Size Matters
There are dozens upon dozens of reputable charter brokers here at the annual, industry-only boat show on Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. That’s a good thing, since you want to book only boats that brokers have actually seen, whose crews they have vetted, whose enginerooms they have inspected.
What surprised me my first night here, though, was which brokers I ran into. Onboard the first boat I saw, a lovely 65-foot sailing catamaran called True North, I ran into brokers like June Montagne from Northrop & Johnson as well as Robin O’Brien of Fraser Yachts Worldwide. They typically book the larger, 100-foot-plus motoryachts, which is what those companies specialize in. The largest boat at this show is barely 80 feet long, and it’s a sailboat.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I said to Robin as we sat down for a chat in True North’s saloon. “I didn’t realize you booked boats like this.”
She told me that she has a couple of longtime clients who can more than afford the large motoryachts, but who simply prefer sailing catamarans in the 60-foot range. She was there checking them out for the clients’ upcoming vacations. “For them,” she said, “it’s not the price or size of the boat that’s impressive. It’s the casual feeling of being in the islands, of them being able to feel comfortable in an environment that’s like their home. They’re not fancy people. They just want to have fun with their kids.”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Never, ever, ever think for a minute that the biggest, most expensive charter yacht is necessarily the best. We here at CharterWave cover boats from less than $10,000 a week to more than $100,000 a week, and all have their pros and cons. The right boat for you is what you’re after when it comes to charter.
Take a look at every boat that a reputable broker recommends, especially if she’s seen them in person at boat shows like the ones being held this week in the Virgin Islands. The best charter for you just may be onboard the smallest, least expensive yacht out there.