Oh the weather outside is frightful, but a warm sail sounds delightful! For many sailors, December is the start of a long, cold off-season, but in warmer climes, it is prime chartering time, and great deals abound. TMM is now offering wireless onboard its BVI-based charter yachts, the Moorings recently added a gorgeous new Beneteau 54.5 to its fleet and Conch Charters is offering eight days for the price of seven—and that’s just the beginning. For these deals and more, check out SAIL‘s top charter deals of the month. Happy holidays!
Happy holidays from Conch Charters! For the month of February, Conch is offering eight days chartering for the price of seven. Judging by the smiles and flip-flops of these Conch ladies lounging on one of their catamarans, it looks like the weather in their Tortola base will melt the ice from your suitcase upon arrival. www.conchcharters.com
Horizon Yacht Charters in Antigua wants you to experience Super Bowl Sunday island style. It is offering 15 percent off new bookings of seven nights or more when the trip falls over Super Bowl Sunday. You can anchor in English Harbour or Falmouth Harbour, dinghy ashore to watch the game and then celebrate on one of Antigua’s 365 white sand beaches. Can you say “Touchdown!” www.horizonyachtcharters.com
TMM is getting wired. Starting December 1, it has partnered with LIME, the Caribbean’s largest full service communications company, to provide free wireless on every boat in its BVI fleet. The wireless router is connected directly to the boat’s electrical system and allows you to access the internet from anywhere on the boat. Initial reports have been good. According to TMM BVI base manager Mark Sanders, “We are really pleased with the service that LIME has offered and believe that once word gets out, this will create a tremendous boost to our bookings.” www.sailtmm.com
The Moorings base in Tortola is pleased to announce the newest addition to its fleet: the Moorings 54.5, a majestic monohull and its largest bareboat ever. With electric winches, bow thrusters, 5 cabins, 4 heads, an air conditioner and a generator, this Beneteau beauty will allow you to sail and dock in style and comfort. All other Moorings winter vacations in the BVI, St. Martin, St. Lucia, Canouan, The Bahamas, Belize and Mexico are 15 percent off if you book before December 31. www.moorings.com
From now until March 1, 2010, Sunsail is holding a vacation video and photo contest (www.sunsail.com/contest). Send in your photos from a Sunsail yacht charter or flotilla for a chance to win the grand prize: a Sunsail Charter in Tahiti on a 36i, with airfare! In addition, if you book your Sunsail charter between now and December 31, you can save up to 25 percent with the company’s exclusive Double Reef Weeks. Spend a week chartering in Guadeloupe or take off on a two-week flotilla in St. Vincent. Visit www.sunsail.com/flotillas to lean more.
CYOA Yacht Charters out of St. Thomas is offering all remaining unsold dates between now and February 11 at Season B pricing. Also, book a lovely Beneteau 49 or Bahia 46 and receive 10 percent off. www.cyoacharters.com
Southwest Florida Yachts in Fort Myers, Florida, recently added Sojourner, an Island Packet 31 sloop, to its charter fleet. From SFY’s base, you can sail Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico in style aboard this ultra-comfortable boat, which is ideal for two couples or a family of four. In addition, from now until April 30, SFYs is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering one extra cruising day for charters of three days or more. www.swfyachts.com
Love to charter, but scared to take the helm? Don’t let the chance to charter pass you by. Sign up now for SeaSense’s seven-day, liveaboard sailing course in the BVI from March 22-28. This all-women course is taught by Coast Guard-licensed female instructors and is ideal for women hoping to take the step from sailor to captain. The course focuses on seamanship, sail trim, navigation, crew-overboard drills, engine maintenance, close-quarters maneuvering, mooring and anchoring. Students will leave with the confidence to start chartering on their own. www.seasenseboating.com
