Christmas and New Years Sail - It was unique and special to spend both holidays on Jalapeno. We had a tree and lights, so did other boats lighting up the night sky. We liked the flexible and customized tour of several islands. All of our requests to see places like Anegada, The Baths, The Indians, Foxys, were fulfilled. We had the best snorkeling and hiking. The lobster on the beach was a highlight, but all 5 dinners on the boat were outstanding. Ray is very concerned with safety and we loved having all 4 sails up and clipping at 9 knots. All very controlled. This was a real vacation/honeymoon where we had lots of leisure time and lots of good company.

Renee & Bob - Reno, NV

My wife and I and another couple scheduled a two week sailing trip in the Virgin Islands with Captain Ray and his First Mate Jennifer, and it was absolutely fantastic! We were greeted on day one with great cheer, great food and delicious drinks, and it kept on going through the rest of the trip. Captain Ray lets his guests not only help plan their trip, but also lend a hand with boat duties for as much or as little as they desire, no matter your experience level.

Jalepeno is a top-notch vessel that is meticulously well maintained and she sails like a dream. Captain Ray and Jennifer not only know the local hangouts, but also the local hide-aways where few other travelers roam. It was fantastic to awaken to the sound of birds and surf in the morning, and be able to jump off the boat and take a morning swim in the temperate waters around the many islands that we visited.

Depending on your travel plans, Ray and Jennifer also own a bungalow which sleeps several people. It was a great place to spend a couple days before and after our sailing trip soaking up the local sights of St Thomas. If you stay at the bungalow, keep an eye out for ‘Fred’ the local lizard who paid us visits several times while by the pool.

Jalepeno Charters is an A++ for anyone wanting a very low key sailing trip around the Caribbean. You are guaranteed to have the best time of your life!

Jeff & Jill - Minneapolis, MN

PS – We are new fans of Cruzan rum and the ‘Vanilla Killers’!

Last summer my husband, daughter and I bareboated in the BVIs and had a wonderful trip.  We saw Ray and Jen in several anchorages and shared drinks, photos, and a walk to Bubbly Pool with them – experiencing a taste of their hospitality.  This spring my daughter and I were planning a mother/daughter trip for her first college spring break, and we decided to go back to the islands.  We considered bareboating, but I knew I would be more relaxed if someone else worried about whether the anchor was holding at 2:00 am, so we decided to charter Jalapeno with Ray.  I was a bit reluctant to sail with a captain, because we didn’t want to give up our independence and share the boat with someone else.  My concerns proved to be totally unfounded.

Ray was the most accommodating host.  The boat was extremely comfortable and well appointed and maintained.  The food and drinks were delicious and plentiful.  We got to visit many new places and several old favorites that I hadn’t been to in 30 years.  I don’t think Ray said ‘no’ to a single request all week!  He was captain, bartender, chef, tour guide, photographer, music DJ, historian, naturalist, and cruise director extraordinaire!  The entire experience was good for my Caribbean soul, and we made some wonderful mother/daughter memories that will last a lifetime.  My one word summary of the trip is AMAZING.  Wouldn’t change a thing!  Thank you Ray!

Sherry & Meredith - Memphis, TN

We loved our trip on board with Captain Ray!  We have done many trips on sailboats and I would say this has been my favorite!  Ray takes immaculate care of his boat, unlike some captains we have experienced.  I would say this is where it is most obvious that he considers it his home, and not just a hole in the ocean.  We did a Captain only charter and Ray was incredibly skilled at sailing the boat while providing snacks and refreshments, he also creates a fine dinner at the end of the day.  He will give you the chance to do some work on the boat if you do a captain only charter ie: hoisting sails, pulling sheets, cranking wenches, and manning the wheel and I am sure he will give you the opportunity if you are interested even if you have his first mate aboard.  Ray is incredibly organized in getting your preferences together for your trip and putting your itinerary together, I was very impressed!  We got to do everything we wanted to do on our trip, which was some of everything!  We will definitely be doing another trip with Ray one day, hopefully sooner than later!

Victoria & Seth - Vail, CO

We sailed with another couple and had a great time aboard the Jalapeno .  We had planned for 4 days and extended it to 5 days while on the water.  Ray had a great and diverse itinerary for us in the BVI's.  It was a neat trip.

Don & Cheryl - Ohio

We've had the good fortune to sail with Ray and Jennifer in the Caribbean on three different occasions. All of our sailing adventures were absolutely wonderful.  All were different.  All were exciting. What never varied though were Ray and Jennifer. Their hospitality, professionalism, skillfulness, knowledge, enthusiasm, sense of humor, and dedication to their clients was exceptional. Their willingness to allow us to learn, to be part of the crew made our charters that more memorable. We were constantly advised on all matters of our sail, and were always a part of the decision process.  Captain Ray was always in charge which assured our comfort level and sense of security on the Jalapeno, but we were never dictated to or made to feel subservient to " the captain's" will or orders.   Our experiences in the islands were enhanced by Ray and Jennifer's extensive knowledge of sailing in general and the islands in particular. The food was great.  The boat drinks were too!  We were made to feel at home on the Jalapeno and also at their beautiful home in St. Thomas, Villa Margarita, which we were fortunate enough to book while on the island.  We felt welcomed and put at ease from the beginning until the end.  We plan to return to the Caribbean as soon as possible and will definitely be sailing with the Bryans

George & Denise - Truckee, CA

My experience...where to start...it was an experience of a life time. 

Captain Ray is absolutely wonderful at balancing all of the relationships sought for in this sort of experience. While you are there, all those on board really do become a family, but he does a great job at balancing the captain with the welcoming friend while all the while being very laid back and non-invasive. On that particular note you will not find a more assuring or talented Captain. 

On another note as a person, to remain with for the 10 days, unbelievable. He can take you to all the great spots, whether they be tourist based or private. On my trip we went to a local bar and got  to meet Eric Stone, and get a private concert, since the place was empty. He is a big Boat Show type artist. But all the places were based on exactly what we were looking for...a very customized trip. And Ray knows everyone; the locals, the bartenders...it makes you feel right at home, not like a tourist. 

Darby - Bedford, PA

PS - A weakness of mine is great food....and Oh the food on that trip...amazing! 

We are lucky to have logged quite a few great vacations in our lives but the top of our list is the Jalapeno charter in the Caribbean.  Barring hurricanes, just about any trip to the Caribbean must be nice but I don't see making the trip again unless we plan another charter.  To begin, the Jalapeno is fabulous, meticulously cared for, plenty of room above and below to navigate without running into something every turn and to have some privacy when you want it.  We had 6 people on board and never felt crowded.  But, if you want great company, Ray and Jennifer are fabulous hosts and experts on island culture, folklore, flora and fauna.  We ate and drank what we wanted, stopped where we wanted, for how long we wanted and were able to dictate how we wanted the trip to proceed each day...and we were allowed to change our minds as well!  You can't get any closer to an ideal vacation and we look forward to another adventure on the Jalapeno as soon as possible!

 

Miranda & George - Bend, OR

I write this just about an hour after working on some of the trip details for our trip on Jalapeno in March--our second.  That in itself speaks volumes since my husband, Mike and I have a huge "bucket list" of travels we want to fulfill, so we rarely do a trip twice -- sailing with Captains Ray and Jennifer is something we will probably put on our "annual must do" list.  In a nutshell, it's wonderful!  (we've traveled a great deal and Jalapeno ranks among our top trips).

First and foremost, the Jalapeno is one beautiful, comfortable boat.  The Bryans have their quarters in the stern (a large bedroom and bath), but the rest of the boat is completely set up for guests.  The best way to describe how it feels being on board is that you are a cherished guest, a part of the crew, and never an imposition.   The boat is very clean and well kept, beautifully organized (so even when we had 8 of us onboard one day no one felt crowded or in the way), and very, very comfortable.

Ray is a highly trained, incredibly knowledgeable, and very professional skipper.  He  and his wife are both Outdoor Emergency Care technicians (equivalent to an EMT, but in a wilderness setting), and they are the type of people that come hell, high water, pirates, an overflowing toilet, an empty Rum jug (gasp!!) or anything that could possibly get thrown at you -- they will handle it with calm professionalism, a great sense of humor and utmost ease.  I've been on other charter and private boats before, and Jalapeno is truly the most comfortable, relaxed and "safe" feeling boat I have been on.

Because Captain Ray is so well established in the Virgins, he knows all the best places to go, the best times to go there, and the best route to take.  He adapts the schedule (as in very flexible) to meet your needs and wishes, and can steer your in the best directions for scuba, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, dining, shopping...whatever your hearts desire.  He and Jennifer are both ski patrollers, so they are physically fit and active and can lead you on some wonderful outings.  For example, whereas my husband Mike and I are overgrown kids and want to 'do it all', my sister was along.  She is recovering from a very serious medical condition.  Ray was able to incorporate her into the activities at exactly the right level for her.  He knows when the best snorkeling places will be crowded, and when not--and got us there in time to play.  He is a superb underwater guide, and knows the local animal life, flora, and fauna well.

Do you want a quiet trip?  They'll make it happen.  Are you more the partying type?  They'll make that happen and show you the best watering holes around.

Ray is also an outstanding (truly outstanding) chef, bartender, and barista.  The only reason we didn't gain weight on the trip was that we stayed so busy in the water and out!  And man, can he fix those Caribbean drinks!!  Definitely put Painkillers and Bushwhackers on your menu!

A typical day went kind of like this:
* Awaken at 7 to the smell of fresh coffee brewing.
* Breakfast.
* Weigh anchor (or untie from the buoy) and leave the cove you spent the night in.
* Sail a few hours to a great snorkeling hole--with caves and coves to explore.  Ray outfits you perfectly (if you don't have your own gear) and can leave you to explore on your own (while he stays busy on board), or he will go with you and show you some of the amazing underwater sights.
* Lunch might be onboard (fresh salad, tuna, pita, fruit, cheese...is it too early for a Painkiller?  Not in the Caribbean!)  Or maybe it's lunch on Cooper Island and a snorkel with the starfish and Barracudas. Or maybe it's the Indians, swimming through a fish storm--and gee, I hope that 8 foot shadow underneath isn't a shark.  (It's not)
* Kick off from your lunch/snorkeling place and dance the Jalapeno through the aquamarine caribbean waters.  Want to try your hand at sailing?  Ray will turn her over to you under his laid-back, watchful eye.  Rather sit on the bow (think Bow Sprit) and feel like you're flying over the waves?  Or maybe you'd rather kick back on a deck chair with a book....you choose.  There is no hurry -- Jalapeno sails through caribbean time.
* PM:  Maybe a quick stop at Soper's hole.  You rest on board while he deals with immigration (you are in British territory now!) , then off you go into the village to dine, shop and explore.
* Evening:  Jalapeno snuggles up against Salt Island. You take the dinghy ashore and hike around the old salt ponds, up the hill and look out over where the wreck of the Rhone is.  Are you certified divers?  There's a primo spot!
* Supper:  Onboard; maybe a wonderful jerk chicken bbq; maybe steak or fresh fish.  Tomorrow night--Anegada and fresh lobster after a full day of reef snorkeling and playing on the beach.
* After supper:  perhaps a quiet night talking over drinks, maybe a stop at a local watering hole for some dancing--maybe just stargazing in the hammock.
* Bed time.  The bunks are soft and comfie; you sleep like a log.  Worried about stays banging in the wind?  Ray knows how to shore up Jalapeno so the only thing you hear is the breeze and the sound of the waves lapping at the hull.

What shall we do tomorrow?  Whatever we feel like.

The only negative?  It has to end.  Stepping off of Jalapeno and into the taxi back to the airport was made bearable only  by knowing we would come back this year.

On a scale of 1 - 10; I rate Ray's charters a 20.  Mike and I can not recommend them highly enough -- and trust me, we've been on a fair number of trips (from Galapagos to Alaska).  Jalapeno truly ranks number one.

Brigitte & Mike - Vashon, WA