Has anybody ever chartered a yacht from The Moorings in the Bahamas??

Question

We're going in October and would love to hear from anybody that has already done it!!! I would love any advice on what extras to take and what places are a must see!!!

Answer 1

Go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards", then go to "Ports of Call" and find your port.  You'll find lots of very reliable info from experienced cruisers.

Answer 2

Yes, I've chartered through the Moorings a few times (4 weeks total in the Bahamas) and sailed my personal boat there a few times as well.

Personally, I prefer to do my own povisioning to taking using the Moorings.  It's cheaper and you have more flexibility to get what you want.   Take a taxi to a local grocery store.    Several liquor stores are within walking distance of the base in Marsh Harbour.  Expect to spend about 1.5 times as much on most everything as you would in the states.  It's easy to obtain more provisions and booze at Treasure Cay, Hope Town, or New Plymouth, so don't feel you need to plan everything from the start.  (Groceries, but no drinks at man-o-war) In most places dinners start at about $22.    If you are arriving late, consider ordering the Mooring's sundowner service of drinks and snacks.

Some things to do:

Hope Town:  Great and affordable lunch at Captain Jacks right on the water.   Go walk up the lighthouse as well.

Treasure Cay:  For the price of a mooring, you get to use their showers, pool and beach.    Nice lunch bar, expensive, and nice dinner facilities.

Little Harbour:  Pete's Pub.   Catch the Sculpture gallery next door.   If they are doing anything in the foundry, go see it.    Deeper draft boats can only get in and out at high tide, but I've often anchored around the corner in Bight of Old Robinson and took the dinghy in for lunch.

Snorkeling:  Sandy Cay is good, but exposed to swell in many conditions.  I love the reefs to the NE of Great Guana that have dinghy moorings.   Fowl Cay is good snorkeling and can be hit the day you leave the Moorings.

Exploring the "creek" near Snake Cay is cool.  Anchor behind Snake Cay in prevailing winds.

Spoil Cay - AKA Shell Cay is a nice stop if you want a little island with nobody on it.

If conditions and time permit , going north of Whale Cay, opens up No Name Cay, New Plymouth and Manjack.   You will see fewer charter people up there.    

The Abacos are shallow water sailing, but knowing the tides and where you boat will and will not fit at different times it what opens up all sorts of wonderful options.

I usually take carry on only and buy sun screen and shaving cream when I provision.   I've been happy with the snorkeling gear they provide.    Bring a couple bungy cords or light cord, as they have none of this on the boat for banging halyards, etc.

I have some photos from my last two trips at:

www.artphotosforsale.com/abacos

Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions.  I'd be happy to talk more.

Answer 3

I have chartered with the Moorings........but it was in the British Virgin Islands......it was very very very very very fun.........i really want to go again.......i dont really think you need any extra things...you get pretty busy if you are driving the boat or if you are just at port and are resting........if you are taking a cadmaran i would take a big one because they are better and have alot more room.....i took the 2nd biggest one and we had 8 people on it and it was pretty crowded.......have a great time..