Back to the BVIs - flying into St Thomas

Been awhile all;

thinking of heading back to the BVIs with a friend. Looking to charter a smallish monohull as I want something easy to handle as my friend will have not a lot of experience on a sailboat. Currently looking at Moorings or DYC. I think I like the Moorings boats better at the moment. Also am disappointed to see that DYC is no longer at scrub. Anyway, early days but thinking Cooper, to North Sound for a couple of days, (either Leverick, Saba, or Oil nut bay) Cain Garden, Jost (couple of days), Norman. Not sure if I will make the trip to Anegada will play this by ear and see how comfortable my crew mate is with some open water. Couple of questions:
- how much for Mooring balls, is it still around 20-30US?
- ferry to BVI, am i right that the last one leaves at 5:30? very confusing trying to find ferry schedules. looked on Best of BVI website...

Thanks!
Jeremy

Inflation!!
Moorings $40 FCFS. $55 For Boatyballs!
Last ferry from CA: 5:30.

You may want to check out Conch Charters and BVI Yacht Charters as well. They both have a nice selection of monos. Great service too!

yikes! that's almost the price of a hotel. Thanks! will have to update my budget!

Thanks xray, will check out Conch and BVI, forgot about those operations.

Wait 'til you see the restaurant and food prices!

LOL, I remember the days when you could get a hotel for $40 a night... barely. Wouldn't want to stay anywhere near a hotel charging that rate now. I can't remember the last time I've paid less than $125-$150/night. Just wait till you see the price of a cheeseburger in the islands now...

Good luck with your planning and hope the trip works out! Mono's are harder to find these days. You may be considering Moorings as same as Sunsail, but just in case not, Sunsail has some decent pricing on smaller monos.

FYI..my place on Apple Bay is $140 per night....Rhymers is ,I believe $120 per night..there are several under $10 burgers, Rhymer's, Patricia's on the Beach at Smugglers. and Stout's Lookout..it can be done and you will still have a great time with a full belly! You can blow $35 for a burger in some places..or spend little more than that for a fine steak dinner elsewhere...

Since COVID the BVI Ports Authority has been posting the international ferry schedules and the links to the ferry companies. They have been doing a good job of keeping it up to date (I probably just put the jynx on that). The link is: https://www.bviports.org/ferry

I’d suggest calling a broker. We use Nautic Ed. They are very knowledgeable and can find you the best boat available for your budget. I’ve used them for the past 4 or 5 years and have had great experience. Charter company pays the Broker so cost is the same for you. I believe that the charter companies are more careful to not ‘offend’ a broker client since it could cost them more future renters than losing just one customer, but who knows if that is true. Broker also knows what companies are good and what companies are ‘budget’. Which helped me avoid a company that was struggling at the time. Good luck. Last year they put us with Waypoints and it was anything but budget, however the quality of the boats and service was worth it. They have lots of spare parts and will stop at nothing to fix anything that goes wrong after 20 consecutive years chartering, I’ve never been more impressed with a charter company. I believe they have access to most charter companies, but I would ask them for a list of companies that they have access to and then do your own search of the other companies on your own to do an exhaustive search. Good luck.

thanks for all the tips! just getting back into planning so looking to book soon. Our dates changed so may be pushing into later July.

only Medication - yes I am also looking at sunsail their 42' Monohulls look really nice!

Manpot - can you send me the link to your rental - we will be looking to stay a few days on island to "decompress" before heading home.

Mchristo - thanks for the suggestion, I didn't know NauticID provided that service, thanks will check it out

Thanks all

Sent you a PM..Laura ( a regular here on TTOL) handles bookings for me.I hope to be down when you are there for a cold one or two( and alwyas a cold one or two in the rental fridge)!!!

received thanks!