Posted by CAPTAINS BJ JONES AND CRYSTAL on 7/11/2009, 7:08 pm
24.7.72.166
Good Day from Cap’n Crystal and Cap’n BJ!
We hope you are as excited as we are for the upcoming BBS trip. We’d like to introduce ourselves and get us ready for our “Fantastic Voyage”!
A quick bio from your Captains”
Cap’n Crystal (Maryland by way of NH & Philly) – been sailing since 2001, I’m the former owner of Bowhunter, a hunter 216, and I participated in the BBS learn to sail/captain’s program in 2004. I’ve had the pleasure of sailing yachts from 22’ to 51’ both monohulls and Cats. I’m a true water child: I’ve been swimming since I could walk and I was a PADI scuba diving instructor. I love just about every sport that you can do outdoors (fishing, scuba, softball, soccer, even bowhunting). Professionally, I’m a marketing manager and marketing consultant in MD.
Cap’n BJ (Florida by way of TX, MD, NC, CT, OH, CT, NY the beginning) (386-864-7188 home, 386-569-4891 cell) I’ve been involved with boats since I was a teenager. Bitten by the sailing bug in 1991 on a passage from Miami to the Bahamas and back. I took a sailing course in ’91 and have sailed mono’s and cats from 21’ to 51’ and have crewed on a couple of 65 footers. This will be my tenth BBS as a captain. Started swimming as a five year old, just love water. Retired software engineer, living the life in Florida. Love music (bring some jazz, blues and R&B).
Your captains want you to have fun and enjoy some of the best the BVI’s has to offer: great beaches, beautiful warm blue water… and sailing! Unlike some of the boats in the BBS fleet; our boat WILL NOT sail from beach bar to beach bar when there’s so much more to do during the day; and we always get together and party with the other boats in the evenings. We plan to sail from beach to beach and/or snorkel site to snorkel site. We will be one of the active "in the water" boats. If you can’t swim…no worries; there may be times we ask you to wear a life vest. If you’ve never been snorkeling, I would be happy to give snorkel lessons. All we need is the right attitude.
This is a big boat and there are a lot of us on board; so everyone will have the opportunity to participate in hoisting sails, docking and mooring, and even steering the yacht. You have the advantage of 2 captains on board, so please listen if either of us provides direction. We want you to have fun, but we also want you to be safe. Everyone will learn to pilot the dinghy. We’ll have a full tour and briefing once we all arrive at our yacht.
On my first BBS adventure, I didn’t know anyone; but I left the BVI’s with some life long buddies! One key to living together in a relatively small space is consideration. We all do things a little different at home however on the boat we have to be mindful of our shipmates and be particularly mindful of our water use. We’ll learn to work together and play together, sharing those few necessary chores, and hopefully lot’s of laughs.
We aim to be the friendliest, most fun-loving ship in the fleet. Both your captain’s are
pretty laid back but we both ask that you watch your language and help keep the common areas uncluttered.
If you take meds or vitamins, don’t forget to pack a few extra. If you haven’t been flying in a while, please check out the TSA website for tips.
Meals
If anyone has any food allergies please let us know ASAP. One of the more enjoyable times on the yacht will be when we eat together and swap stories.
Cooking on board will be another adventure. Our boat will be provisioned with basics. Breakfast and lunch tends to just “happen” as at home. Dinners should be planned and is easier when done in teams. We’ll use Paul’s roomies list:
CAPTAIN CRYSTAL & PAULA WARD
CAPTAIN BJ & MARVA JONES & ED MOORE
VERONICA HOOD & GLYNNIS HARP
CYNTHIA HARGES & SHELIA HAWKINS & DEE DEE LOPEZ
BBS has several hosted parties ashore, the rest is up to us. For those other nights, we’ll start with the first team then rotate through. The teams should talk this week about what you’d like to make. Since we don’t yet know the exact contents of our grocery bags, we should talk now, but be prepared to be flexible once we arrive. There is a grocery store near the Moorings base. Alcohol is not included in the provisioning. Send out an email by July 20th to all of us letting us know what your menu will be, including the required meat, produce or dairy items and we will try to ensure those items are on the boat.
BBS Packing
Most of us are experienced travelers. We highly suggest that you don't over pack, particularly since many airlines will charge for checked bags. You will not need a lot of clothes for this adventure. I have managed to pack everything I need for BBS in one small duffel bag and a backpack. Hard-sided suitcases are a no-no and will be left at the Mooring base. We ask that pack your gear in soft sided luggage which can be "crushed" and stored in the small space beneath your bunk.
Passport: You gotta have this!
Clothing: You won’t need a lot of clothes!
o
Bring a pair of deck or tennis shoes (white soles or "non-marking”) and either water socks or old sneakers for wading and/or hiking
o
Make a list or lay out the clothes you want to bring then only grab half!
o
Space is at a premium aboard our yachts.
o
Eye glass strap (and hat strap) – it’s takes a second and they’ll be gone.
Other recommendations include a windbreaker or light jacket, visor or broad brimmed hat with tie-down cord and a light rain poncho. To avoid offending the local residents when going into town, we wear a shirt and slacks or blouse and skirt. Women should not wear bathing suits in the towns. Walking shorts are acceptable. You may purchase locally made wraps, which are acceptable as cover-ups.
Toiletries: Insect repellent such as Cutters, Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher
Medications: Necessary prescription medications; If you are even remotely concerned about the possibility of getting seasick please see your doctor for a prescription for transderm scopolamine patches. I do not recommend Dramamine or Bovine
Snorkeling: If you have your own mask and snorkel, then pack it with you. The charter company, at no cost, provides mask, fins and snorkels. Sometimes the masks available may not fit you properly and leak water. So if you want to invest in a mask and snorkel, purchase them from a local scuba diving shop near you (NOT Big 5 or SportsMart and not sealed in a plastic pack), tell them you are going snorkeling and ask them to make sure that the mask fits your face. Don’t spend a lot on the snorkel. If you think that you may be uncomfortable in water deeper than your height, then, while you’re in the scuba shop, also invest in a snorkeling vest. This is a lightweight, inflatable and easily packed vest that is designed to allow you to float face down in the water ---- so that you can see everything around and below you. You will not be able to buy these in the islands.
MISC: Eyeglasses/contact lenses and cleaners, A small bottle of liquid Joy (will allow you to shower without fouling the eco-system), Sunglasses including neck strap, digital camera, storage media and batteries; MP3 player or CD’s (all I ask is no foul language or nasty lyrics); Camcorder and video tape; A "TalkAbout" FRS Radio (or equivalent) radio, if you have one or more, to facilitate communication while we're on-shore. These are available at Costco or Best Buy or any chain store handling electronic stuff. We’ll choose a channel for our boat as other’s will have them too; Extra Batteries for your electronic toys
Again, we look forward to meeting you. Please call either of us with any questions. Don’t forget to chat and send in your menus. Here’s a great adventure!
Fair Winds
Cap’n Crystal & Cap’n BJ
Message Thread:
« Back to thread