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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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 Caribbean chartering		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/04/2006 :  22:28:44  Show Profile  Visit AADIVER's Homepage
I've heard that despite being an experienced, qualified skipper, I should hire one for any Caribbean charter for relief at the helm. Also a cook for galley relief. Other than added cost, is this good advice? Thanks.
Frank Farmer
Long Beach, CA
aa.diver@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/aa.diver

PRETTY PENNY
'01 C-250 WK, Hull #558
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts
Response Posted - 11/04/2006 :  22:49:34  Show Profile
Frank - I don't think that you sail long enough in any one day to need "helm relief" (whether it's in the BVI or (much better),Belize.
As for hiring a cook, we have never found that necessary either - it is probably cheaper to eat out than pay the daily fee (although with a cook you'll probably eat better!)
Derek
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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts
Response Posted - 11/05/2006 :  07:11:57  Show Profile  Visit Champipple's Homepage
Most of the commercial rental locations such as Moorings and Sunsail mandate that you are on the hook or the ball by sun down (at least for theCcaribbean.) If you pass their checklist and test you should be okay without needing a captain under those circumstances.

The cook, in my opinion is also unneeded, but both my wife and I are halfway decent in the galley. Getting the split provision, which is a combination of eat on the boat, eat on land usually has more than enough food for half of the charter and it is good food too. Beside that, eating a few meals on land gives you a chance to sample some of the local cuisine and see a bit more of the island.
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Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts
Response Posted - 11/05/2006 :  08:26:08  Show Profile
I have chartered a few times in the BVIs (usually a 43 foot Monohulls)and while we did have another couple along to share the costs and sailing, a single couple could easily handle a smaller boat in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The channel is aprox. 30 miles long by 4 to 6 miles wide. So the sailing is pretty much line-of sight. Of course careful attention to charts and GPS are necessary when approaching landfall because of reefs, but it is nothing a veteran sailor can't handel (especially if you charter a multi-hull. as far as cooking and eating is conserned I agree with Duane, split provisioning is the way to go. That way you don't have to go ashore at every port. But I'm sure you will want to sample the local nightlife in some of the legendary establishments and sample the island dishes. The only other advice I would offer is to bring some kind of marking device , flags or battery operated lights to make your boat stand out in a crowded anchorage so that you can locate it (especially after dark) from the dingy coming back after a night of revelery.
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 11/05/2006 :  12:13:29  Show Profile
What you really need to hire is a qualified relief vacationer to take your place so that you don't get sun-burnt, sea-sick, pirated, tired, hungry or have to endure any of those lengthy airport experiences.
So, give me a call, I've got my passport ready. I'm qualified, ready and willing. I'll take lots of pictures with my underwater digital camera and will guarantee you that this will be the best vacation you ever paid for.
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rwdutton
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts
Response Posted - 11/05/2006 :  17:11:10  Show Profile
As I recall they call the BVI a sailboaters bumper room because it so easy to go up and down the Sir Francis Drake Channel. My wife and I had a great time there a few years ago and enjoyed catching a mooring, going ashore and sampling the local menus.
I cannot wait to go back.
You might want to check out Ed Hamilton Charters. They have a great reputation and give good personal service.
http://www.ed-hamilton.com/
Happy sailing!
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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts
Response Posted - 11/05/2006 :  22:11:51  Show Profile  Visit AADIVER's Homepage
Thanks for all the quality input, advice, and experience. If and when we do charter, it'll probably be with Footloose out of St. Vincent through the Grenadines and Grenada.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.