Hi Reader,

I hope everyone is enjoying a fantastic Thanksgiving week so far! Before we delve into the main event of today's newsletter, I've got a couple of exciting updates to share.

First off, a big shoutout to David P, one of our Yacht Warriors readers. He's the first to score a painkiller on the Soggy Dollar Drink Board through our referral program, and he celebrated in style for his birthday last week.

Want to get in on the action? Scroll down to the bottom of the email to find out how you can earn your own Painkiller at the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar.

Also, I'm thrilled to introduce Emilia, the latest addition to the Yacht Warriors crew. If you've been in touch about a charter request, you've likely crossed paths with her already! Beyond managing charter requests, Emilia is bringing a fresh wave of energy to our social media presence. Be sure to check out our Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook for the latest updates and adventures.

Now, let's sail into the heart of today's topic – dismantling some common charter myths you might have encountered.

Myth: mooring balls are always safer than anchoring

For beginner crews, anchoring overnight can seem like a Herculean task your first time around. Trust me, I’ve been in those shoes. However, don’t let the apparent ease of tying off to mooring ball lull you into a false sense of security.

Mooring balls require regular maintenance, and they do fail! Here's a real world example from what happened in Cane Garden Bay in 2020:

• The crew of a Helia 44 arrived after dark, tied off to a mooring ball, and then went ashore for dinner or drinks
• The mooring ball they tied off to? A private, ill-maintained ball not designed for a 44-foot catamaran. If they had arrived with more daylight and inspected the ball, they likely would have realized it was not a regular ball for charter boats.
• When they returned on their dinghy, the boat was missing. The yacht had broken loose and went adrift. Somehow, no one noticed, and it drifted over the reef
• Luckily, it was later recovered off the north shore of St. Thomas, USVI
• The crew learned an expensive lesson and had to pay a hefty fee for the recovery

In the BVI, mooring balls are typically in good shape and are regularly maintained. But elsewhere in the Caribbean? It’s a mixed bag. My advice? Treat a mooring ball like you would an anchor spot: give it a good inspection. Dive in and check that line – if it looks frayed or is otherwise questionable, wave goodbye and find another.

Sure, mooring balls are eco-friendly and open up spots that might be tricky to anchor due to depth or coral beds. They’re great for that. But there’s a certain liberty in anchoring – a freedom I’m quite partial to, especially in locales where the upkeep of mooring balls is... let's say, less than stellar.

And in a real blow, I'd bet on my anchor and chain over a mooring ball. Every time.

Myth: hard suitcases are a no-go

Alright, let's talk luggage. You might've heard you should only bring soft bags on board. Sure, if you're just packing light with a bunch of flip-flops, swimwear, and sunglasses, a duffle bag does the trick.

But let me tell you, when it comes to hauling 50 pounds of fishing gear and other boat equipment, a hard roller suitcase is my best friend.

Here's the deal: storage space on boats, especially catamarans, can be surprisingly ample. I've never faced issues stowing away a hard case, but it does depend on the type of boat you're on. We usually chuck ours in the forepeak cabins, which we rarely use for sleeping. Those spaces become our go-to hideaway for luggage and other bulky items, keeping the living areas clutter-free.

So, if you've got a chunky suitcase on wheels that you just can't part with, don't sweat it. Most cats will have enough room to tuck it away for the duration of your sun-soaked voyage.

Myth: anyone can bareboat charter as a credit card captain

Some might remember the days when a credit card was your golden ticket to captaining a bareboat charter. Well, times have changed, and for the better. Let me give you the lowdown.

Nowadays, some charter companies are tightening their belts when it comes to skipper qualifications, primarily driven by stricter insurance policies. The key factor they’re looking at? Recent charter experience on a yacht of similar size. While some operators might give you a bit of leeway, testing your skills with a checkout skipper, others – especially the smaller outfits – are firm. No recent experience, no deal.

So, the era of the so-called 'credit card captain' is pretty much over. But what about skippers stretching the truth on their resumes? True, there’s no foolproof way to prevent exaggerations, as charter companies typically don’t demand evidence upfront of prior charter experience.

However, if trouble brews and an incident occurs, rest assured, they’ll be digging deep. And if they catch a whiff of fraud? That’s a one-way ticket to serious trouble, both legally and financially.

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Myth: newer boats = fewer problems? Not necessarily.

It's a common assumption: newer boats equal fewer maintenance headaches, right? Well, let me share a little secret from my chartering experiences.

Here's the deal: the age of the boat isn't the only factor. Who you're chartering from makes a massive difference. I've learned that I'd rather sail an older, well-loved yacht from a top-notch company than a brand-spanking-new model from a fleet that's not up to snuff on maintenance.

But wait, there's more. If you're already with a reputable company, a newer yacht might be tempting (though it'll likely cost more). However, tread carefully with boats that are fresh out of the wrapping. They often have their own set of teething problems. Trust me, you don't want your vacation to turn into an unplanned shakedown cruise for the latest model.

Myth: the tradewinds always blow out of the east

On my first bareboat charter in the BVI, I have to admit, I was a bit naive about the weather. I expected idyllic Caribbean conditions without giving the forecast a second thought.

Fast forward to now, and you'll find me practically glued to weather forecasts before and during our trips. Here's the thing: while the trades typically blow out of the east, they can throw curveballs. Take my USVI & SVI charter last November, for instance - we encountered strong southerly winds due to a passing tropical disturbance.

Staying on top of the weather doesn't just keep your crew comfy - it's crucial for hitting all the planned highlights on your itinerary. Let me give you a snapshot from our BVI trip last month.

We had a classic counter-clockwise loop planned. I like to swing by the Baths in the morning on day one and then cruise up to North Sound. But Mother Nature had other plans - a northerly swell and a yellow flag at the Baths, then southerly winds later in the week when we wanted to anchor in front of the beach on White Bay.

What did we do? We flipped our itinerary, starting with White Bay and a visit to the Soggy. When we circled back to the Baths later in the week, the conditions were spot-on.

You check out the resources I use to monitor the weather in the BVI here.

Thanks for reading!

- Matt Weidert

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