Caribbean Sailing with Celiac

[Joel K]

Greetings!

I would love to get a group going with fellow sailors with celiac disease who would be interested in chartering a sailing yacht down in the Caribbean perhaps a few times a year.  Most likely in the US and/or British Virgin Islands, though other islands may also be considered.  Doesn't have to be the same people and doesn't have to be only experienced sailors.  But everybody would have to be willing to share in the charter, provisioning, and running expenses, in participating in sailing the yacht, and sharing in the work of living on board for a week or two at a time.  This would be a good opportunity to travel safely, foodwise, as all food on board would be provisioned as gluten free.  Of course, I realize many with celiac disease concurrently have additional food interaction issues and we would have to plan around these as well.  But the main concern and commonality among all hands is celiac disease.  We might have some meals ashore as well, and so planning the restaurants out would certainly be a part of our discussions on the trip.

The modern yachts will range from 40 to 60 foot long and we'll have berths for six to ten persons, including myself.  Since chartering is such a big deal in the Caribbean, we will need to reserve a boat well in advance.  So firm committment to the venture would need to take place early once the process begins -- often up to a year in advance.  I will have more details once we get some interest.

I am a retired ship captain after 48 years at sea, having sailed also in many traditional and modern schooners and a few yachts.  I last chartered a 52 foot sloop out of Road Town, Tortola, in the BVI in April 2025, and am course certified in ASA-101, 103, & 104.  My USCG Master license for Oceans was finally retired in 2022 and no longer active.  I live in Manchester, New Hampshire and work as a Myoskeletal Alignment Therapist with a clinic in Bedford, NH.

If you have any interest in chartering with me, please let me know.

[Scott Adams]

It sounds like an exciting plan, and there is a lot of great naturally gluten-free foods in the Caribbean islands, Mexico, Central America, etc.

[Joel K]

Thanks, and I'm excited about it.  I just hope I get some interest in it here and quickly.  I'm planning on trying to go to contract soon with BVI Yacht Charters in Tortola, whom I've contracted with before.