We would like to charter a boat for a week in January 2005 and would like some input from you all. I would like to come away with good input on a specific destination, a specific charter company and “the best” boat for the recommended destinations. First, about us: We are pretty new to sailing, this will be our first year with our own boat. We have completed the ASA 101, 103 & 105 courses and are taking the 104 course in 3 weeks. We own an H456. Here are our questions: 1.Since it is our first bareboat charter, we will be looking for a company that is very easy to work with: What is your opinion of the most “hassle free” charter company? 2.We have heard that the BVI is the best place for first timers. Would you agree with this and why or why not? 3.What would you consider to be the best destination for a first time “bareboat’er” and why? 4.I have heard that chartering a Cat in “the islands” is probably the best choice, allowing access to more locations. What is your opinion? I read these boards daily, absorbing much of the discussions and I value the opinions expressed by you all. I wish to thank you all in advance for your help, it is appreciated! Regards, -Jim- s/v Forever
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Piece of Cake
Jim, we go most every winter and have always gone out of St Thomas. St Thomas is just a single hop from Atlanta. St Thomas is nothing to write home about but St John's is. The BVIs are just a few hundred yards away and the customs is no big deal both going to the BVIs and returning to USVIs. This last year we used Island Yachts at Red Hook and were very pleased. They only have Island Packets but these are good boats for the Trade Wind Sailing. Chartering in the VIs is a no brainer because there are morings almost everywhere, water depth is not an issue( you are more likely to run into a mountain than run aground). You can stay out for a week and only be alongside a dock three times. When you leave, one water stop, and when you return. If you can ride a bicycle then you can pull off a bareboat charter in the VIs.
Jim, we go most every winter and have always gone out of St Thomas. St Thomas is just a single hop from Atlanta. St Thomas is nothing to write home about but St John's is. The BVIs are just a few hundred yards away and the customs is no big deal both going to the BVIs and returning to USVIs. This last year we used Island Yachts at Red Hook and were very pleased. They only have Island Packets but these are good boats for the Trade Wind Sailing. Chartering in the VIs is a no brainer because there are morings almost everywhere, water depth is not an issue( you are more likely to run into a mountain than run aground). You can stay out for a week and only be alongside a dock three times. When you leave, one water stop, and when you return. If you can ride a bicycle then you can pull off a bareboat charter in the VIs.
Frank, I would only add
that he should bring some cash to pay for those moorings. Even Norman Island turned into a mooring field. GRRR. I liked it better, speaking as a cruiser, not a charterer, when a crew had to anchor. There was no end to the evening cocktail hour entertainment, watching charterers try to anchor.
(Of course, no one on this board was included)
that he should bring some cash to pay for those moorings. Even Norman Island turned into a mooring field. GRRR. I liked it better, speaking as a cruiser, not a charterer, when a crew had to anchor. There was no end to the evening cocktail hour entertainment, watching charterers try to anchor.
(Of course, no one on this board was included)From my first experience
I just did my first charter and here is my experiences: We were 2 couples and we chartered from Footloose. We choose them because they are a subsidiary of the "Moorings". They charter former Moorings boats that are past their prime. We figured we would get a decent (read Good Enough) boat at a lower rate then the Moorings, and at a rate more typical of the lower price Chartering houses. We also thought we would be a beneficiary of the generally excellant reputation that the Mooring has. In all of this we were not disappointed and the bottom line is, we would charter from them again. We chartered a Mooring 38 Cat. We choose a Cat because we felt there would be more living room and we wanted to experience a Cat which neither couple had ever sailed before. Again, we were not disappointed. Cats do point less then monohulls and our experience was at best 50 degrees to the apparent wind - if this doesnt concern you then a cat is a good choose. As far as draft goes, yes the Cat has less draft but in the Virgin Islands draft is not critical, assumming your going to the usual chartered places. We went to the British Virgin Islands in early march (2004). About a constant 80 degrees air, constant 15-25 knot Easterly winds. Beautiful waters, beaches, isolated places, snorkeling etc. Lots of islands to sail to and experience. Not a lot of skill required. This was my first cruise and I have no regrets. Based out of Tortola, we did a good amount of motoring the first 1/2 of the trip while we worked our way mostly East. Heading back was a fast run. With a mono, tacking would be more possible, but less so on the Cat going upwind to the east. R. Young
I just did my first charter and here is my experiences: We were 2 couples and we chartered from Footloose. We choose them because they are a subsidiary of the "Moorings". They charter former Moorings boats that are past their prime. We figured we would get a decent (read Good Enough) boat at a lower rate then the Moorings, and at a rate more typical of the lower price Chartering houses. We also thought we would be a beneficiary of the generally excellant reputation that the Mooring has. In all of this we were not disappointed and the bottom line is, we would charter from them again. We chartered a Mooring 38 Cat. We choose a Cat because we felt there would be more living room and we wanted to experience a Cat which neither couple had ever sailed before. Again, we were not disappointed. Cats do point less then monohulls and our experience was at best 50 degrees to the apparent wind - if this doesnt concern you then a cat is a good choose. As far as draft goes, yes the Cat has less draft but in the Virgin Islands draft is not critical, assumming your going to the usual chartered places. We went to the British Virgin Islands in early march (2004). About a constant 80 degrees air, constant 15-25 knot Easterly winds. Beautiful waters, beaches, isolated places, snorkeling etc. Lots of islands to sail to and experience. Not a lot of skill required. This was my first cruise and I have no regrets. Based out of Tortola, we did a good amount of motoring the first 1/2 of the trip while we worked our way mostly East. Heading back was a fast run. With a mono, tacking would be more possible, but less so on the Cat going upwind to the east. R. Young
05 Bareboat Charter
1. The Moorings - Easy and simple to work with. 2. The BVI's is perfect for yor first time charter. Tfor that time of year, lighter Christmas winds than say St. Martin. Your achorages are all under a day's sail. 3. Same as #2 4. Cats are great for the islands.
1. The Moorings - Easy and simple to work with. 2. The BVI's is perfect for yor first time charter. Tfor that time of year, lighter Christmas winds than say St. Martin. Your achorages are all under a day's sail. 3. Same as #2 4. Cats are great for the islands.
Still buzzing from...
our experience...March 12-20, 2004 Like yourself Jim, while working our our first bareboat charter ever...the consensus around us for a first trip was BVI...and in turned out great. We played it safe and went with reputable company based on recommendations from experienced friends: Sunsail. These guys did an outstanding job at supporting us in the process and the organization of our plans, always available for anything including very sound advice based on local knowledge. Four of us used a Sun Odessey 37 (Mono) and had a great time on it and felt it had great aminities. Your can drop the hook or pick up a ball, what ever makes you feel comfortable. As mentioned by others, for first time, it is a great place to go, already we are working on our next adventure and we might go further south! You will enjoy! Ghislain
our experience...March 12-20, 2004 Like yourself Jim, while working our our first bareboat charter ever...the consensus around us for a first trip was BVI...and in turned out great. We played it safe and went with reputable company based on recommendations from experienced friends: Sunsail. These guys did an outstanding job at supporting us in the process and the organization of our plans, always available for anything including very sound advice based on local knowledge. Four of us used a Sun Odessey 37 (Mono) and had a great time on it and felt it had great aminities. Your can drop the hook or pick up a ball, what ever makes you feel comfortable. As mentioned by others, for first time, it is a great place to go, already we are working on our next adventure and we might go further south! You will enjoy! Ghislain
Thanks!
Thank you all for your input, advice and the links! This gives us something to work on during the week at home Now, to concentrate on the next 7 months or so of great Chesapeake Bay Sailing! Regards, -Jim- s/v Forever
Thank you all for your input, advice and the links! This gives us something to work on during the week at home
Now, to concentrate on the next 7 months or so of great Chesapeake Bay Sailing! Regards, -Jim- s/v ForeverHey Art!
We are located at Stingray Point Marina, on Broad Creek, right off of the mouth of the Rappahannock River. Regards, -Jim- s/v Forver
We are located at Stingray Point Marina, on Broad Creek, right off of the mouth of the Rappahannock River. Regards, -Jim- s/v Forver
Bareboat
We'll look for you on the bay...we sail a '93 36 Catalina named "Cheers", out of Great Oak Landing Marina.
We'll look for you on the bay...we sail a '93 36 Catalina named "Cheers", out of Great Oak Landing Marina.
Two-time BVI Charterers
Jim, we are going on our second BVI charter in two weeks. Last May, we bareboated from Sunsail on Tortola, BVI. We had a good experience with them. I've got to believe that a BVI charter is the easiest first-time bareboat you can do. I've talked to alot of people with extensive chartering under their belts, and they agree. We thought about chartering a cat, but being purists, we wanted a monohull. I mean, how do you know you're sailing if you're not heeling? Have a wonderful time!
Jim, we are going on our second BVI charter in two weeks. Last May, we bareboated from Sunsail on Tortola, BVI. We had a good experience with them. I've got to believe that a BVI charter is the easiest first-time bareboat you can do. I've talked to alot of people with extensive chartering under their belts, and they agree. We thought about chartering a cat, but being purists, we wanted a monohull. I mean, how do you know you're sailing if you're not heeling? Have a wonderful time!
TRY CYOA
CYOA is located in St. Thomas. While I'm not a huge fan of the Hunters, a friend of mine chartered a 45 from them two years in a row and loved it. (they have other boats). Went from St. Thomas to Anegada and hit everything on the way back. Thing is, the BVI has "stolen" all the charter businesses from the U.S.V.I. They also make it as difficult as possible at times just to go over there. They came up with "fishing licenses" last year, seized U.S. boats for illegal fishing, etc., etc. I think going to the Spanish Virgins is just as much fun and much more interesting and MUCH less touristy than the BVI. I'm spoiled, though, because I do one or the other almost every weekend. 18N64W
CYOA is located in St. Thomas. While I'm not a huge fan of the Hunters, a friend of mine chartered a 45 from them two years in a row and loved it. (they have other boats). Went from St. Thomas to Anegada and hit everything on the way back. Thing is, the BVI has "stolen" all the charter businesses from the U.S.V.I. They also make it as difficult as possible at times just to go over there. They came up with "fishing licenses" last year, seized U.S. boats for illegal fishing, etc., etc. I think going to the Spanish Virgins is just as much fun and much more interesting and MUCH less touristy than the BVI. I'm spoiled, though, because I do one or the other almost every weekend. 18N64W
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