Marine Max Vacations to BVI and the Bahamas

Shoyrtt

Shoyrtt

Alamitos to Avalon
SILVER Sponsor
Jul 16, 2020
1,891
Alamitos Bay, CA
Boat Info
1999 450 Express Bridge, 9’ Achilles dinghy w/15hp Suzuki EFI
Engines
Caterpillar 3126TA
aquila44.jpg

We were looking at an Aquila 44' catamaran recently here on the west coast that is a fairly rare sight. In speaking with owner, he told us that Marine Max had a program where you could charter an Aquila. I found the Marine Max Vacations website listing all of the vacation and charter program options. I like the size of the boat and the center walk down to the bow that I have on my 450 EB and I am considering the Aquila as our next vessel. This vacation would allow us to try out the boat before a future purchase and something new for us, boating on our own in the Caribbean. :cool:
Has anyone here on CSR chartered a boat from Marine Max? If so what were your experiences with the program? Or for those of you who travel to BVI or the Bahamas, have you seen these charter boats out on the water. I know when we have been boating at Lake Powell, the rental houseboats tend to have a reputation as being operated by "newbies" making mistakes constantly.
Here is a link to the Marine Max Vacations website: https://www.marinemax.com/vacations
Thank you in advance for any input.
 
I haven't rented one but went on one in the BVI that was docked next to us while bareboating on another boat. Let's just say I really regretted the choice of company we made.

Also, 4 couples from my dock did a BVI bareboat rental through MarineMax and RAVED about the program and particularly the boat. We were all sceptical about having 4 couples on a boat (we had 2 couples per 50' boat when we went) but they had no issues and never felt too on top of each other. They can't stop saying great things about the layout of it.

I've been pressuring my wife to do the trip again but she's pretty much one and done on it. Pity, because I'd 100% go through MM the next time.
 
We chartered two of the power cats with 8 couples from Marine Max in January of 2020 right before COVID hit. I highly recommend it and plan on doing it again either there or in the Bahamas.
If you plan on going pay the extra fee for a newer boat. Ours was a couple years old and had a number of issues which were easily fixed by us with knowledge gained through years of maintaining our own yachts.
 
Pierpressure1 said:
We chartered two of the power cats with 8 couples from Marine Max in January of 2020 right before COVID hit. I highly recommend it and plan on doing it again either there or in the Bahamas.
If you plan on going pay the extra fee for a newer boat. Ours was a couple years old and had a number of issues which were easily fixed by us with knowledge gained through years of maintaining our own yachts.
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Thank you for the insight. What are your thoughts on BVI versus the Bahamas in mid November?
 
douglee25 said:
What kind of cost are you talking for a rental like this?
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The charter/rental for a week is in the 10k range (depending on the age of the Aquila) to bareboat the 44' in November. Price goes up in the peak season starting in December. You pay on your own for fuel and provisions.
 
Shoyrtt said:
The charter/rental for a week is in the 10k range (depending on the age of the Aquila) to bareboat the 44' in November. Price goes up in the peak season starting in December. You pay on your own for fuel and provisions.
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Excellent. So split several ways it comes down significantly. Always wanted to do this with a few people.
 
We did 12 nights and it was awesome. The BVI offers so many destinations that are so close to each other. Only one that was a bit of a haul was Anegada but was worth the lobster dinner.

We had 5 boats and one of the captains had done the trip over a dozen times so he had everything planned and down cold. We spent most nights on a buoy but spent 2 nights at the Bitter End Yacht club and one night in Spanish Town. It was a nice break to get on/off the boat and do a dive.
 
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We where onboard a smaller Aquila in the Bahamas recently the couple where regular charters so they let us look inside the boat was surprisingly large inside with a simple helm station table for eating and 4 small cabins. Fit and finish is hard to judge as it’s basically a rental car the platform was banged up a bit but it was very open with large windows.
CC198048-B6F0-4130-ACBF-13D830F1661A.jpeg
We’re looking to charter with 3 couples in the BVI we’re told by friends that’s the best place if it’s your first charter to start.
 
You should also check out the Moorings, Either one it's a great time. You should look more of 10 day trip, a lot to do in week. It's so busy the first day, we arranged to stay on the boat at the Mooring the first night rather than trying to provision the boat and leave late in the day. Worked out great. Good Luck
 
My wife and I and 2 other couples did the BVI trip on the 44 in January 2020 also. We did 7 nights through marine max with a sleep aboard in the marina the night before the trip so we could provision and get settled in. This 44 has tons of space and is extremely well laid out. We never felt confined or or on top of each other at all. Get the boat ball app on your phone to reserve mooring balls in your preferred stops. Some fill up fast. Jost Van Dyke and Anegada where our favorites. We got the older boat and it did have a few hiccups but nothing new to a boater. The trip and boat go well together and we will be back soon. BTW. The marine max vacations people were great to deal with. Not over the top but overall good.
 
Charlesoceanone said:
My wife and I and 2 other couples did the BVI trip on the 44 in January 2020 also. We did 7 nights through marine max with a sleep aboard in the marina the night before the trip so we could provision and get settled in. This 44 has tons of space and is extremely well laid out. We never felt confined or or on top of each other at all. Get the boat ball app on your phone to reserve mooring balls in your preferred stops. Some fill up fast. Jost Van Dyke and Anegada where our favorites. We got the older boat and it did have a few hiccups but nothing new to a boater. The trip and boat go well together and we will be back soon. BTW. The marine max vacations people were great to deal with. Not over the top but overall good.
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Thank you for the information. I have made a few calls and sent a couple of emails at this point, just waiting on a response from Marine Max. The only problem might be if we love the boat and have to have one, I'll have to sell the Sea Ray and there is no Aquila forum at all comparable to CSR. :)
 
Shoyrtt said:
Thank you for the information. I have made a few calls and sent a couple of emails at this point, just waiting on a response from Marine Max. The only problem might be if we love the boat and have to have one, I'll have to sell the Sea Ray and there is no Aquila forum at all comparable to CSR. :)
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None of the other manufacturers have this level of forum! My favorite part of the 44 was the massive master.
 
100% of the forum issue. As I've been researching replacements I've signed up to several other boards and they don't hold a candle to this one.

I think once you check on your double slip rates to berth that super-wide Aquila the love will fade quickly. :)
 
copb8tx said:
100% of the forum issue. As I've been researching replacements I've signed up to several other boards and they don't hold a candle to this one.

I think once you check on your double slip rates to berth that super-wide Aquila the love will fade quickly. :)
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I already did and the rate increase is not that bad. Our marina doesn't have any super wide slips, but offers end ties for catamarans and there is a vacancy on the end of my dock ready for a 50' boat. :cool: The love may wane a bit where we moor on Catalina Island. The mooring fields are really tight. Speaking with my buddy with the harbor patrol, he said it is hard to get a can with a catamaran at times.

I finally spoke with Marine Max. The charter reservation person Mallorie was fantastic to work with. I am waiting for confirmation from the other two couples who are joining us to see if they can make it. She has a 44' boat that is 1 to 3 years old available which is what we would like to try out, seeing that it has the center walk down to the bow offered on the newest models. It also comes with a "Convenience and Connectivity Bundle" which I believe is a wifi hot spot? The price for 7 nights is $11,975 with all of the taxes, taxi transfers to and from the airport and the damage waiver/insurance. Hopefully we can get it booked quickly.
 
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That sounds amazing. So 4k/couple plus another 1-1.5k for flights. Not bad for a super memorable vacation.
 
douglee25 said:
That sounds amazing. So 4k/couple plus another 1-1.5k for flights. Not bad for a super memorable vacation.
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I agree! We probably need a hotel in BVI the night before and provisions and fuel are not included.
Now the hard part, trying to get three couples' schedules aligned to book the trip! If we can make it happen, I'll update the thread eventually with vacation pictures and a review.
 
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