Eloping to Tortola - Need Charter Advise!

[Impetuous One]

We're planning to elope to Tortola next February! Their marriage license require us to stay in Tortola for three days. We thought that we would charter a boat just after we arrive, then sail in and out of Tortola while we wait for our license. This will allow us to have some sailing experience on our newly chartered boat before we head out to the other islands.

We will be married on the beach in Tortola then plan to sail away the next morning for our seven day honeymoon sail.

Like most first-time charterers, we are confused about which boat charter company to use for our trip. Here's what we would like in our boat:

-32 - 36 ft monohull
-air conditioning (just in case!)
-newer boat
-good customer service for any problems

I'd rather not pay the premium prices of the Moorings boats unless someone can tell me why the additional $2k - 3k is actually worth the price.

Any advice would be appreciated! Should we make any changes to our plans to make things better/easier? We can't finalize the wedding plans until we actually choose the charter company. Help!!!

[CapnR]

BVI Charters are awesome. A few weeks ago I rented a 32 mono.

[CaptTL]

Check with Footloose in the same Marina as The Moorings. The boats are former Moorings boats and are much less to charter. You probably won't get a generator in the size your looking for, but you shouldn't need air conditioning on a mooring that time of year. If you go into a dock, most charter boats have air when you plug into shore power.

[autumnbreeze27]

We did the same thing a few years ago, and chartered Ruby from BVI Yacht Charters.

RUBY: Beneteau 37 - Bareboat Yacht - BVI Yacht Charters

If you have any questions fire away.

Shoreside only AC is a good compromise, as we did duck in one night and ran the AC, but the rest of the trip we just moored and did without.

[Impetuous One]

Guess I can take a/c off of the list. Good advice everyone. I've seen the Ruby on the BVI list of boats, it looks great! I'll put that one on our list of possible boats. Thank you

[Stu Jackson]

Help me understand.

Planning to elope?

Elope? A surprise?

So how can you plan one for seven months from now?

Who is NOT being told about this to make it an "elopment"?

Even if you plan it ahead, if this is your honeymoon then you really won't care what boat, you'll be floating!

Don't need AC. Shop pretty much by price unless someone knows of a really dreadful specific boat to ignore.

Oh, and have fun, but don't piss anyone off by the "surprise" and, psst, don't tell anyone you're eloping!!

[SailBeat]

Have no fear. If your confused about the myriad of options thats why we're here. Here are all the yachts available to charter in Tortola have a browse and feel free to private message me if you have nay questions

SAILBEAT - Yacht Listings