Why a Monohull Owner Charters Catamarans in the BVI
By Tom Balazs
Pelagic Sailing Club Rear Commodore Ryan Anderson's June presentation offered far more than a tour of the British Virgin Islands. Drawing on three bareboat charters, he shared practical advice, local knowledge, and lessons learned that can make the difference between a good charter and a great one.
Owner of the Cal 33 Avalon, Ryan approached the topic as both a sailor and a planner. Through photographs, charts, and stories from recent charters aboard catamarans—including a Lagoon 40 and a Fontaine Pajot Astréa 42—he walked members through decisions that begin long before casting off the dock lines.
One of the evening's recurring themes was that good planning creates the freedom to relax once the charter begins. While the islands are often described as an ideal cruising ground—with short passages, line-of-sight navigation, protected waters, and abundant anchorages—Ryan emphasized that local knowledge makes a significant difference. Everything from choosing whether to fly into Tortola or St. Thomas to understanding how the BoatyBall mooring reservation system works can affect the rhythm of a charter week.
Many of Ryan’s recommendations came from experience. He suggested arriving a day early to reduce travel stress and preserve valuable sailing time. He advised members to inspect charter boats carefully and document even minor defects before leaving the dock. Practical advice ranged from provisioning strategies and grocery delivery services to organizing galley storage and carrying handheld VHF radios in areas where communications can be unreliable.
The Reef Sampler Bar at the Bitter End Yacht Club. (Source: Tom Balazs)
The destinations themselves illustrated the variety available within a relatively compact cruising ground. Cooper Island earned praise for its relaxed atmosphere, while Virgin Gorda's North Sound offered access to Bitter End Yacht Club, Leverick Bay, and Saba Rock. Anderson described North Sound as a place where charter boats, waterfront restaurants, watersports, and visiting super-yachts comfortably share the same protected waters.
Anegada stood out as one of the most distinctive stops. Unlike the mountainous volcanic islands elsewhere in the chain, its low profile disappears below the horizon, making it the only major island on many BVI itineraries that cannot be reached entirely by line-of-sight navigation. Anderson highlighted its shallow approaches, limited cellular coverage, and the value of renting a Moke – an open-air, Jeep-like utility vehicle – to explore the island. Local adventures, including harvesting fresh conch before preparing ceviche on the beach, illustrated how some of the best memories begin after the anchor is down.
Moke on Anegada Island (Source: Tom Balazs)
Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island rounded out the presentation with a blend of practical advice and local color. Anderson discussed Foxy's, White Bay and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar, dinghy landings, snorkeling at the Indians and Treasure Point, and the pirate lore associated with Norman Island. Throughout the evening, the message remained consistent: thoughtful preparation creates the flexibility to enjoy the voyage once underway.A follow-up conversation after the presentation helped explain why Ryan keeps returning to the BVI—and why those trips have more in common with his annual cruises to Maine than might first appear.
Although he owns and cruises a monohull in New England, Anderson said the experiences are remarkably similar. Whether sailing to Cundy's Harbor, Biddeford Pool or Cape Porpoise, or exploring the islands of the BVI, he enjoys discovering unfamiliar anchorages, taking the dinghy ashore, exploring local restaurants, and adapting each day's plans to the weather and conditions. Every trip includes at least one destination he has never visited before.
That philosophy also explains why he chooses catamarans for his BVI charters. The decision is less about sailing performance than about sharing the experience. The generous living space, multiple gathering areas, and private cabins make a catamaran an ideal platform for groups that include both experienced sailors and friends or family members who simply want to enjoy a memorable vacation. Ryan said his greatest satisfaction comes from longer cruises, exploring new places, introducing newcomers to sailing, and continually learning as a skipper. At the same time, he noted that with a crew made up entirely of experienced sailors, he would happily charter a monohull and enjoy a different kind of sailing experience.
In the end, Ryan's presentation was about more than chartering the British Virgin Islands. It offered a reminder that sailing is only one part of cruising. The destination, the people aboard, the challenges solved along the way, and the opportunity to discover someplace new all become part of the same voyage.
Jim & Julie Uthoff, Alana & Ryan Anderson, Ryan’s brother Evan & Clara Arroyave, and Pelagic member Brian Cote in the BVI.
(Source: Tom Balazs)
Whether aboard his Cal 33 on the Maine coast or a charter catamaran in the British Virgin Islands, Ryan isn't choosing between two different kinds of sailing. He's pursuing the same goal: exploring one more harbor, learning one more lesson, and creating one more memorable week on the water.