Guide To Bareboat Charter
A bareboat charter is a great way to enjoy a luxury sailingvacation, without the hassle of other passengers. The firststep in planning your voyage is to select a destination. TheBahamas and Caribbean are popular destinations for yachtcharters. Several companies in Miami and Fort Lauderdale offerships for trips to these destinations.
An Overview of a Bareboat Charter
Once you have decided on a destination, you will need to choosea boat. The charter company or broker will send you brochures,pictures and descriptions of boats. Once you have chosen aboat, you sign a contract and pay a deposit to reserve yourtrip. Read the contract carefully. It will contain informationon:
o Liability insurance o Cancellation policy o What is included in your charter o Security deposit o What to do if you experience a problem with the boat
Read the information carefully and ask questions about anythingthat isn’t clear or that you don’t understand.
In most cases, you are paying only for the boat. You and yourcrew will be responsible for sailing the boat on your voyage.If you aren’t qualified, you will need to hire a skipper. Thecharter company can help you with this. You will be responsiblefor fuel, taxes and port fees. In addition, you will need toprovide food and other supplies. You will need to arrangetravel and hotel reservations. Some companies work with atravel agent that can help you with this and often get you abetter rate.
The size and age of the boat determine the cost. If you aretravelling with several friends, family members or othercouples, you can split the cost. This is a great way to enjoy aluxury vacation at a reasonable cost. With your co travellers,you will need to set an itinerary for your trip. Decide whatactivities you are interested in, and the sights you want tosee. The charter company will help you set an itinerary thatwill include something for everyone in your group.
Requirements
You will need to prove that you are qualified to handle theship you intend to rent. You will be asked for your sailingresume, which details your experience. Some companies require aBareboat Sailing Certificate. Prior to departure, a skipper willtake you out on a short cruise for you to demonstrate yourskills. This allows them to be sure of your ability and givesyou a chance to get comfortable with the sailboat or motoryacht. If the skipper is not convinced of your skill, you willneed to hire a skipper for the voyage. This can cost up to $200per day.
Choosing a Charter Company
You can charter either directly with the charter company orwork with a charter broker. A broker works with several chartercompanies worldwide. The fee is paid by the charter company. Thebenefit of a broker is they have access to more boats and may bebetter able to find the perfect boat for your needs, and to fityour budget.
Good brokers are familiar with all the boats they broker. Youwill be sent pictures, brochures and descriptions of each boatto help you make a decision. Ask about the age and condition ofeach boat. The newer the boat, the higher the price you will payfor your vacation. A five year old boat will be less expensive,but if it is well maintained, can give you a great trip at alower cost.
Whether you are using a broker or a charter company, choose anorganization that has been in business for a long time. Checkwith the Better Business Bureau for information on companiesoperating in the United States. Ask for references from peoplewho have used the company or broker in the past. Your trip is abig investment and you want to be sure you are making the bestchoice.
About the Author: Ciara McNamara reveals many news to theinformation source athttp://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com. The author isworking on topics like bareboat charters (http://www.luxury-yacht-charters-guide.com/bareboat-charters.html) and others.
