usvi-on-line
Staying on a sailboat
Staying on a sailboat
I'd like to hear from anyone who's gone the sailboat route for a week on St. John. My mom tells me the other day that a family friend of ours has a boat that he keeps docked at STT. He dives in the BVIs all the time, so that makes a lot of sense. Anyhow, he told my mom that he rents it out by the week and it'd be about $12000/week for six people which includes the captain and gourmet meals prepared by a chef who also lives on the boat. He has a suggested itinerary for the USVIs/BVIs but told my mom since we've been there that we could pretty much pick our itinerary.
The price difference is not much different than what we paid on land when you figure all the boat trips, food, etc., so I'm thinking about exploring this for a trip at some point.
My only concern is staying on a boat for that length of time, which is why I wanted to get opinions of those who have done it.
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The price difference is not much different than what we paid on land when you figure all the boat trips, food, etc., so I'm thinking about exploring this for a trip at some point.
My only concern is staying on a boat for that length of time, which is why I wanted to get opinions of those who have done it.
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
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captainjay
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:52 am
- Location: Saint Thomas, USVI
Lulu,
I have done two week long crewed charters in th island actually ten days on one trip seven on the other. In my opinion its the only way to fly. I have also done several land based trips as well but I am boater and you will see places and go places that just aren't possible on day trips from St John or St Thomas. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me. How big is the boat? How many baths? etc are all relevant questions to aks. Also is it a cat or a mono hull. Mono's heal (lean over when you sail) some people have trouble getting used to this. Mono sail relatively flat and generally have larger salons.
Jay
I have done two week long crewed charters in th island actually ten days on one trip seven on the other. In my opinion its the only way to fly. I have also done several land based trips as well but I am boater and you will see places and go places that just aren't possible on day trips from St John or St Thomas. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me. How big is the boat? How many baths? etc are all relevant questions to aks. Also is it a cat or a mono hull. Mono's heal (lean over when you sail) some people have trouble getting used to this. Mono sail relatively flat and generally have larger salons.
Jay
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sailorgirl
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By my name, you might guess where I come out on this issue. That being said, life on a sailboat is not for everyone. The pros are many and the previuos psoter named some of them. But there are some things you should take into consideration. We all have stories or have heard stories about "issues" which arise sharing a villa with other folks. Compound that by the size factor. Sailboats, even a big Cat can begin to feel very small after a while. The cabins on most are doubles, though some Cats have queens, but the berth takes up most if not all the space. Packing light takes on a new meaning. Heads are tight, fresh water is at a premium. A/C is an issue. Sailboats at anchor, mooring and especially at dock can get hot and stuffy down below. A/C is becoming more common. but that's an extra expense.
Ive bare boated twice in the BVI and both times there were three of us on 38 AND 45 foot mono hull. Ia lso spent a week on a chartered schooner about 90 feet built to carry 12 but there were only 6 of us on it at the time. That was a fully crewed charter. Very roomy.
I don't mean to try to talk you out of it. If it was in my budget I would book it tommorrow, but there is a lot to think about.
" fair winds and following seas"
Ive bare boated twice in the BVI and both times there were three of us on 38 AND 45 foot mono hull. Ia lso spent a week on a chartered schooner about 90 feet built to carry 12 but there were only 6 of us on it at the time. That was a fully crewed charter. Very roomy.
I don't mean to try to talk you out of it. If it was in my budget I would book it tommorrow, but there is a lot to think about.
" fair winds and following seas"
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captainjay
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:52 am
- Location: Saint Thomas, USVI
Sailorgirl is right about quarters and that's why I asked about the size and type of boat. She is also right about you need to know who you are on board with as there are no secrets on a boat. We are life long boaters and have spent close to two weeks at a time on our 30 foot boat and have done numerous trips with two couples on a boat that size at home. Both times that we have chartered with other peoole we hand picked the people from our boating friends that we have both traveled with and boated extensively with before. The company can and will make or break the trip. Something you might want to try to get a feel for it would be a couple of days on a term charter prior to a St John trip. We booked a boat last year to do an overnight with another couple that we were traveling with. They picked us up on Friday morning early and we sailed to Jost with a few stops on the way then spent the night at Jost had dinner at Corsairs and partied at Foxy's friday night beach party. Then saturday we sailed a little around jost wen to Sandy Spit snorkled some more and had them drop us in Cruz bay in the late afternoon to get our rental car and go to our villa. It's not a bad way to have a great time at Jost and get a feal for boat living without commiting a week and a ton of money.
Jay
Jay
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This reminded me of the "four seasons" movie thread! You should watch it Lulu...just to get a rough idea. Ive been on several trips aboard a luxury 53' Hatteras (fishing yacht really). I find it very confining after a day or two. Never been on an extended sail boat trip. I like frequent stops, but others don't...so it depends on what you have in mind.
I'm not a sailor, but I loved life on a boat; specifically when it came with a captain and chef who catered to my every whim.
We did a 4 day charter through the BVI/USVI on a 50' Morgan; just me and Don; the captain and his wife (aka "best chef evah!). We only got off the boat to snorkel and never set foot on land (except in some shallow water in Hurricane Hole.
As a prelude to this trip, we joined a sailing club (Don is certified) and took a 3 day bareboat (30' Hunter) up the coast of Massachusetts (Charlestown to Rockport). This was basically to be sure that I would survive a boat in the BVI.
I loved it and when the budget is right, we'll do it again. We're looking into bareboating, but since I flunked out of sailing school, Don is a bit hesitant to captain through the BVI himself, but a flotilla might work fine.
That said, the quarters can be cramped, so be sure you truly love your cabin mates. I'd be sure to check out the size of the boat (cat's are roomier); I'd also do something as a practice before taking off for a week.
Keep it in mind, it is a wonderful adventure.
We did a 4 day charter through the BVI/USVI on a 50' Morgan; just me and Don; the captain and his wife (aka "best chef evah!). We only got off the boat to snorkel and never set foot on land (except in some shallow water in Hurricane Hole.
As a prelude to this trip, we joined a sailing club (Don is certified) and took a 3 day bareboat (30' Hunter) up the coast of Massachusetts (Charlestown to Rockport). This was basically to be sure that I would survive a boat in the BVI.
I loved it and when the budget is right, we'll do it again. We're looking into bareboating, but since I flunked out of sailing school, Don is a bit hesitant to captain through the BVI himself, but a flotilla might work fine.
That said, the quarters can be cramped, so be sure you truly love your cabin mates. I'd be sure to check out the size of the boat (cat's are roomier); I'd also do something as a practice before taking off for a week.
Keep it in mind, it is a wonderful adventure.
janet
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Sounds like heaven Janet.
If you don't want your husband to read this have him look away
My first bareboat charter was me a girlfriend and her boyfriend. We three took a the basic certification cousre together, did some day sails and then headed down. From my perspective it worked out great. Brad
(the boyfirend) unfortunately got picked to handle the boat under power so he may have a slighlty different recollection. Truthfully after a few trys he was a real pro guiding us into some pretty tight slips. If you take it easy, don't get too ambitious with the itinerey, stick to the places which are easy to get into and out, keep an eye on the weather and be cautious you will be OK. Especially if your husband knows anyhting about mechanical things. Its really alot of fun. We hired a captian for the first day to show us around the boat and get us comfortable with it. he was also helpful in suggestions on where to stop, etc.
If you don't want your husband to read this have him look away
My first bareboat charter was me a girlfriend and her boyfriend. We three took a the basic certification cousre together, did some day sails and then headed down. From my perspective it worked out great. Brad
(the boyfirend) unfortunately got picked to handle the boat under power so he may have a slighlty different recollection. Truthfully after a few trys he was a real pro guiding us into some pretty tight slips. If you take it easy, don't get too ambitious with the itinerey, stick to the places which are easy to get into and out, keep an eye on the weather and be cautious you will be OK. Especially if your husband knows anyhting about mechanical things. Its really alot of fun. We hired a captian for the first day to show us around the boat and get us comfortable with it. he was also helpful in suggestions on where to stop, etc.