November in the Virgin Islands is a busy time for charter yachts and their crews. Crews and owners are busy with the cleaning and maintenance side to getting their yachts ready for the upcoming season. The annual BVI Charter Yacht Society Boat Show also takes place right here in Village Cay Marina.

This year saw over 60 yachts ranging from 40 to 120 feet, sail and power, and all looked marvelous! Over the summer many yachts are updated, new furnishings purchased, menus perfected and sometimes new crews are onboard. The annual Charter Yacht Show is the time to show case all that and sell it to the charter yacht brokers from around the globe.

A highlight of the show is the final dinner, for crew and brokers, where the show winners are announced. A select group of charter yacht brokers are chosen as judges and they look each yacht over carefully. What they are looking for is cleanliness, charterability and overall appearance of the yacht. The crews themselves are also judged on their attitude, energy, passion and likeability. With so many great yachts out there I am sure it was a tough call for the judges. This years award winning charter yachts are:

120 ft M/V FREEDOM won for the best power boat in the show.

112 ft S/V TAKAPUNA won for the best mono-hull in the show.

62 ft S/C CATSY won for best multi-hull over 50 ft in the show

50 ft S/C NUTMEG won for best multi-hull 50 ft and under in the show

The over all winner that wowed judges was 62 ft S/C AVALON and her dynamic crew Paul and Melissa. This 2010 Lagoon has 5 queen size berths and offers an all inclusive rate for 10 guests for $35,000.00. A 33 ft beam gives her a very spacious and airy feeling. Not only is there an expansive cockpit and large foredeck but a roomy flybridge perfect for sunbathing and star gazing.

All these yachts and more are available for charter in the Virgin Islands for the 2011/12 season.