Chartering in Abaco and the Bahamas

A great deal has changed since CSY brought the first big charter company to Abaco. BYS who sponsored the first edition of this guide in 1976 has come and gone. The government of the Bahamas has lowered the import duty on yachts so that bigger and better boats have now replaced most of the aging fleet of charter boats. One thing hasn’t changed, the Sea of Abaco offers the best sailing conditions for chartering that you will find.

Sail Abaco describes the area as “The most perfect sailing location in the western hemisphere.” An old Sunsail brochure, which offered numerous charter fleets throughout the world in many idyllic cruising areas, candidly described Abaco as “the most perfect sailing area in the world.” I can’t disagree with either statement, nor could I say it better myself!

Currently most of the charter boats in Abaco are operated as bare boat charters. This means that you are the skipper, and you furnish the crew. Most of the companies discount approximately 25% in their low season. Everything the boat needs is aboard including binoculars, charts, navigational equipment, blankets, linens, and cooking utensils. Most boats today have GPS, but you may find it helpful to bring a handheld along. Many of the companies offer cell phones as an option. You need bring only your personal belongings. Most of the companies in the area offer full and split provisioning. Wilensky prefers the split provision option and has always had good luck with that, I prefer to do my own (See Provisioning, Chapter 8). If you choose to have the charter company provide the provisions, you may end up with more food than you need, particularly if you can’t resist the temptation to eat out at the many delightful local restaurants.

If this is your first time to charter, be prepared to give the charter company a resume of your boating experience. Don’t try to fool them regarding your experience, it will show up, when they go over the boat with you. If you have only very limited experience, you may enjoy your cruise more if you ask the charter company to provide a captain for a day or two. Most of the companies can do this, but they may not be able to do so on short notice.

Most of the bare boat charter companies, have limits on where you can go, or place some danger areas off limits. They want the boat returned to the base where you picked it up. Nevertheless, if you get on the wrong side of Whale Cay in bad weather, they won’t want you to risk the boat or your life, just to get the boat back to the home base! If you should find yourself in this situation, contact your charter company. In an emergency, they can arrange a captain to move the boat when the weather settles. You may incur an additional charge for this. None of the charter companies are currently set up for one-way charters in Abaco, but I can see this coming. Sunsail initiated a one-way sail from Abaco to Exuma for a drop off charge of $600. This program is gone, but it was such a good idea, I think that you will see more of this in the future.

One problem in the bare boat charter industry is maintenance (isn’t that true for boating in general), because during the busy season there is only a limited amount of time between each charter. To further complicate the maintenance problem, the bare boat skipper may not notice a “strange” new sound as quickly as the owner/skipper who is on the same boat all of the time. Nevertheless, the companies operating in Abaco seem to do a good job of preventative maintenance and are masters of the quick turnaround. I have chartered on several occasions from different companies. On the two occasions when maintenance was required, I found both companies able to get me going quickly. Once there was a loose alternator belt which allowed our batteries to go down. I sailed the boat from Little Harbour to Hope Town, where they met me with a chase boat, diagnosed the problem, charged the batteries, and had me going by the time I finished my grocery shopping. Another time, the fresh water pump went out. The shop had a replacement in stock, and had us taking showers in short order.

Most bare boat charter companies will give you an inventory list so you’ll know what equipment you have aboard. Some will cover this during the checkout. While your cook and crew are stowing groceries and personal effects, make a check of this equipment to make sure it’s all there. It isn’t only that you might need the missing equipment, but the charter company will recheck the inventory at the end of the cruise and you’re responsible for anything missing.

Abaco Bahama Charters (800-626-5690) has been operating in Abaco longer than any of the other bare boat companies. This experience alone is reason enough to recommend them. At one time, their aging sailboat fleet had really begun to show their experience, but the new law has permitted them to begin updating their fleet. For a cruise in the winter months, when the winds can really blow, their heavy CSY 33’s and 44’s would be at the top of my list of all the charter boats currently operating in Abaco. They also have newer and lighter boats, which are better for summer, as well as power boats.

>ABC has a very adequate maintenance facility. Evans Wilhoyt has provided the same consistent on-sight management for many years. This factor distinguishes him from the competition. The other factor which distinguishes Abaco Bahamas Charters from most of the competition, is that they operate out of Hope Town.

Sail Abaco (800-649-3528) also in Hope Town, started as Lighthouse Charters in 1994 and became Sail Abaco in 1994. They specialize in cruising catamarans. Most of their boats are relatively new and beautiful.

Both of these companies run like small family businesses, hence you may feel that you get more personal attention from them, or you may just enjoy seeing the same faces year after year, which you most assuredly do. Another advantage these two have is that you will probably spend your first and last night in very picturesque Hope Town, of course you’ll spend a little more time and money on the water taxi getting there.

The Moorings (800-535-7289) has many charter fleets in choice locations, worldwide. They began the Abaco operations in November 1992, at Treasure Cay and now operate out of the Conch Inn Marina in Marsh Harbour. Their longevity in this competitive market, speaks highly of their company. The boats are kept very well and you can select from their newer boats (0-3 years old), or for less money their “club” line (3-5 years old). They feature Beneteau monohulls but have some nice catamarans as well. You may prefer a charter company such as The Moorings, if you think you’ll later want to charter from them in one of their many other locations around the world.

Florida Yacht Charters (800-537-0050) normally out of Boat Harbour Marina in Marsh Harbour, at press time was operating out of the Sea Spray Resort in White Sound on Elbow Cay as a result of Hurricane Floyd. Their fleet consists mostly of Hunter monohulls, but they also have a Tabago 35 catamaran and a Manta 40 catamaran. I would consider most of these light air boats perfect for summer in Abaco. Most of their boats have dockside air conditioning, GPS, and refrigeration.

Consider the use of a charter broker such as Bareboat Depot (800-227-3262). They represent several boats in the area and may be able to provide you with valuable assistance in selecting the right boat for you considering things like your experience, the number in your party, and the time of the year.

Alternately, consider one of the many crewed charter boats now available. Typically, they come with a captain and a cook. You’ll pay a little more, but not as much as you might expect. To offset the cost, your meals will be prepared for you on the boat and you will be less tempted to dine out every night. You’ll gain the experience you need to make you’re sailing resume look good for when you are ready to bareboat!

Most crewed charter boats are operated by a couple, who serve as captain and cook. Frequently these are owners as well. The new law has made it much more attractive for this type of charter operator to do business in the Bahamas. Previously most of these boats bypassed the Bahamas in favor of the Virgin Islands and locations farther south in the Caribbean.

If you are not an experienced sailor, you should at least consider this possibility. Generally, the skipper knows the area well and will keep you from “wasting” your time on needless pursuits. Most of these boats are air conditioned. In selecting a captained yacht, it is important that you select one who enjoys his/her business. Some out there didn’t fit in with society back home and went cruising. If they’ve chosen to do a few charters to make ends meet, you may be just a necessary interruption in their own schedule. A truly good yacht captain enjoys people as much as his boat or his sailing. Unless you’ve had experience with a particular captain or have friends with such experience, your best bet is to go through a reliable yacht broker. Remember a broker gets paid a percentage to make sure you are happy! You are their client. They won’t send return clients to a yacht captain who leaves them with dissatisfied clients.

Tom Collins Yachts Worldwide, Inc. (800-637-5407), 400 South Hibiscus Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139; has been providing a quality service to chartering yachtsmen for 21 years. Two examples of the many fine yachts they represent, include: Nueva Vida, a 48' Cheoy Lee, and Vanessa Rose, a 47' S & S. The prices compare favorably with the bare boat prices. If you’re looking for luxury, they have that too! The Astra is a 65’ Irwin with all of the amenities. She takes up to eight guests for $7,800 per week! If power boats are more to your liking, they are available as well.

SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants (800-724-5292) represents private, crewed charter yachts around the globe, some in Abaco.

Seven Seas (800-346-5355), of Sarasota, FL likewise represents a number of boats in the area and can offer you still more choices.