Caribbean - Chartering a 5-7 day boat in the Bahamas with my family

I'm striking out finding good information on where I can charter a boat for my family of 8 in the Bahamas.
Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?
I'm trying NOT to go to Atlantis...and think this would be more fun.
Budget wise I'm trying to keep it in range of what 5-7 days and 4 rooms at the Atlantis would cost.

Chartering boats is great in the British virgin islands try the moorings
Lots of small islands stay a day at each set sail after a leisurely breakfast then on to the next. More interesting than the Bahamas
Sir Francis drake channel is easy sailing for someone who only sails occasionally
For lots of room try a catamaran but I prefer a traditional sailboat like a benateau
Will you need a captain or will you bareboat?

i don't know of a charter shop in bahamas. many are in bvi. 9 are crowded on even a 50' boat pretty hard to find anything bigger to charter. you will have to have a captain on the boat. are you planning this for aug-oct? that is hurricane season in the carib.

For family of 8 - probably a few kids? 3 cabin boat is probably ok if kids can sleep in made up bed in dining area
For more comfort a 4 cabin would be great
Have you sailed before?

For family of 8 - probably a few kids? 3 cabin boat is probably ok if kids can sleep in made up bed in dining area
For more comfort a 4 cabin would be great
Have you sailed before?

yea. first time was in a 37 with 2 other people. europeans dont seem to mind the crowd. i thought it terrible. then as party of four, we chartered a series of boats (all in bvi) all 50's. we went one time just the two of us. we chartered a 42. wife complained the whole time about how tiny the boat was. that was the year two hurricanes came through a day or two apart.

probably done about 10 charters, give or take a few. pm me if you have any questions that i might answer.

yea. first time was in a 37 with 2 other people. europeans dont seem to mind the crowd. i thought it terrible. then as party of four, we chartered a series of boats (all in bvi) all 50's. we went one time just the two of us. we chartered a 42. wife complained the whole time about how tiny the boat was.


Oh my god, two people in a 42 foot boat and you thought it was small????


Although, this is rather late and the OP may already have made a decision, I would very much agree with what Jerseygirl said above.

Something to consider, even though you may be a very experienced sailor, when you're on holiday with a family that doesn't sail then it can actually be a lot more relaxing to have a crewed charter rather than bareboat.

Also, with that many people then it could be a lot easier trying to find a cat rather than a monohull. Another thing to consider is what 'toys' are carried onboard eg for wakeboarding etc to keep the kids occupied.


But I really can't get over the comment from slawecki that with just two people on board, a 42 foot yacht was too small.