Sailing in STX
My husband and I are relocating to STX. We are trying to decide if we should bring our sailboat down from the "frozen north", which will be quite an undertaking. Can anyone give us any insight into the marinas and general sailing around STX? Thanks a lot.
My guess is; If you don't bring it down you willsoon wish you did!
Jim W
Gretchen, I don't know how large your boat is, or how much it would cost to ship it, but there is lots of sailing to be done. Why don't you call one of the Marinas here and just talk to them. I'm sure they could give you lots of the info you seek. (i.e. mooring or slip fees, if you were to buy a different boat down here, etc) Here are a couple phone numbers if you decide to do that: St Croix Marina at Gallows Bay 340-773-0289 or Green Cay Marina at 340-773-1453. Good Luck!
when figuring out what the expenses would be to keep the boat here, you should know that you don't have to keep it in one of the marinas at a slip. That is still cheaper than some places on the mainland and most other islands around... but you can get a permit from DPNR to put in a mooring ball somewhere for $25 per year. Can't beat that! And you still have the right to pull up to the public pier to load and unload. I think the regulation allows you about 3 hours at a time at the pier. If you prefer to go the marina route, you might also check with Salt River Marina. Their fees per foot are less than the others on the island. They have about a 6 foot maximum depth of keel, however.
You have probably heard of the "trade winds". They blow here in the islands nearly the entire year. There are a couple of times each year when they slack off for a few weeks, but the sailing is generally good year around.
What part of the frozen north are you coming from? How big is the sailboat you would bring? My fiance is bringing a 65 footer down from Seattle. Talk about an undertaking! Best of luck to you with your personal move and with relocating the boat. What brings you to STX?
Thanks to all who have responded. We really appreciate the info. Especially Alexandra...thanks for the rental information via e-mail too. We were excited to learn of the mooring option. We are from Indiana and sail on Lake Michigan. We have a Hunter 36'. We would have to ship it to Florida and then my husband would sail down.
I have found a job opportunity in STX, but what brings us is the ability to sail in the VI's, and the islands. Up here we only hear about sailing in the BVI's and were not sure if the USVI's were as "sailing friendly".
Thanks again all and fair winds..Gretchen
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