TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands 433PC or 514PC for 8 people?

Never too early to start planning for the summer of 2019. Because of my job, Wife's job, and our friends job we need to put down our plans about a year out. I'm planning on heading down again in the summer of 2019 with my family and a good friend's family for a week of fun. I charted a 393PC for my honeymoon two years ago and it was just the perfect size for my Wife and another couple we had come along. Right now the plan is for 8 people and I'm trying to decide on the 433PC or the 514PC. Cost is not the biggest issue, though I'm not going to get a $12k 514PC when a $8K 433PC will do. It would be Myself, Wife, two teenage twins (boy and girl), My good Friend, His wife, and two boys (5 and 7).

For those who have chartered both the 433 and 514 do you think that we would be too crowded on the 433? I know we'd have plenty of room on the 514, but I'm worried about how cramped we would be on the 433. My Stepkids can sleep on couches, upstairs, or in hammocks we bring along so I'm not worried about them sleeping in a cabin. Heck, if we go with the 514 they most likely wouldn't both sleep in the same cabin with teens being teens. I'd appreciate any opinions between the two. Thank you in advance.

The downside to the 433 is that they only seem to have 3 cabin versions. Also, only 2 heads. Not what I'd consider ideal for 8 people. The living space though would give you plenty of space. Lots of space, inside and out so aside from maybe too many cooks in the galley I don't think it would feel crowded until everyone went to sleep. You'd be using the main living space as a sleeping space and I'd think that would make it feel more crowded. Best bet would be to discuss with the other couple.

514 with 4 cabins, 4 heads, plus a v-berth and crew cabin would be ideal giving everyone a space to sleep.

If it was me, I'd go with the 514. Try to get owners time to cut the cost - that should make it closer to the cost of the 433.

Get the 514. Remember that each person has clothes, junk etc and unless everything is neatly put away every day, you will be wallowing in "stuff".

Bigger is almost always better

If you guy bigger than needed, you spend more $$$.

If you go smaller, everyone has a terrible time.

Which risk is preferred?

Thanks for the suggestions I'll be going bigger.

We were trying to decide on a 45ft or a 52ft for 8 adults for our trip in November....same thing......do we save some money and go smaller? Or go bigger and not want to kill each other? Bigger it is!!! We ended up going through Owner's Time and saved $$$...

I’m actually on a 514PC with 8 people right now (posting this from the Trellis Bay mooring field) & it is wonderful. Enough space to stay out of eachother’s way & plenty of group gathering space. I won’t do it any differently next time.

Hands down the 514PC. Its very roomy and everyone can relax. You will appreciate everyone having a bathroom. We are headed down and getting the 514 again and I would not get anything smaller. Suggestion on price is look at different weeks. You can save a $1000 just by pushing back a week. However don't push too far back into August or everything will be closed. Wait for Moorings to offer up some deals also before actually plopping down any cash.

We'll be looking to go in early to Mid July of 2019. What's the best way to get owner's time?

Look under the TTOL sponsor list. It will give you a phone number and email to contact Jenny...she has been great to work with!

Owners time charters doesn't look to have any power cats.

One place to check is here - http://www.sailonline.com/discountcharters/browse-the-database

Also perhaps starting a new post requesting owners time for a moorings power cat might help too. There are owners on here. I'm not sure if any own a power cat though.