Conference unifix::sailing

You might want to contact Ed Hamilton, in North Whitefield, Maine.  He has 
a nation-wide 800 number (but not in-state).

He's the largest volume independent charter broker in the US, and can 
arrange charters with all the name companies as well as with independents, 
bareboat and crewed, sail and power.  His commission is paid by the 
charterboat owner (or company), so your price is exactly the same whether 
you do it yourself or let him do it.  He also offers several benefits 
including holding your deposit as long as possible to cover any changes in 
your plans.

From meeting him twice, he seems like a very nice person, and he obviously 
knows the entire Caribbean region very well -- spent about ten years living 
and sailing down there, including starting a charter company, and later 
managing another.  What he can offer in advice is probably better and more 
balanced than the sum of all you can read in this notesfile.  Friends 
who've used him say it's been easy and accurate in meeting their wishes.

Call him; you'll get a very thick packet with more info than you'd expect.  

J.

    
    	I will second the suggestion to talk to Ed, I have dealt with him
    twice over the last 4 years.  The first time was for a charter in the
    V.I.'s, and just recently to arrange a trip to the Bitter End Yacht
    Club.  I have a non-sailor this time and her doctor prohibited her from
    spending a week on a boat.  He has always been very helpful, and I will
    use him again.
    
    
    Forrest
    Ps.		If he arranges your flights also just double check to see
    		if you can get a better rate.  He uses a company in FL to
    		book flights, and they are quite good.  But I was able to
    		get a slightly cheaper rate on my own (same flight, and
    		airlines) but it took fighting with the AIRLINE to do so.

    ditto .1, again.  Ed sends us reminders :-) that we haven't chartered
    in awhile, sigh.  Excellent information packets and usually very
    knowledgable on the recent goings on in the area.  They spend several
    weeks per year checking out different companies throughout the islands. 
    Tough life but someone's gotta do it.  I was just thinking of giving
    them another call in the near future myself.  
    
    Brian  

Ed is the person to call based upon your suggestions.

Thanks,

Lee

    I've done a fair amount of chartering in the Caribbean, including a two
    week sail out of St.Lucia down as far as Union Island. As to chartering
    I would suggest either Stevens Yachts in St.Lucia or The Moorings just
    a few miles up the coast. Either company is reputable in that they keep
    the yachts in fine condition. The Grenadines are different from the
    BVI's in that the distance from home base is too far for VHF. Also, the
    seas can build up a head of steam as nothing stops it since it left
    Dakar. Great fun sailing between the islands where the big seas are.
    
    Try the SSB radio before you leave home base as it needs to be well
    grounded to get any reach out of it. What good is 150 watts of power if
    it goes right back into your boat.
    
    Get some literature on the Grenadines before you go and plan your trip.
    It will make a big difference in terms of what you get out of the
    experience.