Catamaran Charters: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

FAMILY, FRIENDS, SAILING AND WHALES!

Lagoon 560

In the BVI’s, the winds and weather are very predictable. What’s not predictable are the inspirational and genuine people that step on the charter boats here week after week. You can’t predict the things you are going to learn from 4 candid kids and their loving parents or from the successful business man who likes to do his laundry off the sugar scoop with JOY dish soap. We can’t predict when we will see dolphins swimming off the bow going into the North Sound or Whales breaching while sailing the south shores of Virgin Gorda. These are the unpredictable events that contribute to the unforgettable memories the guests aboard Blue Moon take home with them. Join us next season and make some unpredictable yet memorable experiences of your own! Who knows what the day may bring in the sunny BVIs.

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Any questions contact charter@catamarans.com or call one of our charter agents at (800) 262-0308.

Friday, April 26, 2013

The Latest Addition to Our Catamaran Charter Fleet!

The new Lagoon 39 catamaran is available for charter in the BVI.

The Catamaran Company is excited to announce that the New Lagoon 39 catamaran is the latest addition to our charter fleet and will be available November 2013!
This beautiful, luxurious catamaran was released in 2012 by the world's leading builder of cruising catamarans. She will be waiting for you in Tortola.

The Lagoon 39 brings the solutions of the new Lagoon catamaran generation to the entry level sailor. However Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prevost (VPLP) implemented their 28 years of design experience in racing and cruising to create a truly magnificent "Next Generation." Her filiation with the new Lagoon 52 is apparent on first sight with a pure, sleek and elegant design by VPLP: vertical, beveled bows, seemingly freely-suspended deckhouse, and a modern aft central rig with an abaft positioned mast for sailing performance and ease of handling ... a strong character indeed!

4 Cabins / 2 Head Layout

This new build catamaran offers an unprecedented layout. An efficient use of space obviously ranks among the top priorities when developing a 39ft cruising catamaran. In this regard, the Nauta Design office and Lagoon R & D choices combine inventiveness and elegance. They designed a bright salon with nav station and L shaped galley. The Lagoon 39 has four innovative interior layouts.

Positioning the mast more aft means

Enhanced performance under sail
Less pitching
More downwind sails possibilities
Easier maneuvering
Less efforts
Better visibility from the steering station

With enhanced maneuverability and a draft of only four feet makes this the perfect catamaran to charter around the archipelago of the British Virgin Islands.
The signature vertical windows provide the best panoramic views for exploring the islands surrounding Tortola; they enhance UV protection, and increase headroom while optimizing living space.

CLICK to Read More about the LAGOON 39

Thursday, April 25, 2013

WHAT'S YOUR CATAMARAN STYLE?

New, sophisticated, quality and chic catamarans available in Hodges Creek, Tortola BVI

        Owner or Charter versions sail or power... Bareboat & Crewed for the most discerning tastes.
Tell us your catamaran STYLE and we will advise you on all styles of catamarans. Let us find what will look best on you. All available from ONE central location!

We've got you covered in Hodges Creek Marina, BVI!
Search Bareboat                           Search Crewed

charter@catamarans.com
1-800-262-0308
www.catamarans.com

LIMITED XMAS & NEW YEAR'S AVAILABILITY: lAGOON 38, 39, 450, 500, 52, 560, & 620 are open for Bareboat and Crewed catamaran charters. Hurry, availability won't last long!

SUMMER SPECIAL: Get 10 Days of PRICE of 7. Available on remaining open weeks! (New Bookings Only)

Search Bareboat       Search Crewed        Purchase for Charter Program

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Charter Tips: “Sailing in the BVI’s So, you’re going to the BVI’s for the firs time! Congratulations! You are about to find out why the BVI’s are considered the world’s best sailing destination. Now, you want to ensure you hit the right spots, at the right time and ensure that you squeeze every cent out of your well deserved vacation The first and best tip we can provide is plan, plan and plan again! Follow our monthly tips on chartering and get great insight on how to get the most out of your vacation in various locations. ____________________________________________________________________________________ A typical itinerary consists of 7 days. During the summer your might be chartering for 10 days. If you lucky you get to charter for 14 days and if this is the case, you can get to see everything. Below are some useful tips we thought would interest you. 1. Visit charter blogs like http://www.catamarans.com/blogs/index.aspx or traveltalkonline.com as some of these sites give you some in depth info on how, what, when, where when it comes to charter. Inside information is share by sales agents, charter guests and general sailors in the area. You can also join fodors.com, trip advisor and visit tourist board info to get more info. 2. - Pick up a copy of Cursing Guide to the British Virgin Islands from Amazon or your local bookstore. There will likely be a copy on board your boat but it could be out of date. You should review it beforehand. Invaluable info about anchorages, approaches, facilities, etc. Plan an itinerary before you go. Of course, you can change it as you go but it would be better to have a rough idea of where you want to go and what you want to do in advance. 3. When you are arrive on charter, you might be sailing that day and your catamaran check out will also take place that day. Prepare a list of questions prior to the briefing. Consider purchasing some navigation maps prior to your departure and get familiar with them. In this way, you can ask a ton of questions and feel confident when you set sail. 4. - Watch your water usage. If you're sailing with newbie’s, impress upon them that water is expensive and limited. With four people you won't run out of water unless folks are extravagant but I've been on cruises where it happened. You can re-supply at places like North Sound but be prepared to pay diesel-like prices for a gallon of water dockside. Filling the tanks on a 40ft.+ boat ain't cheap 5. Oh, and double-check to make sure your water tanks are full you leave. Some companies might not have time to full up the boat correctly due to short turnarounds or Sometimes will "forget" to top them off. It is advised to charter with a company that does not do same day turnarounds. E-mail us and we will tell you who’s those companies are! 6. Ask the base manager if the bottom of hull has been checked? Many elite companies do this; many of the smaller companies at owner’s expense get a professional diver to dive the bottom at the end of turnaround. This ensures you don’t have any problems whilst on charter and don’t get blamed if the previous guy did run aground! 7. Get to your night's anchorage early. Although April/May won't be as crowded as some other times of the year, prime spots can go fast. Unlike the old days, at least there are mooring balls available (for a fee) but if they're all taken you'll need to set an anchor. Also, early arrivals have more room to maneuver within the anchorage, have plenty of light to see, and can pick the choice spots. Back in the day, one of the most entertaining things was to get anchored early, break out the painkillers, then relax and watch the carnival as inexperienced sailors try to set an anchor. Not so prevalent these days but even the simple task of picking up a mooring pennant can foil a large number of charterers. 8. - The most common itinerary is to pick up your boat and make a short first day's sail to Trellis Bay or Norman Island, and then proceed counter-clockwise around the BVI. If things are crowded, one trick is to do the opposite: Make your first night at Jost, then go clockwise and end up at Norman on your last night. Then you've got a short sail back to Road Town and you'll hit the intermediate spots on somewhat of an off day. 9. - Spend a lot of time at Jost Van Dyke, preferably at the Soggy Dollar Bar Visit Marina Cay and go to Trellis Bay and eat banana pancakes at de loose Mongoose! Eat at Elm’s BBQ in Cane Garden Bay, preferably on the BBQ night! 10. When you sail to the North Sound (Bitter End Yacht Club) take your dinghy around back off Bitter End so you can see Necker Island as there is some fine snorkeling there. 11. Check with your charter company about sailing to Anegada. Some companies won’t allow it unless you have done it before or restrict you to going with a flotilla. Or unless you have an extensive sailing resume. The approach can be tricky for beginning charterers. But if you can hook up with a group and make the trip, it's a great, fun sail. You're out of the protected Drake channel and won't even see the island until almost right up on it. Although Anegada is now pretty well marked and much easier to get into. Most companies do allow the trip to Anegada but is advised to talk with your boat check out manager and inform him because he can give you some inside tips. , 15. DRINKS LOTS OF PAINKILLERS: What is a painkiller? “Painkillers are a drink that was invented at the Soggy Dollar Bar (but you can get them everywhere). They are made with rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, cream de coco and a pinch of nutmeg. They are delicious, but very potent.” And most important! Shut down the engine and SAIL THE DANG THING. You'll be shocked at how many people just use the boat to motor between spots and never unfurl a sail. Might as well just rent a power boat. The BVI are glorious and easy sailing. Enjoy your trip to the fullest.

Catamaran Charters