See full version: Sail Away - January 2006
If you’re planning to charter with a crowd of friends, you can be sure that a cat that is said to sleep eight will in fact fit eight—in the cockpit, around the dining table (should you be forced to eat in), in the cabins, and on the decks. If not, there are other places to hang out. And there’s plenty of room for boat toys, too—windsurfers, kayaks, dive gear, what have you—and cameras and other fragile objects are likely to stay where you put them. [links]
Thanks to the unusual nature of my job—I give thanks frequently—I’ve sailed on a lot of charterboats with (often) people I’d never met before in (sometimes) unusual weather patterns. It’s not unusual, however, that many of these boats have been catamarans, given the proliferation of cats in charter fleets worldwide. So I can claim a certain authority in saying that, in many circumstances in addition to shallow waters, cats make ideal platforms for charter vacations. This is because of three important characteristics: cats have lots of space, they sail level, and they offer more privacy than monohulls of similar length.
If you’re chartering with friends who have cruised for years on monohulls, they’ll be equally happy chartering on a monohull. But if you’re chartering with non- or not-very sailors, all three characteristics of cats come into play. Many nonsailors find it difficult to adjust to life at an angle and to the closeness of living on a boat, especially the concept of sharing a head; they’ll appreciate having their own cabin with ensuite head (readily available on charter cats), a level platform for sailing, and a choice of places on the boat where they can get away from you, their carefree experienced-sailor friends, for a while.
Antigua may pack 365 beaches into one small island, but with clear seas, consistent breeze and a full regatta calendar, the beaches are just the start. Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean's Leeward Islands, Antigua is the best that sailing has to offer: warm, gentle trade winds, safe anchorages, turquoise waters, and deserted white sand beaches.
here
Charter a yacht and set sail in Antigua from our base at Nelson’s Dockyard, where you’ll find a thrumming nightlife and lively bars filled with sailors drinking rum cocktails. From here, you’re perfectly positioned to explore both Antigua and her chilled-out little sister Barbuda. Drop anchor in Deep Bay and snorkel the famous shipwreck The Andes, huddled under the blue waters in the middle of the bay. here
We are happy to announce that our marina in Antigua is now open*. Please be aware that additional entry requirements and restrictions may still apply for this destination. more
Step onto dry land for an evening and join one of Antigua’s famous 'jump-ups', an all-night steel drum dancing session. Embark on a 30m reach north and spend the next afternoon relaxing on tranquil Barbuda. Here you’ll find satiny stretches of pink coral sands for relaxing and colorful reefs for snorkeling. Birds far outnumber people on Barbuda, so take it easy and enjoy the solitude of the reef-protected shores.
7 Days/ 6 Nights Aboard
Private Cabin with Ensuite Bathroom
Professional Captain and Gourmet Chef
Air Conditioning
By-the-Cabin Charters include all the amenities you would find with a crewed yacht experience or on a cruise ship. Enjoy private staterooms while sharing the common spaces, deck, crew and cost with a handful of new friends. With a crewed yacht, a gourmet chef creates your meals and our crew members expertly navigate the water. Dine on fresh, local ingredients prepared the way you love. more
Sail Away Staterooms are available exclusively in the British Virgin Islands. These 7 day / 6-night packages offer all the excitement and freedom of a private yacht charter plus the fun of meeting new friends—all at a fraction of the cost of a full Crewed yacht charter. here
Perfect for couples or singles, By-the-Cabin vacations include a spacious cabin with a double bed and private bathroom aboard a premium yacht. Of course, the common areas are yours to enjoy as well. Whether it's appetizers in the outdoor dining area or drinks on deck under the stars, the choice is yours! here
By the Cabin Crewed Charters can only be booked by our Vacation Planners. Please give us a call or fill out the form and one of our Vacation Planners will be happy to assist you. We take great pleasure in creating memorable, exclusive experiences for our customers. here
When an entire yacht is more than you need, our By-the-Cabin Crewed Charters are a perfect alternative, allowing you to indulge in the luxury of an all-inclusive crewed yacht charter for the price of a single cabin. We coordinate all the details of your sailing vacation, saving you time – more time you can be sailing in clear blue waters.
Cows on a beach in Antigua: On a Clear Day You can See Forever! [links]
The fall is a good time to travel to the Caribbean also. Starting in late October after hurricane season which is ‘July stand by, August it must, September remember, October all over,’ fall extends from late October through November….. But the fall is cloudy…. It’s hard to get a tan! It can also be wet, but there are deals to be had. Yachts offer specials in the fall. [links]
Nicholson Yacht Charters offers private yachts for charter – sail and power, large and small – to private parties of 2 to 12 with crew in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North America and worldwide. Tandem cruises may be arranged for larger parties. Since 1949.
Thanksgiving is a great time to go; most people have the time off; It’s great to have a chef, so you don’t have to cook, and yachts accept less-than-seven-day-charters over Thanksgiving at discounted rates. Somehow though, yachts remain open that week… It’s not a popular time, yet it should be…. Airfares are low…as are hotels… Fall is when the yachts offer specials…. Yachts that operate year round in the Caribbean find charters getting busier starting in late October, running through November…. [links]
In lieu of publishing discounted rates in the summer as yachts in the “olden days” did – back in the 60s – they offer specials. This is because yachts in the Virgin Islands are so well booked – they easily get 25-35 weeks of charter a year. Hence, they’re interested in booking gaps in their calendars…not discounting for the entire summer months…. more
All of our locations offer the ability to sail in heavy weather, up to 20 knots, and anything less than a wind advisory 20+ knots can be sailed successfully. Usually, wind advisories of 20 knots or greater last less than 24 hours. Subject to availability, and at additional expense, we can provide you with a Captain to teach you heavy weather sailing. [links]
If the charter is cancelled by us due to impending weather, I.e. a pending major storm or the boat is unavailable due to damage or maintenance; we will gladly re-book your charter at the next available opportunity with no penalty. [links]
Enjoy our capable sailboats. Our local knowledge will present the best in local sailing fun. Restaurants, scenic opportunities, historical venues and local boating sites will all be available for your reference. The local cruising area is detailed and routes and waypoints are available for the GPS chart plotter. Click on the picture of our Hunter 29.5 below for more information.
On the other hand, if you are required to cancel due to personal circumstances, it must be recognized that we may lose the charter income for the period if we are unable to re-book the boat on very short notice. Thus, if the charter is cancelled more than 30 days in advance, we will rebook without penalty. A cancellation of less than 30 days notice will result in forfeiture of your days. SmarterSail management will be the sole arbiters of this decision. [links]
While we are great dog and cat lovers, pets are NOT allowed aboard SmarterSail vessels. more