Fifty charter yachts filled up Crown Bay Marina for the 8th annual Spring Boat Show. The May 14 to 16 event had captains and crews bringing their yachts into tip top shape to impress the 60 brokers expected at the event.
This event gives local and especially off-island charter brokers a chance meet the people on board and get an up close and personal tour of the yachts. During the active charter season the business of treating guests to a relaxing vacation keeps the boats away from the docks. Most of the clients, who spend thousands of dollars on a crewed charter yacht vacation, book their holiday through a broker, and depend on the broker's advice for selection of the appropriate boat to fit their needs.
Jack and Darla Holmes, owner-operators of Coral Sea a 68-foot schooner, said they were looking forward to a good show. Darla said, "We have her scrubbed down and polished up, and best of all in this heat, the air conditioning is working great!"
The boats present showed the great variety of vessels available for charter in the Virgin Islands. They ranged from 40 to 102 feet, both sail and power, with appearances running from classic wooden masted schooners to the latest sleek catamarans. The catamarans have become more popular in recent years. The wider separation of cabins in the two hulled boats gives guests the opportunity to get away from each other even when contained on a 50-foot boat. More than 25 percent of the yachts at the show were sailing catamarans.