We're looking at doing a bareboat charter in BVI next March. Second possibility is the Abacos. Most likely a 38ft Jenneau(monohull) from Footloose. Does anyone have any bareboat charter info they could share with me from real life experience?
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I've bareboated in both places
and they both have their ups and downs. In the Abacos, I had a 38 ft Beneteau and in the BVI it was a 40 ft Island Packet. The IP was a great boat for open ocean passages, while the Beneteau was much better for upwind work. I felt more restricted in where I could sail in the Abacos than the BVI, but that also meant it was much less crowded. I went to both places in the off season, i.e., end of summer in order to avoid crowds and get better rates. But the tradeoff is that you are at the beginning of hurricane season (although we never had any problems with really bad weather -- other than the scary line squalls that come up quickly, blow hard, and are gone just as quickly = be sure you know how to quickly reef main and headsails on your charter boat). This was my first experience with furling mains and they worked well. Both boats were good choices for their locations, but it is important to make sure whatever boat you get has many opening ports, fans, and otherwise good ventilation as it can get hot in an anchorage. In sailing out of Road Town, we had the choice to provision the boat ourselves and while that added some time to do, it really saved some money. We had less choices in the Abacos and so had the charter company provision the boat and they did a great job. The sailing was grand in both locations as you can count on 10-20 kts from the Trades every day. I would go back to either place -- and may just do that. It may help to get a chart kit beforehand and program some waypoints into your own GPS before you leave home. Have fun, bring sun screen, and a wide brimmed hat.
and they both have their ups and downs. In the Abacos, I had a 38 ft Beneteau and in the BVI it was a 40 ft Island Packet. The IP was a great boat for open ocean passages, while the Beneteau was much better for upwind work. I felt more restricted in where I could sail in the Abacos than the BVI, but that also meant it was much less crowded. I went to both places in the off season, i.e., end of summer in order to avoid crowds and get better rates. But the tradeoff is that you are at the beginning of hurricane season (although we never had any problems with really bad weather -- other than the scary line squalls that come up quickly, blow hard, and are gone just as quickly = be sure you know how to quickly reef main and headsails on your charter boat). This was my first experience with furling mains and they worked well. Both boats were good choices for their locations, but it is important to make sure whatever boat you get has many opening ports, fans, and otherwise good ventilation as it can get hot in an anchorage. In sailing out of Road Town, we had the choice to provision the boat ourselves and while that added some time to do, it really saved some money. We had less choices in the Abacos and so had the charter company provision the boat and they did a great job. The sailing was grand in both locations as you can count on 10-20 kts from the Trades every day. I would go back to either place -- and may just do that. It may help to get a chart kit beforehand and program some waypoints into your own GPS before you leave home. Have fun, bring sun screen, and a wide brimmed hat.
March a bit cool in the Abacos
The only problem with Abaco in March is that if there's a front or two during your week's charter (and there's a good chance of this) you will not have a good time. It can get awful cool and blustery. For a short charter in March BVI is your best bet, 84 degrees, sunny, maybe a drop of rain. Rick I http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ beneteau393 : Beneteau393 Group
The only problem with Abaco in March is that if there's a front or two during your week's charter (and there's a good chance of this) you will not have a good time. It can get awful cool and blustery. For a short charter in March BVI is your best bet, 84 degrees, sunny, maybe a drop of rain. Rick I http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ beneteau393 : Beneteau393 Group
BVI June 2006 -- Pictures and story online
Dan, We chartered a B393 with Sunsail. Had a great time. Check out our web page for more information on our experience in BVI. http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/ Mark
Dan, We chartered a B393 with Sunsail. Had a great time. Check out our web page for more information on our experience in BVI. http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/ Mark
BVI Bareboat January 2007
Go to this link for information on our experience in the BVI http://kobernus.com/hunter260/cruising/BVI/bvi1b.html
Go to this link for information on our experience in the BVI http://kobernus.com/hunter260/cruising/BVI/bvi1b.html
Conch Charters
We chartered from Conch Charters out of Road Town last December. We chartered a 46 Beneteau. We did our own provisioning. It took a little extra time but we thought it was interesting shopping in a different country. Besides your there to relax and have some fun so why worry about a few extra hours. The people who run Conch Charters are wonderful people. I would recommend them to anyone. Enjoy yourself.
We chartered from Conch Charters out of Road Town last December. We chartered a 46 Beneteau. We did our own provisioning. It took a little extra time but we thought it was interesting shopping in a different country. Besides your there to relax and have some fun so why worry about a few extra hours. The people who run Conch Charters are wonderful people. I would recommend them to anyone. Enjoy yourself.
Have done both...
BVI's would be my choice if you've never been there before. Really beautiful, easy and protected sailing with more than enough things to see and do to make you wish for more. Footloose Charters is owned by the Moorings and uses older boats but they are kept well and they have a good reputation for customer service. One thing in the BVI's is that every anchorage is filled with $25-30 a night moorings and no place to drop your own hook...so dactor in this additional expense if you go. The Abacos are also wonderful and the WATER and REEFS are even better than the BVI's and the sailing inside of the sea of Abaco is also very protected. The land is flat and there is less on shore to do but March is a beautiful month and it is also the last month of lobster season! There are several charter outfits run out of Marsh Harbor which is a short flight out of Ft. Lauderdale or W.PalmBeach. American style grocery is there for excellent provisioning. Moorings is probably the best bet there operating out of the Conch Inn which is convenient to everything. You can anchor OR take a mooring most everywhere in the Abacos.
BVI's would be my choice if you've never been there before. Really beautiful, easy and protected sailing with more than enough things to see and do to make you wish for more. Footloose Charters is owned by the Moorings and uses older boats but they are kept well and they have a good reputation for customer service. One thing in the BVI's is that every anchorage is filled with $25-30 a night moorings and no place to drop your own hook...so dactor in this additional expense if you go. The Abacos are also wonderful and the WATER and REEFS are even better than the BVI's and the sailing inside of the sea of Abaco is also very protected. The land is flat and there is less on shore to do but March is a beautiful month and it is also the last month of lobster season! There are several charter outfits run out of Marsh Harbor which is a short flight out of Ft. Lauderdale or W.PalmBeach. American style grocery is there for excellent provisioning. Moorings is probably the best bet there operating out of the Conch Inn which is convenient to everything. You can anchor OR take a mooring most everywhere in the Abacos.
Bareboat
We have bareboated in the BVI for several years. It is absolutely gorgeous there and great sailing conditions. Every year we find a new favorite anchorage and revisit favorites from past charters. There are many places to see, many of them have moorings as well as anchorages. Last trip we sailed for 10 days and only moored twice. Pick up a copy of the Virgin Islands Cruising Guide by Nancy and Simon Scott- very informative with lots of pictures. The Moorings web site has lots of info and you can order a catalog- I have no financial interest in Moorings, just like their Charter Company! We started with them and were so pleased with the overall operation that we used them over and over. We haven't sailed in March but went in April(very nice but a bit cool at times), June, and December/ January( high season and most expensive). We have used the Exclusive (<2yrs. old)boats- a 473, and a 403, (both Benateus) vice the Club- they cost a little more but twice we have had brand new boats and the others were like new. We have also talked with several charterers who have been very happy with the Club boats and others who have used Sunsail. There are many companies to choose from- we prefer Moorings for the immaculate boats and great customer service. The Tortola facility is first rate. We have talked about sailing somewhere else- the Med, the Grenadines, but we like BVI so well we always end up going back. Try it, you'll like it!
We have bareboated in the BVI for several years. It is absolutely gorgeous there and great sailing conditions. Every year we find a new favorite anchorage and revisit favorites from past charters. There are many places to see, many of them have moorings as well as anchorages. Last trip we sailed for 10 days and only moored twice. Pick up a copy of the Virgin Islands Cruising Guide by Nancy and Simon Scott- very informative with lots of pictures. The Moorings web site has lots of info and you can order a catalog- I have no financial interest in Moorings, just like their Charter Company! We started with them and were so pleased with the overall operation that we used them over and over. We haven't sailed in March but went in April(very nice but a bit cool at times), June, and December/ January( high season and most expensive). We have used the Exclusive (<2yrs. old)boats- a 473, and a 403, (both Benateus) vice the Club- they cost a little more but twice we have had brand new boats and the others were like new. We have also talked with several charterers who have been very happy with the Club boats and others who have used Sunsail. There are many companies to choose from- we prefer Moorings for the immaculate boats and great customer service. The Tortola facility is first rate. We have talked about sailing somewhere else- the Med, the Grenadines, but we like BVI so well we always end up going back. Try it, you'll like it!
It's official
Well,it's official. I booked a 36 Beneteau last night with Footloose,so we're off to BVI. We decided to do our own provisioning,to save some money and maybe expand the menu a bit. Thanks so much to all you guys that provided info and shared your experiences. The Admiral is definitely psyched for this trip!
Well,it's official. I booked a 36 Beneteau last night with Footloose,so we're off to BVI. We decided to do our own provisioning,to save some money and maybe expand the menu a bit. Thanks so much to all you guys that provided info and shared your experiences. The Admiral is definitely psyched for this trip!
Make up a provisioning plan
Dan, when you do the provisioning thru the charters, they send you a planner where you need to pick which items you want each day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and alcohol). I borrowed that concept and when we plan longer trips, the admiral and I fill out the forms (you know she loved me for doing this). although we may not stick to it religiously, it is a good way to plan out what you need and most importantly what to buy when you are there. figure in what nights you may eat on shore. I can send you a copy if interested, but it is nothing more than a speadsheet. Tim
Dan, when you do the provisioning thru the charters, they send you a planner where you need to pick which items you want each day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and alcohol). I borrowed that concept and when we plan longer trips, the admiral and I fill out the forms (you know she loved me for doing this). although we may not stick to it religiously, it is a good way to plan out what you need and most importantly what to buy when you are there. figure in what nights you may eat on shore. I can send you a copy if interested, but it is nothing more than a speadsheet. Tim
Plan to Eat Well
Shippy-it's good advice. We do a "menu" before shopping for multi day trips when sailing,or kayaking. I can print the forms off from the Moorings site,and we can "adjust to taste". I'm not sure what food would be worth bringing with us to save money,as we're planning to do carry on only. After several trips to Exuma,at least I won't have "sticker shock" when grocery shopping. Last year I bought a $6 dollar pineapple-the Admiral thought I was nuts! We sure did enjoy it for breakfast at the campsite on the beach!
Shippy-it's good advice. We do a "menu" before shopping for multi day trips when sailing,or kayaking. I can print the forms off from the Moorings site,and we can "adjust to taste". I'm not sure what food would be worth bringing with us to save money,as we're planning to do carry on only. After several trips to Exuma,at least I won't have "sticker shock" when grocery shopping. Last year I bought a $6 dollar pineapple-the Admiral thought I was nuts! We sure did enjoy it for breakfast at the campsite on the beach!
Bobby's Market
Dan - very smart to do your own provisioning. I highly recommend Bobby's Market in Tortola > http://www.bobbysmarketplace.com/ Down load their order form, send it back, and they'll deliver to your charter boat. Butt simple and WAAAAAAAY cheaper than using the charter company provisioning. Where do you think they get theirs, anyway?
I also recommend you pre-order only non-perishables. Plan your travel to arrive one day early on Tortola and go in person to Bobby's to hand pick out perishables like meats and veggies. Bobby's will pack this stuff up with your pre-order stuff and deliver it all together. Enjoy! Dave, S/V Pas de Deux, Catana 471-44
Dan - very smart to do your own provisioning. I highly recommend Bobby's Market in Tortola > http://www.bobbysmarketplace.com/ Down load their order form, send it back, and they'll deliver to your charter boat. Butt simple and WAAAAAAAY cheaper than using the charter company provisioning. Where do you think they get theirs, anyway?
I also recommend you pre-order only non-perishables. Plan your travel to arrive one day early on Tortola and go in person to Bobby's to hand pick out perishables like meats and veggies. Bobby's will pack this stuff up with your pre-order stuff and deliver it all together. Enjoy! Dave, S/V Pas de Deux, Catana 471-44
Bobby's is good for provisioning
but if you really want to save pack a bag full of munchies. We used to take all the stuff we used for cocktail hour, cheeses, salamis,smoked oysters, crackers etc. This stuff is very expensive down there and we usually chartered for two to three weeks. A tube of Pringles is 4-8 bucks. If the customs officer asks if you've got any food (there's a 10% duty) just tell him you've got $100 worth of food and give him ten bucks. One other thing as most charters are from noon to noon get first night sleep aboard privileges as you invariably arrive late in the afternoon or the evening. Get Bobby to deliver in the morning and do your fresh stuff shopping in the morning and you'll be ready to set sail at noon. Rick I http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ beneteau393 : Beneteau393 Group
but if you really want to save pack a bag full of munchies. We used to take all the stuff we used for cocktail hour, cheeses, salamis,smoked oysters, crackers etc. This stuff is very expensive down there and we usually chartered for two to three weeks. A tube of Pringles is 4-8 bucks. If the customs officer asks if you've got any food (there's a 10% duty) just tell him you've got $100 worth of food and give him ten bucks. One other thing as most charters are from noon to noon get first night sleep aboard privileges as you invariably arrive late in the afternoon or the evening. Get Bobby to deliver in the morning and do your fresh stuff shopping in the morning and you'll be ready to set sail at noon. Rick I http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/ beneteau393 : Beneteau393 Group
The Plan
We will arrive just after 1pm Saturday,and we will have the boat at 6 that evening for a sleep aboard. We're planning to use the time to shop,as the markets are closed on Sunday. Preordering at Bobby's is a great idea. Thanks!
We will arrive just after 1pm Saturday,and we will have the boat at 6 that evening for a sleep aboard. We're planning to use the time to shop,as the markets are closed on Sunday. Preordering at Bobby's is a great idea. Thanks!
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