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Bareboat Charter Information
To charter bareboat means hiring the yacht without crew
provided. To do this the charter company will usually need
to see evidence that the skipper has some charter experience
or owns and runs a yacht of similar size. In general, a
yacht will need a skipper and at least one competent crew
member.
Although it would be useful to have certificates, they are
not compulsory. We represent several charter companies and
each one has its own form of sailing requirements. We aim
to get all client approved by the charter company before
any money changes hands. We will help you, as our client,
through the certification process.
Yacht Handover
Handover for a bareboat chart takes on average about an hour. The purpose of this yacht orientation is to make you as familiar as possible with the vessel before you take to the sea. At the very least the skipper and the competent crew member will be shown:- The location and operation of safety equipment, which will include: life jackets, fire extinguisher, first aid kit.
- The location and operation of all winches, reefing lines, halyards and all sail controls.
- How to safely operate cooking and refrigeration units.
- Correct and safe operation of the heads.
- Location and operation of other instruments, such as GPS, if applicable.
- Use of the VHF radio, including mayday calls.
- Regular engine checks and operation.
- How to anchor the boat.
- Location and use of charts and pilot books.
- Any other systems on the vessel not already listed.
In a similar way, if you are not familiar with the cruising location, the charter company will be pleased to meet you and give you a full chart briefing, which could take up to an hour. However, if you are familiar with the cruising ground, you will probably only need a shorter chart briefing.
Additional Costs
Bareboat with skipper
Safe operation of the yacht is the responsibility of
the skipper, or captain. Guests should be willing to help
sail the boat.
It is the responsibility of the guests to supply their own
meals and beverages, as well as for the captain (and mate,
if applicable). Guests will also have to do all the cooking
and washing up!
The captain should be provided with a private berth for
the whole duration of the charter. The skipper will help
you find the best places for snorkeling, show you the best
sights on your cruise, and take you to the best beaches.
Guests will be responsible for paying for food, drink, fuel,
water (and ice), mooring fees and cruising taxes, where
required. It is also customary to pay a gratuity of 10-15%
of the charter fee to the captain at the end of the cruise.
Diesel Fuel
Most motor yachts and sailboats do not have diesel fuel on board. Many charter companies help you avoid having to refill the fuel tanks by making a pre-paid fuel charge, which is reasonable and calculated on the basis of average consumption.
Mooring Fees
Mooring buoys are offered on a first come, first served basis. Most overnight anchorages have mooring buoys, but it is worth checking your cruising guide to be sure of the details.
Water and Ice
Although you may not need to re-stock with water at all
over a one-week charter, it is fairly certain that you will
have to buy more ice every two to three days.
Other possible extras could include gas bottles, cleaning
of the yacht, and the like. Check your contract for such
compulsory purchases.
Sleeping on board
It is possible that you will arrive at a time that means
you can spend your first night on board at a reduced rate.
Some yacht charters do offer ‘sleepaboards’ which enable
you to board your boat in the early evening, around 5-6pm.
A sleepaboard offers you’re the convenience of only unpacking
once (avoiding a hotel) and can be very cost-effective,
especially for large groups. The cost usually works out
at around $25/per person to a maximum of 85% of the normally
daily rate for the yacht. Another advantage is the opportunity
to get your provisioning done ahead of schedule, and you
can also become familiar with the yacht before the standard
yacht orientation.
Despite the apparent advantages, a sleepaboard has its discomforts.
Most marinas are well protected at night, but are hot and
prone to bugs. Many of the boat’s systems will not be accessible
to you, pending full instructions the next day. Many hotels
will give one-night bookings. You should remember that a
good night’s sleep in a room at a good temperature is often
the prelude to a great vacation.
Provisioning
Self-provisioning or pre-arranged provisioning?A bareboat charter gives you the choice of shopping for your own groceries or asking the Bareboat company to provision the yacht before your arrival. It is also possible to use third-party gourmet provisioning to provision your charter.
It is most convenient to have the yacht pre-provisioned, and it will save you time and stress when you should be aiming to relax for your vacation. Good food is available and there is plenty of choice; you will also be able to tailor the provisions to your exact requirements.
If, however, you really would like to pick out your own food, then self-provisioning is for you. Grocery stores offer food and beverages that will not appear on the provisioning program, so if it’s a wider selection of food and drink you want, self-provisioning would be best for you.
If you have a crewed charter, don’t forget that you are responsible for providing them with food and drink, so your provisioning should take them into account, both for choice and for cost.
