C Urchin:

We visited Pocket Yachts at Sapphire Marina a couple of weeks ago. Although their price appears cheap initially.....it kept changing until they were more expensive than Nauti Nymph.

Their $99. boast wasn't there and the person we talked to said he wouldn't rent it to us anyway.

The boat we wanted to rent was "not" avilable the day we wanted it.

Another, not so great looking boat, for a full day rental with Captain....was over $400. (Boat was $285., Capt was $135. (plus tip), plus fuel).

Hope this helps.

F.I.

Future Islander,

Thanks, I appreciate the input. Thought the prices were too good to be true.

Will probably go with Nauti Nymph, they were great last time I rented from them (13 whole years ago). I had even left some of my souvenirs on the boat and completely forgot about them until I received them in the mail a few weeks after returning home.

Future islanders for us too, we bought property last year on our visit and am researching architects and builders as we speak. We are giving ourselves five more years on the mainland.

You might still want to try Pocket Boats for the best pricing. The boat we wanted to rent looked pretty good. We were turned off by the constant price changes.

F.I.

I was looking at the 27' Key Largo since there will be 6 adults. Was that the one you were going to rent?

I would be turned off by the price changes also plus I'm already so anxious to be on the water (not arriving till the end of June) I don't know how patient I would be with someone changing prices on me . . . Yes, I am normally a very patient person and adapt well to island time but dislike feeling like I'm getting the runaround.

Thanks again

We have a 23' boat and feel comfortable in NJ where it's docked, but this is uncharted territory.

I was wondering if the nauti nymph blow up boats are good for island hopping for just the 2 of us.

Is navigating easy and is it worth it???

As I recall....there were 6 boats at the dock...the one I wanted had the most shade cover (and looked newer than the others)....the others had some cover, but not enough for us.

Connie:

I don't know anything about the "blow up" boats. I would only rent a "real" (fiberglass hull) boat.

Navigating in the Virgin Islands is via "line of sight" and is easy. Just watch out for any submerged objects, coral, sand bars, etc.

You may want to hire a Captain for the first day to get the "feel" of the area.

Since we're both from NJ when are you taking us out on your boat?

F.I.

Connie,

Living in the Puget Sound area, I've spent all my life on boats. Twice I've sailed the Victoria to Maui race. I worked for a boat builder that sold boats to the navy seals. I would take the Navy Seals on demos at the Columbia River Bar (which is considered some of the roughest water in the world), so I'm not afraid of the water.

Last August, when I wanted to take my kids from St. John to the Baths, I hired a Captain, and was very glad that I did. Honestly, I'm probably a better boat handler than the Captain I hired, but a short trip like that is not all about boat handling.

A Captain has local knowledge that he has a acquired over many years of operating a boat in the area, and irregardless of what people say, it can be tricky down there. there are LOTS of places to knock off the lower unit on submerged reefs, etc.

A Captain gave me the piece of mind that he knew where he was going. In addition, he could point out appropriate places to stop along the way. He also acted as a tour guide to point out various points of interest on our trip. Anchoring was a breeze with a Captain, I didn't worry about a thing. And it's not that anchoring in the Caribbean is usually very tough, it was just the idea that I didn't have to worry about what was going to happen to the boat while I was snorkling.

Another thing that weighed heavily on my decision to hire the Captian is that I didn't want to be responsible for damage to the boat. I've heard horror stories on this board about people being unfairly blamed for damage to rental cars, I didn't want that same headache to happen in a boat.

Also, if you go to the BVI's, the Captain can drop you off for a snorkle, while he clears customs for you.

So, all in all, my recommendation is to hire a Captain and have a trouble free, worry free trip.

JFP

PS Hiring a Captain allows you to drink as much Rum Punch as you'd like while on the water! 😉 How can you beat that?

John:

Yes.

That's the way to go.....that's why we wanted to hire a Captain.

F.I.

I didn't mean it to sound like their blow up boats. But I thought I saw a picture from nauti nymphs and that's basically what they looked like to me.

I know hiring a captain is better, but i just have this idea that husband and myself have this fun romantic day just cruising around.

I'm from pa, boats in Wildwood....ready to go out on April 15th, but still will be a little cold for me...no fish that time of the year anyway...lol

Future Islander,
I have a 20 ft boat reserved at Pocket Yachts. I was wondering out your expereince. Did you have a boat reserved? Were you given a price before you arrived? I have been given a price for the 2 day rental but not in writing and wondering if I am going to run into problems. Were there other charges that changed the rental price. I appreciate your comments as I am now worried about what I might encounter when I arrive.
Thanks Eric

We were trying to rent a boat for the following day.....we were told a price.... then when the attendant called (I guess) the owner...the price changed.....then he asked if our (boat) choice was available for that day...we were told "no"....then the price changed again for the other "not so nice" boat.

The price for the Capt was always $135.

It may have been a concidence....but it turned me off.

Sorry if this has made you a little uneasy.

F.I.

FYI Pocket Yachts does have a website with their rates so I'm not sure why you are getting different prices. Unforutantely they have some $99 special which ropes you in but to be honest that boat is more of a lake boat and will get tossed around in the waves so he doesn't rent that out very often, conditions have to be just right.

But right now looking at his website he has a special going. I use him quite a bit and Dan is a great guy, and very flexible on pickup times, so you can get there early so you get more for your money.

http://www.pocket-yachts.com

StuScott:

We were standing on the dock...not looking at the web-site.

Web-site says...Capt (all day) $105......then why were we told $135.?

The pricing problem for the boat could have been the result of a misquote of 1/2 day vs a full day (e.g./ $235. vs. $285.)

F.I.

We've used them on each of our visits for the last 3 years. Have had several types of boats but the last one was great with a cabin. Dan will work with you on pricing, I have found. Of course, it also depends on whether business is slow at the time!

Nauti Nymph with Capt Calvin
Worth every penny

curchin: was going to send you a PM but then saw that your post dates back to 2006! Anyway, Pocket Yachts is a well-established operation, still here and, as StuScott said, Dan is a great guy and runs a tight ship. Cheers!

Wow, that's an old question!

I ended up using Nauti Nymph on that trip. I think this year, we will probably just take the ferry over to Jost one day and take the ferry over to Virgin Gorda another day. I will miss the Willy T though, sigh. . . and the snorkeling at the Indians, bigger sigh. . . . but I get a serious fever to be on a boat and you never know, I may just have to try Pocket Yachts this time.

I don't think a Captain is necessary for those of you comfortable with a boat and using a chart. You are warned about Johnson Reef (is that the right name?) about a million times in your orientation meeting and you just have to pay attention. Always use a mooring (even if you have to wait for one) and watch out for the ferries!

I don't know how many more days it is until my next visit but it's not soon enough! STT Resident - see you in July.

C Urchin 😀