Sailing Vacations 2016 pages

SAILING VACATIONS 2016
French Polynesia Bareboat Flotilla
April 18 - May 1, 2016
Students who want to obtain Bareboat Charter
Certification must charter at the Basic Coastal Cruising
level at least three times before the cruise.
TAHITI, RAIATEA, TAHAA, HUAHINE, BORA BORA
Activities in Tahiti
There’s plenty to do and see on the islands of Tahiti. Snorkeling
is always a popular activity on our bareboat cruises. The coral
reefs are spectacular as they rise from 80 feet or more to just a
few feet deep. SCUBA tours and lessons are also available. There
are van tours and rentals of cars and jeeps ashore where ancient
Polynesian temples and other structures can be seen.
Everyone should plan to arrive in Raiatea by mid morning,
Tuesday April 19th. International Carrriers fly from California (LAX)
to Papeete, Tahiti. Air Tahiti (a local carrier), flies between Tahiti
and Raiatea. Those with more time (and money) can stay in a
Hotel on either island prior to the charter.
Here at last is paradise on earth. Visitors who fly into the islands
and stay at hotels can experience only a part of the magic of
these islands. It is only in sailing between blue ocean and
turquoise lagoons in the shadow of majestic volcanic peaks, as
the ancient Polynesians did in their outrigger canoes, that one
realizes the full majesty of Tahiti.
Our cruising area encompasses the Leeward Islands of Tahiti:
Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine and Bora Bora. There is more open
water sailing here than most of our other cruises. Steady trade
winds provide fast reaches of about 5 hours between
the islands.
The four major islands have ancient volcanic centers which rise
from lovely calm lagoons ringed by outlying reefs. Passes in the
reefs allow safe access in and out of the smooth sailing lagoons to
blue water sailing in the tradewinds.
Good anchorages are abundant among the central islands as
well as on the motus, lushly vegetated islets that have evolved on
the encircling barrier reefs. These coral atolls have sandy
beaches and offer a stunning view back toward those volcanic
ranges.
The Boats
Three types of boats are reserved for this cruise. A Sunsail 38
Catamaran with 4 double cabins and 2 heads, a Sunsaill 44 foot
Catamaran with 4 double cabins, each with it’s own private head
and shower and Sunsail 44i monohulls (44 ft) with 4 double cabins
and two heads with shower.
Dining
Each crew will get together by March 1st to custom order
provisions and supplies online with the charter company. Cost will
be split among the crew.
Bareboat and Cruising Catamaran Certification
Certification is available to Basic Coastal Cruising graduates
who have done at least 3 charters as skipper on a BCC boat such
as a Merit 25 and have passed the Docking Endorsement class.
The cost is $400.00 for non members & $300.00 members. Cruising
Catamaran is also available for those sailing on catamarans.
Study materials are provided and Bob Diamond will lead a
study session for Bareboat students in time for students to get the
written exam completed before the cruise.
First Day - (April 19) - Chart and boat briefings. After briefing
we start checking out the boats with equipment familiarization
and do our inventories, etc. We’ll sail to Tahaa after completing
the boat checkouts. This is a short and easy sail since Tahaa is
inside the same barrier reef with Raiatea.
Day 2 - Leave early for a 5 hour reach to spectacular Bora
Bora. Head for the East Lagoon to anchor off Motu Tupe.
Day 3 - Take a morning snorkel with rays, sharks and other fish
at the Lagoonarium on Motu Tupe. Head back around to moor
at Bloody Mary’s on Povai Bay or Bora Bora Yacht Club.
Day 4 - Visit the village, Vaitape. There’s a grocery store and
other shopping there. Have dinner at Bloody Mary’s, the actual
establishment modeled in “South Pacific”.
Day 5 - Sail back to Tahaa for the night. There’s a black pearl
farm and a vanilla plantation.
Day 6 - Back to The Moorings to refill water, ice, fuel and refresh
provisions. Continue on to Faaroa Bay for the night. According to
the ancient Polynesians, this is where mankind was first put on
earth. It’s certainly beautiful enough.
Day 7 - Depart for Huanine and anchor near the village, Fare.
Exlore.
Day 8 - Hang around Huahine. Go diving or a day tour on the
island. Dinner ashore.
Day 9 - Head down to Bay d’Avea for the night. Great
Snorkeling.
Day 10 - Sail back to Faaroa Bay on Raiatea. Explore the
Aoppamao by dinghy. It’s the only navigable river in French
Polynesia.
Day 11 - Return Boats to base by 12:00 a.m.
There is a flight back to Tahiti in the afternoon and flights from
Tahiti to California late in the evening. Spend a few hours in Tahiti
while waiting for your connection or stay an extra night on Tahiti
and fly home the next night. Flights from Tahiti to LAX arrive mid
morning. (Those flying straight home arrive April 30th.)
Consult with Bob Diamond regarding places to stay for extra
nights in Raiatea and or Tahiti.
Reservation and Payment Information
Cost per Cabin
$4300 on a Sunsail 444 Catamaran
$3000 on a Sunsail 44i monohull
$3000 on a Moorings 384 Catamaran
$100 non refundable deposit
1/3 due October 15, 2015
1/3 due December 15, 2015
Balance due February 1, 2016
Airfare is not included but we’ll help you to get the right flights.
British Virgin Islands Bareboat Flotilla
December 1 - 11, 2016
sinking in a hurricane in 1867. This wreck was used in filming “The
Deep”. A famous snorkeling spot is at Treasure Point at Norman
Island. This place has the submerged caves that inspired Robert
Louis Stevenson in writing Treasure Island. There are many
beautiful reefs too, each unique and waiting to be explored.
Experienced snorkelers who aren’t certified for diving can take
an introductory course. Although you don’t get certification, you
can dive during the remainder of the cruise. Student divers (from
home) may do their open water certification during the cruise.
Itinerary
The unspoiled islands of the British Virgins are renowned as one
of the finest cruising locations in the world. Warm moderate trade
winds, tranquil bays and beautiful clear water make the BVI’s a
sailors disneyland. There are over 20 islands in the BVI’s and all are
rich with history. In the BVI’s you’ll find nice harbors, protected
anchorages, restaurants and shops, places to visit, great diving
and snorkeling and much more.
Sailing in paradise is a dream of most sailors, yet most never
get around to it. Spinnaker not only makes it possible but makes it
easy. We take care of all arrangements including boat charter,
transfers, provisions, accommodations and will help with travel
arrangements. We have been making the dream come true in
B.V.I. for almost 30 years. We make it safe, easy, affordable and
memorable.
Join us as an individual, couple or together with a group of
friends and or family to fill a boat of your own.
If you have your own group and can act as skipper, you may
charter your own boat to join the flotilla. This way you can
choose the size of boat, provisioning package and other options.
Contact Bob at Spinnaker for information about cost and
availability. You can also book your own private bareboat or
crewed charter for the time of your choosing through Spinnaker
Sailing.
The Boats
Our group will use late model 41’ to 51’ Moorings sloops and
Catamarans. These yachts are equipped with 3 and 4 double
staterooms for up to 10 passengers. We’ll limit the number of
people to keep it extra comfortable for everybody.
Bareboat and Cruising Catamaran Certification
Certification is available to Basic Coastal Cruising graduates
who have done at least 3 charters as skipper on a BCC boat such
as a Merit 25 and have passed the Docking Endorsement class.
The cost is $400.00 for non members & $300.00 for members.
Cruising Catamaran is also available for those sailing on
catamarans.
Study materials are provided and Bob Diamond will lead a study
session for Bareboat students in time for students to get the written
exam completed before the cruise.
Diving in the BVI’s
Beautiful diving spots are abundant in the British Virgin Islands
and getting to them couldn’t be easier. The dive store at the
Moorings provides rental scuba equipment for those who want to
dive regularly during the week. Refills are available at many
harbors. Dive boats also come out to any location by request.
The most famous diving spot is the wreck of the Royal Mail
Packet Steamer “Rhone”. It lies in 30 to 80 feet of water after
Depart SFO or SJC at the latest on Thursday evening, Dec. 1.
Arrive Tortola Friday afternoon after connecting in St. Thomas or
San Juan. Chart briefings are at 4 pm & 7 pm on Friday. You
have the Option to stay in St. Thomas Thursday night if you can
leave a day earlier.
Saturday - Finish checking out the boats and sail to anchorage
at Marina Cay. There’s great snorkeling across the anchorage at
Camanoe Island and a nice lookout at the top of the Cay.
Sunday - Get over to The Baths early enough to catch a
mooring buoy. Explore the beaches and grottos amid huge
granite boulders at the water’s edge. Continue after lunch to
Gorda Sound in the afternoon and moor at Bitter End Yacht Club
or Saba Rock.
Monday - At BEYC you can rent sailing dinghies and small
catamarrans to have fun with or go on a dive trip in the morning.
There are many shops and boutiques here.
Tuesday - Sail up to Anegada. Unlike other islands, this one is a
flat coral atoll. It’s famous for the amount of lobsters inhabiting
the reef surrounding the island.
Wednesday – The longest passage is to Cane Garden Bay or
Jost Van Dyke, 26 nautical miles from Anagada. Jost is known for
its authentic West Indian atmosphere with quaint restaurants, a
little store and an ice cream parlor.
Thursday - Stop at Soper’s Hole for shopping along the way to
Norman Island for the night. Norman Island is the place that
inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Friday – Motor out to The Indians before breakfast if you want to
snag a mooring buoy there. Have breakfast and snorkel on the
rocks. Sail to Cooper Island to spend the night. Cooper Island
Beach Club is a great restaurant but make your reservations early.
Saturday – Aim to return boats to The Moorings by 11 a.m.
Check in the boats and have lunch. Then fly home or ferry to St.
Thomas to stay the night for a Sunday morning flight out.
Dining
The food order is customized for each boat. Crew will get
together and choose their own provisions. This includes
breakfasts, lunches, snacks and any dinners that would be
cooked aboard the boat. Members will get together before the
trip to fill out the order forms. Each boat will be responsible for
their food and beverage cost.
A transom barbecue and a fully equipped galley are provided
for cooking aboard although most dinners will be had ashore.
Crew Meetings Oct. 2016
Each boat should meet to complete their provision and beverage
orders by Oct. 1st. (There’s nothing like doing a food and
beverage order to help people get to know each other.)
Reservation and Payment Information
Cost per Cabin
$3600 on Sunsail 444 Cat or Moorings 54.5 Monohull - both 4 cabin
$3000 on Sunsail 42.3 - 3 cabin monohull
$3000 on a Moorings 384 - 4 cabin Cat
Payments:
$100 non refundable deposit
1/3 due June 1, 2016.
1/3 due Aug. 1, 2016.
Balance due Sept. 15, 2016.
Airfare is not included but we’ll help you to get the right flights.
“ The Greatest Sailing Vacations in the World”
Start Here!
Henry Ford
Spinnaker Sailing has been running flotilla sailing vacations
around the world since 1986.
Join us for an unforgettable sailing vacation in some of the best
sailing destinations around the world.
Spinnaker Sailing also offers charter brokerage services for
Moorings, Sunsail and Footloose Charters. Let us help you plan
your next charter!
www.spinnakersailing.com
(650) 363-1390