TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Charter Boat Reviews and Questions Where to charter next?

Have chartered, bareboat maybe 8-10 times.
Have been to BVI , St Martin, and Grenadines, don't want to go back to these because (my reasons/ opinion only- I am not attacking these places ?:
bvi - can be crowded- maybe shore people both people who live there and the sailboat companies are Numb from too many sailors over too many years
st martin- has been really really rough (winds and swells) last 2 trips
- grenadines-went once, there is no sea tow, or coast guard if you have major problems (we did)
- never been to belieze, but felt navigation might be dicey and again too far from main base
any other suggestions?

In regards to your reason to avoid the BVI, perhaps the issue is the time of year you go.

How about USVI? You could mix in some BVI with the majority spent in the USVI. Could even charter out of USVI and never go to the BVI if you don't want to.

St Lucia is another option. We're looking at starting there next year and visiting Martinique.

Grenada is another good place too.

is grenada too much windward leeward, with not too many harbors?

anyone did bahamas lately or did they stop sailboat rentals there about 8 years ago?

Bahama's are still available for charter.

Not sure on about Grenada, haven't done it myself, but there are charters out of there.

Love the SVI. You can either charter in STT and sail west, or charter out of Fajardo and sail east.
We've been twice, starting out from CYOA/Frenchtown.

We just chartered a 30' MaineCat in the Abacos (Bahamas). You can see some pics and follow my blog here...

http://swiftysails.tumblr.com

Sorry I didn't log in - I haven't had any luck getting my password reset!

Amy (aka "Swifty")

Suggest you rethink Belize. I have "done" all the same places you mention and put Belize right up there. Have done
the northern portion (TMM on Ambergris Cay) a couple times and the southern islands (Sunsail) once. Navigation is not all that difficult and nowhere is very far for a crash boat to find you.

One word..........Exumas! By far the most beautiful place I have ever been. Very different from the BVI and USVI.

The Bahamas is a great option, Marsh Harbour gives you access to a shocking number of gorgeous live reefs. We have been exploring the area recently and it is absolutely gorgeous in the Abacos. We currently offer a full fleet of Catamarans in the area which make the area much more manageable as it tends to be very shallow in the Abacos. Very comfortable sailing with a variety of harbours and restaurants to visit as well.

Brittany
Sunsail

In the bahamas whats the best time? too early can be cold, mid summer bugs?
whats a good month?

Spanish Virgins are lovely choice as mentioned above. Great to fly right to SJU and the islands are remote & peaceful (except on weekends when the Motoricans come out with their music cranked.....it's a fun party). The Bahamas are also a great option OR if you want to totally mix it up try The Med (in the summer of course), and The French Polynesians are stunning... absolutely amazing. Lots of great options. you will be busy with destinations for years.