The BVI Boat Show opens next month at Village Cay Marina on Tortola, BVI November 5th – 8th. This is one of my favorite Charter Vacation Yacht events of the year and I will be doing the internet reporting during the show. The Charter Yacht Boat Shows allows the Vacation Yacht Brokers from all over the world to view the Caribbean charter fleet at one location the week before their charter season officially begins mid-November. The Charter Yacht Society was founded in 1982 by the owners of crewed yachts in the BVI. Charter Yacht Society is the education arm, and advocate for the issues facing the charter industry within the BVI. Crewed chartered vacations in the BVI serve clients from around the world, and the member-yachts of CSY are viewed as the best of the charter industry. Janet Oliver is the Executive Director of BVI Charter Yacht Society, and is the hardest working advocate for the industry that you will ever meet. Her efforts increase dramatically during all the planning for the Boat Show each November.
There are many yachts that will be sailing from their off-season anchorages to make sure they are on-deck to meet the various charter yacht Brokers during this very important three days of inspections each year the first week of November. Two of the yachts that will be at this year’s show that I have personally chartered for sailing in the BVI are s/v Best Revenge 5 – a Lagoon 60 – with Captain Jonny and Chef Kelly as your hosts, and s/v Dream Catcher II – a Privilege 51 with Captain Jean-Pierre as your host. I can tell you from first hand experience that both of these crews and yachts provide unforgettable experiences for whoever charters them for a Caribbean adventure. However, as you read the many postings that I will be doing from the show as their internet reporter there are 50 or more yachts that will meet your needs. I view all of them as Rock-Stars of the Caribean. CLICK HERE if you would like more details about these very special crews and catamarans.
Each morning of the Boat Show the crews re-polish every inch of their yachts and prepare it for the viewing of their “Floating Villas” by the charter vacation Brokers. From 9AM to 5PM each day of the show, the crews are welcoming aboard the people who will be promoting their business throughout the year. The crews are dressed in their best stuff, and each morning they are prepare appetizers and beverages for all who come aboard. Also, each day there are various events happening for the Boat Show participants;
- Service Provider Expos: Provisioners, Restaurants, Charter Yacht Services, and more. They have live entertainment and various contests for the crews and Brokers.
- Education Seminars: “Best of Practices” presentations for both Crews and Brokers.
- BVI Governor’s Reception: Hosted at the Governor’s Residence.
- Contests: There is serious competition for Napkin Folding and Appetizers. The chefs from each of the yachts create their best presentation of napkins and appetizers. You will not believe what they create from their very small galleys.
Sunday, the day after the Boat Show ends, a tradition has unfolded where the charter yachts who attended the show sail to Dead Man’s Bay at Peter Island for what is now titled “Splish Splash”. It is quite a party with the crews taking the charter yacht Brokers on a day-sail to Peters Island and the fun three days of the show continues on. Sunday is a day filled with water skiing, snorkeling, and cocktails. The BVI Tourist Board takes care of the transportation of the ferry which takes everyone to St. Thomas and Yacht Haven Grande. Virgin Island Charter League Boat Show – another week of viewing charter yachts and Broker/Crew events. Stay tuned! I will have several updates of the next week’s VICL Boat Show, too. Until then…fair winds!
