Hi All, looking for comments on CYOA yacht charters from anyone who has chartered with them in the last couple of years. As background, with the folks we will be taking, we think it best to ease them into chartering by going with a catamaran. Why, Generator, AC and stability are the main issues. Looking at flights down there next June, seems a lot easier to get into St. Thomas than Tortola (more open frequent flyer mile flights). So it seems that CYOA is the best bet based on location and flights to get a catamaran. That being said, anyone have anything good or bad to say about them? Thanks. Bruce. Neon Moon
CYOA Yacht Charters
- Thread starter Bruce Grant
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Charter out of the BVI
I've chartered in the Virgins 8 times. The first two times out of ST. Thomas and the rest out of Tortola. Yes, you fly into St.Thomas and then take the inter Island ferry from the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie to the BVI. It stops in all of the charter ports. Why do this? The BVI has the best cruising and is where you'll be wanting to go. Sailing from the US Virgins, you'll have to clear into the BVI and get a cruising permit which cost $100 or so. Leaving the BVI, you'll have to clear customs back into the US Virgins. Yes, you still have to clear both ways when using the Inter Island Ferry but the process is streamlined and you're not responsible for clearing boat and crew as you will be when you enter by charter boat. I also recommend doing your own provisioning. Having the charter companies provision is very expensive and they load you down with food you don't eat. Make your menu, plan on eating 2 or 3 dinners out. When you get to your charter spot, divide up. 1/2 to the super market and half to check out the boat. If you need liquor, beer, or wine, the super markets have a great selection at good prices. In Tortola, the best super market is in Road Town where most of the Charter companies are. Taxi service is good. Above all, have a ball! It's the greatest vacation in the world. If you can, stretch the charter to 10 days. 10 days is twice as goood as 7.
I've chartered in the Virgins 8 times. The first two times out of ST. Thomas and the rest out of Tortola. Yes, you fly into St.Thomas and then take the inter Island ferry from the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie to the BVI. It stops in all of the charter ports. Why do this? The BVI has the best cruising and is where you'll be wanting to go. Sailing from the US Virgins, you'll have to clear into the BVI and get a cruising permit which cost $100 or so. Leaving the BVI, you'll have to clear customs back into the US Virgins. Yes, you still have to clear both ways when using the Inter Island Ferry but the process is streamlined and you're not responsible for clearing boat and crew as you will be when you enter by charter boat. I also recommend doing your own provisioning. Having the charter companies provision is very expensive and they load you down with food you don't eat. Make your menu, plan on eating 2 or 3 dinners out. When you get to your charter spot, divide up. 1/2 to the super market and half to check out the boat. If you need liquor, beer, or wine, the super markets have a great selection at good prices. In Tortola, the best super market is in Road Town where most of the Charter companies are. Taxi service is good. Above all, have a ball! It's the greatest vacation in the world. If you can, stretch the charter to 10 days. 10 days is twice as goood as 7.
I have always chartered with Barecat
They are on the west end of Tortola in Sopers Hole. This is usually the first stop for ferries out of Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. It is also close to Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke, The Bight, and Cooper Island, some of my favorite places to sail to.
They are on the west end of Tortola in Sopers Hole. This is usually the first stop for ferries out of Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. It is also close to Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke, The Bight, and Cooper Island, some of my favorite places to sail to.
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