BVI

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Mar 25, 2013
39
Hunter 26 Ceasar Creek
Looking for advice on booking a bareboat in BVI. I sail a 25 in land lakes and an planning a trip for my 50th birthday. Want to take some friends and stay a week on a boat. Would like to keep the costs down so friends can afford the trip.
Also, what certifications will I need to captain a bareboat there?
Any help would be appreciated.
 

Pat

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Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Try this. http://www.nauticed.org/signin

If you like please use prmo code "dustyshelp"
We have many sailors from Wichita that have chartered as captains in the
BVI...so experience on a lake is not a drawback. I am not aware of any
charter companies that have required certification either...In our experience,
when you are discussing items on the telephone w/the charter companies, they can tell pretty quickly if you have experience...Does your boat have a diesel?; Marine Head?, etc. Instrumentation, etc....Our personal experience is that you need to be checking out the charter company as badly as they need to be checking you out.....their upkeep of a boat is very often a major factor in the success of a charter. Just my thoughts, Pat
 
Jun 6, 2013
11
Hunter 28 Burlington, ON
I sailed with a nameless charter company in the BVI and the last two years with Conch Charters.
Conch are good people who maintain their boats well and support you as a charterer.
I will be going again with them next year.
Prices are reasonable, service is excellent.
Give them a call!


Conch Charters

Waterfront Dr, Road Town
+1 800-521-8939

I have no connection with them other than as a happy return customer.

...Hugh
 
Jun 9, 2004
52
Hunter 29.5 Orange Beach, AL
I used Ed Hamilton & Co. to book 2 BVI charters. I'll give them an unsolicited plug. The charter rate is the same as it would have been if I booked directly with the charter company and working with knowledgeable people took a lot of the stress out of the trip. We were sailing an O'Day 23 in coastal waters and booked a Beneteau 331 the first time. My wife and I were very comfortable moving up in size and using the boat's systems. We now own an Hunter 29.5 and last fall we sailed a 34 ft on the charter. To a large extent, sailing in the BVI's is like sailing on a really big lake. Everything is line-of-sight and as long as you don't hit a reef it's very easy. Just be certain that you know basic navigation and how to read a chart. Much of the fun is getting a cruising guide and planning your trip prior to leaving.
Looking at your boat, I agree with Pat that you need to get some experience with a diesel, head, and instruments. The sailing will actually be the easy part for you. Find someone with these systems on their boat and crew for them until you feel comfortable with how to use them. If the charter company isn't certain you are qualified (or at your request) they will send a captain with you for a few hours to protect their interests and to insure you have a good cruise. They want your repeat business.
Terry
 
May 11, 2004
273
RAPTOR Hotfoot 20 Ghost Lake
I've sailed the BVI's 5 times. Going again in Nov.
Best by far is Conch IMHO. I tried SunSail last year ( not my idea ). We paid nearly twice as much.The boat was no better nor was the service. Going back to Conch!
 

chp

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Sep 13, 2010
432
Hunter 280 hamilton
I went with BVI yacht charter and had an excellent time last February. We booked at the Annapolis boat show and got a 20% discount. We had a Bene 34'. Boat was well equiped and in good shape.
For qualifications I filled out the online resume. I also sail a Mac 26C on Lake Ontario. I had only 3 years experience sailing however 30 years of power boats. If you can sail one of these rather tender trailer sailers you can handle a 34 footer. It was just me and my wife and we managed very well. It is excellent sailing there with good steady trade winds. We had one bout of weather in which we were down to just a 50% furlled Genoa as we got hit with a sqall and winds of 35 knts, breaking waves of 8', however this only lasted about 20 minutes and back to nice sunshine. Its easy sailing and the water and scenery is breathtaking. Go for it. My wife and I now have a new retirement goal. I wont be here in the frozen north in winter.
 
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