General British Virgin Islands yacht charter infomation

Preparing for your yacht charter trip
In our years of bareboat sailing in the BVI, there is one thing for sure, space is at a premium. If you can, pack your clothes in collapsible luggage, very small suitcases or carry-ons. It is hard to store a full size suitcase in your cabin. Believe me, I’ve tried it! If the boat is large enough to have crew quarters, you can store it there. And sometimes, the charter company will allow you to store your luggage with them.

Don’t worry, there are many places to do your wash. Also, everyone overpacks. A pair of undies and clean shirt for each day is good. Bringing shorts for each day is overkill. I will wear a bathing suit most days. So I only need a couple of pairs of shorts for 10 days. And don’t overdress (unless your plan to go to Peter Island for dinner, jacket requried). We wear T-Shirts to dinner. Polo’s are cool, but dress casual. More fun and definitely cooler (as in temperature).

Coolers are good to bring down towels, CD’s, Electronics, Mask, Snorkel, food stuffs, etc. They don’t get crushed and they can be used on the boat for drink and ice storage. Cool, eh? We bring our own coffee, spices, salt and pepper, and other things that we can leave on board when we go, and won’t take extra time shopping for. Don’t close them up at home. The airport check-in will want to see what’s in there. Bring a roll of duct tape to the airport, seal them after they have been inspected. Then you can use the duct tape on the way back. It can also come in handy on the boat too!

Choosing your travel mates
We usually travel with 4 couples on a boat that has 4 separate staterooms with heads. This at least gets you a little space of your own to get away from everyone for a moment. With that said, you don’t want to travel with anyone who makes you think you need to have that place to get away. If you are in a situation where you have 3 of the 4 couples, and will have to settle for another couple, don’t! The little things that drive you crazy will be amplified like the Rolling Stones in concert.

After you’ve screened the people for nasty habits, and ‘I can’t stand his girlfriend’ type stuff. Look at music styles, conversation topics and other like minded things you have in common. We find people who like to experience new things, don’t mind pitching in and aren’t hyper-active make good sailing partners. Small boat, long week.

If you are the captain, be sure someone or two will help out with the boat stuff. Usually, everyone on our trips helps out because they want to get involved. Don’t hog the wheel, let everyone get a few hours helm time too. For those that don’t want to sail, it will take about 1/2 hour behind the wheel and they will be done. At least they got the chance.

We also try to rotate the galley clean-up. So the same person doesn’t have to clean all the time.

Money is US.
That’s it, just US. A good way to handle a group of people on a boat and money is to start a kitty. Each person puts in $200 at the beginning. This will be used for consumables on the boat. Sailing permit, beverages, ice, food, fuel, water, mooring fee’s and other group expenses come out of the kitty. When it gets low, everyone adds the next amount, $50, $100 or whatever. You won’t need as much once the initial shopping is done.

Seasickness
When you leave the dock, have everyone up on deck as you get going. Unless you are a seasoned old salt, the pitching and rolling plus, the boat will be hot below when you get it, will get anyone seasick. I suggest getting the Transderm Patches from your doctor, and putting them on early in the evening before you arrive. Believe me, it takes a day or two to get your sea legs. Try not to allow people to stay below for extended periods of time while underway (unless sleeping, which I do a lot of). If someone is feeling sick, let them take the helm. Sometimes steering the boat will get you in the rhythm of the waves and give you control over the inner ear. I don’t know, but it does work, sometimes. There are other remedy’s, such as the arm band, Dramamine and others. Patch works.

Getting food and drinks
You can have the charter company provision the boat or you can go shopping on the way from the airport to the boat. Don’t buy a lot of perishables, you can stock up on them at many places on your trip. No matter how good the referigerator is on your boat, lettuce and other stuff will only last about 4-5 days.

Restaurants are at virtually each anchorage, so you may want to consider eating out several nights. We only bring breakfast and lunch stuff and eat out every night. That way, we can hang and dance or sit on the beach and not have to do dishes. Plus, if it is a locally owned, you are helping the island economy. Check to make sure that the tip is not already built into the check. Many times it is, for the people that don’t understand that tipping is the only way your server makes money. Just ask, it’s not a secret.

Most boats are equipped with a grill, either propane or charcoal powered. So you can cook out on-board. These will be small around a 12-14 inch diameter, so plan how you will cook your meals for 6 or 8!

Expelling food and drinks
The worst thing that can happen is a head plugging up from using too much toilet paper. Well, maybe not the worst. You, the captain will have to fix it or, you will have to pay to have the charter company to send a chase boat to fix it. Remind your crew to use 4 or 5 sheets at a time, and to pump the handle during and after wipes. Really. The less you have going through the hose from the toilet to tank the better.

Also, find out if your boat waste is going to the holding tank or if it is being dumped over board. Makes a big difference when going for that swim after dropping the hook or mooring. There are no brown log fish.

Ice
It’s like gold and diamonds. Very rare and very expensive. You will be paying, $3.00 to $6.00 for a bag of ice. The $3 one is the size of a 7-11 bag. The more expensive one will fill a 48 quart cooler with cans and bottles in them. Bottom line, very little rain. They have to import water. If you like water with dinner, please don’t waste it. Get bottled water, if you don’t finish it, at least you can take it with you. Drink lots of fluids, too! Marina's will have ice. We go through about 20-30 bags in 10 days.

Boats and Hairdryers
Most don’t have AC power. So no hairdryers. But who cares, and who’s going to see you anyway! And women can leave the tons of make-up at home. After you get a nice island glow, you really will look great just au natural! Think, less is more.

Batteries
If you’ve got a CD player or other electronic device, bring plenty of batteries. They are expensive. But should you need them, the are available at most all Tortola anchorages.

Quick note on anchoring/mooring
Don’t shout at crew members that are trying to help (esp. if wife or girlfriend)! Unless the whole crew is seasoned at anchoring you will mess up. Guaranteed. Shouting only makes you look bad and interrupts my martini time. If you can, work out hand signals with your first mate, so you don’t even have to talk.

Also, anchoring is free and mooring balls cost. $20 per nite is the going rate for mooring balls from Moor Secure. I suggest you don’t anchor at Cooper Island, unless you’ve got the anchoring thing down. It is a grassy bottom, with shifting winds. I’ve broken free from 2 hooks there. I would only use one anchor now, but get there early to get a good spot and lay a lot of scope.

Another note on anchoring, if you plan to turn in early, I suggest keeping away from the beach. Dancing and partying goes on late. Also if you listen to headbanging or rap music, try skateboarding. Or play the music low, it carries over water. It’s nice just to listen to the wind and the water lapping on the dink. Chill mon!

Various Fees
Departure Tax $10 at airport, $5 leaving by sea.

Cruising Permit
You will need a cruising permit while sailing in B.V.I. waters. Your charter company will provide you with the documentation and take the fee. You will get a paper cruising permit as well as a reciept.

BVI Charter Boats
December 1 - April 30
$2.00 per person per day.
Foreign Charter Boats $4.00 per person per day.

May 1 - November 30
$0.75 per person per day.
Foreign Charter Boats $4.00 per person per day.

Family boats, with no paying passengers, don't need one.

Piracy
There isn't any. Probably the safest sailing destination in the world.

Here is a great source of charterboats and charterboat companies that can provide you with a bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands