Our brand new 2020 Bali 4.1 “Viewfinder” is on her way to her new home in blue Lagoon, St Vincent with the famous ARC race!

 

As we wish Jonathon Davis and his crew all the very best in this Trans Atlantic race from Las Palmas to the beautiful Caribbean waters, we share a little of their adventure along the way.

Meet the Crew!

Francis, Alex, Kelcie and Jonathon

Francis joins us from Montreal.  He’s the most enthusiastic of the bunch and brings joy to the trip.  Without his curiosity and tech savvy we’d be sunk and you’ld have to find something else to read.

Alex is a captain in his own right.  Joining us from Mallorca, he’s been onboard since day 1.  The differences in culture and cuisine have been invaluable to the trip and much of these influences stem from Alex.

Kelcie is our caretaker and amazing in every way.  In addition to holding a captains license and all of the delivery duties, she’s keeping ya’ll informed and feeding us better than anyone deserves.

There are too many food ics on the internet but not enough from the middle of The Atlantic…stay tuned.

Dave and Jonathon are friends of 30 years.  He’s spent more time on the water as a paraplegic than most captains ever will.  As Executive Director of Turning Point Gulf Coast Dave has helped countless others over the years and I would attribute his extreme contentment to that.

Jonathon’s sailed a lot of miles and learned a lot of things over the years.  Opinions vary, but most have one….

Day 1: The Start

The start. A mad rush to the start. With the impending race and the rush to find a drill to complete our final tasks… We are happy to admit we were only 5 minutes late to the start and we still found a drill and were ale to complete our outstanding tasks.

Early morning was met with processional check outs and emotional check ins. With a final boat rub down and clean up we had a fiasco we’re calling a rescue for emergency rescue, between a dock and a hard place. The cap covering for our emergency steering location was off to show off our newly fabricated and yet another completely mcgiver-ed success, our emergency tiller. During our crazed dash for a quick an complete clean up the cap was inadvertantly kicked off the boat. Continuing with the theme of crazed dashes, our much needed cap followed suit and promptly, no immediately sank 8 meters into a deep dark abysmal fecal and urine filled waterway that lie below our beloved vessel. With much shock and dismay and not least of which disappointment, Alex stood there realizing the fact of what was unfolding next. Not just a casual dip into the sea green with inky undertones water but a dive 8 meters down into a water wasteland.

Francis, an innocent bystander could not only see the overwhelming devastation of what had just occurred rose up to help his comrade in need. He immediately sprang into action, grabbed his mask snorkel and flippers changed into his swim trunks and dove in before the reality of what he was about to do sank in after our cap sank down. A few explicative provided a colorful commentary on water temperature, filthy salt water, and an impressive depth filed with treasure. After a few dives it was a raging success. As crew we cheered in unison celebrating this epic feat and victory before our Captain was any of the wiser.

Our drill had died so our captain borrowed one from a neighboring boat, “The second blue one”, he said when we asked where we needed to return it. We received this borrowed drill in hand and got immediately to work.

With about 30 percent finished, not even half an hour worth of work and BLAM….our the borrowed drill died. Cue our captain in yet another pursuit of another drill, this time not a borrowed one. He sought a drill of his own. On a Sunday in Las Palmas it’s almost a sure bet what you need to be open won’t be. Alas he never did find his own drill but with more creative thinking he quickly called his friend who was supposed to be in the arc but his trip was cancelled due to his captain taking a punch to the face knocking out two teeth.

So after that guy’s trip to the dentist and some ill will against the crew member who hit him the trip was called off. So luckily for us we now had access to a drill! With stars in his eyes, our captains that is we waited with building anticipation for a new borrowed drill. Some time passed and we cheered as he came down the dock hand delivering this drill. Our captain was more than quick to his feet and was like a mad man drilling holes everywhere he could think we would potentially need them since we no longer have a drill of our own.

Some backstory…. Our drill died after a drilling accident that had something to do with drilling holes in our beloved vessel at the waterline. You have probably guessed how it died… it met its maker….water. It got wet and died. With our captains crazed drilling session he was successful and we were able to continue our final tasks right up until the start and a little afterwards.

Spinning on our second rotation in route to our third and it is safe to say we are beyond a jibe. Onto our 4th rotation and all of the warm fuzzy feelings are gone. I am no seasoned sailor but this is strange. Rotating still with our spot tracker flashing gives off an ominous vibe and with distant yells from our captain… I don’t know what is happening.

Things are falling all around us and the rotations are still in constant supply. Another jibe. At this point I have lost track of rotations. The slamming on the boat is intense. David and I are in the main salon while the rest of the crew are up on deck. The motor has come down some and the rotations have subsided. Joe complete and another assumed success. Success is a loaded term and come to find out no success at all. Reason of which the captain came in arms up tossed off his life vest, tore off his jacket threw it down and exclaimed this is going to be a long three weeks. Christmas in Cape Verdes.

What is next is unknown, truth be known I am terrified to ask and for the time being I will remain out of the way and ready for instruction if such arises. Moments later…. “The spinnaker is being put in its bag…without being in it’s convenient sock. Not a good sign”, David mentions. Francis comes down looking a bit defeated and says “The spinnaker has been ripped to shreds. Its no longer in working order.” RIP WINGGAKER. A cup of coffee, a cigarette, and a complete surrender, the Captain exclaims, “Head us for the Cape Verdes”. A minor victory, the fishing pole survived the chaos, our captain looks up with a grin and a touch of sarcasm and says “Oh now there’s something for us to do.’

 

 

While there are many beautiful spots throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines that will take your breath away, life below the keel is a huge reason to visit the islands all by itself.

Swimming and snorkeling with the turtles, eagle rays, octopus, nurse sharks. Magical coral reef and colourful reef fish are among some of our charterers top things to do while sailing.

We have special secret spots we will be sharing with you in our video blog this year. This month, we have given you a glimpse into what your trip could look like below sea level.

Download our FREE PDF on 7 BEST Snorkel Spots in the Grenadines HERE!

We enjoy all our underwater adventures in the islands but we have to tell you. Some spots are still our ultimate favourites. Even after 4 generations sailing these waters.

No. 7 on our list and by far not our least favourite in the islands, is Bequia. This tiny island is home to large eagle rays, turtles, seahorses, lobsters, crabs, octopus and a diverse range of reef fish and all within a short dinghy ride from your anchorage!

No. 6 is Canouan, a special little spot named L’isalot. It’s just a short dingy ride from the new marina in Canouan. A beautiful snorkel area with an abundance of sea life including some resident nurse sharks.

No. 5. is Union Island. The northern end of Union Island is home to Chatham Bay, a picturesque bay with great snorkeling! Spot large sea stars and turtles living in the reef. You may even hear the call of a whale or 2 in season.

Check out our favourite secret spot and all the details of our Top 7 Snorkel Spots in the free PDF. We give you our top tips for each spot and an idea of exactly what you will experience. Read through from no. 7 all the way up to the priceless no. 1 !

Look forward to seeing you beneath the sea.

The Barefoot Family

We would like to provide you with an update following hurricane Irma.

We thank you all for your concerns and kind messages and thankfully report that St Vincent was further south and out of the hurricane force winds and the surges that affected our brothers and sisters in the northern islands.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, we experienced a small rise in water level and some wind and rain. However our hearts are with our friends up islands who took the brunt of this storm. We are now also reaching out to our friends in the neighbouring islands, who have been severely affected by hurricane Maria. We will provide updates on this as we have more news.

Managing Director of the Barefoot Companies, Philip Barnard says:

“Our thoughts extend to all those affected by the hurricanes, the people of the northern Caribbean as they come to terms with the after-effects of Hurricane Irma. The Caribbean is highly dependent on tourism and these beautiful islands need our support during these times”.

We are relieved to report that St Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to operate as normal following the hurricanes, as we were just south of the line of impact.

At this time, we are pleased to be able to offer assistance to yacht charter companies affected, provide boats in St Vincent and the Grenadines for upcoming charters and also to assist those who’s vacations have been compromised by the storms.

Our hearts remain with all those who have much rebuilding to do and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can.

If you would like to assist the people of these islands, you can do so through donation at a number of sites, a couple we have listed below:

Global Giving

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-irma-relief-fund/

Virgin Unite

https://www.virgin.com/unite/bvi-community-support-appeal

We are saddened by the devastating effects of Irma and Maria and encourage all to continue traveling to and supporting the islands of the Caribbean.

The Barefoot Family

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Planning, packing and traveling to your favourite travel destination may be inevitable, but feeling stressed in the process isn’t. Today we share our top tips on how to plan, create and enjoy a memorable Caribbean holiday.

  1. Pack Light. We have all overpacked at some point in our traveling lives and in some instances we do require that extra jacket, hat or pair of jeans during our travel.. but many times it just ends up following you home unused at the end of the trip. Our tip? Only pack the essentials. Pack only what you need and then allow 1 or 2 extra items. You will feel lighter, probably find you still don’t need all of it and airports will become a lot more enjoyable for the whole family. Download your FREE Packing Checklist to help you choose the items that are most important for you! 
  2. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Travel is mostly exciting because of the journey and experiences, however we also get excited during the planning process which is also an important part of the thrill. A little planning can perfectly assist in creating a fun-filled vacation but it’s very easy to go overboard on the planning which can turn into stress. Many of us have tried to ‘make the most’ of a vacation at some point only to be disappointed if it doesn’t work out ‘perfectly’. Remember if you’re in the islands with those you love, it’s already perfect! Avoid trying to create the magical experience and simply just be present and enjoy each moment as it happens naturally.
  3. Boost your body. Give yourself a travel health kick 1 week prior to sailing. Add some extra B Vitamins and Vitamin C into your intake during the last week and boost your body for travel. B Vitamins can help lower stress levels and prevent mosquito bites and Vitamin C may help to prevent seasickness and reduce the risk of contracting colds and flu while traveling.
  4. Use your boat extras. Your boat is your home on water for a week or more so why not make the most of its facilities? Plan a beautiful BBQ night on board one evening, create a romantic star lit dinner in the cockpit, sit on the bow with a cocktail for sunsets, use your snorkel gear and water sports gear to enjoy the beautiful reefs and surrounds at your leisure
  5. Take only memories, leave only footsteps. Make lasting memories through photography, video, connections and laughter. Look at the gorgeous fish, coral, shells, flora and animal life around the islands. Although you may be tempted to touch, remember all the beauty that is there will await your next visit. Leave your footprints and sand castles and take your photographs, stories and life long memories. 

Just like life itself, sailing often comes with many different experiences. Some planned and others unexpected. As much as we strive to deliver the very best charter experience for you, how much you enjoy the ride is really up to you! Look at each encounter as an opportunity and let your island journey take you on an adventure of a lifetime. Relax, learn, play and enjoy every moment! Feel happy knowing that you’ve done your research and are making the best decisions for you and your family.  You’ve put the work into creating this trip and it’s time to reap the rewards.

It’s time to relax and enjoy your holiday!

From the Barefoot Family

 

Been waiting patiently to fly directly into St Vincent for your bareboat charter? The time for your fast travel to the islands may be arriving sooner than you think with the new airport.

St Vincent officials have publicly announced an opening date for the new Argyle International Airport.

According to Prime Minister, Ralph Gonzalves, on February 14, 2017 Argyle’s international airport will be ‘open for business’.

In planning and development since Aug 2008, St Vincent’s Argyle airport is intended to offer a nonstop service from North America, Central and South America and Europe to St. Vincent.

The Argyle passenger terminal will be comprised of three floors covering 129,870 square feet in total. The building will have a departure lounge, a rooftop restaurant, full flight facilities, a rooftop garden, a parking area and a large runway designed to accommodate large commercial aircraft.

The airport will also have a terminal building designed to specifically accommodate domestic flights in and out of St Vincent.

The Argyle airport is said to accommodate around 800 passengers at a time and up to 1.5 million passengers per year which will make it possible for many of us to travel less and spend more time doing all the things we love to do on vacation!

Photo by Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters

A beautiful 32 islands and cays to discover. From the largest St. Vincent to the tiniest of all, Mopion. This tropical paradise will now be more accessible to those wanting to travel and explore all the beauty of the islands.

It may be time to sail more and fly less.

In planning your next sailing adventure or vacation, be sure to check in with the staff at Barefoot Yacht Charters to learn more about which airlines will be flying directly into St Vincent.

You never know. You may just be able to give yourself an extra day in paradise!

The Barefoot Family 

See some local news on Argyle International Airport here 

The Barefoot Offshore Sailing School is really excited about being able to offer this exclusive, no-tech/low-tech, barefoot navigation course.

We are the very first sailing school to offer this course and it we are launching the early bird price once this year! You can be one of the first to become a Barefoot Navigator! Be warned, places are limited to ensure you get the highest quality, learning experience. We’ve got you intrigued? Do you want to know more?

The Barefoot Navigator

Before we tell you about the course, we need to introduce you to Jack Lagan. Jack is the author of The Barefoot Navigator. Navigating with the skills of the Ancients, A, B, C –  as well as a very experienced sailor and a film maker.  In 2006 The Barefoot Navigator was nominated for the Mountbatten Maritime Prize,

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Jack Lagan, award winning author

awarded annually “to the author of a distinguished publication that has made a significant contribution to maritime history”.

In his book The Barefoot Navigator, which is the cornerstone of the Barefoot Navigation Course, Jack first looks at how the ancients were able to navigate without the technology we take for granted today.

For example, how did the Polynesians manage to populate such a large area of the ocean by using clouds, stars, the sun, wind direction and sea birds? The second half of the book takes this ancient knowledge and applies it to modern day use.

The Objective

To support modern sailors to become not only better navigators but Barefoot pioneers!

We’ll let Jack explain the objective of the course in his own words;

After the course you’ll be a much better navigator than you were when you first stepped onto the boat.  You’ll boast new practical skills inherited from the seafarers of ancient times.  With practice, you will become confident enough to stand on deck, look at the sky, look at the sea around you and just kind of know where you are. You will be a shaman of the sea. You will be a Barefoot Navigator.”

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The Course

Pre-Study

The course is divided into 2 parts. The first part is the pre-study, or the theory. As well as Jack’s book, which will become your bible, you will have access to online eLearning material, specifically tailored for St Vincent and The Grenadines. Its user friendly with lots of graphics.

It’s interesting and not too heavy, plus you have the bonus of being able to work through it at your own pace. There are no exams!

The Practical

This is where it gets really exciting! The second stage of the course takes part on-board a yacht in The Grenadines. You get one week sailing around this beautiful part of the world whilst putting all you have learnt into practise.

And it gets better! Your instructor for the week is the Jack Lagan. Who better to help you than the author “The Barefoot Navigator”? And make sure you have your book for him to autograph.

Tobago Cays Marine Park – (Photo: Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters)

The 3 Key Questions

The basis of the course is to help you to answer the 3 key questions:

  • Where are we?

  • How do we get to the next place?

  • Why has the ocean become a zone of uncertainty?

To answer these questions, you will learn to use the indigenous birds in the area, persistent swell directions and the stars, plus other tips from our ancestors.

Wait! No Technology?

All our yachts come fully equipped with up to date navigational equipment. This course is not meant to usurp what we are fortunate to have, however, reliance on such aids can dumb down our instincts.

This course is meant as a supplement. Say, for example, and in the worst case scenario, you end up out at sea with an electronics failure.  After completing this course you will have the confidence, the knowledge, and the skills to be able to reduce the zone of uncertainty regarding where you are and where you should be heading.

Plus, it is fun, it’s getting in touch with our ancestors, it’s going back to basics. It’s living a barefoot lifestyle!

The Details

This great opportunity to open to everyone from beginners to qualified sailors who want to enhance their sailing skills.

Places are limited so find more HERE or email info@barefootoffshore.com for more info on how you can secure your place using the early bird special for the January course! (early bird price available until 10 November 2016)

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BAREFOOT NAVIGATION. Remember, this is the first course of its kind, so not only will you be a barefoot navigator, you will also be a barefoot pioneer!

Email: info@barefootoffshore.com for more information and to book your place!

There are so many great reasons to sail in summer and it’s not just for the amazing deals available in off-season.

La Mouette, in the Tobago Cays – (Photo: Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters)

The Caribbean in the summer gets a lot of bad press…it’s too hot, it rains a lot, there’s a risk of tropical storms…but for some, including us, cruising in The Grenadines is better in the summer and here’s why.

First let’s address the hurricane risk.  The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from 1 June to 30 November. Statistically tropical storms are more likely to form in the north and The Bahamas and Bermuda have more to worry about than St Vincent and The Grenadines, which is considered to be at the southern edge of the hurricane belt.

With sophisticated weather forecasting, you can get at least 3 days’ notice of any potential problems.  Barefoot Yachting check almost obsessively the weather patterns and if there is any cause for concern they can get you and your yacht to safety. Quickly.

And yes. it is hot and it does rain in the summer, but it doesn’t rain every day and it never rains for long. Everything gets dried out quickly. It’s hot here all year long and whilst it may be a little hotter in the summer, on your yacht you will always get the sea breeze to cool you down.  Still hot? Just jump in and go for a swim.

Petit Tabac, Tobago Cays

Petit Tabac, Tobago Cays – (Photo: Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters)

So now there is no reason not to sail in the off season but what are the benefits?

  1. For starters you will get a good deal on your charter, or on a sailing course through BOSS. Less demand means lower prices for you. Not only that but you will get a wider choice of yachts available.
  2. Ironically, despite being hurricane season, in general the winds are a little lighter and the sea state more comfortable than in the winter. Perfect sailing weather.
  3. The crowds have gone! You don’t have to miss out on a great days sailing by having rush to get a mooring buoy, or a decent spot in the anchorage.  Tobago Cays without a hundred other yachts there!
  4. The islands are completely different in the summer. They have a much more relaxed feel about them because not everyone is chasing a dollar or two and coping with the hoards. You feel you’re getting to know the true Grenadines.
  5. You may get good deals on mooring buoys, just ask what their summer rate is.
  6. Less queues at the bars and restaurants, better service, less waiting.
  7. The shops won’t run out of ice!

So, a bargain boat, good sailing, no crowds and ice for your Rum Punch.  It’s a no brainer really.

Join us next summer! www.barefootyachts.com

It is now possible to choose our level of sun protection and ingredients in the sunscreen we use when we are sailing thanks to the Barefoot Yacht Charters Safer Sunscreen Checklist!

We all need some sunlight because it gives us 80% of the Vitamin D that we need, the trick is not to burn.

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Photo – Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters

If you are sailing in The Grenadines, then you are going to be spending a lot of time in the cockpit.  Even if you have your bimini up, you are still going to be exposed from the reflection from the water.  Protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is important for both preventing skin cancer and reducing the rate of skin aging.

Depending on your skin tone, between 10-20 minutes a day of sunlight is good for you. Beyond that we need to think about protecting our skin from the harmful UV rays.

You can reduce exposure by following some simple principles:

  • Avoid going out in the sun.
  • Wear long sleeves and a hat
  • Sit in the shade

Doesn’t sound like a fun holiday right?

So now we need to consider sunscreens.  The most widely available sunscreens are chemical based and work mainly by absorbing UV light. Most penetrate the skin to some degree, can enter the bloodstream and cause serious health conditions.

As a follower of the Barefoot Lifestyle I try to avoid synthetic chemicals as much as I can and this applies to sunscreens.

My reasons why? Because some of the ingredients can release free radicals in sunlight, act like oestrogen and therefore disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions and skin irritations.

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Photo – Mark Pratley, Barefoot Yacht Charters

In addition, when we jump into the sea we are releasing these chemicals and there is some evidence that it is causing coral bleaching by promoting viral infections.

Recent studies on sunscreen also suggest that the

“titanium dioxide in sunscreens is largely responsible for dramatic spikes in hydrogen peroxide levels in coastal waters with potentially dangerous consequences for aquatic life”.

Tony Gibbons Beach, Bequia

Tony Gibbons Beach, Bequia

At present sunscreens have no rigorous safety standards.

Until recently, anyone who didn’t want to use these toxic chemicals had to make their own sunscreens using natural ingredients with a natural SPF such as non-Nano zinc oxide, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, and Shea Butter.

This is a great, fun thing to do, but when it comes to packing for your holidays it is more convenient to be able to buy something off the shell…one less thing to worry about! The good news is that the market place has embraced natural sunscreens and there are a few to choose from such as Erbaviva Sunscreen or Purple Prairie SunStuff. Barefoot Yacht Charters also carry a local Caribbean brand of natural sunscreen at the Barefoot Yacht Charters Boutique. Ask our lovely front desk ladies for more information!

To help you, Barefoot Yacht Charters have created a Safer Sunscreen Checklist to help you choose which sunscreen product to buy.  Get your copy here!

 

 

The Barefoot Easter hunt is on!

Barefoot Yacht Charters’ Easter hunt of the year is on and we are giving away fun Easter prize packs to our St Vincent and the Grenadines charterers!

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Barefoot is giving away special Easter prize packs for the most loved photographs and it’s simple to win!

Do you have a favourite photograph of the islands or of you and your family?

Did you capture a special scene or moment while sailing with Barefoot Yacht Charters?

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All you have to do is send us your favourite photograph of your sailing vacation in St Vincent and the Grenadines, then come on over to the Barefoot Yacht Charters Facebook page where we will announce the winners!

Follow these simple steps to enter the Barefoot Easter hunt:

  1. Find your favourite photograph of your sailing vacation with Barefoot in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
  2. Email your photo to us at media@barefootyachts.com or upload your photograph to Facebook with hashtag #thebarefootlifestyle
  3. Add a short story about your photograph and share the moment with us (optional).
  4. Come on over to the Barefoot Yacht Charters Facebook page where we will announce the winners.

Sailing combines the best of St Vincent and the Grenadines plus the ultimate family holiday in one vacation. Your experience with us is what matters most to us and we would love to hear of your adventures and your special moments.

Sailing through the famous 32 islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines gives you a unique perspective on a spectacular area that is experienced by only a chosen few. You have the opportunity to visit secluded bays and really experience the very best of the nature in the islands. You have the evenings to yourself to enjoy stunning sunsets and to walk the beaches of uninhabited islands. You, as a Barefoot charterer, are unique!

You love to sail, you enjoy the sea and you work hard to get here. So join the Easter hunt and give yourself the opportunity to receive a special gift just from us at Barefoot.

Happy Easter from the Barefoot family!

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