Hey Amy,
I just checked and the BVI tourism guys say we will pay $.75 per person per day cruising tax. Off season you know! We will be in the BVI's 8 or 9 days. With 12 cruisers that comes to $72.00 or $81.00 for all. This is good news. I will try to help nail down other costs for water, mooring, docking and fuel with more certainty.
I don't know of any tax in the USVI's.
To be Continued............
Thursday, January 18, 2007
SEATTLE BOAT SHOW SEMINAR ON CRUISING THE BVI'S
Mark Bunzel (a noted BVI sailing oracle) will be giving a seminar on chartering a boat in the BVI's at the Seattle Boat Show on Wednesday the 31st of January at 7:00 PM. Barbara and I will be there. This is just days before our meeting on the 3rd of February. If anyone would like to ride share / save on parking and go with us please let us know. 206-799-0100 or on the Blog!
Pat
Pat
MORE INFORMATION TO DROOL OVER
Here are some of the more popular websites and location phone numbers in the BVI's
This is a good source of info and pictures to help us plan the itinerary of our dreams.
If you have more please share them with the crew!
Calling anyone in the BVI's is easy! Just dial 1 the area code 284 and the BVI number. From most cell phones and Vonage it is free.
TOURIST INFORMATION:
http://www.bvitourism.com/ I noticed under the heading of USEFUL INFORMATION they have indicated a chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous meets regularly if anyone wants to schedule their meetings in advance.
http://www.bviwelcome.com/
http://www.b-v-i.com/ http://reservationsbvi.com/
http://www.bvibeacon.com/main/ http://www.villagecay.com/
http://www.nannycay.com/
CHARTER COMPANIES:
http://www.moorings.com/ http://www.virgintraders.com/
http://www.ed-hamilton.com/ http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/ use this site to see the Bomba Shack and they also have a Tarquin 59. They call it a Trader 585
http://www.sunsail.co.uk/yachts/destinations/caribbean/british_virgin_islands
RESTAURANTS:
http://www.pussers.com/ http://www.brandywinebay.com/
http://www.foxysbar.com/
The Last Resort: 284-495-2520
Fat Hog Bob's: 284-495-1010
Capriccio di Mare: 284-494-5369
Here is the begining of a list for the USVI's (I don't think we will spend much time in the US. - - maybe two nights at the begining and two or three at the end of our trip).
http://www.usvi.net/
This is a good source of info and pictures to help us plan the itinerary of our dreams.
If you have more please share them with the crew!
Calling anyone in the BVI's is easy! Just dial 1 the area code 284 and the BVI number. From most cell phones and Vonage it is free.
TOURIST INFORMATION:
http://www.bvitourism.com/ I noticed under the heading of USEFUL INFORMATION they have indicated a chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous meets regularly if anyone wants to schedule their meetings in advance.
http://www.bviwelcome.com/
http://www.b-v-i.com/ http://reservationsbvi.com/
http://www.bvibeacon.com/main/ http://www.villagecay.com/
http://www.nannycay.com/
CHARTER COMPANIES:
http://www.moorings.com/ http://www.virgintraders.com/
http://www.ed-hamilton.com/ http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/ use this site to see the Bomba Shack and they also have a Tarquin 59. They call it a Trader 585
http://www.sunsail.co.uk/yachts/destinations/caribbean/british_virgin_islands
RESTAURANTS:
http://www.pussers.com/ http://www.brandywinebay.com/
http://www.foxysbar.com/
The Last Resort: 284-495-2520
Fat Hog Bob's: 284-495-1010
Capriccio di Mare: 284-494-5369
Here is the begining of a list for the USVI's (I don't think we will spend much time in the US. - - maybe two nights at the begining and two or three at the end of our trip).
http://www.usvi.net/
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
PAYMENTS, CABIN SELECTION, ETC
Hello,
Barbara and I agree with the $500 per month payments. This will keep us on track financially.
On the other note, we do need to hear from Rick and Kathy.
As for the two additional couples I feel strongly that we can and should wait until we are required to pay the additional 15% deposit before we give up on a second large boat. We will have plenty of time after March 8th to move two of our couples to a smaller (less expensive) boat. There are a number of advantages in having two boats of the same size. Rafting will be easier, The partying would be shared equally between the boats. All cruisers would have similar cabins to share. We have a number of candidates for the last two positions and I really would like to give them the time to decide without pressure.
An additional topic for our next meeting could be setting a different price for the 4th (slightly smaller) cabin on the 59 Tarquin. I think a reduction of approximately 15% of the average price would be fair. This 15% would be paid by the three other couples. My math would have this number @ $390 discount for the cabin with three other couples paying about $130 more. As I recall three cabins are about equal in size. The difference with the fourth cabin is the ceiling height over half of the bed and this is the only cabin without a “walk-around” bed. But this is just from my memory, maybe Todd or Lysa can recall the room in better detail. Maybe I’m making something out of nothing. I just know (now that I'm 52 years old) that some people need to get up one or more times in the night and a "walk-around" bed is more convenient for this purpose. I don’t want anyone to feel slighted on the cruise. This is my idea I would like to put up for a vote at our next meeting. Maybe $390 is not enough of a discount, maybe to much. The question I ask myself is “how much of a discount would I need to accept the smaller room”? Perhaps someone will jump on the discounted cabin. Who knows?
We also may want to select cabins at that meeting. Perhaps we can agree or draw straws, roll dice, arm wrestle. Maybe one couple would prefer the discounted cabin. I know Todd and Lysa have made it clear they would need one of the three other cabins. Barbara and I would prefer the aft cabin or the “V” berth, I believe TL would like the mid cabin, just forward of the aft cabin. This would be on boat #1(unnamed).
BTY, I want to encourage ALL couples to participate in posting and commenting in and on our blog. This blog is for EVERYONE going on the cruise. We need to hear from all of you. If anyone needs help getting started please feel free to call me at 206-799-0100 and I will be glad to help you.
Barbara and I agree with the $500 per month payments. This will keep us on track financially.
On the other note, we do need to hear from Rick and Kathy.
As for the two additional couples I feel strongly that we can and should wait until we are required to pay the additional 15% deposit before we give up on a second large boat. We will have plenty of time after March 8th to move two of our couples to a smaller (less expensive) boat. There are a number of advantages in having two boats of the same size. Rafting will be easier, The partying would be shared equally between the boats. All cruisers would have similar cabins to share. We have a number of candidates for the last two positions and I really would like to give them the time to decide without pressure.
An additional topic for our next meeting could be setting a different price for the 4th (slightly smaller) cabin on the 59 Tarquin. I think a reduction of approximately 15% of the average price would be fair. This 15% would be paid by the three other couples. My math would have this number @ $390 discount for the cabin with three other couples paying about $130 more. As I recall three cabins are about equal in size. The difference with the fourth cabin is the ceiling height over half of the bed and this is the only cabin without a “walk-around” bed. But this is just from my memory, maybe Todd or Lysa can recall the room in better detail. Maybe I’m making something out of nothing. I just know (now that I'm 52 years old) that some people need to get up one or more times in the night and a "walk-around" bed is more convenient for this purpose. I don’t want anyone to feel slighted on the cruise. This is my idea I would like to put up for a vote at our next meeting. Maybe $390 is not enough of a discount, maybe to much. The question I ask myself is “how much of a discount would I need to accept the smaller room”? Perhaps someone will jump on the discounted cabin. Who knows?
We also may want to select cabins at that meeting. Perhaps we can agree or draw straws, roll dice, arm wrestle. Maybe one couple would prefer the discounted cabin. I know Todd and Lysa have made it clear they would need one of the three other cabins. Barbara and I would prefer the aft cabin or the “V” berth, I believe TL would like the mid cabin, just forward of the aft cabin. This would be on boat #1(unnamed).
BTY, I want to encourage ALL couples to participate in posting and commenting in and on our blog. This blog is for EVERYONE going on the cruise. We need to hear from all of you. If anyone needs help getting started please feel free to call me at 206-799-0100 and I will be glad to help you.
PS:
Barbara and I just received the cruising documents from VIP. We will share these with all at the 2-3-2007 meeting. We will need info from each of you at that time.
Barbara and I are looking forward to our next meeting at our house on February Third @ 6:00 PM.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
More on Finances
I agree that we should pay Barbara back for the $2,500 deposit soon. I will be depositing the checks you all gave me into the BoA account this week. We only have checks right now from 5 couples (actually 4, we don't have one from Barbara & Pat but we'll be giving them the money to cover the deposit anyway so it doesn't really matter).
Does anyone know whether Kathy and Rick (our 6th couple) have committed?, we'd really like to have them!
If we divide the $2,500 by the 5 couples we have so far then we each owe Barbara $500, less the $300 we've each paid in we owe another $200 per couple.
Lets look at it like this... if the 10% deposit was $2,500 then the 25% deposit should be an additional $3,750 for a total of $6,250 (by mid March). So that's $1,250 for each of the 5 couples. We've already deposited $300 each so we each need to deposit another $950 by mid March to cover the deposit.
I propose rounding this out to $500 per month payments for the next two months.
After that, payments of $400 per couple per month should cover the boat with some left over for the other items... of course this is still based on ONLY 5 COUPLES.
The cost for these 2 boats with only 5 couples is approximately $900 more per couple than with 6 couples... not to mention 2 59ft. boats for 5 couples seems like overkill.
We need to get a clear idea of how many couples soon so I can put some more concrete numbers together.
Would everyone be able to contribute $500 on or about February 1 to pay back Barbara and start saving for the additional deposit due in March?
Please comment!
Does anyone know whether Kathy and Rick (our 6th couple) have committed?, we'd really like to have them!
If we divide the $2,500 by the 5 couples we have so far then we each owe Barbara $500, less the $300 we've each paid in we owe another $200 per couple.
Lets look at it like this... if the 10% deposit was $2,500 then the 25% deposit should be an additional $3,750 for a total of $6,250 (by mid March). So that's $1,250 for each of the 5 couples. We've already deposited $300 each so we each need to deposit another $950 by mid March to cover the deposit.
I propose rounding this out to $500 per month payments for the next two months.
After that, payments of $400 per couple per month should cover the boat with some left over for the other items... of course this is still based on ONLY 5 COUPLES.
The cost for these 2 boats with only 5 couples is approximately $900 more per couple than with 6 couples... not to mention 2 59ft. boats for 5 couples seems like overkill.
We need to get a clear idea of how many couples soon so I can put some more concrete numbers together.
Would everyone be able to contribute $500 on or about February 1 to pay back Barbara and start saving for the additional deposit due in March?
Please comment!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The Finances of Fun
As promised here is a spreadsheet that gives an idea of what we're currently looking at as a per couple cost for the trip assuming 2 59ft. boats for 12 nights (one night in dock, 9 nights paid). The cost per couple (exluding airfare, spending, hotel for Thanksgiving if flying back on Friday) decreases about $1,000 if we have full occupancy (8 couples) as opposed to the 6 couples that we currently have. When I have a little more time I will put together another tab in the spreadsheet that shows how much each couple has contributed to the "Boat Fund", how much we need to have contributed by when and what the Boat Fund account balance is. But for now this is a good tool to start planning. Hopefully we have estimated on the high side of the expenses, but better to have some leftover than not enough. Please let me know if you have questions.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
AIRFAIR COMPLETE FOR ALL
Hi all,All five confirmed couples have now booked their trips. We are waiting to hear from Rick and Kathy. After this we will need to consider other couples for inclusion in our trip. I have no doubt we will have more than two couples to consider. It is my understanding Barbara and Patti's sister Kay is in discussion with her hubby Dale about participation in our great adventure. As you know this would surely be an "automatic" couple to include. Greg and Darcy, I know you have yet to meet Kay and Dale, however if you enjoy Barbara and Patti...... you will love Kay and Dale.
It is impossible to overestimate the fun and joy we will all experience on this dream of a trip. I want each and every one of the nine of you to know how happy I am that you have decided to participate. I have every confidence each of you will make this trip even better by your participation.
Thanks to all for the clear and certain message you have given through your decision to get your flights booked quickly.
I still have hope this couple will find a way to join us.
Mike and SaraTime will tell.
Pat
Monday, January 8, 2007
AIRFARE
So far it looks like the following have airfare to the VI. If you are going to use airmiles, do it
asap. The dates we are looking at are very popular and there may only be a few spots left.
Barbara and Pat
Amy and Rick
Patti and Scott
Lysa and Todd
Just thought I would update everyone on this news.
Barbara
asap. The dates we are looking at are very popular and there may only be a few spots left.
Barbara and Pat
Amy and Rick
Patti and Scott
Lysa and Todd
Just thought I would update everyone on this news.
Barbara
Sunday, January 7, 2007
GOLF IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?
I had an idea that maybe some of you would like to have a golf day on one of the islands. I asked Kathy to check with Rick who is an avid golfer. Maybe there is a great course that some of you would like to play. Anybody interested?
Barbara
Saturday, January 6, 2007
GREAT FIRST MEETING !
Well NOW we're ready to go. Here is a summary of the results of our first meeting.
Boat #1 (no name) is booked from Friday the 9th of November to Thursday noon on the 22nd of November. Barbara and Pat have booked their Air on Delta from Seattle to Saint Thomas to arrive on Thursday at 2:30 PM. It is my understanding Rick of "RA" is going to book the same flight. We will scramble on arrival with a mini van and obtain our provisions as listed by our Cook and Bartender. Cook for Boat #1 = Lysa. Bartender for Boat #1 = Todd. Thanks to them for accepting these responsibilities. Rick, Barbara & I will get a Hotel room on Thursday night and go to VIP base for our training on Friday morning. We will spend the day on the vessel in training with VIP's Charter Captain. In the late afternoon we hope to pick up Greg and Darcy "GD" in town after their afternoon arrival. We will pick them up at the dock in Charlotte Amalie if possible. We (GD. PB, and Rick) will then spend an evening on the boat anchored off of some awesome beach.
Saturday we will motor back to VIP base and meet with all Saturday arrivals (the 11 other mates) in the late afternoon. ( say 4:30 PM ).
Boat #2 (no name) Is booked from Sunday the 11th to Thursday noon on the 22nd of November. This boat is booked for a Saturday "sleepover" (half price $575) to provide all sailors a place to stay on Saturday night before the sailing.
If Rick and I both get qualified by the Charter Captain from VIP on Friday and/or Saturday we will be able to motor out of port as soon on Sunday as VIP will allow. This will save the other sailing mates the loss of this day to captain training. We can discuss this at a later meeting but I think it would be fair if some of this extra cost (getting boat #1 early for training) would be shared by all.
We are currently certain to be short one couple. Mike and Sara are big maybes - - probably nots. Rick and Kathy have not made up their minds. They would be great fun to have so I hope they swing with us. Maybe if they came to one meeting. Please put out the word to those you have in mind that there is probably a cabin available if they can make a decision soon. Let us know on the blog of your results. Remember we want to keep both boats non-smoking at all times and places....except for the occasional cigar and scotch.
Next meeting is in the evening at PB in Federal Way on Saturday February 3. Maybe our Purser Amy (thanks for accepting the responsibility Amy) will have a $ amount we should bring to add to the account for the "Boat Fund" and the cost of the charter. I would ask Amy to post a blog of the current accounting and a projection of future cash requirements. We need a break down of all expected boat fund costs; IE taxes, buoy rentals, gas, food, booze, dock fees, water fees, pay off the local authorities, etc.
Topics for next meeting:
Boat #1 (no name) is booked from Friday the 9th of November to Thursday noon on the 22nd of November. Barbara and Pat have booked their Air on Delta from Seattle to Saint Thomas to arrive on Thursday at 2:30 PM. It is my understanding Rick of "RA" is going to book the same flight. We will scramble on arrival with a mini van and obtain our provisions as listed by our Cook and Bartender. Cook for Boat #1 = Lysa. Bartender for Boat #1 = Todd. Thanks to them for accepting these responsibilities. Rick, Barbara & I will get a Hotel room on Thursday night and go to VIP base for our training on Friday morning. We will spend the day on the vessel in training with VIP's Charter Captain. In the late afternoon we hope to pick up Greg and Darcy "GD" in town after their afternoon arrival. We will pick them up at the dock in Charlotte Amalie if possible. We (GD. PB, and Rick) will then spend an evening on the boat anchored off of some awesome beach.
Saturday we will motor back to VIP base and meet with all Saturday arrivals (the 11 other mates) in the late afternoon. ( say 4:30 PM ).
Boat #2 (no name) Is booked from Sunday the 11th to Thursday noon on the 22nd of November. This boat is booked for a Saturday "sleepover" (half price $575) to provide all sailors a place to stay on Saturday night before the sailing.
If Rick and I both get qualified by the Charter Captain from VIP on Friday and/or Saturday we will be able to motor out of port as soon on Sunday as VIP will allow. This will save the other sailing mates the loss of this day to captain training. We can discuss this at a later meeting but I think it would be fair if some of this extra cost (getting boat #1 early for training) would be shared by all.
We are currently certain to be short one couple. Mike and Sara are big maybes - - probably nots. Rick and Kathy have not made up their minds. They would be great fun to have so I hope they swing with us. Maybe if they came to one meeting. Please put out the word to those you have in mind that there is probably a cabin available if they can make a decision soon. Let us know on the blog of your results. Remember we want to keep both boats non-smoking at all times and places....except for the occasional cigar and scotch.
Next meeting is in the evening at PB in Federal Way on Saturday February 3. Maybe our Purser Amy (thanks for accepting the responsibility Amy) will have a $ amount we should bring to add to the account for the "Boat Fund" and the cost of the charter. I would ask Amy to post a blog of the current accounting and a projection of future cash requirements. We need a break down of all expected boat fund costs; IE taxes, buoy rentals, gas, food, booze, dock fees, water fees, pay off the local authorities, etc.
Topics for next meeting:
- Do we want to put money in the boat fund for the 3 or 4 dinners we will have in local restaurants?
- Vote on adding any nominated sailors.
- Please bring your list of places you would want to visit. We should be able to get a rough outline of our itinerary at the February meeting if we have this list from everyone. Please have on your list in the order of importance all the places you want to drop anchor, hang off a buoy, or dock.
- Do we want to have a costume night? I can impersonate a mean drunk sailor....no problem!
- Please bring a list of things you want to do. IE visit the Baths, go to Bomba's Shack, scuba, shop in road town, shop in Cruz Bay Saint John go to a special restaurant you have read about. This is the strength of our group. By sharing your knowledge of things in the Virgins we will all have a better trip.
All I know about the Virgin Islands is "drink right, drive left".
Friday, January 5, 2007
Thursday, January 4, 2007
TARQUIN 59 PHOTOS
Here are some pictures of your boat in the Caribbean.
I will post more in the future.
Pat
EVERYBODY JOIN HANDS !!!
Hello? Anybody? Anybody besides Lysa? I'm not sure this blog is reaching our sailing mates.
When you receive this please send me a comment by checking the comment line in the lower right hand corner of the posting and completing a response. I would like to start a data base of the full legal names and addresses and phone numbers including cell phones of all our sailing mates. Also, we need to receive a response "RSVP" concerning the proposed Saturday morning meeting the 6th of January.
I have set this blog as my new home page. This allows me to get your message every time I sign on to the web. I believe there is an option to receive an email every time someone posts or comments on the blog as well. I will check into this.
I know only a few of us had a discussion about starting a blog for our cruise so this whole approach may be a bit foreign right now. My hope is this will become a central place for all of us to share our thoughts about this great adventure we are planning.
Pat Cattin
When you receive this please send me a comment by checking the comment line in the lower right hand corner of the posting and completing a response. I would like to start a data base of the full legal names and addresses and phone numbers including cell phones of all our sailing mates. Also, we need to receive a response "RSVP" concerning the proposed Saturday morning meeting the 6th of January.
I have set this blog as my new home page. This allows me to get your message every time I sign on to the web. I believe there is an option to receive an email every time someone posts or comments on the blog as well. I will check into this.
I know only a few of us had a discussion about starting a blog for our cruise so this whole approach may be a bit foreign right now. My hope is this will become a central place for all of us to share our thoughts about this great adventure we are planning.
Pat Cattin
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
AGREE TO MEET
Hi everybody,
Please let everybody know of your ability to meet at TL's on Saturday by posting a comment to this posting.
Thanks,
Pat Cattin
Please let everybody know of your ability to meet at TL's on Saturday by posting a comment to this posting.
Thanks,
Pat Cattin
FINAL EMAIL LIST
Hi Mike and welcome!
Please forward an email address for Sara if you have one. Also, I want to make sure I am spelling her name correctly.
Pat Cattin
Please forward an email address for Sara if you have one. Also, I want to make sure I am spelling her name correctly.
Pat Cattin
EMAIL ADDRESSES
We have all email addresses for the blog with the exception of Rick and Kathy. Patti, please get those for us.
Thanks,
Pat
Thanks,
Pat
UPDATE FIRST MEETING
Hi all, here is an update:
Barbara and I paid the deposit for the charter this morning. Good News! VIP reduced the deposit for now from 25% to 10%. They will need the additional 15% in two months. So Barbara and I will only need to collect $300 per couple at this time.
In response to TL's note and other phone calls we now suggest a meeting at 11:30 AM at TL's home on Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 5 PM. I will be out of town for one week starting Sunday morning so Sunday is out for me...sorry. Hope Saturday works.
I suggest elections for the following responsibilities, each boat needs one person per duty:
Barbara and I paid the deposit for the charter this morning. Good News! VIP reduced the deposit for now from 25% to 10%. They will need the additional 15% in two months. So Barbara and I will only need to collect $300 per couple at this time.
In response to TL's note and other phone calls we now suggest a meeting at 11:30 AM at TL's home on Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 5 PM. I will be out of town for one week starting Sunday morning so Sunday is out for me...sorry. Hope Saturday works.
I suggest elections for the following responsibilities, each boat needs one person per duty:
- Skipper (navigation, anchoring, docking and overall safety of crew and boat
- First Mate (a second person available to drive the boat if and when necessary)
- Special Sea and Anchor Duty (anchoring and mooring and docking) This is the person on the decks giving directions for these duties.
- Coxswain ( in charge of the dinghy)
- Master at Arms (does a head count as we leave a dock or mooring, ect)
- Purser (in charge of money for the vessel)
- Chef (organizes all meals)
- Engineer (maintains water, fuel and oil levels, does a daily walk through of the boat with the Skipper)
These duties will be more fully discribed on hand out sheets I will give you at our first meeting.
Pat CattinFirst Meeting Date
Love it, love it, love it!
Can't wait to eat, drink, and be married - oh ya, that was last year - be merry, I mean. TL would love to host the first get together; however, Saturday evening is also the Seahawk playoff game and a few of our fellow boaters just might be interested in attending or at least watching. Would Sunday work for the group?? Any time is great - lunch, dinner, - heck, make it breakfast and we can have a pajama party. ;-)
Let the fun begin!
BTW, flights just opened up on our intended travel dates...
Can't wait to eat, drink, and be married - oh ya, that was last year - be merry, I mean. TL would love to host the first get together; however, Saturday evening is also the Seahawk playoff game and a few of our fellow boaters just might be interested in attending or at least watching. Would Sunday work for the group?? Any time is great - lunch, dinner, - heck, make it breakfast and we can have a pajama party. ;-)
Let the fun begin!
BTW, flights just opened up on our intended travel dates...
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
First Meeting
Well fellow cruisers, it is important to settle all of the important issues early on in our planning of our epic vacation. Eight couples – sixteen individuals with different wants, needs and desires. Every one of us will need to make compromises, some small, some large. In the end we will all achieve our major goal, to have a wonderful time on a private yacht with great people in the best (and most popular) cruising area in the world.
I believe we will each need to come to the table with the smallest list of “must haves” to achieve a successful compromise for all.
The issues that have been settled so far are:
Where: The US and British Virgin Islands
Which charter company: VIP Charters
Which boat: A Tarquin 59’ Four stateroom vessel
When: November 2007
Start sailing day: Sunday November 11, 2007.
Cost: Posted rates ($1150 + insurance per day per boat) except VIP has offered us 11 days for the price of nine. A seven day charter is at the posted rate.
The difficult issues to be settled are:
Who: We currently have seven couples that have indicated a desire to participate in the cruise. Barbara and I “PB” were with Todd and Lysa “TL” in the US Virgin Islands in the spring of 2005. We found a boat and decided we (the two couples) wanted to find two more couples that would like to share this dream with us. Soon after we came back home Barbara’s son and daughter in-law Rick and Amy “RA” asked to join the cruise. TL agreed and we only needed a fourth couple. Next we heard from TL their friends Greg and Darcy “GD” were interested. Then “RA” announced their friends Mike and Sara “MS” were interested. PB and TL agreed and MS were added. Barbara’s sister Patti indicated a desire to go but there were impediments. Patti’s friends Rick and Kathy “RK” asked to go. This made six couples and obviously we needed a second boat. In October Barbara and Patti’s cousins Stu and Peggy “they don’t get an abbreviation” indicated a desire to go that was later rescinded. Then Scott, Patti’s mate announced He and Patti would like to go on the trip as a 60th birthday present. “SP” made seven couples. This is where we are as of this posting. So… the difficult part is #1 we need an eighth couple, #2 we need to decide who will be on which boat, and #3 we know boat #1 (unnamed) is definitely going to sail for at least 11 days and maybe one or two more. SP have a problem with a cruise of longer than seven days. We have thought about booking the 2nd boat for a seven day sail. This creates problems with who will be on which boat. At this time it is my belief that the best solution to this problem is to have both boats for the same length of time. Then if one or more couples need to leave early we can drop people in a port with a ferry back to Saint Thomas. ( I believe the cost of this ferry trip is around $35 per person). I will admit to a bias, November 11 was chosen to accommodate a number of our mates that enjoy a day off on Columbus Day November 12, 2007 (wasn’t he a sailor?) . This made the first week only cost four vacation days for some. The next week is Thanksgiving. This week would only cost three vacation days for most if not all. The thought was this would allow us to enjoy a two week - - three weekend trip. We could leave home on Friday night the 9th or Saturday morning the 10th and sail on Sunday afternoon. At this time I do want to mention the offer to us of 11 days for the price of 9 for the both boats. This makes a tempting offer. Also, if a couple leaves after 7 days they would only have to pay for two days they don’t use instead of four. The approximate cost of the boat and insurance per day per couple is $300. Well anyway, you can see the challenge. TL & PB & RA & GD & MS are definitely on board for the full 11 or more days starting on 11/11/2007. I am sure we can find a solution to our problem. When we do this will help us to decide who will be on which boat.
Concerning the eighth couple, there has been discussion about the virtues of a smaller cheaper boat. After looking into this I believe the cost outweighs the benefit. I believe an eighth couple will appear. If not we can move to a smaller boat if we develop the need.
Clearly, we have a number of issues to resolve before we get to the fun problems (like how much booze we need to buy). So lets have a meeting. I believe we need to pick a day soon. Please email me if you can meet on Saturday the 6th of January. I suggest TL’s home. Only MS who live in Spokane will have a problem for sure. We can share with them on a speakerphone.
I suggest the topics for our first meeting should be:
Pat Cattin
I believe we will each need to come to the table with the smallest list of “must haves” to achieve a successful compromise for all.
The issues that have been settled so far are:
Where: The US and British Virgin Islands
Which charter company: VIP Charters
Which boat: A Tarquin 59’ Four stateroom vessel
When: November 2007
Start sailing day: Sunday November 11, 2007.
Cost: Posted rates ($1150 + insurance per day per boat) except VIP has offered us 11 days for the price of nine. A seven day charter is at the posted rate.
The difficult issues to be settled are:
Who: We currently have seven couples that have indicated a desire to participate in the cruise. Barbara and I “PB” were with Todd and Lysa “TL” in the US Virgin Islands in the spring of 2005. We found a boat and decided we (the two couples) wanted to find two more couples that would like to share this dream with us. Soon after we came back home Barbara’s son and daughter in-law Rick and Amy “RA” asked to join the cruise. TL agreed and we only needed a fourth couple. Next we heard from TL their friends Greg and Darcy “GD” were interested. Then “RA” announced their friends Mike and Sara “MS” were interested. PB and TL agreed and MS were added. Barbara’s sister Patti indicated a desire to go but there were impediments. Patti’s friends Rick and Kathy “RK” asked to go. This made six couples and obviously we needed a second boat. In October Barbara and Patti’s cousins Stu and Peggy “they don’t get an abbreviation” indicated a desire to go that was later rescinded. Then Scott, Patti’s mate announced He and Patti would like to go on the trip as a 60th birthday present. “SP” made seven couples. This is where we are as of this posting. So… the difficult part is #1 we need an eighth couple, #2 we need to decide who will be on which boat, and #3 we know boat #1 (unnamed) is definitely going to sail for at least 11 days and maybe one or two more. SP have a problem with a cruise of longer than seven days. We have thought about booking the 2nd boat for a seven day sail. This creates problems with who will be on which boat. At this time it is my belief that the best solution to this problem is to have both boats for the same length of time. Then if one or more couples need to leave early we can drop people in a port with a ferry back to Saint Thomas. ( I believe the cost of this ferry trip is around $35 per person). I will admit to a bias, November 11 was chosen to accommodate a number of our mates that enjoy a day off on Columbus Day November 12, 2007 (wasn’t he a sailor?) . This made the first week only cost four vacation days for some. The next week is Thanksgiving. This week would only cost three vacation days for most if not all. The thought was this would allow us to enjoy a two week - - three weekend trip. We could leave home on Friday night the 9th or Saturday morning the 10th and sail on Sunday afternoon. At this time I do want to mention the offer to us of 11 days for the price of 9 for the both boats. This makes a tempting offer. Also, if a couple leaves after 7 days they would only have to pay for two days they don’t use instead of four. The approximate cost of the boat and insurance per day per couple is $300. Well anyway, you can see the challenge. TL & PB & RA & GD & MS are definitely on board for the full 11 or more days starting on 11/11/2007. I am sure we can find a solution to our problem. When we do this will help us to decide who will be on which boat.
Concerning the eighth couple, there has been discussion about the virtues of a smaller cheaper boat. After looking into this I believe the cost outweighs the benefit. I believe an eighth couple will appear. If not we can move to a smaller boat if we develop the need.
Clearly, we have a number of issues to resolve before we get to the fun problems (like how much booze we need to buy). So lets have a meeting. I believe we need to pick a day soon. Please email me if you can meet on Saturday the 6th of January. I suggest TL’s home. Only MS who live in Spokane will have a problem for sure. We can share with them on a speakerphone.
I suggest the topics for our first meeting should be:
- Who is going for sure?
- How long will the cruise be?
- Who will be on which boat?
- Elect a purser for each boat.
- Elect a captain for each boat.
- Elect a second mate for each boat.
- Decide on future meeting dates.
- Start thinking of names for the boats.
- Settle up on the deposit. We will need about $725 cash (25%) deposit for the boat per couple.
- Do tasting of at least five different rums. You can't be too careful, this is a big trip- - don't want to make any mistakes.
Please understand that all these words of mine are merely suggestions and subject to negotiation. I just wanna get drunk on a boat in warm water.
Pat Cattin
IT STARTS
It Starts.
On Wednesday January 3rd, Barbara and I have paid a deposit on two 59' Tarquin four stateroom vessels for charter in November of 2007. The crew will be:
Boat #1 (unnamed) $2827.50 deposit 11/11/2007 Sunday departure to 11/22/2007 Thursday (Thanksgiving) return.
On Wednesday January 3rd, Barbara and I have paid a deposit on two 59' Tarquin four stateroom vessels for charter in November of 2007. The crew will be:
Boat #1 (unnamed) $2827.50 deposit 11/11/2007 Sunday departure to 11/22/2007 Thursday (Thanksgiving) return.
- Pat & Barbara
- Todd & Lysa
- Greg & Darcy
Boat #2 (unnamed) $2827.50 deposit 11/11/2007 Sunday departure to 11/22/2007 Sunday return.
- Rick & Amy
- Mike & Sara
- Scott & Patti
- Rick & Kathy
Boat assignments are just suggestions at this point.
Pat Cattin
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