Before taking on a sailing trip, you should decide which type of charter suits your needs and skills the best. There are three types of charters: bareboat, skippered and crewed. What you will choose depends on your personal preferences and sailing skills. To make your decision easier, we have summed up all the main characteristics of each charter types.
To put it simply, chartering a bareboat means you are chartering a boat without a crew. This means you are responsible for providing a licensed skipper. You yourself can be the skipper if you provide proof of your sailing skills. Usually, yacht owners will ask for your skipper licence, permit, certificate or other type of document which will prove you have the necessary skills needed for a certain type of boat. The biggest advantage of chartering a bareboat is your complete independence! This means YOU choose your route, YOU choose your next destination, YOU determine your schedule!
If you or none of your crew members, qualify as a licenced skipper, the skippered charter is a great choice for all of you who still wish to rent a boat for yourself and your chosen passangers because the yacht owner/charter agent will provide you a skipper and additional crew if needed. The skipper will take care of the yacht, your safety and the sailing route while you can just relax and enjoy your trip. Skippered charter offers you a great combination of independent exploration of the coast and islands, while someone else does all the work for you!
Another way to let someone else take care of the boat and sailing routes, while you relax and enjoy yourself, is to choose crewed charter. By choosing this option, you get maximum comfort and service, as not only will someone else navigate you through the seas but a crew will also take care of your meals, safety, cleaning etc. It is like being on a floating hotel which offers you a completely different view every day!
Essential part of a good sailing trip planning process is an open discussion between skipper and crew about potential trip risks and their mitigation. The harmony within the crew should not suffer from an external event that might cause damage to property or even people. Charter insurances can cover some of the major risks and therefore are highly recommended. The most common insurances are:
— Travel cancellation costs insurance
— Guarantee insurance for security deposits
— Skipper third party liability insurance
— Skipper passenger accident insurance
— International health insurance
The most important thing is to be prepared for all possible situations that could go wrong. As the one being responsible for the little ones, you should always anticipate possible stressful situations and keep in mind to stay calm and handle every situation with confidence. Talk with your kids so they‚Äôll know what to expect regarding what they can and cannot do while on board, safety, what to expect from the trip… Ask yourself some of these questions: Do i know where I have all the life jackets stored? What do I do if a child falls overboard? Do I know how to properly inflate the dinghy? Have I given precise roles and duties to all my crew members?etc. It is of upper importance that before embarking on a trip with your kids, you can answer these questions with confidence.
Everyone on board should have a lifejacket and everyone should be informed and know at all times where the lifejackets are stored. Small children (5-6 years old) and non-swimmers should wear fastenable vests. Always check with your agent/fleet operator if they provide life jackets for small children because many chartered boats do not have them on board or they will not be the right size for your kid. We recommend you bring your own lifejackets for your child and make sure they wear them at all times, even when off shore! Kids should have the same sailing gear as the adults on board. This includes non-slip shoes, sailing gloves, hat, sunglasses, sun protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen
Food and drink are important aspects of any yacht charter. Be sure to include plenty of nutritious foods your kids will love because sailing as much fun as it is, it is a journey packed with activity and we all know how fresh air and activity can make one very hungry! Remember to pack saltines for possible occasional motion sickness or tummy-aches.
