Thinking of Caribbean Charter May 2022

[eddystone]

As it's my 70th May next year I would like to do a Caribbean charter. It will just be my wife and I. We had a charter booked for Antigua Xmas last year but had to postpone due to late re-opening and then, having rebooked for June this year had to cancel and get a refund. I'd like to go to Antigua but that was for 3 of us, including my daughter, in a Sunsail 41. They don't seem to have smaller boats in Antigua and I'm not comfortable with the idea of a boat that size for just 2 people. My wife is OK with dinghies and keelboats, i.e. the sailing bit, but doesn't engage with the rest of it, i.e. she's a good helm but otherwise it's a bit like being single-handed. It's a pity because I'd live to go to Antigua. So thinking of returning to BVI's - we went there (the two of us) in December 2019 with and loved it but got full on Xmas winds for most of the time. So we avoided some of the anchorages open to N/NE winds which I'd like to return to and also Anegada. An American charter skipper told me May was good in BVIs - calmer than December, on average, and outside peak season. Is there a reason why everything seems to be over 40' in Antigua and is May a good month in BVIs?

 

[roblpm]

And not to hijack your thread... but..... what do they ask for in terms of experience and experience of your wife?

 

[eddystone]

They seemed happy previously with my ICC and Coastal Skipper and her RYA Dinghy Instructor and fact she does have yacht crewing experience, in her own inimitable way.

 

[capnsensible]

I'm a big fan of Antigua. Worth holding out for in my opinion.

It's mostly anchoring if you are going to cruise the island. A 40 foot boat shouldn't be a problem......in fact the airier the better!

Reckon you will get plenty of help at the charter base. Probably your only other marina call would be jolly harbour where the staff will always help.

Biased I know! But whatever you choose, hope you enjoy. ?

 

[roblpm]

They seemed happy previously with my ICC and Coastal Skipper and her RYA Dinghy Instructor and fact she does have yacht crewing experience, in her own inimitable way.

Thanks.

Aha dinghy instructor..... I think you slightly undersold that in your previous post! ?

I think I need to drag my non sailing partner through an ASA course or two as she lives west of the Atlantic ocean.

 

[eddystone]

Thanks.

Aha dinghy instructor..... I think you slightly undersold that in your previous post! ?

I think I need to drag my non sailing partner through an ASA course or two as she lives west of the Atlantic ocean.

May be dinghy instructor but can't (won't) do half the things in Competent Crew schedule - her normal response is "you don't have a dog and bark yourself".

 

[Frogmogman]

Is there a reason why everything seems to be over 40' in Antigua and is May a good month in BVIs?

I once challenged someone at one of the charter companies over this (tho’ not specifically about Antigua). He replied that it was all supply and demand; mostly they rent out boats to families or two couples.

TBH, I’d rather be in a 40 footer than something smaller out there, even two up.

 

[eddystone]

TBH, I’d rather be in a 40 footer than something smaller out there, even two up.

Any particular reason for that?

 

[geem]

I'm a big fan of Antigua. Worth holding out for in my opinion.

It's mostly anchoring if you are going to cruise the island. A 40 foot boat shouldn't be a problem......in fact the airier the better!

Reckon you will get plenty of help at the charter base. Probably your only other marina call would be jolly harbour where the staff will always help.

Biased I know! But whatever you choose, hope you enjoy. ?

I was going to say the same. I may be biased but Antigua is far more fun than BVIs. A proper Caribbean island compared to the BVIs that always feels like the Caribbean by Disney.
If you go to Antigua you have Barbuda in the bargain. One of the best spots in the islands.
I wouldn't worry about a 40 footer being too big. If anchoring there is no more work to do than a smaller boat. There is so little opportunity to go in marinas in the Caribbean anyway.

 

[mjcoon]

... If anchoring there is no more work to do than a smaller boat.

This is because they all have working electric windlasses, of course! What about sail handling?

 

[geem]

This is because they all have working electric windlasses, of course! What about sail handling?

Winches,?

 

[Bajansailor]

In some ways the BVI's are a bit like a tropical Solent - and if things return to near normal by May next year it will probably still be fairly busy'ish.
Saying that, it is still a nice area to sail in, and the winds generally should less in May than the 20+ knot trades at Christmas.
If you still have 'unfinished business' there re Anegada and anchorages hitherto unvisited, then go for it!

I see that BVI Yacht Charters have smaller yachts available, down to 30' and 31' Beneteaus -
BVI Bareboat Monohulls - BVI Yacht Charters

How long are you going for? I think that ideally you want to have two weeks rather than just one week in order to do justice to either Antigua or the BVI's. And even with 2 weeks, you would not be bored or run out of places to visit in Antigua, even if you restrict yourself to Antigua waters only. You could do a leisurely 'circumnavigation' of the island, taking in Barbuda as well.

Re smaller boats in Antigua, Dream Yacht Charters have a Dufour 350 and a Sun Odyssey 349 available -
Our Yacht Charter Fleet | Dream Yacht Charter

 

[Frogmogman]

….and of course, the Jeanneau 349 is really a 33 footer, while the sunsail 38 is a Sun Odyssey 389, which is in reality a 36 footer.

 

[benjenbav]

I’d expect a lot more labour-saving equipment on a 40+ footer than a 30’ yacht: self-tailing winches, lazy-jacks or in-mast furling better nav gear etc. Might well be easier to handle short-handed despite the extra length not to mention lots more lovely space!

 

[eddystone]

….and of course, the Jeanneau 349 is really a 33 footer, while the sunsail 38 is a Sun Odyssey 389, which is in reality a 36 footer.

Which makes a Sunsail 41 .....?

 

[Frogmogman]

Which makes a Sunsail 41 .....?

?
The hull length is 39’4” , but 42’6” including the bowsprit….

 

[eddystone]

Think I’m inclining towards Antigua and even with two of us I’d rather have 39.5ft than 33ft for tropical climes. I have to admit I never used the anchor when in BVIs due to availability of moorings but I assume holding with standard issue anchor and correct technique allows boat to be left unattended?

 

[Zing]

Think I’m inclining towards Antigua and even with two of us I’d rather have 39.5ft than 33ft for tropical climes. I have to admit I never used the anchor when in BVIs due to availability of moorings but I assume holding with standard issue anchor and correct technique allows boat to be left unattended?

You are fretting too much. No worries. Big boat, little boat, no matter. BVI, Antigua, no problem. Anchor, moorings, all just fine. Don’t worry, be happy.

 

[Bobc]

Kept my boat in the BVI for 5 years, and in Antigua for 3 years.

My only comment would be that if you go to the BVI's, go for 2 weeks as it's a long journey to get there and takes a few days to recover.

Antigua is good for a week, as it's a single direct flight from the UK. I would say that 7-10 days is a good amount of time to cruise Antigua for.

BVI's is better for a gentle few hours sail each day with lots of swimming and snorkelling, and lots of beach bars/restaurants.

Antigua has better sailing, but is less "holiday destination", but there's still lots to do (English/Falmouth/Jolly/Dickinson/Nonsuch, Shirley Heights etc.)

 

[eddystone]

You are fretting too much. No worries. Big boat, little boat, no matter. BVI, Antigua, no problem. Anchor, moorings, all just fine. Don’t worry, be happy.

Yes fretting is what I do including sleeping in the cockpit in case the anchor drags?……..think there might be a New Year resolution there!