Charter

The Moorings Reopens in the BVI with 100 Boats Ready to Charter Right Now

By Peter Janssen on December 12, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life, Destinations

There’s more good news about the post-hurricane comeback in the British Virgin Islands. The Moorings and Sunsail, the power and sail charter powerhouses, just reopened their base in Road Town, Tortola, with a combined fleet of more than 100 yachts ready to go (see the picture above). In addition, the companies have invested $66.5 million to bring in more than 130 new boats that will arrive in early 2018. The people throughout the BVI have been resilient and working hard to build back after the devastating hurricanes just three months ago. Pirate’s Bight, Soggy Dollar Bar and Foxy’s are all…

What’s Open in the BVI? A First-Hand Status Report

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

We all know that the British Virgin Islands were hit hard – twice – by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, causing widespread damage and destroying many yachts in the charter fleets there. Still, the BVI remains the BVI, one of the best and most widely recognized charter and cruising destinations on the planet. The gorgeous water, the easily navigated cruising grounds, the dive spots – the basic geography – are the same today as they were before the storms. But what can you expect now if you want to go there? Here’s a report from the people at Dream Yacht Charter…

Seven Reasons to Charter in Mallorca from The Moorings

By Peter Janssen on October 30, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life, Destinations

You probably don’t need many more reasons to visit Mallorca, the gorgeous island in the Med 50 miles east of Spain, but just in case you do, The Moorings has come up with a list to nudge you along. One of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca is an uber-appealing destination if you’re cruising or chartering or just looking for a special vacation. For the past few decades, Mallorca has been a major European tourist destination, with its long, protected beaches, sheltered coves, limestone mountains and Roman and Moorish ruins. Mallorca is rich with history. The capital of Palma was founded as…

Le Boat Opens First Charter Fleet in North America on the Rideau Canal in Canada

By Peter Janssen on October 23, 2017 Charter, Cruising Life, Destinations

Le Boat, the European charter company with 16 bases in eight different countries, is opening its first operation in North America, centered on the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rideau winds 125 miles through beautiful Canadian countryside with unspoiled lakes and picturesque towns from Kingston, on Lake Ontario, up to Ottawa, the capital of Canada (pictured above). With a series of 47 locks, the Rideau is the oldest operating canal in North America; it was considered an engineering feat when it opened in 1832. Le Boat offers only boats that you drive yourself. It…

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…

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