Bachelor Party Yacht

Not a yacht savant, but overall it sounds like a reasonable plan. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? Eh, where do the strippers come in?

The boat is too small for what you plan. Not enough space for 10 guests and a crew. Now, obviously where you're going there are hotels so some could sleep in them. The boat has space for 6 guests and 2 crew.

Your trip and time is going to feel rushed when you consider clearing customs in both the Bahamas and on the return to the US.

What do you intend to do? Go to land and party and then just return to the boat to sleep? I ask because Marinas are not places to party late late and into morning.

I think your fuel cost estimate is probably high although I don't know the vintage of the engines. Your dockage however is low, so the two should be ok together.

The biggest issue is size of boat vs. number of people and plans. I think, if the charterer went along with that, they might also want to add another crew member.

The captain and crew is basically going to be handling the boat. It's not five star luxury. I assume you will eat meals in restaurants.

One of our mods soft-deleted this thread, citing it was fishy. Something seems amiss here, but I know YF member Pascal ran a 70' Johnson and Charmer's cruising grounds would be his regular waypoints. Just in case there's a correlation, I've re-instated the thread.

The captain who runs Charmer is on this forum, as eluded to earlier in this thread.

You may find that the owner/broker or captain may not take 10 people on a yacht the is geared for 6.

As to why one might have thought it looked fishy...I would guess because it's outside normal posts seen here and also the type post that might sound like someone pranking simply because it's too much. Correlation was that since it's the boat Pascal runs, he allowed Pascal to respond.

His response was what I would have expected. Just as a responsible captain, not something he would do. While boats can be lots of fun and great for bachelor parties even, they are not party buses. They have limits. If docked they can accommodate extra for a cocktail party but when on a trip, most are going to adhere to their size limitations for all the reasons he stated. More is too much like a frat party. A captain is responsible first for the safety of all, but also for the comfort and enjoyment.

I didn't answer the question about how much time customs would take, because it can vary so based on timing and circumstances. Could be 15 minutes, could be three hours. A lot of variables on a trip like this. How are sea conditions, what is the weather, how is the gulf stream?

You talked about Fish, snorkel, visit beaches, jet ski etc during the day, arrive at port in the evening - depart for dinner and local bars/clubs - come back to the boat early in the morning for a night cap and to sleep - don't know how owners/captains feel about this type of itinerary. With the travel you outlined there isn't enough day left for fish, snorkel, visit beaches, and jet ski. Considerations like clearing customs before you can be taken to snorkel or visit beaches. Also, the tender is normally matched up to the number of guests the boat takes and wouldn't accommodate all.

As to the routine of bars, clubs and returning in the middle of the night to the boat, the captain and crew also have responsibilities there and it prevents them from sleeping plus the condition when returning could bother others at the marina. Bachelor party groups often go too far. I'd personally be very reluctant and want more crew than a boat this size, more in line with the number of people.

By the time you put all this into the short time and couple with the distances, it's as if the boat and the destinations become secondary because it's really become transportation to and from restaurants and bars. What if it rains all day? Now a group of 10 crammed into a salon for 6, wanting service for 10 with a crew for 6.

For the type trip and time you have, far more appropriate would be a larger boat and a single destination. A trip to Key West on a 100' perhaps. Then a full day of snorkeling and beaches worked in. Nothing wrong at all with your question. It just isn't a realistic charter as Pascal so well responded. I'm sure under different circumstances, a smaller group, simpler itinerary, he'd give you an incredible trip.

I ran a Johnson 70 for a private owner years ago.
Agree with the above, not set up to accommodate 10 guests plus crew, bad idea, but good try

I think you're planning too much running and too many stops and too many people for that boat. What I'd recommend is something like Miami to Key West...... and Key West back to Miami with a few days to just do snorkeling or fishing minutes from your dock. Get hotel rooms for 4 of the guys, sleep 6 on the boat.

AMG - thanks for your fast look out and your explanation. All valid points for concern. It's a bummer to respond to a post and then feel suckered.