USVI-On-Line

I posted some info on this topic on TA, and rather than criticize a local business I'd rather pose an open question on this forum...here goes:

We took a charter to BVI last two years:

2009 Itinerary:
Leave from Cruz
West End (Tortola)
Newfound Bay
Caves
Indians
Willie T
Sandy Spit
Foxy's
Soggy Dollar
Back to Cruz
Fuel fill up was $162

2010 Itinerary:
Leave from Cruz
Lovango
West End (Tortola)
Indians
Pirates at Bight
Sandy Spit
Soggy Dollas
Back to Cruz
Fuel fill up was $285

The trips were virtually identical. We used the same charter company, same size boat, same number of people. I'm thinking the tank wasn't full when we started this past April, but I didn't figure it out until we got home. I'd like some feedback from others on what they paid for fuel for similar trips. Thanks ahead....

I don't have a data point for you, since I haven't done a charter like that, but it seems as though fuel prices are a good bit higher this year than last. I don't know off the top of my head if they've gone up enough to account for the difference you saw, but it's likely a factor.

good point, I checked today....I didn't think it had changed much, but it had.....the avg government tracked price for regular in U.S. was $2.90/gal on 5/3/10, and was $2.08/gal on 5/4/09...so yes, it's higher now, a 40% increase. Don't know the actual STJ price, but, my total paid was a 76% increase, so it still doesn't add up quite right.

I'm curious how much fuel other charters used?

I think the amount of fuel used can also be impacted by the water conditions--if it is rougher it takes more fuel to push the boat through the currents. Plus the overall weight of the boat--six adults takes more fuel than two adults and four kids.

When I went out with Palm Tree in April we did Tortola for check in-Indians-Spyglass Wall-Foxys Taboo-White Bay-Lovongo and the gas was about $150.

Feb '10 we spent about $135 for STJ-Tortola-Indians-Caves-Pirates-Willy T-Sandy Spit-Soggy Dollar.

If I recall, the price of fuel at the dock was maybe $3.70 or so at the time. But don't quote me on that. After that itinerary and with some rum on board I barely remember getting back.

You said "same size boat". I have to take it that it wasn't the same boat. There are a large number of factors that can effect fuel economy. Even though it was the same size it could have had older less efficient motors on it. It could have marine growth/dirty bottom. The motors could have other mechanical issues that would make them less efficient. Did you have the same captain, how hard he drove the boat makes a big difference. My power boat will burn 8 to 10 gallons an hour at normal cruising speed about 25 MPH the variation has to do with weight on board, go from 25 to to 35 MPH on my boat and the fuel burn goes up to 20 gallons an hour. My guess would be you got a combination of all or some of the above and a higher per gallon price. It is also possible the previous fill up wasn't complete as well.

I wouldn't let it ruin the memory of your trip but all of these things should be a factor next time you book a trip.
Jay

I have our fuel receipt from December '09 and the fuel was $3.78 per gallon. I bet all the captains would LOVE to find it for $2.90 per gallon - think the gov't statistics might be a little off!!!

thanks for all the replies...most interesting to me were the fuel charges for the other people, down in mid-$150's, that's what I expected. The boat was identical type, but I don't know if it was the same one. Had a different captain, same general weight of people, but it was significantly rougher surf in 2009 so you would expect that year to have more usage.

We had a great time either way, agreed that I was so rummed out by the time we hit the fuel fill up, they could have put $400 in and I would have paid it! I guess I think there was a problem, and next time I'll be more careful. The day charters are a blast either way.

cheers!

Pia wrote:For some reason I think fuel is now in the $5.00 range (I don't know why I think that but for some reason I do )

Pia

Funny, but the fuelprice is the only thing in St John that we think is cheap I know I might be the only one on this forum thinking so.

Regarding the fuel charge for the charter in this thread, I think either it's a really bad luck of cirumstances or something is a little fishy.

We did a charter similar to your 2009 trip in May of this year. Our fuel cost was $153.

PJV356 wrote:We did a charter similar to your 2009 trip in May of this year. Our fuel cost was $153.

c'est la vie, I got ripped off....