TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Skippered charter in early Aug. First time

Any suggestions, comments, advice for a first time Charter. We are a family of 5, 2 adults & 3 teenagers. Considering a 47' power cat through Moorings with a Skipper. We will be going in early August. Thanks for any advice!

Unless you are looking to move around faster, you might want to consider a sail Cat. More options to choose from and with a skipper, he'll handle the sailing and you can help as much or as little as you want.

There's also some good options from some sponsors here too that might meet your needs.

Just keep in mind that while early august is great, it is getting in to the slow season so not everything will be available. One example is the BBQ at Leverick on Friday's ends in July - which is a bummer as we'll be there in August too.

Thanks maytix! I was told the Flybridge of the Power cat would offer "more room" and is a good place to hang out. Would you agree with that? It does cost more to have the power cat and I'll have the added expense of the fuel.

I was also concerned about what might be closed for the season, so thanks for that advice/warning. Will everything be closed? We are planning on eating dinner off the boat each evening.

I think most places are still open - It's September where they really shut down I believe. We've never been in August though.

It is true that the flybridge is great on the 48. Haven't been on the 48 power cat, but have been on their 58 Sail and that too had a huge flybridge. We did make a lot of use out of it.

It is nice though when you are sailing along and just hear the water rushing along. There's still plenty of places to hang out - trampoline, forward cockpit or the rear seating area. Powercat just gives you one more option. The only other big plus is that I believe it has an electric grill - 58 had this too and we loved it.

With only 5 of you plus skipper, you'll have plenty of room regardless. So it's really all about preference.

With the Sail Cats, there's also an owners version - The Skipper would then take the crew cabin and you could take the owners side and let the 3 kids share the 2 other cabins.

Most sailing cats now have that same flybridge..go with sail and you can still motor if you have to..there will still be enough places open for you to dine ashore..

I wouldn't say most Mal, some do. Mainly just the Lagoon's from what I've seen. Flybridge on the power cats also has a much better roof than any sail flybridge I've seen. And like I said, they have a grill up there - it is very different.

I realize I may be off on the specs of the 47 - I was thinking it was the sail version of the 48, but its the power version of the older 46 I think. The Sail 48 and Power Cat 51 are more equal. I think its the 51 power cat that has the electric grill - 47 may not have that. Otherwise they should be pretty similar.

I agree with Maytrix on suggesting looking in to a sail cat. The trampolines up front are a great place to hang out while sailing, especially for teens. There will be plenty of room for your family of 5 on a similar sized sailing cat.

A lot will be closed in August, but you will still be able to find nice/fun places to eat each evening. You will need to do a bit more planning ahead, making dinner reservations by 2 or 3 each afternoon is a good way to make sure that there is a place open for you and your family to eat. We have been at many a place in the quiet season that was more than happy to stay open for just the two of us. You just have to let them know you are coming and may need to eat more like 6pm rather than 9pm.

So I checked the specs. I'd go with the sail cat. If you were talking the 51 power cat, then I'd have a harder time saying to go away from it - 51 has a fridge, grill and sink on the flybridge - very similar to the 58 which was awesome. 47 only has a sink. There's plenty of other areas to lounge and if you went with a 48 or Sunsail 444 sail cat, you get the forward cockpit.

Check out Catatonic, shes a lagoon 440 with a fly bridge and new hard top.Also a sponsor here on the forum

http://www.yachtcatatonic.com/Yacht_Catatonic/Welcome.html

There are only a handful of Lagoons with the hard top biminis available for charter and what a difference it makes. Also, we've been known to pass some power cats on downwind legs. The flybridge is our favorite place to spend time.


However, we did put solar panels on top of the hardtop so sunbathing up there isn't possible anymore, but we don't need to run the generator to keep up all the systems (ice maker, freezer, fridges, etc). Just wish solar was powerful enough to run the AC when the breeze isn't stiff.

Thanks Boat Junkie. Catatonic is booked the week we can travel. Thanks for the input everyone! Any other input is appreciated.

I second the recommend on Catatonic!

If you are interested in hiring via a charter company and just need a captain - take a look at BVI Yacht Charters - they have lots of nice new cats in their fleet and can provide a skipper.

Their new Lagoon 450 Sport top looks pretty sweet!

I also recommend the sail cat. Nothing like just the wind and the waves!

In May, we had six on a 46 for a week with a hired captain--our third time with the same lovely man. He lets us help when we want to and knows when we just want to lay on the tramp and get some sun.

Plenty of space for six. Two to a cabin and the captain took a state room.

Your captain will likely know where you can dine at night, but it does require some planning and reseverations before 4 on the day you plan to dine. Have entree selections at the ready. You are out of lobster season so that won't be a consideration.
I too would go with the sailing cat. It is a quiet time of year down there. No need to rush to anchorages. Just relax and enjoy it - without the sound of an engine in your ear.

Sail or power, up to you, but perhaps consider something with Generstor and Air-conditioning. August can be HOT!
A little more comfort goes a LONG WAY to happiness.

Just a thought.

All power cats that size have A/C and genset

You'll probably be motoring whichever you choose--August isn't noted for its wind. Take the 514--it's awesome up on the flybridge...plus you get the walk through from the salon. Power means you can linger longer at places and boot it to get to your anchorage.