Getting work done in the vigins

[tilemeister]

Hi all,
My boat, Latest Caper a Beneteau 510, just came out of charter in the BVI. I would like to have a hard dodger, arch with davits, auto pilot, second alternator, water maker, ect installed. Where would be the best area to have this done? BVI? USVI? PR?
We are planing to be on the boat on 10/20/06 then be in Trinidad in June. Also where should we buy stuff like 8 solor panels, the water maker, ect.
If you have any insight for 1st time cruisers or any info you think might help us, please e-mail us.
Thanks in advance!
Randy & Cheryl
s/v Latest Caper
randy@tilemeister.com
box 996
Palisade, CO 81526
970-234-0657
www.latestcaper.com

[georgebanker]

Randy,

You did not say how much time you have spent cruising on your boat. It might be a good idea to go cruising for a while and determine how large a watermaker you need, how many solar panels (do you have electric refrigeration?), might you also want a wind generator?, if you have a gen set does it bug you (and yours) to run it?, etc.

Also, if you go cruising you can ask your fellow cruisers what works (and doesn't) for them, what yards are good and who supports their equiptment and meet the people who will be doing the work.

As you move around you can visit Antigua and Trinidad, both good for what you are looking for. Get a copy of Chris Doyle's cruising guides as they cover the services offered on the various islands.

I know its exciting to think about all those systems working but if I was in your shoes with a bareboat coming out of service I would check the rigging (standing and running), inspect the rudder and steering assembly, inspect the sails and service the engine(s) and go sailing before I threw 20 - 40K at the boat.

Good luck and look for us in the US and British Virgins this winter,

George Banker
Durango, CO
FREIGHT TRAIN V

[tilemeister]

George,
Out of all the people on this board from all over the world my first reply is from someone who lives a 150 miles away from me in Colorado. Too cool!!!
This will be our first extended cruise. We have done 2 weeks in the BVI many times. Not really cruising more like bar hopping in a sailboat. We have also cruised the Sea of Cortez a few times on my parents boat. That is more like real cruising. They have been cruising in Mexico for about a dozen years. There boat is a custom 33'. The original Latest Caper. Which is currently for sale in La Paz Mexico. Anyone interested can see it at www.latestcaper.com
They plan on cruising around the world with us. We are partners in the 510. So between us we have some Knowledge. The first items we want are the dodger, auto pilot and solor panels. All the wind generators I have been around are noisy. Then after the first season we'll figure out what other goodies we want. Oh yeah we just had the boat surveyed just a couple minor issues and we allready have the cruising guides you reccomended.

So the question still stands. Where should we buy these items. BVI, USVI, PR, or buy them in the states and ship them down? Where is the best place to have the dodger built and auto pilot installed?

George what type of boat is Freight Train V and when are you going to be in the VI's? Our plan, in pencil of course, are 10/20 BVI, Thanksgiving in the Spanish VI's, Christmas in St. Martin then New years in St. Barts then back to work for a couple of months. Then meet the boat in Antig. The last week of March and Trinidad befor hurricane season. Anyway thats plan "A"