Are you interested in doing some bareboat chartering, and experiencing a variety of the Caribbean Islands? If so, consider our Bareboat Class. This class will make you comfortable at chartering in the Islands. The March class includes big boat racing experience at the internationally famous St Thomas Yacht Club Rolex Regatta or the BVI Spring Regatta (http://www.bvispringregatta.org/). In all cases, the speed of Monhegan, our J44, allows us to experience more than would normally be possible, giving you a good feel of the area in preparation for future cruises on your own. We have provided 3 likely itinerary. These are flexible, and may be altered based on weather and student interest. In general, the Virgin Island class is the most laid back and relaxing, the St Bart’s class is the most challenging, and the Virgins / Rolex class is a great way to combine world class instruction with some world class racing and parties.

The cost for the Bareboat class and certification is $1,800. This does not include food (about $100 per person for food and beverage onboard). One breakfast, one lunch, and two dinners will be taken ashore. You will also pay the customs entry fees per harbor (about $40 per person), and any dockage charges, fuel costs, and other running expenses will be split up and paid for by the crew just as it would be on a charter. The fee does include race entry fees and other costs relating to the regatta.

Many couples have done this course together. Often, one member is primarily along for the ride, and not participating in the drills. If so, the cost per couple is $2,600 for the forward stateroom, $2,400 for the starboard aft stateroom, or $2,200 for the port aft stateroom.

Topics include:

• Review Tier 1. 2 and 3 Charter Boat Fleets and Operations
• Clearing in and out of Foreign Ports
• Inspecting the boat, rigging and systems
• Man overboard drills with a Life Sling
• Diesel and ships systems servicing
• Trip planning, supplies & provisioning
• Eyeball and GPS navigation, dead reckoning, bearings
• Night sailing / watches
• Preparing for 18-25 knots of wind
• Anchoring techniques including Med Moor.
• Storing and deploying a dinghy
• Single line docking, bow, stern in & alongside

2007 Season Dates / Class Format

February 25-March 3 · Virgin Island to St Bart’s

Sunday
Fly in to St Thomas and stay onboard Monhegan . We will provision her Sunday evening.

Monday
In the morning, we will run through a checkout of Monhegan,, and review the procedures and fleet at a smaller charter operation, CYOA, then sail off to Buck Island that evening.

Tuesday
Sail to St John south side. Each student will practice entering a new harbor, picking up a mooring or anchoring. Lunch at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay, St John, then, more harbor practice in Hurricane Hole.

Wednesday
In the morning, we will sail up through the British Virgin Islands, clearing in at Sopers Hole. We will stop at several islands, including a visit to the large charter bases in Tortola, finishing up at the Baths / Virgin Gorda where we will enjoy dinner. That evening, we will head offshore to Saba (Dutch), about 100NM away. Will be an upwind passage, often in 20+ knots of wind. 2-hour watch schedule 12-6.

Thursday
Clear into Saba in the AM, tour Island, few hours shore leave (incredible hiking), then sail off to St Bart’s (French) for the evening and clear in. Enjoy a lovely French diner.

Friday
Morning shore leave to explore this lovely island. Sail around St Bart’s, then north to St Martin and clear in.

Saturday
Finish up cruise, then board a flight back home Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

January 22-28 · Virgin Islands Cruise

Sunday
Fly in to St Thomas and stay onboard Monhegan. We will provision her Sunday evening.

Monday
Run through a checkout of Monhegan, review the procedures and fleet at a smaller charter operation, CYOA, then sail off to the Spanish Virgins, stopping in Culebrita.

Tuesday
Clear in at Culebra. Each student will then practice entering a new harbor, picking up a mooring or anchoring as we sail around Culebra

Wednesday
We head for the south side of Viques, one of the last unspoiled (and rarely visited) islands in the Caribbean.

Numerous harbors, and again, each student will captain Monhegan in and out at least twice. That evening, we sail upwind back to Buck Island, off St Thomas.

Thursday
Sail to St John, south side. Each student will practice entering a new harbor, picking up a mooring or anchoring. Lunch at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay, St John, then, more harbor practice in Hurricane Hole.

Friday
In the morning, we will sail up through the British Virgin Islands, clearing in at Sopers Hole. We will stop at several islands, including a visit to the large charter bases in Tortola, and the Baths / Virgin Gorda.

Saturday
Head back to St Thomas, clearing in at Cruz Bay, St John. Fly out Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

March 19-25 2007 · Virgin Islands / Rolex Regatta

Virgin Islands Cruise / Race

Sunday
Fly in to St Thomas and stay onboard Monhegan. We will provision her Sunday evening.

Monday
Run through a checkout of Monhegan, review the procedures and fleet at a smaller charter operation, CYOA, then sail off to the Spanish Virgins, stopping in Culebrita.

Tuesday
Clear in at Culebra. Each student will then practice entering a new harbor, picking up a mooring or anchoring as we sail around Culebra

Wednesday
We head for the south side of Viques, one of the last unspoiled (and rarely visited) islands in the Caribbean.

Numerous harbors, and again, each student will captain Monhegan in and out at least twice. That evening, we sail upwind back to Buck Island, off St Thomas

Thursday
Back to St Thomas to swap sails and remove extra gear. Then we head out for some race practice, and sail to St Thomas Yacht Club for the Rolex regatta check in.

Friday-Sunday
Three days of some of the best racing and most enjoyable parties you will ever experience. Go to Monhegan in the thick of it (center boat).

Monhegan's winter base will again be St Thomas, VI , 10 minutes from the international St Thomas airport (STT), with large grocery stores and many excellent restaurants in walking distance (Craig and Sally's is about the best restaurant we've ever eaten at). St John's, the prettiest of all the Virgins, is less than 3 hours away.

About Monhegan

J44’s are one of the most highly regarded offshore racer/cruisers in the world. For many years, they have been the most popular class of yachts in the Newport Bermuda Race, as they are a near ideal combination of comfort, performance and strength. Monhegan offers the following advantages over a conventional charter boat: One of the fastest, prettiest, and best sailing boats ever built. Tacks thru 75 degrees and does 9 knots easily. A cool, spacious interior with 8 opening ports, 7 hatches, ideal for the Caribbean. See photo at right. Excellent accommodations with 3 staterooms, 2 heads, and 4 good sized single berths in the main salon.

Monhegan