Four Thing You Should Know About Selecting a Bareboat Charter

1/ Sail boat or Cruiser Try this quick quiz to help you discover if you are more receptive to sailing or motor cruising

Do I prefer adventure or comfort?

Do I get more out of the trip or goal

Marty, marty where’s the party or I’ve had enough I’d like to go to sleep

sleeping under the stars or who took the chocolate of my pillow

If your bent was toward the first choice a sailing yacht may be for you. If you preferred the second choice strictly stay with a motor cruiser. If you are some of one and some of the other it may depend on the duration of the charter but when in doubt go with the cruiser.

2/Who do I want to come with me Who comes along is the next big question. If your not a party animal, immediate family and friends that can tolerate your idiosyncrasies and you theres are a good choice. especially if you have had prior adventures with them and still talk with each other. if the weather gets a bit rough things can become a little strained, particularly in a sail boat.

3/What Style Boat

The largest you can spend the money on

The latest model you can spend the money on

The finest that you can spend the money on

Manufactured to fulfill the needs of the skipper yourself hirer ie plenty of water and refrigeration

To Skipper or not to Skipper Most charter company can offer you a skipper for part or all of your charter, it is a substantial extra cost but well worth it for some. Most people who charter a yacht have someone in there group who has some sail experience, which I would recommend. As for a motor cruiser, if you can drive a car you can steer a boat. Most groups I have dealt with have already worked out who the skipper will be, sometimes he/she has been self appointed. In any case the skipper should

Be able to see well

Be attentive to other vessels on the water

Keep under the alcohol limit while the boat is under way

Be patient and not easily flustered

There are many places in the world you can charter a vessel, from the Greek Islands in Europe to the Whitsunday Islands in Australia, which is my favorite. My personal preference is a motor cruiser I love sailing but I find a day of it will usually “do” me and for that I would rather take a day trip with a professional on a maxi yacht or similar. See you on the water