A catamaran charter is an incredible experience for seasoned sailors as well as “Landlubbers”. Two major chartering companies are based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, The Catamaran Company and The Moorings. They also have fleets elsewhere in the Caribbean.
We have chartered with both companies. You need a captain and cook if you contract for a regular catamaran charter. If you have made friends with someone who is a bone fide boat captain you are in luck. Now you just need to convince this “Captain” to pilot the boat and pay for half of the vacation.
When we charter with the Moorings we “Bare Boat”. Bare Boating means we navigate and operate the boat ourselves. Keeping the chartering costs down is definitely easier when you bare-boat. A seasoned, certified boat captain as a friend is a necessity. Bare boating is also a more relaxed experience. There are no strangers operating the boat and being front and center 24/7.
Catamaran charter of boats in the 48 foot to 60 foot range offers comfortable living and sleeping accommodations for 3 or 4 couples. Larger boats further lessen the costs per couple. Make sure these other couples are really good friends too.
There are several provisioning companies on Tortola providing the food and beverages for the trip. In a seven day, relaxed-itinerary charter, at least 10 islands can be visited and snorkeled. We typically rent stand up paddle boards and two man kayaks to bring on the boat for the duration of each trip.
The next charter will be on a similar sized power catamaran instead of a sailing catamaran. Power cats are even more enjoyable in that one does not need to deal with the sails and the finicky winds. I know, I know it’s not being a purist. It just makes the vacation that much more enjoyable.
