Yacht Chartering 101 – Your Top Guide!

The prospect of sailing trips for holidays appears to overwhelm a lot of people for a variety of reasons.

Some believe that a sailing trip is a rich man’s pastime while others think that a sailing trip requires navigational and other technical knowledge that they do not have.

The truth, however, is that sailing trips have become accessible in every sense of the term, financially and technically.

It has been my feeling that a lot of people stay away from this exciting alternative to land-based holidays on account of lack of information that is presented in a comprehensive but simple way.

In this article, therefore, I have provided a yacht chartering 101 so that a casual reader can get all the information at once place.

If you want to dig deeper into any aspect of yacht charter, you can simply search for it on this website.

 

How to Choose a Yacht Charter Company

Once you have decided to go on a sailing trip, it is time to zero in on the best yacht for your needs and requirements.

For this purpose, it is important you do your due diligence in choosing a reliable yacht charter company that can provide you not just the boat, but also an entire gamut of services to make your yachting experience memorable.

While a large-sized company would provide you with a wider selection of boats to choose from, a smaller company would likely provide a more attentive customer service.

Regardless of their sizes, you should pay attention to their overall experience in the business, as well the reputation they enjoy in the industry. Click to Read More 

Plenty of yacht in a marina

Find a Yacht Charter Company

Now that you have a good idea about what to look for in a yacht charter company, you can start the actual process of finding the right yacht charter company.

For this purpose, the internet is a great help to do your research. You can look through their websites to see their catalog of boats, in terms of their size and vintage.

There are also review sites where you can get a good feel of their maintenance standards, and customer service.

Having a good idea about your own group size and the budget would help you see which yacht company can match your needs the best. Click to Read More 

Marina Casa de Campo in the Caribbean

Choosing the Right Yacht Charter

You may have found out the perfect yacht charter company that fulfills all your needs. However, you still have to decide what kind of chartering arrangement you would avail of them.

There are a few factors that you should carefully consider before signing the contract. Firstly, how big is your touring party and how long would your trip last.

This would help you choose a boat with an adequate number of cabins and other onboard amenities.

You would also have to decide, depending on your seafaring abilities, whether you want a skippered and fully crewed boat.

Other factors that should also enter your calculations include whether you want a monohull or a multihull, yacht age and luxury, length of the boat, and whether you want a pure sailing yacht or a powered boat. Click to Read More

Yachts in a marina

The requirement to Charter a Bareboat

Bareboat charters are extremely popular among yachtsmen who want to experience the thrill of sailing while keeping the cost of sailing down.

However, before you can charter a bareboat, yacht charter companies would insist that you provide a proof of your ability to navigate and handle a boat offshore.

You can either do this through a qualification such as International Certificate of Competence or providing proof of your sailing experience.

Most charter companies are more interested in your actual competence than a formal license.

However, certain countries such as Greece, Spain, Turkey, and Croatia have strict rules that allow only individuals with an ICC or other recognized certificate to charter and skipper a boat. Click to Read More

Group of people on a sailing trip

Best Places to Sail in the World

When it comes to choosing your sailing destination, you literally have the world on a platter.

Aside from the ever popular and world-class sailing destinations such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, sailors are slowly discovering other parts of the world that no less stunning in terms of picture-perfect coastlines, turquoise waters, and a serene sailing weather.

Sailing destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia also provide you the option of planning your trip when the northern hemisphere is experiencing winter and less than ideal sailing conditions. Click to Read More

view on Greecde

The Best Time to Charter a Yacht

When it comes to chartering a yacht, the early bird does indeed get the juiciest of deals.

Yacht charters would be able to provide you with a larger selection of boats when you approach them at the earliest, which could be as much as 9-12 months before the sailing season.

In addition to the best boats, you would also get to profit from substantial discounts offered by yacht charter companies.

In terms of peak sailing seasons, it varies depending on the region. While the Mediterranean experiences peak traffic during its pleasant summer months, the tropical waters of South East Asia are best visited during the winter months of December to February.

On the other hand, the Caribbean has a pleasant warm weather all year round. However, they do have an official hurricane season from June to November, resulting in minimal sailing traffic. Click to Read More

Catamaran in the White Bay

 The Benefits of Chartering a Yacht

Not everyone has the means or the time to own and maintain a boat. However, most of us do want to experience the thrill of sailing out in the open sea.

The solution? Hire a yacht according to your needs from one of the many yachts chartering companies.

Chartering a yacht provides you with many benefits, not the least of which is choosing from a large selection of boats of varying sizes, age, and luxury features.

You do not even have to worry about navigation and operating a boat aboard a chartered boat as the dedicated crew would take care of all your little whims and fancies as you enjoy a once in a lifetime trip.

Chartering a boat also provides unmatched flexibility in terms of timing your sailing trip as well the choosing the destination. Click to Read More

Boats in Ibiza

Why You Should Charter a Yacht

Why should you choose to charter a yacht when there are so many places to see and enjoy on the land. There are many reasons why.

First and foremost, a yacht charter affords you a level of freedom, privacy, and luxury that even the most exclusive of resorts and hotels on land would find hard to match.

You get complete control in terms of devising your itinerary, the places you want to see, and the places you want to skip.

There is also a wide range of options in terms of budget, from the uber-luxurious catamarans to bareboat charters.

In addition, you can enjoy a range of activities aboard the yacht for the whole family including the kids.

For those who want a completely relaxing holiday with no stress of everyday chores, the fully crewed and skippered yachts are great options.

The skipper and the crew will be responsible for all the navigational and operational duties including preparing gourmet meals on board! Click to Read More

Boats in Greece

Last Minute Sailing Holidays

Typically, you would get the best deals on yachts when you book early. However, the yacht chartering business witnesses a lot of last minute cancellations, freeing up boats for charter.

The companies offer some truly steal of deals that present very attractive options to budget-conscious sailors.

While there is no doubt that you should look to book early if you can, you can still enjoy a sailing holiday within your budget if you do a proper research with the yacht chartering companies. Click to Read More

Cooper_island

How to Plan a Sailing Trip

Meticulous research and planning go a long way in ensuring a smooth sailing trip.

It is important that you finalize your budget as the first exercise as it would guide and help you make the right decisions when it comes to choosing the right boat, planning the itinerary including air travel and hotel stays, etc.

While most charter companies have standard contractual documents, you should discuss certain aspects of your trip including policies and liabilities for cancellation, loss of days due to weather, and condition of the boat. Click to Read More

Yacht charter Broker

How to Pack for a Sailing Trip

When it comes to sailing trips, the thumb rule is to pack light. After all, space is a real constraint aboard a boat.

Also, a lot of loads can impair the sailing characteristics of a boat. However, there are certain essentials that you must carry so that you enjoy a truly stress-free and quality sailing holiday.

To begin with, you should make sure you are carrying all the necessary legal documents such as the passport along with you.

Pack your clothes according to the weather. Since you would be spending the holiday in water, wet clothes are necessary.

Make sure you carry all your prescription medicines, toiletries as well medications for common ailments such as headaches, cold etc. Sunglasses and slip-proof shoes too are very handy aboard the vessel. Click to Read More

Packing list

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, reading through this article has provided you with an accurate idea of what it takes to go on a sailing holiday.

As you would have noticed, besides a few preparatory research and planning, going on a sailing trip is as easy as your typical land holiday.

On the other hand, no land holiday can match a sailing trip in terms of its thrill, feeling of independence, luxury, privacy, and flexibility.

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If you want to learn more about any other aspect of sailing, browse through this website and you will find all the information you are looking for.

14 thoughts on “Yacht Chartering 101 – Your Top Guide!”

  1. Great site, I dont know much about yachts, but I can see a lot of very informative content. The visuals you used are great as well.
    I know people will find this site very beneficial when planning a trip. I’m curious to see if you are planning on doing any reviews , I’d like to see that.
    Keep up the good work

    cheers

    Reply
    • Hi Jmario,

      Indeed, the purpose of this site is to help people planning an unforgettable sailing trip and to make the right choices.

      There are many reviews on my website and they are more to come soon!

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a fantastic day!

      Reply
  2. First, just by looking at your website, I wan to go cruising already!!!! :-p

    Site nicely lay out, beautiful.

    Sorry, I can’t find anything need to comment to add to your site, because if seems perfect to me.

    On the other hand, I have a friend which has a little yacht would love to read this site, in fact, I am going to forward this site to him, I am sure he will love it!

    Great job!!!! This is a site I will come back to visit again for sure!!!

    Reply
    • Hi Echan,

      I am glad you like my website and this is very nice of you to forward it to your friend, I really appreciate!

      Thank you very for the comment and wish you a wonderful day:)

      Reply
  3. I have always loved being on a boat, but never have felt comfortable being the captain. I even get a little freaked out with the little electric duffy boats in the newport harbor in Southern California. Boat rides are so nice and relaxing to me, and your website offers so many good options for those who want to experience the open sea

    Reply
    • Hi Jeff,

      Yes, it can be impressive to navigate a boat, especially if you are not familiar with the navigation:)

      Hiring a skipper or do some sailing courses are wonderful solutions to this problem:)

      Thank you for your kind comment and wish you to a nice day!

      Reply
  4. This is a very unique site on sailing and vacations. I love all your destinations and we have been to a number of them in the Caribbean. The pictures of the water and sand beach’s were fabulous.

    I also enjoyed your suggestions of wines and drinks along with the different sea food selections. Looks like you really did your homework and also you enjoy traveling.

    I do have to say that i was surprised at the explicit natural of some of your pictures and videos. I didn’t watch them completely.
    But I guess that is what you see traveling.

    Best success to you,

    Reply
    • Hi Robert,

      Thank you for your kind comment, it is always good to hear nice feedbacks!
      The Caribbean is such a beautiful place to visit, I’ve been in the Bahamas and the Abacos many times. These are my favourite islands!
      My children and I were feeding the pigs from the boat. We could see them swimming in the transparent blue water. It was absolutely fantastic.

      I would recommend to anyone who to sail at least once in the Caribbean, especially to the Exuma!

      Food and wine go along with sailing. Eating, drinking, relaxing and having fun are the primary purpose of the trip! Isn’t?

      Have a wonderful day:)

      Reply
  5. Hiring a yacht for vacation would be a very fun thing to do. It does seem like a good idea to see if your charter can get delivered to your location. That would make things a lot easier than having to trailer to where the yacht is located.

    Reply
    • Indeed, I totally agree with you Emily, chartering a boat for holidays is fun and exciting! I personally thing that everyone should experience a sailing trip at least once in a lifetime! Renting a yacht has never been easier than ever before! The procedure is simple and quick!
      Thank you for the comment and wish you a wonderful day!

      Reply
  6. You wrote that you should consider how big your party will be and how long you want the excursion to last. I’ve been thinking about taking my family out on a crewed charter tour, as I thought it could be a fun thing to do on our vacation. I know my son will eventually get bored, so I’ll have to find one that doesn’t last too long, or has exciting activities available.

    Reply
    • Hi Dennis,

      Thanks for the comment.
      Yes, that’s right, you need to know how many guests will be part of the trip and the duration as well.
      Most charter companies require a minimum of 7 days, but if you are planning a shorter trip, then tour agencies like GAdventure and Intrepid Travel organize sailing adventures of 4 days.
      Both are great; the only difference is that with a yacht charter company you have the option to choose the boat, food, itinerary, etc,
      Tour agencies don’t offer these possibilities; the trip is arranged in advance including the boat, which is also great if this is what you look for.

      Before answering any question concerning your son, I need to know first his age as there are so many activities that vary by age group.

      Be aware that you’ll be sailing for few hours each day and you’ll spend the rest of the time on shore to chill out and enjoy all the fun activities.

      I hope it helped and if you need to know more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time, I’ll be more than happy to help:)

      I wish you a fantastic day!

      Reply
  7. Thanks for the information on choosing a good yacht charter. It makes sense that I should find one that provides a captain and some sort of crew. I don’t have any idea how to sail, but I always thought it would be fun to take a trip on a yacht.

    Reply
    • Hi Ridley,

      Indeed, you need to charter a crewed or skippered yacht if you don’t know how to sail. If you’ve never sailed before, then I highly encourage you to do so. You will have an enjoyable time on the water!

      Please, let know if you need any help, I’ll be more than happy to assist:)
      Thank you for the comment and wis you a wonderful day!

      Reply

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