powerboat rental (no captain) for day trip to Jost

[elcnj]

This is related to my other post about day sail to Jost. We are committed to the large mono-hull for the majority of the group and are looking at options for the overflow.

What about renting a small powerboat for the day? Has anyone ever done this ... rented a smaller power boat and done the trip to Jost yourself?

We have experience with powerboats (small Bayliner) but not on the ocean. We have rented a small Whaler when we were in Bermuda but pretty much stayed local.

Crazy or adventurous?

[loria]

I have done this --and if you have no ocean experience, I would not do this. the channel can get seriously rough and if you are not used to navigating those types of conditions then don't risk it--needless to say coral reefs abound and if you hit one you;d be on the dokket for a new lower unit (a great way to ruin a vacation) or worse--if you are planning on Soggy dollar then you need to anchor off shore and then if you aren't used to setting an anchor, well that can get complicated too.
all things considered a boat with a captain might run you 200 more than one without--and you don;t have to have a designated driver and you will have a great guide to show you the sights along the way!--i would recommend Captain Brandi of palm tree charters--though there are several really great captains to go with--

that is just my two cents--and i truly mean no offense. But i think you'd have a better time and less worries if you had a captain with you... and if you did this--then those in the power boat might be able to do some more touring (you'd be faster than the sail boat) and head to a couple of snorkel spots as well--or something like that.

[Xislandgirl]

We own a boat and keep it on a lake here in New England. We also spend time on a large lake in Maine with a boat there as well.
My husband has been on boats for all of his adult life. He has taken boats from FL to the Bahamas.

We charter a boat in the islands. He wants to enjoy himself. Not knowing the waters well, having to navigate through customs, anchoring at Soggy Dollar if the seas are not calm, and staying sober are not his idea of a good day on the water in the VI.
In my opinion, If you want a boat, get a captain.

[elcnj]

Appreciate the replies. Exactly what I needed to hear about a trip to Jost, navigating it oneself. Sounds to me like this is NOT the way to go.

thanks!

[Lulu76]

Are there any folks in your group who would rather just sit on the beach all day at Jost and just meet up with you at Soggy Dollar for a painkiller? Maybe they would volunteer to take the passenger ferry.

I prefer the passenger ferry myself. I don't snorkel.

[Gromit]

Loria has given you some excellent advice.

This is not something I recommend for all the same reasons she listed. You certainly CAN rent a boat but you have to hassle with customs yourself, anchoring in a very bsuy area off Soggy Dollar, and then the cost of fuel can be fairly high at the end of the day.

Charter a boat with a captain unless you've sailed this area before. Or take the ferry.

[iowaguy]

I am not disagreeing with any of the well-reasoned and sensible advice you have been given.

Having said that, I usually travel with friends who are lake boaters (they own a boat similar in size to the rentals) and we have captained the boat ourselves quite a few times, with no mishaps. If you had an accident, though, it could get messy---certainly safer to get a captain.