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My wife and I had the pleasure of sailing on the Ike Witt with Captain Pat along with another couple on Saturday, October 14.
First off I'd like to note that I had tried to make reservations with a different boat that I had heard good things about, but when they replied to let me know that they were booked that day, they recommended that I contact Pat to see if he had any open slots. Throughout the day of our sail I saw, and heard of more examples of this sailing community (or family) that seemed to all want the others to do well, as well as themselves - very nice!
Anyway, Captain Pat impressed me throughout the whole process - from his phone call when I wanted to book, to ensure that both parties knew what to expect out of the day, to his laid back (though professional) bearing during our day on and in the water with him.
Good company, good food, good snorkeling, good stories, bad jokes (sorry Cap - Aaarrgghhh!).
I feel that we made a friend that day. I can't imagine visiting STT again without at least trying to get in a daysail on the Ike Witt.
Steve
Melbourne, FL
can I asked what he charged, was lunch included, and can he take us to Jost if we want? thanks!
It was $115 each. Lunch was served, first a fresh fruit plate, then a fantastic Caesar salad with grilled chicken and home made dressing.
I don't know if he goes to Jost as a part of his regular daysail, but I would not be surprised if he could and would.
He's a great guy, very down to earth, and I'm sure that if he doesn't go there, he would let you know who might.
How many snorkel stops does he makeOr is that up to his guests?
I'd like to know if he would go to BVI too.
The itinerary, with constraints due to time and weather being considered, is largely up to the guests.
So it can be a snorkeling intensive tour, or a relaxing on deck intensive tour, pretty much whatever you want.
Don't know about the BVI thing though, you'll need to talk to him.
I just got a call from Capt. Pat himself! I went to his website yesterday and sent my phone # etc and he just called. He said he does not like to do Jost because of the time it takes to check in and out of customs or whatever, but he seemed real nice! He said $115/Person if cash, $125/person if charged, with all drinks and lunch included. sounds very reasonable to me.
so, do you think this would be like WAY more fun to do the beaches/snorkeling around STJ rather than taxiing over and driving ourselves? Or should we do that too (since I wanted to try Woodys or somewhere good on STJ)?? Its just that I really wanted to visit Jost but maybe that can wait until our next visit ha!ha!
We have done St. John's day trips several times, usually just take the ferry over, catch the trolley, hit the beach, etc. And we always enjoyed that.
One time we had a group and rented some jeeps, drove to Red Hook, took the car barge, then drove ourselves around St. John - that was fun, too.
This daysail was a new and different way to see not only St. John, but some of the other islands as well.
We had always said "I wish we could see some of those smaller islands up close, and learn a little more about them", and now we have.
Whatever you decide to do, have fun!
MG: A sailboat is not the best way to get to JVD for a day. Now if you really like sailing, and don't care about the destination, that is another thing. But then, you wouldn't mind where ever the captain wants to go, right? 😉
If you want to go to Jost for a day, you should look at the ferry or a motor charter. You will be able to spend more time there and less time in transit.
thanks EE, I think we will take the ferry to Jost for a day. As for the STJ trip, I don't know if I want to do it by car or by boat. I'm sure its 2 completely different experiences, but we will only have 6 full days there. Don't know if I can talk the others into running so much, they want to pretty much hang out on a chair at Secret Harbour. I'm really the only one hell-bent on seeing all I can in one week.
MG: Sometimes sitting in a chair on a beach is an excellent use of time!
Hello Mountaineergirl,
Taking a daysail and enjoying the water, snorkeling, having lunch and drinks on the boat is a completely different experience then heading over to St. John with a car or renting a car there and exploring that way. Both are worth doing. So you've got activities for 2 days, now you just need to plan the other 4 full days of your trip. 😀
--Islander
We just got back from a week on St. Thomas. The highlight of the trip was sailing with Capt. Pat on Ike Witt. We had such a good time we booked him for a second day. The food and drink were great. Capt Pat was our snorkling tour guide. The kids loved his pirate stories.
If you need to be a specific place at a specific time -- charter a stinkpot. If a fun day of sailing and snorkling is your goal -- book Capt Pat. He'll take you to the best achievable spot based on the conditions.
