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I’m surprised that they took them off the endangered list

OY! Another silly discussion! I just don't understand the FURY over Boatyball. There are X number of available moorings, some of which are at highly desirable locations (like Cooper Island - although I wouldn't go there if you put a gun to my head.). When the sun sets all of the mooring balls are taken....just like before BB's evil emergence on the scene. Exactly what is different? Some lucky people have the peace of mind knowing that they have a reserved ball...others are frustrated and angry that they don't.

It was the EXACT same way before BB. The usual a s s clowns were facing off for the last mooring ball, sometimes leading to physical alterations. And now the altercations are regarding reserved or not reserved balls. A distinction without a difference.

Boatyball doesn't determine how many balls are at any particular location. That's up to the mooring permit holder. And BB doesn't install or maintain the balls - that's done by Moor Seacure - and it seems that they do a good job. Just as before. And insurance!???!!! HAHAHAHA! Can you imagine filing such a claim in the BVI? Just as before.

So why the fury over Boatyball? I just don't know! A few extra bucks for the convenience of a guaranteed reservation? Ok. But I really think that the issue is the fact that the bareboat charter industry has had a tremendous recovery this season, and the number of available balls at desirable locations remains the same, or in the case of North Sound, greatly reduced.

The solution? Just chill. Change your itinerary. Don't obsess about going to the stupid rum bar at Cooper. Enjoy a star-filled night at Salt, if weather permits.

I remember the days when we were the only one anchored at the Bight, and bareboaters were a rarity. Yes, I'm that old. Things change. Adjust.

There are many types of insurance, one being liability. Maybe property owners are reluctant to install moorings if their own assets are not protected.

Personally, I long for the days before there were mooring balls at all. Knowing how to correctly anchor separates the real sailors from the credit card captains.

Starting going to the BVI in 1986. Yes things have changed drastically since then, but when a good thing gets out, that's what happens...people will come. Look at White Bay after Kenny Chesney started singing about it. Now even look at Cow Wreck now that he's taking.pics up there....the place was a jam packed zoo when we were there in March. Boaty Ball is just another change to get used to. Good on them streamlining payment online for these so that the owners of these balls can be paid in an easy way directly to their bank account. I don't know how many times over the years I've seen people either not pay for their ball, or be chased.down in the morning by someone attempting to collect it as they are leaving the ball. Personally the extra 5 or 10 bucks over an FCFS is worth it during the busy times of the season. Let's face it, none if us are down there to save money, and the extra money is pretty much the cost of a painkiller. My guess is many of the posters against this have not even used it yet. It's a choice, and we had a great experience using them this past March. Leverick had a management boat there when we came in to verify our boat name. Don't understand why people have their grundies in a bundle over it. Boaty Ball is just managing the booking and payments for the actual owners, so they are supporting locals to manage their moorings. The anger over this is perplexing.

Make BVI Great Again? Where do I purchase my MBVIGA ball cap? (Just kidding)

It’s turned getting a ball into a lottery. I like the collection method. Just keep all the balls FCFS. The collection method should reduce costs so they could even lower the cost. I have lost the ability to use the balls for lunch stops which is a huge downgrade for me. The good balls at Cooper were in use all day long as boats came and went. Now they sit empty because no one is allowed on them until the overnighting boat arrives. If you like to disconnect from the phone and internet you now are blocked from even trying to book a ball.
The last point that I will bet money is coming at some point is preferential bookings for specific charter companies. I have asked boatyball several times to state this will not happen and they have ignored and not answered the question. When you charter with TMM only to find Moorings boats booked all the balls before your booking window opened will you still think it’s a good system?
George

Standrea, you might be on to something. Boatyball take note.

If the app were used only for payment, not reservations, this would answer a lot of the misgivings many here have about BB. The balls would still be FCFS but the payment options would be cash or pay on the app. This would ensure a bay manager still on site to pick up the cash or confirm the payment was made to the app. Could now stay multiple days on a ball as with FCFS, just the option now to pay by credit card thru the app.

Hasn't getting an FCFS ball always been a lottery of sorts too? It's always been a race to the balls by 2:00, and then watching the other poor souls who came in late circle and figure out what the heck to do. If it's a temporary lunch stop ball you want, maybe this is something locals need to react to and provide a temporary ball or two designated just for that. In other words, you want to be able to use an FCFS ball free of charge for a few hours and then move on and you feel BB has reduced the number of balls available to squat on for free for a few hours? I personally loved having the luxury of taking a leisurely sail and making 2 or 3 snorkeling stops along the way knowing I had a BB to roll onto at the end of the day. Just my 2 cents.

Where are these credit card transactions occurring ? We've been told for years that BVI merchants don't like their high credit card processing fees. Boaty Ball is taking the hit for transaction and processing fees, and taking their profit from each transaction, and yet the merchant is still needing an on-site person to manage their moorings.

What am I missing here ? How are mooring owners making more money from their BB moorings than the Moor Seacure FCFS moorings ?

Standrea, It’s not practical to provide a “Temporary ball” or two. Some days ten or so boats will tie up for lunch while you’re casuallly snorkeling.

Since everyone is informally "voting" I will weigh in as a +1 in favor of boatyball. I don't charter as much as I used to but to me it's just like reserving a slip and that was something I did at least 1 night of most charters. I appreciated knowing that those nights were planned and I didn't need to rush around because my space was guaranteed.

As a BVI business owner, the payment aspect of boatyball is probably the most attractive feature to me. Dealing with cash and banking on Tortola is a major time consumer and I avoid it at all costs. I can't imagine how difficult it is on JVD, VG, or Anegada where there are no branches at all. That requires a full day of ferries, taxis, and line waiting at the bank.

Granted, I've only been chartering in the BVI for 20 years so I don't have as much experience as many people on this forum but this debate reminds me of the many other changes that people disliked and are now embracing; catamarans, mooring balls, cellular service, wifi, etc. Based on how many BBs are booked at 7:01am I'd say the popularity speaks for itself.

My suggestion for those who dislike the service (besides the obvious choice to not use it) is take your opinion to the owner of the ball. The owners make the decisions about whether to keep BB, whether to add more moorings, and what the pricing is. I suspect you won't like the response because they most likely see their mooring utilization is higher the non-BB moorings, their collections are easier, and there is no fear of a boater leaving without paying.

To each their own. Either use BB or don't but remember to have a great visit to our beautiful islands! I'm happy to buy the first drink for anyone in CGB as long we agree to not discuss politics, religion, or BB...

Cheers and respect,
Jason

...or that people are just plain worried about getting a ball since the availability is now reduced at BB locations. Both seem possible to me.

It would also be better if boatyball spread their balls throughout a Mooring field. For the moment it seems they have taken over the choice balls.

If you look on BB's website they are already planning on launching the FCFS balls later this year with the ability to pay for them online once you're on a ball. The reservation only ones are all orange, and it says the FCFS ones will be white with orange so they are recognizable. Their website explains everything. Cooper Island Beach Club is one of their partners as well as Anegada Reef, Leverick Bay, and Rhymers, so those BB's already in place in the prime spots most likely belong to those establishments.

I too like "let me sail longer" Boat Ball reservations and I plan on using them for at least 1-2 nights on my trip in 8 days. But I also plan to anchor out several nights.

I have used BB on my last 2 trips and I did not get up earlier than normal. Once I lost in the lottery. Not perfect, but not evil.

Remembering when: Monohulls only, "Why have a generator?", " I don't need air conditioning", "Electric winches are for sissies"....

I have no issues with the general concept (cashless system for ball owners) as it parallels what I face commuting in DC with parking (ParkMobile) and driving (EZPass) apps...the service model needs work and their continuously less than honest discourse on this board and elsewhere is what keeps this issue alive IMHO.