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This 52' Jeanneau is equipped for fun and great sailing. The interior is teak with loads of light from multiple portholes and hatches. The two forward cabins have been converted to a owners' cabin with a double bed, "walk in" closet and head. The other two cabins sleep two people, each cabin has it's own head. The stateroom is very roomy with banquette seating for eight.
The galley has a great design with two refrigerators and a freezer (powered by solar panels and a wind generator as well as motor power). A double sink and a 4-burner stove make meal prep easy.
Above deck there are several features that make this boat lots of fun as well as unique. The transom design with two seats and a swim ladder outside the transom make sea exit and entry a breeze. There is a shower built-in for washing off and shampooing. This is a great place to put on snorkel and/or scuba gear. The deck has a large flat space and custom lounge pads for sunbathing and/or sleeping. There is a custom tarp for shade. It's a great place for two people to lounge when under sail or to sleep when it's hot.
The cockpit area has a center table (with ice compartment for refreshments) and seating. There is a electrical connection for an evening dining light. Cockpit seating for six comfortably.
On board we have a two-man kayak, a SNUBA system, lounge floats, snorkel equipment, fishing and trolling poles and lures, beach towels,and beach games. No charge for use of recreational equipment.
There are several great, 7 day sails in the San Martin area. St. Barts, Anguilla, Tintamare and Ile de Pinel is a great intinerary. St Barts is beautiful and very charming - renting a scooter is a good way to see the island and its breathtaking beaches. Anguilla is very different and very popular. A taxi is the best way to tour or just anchor in Crocus Bay and go ashore to eat at any one of many fabulous restaurants. Tintamare is uninhabited with a wonderful anchorage. Swim ashore and try out the mud baths. Ile de Pinel is a tiny sliver of land next to San Martin. It is a day trip for San Martin residents. Two beach restaurants (grass shacks, no kidding) serve lobster kept in traps in the surf. A exceptional beach is the main attraction. St. Martin itself, is a large island with several world class beaches, great shopping and even greater cuisine. We love the open air market (great jewelry) and restaurants in Marigot where there are many designer boutiques.
An overnight crossing to cruise the BVI's (Peters Is., Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, etc.)and flying home from Tortola(the captain delivers you to the airport in our dinghy) is also a wonderful vacation. The Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost is famous (you have to swim to it at low tide if you are anchored out front, hence the "soggy dollar") and there is usually a party in progress. The Baths at Virgin Gorda is a must see, with it's incredible arrangement of planet-size boulders. There is excellent snorkeling around the anchorage just off shore. On Norman's Island, there are two hangouts, a very good beach restaurant on the edge of the jungle and Tommy T's (a floating barge)where the food is good and the fun very raucous. Also excellent snorkeiling at "The Indian" rocks just before the anchorage.
Cruising to Antigua and Nevis is great sightseeing (we saw whales last time) passing by Monserrat and St. Eustacia. The two islands offer many attractions including grand old sugar plantations on Nevis, lots of monkeys, fabulous beaches and restaurants. Antigua is larger with an abundance of attractions (Nelson's Dockyard being among the most famous) and many great anchorages. This can also be a one way sail, departing from Antigua. Shore tours can be arranged on Nevis. There are taxis and shore transportation on Antigua.
Provisioning is done to your tastes by either the chef or the captain's French wife (a former Moorings base chief) who will request a list of food preferences prior to your arrival. San Martin has excellent provisioning with spectacular wines, cheeses, charcuterie and fruits as well as fresh seafood. There is an enormous selection of rum and beer. Should you elect to hire a chef, meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon and evening snacks as well as cocktails anytime.
We started this sailing thing being bored at a very nice hotel on Virgin Gorda. We abandoned the hotel mid-stay, rented a sailboat and cruised the BVI's for the remainder of the vacation. We bought our own boat two years later and have never left the Caribbean. We always have a wonderful time, we always hate to leave and we always come home relaxed and happy. There is occassional loose talk about going to the Med but the next season finds us somewhere in the Caribbean,sipping a rum drink and planning a sail to some great anchorage or beach we've just heard about. Paradise. |
