CA Exclusive! We Interview The Moorings

A Chat With The Moorings

Charter Marketing Manager

Ian Pedersen

Charter Advisors has had a chance to speak with the head of Charter Marketing for The Moorings, Ian Pedersen and get the exclusive inside look at what's in-store for The Moorings in 2016. We had a lot of questions. You see, The Moorings is the one major company we haven't yet reviewed. Yep, that's what I said, we haven't reviewed them. Why? No special reason in particular. First come first serve reviews are what they are, but in 2016 we're rectifying that with a very special review of one of The Moorings most special offerings. Lets just say the current "Biggest Bareboat Charter Yacht" is about to get a run for its money!

But first, lets get a few burning questions out of the way.

CA: The Moorings charter yachts seem to dominate the sailing and motor charter scene in the British Virgin Island's, what do you attribute this to? Why do so many people choose The Moorings?

IP: The Moorings was founded in the British Virgin Islands in 1969 with only 6 yachts in the fleet. Since then we have expanded to include over 200 yachts in the BVI alone. Our catamarans are custom-built for The Moorings charter fleet by renowned yacht manufacturers Robertson & Caine based in South Africa, and can't be found anywhere else. We offer unique, differentiated products: in addition to the standard monohull and catamaran sailing vessels, we offer custom built Power catamarans to accommodate avid boaters who may not know how to sail, and also boast an impressive fleet of all-inclusive crewed yachts complete with professional captain and gourmet chef. With this fleet, I can confidently say The Moorings offers something for everyone.

We pride ourselves on providing a superior charter experience beginning from the first phone call right up until the boat is returned to the marina, and I think the sheer number of charter guests we see year after year is a testament to that dedication. Roughly 60% of our guests in the BVI each year are return charterers, which is something we take great pride in.

CA: Speaking of your British Virgin Islands fleet, what are your top two bareboat charter monohulls and top two catamarans?

IP: In The Moorings fleet, the most popular monohulls are our new 51.4 monohull, a 4-cabin, 4-head vessel complete with generator and A/C, and the 45.3, a new 3-cabin 3-head vessel perfect for families or multiple couples. Our flagship catamaran is the Moorings 4800, a next-generation 4-cabin catamaran with en-suite heads. Finally, the Moorings 514 Power Catamaran has been extremely popular in the past year since it was first introduced to the fleet, as it provides all of the amenities of its sailing counterpart, the 4800, however it appeals to a wide audience of boaters who may not be familiar with sailing yet still want to experience the charter lifestyle.

CA: Moving on to your charter base in Tortola. What are you offering at your base for charter guests? For example, do you offer accommodations the night before the charter (for late day arrivals with a charter date starting the next morning)?

IP: Our Marina in Road Town, Tortola is a full-service resort and marina featuring upgraded hotel rooms, pool, beach volleyball court, poolside bar area, two restaurants, spa, boutiques, water-sports and electronics rental shops, as well as a fully-stocked provisioning store for all of your charter food and beverage needs. Once you arrive at the marina, there is no need to go anywhere else. For those wanting to get on board their boats right away, we offer an "Evening Start" option by which guests can sleep aboard their boat in the marina the night before their departure, allowing them to get situated that night after a long day of travel, and facilitating an easier departure from the marina the following morning.

CA: Our readers often ask if charter companies offer assistance leaving and returning to the slip. Does your company offer this service?

IP: Yes we do. Leaving and returning to the slip while on charter is often the most difficult part of the vacation. We offer valet services to make things that much easier both at the beginning and end of your charter. We also offer a complimentary "Friendly Skipper" for up to 4 hours prior to your departure. Through this program a Moorings skipper takes you through all of the motions of operating one of our yachts while on charter, to make sure you are fully confident before setting off on your own.

CA: New boats for 2016. What are the new additions and model updates for the new year?

IP: The Moorings has invested nearly $50million for the 2016 charter season, and as a result the global fleet features numerous new models in the sailing and power fleets. New monohulls include the 38.2, the 42.3, the aforementioned 45.3 and finally the 51.4. This essentially replaces the entire monohull fleet for The Moorings, providing a range of options from 2-to-4 cabin boats. We are also proud to introduce the Moorings 4000 Sailing Catamaran, a 3-cabin vessel including a large owner's suite utilizing the entire span of the starboard hull. The Power fleet is also welcoming a 3-cabin vessel called the Moorings 433PC. The interior layout is very similar to that of the 4000 sailing catamaran, however the Power cat offers the advantage of an expansive fly bridge for added living space on board.

CA: What is something you want people looking for a charter company to know about The Moorings?

IP: A springtime vacation in the British Virgin Islands is truly a life-changing experience. I enjoyed my family vacation with The Moorings so much that, fast-forward 5 years, I now work for the company. To me, that is the most important aspect of The Moorings - that everyone who works here is truly passionate about providing the best charter experience possible for our guests. And you will find that same passion anywhere you go from the BVI, to the Bahamas, Croatia or Tahiti. When you go on vacation, you want to feel confident that you are on the best boats, with the best support, in the greatest yachting destination in the world, and that is something The Moorings can certainly provide.

So there you have it folks, a world exclusive first interview with the head of The Moorings Charter Program. So when you're planning your spring sailing getaway, be sure not to overlook The Moorings. If you haven't sailed with them before, now may be the time. A fresh fleet, some of the most spacious and comfy yachts in the BVI, and a free day with a week's charter make a pretty good argument. As our regular readers know, we don't endorse or promote any particular charter company, but we can say this... This is the year we will be reviewing the Moorings Fleet. Like we said, the time is right.

Charter Often!

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