The BVI Boat Show is one not to miss! The “Best of the Best” charter yachts show up for viewing, and parties!
The BVI Boat Show opened this week at Village Cay Marina on Tortola, BVI! This is one of the key Charter Vacation Yacht events of the year. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Charter Boat Shows allows the Vacation Yacht Brokers from North America to view most all of the Charter fleet at one location the week before the Caribbean charter season officially opens in mid-
November.
The Charter Yacht Society was founded in 1982 by the owners of crewed yachts in the BVI. CYS is the voice of the charter yacht industry as they are 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 one of the hardest working advocates for the industry that I have every met. Her tireless efforts are accelerated in the production of the Boat Show each year. After Saturday we hope she takes a few days off to recharge her batteries.
Two of the yachts at this year’s Boat Show that I have personally chartered for sailing the BVI are s/v Double Feature – a Lagoon 57 – 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 first hand that both of these crews and yachts provide unforgettable experiences for whomever is their charter guests. Contact me if you would like more details about these very special 
crews and catamarans.
Early in the morning the crews re-polish every inch of their yachts and prepare 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 to the nines, and daily prepare 
appetizers and beverages for all who come aboard. In addition, each day there are various other 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 resentations for both Crews and Brokers.
- BVI Governor’s Reception at the Governor’s Residence.
- Contests: There is fierce competition for Napkin Folding
and Appetizers. ( At last year’s Boat Show s/v Zingara’s crew won the Napkin Folding, and Emily from s/v Swish won the Appetizer competition – a hot and crispy Mahi Mahi presentation.) - The competitions are judged by several of the key members of the charter industry with Dick from CharterPort always one of the favorites.
The BVI Boat Show is also one of only times during the charter season that the crews are together in one port. Because of that fact, the after parties each night that crawl from yacht to yacht are over the top, and sometimes not even remembered! I, Jim Walberg, will never be able to run for public office because of photos and tales that could be told regarding my ability to run with the 
“Big Dogs” – even though I am considered the “Old Dog” at 60 years old.
At the conclusion of the Boat Show a tradition has unfolded where many of the charter yachts sail to Deadman’s Bay at Peter Island for what is now titled “Splish Splash”. The crews take Brokers aboard as their guests, and the party continues this Sunday with water skiing, snorkeling, and cocktails. The BVI Tourist Board takes care of the transportation of the ferry transportation to St. Thomas and Yacht Haven Grande for next week’s Virgin Island Charter League Boat Show - another week of viewing charter yachts and Broker/Crew events. Stay tuned! I will have several updates of next week’s VICL Boat Show, too. Until then…