Spend winters on a cat in the Caribbean

[Iaangus]

I would like to semi retire in about 5 years and spend December through March on a catamaran in the Caribbean. I've been to the BVI and USVI a couple times and spent a week on a Lagoon 450 last year. I expect to have about $300,000 to spend on a cat without financing it but storing the boat 8 months a year would be unpractical I imagine. I have reviewed some financial projections for buying a new cat placing in charter but I am skeptical and I want to use the boat during the months with the most demand and highest rates. I have not yet looked into the used catamaran second tier charter but again I want to use the boat during the busy season. I have researched the requirements to operate a charter boat as an active participant and deduct the cost of the boat and that is of interest to me. I guess I am asking, is there a good way to spend winters on a boat in the Caribbean?

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by Iaangus

I guess I am asking, is there a good way to spend winters on a boat in the Caribbean?

Are there any bad ways? Of the past 5 winters, I've spent three in the E Carib and two in the Bahamas, commuting back to the Chesapeake for hurricane season and to fix the things I broke over the winter. We're siting out this winter to tend to some family obligations and to do some major projects on the boat. Do you have specific questions?

2 Hulls Dave

[Iaangus]

I live in Iowa, It would take quite an effort to get the boat up the Mississippi. Could I leave it in care of a charter company to cover expencses plus a little extra for wear and tear or would it be a liability to them from the months of April through October?

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by Iaangus

Could I leave it in care of a charter company to cover expencses plus a little extra for wear and tear or would it be a liability to them from the months of April through October?

I kinda doubt it - at least not the major companies. Individuals like yourself buy a boat that the company puts into service and you get X amount of time/year to use it. Maybe some lower tier companies have more creative arrangements. Many cruisers leave their boats on the hard someplace in the region for storm season, but this isn't a money making thing.

2 Hulls Dave

[Rubikoop]

People spend 1/2 the year on their boats here all the time. The rest of the year most leave their boat on the hard.


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[hpeer]

Leave it in Rio Dulce over summer?

[Iaangus]

Id like to get there eventually.

[Iaangus]

How much to pull 40 ft. cat and store 6 months and relaunch?

[vivabob]

The Rio Dulce is an inexpensive and safe place to leave a boat for six months. A 47' catamaran at one of the large safe marinas will cost about $300/month and you're in fresh water. And hurricanes have never visited there. The down side is that going from the eastern Caribbean to and from Guatemala is not an easy thing, certainly not something you'd want to do twice a year, so if you're thinking the Windwards or Leewards or Virgin Islands, the Rio probably isn't a good choice. If your definition of "the Caribbean" includes Belize or the Bay Islands in Honduras, the Rio is an ideal choice.

[Bulawayo]

Contact Bare Cat Charters (BVI's) and discuss the matter with the owner - he is easy going and charters the cats out whilst looking after them for the owners. He may be able to help.

[Tingum]

There is an excellent small charter company,"Cruise Abaco" based in Hope Town. Give them a call and see if they are interested in your time frame. Spring and summer are our high season.