Distant Shores TVvideo
Why We Keep Coming Back to Sail the British Virgin Islands After 40 Years of Cruising | Ep 265
August 30, 2025 · 19 min · 18K views · British Virgin Islands
What this video covers
The British Virgin Islands offer protected, predictable sailing conditions in the Sir Francis Drake Channel, making the region an ideal destination for novice sailors and those looking to introduce guests to the cruising lifestyle. The islands feature extensive mooring fields, typically costing $40 to $50 per night, which simplify anchoring in popular, high-traffic harbors.▶ 2:41 While the region is expensive due to import taxes and high costs for goods, the infrastructure supports easy, relaxed voyaging.▶ 2:35
When changing furling sails, such as swapping a genoa for a Code Zero, the crew utilizes a "half halyard" system.▶ 10:04 This setup employs a short, permanent halyard attached to the sail head, which is lashed to a temporary halyard using Dyneema braid to reduce excess line at the mast.▶ 10:27 To secure the anchor snubber, the crew uses two rolling hitches followed by a locking hitch, transferring tension from the windlass to a deck bollard.▶ 7:25 The region provides consistent trade winds, often requiring a Code Zero for light-air, downwind, or beam-reach passages between islands like Virgin Gorda and Anegada.▶ 16:02
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