Hi all,
We're heading down for a 20 day charter in March. Wanted to protectively set up a Boatyball account, but everytime I click on any of the application links, it sends me to the reservation map and doesn't give me the option to sign up. I've written to them but haven't heard back. Am I missing something? I'm on a Mac.
Jon

1st thing needed is internet access (you will need this on the boat as well). With Mac , there is no "APP", just the website "BoatyBall.com"

Go to https://boater.boatyball.com/signup and enter your information, including your credit card.

Alternatively, you can click on https://boater.boatyball.com/map and this will allow you to select a mooring field as well as a particular mooring ball and "Reserve' it.... (Actually at this point, it will direct you to login or sign in which can be done in the right top corner). Select/ reserve a ball.. After 4-5 minutes, if you have not put in your payment information, the ball will be released. (HINT, Try this reserve and NOT pay before you go and you will understand the process more).

Also, I see no reason to do the membership which allows you to reserve 24 hours before. Besides, the membership is only for 7 consecutive days (plus mooring fee). Easiest way to avoid worry about mooring balls is to get off sync with others. Seems Cooper is least busy Tuesday and Wednesday. Anegada ( and North sound) least busy on the weekends (when most charter boats are turning over).

I am down until March 16th on Sea Tiger, distinctive orange canvas and of course, a large Orange Clemson Tiger Paw.

I followed Sea Tiger around last week. She looked good! I tried using Boatyball 3 times last week and was 0 for 3. I did get the reserved and pay once but when I clicked to pay it said ball not available. Wonderful system. My experience has been if you are using a boat based cellular internet you won’t have a chance at peak periods. If however you get someone at home with hi speed internet to make the reservation for you there is a fighting chance!

I don't have recent experience, but in 2019 and early 2020 we had 100% success. For balls that are in high demand here is what we did

1) Sign up as noted by DeepCut and entered our credit card
2) Used the time app on an iPhone showing tenths of a second and ticking each second
3) Be on the map at 7:00am and select a ball immediately.

We had a mobile wifi hotspot supplied by Cello Mobile (no affiliation) and used an iPad from the boat - irrelevant perhaps.

On our 2021 trip we didn't need to use BoatyBall

Thanks for the info Wes. I'm going with a standard Boatyball account and roll the dice.
We'll be down on Lagoon 440 Katarina Mar 10-30. I'll keep an eye out for ya...
jr

We used Boaty Ball last month and in December. I logged on at 6:50 am and watched the clock tick to 7:00 am. Right as the clock turned 7:00 am, I tapped a ball. Never got locked out of a ball. Was using the wifi on our TMM charter boat.

Wes - I have to tell you this. As you know, we were on Sea Tiger in December. Beautiful boat and so well appointed! When I reserved it I didn't think about the name. Get to TMM and I see the orange paw and thought - oh my. We're big Ohio State fans - hahahaha!

The last boat we chartered was Celtic Tide. At Leverick Bay an Alabaman spotted the word "Tide" and thought we might be from his home state. Hope he wasn't too disappointed to hear our crew hailed from New Jersey and California.

Dan

Anybody have any experience with BVI Ball? I saw their App and some info on them but didn’t download. Their website map is under development and they seem to have reservable balls in two locations.

We always enjoy other fans on Sea Tiger! Over the years, we have had many OSU fans. We enjoy friendly rivalry.

Sea Tiger is one of the most recognizable boats in the BVI. Perhaps the orange canvas... perhaps the 16 foot diameter Tiger Paw on the sail... or perhaps because we have the most fun ;-)

She's a beautiful boat Wes!!

Hi Guys - Will be heading down end of April (23rd - May1st). Haven't been down post Irma so am totally new to the boatyball requirement. Given when we are sailing is kind of shoulder season at least not high-season, do you guys think I need to bother? Chartering from DYC on Scrub - Intended stops are:

1) Sunday - NS - Saba or BEYC
2) Monday - Anegada
3) Tue - Cane Garden Bay
4) Wed - JVD - Little Harbour or Great Harbour
5) Thur - Norman
6) Friday - Leverick Bay - on a slip

Thanks!

No reason to signup for their "special" privileges program . But make a Boatyball account and see how if functions from home. You can check at various times of the day to see how busy your moorings are... varies on the day of the week as well. Then depending on you desires, you could use the 7;00 am Time to reserve a BoatyBall if it suits your desire.

I use them because i like to sail later and therefore is well worth the additional $10.