Ohana Villa Tobago & Safe Harbour Trinidad Boat Yard Facilities

Lately we have been getting both enquiries and bookings from Yachties arriving & staying in the safe harbour boatyards in Trinidad and in search of a few days on dry land so as to regain their ‘landlegs’!

The only problem with this being, that the last lot of ‘Yachtie’ guests just prior to leaving Ohana to re-commence sailing, experienced somewhat of a ‘mutiny’ from some of the party!

As I have experienced personally – sailing in the Caribbean is one of the most exhilarating experiences – however even on boats with every conceivable luxury, you still somehow manage to end up missing some of the small conveniences of normal everyday land life.

The ‘mutiny’ was caused with the sailors having to tear themselves away, after the ever-attentive staff of Ohana have spoilt you silly in so many tiny little ways – in such little time, you have become seriously used to the sensual experience that is the Ohana mode of living.

I might add that it helps to have the panoramic wrap-round view of the Atlantic to behold at every moment during your stay at Ohana. This means that serious sailors can still stay in touch and commune with the power of that vast ocean from almost every single view of Ohana – right down to at the kitchen sink!

Whilst in the kitchen, just look through the demerara wooden shutters – your eyes will alight first of all on the breadfruit tree – and through the glossy dark green leaves of the tree, you will see clearly beyond to the little golden sandy cove just at the bottom of the garden. Pure magic!

And here is some general information for ‘Yachties’ who will find all this and much much more information about the Boatyard facilities of Trinidad on the excellent website of the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad & Tobago. On this website, both new and experienced sailors will soon become aware of the Trinidad & Tobago Advantage in so far as safe harbour is concerned.

The Yachting Services offered in Trinidad include the following:

• A selection of boatyards to chose from

• A large pool of highly skilled labour available at significantly cheaper rates than the neighbouring islands

• Trinidad is also located south of the 12° parallel, outside the active hurricane belt, resulting in reasonable insurance premiums throughout the year, significantly lower than other Caribbean locations

• Ready availability of high quality teak ideally suited for outfitting pleasure craft

• Duty-free concession for the importation of yacht in-transit parts and goods

• Excellent support services to cater to the needs of the yachting visitor – available in one location. Ninety percent of the services that a yachting visitor may require can be found in Chaguaramas ie Retailers/ Distributors/ Welding/Upholstering/ Surveyors/Shrink-wrapping/ shed building etc/ Woodworking/Sail Repairs/ Chandlers/Mechanics/Electricians/Ice services/ Battery repair/Varnishing/ Riggers/Canvas Work/Shipwrights/Electronic Waste Disposal/Machinists/ Painters/Security/Hotel & Accommodations/Transport Services, e.g. taxis, car rentals/Travel Agencies/Groceries

There is also a modern airport served by several major airlines providing excellent connections to the Caribbean, North America and Europe, e.g. American Airlines, Delta, Continental, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines.

Trinidad also offers picturesque surroundings, a wealth of tourist attractions and new experiences including the Caroni Swamp, Asa Wright Nature Centre, the magnificence and camaderie that is Carnival, beautiful flora and fauna, steel pan music and calypso, theatre, and great food that is a mix of every single ethnic group to have set foot on the island over the years of its history.

There are also some fun boating/yachting events where as well as the serious element of competition involved in the events, there is the undeniably fun and party element so inherently part and parcel of any Trinidadian event – so beware – make sure the rum doesn’t get in the way of your sailing competition! A Trini knows how to drink rum and stay focused! The rest of us need to learn this important skill!

For the annual marine events check out the website of The Caribbean’s Monthly Marine Magazine. The big dates on the sailing calendar are Angostura Sailing Week. Most of you will recognise Angostura as that stuff you put in a gin to make it a pink gin – yes that’s the one. The other events are obviously the Carnival period, The Great Race, and the Tobago Sailing Regatta, so check these out on the Marine Magazine’s events calendar.

And if you need any extra information re sailing, please contact Aries by e-mail (aries@ohana-villa.com) who has experience of sailing the islands with his father. If he does not know, he will definitely know someone who does.

Until next time . . .

~ by ohanavilla on March 5, 2008.