2 miles to go – approaching Soper’s Hole (West End Tortola)
I had a glorious sail across the Virgin Passage from Vieques
to the Virgin Islands in light seas and twenty knots of wind. Six knots all the
way in pretty much the right direction this time. After 10 hours I made St.
Thomas, but wasn’t going to make Tortola before dark. I checked on the chart and saw Honeymoon Bay
on Water Island would be a good place for another illegal overnight stop. The
next day would be an easy 20-mile sail to Tortola and I would avoid customs
overtime fees. I was so happy; it’s around a thousand miles east from Grand
Cayman, which I think is impressive. It’s taken eight weeks, a bit longer than
I’d planned.
I passed some amazing bays and beaches as I steered through
the Virgins.
St. John, USVI
Thatch Island, BVI
Finally I sailed into Soper’s Hole, BVI Sunday afternoon. In
a very crowded anchorage I squeezed in between all the boats on mooring balls
($30 per night), and dropped my anchor. Then picked it back up and tried again
not to be quite so close to another boat.
Shepherd's Marina, Soper's Hole
First stop, after customs and immigration, and laundry, and
food and drink, is the sail maker. I’ve got quotes from Doyle and North Sails
for a new mainsail, both around fifteen hundred dollars; that will be nearly all
my savings. In the BVI I will make critical repairs, but most I’d like to do in
St. Martin where things are cheaper.
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