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Planning Your Charter

How to Plan Your Charter

There are so many decisions to make when planning your perfect charter vacation.  It is our hope the following information will be very useful to you.  Just take it a step at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the details.  We want this to be the most stress free, relaxing (yet energizing) trip you have ever had!  Of course, we are always available to assist or advise you in any way you need.  We are here for you so please don't hesitate to call or email us at anytime.

If you are looking for something specific, click on the links below to jump ahead to that section.
One Step at a Time

Bareboat, Captain ONLY, or Crewed Charter

Planning Your Charter

BAREBOAT

A bareboat charter is an arrangement for the chartering of a boat whereby no crew or provisions are included as part of the arrangement.  Instead, people who “rent” the vessel are responsible for taking care of such things. Bareboat chartering gives you the freedom to choose your own destinations and set the pace for your vacation.  It also gives you the opportunity to shop for yourself, or through the help of a provisioning company, choose exactly what you prefer to have onboard for your charter.  

Bareboat chartering also gives you the ability to go ashore more often instead of adhering to a dining schedule onboard your yacht.  It is the most cost effective way to charter, but is not always an option for guests lacking sailing experience.

 

CAPTAIN ONLY

A bareboater occasionally chooses to have a captain onboard for the duration of the charter.  In this case, it is called a “captain only” charter.  If you are not quite comfortable or experienced enough to qualify for a bareboat charter, we are happy to pair you with a USCG Captain.  We will ask you to complete a Captain Only Questionnaire for so we can find the best possible fit to complement you and your crew. Even with a hired Captain onboard, it is still considered a bareboat charter, so just like a regular bareboat charter, you will remain responsible for provisioning the boat on your own or with the help of a provisioning company, including providing meals for the Captain.

FULLY CREWED

A fully crewed yacht charter typically refers to a rental arrangement in which a private yacht is provided for the exclusive use of a group or individual, along with a professional crew to operate the vessel and attend to the guests' needs.

The crew may consist of a captain, chef, steward or stewardess, deckhands, and sometimes additional crew members such as dive instructors or masseuses. The size of the crew can depend on the size and type of the yacht, as well as the preferences and requirements of the guests.

The crew is responsible for operating the yacht, navigating, cooking and serving meals, cleaning and maintaining the vessel, and providing hospitality services such as setting up activities and arranging transportation to shore.

A fully crewed yacht charter can provide a luxurious and personalized experience for guests, who can enjoy a private and exclusive vacation while being taken care of by an experienced and dedicated crew.

We can help you plan the perfect charter that is very specific to you and your charter needs.

Do I Qualify or Should I Hire a Captain?

We do not require a license or certification, but we do ask that you complete a sailing resume.  Once your sailing resume has been approved, we can move forward with confirmation of booking.  We are happy to place a temporary hold on a boat in the meantime.

If you prefer to have a captain onboard with you for the entire length of the charter we are happy to facilitate that request.  A captain is $300 per day, plus you provide for all meals and, of course, it is customary to tip, so be sure to budget for that.  If you want to learn more about sailing, you might enjoy have an instructional captain onboard to share their knowledge.  Captain's fees in that situation are based on the level of training and the day rate of the hired Captain.

Please keep in mind that our Captains will not sleep in the bow cabin, so please plan accordingly when choosing your yacht.  If the boat does not have a separate Skipper's Quarters, you will need an extra cabin within in the main accommodations of the yacht for the Captain.

When Is the Best Time to Sail the Virgin Islands?

There is no bad time to sail in the Virgin Islands, so the best time for your group really depends on you. December through April is our Mid/High season and when most people choose to charter.  Christmas and New Year's weeks are really special and are the busiest weeks of the year, but well-worth it. Be aware of local events, even during off season, that could have an impact on crowds, etc, such as regattas, poker runs, or flotillas.

February, April and May are the quietest months, so you won't be fighting the crowds. These are great months for chartering.  

June 1st - November 30th is hurricane season, even though June and July is quite busy.  While many people are concerned about chartering during this time, there really is a very low chance of a hurricane affecting your vacation. If you are looking to be alone in an anchorage, with the pristine beach to yourself, October and early November are the best times for that.

We always recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment, but most especially during hurricane season.

When you are choosing your charter dates, please keep in mind that we do close at noon on Sundays and also close for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  However, you are welcome to plan for a sleepaboard during those times if you so choose.

Choosing a Boat

When choosing a boat, start with the type of boat that matches up with your experience . . . monuhull or catamaran.  Then, decide what size coincides with that or is one step up.  How many people do you have will determine how many staterooms you will need.  If you will be hiring a Captain, remember that one cabin needs to be available for that person.  Also, take a look at photos on our website and pick a couple of your favorites.  Determine your dates of travel and go to the "Request a Quote" button at the top of every page and we will check availability.

What is Included with the Yacht?

Every yacht comes with a fully equipped galley including microwave, outdoor BBQ grill and ice chest.  Each stateroom will have bed linens, bath towels (not beach towels), hand towels and wash cloths.  Snorkel gear is available to borrow at no extra charge.  You will also be given a kit bag upon check-in that includes binoculars, cruising guides and a chart.  These items will all need to be returned to the office upon your return to base.  Be sure to bring phone chargers, aux cables, etc.  Remember, this is a bareboat so there is no pre-provisioning.  Plan accordingly.  See more in the "Provisioning For A Bareboat Charter" section.

Can I Sleep Aboard the Night Before My Charter?

For $75 per person, a minimum of $150, you can board your yacht the night before your charter starts. Please coordinate with VIYC if this is something you are interested in adding to your charter.  We highly recommend taking advantage of this option.

Can I Place a Hold on the Yacht While I Check Airfare?

Absolutely!  We can keep the boat on hold for up to a week.  After that time, if we do not hear from you, we will automatically release the hold.

When traveling directly into the US Virgin Islands, there are some serious cost savings. Most major airlines serve the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas with fewer connections and/or direct flights. This makes airfare significantly less than flying into the British Virgin Islands — as much as $500 per ticket or more depending on the time of year. You can also avoid the costly and often inconvenient ferry. Not to mention the fact that you can easily lose a day on the front and back end of your vacation just getting from point A to point B.

Instead, you can go directly from the airport to Virgin Islands Yacht Charters and get settled immediately by taking advantage of our sleep aboard option if you have scheduled that in advance.  Once you arrive, your provisions will be delivered directly to your boat, if you have made arrangements through one of our convenient provisioning services, or you can take a little time to shop for yourself at the nearby grocery store.

READY TO BOOK?

Always try to book your charter as far in advance as possible, particularly if your dates are not flexible or you have a specific boat in mind.  December through April is our busiest time of year and these months generally book up well in advance.  Christmas and New Year's often book a full year ahead.  All of our yachts have full A/C and generator, so consider booking in low- or off-season for deals as much as 30% off.  

 

Once you have decided on your dates and we have determined availability, the process is simple.  We will email you with the Charter Agreement/Release of Liability and the Terms & Conditions for you to review, sign, and return to us.   

What is the Payment Schedule?

In order to secure the booking we will need a deposit of 50% of the charter fee.  The deposit is due within two weeks of receiving your paperwork. Final payment is due 60 days prior to the start of your charter.  Payment instructions are included in the Terms & Conditions.

What's Next?

Now that you have officially booked your charter you will naturally start to think about planning out your itinerary, you will have questions about the process, local things of interest,  and you will want to begin making decisions concerning provisioning, what to bring and not bring, etc.  We will cover all of that and help guide you through step by step in order to make it simple and as stress-free as possible.

What If I Need to Cancel?

We do understand things can happen at the last minute that may require you to cancel your charter, which is why we recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment.  There are many reputable insurance carriers who offer "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage.

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • If a charter is cancelled more than 120 prior to embarkation (including sleepaboard day), a full refund will be issued, less $600.

  • If the charter is cancelled between 120 to 60 days prior to embarkation (including sleepaboard day), 30% of the total charter fee will be forfeited.

  • If the charter is cancelled 60 days or less prior to embarkation (including sleep aboard), total funds paid to date will be forfeited.

 

WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATION

It is extremely rare that your charter will be affected by any weather-related issues, however, we highly recommend protecting your investment by purchasing Travel Insurance if you plan to charter during storm season.  VIYC is not responsible for any costs incurred in procuring other accommodations, rescheduled flight fees, or loss of charter or charter days.

If the BVI borders or seaports are closed or close during the Charter Dates or BVI Government COVID-19 related travel restrictions or other BVI travel restrictions prevent reasonable entry to or departure from the BVI for the charterer or yacht, but the USVI borders remain open, the charter or the balance of the charter will take place in the USVI.

Ready to Book
Customs Information

CUSTOMS INFORMATION

Do I Need a Passport or VISA to Enter the BVI?

United States citizens do not need a passport to travel in and out of the US Virgin Islands.  For all other countries, please research travel requirements for your country.

Do I Need a Passport or VISA to Enter the BVI?

All persons, including US Citizens, require a passport when entering the British Virgin Islands.  Your passport must be valid for another 6 months upon entering the territory.  Visitors from some countries may also require a VISA for entry.  If in doubt check with BVI Tourism Board.  Don't have a passport or passport expired?   Whether you're renewing a passport or applying for the first time, you can use this Passport Tool to fill out the form and print. Then simply follow the instructions for submitting. It's that easy!

What is the Currency in the BVI?

The currency is US dollars.  You will find most of the bars and restaurants will accept credit cards and traveler's checks.  Due to the high bank charges in the BVI most establishments will charge a 3% to 5% fee on all card transactions.  Always have some cash with you to pay for moorings or to use in some of the smaller bars and restaurants which may be cash only.

Is the Customs Process Difficult?

In light of the many new changes and attitudes in the BVI, Virgin Islands Yacht Charters has decided to partner with a local company on Tortola to assist our guests in preparing for and clearing Customs and Immigrations into the British Virgin Islands Territory.  Remember, even though our islands are very close, the BVI is a foreign country and entry procedures are strict and proper protocols must be followed. 

To alleviate, what can sometimes be a stressful situation, our agent on Tortola will facilitate the entire process for you.  So, if you plan to go to the BVI you MUST make prior arrangements. Our boat owners have invested a great deal of money to make their boats legal for operations within the BVI cruising grounds and we are going to make sure we protect their boats from possible seizure due to illegal entry into or out of the USVI and/or BVI.  By using a clearing agent we are assured our boats and guests are protected.  

Even though there is a fee involved, clearing with a local agent has proven to be an overall cost savings for our charter guests.  Once you contact the clearing agent, you will be asked to scan over your passports so your SailClear can be set up on your behalf.  Using SailClear is a requirement of the BVI.  Then, you will receive a fee schedule so you know exactly what to expect and how much cash you will need to bring with you for Customs & Immigration.  The agent will meet you at the West End Ferry Terminal where you will hand her your physical passports, the money for fees, and the forms you have filled out prior to arrival.  (You will receive these forms when you check in at the VIYC office).
 

Your clearing agent will then go through C&I on your behalf while you wait comfortably onboard your boat.  Super easy!!

ESTIMATED FEES:

Cruising Permit - $16 per person/per day

National Parks Permit - There are entry fees for the BVI National Park so you must obtain a National Parks Permit.  Pricing is dependent on the

number of guests in your party and will vary from $50 per week for 4 guests to $110 per week for 10 guests.

BVI Departure Tax - $20 per person

Environmental Fee - $10 per person

Port Fee - $1 per foot for the length of your charter boat

Clearing Agent - $150 each way  (if you are in the territory for less than 72 hrs you can clear in and out at the same time for one fee)

Remember, you MUST also clear back into the US Virgin Islands.  The clearing agent can handle this for you for an additional fee or you can choose to clear in yourself by using the CBP ROAM APP.  

CBP ROAM APP

Travelers should download the CBP ROAM app on their web-enabled smart device. Note that a free login.gov account is required to use the CBP ROAM app. After opening the CBP ROAM app, tap “Sign In”.

To use CBP ROAM on your personal smart device, download the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. In certain locations, the CBP ROAM app can also be accessed on tablets. 

  • Travelers who do not have a login.gov account should “Create an account” and follow the instructions

  • Travelers who already have a login.gov account should sign into their existing account, and will be redirected back
    to the CBP ROAM app.

After signing in to the CBP ROAM app, users can create and save traveler and conveyance profiles. These profiles can be reused for repeat entry into the United States. This makes clearing back into the US easy and totally stress free.

TO REITERATE, YOU MUST CLEAR INTO BVI, THEN CLEAR OUT OF THE BVI, AND CLEAR INTO THE USVI UPON YOUR RETURN.  

During your post-charter check-out in our office we will ask to see your manifest to ensure you have followed procedures and have been properly checked out of the BVI.  Failure to do so will automatically flag your boat for seizure the next time it enters BVI.  This will result in hefty fines and could cause us to lose our ability to send ANY boats to the BVI.  We cannot stress enough the importance of this.

We know this may feel a bit overwhelming and it is a lot of information, but we want to help you make this a smooth as possible.  It's really pretty simple as long as your are following proper procedures and planning ahead.  We will work very closely with you
and are always available for questions, advice, or assistance, so please reach out to us.

Just follow our guidelines and you will have no issues.

What Are the Customs Fees and Requirements?

Additional Costs

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Mandatory Damage Waiver

Our damage waiver is a mandatory fee of $40 per day. This protection prevents the charter guest from being fully obligated to the boat deductible in the case of loss or damage, as long as the requirements in the Terms & Conditions have been met.  There are circumstances in which the charterer becomes fully liable for loss or damage, depending on the circumstances, such as damage occurring within a no-go area, losing a dinghy, negligence, etc.  All this would be very unusual. There is a security deposit due upon check-in that varies from $2500-$3500 depending upon the yacht chartered.  More information can be found in the Terms & Conditions.

Overnight Moorings and Marinas

Most of the bays have overnight moorings and most of our guests prefer the safety and comfort of an overnight mooring instead of anchoring.  In the USVI within the National Park, the fees are $26 and can be paid online via the recreation.gov mobile app or cash at the pay station.

 

The fees are a bit higher in the BVI and most balls are reserved through Boaty Ball.   Be sure to get a receipt once you have paid for your mooring, whenever possible.  If you would like to get your land legs back or just spend a night at a local marina, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1.50 - $2.50 per foot for the night.  Some marinas will even include free water and ice. 

Fuel & Water

Can We Rent Watersports Equipment?

Your boat will have a full fuel and water tanks to begin your trip.  At the end of the charter, you are responsible for the cost of re-fueling the vessel and topping off water.  Refueling and refilling the water tank(s) is compulsory regardless of any disputes which may arise in the unlikely event that the charterer suffers downtime during the charter, for whatever reason. Such downtime will be settled in accordingly.

Fuel Docks
Saga Haven (across the channel from Compass Point Marina)

American Yacht Harbor (Red Hook)

Cruz Bay (St John)

For Fuel and Water information in the BVI, check out https://www.bvitraveller.com/ and click on the Sailing Charters tab on the main menu.

Water toys can definitely add to your experience while on charter.  We have a number of items available for rent including Stand Up Paddles, single kayaks, float mats,  and noodles.  To reserve yours, please email charters@viycstt.com

Please note:  For liability reasons, Virgin Islands Yacht Charters does not allow third-party rental equipment to be onboard our boats.  If you are looking for rental equipment that we do not have available, we'll be happy to try and source that for you with another reputable company.

 

Water Toy Rental Flyer with Pricing Information

What About Diving Equipment or Dive Rendezvous?

There are truly amazing dive opportunities right around St Thomas and St John.   You may also want to plan a rendezvous dive while in the British Virgin Islands and there are many great companies there offering that service as well. Please contact us if diving is part of your plans and we will hook you up with great companies depending on your dive location.

Fishing License

You are not required to have a fishing license in the USVI.  Just keep in mind fishing is never allowed within the National Park, where you will most likely spend the majority of your time.  In the BVI in April 2016 new legislation was brought in, which means that guests can no longer fish from our vessels. Our boats are set up for sailing charters and are not fishing vessels, therefore do not comply with the new regulations.

Cell Service and WiFi

Cell service in the USVI is just like in the United States.  There are no international charges within the USVI.  Be sure to call your service provider prior to your charter and see if it makes sense to purchase a Passport Program or something similar.  Most people on vacationing in the USVI just HotSpot a cell phone.  This is definitely the easiest and most affordable option in the USVI.

 

BoatyBall for BVI

BoatyBall

*BoatyBall.com was created to provide boaters with a more secure way to pay, stay, and play.  Every BoatyBall mooring has been professionally installed and is in an active maintenance program so you can relax and enjoy your stay.  BoatyBall.com has mooring balls in prime locations throughout the British Virgin Islands.  BoatyBall.com has moorings that can be reserved through the app and other moorings that are in a first come first serve program.

BoatyBall.com makes it easy for boaters to pay.  After setting up your account you can easily reserve and pay for a mooring ball in a matter of seconds.  BoatyBall mooring fees are $40 and well worth the money and ease of stress.  The ability to reserve a mooring ball allows boaters to spend more quality time on the water enjoying everything the BVI has to offer. 

BoatyBall.com allows boaters to relax and play.  Knowing you have a reserved mooring waiting for you on arrival to your favorite bay allows boaters to spend more time enjoying all the beauty of the BVI.  That means more time with the family enjoying snorkeling, diving, fishing, National Parks, or just sailing the ocean blue.  

Click here for a printable version of the BoatyBall Reference Guide.  You should be able to find all of your boat information from our website, but please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We will also have this Reference Guide in your boat binder that you will receive upon check-in. 

 

*Info obtained from https://boatyball.com 

SHOPPING LIST

Know Before You Go

Step One:

Decide if you are going to shop for yourself or with the help of a provisioning company. We want only the best for our owners and guests and have a few recommendations for local provisioning companies.

If you prefer to do your own shopping, Food Center, is a full service grocery store and an easy 5 minute cab ride away.  Moe’s is a smaller, higher end grocery store in Red Hook and will have more gourmet and specialty type foods.

Step Two:

When making plans and in thinking about what you will need for the week, start with the basics.  Think about all the things you use on a regular basis in your own home.  Paper towels, toilet paper, all-purpose cleaning wipes, dish soap, scrubby sponge, kitchen trash bags and smaller trash bags for the waste paper baskets in the heads. 

*Some additional things you will want to have:

Ziploc baggies, plenty of them, and in a variety of sizes.  There are so many uses for these and you’ll be surprised at how many use.  For saving left overs, keeping your money dry, organizing your chargers and adapters, etc.

Clothespins for hanging items on the railing to dry and keep them in place. 

Personal toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and hand soap for each stateroom.

You will definitely want bug spray onboard, especially if you are susceptible to bites. 

Sunscreen is a must in the Caribbean sun, so buy plenty, but make certain it is the lotion type and is reef safe.  NEVER buy spray on sunscreen or Coppertone products as they will yellow the deck of the boat and make it very slippery.  Also, avoid sunscreen with self-tanner or bronzer as those will damage the boat as well. There is a ban on sunscreens containing the Toxic O's.  Learn more here.

Fabuloso is a must have product on any boat with marine heads and is readily available everywhere in the islands.  Just pour a little bit into the head to keep it smelling clean and fresh.  It really works!

A small box of matches is also a good idea just in case your lighter for the grill, cooktop and oven stops working.

Step Three:

Look at your itinerary for the week.  What meals do you know for sure you will have ashore?   Are there special nights you would like to have dinner onboard and watch the sun go down?  More than likely you will have breakfast every morning onboard, so plan for that.  Breakfast is a wonderful time to reflect on the previous day and talk about the plans for the new day.  Have plenty of snacks, fruits, and simple things like sandwiches or wraps.  You will also want to purchase salt, pepper, spices and condiments.

Drinks . . . can’t forget about that!  Beer, wine, and alcohol along with your favorite mixers. Your yacht will have a cooler onboard for you to keep your drinks nice and chilled.  Plenty of water and soft drinks, juices, etc.  Try to avoid glass bottles if at all possible.

 

Ice . . . don’t forget to include ice on your list.  There is a small market here in the marina where you can pick that up, but they close daily around 1:00PM.  They are mainly open for boats headed out in the mornings. 

*Remember, you will have many opportunities to purchase additional items and re-provision along the way, so don’t overdo it. 

  You won’t want to leave your boat with tons of food you couldn’t get around to eating.

Shopping

PACKING FOR A BAREBOAT CHARTER

K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Sailor!

The old saying, "less is more" truly does apply when packing for your vacation.  One soft sided duffle bag is the most you will need for a bareboat charter in the Virgin Islands.  Space is very limited on most sailing vessels, so you will not want to utilized that space with hard-sided or bulky luggage.  Most of the time you will be in a swimsuit and cover-up or t-shirt and that is perfectly acceptable during the day at pretty much every place you will want to play or dine.  One or two "going out" outfits will be all you will need.  A simple collared shirt for men and sundresses for the ladies.  Avoid denim because it just takes too long to dry, although you may want to bring a pair of jeans with you are you are leaving the beautiful Caribbean weather for colder climates.  Brrrrr!

A simple pair of flip flops will get you through an entire week, unless you plan to do a little hiking on the many hiking trails on St John, then you might want to throw in a comfortable shoe for that.  If you plan to overnight in one of the marinas and use the showers, you will want some shower shoes.  We would also suggest a small collapsible tote for carrying your toiletries along with you to and from the shower. 

Don't pack large, bulky beach towels.  Instead, try a Turkish towel or a sandless beach towel from Tesalate.   Both will take up a minimal amount of space in your luggage and are very compact.  

A long sleeve rash guard is always a good idea for a little extra coverage from the sun and to protect from the cool water while snorkeling.  Along those lines, a light weight jacket or long sleeve t-shirt is also recommended for those cooler nights.  And, remember, you will want to buy souvenirs while you are here and so consider purchasing those type things along the way.

Basically, pack half as much as you think you'll need and bring twice as much money and you'll have a great week!

What to Pack

Transportation Information

In St Thomas taxi service can be quite expensive and sometimes a little stressful, especially at the airport.  Usually cab fare is $15 per person from the airport to the East End, where Compass Point Marina is located.  Also, be aware that some cab companies charge a fee for the amount of luggage you have with you as well.   It is highly recommended that you pre-arrange your transportation a day or two prior to your arrival.  If not, you will most likely end up in an open air cab or large van with other people and your stop will be the last stop because of the location.  For printable transportation information click here.  All cab drivers are familiar with the location of Compass Point Marina.  Once you arrive at CPM, you will be looking for our office which has full length banners on either side of the door that say "Virgin Islands Yacht Charters".

ARRIVING IN ST THOMAS

Arrival and Check-In

Car Rental

Agile Car Rental 340-626-9224 agilecarrental.com

 

Dexter Rental Car 340-643-3534  dexterrentalcar.com

 

Paradise Rental Car™   340-643-2692 www.pdiseinc.com

 

Discount Car Rental 340-776-4858 https://www.discountcar.vi/ 

Renting a car instead of hiring a taxi can actually be quite the savings, especially if you plan to do your own provisioning.  

 

Remember, we drive on the left.

What Time Can We Board?

Officially your charter starts at 12 noon on the first day and ends at 12 noon on the last day.  Sleep aboards begin anytime after 3 pm.  We try to be very flexible with those times and will work with you to better accommodate your needs, assuming the boat is ready.  We can't guarantee that will always be the case, but we will do our very best to help with ease of travel. 

Our office hours are Monday-Saturday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm and on Sundays from 9:00 am until Noon.  If you are arriving after hours, you will find a packet outside our office door with directions to your boat and other helpful information for your sleepaboard night.  

What Time Can We Expect Our Briefings?

Again, this is an area where we will be flexible and try to make it as convenient as possible for you, but typically boat briefings begin around 9am and we try to have our guests off the dock no later than noon.

What Happens If We Arrive After Hours?

If you expect to arrive after hours, please communicate that to us in advance so we will know that and we can make a plan for your arrival. We will leave a packet for you outside our office door with directions to your boat and a map of the marina.  

Are There Restaurants Nearby?

Restaurants

Within our marina we have one restaurant, Dive Bar, and they cook up amazing burgers, brats, and chicken sandwiches on their grill.  Dive Bar is a popular hang out for the many day charter businesses in Compass Point as well as a local favorite.  Dive Bar is open from 3pm until 11pm daily and is the best place to get on island time.

 

For a delicious breakfast or a nice cup of coffee, or even a Bloody Mary or Mimosa, you'll want to visit An Hour Late, located near our office. You can also enjoy lunch there and even purchase some sandwiches for your first lunch out on the water.  Open from 7am-2pm.

 

Red Hook is a five minute cab ride away where you will find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and often times live music.  There's never a shortage of fun in Red Hook!

Weather and Mechanical

Weather, Mechanical, and Onboard Issues

What Happens If Weather Becomes an Issue?

During the months of September and October there is a very slight risk of there being a named storm.  Most people are concerned about chartering during this time, even though there really is a very low chance of a hurricane affecting your vacation.  But, if you prefer very small crowds, warmer water, gentler winds, and lower rates there is no better time to charter than during Off-Season. 

What Happens in the Case of Mechanical Issues?

If the vessel is at any time out of commission for more than 4 hours, during regular business hours, we will credit charterer in the form of credits against future charters or refunds for lost sailing time, providing the charterer notifies VIYC of any problem encountered with the vessel in a timely manner and gives VIYC the opportunity to make necessary repairs. VIYC is not be liable for any lost sailing time, chase boat expenses or labor time if the breakdown or problem was caused by operator error or carelessness on behalf of the charterer or his crew.

Can We Use a Hairdryer Onboard?

Unfortunately, you cannot use a hairdryer of any other stylers aboard any of our yachts.  Life in the islands is very casual and laid back.  Once you have wound down to "island time", you probably won't want to blow dry your hair anyway.  Let the tradewinds do it for you and embrace it!  You always have the option to go into one of the marinas and use the onshore facilities for that special occasion.

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