What Do You Expect from a Charter Operator ?

[speciald@ocens.]

I have chartered at least 9 times in 30 years - 7 in the BVIs, once in Spain, once in New Zealand. Bottom line - generally you get what you pay for. I'm now in Sint Maarten and watch the Sunsail and Moorings fleets leave Oyster Pond daily. I rarely see the chase boats do anything except guide the new charterers out past the reef.

[nautical62]

Originally Posted by speciald@ocens.

I have chartered at least 9 times in 30 years - 7 in the BVIs, once in Spain, once in New Zealand. Bottom line - generally you get what you pay for. I'm now in Sint Maarten and watch the Sunsail and Moorings fleets leave Oyster Pond daily. I rarely see the chase boats do anything except guide the new charterers out past the reef.

Are you implying that's a negative? I've chartered out of St. Martin a few times. Even though one is chartering a bareboat only and such services are often not typical, I think offering to escort boats past the reef in that location is in the interests of everyone: The charter captain, the boat owner and the company. Even experienced boaters have ended up on the reef there.

I think perhaps I'm not understanding your point correctly.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by nautical62

Are you implying that's a negative? I've chartered out of St. Martin a few times. Even though one is chartering a bareboat only and such services are often not typical, I think offering to escort boats past the reef in that location is in the interests of everyone: The charter captain, the boat owner and the company. Even experienced boaters have ended up on the reef there.

I think perhaps I'm not understanding your point correctly.

I think its a compliment mate... the only work they've had to do is a complimentry escort service to safe water...

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by maytrix

Nothing was mentioned about Horizon, so I really think this comment is out of place. It's a general chartering question. A good one for Serenity to ask, because I think she and her partner's expectations were a little unrealistic.

I don't, read the tag line for Serenity. And you actually think the purpose of asking this question is to align their expectations with others?

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by speciald@ocens.

I have chartered at least 9 times in 30 years - 7 in the BVIs, once in Spain, once in New Zealand. Bottom line - generally you get what you pay for. I'm now in Sint Maarten and watch the Sunsail and Moorings fleets leave Oyster Pond daily. I rarely see the chase boats do anything except guide the new charterers out past the reef.

I saw your boat last week. What a beauty.

Also last week I saw a Moorings cat run onto the reef leaving while I was coming in. I just don't get how they can get the channel markers wrong. Also, we watched a 36' mono run onto the reef right behind Pinel. It must have wrecked the bottom pretty badly. It's definitely a mixed bag of charterers leaving those docks. The weather was really unsettled last week and two Moorings 51's left with about 8 charterers on each. All of them had pfd's and harness's on. They where totally prepared for the weather.

[maytrix]

Originally Posted by Palarran

I don't, read the tag line for Serenity. And you actually think the purpose of asking this question is to align their expectations with others?

I do think its a double edge sword of a question, and her initial comments show that. But coming from someone else, I don't think anyone would question it so I figure its worth giving her a break and seeing the results.

I think there are some great answers here too and it seems many would not take a boat in poor condition and would also spend time going over it.

Someone did suggest renting a boat should be like renting a car, but I think its probably much more similiar to renting a plane. If I have a pilots license and rent a plane, yeah I expect the plane to be in good (if not great) working condition. Certainly safe to fly. But I'd still go through the safety check lists prior to taking off to make sure all systems work. Even commercial pilots who are on planes that are maintained very well and even just flown hundreds if not thousands of miles go through these checks.

As Captain of a boat, its the same thing - checking things out and making sure all is well. I think what should always be expected is that if there is an issue, they will address it quickly.

For SweetSerenity, I'd highly recommend Moorings or Sunsail next charter. Lots of boats to choose from, likely a few spares (especially if you go in the low season again), and I think they have guarantees on time (I know for sure sunsail has a 4 hour guarantee). If they can't repair an issue in that timeframe, they'll give you a credit for a future trip. And there's a few owners on the forum who will be glad to sell you time for a good discount, making the price similiar if not equal to 2nd tier companies.

[Chief Engineer]

If I were to charter a boat.

I would treat it the same way as I do when I go out on one of mine or
the vessels that I am paid Engineer on.

Go thru all systems check for proper operation.

Just like when you rent a car...you do a walkaround and sign off on any existing damage.

If they have a chase boat...I would find out if they are available 24/7 or just during business hours.....That "Island Time Thing" y'know.

If things weren't up to par/safe....I am not leaving the dock, and If needed make a polite enquiry to the supervisor.