Sailing community

STT/STJ has a very active sailing community for many reasons including close proximity to an abundance of inhabited and uninhabited islands and cays which lend themselves to stopping points and exploring on even a simple day sail.

Antigua and Grenada, too. Grenada is outside hurricane belt for insurance so more boats there in summer. Their big marina had a carnival troupe that marina members could participate in. I thought that sounded like fun.

Absolutely STT and STJ but also nearby (relatively)

St. Martin
Antigua
St. Petersburg, FL
Miami
Key West

A great site for Caribbean Sailors:

www.allatsea.net

And the BVI since the USVI chased the charter yacht business away...

Antigua and Grenada, too. Grenada is outside hurricane belt for insurance so more boats there in summer. Their big marina had a carnival troupe that marina members could participate in. I thought that sounded like fun.

Grenada did get pummeled by a hurricane several years ago.
It was quite surprising to many boaters from the VI that go there to wait out hurricane season.

Don't know if that incident changed things for insurance companies.

And that wasn't the first time, either. They got hit hard in the 90s which is why I was surprised they had that status a few years ago. It may have changed, though.

That was Ivan in 2004. It was a bad one for Grenada, Jamaica, and the Caymans. Then it just about destroyed Pensacola Fl and coastal Alabama.

Thanks guys! My dad passed away last year and he was a sailor and I would like to learn! And thank you exit zero for the link. No one has yet said STX. This could be a deciding factor to send me to STT instead. I have also heard BVI but know it is harder to move there.

You may find this link helpful about moving to the BVI:

http://bvinewbie.com

The All at Sea magazine is worth a subscription if you like the online version the hard copy is even better.

Lots of sailing in STT.
It's easier access to BVI and we've got many offshore cays and islands to explore. Many daysail and term charter operations are based in STT.

We have a very active Yacht Club.
http://www.styc.net/
Good luck.

Ah, you are asking a different question. If you are looking to move to the VI and want to sail, I think St Thomas is your place. There are beginner's lessons at the yacht club and a reasonable membership for young people. The St Thomas Yacht Club has an active racing schedule and home to many top racing sailors. Taylor Canfield is the latest in a long line: http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-sports/2016/02/01/sailing-association-names-canfield-virgin-islands-sailor-year (tu)

Here's an article from All At Sea.
http://www.allatsea.net/destination-charlotte-amalie-st-thomas-usvi/

I’m getting it together, I'm unloading my house and cutting off a thousand other chains that are holding me on the mainland, so that by May, I’ll be ready to leave and move to STT.

One of the things at the top of my “To Do” list is to “Learn How to Sail”. I can count the number of times I’ve been on a sailboat with one hand. I’m a little over the hill, (66), but I’m willing to go to Sailing Kindergarten School with 5 year old kids to learn if I have to. I’ll looking for a small school that would help me learn, or an individual willing to teach me.

I read a story about a guy who converted his canoe into a sailboat and started out on the Southern tip of Florida and he hopped from island to island in the Caribbean all the way down to Grenada. He made the trip, with his wife in that small canoe! That story really inspired me, or it has given me the urge to learn how to sail.

butchCondor, age is just a number. When I was 12 I had my first sailing adventure. I helped a parapelegic man refurbish a sunken sailboat. He was a very grumpy old man and I watched him for about a month before he acknowledged my presence. He finally put a tool in my hand and told me what to do. Six months later he took me for a sail and I have dreamed of sailing since then. About 4 years ago we bought a boat on St. Coix but we have been back in the states off and on for business and haven't been able to get her out of the dock but the dream is still strong. Go for it!

Tammy

Tammy

What a fascinating story! When I was a kid, I used to dream about flying. Finally at 18 while I was in the Army I flew helicopters, my 1st dream that came true. That was the biggest lesion I learned while I was in the Army, how to follow your dreams. I've been following one dream after another ever since, I wouldn't have it any other way. Moving to the USVI is my latest.

In another life I was a Marine Electrician, if you need any electrical help on your boat, I'd be happy to help. What kind of boat is it? In still another life I had a 42' Trawler, of course it didn't sail, it had a small Steading sail.

Butch

Thank you everyone for all of the links and advice. My dad was my best friend and he sailed and I sailed with him a few times but most of the time he was too far away from me to learn for real. Now he is gone and I want to sail! You all are wonderful!

My dad's boat was named "Summer Breeze".... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzEY6ZqkuE