TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands charter advise

We would like to charter in the BVI but we don't know anybody who is interested in sharing the boat. Is there any organization who would match with other people and just pay for the cabin?
Thanks

You might try looking at Festiva Sailing Vacations.

"Blue Moon", Sponsor here, has done it at times..

Better to find sailors who might become friends, than friends who might become sailors?

Moorings and Dream Yacht Charter do it.

The Festiva boats were the noisiest boat in the anchorages for our July 2-week trip - up late, hollering, loud music, one lady kept trying to step on a mooring ball from her SUP. We had one of their boats open their holding tanks as they left Great Harbor and we got the stink and scum going past us. If I had gotten the boat name I would have been on the phone to their charter base right then. I'm not saying all of their groups are ill mannered, just the one's we saw in July.

The group on your boat matters!

Cheers, RickG

I can't imagine booking a cabin with a company like Festiva. I appreciate what they do and maybe it works for some but, man, you are in for a rude awakening if you end up spending a week on a catamaran with people who, in the end, are like oil and water. All that is magnified with alcohol.

Just to make the point, I received inquiries from 7 folks when I posted a request for crew for our 2 week charter in July. Narrowed it to 3, got in depth references from 2, talked to the references by phone and email and ended up with one crew member, the 5th on our boat, after a ton of research.

That paid off as Russell Bertrand was a perfect fit for the four of us. Not only did we have a great time together, but he turned out to be great in giving the 3 newbies on the boat the confidence they needed to make the trip completely enjoyable.

Bottom line: Do your research.

After having chartered five different boats, we know that no boat is big enough to be on for a week or more with people who can't get along.

We were in the same boat (pun intended?) earlier this year.
Folks on this board told us to talk up the trip, post photos and soon we'd have a waiting list of people to go with us (albeit people we already know).
A few months ago, we were debating whether to plunk down a deposit on a cat with TMM (Orion). We took the leap with the hope that "build it and they will come". We've got 3 friends now going with us in November. And others asking when we're going next after that.

Kind of echoing what others here have said. I'd find friends or family that you already know well to bring on the trip with you to share the cost, and the crewing load. Not knowing your level of sailing experience, I am making an assumption that you are a fairly confident/competent sailor. If so, you can generally teach some newbies the ropes in short order, as long as they have the right attitude. If the sailing skills aren't there, then a crewed charter might be for you, and then the experience level of your companions really doesn't matter.

The other alternative is to charter a boat that is cheap enough that you can afford yourself. Check out Captains Compass, I think they are still a sponsor here. We've chartered with Brent once and had a great experience and a fantastic value for our money. Feel free to PM with questions.

I was not sure if the OP sailed or not - sounds like the Festiva route is not a good one - <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> - by all means, if you can sail, there are boats to be found that are very affordable. BVI Yacht Charters has several in the 30-35 foot range that are within reason. Or invite some friends you already know you'll get along with....

ooohhhh ... and sometimes you can't even take friends for a whole week <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

Well....sometimes it's the circumstances. If they're really friends, you can cut them some slack if they're going through a hard time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your comments. After reading your responses, I decided to invite my son and his wife to help out with the sails and picking up the mooring buoys. I pay for the charter and he pays for getting there. It's gonna be fun.

If you really want to hear GORY details. I can tell you about a Festiva trip where we had 1 pontoon, and another couple had the other forward berth on a 42 cat.

they used close to 500 gallons of water...we used 20. in Greece/Croatia water is a real PITA. it has to be trucked in to the key.

Other husband had a bad habit of getting WASTED and MEAN. Wife was really nice.

that is just the start of the chapter.

Oh, and after this last few weeks of 12 close relatives at our house. My one relative said "even the best fish starts to smell after 3 days...:)"

Apparently, an eastern european proverb/warning that is common.

After a couple dozen bareboat charters to the BVI I ran out of family & friend who wanted to go sailing. I started a Meetup page on their website seeking people who sail or wanted to learn or just crew. We got numerous inquiries after which we met for several meals and got to know each other. It is critical I think to have some vetting process. Long story short, these three other couples worked out great. Two of the three guys were real MacGuyvers and all were switched on, engaged and helpful. Did three charters with them and looking forward to the fourth come mid january as they have become excellent friends.

This is a good decision, IMO. One thought: have your son and his wife contribute to the pot for provisions including beverages.

How much is your call but it should be something. That's how I do it with my kids. I pay for the boat, fuel, water and mooring/dock charges they pay to get there and contribute in equal shares for provisions.

The post just above mine is spot on too if you ever go with other than family.

That's how I do it I pay for the boat and most other things my kids pay for their transportation cost to the boat. I feel I can better afford it than they can, and without them I wouldn't be able to go. It would be too much for just the wife and I to handle the boat. Besides that I enjoy seeing the grandkids having a good time.

We always have several meetings, dinner parties, and outings with those who are interested in going on the trip with us. Always want to make sure that everyone's personalities mesh with each other, and explain all the details and what it is really like.

We have four avid sailors in our party and the rest of us do what the captain tells us without asking questions, and help do whatever needs to be done. We have been lucky and on every trip have found people that do all of these things.

chartering is a lot like life. No one ever gets where they want to go without the help of others. Yes, you sometimes have to kiss frogs. Yes, you sometimes hit the jackpot. Sometimes you are lucky to make it to safe landfall.