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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