Favorite Bareboat Cat Charter Destinations?

Bruce, C&C 27 MKIII · 04-10-2005, 14:01

Hello,

My wife and I chartered a 35 foot monohull in the BVIs a few years ago, and now we want to charter a cat. While we had a good time in the BVIs, we would like to try something different.

We have been to Antigua to dive and hang out. We loved it, and may consider it as a charter point. We also liked Dominica as well as Monserrat. We found the people in these islands to be particularly friendly.

We would probably not want to go to the Bahamas. While we did not charter there, it was just not as enjoyable as some islands we have been to.

We would want someplace where we can rent a smaller cruising cat (say 37 - 42 ft.?) with good diving in the area, nice locals, and not too "built up" thought not too small either. For example, we felt that St. Thomas was too "cosmopolitan" for our tastes.

We are accomplished sailors, though this will be the first time sailing a cruising cat. We would also want to go where the winds would be a good, overall experience for considering buying a cat in the future.

Any ideas as to where we should go?

Thanks!

Bruce

Sonosailor · 04-10-2005, 19:38

I would strongly recommend the Grenadines, esp the St. Vincent-owned portion. The scenery, snorkelling, and many locations to visit make them quite enjoyable. Like the BVIs they have many locations to visit: some with isolation, and many with restaurants and bars. Still, the mood, and the culture is quite different from the BVIs and St. Martin. More laid back, and less "honkeytonk". You will visit places like Bequia, the Tobago Keys, Union Island, Mayreau, Mustique (if you can afford it and can beat upwind), Petit St. Vincent, Petit Martinique, Canouan, and St. Vincent itself. Unlike the BVIs, there is some open ocean between the islands, to allow a taste of that kind of sailing.

Not sure where the rentals come from. It seems many arrive from La Marin, Martinique, and check in at Bequia; suggesting they travel 15+ hours to get there. I imagine cats should be available at St. Vincent, but I know not where.

Vasco · 04-10-2005, 20:56

Moorings has a base in Marigot Bay in St. Lucia. You might be able to find a secondary fleet in Rodney Bay. We did that once quite a few years ago. There's also charters out of Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent. Do the Windwards. Some outfits will even let you do one ways. Start in St. Lucia, drop the boat off in Granada. The sailing's a bit more challenging than the BVI.

**GordMay** · 05-10-2005, 05:43

Not a Cat’, and not Bareboat - but our member harryrezz (Capt. Harry Rezzemini) might be able to offer some good advice about the Southern Caribbean :
Sail Grenada, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Windward Islands aboard the private yacht “La Nostra” (CSY 44):
http://www.lanostra.net/

PapaCocha · 05-10-2005, 07:15

You can rent a cat either in St Vincent Blue Lgoon with Sunsail, Barefoot or TMM or Moorings in Canouan.

check out Rob's site to get a feel for it.
Usual Suspects

04-10-2005, 14:01	#1
Bruce, C&C 27 MKIII Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 10	Favorite Bareboat Cat Charter Destinations? Hello, My wife and I chartered a 35 foot monohull in the BVIs a few years ago, and now we want to charter a cat. While we had a good time in the BVIs, we would like to try something different. We have been to Antigua to dive and hang out. We loved it, and may consider it as a charter point. We also liked Dominica as well as Monserrat. We found the people in these islands to be particularly friendly. We would probably not want to go to the Bahamas. While we did not charter there, it was just not as enjoyable as some islands we have been to. We would want someplace where we can rent a smaller cruising cat (say 37 - 42 ft.?) with good diving in the area, nice locals, and not too "built up" thought not too small either. For example, we felt that St. Thomas was too "cosmopolitan" for our tastes. We are accomplished sailors, though this will be the first time sailing a cruising cat. We would also want to go where the winds would be a good, overall experience for considering buying a cat in the future. Any ideas as to where we should go? Thanks! Bruce

04-10-2005, 19:38	#2
Sonosailor Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada Boat: FP Tobago 35 - Cat Tales Posts: 325 Images: 8	Grenadines I would strongly recommend the Grenadines, esp the St. Vincent-owned portion. The scenery, snorkelling, and many locations to visit make them quite enjoyable. Like the BVIs they have many locations to visit: some with isolation, and many with restaurants and bars. Still, the mood, and the culture is quite different from the BVIs and St. Martin. More laid back, and less "honkeytonk". You will visit places like Bequia, the Tobago Keys, Union Island, Mayreau, Mustique (if you can afford it and can beat upwind), Petit St. Vincent, Petit Martinique, Canouan, and St. Vincent itself. Unlike the BVIs, there is some open ocean between the islands, to allow a taste of that kind of sailing. Not sure where the rentals come from. It seems many arrive from La Marin, Martinique, and check in at Bequia; suggesting they travel 15+ hours to get there. I imagine cats should be available at St. Vincent, but I know not where.

04-10-2005, 20:56	#3
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in summer, further south in winter. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 1,845 Images: 34	St. Lucia Moorings has a base in Marigot Bay in St. Lucia. You might be able to find a secondary fleet in Rodney Bay. We did that once quite a few years ago. There's also charters out of Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent. Do the Windwards. Some outfits will even let you do one ways. Start in St. Lucia, drop the boat off in Granada. The sailing's a bit more challenging than the BVI. __________________ Rick I Toronto

05-10-2005, 05:43	#4
GordMay Administrator Site Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 9,455 Images: 232	harryrezz ? Not a Cat’, and not Bareboat - but our member harryrezz (Capt. Harry Rezzemini) might be able to offer some good advice about the Southern Caribbean : Sail Grenada, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Windward Islands aboard the private yacht “La Nostra” (CSY 44): http://www.lanostra.net/ __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

05-10-2005, 07:15	#5
PapaCocha Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Boat: Lagoon 410 - Mama Cocha Posts: 23	The Grenadines You can rent a cat either in St Vincent Blue Lgoon with Sunsail, Barefoot or TMM or Moorings in Canouan. check out Rob's site to get a feel for it. Usual Suspects

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