hotdogman said:
Greetings all. Long-time lurker, here. I'm looking for advice on which boat to charter for an 8 day trip I'm planning for December. I'm considering a FP Lucia out of STT or a FP Helia or Lagoon 440 out of Tortola. The price of each are roughly the same although there would be additional costs associated with getting to Tortola. We'll have 4 kids in tow so part of me thinks it would be easier to start from STT rather than navigating the ferries to get to and from Tortola. The other part of me would rather have more time in BVI and I feel like a STT base may limit where we can go in BVI. More importantly, since this will be our first bareboat experience, I wonder if we're better off with one boat or the other? As a family, we've been crew for 4 trips to US & BVI ("crew" used very loosely). The wife and I will be down this summer getting ASA 101, 103, 104 & 114 certifications. With our lack of experience, should I be concerned with how each of these boats might handle differently or won't I even notice? Is the size even relevant here? I suppose if it doesn't matter, I would opt for the larger boat out of Tortola.
Seems we, CYOA have been drug into this so I will put my two cents in. First off welcome to TTOL and congratulations on your escalating sailing dependency. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
As for the boats. Based on your description I have to assume the Lucia 40 is our new boat, Lady Juliet because as far as I know we are the only company bare boating FP's out of St Thomas. This will be a virtually new boat as it will not enter service until November or so of this year. It is like most of our cats a loaded boat, ice maker, water maker, Fridge, freezer, genset air etc. It will be a great platform and the water maker will be great for a large group like yours.
About your original questions. First off size does matter. It is your first trip as skipper the difference in a 40 is and a 45 ish size boat is a serious consideration. The forty will be easier to handle and get used to for a first time skipper. Size and mass are exponential everything is bigger, the loads the stress the windage etc.
St Thomas vs Tortola. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. With a group of six and four children involved you are correct in assuming getting to St Thomas will be both easier and less expensive. With direct or one connection flights available from almost anyplace in America and a base ten minutes from the airport it doesn't get much simpler. On the return this is especially true. Stay someplace close by the night before departure. Roll into the base on departure morning debrief and catch a cab to your flight. No extra night in a hotel, moving the whole family and the luggage twice no scramble when the ferry doesn't run on time and your late to the airport that part is a no brainer. We also have better, less expensive provisioning. I am assuming with four kids you are not looking to party and eat out every night. Just keeping them in drinks and snacks can be like funding the overthrow of a third world countries government.
The sailing part, from St Thomas yes you run the risk of a bumpy ride across Pillsbury sound but that is short and over. Places like Christmas Cove,Buck Isalnd and the national park in St John make the sailing part of the USVI's easier and very accessible. Don't discount the value of this either as a first time captain and repeat visitor. Frankly St John with abundant national park moorings, spectacular beaches and protected sailing would be a great way to spend a couple of days cutting your teeth as a new skipper and getting command of your new role. Taking on your first command and trying to do the "circuit", you know see everyting in a week really isn't a solid plan. Slow down take a breath and enjoy the ride it is more fun than the $12 drinks and $20 glasses of wine at the Bight anyway.
There have also been a few comments in this thread about support and service. We have been in business for almost thirty years. We have a network of support people spanning from Puerto Rico, St Croix, St John, St Thomas and the whole of the BVI's. While we do our best to assure the boats do not break down we have systems in place to handle that eventuality. Spare parts and tools on board are not a negative. I have a personal friend that spent two days in North Sound while in sailing school with a very reputable company waiting on a fan belt. Improper spare on board and none available. The first part of any repair is the part. If it is already on board than you are ahead of the game weather you change it or a support person does.
