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Recent Charter Reviews
Desolation Sound Yacht Charters Ltd (Comox)
Rating
7
Submission date:
3/19/07 | Charter
date: July 2006
Submitted by: James | From: Canada
Type of sailor: Experienced skipper (1-5 years) | Age: 41 - 50
Submitted by: James | From: Canada
Type of sailor: Experienced skipper (1-5 years) | Age: 41 - 50
Awesome sailing
It is tough to describe desolation sound unless you've been there, you really can't replicate the beauty and pure natural pacific coast surroundings anywhere. In fact, the trick is just getting here - there are few charter bases nearby so either you have a long drive/ plane trip here or you sail up from Vancouver or Bellingham. A great couple runs the outfit and have been doing it for a long time. Decent boats (a mix of newer and older) and good service.
North South Yacht Vacations (Tortola)
Rating
1
Submission date:
8/26/09 | Charter
date: December 2007
Submitted by: George | From: Canada
Type of sailor: Ancient Mariner (5+ years) | Age: 61 - 70
Submitted by: George | From: Canada
Type of sailor: Ancient Mariner (5+ years) | Age: 61 - 70
Avoid NSYV at any price
I have bareboat chartered over the past 20 years numerous times, both in the British Virgin Islands and other cruising grounds. Without exception all these charter vacations have been wonderful experiences. That does not mean they were perfect. Usually there was a breakdown of one type or another. However every company I have ever chartered from did their utmost best to cheerfully deal with whatever technical issue came my way with plenty of apologies for the inconvenience.
Last year however I made the gross error of booking a charter with North South Yacht Vacations (NSYV).Instead of a holiday in paradise, it turned out to be a most disappointing and frustrating BVI charter experience. Out of the 10 day total charter there were really only 3 days of stress free and enjoyable vacation i.e. no breakdowns or waiting for repairs to be done.
I have documented all the breakdowns and complaints about lackluster service in a Charter log. This log was the basis for extended email and telephone discussions with Mr. Brian Rose, the owner of NSYV, however in the end he became so insulting and irrational, that I have stopped communicating with him.
Here is a summary of the more serious complaints I have about NSYV:
- The most serious complaint I have is re the Reverse Engine Failure towards the end of the charter. After our departure NSYV found that it was due to a broken keyway in the flange that connects the engine transmission with the propeller shaft. In his usual way the owner initially blamed it on my heavy handedness on the gear shifter. After I explained that I was an experienced sailor and know better that slamming the gear lever around, they looked for another root cause. A diver was sent down and he found that the strut was bent. Now the owner claims that I caused the bent strut. It is well known that given the location of the strut between the rudder and the keel. That it is impossible to bend the strut through a collision or any other mishap. A collision should also show some collateral damage none of which NSYV have been able to demonstrate. I consulted an industry expert in Toronto Canada and he suggested that a bent strut is usually the result of a boat hauling operation, where the aft sling is misplaced and the strut carries half the weight of the boat while it is being lifted. Despite all this logic and lack of collision evidence the owner is adamant that I caused the bent strut and is withholding $2323 from my $2500 security deposit to pay for the repair cost. (No written estimates, just a bunch of numbers pulled out of the air).
- As the log details we were on 2 boats. The first a Catalina36 broke down beyond the repair capabilities of NSYV after one day and we were transferred to a really derelict Beneteau35. Both boats we were on were in poor state of maintenance asking for breakdowns. The owner thinks it was quite normal for hatches to leak, cockroaches to be resident etc.
- NSYV has taken cost management to a new level in the charter industry. You are supposed to bring your own toilet paper, matches etc. A 10 year old dog eared cruising guide is defended with “what’s the problem?” Twice they tried to send us off with an empty water tank.
- The base manager has a customer attitude issue.
- The competency level of the base technical staff is low to intermediate. They don’t know anything about their own boats, have no tools or spare parts, don’t know the difference between ATF and engine diesel oil. One of the fellows was outright rude when I tried to help him with some electrical trouble shooting and he had to admit he came without a basic instrument like a Digital Voltmeter
- Communications with the base are difficult. There is no decent VHF system and the landline is hardly ever answered. Leaving messages does not work. Promises to call back never happen.
- Twice a promised chase boat call never happened. No apologies. Just a surprise comment that we stayed with the boat instead of drinking our bad luck away at Foxy’s.
- The owner consistently tries to blame the charterer for the breakdowns. In his opinion motor sailing in light airs causes the engine electrics to fail.
Last year however I made the gross error of booking a charter with North South Yacht Vacations (NSYV).Instead of a holiday in paradise, it turned out to be a most disappointing and frustrating BVI charter experience. Out of the 10 day total charter there were really only 3 days of stress free and enjoyable vacation i.e. no breakdowns or waiting for repairs to be done.
I have documented all the breakdowns and complaints about lackluster service in a Charter log. This log was the basis for extended email and telephone discussions with Mr. Brian Rose, the owner of NSYV, however in the end he became so insulting and irrational, that I have stopped communicating with him.
Here is a summary of the more serious complaints I have about NSYV:
- The most serious complaint I have is re the Reverse Engine Failure towards the end of the charter. After our departure NSYV found that it was due to a broken keyway in the flange that connects the engine transmission with the propeller shaft. In his usual way the owner initially blamed it on my heavy handedness on the gear shifter. After I explained that I was an experienced sailor and know better that slamming the gear lever around, they looked for another root cause. A diver was sent down and he found that the strut was bent. Now the owner claims that I caused the bent strut. It is well known that given the location of the strut between the rudder and the keel. That it is impossible to bend the strut through a collision or any other mishap. A collision should also show some collateral damage none of which NSYV have been able to demonstrate. I consulted an industry expert in Toronto Canada and he suggested that a bent strut is usually the result of a boat hauling operation, where the aft sling is misplaced and the strut carries half the weight of the boat while it is being lifted. Despite all this logic and lack of collision evidence the owner is adamant that I caused the bent strut and is withholding $2323 from my $2500 security deposit to pay for the repair cost. (No written estimates, just a bunch of numbers pulled out of the air).
- As the log details we were on 2 boats. The first a Catalina36 broke down beyond the repair capabilities of NSYV after one day and we were transferred to a really derelict Beneteau35. Both boats we were on were in poor state of maintenance asking for breakdowns. The owner thinks it was quite normal for hatches to leak, cockroaches to be resident etc.
- NSYV has taken cost management to a new level in the charter industry. You are supposed to bring your own toilet paper, matches etc. A 10 year old dog eared cruising guide is defended with “what’s the problem?” Twice they tried to send us off with an empty water tank.
- The base manager has a customer attitude issue.
- The competency level of the base technical staff is low to intermediate. They don’t know anything about their own boats, have no tools or spare parts, don’t know the difference between ATF and engine diesel oil. One of the fellows was outright rude when I tried to help him with some electrical trouble shooting and he had to admit he came without a basic instrument like a Digital Voltmeter
- Communications with the base are difficult. There is no decent VHF system and the landline is hardly ever answered. Leaving messages does not work. Promises to call back never happen.
- Twice a promised chase boat call never happened. No apologies. Just a surprise comment that we stayed with the boat instead of drinking our bad luck away at Foxy’s.
- The owner consistently tries to blame the charterer for the breakdowns. In his opinion motor sailing in light airs causes the engine electrics to fail.
Tortola Marine Management (San Pedro)
Rating
7
Submission date:
6/19/07 | Charter
date: February 2005
Submitted by: Jenny | From: United States
Type of sailor: Ancient Mariner (5+ years) | Age: 41 - 50
Submitted by: Jenny | From: United States
Type of sailor: Ancient Mariner (5+ years) | Age: 41 - 50
Great company, OK location
Went with my Husband for a couple of weeks around Ambergris Cay a couple of years back. Was a nice change from the New Jersey winter! Beautiful reefs and friendly people. Not overly crowded, so made for a very relaxing charter, which was exactly what we are looking for.
We have used TMM multiple times, so it was an easy choice to try them in Belize. Service, staff and yachts were all first rate.
One thing I would say is that I was not a big fan of the Athena we took, but that is a function of the layout (don't like the galley layout at all) than of the Company.
If we go back to Belize, will try Placencia instead of going back here as the islands are more developed. We did feel a bit isolated at times, which was a bit unnerving to me but probably OK with most sailors.
We have used TMM multiple times, so it was an easy choice to try them in Belize. Service, staff and yachts were all first rate.
One thing I would say is that I was not a big fan of the Athena we took, but that is a function of the layout (don't like the galley layout at all) than of the Company.
If we go back to Belize, will try Placencia instead of going back here as the islands are more developed. We did feel a bit isolated at times, which was a bit unnerving to me but probably OK with most sailors.
Bareboat Sailing Charters (Newport)
Rating
10
Submission date:
3/19/07 | Charter
date: July 2006
Submitted by: Nomad | From: United States
Type of sailor: Experienced skipper (1-5 years) | Age: 31 - 40
Submitted by: Nomad | From: United States
Type of sailor: Experienced skipper (1-5 years) | Age: 31 - 40
Good New England charter
We took a fairly new Beneteau 423 for a few days around the bay and had no problems. Boat was well maintained, the people in the office were friendly and helpful.
Brian runs a tight operation and if you are in Newport, this is the best bet.
Brian runs a tight operation and if you are in Newport, this is the best bet.