Long Distance

"Long Distance", a Pearson 40'
Casual Sails to Quiet Places!

Your hosts and owners of "Long Distance",
Rick and Robin Gallup

Rick is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain and Robin is a Registered Nurse. Both are PADI Certified Scuba Divers and have been sailing these waters since 1995. Originally from Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire, and more recently Sugarloaf, Maine; St. John has captured their love of the mountains and the sea. A family oriented experience
Casual sails to quiet places, Great snorkeling at unspoiled coral reefs, Friendly hospitality, Island history, Local knowledge of the area, Sailing and snorkeling instruction.

Leaving from Coral Bay, their guests experience sailing in waters on the peaceful side of St. John, with beautiful views of East End, St. John, and the British Virgin Islands. Virgin Islands National Park, East End St. John, South Shore St. John, Pelican Rock, Flanagan Island, Newfound Bay, Tektite, Booby Rock and more.

We also offer snorkeling in the pristine, clear, calm waters of Hurricane Hole which is now the Coral Reef National Monument. Our guests are thrilled to see the brilliant sponges and corals that only thrive in this special habitat and fish nursery near the mangroves.

Kiwi is our little ten-pound dog that is loved by everyone; When she is not sailing, Kiwi is riding on our motorcycles in Maine! Both Kiwi and S/V Long Distance were photographed for YM Magazine!

Whale by S/V Long Distance in Coral Bay

FULL DAY SAIL with two snorkel stops, 9:30am to 4:30 pm, our most popular sail. The best snorkeling is in U.S. waters so no need for passports. Beautiful views of the British Islands of Norman Island, Peter Island,
Tortola, & Virgin Gorda as we sail near.
$100 per person, or rent the whole boat for $600 and chart your own itinerary.
Includes turkey or vegetarian lunch plate, soft drinks, Heineken and Rum Punch.

HALF DAY SAIL, morning or afternoon with one snorkel stop, 9:30am-12:30pm or 1:30pm-4:30pm.
Recommended for guests who want a taste of sailing or
families with preschool children.
$60 per person, or rent the whole boat for $360.
Includes cheese and crackers, soft drinks, Heineken and Rum Punch

EXTENDED AFTERNOON SAIL with one snorkel stop, 1:30pm-5:30pm. Allows more time for sailing and snorkeling than the half-day sail.
$75 per person, or rent the whole boat for $450.
Includes cheese and crackers, soft drinks, Heineken and Rum Punch.

CORAL BAY SUNSET SAIL, upon special request only

RESERVATIONS on “Long Distance” are by phone only at cell 340-513-1386 or our daytime answering service at 340-779-4994.
Please book 4 weeks in advance for special dates or busy holiday weeks. If you sail with Rick and Robin at the beginning of your stay, we will inform you of best beaches, hiking, restaurants, shopping and music venues to enhance your stay!

PAYMENT:
Personal checks, travelers’ checks or cash on the boat. No credit cards. An advanced deposit of 50% is requested upon reservation (refundable for weather) and may be mailed to:
Richard and Robin Gallup
PO Box 1130
St. John, VI 00831-1130.

Disclaimer: If you reserve with third party booking agents, we are not responsible for their No Refund policies.

Member: Virgin Islands Charteryacht League, R.E.E.F and Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park

WHERE TO MEET:
All our sail trips leave from Coral Bay, St. John, the country side of the island. Rick meets our guests at the concrete dock behind the yellow Coral Bay fire station. Parking is at the Skinny Legs Complex near the dock.

We hope this has answered some of your questions. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to sailing with you!

BVI TRIP DISCLAIMER:
S/V Long Distance charters are all about:
Sailing, not motoring
Quiet places, not crowds
Relaxing, not meeting a schedule
Snorkeling, not bar hopping

Therefore, we are no longer doing day sails to the BVI.
With increased marketing, BVI destinations like The Baths and The Caves have become crowded with large tour boats and small cruise ships.

Clearing Customs in both countries (due to Homeland Security) can take up to two hours out of your day. In 2007, passports became required for the BVI.

So take a ferry to Tortola, Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke (very affordable), or a motor sail or power tour boat to the BVI and sail with us another day!
Ferry from St. John to Jost Van Dyke, BVI, (nice beach, fun bars) Fri, Sat, Sun only ~ $40 per person, includes customs fees Ferry from St. John to Virgin Gorda, BVI (interesting granite formations)
Thurs and Sun only ~ $50 per person, includes customs fees

WHAT TO BRING:
Towel, your own snorkel gear for best fit (we have some gear on the boat), sunblock SPF 30+, and sunglasses.
We sell hats!
Crabby’s Watersports in Coral Bay rents snorkel gear by the day or week and provides friendly service at www.crabbyswatersports.com.

For those who get motion sick by land or sea, we recommend Sea Bands and generic Meclizine, an over the counter anti-nausea remedy (trade names New Less Drowsy Dramamine and Bonine for ages 12 to adult) and Pediatric Dramamine for children under 12. Eat a good breakfast and take it early as directed at least two hours before the sail. (You may also take it the night before as well.) Ginger helps but isn’t a cure all. Crabby’s Watersports does sell Bonine.

THE WEATHER
The Virgin Islands have the world's best sailing weather. Our tradewinds are easterly. They tend to be north of east in the winter (15-20 knots) and south of east in the summer (10-15 knots).
Our normal sunny day here is 30 percent chance of rain which usually occurs during the late night and early morning hours. Our weather comes from Africa, east to west (opposite of the states). Weather forecasts mostly describe Puerto Rico (70 miles to the west), not St John. Puerto Rico has mountainous rain forests and Coral Bay, St John has cactus! (noticeably less rainfall).
Our boat is solar powered with five solar panels and our batteries are usually fully charged from the morning sun by 10 am. On the boat we apply our sunblock (50+) early and always wear a snorkel shirt!
In the winter, the north shore of St John is exposed to north swells from the Atlantic Ocean. So if the north shore beaches are rough (Hawksnest to Francis Bay), then come visit us in Coral Bay on the Caribbean Sea side of the island. Calmer and warmer Caribbean waters will then be found off the East End and south shore (Salt Pond Bay).

Rick and Robin Gallup
sailboatlongdistance@hotmail.com

Member: Virgin Islands Charteryacht League

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