The Essential Guide to Bareboat Yacht Charters

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The Essential Guide to

Bareboat Yacht Charters

By Robert Cross

March 2015

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PREFACE

A sailing vacation is the ultimate way to relax and pack in heaps of holiday fun. For the duration of your charter, your boat is your accommodation, transport, restaurant and entertainment centre. There is no need to organise excursions, you are living one. There is a bit to organising a yacht charter, and good planning is key to making sure your holiday will be enjoyable from start to finish. When booking you want confidence in the boat and destination you have chosen, and when boarding the boat you want to feel completely comfortable, with no surprises. Just as the voyage itself, you want the whole planning process to be plain sailing all the way.

Our Charter Guide is intended to provide helpful tips on preparing for your bare boat charter and to explain the process from pre-planning to casting off. Understanding how things work makes for better decisions. We trust the contents will be both interesting and useful as you prepare to set sail on the holiday of a lifetime.

In preparing this guide, we draw on decades of sailboat experience in all parts of the world. That experience includes skippering charter yachts, sailing tuition, family cruising, racing and blue-water voyages. In declaring our interest in being of service to you as a charter boat

brokerage, we can state with confidence that we have a passion for sailing and travel. Our aim is to share our sailing knowledge - helping you get the best impartial advice on boat choices, destination options, and everything else associated.

Take a look at our Charter Guide, and make your choice among the many charter boat

companies operating worldwide. Should you choose to let us help you on your way, it will be our pleasure to assist you further.

Robert Cross

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1. CHOOSING A DESTINATION

Selecting a sailing destination is probably your hardest decision. It is a personal choice based on the broad set of interests of you and your crew. If you have previously chartered a boat and can identify what you particularly enjoyed about the experience, that’s a good place to start. Add what new experiences you are looking for, and you’re on your way.

What we find most enjoyable about our own sailing holidays, backed up by feedback from clients, is the sense of adventure that comes with visiting a destination for the first time. Whether tying up to a busy quay in the Greek Ionian Islands at the centre of the waterfront action, exploring the pristine marine parks and natural splendour of New Caledonia, seeing whales breaching in Tonga, buying fresh produce off Turkish local traders who supply the charter fleet from their small-boat floating convenience stores, or experiencing the music and beach culture of the Caribbean, an abundance of riches await. And not to overlook basking in the serenity and stillness of Southeast Asian waters, where on one trip we faced not a breath of wind for days. A comfortable and calming stillness prevailed, and sailing weather was not missed at all as we hopped from one Island to the next.

The weather in Southeast Asia is not like that all the time. But a good rule to live by on a sailing vacation is that what you get is how it was supposed to be, there to enjoy for what it is. An unexpected treat is never far away – often one that becomes a trip highlight, a pure bonus. It truly is a wonderful world with lots to see and do.

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Speaking personally, I have experienced enough variety for now, and feel it’s time to go back and visit old favourites. For you it may be quite different. What you can and should expect when preparing for your boat charter is prompt and professional service at every step. Here there’s no room for uncertainty or surprises.

Once you have decided on a country or region to charter, your choice of destination may have only just begun; the options are endless, and can be confusing. You can do a lot of research on the internet, but keep in mind that most of what you’ll read is aimed at land-based tourists. On your boat, you are not constrained by roads and paths well-travelled. You can set your own course to explore at will.

Online sailing itineraries offered by charter boat operators can be useful. But keep in mind they are often written to optimise charters from their specific locations. They can be very ambitious to create expectations that may not deliver your best options. By booking your boat charter through a broker, you are dealing with an independent specialist. A good broker maintains a comprehensive record not only of what’s on offer in the marketplace, but also on client

experiences, so that the very latest in local knowledge and unbiased odvice can be passed on. In all country and regional destinations offering boat charters, local sailing conditions of varying degrees of difficulty apply. In the normal course of events, your charter is booked by the person who will skipper the boat, usually the most experienced member of the crew. Our

recommendation will always be to err on the side of caution when assessing the environment into which you will sail, carefully considering crew comfort and tolerance of the conditions most likely to prevail.

Brokers have the client’s interest firmly in mind, and we act as a “sounding board” for crew members’ concerns and expectations. Our recommendations aim to provide for a holiday that is challenging only to the extent anticipated, one that the skipper can be confident will be enjoyed by everyone on board. Part of our service is to present historical data on the weather conditions likely at the time of year in the destination you are interested in. We cannot predict the weather, but we can give you a good idea of what to expect, and from there work out a suitable sailing program.

Build some flexibility into your itinerary. It should be a relatively loose plan that gives you options based on the weather and the places of extra interest you are likely to find along the way. Take your time to explore and enjoy the being there, rather than drawing up an ambitious plan that may see you missing much of value, especially if the weather turns. When we recommend one-way charters, it is only with good reasons. A badly-planned one-one-way charter can leave you disappointed. You don’t want your holiday turned into simply a boat delivery trip because you have to keep moving to meet a deadline, just when you feel like staying put and enjoying the fantastic coastal town or bay you’ve found.

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2. CHOOSING A BOAT

If you are familiar with boats and boating, attend any international boat show these days and you will come away astounded by the advances in modern yacht design. But despite all the technology, every boat design is a compromise between comfort, performance and layout options. When it comes to the fleets of charter yachts at your disposal, comfort usually wins out. There are boats available for the sailing purist determined to sail efficiently to windward rather than use the motor, so don’t hesitate to enquire if performance is your thing. But for a holiday with family or friends, we will normally steer you firstly towards a boat that maximizes crew comfort, and work from there. Some destinations are more suited to certain layout

configurations. For instance helm stations raised for visibility are good for spotting the many prawn pots in Thailand’s waters, but are not required to the same degree in Tahiti, where sailing performance is often sought to get the most out of the ocean passage journeys between Islands.

Everywhere these days, catamarans are leading the charge in charter fleets, replacing

monohull yachts and perhaps more interestingly, power boats. Some of our clients who charter a catamaran never pull out the sails. Their choice of craft is based on the extra accommodation and stability provided compared to that of a traditional power boat, or on the cost compared to a power catamaran. The large open plan living area of a catamaran is increasingly popular among charterers, especially when the stylish layouts of modern designs are also considered. Catamarans are dearer to charter than monohulls, and when the wind is forward of the beam the sailing experience anticipated quickly becomes a motoring experience. But all that is offset by living aboard a floating home that include separate quarters and large flowing entertaining spaces. It’s all very hard to beat.

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In some destinations, chartering a monohull is more practical than a catamaran, such as when your trip involves a lot of tying up. Docking space for a catamaran can be expensive, and berths in crowded harbors can be tricky to get into and out of.

Where modern monohull designs are challenging the appeal of the catamaran, historically the trend has been for cruising yacht designs to follow the form and fashion set by racing yachts of the particular period. More recently, monohull designs have been increasingly influenced by yachts designed to race around the globe with the prevailing winds. The result of that trend is a predominance of lightweight off-the-wind flyers with very wide sterns and surfboard-like

underwater sections. Fortunately this broad form transitions well to the cruising boat that is heavier in displacement and relatively passive in nature. The wide stern makes possible the large cockpit preferred by cruising sailors, with room also for rear cabins comparable in comfort to the previously-preferred forward cabin.

On making your decision on which type and size of boat suits your holiday needs best, we recommend you book early to get the best available late-model boat. The list price may be a little higher, but that is often offset by an early-booking discount. Lock your boat in early, and you can plan your trip knowing you have the vessel that’s right in every way.

A late model boat is desirable but brand-new has its pitfalls. In our experience it is best that your boat has spent some time on charter, to wear in and have any new-boat bugs resolved.

A good broker will negotiate favourable cancellation terms for early bookings, so that should your plans change you are not penalized unduly. Make sure your travel insurance includes cover for unforeseen situations that could require cancellation closer to your charter period.

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3. CHARTER PRICE GUIDE

When chartering, whether it’s a bareboat or skippered yacht, you will find the price includes a number of variables, which can include:

 Size and type of boat

 Specification of equipment on the boat  Age of boat

 Time of year  Destination

 Early booking discounts  Long term discounts  Last minute discounts

 Promotional discounts in advance of season

 Promotional discounts during season for fleets with surplus capacity  Repeat client discounts

 Cancellations  Exchange rate

 Strategy of charter operator in that destination

 Volume of trade the broker places with charter operator

On top of the charter cost for the boat itself, you also need to consider:  Cost of living while cruising

 Cost of travel to the destination  Cost of mooring fees while cruising

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SIZE OF BOAT AND NUMBER OF CABINS

To ensure the best possible holiday, it is important to consider the space and accommodation you and your crew require. The overall space, interior layout and level of private facilities all affect the price you will pay. Catamarans naturally offer a larger platform than monohulls of the same length, with the cockpit and main saloon on the same level, and private cabins with ensuite usually included. While you will likely pay more for a catamaran of the same length, you will find you get more volume and living space for your money.

SPECIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT ON THE BOAT

New boats are being launched with increasingly impressive modern conveniences, and the larger the boat the more that is the case. Generators, fuel cells, water makers, air conditioning, larger dinghies and outboard motors are but a few of the extras packed onto the latest boats. Those with higher inventory specifications can be expected to cost more to charter. They will also take longer to be briefed on, and it is important you allow the time for this on arrival. AGE OF BOAT

Newer boats, better presented and quite possibly with better inventories, book out first, and there is a clear reasons for this. Over time, production boats have become progressively cheaper to buy, which has helped keep the cost of chartering down. The charter price for a new boat is not necessarily more than you will pay for an older model. Book early and increase your chances of securing a newer boat, quite possibly at a discounted price.

TIME OF YEAR

Charter companies naturally base their prices on the level of demand. However peak holiday periods when demand is highest are not necessarily the best times to go sailing. In many destinations, the shoulder season can be the best, or at least as good a time to charter, saving you money and making your holiday more enjoyable all round.

DESTINATION

Charter prices of similar boats can vary by destination due to local taxes, direct competition and the costs of keeping boats in a certain location. The length of a destination’s season also has an effect on market price. The Caribbean season for instance operates all year round, making it relatively cheap in the low season, still a good time to go sailing if you don’t mind the heat.

The Mediterranean season is just six months long, and list prices are generally always higher there. However there are a lot of charter boats on the Mediterranean, and prices can be subject to generous discounts at times of surplus capacity.

World events play a part in demand, and supply of boats. An example was the 2012 unrest in Athens, which affected charter business in Greece, causing operators to relocate boats to Turkey. The following year trouble broke out in Syria, meaning Turkey lost bookings.

Tahiti charter prices dropped when a new operator entered the market. This destination has remained good value due to surplus capacity and French subsidies for investment there.

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Pacific destinations can at times be affected by flight availability. It is not unusual for total accommodation capacity to exceed the local airlines’ ability to get people to and from outer islands. Operators are always keen to get early bookings, and for clients to secure their flights ahead of land-based tourists. For that reason, attractive deals are often published well in advance.

Southeast Asia is a relatively new charter territory, where until recently there was a 200% tax on imported boats. This tax has now been removed completely and an old fleet of devalued boats from other regions has been replaced by boats that are all brand new. Like the Caribbean, this is an easy place to sail that operates all year round. Peak season is expensive and busy, but sailing there recently in the off-season (September) we found the prices quite cheap, everything was open and there were no crowds. We didn’t get much rain either, confirming September as a preferred time to travel to the region. Food is cheap, fresh and tasty, and the cost of a charter in Thailand or Malaysia is good value overall.

The cost of chartering in the Indian Ocean is mostly about getting there. If you live in South Africa, Perth or parts of Europe with flights to the region, you are lucky to have this beautiful and pristine sailing area within reach.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS

Operator policies on early booking discounts vary, and offers can be as much as 15% in the Mediterranean. Charter operators like to get their books filled early, to help them assess

demand and resource accordingly. The early booking discount provides a good reason to plan your holiday well in advance, as does the fact that new boats and catamarans book out first. The best advice we can give is book early, to get the best boat at the best price with the best operator.

LONG TERM DISCOUNTS

Again these vary, but as a general rule a two-week charter attracts an extra 5% discount, three weeks 10%.

LAST-MINUTE DISCOUNTS

These are published monthly, and we keep a file of surplus short-term capacity. If you find yourself in an exotic part of the world stuck on the beach with time to do some bareboat sailing, you may be surprised what we have on offer for immediate use.

By definition, last-minute discounts apply days or weeks out, rather than months. In the months before you plan to travel, it’s unlikely a discount will be available. And there’s no guarantee of a last-minute deal at any time, but it is worth checking out.

PROMOTIONAL DISCOUNTS IN ADVANCE OF SEASON

As mentioned above, charter companies like their boats booked well in advance. This means they will sometimes issue promotional discounts for fleets that are slow to book. We keep

ourselves informed of all current specials, and can even anticipate them, based on the strength of bookings observed.

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PROMOTIONAL DISCOUNTS DURING SEASON FOR FLEETS WITH SURPLUS CAPACITY Boats lying idle in the season cost money, and that’s bad for business. In such a case of surplus capacity, there is bound to be a special deal on the way.

REPEAT CLIENT DISCOUNTS

Sail Connections keep client records safely and securely on file. Knowing who you have chartered with previously and what boat you have sailed, we help you get the most suitable boat at the best repeat client discount available. We are aware that some companies load extra margin before offering a discount, making a boat with a loyalty discount in fact more expensive. We understand this and will quote on alternative boats for comparison.

CANCELLATIONS

While it does not happen often, in the unfortunate event that someone cancels a charter and a boat comes back onto the market, chances are that it will be offered at a lower price.

EXCHANGE RATE

Generally, charter company rate sheets are fixed periodically, which has pluses and minuses as currency rates move constantly during the year. We will quote in different currencies to match a cheaper price.

STRATEGY OF THE CHARTER OPERATOR IN A PARTICULAR DESTINATION

There are often business dynamics in a particular market that artificially lower the price an operator charges there. We work proactively to book boats offered at the best prices, providing we are satisfied as to the operator’s standards of professionalism and customer service. Lower price must never be at the expense of poor service or inferior boat quality.

VOLUME OF TRADE SAIL CONNECTIONS PLACES WITH CHARTER OPERATOR

Over time, a broker who has been in business for a while develops relationships with suppliers. As a charter boat booking specialist for more than 20 years, we have established excellent

relationships with reputable operators of long-standing. They in turn cement the relationship and acknowledge our loyalty by helping make us competitive when quoting on their boats.

COST OF LIVING WHILE CRUISING

The price of your bareboat charter is only part of your total holiday cost. One great benefit of chartering is that the boat is your hotel and your transport. Not only that, it provides much of your adventure and entertainment. There is less need (and often no opportunity) to spend money while on your charter boat, where you can live like a local - buying your groceries at the market and self-catering.

When you do go ashore, some destinations are cheaper than others. Southeast Asia for instance has a lower cost of living, low if any marina fees, and competitive flights in and out. In the

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and marina fees. In the Caribbean there are a lot more temptations to spend money ashore than say the Pacific, which is more about self-catering

YACHT CHARTER PRICING GUIDELINES

This price guide is based on the average standard bareboat rate for a one-week charter during the 2014 season, using quality yachts and professional operators as the benchmark. For all the reasons explained above, including the various specials that apply from time to time, this guide is just that – a guide. To accurately price your boat charter, please get in touch with us through our website and we will quote available boats and current prices.

Do not rely on this guide to set a budget; prices may vary considerably. Pricing is in US$.

ASIA

Yacht Size Low season

May – Oct

Mid season

Late Oct – Dec

High season

Late Dec - April

36ft monohull 2500 4000 5000 44ft monohull 2600 4300 5500 47ft monohull 2700 4600 6000 52 ft monohull 3500 5600 6800 38ft catamaran 3600 6200 7000 42ft catamaran 5100 8800 10,900 46ft catamaran 5800 8300 12,800 50ft catamaran 5500 9300 12,200 CARIBBEAN

Aug – Oct

Mid season

April – July & Late Oct – Dec

High season

Late Dec - April

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44ft monohull 2200 3600 5700 47ft monohull 2100 3500 7000 52 ft monohull 2400 4000 8000 38ft catamaran 3800 5300 6300 42ft catamaran 4400 6200 7800 46ft catamaran 5200 8900 10,000 50ft catamaran 5400 9000 12,000 EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Oct - April Mid season April – June High season July - Sept 36ft monohull 1200 3600 3600 44ft monohull 2200 2400 6300 47ft monohull 2200 2800 3700 52 ft monohull 3000 3700 7300 38ft catamaran 4000 5000 8000 42ft catamaran 4200 6000 8800 46ft catamaran 5200 8200 10,500 50ft catamaran 5000 7800 10,000

SOUTH PACIFIC (EXCLUDES TONGA AND NEW ZEALAND)

Yacht Size Low season Mid season

April – June & Sept - Nov

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Dec - March July - Aug 36ft monohull 3100 3400 3800 44ft monohull 2600 5000 6400 47ft monohull 2600 3300 4000 52 ft monohull 2900 3600 4400 38ft catamaran 5900 7400 7100 42ft catamaran 6200 7400 8300 46ft catamaran 7100 8900 8600 50ft catamaran 5400 6800 8400

You can see that due to the many factors affecting price, the only way to get an accurate idea of pricing options is to contact us.

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4. CHARTERING WITH A GOOD OPERATOR

A growing number of owners are putting their boats in charter management. As a result of various successful ownership/charter schemes, there are now many new yachts available for addition to operator fleets. The best operators are the ones always looking to keep their fleets up to date while providing owners with the highest standard of boat maintenance. These are the companies we give preference to when arranging charters for our clients.

That’s not to say we disregard those companies operating older boats, as long as we consider their maintenance and customer service to be of the highest standard. We are well aware that old and badly-maintained boats do not simply disappear. Often they provide the holiday of choice for the poorly advised.

A good broker always has a list of favoured operators known to take good care of boats and clients. Most likely, you will only sail with a particular charter operator once, and they know it. There is no direct incentive for them to build goodwill with you, and ensure your boat and their service meets your expectations. But in dealing with us it’s different. When we book a boat with operators, they are accountable to us for good performance. We take note of all client

feedback, to ensure our standards of service are constantly being met.

Good operators are passionate about sharing the sailing experience; their staff members are proud of their region and country, and want to share it with you. They want you to return, or at least to speak highly of your experience when you get back home. Brokers act as the link that improves your chance of a good experience. It costs no extra to book a boat through a broker, yet doing so empowers you to make a more qualified decision, with an assurance you will be looked after every step of the way.

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5. EXTRA CHARGES AND INCLUSIONS

If you have found the charter boat you are seeking on an operator website, it will most likely be advertised at the ‘bareboat price’. If you are quoted by a broker, they should have discussed all your needs and expectations, so as to include any mandatory and recommended optional extras you may require. There can be a big difference between the bareboat price and the full cost of charter.

Some important extras you may wish to consider:

Skipper and Crew. We can provide any level of crew you require. Whether it’s just a skipper to help you sail the boat, or a hostess/cook to meet your domestic on-board needs, the crew is there to look after you as well as taking responsibility for the boat. These peoples are also your local guides, and ensure you get all the best inside knowledge about places to go and things to see. Crewed charters certainly offer a fuller, more relaxed sailing experience, and are well worth considering if the budget allows. This aspect of your charter is covered in greater detail in the following section.

End Clean. This is a mandatory charge usually listed as an extra payable at the charter base. We include it in your charter payment.

Local taxes. These vary and are normally payable at the base if not included in the charter payment.

Paperwork. In some destinations there are formalities required by local port authorities for which there may be an extra cost. We may have to make a special application for you if for instance

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your itinerary takes you across an international border, or you plan an excursion that is out of the ordinary.

Outboard motor for your dinghy. In some destinations this incurs an extra charge, along with the fuel.

Linen and Towels. Operators should include this, but many charge per person. We can clarify that for you.

Refundable Security Bond. This is swiped on your credit card at the charter base to cover the excess portion of the boat’s insurance. If you have any damage or loss while on the boat, the cost of repair or replacement is deducted from the security bond. This can be a considerable sum, so be aware of it and let us know if you have any queries.

Damage Waiver or Security Bond Insurance. Many operators offer damage waiver insurance as an extra cost that will cover most of this risk. Others offer security bond insurance that is usually arranged directly with the insurance company. This is worth considering, as it reduces the security bond by 90% or more, in some cases completely.

Fuel. The general rule is to fill the tanks at the end of charter. Some companies have a mandatory fuel charge to cover this.

Provisioning. We supply a provisioning list and can have some or all of the items you select loaded onto the boat for your arrival. The operator will generally charge a fee for doing this, either directly or through a catering company.

In most cases, our clients shop for themselves near the charter base, and we can advise what shopping is available nearby. Some operators can supply a starter pack that contains basic consumables to get you on your way.

Transfers. Transport between airport or other point of arrival and your charter base can be included in our quote.

There are many other optional extras and services that can be arranged for your charter. Your broker will have a full list of local providers on file, and can arrange activities in advance or provide you with the information you need.

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6. CREWING YOUR CHARTER BOAT

If you don’t want your charter to be on a full bareboat basis, there is a range of crew options available. Even some of our most experienced clients choose to take a skipper, enabling them to relax and fully enjoy the sailing and stopovers while someone else takes the responsibility and does the work.

Depending on availability in the destination concerned, crew members can range from skipper, skipper/cook, day skipper, hostess to deckhand or engineer. Their respective roles are defined, and to be respected for what they are. But don’t be surprised – what you get in service and advice is invariably more than what you expect.

Skipper. The skipper is responsible for the sailing, motoring and mooring of the boat. He/she is assigned for the duration of the charter, and as with the boat is paid by the night.

Skipper/Cook. In some destinations you can book a skipper who will also cook meals. This is limited to charters of up to three guests. Typically, it is a service used by honeymooning couples. Day Skipper. It is possible to hire a skipper by day, who leaves the boat to return home at night. This is offered in places where the sailing itinerary stays close to base, or when the client takes a refresher course or wants to be made familiar with the boat before beginning a bareboat charter.

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is a good arrangement as they require just one cabin and can be expected to work well as a team.

Deckhand or engineer. Less common but occasionally requested, a deckhand not qualified as a skipper can be engaged to assist with boat handling. An engineer is not normally needed, although in Southeast Asia some charter boats require one as a mandatory extra. There wages are low and you will pay a minimal amount, more for someone who can assist with handling the boat and operating its systems.

With a skippered or crew-supplied charter, you can expect your arrangements to unfold somewhat as follows...

ARRIVING AT THE CHARTER BASE

Your skipper is assigned by the operator, usually a couple of weeks out from charter. If you specify an age-range preference or have particular expectations of the person to be assigned, they will do their best to meet your request, although no guarantees can be made. We will seek the skipper’s details in advance of charter and forward them to you. If you have booked a hostess, she will work on a menu plan before you arrive, ensuring any preferences you state are taken care of.

The skipper will meet with you on first arrival, advising on provisioning including his/her own food requirements. He will be the liaison with the base manager from this point onwards, and let you know the schedule for taking over the boat and pre-departure requirements. A boat briefing will follow with your involvement as it would with any charter. It is important that you understand the workings of the boat just as you would need to on a bareboat charter. One of your crew will be assigned on the ship’s papers as first mate, an insurance policy requirement in many

destinations.

Your skipper takes formal delivery of the boat and is responsible for handover back to the base

manager at the end of charter. On the face of it the skipper is only responsible for getting the

boat from A to B in a professional manner, and your charter agreement will likely state that

....the charterer will in all events remain responsible for the boat and the behaviour and

well-being of crew… But in reality you can rely on your skipper to take a much wider role, adding value to your holiday well beyond what they are paid to do.

Examples of extra value a skipper is likely to provide while on charter include:

 Sailing and boat handling tuition. Skippers enjoy it when clients take an interest in

learning the workings of the boat, and like to share their knowledge. You are fully entitled to be as involved in boat handling as you wish in the areas you are competent in. The skipper will take charge if things get tricky, or whenever you just want to sit back and relax.

 Ferrying you to shore. Strictly speaking, this is outside the skipper’s area of responsibility. But as a basic understanding of small boat handling is necessary to safely transfer to and from shore, he can be expected to give any support and tuition required.

 Procuring fresh produce and provisions. The skipper knows the region you will be sailing in, and will have good advice on where to get the best stores. He may even have contacts with local fishermen and market gardeners, and do some hunting and gathering for you.

 Local guide. This is a great advantage when exploring foreign territory. Your skipper and hostess know the area – it’s their backyard. They will freely talk with you about places of interest and the best options for exploration. If they consider your itinerary too ambitious, they will tell you, and their advice on matters of local navigation and making passage

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should be respected. But if you want to sail all day to get somewhere you are determined to visit, they will oblige, within the bounds of safety and comfort.

 Extra activities and excursions. If you want to engage in local activities such as fishing and diving etc., your paid crew can make arrangements, including picking you up from the boat.

 Organising disembarkation at a point other than the base. For instance, if you want to move on in daylight on the last full day of charter, and have to leave the boat early. In some destinations a second mate is required for insurance purposes, which means you must remain with the boat. But if not, it is possible to finish your charter at another

location on the normal charter end date, for a fee, with the boat delivered back to base by the paid crew.

When it comes to engaging a crew for your charter, all the reports we get back confirm that if the budget allows, it is well worth the cost. The skippers our operators use are people who are invariably helpful, willing and able to add value to your sailing holiday.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR CREW

As charterer, you are responsible for housing and feeding your skipper and crew. This means you must provision for them, but it does not mean you have to take them out to dinner. It is usual to include the crew in any meals prepared on the boat, but equally they will be willing at times to cater for themselves. They will do their share of the cleaning up, and are often the first to oblige!

Most larger boats have separate crew cabins, usually singles accessed from the deck hatch. But many don’t have their own bathroom facilities so these need to be allocated. Crew comfort and accommodation requirements differ from place to place. In the Mediterranean, most skippers and hostesses are happy to share one double cabin, even if they are not a couple. Elsewhere that is not the case, so your boat will need separate crew cabins.

A forward single cabin showing on the boat layout plan is not necessarily suitable as crew quarters. Quite often this is designed for young children and separated from the forward double cabin by a removable panel.

Should a crew be a part of your charter holiday plan, we will discuss all the accommodation issues with you and ensure you get a boat that is suitable for everyone on board.

Tipping crew at the end of charter is discretionary. Our advice is to tip the skipper when he has extended himself to meet all of your expectations, and more. 10% is often mentioned as the standard, but there is no fixed or recommended amount, and the decision is completely up to you.

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7. THE CHARTER CONTRACT AND PAPERWORK

The paperwork is important, and if this is your first charter you may be surprised at the number of forms you are given to complete. If you have chartered with us before, we will already hold much of the information on file, so it is easier second time around. With every charter, the following are required.

CHARTER TERMS

The details of these are normally sent to you with your invoice, for your agreement prior to payment of the deposit. This is a standard document between you and the operator, and will cover everything about your contract as advised by us in the quoting process.

CREW LIST

Some details of your group are required by maritime law and insurance. Our crew list form asks a few extra questions, such as shoe size for the pre-fitting and supply of flippers.

SKIPPERS RESUME

To gain approval for your bareboat charter, we need to advise the charter company of the skipper’s and nominated first mate’s experience and qualifications. Experience is

complemented by any sailing qualifications, yacht club membership or relevant references you may have.

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Charter operators want to see a certain level of experience and competence. Formal sailing qualifications are good to have, but not as important as experience, and are not a guarantee that you can charter bareboat, that is without a skipper. Some countries do require a

recognised sailing qualification. Day skipper or boat master will do, even though they are theoretical qualifications and not true measures of ability to safely handle a boat.

Occasionally, we hear of charterers arriving at the base to be told that they need to take a skipper. This has never happened with our clients. Our practice is to present to the charter company a clear representation of your level of competence to handle their boat. If in our evaluation we find your experience does come up short, we will be open with you and suggest you take a skipper, or at least have one on board for a day while you to get used to the boat. Operators who take bookings directly often force a skipper on you as a means of gaining more revenue. We would certainly challenge any such action with a client whose aptitude we have evaluated and passed for bareboat charter.

CHARTER VOUCHER

This document represents the most important aspect of a well-prepared trip, as it confirms that all charter arrangements are in place. Your charter voucher contains the base contact details, boat details, and records any special arrangements that have been made. You receive it on final payment of your account. A copy goes to the base prior to charter, thus ensuring the operator will be expecting you and have everything you need in place.

When you get your charter voucher, please review it carefully to ensure everything is as you expect it to be. There is still time to make any changes needed.

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8. SAILING QUALIFICATIONS

Currently, only EU countries and Turkey require bareboat charterers to hold a formal sailing certificate. However with the rise in popularity of chartering, other countries are thinking about it. As mentioned above, the base level qualification of your nationally-recognised marine training authority is all you need. In addition, someone on board must have a vhf licence, a maritime requirement in most regions.

Formal qualifications where needed are a regulatory requirement, and you may be asked to present papers by a local port authority (though it’s unlikely). A copy should be placed with your boat papers while on charter.

This blog explains the process of gaining an ICC (international Certificate of Competence), which qualifies you to charter bareboat anywhere.

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9. WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

Charter boats are set up as you would expect of a self-catering hotel room, with all cooking and safety equipment supplied. Just be aware that the life jackets supplied are for abandoning ship rather than for comfort while sailing, and the wet-weather gear will be traditional plastic parker-type or less. If you have your own better-quality gear, you may wish to bring it. Your own well-fitting child life jackets are essential, as the children will resist wearing the bulky ones supplied. You are not allowed to fly with inflatable canisters, but we can arrange for these to be supplied when you arrive. Or you may be happy to use manual inflation.

Snorkels and masks are supplied, but you may prefer your own rather than using what’s been in someone else’s mouth.

We strongly recommend you travel light, using luggage that is collapsible for stowing under the bunks - a small thing that can make ship life in the company of others more survivable. Other essential items to pack from home include the following.

We supply a complimentary charter pack with all charters booked through us. You can also buy online for the retail value of the items included (US$85), or read below and provision yourself with similar products. This offer is not to be confused with starter packs supplied by the operators, which contain the basic consumables to get you on your way. Our charter pack is a collection of useful items that make life easier on board, and will impress the crew with your understanding of the finer details of sailing life!

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PEGS – SUPER GRIP

For some reason, you can’t get good pegs in most destinations, and the ones left on board are tired versions of what were lame examples in the first place. Little things matter on a boat, and after trialling different designs we have found the solution - unique spring-and-jaw pegs that ensure your clothes stay secured when pegged to the life line.

20 super-strong grip pegs supplied.

GLASS CHARMS – SUCTION TYPE

Identify your drinking glass for re-use, and save on endless washing. Glass charms commonly available are designed for wine glasses with a stem, but on board it the casual drinking glass that makes up the bulk of the washing up. Our glass charms stick to the side of any flat surface so are good for identifying individual glasses, drinking cans, bottles and even your mask and snorkel.

8 of these clever little markers are in the pack. COLOURED TOWEL BADGES

If you have been on a previous charter, as you entered your cabin you will have probably found two towels neatly folded on the bed. Unfortunately, everyone else has two identical towels supplied for their personal use as well. At the start of your charter you diligently try to maintain ownership of your towel, but eventually reach a point where you give up and try not to care. Attach a coloured Sail Connections badge to your towel and the problem of sharing towels is solved.

16 x (2 x 8) colour badges in each pack. A PACK OF CARDS

Good digital-free fun to while away the evenings without TV. HAIR AND BODY WASH

Alix Hair, Face and Body Wash - one bottle of the highest quality eco-wash to replace a toilet bag full of different remedies.

My wife raves about this product for what it does for her hair and skin. When I started using it, I was impressed ; I found a one-bottle does-all wash that magically repaired my damaged skin. Because this product is full of natural oils, I can also shave with it, making it absolutely ideal for use on a boat.

Place this by the cockpit shower for all or keep it for yourself to enjoy. It will even work on salt water (but better to wash the salt off)

And best of all, what you are releasing into the bay is nothing more than a pleasant cocktail of plant sugars and oils, with no chemical residue.

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Alix Essentials Hair, Face and Body Wash, 300ml. SET OF SIX COLOURED FACE CLOTHS

Colour-coding is ideal for staying in touch with your flannel. These cloths are perfect for use with your Alix Hair, Face and Body Wash, which is a concentrated product that should be used sparingly, so best applied from a cloth when used under running water. Better still, wet down, turn off, soap up and rinse off – to save water and maximise the product’s contact with the skin. These cloths are multi-purpose, and worth hanging on to even if you don’t need a flannel. 6 coloured cotton face cloths.

OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER Sharp knife

Purchase a cheap knife from the local market when you arrive. There is every chance the chopping knife on the boat has an edge that is beyond re-sharpening. Nothing dulls a knife more than the banging effect of storage with other cutlery on a moving boat. Even a new low-quality knife has a blade that’s sharp enough to last the duration of your charter. Put a knife on your boat stores shopping list.

Eco-friendly washing up and laundry liquid

When chartering a boat, let’s play our part for the environment and ‘leave only footprints, take only memories’. We visit so many wonderful places because of their natural beauty, and we want them to still be there for us and our children to return to. We all create black water on board, and that’s generally no problem as nature can deal with our organic waste in these concentrations, as long as we don’t distribute it in the bay.

What nature cannot deal with are the harsh chemicals we use to clean with; substances that don’t break down readily and accumulate in the environment. When on charter you will find the range of supplies limited to the cheaper, most convenient brands. Consider packing an environmentally friendly laundry and dishwashing liquid to take with you.

Buying products not based on petro-chemicals supports small socially responsible producers. Using them is better for you and your crew, with the knowledge that they naturally integrate back into the environment.

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10. YOUR ARRIVAL AT BASE

Your charter voucher provides details of the base where you will collect your boat, your charter dates and embarking/disembarking times. The first day of your charter is mostly about

processing onto the boat (as the last day is about processing off), and regardless of the stated time of boarding it is advisable to arrive early. In busy destinations such as the Mediterranean, where all boats are turned around on a Saturday, the operators have a monumental task to have all their boats cleaned and refreshed ready for charters to start at 5pm.

By checking in early, you can make the base staff aware of your arrival, and if possible they will give you priority. You should be able to leave your bags at the base office, then go and do your shopping with agreement to return and begin your skipper’s briefing at a pre-arranged time later in the day. With luck and if everyone is well-organised, that might be at a time earlier than the stated boarding time.

Day one is a busy day and there is a lot to do prior to the briefing. It is quite normal to spend your first and last nights of charter in the base marina.

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11. BEFORE YOU DEPART

Make the most of your skipper’s briefing and time spent at the charter base.

For reasons of space it is usually best to leave your luggage in the base office until after you have been briefed. At the skipper’s briefing you will be shown the working s of the boat. That is followed by a chart briefing, to inform you about local navigational considerations and points of interest.

You will get an updated weather forecast, and only then should you settle on your itinerary, taking account of expected conditions. You will have researched the region you are about to sail, but it is best to wait until all is in readiness before committing to specific direction or

distance, especially at the start of your charter. Updated local knowledge is invaluable, so make sure you listen to what the operator’s representatives have to say, and ask questions. The operator’s primary goal is to advise you in such a way that you enjoy your time afloat with minimal chance of any issues. You may feel they are being over-cautious, so feel free to

question their advice, if for instance you think the briefing will limit what you had planned to do. There will be reasons for their caution, and once explained you can decide if your experience and competence negates any concerns they express.

While you are being briefed, your crew can be checking cupboards to ensure all is as

expected. Count the cups, plates, towels and linen and any extras that you may have ordered or wish to request. Snorkel gear is based on details supplied in your crew list; check it is all there as ordered, and everything looks in good working order.

The outboard is another important piece of equipment that you must be happy with before you leave. Arrange to start it and take it for a run, retract it and generally put it through its paces until you are happy with its operation. Outboard issues are common on charters, and most problems can be traced back to unfamiliarity with operation. Get familiar with the boat as best you can at the base while you are under instruction and staff are around to assist. While you are at the base, requests are easily met and questions quickly answered.

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12. CASTING OFF

If it is not offered, ask the base staff to pilot the boat out into open water for you. Your crew will have travelled a long way and had a big day getting there and preparing for charter. You don't know the boat yet, and the marina is new to you. Treat this short trip as a quick tutorial with the person piloting the boat, and ask any questions before he is picked up by a colleague in a dinghy. There is plenty of time to get familiar with the boat in the following days, so use the services available. It is the best way to start on your voyage.

13. COMMON THINGS TO AVOID

Most charters are completed with few issues and little damage or loss to the boat. This is of course how you want it, as lost items or boat repairs will be deducted from your security deposit and may interfere with your holiday enjoyment. We are always impressed with how resourceful our clients generally are when confronted with an issue while on charter. Boating requires a certain level of practical ability, and it is often best to resolve an issue yourself rather than placing your holiday on hold waiting for an engineer.

The best outcome is when problems do not happen at all. To this end a short list of things to be aware of follows.

Running batteries too low

Keep an eye on the amp meter and keep the batteries above 60% charged at all times. If they run flat there is a good chance they will not accept the charge from the alternator.

Not securing the dinghy

The classic case of “I thought you were tying it up” when it is discovered gone in the morning. I have a rule that the first person out of the dinghy takes the painter and hands it to the skipper when he has unloaded.

Running the outboard up on the beach

This will shear the propeller pin. It is an easy fix for an engineer, but meanwhiile you are down a dinghy.

Power winches

These have the power to tear sails, rip fittings off the deck and indiscriminately bust whatever is holding their progress. Make sure everything is released and clear to run, and observe the winch in progress as well as the job it is doing. As it loads up and slows down the motor’s noise will change. If this happens take your finger off the power button and check for what is still secured or caught.

Lazy jacks and furling mains

Raising and lowering the mainsail should not be done in haste. Make sure all the reefing lines run free. There may be retrieval lines holding the head of the main and halyard away from the mast that need to be released, along with the stack pack sail bag if it is zipped or clipped.

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Battens inevitably get caught on lazy jacks on the sail’s way up. This happens to me every time, several times every hoist, and is to be expected. Have one person on the main halyard to release it as it catches the lazy jacks. Holding the boat dead into a shifty wind is not always possible, and sometimes I come down 10 degrees to allow the main to flop over and the battens to clear at the critical moment, then doing the reverse.

If you continue the hoist with jammed battens, the stack bag will tear from the boom as it goes up with the sail.

With a furling main make sure the retrieval line is released and everything is clear to run. If you break this mechanism with overzealous use of the winch, you will be without a mainsail for the trip, or worse, stuck with one you cannot get down.

Fouling the propeller

Keep an eye on the dinghy painter, any fishing nets that may be around or flotsam in the water. If you do pick up something, hopefully the engine will stall. If not, there is a mechanism in the drive designed to break before excess loads are transferred to the gearbox.

Loose items on deck

There is always a natural attrition of hats and personal items claimed by the wind. Every sailor understands this and gets caught out occasionally.

In my experience, security on board has never been an issue, and I have not been anywhere where I felt the need to lock the boat while at anchor. I have however had a fishing rod lifted in the dead of night from its holder. A local villager considered it too much of a temptation to ignore. He didn’t need to board the boat, and would have just grabbed it from his canoe. Enjoy your charter. When it’s over, we would love to hear how it all went.

P.S. If you want to know more about chartering please contact me directly. I always enjoy talking about sailing holidays. [email protected]

The Essential Guide to Bareboat Yacht Charters