Ok folks, gather round. I have never been to the Caribbean and I have been tasked to investigate pricing and logistics for a charter for next year. Probably 3 couples,most non sailors. They have made it clear they prefer a captained charter, don't want me to be stuck driving all week. I am fine with that as I have zero experience with big boats and associated systems. I'm thinking a cat with 3 couples and a Captain. Do I have to choose Boat size or is it domain of charter company? Let them provide provisions or do our own, what type of feeding of thr captain is expected of us? These are just the first of about 50 questions I have for starters.
Charter advice needed
- Thread starter DAVA390
- Start date
DAVA390, a good place for your first charter experience might be the British Virgin Islands. It's a great idea to make the first trip with someone that's been there before. The trip will be a lot less stressful. The navigation around the islands is fairly easy as most are just a few miles apart. Captains will cost $150-200 per day and you'll need to feed them in most cases as well. If that's in your budget go for it. You may also want to check with other slip-mates that have been to the BVI's and may have an interest in another trip. You and your crew will select the boat that fits your price point. Give some thought to second tier Charter companies. These boats are a little older and as a result less expensive. Your thoughts toward a catamaran is a good one. We've chartered several and find there is room to party and still find a little solitude after a few days with friends. Boats in the 40-45 foot range will have 4 cabins and 2 or 4 heads. One unit would be taken by the Capt. We've always appreciated having a separate head for each couple. It's pretty common to sleep aboard dockside the day you arrive and set out the next morning. It's usually costs about the same as a local hotel. Provisioning can be done by the charter company but often there is a grocery store near the marina that you can visit before you set out the first day. Planning a trip in 6-9 months in advance often works out best. It enables you to get the boat you want, when you want it and arrange for airfare. But last minute deals are out there. Sorry for all the rambling. Enjoy your trip!!
I typically go to the web site of a charter company and look at their fleet and rates, including captained versus bareboat. After I figure out what it's likely to cost, I phone or email the company to inquire more details such as availability of the yacht the week or two that I want it and whether there might be any discounts available, etc. At some point in the back-and-forth you'll get a provisional booking and then a contract that specifies who will do the stores provisioning (they charge for that if they do it), the required deposit amount for insurance, and the initial deposit necessary to hold the charter boat for you, and a prepayment schedule for the charter between when you make the booking and the start of the charter. Yes, you normally have to have it nearly paid off by the time you arrive. Typical negotiable points are whether or not your crew can sleep on the boat for free one, maybe two, nights before the official charter starts, when the "check-out" is given (but being a captained charter you probably won't need to do that), and maybe some details re: comfort or other items (e.g. separate charge for the dinghy or included in charter price?, etc.). If you're going to hire a captain, then go somewhere where a captain is really "needed." For example, St. Vincent to Grenada and back (the Windwards). I nearly did a captained charter once until I found out that we had to buy food for him, plus make the meals, etc., plus pay a couple of hundred $$/per day. In the Caribbean, the travel distances are not far so it's not like the Captain is working 12-hr days, etc. For 3 couples and a cat-- get a 50' boat if a mono-hull.
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Conch Charters on Tortola BVI. Good prices. Boats are about 10 years old and the prices are about half what you will pay at The Moorings. I have always chartered with them. Never a problem. 10 year old boat is just fine. I recommend booking well in advance, like 8-10 months out. Summer from July to October is cheapest due to hurricane threat. Late spring/early summer is still cheap but better weather. Winter is best weather and most expensive. Also, I recommend provisioning through the Ample Hamper. You order your meals online and they will deliver to the boat. I've done the grocery store thing and it is a huge hassle, wasteful and time consuming.
I have a friend with a Leopard 48. I'm not a cat guy but holy crap what a cool boat. If I was looking for a captained charter I'd hook up with one. Its like a Soho loft that sails.
Same boat.
http://www.moorings.com/charter-fleet/moorings-crewed-4800-4-cabin-catamaran
Same boat.
http://www.moorings.com/charter-fleet/moorings-crewed-4800-4-cabin-catamaran
We chartered with 3 other couples last year in the BVI out of Road Harbor, Tortola. Had a 43' Leopard from Conch Charters. Older but fine boat. 4cabins each with its own head. Provisioned ourselves, market walkable. In addition, several harbors on other islands have small markets. We provisioned all breakfasts and lunches, ate all supers on shore. Had a great time and while I sail a monohull, a cat is the way to go cruising, especially with non-sailors as they are more stabile.
Lots of great advice here. I second the BVI, it's the perfect way to introduce yourself to the Carribean. Easy navigation, lots of anchorages, and the waters are mostly protected so the sailing is easy. I've been down there several times now and I lean toward booking in-season, but around the edges.
I have no idea what the weather is like now, this year in particular it may be opposite of what it was, but I recall that the weather can shift pretty dramatically once their high season ends. With this much money at stake, I want good weather and booking offseason increases your odds of overcast, rain, and/or too much wind.
Jackdaw: that cat looks like the ultimate party platform!
I have no idea what the weather is like now, this year in particular it may be opposite of what it was, but I recall that the weather can shift pretty dramatically once their high season ends. With this much money at stake, I want good weather and booking offseason increases your odds of overcast, rain, and/or too much wind.
Jackdaw: that cat looks like the ultimate party platform!
Thank you all for the info and advice. As iI work on this over the winter I'm sure I will be back with more questions, I know good answers (usually) will come !
Guidebooks coming from Amazon, brochures coming etc. One thing occurred to me, would a hired captain make destinations suggestions, have sort of a plan, or would he ask "ok, where do you wanna go"?
Both. He'll ask if you have any pre-determined places, but should offer additiontal or better choices. I'm going there after the first of the year for the 5th time.
Thanks guys. Got an email today from a charter broker. I guess brokers are salesmen representing various privately owned boats. That`s what it appears to me. Any thoughts on using one vs. a company (Moorings,Conch Sunsail,etc) ?
All of the boats are privately own at the charter companies. I would see who gives you the best price. If you cheater in the BVI the captain is going to also expect a tip of 15-20 percent of coast of charter unless you work it out before hand
You're going to the BVIs. This is not rocket science. Let the skipper know what your ideal vacation looks like, and the types of places you want to go. Let him (or her) pick the destinations and exact itinerary based on weather and other local factors. Then sit back, pour a drink, and enjoy the ride.
Question on captained charters.
When you eat on shore do you have to pay for the captain's meal at a restaurant? or can he be left on the boat to cook for himself?
What about the lead boat type of charter, where the company takes a number of boats on a tour, with a leader and support boat. Each individual charter is running their boat, but with a heard of other boat near by, and mechanics on call (support boat).
When you eat on shore do you have to pay for the captain's meal at a restaurant? or can he be left on the boat to cook for himself?
What about the lead boat type of charter, where the company takes a number of boats on a tour, with a leader and support boat. Each individual charter is running their boat, but with a heard of other boat near by, and mechanics on call (support boat).
A lot of the crewed charters come with Captain and Cook, I have not used them, but if I were doing a crewed charter I would go that route and let them provision and cook.
When ashore, the crew ALWAYS buys for the Captain. Unless they have been spectacularly capable, then he rewards their good deeds.
Charters: Deal with the charter company officers directly, not a broker middleman. The last thing you need is to arrive on your expensive vacation and find a mis-communicated mess.
I did a bareboat charter for some novice sailor friends a few years back and against my better judgement took a Leopard43. A floating condo! Thing had a genset the size of my Yanmar, 3 zone AC and walk in reefer (kinda). Each couple got their own stateroom with ensuite head (4 cabin. It was fabulous, and the crew is still begging for a return adventure.
When ashore, the crew ALWAYS buys for the Captain. Unless they have been spectacularly capable, then he rewards their good deeds.
Charters: Deal with the charter company officers directly, not a broker middleman. The last thing you need is to arrive on your expensive vacation and find a mis-communicated mess.
I did a bareboat charter for some novice sailor friends a few years back and against my better judgement took a Leopard43. A floating condo! Thing had a genset the size of my Yanmar, 3 zone AC and walk in reefer (kinda). Each couple got their own stateroom with ensuite head (4 cabin. It was fabulous, and the crew is still begging for a return adventure.