The Charter Company and the Vacation Yacht

Our charter history started with a company we came to call the “Get what you pay for Yacht Charter Company”. They’re out of business. We’ve chartered with Tradewinds, Moorings, Horizon and this year we’re using Footloose, the second tier company for the Moorings. This is where Moorings boats go when they're over 5 years old. Five years isn't old for a privately owned yacht used and maintained at the pleasure of the owner but it's a long hard ride for a boat in charter. When price is critical, it's safe to say that you can get a 10-15% discount from the newer boats of the top tier companies. That discount isn't as attractive when you break it up among 2-4 couples but it's real money when you sail alone.

This year we’re on a five year old Beneteau 362. Our trip is 11 days and nights and our charter cost $3201 including all taxes, insurances, and permits. The 1st tier charter firms were running around $3400 for 8 days on a new or nearly new 32 foot boat. In addition to a little more waterline, the 36 footer adds auto pilot which I really like when we’re on our own. I get to run around the boat doing the sailor type things while Karen gets to lounge around topless. Perfect! Most of all, we’d totally rather take our chances on an older boat in order to spend 3 more days in paradise.

Here’s a picture of a 362 and a layout drawing.

A Beneteau 362 under sail

The Beneteau 362 plan

We also have a local ace in the hole. We met a really great woman at that Tradewinds company five years ago. She was the only woman among a bunch of Aussie and Caribbean men and she was the only one with a sense of responsibility about the business. We’ve kept in touch with her and she’s friends with both the Footloose site manager and their head boat mechanic. Andrea is letting them know that her great friends from California are coming and that they should make sure the boat we get is in tip top mechanical order. Andrea also opened her own bar this year! Now that’s what I call a win win.

written by  Mark & Karen Brunelle on November 13, 2008 from Alameda, United States
from the travel blog: British Virgin Islands Thanksgiving Cruise 2008
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