Chartering yacht in Caribbean

[Jobs a good un]

Hi All

Does anyone know what the procedure and costs would be to set up my yacht for crewed charter in the caribbean ?

Im looking to supplement the running costs of the boat ,(recession again yawn)

Thanks for any input

Regards

Mark

 

[TQA]

Hi Mark

It would help to know which Caribbean country you are thinking about. The rules, requirements and costs vary [ A LOT!].

 

[Bajansailor]

Would you be the crew?

Some pals of mine did that 20 years ago - a couple with a 40' French Maracuja aluminium yacht (a bit like an Ovni). Initially they were working through Nicholsons in Antigua - it took them a while to 'get going' but once they did a few charters, there was no stopping them.....
I do not think that that they had to do any mods to comply with regulations (eg like what you might have to do in the UK to comply with being a commercial vessel).
But they did install a 2nd heads (they only had one before).

You could consider starting off by doing a circular email letter to all of your sailing pals and acquaintances in high latitudes, telling them that you will be offering your boat for charter this winter in the Caribbean (at less than Sunsail prices perhaps, with crew) and see if any of them are interested..... once you 'get going' then your reputation will spread - after the first winter season my pals only took repeat clients, and only those whom they liked (they could afford by then to pick and choose).

 

[Deleted member 478]

I know someone that has their boat in the Horizon fleet and are satisfied customers.
http://www.horizonyachtcharters.com/

 

[Jobs a good un]

Antigua probably ,it is the centre of the universe ..

Prob out of Antigua but will sail the entire chain next season anyway ,so from where ever anyone wants to go

£ 2 k per week inc food i was thinking

 

[capnsensible]

Be careful if you are British or Brit flagged.

The MCGA consider that under the Merchant Shipping Act, they can feel your collar for any transgressions. That includes coding, manning, etc.

My source is inside that organisation, so whether people agree with its lawfulness or not, that is their stance. Check their website.

Answer, of course is to comply with the code of practice, no real bad thing from a boat safety point of view.

Keep on the move and dont make it obvious you are chartering or you will upset the local customs and immigration.

A good friend does this and a few years ago I ran his yacht for him whilst he took a break. Loved it.

Good luck, there is a lot of competition but demand seems to be there, especially Americans.

 

[TQA]

Antigua

You need an official licence which you get from the Chief Marine Surveyor/Examiner in St John's Harbour. Tel. +1 268 462-1273. He would also tell of specific requirements.

You would also want an annual cruising permit which depends on you lenght oa. Circa 150 = 200 US$

I am not sure if this still applies but in the past the French islands were protective about their home based charter industry and did not like foreign flagged vessels chartering out of their islands and viewed with some suspicion any crew changes.

 

[aBod]

Could you re iterate whether you are operating a crewed charter where in you have a fully crewed yacht (skipper, mate, engineer, stewerdess, cook etc) or whether you have individual berths.

I work with http://www.onestopsailing.com and would be interested in hearing from how you're getting on. We are always looking to help start up charter companies.

Regarding regulations, the easiest thing is to contact the MCA, they're quite good.

Many thanks,
Alasdair

 

[dslittle]

Would you be the crew?
You could consider starting off by doing a circular email letter to all of your sailing pals and acquaintances in high latitudes, telling them that you will be offering your boat for charter this winter in the Caribbean (at less than Sunsail prices perhaps, with crew) and see if any of them are interested..... once you 'get going' then your reputation will spread - after the first winter season my pals only took repeat clients, and only those whom they liked (they could afford by then to pick and choose).

My yacht is Coded. I have often taken out friends for day sails at no cost as they are friends. This summer two of those 'friends' asked me to take them out for a two week skippered charter. They offered me £1000pw which I agreed at 'friends rates'. At the end of the two weeks they got off without paying. I sent them an invoice and got a reply that they thought that I had taken them out for 'our mutual benefit'. They will not be coming on my boat next summer! Lesson learnt.