Charter

Cruise One-Way Down the Windward Islands in a Chartered Power Cat from the Moorings

By Peter Janssen on October 9, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

How’s this for a great charter idea? Pick up a power cat in St. Lucia and then spend a week or so island-hopping down the Windwards and end up in Granada, sampling some of the most romantic beaches, towns and small French bars and restaurants along the way. The Moorings is now promoting this as the ultimate one-way Caribbean charter, taking advantage of the prevailing winds, and letting you sample half a dozen or more of the smaller islands that make up the Windwards, so-called because they were more to windward to the early sailing ships in the 16th and…

Moorings Opens New Charter Destination in the Exumas, Starts Classes in Greece

By Peter Janssen on October 4, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

The Moorings, the powerhouse charter company with more than 20 locations around the world, now has a new destination in the Exumas in the Out Islands of the Bahamas, and they’re also starting a new Power Cruising Course in Corfu, Greece, one of the most romantic spots in the world, that leads to a charter certificate from the Royal Yachting Association. The Exumas are a group of 365 islands and cays about 35 miles southeast of Nassau with some of the most unspoiled beaches in the Caribbean (see the picture above). They are definitely off the beaten path. The Moorings…

How Not To Look Like an Idiot on Your First Charter – Or Any Other Time

By Peter Janssen on September 4, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

Here’s some great advice from the people at The Moorings, who have some experience in these matters, about how not to look like a total idiot on your first charter. And although these tips are meant for the bareboat charter trade, they apply just as well to boating in general. Here’s how some rookies distinguish themselves: -They leave the dinghy dock – in the wrong dinghy. -They let their kids play with the VHF. -They race into a crowded anchorage to pick up the last mooring ball. -They either leave their “bumpers” hanging over the side or they lose them…

Dream Yacht Charters Adds Fountaine Pajot 37 Power Cats to Its Fleets

By Peter Janssen on August 7, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

Power charter opportunities are growing. Indeed, Dream Yacht Charters is adding 37-foot Fountaine Pajot power catamarans to its fleets in the BVI, Puerto Rico, La Paz and the Bahamas for the winter charter season. The boats are available bareboat or with a captain. The Fountaine Pajot 37 power cats open up a lot more ground for a charter vacation, since they can top out at 22 knots. You can go more places, explore new cruising grounds, or simply do more island hopping in your favorite spots. The boats have three cabins and two heads and are suitable for up to…

Great Abacos Charter Story and Pictures from One Epic Adventure

By Peter Janssen on August 1, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

Here’s a great story by the people at One Epic Adventure about chartering in the Abacos, one of the best cruising grounds around. To my mind, you won’t go wrong chartering anywhere in the Bahamas, but the Abacos are particularly appealing. The passages are short, navigation is usually line-of-sight, and there are lots of picturesque little towns, gorgeous white beaches, great snorkeling and crystal-clear, light blue-green water. You do need to watch your depth, as those beautiful waters are often shallow, and many of the cays in the Bahamas are protected by barrier reefs. In this story, the One Epic…

Charter an Iconic Huckins for a Cruise on the St. Johns River

By Peter Janssen on July 26, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

Here’s a charter opportunity that combines some beautiful, iconic Huckins yachts with some very different – and appealing – destinations, all starting from Classic River Cruises in Jacksonville, Florida. The small charter company has four classic Huckins plus assorted Boston Whalers, kayaks and SUPs, all in Jacksonville on the St. Johns River, which offers a wide variety of marine life (dolphins, manatees, alligators) along its 310-mile length. You can charter a crewed Huckins for an hour or for several days, for a cocktail cruise, a football game or a long family reunion. The company suggests a few favorite itineraries, including…

Where to Find the Five Best Caribbean Cocktails: Is Your Favorite on the List?

By Peter Janssen on July 17, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

What’s a charter or a cruise in the Virgin Islands without a an island cocktail? It’s probably safe to say that almost everyone who spends time down there has his or her own favorite drink, and favorite spot to enjoy that drink. (Of course, you could always get the recipe and mix these up on your own boat, but joining the local color on shore is at least half the fun.) Here’s a list of their five favorites from the people at Denison, ranging from the ever-popular Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke to the iconic Pina…

Greenline 33 Charter on Portugal’s Douro River, a UNESCO Heritage Site, with Great Video of a 100-foot Deep Lock

By Peter Janssen on July 11, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life

If you’re looking for a different kind of charter, take a look at the Douro River in Portugal. Ellen and John Goncalves, a cruising couple from Valparaiso, Florida (where they’re Harbor Hosts for the America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association), recently cruised the Douro on a Greenline 33 for 260 miles and loved it. They cruised the length of the river from Porto, on the Atlantic, to Spain and back, running ten days through ten locks (five each way), including the Carrapatelo Lock, one of the deepest in the world, with more than a 100-foot vertical drop (see the video below).…

New Aquila 36 Cat with Twin 300-hp Outboards: A Fast and Roomy Cruiser

By Peter Janssen on June 7, 2017 Boat Reviews, Charter, Cruising Life

At first glance, it’s easy to see why the new Aquila 36 power cat is getting a lot of attention. After all, two big 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards are hanging off the stern. But look again, and you’ll probably want to climb on board for a test run. The boat has an enormous amount of space, inside and out. The cockpit alone can hold 24 adults, while the two staterooms below, one per sponson, are not only large but also come with extra headroom, lots of light (from long side windows), and an en suite head. The new Aquila is…

An Insider’s Guide to the Dalmatian Islands from The Moorings

By Peter Janssen on June 7, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life, Destinations

Here’s an insider’s guide to the best of Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands on the east coast of the Adriatic, with a mix of cerulean blue water, fair winds, warm weather and more than a touch of history (the islands were ruled by the Republic of Venice from before Columbus’ time to 1797). You can cruise among the islands in a chartered boat, stopping to explore historic towns with medieval walls, cobblestone streets and waterfront bars; Korcula, pictured above, is the birthplace of Marco Polo and one of the oldest towns in Croatia. Or get a guide and enter blue and green…

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