the similarity of the name. These special islands have a similar feel to the British Virgins in that you can easily sail or motor from one to the other while remaining in the same country. The similarity ends there in that these islands are still less developed and far less ?discovered? than the BVI. No jet skis, aquascooters, or spearfishing are permitted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which make it perfect for a relaxing charter (see our boats in the Grenadines). There is a conscious effort toward protecting the spectacular natural heritage of the islands.

The prevailing winds and currents are north to south, especially in the winter months. It is comfortable to sail southward from St. Vincent down to Union Island , with the wind and the swell. Steaming north can be more of a struggle but the islands are close together and a round trip can easily be accomplished in a week to ten days. But?the main point of the Grenadines is not to ?accomplish? anything. As one visitor put it, ?There is never enough nothing to do?.?

St. Vincent

St Vincent is a rugged, hilly volcanic bit of real estate that still houses a 3,000 foot volcano named Soufriere, which last erupted in 1979. There are no white sand beaches to attract tourists, and, thus, the island has remained largely unspoiled. The interior is undeveloped and, in a sense, nothing but ?wild nature?. There are not even roads crossing the island. A true ?eco-tourist? will enjoy climbing the volcano or taking a trip by boat to the Falls of Baleine on the north end of the island. For the less adventuresome, the Botanical Gardens near Kingstown are the oldest in the Western Hemishere and quite beautiful. There are still specimens of breadfruit left by the famous Captain Bligh.

Bequia (pronounced Beck-way)

This beautiful island is only about eight miles from Kingstown or Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent down to Bequia. Bequia is the largest of the Grenadines (7 square miles) and has a rich history of boatbuilding and whaling. For years it was only possible to get to Bequia on a ferry from St. Vincent or a private boat so the island has maintained a very authentic West Indian character.

The main stopping point for yachts is Admiralty Bay/Port Elizabeth. There is a long walkway around the bay with various local shops, bars and restaurants. Try the Gingerbread Caf?, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also sells gourmet special ty goods including wine, coffee and caviar?or Auberge Des Grenadines, famous for fresh lobster?or Frangiapani (right on the water), known for lobster (grilled lobster, lobster cocktails etc), curried conch and its Thursday night ?jump-up? and barbeque. A little outside of town, Le Petit Jardin is a special treat. Its owner/chef trained at the Culinary Institute in the US , but his style is definitely mouth-watering French gourmet. At the southernmost end of town is the Plantation House, an old West Indian-style plantation resort with cottages and a restaurant and bar.

Mustique

This island hideaway (only 3 miles long and a mile and a half wide) is about fifteen miles from St. Vincent and ten from the West Cay of Bequia. Mustique is a privately-owned island sprinkled with only about 90 homes, many belonging to the rich and famous. Gently sloping manicured lawns and beautifully kept houses are characteristic of the island. The best way to get around is to rent a ?mule? (heavy duty golf cart) or a motorbike (Mustique Mechanical Systems 488-8555).

Competing with Foxy's for the most famous New Year?s Eve party in the Caribbean is Basil?s Bar ( ph# 784-488-8350 basils@caribsurf.com). Basil?s also hosts a Blues Festival each year (from January 19-February 5 in 2007) and a Wednesday night bbq buffet and ?jump-up? with a steel band. Yachties in search of a drink, a great sunset and a little Caribbean music dinghy right up to the pier where Basil?s is located. You can buy a kaftan (for which Basil?s is known) in shop adjacent to the restaurant.

Cotton House, formerly a suger mill was completely renovated in 2004, is the only resort on the island. It is small with only 20 rooms, and like just about everything in Mustique, offers complete luxury in a small, private setting.

For provisions, try Corea?s Food Store or the Mustique General Store in the harbor. (The harbor is quaint and boats hosting more than 25 people are not allowed in.) There is a lovely French pattiserie, Sweetie Pie Bakery that sells baguettes, croissants and pain au chocolat.

Canouan

Canouan was a quiet island virtually untouched island until Italian developers bought it some years ago. Now it hosts a large Raffles Resort, the Tamarind Beach Hotel and Yacht Club, the Villa Monte Carlo Casino, the Amrita Spa and the Trump International Golf Club. It is not a favorite of yachties in the Grenadines, but if you have had enough tranquility, it is the perfect place for an afternoon on the golf course or evening at the casino!

Tobago Cays

Further to the south are the Tobago Cays, famous for amazing snorkeling and for the filming of ?Pirates of the Caribbean ? and ?Dead Man?s Chest?. This cluster of cays inside a rim of reef (Horseshoe Reef) are becoming more popular but are still far less crowded than places like the Baths in the BVI. Every morning, the ?bread man? will come around to your boat offering bread and ice, two necessities. Sometimes, there will be fishermen offering fresh fish or lobster (beware the underweight/illegal lobsters!). Islanders sometimes host beach parties or bbq?s, but the Cays are by and large a natural phenomenon and remain a completely undeveloped national park. Be sure you are well provisioned before going in. Once there, soak up the beautiful sights around you, both under the water and above.

Mayreau

Saltwhistle Bay in Mayreau is not to be missed. It is one of the most perfect beaches in all of the Grenadines. If you arrive too late in the day during high season, you will have to anchor in Saline Bay on the far side of the island (a nice hike over the crest of large hill). (Beware of anchoring anywhere near the ferry that comes barreling into Saline Bay in order to dock at the enormous concrete pier over to one side).

Saltwhistle Bay is home to a spectacular resort called the Saltwhistle Bay Club (ph: 784-458-8444). Visiting yachties are welcome to lounge and swim at the beach (pretty much like being in a postcard that is too good to be true). For a luxury experience, reserve well in advance for cocktails at the Saltwhistle bar and dinner at the stone tables under the trees at the beach. For a little ?local flavor? or a less expensive dining experience, walk up and over the hill to some of the local bars and restaurants. The food is fresh and delicious, and the people of the island are very welcoming and friendly.

Palm Island

Just a mile to the west of Union Island and south of the Tobago Cays is Palm Island . There is a narrow strip of sand just off the island, which looks like what you always imagined a deserted would be. Many of the palms that were planted here have been stripped off by hurricanes. You can anchor and go snorkeling in an area that is protected and clean.

Palm Island itself is home to an upscale resort called Royal Palm and a chi-chi beach bar and restaurant. Yachties can reserve for lunch or dinner. (ph: 784-458-8824) The ?main event? on the island is still Casuarina Beach, one of the prettiest in the West Indies .

Petit St. Vincent

This tiny island has a beautiful, quiet little ?cottage? resort (22 cottages). Each cottage has a flagpole and when the guests want room service, they run up a flag! There are no televisions, telephones or even room keys. The resort?s bar and restaurant will accept a few groups of yachting guests each night. The only way to get a place at the bar and a table is to reserve well in advance. Petit St. Vincent Resort ph 954-963-7401).

Union Island

Union Island can be seen from miles away because of its famous peak, Mt. Parnassus (866 feet). The main town of Clifton is a bustling, ?happening? spot. There is an open-air fruit and vegetable market in the main square and a number of grocery stores. There is also one lovely gourmet store, which sells fabulous wine, coffee, olive oil, bread and chocolate. There are several local restaurants/bars overlooking the harbor including Lambi?s and the Anchorage Yacht Club. In May, the island celebrates the beginning of the planting season with the Maroon Festival. Easterval is held each year during the four days around Easter.

In the harbor of Union Island , there is a tiny bar on a man-made island called Happy Island . Happy you will be when you stop in there for a cocktail at sunset. Just tie your dinghy up and enjoy!

On the far side of the island in Chatham Bay, there is a crescent beach (quite nice but not a spectacular white sand beach like the one at Saltwhistle Bay ) where ?Shark Attack?, a Union Island local has a beach barbeque featuring pork and lobster. (Reservations 784-2694). Just make sure you bring your own plate and cutlery, get near the front of the buffet line (or you will miss the grilled lobster) and ask Shark Attack the price of the dinner before it is time to pay (prices can drift upward as the night goes on). There is a steel band and dancing after dinner.

Other Helpful Information

There are infinite ways to spend your holiday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is important match your (and your party's) desires and goals to the itinerary.

Written by Tom Virden at Boatbookings.com

Yachting in the Caribbean

Caribbean yachting is different from other forms of Caribbean water sports because a yacht is far roomier and it offers you the chance to enjoy your vacation away from hotels and on a boat. People with sailing experience are especially going to enjoy the freedom of chartering their own yacht and sailing in the Caribbean. However, note that if you want to just sit back and not worry about the technicalities of sailing then you had better get some crew. If you have never tried a sailing vacation before then perhaps it is time to give Caribbean yachting a chance.

Probably the biggest advantage of Caribbean yachting is that you get to choose which islands you wish to visit. Though most charter companies will suggest an itinerary, you are not legally bound to follow it and if you feel like going left when the plan says right, there is nothing to stop you from doing so. During your sailing experience you also get to choose what kind of food you are going to eat. Beware that no crew means that you will be doing your own cooking so do not overlook that detail. A crewed Caribbean yachting option means you just sit back and relax.

For most people however the easiest option is to pay for the charter and leave the details to the captain. With experience you will learn how to plot your own courses and what places to visit. While you are in the Caribbean yachting, make sure you make a note of what all you can see and enjoy along the route so that you do not just end up taking a long boat ride and nothing more. If you are the type that gets bored easily then carry some books for the time when time begins to get heavy.

Note that if you wish to charter a yacht without a crew then you must carry documentation proving that you have sailing experience so that the charter companies can safely trust you with their boats. This is especially true if you are carrying passengers because the charter company is responsible for their safety.

Caribbean yachting is a good way to spend time with friends or family far away from the hotels and resorts full of strangers. The cruises are not too long and so you will not end up getting bored with each other or getting cramped in a small space with so many people.

Caribbean yachting is also one of the few ways in which you can actually experience the Caribbean for what it is instead of coming back like most tourist, with a few pictures and videos but no real conception of what you actually visited.

James Penn runs a highly informative Caribbean website which details exactly how to find Caribbean villa rentals and also the ten best activities in the Caribbean for families and couples alike.

Shipping Your Yacht Over Land

One would think moving a Yacht would be as simple as sailing off to a destination. Yacht shipping over land, however, is a growing industry as trucking is often the quickest way to get to a destination.

Yacht transports are the common name for a distinct branch of the trucking industry that is concerned with the transport of large boats across land. While it is usually desirable to sail the boat to its new destination, occasions arise when this is impractical, and the boat must be removed from the water and transported by truck and trailer. Many trucking companies specialize in this form of transport and utilize some special equipment to get the job done correctly.

The first major problem in the transport of a yacht by truck is getting the yacht out of the water and onto the trailer. The normal size limits for yachts that are to be trucked are 100,000 pounds of weight, 18 feet of height and 20 feet of width. These limits are set more by the limitations of allowed weight on bridges and highways as well as overpass heights than the capacity of the trucks and trailers themselves. Most dry dock facilities will have the cranes and the expertise to remove the yacht from the water and place it on the trailer. Yacht transport trailers tend to be very low to the ground to allow maximum height of the boat.

The next step is preparation of the boat for transport. The yacht trucking company will normally have a checklist of pre-transport items to guide the owners in the preparation of their vessel. These preparations include the removal or stowing of all loose items. All fuel and water must be removed from the vessel as well as drain plugs left open. All battery cables should be disconnected. Any device that extends above or outside the hull should be removed. This would include antennas and radar devices.

Shrink wrap is a debatable subject among yacht truckers. If the shrink wrapping is done professionally and correctly, it will protect the boat during transport. A poor job could cause damage if wind tears the shrink wrap and allows it to flap and scratch the surface of the vessel. If it is necessary to transport the yacht bow first, shrink wrapping of any glass or Plexiglas windshield is recommended to prevent damage.

A boat is a valuable investment that usually is the subject of much love and devotion from its owner. Yacht trucking companies that have the equipment and the experience in moving them are certainly worth investigating if you need to move your boat.

Carl Stinson is with TruckingCompaniesforyou.com - providing articles on trucking.

What Is A Yacht?

A yacht is a huge boat that will hold many, many people. Some people refer to a yacht as a party boat, because it is wonderful for hosting parties on. This large boat can also be used for many other things. It can be run by a motor, or a sail. Depending which kind you choose to buy. If you are considering buying a yacht for yourself, you should go out on one first, to make sure that is an investment that you would enjoy.

Owning a yacht and yachting has been known as part of the good life for some time now. You only own a yacht if you are loaded. At least that is what many people think in the US. However, you should know that you do not have to be loaded to go yachting. Renting a yacht is something that you can look into, to make sure a yacht is what you want. Kind of a try before you buy thing.

Where are yachts used? Yachts are only taken out into the ocean because of their size. They are not used in lakes, or rivers in most cases. If you were to ever see a yacht in a river, it is a smaller one, and not a huge one as we know most yachts to be.

Have you ever been invited to a party being held on a yacht? If so, you should attend, and have the time of your life. They are so much fun to throw parties on, and just have a great time and relax with friends. Passing up a chance to party on a yacht might be something that you later regret.

As you can see, a yacht is a super large boat. It can hold many people. They are mostly taken out in the ocean, and they are great for parties. Renting a yacht can give you an idea of what it is like to own one, and not a bad idea for someone that is interested in buying one themselves.
Find out more about Yacht

How Do You Yacht?

Yachting is such a broad term that can mean so many different things. If you own a yacht and often go yachting, you may not do it exactly like the next person that goes yachting as well. When you go yachting, of course, you are on the water, and your yacht. But there are so many things to do while yachting, that you may not even know of some of them.

Yacht racing is a form of yachting that you may not be familiar with. Often people will all get together and line their yachts up for a friendly competition of whose yacht is the fastest. Some yacht racers are even more serious and taking winning very seriously. However, there are some that are in to it just for the fun of the race.

Yachting can also be a taking your yacht out and fishing off of it. If you love to go fishing in the ocean, and off of a yacht, then this is the sport for you. Whether you are deep sea fishing or shark fishing, you will have a blast fishing off of your yacht. You may also find competitions that are for yacht fishing as well. Those are also a blast, especially if you are competitive.

Yachting can mean so many things. Some consider yachting having a party on their boat, and inviting everyone that they know to the bash. With friends and cold drinks all on board, what more could you possibly ask for?

As you can see, yachting can mean so many things. From just simply taking the yacht out, to sports and hobbies that you can do on your yacht. If you are a yacht owner and have not tried any of these things from your yacht, you might want to consider it. You just never know what you might be missing.

The Boston Yacht Club Hosts the 2005 Jackson Cup Team Sailing Challenge

The Jackson Cup, named in honor of the late Past Commodore Dr. Robert F. Jackson, (1993-'94), is an annual invitational team race challenge by the Boston Yacht Club to other clubs and organizations. The teams selected for the April 16th and 17th challenge at the BYC are chosen for having demonstrated high racing skill and the Corinthian spirit. Included in the group are the top 4 ranked teams in the USA, and a ?who?s who? of Olympic, national and collegiate champions. The Jackson Cup was inaugurated in 1999 and is held in April each year. It is sailed in Sonar class boats. Participating in the Jackson Cup this year are: Boston Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club, Larchmont Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Southern Yacht Club and Yale Corinthian Yacht Club.Two days are scheduled, with dinner on Saturday evening and awards on Sunday afternoon. With eight teams of three a typical race format would be multiple round robins with a preliminary round followed by seeded rounds to keep everyone racing over the two days. With good winds there can be over 50 races in that time.About the Boston Yacht ClubThe Boston Yacht Club, nestled in the historic "Old Town" section of Marblehead, is the third oldest yacht club in America, and the oldest club in New England. From its founding in 1866 through the present, the club's history has been rich in lore. The membership roll holds names such as Nathaniel Herreshoff, General Benjamin Butler, Sir Thomas Lipton, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Ted Hood.



 

A Visitors Guide to Yachting the San Juan Islands of Washington State

One of the best ways to take in the beauty of these islands can be through a luxury yacht charter. Yachting is fast becoming a preferred method of luxury travel in coastal waterways and even for open ocean voyages. One of the most preferred places to travel by yacht in the United States is the San Juan Islands of Washington State.

The San Juan Islands of Washington State are part of a much larger archipelago that includes the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. This island chain is made up of more than 700 individual islands. The San Juan Islands are made up of Orcas Island, Lopez Island and San Juan Island. These islands have over 200 days of sunshine each year and receive much less rain than Seattle. Lopez Island is the flattest of the islands which makes it perfect for cycling, kayaking or just lying on the beach and beachcombing. Orcas Island is the largest of the group and offers great galleries, lush forests, mountain peaks, pristine lakes and many small villages and towns to explore. San Juan Island is the most diverse of the three offering sandy beaches as well as rocky shores. Be sure to check out the whale museum and experience the Orca whale pods on the west side of the island from about April until late September. The beauty and mystique of this island chain can be enjoyed all year long. Each island offers a unique experience to all who travel to them. By taking a chartered yacht, you can enjoy the beauty and charm that each island has to offer.

A chartered yacht can offer you luxury and convenience as you travel the islands. Many companies can provide the captain and crew to make your voyage spectacular. When planning voyage, a good idea is to check if a chef is provided or if you need to bring your own. Many times a chef is provided that can meet the needs of your culinary tastes. Other tips to making your trip spectacular when booking include, knowing how many people will be going with you on this excursion. You can sometimes save money by having more people share a cabin and bathroom on your voyage. By doing this you will still have all the fun, but you may save some money in the long run. Another thing to remember is that the more amenities you add to the trip, like extra crew members, the more the price will go up.

Now is the time to book your chartered yacht tour. A yacht vacation can be very luxurious and the vacation that you have been dreaming of. So the next time you are thinking of a vacation think about a chartered yacht and visit the majestic San Juan Islands.

Mike Buczek works for Blizzard Internet Marketing representing Premier Resorts. For more information on Yacht Charters San Juan Islands, go to http://www.mvglory.com/

Virgin Island Yacht Charters

The U.S. Virgin Islands are among one of the many greatest places in the world to visit. There are so many exciting things to do at the Virgin Islands, and one of them is that of sailing around the area. There are Virgin Island yacht charters that are available for sailing. Virgin Island yacht charters are available on all three of the islands in the area, and you can use a yacht for a part of a day or for a full day.

There are many different Virgin Island yacht charters available for you to use on the islands. You should talk with a Virgin Island yacht charter expert for assistance in finding which of the yachts is best for you to use. The Virgin Island yacht charters can hold from two to two hundred people depending on size. Also, you can discuss what foods and drinks you want on your Virgin Island yacht charter and what types of activities you want to plan on your charter. Accessories for other activities that can be done on Virgin Island yacht charters are available as well. This includes scuba diving equipment. Also, you can ask for sailing lessons to help you with parts of sailing that you may not be familiar with or would like to improve on.

One of the most popular uses of Virgin Island yacht charters is for fishing. Virgin Island yacht charters are easily available to rent for fishing purposes. When you go fishing in the Virgin Islands you?ll be able to find many different types of exotic sea life, including kingfish, tuna and wahoo. This is one of the most popular reasons as to why people use Virgin Island yacht charters for fishing. Also, if you would rather experience the wildlife up close you can rent scuba diving equipment from the charter group. When scuba diving in the waters you can experience up close the beauty of the waters and the many creates that call the Virgin Islands home.

Day sail charters are popular among Virgin Island yacht charters. With this you can sail off through the seas and experience and see the beautiful scenery of the Virgin Islands. You can also make plans with the charter group to sail to nearby islands on your Virgin Island yacht charter, including the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. You can rent Virgin Island yacht charters for half or full day passes, so you can spend an entire day sailing around the islands if you would like to.

Virgin Island yacht charters are popular because of the many things that you can do with them. You can use Virgin Island yacht charters to go fishing, to go scuba diving and see the wildlife, see the sights of the area or just to relax and have a fun time on the seas. Be sure to talk with a Virgin Island yacht charter expert for help on preparing your exciting experience with one of their many Virgin Island yacht charters.

Anne Morris writes articles about travel. Discover more information about travel at virginislands-online.com and todaycaribbean.com.

Live on a Yacht Tax Free

This is a new concept but one that is gaining in popularity. This is for the nautically inclined only with boating skills that are developed. Basically you live your present country and become a citizen of the world traveling perpetually on your yacht. While all this sounds great you still need to have papers and documents of registration and passports to avoid constant hassles with authorities wherever you go. So what can be done is as follows:

You form an anonymous Panama SA company (bearer shares). This company then buys a yacht for at least $150,000. Now you need to hire three Panamanians for at least $253.00 a month each. So you have deckhands, crew, cook etc. This would let you get residency in Panama quickly and after three years you could apply for citizenship and get a Panama passport. You could also do a version of this using the small investor visa to do it with a $40,000 investment and three employees on your fishing or touring boat. You can get a Panama cell phone, mail box, bank account, visa debit card, atm card and you can travel the world. For most this isn't feasible but it is fun to dream anyway.

Investor Visa (Inversionista) Designed for those who wish to establish a business in Panama (note, though, that some retail businesses and some professions are reserved to Panamanians). There must be a minimum investment of $150,000 and minimum of three, permanent Panamanian employees hired. It is granted provisionally for one year and after renewal is granted permanently with the right to be issued a cedula identity card. Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to apply for Panamanian nationality.

Small Business Investor Visa (Inversionista de Peque?a Empresa) Designed for those who wish to establish a small business in Panama (note that retail businesses and some professions are reserved to Panamanians). There must be a minimum investment of $40,000 and minimum of three permanent Panamanian employees hired. It is granted provisionally for one year, and needs to be renewed three more times before it is granted permanently with the right to a cedula. Five years after obtaining the permanent visa, holders will be eligible to obtain Panamanian nationality.

If you'd like to know more about this go to. www.panamalaw.org

Yachts for the Rest of Us

Yachts are the pinnacles of boat ownership. Owning a yacht, or even sailing on one, is a true luxury experience. A yacht is something that most people only dream of owning. Some yachts are so large and magnificent that they are indistinguishable from luxury cruise liners. The sizes, designs and amenities of yachts range so widely that the price ranges for yachts do as well. High-end yachts can sell for $60 million or more, and even the least expensive yachts will sell in the hundreds of thousands range. Bigger and more expensive yachts are often owned by private companies who use them to throw parties, entertain clients and reward successful executives.

Yachts are like floating mansions. Normally a yacht will include several rooms, and luxury models can include many bedrooms, a family room, office, den, library and a theater room. Only the view from the windows lets you know you are on the ocean.

Even though yachts can be expensive to purchase, they are often available for rental. Yacht rental companies allow customers to use their yachts for an hour, day, week or even longer. This can be a great opportunity to have the yacht experience without breaking the bank. Many people rent a yacht for cruising on the ocean or lake for a few days as part of their vacation.

If you rent a larger yacht, you will normally have an experienced boat captain and perhaps a crew to pilot the ship for you. This can allow you and your family and friends to relax and enjoy the water and the yacht experience. These crewed yacht vacations allow you to live in comfort and style during your vacation. Normally you will have full amenities on the lot, and even a few fun extras like scuba diving equipment or kayaks to enjoy the ocean.

Cookgroup Marketing LLC - All Rights Reserved. This article brought to you by http://www.Your-Boat-Portal.com/ . You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice, author name and URL remain intact. Jason Albright is a contributing editor at Cookgroup Marketing LLC. His background is with lifestyle topics including: Gardening, Outdoor Living, Home Decor & Travel Destinations

British Virgin Islands Travel - Charter a Yacht For a Unique Vacation Experience

Did you know that the British Virgin Islands are home to one of the best sailing areas in the world and is the sailing capitol of the Caribbean? There are so many reasons as to why these Caribbean islands can lay claim to this and you'll soon learn why a British Virgin Islands vacation, is just what you need!

BVI weather is extremely consistent with perfect Caribbean trade winds that stay between 10-25 knots, sometimes a bit stronger during the winter months. You will find few places in the world that offer as many bays and anchorages to go exploring. You'll also find that the water temperature is just perfect for swimming with temperatures ranging from 76-85 degrees year round. The distances between the islands are quite short as well, which provides some benefits such as; the sailing areas are often protected from the open water, so you will find the seas are very calm. This is especially great if you're new to the world of sailing. Short distances also provide opportunities for many island stops and that means lots of exploring!

If you're ready for sunny days, pristine white sandy beaches, stunning coral reefs and for the water-sport enthusiast - an unlimited array of possibilities lay waiting for you to discover. One of the absolute best ways to discover the British Virgin Islands is by chartering your own private yacht! This brings us to another destination BVI famous fact. These islands are also home to the world's largest charter yacht fleet!

With more than 50 islands and cays, a BVI yacht charter may simply be one of the best ways to experience the magic that these islands have to offer you. The British Virgin Islands are also known as the Windwards and Leewards island group. They lie 1500 miles Southeast of New York and about 60 miles east from Puerto Rico. You'll find mountainous terrain, lush green valleys with rolling hills leading to spectacular beaches and serene coves.

A British Virgin Islands vacation will certainly not be like your 'typical' touristy islands, in the sense that you won't find any high-rise hotels, casinos or even traffic lights! What you'll learn on these islands is true peace and tranquility. You can discover an ancient tropical rainforest, irresistible land and beauty, even a rare inhabited coral island. These islands offer you a place in which you can truly discover yourself and this is what will make your British Virgin Islands travel really stand out.

They have worked extremely hard to achieve world-wide recognition with programs and workshops to study and protect the rapidly disappearing eco-systems of the Caribbean. With the National Parks Trust - a government department that was formed to protect the incredible beauty and infrastructure that lies under the sea, you'll find unique underwater parks that stretch all across the British Virgin Islands. Can you think of a better way to really explore this paradise than with a BVI yacht charter, one that can bring you to the heart and majesty that belongs to this incredible group of islands? After all, being in an area world-renowned for the best sailing and boasting the largest fleet of chartered yachts, why not make this vacation the most unique that you've ever experienced and charter a yacht!

If you liked what you read and would like to learn more about yachting vacations take a visit to Tropical Beach Destinations. Join your tropical adventure couple Jason and Sarah as they show you the ultimate vacation!

Visibility ETO ERP Conference to Include a Yachting Adventure

Visibility Corporation (www.visibility.com) is a leading developer and supplier of business software solutions designed for the unique needs of project-based, engineer-to-order and to-order manufacturers. Visibility's Enterprise Application solutions help midsize manufacturers of complex products operate their businesses effectively. At the 2006 users' conference there is a special treat; participants of the conference are invited for an evening cruise on a 142' luxury yacht through Fort Lauderdales' scenic Intracoastal Waterways, the Venice of America. Climb aboard the richly decorated yacht where we will have cocktails, appetizers and a sumptuous 5-star cuisine prepared for us by world class chefs. Musical entertainment will keep us energized and dancing throughout this four hour exploration.

April 5 through 7, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Visibility Corporation will be holding their annual users' conference titled, "Optimizing Your Technology Investment." Break out sessions including VISIBILITY.net Basics, Workflow, and Configuration will be conducted. Similarly, VISIBILITY 6 Track sessions will include Database Tuning, Optimize V6 Business Processes, and Business Intelligence. There is also an Executive Track that includes Managing Global Enterprise, Business Differentiators, and Financial Consolidation. The event is geared to both current and potential users of the ETO (Engineer-to-Order) ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) technology.

VISIBILITY.net is an integrated ERP solution and more. Offering unparalleled functionality and integrated workflow, this browser-based solution cost effectively delivers the power of .NET-based Web services for use with either a Microsoft SQL Server? or Oracle? database. Conducting business any place, any time, any where is a reality, deployable with unprecedented flexibility.

Visibility www.visibility.com Jaclyn Aldrich marketing@visibility.com 978-694-8000

Galley Slaving on a Yacht

You wouldn’t believe how much people eat when they’re on a boat. I’ve been slaving down here in this galley like… well, a galley slave. Must be all that salt air.

Not that the air down here in is particularly fresh. Something to do with the loo. They all seem to think life’s too short to pump a toilet.

The toilet isn’t the only thing that’s primitive on this 36 foot bath toy we’ve hired for the weekend. Before we left port yesterday, a bloke with a grey beard showed us the ropes.

His language was so archaic it was like watching a foreign film. Why call it a cleat when “thing you wind the rope around” would do? He kept trying to scare us with stories about people getting beached and having to be rescued. Silly old barnacle.

I didn’t much like the way he smiled when we waved him goodbye and motored away from the wharf without pulling the rope off the thingee he called a bollard. We weren’t trying to demolish the wharf.

Nautical door heights haven’t changed since the Battle of Trafalgar – which accounts for the huge lumps on my head. Not that I’m complaining. Nothing worse than a belligerent sailor.

I don’t mind being stuck down here really. I much prefer roosting in the woody womb of the vessel to being up there white knuckling the wheel and screaming.

But I only did that once yesterday. Sailing’s like war, I’ve decided – long periods of boredom interspersed with brief moments of life threatening terror.

I was steering through a stretch of perfectly empty water, when suddenly hundreds of little yachts started whirling around us like angry bees.

The famous camaraderie of the seas went right out the porthole. You’d think the Anglo Saxons had invented only one word.

I can still see the faces of the yachtsmen I nearly sliced in half - pale and open-mouthed like portraits of the damned in a medieval painting.

A miss is as good as a mile, I said. But they told me go downstairs and cook dinner. All they think about is their stomachs.

Soon after, my husband visited me in the galley saying he needed the radio. Well, the boat does have a nice cd player. No, he said, we’d run aground.

The man with the grey beard’s smile seemed to have widened an extra few centimentres when he turned up in a yellow rescue launch. He told us to sit on the far side of the boat while he tied a rope around the mast and hauled us out of the mud.

The yacht leaned on such a sharp angle as he roared off into the distance we were heaved into the air like acrobats from Cirque du Soleil.

Things quietened down after that. We anchored overnight in a bay. Now they’re hungry again. And they expect meals from a pathetic excuse for a fridge.

If they’re not careful I’ll throw in the tea towel and run away to sea.

Helen’s email: notnuts@bigpond.com

Have a sailing vacation with yacht charter

 

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Mr. Monish is a Copywriter of yacht charter. He written many articles in various topics. For more information visit: Florida yacht charter. contact her at yachtloop.marine@gmail.com.