{"id":14912,"date":"2025-11-04T20:52:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T04:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jbranchblog.com\/?p=14912"},"modified":"2025-11-21T21:36:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T05:36:44","slug":"first-day-on-the-water-and-off-to-normand-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jbranchblog.com\/?p=14912","title":{"rendered":"First day on the water and off to Normand Island!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We started the day with our boat briefing, and then it was out to sea! This trip was planned to be part vacation, but also a lot of sailing instruction to earn a couple of certifications. So today started with a few hours of sailing to get used to the boat and the rigging, followed by some “close quarter maneuvering.” That meant tossing a floating buoy overboard, and practicing nosing the boat up to it, coming alongside of it, and picking it up. This is a 30,000-pound boat, but it is surprisingly maneuverable! The skills are needed when picking up a mooring ball, picking up someone who has fallen overboard, and docking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the “school work”, it was play time, and we found a place to spend the night on and anchor ball in Bight Bay at Norman Island. Bight Bay has a bar and restaurant on the beach that you can dinghy to, as well as the world-famous “Willy-T’s” floating bar and restaurant anchored in the bay. (https:\/\/willytbvi.com). Willy-T’s is most known for its conch fritters and topless college girls jumping off the top deck into the water. We opted not to partake in either and decided on dinner at our boat and a quiet night enjoying the sunset instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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