Joey,
I think I can help you. I was on
Winifred last May with my wife. Before I continue I guess I should explain some of my background. I grew up sailing in around the USVI and know the waters well. I also sailed in college at a competitive level for The Ohio State Univeristy Sailing Team, was team Commodore and have a sailing trophy named after me awarded each Spring at the Spring Regatta. My point is ....I love to sail!
We booked
Winifred and met Sharon ( Captain), Mate ( I don't recall her name), and Mike , who just bought the bought from Sharon and was "learning the ropes of a boat" at Red Hook. I had explained some of sailing to background to Sharon the few e-mails we exchanged prior to our trip. I also proudly was wearing my Ohio State Sailing T-shirt that day
To our surprise, we were the only one's booked that day so after a few intro's and a quick talk about the boat we were off.
The sail over to St. John was nice, but we hit a small rain squall and Sharon insisted we put on these grungy old slickers. I know her best intentions were to keep her guest dry and confortable but I perferred to keep them off. First, I don't mind a little shower, they occur almost dailiy in the Caribbean ( when we are talking Hurricane, come back and see me) and it was actually quite refreshing, the day was hot, the rain was nice cool down and it lasted all of about 4 minutes.
We got to St. John and anchored off of Caneel Bay Plantation. Sharon then insisted we put on sunscreen, which I had already done earlier. Out came the snorkling equipment and she again insisted on giving us a "lesson" on how to use the equipment. I grew up snorkling and was taught by my father at age 5 or 6 on St. Thomas. My wife too was not a snorkling "newbie" I felt like we were being treated like I was 5 or 6.
We went snorkling with the Mate and saw some very cool fish, squid's, and even turtles and conch. After a brief rest on the beach we swam back and it was time for lunch. The lunch was advertised as roasted chicken and other stuff, such as cheese, fruit etc. She served some chicken dish made with curry and contained what looked like stewed veggies. Almost like a Roti, but not really. We ate, but it wasn't an fun meal.
After lunch, we cleaned up and we were off, back to St. Thomas. She again insisted we go sit up front while we sailed the boat back with the wind to our back. It was hot up there and was just an ok sail. You can tell she was taking the short route home with a dead run across Pillsbury Sound to Red Hook. A few tacks back and forth would have made for an intresting sail and a chance to sit on the rail. I also would have perferred to sit back towards the cockpit and even taken the wheel if given the chance.
I realize it's her boat, but after some discussion that day if she didn't realize I was sailor am not sure what I could have done to prove it. I have had my hands on the wheel of
Stars and Stripes, the America's Cup boat under sail. I could have handled
Winifred .
Do I think it was a good day? Any day on th water sailing is a good day. Would we go back, probably not. We'll be back down down this May again, this time with my In-Laws and looking to do a full day sail. I have been doing research and found this one that looks like a good choice
St. Thomas sailing charter, Virgin Islands sailing charter, & St. Thomas day s
In my e-mails with the Captain ( Bobby) he seems like a good guy. I am just waiting for a response back from my In-Laws on their thoughts based upon the webpage. We chose
Winifred last year because it was a name I recognized. Growing up on The Rock you see alot of things come and go. Restaurants and charter sails seem to do it all the time.
Winifred, along with
True Love were two names I remember from waaay back when I did my initial search and flipped a coin and choose
Winifred. I figured if they have been this that long, they must be doing something right.
Scott
Addendum: I realized after reading this it may have come along alittle harsh. I guess I should explain that the sail on
Winifred came after a very long night that started at the Mafolie Hotel and wind up with us packing and leaving in the dark at 11:30 at night and going to Frenchman's Reef. I also left my wedding ring in the safe at the Mafolie and at 6 Am had to go back and retreve it. So we may have been a little "cranky" on
Winifred, but it still doesn't change our mind about going back. If anyone one wants that Mafolie story I'll be glad to share