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Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
#99435
06/03/2016 04:26 PM
06/03/2016 04:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276 Atlantic Highlands, NJ
MarkS
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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After 5 charters through Moorings we have decided to leave the nest and try a smaller company this time. I have read nothing but excellent things about BVIYC on TTOL so I am confident that our experience will be fantastic. I can say that so far the staff have been friendly and easy to deal with.
Can some of you with experience provide some insight into differences that we need to know about between BVIYC and Moorings? Are the boats stocked differently (dishes, towels, linens, etc)? How about the experience at the dock for the sleep aboard (I know that there is no pool)? Moorings provides some basic essentials when you board the boat. Does BVIYC?
Your insight is appreciated as always! We are sailing 7/24-31 on Jasper. If you see us that week come have a Painkiller with us! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Mark Shichtman "Live for Today!"
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: SAIL_BVI]
#99440
06/04/2016 10:06 AM
06/04/2016 10:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545 Here and There
rita_irvine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
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We have used BVIYC for our last 6 charters. We have used other companies but find that they have the best balance of the boats we want and price point. We love not being a booking number. Abbie and the office ladies will take good care of you and the dock staff is superb. The boats are clean, well cared for and the service is top notch. Rite way is just across the street so self provisioning is a viable choice. Just emailed Abbie about out plans for next year!!
Rita It is better to be happy than it is to be right
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: Catdancer]
#99443
06/05/2016 07:50 AM
06/05/2016 07:50 AM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 147 Wisconsin USA
SAIL_BVI
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 147
Wisconsin USA
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Catdancer said: We are chartering a 2015 Saba 50 - the youngest boat we've ever chartered in the past 30 years, including Moorings. I'll weigh in with more info after our return on the 20th! We are chartering SYros from the 14th to the 21st. Sounds like you will be a day ahead of us. Hope to see you there... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: Calvin]
#99445
06/05/2016 11:24 AM
06/05/2016 11:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276 Atlantic Highlands, NJ
MarkS
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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Can someone elaborate on the experience sleeping overnight at the dock? At Moorings there are multiple restaurants, bars Good bathrooms and showers that are open 24 hours. Whats it like at BVIYC?
Mark Shichtman "Live for Today!"
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: Calvin]
#99446
06/05/2016 12:12 PM
06/05/2016 12:12 PM
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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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Calvin said: I am wondering what would happen if the boat that was chartered was damaged during the previous charter and would be out of service for your charter? What does the contract say? The big companies will just get another one. A small company might not have another one. The "small guy" will either trade boats with another operator or try to use whatever they have in their own fleet to meet your needs. Worse case they will just give you your money back. I would never count on a specific hotel room or specific boat for any trip no matter what you think you heard from the polite reservations sales person on the phone. For those that must have the shirts or drink glasses? Skip the boat name and use your groups or trip theme for the printed stuff. Make it something more personal to you and the the group. Say... "BVI Year 10" or something meaningful to you. With a little tape you can even rename the boat...
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: MarkS]
#99447
06/06/2016 12:07 AM
06/06/2016 12:07 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 33 FL
Catdancer
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 33
FL
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MarkS said: Can someone elaborate on the experience sleeping overnight at the dock? At Moorings there are multiple restaurants, bars Good bathrooms and showers that are open 24 hours. Whats it like at BVIYC? We'll be finding out next Sunday. We're arriving early for our sleep aboard, and Abbie confirmed that there's not much there. We plan to hit Rite Way and hope the boat is ready early. For dinner we're taking the dinghy over to Village Cay Marina. The best base, IMHO, is Horizon at Nanny Cay. And Moorings is great too. But BVI had the best boat at the best price. I hope there are good shower facilities. Will keep you posted. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#99449
06/06/2016 02:38 AM
06/06/2016 02:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 943 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 943
Georgia & South Carolina
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I have slept aboard with The Moorings, as well as several smaller operators in BVI and St Thomas. Very little time to kill after provisioning/ storing provisions/unpacking/eating dinner nearby and then onto the boat and sleep! The main advantage o sleeping aboard is having completed these tasks the night before , boat ready(not a quick turn around, addable to depart earlier. Locking boat when gone and securing before sleep is common sense. I grew up in and era when most houses in neighborhood were unlocked 24/7. Not anymore. I am sure crime occurs but stay close to marina, travel in groups, as in any travels.This is true whether sleeping aboard or staying in nearby hotel.
Regarding boats being swapped out if not available, this can happen (rarely) and ALL operators, big and small, will try everything possible short of giving you your money back. Moving you to identical boat is ideal for them. Upgrading to another boat in own fleet is possibility. Possible transferring to another operator. But ALL the operators want you to continue chartering. What separates operators (Hotal airline, yachts) is how they handle the situation to build customer loyalty. If situation occurs, likely to be dealing with owner of company in smaller operators.
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: JlarsBVI]
#99451
06/07/2016 05:36 PM
06/07/2016 05:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276 Atlantic Highlands, NJ
MarkS
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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Great information. Thanks all! I have heard such good things about BVIYC that I have no doubt we will be thrilled with the service. I know that the boat is 8 years old and we have adjusted our expectations accordingly. However it really is too good of a deal to refuse. Having the Generator and A/C is going to be a big plus in late July. Its good to know that the bathrooms and showers are open 24 hours. There is not much more that we really need!
Thanks again for all of the responses. If you are sailing 7/24-31 come have a Painkiller with us!
Mark Shichtman "Live for Today!"
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: sheps]
#99454
06/26/2016 07:20 AM
06/26/2016 07:20 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 38
SkipperChip
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 38
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We recently chartered Tennessee Waltz, a relatively new Saba 50 cat, from BVIYC, and we have also used The Moorings 6 times. In the interest of providing potential charterers my recent experience,here are a few points.
The good: Cassie and Abby are delightful to work with in the office, and responded well to our pre-cruise questions. Check-in was easy, and Chris did a great job with the extensive boat briefing. The cost of the boat was significantly below what The Moorings would have charged for a similar boat. We had one required service call which was handled extremely well, again by Chris.
The bad: 1) several months before our arrival, we received verbal approval for a second dinghy, required due to a large crew size of 12. But when we arrived the dockmaster had a real sour attitude about this and said they do not do this, later told me that there were no extra dinghys available, then later told me that they did not think charterers knew how to handle them. I did not like the fact he tried to BS us, and was so out of sync with his office. BTW, the Moorings has no problem with a 2nd dinghy. We finally got It after being firm. 2) The boat had a large sliding door between the saloon and aft cockpit which had bad rollers and was difficult to open and close. Since this door is used heavily all day, I strongly complained about it during the boat check-out, and the dock master told me that "all the Fountain Pugeot boats they receive had this problem and it could not be fixed". So later I went down the dock and tried the sliders on several others and they all worked perfectly. Again, total BS, and the slider was a major pain the entire trip. 3) the large cushions on top of the boat near the helm had torn tie-down straps requiring stowing the cushions below every time we were underway. 4) the docking lines and dinghy painter were old, worn and full of knots. 5) there are no clip gates on the safety lines, making it very difficult and unsafe for some crew people to get on and off the boat while docked, and the safety lines are starting to corrode. Since this is a 2015 boat, the only conclusion is that this wonderful boat is not being maintained well - all of these issues cost almost nothing to fix. Would I charter with them again? Yes, due to the savings. But ask lots of questions, and do not put up with any crap answers at the dock.
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#99457
07/03/2016 02:32 AM
07/03/2016 02:32 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 33 FL
Catdancer
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 33
FL
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GeorgeC1 said: Just a point on the dinghy. At the Moorings the company owns the dinghies. They are in a pool and given out to each boat as needed. It's not a big deal to give you a second one. At most charter companies the dinghy belongs to the boat and is paid for by the owner of the boat. They are not supposed to be swapped around although I know it happens. The better companies should keep a spare or two on hand in case of problems but they might be reluctant to send it out as a extra. G That may be true - they may be reluctant to send it out as an extra. But we were assured we could have the extra with a $1,000 deposit, but then the dock master lied repeatedly about it. The complaint was about the dishonesty and lack of communication with admin. However, it all worked out and we were happy in the end!
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: Catdancer]
#99458
07/03/2016 02:47 AM
07/03/2016 02:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 33 FL
Catdancer
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 33
FL
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Having just returned from a BVI Yacht Charter after chartering with The Moorings (most recently last June), here are my thoughts. First, we were a party of 12. Try fitting that many on any 45/46 - even a 48 - in comfort! Well, The Tennessee Waltz, in spite of a few glitches, was absolutely the BEST boat we've ever lived on for a week! The refrigeration was the best I've ever experienced, and the ice-maker was an added luxury. The accommodations included three spacious staterooms and three smaller ones as well as two forepeaks with A/C! and Portholes! so one crew member used one for sleeping and the other for dressing. And of course, the "penthouse" and front seating area were much enjoyed. Now, the marina is even more basic than Fort Burt (Conch). There's nothing there, but it IS very close to Riteway and One Mart. We took a cab to Village Cay Marina restaurant and then slept on board before taking off. Still have fond memories of Nanny Cay .. and The Moorings base rocks it, but would definitely book with BVI again - check out their boats (and pricing)!
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Re: Differences between Moorings and BVI Yacht Charter
[Re: Catdancer]
#99459
07/03/2016 05:25 PM
07/03/2016 05:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276 Atlantic Highlands, NJ
MarkS
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
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Thanks all. Out plan is to Dinghy over to Village Cay for dinner on the night of our sleep-aboard at their dock. Jasper has A/C so i'm not too worried about the evening start. Hopefully we get there early enough to get the boat checkout accomplished before they close at 5:00pm. Its going to be close because we land at STT at 1:18pm.
Mark Shichtman "Live for Today!"
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