My husband and I are teachers looking for a maiden voyage on a small crewed sailboat in the Caribbean. We are limited to a mid June to mid August time frame. We would appreciate any advice on locales, weather, and most importantly, companies who offer intimate cruising opportunities. Thanks
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Moorings - Borings
Folks, I ahve not cruised the Carribean for thirty-some years, but methinks June to August can get a bit rough down thar...hurricane season. The Moorings are all over down there for charter. Buy a ticket to Vavaau in Tonga, no hurricanes in that time, and the best cruising in the world, very protected waters for beginners; much less expensive than the Carribean too; they had moorings chartered Beneteaues last time I was there.
Folks, I ahve not cruised the Carribean for thirty-some years, but methinks June to August can get a bit rough down thar...hurricane season. The Moorings are all over down there for charter. Buy a ticket to Vavaau in Tonga, no hurricanes in that time, and the best cruising in the world, very protected waters for beginners; much less expensive than the Carribean too; they had moorings chartered Beneteaues last time I was there.
Capt Ron of Tonga
Ron, just out of curiosity I looked into a Tahiti charter with Moorings. The cost for Tahiti is more than BVI, and the flight time/cost is much more. It Tonga much cheaper? Do you have a low-cost way to get there? Baxter, you may look into Offshore Passage Opportunities. They have some Caribbean opportunities to race and learn the island way of life
Ron, just out of curiosity I looked into a Tahiti charter with Moorings. The cost for Tahiti is more than BVI, and the flight time/cost is much more. It Tonga much cheaper? Do you have a low-cost way to get there? Baxter, you may look into Offshore Passage Opportunities. They have some Caribbean opportunities to race and learn the island way of life
Tonga Kingdom - Tahiti enslaved colony
Andy, Tonga is mucho cheaper than Tahiti, I could not say it is prettier, but Tonga and Fiji are as beautiful as Australia; I sailed and dove all over Auz. I am forgetting the capital city of Tonga, but there is an international airport, and many folks fly in there. I sailed there, but flew in and out of Fiji, N.Z. and Auz; lotta flights. Vavaau is the norhthern part, and the very nicest too, a ferry takes you up. Tahiti is by far the MOST expensive resort islands in the world, every cruiser I met was glad to be rid of the place. The French treat the natives like dirt, and much anamosity all-round; the Tahitians burned down the airport during riots in the mid-90's. The is little or zero theft in Tonga, and Fiji too, I never locked my boat there, unlike the Carribean. No poisinous critters on land (Austrailia has over a dozen species of deadly snakes)there are a few sea-snakes, non-aggressive, lotta sharks, but seldom show interest...
Andy, Tonga is mucho cheaper than Tahiti, I could not say it is prettier, but Tonga and Fiji are as beautiful as Australia; I sailed and dove all over Auz. I am forgetting the capital city of Tonga, but there is an international airport, and many folks fly in there. I sailed there, but flew in and out of Fiji, N.Z. and Auz; lotta flights. Vavaau is the norhthern part, and the very nicest too, a ferry takes you up. Tahiti is by far the MOST expensive resort islands in the world, every cruiser I met was glad to be rid of the place. The French treat the natives like dirt, and much anamosity all-round; the Tahitians burned down the airport during riots in the mid-90's. The is little or zero theft in Tonga, and Fiji too, I never locked my boat there, unlike the Carribean. No poisinous critters on land (Austrailia has over a dozen species of deadly snakes)there are a few sea-snakes, non-aggressive, lotta sharks, but seldom show interest...
Back to Baxter...
your time frame IS very hurricane season un-friendly. I'd go as "early" June as possible. As far as "small crewed sailboat" opportunities, I'd look in the back of any/all of the sailing magazines as well as BoatUS. You will find a multitude of 34-50ft.+ boats that will charter to a couple and provide capt. and 1st. mate or even capt. only who will "do it all" and provide you with lots of service. As far as "where", the BVI will have the most boats, Antigua and south some of the best sailing, Grenada and back north has it all. Once again, go to Google and type in "crewed charters" and stand back... you'll be surprised what pops up. Sure wish I'd bought their stock at IPO price!!!
your time frame IS very hurricane season un-friendly. I'd go as "early" June as possible. As far as "small crewed sailboat" opportunities, I'd look in the back of any/all of the sailing magazines as well as BoatUS. You will find a multitude of 34-50ft.+ boats that will charter to a couple and provide capt. and 1st. mate or even capt. only who will "do it all" and provide you with lots of service. As far as "where", the BVI will have the most boats, Antigua and south some of the best sailing, Grenada and back north has it all. Once again, go to Google and type in "crewed charters" and stand back... you'll be surprised what pops up. Sure wish I'd bought their stock at IPO price!!!
Charter Site in Vava'u Tonga
Here is a Kiwi lady that charters in northern Tonga, in fact her yacht is up for sail, er sale. http://yacht.sailtonga.com All factors considered, crime, safe haven, beauty, diving, coral reefs, and lowest cost, tonga comes out as the best cruising islands in the world.
Here is a Kiwi lady that charters in northern Tonga, in fact her yacht is up for sail, er sale. http://yacht.sailtonga.com All factors considered, crime, safe haven, beauty, diving, coral reefs, and lowest cost, tonga comes out as the best cruising islands in the world.
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