The US Virgin Islands have a long history of classic yacht arrivals: Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas was once one of the Caribbean busiest trading ports, and the harbours here carry a heritage that classic charter yachts inhabit naturally. Eight classic charter yachts cover this region, traditional sailing vessels and vintage motor sailers whose varnished brightwork and hand-sewn sails are as much a part of the experience as the anchorages themselves. Red Hook offers the practical side, with fuel berths, provisions and marine services that keep classic yachts in survey-perfect condition throughout a charter. The sailing conditions in the USVI suit traditional rigs particularly well: the trade wind breeze is consistent without being overpowering, the distances between anchorages are short and the reef systems that fringe the islands provide the kind of textbook pilotage that classic yacht captains relish. Weekly rates for classic charter yachts in the USVI range from around 50,000 to 150,000 euros per week, depending on vessel vintage and size, with an advance provisioning allowance of approximately 30% for running costs. St John Francis Bay provides a particularly fine overnight anchorage for a classic vessel: the holding is good, the water is clear and the surrounding national park land means the view from the companionway is one of palms and quiet hills rather than development. St Croix Christiansted Harbour, with its Danish colonial fortifications, is the destination that classic charters return to repeatedly.
