Where to start- choices

If you are new to the chartering game you will be wondering where to start and what to look for. The most obvious place today will be to Google it. Let’s start with “yacht charters in the BVI,s” A whole host of different opportunities pop up which will help you to make an informed choice.

The decision to go bareboat or have a crew on board will eliminate quite a few sites making it a little easier, but not much. I have broken down your options into 5 possible choices so as a newbie to the charter world it may help to get you on the water.

The choices are:

1) Motor or Sailboat

2) Bareboat or Crewed

3) Private or Company

4) Length of Cruise

5) Time of year

Motor or Sailboat

Let’s start with your boat requirement. Is it a sail boat or motor yacht you desire? If it’s a sailboat there are many to choose from. The least expensive is usually the mono hull and if you are a reasonablely experienced sailor, they are a lot of fun. The catamaran is a lot more stable so if you are starting out for the first time this is what I would recommend.

If you require a motor yacht then Google “motor yacht charters in the BVI’s and you will see quite a few listings come up.

Bareboat or Crewed

Having never sailed before you will have no alternative but to look for a crewed charter that will suit your needs.

There are so many bareboat opportunities out there, but Sun Sail or The Moorings are the most popular choice. They do both kinds of charters and if you want to try out a bareboat you will need a minimum level of sailing qualification. Sailing in the BVI’s makes it easy.

Private or Company

Chartering with a specialist charter boat company is often the easiest method. Most of them are fully geared to make your booking etc. effortless and you will find them a bit cheaper.

If you are looking for a more pampered personal touch, then charter a private yacht run by a professional crew for its owner. These boats are generally more luxurious and have added benefits included.

Length of Cruise

With privately owned yachts the length of your cruise can easily be adjusted to your timeframe. You must work through a reliable charter boat broker and if you start with your booking early it should be no problem.

With many company boats the length of your charter is usually fixed for 7 days and 7 nights

Time of Year

The time of year you go can make a big difference to your enjoyment of the cruise. Basically you must decide if its high season when all the parties are in full swing and that’s what turns you on, or in the low season when the anchorages are less crowded but often the weather is perhaps a little more fickle.

For me the low season is the best. Even if it’s summer and it gets a little hot, most charter boats are equipped with very efficient air conditioners. So as they say in the Islands “be cool mon”.

Frank Rijkers is a Certified Yachtmaster Offshore. Who has sailed the oceans around world in his home built 34ft sailing yacht (Footloose). As charter boat skipper in the Caribbean and as captain on private yachts, go to http://coolboatingsupplies.com for some cool ideas on yacht safety

Frank Rijkers is a Certified Yachtmaster Offshore. Who has sailed the oceans around world in his home built 34ft sailing yacht (Footloose). As charter boat skipper in the Caribbean and as captain on private yachts, go to http://coolboatingsupplies.com for some cool ideas on yacht safety

Author Bio: Frank Rijkers is a Certified Yachtmaster Offshore. Who has sailed the oceans around world in his home built 34ft sailing yacht (Footloose). As charter boat skipper in the Caribbean and as captain on private yachts, go to http://coolboatingsupplies.com for some cool ideas on yacht safety

Category: Travel
Keywords: First charter,caribbean charters,newbie charters,sailing charters,motor yacht charters,charter boat