TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Charter booking help...please

Hi everyone...looking to return at the end of May or early June 2017 and have been looking at boats and charter company's. 2 couples looking for a cat and a captain. my hubby and I have been sailing there twice with friends who sail but this is the first time for me doing the planning. I am trying to dot my eyes and cross my T's. Few questions I have ...for now...
Iis there any advantage to using a yacht broker if I have lots of quotes already? I am finding comparable prices from BVIYC and TTM and am still looking at others. Any other recommendations are welcome as I am finding boats with AC (friends requirement) in the 40ft range are not as plentiful as hoped. In our price range I should add....trying to keep base boat cost under 7k as we need to add in capt and fees etc.
Also I think we are flying into STT and have seen positive comments on here about CYOA. Not having to take the ferry is a nice option but what , if any additional costs or things are involved in starting from the U.S. And coming into the BVI. We do plan to bring some food with us from home..small cooler of some premade meals. Anything we need to know?
Thanks in advance for any comments and I out. I've read on here for a long time and this site is so helpful
Lisa

We (CYOA) have four boats in your price and size range for those dates with generator and air. Two Lipari 41's a brand new Lucia 40 and a Lagoon 380. Base boat prices in that time frame run from $6500 to $7500 on those boats. The Lucia is the most expensive. They all have generator and air conditioning as well as separate fridge and freezer. Three of the four have water makers. All four have ice makers.

As for additional costs leaving from St Thomas. Customs fees are the only real additional expenses. The ferry transfers for four are about the same as customs for a week. Getting off of your plane and onto your boat after a ten minute cab ride is just about priceless.

Jay

Thank you for the reach out. I will definitely look at those and put them on the list for our friends to check out. We have taken the ferry over twice now and it does add some stress.
What options would we have in the BVI for our first night anchorage? Not sure of the logistics as we have always left from Road town and hit Cooper our first night. We love that as a first stop.
Hoping Anegada is allowed also since we will have a capt.
I will be in contact for a full quote. Lisa
Thanks

Typically coming in from the US the flight will arrive in the afternoon. This means a sleep aboard at the marina the first night normally. You can provision yourself at one of the nearby stores or order provisions ahead of time. There are lots of great dining options in Frenchtown for the first night. From there the captain will join the boat as early as 8:00 AM on the first day. You have tons of options with a full day. You can visit St John on your way to the BVI or choose to go directly to the BVI’s. It is about three hours to Jost or West End. That puts you in Jost, Tortola, or Norman Island easily on the first night.
Anegada is allowed both with a captain or with the proper experience for bareboat customers

Hi Lisa!
As for the ferry from STT, we've done it every time but are rethinking things for our next trip. Going directly from the airport to a boat sounds like a win-win if you find the boat you like in St. Thomas. St. John is a beautiful island for stopping.
As for charter companies, we've chartered from TMM lots and love them (disclaimer: we've only chartered from TMM and Virgin Traders so I have no experience with other companies)
As for a cooler, we do it every time. Freeze everything well in vacuum sealed bags. Pack it right before you leave home and don't open the cooler till you're at your boat. Don't bother with dry ice. Use a Polar Bear brand cooler if you can - they're awesome. Check the cooler as a piece of luggage (we fly Delta and have never had a problem with this) When you get to customs in the BVI's, they'll ask you the value of what's in it and you pay 10% tax. I always say $100 and hand them a $10 dollar bill. It's super easy.
Good luck with your planning!

Going directly from the airport directly to the boat is indeed nice...don't forget you can do that in Tortola too!

>>...Getting off of your plane and onto your boat after a ten minute cab ride is just about priceless...<< amen

and shopping for provisions at Cost-U-Less and K Mart is great too!

I would highly recommend iYachtclub.com. I know them all personally and have used them several times. They will make it as easy as possible. They leave out of St. Thomas so no ferry needed. They have a ton of boats that are all incredible and I guarantee their prices and service won't be beat. Feel free to email me if you want more info. ptrout10@yahoo.com

So many awesome comments...the help is greatly appreciated.
Had read on some past threads that the passage between STT and the BVI can be a little rough. Is that winter months mainly? Would May or June be smoother as I understand winds die down. I am up for the adventure but feel I should let our friends know what they may be in for <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />
Someone mentioned flying into Tortola...we would love to do that as we love the island and any extra time being a day before or after charter would be great but YIKES...the cost of airfare from ORD is wicked $$$$ when compared to STT.
Also...any comments on charters in July...though it would be hard to wait that long and I know its a tad more into storm season...
Thanks all....Lisa

I've started at CYOA the last several years in either June or July. It has not been an issue whatsoever. In any case, the section in question is only about 5 miles before you're no longer out in the open. I don't think you will see any issue at all in the June timeframe.

Hi Lisa. I highly recommend CYOA. We have been chartering in the VI for over 30 years and have used a number of different companies out of different locations (most of whom are now defunct). But for many, many years now, we have sailed almost exclusively with CYOA. We did charter with Moorings out of Tortola last year, and I'd have to admit that we were very pleased. Nonetheless, as we made plans to book our trip for this coming January, CYOA was our first inquiry and we are very much looking forward to returning to our go-to charter company. The personalized customer service and extremely friendly atmosphere have made loyal customers out of my family...not to mention a fantastic fleet(though comparatively small next to the big companies like Moorings). John, Kirsten, Jay and the rest of the gang are terrific to work with and aren't at all anxious to put you out to sea so they can get on to the next charterer. Plus, their Frenchtown base affords great access to the airport, provisioning and restaraunts (especially the Hook Line & Sinker right next door).
As for sailing to the BVI out of Charlotte Amalie, we've done it numerous times without any complaint. There has been a time or two that we were sailing so uphill that we chose to motor up the south side of St. Thomas to make port at St. John for our first overnight. But always worth it.
And you hit another nail right on the head...the airfare to STT is so much cheaper than to EIS! Not to mention the cab ride to and from the airport is ultra quick and easy.
Like I said, we've used several different charter companies, but CYOA has proven time and time again to be the outfit with a proven and consistent record of launching their clientele into a fantastic charter experience.

Doug from Indiana

One of the wonderful things that a ST start offers a charter is the chance to anchor for the first night at Leinster Bay/Waterlemon Cay.

Simply, quietly, most beautifully, one of the premier anchorages, anywhere. No shoreside amenities, no hoopla, nothing but wonderful swimming, snorkeling, beach exploring, land exploring, and for a First Night, getting familiar with the boat, your provisions, your storage, the galley, the refrigeration, your cabins, and perhaps just sitting in the cockpit with friends after dark and marveling that, yes, we ARE here.

It is a great place for a first night out of ST and both Jost and West End are very close for a morning clear-in.

Pillsbury Sound will be what it is. If it proves to be more sporty than you appreciate, anchoring on the N shore of St John is a welcome end to that first day, letting everyone relax and enter the " chill out " zone.

Take heed, as close as Jost and West End may be, the cut between Tortola and St John can be equally " sporty". If you want to do both in the same day, more power to you.

+1 on an evening at Leinster Bay/Waterlemon Cay. Bring a light you never know what you will see in the water or air at night near Leinster Bay/Waterlemon Cay. There is no beach bar.

TOTALLY with you Breeze. We used to spend the first night at Caneel Bay, but once we discovered Leinster, that's been our favorite first night stay ever. Great snorkeling. Great hike to Anaberg. And awesome overnight anchorage.

Doug from Indiana

Going with a broker has no real advantages.
Starting your trip in St Thomas's some advantages. Starting in Tortola also has some advantages.

CYOA and TMM are both excellent.

We've done the Pillsbury Sound passage every month of the year, except December. We've had no problems, even on small boats with crew that got a bit green on the way to Anegada. There are swells in Pillsbury Sound, but they are long period and short lived. Spring/summer is a non-issue.

I would sail with CYOA, add two more days to your itinerary or fly into EIS.

Cheers, RickG

Wow...such great info from everyone. So very appreciated. Will be reviewing this and will attempt to organize it all this weekend and do some reach outs!


StormJib & RickG & Breeze....we spent the last night of our last trip at Leinster Bay...it was beautiful. I think this trip we may head right to the BVI so we have time to hit our favorite spots ~ but will take the captains advise. Someone said add on 2 days...Oh how I wish we could!
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