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Looking ahead to better times #224686
04/14/2020 12:39 PM
04/14/2020 12:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
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Latadjust Offline OP
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Latadjust  Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
So, planning ahead, looking at May 2021, bareboat charter for the 5th trip.

Question: what is the benefit of using a broker? We've always contracted directly with the charter outfit.

Oh, another question: we've always chartered during high season. For May, can/should we wait till the last minute to secure a boat and maybe a deal? The reason I ask is if travel is still restricted, hate to have a deposit floating around (floating....lol)

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Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224689
04/14/2020 01:11 PM
04/14/2020 01:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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sail445 Offline
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Originally Posted by Latadjust
So, planning ahead, looking at May 2021, bareboat charter for the 5th trip.

Question: what is the benefit of using a broker? We've always contracted directly with the charter outfit.

Oh, another question: we've always chartered during high season. For May, can/should we wait till the last minute to secure a boat and maybe a deal? The reason I ask is if travel is still restricted, hate to have a deposit floating around (floating....lol)


During the mid nineties in the off season some of the charter companies would offer 2 weeks and some 10 days for the price of one.
I’m sure if business doesn’t pick up you’ll be able to negotiate a deal.

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224702
04/14/2020 03:08 PM
04/14/2020 03:08 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Tortola/ Sonoma, California
When this is over we will be offering 10 days for the price of 7 at CRC.

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224724
04/15/2020 12:04 AM
04/15/2020 12:04 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
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Latadjust Offline OP
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Latadjust  Offline OP
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Folsom Lake, CA
So......anyone have any input on what are the benefits of using a charter broker?

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224735
04/15/2020 08:55 AM
04/15/2020 08:55 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
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Bradenton, FL
We have never used a broker - we go directly to the charter company. Are you looking to sail out of Tortola or St. Thomas? I have great recommendations for both.


[Linked Image]

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224750
04/15/2020 10:20 AM
04/15/2020 10:20 AM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 207
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Kegoangoango Offline
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I've used Virgin Island Sailing for our 3 charters. The primary benefit is that I just give them our boat parameters and budget and they provide a few options of boats that are still available. The cost for the broker is paid by the selected company and I don't know of any companies that will reduce their price if you don't use a broker. VISailing also provides the latest cruising guide and an online cruising guide. Also remember that no all companies allow brokers, so after you get a list of options, you may want to check companies that don't pay brokers.

If you know exactly what boat you want and/or you know who you want to charter from, then it's only a matter of whether the broker provides you with other services/products that matter to you.

As far as waiting to book in low season, it's a matter of whether you're particular in the boat requirements. Obviously, the longer you wait, the fewer boat options you have, but possibly a better price. As mentioned, there are already some pretty good deals during low season which may not adjust your price much. Since most boats are owned by someone other than the charter company, the company has to pay the owner an amount and then the company has to make some money. There's always a limit to their bottom price. If you show up at the office and ask to charter any boat they have ready, I don't think you'll get much more of a discount than booking earlier. I'm only going by the emails I receive from the charter companies and VISailing on their specials for late selection chartering.

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224754
04/15/2020 11:02 AM
04/15/2020 11:02 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
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Latadjust Offline OP
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Latadjust  Offline OP
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Folsom Lake, CA
Thank you all! And it will be Tortola

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224763
04/15/2020 12:26 PM
04/15/2020 12:26 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 297
ORIENTAL,NC
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DaveZ Offline
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ORIENTAL,NC
I have used Ed Hamilton for the last 13 years and I think 16 charters throughout the Carib. They get you plenty of options and can be a great intermediary if things go south. Would never go anywhere else, exceptional service as well.

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224776
04/15/2020 01:52 PM
04/15/2020 01:52 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GA/NC
I think charter brokers provide a great service. It’s naive however to think you can’t get a better price not using a broker, especially with the smaller companies. They know exactly what they have to pay a broker. If you’re negotiating for discounts it’s certainly going to be a factor. I witnessed one company telling a charterer that next time please book directly with them and they would give a additional 5% off. Ultimately the bottom line is the bottom line. Many companies in the BVI once charged extra to use a credit card because again it impacts their revenue. I think the credit card companies have however tried to stop that practice.

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 04/15/2020 01:54 PM.
Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224779
04/15/2020 02:03 PM
04/15/2020 02:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
ScurvyD Offline
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ScurvyD  Offline
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Posts: 251
Okla
Originally Posted by Latadjust
Thank you all! And it will be Tortola


What kind of yacht are you looking for? There are many resources on this board alone that could steer you to contact an owner directly. We have had great experience with this avenue.


I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: ScurvyD] #224784
04/15/2020 02:32 PM
04/15/2020 02:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
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Latadjust Offline OP
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Latadjust  Offline OP
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Folsom Lake, CA
We've always chartered 40' monohulls in the bvi but might go with a 45 footer this time, ac preferred

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Manpot] #224793
04/15/2020 03:25 PM
04/15/2020 03:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2 Offline
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Toronto, Ontario
Sounds like a great idea Manpot - September will be interesting given that it is still hurricane season - maybe we can get more people to come down in Oct and November with some good discounts


GordaGuy2
Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224798
04/15/2020 05:42 PM
04/15/2020 05:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
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Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
BVI Yacht Charters have several monos with gen/AC in the 45 and up length — I have found most 41 and under monos are usually shoreside AC only.


[Linked Image]

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Winterstale] #224799
04/15/2020 05:46 PM
04/15/2020 05:46 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 297
ORIENTAL,NC
D
DaveZ Offline
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ORIENTAL,NC

We have had the same experience. Last few years we have moved up to the 46 ft range and found more with gensets.

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: Latadjust] #224802
04/15/2020 06:06 PM
04/15/2020 06:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
L
Latadjust Offline OP
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Latadjust  Offline OP
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Folsom Lake, CA
Thanks for the heads up!

Re: Looking ahead to better times [Re: gordaguy2] #224917
04/16/2020 08:56 PM
04/16/2020 08:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline
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tpcook  Offline
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Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
The only folks that will have disposable income are the high end folks so I don't know if offering a discount will encourage them. They will come if they have the funds and want to. Folks who have been hit are not going to be looking at BVI villas. Hope I am wrong!! However I do feel that the 2020/21 season will be reasonable. Lots of folks will want to get away.
For me this has been a double hit. I have spent 2.5 years to complete the villa. Now it is done and once I leave I will not be able to come back until Sept Several guests have asked for their money back and not do a delayed rental. One guy is delaying until Oct

Last edited by tpcook; 04/16/2020 09:00 PM.

tpcook

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