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Old 10-04-2014, 09:50   #1
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Belize Chartering

We have extensive chartering experience in the Virgin Islands and sailed our own boat through the Bahamas and Caribbean but never made it to Belize. We are considering going to Belize this year to charter a catamaran.
Any favorite places? Favorite charter companies? Favorite charts/nav products for the area?

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Old 10-04-2014, 11:51   #2
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Re: Belize Chartering

I used to live in Belize and worked in the charter industry there for many years (still cover a few charters). Over the years I put together a collection of notes meant to be supplental to Freya Raucher's excellent cruising guide. These notes should answer most of your questions and I'm happy to answer the rest.

Send me a PM with your email and I will send you a copy (can't attach PDF here via mobile app).

Re nav/charts. Freya's guide is hands down the best nav info for Belize...get a copy of it first thing. Navionics charts are pretty good. C-MAP is a bad joke. But be aware that most survey data in Belize is very old and so any electronic charts, all of which are based on that data, should be used cautiously. The best nav info in Belize is to have an older local fisherman aboard...I learn something new every time I go out with these guys.
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Old 10-04-2014, 12:40   #3
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Re: Belize Chartering

best nav equipment in belize is a good pair of polarized sunglasses. chartplotter will get within a half mile or so of where you want to be. then its time to look at capt. freya's chartlets and waypoints. they were all spot on when i was there
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Old 10-04-2014, 13:37   #4
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Re: Belize Chartering

Thank you belizesailor! I'll pm you with my email address.
Since you're very familiar with Belize sailing, what is your favorite spot? It seems like there's so much to choose from and I will probably only have about a week.

As for the navigation, we used Navionics throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas and use it here in Florida as well. That's great if you've found that Navionics is good in Belize as well. I love adding interesting spots to the maps to the maps along the way using the Community Edits feature.
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Old 10-04-2014, 16:30   #5
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Re: Belize Chartering

Re favorite place. So many great spots in Belize its hard to choose, but generally I like the atolls, particularly Glovers (in good weather). My notes have some recommended routes/stops depending upon where you depart from. Charter companies are based in San Pedro (TMM), Belize City (Belize Sailing Vacations), and Placencia (Moorings/Sunsail).

Re Navionics. I've done a few test runs in Belize using Navionics on my Samsung tablet and found it to be pretty good.

Also have Navionics on PC running Fugawi. Same good charts, lot more software features...be nice when the tablet based software catches up.

I've added a few community edits on Navionics in Belize.
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Old 11-04-2014, 06:17   #6
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Re: Belize Chartering

Quote:
Originally Posted by hogHunter View Post
Thanks for the info!
What features do you use on your PC with Navionics/Fugawi that you don't have on the tablet? I've always just used the tablet...
...
Way too many to list. FUGAWI is very full featured. Most tablet apps are currently really basic. Just a few examples: FUGAWI can geo-reference scanned chart images, overlay GRIB data, supports AIS, overlay Google Earth images, and much more. Screen shot of FUGAWI display showing Atlantic approach to Panama Canal with AIS overlay active.
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Old 11-04-2014, 06:36   #7
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Re: Belize Chartering

Re Navionics community edits. I try to add only local knowledge which is not as likely to be added by others. See for example: Sittee River bar, Tobacco Range anchorage, Orange Point anchorage, Punta Ycacos alternate route. Same user ID as here on CF.
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Old 20-04-2014, 00:48   #8
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Re: Belize Chartering

Thinking of chartering Honduras possibly because of cost of flights is much cheaper than to Belize. Any insights into Honduras?



Thanks!
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Old 20-04-2014, 05:47   #9
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Re: Belize Chartering

Don't know of any bareboat charter operations in Honduras. Only know of a few one man shows that do local tourist charters (day sails).

Not sure why, I think Roatan would be a great charter venue. Sure do enjoy crusing there. Friends with businesses on Roatan tell me its a PITA but then again so is Belize.
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Old 12-11-2014, 08:32   #10
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Re: Belize Chartering

Have a look here to find the best yachts available in Belize SAILBEAT - Yacht Listings
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Old 12-11-2014, 20:06   #11
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Re: Belize Chartering

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Originally Posted by SailBeat View Post
Have a look here to find the best yachts available in Belize SAILBEAT - Yacht Listings
Or you could just contact TMM Belize who manages these boats, book them directly, and deal with staff actually based in Belize who know these boats and the country.

Sent from aboard a charter boat, managed by a company actually based in Belize, anchored off St George's Caye.
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Old 20-11-2014, 13:54   #12
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Re: Belize Chartering

Quote:
Originally Posted by belizesailor View Post
I used to live in Belize and worked in the charter industry there for many years (still cover a few charters). Over the years I put together a collection of notes meant to be supplental to Freya Raucher's excellent cruising guide. These notes should answer most of your questions and I'm happy to answer the rest.

Send me a PM with your email and I will send you a copy (can't attach PDF here via mobile app).

Re nav/charts. Freya's guide is hands down the best nav info for Belize...get a copy of it first thing. Navionics charts are pretty good. C-MAP is a bad joke. But be aware that most survey data in Belize is very old and so any electronic charts, all of which are based on that data, should be used cautiously. The best nav info in Belize is to have an older local fisherman aboard...I learn something new every time I go out with these guys.

Hello - I'm also researching a first visit to Belize would you mind if I pm you too?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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Old 20-11-2014, 17:36   #13
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Re: Belize Chartering

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemrite View Post
Hello - I'm also researching a first visit to Belize would you mind if I pm you too?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
Sure, PM me your email and I will send my notes.

I also encourage you to ask your questions here on the forum so all can benefit from, and contribute to, them.
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Old 21-11-2014, 09:09   #14
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Re: Belize Chartering

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Originally Posted by belizesailor View Post
Sure, PM me your email and I will send my notes.

I also encourage you to ask your questions here on the forum so all can benefit from, and contribute to, them.

Many Thanks for the notes, hope to put them to practical use next year.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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Old 21-11-2014, 09:43   #15
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Re: Belize Chartering

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Originally Posted by belizesailor View Post
I also encourage you to ask your questions here on the forum so all can benefit from, and contribute to, them.
There is a rumor that the entrance to Cucumber Marina is shallow. What is it really?
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