Anegada--BVI

[Yamsailor]

Hi Folks,

I will be in the British Virgin Islands next month. I have sailed to Anegada before on vessels less than 50 feet. This time I will be sailing on a 54 footer with an 8' draft.

Does anybody know if my draft is too deep to get through the channel and stay in the anchorage?

Thanks in advance.

[jackdale]

Hi Andrew

I was there last February on a shallow draft power cat. It is shallow. I think an 8 foot draft may be too deep.

I came across these instructions on getting to and into Anageda.

Navigating to Anegada

Jack

[Minnewaska]

Anegada is just a huge sandbar, unlike the other BVI islands, which are volcanic. The shifting sand changes the bottom contour and the official charts are even out of date. I think 8ft draft is pushing your luck.

Navigating to Anegada

[stantale]

Can't answer your question with authority, but we sailed to Anegada in December 2009 with just shy of 6'. Never touched but it was really shallow at times, in places you wouldn't think going by local/online knowledge. As Minnewaska says, it is ever shifting and the buoys tend to wander around (or away) so what's on the chart is not what's on the water - that's the real issue.

I windsurfed about 30 ft from the boat, the fin hit the sand and I went flying. It's the first time I sprained my ankle by falling into the ocean.

Not saying it can't be done, but if you do attempt it, make sure the gps track is on and take it really really slowly. The lobster is, without question, well worth 8 hours of pushing, towing and insurance forms.

-s

[tomaz_423]

We have done it with 5 feet 7 inches when we were there a few years ago. It was shallow, but we had more then 3 inches of water under our keel.
If you are in doubt you can always take the west anchorage.
And of course - do not enter inside anchorage unless you have excellent visibility and smooth water.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by stantale

......if you do attempt it, make sure the gps track is on and take it really really slowly.....

Be careful with a GPS. I've read they use the Admiralty charts as data, which are outdated, due to shifting shoals.

[KindOfBlue]

I think that most boats that draw that much go past the main channel and anchor a bit further to the north. It's much more open over there, so try to plan your stay when the swell and wind blown chop is down.

[stantale]

Agreed, my answer was misleading, apologies - I meant use the gps track to back out if you do run aground. Electronic charts will definitely be of no use.

stantale

[billyruffn]

I visited Anegada last year in November. We draw 7 ft and had no problem with depth in the channel or anchorage. I don't remember, but I think the depths in the anchorage were 10-12 ft.

One thing to consider in a big boat (in addition to the depth) is the size of the anchorage. When we were there the place was full of moorings and space for anchoring (with our draft) was limited. The mooring we tied to was pretty dodgy -- small block of concrete, short rode, no chain. We dove on it and decided to trust it for a night, but (wouldn't you know) a squall came up that night with 30-35 from the west -- we dragged the block 80 yards towards the beach before we got things under control. We didn't hit anything -- bottom or other boats -- but we left the next morning and decided that there really wasn't that much to see in Anegada anyway. Tic, tic -- been there, done that!

[Yamsailor]

Thank you for all your responses. I think I will avoid Anegada with an 8' draft. If my crew wants to go there I will tell them to take a day boat from The Bitter End Yacht Club.