Yacht/Cat Charter For Experienced & Beginners

[danyeates]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I chartered a new Dufour 325 in Greece last year and loved it. My stepfather has done a lot of sailing in the past but nothing recently. He's an experienced skipper also. My mum has done no sailing, although enjoys slow trips up the river on my RIB so is happy on the water at slow speeds as long as it's stable. My brother has competent crew and loves sailing and is in the Royal Navy, my sister has done no sailing.

So that gives you an idea of what we're dealing with!

What do you think would be suitable for us, and where? My stepfather suggested a catamaran as it will be stable and won't keel over (for my mum!) He also suggested a powerboat, but I think a powerboat big enough for 6 people will be way over budget and fuel costs will be too high.

We were thinking of a Bavaria 50 Cruiser but I'm not sure we need anything this big. We would like 2 heads and a decent sized water tank. We'll need two double cabins and one or two singles for my brother and sister. Where should we be looking at going for beginners? My girlfriend and I both loved Greece, but even in low season it seemed the harbours were pretty full. I imagine it must be crazy at high season!

We're not looking at doing anything for a while, probably early next year at the start of the season when my sister is back from Australia. We're currently looking at Latesail.com but I also have a lot of contacts through the trade.

Thanks,

Dan

Edited by danyeates on Friday 13th August 11:32

[danyeates]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Turkey sounds good, I'll look into that. I'm at the show for 9 days so plenty of time to look around.

I deal with a few charter companies through work too so may give them a call nearer the time. I know we deal with Top Yacht a bit.

Dan

[Rum Runner]

The Best is the BVI and not by a samll amount, done must venues and this is my company plug plug www.toplineyachtcharters.com . Used to be a charter skipper so can advise also. Oh and yes cats are the best especially if you are going to spend alot of time on the anchor rather than marina.

[danyeates]

We did both really love Greece, even with the lack of decent toilets and showers!! May be tempted to give Turkey a go but will also look into the others. Will report back to my stepdad, thanks for your help.

[Rum Runner]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

We did Antigua and it is not half as forgiving for those who "don't get" sailing.
Blows 24/7 and fairly lumpy during the day with not many stop off towns / harbours sight seeing.

Greece or Turkey IMHO - set up for easy Chartering, and nearer.

we certainly preferred it

Edited by Paddy_N_Murphy on Sunday 15th August 22:14

The Leeward Islands are hard work, Windwards better and Grenadines still. But none can compare to the ease of the BVI. More so than anywhere in Europe . That's why there are more charters companies there than just about anywhere. Moorings alone used to have over 200 boats in Road Town. 80% of all Carib charters happen in the BVI's. The Anchorages are superb and lots of balls to pick up so makes life very easy, instead of juggling marina's. Services at many anchorages. Because the wind blows from anywhere between North and South East for just about every day bar 3 a year you know what to expect when you drop the pick.
All the Islands are located around Tortola like satellite which means you don't have to retrace your tracks and all with a distance of 4 miles from each other.
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en-GB&rlz=1T...

Unlike the Med it has masses of sea life and water of temp of 32 degrees C and every adveture on, into, and under, the water is special.

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 16th August 12:16

[Rum Runner]

As said if you want to make people happy who are not well seasoned sailors then go for a 38-45ft Cat and you will not look back. I dealt with this kind of criteria day in day out Monohulls , Cats and powerboats as skipper and now as charter broker.
Cat is the way forward if you want a proper holiday where cabin walls don't touch own heads lots of space on deck to have to yourself. It moves it away from a camping holiday to a floating villa. Some people are hard core sailors and like normal style but most none seasoned sailors will appreciate the Cat for it ease of living and speed/Stability.
Don't knock it until you have tried it (I did for a long time as a keen offshore and ocean racer of well designed monohull and a qualified yacht designer,but after nearly 3 years of living on Cats I would not go back to monhulls unless doing extreme latitudes or restricted by berthing).
On Average a good 45ft Cat will be equal in living/ accommodation space to a 70ft-80 Mono

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 16th August 15:14

[Rower]

A Cat - no question ,have had great sailing in a Mono-hull in the BVI's and around Tobago over the last few years but earlier this year we chartered a Cat in the Grenadines and loved it . There were 6 of us on board comprising 2 hardcore sailors , 2 who liked to be able to' get to it' but also liked to stop and have a swim and 2 who enjoyed sitting on deck with a book and GnT ! Everybody happy - had 13 knots , could get very close to reefs and beaches and sailed nice and level with lots of space and privacy .

Rower