[RPM]

Hi

I am new to this forum and yachting. I have been lurking for awhile absorbing as much information as i can. I currently live in land locked state and have very little boating experience. I am a few years away from retiring and will be moving back to Europe. I decided a few months ago that I may buy a small motor yacht, 50 feet + or -, so i have been doing a lot of research about boats and boating. However, that is not the reason for my request for assistance.

A couple of days ago I decided that I want to charter a yacht for a week in June. I am considering the Bahamas or Leeward Islands. There will be 3 - 4 couples, and no children. I want the yacht to comfortably accommodate everyone. My budget including expenses is between 50K and 60K. I have contacted several charter companies but know little about them or their track record for customer service etc. I am looking for any kind of advise or insight on yacht charters, what to watch out for in a charter broker, the yacht and the crew. Also I know very little about the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and am open to other destination suggestions. So any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Robert

[triggerfish23]

Robert,

First of all welcome to the forum. I'm sure you already know there are some guys/gals that frequent this forum that are very knowledgable. I hope you get info that you find helpful.

Depending on the size of yacht you are looking for, I think that you probably have more than enough set aside for your group and outing. I don't know if you have thought about that, but there is a wide range of yachts out there capable of handling you and your guests.

I know a broker very well that I will recommend you contact... REMOVED. He is easily found online, or if you would like more info, I can give it to you if you PM me. He has been in the industry for quite awhile and puts in the extra effort to make sure that you have the trip of a lifetime.

He is very thorough about checking out the boats he works with and equally as important, he interviews the crews. If you want someone that will make sure you are well taken care of and goes the extra mile to work for you, he's the guy I would contact. You can tell him Trig sent you and I will make sure to follow up with him.

Please feel free to contact me if you need. Good luck and enjoy your vacation. Cheers.

[Pascal]

The Bahamas are very different from the Caribbean but it a hard to say which one is best.

If you want more shoreside stuff, like restaurants, shopping, then I would say the leewards may be a better choice. Fly to st marten, start the charter there and do Anguilla, st barths, and back to st Maarten

June is a great time as the trades are lighter and you re not yet in hurricane season, at least not in the active part

Bahamas are more about beaches, deserted islands and the water. Best would be to fly yo Nassau and do the exumas. I don't care much for the Abacos...

Having lived on st Barths for 12 years and now Running a 70 footer and quite a few charters in the exumas, I have to say both are very nice... But personally I d probably pick the exumas.