We all know the feeling. You put in a long shift at work, get through the commute and finally get home before finally settling down with a richly deserved beer. Bliss.
Now imagine this.
Your long shift at work is a week-long battle with constantly strong winds and breaking waves. You sleep only intermittently and eating any kind of meal is a pretty rare treat. Your commute is a 1600km trek and although traffic is light, the journey is challenging.
Imagine how sweet that beer tastes when you get to your destination! Then again, your end destination is the British Virgin Islands so it’s not all bad!
Skipper Fred and crew Piet and Eddie were the thirsty sailors who brought BVIYC’s most recent monohull addition, Nicola, to Tortola all the way from Charleston, 1200km as the crow flies.
A beautiful Oceanis 41, she handled the trip superbly despite winds of more than 40 knots and breakers ensuring she was put through her paces.
This yacht is not designed for long distance ocean travel but nonetheless Nicola dealt with everything Mother Nature could throw at her, proving she will be a great BVI charter, combining comfort, safety and speed.
Piet, a Dutch delivery skipper having retired from a career in IT two years ago to pursue his passion of sailing, sung Nicola’s praises but admitted the trip was not a jaunt in the sun.
He said: “It is not easy sailing long distances. It is exhausting as you are always doing hard work and sleeping is not often possible.
“There was a lot of beauty, especially when we saw whales, dolphins and pelicans around Charleston but it is exhausting when you are on the open seas!
“When the storm came in, we were expecting 25-30 knots but it was over 40 so a lot worse.
“Nicola was superb though and although the weather was so severe our sea anchor broke and had to be re-stitched, the mono dealt with it brilliantly.”
Nicola is more suited to a relaxed environment though and that is where the BVI come in!
Piet described her space and comfort as a great asset, especially for families looking to spend time swimming and snorkeling as well as sailing.
He said: “Nicola is four meters at the stern so it is perfect for families and groups who want to spend a lot of time outside, sailing and enjoying the beauty that is everywhere in the BVI!
We couldn’t agree more!
For more information on Nicola and our other charter yachts, contact Abbie at charters@bviyc.com
We are offering great deals on all charters and can promise a holiday of a lifetime.
Another great addition to the fleet!!! Congratulations on the journey!