Michael Sawyer of Infinity Yacht Charters recently attended the U.S. and British Virgin Island charter yacht shows in St. Thomas and Tortola. I spoke with him about his impressions of the yachts on display, his cruising experiences in the islands, and the overall state of the charter market in the region.

It sounds like you were lucky enough to experience more than just the boat shows while in the Virgin Islands.

Before the shows, I started my trip with six nights of sailing the BVI on the 47-foot Jeanneau sailing yacht Fidelity, which has just had a transformative refit. The deep draft of 7 feet allows excellent sailing performance into the wind, sailing in ways you would end up motoring on some other yachts. The crew, Bob and Debbie, are very likable, and her cuisine was dazzling. 

I then spent two nights on Cuan Law, the enormous 105-foot sailing trimaran that takes 20 guests in 10 cabins. They announced a new inclusive package at $49,500 per six nights, including the crew gratuity and airport transfers. They have twin fast tenders and vast diving experience.

So you got a little taste of what charter clients can enjoy. Did the shows offer a good mix of boats that you would also feel comfortable offering?

For me, the shows reinforced that the Virgin Islands have some of the best charter values on the planet. I saw a good number of motoryachts, catamarans, and monohull sailing yachts that I would present to my clients.

What were some of the standout motoryachts, in your opinion?

I thought the 120-foot Freedom, the 70-foot powercatamaran Sea Bass, the 67-foot Sorana, and the motoryacht Obsession all showed very well. Freedom was named the best motoryacht in the whole show, and Freedom’s chef won a sponsor’s choice award for best use of coffee in a dessert.

The BVI, in particular, are known for sailing catamarans. Which of those stood out to you at the show in Tortola?

I think the 76-foot Matrix cats always show well, and this year was no exception. Akasha has a wonderful new crew (and I was not surprised to see Chef Carly win best overall chef in the culinary competition, after I enjoyed a very impressive lunch onboard). Zingara and King's Ransom both looked good, too.

Among the medium-sized cats with top-deck flying bridges with 360-degree views, I think Catsy, Motu, and Avalon are tremendous values. Jeri showed well, and the brand-new Lagoon Azuria was very impressive.  The top classic cats without flying bridges have stellar crews: Marmot, Bliss, Soterion, Secret Oasis, Pas de Deux, and the newly refit Flying Ginny come to mind. In smaller cats with flying bridges, Miss Kitty and Soul’s Calling both have a huge master stateroom taking an entire hull.

I would also offer Dreaming On—runner-up for best catamaran in her size range in the whole show—as well as Viking Dream, Jet Stream, and Nauticat of Fowey. New designs Happy Time and Nexus both brought a new element to the market.  

How about monohull sailing yachts?

Takapuna and Magnetic Sky showed well and have excellent crews—and Takapuna was named best monohull in the whole show.

The classic Irwins Three Moons, Drumbeat, and Sublime have mastered the art of Virgin Islands charters, and newly refit Rhapsody offers a huge master stateroom and very nice appointments with a classic New England feel and three crew. 

Blue Passion is very busy, and Paradise is also a favorite.  New to the market taking two guests only are No Doubt and Windstar.

What was your sense of availability? Are the Virgin Islands charter yachts hungry for business and offering discounts, as appears to be the case with megayachts in the Caribbean this winter?

The Virgins are different because it’s such a great value location. There’s not a surplus of capacity like there is with the big boats in the Caribbean. The Virgins are a whole other market. It’s a legendary place on the planet for yacht charter. You get such great crew and so much boat and such a high level of cuisine for the money, it’s just amazing. So the boats are booking despite the recession.

One catamaran I saw at the show was already booked in full for 2012 and talking about 2013. Another told me they have 20 weeks already on the books. So the line forms to the right in the Virgin Islands. There is demand for charter. And rightfully so.

To book a yacht charter vacation in the Virgin Islands, or anywhere else in the world, contact Michael Sawyer through the Infinity Yacht Charters website.

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