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.
Yacht orientation is not something that should be rushed, and you should take
the opportunity to ask any questions you have – don’t hold back! A few minutes
taken now checking over something or gaining a better understanding will be time
well spent if it saves valuable time when you’re actually on vacation. The
charter company will feel better if you are totally confident about the boat
before you embark.
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.