We are flying into STT in June, staying the first night at Point Pleasant and then picking up our boat at Fairwinds in Red Hook. Does anyone have any experience with either the hotel or the charter company? What about provisioning in that area? Any suggestions? Thanks!

For provisioning, Food Center is across the street from Independent Boat Yard on Red Hook Road. It is a full service grocery store. Moe's in Red Hook is more of a gourmet store and had a provisioning service - moesvi.com. You'll get better prices at Cost U Less and Plaza Extra in Tutu Park.

We usually just hit Food Center and that's where we are provisioning on Friday.

Cheers, RickG

isn't Fairwinds a timeshare type of charter? Are you put together with strangers?

No, there are 5 of us going down and have the boat for 9 days. I think they are also a sailing school but they also charter. No strangers!

I believe the timeshare sailing charter is "Tradewinds"

We booked a bareboat charter with Fairwinds through a broker for this same week last year. We had booked about 6 months in advance but were told about a month before our charter that our captain did not have adequate credentials to sail the boat and that we would have to pay one of their captains to sail the boat for the duration of the trip. Given the nature of their business (sailing school, not bareboat chartering), Fairwinds has a vested interest in keeping their captains employed and their boats in working order at all times. Although our captain was well qualified, we weren't going to win this debate nor did we have the luxury of time.

Luckily, we ended up finding a charter through Dream Yacht Charters instead, who were great to work with. And I'm happy to report that we returned our 44' cat intact and without a scratch <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

So my advice would be that if you plan to charter with Fairwinds as a bareboat, make sure they review your captain's credentials well in advance and you get their approval IN WRITING.

We've done two charters with Island Yachts and used Food Center (whatever it was before it changed hands). My wife was very happy with the selection and quality and she's pretty picky.

ThreeLittleBirds, that's an interesting story and thanks for posting it. Several outfits have "their rules" and that's fine with me as long as they let you know up front. My opinion is they should have told you within the first week or two of booking. Glad it worked out for you on such short notice.

beer: Food Center has always been Food Center. Moe's is in the space that used to be Marina Market, but has been completely redone and has a new owner. Food Center has had to improve their product with all the competition they have around and is now pretty good for all-around shopping. I still go to Fruit Bowl for produce. Moe's has lousy parking.

P.S. oilwrench: Point Pleasant is a nice condo development on very hilly terrain. They currently have one restaurant open, called Panga's, I think. That section overlooks the new Margaritaville project, so report back on how it looks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Will you have a car?

We have chartered with Dream Yacht twice and have another trip planned for this Oct. They are very helpful and will work around most obstacles. Book directly with them, no need for a broker. The dock manager, Yan and his crew are awesome.

We are still debating the car issue. I say yes because with 5 of us, it will definitely be the most economical way to travel. I believe that our captains have been approved but I am definitely going to check. And I will report back on the Margaritaville project!

Whenever you want a crewed charter alway request Photos and a brief history on them before sending a deposit. Period <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Thank you but this is not a crewed charter. It's just us!

After reading "three little birds" comment that said Fairwinds doesn't do Bareboat charters I assumed your's was with a crew.