Thinking about charter in BVI...

Family of four, our two children are college age. Booked flight for a trip to VI's in May. Stayed in a house on St John last time, wife is looking at houses in BVI and St John again. BUT, I'm thinking bareboat charter. Haven't sailed in 7 years (since dad passed away), but I'm thinking, "I got this". Might be more money, but worth a few extra grand? However, would want a big cat- but never sailed one of those...

Am I nuts?
Do we really need AC?
Only need 3 cabins, maybe 2-3 baths. Like the price of the 35-38' but don't want to be so cheap that we feel cramped. How the hell to you pick between the boats?? It's always about the money (from both sides), but then there is age, length, AC, heads-Damn that Bali looks cool, but...
Owners Time-worth any discount you might get? Do you forfeit any level of service you might have gotten through a charter or broker? Something goes out, who comes to fix it?
Sorry, just trying to figure this all out, any input would be appreciated. EckyEcky...

I suggest you work with a charter broker. They can answer many of your questions and then you can decide if a charter vacation is right for your group. I kindly suggest that you get a captain - at least for the first few days.

I think I can answer your questions...

1. No more nuts then the rest of us

2. IF it is 80 at night at home, do you you think A) This is great! I love it when its warm like this! I love sleeping in this weather! OR B) CRANK UP THE A/C!! (A - you won't need A/C, B, you probably will want it - not as black and white as this, but a rough way to measure..)

3. I am a former moorings owner. So the only cats I've chartered have been the cats they have in their fleet. Hands down, I'd choose the moorings 4000 (3900 would be my 2nd choice). 4000 is just a great boat - forward facing galley with access to the bow as well. It really makes it feel spacious and has a lot more room then I would have expected from a boat this size. It comes in 2 configurations - an owners version (3 cabins/2 heads) or charter version (4 cabins/2 heads). I'd get the owners version and you and your wife take the owners cabin and give the kids the other hull so they each have their own cabin but share a head.

4. As an owner, we sold time on our boat. The level of service is exactly the same with one exception. There is no service guarantee or any credits due to any issues. 99% of the time this would never be an issue. I think it is possible that in the rare occasion, you could have more issues then most or a more significant issue, but you can still know they will do their very best to resolve it and even put you on another boat if necessary. I typically sold time at a 30% discount off the regular rate so savings was decent. More expensive the boat, the better the savings.

My wife and I had previously honeymooned in St. Thomas and then stayed with friends on St. John (at the Westin) and that is what led to our first charter. It's a different experience and I think far better since you get to see so much more. Just don't try to see too much at one time.

As far as your experience and not having sailed in 7 years, I'd just suggest you get a captain for a day to make sure you are comfortable.

Hi Matt,

What do you mean by no "service guarantee" when doing owner's time?

You will want/ need a captain to brush up on your skills.

I second the Air Conditioning evaluation.... I like it/ My wife insists on AC.

Sea Tiger is in TMM fleet and the feedback from those who have chartered directly from owner is "TMM is fantastic". One had a frayed main halyard (possibly due to user error) and called base. TMM met them in Cane Garden Bay within an hour and replaced. Charterer was truly impressed with TMM base services.

This is specific to Moorings, I'm not sure what others offer. But Moorings offers a 4 hour guarantee for repairs. If this isn't met, you get a credit for a future charter or something like that. There is no such guarantee on owners time, but they do not treat the problem any differently.

Look at <a href="bareboatsbvi.com" target="_blank">Bareboats BVI</a>, it is a site of a BVI based broker and will provide a lot of answers. Using a broker does not cost you anything. There is a commission built into the charter fee, if no broker, the charter company keeps it.

Thanks for all the responses!! Wife started getting more involved, sending me links and keeping me up late. This could be fun, but will definitely be interesting. Sounds like we need a "checkout" captain for a day, (I'll get rates and add that to the spreadsheet). Wondering how that works, if we head on to our first stop and drop him/her off there or if we have to go back to charter origin. May go ahead and call a broker. Thanks again!

All charter bases are on the South side, very easy to drop a skipper at almost any popular anchorages as there are shuttles or ferry's back, some easier than others.

From our personal experience, we chartered with TMM 2 years ago after having just completed our ASA certifications. They had us use a checkout skipper; we dropped him at Norman Island that first afternoon and he ferried back to Tortola. We were a group of my husband and I, our 2 college kids + 1 future fiance + 1 college aged cousin. Chartered a 36' catamaran, 4 cabins, 2 heads, no AC. "Kids" were thrilled with the trip and zero complaints!
PS: If you use "owners time" on a boat in TMM's fleet, you still get all the same service & attention from TMM as if you booked with them directly. Next charter we did that on Orion with TMM - Mark the owner is on the site and is great to work with.

EckyEcky; I sent you a PM because I has some thoughts you may appreciate.
Wayne