Chartering in the Virgin Islands

Mightychan

Member
Oct 8, 2016
157
Panama City FL
Boat Info
2005 DA 420, AB Dink
Engines
Cummins 6CTA
We have a group of 6 that would like to charter a boat...probably a cat...for a week of cruising the Virgins. Any advice on crewed vs bareboat, good boats and/or charter agencies? A sailing cat would be fine if we go crewed, but if we bareboat, it will need to be a powerboat. Sailing is too much work if I have to be the skipper! Thanks!
 
I've not been myself but have several friends who have done this and all report a great time.

I would definitely check into the MarineMax vacation group as the Aquila power cats are great boats, seem newer than most fleets, and if you're already a MM customer there's the relationship. Of course Moorings seems to be the largest.

Enjoy and looking forward to hearing about your trip!
 
I chartered a sailboat in the BVI . there a while back (I'm bi-nautical). It was fantastic. Water is beautiful, navigation is mostly line of sight, but watch your depths. We did a bareboat and with decent experience you can do the same.

Aside from finding a good charter company, the biggest thing to check into is whether they have recovered from the hurricane. The BVI got destroyed. The Bitter End Yacht Club was unrecognizable. Do your homework not only on whether the charter company is in business, but whether the supporting infrastructure (marinas, fuel docks, grocery stores, restaurants, dive shops) are back in business.

Other than that, I highly recommend it.
 
I have done 20 plus bareboat charters in the BVIs with the Moorings. They are fully operational after Irma. Great company with quality boats - sail and power.
 
Soggy Dollar Bar....... Make it a destination even though it is recovering. We tied the knot in May of 06 and that was one of my favorite places on the planet bar-none.
Put my chair in the water and thanked the good Lord for our lives together and what we are thankful for.
As soon as they get their hotel back up we are going...
Moorings are great!!

Good luck
 
That looks like a fantastic trip.
 
Soggy Dollar Bar....... Make it a destination even though it is recovering.

I don't want to think about how many of those white painkiller cups we went through on "Toasty Josty" at the Soggy Dollar during the day, (and then Foxy's at night). It's an awesome spot.
 
We did a full Moorings BVI trip in May and anything I can help with let me know!! i am happy to send you all of our notes.
chris
 
8 of us did the Moorings BVI trip in September 2016 (offseason, so literally no one at any island we visited, and fortunately, no hurricanes that year/month). We hired a captain, since I was the only one who had any boating experience, and at the time, I would not have been comfortable being the captain of a 48' power cat (today, I would be good). We ended up doing a sail cat, so captain was definitely needed, and he really worked out great with our crew.
 
Soggy Dollar Bar....... Make it a destination even though it is recovering. We tied the knot in May of 06 and that was one of my favorite places on the planet bar-none.
Put my chair in the water and thanked the good Lord for our lives together and what we are thankful for.
As soon as they get their hotel back up we are going...
Moorings are great!!

Good luck

Unfortunately the Soggy Dollar is not planning the rebuild the guest rooms. The bar and restaurant are fully operational.
 
Th
Tony, how does Conch compare with the first tier operations? I have some picky people in my group ;)

Most of the boats in Conch's fleet are older than the first tier company boats. The base is very basic with few amenities. The Moorings base is upscale with great showers, hotel, two restaurants/bars, grocery store for last minute provisions. Their boats are less than 5 years old with many 1-3 years. Conch has a good reputation for providing a value product whereas the Moorings is more expensive but you get a more upscale product
 
Tony, how does Conch compare with the first tier operations? I have some picky people in my group ;)
If you're even asking the question, I wouldn't go with Conch (even though they're my favorite.) Very basic marina and the fun restaurant that was there (The Pub) is no longer there. To each their own...I don't want to pay for the marina etc as I want to get out on the water ASAP. They know me there. I generally book at the Annapolis Sail Boat show so get a discount for doing it there, as well as a repeat discount and a free night on the boat before the charter officially starts.

Another thing to consider is chartering from the USVI's. CYOA is pretty popular with many of the people on TravelTalk board and they use them all the time. It makes getting down there easier - you just fly to STT and don't have to worry about taking the ferry over to Tortola (or flying to Beef Island -EIS). You do have to clear the boat in and out for going to the BVI's but they say it's pretty easy. Plus there are nice places to see in the USVI's.
 
Another thing about the sailing vs power. I've always been a sailor until I bought this SeaRay last summer. In the Virgins you don't necessarily have to use the sails...when I bring other people down there, we get a big cat and at most just pull out the jib. No places are that far away nor do I feel the need to have to go faster than I can motor with a big sail cat. That leaves me with much more money to spend at the bars/restaurants. Fuel isn't remotely cheap down there and I've never had to refuel during any of my trips (usually 10-14 days.)
 

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