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Old 04-12-2012, 00:41   #1
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What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailboat To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Have no city in mind for departure, I am guessing any city where the cost is less.

What might the round trip time of such a trip be? I know it's a sailboat, and not am track.

What are the better times of the year for weather, and costs? What is the off season, and is it off for a reason?

Maybe before I sell everything, I had better make a vacation out of it first.

Larger sailboat, several guests preferred. Larger sailboat may make my wife feel it is a cruse and not a curse. Stable sailboat under foot.

No caviar and Pierre water, ricearoni and aquafina are more our social class. The Gilligans Island motif on a sailboat maybe. Something longer than a three hour tour, but not 8 seasons and still in syndication. Lol.

Maybe the Bahamas is too far for a first trip for someone not big on sailing? My thoughts, is she is going to hate the first six hours no matter what. After she forgets she WANTS TO DISLIKE IT, maybe she will come around. Just a day sail, and she will get off the boat, with an I told you so attitude. .
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Old 04-12-2012, 03:37   #2
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Don't sail to and from. . . . Just charter a boat in the Abacos and spend quiet time in paradise. Find a way to make the trip as wife-friendly as possible.
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Old 04-12-2012, 03:53   #3
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Cormorant gave the best advice. The Gulf Stream is nothing for beginners to mess with. Those of us sailing for a long time enjoy the mind set that sais getting there is as much fun as being there (if not more) but for novices, that attitude takes time to develope. Marsh Harbour has plenty of charter boats to suit everyone's needs and easy flights from Miami, Palm Beach, or Ft. Lauderdale. The waters known as the Sea of Abaco are the greatest, most protected, and offer the most to see. Be sure to bring a sweater durring the winter months.
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Old 04-12-2012, 04:23   #4
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

How much seamanship skills do you have? If you do not have any sailing experience, "rent a captain" with your charter to take care of the boat. The off-season in the Caribbean is from mid April to mid December. The USVI and the BVI have great sailing waters, coves and facilities. St. Thomas, USVI and Tortola, BVI are great starting points. Charter a mono-hull with a "folding ladder" at the stern, so that you can do some snorkeling/diving. Check the Moorings' website for prices with a captain/cook included. Do not skimp on cost, if your wife is going to join you. Don't forget to tip the captain, once the charter is over with. If you take good care of the captain, from day one, you will be visiting very nice places with low traffic. Have fun!
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:10   #5
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Home

Caribbean bareboat Charters - Belize, Grenadines and the British Virgin Islands

Florida Sailing - Florida Sailing School - Florida Sailboat Charter - Team Building

these are just a handful of charter companies that list their prices online.
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:19   #6
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Agree. Planning to cross the Gulf Stream, as a first trip for someone who is "not big on sailing," sounds like a really bad idea. Pick a nice destination and just drift around a bit. The Bahamas, the BVI, something like that.
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:28   #7
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

The first time we bareboat chartered, it was in the BVI where everything is sight sailing and safe harbors abound. There were three couples and one of the wives "hated" sailing and gets seasick! Well, she had her patch, we almost dumped her in the water within the first hour, we had alot of rain (mid-November) and she absolutely loved it! We had a 43' monohull and she did alot of reading while relaxing on the sugar scoop swim platform in some beautiful anchorages. So I guess if you can get the admiral to the boat, it's a commitment on her part!
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:46   #8
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

You might want to go further south this is not the warmest place at the moment
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:58   #9
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

To me, the biggest problem chartering out of FL to the Bahamas is the limited cruising grounds in the western edge of the islands. Only 50 miles across the Gulf Stream to the first islands of the Bahamas, either Bimini - Cat Cay area or the Freeport - West End area. However, unless you want to spend a lot of time in the casino at Freeport or all day, every day diving or sitting on the boat, either area can be covered in a day or three at most. Only a couple of harbors and anchorages either area, no more islands in cruising range and limited shore side attractions (unless you consider a different bar/restaurant every night a major attraction).

The problem here is the next group of islands to visit from either area takes another 100 miles to windward which will make the whole trip more traveling, less touring. The plus side, I think you would have more and cheaper options to charter out of Miami. I would not let the Gulf Stream crossing be a deterrent, it's only 50 miles. Watch the weather. If the winds are strong, especially from NW to NE, don't go.

Overall, from what you want in the trip I think chartering in the Bahamas sounds like the best option.

Another thing to consider if you charter out of FL, when you get there you could spend most of the first day and $300 clearing customs.
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Old 04-12-2012, 06:19   #10
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Gary:

You might want to consider a crewed charter to break the ice for the wife about the cruising lifestyle. My girlfriend will not let me bareboat so we usually do one or two crewed charters over the winter. I've actually come around to her way of thinking. What's nice about it is I don't have to get to know a new boat, don't have to try and learn the local waters in a week or two and don't have to get on my hands and knees to fix something if it breaks. I can sit back and relax with boat drink or go for swim while the Captain handles all those issues.

The advantage to do this type trip with your wife is you both can relax and enjoy the trip. She can have discussions with the co-captain/crew/cook who is usually the Captains partner/wife and have usually been living a cruising lifestyle for a number of years. Your wife can have all her questions and fears addressed and she does not have to spend her time cooking meals, cleaning she can relax and so can you. It will be a good investment to ease her into the cruising life.

I agree the Abacos might be a good place to start. Easy enough to get to and really no long distances between anchorages and the obligatory stop at a Hope Town will break up the trip for a stroll through a town if she gets tired of just anchoring off the beaches.
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Old 04-12-2012, 06:27   #11
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Plus one for the BVIs for first charter, novice sailor experience. In the spring after the winds die down a bit. Do not go to the Abacos in the winter. Will be warmer than Nebraska for sure but you can be pinned down for several days with a strong north wind. Not exactly tropical sailing like the BVIs.
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Old 04-12-2012, 08:10   #12
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

BVIs are a good time for first timers.

If you are looking at staying stateside, consider chartering out of Annapolis, MD. June is quieter and cooler than July/August.
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Old 04-12-2012, 10:48   #13
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Calypso52 View Post
Plus one for the BVIs for first charter, novice sailor experience. In the spring after the winds die down a bit. Do not go to the Abacos in the winter. Will be warmer than Nebraska for sure but you can be pinned down for several days with a strong north wind. Not exactly tropical sailing like the BVIs.
+1 on that. Especially later in the winter the water in the Abacos can be very chilly and I have seen fronts blow through every few days. Definitely a gamble to charter there in the winter.

On the other hand, I have also seen winter trades in the VI blowing pretty strong for weeks at a time. Usually not as strong as a serious norther in the Abacos and usually not for as long. No matter what the water will be warmer.
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Old 04-12-2012, 10:57   #14
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

April and May are typically great months in the caribbean.
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Old 04-12-2012, 15:27   #15
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Re: What Does It Cost To Charter A Sailbot To the Bahamas, And Back Again, For Two?

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BVIs are a good time for first timers.

If you are looking at staying stateside, consider chartering out of Annapolis, MD. June is quieter and cooler than July/August.

Yep, it'd be pretty easy to put together a sailing itinerary starting and ending in Annapolis without any repitition. May/June or September. Lots of motoring in July and August... although it wouldn't be out of the question, given relatively short distances to someplace worth touring.

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