Two part bareboat question

Did my first bareboat last year on Moorings 433 Power cat. Loved it! As many of you know, Moorings has 3 levels Exclusive Plus (new boats a year or less old), Exclusive (1-3 yrs) and Club (3-5 yrs). I think we did the middle one, Exclusive. The boat looked brand new and we had zero problems. Cost is always a factor for myself and our group so for planning the next one do you all think I should stay with the middle level, step down or even up? Are the odds of something breaking or newer gadgets worth the expense or savings? Or is Sunsail and other older charters something I should consider for some important reason? Since I'm still a newbie and my group is as well we want to minimize problems as much as possible. This is also why I chose a power cat since my crew are not sailors and I didn't want the extra responsibility of dealing with sails. And we sleep late!

2nd question. Thinking about bringing my parents on a charter for a couple of days. They are in their 70's so my thought is a land based trip and they either join us for 2 days on our week on the boat or we all are land based and just charter for 2-3 days at one end of the trip for the experience. Not sure if any of the charter companies even let boats out for such a short time? I'm just not sure my parents would like it or could handle it so having them on for a short stay would answer that for me.

I have been on all the levels. The only major difference I've noticed is that at the club level, you get boats ready to retire and they often have been replaced with newer models. But that is also if they are at the 5-6 year end of that range. For example, we were on a Moorings 4600 club one time and it was about 6 years old - there were a few minor differences from the newer 4600's and I think the 4800 was in charter at that time too - maybe just for a year though.

From a standpoint of things breaking down though - no difference. In fact, If I recall we had no issues on that 4600. And we have had issues on brand new boats. Aside from one trip, we've never had an issue that couldn't be resolved quickly though. And that one time was when we were on the 5800 and a pump or compressor went for the A/C and they didn't have a spare part for it.

So in shopping prices, I'd go by boat choice and price. Not age.

I don't know of a charter company that would do a 2-3 day rental.

We have picked friends and guests up at resorts and hotels for a couple of days during many charters. When it was open dropping guests off at Little Dix was our preferred spot. Bitter End is also easy. Depending on the mobility you may want a dock. Many really enjoy a few days on the boat with days before and after on the hard. 24/7/7 or more days on a "small" boat is not for everyone.

Kind of depends on where in the "70s" and their physical condition. At a few months from 70, our regular crew of six seniors is still chartering sail cats (Spanish Virgins in October). Try this thread for lots of good insights and tips. Seniors

Thank you all for the responses! As far as Moorings goes, since the boat I'm likely to get is another 433pc and is available in all 3 categories, guess the sweet spot is the middle Exclusive level.

Didn't think any charters were available for 2-3 days but figured I'd ask. Also wasn't really inferring that 70's means old and incapable either. Heck, my dad says he's retired because he takes Fridays off now. They aren't boaters and don't travel much and not knowing how they would be on a boat for a week straight is a problem. Even dropping them off or picking up for the land based portion isn't ideal because they would expect us to be with them then as well, aka the not traveling much type. Just been having thoughts of doing things with the parents as they are getting older. Don't want to have regrets.

we took my inlays who are 78-79. They did good. We found that they had spots where they could enjoy in cockpit/shade and we would get them situated before moving much. Assisted (fall precaution) if needed to go to head while moving. One was better physically and could pretty much get around even under way. Getting in dingy was a little challenging. As trip progressed, we planned dock stops for when they needed to go to shore (every other day or 2). If they are "not the traveling type", they likely will enjoy the scenery from the boat and being a part of your family vacation.... watching you snorkel , etc. I don't think I would put them out on land as they might just sit in hotel room all day.

Often, I almost reply to a question, then someone comes along and answers it better than I could. We have been sailing with the Moorings starting in 1986. We have tried their different levels of condition from club and up. If you like new and fresh, you know what to charter. They are all good. The dinghy motor will be questionable in all cases. As for seniors aboard. Climbing out of the dinghy onto a dock can be an issue for some seniors. In May, six of us chartered a 474 PC. All of us are seniors. I'm over 70 and I can still get around like a much younger man (for which I am thankful) but two of our crew had trouble getting in and out of the dinghy. Being a PC, the workload is very light. That is everything regarding seniors aboard that I've noticed. I hope these remarks help you.

The Moorings has only had the 433 in the fleet since, I believe, February 2016 so a club level would be on the newer side of that category.

As long as you can actually navigate 2 day charters are very common on the Chesapeake. Docks are everywhere. Many also have shore accommodations.

Virgin Traders is known to do last minute short charters with a Captain. If the boat is free and they have a skipper Virgin Traders will book the deal.

In 2017 the BVI is a long way from home for the lightly traveled.

Again 15 day charters are the norm for us where we pick guests up for a night or a few days from hotels and houses from St. Thomas to Bitter End. Two days is plenty for many!

Thanks! All great information! I'm 51 in a few weeks and my dad who is 73 (I think) is in far better shape than me! My mom has more issues including a bad knee. I think getting around the boat would be fine but my big concern as some of you mentioned is getting in and out of the dinghy. Most likely it will be another trip with friends as one with parents would be a completely different vacation altogether.

I can comment on your second question, a few years ago my parents, aunt and uncle (all in their 70's) sister and BIL rented a villa at Leverick we kept our sailboat in a slip at Leverick for that week. We took the entire family out on day sails, explorered Virgin Gorda by a couple rental safari trucks, dressed up as pirates for the Leverick Jumbie BBQ, sailed to Scrub, they ferried back to VG, toured Tortola via guided tour bus. It was a wonderful vacation.

Tony

One of my fondest memories is the beautiful late summer day my Dad and I spent sailing up and down Lake Charlevoix (MI) in a 40' C&C mono. His previous sailing experience was the Butterfly he owned. I know from our conversation and the grin on his face that he loved every minute of our time together. He died a couple of months later, at the age of 70, from a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

I will be 70 next May. My wife and I have had the privilege of sailing the BVIs with 3 kids, 2 kids-in-law and 4 grandchildren twice in the last 3 years. Those experiences and memories are priceless.

I would humbly suggest that you discuss your proposed trip with your parents, and then leave the decision to them. My guess is they will say: "Thanks, we're in!" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> For you, it might be a "completely different vacation." But I think that's the point.

Earlier this month we took my 74 year old Dad and our 10 year old daughter out on a Moorings 4000 (1st time for both). It was a bucket list trip for him and we were very worried going into it because of his physical issues (bad knee & hip, balance issues, and he's about 220 lbs). He loved every minute of it but it was challenging getting into and out of the dingy. Getting back onto the boat wasn't too bad since we had the davit system that he could grab onto but climbing onto the docks was a major issue. I would recommend planning your landings at places where you could at least pull up to a dock and let them out before grabbing a mooring. The idea of basing them at a place like Leverick and taking short and/or day trips also sounds like a great idea.

Either way, I can tell you the memories we made were priceless. I think he's still enjoying going to the dog park everyday to show pictures and talk of his adventure to his "girlfriends"!

We recently took my 87 year old agile father in law out on our lagoon for 2 weeks.

He even did the walk at the baths to devils Bay and back. He made us nervous.

As others said, getting in an out of the dinghy is a little more challenging depending on the individuals mobility.

I once met a 94 year old getting into a dinghy at Cooper. She had a couple middle age grandsons helping her.

Maybe you can show them a you tube video that includes boarding the boat from the dinghy.

Plan on very sheltered anchorages.

When you do go somewhere like leverick, rent a car so they can go to the baths and Savanah Bay.

Ultimately give them the choice.

I love the newer boats, if they are available, my husband likes the "middle boats" says he likes the kinks worked out...they really are all good. After a few months on charter they all have that eau d'boat <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />We took my 80 year old mother in law last year and she literally had the time of her life..really depends on their sense of adventure/mobility. Slow and easy does it, always leave someone in the dinghy to assist (that was me) and a little heave ho...once you are in the harbour it is so calm, a little patience goes a long way and she really felt a great sense of accomplishment for "hanging". It was a really good trip!