SAILBOAT OR POWERBOAT

When you see a beautiful body of water such as the Caribbean, it’s a natural reaction to want to be on the water on some type of sailboat or powerboat. So many people come to St. Thomas and St. John, look out at the view, and long to be on that boat on the horizon, no matter what type of boat it is. Captain Ryan and I certainly feel that way every time we’re on land. But there are so many different types of boats out there. Which kind do you choose?

Aside from self-powered boats such as kayaks or canoes, the main question comes down to chartering a sailboat vs. a powerboat. Assuming you rent a boat that comes with a captain, the next question is what sort of experience are you seeking? I’m not an all-or-nothing person, so while I prefer owning, living on, and taking out our sailboat, I understand the appeal of powerboats as well. That appeal comes down to speed, which, on a flat calm day can make for fun island-hopping, and you can travel to many places in one day.

One fellow sailor helped put into words something which sailors sometimes struggle with when trying to explain why they like sailing. We’ll say things like it’s the getting there, not actually being there. Huh? What we mean is that when you’re on the sailboat and you’re sailing somewhere (or nowhere in particular), you’re already “there!” Sailing is the experience and the destination in and of itself.

When sailing out of Red Hook, St. Thomas, as we do on Liberty, you get the added bonus of having actual destinations outside of the boat as well. We take you to the St. John National Park where the snorkeling is phenomenal, and we might stop at a nearby cay. But some guests just want to sail all day, and that’s fine, too. We have comfy places to sit in or out of the sun, drinks are cold, and the food is delicious, so there’s no need to go to a beach bar if all your friends are already aboard with you.

It never bores me to look at the sails and marvel at the physics of how the boat’s design works with the wind to propel us forward. When you can hear the gentle lapping of the water against the hull, you don’t have to scream to your friend over the sound of a roaring engine.

Whether you choose a sailboat or a powerboat, we’re just glad you’re taking the time to get out on the water of the Virgin Islands, as it’s one of our proudest sightseeing options here.