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Cruising Made Easy with The Moorings

  • By Herb McCormick
  • September 13, 2024

The Moorings charter

David Burgess says he grew up with a fishing rod in his hand on forays with his dad to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Over the years, he’s owned a variety of vessels from builders including Carolina, SeaCraft and Fountain. As an equity-fund manager, he can work from anywhere. These days, he keeps his 30-foot center-console on a river near his home off Chesapeake Bay, and his 26-foot twin V-drive cat at his Florida condo. But the jewel of his current fleet, for rambling through the British Virgin Islands with family and friends several times each year, is his Moorings 464PC My Wish Too . It’s at the charter company’s base on Tortola.

The 464PC is the second power catamaran from South African builder Robertson & Caine that Burgess has purchased through The Moorings’ yacht-management program. He’s happy to rattle off several of the program’s benefits: Dockage, maintenance and insurance are all covered; he receives a monthly check from The Moorings, which charters the vessel when he’s not aboard, giving him guaranteed revenue that exceeds his regular finance payment and puts cash in his pocket; and he can enjoy a number of cruises each year while having access to charter vacations on power cats (and sailboats, for that matter) at any Moorings destination. For Burgess, this way of owning a power cat is a win-win-win.

The Moorings charter

There is, however, one caveat that he wishes to make clear: “If you’re just going to go once a year, or every other year, just charter a boat, don’t buy it. But if you’re going to go three or four times every year, on trips that can cost up to $25,000 apiece, this is a great program.”

The program has been around for a long time, initially with sailboats, says Franck Bauguil, senior vice president of yacht ownership and product development at The Moorings. “We first started getting involved with powerboats around 2003,” he says. “Some private owners buy a boat and put it in charter for a few weeks to offset expenses. That’s not what we do. We’re an established company with multiple bases globally, and we operate out of fully staffed bases with mechanics, technicians and boatbuilders. As with our sailboats, we offer bareboat charters where you drive your own boat, but we also have fully crewed options with a skipper and chef.

“Our fleet of boats, including the three power catamarans in the program, are all privately owned, but we take care of operations and management,” he adds. “You buy the boat, you own it and name it; it’s very much a regular purchase. But with that purchase comes a management agreement where we maintain the boat on behalf of the owner and charter it to a third party when they’re not using it. We take all the issues out of the owner’s hands and incur most of the expenses. We make sure the maintenance is done, the warranties are checked, the vessels are clean, the batteries are topped off—there’s nothing for owners to do except enjoy it when they’re aboard.”

The Moorings charter

As with any boat purchase, owners can lay down the cash or go the finance route. According to the boat-show special at last fall’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, when it comes to the Moorings 403PC, most owners put down 20 to 25 percent of the cost of the yacht (about $1 million). The down payment is just shy of $200,000. At an 8.25 percent interest rate on a 20-year loan, the monthly payment of about $6,700 is offset by a guaranteed income of just under $7,500.

Bauguil says The Moorings continued those guaranteed payments after Hurricane Irma decimated the fleet in 2017, and during the height of the pandemic, when chartering essentially ceased. Management contracts generally run five to six years, after which the owner can keep the boat, trade it in, or have The Moorings’ brokerage operation place it for sale.

As far as usage is concerned, owners receive 84 points per year, with the cost of trips equating to two points per day. Of those 84 points, 42 can be used to reserve trips in advance, and 42 can be employed on short notice. (Owners can’t sublease their vessels, but they can offer them to friends or donate the time.) Generally, this breaks down to four to six weeks per year of in-season cruising, or up to 12 weeks per year in the offseason. Yachts are standardized across the company’s destinations, with identical engines, watermakers, electronics and so on, so if an owner chooses to charter a boat in a distant location, no surprises await.

The Moorings charter

Burgess generally divvies up his journeys among his pals, his family or other couples. With his retirement on the not-too-distant horizon, as well as that of one of his boating friends, he’s gone in half on a partnership for the new boat. And while he’s always used his boat in the BVI, for the first time he’s planned his next adventure on a sistership in the Bahamas.

It’s always good to have options, and with The Moorings’ yacht-management program, he’s found plenty.  

The Destinations

The Moorings has 18 worldwide destinations, including six islands in the Caribbean, a trio of bases in the Mediterranean, and locations in the Seychelles, Tahiti and Thailand. The 403PC and the 464PC are available at the Bahamian bases in the Exumas and the Abacos, as well as the BVI, Greece and Croatia. In addition, the 403PC is available in the Seychelles. 

The Alluring British Virgins

Perhaps the most popular of all of The Moorings’ cruising bases is the original location on Tortola, where the bareboat charter industry was basically launched in 1969. With Tortola’s easy navigation and protected anchorages, this spot remains the company’s crown jewel. Currently, there are seven 403PCs and two dozen 464PCs in the BVI charter fleet.

As of this writing, The Moorings has a pair of flybridge power catamarans available in its yacht-management program, both built in South Africa by Robertson & Caine, which also produces the Leopard line of sail and power cats. The Moorings 403PC is powered by a pair of 320 hp Yanmar diesels with a cruising speed of 15 knots and a top hop of 17-plus knots. The Moorings 464PC is also powered with a pair of twin Yanmars and has a four-stateroom, four-head configuration. 

Take the next step: moorings.com

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For more than 50 years we’ve set the standard for Sail, Power and All-Inclusive Crewed yacht charters in over 20 destinations across the globe—and we invite you to come and see the difference.

By combining our industry experience with passion, innovation and top-tier customer service, The Moorings provides the most unique and unforgettable experiences on the water—consistently described by guests as their “best vacation ever”.

From the crystalline waters of the South Pacific, to the white-sand beaches of the Caribbean and the historic anchorages of the Mediterranean, there's no shortage of adventure awaiting you. Simply pick your destination and leave your worries behind as we cater to every whim.

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This company has been in business since 1969, when seasoned marine veteran Charlie Cary decided to turn his lifelong passion into a profession and started a business in the British Virgin Islands. Today, with over 50 years of experience chartering yachts around the world, The Moorings charter company offers an exceptionally high standard of service. Specially trained staff regularly visit all destinations to share the best up-to-date tips and first-hand recommendations with clients . With The Moorings you can sail in the Mediterranean  (Croatia , Greece , Italy ), but also in the Caribbean , Seychelles , Tahiti or Thailand .

Smart loyalty program

A dream holiday doesn't have to be unnecessarily expensive. The Moorings regularly partners with a number of companies around the world to help its guests cut costs. When you charter a yacht with the company, you become part of the Moorings Family and receive your own Captain's Rewards membership card . This allows you to receive special discounts and savings at partner locations, plus Captain's Rewards members always save 5% on future charter bookings.

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The Moorings is renowned for its magnificent fleet, designed especially for charter holidays by its exclusive partners Beneteau (various Oceanis sailing yacht models) and Robertson & Caine (Leopard catamarans) . All boats are built to the most exacting specifications and world-renowned standards .

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Are sailing conditions better in Croatia or Greece ? Each of these countries offers sea lovers a unique experience: beautiful seas, historic cities and breathtaking nature. But what about marina prices, sailing conditions, weather or local cuisine? Let's take a closer look at these two most popular sailing destinations. In the article Croatia vs. Greece: where is the better sailing? We'll give you advice based on your sailing experience, your wallet and what you want to do and see during your cruise.

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The Mooring is a large, professional, and well respected yacht charter company which has been in business for 35 years. They offer around 28 exotic charter boat destinations worldwide to choose from.  The Moorings is well managed and the charter boats they offer in their fleet are well designed, of high quality and nearly always fairly new.

The Moorings was started in the 1960’s by Charlie and Ginny Cary.  After years of professional corporate careers in America they decided to follow their dream, cruise down to the Virgin Islands, and turn their passion for sailing and adventure into the largest charter business in the world.  Since the early days when yacht chartering was a relatively rare thing The Moorings has grown to such a size that they have a fleet of 288 yachts in Tortola alone.  Over the years the Tortola fleet base expanded out to St. Lucia, Grenada, Mexico, the South Pacific, Australia and most recently New Zealand.

The Moorings have yacht charter locations in The Caribbean, The Mediterranean, The South Pacific, The Americas and The Indian Ocean.  The bases in The Mediterranean include Greece, Athens, Corfu, Corsica, Dubrovnic, Ibiza, Gocek, Hyreres, Kos, Levkas, France, Nice Spain, Palma, Skiathos, Syros and Trogir.  The Caribbean Moorings bases are in The British Virgin Islands Tortola, St. Lucia. St Martin, Martinique, Grenada, Canouan, Belize, and The Grenadines. The South Pacific and Indian Ocean Bases include Auckland, New Zealand, Bay of Islands, Australia, The Whitsundays, Hamilton Island, Tahiti, Tonga, and the Seychelles. The North America fleets are based in Baja, The Bahamas, and The Pacific Northwest.

The Morgan Out Island 41 was the first type of charter boat commissioned. Later in the 1980’s came the Bruce Farr designed Beneteaus. The Moorings now charters their own Moorings inspired yacht charter boats including several catamarans.

The Moorings offers the following yacht charter boats:

5 Cabins bareboat charter yachts:   Moorings 505 - Exclusive, 505 - Club          M SO52.2 - Club          M 525 - Signature, 525 - Exclusive    M SO55 - Exclusive, SO55 - Club     

4 Cabins bareboat charter yachts::   Moorings Signature 6200 Catamaran    M 4000 - Exclusive, 4000 - Club Catamaran    M Signature 554         M 474 - Club          M 4700 Crewed Catamaran        Moorings Lagoon 47-Excl, Lagoon 47-Club Catamaran    M Signature 4700  Catamaran    M 4700 - Exclusive, 4700 - Club Catamaran    M 494 - Exclusive, 494 - Club     M 4200 - Exclusive, 4200 - Club Catamaran    M SO 43-Exclusive, SO 43 - Club    M 4300 - Exclusive, 4300 - Club  Catamaran    M SO45 - Exclusive, SO45 - Club      M SO45.2 - Club   M Signature 4500  Catamaran    M 4500 - Club   Catamaran    M 464 - Club M 4600 - Club Catamaran    M Lagoon 380-Excl, Lagoon 380-Club  Catamaran 

3 Cabins bareboat charter yachts::   Moorings 3800 - Exclusive, 3800 - Club Catamaran    M SO 40.3 - Excl, SO 40.3 - Club     M 403 - Exclusive, 403 - Club     M 373 - Exclusive, 373 Club  M 383 - Club     Lagoon 380 - Club  Catamaran    Moorings 413 - Club     M 42.3 - Exclusive, 42.3 - Club     M SO35 - Exclusive, SO35 - Club     M 363 - Exclusive, 363 - Club  M SO37 - Exclusive, SO37 - Club  M 473 - Exclusive, 473 - Club     3     M 463 - Club       M 44.3 - 44.3 - Club        M 433 - Exclusive, 433 - Club         M SO 40 - Club     

2 Cabins bareboat charter yachts::   Beneteau 41 2 cab - Club         Moorings 372 Exclusive, 372 Club          M 362 - Exclusive, 362 - Club          M 32.2-Exclusive, 32.2-Club          M SO 32-Exclusive, SO 32 - Club        M 332 - Exclusive, 332 - Club         M34.2 - Exclusive, 34.2 - Club    M SO 34.2 - Club          M 422CC-Exclusive, 422CC - Club      M SO 37 - Club  M 402CC - Club   

If you would like to book a charter boat with The Moorings, or would like more information, please contact a CharterWorld charter consultant .

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Caribbean , Travel · November 21, 2023

British Virgin Islands: Yacht Charter with The Moorings

We just came back from the ultimate experience with The Moorings. The British Virgin Islands have been on our travel bucket list for many years. From the stunning blue ocean water, to the various islands offering a variety of experiences, there is endless adventure here!

The most popular way to see the British Virgin Islands, also known as the BVI, is by a Yacht Charter. When we received an invitation to do just that with The Moorings we couldn’t say no! Think sun, sand and the ultimate all inclusive experience that’s actually affordable.

In this blog post we are going to be sharing all the information you need to book a Yacht Charter with The Moorings! So let’s get into it.

the moorings catamaran charter

What To Expect when you Charter a Yacht with The Moorings

The Moorings is one of the leading Yacht Charter providers in the BVI and they have over 20 destinations around the world that they operate out of. So to say the least, you are in good hands!

The Best Group Trip

Looking for an unforgettable holiday with your family and friends? Then you NEED to charter a Yacht with The Moorings. The team truly goes above and beyond to make your getaway special as they tailor the trip to your group. This is the perfect way to celebrate a milestone like a retirement or wedding anniversary, or have the most epic birthday party! The best part is, the more people in your group, the more affordable it is for everyone! So you can invite up to 10 people total and have the ultimate group getaway.

Type of Charters Available

The Moorings offer a few different ways to charter a Yacht. If you or someone in your group has a Captain’s License and want to navigate a destination yourself, you can do that! Want to have just a skipper provided, or have a fully crewed Yacht for an all-inclusive experience, that can happen too! There are many options to make your holiday perfect! If you want to learn more about Skippered Yacht Charters and what that includes, you can read more here .

With the option of a fully crewed Yacht Charter, this means that there is a Captain as well as a Private Chef provided with the Yacht. Meaning you and your group can relax and enjoy the destination without having to worry about navigating the boat, cooking or cleaning. This is the experience that our group had, so this is what we are going to chat about in this blog post today.

Inclusions With A Crewed Charter

The Moorings team truly provides a 5 star experience when it comes to a fully crewed yacht charter. Leading up to the trip our entire group was sent a survey which included some simple questions about preferences for food we like, dietary restrictions, meal sizes we prefer as well as the type of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) we would like to have on the yacht.

Each day we were served breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a variety of appetizers in the afternoon. Snacks were also included on the boat to have at any time.

Each Yacht has a slightly different layout, but each bedroom comes with a comfortable bed and an ensuite bathroom for a home away from home feel during your vacation.

If you enjoy water-sports, then you will definitely enjoy having unlimited use of Paddle boards, Kayaks and Snorkeling Fins on board! The BVI is known for its beautiful blue water, so you will be sure to get a lot of use out of all of these.

Yacht Types Available

The Moorings offers a variety of Yachts to choose from, but we are going to speak about the options for crewed charters in this blog post today!

The crewed yachts offered are either power yachts or sailing yachts. They can hold a variety of group sizes from 2 people all the way up to 10, so you will need to cater your Yacht choice to your group size!

If you would like to read more about each individual Yacht available for crewed charters, y ou can do that here!

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The floor plan for The Moorings Crewed 5800 Yacht

Our Experience With The Moorings

the moorings catamaran charter

The experience starts when you begin the trip planning process with The Moorings team. Everyone we spoke with was friendly and eager to make this trip perfect for our group. They sent us the pre-departure surveys, general information about the yacht we would be on, and answered any questions that we had regarding our upcoming trip.

We spent 5 days on the luxurious Moorings 5800 Crewed Yacht! This Yacht has two above deck cabins and 3 below deck cabins perfect for groups of up to 10 people. There is a large dining area inside with a fully stocked kitchen. There is an outside dining area at the back of the yacht as well, where we spent almost every meal! Our yacht had two big nets at the front to enjoy the Caribbean sunrise and sunsets. We also spent a lot of time on the top deck where there was another lounge area that gave us a stunning 360 view of our surroundings!

the moorings catamaran charter

Example of an above deck cabin on The Moorings Crewed 5800 Yacht

From the moment we arrived on the Yacht, Captain Seymour and Chef Vicki made our group feel welcome. We were excited to depart on this 5 day adventure sailing through the BVI. We did an initial safety briefing, and the Captain showed us around all of the areas of the boat. We then discussed the best plan of action for our itinerary. This was based on the weather and the destinations our group was eager to see.

Throughout the entirety of the trip, our Captain continuously checked in with us to give us updates on our itinerary based on weather. His top priority is safety so he made sure we got to see almost everything we wanted to in the safest way possible. Some highlights for us were the world famous Baths, Saba Rock and the Soggy Dollar!

Chef Vicki ensured that we were well fed for every meal. She truly went above and beyond to make our experience special by catering our meals to our group. She even prepared a birthday cake for a member of our group and stocked on late night snacks like cookies and chips! Chef Vicki also provided turn down service for our rooms each day which is greatly appreciated when you are on vacation.

What Our Days looked Like

Waking up in the morning to views of the Ocean from our cabin was truly the best way to start the day. Some days we even woke up and dove right into the water before breakfast! We also really enjoyed starting our morning with coffee on the top deck of the boat to really take in the beauty of the BVI!

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Every stop that we made was so unique. You could truly spend weeks exploring the BVI and still not see everything.However, our group was determined to see as much as we could. So we typically started our mornings quite early to be able to get to our first destination of the day. We definitely recommend adding the Baths and Caves to your BVI itinerary, this place is absolutely spectacular. Another stop was at The Soggy Dollar for a famous Painkiller! However our Captain made us his version, and controversial opinion, we all liked his more HA! However, it is still worth the stop for the incredible beach and to experience this famous spot.

the moorings catamaran charter

With the water being so blue everywhere we went, we made sure to pull out the paddle boards and kayaks as much as we could! The Moorings team also provides everyone on the boat with flippers for snorkeling, so make sure to pack your mask with you. We saw so many fish at every stop we made, and sea turtles too!

If we were in need of relaxation we made our way to the front nets or the top deck where Chef Vicki or Captain served up some excellent drinks.

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Final Thoughts

If you are looking for an unforgettable experience with your friends and family, then we cannot recommend chartering a Yacht with The Moorings enough. Whether you choose to navigate the Yacht yourself, or indulge in the all inclusive fully crewed experience, this is a bucket list trip.

If you are interested in booking a Yacht Charter experience with The Moorings, you can check out this link here . Make sure to use the code WAVES for 10% off a Yacht charter experience!

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Guide to Key West Yacht Charters —What Are They, Where Do You Go, WhatDo You Do, and How to Book One

I'm on a boat, I'm on a boat Everybody look at me, 'Cause I'm sailing on a boat I'm on a boat, I'm on a boat Take a good hard look at the motherf*ing boat (boat, yeah) — The Lonely Island, "I'm on a Boat" Tweet

Key West Yacht

Grab your nautical-themed Pashminas, everyone; we’re going to charter a yacht in Key West! What the what? That’s right, with a high enough credit limit, you too could be ‘on a boat like Leo.’ 

Here’s a look at the types of yachts you can charter in Key West and what’s involved in getting one. 

What Is a Yacht Charter?

Did you know you can just pick up the phone and rent a yacht? As the saying goes, all it takes is money! That’s a saying, right?

While the price of a yacht charter might look shocking at first, it’s important to remember everything you get. By staying aboard, you won’t have to worry about hotel rooms or resort costs. You will probably still eat and drink ashore, but you will have access to the boat’s galley to cook food. On a crewed yacht charter, the cook might prepare delicious food for you! You also won’t have to worry about booking snorkel trips or other excursions since you’re living an adventure every day on a yacht charter.

You can charter a yacht anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. For an overnight trip, you can explore more of the Keys by visiting other marinas or anchoring for the night in secluded coves. Every day, you can pick from a variety of activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, lobstering, sandbar hopping, or just taking relaxing sails along the island chain.

There are two types of yacht charters you’ll find in Key West: crewed and bareboat. 

Crewed Charters

Crewed yacht charters typically provide a captain, but sometimes, you also get a cook. It depends on the yacht size and how long you’re going out. Crewed charters usually include food and some beverages, but policies differ depending on your company. The overall goal is always for the trip to be all-inclusive — just step off the plane and onto your own private yacht for an island getaway.

In Key West, a popular crewed charter option is to rent the yacht for a few days but only have the captain aboard for day trips. Each evening, you’ll return to the marina and use the boat like your hotel room. If you’ve ever dreamed of watching the sunset from your own yacht, this provides a glorious little taste of the yachting lifestyle. 

Bareboat Charters

A bareboat charter does not come with a crew or provisions — you’re just renting a ‘bare’ boat. That means you’ll be responsible for all the things a boat owner would be, like navigating safely, planning for the tides, not running aground, avoiding bad weather, and not getting lost. It also means you’ve got to dock the boat when you get back without crashing into anything!

If you think it sounds shady to hand someone your credit card and be given the keys to a yacht in return, know that it’s not quite that easy. Charter companies require that you have some documented experience in similar-sized boats before they’ll let you take theirs out. Even if you’re a seasoned boater, the company may make you go out for a few hours with their captain to check you out in the boat. If you don’t have quite enough experience, they may be able to get you a captain to spend the first day or two of your trip getting you up to snuff.

Regardless of your experience, most companies will spend time with you going over the boat and its systems. They’ll also review your itinerary to make sure you know everything you need to. Remember, on a bareboat trip, you’ll be responsible for buying all your food and beverages. Be sure to review our five killer cocktails to make on the boat.

Training Charters

If you are new to boating but dream of the bareboat yacht charter lifestyle, you could choose to combine your vacation with some training. 

There are several different training programs out there for power and sail. If you dream of sailing yachts, ASA (American Sailing Association) has a course curriculum designed to prepare you to take bareboat charters anywhere in the world. You can take these classes at any sailing school or find a school that combines the vacation with the training. Over the course of a seven-day sailing vacation, you’ll go through the courses necessary to become a bareboat captain. 

Sail Away Key West and Offshore Sailing School are two such providers on the island. 

Key West Boat Rentals

Key West Boat Rentals

Generally, when you’re looking for a “boat rental,” you’re looking for something for day trips — not for overnights. Boat rentals in Key West are usually center console or pontoon boats between 20 to 25 feet long, and they’re usually rented by the half or full day .

There are a ton of boat rental places on the island, and generally, you don’t need very much boating experience to rent one. You are, however, required to have taken the Florida safe boater course (or your state’s equivalent) if you were born after 1988. 

Types of Boats You Can Charter in Key West

Both powerboats and sailboats are available for charter. Charter company fleets vary considerably from company to company and location to location. Some places specialize in renting the newest, sleekest charter boats, while others find good ol’ boats that can be offered at lower prices. 

Monohulls vs. Catamarans as Charter Boats

Catamarans make up the overwhelming majority of the Key West charter fleet — and most other charter fleets, actually. Catamarans, both sail and power, are popular because of the amount of space and accommodations that they have. The interior of a 45-foot catamaran is about the same as a 60 or 70-foot monohull. A catamaran this size will have four separate staterooms, each with a private bathroom, meaning you could comfortably divide the cost of your charter among four couples. Plus, cats have huge windows, large patio tables, and lots of outdoor living space. They also have the added benefit of having a much shallower draft, which is great for exploring the Keys.

Catamarans are bigger and more expensive than monohulls, however. If you’re looking for a cheaper ride during your stay, you might do well to find a company that charters a monohull. 

Key West Yacht Charter Destinations

Where you go on a yacht charter in Key West depends on how long you’ve booked your charter for. If you’re only going for one or two nights, you’ll have to stick close to the island to ensure you can get the boat back on time. Never fear; there are plenty of incredible sandbars and reefs for exploring.

Three or four-day charters can explore more of the Lower Florida Keys. You might check out places like Little Palm Island Resort, Looe Key, and Bahia Honda State Park.

Five or six-day trips can get you to the Middle or Upper Keys. Places like Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo are possible options. For the entire 100-plus-mile stretch of the Keys, there are tons of reefs, sandbars, and little towns to check out and explore.

The longer you’re on the water, the more likely weather will play a major factor in your trip. Strong winds may be unfavorable for travel, or they may limit you to one side of the islands. The seas that can be kicked up on the ocean side can make for very long and uncomfortable travel days, so every captain must pick their destinations with a close eye on the weather.

The most asked-about yacht charter destination in the Keys is probably the Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas National Park is about 70 miles west of Key West, far out in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a beautiful place, but there aren’t many places to stop and very little protection from the weather. Most companies recommend you have a five or six-night charter booked if you intend to call on the Dry Tortugas. 

Another option for longer charters is a one-way trip from Key West to Miami or vice versa. 

Florida Yacht Charters has a great list describing the various activities and destinations you can see on a Key West yacht charter.

Booking a Yacht Charter in Key West

Here are some companies to check out, whether you’re looking for crewed or bareboat yacht charters in Key West. Some of the major charter companies operate here seasonally, so you can also check with The Moorings and Sunsail to see if they are operating out of Key West for your desired itinerary.

https://www.moorings.com

https://www.sunsail.com

Florida Yacht Charters https://floridayachtscharters.com

Blue Ocean Yacht Charters https://blueoceanyachtcharters.com  

Luxury Yacht Charters https://luxuryyachtcharters.com  

Key West Yacht Rental (90′ motor yacht) https://keywestyachtrental.com

Calypso Sailing https://calypsosailing.com/charters

Or, You Could Save a Few Thousand...

Truth is, you don’t need to charter a yacht to have a great time on the water in Key West. Every day, I take visitors out on Key West sandbar charters and private cruises. We see dolphins doing flips and all sorts of…stuff. So grab your swim trunks and flippie-floppies, and spend the day exploring Key West by water with Casual Monday Charters. 

Plus, we’ll be back by dark, so you can spend the night on terra firma, safe from the Kraken and wonky boat toilets.

Snipes Point Swing

Call Captain Zak today and book a private charter to see what all the commotion is about.

key west reef snorkeling

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the moorings catamaran charter

Come Enjoy our smooth riding ocean going 25 ft Hydrasports center console upgraded with twin 200 EFI engines. Whether you’re looking to jump in the water at the sandbar and turn up the JL Audio system while you enjoy a cold one or make a quick and comfortable ride out to the reef our boat is just right for the occasion.

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  1. Sailing Catamarans for Charter

    Some of the innovative, charter-enhancing features of our catamarans include forward seating areas, electric dinghy lifts, expansive raised fly bridges with wrap-around seating, generator-powered air conditioning, water-makers, on-board wi-fi, and so much more. Come and experience The Moorings Difference with the newest fleet in the industry.

  2. Luxury Yacht Charters & Sailing Vacations

    The Moorings is proud to have one of the newest fleets in the industry, and an array of incredible destinations to explore. Whether you set sail on one of our state-of-the-art catamarans in the British Virgin Islands, a classic monohull in Greece, or an exhilarating power catamaran in the Bahamas, each charter offers a unique opportunity to be ...

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    Enjoy stunning cruising grounds in crystal-clear waters on a Caribbean catamaran charter.Marvel at rock formations known as The Baths on Virgin Gorda in The British Virgin Islands.Tour Grenada's rum distilleries and chocolate factories. Immerse yourself in authentic French-Caribbean culture in Martinique.Set your sights on an open-water adventure in Antigua's sailing wonderland.

  4. Cruising Made Easy with The Moorings

    It's at the charter company's base on Tortola. The 464PC is the second power catamaran from South African builder Robertson & Caine that Burgess has purchased through The Moorings' yacht-management program.

  5. Welcome to the world of The Moorings

    With over 50 years at sea, The Moorings is the world's premier yacht charter company. Our exclusive fleet of award-winning yachts spans more than 20 destinations throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and beyond. Alongside exemplary service through every step of the vacation experience, we're here to give you a getaway at sea worth ...

  6. The Moorings Brochure

    For more than 50 years we've set the standard for Sail, Power and All-Inclusive Crewed yacht charters in over 20 destinations across the globe—and we invite you to come and see the difference. By combining our industry experience with passion, innovation and top-tier customer service, The Moorings provides the most unique and unforgettable ...

  7. The Moorings Yacht Charters and Sailing Vacations

    Today, after more than 50 years at sea, The Moorings has established its reputation as the world's premier yacht charter company. Our award-winning charter fleet now includes more than 400 yachts in 20+ destinations across the globe. Whether it's a self-skippered monohull, a Sail catamaran with a skipper at the helm, a high-performance Power ...

  8. The Moorings Yacht Charters

    The Moorings Charters: An Overview. For over 50 years, The Moorings Charters has been a pioneer in sail, power, and crewed yacht charters. Their diverse fleet, featuring sleek catamarans, classic monohulls, and thrilling power catamarans, awaits in 20 global destinations. Find out more about their features and highlights below.

  9. The Moorings

    Phone: +420 222 528 222. Email: [email protected]. The Moorings 93 N Park Place Blvd., Clearwater, 33759, USA. Phone: +1 888 952 8420 Email: [email protected]. The Moorings currently operates 697 charter yachts in its fleet. Check availability of their boats and make an on-line reservation in yachting.com. Best price guarantee.

  10. Yachts for Charter

    The Moorings is proud to partner with renowned builder Robertson & Caine to offer award-winning catamarans. Step aboard and discover spacious staterooms with en-suite heads, and innovative features such as the forward cockpit, forward-facing galley, and upper lounge area; the perfect platform for an unforgettable vacation. view all catamarans.

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    The Mooring is a large, professional, and well respected yacht charter company which has been in business for 35 years. They offer around 28 exotic charter boat destinations worldwide to choose from. The Moorings is well managed and the charter boats they offer in their fleet are well designed, of high quality and nearly always fairly new.

  12. Power Catamarans

    The Moorings offers a fleet of power catamarans that redefine the charter experience as an exhilarating expedition. They epitomize efficiency, swiftly transporting you to your next island getaway, whether it's a secluded cove or a vibrant coastal town. ... Owning a Moorings power catamaran offers a blend of speed, stability, comfort ...

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    Welcome to the Moorings Yacht Brokerage. Our brokerage offices specialize in pre-owned cruising boats, including sailing catamarans and monohulls as well as power yachts. These used yachts come not only from our worldwide Moorings sailboat charter fleet, but also the worldwide fleets of Moorings Power, Sunsail and Footloose.

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    About. Established in 1969, The Moorings is the world's premier yacht charter company. With over 500 yachts in destinations from the warm white shores of the Caribbean to the timeless Mediterranean and beyond, we're here to make your time at sea simply unforgettable. We offer a collection of getaways including hands-on sailing and power yacht ...

  15. British Virgin Islands: Yacht Charter with The Moorings

    We spent 5 days on the luxurious Moorings 5800 Crewed Yacht! This Yacht has two above deck cabins and 3 below deck cabins perfect for groups of up to 10 people. There is a large dining area inside with a fully stocked kitchen. There is an outside dining area at the back of the yacht as well, where we spent almost every meal!

  16. Charter Yacht Sales and Management

    The Moorings Yacht Ownership Program Explained. Enjoy the pride of yacht ownership without the hassles or expense ... you are working with the most financially strong charter company in the world. 700+ Boats in Service Worldwide 50+ Years of Experience 800+ Employees Worldwide 15+ First Class, Staffed Bases LEARN MORE Our Destinations British ...

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    A Moorings Crewed yacht charter blends the comfort of luxury vacations with the spirit of adventure travel. Wherever you are in the world, from the stunning Bay of Naples in Italy to the sensational Bora Bora near Tahiti,your group of up to 10 guests will enjoy spacious accommodations and a premium, personalized yacht charter experience.

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    The Moorings and sister company Sunsail are part of Travelopia, which in turn is owned by KKR, a global investment firm with 578 billion dollars in assets under management. Travelopia is a pioneer in the specialist travel sector with a portfolio of more than 50 independently operated brands; making us by far the most financially strong charter ...

  19. Guide to Key West Yacht Charters —What Are They, Where Do You Go

    Some of the major charter companies operate here seasonally, so you can also check with The Moorings and Sunsail to see if they are operating out of Key West for your desired itinerary. https://www.moorings.com. https://www.sunsail.com Florida Yacht Charters https://floridayachtscharters.com. Blue Ocean Yacht Charters https ...

  20. The Americas Yacht Charters & Sailing Vacations

    Americas Yacht Charters. Explore the diverse beauty of The Americas with our premier charter destinations. Sail through the pristine "out islands" of the Bahamas or experience the secluded paradise of Belize, where every moment is tailored for your enjoyment. In the Bahamas, the Abacos and Exumas offer a serene escape with uncrowded beaches ...

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    The Moorings also offers seamless yacht brokerage services, ensuring a smooth transition when owners transition out of the program. With the world's best charter bases globally, The Moorings offers unmatched convenience and accessibility for yacht owners. Exclusive partnerships with leading manufacturers like Dufour and Robertson & Caine ...

  22. Worldwide Yacht Charter Sailing Destinations

    Yacht Charter Destinations. Because you want a once in a lifetime vacation, we provide an array of charter options in some of the world's most exquisite coastal regions. Whether it's sailing on your own, powerboating, hiring an optional skipper, or indulging in an all-inclusive Crewed yacht with captain and chef, you're sure to experience ...

  23. Decision

    Investigations by the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) revealed that Alisher Usmanov indirectly transferred assets to his sister Gulbakhor Ismailova. In particular, the owner of the yacht "Dilbar" is Navis Marine Ltd. (Cayman Islands), whose shareholder is Almenor Holdings Ltd. (Cyprus).

  24. Caribbean Yacht Charters

    A yacht charter in the Caribbean offers you the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. The cost of your sailing vacation in the Caribbean will depend on a range of factors, such as: Where in the Caribbean you choose to visit. We have bases in Antigua, BVI, St Lucia, St Thomas, Grenada and St Martin.

  25. Power Catamarans: Your Ultimate BVI Experience

    Nobody does BVI charter getaways like The Moorings. In recent years, The Moorings has been steadily refining our product offerings in the BVI, ... the power catamaran. Moorings power cats are custom-designed specifically to maximize all that the BVI and wider Caribbean have to offer. From incomparable stability, extremely fuel efficient and ...

  26. St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show 2024

    Stop by The Moorings booth (Ramp E-1) to learn about new destinations and to tour some of our flagship yachts including the new Moorings 403 Power Catamaran, Moorings 464 Power Catamaran, and the Moorings 534 Power Catamaran.