Cheap Chartering

Good afternoon. My husband and I just finished ASA sailing certifications and we can't wait to get back. I'm looking for tips from this community about how to charter for less. I've checked with several of the charter companies and rates seem to be similar for similar sized vessels. Just wondering if there's a cheaper alternative. TIA!

In the words of the great William "Smokey" Robinson.."You'd better shop around". There are so many companies out there now..large and small in the BVI's and USVI's ( Shout out to Capt Jay) that a few e mails and phone calls may well get you a decent deal.

I don't have first hand experience but many folks on this board speak well of Captains Compass. Older well maintained boats. I think they are a sponsor.

You usually get what you pay for.
I would suggest instead of trying to find the boat where you need to bring your own tool box that you instead look at chartering in low season and charter a smaller boat or find someone to split the charter costs with. The costs in low season ore substantially less expensive plus if you are somewhat new to the charter/sailing fun the, conditions in terms of wind/wave plus crowds are better suited to someone with less experience.

Thread title= Oxymoron?

My perception is that it has gotten harder to find low cost charters. We chartered a couple of times from North South, which is gone. Their boats were not in great condition, but we had a blast anyway and appreciated the savings. Then we used Footloose several times. They're still around, but only have cats, not the lower-cost monohulls we used to charter. Captains Compass lost their monohulls in hurricane Irma.

Given the ongoing struggles to recover from Irma, I'm ok with paying a bit more to help the BVI economy. But it just seems like chartering is heading in a more luxury-oriented direction.

By the way, our last charter (pre-Irma -- it's been too long) was with TMM. It was our most expensive charter to date, but I must say it was a beautiful boat in great shape. They're now down to just one monohull.

Dan

Really appreciate all the input. I don’t mind an older boat as long as it’s in good repair. The catamaran we were on for our ASA certifications had all kinds of problems so we got some unexpected lessons in boat repair .

Ahoy Captain, Sorry, not cheap, but a Great Value with ' thecaptainscompass.com ' with the Leopard 43/42 with 4Bed and 4Baths for 10 Nights this Spring and Summer for $3850.

I have used Captains Compass...older boats - yes...bring your own toolbox - no. Everything worked as it was supposed to,

if you can do things last minute 'latesail.com' are quite good with offers, you're better to call them than rely on their website imo.

Some of us work directly with charterers to give them good deals compared to many of the companies. I wouldn't necessarily call them cheap charters - like agrimsrud said, often you get what you pay for.

Also, sign up for the email lists from individual boats, since I know I send out occasional deals. Also worthwhile to email or message an owner with your dates, and ask what sort of deal you can get - or make an offer! Especially true for last minute trips. Like Manpot said, you're going to end up shopping around a bit, but its fun, and I think, worth it!

Feel free to check out my site (www.syTimeWillTell.com) and send me a message!


-Peter

Try ownertimecharters.com. Personalized service, large fleet, discounted pricing.

Hi, on our recent charter BVIs 1-25 to 2/1/2020- we noticed that they are stacking the boats at Sunsail/Moorings three deep in the slips- and at the same time- every mooring ball is taken by 1:00pm at popular anchorages.

There appears to be a glut of supply of charter yachts. If the long time laws of economics apply, I would expect that charter yacht prices should decline.

I have been receiving e-mails from some companies- I think I got one today from Conch- announcing 20% off sales and the like.

Time will tell!

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe "cheap" wasn't the best choice of words, but cheap is relative . Just trying to find the most cost effective way to go so we can go as often as possible. We've been visiting St John regularly since 1998, but we're new to sailing and to this forum. Appreciate all the input. Everyone on this board seems incredibly helpful.

Make sure in any type of agreement your name is on the charter contract. I would also confirm it’s acceptable to the charter company for the owner to sell time.
G

I was offered a discount when I talked directly to the owner of this cat.

Knot On Call

Think These folks used to be a TTOL sponsor.

Start in St. Thomas and avoid the cost and time to take the ferry to the BVI. I've used CYOA in Frenchtown Marina twice and been very pleased with the quality of the operation, boats and service. They won't be a budget charter company since most of their catamarans are new and all have water makers, ice makers, etc. Once you factor in not having to take the ferry, they are likely comparable to any of the quality companies in the BVI.

so I think Sunsail/ Moorings have 250+ boats on base, and they all go out at Christmas/ New Year & other busy times, heaven knows what the traffic/ mooring issues are at busy times but it means there's a lot of boats on base at quieter times; in theory the lower prices in low seasons attract business but not enough to mop up the slack.

Done the US to BVI to US sail twice.

Yes on time but maybe not so much on cost. Cost us $450 in 2017 and $1000 in 2019 to clear customs from US into BVI last May. Seven days sailing BVI, 44' cat with seven total crew.

Going back to do the Ferry thing in June. Hoping for a smooth ferry transition.

The Moorings bookings were very strong. Keep in mind the dock can only hold a small portion of the fleet. It’s basically always going to be full with boats being turned even with bookings near 100%.
Having said that I suspect it will all be changing in the next month. Charter companies may be going into survival mode again.
G

George, Not quite sure why you think charter companies will be going into "survival mode" next month?

Airlines are already offering cancellation waivers. I expect to see cancellation requests soon. I'm sure that's why...

People are starting to panic. A high percentage of people will be unwilling to use any form of mass transit. Lets hope this thing burns out with the spring thaw. If not it’s going to get ugly.
G