Best BVI Bareboat Charter Company?

[ageppler]

Hi there!
My family and I are in the process of booking our third bareboat trip out of the BVI. We've used TMM the last two times and been pretty pleased, however their fleet availability for us is not great this time around. Does anyone have any feedback about BVI Charters, The Catamaran Company or Horizons? Or, any other great input???

Much appreciated!

[pathlesschosen]

I've used Horizon. Boats are in good shape. Service professional.

[KNoel]

I haven't used the others, but can vouch for Horizon Yacht Charters!

[seacap]

You can't beat the Moorings. Highly recommended. They have a huge fleet.

[svBeBe]

Chartered with several, but once we chartered with the Moorings, we never even thought about anywhere else...it might be a few hundred more than some others, but again, you will appreciate it.

Bill

[denverd0n]

I've used Sunsail, which is the same company/docks/facilities as The Moorings. Especially liked the secure luggage storage area, as we had come from a fairly cold climate and had a bag worth of coats and such that were of no use on the boat. The showers and bathroom facilities are also very nice, and welcome at the end of the week. They have a couple of good restaurants right there, and Riteway is an easy walk for provisioning.

They are definitely not the cheapest. Might be close to the most expensive. But we go back because of the great boats, shore side facilities, and people.

[JoePa]

Agree with the last three posts, Moorings is in a class by themselves. Boats, service, facilities make for a great experiences. Have a great trip.

[brownoarsman]

They're small, with a limited number of (older) boats, and I think more of a sailing school, but we had a great time with Rob Swain (Welcome to Rob Swain Sailing School) and are planning to go back this year. Boats were in good shape, clean, and everyone was very helpful. I think Rob owns a number of the boats himself, so is likely invested in keeping them in good trim. Beautiful location on Nanny Cay with a gorgeous pool overlooking the Francis Drake channel for that first day when you're loading. They do tend to stack the boats in in the marina due to limited space though.

[FLLCatsailor]

I would recommend trying a new location... Give the grenadines a shot. You will LOVE way more than the BVI's!

Try horizon yacht charters out of Grenada. James and Jacqui run a top notch operation!

[nautical62]

What's nice about the bigger companies, like the Moorings, Sunsail, and Footloose is that they have enough boats, that if something is wrong with your boat, it's usually easy for them to substitute another boat. They also have the staff with the expertise to take care of things quickly. All three are owned by Tui marine and and use much of the staff to service all boats which has some efficiency.

Footloose is comprised mainly of Sunsail and Moorings boats recently out of charter with those companies. They are cheaper but older. Whether that's good or bad is a matter of personal finances and priorities.

Obviously many have been pleased with other charter companies as well. Nice to have to choose between many well liked options!

[ageppler]

Wow - this is very helpful! Thanks everyone for the quick and knowledgeable posts!

[bstreep]

BVI Yacht Charters. Smaller company with a wonderful customer attitude. We've been with all of the big guys, and with TMM. We wouldn't look anywhere else than BVI Yacht Charters, given a choice.

[Super Sam]

Agree with FLLCatsailor, try a new location. Please check your inbox for pm.

[phibbard]

We used Footloose back in 2007 for a 10 day in BVI's. Saved $$ from using Moorings but got to use the same facilities. We were 4 on a monohull with dive equipment, fishing gear etc. Great time experience with Footloose.

[seacap]

FYI Moorings, Sunsail and Footloose are all owned by TUI Marine.

The Moorings is targeted towards the older more sophisticated crowd. New boats and the best of the best.

Sunsail is for the a younger energetic sailors and a little less expensive.

Footloose is the 3rd and least expensive. They take the boats from the Moorings that still want to charter but are too old for the Moorings. Target audience is the younger sailors on a budget.

I have photographed a few of their brochures etc. I also started out in the Caribbean for the Moorings running a crewed yacht back in 86. I don't think much of corporate. But the people who work there are great, very professional no matter what "company" you go with. There are people who have worked there for 30 years. If I was to want a bare boat charter, and knowing what I know, I would chose the Moorings.