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From: jonl@sun.uucp (Jon Lancaster)
Newsgroups: net.travel,net.rec.boat,net.rec.scuba
Subject: Sailing in the Caribbean
Message-ID: <1368@sun.uucp>
Date: Mon, 2-Jul-84 22:04:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: sun.1368
Posted: Mon Jul  2 22:04:50 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Jul-84 00:40:06 EDT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Lines: 45



   Some friends and I are looking into bareboat charters in the
Caribbean.  The group will will be 3-4 couples and we plan to
spend approximately a week sailing from port to port.  We all
have some sailing experience and have chartered boats in the
San Francisco area quite a bit, including overnight trips and
bluewater experience.  We plan to bring snorkeling and scuba
equipment, fishing equipment, rent windsurfers and work on a
Grade A sunburn.  There's only one problem, no one, has ever
been to the Caribbean before and we therefore have many questions:

	1)  We are currently planning on spending Thanksgiving week
	    in the Caribbean.  What kind of weather can we expect?
	    How much rain? Will there be good wind?

	2)  Most of the bareboat charter companies will arrange to
	    provision the boat for you. Is this a good idea or can
	    we save some money and have more control over things
	    if we do it ourselves?

	3)  What are the ten things that we are absolutely going to
	    have to have that we should plan on bringing with us?

	4)  Will we need to convert U.S. $ into local currency and/or
	    do most places accept credit cards such as Mastercard,
	    Visa and American Express?

	5)  Can you from personal experience recommend a particular
	    charter company that has clean, well maintained, well
	    equipped boats?

	6)  Most charter companies seem to be based on St. Thomas,
	    St. Maarten or Tortola, which is the preferred area
	    and why? (ie. good snorkeling, beaches, etc...)

   If there is significant interest and response, I will summarize
to the net and will post a follow-up upon returning.

   Thanx in advance for any suggestions, pointers to information,
and anything else that might be helpful.


	Jon Lancaster
	{decwrl|ucbvax}!sun!jonl