Boating - Chartering 101

Ready to sail the ocean blue? Here's some expert chartering advice for landlubbers

by Margie Smith

Did you hear the one about the tourist from the States who brought five empty glass vials with her on a charter sail around St. John? She wanted to take home samples of all the different colors of water.

There are so many reasons to charter a boat while you're on island. Sure, you might learn something-like what makes that water so blue-but mostly, it's fun! "Anybody I talk to just has the best day of their vacation," says one resident and former powerboat operator. "And they can talk to real local people for a few hours."

No trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands is complete without some sort of excursion by sea. With that in mind, we offer you advice from the pros on how to ensure your day on the water is as perfect as the Caribbean's winter weather:

How do I know what type of charter is right for me?  Look for reviews from past guests. "Find out what others have to say about the charter experience," says Capt. Mark Einstein, who has been in the business since 1984, running charters in the Chesapeake and the Caribbean. This is easier than ever with so many travel sites on the internet, many with online reviews. Find out how long an operation has been in business, and don't be afraid to ask for a captain's credentials. Another option is contacting an agent who does bookings with numerous charter operations. He or she can help you find a perfect fit, says Denise Wright of onlinevacations.com, who also suggests checking out the tourist kiosks at the Marketplace and across from the post office in Cruz Bay.

We're already on island. Is it okay to ask around? Absolutely. With so many different types of boats and day sails (Are you taking the family snorkeling? Looking for a sunset booze cruise?), everyone offers something a little different. Boats sail out of multiple locations from the Westin to Coral Bay. And on a small island where everybody knows everybody, the competition is friendly.

Power or sail? The eternal debate. Are you determined to get to The Baths? Want to see as much of the BVI as possible in a day? "If you like to go fast and the destination is key, go power," says Bonnie Bower of Schooner Yacht Heron, which sails out of Maho Bay. "If you want to enjoy the feel and experience of moving across the pristine Caribbean waters with only the sound of wind and water, go sailing...If the journey IS the destination-go sail."

I'm worried I might get seasick. Should I stay on land? No! "Take a pill!" advises one expert. Some of the best sailors do. Seasickness medication works, and you'll miss so much if your crew weighs anchor without you. Just choose a half-day trip around St. John on a calm day, for example, instead of an all-day jaunt to Virgin Gorda in the wind. And don't worry about the weather. "If the weather's bad, the boat crew doesn't want to go either," says Wright. (Although, she cautions, if you cancel just because you're hungover - you will lose your deposit!)

What's your single best piece of advice? Just do it! "A trip out onto the water is one of the best ways to experience the Virgin Islands' unique beauty," says Bower. "Just about everybody that sails with us says that it is the highlight of their vacation. Getting out and seeing the islands from the water is magical."

You will, guaranteed, see at least five different colors of water and, while you can't capture them in glass, you can capture them in photos. Just don't drop the camera.

Editor's note: Charters from Sun Times clients include: (sailing) Sailboat Long Distance, (motor) Sadie Sea, and Calypso (both)-all good choices and good people!

Margie Smith is an avid sailor, a (not) frequent (enough) visitor to St. John and a regular contributor to the Sun Times. You can read her personal blog at msmargarita1.blogspot.com.

March 2010