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Capt's Compass/Small cats
#112492
11/17/2016 01:36 PM
11/17/2016 01:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229 West Chester, PA
ligot
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 229
West Chester, PA
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My wife and I have taken the lessons and have now chartered cats 3 times and it's always with groups(6-8). We've found my wife to be shy around the groups so she's taken most of the chart/course, mooring ball responsibility and I've taken more of the behind the wheel work/fun.
We'd really like for her to get comfortable behind the wheel so we're (just the two of us) thinking of chartering a small 36- 38' cat so she can get the feel for the two engines along with maneuvering the wider boat and can gain confidence without other people around to watch.
Captain's Compass has 2 under $3K(we're not independently wealthy <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />) late season but not a lot of info on either. We've sailed a Lagoon but I don't know anything about an Admiral.
Does anyone have any specific recommendations for one or the other of these two? Why? Additional thoughts on CC?
Any recommendations for another charter company with a boat in that size and price that we should look at?
Thinking of a May to early June charter.
Thanks for any and all feedback.
S/V Tortuga Lagoon 46
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Re: Capt's Compass/Small cats
[Re: ligot]
#112493
11/17/2016 01:56 PM
11/17/2016 01:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
RJC86
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
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Re: Capt's Compass/Small cats
[Re: tradewinds]
#112499
11/26/2016 05:36 AM
11/26/2016 05:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175 The Beautiful BVI
Brent
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175
The Beautiful BVI
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Ahoy Tradwinds, I love the internet. All the yachts, except Moonshine, have fully functioning Autohelms. I do encourage my guests to have someone on the helm due to fish traps, ferry's, and cc captains. However, the Autohelms work and are part of the 2 hour yacht/chart briefing. I hope some day you'll communicate with, or better yet charter with, my business so that you can contribute in an informed and positive manner. I think you would be very impressed by the value I offer my guests, most of who are repeats or referrals. Fair Winds, Brent
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Re: Capt's Compass/Small cats
[Re: Brent]
#112500
11/26/2016 09:32 AM
11/26/2016 09:32 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
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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.
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Re: Capt's Compass/Small cats
[Re: tradewinds]
#112503
11/27/2016 08:12 PM
11/27/2016 08:12 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 198 SW Florida
CptCook
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 198
SW Florida
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Not everyone on this board is a fan of Brent and his operation. He states in an earlier post that most of his customers are repeat customers. That may be true, but I personally am aware of 4 prior customers that would not charter with him again. The issue was not with the boats, which in these cases were older and some items not working. That was to be expected with the bargin prices. It was due to a very confrontational attitude and raised voice accusations by Brent. As with anything, everyone will have different experiences.
Last edited by CptCook; 11/28/2016 12:47 AM.
"Be a Traveler, not a tourist!"
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Re: Capt's Compass/Small cats
[Re: ligot]
#112504
11/30/2016 06:08 PM
11/30/2016 06:08 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 75 Raleigh, NC
ben_gale
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 75
Raleigh, NC
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Hi all. I chartered with Brent (Island Fun) a couple of years ago, and had a very good experience. He has a few rules that other operators don't have, but they make sense for an operator of his scale, and he's quite straight-forward and upfront about these. Basically, if you stick to your agreements with him, he'll look after you just fine. If not, then I gather from these boards that you can expect to hear from him about it. Overall, his boats are older and more basic than you get elsewhere, but they are well-maintained, clean, functional and do the job - everything worked like a champ on our trip, and no maintenance calls were required. And I don't believe you can beat his prices anywhere in the BVI.
All that said, the thing I think you do need to consider is operating the boat with just 2 people - not always easy. For instance, Island Fun has a 1200+ sq foot mainsail, and it's heavy. We had 2 strapping college boys in our crew to haul it up, but I wouldn't have fancied doing on my own too many times. The smaller the boat, the easier you are going to find it to operate (hauling sails, maneuvering etc). You might also want to think about paying a little more to get electric winches - SailTMM has a couple of Mahe 36's for <$4000 in low season.
Have fun, whatever you decide!
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