When my group started this passion. We were chartering boats for less than $1,500 per week and we ALWAYS had a great time. With one small family or two couples you really do not need much. If you are going to pack five(5) couples on a boat? Maybe you need much more.

An engine that will start, two sails, some way to steer the boat, and a fresh water tank with at least one way to pump water is really all you need to have a great time exploring the beach bars of the BVI. In 1983 we did Belize for 10 days on a $1,300 charter. There was not even a radiator cap for the engine, no refrigeration, (3) couples, we went days without seeing other people and we all enjoyed an outstanding time. Less can be more in so many ways.

Today we generally charter the largest and newest boats we can find wherever we are going. We have never passed up trip dates based on the thought we could not find the "perfect" boat. We have never had a bad trip and all the hassles have been on large boats packed with stuff that would not work as planned. Generators seem to be common denominator of frustration. My two cents. Find the best boat you are willing to afford and go sailing anywhere you can get to.