4 Couples On A Charter Boat?

higgs · Nov 29, 2009

I do know of a group who did such a trip and there were problems - not permanent - but problems. The boat had 3 who I would describe as strong willed.

I know that I would have a very tough time living close quarters with a couple who dug at each other. this makes me very uncompfortable. I could overlook it for a couple of days, but a week would drive me nuts.

On the other hand, I do know of a group of 8 that I could spend a week with on a boat in the BVI. I guess it depends.

Ed Schenck · Nov 29, 2009

We did three couples. But it was a four day, three night charter. And the other two couples were real sailors who race and love the rail in the water. Couple that with it being a 46-footer with three cabins and in a marina every night. We had a great time and cannot wait to do it again. But two more people would have made it uncomfortable I think, especially in the cockpit.

Tim R. · Nov 29, 2009

I have done 3 couples but we(my wife and I) were the true sailors so we were pretty much in charge of all things boat related. It was more of a captained charter for the others. We have vacationed together before so it was not a problem.

PrincessoftheLake · Nov 29, 2009

I don't think I would want to go with more than 6 people. There are lots more logistics for 8 people. One of them being you'll probably get stuck with having two dinghys because you cannot get 8 people in one dinghy. The more people on board the more opinions you have to deal with. When my husband and I have chartered we have mostly gone by ourselves since our list of people we could stand to be on a boat with for 7 days is really, really short. Also, to be honest we are not everybody's cup of tea either. On our Hunter 40.5 that we sail in the Apostle Islands we have sailed for a weekend with 2 other couples and that wasn't bad. On longer cruises (5 days or more) we might take one other couple or else two male friends who also sail, if we want company at all. I know some people who have a great time with these large groups I just don't think I'm one of them. If you do it, be sure to let us know how it turns out. A good place for BVI charter stories is traveltalkonline.com. You could ask your question there.

shemandr · Nov 29, 2009

Reports from others who have tried this, is that 2 dingys are mandatory for a larger group. You need to be able to get away from one another and not everyone even wants to do the same things. "Well worth the extra expense" and even "The key to a successful cruise".
Or to put it in musical terms: "How can I miss you when you won't go away?"

Ross · Nov 29, 2009

I would try four couples in a small house for a week first. Just one TV, no newspapers, no mail, one menu for meals, two cars but a limit of 5 miles from home. Only two bathrooms with a limit on shower length.
I am not good enough friends with anyone to attempt that.

zeehag · Nov 29, 2009

ross said it well---or get a 60 ft trimaran for the cruise......with a dink for each couple....BEST idea is to buddy boat and each couple have a boat and dinghy...LOL....seriously.....

David in Sandusky · Nov 29, 2009

4 couples good on a 45 foot cat

Our first charter was with three other couples in the BVI's on a Moorings 4500 Catamaran. I strongly recommend a cat if you are not sure about the other couples as sailors. These boats have great space - 4 staterooms, each with a queen sized bed, and its own head. And with the big cockpit, large main cabin, trampoline, and bow seats, there is always someplace to be by yourself.

We could get the eight of us into the one dinghy without any problems, especially since we were on short runs ashore. Our Captain had experience with similar groups. Everone had assigned roles and chores, we rotated the helm among all who were interested, and he called meetings on alternative destinations - going with the conservative choice to keep everyone comfortable. We had a great week, and all enjoyed ourselves. We'd do it again, that's for sure.

George H260 · Nov 29, 2009

Re: 4 couples good on a 45 foot cat

David is correct. We did a 4 couple BVI charter on a 45 ft cat last year and it worked well. I would not try it on a monohull less than 60 ft unless you are really, really good friends...

larryw · Nov 30, 2009

Bunch of us were kicking around a four-couple charter in the BVI; we were going to go the catamaran route, but it never happened.

cephius (Dave) · Nov 30, 2009

I've had both great vacations and bad vacations with crews this size. The bad ones had people we took others word for as to what they were like. We now insist on getting to know each person well before spending 14 days crowded onto a 60' boat.

The logistics is not bad. We insist on trip insurance, and it has saved our vacation a couple of times. If a person is unable to make it, the boat is already paid for and reimbursement is between that person and the insurance company.

If all want to go ashore, it does take more than one dingy trip. Never been a problem. There always seems to be one person who enjoys driving a dingy.

Most charter sailboats with 4 cabins have very generous cockpits. I find it easier on me when there is always somebody in reach of the item I need and can pass it to me, rather than leaving the helm and scrambling for it myself.

The chores seem easier too with more hands.

I've never had crew with any real sailing experience. Maybe that helps because I get to teach them to do things the way I like. Since I can handle the boat solo, except for a few tasks like picking up a buoy, and I'm an experienced instructor, crew skills is not one of our criteria.

The real key is good advanced communications and setting expectations. I'm the charter holder with the legal responsibility. We make it clear that while I often delegate authority, the finial word is always mine. I then relax "Captain Ron" style and have a good time.

Steve Walsh · Nov 30, 2009

We've done 6 BVI bareboat charters in the last 9 years and it was always just the two of us, but we have heard about and witnessed a few conflicts: On our first trip, I watched a large Moorings mono trying to anchor in Cane Garden Bay late one afternoon with 3 couples aboard. Finally got the anchor to set on the third try, but by then the men's yelling (screaming, actually) was out of control. The women had disappeared below and I really thought somebody was going to get hurt. Saw the couples later at Elms and they were at 3 seperate tables. Talked to one of them and he said they were neighbors of 20 years and could not believe how their friendships had been strained by this trip. Met a couple at Anegada that had their friends (another couple) jump ship at Virgin Gorda, take the ferry and fly home after only 3 days on the boat. I think anyone considering sharing a boat needs to take the time to meet and discuss expectations. Some sailors want to sail 10 hours/day, some want to be anchored for the day by lunchtime. Big difference. Sunburn, wind, hangovers. not recovering from the full day of travel it takes to get there, experience level, personalities, itinerary, whiners, princesses, agressive vs passive personalities, partiers, early vs late risers, water usage, etc. all contribute to this working or not. One couple we know was said they really did not have a great time because they spent so much time making sure everyone else had a fun trip and worrying about the details. Money collection deadlines, refundable, non-refundable...wow, a lot to deal with. Go to traveltalkonline.com (BVI's). Lots of great information on this very topic there. Hope you can work it out, because with the right people, I think it could be great.

Ross · Nov 30, 2009

I think that I would be more inclined to charter 4 thirty footers and the four couples with their boats sail together from place to place.

Gail R · Nov 30, 2009

A friend of mine is a charter broker up here (Maine). Her advice is if you are booking with another couple or couples, they should be people you know really well and have hopefully vacationed with before. Less chance of surprises that way.

We've only been down once. Booked a boat just for the hubby and me, then had dinner with another sailing couple we know the next day. Hubby and I shared news of our upcoming trip, saw their reaction, looked at one another, then asked if they wanted to join us. Called the broker the next day to get a bigger boat. We'd cruised with them on separate boats before and knew them pretty well.

Along with knowing the other people well, she also strongly recommends you have enough heads, preferably one of each couple. We had a 40-foot mono with two good-sized cabins and two heads and it worked out great. We got together a couple times before the trip to plan meals and possible routes and what not.

As we were getting ready to head home, my husband decided to ask everyone if there was anything that really surprised them about the trip. Most notable was the response from the female half of the other couple: "You guys drink a LOT!" Couldn't help but laugh at that one.

Banooma · Nov 30, 2009

After our week in the BVI (just the two of us), we were sure we wanted to return, but also pretty sure we didn't know anyone we'd want to spend that much time aboard with. We loved the freedom of flexible plans, and infinite privacy far too much to give the group idea very much thought.

Sailm8 · Nov 30, 2009

We do 4 couples every time we have been. One trip was on a Hylas 49 mono. The others were cat's. The guys like the monos, and the ladies the cat so we mostly charter cats. Privacy and modesty have never been our problem. That was understood from the very first trip. We are all boat owners and sailors so the biggest argument was who's turn was it to steer. These have been the greatest trips ever. We are planning for 2011.

We mostly eat dinner out (ashore) and everyone buys there own favorite snack booze whatever and everything else if paid for out of the cruising kitty. Everyone throws in $100 and we use it for boat expenses like ice, moorings, taxi fares ect. If we use it up then we all put in another $50. Any money left over goes for the last nights party.