On the island of Tortola, the airport is conveniently located just one block from the beach and the anchorage where Woodwind was settled in. Our buddy, Jesse Farr, had just flown in from Washington State, placing his feet on tropical sand for the very first time. A cold Red Stripe beer in one hand, his luggage at his side, he sized up the scene in tiny Trellis Bay and immediately knew that he was in for a good time. He and Bruce would sail the BVI for ten days together, checking out all the amazing attractions it has to offer.

Bruce introduced Jesse and his ‘first timer’ status to a West Indian acquaintance. The man’s face immediately turned into one big grin and he announced, “Ya got ta take ‘im to da Willy T, mon. Ya got ta go dere.” Well, local advice should always be heeded so they hoisted sail a day later and headed to a bay called The Bight on Norman Island on a quest for the Willy T.

It was when they sailed around the corner, into the large, uninhabited bay, that they realized there must be something special about the place because the anchorage was packed with boats. Charter boats of all sizes and all kinds filled the bay. In the middle of the crowd was a large, black vessel; behind it, dozens of inflatable dinghies clustered like grapes on a vine.

They dropped the hook, launched the dinghy and headed over to the place to ascertain the cause of the congregation. Not many businesses in the British Virgin Islands draw a mid-day crowd, maybe because everyone is at the Willy T.

The original boat dubbed the Willy T was launched in 1935 as a Baltic Trader named after one of the more famous BVI residents, William Thornton. In 1985 she was put into service as a floating bar and restaurant in the Bight where she gained an illustrious reputation as a “bistro on the briny.” Pretty much anyone who charters in the BVI visits once and it’s quite possible that some spend their entire week right there.

After a decade of service to diners and drinkers, the ol’ gal sprang a leak. The bilge pumps weren’t up to the job of saving her and she sank at her mooring in June of 1995. Knowing she had met her fate, divers raised the hull, hauled it out to sea and sunk it again with the hopes of creating a dive site. If any secrets had ever been left on board, (and I know there were plenty,) the sea and weather erased them. Today, there is nothing left of the old William Thornton.

The owners of the restaurant, not wanting to lose a good thing, found a replacement and quickly installed a 100 foot schooner in the same place. In January of 1996, the new and improved Willy T opened for business and is even more popular than her predecessor.

They serve great food: salads, fresh lobster, conch fritters, calamari ceviche, roti, ribs and pretty much any thing a hungry pirate would want. But their specialty is drinks. Like ski shots served from a water ski with several holes in it plugged with shot glasses. Everyone participating picks up the ski and down goes the drink(s.) It’s also a place to dance ‘crazy style‘, to dive in the water when things heat up, to take incriminating photos and to meet new friends. And all though what happens at the Willy T should stay at the Willy T, everyone is so elated to have been there that they just can’t wait to tell their friends.

Like our buddy Jesse who returned to the Pacific Northwest sporting a Willy T hat, flying a Willy T flag from his boat, wearing, of course, a Willy T shirt. Makes you wanna go, huh?