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Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
#73392
11/01/2015 10:48 AM
11/01/2015 10:48 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
wofat
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 36
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Next summer (2016) I am planning on taking my family of four, along with my sister in law and her two kids, and my father in law, on their first bareboat adventure. Though I've chartered in the BVI at least 5 times, I've always been crew. As such, I have a number of questions.
First, any tips on making this more cost effective? It seems that it's cheapest for our flights from Pittsburgh to fly to SJU and then into EIS rather than what we've traditionally done, which is fly into STT and then take the ferry. Any tips though on how to make this less expensive would be great. We're looking at about $650 PP now.
Second, I'm not sure I'll qualify to captain the boat, even though I've crewed a number of times and have sailing experience, I'd almost rather not have the stress. So, if we hire a captain, what is appropriate for a tip?
In terms of chartering boats, who do you recommend? I have gone through the Moorings several times, but interested in less expensive options if they exist. Right now I'm primarily looking at a Moorings 4000, 4 cabin cat. With a captain, however, this looks to run about $9000.
Any other suggestions would be great!
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: wofat]
#73393
11/01/2015 11:27 AM
11/01/2015 11:27 AM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,450 Napa, California
Teammac
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,450
Napa, California
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Honestly I would say you should probably book a charter with just you as skipper and your wife as first mate on a smaller mono for a week before you attempt to take guests. If you do hire a captain for this trip, the next trip you will in the same boat ( pun intended ) as you are now.
It's not what you've got, it's what you give, it's not the life you choose, it's the life you live.
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: warren460]
#73397
11/01/2015 02:49 PM
11/01/2015 02:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545 Here and There
rita_irvine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
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Check out Blue Moon. Jim is a sponsor here. This may be just what you need for a great vacation.
Rita It is better to be happy than it is to be right
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: BaardJ]
#73400
11/01/2015 05:24 PM
11/01/2015 05:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
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Regarding what you qualify for according to the website: the enthusiasm of the marketing department notwithstanding, it will be YOUR signature on the charter contract attesting to your stated abilities to competently handle the vessel in all conditions, etc.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: MrEZgoin]
#73401
11/01/2015 05:41 PM
11/01/2015 05:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 672 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 672
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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Check out BVI Yacht Charters. Great customer service! Their boats are sometimes a bit older but they do a great job maintaining them. They are also within walking distance of grocery shopping, saving cab fare. Another money saver is that you don't have to rent snorkel equipment, they provide it free of charge.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: CottageGirl]
#73402
11/01/2015 06:04 PM
11/01/2015 06:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 770 Kansas
captmoby
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 770
Kansas
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650$ from the Midwest? What am I doing wrong? I live in the Midwest and have been paying almost double that.
Jim Sailmoby II
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: wofat]
#73406
11/01/2015 09:58 PM
11/01/2015 09:58 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215
JAX
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You won't dock if returning to Moorings/Sunsail. They will board and bring you in. Most overnights are on moorings. You crew will need some help, practice and encouragement helps. But they will get the hang of it.
Piece of cake from the helm of most cats in BVI. Twins 20' feet apart will turn on a dime. Lock the helm when going astern.
Go for it.
JPH I spent my money on booze, broads, and boats...the rest I wasted.
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: wofat]
#73409
11/02/2015 01:22 AM
11/02/2015 01:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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You should be able to arrange to do some practice anchoring and docking with the captain until you get the hang of it. If you're on a budget do some shopping around on boats.
Sunsail is in the same marina with Moorings and Footloose. Riteway is a short walk away but you can order online and have them deliver to the boat then do some last minute shopping when you arrive.
That's a very good arrival time and fare into EIS from the Midwest!
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: Bareboating on a Budget with Inexperienced Crew
[Re: caribbeangirl13]
#73413
11/02/2015 12:43 PM
11/02/2015 12:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 381
dayhiker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 381
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I checked SJU to EIS airfare the other day for early June 2016 and it was running $600 pp. I was shocked.
I was trying to get the most bang for the buck when I put my first trip together in 2014. I found Pro Valor to have very good rates. We were down around 5k for a 44' cat without AC. I took ASA 101, 103/104 before booking the trip. They booked me a checkout captain for the first day since my classes were on a mono. You might look into this as an option for you. THe biggest value I found on the checkout captain was that he was an excellent teacher. I never felt like I was being quizzed or tested. After he verified me, he then spent the rest of the time with the crew teaching them what to do while I was sailing. He worked with me on picking up the mooring ball, then he worked with them, then later he worked solely with them on raising and lowering the sails and then what to do while tacking, etc. I went over my itinerary with him in detail and he had some great ideas for me to ammend our plan. The whole thing was a great experience.
EDIT: We booked 10 days for 7 in early June and $4500 on the boat in 2014
Last edited by dayhiker; 11/02/2015 12:45 PM.
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