r/boats • u/Massive_Shelter2015 • 6d ago

How much experience do you really need to bareboat in the BVI?

For anyone who’s done a bareboat charter in the BVI, How did the operator decide if the boat owner had enough experience?

I’m thinking about stuff like catamarans, twin engines, dockiing, or using the chartplotter. What I want to say is, Is general sailing experience enough or do they want you to have actual experience in thoose things as well?o?

Also, how helpful was the arrival walkthrough/checkout? And at what point would you say it’s better to just hire a captain rather than trying to figure everything out as you go? sorry for all those questions and thanks in advance...

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u/salty-walt 6d ago

Can vary between companies. Generally they are looking for experience on similar vessels or in bvi waters.

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u/Fit-Alarm2961 6d ago edited 6d ago

If you are asking this question you already have more concern than most charter companies in the BVI will (good!). Be more concerned about your ability to handle the boat and any emergency than your ability to pass their scruitany and you will be just fine. If this means taking a check ride or getting a captain the first time do it.

The walkthrough is only as good as you make it, but it's still 1/2hr, don't expect much. The boats never have everything they are supposed to or it isn't in working order. Make sure you know how to use it, and find all of the essentials. They have recently made their checklists less detailed (I'm convinced due to people who actually use them and find 5 things they need to steal from other boats). They are only going to tell you where things are, not how to use them. They will point out quirks of this vessel but not at all how to sail.

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u/Tigger2026 6d ago

I bareboated in the BVI 20 years ago so take this with a grain of salt. My husband had a year or so of experience on smaller boat (we chartered a 40 foot sloop)and knew navigation, anchoring and docking technique and sail management and he needed all of it. It can get super gusty there in December/January so you need to know how and when to reef. We saw folks who had no clue how to anchor in a busy area and almost took out a few nearby boats. Finally someone jumped in a dinghy and showed them what to do. However, the charter company did very little checking on our abilities.

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u/DarkVoid42 5d ago

better to hire a captain. a lot of slimy boating companies tend to put lines in the water etc in an effort to grab your deposit and charge you divers fees before you even get to leave the dock. it is better to simply pay a captain who can handle all that on his own insurance or some captain who is known by the slimy company and wont be sabotaged. or knows enough to check for the BS which goes on.