TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Island Yacht Charters (St. Thomas)

Hi All,

I'm considering a charter with Island Yacht Charters out of St. Thomas on an Island Packet 485. Has anyone had any experience chartering with this company or particular boat that they could share? Thanks very much.

Regards,

Matt

I have used IYC many times. The last time was 2 years ago when we took a 465 which is very similar to the 485. The build quality of the boats is outstanding as is their performance in brisk conditions. They are quite comfortable below. With the full keel they may not be the fastest monohull around but properly trimmed with the staysail they are not a slouch. I recall talking with co-owner Skip King (recently deceased - RIP Skip) in the past and he was winning or placing very well in local races saining them.

Probably the best 2 sails of my life were on the 465 from St. John to St. Croix and back. Fifteen knots on the beam and making hull speed each way.

Plenty of restaurants and a good market in Red Hook. Leaving from there you can be on the north side of St. John in an hour or so pending conditions.

+1 to what tothedogs already posted. We have chartered with IYC 4 times over the years. Mostly in 380 and 440 boats. My wife loves Island Packet boats and loved the way Skip cared for his boats. We were so sorry to hear of his recent passing, but glad to see that Andrea is carrying on. We love sailing with a family owned company. We found their boats to be well maintained, sail great and very comfortable . We did tour the 485 once while she was at the dock and she looked like a fantastic boat. We love sailing out of Red Hook and provisioning at Moe’s Market was easy, with a great selection.

Although I’ve never chartered with IYC, a good friend had his IP465 in IYC’s maintenance rotation for many years. He was very good friends with Skip and Andrea and berthed his boat at Red Hook. I sailed on his boat many times and it was in Bristol condition. Everything I’ve ever heard about IYC is first rate.

Sadly Skip passed away in July, but Andrea is carrying on. When my wife and I started thinking about eventually living aboard, Skip tried to talk me into putting an Island Packet with IYC to help with financing the new boat. When I convinced him we wanted a catamaran, but would likely put her in charter, he highly recommended TMM. Skip said in his early career in the charter industry he and Barney Crook (managing partner at TMM) were fierce competitors. He told me no one in the business takes better care of their boats than Barney and he wouldn’t place a catamaran in charter with anyone else. Skip was spot on.

Final note: I helped Skip and Andrea at the Annapolis boat show one year and stayed with them in a rental house that week. They were great and clearly loved what they were doing. At the time my friend’s IP465 was several years old, had transited between Norfolk and St. Thomas several times, and had cruised extensively in the Caribbean. Skip and Andrea used it as their “show boat” as they were also IP dealers. Everyone who stepped onboard thought she was a brand new boat! IYC really knows how to care for a boat.