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Question on Boating

Author: Adele (---.lmig.com)
Date: 01-23-06 12:16

Hi,

We are planning on a 1 day trip to Culebra in a few weeks and are planning on renting a boat (18') from Culebra Boat Rentals. Here are some questions:

Although we have a pretty good captain what should we be careful about anything in particular?

Planning on going to Culebrita. What's the best area to bring the boat if we want good snorkeling and want to get off the boat for some shade?

Also, are there restaurants/bars that we could dock the boat at and go inside for refreshments?

Any advise would be appreciated! I'm a little nervous about going out on the boat and want to know what I'm in for!

Thanks!!
Adele

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date: 01-23-06 12:38

We also rented the 18 footer from CBR. Culebrita is the most difficult of the Cayos to travel to, because the voyage is all windward exposure, so you'll be dealing with a significant chop, unless the seas are perfectly calm. Luis Pena, on the leeward side poses much less of a challenging ride. If your boat isn't weighted down too heavily with people and gear, this advice would not be as urgent. Make sure you memorize navigation buoys' meanings, because you'll use them to get past the reef at the mouth of Ensenada Honda. I've never navigated to Culebrita...I have been there twice. Once in a in water taxi, where we were dropped off on the south shore; and once with an experienced navigator who brought us into Tortuga Bay. Since, I've read that Tortuga is a tricky approach, so I'd talk to Butch about how to best approach the Cayo.

Virtually any of the restaurants in the downtown area are reachable on foot from the municipal dock. You can tie right up at the Dinghy dock, if there's room. There is also a small dock across the road from El Batey. It's been a long while since I used it but there used to be a dock at Club Seaborne. I believe you can tie up at Mamacita's...although, those spots may all be spoken for by water taxis. If that's the case, use the municipal dock and walk the 3 blocks. Also, CBR is only a short walk from town, and when the boat is in dock there you are not responsible for damage, so it might be smart to park there. Hope this helps!

Doug

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: JoseGuzman (---.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date: 01-23-06 12:43

In Culebrita there are not any refreshments and/or restaurants, you cannot camp there either.
Culebra Boat rental boats are very small, if there is current (which sometimes is, it is very dangerous ).
The very best beach you can go there is north of the island, you'll see the boats going there, the west part is good but not as good.
There is very little shade on Culebrita, but you will enjoy it a lot...
Is the most beautiful beach you will see.
Take camera, and a lot of safety too.

Capt. J.Guzman

PS
I do not rent boats, or have any business there. Just Love the island, and have been going there for more than 23 years.

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Adele (---.lmig.com)
Date: 01-23-06 12:55

Thanks Doug!
Thanks Captain Guzman!

I appreciate the words of caution on traveling to Culebrita, I certainly don't want to get into a situation where we aren't having a good time because we're in danger!!

It sounds like if the weather, winds or currents are stronge the day we go we may want to skip Culebrita altogether.

Any other idea about rough spots that we should avoid and easy spots that we go visit?

Thanks again for all your info!!!

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date: 01-23-06 13:46

Sight-seeing around Ensenada Honda is always fun. Butch can tell you where to swing wide of the shallow points.

On the soutwest coast of Culebra there is an unusual seamount about 150 yards out from shore that is difficult to see. It is on the chart that comes with the boat. Just post a lookout as you go to and from Soldado until you have passed it.

If snokling is your main activity, tie up at the last mooring buoy north of Carlos Rosario, and swim in about 25 yards. The reef is spectacular, there.

Doug

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Adele (---.lmig.com)
Date: 01-23-06 13:56

Thanks Doug - We'll use all of your advise!!

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Peter Bowden (---.alb.choiceone.net)
Date: 01-23-06 14:33

We rented the very same boat for a couple of days from Butch in Feb & went to Louis Pena and Celubrita and many other places around Culebra.

It was very windy and we opted to anchor the boat on the south side of Culebrita and hiked over to the beach instead of braving the high surf to take the boat around to the beach. The south side was sheltered from the wind and we backed in with a bow anchor on a long line and with the stern line tied off on shore. We watched a water taxi do this and it worked out great. Butch provided two anchors and the long line needed for this manuver.

The main caveat is to watch for coralheads that will scrap the boat or damage the prop and cost you $$$ and could be a safety hazard.

Butch will set you up with charts (know how to read them) and a cell phone with all the emergency numbers programmed in. Take it with you along with any valuables (and the keys to the boat) when you leave the boat. It would be a shame for the boat to drift off with the emergency phone on board wouldn't it?

The boat will have power tilt for the motor and don't be afraid to use it at low speeds in shallow waters.

There are bouys in all the popular places near shore to tie off to while snorkeling off the boat.

A couple of other things to remember are:

Make sure the ladder is up out of the water before taking off.

Don't try to drive the boat at any speed at all with the bimini top up or you will be buying a new one for Butch after the wind tears it.

Butch is very thorough showing you the boat (and the condition you are getting it in) when you take it so pay attention and do you own inspection and note anything you notice to Butch before you take the boat (just as you do with your rental car). If you return the boat in the same condition that you took it in, all will be well.

In other words...treat it as you would your own boat.

We exercised reasonable caution and managed not to scrape or damage the boat and had a wonderful time...in fact it was the highlight of the trip.

The boat you are renting is sizeable and heavy enough to handle some pretty good swells easily....it was quite stable and predictable.

You are in for a wonderful time...just be careful of that Carribean sun...it is a different sun that we have up here in NY...wear that sunscreen and you do just fine.

Probably the easiest place to tie up and eat is the Dinghy Dock. As someone else mentioned, you can always dock at Butch's and walk...town is very small.

Have a great trip!

Here's some images from our trip that you can use for inspiration (asuming Pbase is behaving todaythat is):

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/culebra05

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Adele (---.lmig.com)
Date: 01-23-06 14:47

Peter:

Thanks so much for your write up. It make me feel a little better to know that if we do head to Culebrita we can find a calm area on the South side if it's rough.

Thanks for all your tips too (yep, familiar with taking off and forgetting to pull the ladder up!)

I looked at your pictures and they're wonderful. Makes me anxious to go!

Thanks again!

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: JoseGuzman (---.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date: 01-24-06 05:40

Yes... if you go to the south side, be very careful, there are many rocks there.
You know, that on the way to Culebrita, to your port side you'll see La Pela, that is a very nice place... no rocks, shallow waters, and shorter distance.
The entrance used to have two sticks, resembling red/green buoys, maybe they were taken by a hurricane on 2004. Lots of people go there, as a matter of fact, that is the favorite place for overnight anchoring for many boaters. I was mine too.

Enjoy,

Capt. J.Guzman

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Jean K. Rosselit (---.dhcp.bycy.mi.charter.com)
Date: 01-26-06 10:25

We rented from Butch also, and he was very helpful. It was a little rough getting to Culebrita, but we had the smaller boat. We got away with leaving the top up, so we were probably lucky!! My favorite was Luis Pena. It was clean, the water was clear and the snorkeling great. Butch provides a cooler with the boat and we picked up great sandwiches from the bakery each day. We froze water bottles and orange juice to take, and it was great after a swim. Have some pictures of us boating if yu would like email me and I will send them. Jean

Jean in Michigan

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Re: Question on Boating

Author: Adele (---.lmig.com)
Date: 01-26-06 10:40

Thanks Jean. Sounds like Luis Pena is definitely part of the plan. The frozen water bottles are a good idea.

3 days to go!!!

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