How to Start a Boating Charter Company in the Caribbean

I am an excellent sailor and know a lot about boats. I'd like to own a charter boating company in the Caribbean. How would I go about doing that? How much do you think it would cost?

The Caribbean is made up of multiple countries flying different flags and having different regulations covering doing business there. The primary areas attracting sailors from around the world are the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Vincent's and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia.

photo: http://www.istockphoto.com

What can you investigate from home?

How to find your boat, Check out the boat shows in the US and Canada

Who is the competition?

Yacht Charter British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are a major center of yachting interest, for the hobbyist and the charter business. Most charters begin in Tortola.

Please choose an area:

• Tortola (293 companies)
• Virgin Gorda (12 companies)
• Anegada (9 companies)
• Jost Van Dyke (5 companies)
• Norman Island (3 companies)
• Peter Island (2 companies)
• Salt and Cooper Island (1 companies)

Yacht Charter US Virgin Islands

Please choose an area:

• St Thomas (58 companies)
• Caribbean Sea (51 companies)
• St John (30 companies)
• North Atlantic Ocean (3 companies)
• St Croix (3 companies)
• Great St James Island (1 companies)

Yacht Charter St Vincent and Grenadines

This Caribbean area stretches from St Vincent in the North down towards Grenada in the South. Yachts have been chartered in Kingston (the capital of St Vincent) for centuries.

Please choose an area:

• Grenadines (63 companies)
• St Vincent (24 companies)

Yacht Charter St Lucia

Please choose an area:

• Caribbean Sea (21 companies)
• North Atlantic Ocean (1 companies)

Before you sign on

photo: http://www.istockphoto.com

Are you interested in running a bareboat business or crewed?

http://www.boatbvi.com/charterguide.htm

It can be done:

Don't pity me on Petit St. Vincent

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/destinations/caribbean/article1394316.ece

and...

• http://www.catamaransja.com/ytbroker/chrtrbus.html
• http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietrich/CharterOwnership.html
• http://www.reflectionssailing.com/yacht-ownership.asp

Owning a charter is easier than you think-

http://ezinearticles.com/?Owning-a-Charter-Business-is-Easier-than-You-Think&id=419979

-or - maybe not

http://www.usual-suspects-sailing.com/boat-5yr.htm

Leaning about requirements

As each Caribbean government entity has its own requirements and benefits, the British Virgin Islands are highlighted here.

Insurance

http://www.charterboatsinsurance.com/

Legalities...from the British Virgin Islands

http://www.britishvirginislands-ibc-registration.com/BVI-Using-offshore-company.html

Taxation

http://www.britishvirginislands-ibc-registration.com/BVI-Taxation.html

Marketing

http://www.cyoacharters.com/charterdetails/index.htm

http://www.sailingdirections.com/

How to get your name out there….

http://www.yachtcharterguide.com/location/british_virgin_islands/tortola/

Contracts

http://www.boatbvi.com/Caribbean_contract.htm

And then there's the weather

Ready to deal with hurricane season?

http://stormcarib.com/climatology/

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Read more

Yachting and Boating World

Offshore Yachting

Yacht Vacations & Charters magazine

And how about just having fun...

BVI Spring Regatta

Good luck.