{"id":57714,"date":"2025-01-30T17:38:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T22:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=57714"},"modified":"2025-01-31T11:52:39","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T16:52:39","slug":"right-boat-for-island-hopping-bliss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/how-to\/right-boat-for-island-hopping-bliss\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pick the Right Boat for Island-Hopping Bliss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Bluewater <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Whether you\u2019re looking for a bluewater cruiser or a boat just for Caribbean cruising, the choice depends on your plans.<\/span>\n Digishooter\/stock.adobe.com<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Cruising World<\/em>\u2019s Caribbean correspondent, David H. Lyman, was at the Newport Boat Show in September, where he organized and hosted a series of seminars. On Friday, the topic was “The Ideal Boat for Caribbean Cruising.” David invited two brokers and a cruising couple to discuss the boat shopping and buying process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the speakers, Ted Reshetiloff, a broker at BVI Yacht Sales and general manager of B&G Marine Services at Nanny Cay on Tortola in the BVI, provided valuable insights into shopping for and purchasing a boat in the Caribbean. Below is a lightly edited transcription of Ted\u2019s presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn 2012, my wife, Claudia, and I bought a Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 ketch that we named Demeter<\/em>. We refitted the boat in New England, quit our jobs, sold everything, and set off cruising. We sailed throughout the Caribbean for about a year and a half, as far south as Trinidad and Grenada. We home-schooled our two kids as we sailed. When funds ran low, we had to decide whether to return to the States or find a way to make life work in the Caribbean. An opportunity in yacht management in the BVI came up, and we\u2019ve been living in Tortola, mostly at Nanny Cay, for about 10 years now. Both kids are now in college\u2014one at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the other studying finance. In 2019, we began acquiring our new boat, Happiness<\/em>, a Taswell 49. My wife and I now live aboard her in Nanny Cay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As general manager of B&G Marine Services, I work with clients who want to keep their boats in the Caribbean when not cruising. We assist with logistics for bringing boats to the Caribbean, whether through delivery or shipping. While here, we manage maintenance, provisioning, and outfitting. We offer hurricane plans and look after boats during the summer. We also oversee large refits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Catamaran <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Hugely popular today, catamarans allow you to anchor close to the beach, and sometimes even nose into the beach itself.<\/span>\n ozerkina\/stock.adobe.com<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Scott Woodruff, the broker who spoke before me, mentioned the 80\/20 rule. There\u2019s no perfect boat that meets every need, so sometimes, you need more than one. Personally, besides Happiness<\/em>, I also own a Diam 24 trimaran, which I keep in St. Martin for racing. I\u2019m fortunate to enjoy both worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When shopping for a boat in the Caribbean, there\u2019s a lot to consider. Not only are there many sailboats on the market, but many are already here. Whether you\u2019re looking for a bluewater cruiser or a boat just for Caribbean cruising, the choice depends on your plans. For example, a Beneteau 411 might not be ideal for an ocean crossing, but it\u2019s perfect for cruising within the Caribbean, even for a 100-mile beat from Tortola to St. Martin. A Beneteau 473, on the other hand, would be better suited for longer trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Caribbean offers great deals, too. Many people arrive intending to sail the world, but after their first bluewater passage, they realize offshore voyaging isn\u2019t for them. As a result, boats already set up with solar panels, watermakers, and dinghy storage can often be found at affordable prices. It\u2019s worth exploring these options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Tartan <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n On a value basis, a proven distance voyager and Caribbean liveaboard like the Tartan 42 is a great option. <\/span>\n Courtesy BVI Yacht Sales<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

When considering larger boats, Island Packets are a good choice. But I\u2019m also a big fan of Hanse and the Amel 54, which are common in the BVI and throughout the Caribbean. We see many buyers acquiring boats from charter companies. New charter boats usually stay in the program for about five years before being transferred or sold. These boats offer great value but might lack some equipment. That\u2019s where B&G comes in\u2014we outfit them with lithium batteries, solar panels, watermakers, and more, while helping owners learn the systems they\u2019ll need to maintain later in remote locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can find a brokerage boat already equipped. From a financial standpoint, a pre-installed watermaker, solar panel, or lithium battery offers greater value. The previous owner has already paid for these, and since equipment depreciates quickly, the price you pay is often lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catamarans are becoming increasingly popular in the Caribbean. It\u2019s getting hard to find a spot for a monohull in the BVI anchorage. Personally, I prefer monohulls, but catamarans offer significant advantages, especially in terms of living space above the waterline and easy access to the water. They\u2019re ideal for families and entertaining guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Rashetiloff <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Ted, in green, and the rest of the Rashetiloff family.<\/span>\n Courtesy Ted Reshetiloff<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

That said, some people find the offshore motion of a catamaran a bit unsettling, and it depends on the build. For example, there\u2019s a big difference between an Outremer 45 and a Lagoon 450. Outremers are not mass-produced, and their high build quality makes them better suited for offshore work. Lagoon has its own advantages, with features that the Outremer doesn\u2019t offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another factor in choosing a catamaran is bridge deck height, which affects sailing performance. As Scott Woodruff said, the 80\/20 rule applies here too. Most of the time, you\u2019ll be at anchor, and catamarans are extremely comfortable for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re also starting to see more trimarans in the BVI, like the Neel, which are gaining popularity. They provide better performance, which is crucial in the Caribbean, where you\u2019ll often be reaching between islands. A heavy bluewater cruiser might be more comfortable, but performance can be the difference between a one-day or two-day passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re a first-time buyer or an experienced sailor, there are many factors to consider. The process of buying a boat in the Caribbean can be complicated, and I highly recommend working with a broker. There are two types: a seller\u2019s broker, who represents the seller, and a buyer\u2019s broker, who represents the buyer. While they\u2019re often the same, a buyer\u2019s broker will help you find the boat that\u2019s right for you, not steer you toward one they\u2019re selling. Broker fees are paid by the seller, so hiring one doesn\u2019t cost you more, and their expertise is invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Neel <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Multihulls with features like the Neel 43\u2019s open-living layout are well-suited for couples or families with an eye on island-hopping.<\/span>\n Jon Whittle<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

In the Caribbean, storage options are also a key consideration. Will you use your boat year-round, live aboard full-time, or sail back and forth? Are you planning to day sail, keeping the boat on the hard? These factors affect insurance, and it\u2019s becoming harder to get insurance coverage in the Caribbean. This year alone, I\u2019ve had five clients whose insurance companies now require mast removal when boats are hauled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing boats during hurricanes like Irma was a game-changer, especially for insurance companies. A lot has changed since then, and it\u2019s still evolving. Insurers want to know about your preparedness for hurricanes, whether you\u2019ll be on the boat or relying on a management company. These are areas where B&G and other management companies can provide invaluable assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This season, Hurricane Beryl struck the Grenadines in late June, causing significant damage, and many friends sailed down to help with recovery. Since then, the season has been quiet. Normally, we\u2019d have had more hurricanes by September. The water temperature is unusually high\u201486 degrees in May where I live\u2014and global warming may be influencing storm frequency and severity. It\u2019s something we\u2019ll need to monitor closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world is changing, and I think you made a wise choice attending this show to keep learning. I\u2019m about to turn 53 and have been sailing all my life, but I believe there\u2019s always more to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BVI-based yacht broker Ted Reshetiloff shares expert tips on boat shopping, Caribbean cruising and navigating yacht ownership in the islands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":57717,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"David H. Lyman","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"ad_targeting":"","alternate_title_newsletter":"","alternate_content_newsletter":"","sponsored_image":false,"sponsored_url":"","social_share":true},"categories":[164],"tags":[1983,1981,196,2009,183],"class_list":["post-57714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-boat-ownership","tag-brokerage","tag-caribbean","tag-caribbean-currents","tag-how-to"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}